A Navy & Lilac Wedding

Today's post was inspired from this gorgeous navy and lilac bridesmaid dress by Siri. I just love this chic color combination, especially since it's not very common!

- Vibrant blue and lilac bouquet by Tapestry Flowers
- DIY escort cards in navy
- Lilac heels by Elie Tahari for the bridesmaids
- Navy and lilac diagonal striped tie for the groom
- Navy programs and guest books adorned with monogrammed lilac ribbon

Pretty in Pear

Be pretty in pear (green)! This hue and fruit is perfectly in season for a mid-winter wedding.

- Pear place card and favor set perfectly atop a deep brown charger at each place setting
- Lovely decor accomplished by submerging pairs under water in cylindrical vases several of which are further decorated with white florals
- A color-coordinated candy buffet serves up some fun and a choose-your-own dessert option
- Phoebe Couture pear green dress for the bridal party
- Feature a signature cocktail that fits the theme - an Absolut peartini

Christmas Table Details

Adorn your Christmas tabletop with lovely place cards or place setting decorations. Here are several DIY ideas to inspire your holiday tablesettings.

- Paper plate angels
- Crepe-paper bells
- Vintage scroll with holly
- Christmas tree place cards
- Green bow napkin decoration
- Holly jolly place setting
- Candy cane place cards
- Paper tree place cards
- Tree-shaped napkin rings

Handmade Hanukkah Inspiration

As time passes by, we are getting closer and closer to Hanukkah and Christmas. Today, I thought I'd feature some homemade elements to add to your Hanukkah celebration. All from Martha Stewart, these ideas are sure to add to you holiday fun.

- Paper chains and dreidels made of light blue, silver and white construction paper
- Glittered dreidels make a great centerpiece or decoration (made from plain wood dreidels with colored glitter)
- Craft your own stylish gelt wrappers
- A glittered Hanukkah dessert of sufganiyot (or jelly doughnuts)
- Assemble your own menorah made of water glasses, silvers beads and blue candles
- Dreidel gift card holders could also serve as a place card or as invitations

A Stylish Snowflake Wedding

Today's post shows a different take on a snowflake-themed wedding for the winter season. Instead of using snowflakes in every element, use them conservatively for an elegant and lovely motif.

- This pretty centerpiece features some snowflake shaped votive holders in combination with holiday balls in shades of light blue, teal and brown
- Really neat DIY place cards that each feature a unique, creative snowflake
- A spread of cheeses, fruits, etc attractively laid out with light blue cards denoting each type of cheese [Martha Stewart via Snippet & Ink]
- Chocolate ganache cookies have a snowflake-esc feel to them (though you could use a snowflake cookie cutter to get the exact shape)
- Snowflake wine stopper cutely packaged and placed atop a table setting with a light blue napkin and white dinnerware

A Classical New Year's Gathering

For this New Year's eve consider looking backwards instead of forwards (in your theme at least!) Gather some classic and golden elements to throw a glamorous old world fete for your closest friends and family.
- Gold brocade placemat and napkin from Crate and Barrel
- DIY round favor boxes filled with sparkly costume jewelry also serve as table numbers or place cards [via Matthew Mead]
- Decorative gold wall decor [via Matthew Mead]
- DIY varied old world gift or favor tags [via Matthew Mead]
- Golden mercury glass candleholders from West Elm
- Marie Antoinette ornamental gold border dinnerware by Raynaud

A Very Merry Christmas Party

Today's post is for a very merry Christmas party! Invite friends and family to celebrate the holidays with an evening of deep red and vibrant green Christmas spirit.

- Stunning centerpiece from Pottery Barn combining fruits, florals, candles, trees in shades of deep red, bright green and shiny silver
- Place setting consisting of birch dinnerware (ties in to the birch candles in the centerpiece) and an ecru place card adorned with deep red ribbon
- Holiday themed favors are fitting - consider this peppermint fondue wrapped in dark red
- Attractive and tasty, this cranberry punch is texture-rich and flavorful
- Bright green foil tray is a great solution for transporting appetizers, drinks or dinner dishes

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

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

Oh Baby! Red & Pink Valentine Baby Shower

Melanie emailed me searching from some red and pink heart inspiration for a baby shower she's planning around Valentine's Day. The theme really couldn't be more perfect as the couple's last name is actually 'Hart'. So, though no typography is used in the images above, I would definitely take advantage of that fact and use the last name spelling wherever possible in the party elements.

- A scoop of red sorbet looks extremely elegant when placed in a lovely white dish and garnished with a pale pink sweet-pea. [via Brides]
- Homemade stained glass heart card [via Martha Stewart] - using this as your invitation is a great way to uphold the traditional element of hand-making valentines
- Pink floating heart candles could be set on the table on placed atop water in a low rectangular vase
- The Mom-to-be should be stylishly comfortable - this red, soft knit maternity dress from Olian fits the bill
- Seating cards attached to strings adorned with clear, pink beads and pink roses. Not having assigned seating? Use this idea for a photo wall instead. [via Brides]
- Beautiful red and pink floral arrangement for a centerpiece [via]
- Raspberry macaroons are a lovely and delicious dessert. [via Brides]

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 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)

A Hanukkah Dinner Party

I know it may seem a little early for Hanukkah dinner party inspiration but if you're throwing an event in December you better get invitations out now. As in every month, there are only 4 weekends available so your guests' schedules are probably already filling up.

- Stylish menorah Hanukkah invitation from FineStationery.com
- Cutely packaged, this batch of Hanukkah cookies would make a great favor
- Modern menorahs are lovely as part of the dinner party decor
- Tabletop made of navy and silver place mats, navy napkins with star adornments, and shiny navy dinnerware
- Fun and stylish silver dreidel place card holders

A Christmas Wedding

A Christmas wedding doesn't need to abandon the traditional combination of red and green. Instead spice up your color scheme with deep rich hues of red and vibrant lime green hues. Today's post showcases a modernized Christmas wedding.

- Lime laser cut curtain provides a great and unique way to display your place cards
- Lovely tabletop featuring red linens and stunning lime and red floral centerpieces
- Mini organza tote bags in red and green can hold whatever favor you have in mind
- Place setting made of layered red square plates
- 3 tier white square wedding cake with lime banding and red floral accents
- Bridal bouquet made of gorgeous red and lime green flowers [via Lucky Me]

Wedding Wednesday - Autumnal Bridal Shower

Happy Wednesday! Today brings another edition of Wedding Wednesday. This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I selected this burgundy and golden yellow fall foliage invitation from FineStationery.com for a bridal shower.

Deep shades of burgundy pair with bright goldenrod yellow in this fall event theme. Forgo the leaves and center your gathering around a blossoming arrangement of dahlias in your color palette.

- A super fun and creative way of decorating drinks, these initial stir sticks can denote the initials of the guest of honor or mark with each guest's name so you know whose drink is whose.

- Burgundy linens with golden details for your table

- Serve up a color-coordinated cake by selecting one with key-lime, blood orange and raspberry buttercream fillings

- For a double-duty favor and place card holder, use these glass, burgundy frames with white leaf motifs

- This cocktail, a tequila sunrise, features the rich burgundy and vibrant yellow hues of our invitation and is garnished with a blood orange slice

Be sure to click over to The Finer Things to see Kati's picks for this week's bridal shower theme. Here's a sneak peek...I just love that modern floral table cloth!

Peacock Feather Wedding

I've been inspired by peacock feathers a lot lately. They're so elegant, colorful and unique- I just had to put together an event based on them. This board is specifically for a wedding but take a few certain elements and it would be ideal for a dramatic dinner party or gathering.

- Exquisite gold peacock frames serve as place cards and favors [via Oh How Charming!]
- Peacock feathers adorn these programs [via Oh How Charming!]
- Golden peacock feathers cake - so ornate! [via Oh How Charming!]
- Floral bouquet that incorporates the vibrant purple, teal and blue of peacock feathers
- Teal linens are the base for a peacock inspired place setting in this table decor
- Teal plates with a peacock feather 'place mat'
- Peacock feather invitations
- Teal bridesmaid dress by Jessica McClintock

Wedding Wednesday Celebration - Part 1

Happy Wednesday! Kati and I told you last week about our special Wedding Wednesday celebration. We're commemorating 6 months worth of Wedding Wednesdays and our 25th Wedding Wednesday inspiration board. So, today we're throwing a virtual party to celebrate!

Below you'll find my inspiration board based on this week's special invitation from FineStationery.com, a stunning navy and light blue invitation by Vera Wang. In addition to our regular inspiration boards, Kati and I will be posting throughout the day with reader and blogger submitted boards all based on the same invitation! Have you created a board for our celebration too? Leave a comment or email me at rebecca [at] tastefullyentertaining.com and let me know so we can include you!

And what would a party be without "favors"? Stay tuned for a post with more details about how you can enter to win one of 6 fabulous prizes!

- Spectacular reception by Preston Bailey
- Ultra stylish bridesmaid dress by Zac Posen (as worn by Miranda in The Sex in the City movie)

- Bridal bouquet mixing deep blue and light purple florals by Tapestry Flowers

- 6-tier wedding cake with navy frosting and sugar pearls

- A navy aisle runner dresses up the ceremony

- A blue striped tie pops with a navy suit

- Blue flowers decorate a place card table [via Faye and Greer]

Head over to The Finer Things to check out Kati's lovely take on our selected invitation. (A sneak peek of my favorites from her post is below.) Be sure to visit Kati and I later in the day to see how our readers and some special fellow bloggers interpreted this week's invitation! And don't forget - check back to learn how you can win a fabulous prize!!

Wedding Wednesday - Lovebirds Engagement Party

It's time for the next edition of Wedding Wednesday. This week Kati of The Finer Things and I chose this sweet bird invitation from FineStationery.com as our inspiration for an engagement party.



This bird and nature theme would be lovely for bridal showers, baby shower, dinner parties and more. See my pics for an engagement party below:

- Multi-tier cake with birch twigs and and gum-paste birds
- Vintage postcards featuring birds and nests; would be great for table cards, decor or a different version of a guest book
- Cute handmade bird cake topper by Ann Wood
- Bird-topped favor boxes
- White ceramic bird vase - great for a centerpiece or just as added table decor
- A Perched Pair - intricate bird soaps would be wonderful as favors or wedding party gifts
- Love nest soap favor- cute egg shaped soaps resting in a bird's nest
- Bird's nest place card holder
- Table decor featuring branch centerpieces and birds


As soon as we picked this week's invitation I just knew that Kati would put together an amazing board and she certainly didn't disappoint! Be sure to check out The Finer Things to see her selections.

Champagne Anniversary Party

Today's post features a champagne themed anniversary party. Elegant and refined, a glass of champagne is the symbol of celebration. So, what better element to center an anniversary event around? See below for links to my picks for a champagne anniversary party.

(Top to bottom and left to right)
- Cork place card or table number holder
- Displayed bottles of champagne
- Glasses stylishly set out as part of the decor (I love the look of glass in the evening, especially with dim lights and candles)
- Pair of champagne glasses invitation from FineStationery.com
- Centerpiece made with roses, stephanotis, pink glass beads and glass champagne bubbles all arranged in an oversize champagne glass
- Champagne colored place setting with menu card
- Custom monogram wall decor
- Angel cakes make for an elegant non-cake dessert
- Clear round favor containers filled with champagne-flavored gumdrops

Seaside Blue & Orange Wedding Theme

The Knot recently featured a seaside wedding theme in bright blue, purple and orange hues. I love this modern color combination as it would be great for a baby shower, a bridal shower, a summer dinner party and of course, a summer wedding.


- Table setting - Blue glass chargers, white plates and blue glass bowls. Centerpiece made of stacked acrylic boxes filled with eryhgium thistles, orange dahlias and white hydrangeas atop blue sea glass.
- Menu card - Bright blue letterpress card by Smudge Ink placed on each place setting and topped with an orange dahlia
- Table name/numbers - Matching blue patterned petal catcher filled with blue hydrangeas and tied with orange ribbon; Would also be great as ceremony decor
- Wedding cake - Lovely eyelet white 3-tier cake
- Place cards - Clear glass bud vases filled with a variety of bright blue candies, a pick with the place card and an orange ribbon accent; The Knot also suggests providing extra candy in buffet form for guests to fill before they leave (a place card and a favor all in one!)
- Boutonnieres - Orange, blue and purple boutonnieres to complete a stunning groomsman look