Kelli Haywood loves a little friendly competition. So, when the Texan-turned-Tennessean began planning her 40th birthday bash with husband Dave Haywood (of the country music group Lady A), she wanted it to be remembered as the BEST game night of all time. “Next to her people, what Kelli loves most is winning—whether it’s games, sports, contests, or anything else for that matter!” says the honoree’s close friend Blair Laborde of Sarah Blair Event Design. “So we planned an event that really spoke to Kelli’s passion for fun and games with festivities that would start in the afternoon and continue well past dinner.”
In an homage to Kelli’s roots, more than 70 of her nearest and dearest wore their “Texas best” and convened at West Glow Farm, an enchanting 65-acre property in Kingston Springs, just a short drive from her home base in Nashville. The event kicked off with an afternoon skeet shoot offering challenging speeds and angles for the advanced shooters, along with instructors to assist the first-timers in the group. As dusk drew, the gang strapped on brightly-colored “fanny packs” filled with tokens and chips featuring photos of Kelli from the past four decades. They headed to The Barn for 80s arcade games such as Skee-Ball and mini-golf, as well as casino games like poker and roulette. “It’s rare for adults to just ‘play’ anymore, so the best gift I got was seeing everyone having some good, old-fashioned fun,” Kelli says. “Some friends got really into it and even developed strategies to collect the most tokens and chips.”
Those taking a break from the competitions could be found at the bourbon-tasting bar or imbibing specialty cocktails. In addition to enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres, guests also grazed at the 6-foot-long charcuterie station before taking their dinner seats beneath the canopy of bistro lights and basket chandeliers. There, they indulged in four courses of farm-to-table fare prepared by Chef Steven Bailey of Kindred Farm.
Much like the theme, deciding on a decorative scheme was a no-brainer for Kelli and Blair as long as it included nature, flowers, and anything green—“Kelli” green to be exact. Billowy linen tablecloths featuring birds and botanicals made the perfect backdrop for wood-handled flatware and chargers, white ceramic plates, and delicate blush linen napkins topped with hand-calligraphed menu cards. In lieu of traditional centerpieces, Nashville floral designer Meg Hutchinson of The Florista constructed towering floral topiaries to accentuate The Barn’s soaring ceilings and offer a major wow factor. For movement, she wove hurricanes and flower-filled compotes into the mix and paraded them down the length of the table.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” says Kelli. “It is not every day—or even every birthday— that you get to partake in all of your favorite pastimes with all of your favorite people in one place. Everything came together so seamlessly, and I loved knowing that the evening was just as special for my guests as it was for me. We could start planning now for my 50th, but I’m not quite sure it could top this one.”
GETTING PERSONAL
Event designer Blair Laborde takes her clients’ parties personally. “Party favors are a wonderful way for a host or hostess to show their guests how much their presence is appreciated,” she says. “I like to take them one step further by creating a favor that reflects the giver’s personality or passion. It not only serves as a tangible memory of the event but also as a special reminder of the giver.”
Here are a few of Blair’s gift ideas that reflect different givers:
FROM THE GOLFER: Personalized golf balls or golf towel.
FROM THE GAME LOVER: A customized deck of playing cards.
FROM THE GARDENER: Personalized packets of flower or vegetable seeds.
FROM THE WINE ENTHUSIAST: A bottle of the host’s favorite vino with a personalized label.
FROM THE NIGHT OWL: A customized “breakfast box” for late night or early morning munchies.
