Spring Reset: The Future Requests Your RSVP
The imminent scene of color blossoming in the wild has officially initiated its energetic hold in our showroom with the Spring Designers Series. These tablescapes ask us to tune in to the present in order to savor the ways we can make life sweeter, more bearable even, especially as we continuously move through transitional times.
Spring sets the tone for art de vivre with her determined rebirth, self-invention, and most importantly, continuance. This begins with appreciating the beauty of every day and adopting it everywhere else in our lives. A penchant for such sentiments touches on pleasure and luxury–whether its food (always seasonal and scrumptious), the expression (dopamine dressing, take a bow), and another French word we’ve aspired to embody— volupt (meaning to please all of the senses). This is how we beautifully share our love language of entertaining around the table. May it be the powerful tonic you need to begin new traditions because life is too short not to break out the fine china.
Over the next two months, we will share six special designers and their unique tao of tabletop. Chic can be elusive, but with a sense of modernity and a wink at the past, each designer more than met this moment. They generously gifted us their expertise with a favorable interpretation of the kind of Spring ambiance that offers a graceful escape and ease. The images are stunning (thank you Tamytha!) but so are the thoughts behind them. Please also offer your undivided attention to the influence of the words below. Never forget, Spring is eternal for those who play. Joy is served.
NAME TO KNOW: MO&CO EVENTS
We first fell in love with Morgan Azurdia when she still wore her maiden name and planned a gorgeous Rose Gold Wine brand party. The attention to detail at such an early stage in her career immediately caught our eye, but it was the way she threw magic around that made us realize she was one of our spirit animals. Joie de vivre runs strong with this one. It is that very joy of living that translates into every event. And trust us when we say you'll want to refill your cup with her at the after-party.
From small gatherings at home to larger-than-life brand activations, Dallas calls MO&CO Events when they're ready to paint the town pink (or any other flavor you can dream up). We can’t wait to see where this career takes her, but first, cue the Coastal Grandma playlist (you’ll see what we mean) and spin some plates with one of DFW’s fresh faces on the party-planning scene. And what better way to celebrate her first full year in business than as one of our May Spring Series stars. Without further adieu:
TABLE TALK
First things first, tell us a bit about yourself for someone who may not be familiar.
Hi! My name is Morgan Azurdia (Woah, weird to write my new last name!), founder of MO&CO Custom Events, a bespoke event planning company based in Dallas. I have been in the events industry for almost 9 years now but decided to launch my own company one year ago in May of 2021.
One may ask, “Why start an event planning company during a pandemic when there are no events?” Well, after a transition to digital vs. in-person events at the company I worked for, many people still wanted to throw celebrations in more intimate ways from the comfort of their own homes- holiday dinner parties, kid birthday parties, drive-by baby showers. I planned many of these events on the side. Then, as more people got vaccinated, I began getting requests to plan fitness pop-ups, large baby showers, engagement parties, grand opening events for businesses, and corporate conferences. I loved creating unique experiences again! Clients were very happy with my work and the creativity I brought to the table. I realized events were never going to go away, and there will always be moments worth celebrating! Most importantly, I realized this is what I was born to do, and decided it was a perfect time to spread my wings and launch MO&CO Custom Events!
A few more quick fun facts: I am recently married and planned our wedding back in March! Stay tuned for all the amazing detail shots, coming soon :) My husband and I have two golden retrievers that are our children, Beasley and Emma and we love walking them on The Katy Trail on the weekends! I love to travel (especially to the beach), work out at my favorite local studios (VIVE, Class Studios, Ritual One) and EAT (I am a HUGE foodie)...if there is a new restaurant opening in town you know I will be there during their first few opening weeks!
How do you let a table tell a story?
It’s all in the details baby! This is my business mantra and I believe guests notice the smallest details when they are sitting at a beautiful tablescape. I believe both small and large details truly tell the story of the message you are trying to convey. Details bring your design aesthetic to life and enhance your guests’ experience like no other! From a unique menu design to an out-of-the-box name card piece to a personalized takeaway gift to the linens, flatware, and floral combo - if everything feels cohesive your table story will come to life and speak for itself!
What inspired this design?
LoveShackFancy + my wedding inspired this table design. I have been a die-hard LoveShackFancy fan since the fall of 2018. I remember I was going to NYFW for LTK / rewardStyle and I needed a garden-style outfit to wear…this is when I bought my first LSF dress (still in my closet + wear to this day). Anyways, I started following their blog and was mesmerized by their intimate, detailed, girly yet elevated events! From that point on, I started to obsess over flowers and tablescape design and knew one day I wanted my wedding to look like it came straight out of a LoveShackFancy blog post. Four years later, I think I achieved my goal and am so excited for you all to see the photos! The laser-cut lattice menu holders you see on this table design were actually a part of my wedding invitations (designed by @katherinejezekdesign of course)!
What is your favorite piece on this table and why?
If you haven’t been able to tell from my event portfolio already, mix-matched china is absolutely MY FAVORITE! Whether you are hosting an upscale tea luncheon or an intimate dinner party at home, I love the organic feel of mix-matched china and not having everything look exactly the same. Posh recently got some new garden china in stock in all different colors- I am SO excited to use these for some clients this summer!
Who would you want to bring to this table?
This table setting is PERFECT for a girl's lunch or high tea hosted by Daphne Bridgerton ;)
Best piece of hosting advice?
Create a warm + cozy space for your guests pre-arrival - light a candle, turn on a fun playlist (my personal fav is a Spotify playlist called “Coastal Grandmother”), and have a little charcuterie board or appetizer set out in advance! These small gestures show how excited you are to host your friends and/or family. Every event is worth celebrating!
Best way to find you and the other collaborators on this table?
The best place to find me is on Instagram @moeventco. My sidekicks for this table design, and almost every event + table design by MO&CO, are Katherine Jezek Design (@katherinejezekdesign) and Venus and Co Flowers (@venusandcoflowers). We all have a similar gardenesque style with a funky twist. We like our designs to be unique and not traditional. Hailey + Kat are incredible and if you haven't worked with them yet, inquire ASAP as they are filling up quickly :)
Upcoming events you are excited about?
Before I launched MO&CO, I was planning events for LTK, formerly known as rewardStyle. In the spring of 2020, I was spearheading the planning for their annual conference, #rStheCon, and then what do you know….Covid hit and the conference was suddenly canceled. This fall, they are finally hosting #LTKCon here in Dallas and I am lucky enough to be planning their finale party that concludes the conference weekend for their biggest influencer + brand partners. I am SO excited to be picking back up from where I left off in 2020, but in a much bigger and special way! Stay tuned!!
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS
My biggest source of inspiration: Instagram - You don’t want to know how many saved photos I have! I follow so many talented planners + designers + brands all over the world and they all create beautiful magic!
Dream collaborator: LoveShackFancy, of course :)
Song that always makes the playlist: Any Dua Lipa, Kygo or Rufus De Sol song - the vibe always takes guests from that first or second cocktail straight to the bar for a refill!
What do you most look forward to this year? From my wedding to two of my favorite events I have planned to date, the first half of the year is going to be pretty hard to beat, BUT I am excited about some big, experiential events + pop-ups in the fall that will blow you away!
THE CLOSE UP
Tablescape Vibe:
Spring mode activated. Nothing like full-on floral immersion for a fairytale finish to your tabletop. It is the perfect mix of a little Texas sass and sweetness.
Palette + Pattern
It’s serving peak afternoon pastel party and we are HERE FOR IT. Morgan used LoveShackFancy’s table linen to further anchor the pink parade with mixed vintage pieces. We love that our new etched floral glasses bring in the Bridgerton vibes.
Conversation Piece:
April showers indeed bring May flowers, and we love a vintage bloom. This isn’t your grandmother’s garden party just because a floral motif is present. If you don’t believe us, just wait for the after-party. I can just hear Shania now singing, "Let’s go girls." (Yes, Harry Styles can come.)
Table + Chair:
Southern chic takes a seat with the sophisticated silhouette of the Mila Chair. Plus, there is just something about girls' names beginning with M, after all.
Dress Up:
You are more than one thing, so layer on the personality and revel in your Southern charm. Feminine touches that are flirty, floral, and fun are where it’s at, sis. Bedazzled and bespoke, maybe even add a cherry on top.
THE HAUTE LIST
Farmhouse Table and Pink Mila Chair
Chelsea Scalloped Dinner Plate
Cutipol GOA Pink + Gold Flatware
Vintage Mixed China, Teacup + Saucers
Thank you for reading. Stop by the showroom to be inspired by the Spring Series in person, or check back each week as we reveal another scene-stealing feast for the eyes. Coming up: KC Cloud Events, Pop Parties, Missy RSVP Events, Social Graces Events, and Mo&CO Custom Events.
Shout out to Tamytha Cameron Photography for capturing our Designer Series.
