Day two of Engage! Summits usually ends with one of our famous dessert parties after a dine around dinner. However, for our second summit of 2024, we decided to switch it up with an Amelia Island lowcountry boil! So, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the Amelia River, the stage was set for a night of coastal charm and southern hospitality. Guests gathered under oak trees draped in Spanish moss at the Amelia River Club, the first event hosted in their brand-new space.
A lowcountry boil was the perfect theme for this celebration, drawing inspiration from the southeastern coast and its rich tradition of family-style feasts. It’s a culinary experience that embodies the heart of coastal living, featuring fresh seafood, savory sausage, tasty corn and rich, buttery potatoes. It’s all about effortless outdoor gatherings, and fresh ingredients served straight from the heart. As the evening unfolded, guests sipped citrus cocktails, feasted on shrimp and clams, and enjoyed an unexpected musical performance that had everyone dancing under the stars.
Riverside Cocktails
The party started with cocktails and an incredible view of sunset over the Amelia River. As friends and colleagues gathered to toast to another successful day of inspiration, fires were lit and fresh oysters were shucked. Guests sipped on Apiary Honey Pilsners, made with honey from the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island’s own bees. Served from an oyster shell-encrusted bar, our signature cocktail, the River Running, also offered a twist on local flavors. This unique concoction included citrus vodka, black tea, and lemon sorbet-flavored sparkling water, a fresh take on Southern sweet tea.
Engage!24 Amelia Island Lowcountry Boil Décor & Details
The décor for the evening was a seamless blend of rustic elegance and coastal charm. It set the perfect tone for the Amelia River Event Venue’s grand debut. With its sweeping views of the marsh and the river, the venue was a magical backdrop for the event.
The beauty of the natural surroundings was brought into every detail. Hanging florals as well as tabletop arrangements included delicate pale pink orchids, banksias, roses, and a variety of fresh and dried grasses. Raffia accents and driftwood details added a rustic, organic feel that complemented the coastal atmosphere. The soft tones of the florals paired beautifully with the natural textures, creating an intimate yet elevated ambience.
A Feast for the Senses
At the heart of the evening was a true lowcountry boil experience. It’s a feast as rich in tradition as it was in flavor. Steaming pots brimming with clams, plump shrimp, Andouille sausage, sweet corn, and red potatoes. Served family-style, the meal encouraged lively conversation and a shared appreciation for Southern coastal cuisine.
Alongside the seafood, guests also enjoyed New York strip steak with perfectly baked potatoes piled high with all the fixin’s, plus a hog roast, slow-cooked to tender perfection – a nod to classic Southern barbecue.
To balance the hearty food, a spread of seasonal, locally inspired salads added bright, refreshing flavors. For example, Florida greens were tossed with queso fresco, spiced pecans, mandarin oranges, and a pop of watermelon relish. Meanwhile, Romaine and radicchio were paired with roasted tomato, Kalamata olives, and shaved Pecorino. Waldorf salad, deviled egg potato salad, pickled shrimp and a Florida tomato salad rounded out the selection.
This was Southern hospitality at its finest. Communal, no-fuss, yet undeniably luxe. With every bite, guests enjoyed a taste of the region, perfectly paired with the warm, welcoming energy of the night.
Sweet Surprises
As dinner wound down, guests moved over to an open-side marquee. Here, dessert and dancing awaited in a space designed to be glam and glitzy with a coastal touch. Bar tables lined with oyster shells, emerald green tones shimmering in the candlelight, and woven lampshades hiding sparkling mirror balls, ready to reflect the energy of the night. As live music played, guests enjoyed campfire-inspired s’mores, the smell of toasting marshmallows and melting chocolate filling the air. It was a nostalgic touch that made the evening feel even more intimate.
The biggest highlight was yet to come. Surprise headliner, Joey Fatone, took the stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy. We sang along and did our teenage selves proud! As guests belted out ‘Bye Bye Bye’, hands in the air, it was clear this was the perfect crescendo to an unforgettable Amelia Island celebration. And the surprises kept coming, with a dazzling fireworks display that lit up the sky and sent sparkles over the river in a breathtaking moment of pure celebration.
Dress Code: Cozy Campfire Chic
Engage! attendees never miss a chance to turn a theme into a fashion moment, and the ‘Cozy Campfire Chic’ dress code brought effortless style to the riverside. Think laid-back luxury – denim, plaid, suede, leather and soft knits perfect for staying warm on a night by the water. Earthy tones, textured layers, wide-brimmed fedoras, leather bags and belts, and stylish boots made it clear that this was no ordinary campfire gathering. It was a fashion-forward fête, where every detail was part of the whole.
The Amelia Island Lowcountry Boil dinner party was a celebration of Southern hospitality, community, and the joy of gathering together. In the most beautiful of settings, Engage! guests experienced a feast that was as much about the people as it was about the flavors. Fresh seafood, firelight, and heartfelt conversation—it was the perfect blend of old Florida tradition and Engage!’s signature sense of style.
Relive every magical moment in the full gallery!
