I love having people around my table. Not in a performative way—just in a way that feels grounded. Soulful gatherings have a rhythm of their own, and they don’t require perfection, just presence.

Whether it’s six friends in the backyard or a full dinner party with family, I always return to this question: How can I make this feel intentional? Not overdone. Not Pinterest-perfect. Just thoughtful.

Here’s how I host with heart.

Setting the Tone With Intention

Intentional hosting starts before the first candle is lit. It’s in the music, the scent in the air, the way chairs are pulled close together.

I think about how I want people to feel—and then I build around that. 

Relaxed? I dim the lights, serve something simple and comforting, and let the night flow. 

Celebratory? I’ll go with something brighter: flowers on the table, maybe a signature cocktail.

Hosting this way makes the event feel like more than just a dinner party. It becomes an experience. You don’t need fancy linens or a perfect house. You just need heart and a little bit of planning.

Signature Touches That Make Guests Feel Seen

I love adding small, personal touches that let people know they were thought of.

Maybe it’s handwritten place cards or sprigs of rosemary tied to each napkin. Sometimes I’ll play a guest’s favorite song during the meal or include a dish that has a story behind it.

These aren’t grand gestures. They’re quiet ones. But they go a long way in making a dinner feel connected. 

Hosting with heart is really just about seeing your people and letting them feel seen.

Tips for Hosting a Relaxed, Soulful Dinner

Here are a few of my go-to rustic entertaining ideas when I want a gathering to feel warm, natural, and easy:

• Let things be a little imperfect—mismatched chairs, candles in jars, wildflowers from the yard
  
  

• Prep as much as you can ahead of time, so you can be fully present when guests arrive
  
  

• Keep drinks and snacks out where guests can help themselves—it encourages flow and comfort
  
  

• Choose music that sets the vibe, but doesn’t compete with conversation
  
  

Intentional entertaining isn’t about performance—it’s about being present in the moment.

A Sample Bloom Ranch Dinner Party Menu

This is a seasonal dinner party menu I’ve used for relaxed, farm-to-table dinners at Bloom Ranch. It’s simple, beautiful, and centered around what’s fresh:

Welcome Drink: Lavender + Honey Sparkling Lemonade

Starter: Roasted Carrot Hummus with Seedy Crackers + Garden Veggies

Main: Grilled Herb Chicken or Stuffed Squash (veg option) with Farro + Mint

Side: Heirloom Tomato + Peach Salad with Basil + Burrata

Dessert: Olive Oil Cake with Citrus Glaze + Whipped Cream

All of it can be prepped in advance or made with friends in the kitchen. It’s unfussy, colorful, and full of flavor. A farm-to-table dinner at its best.

At the end of the day, the best gatherings aren’t about what’s on the table. They’re about the energy around it.

Host with intention. Keep it soulful. And trust that the simple things—good food, good company, and a little candlelight—are more than enough.