There is any number of ways you
can go when hosting a backyard dinner party. It can
be as simple or as elaborate as you like. The thing
to remember is to have fun! It's the perfect opportunity
to take your guests 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, to
your favourite beach or to a famous Miami Beach hotel.
Let your imagination run wild!
Start out with a really nice foundation, such as a
white undercloth, then place a piece of chiffon edged
in ribbon over it. Accent the corners of the table with
some starfish, wrapping each of them up in thin, blue
ribbon. Then, gather up the table cover at each corner,
and tie it together into a perfect bow. Remember that
it’s the tiny details that your guests will notice
and they’ll love you for going to all the trouble.
Oversized napkins can be paired with chiffon overlays,
blue ribbons, and orchids, like the table cover. Treat
them with buttonholes, so that your guests can attach
them to their shirts, in case the seafood extravaganza
gets messy.
Now that your table is shimmering, shiny and wavy,
you can create a virtual underwater floor of the ocean
by creating smaller versions of the floral floating
centrepieces you will be using in the pool. Simply pour
a few circles of sand on top of the table, and place
an orchid with a collar of greens inside. Enhance the
look of your underwater sand bar by scattering around
some delicate shells, and pearls.
Time to show off your china service, and it’s
a good idea to keep with the theme and use something
that conjures up images of the sea. We chose “Trésor
de Mer” plates, with coral and scallop shell details
on them. Place entree, salad, bread and butter, and
dessert plates, all in the same motif. Although this
set is really exquisite, don’t get worried if
you don’t have something like it; whatever you
have at home can be made to work.
In choosing glassware, go for some large, heavyweight
wine and water goblets. You know how much we love details
at “Savoir Faire”, and your choice of flatware
will be no exception. Antique flatware with mother-of-pearl
handles could be very appropriate, when you consider
how well it matches with the look of the insides of
seashells.
First impressions are huge at a poolside dinner party.
Fill scallop shells with kosher salt, a pearl, starfish,
and a piece of vellum with each guest’s name on
it. Place on top of each entrée plate. Finally,
into two hurricane lanterns, add some sand, a pillar
candle, and a sprinkling of shells and pearls. Place
down on the table, and as the sun sets on poolside central,
you and your guests will surely enjoy this underwater
fantasy. |