Some people plan a party. Jamie Rose Plum creates an experience, preferably one involving beautiful flowers, memorable food and, if the occasion calls for it, a lot of butter or a few full-size skeletons named Robert and Peggy.
As owner of Rose & Plum Living, Jamie Rose believes the most successful events are about far more than beautiful tablescapes or picture-perfect florals. They are about creating something personal, unexpected, and meaningful for the people gathered around the table.
“There are so many components of an exceptional event. Yes, the beauty of it is a huge part, but making it unique, and most importantly making the client and their guests feel something is truly what it is about.”
That philosophy is at the heart of how Jamie Rose approaches event production. Rather than beginning with a color palette or a Pinterest board, she starts with questions. Lots of them.
How did the couple meet? Where did the guest of honor grow up? What did they study? What do they love? Even something as seemingly unrelated as a preferred clothing style can offer a clue to the aesthetic and personality a client wants to communicate.
Ultimately, Jamie is looking for the “why” behind the event. Once she understands that, the creative possibilities open up.
When Butter Becomes the Theme
Case in point: a French butter-themed baby shower.
Jamie Rose admits the idea was not exactly a stretch for her. “Well, I love butter and France, so that was an easy one!” But the theme was much more than a clever idea. The mom-to-be, KJ, had spent most of her career in hospitality, working at some of the country’s finest restaurants, hotels, and event venues. The father-to-be was a talented chef with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S. and internationally. The couple had honeymooned in France, used French butter regularly in their careers, and even incorporated a French food meets Nancy Meyers aesthetic into the baby’s nursery.
Suddenly, French butter was not just a theme. It was their story.
Rose & Plum Living combined the idea with refined elements of French culture, cuisine, and antique decor. The result was an event that felt personal rather than manufactured, allowing the mom-to-be to feel recognized during an important moment in her life.
A Little Restraint Never Hurt Anyone
Of course, when creativity is part of the job, knowing when to stop can be just as important as knowing what to add. “I am a visual person, so decor-wise I will order a variety of linens, seek out a vast array of floral options, purchase and maybe even over purchase decor pieces- all so that I have options to work with- fully knowing I am not going to use them all.”
Jamie Rose loves florals, patterns, bold colors and textures, but balance keeps those elements from competing for attention. Subtle colors, lighter fabrics and classic pieces can give more dramatic details room to shine.
That same philosophy extends to food and beverages, which Jamie Rose considers a central part of the overall experience. Food should not only taste wonderful, she believes, but also contribute to the story being told. After all, Thanksgiving would not feel quite the same without the family recipes everyone expects to find on the table.
The Details Guests Remember
Some of the most memorable touches are not necessarily the ones guests expect.
For Halloween events, Rose & Plum Living has embraced the unexpected by incorporating full-size skeletons into massive grazing tables. What began at a client’s annual Halloween party became an instant hit. The guests loved the skeletons so much that they eventually received names.
Robert and Peggy were no longer decorations. They were guests.
It is that sense of surprise, personality, and intention that Jamie Rose hopes people carry with them after an event is over. The food, florals, decor, and details are all part of something larger: creating connection.
At the heart of Jamie Rose’s philosophy is something wonderfully simple. Guests should leave knowing they mattered enough for someone to think carefully about their experience.
“Very honestly, that they matter. That someone wanted them to share in this experience and moment with them- whether it's a celebration or even a sorrowful time- that they were included for a reason. That there is intention behind all of it.”
And perhaps that is the real art of entertaining. The most memorable event is not necessarily the one with the most elaborate decor or the most extravagant menu. It is the one that tells a story, creates a little wonder, and makes everyone around the table feel like they were exactly where they were meant to be.
RoseAndPlumliving.com
Photography- Amy Allmand Photography
Events & Catering- Rose & Plum Living
Cocktails/Mocktails- Before & Beyond Beverage Co.
Embroidery Cart- Franklin Stitch Club
Cake- Tammie Osborne
Cookies- Sugar Butter 615