Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

An Outdoor Bridal Shower Setting!

A friend of mine's daughter is getting married in August, and I was excited to give her a bridal shower this past weekend.  The weather cooperated, even though we had to wait until the day of to set up because of rain.  With a little help from friends and family, the shower was a success!
The MOB provided this cute flag which could be seen from the street.
A bridal wreath adorned the front door.  I used a pew bow which I had made for the wedding of a friend in the center, along with roses and baby's breath.
Since the shower was outside, we directed guests with a sign so no one had to go up and down steps unnecessarily.
This cute sign welcomed guests to the backyard.  The MOB's bridal veil was used to decorate.
I found these cute bird feeders at Tuesday morning so I purchased two.  Loved the little umbrella, and though you can't see, it has a little bird perched on the bottom.
It was supposed to be sunny and hot.  Instead it was cloudy and muggy, but the canopies did provide some much needed shade for when the sun did peep out.  I set tables for 32 guests.  The pew bows I made were used at the corners of the canopies.
I painted an old silver tray with chalkboard paint on the inside and Annie Sloan on the rim.
The theme was pink and gold.  I used two gold candlesticks with candlecups to hold arrangements for the tablescape.
Since the tables I was planning to use weren't very wide, I began looking early for something low, long and narrow.  I found exactly what I was looking for at a consignment store.  The brass floral container was dirty and black, but after cleaning with brass cleaner, it looked almost brand new!  This arrangement was used on the center table.
I made seven of these pink and white runners.  It's hard to see, but the fabric has little birds on it.  So I pulled out my love birds to use on the tables.
This table was set for 20 guests.
I have been collecting white china trimmed in gold, and I had enough to use for the shower. All the patterns aren't exactly the same, but worked well together.
The iced beverage glasses are Chelsea by Godinger, from the Shannon collection.  I purchased these at Tuesday morning a few years back when I had an outdoor dinner for my son's high school graduation.
I used gold doilies under the plates instead of chargers.  Chargers were just too big for the narrow tables.
As for the tablecloths, I used solid white with a lace overlay.


I also used the round tables on the patio.  Since I kept the umbrellas in, I used white battenburg placemats, and changed to pink napkins.  Vases of stock, snapdragons, and alstromeira decorated the tables.
I needed one more table for four, so I used a folding round table.  

The buffet was set up using two rectangular tables and a round table in the center to hold dessert plates and forks.
Buffet table before food...
Buffet table with food!
A gold and white urn holds the flowers for the centerpiece, and I used two small silver vases with just one flower.
The menu:  ham biscuits, salad with fruit and pecans, cheese straws, spinach squares, caprese bites, and chicken salad with croissants.


Dessert table was set up using a white tablecloth and a pink overlay.  For this table, I used several of my glass pieces that are trimmed in gold.  I scout these out at estate sales.
Dessert table with food!  
The BTB's cousin made this adorable cake!  It was chocolate inside, moist, and delicious!
She also made the cute cake pops.
We had strawberries dipped in pink candy coating, pink m&m's, and homemade chocolate/nut/coconut cookies.  The cookies were made by a friend, who was so gracious to help me out!  These cookies are so good, it's impossible to eat just one!
Also, golden oreos dipped in pink candy coating, more cookies, and chocolate covered almonds.  Another pink cake, just in case we ran out of dessert lol!  The flowers here were baby's breath and pink carnations, in a crystal candlestick with a candlecup to hold the floral.
The centerpiece consisted of a large crystal compote that I found at a consignment store.  I decorated it with a white tulle "wedding" skirt on the bottom stem and a floral in the bowl.

Thinking this is picture overload, so I'll stop for now.  Part II coming soon, with more pictures from the shower.

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back soon!!

Hugs, Betsy

Monday, October 6, 2014

A Lake View Setting for Fall

Fall days in Virginia can be the best time of the year to be outside.  Without the humidity we often experience in summer, and the mild temperatures, it is pleasant and enjoyable.  So we were off to spend an evening at our lake property right outside of Blackstone, Virginia, in Nottoway County.  
Just an hour from our home, we were excited to have some close friends join us for dinner and conversation. Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer
The road leading to the lake is cut right through a soybean field, which, I believe, is ready for harvesting.  Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer
We have had quite a bit of work done this summer, and now it is an enjoyable retreat with a beautiful view of the lake.  Before we had the patios built, I set up a table in the same spot.  See it here.
We often joke that we put the cart before the horse, because there is no house or cabin on this property, only a camper.  But to have a working bathroom and electricity is a beautiful thing.
Using the upper patio as our dining area, I set the table simply with a floral runner and a pumpkin centerpiece.
Using an artificial garland as a base, I added fresh greenery and nandina berries.  I curved the garland around the centerpiece and added taper candles.

Adding extra flowers, berries, and greenery to an artificial garland really makes it full and lush.
The napkins and runner have a white base, with the orange and green leaves which are so appropriate this time of the year. 
I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I found these dishes a few years ago at a TJ Maxx store in South Carolina.  I like the fact that they are white, but with the colors of fall.  
For my centerpiece, I started with a white pumpkin from Michaels and carved out a hole in the top for oasis. Then I added alstromeria, berries, and fresh greenery from my back yard.
I tried to use the oasis on the top of the pumpkin by attaching it to the stem per pinterest tutorial, but it didn't work so well for me.  It was easy to cut open the top and add the oasis.
With limited storage here, I have to plan ahead and cart all my accoutrements from home.

With all the trees, it always seems to be a breeze here.  After setting up, we had a little time to relax
and enjoy the view with a cocktail.
All ready for the guests to arrive!
I use these pumpkin plates quite frequently in the fall for salad, appetizers, or dessert!
This is the upper patio taken from the lakeside.  The steps that were added look like stone, but are actually a man-made product.  We chose these because they were level and still had a great look.
The landscapers we used also help us at home.  They were so excited to do this job, and it shows in the quality of work that was done.
After our guests arrived, we began to prepare dinner.  Nothing like steaks on a wood fire!  Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer
While the steaks were cooking in the firepit, we were also preparing grilled chicken, corn and asparagus on the green egg.  (sorry for the grainy picture, used my phone)
A view of the area from above.  Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer
Candles are lit!
Even though the lighting for pictures wasn't great, here are a few taken in the evening.  Enjoy!


Thanks for visiting, hope you enjoyed your visit.  For more on the evening and my friend Bill's Chinook experiences, visit his blog, http://chinookconcourse.tumblr.com/