Charleston Garden Party with Draper James

One of the things I love the most about spring is that the warmer and longer days call for lots of outdoor picnics and parties. To get in the springtime spirit, I hosted a little Charleston garden party with Draper James last week for a few girlfriends. Allison was in Charleston with me for a couple days so she helped me set up before the rest of the girls arrived. It was a beautiful, semi-overcast morning so it was perfect for an outdoor gathering.

On Jillian: Top (c/o) / Skirt (also comes in a dress) (c/o) / Earrings / Bracelet / Wedges
On Allison: Top (c/o) / Shorts (also comes in dress) (c/o) / Bracelet
Tabletop: Pitcher / Cups / Plates / Bowls / Cocktail Napkins (all c/o)

I knew I wanted the garden party to be bright and cheery so I was so happy when Draper James sent along their adorable watermelon print tabletop ware. Nothing says spring like watermelon! We started our garden party off drinking pink lemonade with the festive pitcher and cups to ease into the gathering. Staying on theme, we switched our drinks up to these watermelon margaritas as it got closer to lunchtime.

Allison and I were feeling the southern charm of the Charleston garden party so we both wore new Draper James outfits. I paired a lace trimmed button-down with a bold striped skirt (also comes in a dress). The skirt would be so cute with a simple tee or light sweater too and I love the idea of dressing up jeans by wearing them with the lace trimmed button-down. Allison wore the cutest pale blue top with lace detailing (obviously we were in a lace mood!) with scalloped shorts (also comes in a dress). I adore the way she mixed the light pastel-like colors! Both dresses (one, two) would be perfect for graduations or Mother’s Day!

Charleston is known for so many things including secret gardens and a rich history of iron work. My parents combined both perfectly in their garden patio. I love my mom’s choice of wrought iron trellis and patio furniture because both are so true to Charleston’s past and architecture (there are beautiful iron gates all over the city!). One of my favorite pastimes in Charleston is to mosey around the old neighborhoods and peer over gates and behind trees to get a glimpse of people’s secret gardens and backyards. They all tell their own unique story, which is so special and characteristic of the south. When my parent’s garden is in full bloom it is really spectacular!

I’m a total sucker for fun barware, especially cocktail napkins! Nowadays you can get cute cocktail napkins for every occasion so I have a lot of fun with them. These “Tell Me Something Good” napkins are the perfect amount of kitchy and cute. I also love these cocktail napkins, oh, and if you live in Dallas or Nashville then these are a must!

On Jillian: Top (c/o) / Skirt (also comes in a dress) (c/o) / Earrings / Bracelet / Wedges
On Allison: Top (c/o) / Shorts (also comes in dress) (c/o) / Bracelet
Tabletop: Pitcher / Cups / Plates / Bowls / Cocktail Napkins (all c/o)

Get the Charleston Garden Party with Draper James look:

Photography by Virgil Bunao. Thank you to Draper James for partnering on this post.