Intentional Hosting How-To
It’s easy to throw a sustainable dinner party when you truly plan ahead, for everything from place cards to leftovers
A collaboration with JW Marriott
Hosting has always been about bringing people together. Lately, it’s also about being more intentional regarding what we use, serve, and leave behind. An indoor garden party is a perfect expression of that mindset: a gathering that feels abundant and beautiful, yet rooted in simplicity and care. Think natural textures, reusable materials, seasonal ingredients, and menus designed with as much thought for tomorrow as for tonight.
Sustainable hosting doesn’t require perfection or sacrifice. In fact, it often results in a table that feels warmer and more personal. Think cloth napkins instead of disposables, produce and herbs in place of fussy decor, and food that’s never wasted. When every element has purpose, the experience becomes richer for both host and guest.
At our Garden Party with JW Marriott at the JW Marriott Reston Station in Virginia, thoughtful hosting was on full display. “Sustainability is woven into the brand’s identity,” says Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of JW Marriott. “Luxury today isn’t just about comfort—it’s about caring for the planet and our communities for generations to come.”
Across its global portfolio, many JW Marriott hotels hold sustainability certifications, harness renewable energy, and prioritize ethical sourcing and conservation. The on-site JW Garden—where herbs and produce are grown for cocktails and dining—are a living expression of that commitment and a cornerstone of the signature JW Marriott Garden Party experience.
Sustainability starts in the kitchen
For Chef Tony DiGregorio of JW Marriott Reston Station, reducing waste begins long before guests arrive. In his kitchen, sustainability starts with careful sourcing and precise ordering, working closely with farmers who prioritize environmentally responsible practices.
“I always try to write menus that utilize every part of an animal, fruit, or vegetable,” says Chef Tony. By using ingredients across multiple preparations, scraps become pickles, ferments, purées, stocks, and sauces. Extra cuts of meat are repurposed into burgers or stuffings, fish scraps become mousse, and anything that truly can’t be reused is processed through an enzyme-based system that transforms food waste into fertilizer for the hotel’s rooftop JW Garden.
“We don’t see scraps as something to throw away,” he says. “They’re an opportunity to add more flavor, texture, and depth.” It’s a mindset that translates beautifully to home entertaining.”
Sustainable menu planning starts with being intentional about both portions and what comes next. If roast chicken is on the menu, plan to use the carcass for stock. If you’re serving vegetables, think ahead about how extras might become soups, salads, or sides later in the week. And if leftovers remain, have containers on hand so guests can take something home—an easy, generous way to reduce waste.
Choose materials that last
When it comes to table settings and decor, think reusable first. Cloth napkins instantly elevate a table and can be washed and used again and again. For centerpieces and styling, take a cue from JW Marriott Garden Party events and use fruits, vegetables, and herbs that can be cooked, preserved, or enjoyed later.
Plant the seed
Seed paper menus are a signature detail of JW Marriott Garden Party events around the globe—an unexpected touch that invites guests to take a piece of the experience home. At our Garden Party, menus were printed on seed paper guests could plant, turning a thoughtful place setting into a keepsake that grows long after the evening ends.
The beauty of sustainable hosting is that it doesn’t detract from the experience—it enhances it. When sustainability is woven into every detail, gatherings feel more thoughtful, abundant, and meaningful for everyone at the table.
For more inspiration
Catch some BTS of the JW Marriott Cherry Bombe Garden Party here
Check out our Garden Party Gift Guide here
Is our Garden Party co-host Romilly Newman an Ina or a Martha? Find out here.
Ready to host your own? JW Marriott can help you create a personalized Garden Party experience. Visit jwmarriott.com.