A Orange & Chocolate Rustic Wedding

Today's post features an orange and chocolate rustic wedding perfect for Fall.

- 4-tier chocolate wedding cake iced in ganache and topped with marzipan fruit
- Favor bags of berry and almond trail mix
- Strapless chocolate brown bridesmaid dress by Alfred Angelo
- Fruit decorates the autumnal centerpiece and serves as the place card holder [via Brides]
- Escort cards with fruit designs nicely laid atop a bale of hay
- Fall bridal bouquet mixing hues of orange, yellow, pink and burgundy-red

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you have a marvelous Thanksgiving!

[Image via Matthew Mead]

Thanksgiving Tabletop Inspiration

With Thanksgiving just 2 days away I thought I would provide last-minute inspiration for those of you undecided on your tabletop decor.

- Golden cornucopia place setting
- Turkey napkin fold centerpiece
- Modern Thanksgiving elements from cb2 (via HWTM)
- Acorns and leaves tablescape
- Gilded turkey centerpiece
- Felt leaf trivets for your buffet table

Thanksgiving Cocktails

As you prepare for your Thanksgiving festivities and determine which dishes to serve, don't neglect your cocktail menu. Fall is a wonderful time for warm beverages and rich autumnal flavors. Here are a few cocktail suggestions for your Thanksgiving gathering:

- Hot Apple Cider with Rum
- Pumpkin Martini (via Hostess with the Mostess)
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Cranberry Bog Cocktail
- Mulled Red Wine Sangria
- Gobble-tini
- Vanilla Milk with Chocolate 'Ice' Cubes (via the French blog, Le Petrin; the recipe is in French but you can get the general idea and/or improvise slightly)
- Cran-Apple Cobbler

A Blue & Gold Thanksgiving Dinner

For Thanksgiving this year stray from the traditional Fall hues to consider a light blue and golden dinner theme.

- Clever light blue wishbone napkin rings
- Golden pumpkins adorn this tabletop decor made of blue linens, gold and blue dinnerware and a unique white charger [via Martha Stewart]
- Shimmering Calvin Klein dress is perfect for the hostess
- Pillar candles with a golden line design combine with Mercury glass balls
- Glazed crackle platter for elegant turkey presentation

Thanksgiving Menu

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just about 2 weeks away! Here is Food Network's more unique take on the traditional Thanksgiving menu:

- Turkey with Herbes de Provence and Citrus
- Tart Cranberry Dipping Sauce
- Spicy Parmesan Green Beans and Kale
- Marinated Butternut Squash
- Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
- Panettone Stuffing

Orange & Brown Wedding

Fall weddings need not only include dark shades. Today's post features a contemporary wedding based on bright and light shades of orange paired with the dark fall hue of chocolate brown.

- Wedding party attire in bright orange (picture by uber photography)
- Stuart Weitzman brown peep-toe pumps from Zappos
- Brown, orange and white floral centerpiece also serves as a table number (via Social Design)
- Lovely cupcake display made out of terra cotta pots and trays (via Brides)
- Up close shot of the bridal bouquet (via Social Design)
- Paper lanterns for reception decor (via Social Design)

Thanksgiving Family Dinner

Hello and happy Wednesday! You may notice that today's post isn't part of the regular Wedding Wednesday series. I have decided that, though Wedding Wednesday has had a wonderful run, it's time for some fresh and new series, special features and theme ideas. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks and months for Holiday gift guides, budget-based entertaining features, the next edition of Entertaining Reads (with a GIVEAWAY!) and much much more. I have loved showcasing wedding themes each week and will certainly continue to provide wedding-based inspiration. So keep coming back to Tastefully Entertaining because I promise some exciting months ahead!

Thanksgiving dinner parties are a time to showcase the rich hues of fall as well as the main symbol of the season - leaves.

- An embroidered leaf table runner and mahogany dinnerware unite on this Thanksgiving tabletop from Crate and Barrel
- Sweet-gum-tree spurs make for a unique and textured place card (via Martha Stewart)
- Tall candlesticks with golden-orange tapers and vine adornments to line the center of your table and cast a warm glow (via Martha Stewart)
- Leaf plates are perfect for serving bite-size appetizers or desserts (via Crate & Barrel)

Wedding Wednesday - Luxurious Red & Gold Wedding

Today marks a new wave for Wedding Wednesday. Unfortunately, Kati is no longer blogging for The Finer Things. She will be dearly missed as her boards were always fun, unique and ultra creative. I admire her sense of style and loved seeing what she came up with each week. Though it's sad that I will no longer collaborate on Wedding Wednesday with Kati, she has left us in capable hands. Jess, the new blogger for The Finer Things, is a classy girl with an eye for easy sophistication and an amazing way with words. I am eager to see her take on our weekly invitation choices. This week we selected this elegant red and gold wedding invitation from FineStationery.com. Accented with a red foil design and an actual Swarovski crystal, this invitation is sure to bring about a feeling of subtle sophistication.
- Place setting featuring golden napkins, fine white china and decorative silver-leafed cocoa pods resting on eucalyptus leaves (sounds weird but looks lovely!)
- View of the entire tabletop with vibrant red roses and trios of tall taper candles
- Fashionable red pointed toe pump with gold stiletto heel by Stuart Weitzman
- Champagne glasses with a unique red topping [via With This Ring]
- Red candles with speck of golden brown can color and glowing light to your decor
- Give a sweet favor such as these beautifully packaged cherries
- Dress your bridesmaids in this beautiful Calvin Klein matte red pleaded gown
- Avoid the traditional cake for dessert and provide a table full of color-coordinated treats such as these chocolate-dipped strawberries on gold picks
- Stunning red and gold ceremony decor by the talented Preston Bailey

That's it for my picks this week. Be sure to head over to The Finer Things and see what Jess put together for her first Wedding Wednesday! Below are two lovely elements she chose for her board - the red rose in the boutonniere looks so rich and luxurious!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday today! I wanted to share some Halloween themed tabletops to inspire you for any ghoulish gatherings you may be hosting this weekend. Enjoy!

- Gothic Glam Tabletop [via HWTM]
- Elegant Green & Orange Table decor [via]
- Orange Pumpkin Table Settings [via]
- Vintage Halloween Tablescape [via Toasts and Tables]

A Thanksgiving Wedding

Today's post details a Thanksgiving wedding. Featuring rich autumn hues and the glow of warm light, this event scheme is perfect for any fan of Fall.

- Gorgeous reception tabletop and room decor amidst classic architectural columns [via SocialDesign]

- Unique cake design featuring roses in Fall shades

- Cream strapless satin knee-length bridesmaid dress with a chocolate brown sash

- Wheat and roses combine for an interesting autumnal chair decoration for the ceremony

- Decadent and delicious truffles serve as favors

- Copper and cream invitation with laser-cut leaf designs from FineStationery.com

- Stunning bridal bouquet made of roses, leonotis, cosmos and dahlias

Wedding Wednesday - Yellow & Brown Floral Wedding

Hello and welcome to this edition of Wedding Wednesday! This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I have selected this kate spade chocolate brown and yellow floral invitation from FineStationery.com. Perfect for a fall affair, this invitation is luxurious, classy and provides an interesting color pairing of bright yellow and dark brown.


- Chocolate brown 3-tier cake with yellow floral adornments
- Bright yellow napkins with a floral design that coordinates with the invitation
- Yellow bridal bouquet tied with yellow ribbon [via artfool]
- I love the brown satin bow on this bouquet as it would look perfect on the all yellow arrangement
- Tall clear cylinder vases filled with water and a variety of yellow flowers make a lovely centerpiece
- Texture-rich tabletop decor in hues of brown, white and yellow [via artfool]
- Triple shot espresso cocktail ties in our event colors nicely


You will love Kati's selections this week! Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to check them out. In the meantime, take a sneak peek at my favorites shown below.

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!

It's been a while since I've put together a collection of dessert recipes so I thought I'd focus on cakes today! Cakes are often overlooked and seen as only a special occasion dessert but I disagree. Try out one of these delicious recipes for your everyday dinner or get-together.

- Angel Food Swirl Cake
- White Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Filling
- Coconut Cake
- Three-Layer Apple Cake (I think I'll try this over the weekend!)
- Genoise
- Silky Chocolate Cake

Wedding Wednesday - Hunter & Gold Engagement Party

Welcome to another edition of Wedding Wednesday! This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I chose to do an engagement party based on this hunter green and gold invitation from FineStationery.com. The dark green and glimmering gold make this engagement party perfectly suited for the holidays.

- This pear tied with a golden bow and brown tag is both a favor and a place marker [via Snippet & Ink]

- 5-tier gold cake with ornate green swirling vine patterns [via Rebecca Thuss]

- Versace Arabesque Gold place setting

- Maggy London Deep Green Chiffon Cocktail dress for the bride-to-be

- Centerpiece made of golden roses and lush greenery [via Snippet & Ink]

Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to see Kati's version of the green and gold engagement party. I'm only giving you a sneak peek at one image today because I absolutely LOVE it! This dress is so unique, elegant and stylish. And look at the photo - don't you love the play with light and shadow on the balustrade.

Halloween Menu Tricks and Treats

For those of you planning a Halloween dinner party here are a few ideas to add some trick to your menu of treats!

- Deviled Chicken Lollipops
- Vegetarian Tamales
- Vampire Blood Tomato Soup and Monster-shaped Muenster Sandwiches
- Ghostly Pumpkin Pudding
- Cinnamon-spiced Fritter Webs
- Caramel Pear Mice
- Chedder and Hard Cider Fondue
- Spiced Caramel Roulade

- Screaming Spice Cookies
- Hermit Cookies
- Ghoul Cupcakes
- Pecan-Caramel Spiders
- Pumpkin Caramels

Pottery Barn Decor for Entertaining Class

I received an email about this and wanted to let you all know. Pottery Barn is offering a free class on October 26th called Entertaining with Style. The class will cover the basics for formal sit-down Thanksgiving dinners to more casual buffet parties. Plus, you receive a 10% off discount on all the items shown in the class! Check out PotteryBarn.com to find a class near you.

October Birthday Dinner in Gray

It's time for another birthday dinner! As I'm sure you can tell from several of my posts lately, I'm very much in love with the color grey right now. So the color theme for October's birthday dinner feature is (you guessed it) grey! Paired with a crisp white, grey is sophisticated, classic and perfect for a nice evening with friends.

- Lovely table and wall decor featuring grey and pale white garlands, linens and centerpiece

- Modern 3-tier white cake with grayish-white ribbon banding and a large white flower adornment

- Grey and white floral arrangements in DIY vases [via Martha Stewart]

- Elegant grey dress for the host or guest of honor

- Invitation with white flourishes from FineStationery.com

Hope you enjoyed this installment in the monthly birthday dinner series. Looking for a dinner party of another color? Check out my other birthday dinner features by clicking here.

Berry Pink & Wooden Brown Party

Today's inspiration board details a berry pink and wooden brown event. My theme comes from the top left photo of a table setting with pink linens and pink chair cushions paired with wooden elements such as the floral bowls and wooden dinnerware. This would be lovely for a sophisticated fall dinner party or wedding.

- Ralph Lauren party or bridesmaid dress in berry pink
- Square wooden vases in varying heights [found via HWTM]
- White square-shaped invitation with rich berry pink border from FineStationery.com
- 3-tier cake wrapped in tan sugar ribbons and adorned with vibrant berry pink florals
- Wooden brown favor boxes

Fall Dinner Party Menus

Today's post showcases 3 fall-oriented menus for your upcoming dinner parties. Enjoy!

Menu 1:

Pork Chops with Apple Chutney, Mustard Greens, Sweet Potatoes and Ice Cream with Caramel Brioche

Menu 2:

Hanger Steak, Apple Bistro Salad, Matchstick Fries and Creme Caramel

Menu 3:
Mediterranean Chicken, Herb Feta Salad, Rice Pilaf and Apricot-Fig Compote

Wedding Wednesday - Burgundy & Grey Wedding

Welcome to the next installment of Wedding Wednesday! Today Kati of The Finer Things and I have selected this burgundy and grey pocket invitation from FineStationery.com. (Yes, another invitation with grey- I told you I was obsessed!) Burgundy is the perfect fall color - it's rich, luxurious and pairs well with others (orange, grey, bright blue, gold).

- Linen wedding album with satin burgundy bow

- Multi-tier cake divided by vibrant purple-burgundy florals

- Photo of burgundy orchids

- Uphold a New Orleans second line tradition with these personalized handkerchiefs tied with burgundy ribbon

- Elegant burgundy "fit and flare dress" by Sherrie Bloom & Peter Noviello

- Fall table setting featuring low burgundy floral arrangements, varying charger and plate shapes/colors and burgundy napkins

Look below for a sneak peak at Kati's take on this week's wedding invitation. I love the boutonniere- it's perfect for today's theme! Be sure to check out the rest of her selections at The Finer Things.