By SHAYNA SEID
NOVEMBER 1, 2025
Made by Gadabout Creative
Over The Moon Top Planner Michelle Rago has produced some of the most notable weddings of the past few years, including the lavish 2022 nuptials of Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham in Palm Beach. And Michelle’s own style is distinctive—driven by her love of hosting, entertaining, and travel.
She just opened up the doors of her Lambertville, New Jersey, home to Architectural Digest, so everyone can take a peek at her inviting spaces, inspired by London townhouses and designed with Bryan O’Sullivan Studio. “This is the first house I have owned, and it was a gut renovation,” Michelle shares. “The house is 100 years old, and to my delight, I discovered it was an original Arts & Crafts–style Sears & Robuck house. It was important to me to lean into the era while embracing my personal aesthetic. The house also has a wonderful yard that no one had really done anything with, so I also designed that to be an extension of the house for entertaining.”
Three spaces in Michelle’s New Jersey home. Photo: William Jess Laird for Architectural Digest
Guided by her love of cooking, Michelle’s dream was to have the kitchen be the heart of her home. “I am obsessed with a good old-fashioned scullery to drop my bags, make flower arrangements, and stow all the candles, etc. I decided to have the scullery do double duty, as I am new to collecting wine and wanted an additional bar for parties,” she shares. “Of course, I anchored it with a 250 bottle wine closet and a 1930s-style ceiling mural inspired by menus from that time.”
After going through a full home renovation, Michelle is the perfect person to curate her Over The Moon Dream Registry and share a few of her favorite hostessing tips.
Dream Registry
Kitchen
Elevate every meal with premier appliances like Cuisinart and JURA, trusted for precision and performance.
Michelle welcoming guests with a bottle of Champagne.
Q:
What are a few of your favorite hostessing tips?
I believe to be a good hostess it is important to strike a balance between being fully prepared to receive guests and creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. I always have a fully stocked bar with a few choices of ice so guests can make their favorite cocktails. I always fill the scullery sink with ice and stuff it with Champagne and wine. I pop ice buckets with additional bottles of Champagne in the library and dining room credenza for guests to discover as they wander. I also like to do a combination of ordering a few things in for ease—if I don’t hire a caterer—such as a beautiful charcuterie and cheese board. Then, I make crowd favorites such as sour cream and onion dip with ruffle potato chips and, of course, caviar!
Dream Registry
Tabletop
Refined elegance defines every place setting with an assortment of Ginori 1735, accented by a pop of color.
Michelle, getting ready for a lively gathering around her disco-zebra tablescape.
Q:
The holidays are coming up, are there any specific Thanksgiving hosting tips you live by?
When I first started, I would focus on cooking the turkey, gravy, stuffing, and potatoes, then I would consider my list of attendees and divvy up the rest of the menu. I also tend to set the dinner table earlier in the week, if not the weekend before, so that I can continue to fuss over it. I am a huge fan of a welcome toast once seated before the meal begins. Once the frenzy of eating quiets down, I love having each guest share what they are thankful for. Finally, I tend to set a separate dessert buffet, so guests can retire from the table to a cozy sitting area and enjoy with digestifs by the fireplace. I do love silly games to keep the conversation lively.
Dream Registry
Entertaining
Impress guests with timeless classics from MATCH pewter silver, alongside modern favorites like Fieldbar.
After properly hosting Thanksgiving dinner later this month—with help from Michelle’s top-tier tips—it also marks the start of engagement season, so we again turn to Michelle for her advice for couples creating their Over The Moon Dream Registries: “I realize creating your bridal registry can feel like a chore because it is a big time commitment as well as causes anxieties about appearing too demanding or navigating social etiquette. There is a school of thought that traditional registries are outdated or unnecessary. I completely disagree. I think guests are hungry to understand what your needs are and how best to support you in your journey going forward whatever stage you are at. The key is to have balance and to add expensive items you truly love to your registry as well as the useful items to start your new life.”
