How to Throw a Party Like The Richmond Experience
Yes, okay, this summer’s podcast launch party for The Chatter IS our entire personality these days, but we can’t just have an amazing celebration like that and NOT give you a roundup of all the vendors we worked with so that you, too, can throw your own unforgettable rooftop soirée/office party/birthday shindig/wedding/what have you.
If you missed any of our shout-outs on Insta, here’s everything in one place.
— by Kelsey Heintz, Managing Editor
Image Source: Graduate Richmond
Image Source: EmmiClaire Photography
Image Source: EmmiClaire Photography
Location & Menu
Byrdhouse at Graduate Richmond
The vibes at Graduate Richmond are immaculate — and that’s even before you make your way up to the rooftop bar, Byrdhouse. The downtown hotel is brimming with touches of local history and pop-culture nostalgia, and the rooftop gives you breathtaking views (and a pool!) to pair with hours of mixing and mingling with friends.
The spot’s team hooked us up with a personalized cocktail menu, along with snacks, and that’s just the start of the hospitable feels you’ll get while working on your event with Graduate Richmond. Peep their offerings here and their venue options here, and get ready to have a TIME.
Location: 301 W Franklin St (Downtown)
DJ
DJ Anthony Bryant
DJ Anthony Bryant set the tone for this party, and between his electric bops and our glam, we were moments away from switching gears entirely and throwing a surprise wedding instead.
Anthony is the good-time guy you want handling the soundtrack on your big day. He’s warm and attentive, and while HE’S the one blasting certified bangers, he keeps YOU the focus of your event. Ahead of our rooftop soirée, Anthony zeroed in on the mood we wanted, queued up our favorite songs, and equipped us with wireless mics so we could take a moment to toast our guests, too. We were ready to celebrate the moment he pressed play!
Drop him a line as you party-plan your upcoming nuptials or otherwise, and def make sure you’ve got a solid pair of dancing shoes at the ready — you’re gonna be on your feet all night.
Photographer
EmmiClaire Photography
I mean, the gorg photos throughout this guide practically speak for themselves, but the reason for the season is The Chatter, after all, so we’ll happily talk your ear off about how much we loved working with the team at EmmiClaire Photography.
Owner and lead photographer, Emily Alwood, was our first point of contact when we started lining things up. She’s been a long-time supporter of The Richmond Experience (peep the Member Perk she offers here, BTW!), and given her *extremely beautiful* portfolio of wedding, branding, portrait, and drone photography, we knew she’d have the perfect eye for capturing this big night for us.
After we coordinated details with Emily, she set us up with EmmiClaire Photography team member Ashley Glasco, who effortlessly snapped pics of all the right things. Not to be dramatic, but when we got the final gallery, we collectively spiraled into a deep sadness about how the party had, in fact, passed, and that wasn’t just a dress rehearsal. Ashley caught ALL the evening’s best angles and instantly made us want to go back!
Party Favors
Crescent Simples & Cirrus Vodka
Our thinking was: What better way to send off our guests than a to-go toast? Crescent Simples and Cirrus Vodka are two of our many favorite businesses in the city, and when they’re paired together, they’re a real power couple. PLUS, each biz caters to both drinkers and non-drinkers, which we know means a lot to our readers.
Crescent Simples treated guests to their oh-so-summery Peach Hibiscus and Grapefruit Rosemary simple syrups (drink recipe cards included!), and Cirrus Vodka spoiled everyone with a complimentary c/mocktail ticket to redeem at either the Ownby St location or coming-soon Scott’s Addition location. Sip sip, hooray!
Now, we don’t mean to make you blush, but…
You looked SO CUTE, we had to share just a few more pics EmmiClaire Photography sent our way. Thank you so much for coming to party with us *and* for supporting our small team during this new adventure and in the years leading up to it 😭 We’re very psyched to continue down this road alongside you, talking into your ear on your commute, while you work out, during your coffee break — whenever!
Cheers to many, many more episodes of The Chatter and many, many more HAPPY hours like these. (And seriously: your fits, your shades, your stunning smiles?! PLEASE.)
More to-dos to do:
