Events by Melissa McNeeley

17/11/2025

Been planning parties for decades…but this is the first one you can hold in your hands.

EasyFancy (✨my cocktail-and-canapé love letter to gatherings✨)is finally on its way.

Years of ideas, months of shoots, plenty of laughter, and a parade of brilliant collaborators brought this book to life. And is part of the dream team for all food recipes 🥰

It’s funky, it’s chic, it’s a little unhinged in the best way, and I’m wildly proud of it.

🗓️January 2026 can’t come soon enough.

🍾🪩🌟If you want to be on the release list for launch events and early updates, comment “release” and I’ll add you.

📸 photography
✍️illustrationskenner 📐formatting & project management good.company 💕initial inspo

01/11/2025

25/10/2025

Every Halloween party needs these radish eyeballs:

Radish + peeler + half green olive. Leave the tails on the radish for a super spooky touch.

Amazing floating in kombucha (featured here) or a freezing cold martini.

Or serve in a bowl… kids love crunching on these with veggie dip.

Such a simple treat 🖤

09/10/2025

A love story that began with martinis🍸

For their wedding at The Bowery Hotel, Alex and David swapped the classic champagne tower for a martini cascade — a nod to their first date and favorite ritual.

🫒Each guest found their seat via a handmade paper mâché olive, and the space bloomed with grape trees, lush drapery, ice cream served in silver, and sculptural florals that brought the bride’s vision to life.

Planning this one was pure charm.

Paper maché olives
Florals
Photography
Venue
Beauty
Paper
Music
Dress

02/10/2025

✨ Happy Anniversary to Annie and Harry ✨ 10/5

Your wedding was gorgeous in every way—but one detail still stands out as a favorite: how you handled the question every couple faces… “Do we invite kids?”

Instead of stressing, you embraced it. You created activities, welcomed little ones, and made sure parents felt at ease.

Forget one flower girl—this was a full procession, a joyful swirl of kids lighting up the aisle. A gaggle.

The result was a wedding where everyone (kids included) felt comfortable, cared for, and able to celebrate fully.

And that’s one of the key—if not the most important—factors in wedding planning: how will your guests feel?

For couples planning now: this is proof that the guest experience matters most, and that honoring your community makes your day even more unforgettable. 💕

16/09/2025

1. They weren’t welcomed.

Greet them. Welcome them. Offer a drink. It’s a tricky situation walking into a party where you may or may not know anybody. Make sure they feel comfortable.

2. They weren’t introduced to anyone.

Introduce them around to one or two people. Most people can be shy about introducing themselves and starting conversation.

3. They weren’t shown around.

Use your Space. Physically move your guests through the party - browse the appetizer table or fix them a drink. It helps break up the awkward downtime and creates natural moments to connect.

19/08/2025

If you burn the dinner or not, every candle is lit, or you’re just not ready on time… have a sense of humor about it.
You being present and enjoying your guests is more important than any of that other stuff.
But please have food and drinks and introduce your guests to each other for the love of God.

14/08/2025

Every gathering has a story. Maybe it’s welcoming a guest from out of town, celebrating a promotion or, or crafting together. Maybe it’s signing postcards to send to Senators (elevated with delicious food and drinks of course) or sharing an intimate dinner introducing old friends to new ones.

What have been some of your favorites? 🍸

25/06/2025

extra proud to be a New Yorker today

11/06/2025

Love the greens as an alt to flowers 🌿

Husband and door 🔥

Green bar 💚