This Fourth of July, I turned my own backyard into the kind of gathering I love designing for others—simple, seasonal, and full of intention. Local flowers, herbs snipped fresh from the garden, and a table set to feel lived-in rather than perfectly styled. Here's what I learned about entertaining without the extras.

The Art of Gathering: A Series

This is the first in a new series exploring the ideas behind our work, and why Simplicity in Mind is centering our studio around micro events: fewer events, more meaning, and the kind of atmosphere that only happens when there’s room for it to breathe.

Every design has to begin somewhere. For us, it often starts in the garden. In this first edition of From the Garden, we’re sharing how nature, seasonality, and slow observation continue to shape the weddings, editorials, and immersive experiences we create.

Explore our favorite Hudson Valley wedding venues through the eyes of an event designer and upstate New York wedding planner.