Some Saturdays call for an extra cup of coffee.
On October 24, our Sterling team was preparing for two celebrations: a café-inspired baby shower at The Snug in Chagrin Falls and Katie and Tom’s engagement brunch at Blind Squirrel Winery.
Each had its own look, its own details, and a family ready to celebrate. Our job was to make sure both felt thoughtful, welcoming, and ready when the guests arrived.
Here’s a little of what happened before the first mimosa was poured.
Two celebrations, two settings, and one busy Saturday for the Sterling team.
A Beautiful Saturday Starts on Friday
For the baby shower, the work began the day before.
We loaded our trailer with chairs, tables, linens, and place settings, then brought everything to The Snug. Setting the room on Friday gave us time to work through the details before the celebration began.
Dustin stopped by to capture the setup, and Caroline hand-drew the chalkboard welcome sign.
There’s a lot tucked into that word, “setup.” It means unloading, arranging furniture, dressing tables, placing décor, and checking that guests will have room to move comfortably.
Doing that work ahead of time gives us space for the finishing touches the next morning.
A Little Parisian Café in Chagrin Falls
The baby shower brought a Parisian café feeling to The Snug: a welcoming table, coffee, pastries, and thoughtful ways for guests to celebrate the growing family.
The menu was part of the experience. Croissants, quiche, yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit and granola, and hot and iced coffee made it feel like a leisurely café morning. Mimosas added a celebratory touch.
We included Starbucks coffee because it was the mom-to-be’s favorite. Those personal details are always worth making room for.
Guests could also decorate a onesie or leave a note sharing a family tradition or a wish for the baby. Activities like these give people something to enjoy together and leave the family with keepsakes to revisit later.
Dusty Blue and Brunch at Blind Squirrel Winery
Meanwhile, another part of our team was bringing Katie and Tom’s engagement celebration to life at Blind Squirrel Winery.
Their “A Toast Before I Do” brunch paired dusty blue with white flowers and greenery. Dusty-blue runners, bud vases, silver dollar eucalyptus, gold votives, and rattan placemats brought texture and warmth to the tables.
Hungry Bee catered the brunch, and the mimosa bar gave everyone a reason to raise a glass.
The flower bar was another lovely detail, with hydrangeas in dusty blue, green, and white carrying the palette through the celebration. Custom napkins added a personal finishing touch.
It was a setting made for lingering over brunch and enjoying the people gathered to celebrate Katie and Tom.
How We Managed Two Celebrations at Once
Planning two events on the same day takes preparation and a team that knows the plan.
Jessie led the day at Blind Squirrel while I led the shower at The Snug. We had helpers at both locations, and Adela photographed the setups at each.
Every event needs someone who knows where things belong, what needs to happen next, and who to call when a question comes up. Having those responsibilities settled ahead of time lets us give each celebration the attention it deserves.
For the families hosting, that means being able to welcome their guests and enjoy the morning.
That’s a big part of what I want our planning to provide: time to be present for the celebration you’ve been looking forward to.
Planning Your Own Celebration?
A baby shower, an engagement brunch, or a milestone birthday can hold so many personal details: a favorite coffee, a meaningful color, a handwritten welcome, or a table filled with the people you love.
I help bring those pieces together, from the first ideas and vendor coordination to the setup on the day.
If you’re planning a celebration in Cleveland, Chagrin Falls, or the surrounding Northeast Ohio area, I’d love to hear what you have in mind.
Janet Abbey · Sterling Event Services · sterlingeventservices.com
Founded 1995 · 700+ Celebrations · Northeast Ohio's Full-Service Event Planning Company
