The days are getting shorter, the nights are cooling off, and the carefree summer season is drawing to a close and starting to slip into autumn. It’s the perfect time to gather family and friends one last time for a backyard party! The simple elegance of the décor and the “mama’s home cooking”menu makes for an intimate get-together that can easily be achieved by adding your own creative spin and accentuating the details.
Family Style Fun
The right details can make any party as elegant or informal as you choose. The concept of long rectangular tables (family style seating) is gaining popularity at everything from birthday parties to wedding receptions, but still works for a casual setting and is a fun element to design around. The idea of grabbing a seat wherever, tucking into a good meal, and chatting with whomever sits down beside you sets the perfect tone for a backyard party.
This is the perfect time to pull out special dishes for your guests to use. Whether it is your finest china or vintage wooden plates, you can play them up or down as much as you like by adding a colorful linen napkin or a personalized note for your guests.
Effortless Accentuations
Picking the right decor is not as hard as it seems! Choose something that inspires you—a theme, a color, an item, a season—and play it up accordingly. For our backyard party we started with a few fun colors as our inspiration! Lanterns, simple white flowers, and natural wood accents were used as the neutral canvas to allow the brightly colored terra-cotta pots to stand out. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other concepts, move things around or display it in a different way until you find a look you love.
For more Decor Ideas and Inspiration, find us on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kwatsonevents
POP{sicle}, FIZZ, CLINK!
Bring out your favorite bubbly for this new trend! Fancy up frozen fruit pops with a splash of Prosecco or your favorite champagne for a fun and tasty adult treat!
When entertaining guests, share a recipe that means something to you! Whether it is a renowned crowd-pleaser, a dish that has been in your family for generations, or a personal favorite, explaining the sentiment behind a plate can make it that much more special for your guests to enjoy.
RECIPE:
Classic Cornbake
Ingredients:
1 Box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 can cream style corn
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping
Directions:
Combine all but cheddar cheese in the order listed, mixing well after each addition.
Pour into a buttered casserole dish.
Bake at 350 till the center doesn’t jiggle (about 30 minutes).
Sprinkle cheese on top about halfway through baking.
Fruity Delight
Quench your thirst and blow your guests’ mind with this flavorful concoction. It’s like summer in a cup!
RECIPE:
Citrus Tea Punch:
1 gallon sweet tea
6 oz. each orange juice, limeade and lemonade concentrates
Water to taste
Garnish with lemon, orange and lime slices.
Mix Well!
Extra Tip: Leave some lemonade to freeze in an ice cube tray. It keeps the punch cold without diluting it when it is time for the party to begin!