Welcome, I’m Elise Montgomery, and I’m so glad you’re here.
If you’ve ever stared at a blank calendar thinking, We should do something, then felt your shoulders tighten at the thought of planning, you’re in exactly the right place.
Rite & Fete presents Personal Celebrations & Life Events, my column where I take the beautiful impulse to honor a moment and turn it into something doable, meaningful, and genuinely joyful.
Why I write about celebrating
For twelve years, I ran a boutique event planning agency focused on intimate weddings, milestone anniversaries, and elaborate baby showers. I loved the work: the ribbon swatches, the seating charts, the menus that told a story. But the part that stayed with me most was not the perfect place settings. It was watching people soften when they realized the celebration was not a performance, it was a gathering of love.
Over time, I noticed something else. The more “inspiration” people had, the more overwhelmed they felt. I would hear variations of the same worry again and again: I don’t want it to look cheap. My family will judge. I’m not good at hosting. I don’t even know where to start.
That’s when I pivoted into writing. I wanted to make event expertise accessible, calm, and human. Because the truth is, most of us are not trying to throw a magazine shoot. We are trying to mark a moment in a way that feels like us.
Connection is always more important than perfection.
What you’ll find here
In Personal Celebrations & Life Events, I write for the person who wants to celebrate but also has a real life: a budget, a busy schedule, a small space, a complicated family dynamic, or all of the above.
You can expect ideas and guidance around:
- Personal celebrations like birthdays, graduations, promotions, retirements, and “just because” dinners
- Life events like engagements, weddings, baby showers, anniversaries, and new home moments
- Modern etiquette that’s gracious and practical, not stiff or shaming
- Budget friendly hosting including DIY decor, smart menu planning, and simple styling that looks beautiful without being fussy
- Family dynamics and the emotional side of gatherings, because the guest list is never just names on paper
My approach
I’m deeply organized. I love a timeline, a checklist, and a backup plan. I also know that the most memorable parties rarely hinge on a perfect menu or a flawless color palette. They hinge on how people feel when they walk in.
So my approach is simple:
- Start with meaning. What are you really celebrating? What do you want your guest of honor to feel?
- Choose three anchors. Usually this is food, a small ritual (a toast, a slideshow, a handwritten note), and one visual touch (flowers, candles, a tablecloth).
- Build around your real constraints. Time, money, space, and energy are not obstacles. They are your design brief.
- Plan for people. Seating, conversation flow, and family dynamics matter as much as decor.
When I’m not writing or brainstorming themes, you can usually find me hunting for vintage tableware or baking with my family in upstate New York. Those small rituals shape my work more than any trend ever could.
A note for overwhelmed hosts
If planning a celebration makes you anxious, I want you to know something: you do not have to do it all, and you do not have to do it alone. You can host beautifully with a simple menu, a clean space, and one thoughtful moment that says, “I see you.”
My goal with Personal Celebrations & Life Events is to help you move from pressure to presence. I’ll keep it warm. I’ll keep it practical. And I’ll keep coming back to what matters: the people around the table.
Where to start
If you’re new here, start with a beginner hosting checklist, a weeknight celebration idea, or a quick etiquette reset for the moment you’re planning.
Come in and stay awhile
Consider this your open invitation to celebrate with less stress and more heart. Whether you’re planning a baby shower, a quiet anniversary dinner, or a last minute gathering that turns into a family story, I’m honored to be part of it.
