Jen Lagedrost Cavender knows that flowers can transform far more than a table. 

She founded Nectar & Bloom as a holistic floral design studio offering immersive experiences for the mind, soul, and body, along with transformative floral education and mentorship that blend artistry, creative entrepreneurship, and wellbeing. Through workshops, mentorship, and curated offerings—including the Tarot of Flowers deck and the Called to Bloom podcast—Nectar & Bloom helps floral designers, flower lovers, and creative entrepreneurs build beautiful work, thrive in business, and live more nourished lives. 

A former academic professor, writer, yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic health counselor, Jen brings her backgrounds in writing and the healing arts into every experience she creates. That same philosophy shapes the way she hosts: begin with meaning, build a world around a theme, and invite guests to become part of an engaging, connective experience. 

Hosting Q&A with Jen Lagedrost Cavender

Q: When planning a gathering at home, where do you start?

A: The theme, for sure. The occasion is a close second because why we are celebrating or gathering is essential, but it really comes to life in how we celebrate. For me, that is centered in a theme.

Q: What are your favorite ways to break the ice?

A: I love to create an immersive effect when guests arrive so they feel like they have entered a new place full of inspiration and opportunities to connect. Set design, the color palette, and the room's details all help establish that feeling.

I also like to weave in engaging games and activities. Guests might discover a note card with their name on it that assigns them a role, challenge, or activity to complete with someone else they need to find. Games that get people moving and interacting are wonderful icebreakers. I want guests to feel both invited and guided into a connective experience.

Q: What advice would you give someone who feels overwhelmed by hosting?

A: First, curate the guest list. Bring together people you are genuinely excited to connect with and who will create interesting conversations through their backgrounds and interests.

Next, choose simplicity over complication. When in doubt, pare down the guest list, the details, or the menu. Finally, never underestimate the relief of a well-themed potluck. It reduces pressure on the host and gives guests the joy of contributing. Just provide enough structure—a theme and perhaps a type of dish—so everyone feels confident about what to bring.

Q: What is your signature dish or drink when hosting?

A: It changes with the season and theme, but two favorites are homemade rosemary focaccia and orange dark chocolate pot de crème with fresh whipped cream. Both are European-inspired, crowd-pleasing, unfussy, and elegant.

Q: What is your go-to dinner-party soundtrack?

A: I always customize the music to the theme. When in doubt, instrumental music is best during dinner.

Q: What is your favorite party trick?

A: Immersive experiences and clever, engaging games.

Q: What do you love about Partytrick?

A: I love Partytrick’s spirit of celebrating and supporting the art and joy of gatherings.

Q: What is the most memorable party or gathering you’ve hosted?

My birthday is the day after Halloween, so I always throw a big, creative, themed costume party around that time of year. It is never a scary or gory Halloween party. Instead, it is a fully immersive, specifically themed costume party complete with set design, themed food, games, and different stages for guests to move through throughout the evening.

A: A few favorite themes over the years have included Jane Fonda’s Workout Studio, with an ’80s Jazzercise production set; Ancient Egypt, where guests entered an ancient temple; Clue, inspired by the board game; “What’s Your Sign,” with costumes based on astrological signs; Tarot of Flowers, celebrating the launch of my deck with costumes inspired by tarot archetypes; and ’90s Movies, featuring guests dressed as characters from The Blair Witch Project, Twister, Austin Powers, The Big Lebowski, and more. My friends say it is their favorite party of the entire year.

Q: What are your favorite products or elements to use when hosting?

A: Candles, flowers, drapery or linens, and immersive set design.

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

Jen’s parties may be visually elaborate, but the planning logic behind them is refreshingly clear: choose one strong concept, use it to guide every decision, and give guests meaningful ways to participate. The result is an experience that feels transporting because the décor, food, flow, and interactions all tell the same story.

How can I recreate this hosting style in a simple way?

Choose one defining theme and express it through a few high-impact details. Start with flowers, add a complementary color palette, select music that supports the mood, and introduce one playful activity. You do not need a complete theatrical set—the sense of immersion comes from consistency.

For an easy version, host a flower-inspired dinner. Arrange seasonal blooms in simple vessels, serve rosemary focaccia and a make-ahead dessert, play instrumental music, and leave a small prompt or challenge at each place setting.

What is the most important planning decision behind this gathering?

The theme is the central planning decision because it shapes everything else. It informs the layout and visual focal points, suggests foods that fit the story, determines the pacing of activities, and gives guests cues for how to participate.

A clear theme also helps the host edit. When an idea does not support the central concept, it can be removed—making the event easier to plan and the final experience more cohesive.

What can hosts borrow from this approach for their own event?

• Pick one theme before making decisions about décor, food, or music.
• Spend a limited tablescape budget on flowers for maximum impact.
• Give guests a simple prompt, role, or activity that encourages interaction.
• When hosting feels overwhelming, simplify or turn the meal into a structured, themed potluck.

Want more from Jen Lagedrost Cavender? Follow @nectar_and_bloom on Instagram, explore Nectar & Bloom, and listen to the Called to Bloom podcast. Ready to plan your own immersive gathering? Create a free Partytrick account and start with the Mountain Cozy, Supper Club, or Tuscan Nights playbook.

‍