This post is long overdue, but I figured it's better late than never in case any of my readers are planning fall weddings for next year, or maybe even the year after. {the ideas in this post can easily be applied to entertaining at any time of the year though} I recently attended another entertaining class at my local Pottery Barn and want to share with you some of the great ideas and tips that were showcased at the class. Some of the photos featured are ones I have taken and others are from the Pottery Barn web site. And, another bonus - some of the items mentioned at the event are now on sale since Pottery Barn needs to make room for their Holiday items.
above photos were taken by me

Ideas and Tips for the perfect Fall Event
• Placemats add an aesthetic to the table
• White dinnerware not only emphasizes the food, it also allows you to focus on the seasonal elements. Pottery Barn carries the Caterer's 12-Piece Dinnerware Set that's perfect for year-round use. It comes in sets of 12 in both salad and dinner plates.
• Acorns are a great accent (Pottery Barn even carries acorn shaped plates)
• It's always great to have candles somewhere on the table (idea: simple table runner with scattered votives)
• Repetition of color works with tablecloth and decorative dishes
• Place a rectangular folded napkin on top of salad plate with decorative plate on top of that

above photos courtesy of Pottery Barn

For buffets with over 10 guests, it's recommended to have the same food on each side of the table (aka double buffet) to help the traffic flow better. And, you also want to have the drink cups and silverware at the end so the guests aren't juggling the plate, cup and silverware while selecting their food. And, with buffets, it's recommended to use chargers so guests can balance their plate on their arm while picking up the food.

An easy and decorative way to present the silverware that make it easy for guests to pick it up after the buffet line is to fold a napkin in half and roll up silverware inside. You can either tie together with twine, ribbon or even use a napkin ring.

Centerpiece Ideas and Tips:
• Glass sleeves are see thru and allow you to place a large votive in the middle and sprinkle cranberries, acorns, or even ornaments around the votive.
• Garland can be used to make an "s" to connect 2 glass sleeves
• Another option is to use a wreath with candles in the middle
• Low centerpieces allow for people to speak
• If tall centerpieces are used, they can be removed when eating
• Remember to use the triangular principle: center high, low sides

And lastly, a little tidbit that was shared in the entertaining class that I thought was great: people eat more around people they know and they eat less if they don't know each other.

Coming up next . . . a great fall inspired Real Wedding.

Disclaimer: I was not paid monetarily w/products or services to make an endorsement of Pottery Barn.

This past Sunday, I attended another class at my local Pottery Barn. This seasonal class was all about outdoor/backyard entertaining, perfect for those looking to throw engagement parties or bridal showers this summer. And the tips are well-suited for weddings themselves or the casual get together with friends. I attended one of the Pottery Barn classes in the spring that discussed tips for decorating and entertaining for a brunch.

Below are the easy to use entertaining tips that have been organized into 3 sections based on the multitude of notes I took . . .
• Casual Sit Down Dinner
• The Buffet Table and Drink/Bar Table
• Formal Outdoor Setting
above photos have been taken by me, Brenda

Casual Sit Down Dinner
1. Using different levels on the table: suggestions included using either sturdy placemats or chargers under the plates to make it easier for guests to pick their food up and move, adding in a lazy susan around the umbrella to help with serving of condiments and food {aren't the condiment servers just the cutest in the above photo?}
2. Use acrylic dinnerware: no need to worry about breakage {can also be for everyday use and is dishwasher safe}
3. Add fun elements: such as enamel pails which can be used for serving appetizers or fruit, as a holder for napkin of guest, etc.
4. For an upscale look that's also "green", consider using linen napkins: even though it's a casual dinner, linen napkins will create a prettier display on the table and it's the little touches that make the dinner extra special for your guests.
5. The simpler the centerpiece the better for outdoor entertaining: consider votive candles or lanterns
6. Another item that is coming back in style for casual entertaining is galvanized serving ware: consider wine/glass bottle holder, trays, etc. And, a plus side to galvanized is that it won't rust.


the above two images are courtesy of Pottery Barn

The Buffet Table and Drink/Bar Table
1. For the buffet table, you will want to keep the centerpiece at the back of the table: this way guests aren't reaching over the displays when reaching for food.
2. A printed menu: when displayed in a frame it creates a focal point
3. Have silverware and napkins available at the end of buffet table: guests don't need to be juggling their plates, the silverware and spooning the food onto their plate.
4. Have either chargers or sturdy placements for your guests to put their plates on: they can then balance the plate easier on their arm while selecting their food
5. When doing a buffet, you can skip the salad plates: one plate will suffice
6. Use tongs: as the guest will need to do everything with one hand (ex. the typical long spoon and fork for salad serving should not be used)
7. Keep fork, knife and spoon together: to make it easier for guests to pick up their silverware at the end, wrap the silverware in a napkin and tie with twine. It also creates a lovely display as well as making it easy for your guest to grab and go.
8. Labeling drinks: it's recommended that you add a label to the dispenser with the drink name to eliminate guesswork
9. Extra Towels: have a few towels nearby to wipe up spills and condensation
10. GREAT ICE TIP: for a 2 hr cocktail party, it's recommended that you have 1 lb of ice per guest


above photos have been taken by me, Brenda

Formal Outdoor Setting
1. Use linen, glass, ceramic and silver: great way to mix textures and layers
2. Mix & match linen napkins: same color palette/hues, but different patterns
3. Use a runner or tablecloth for formal setting: making sure there is something under the plate {ex. charger, tablecloth, etc}
4. Add outdoor elements: such as a lantern, shells, etc
5. Place cards: are a great wau to add an unexpected touch for your guests
6. Ambient lighting: helps keeps bugs away {turning on the deck light will attract the bugs}

And, lastly . . . with some simple pre-planning, it will be easy for the host to enjoy the party too.
Cold Dishes - prepare the day before and store in the fridge.
Hot Dishes - bake in the morning and keep warm in the oven {then you just need to pull them out when ready}

This past Sunday I attended a great decorating class at my local Pottery Barn and wanted to pass along some of the tips I collected at the class. While the theme was a Weekend Brunch (with Easter being featured), these tips and ideas can easily be used for any wedding gathering, from the engagement party to the bridal shower to the wedding itself. Sunday's Weekend Brunch at the Pottery Barn featured entertaining ideas (on a much more budget friendly scale) and recipes from the book Fandango: Recipes, Parties and License to Make Magic by Sandy Hill. {note: the photos featured are ones that I personally took while at the event}

The first set of photos is from the "elegant spring luncheon for girlfriends" table. Both of the table settings at the class used chargers. Chargers can be used as a decorative element for any table setting, but are most recommended for buffets as the guest will be able to balance their plate on their arm better with the support of a charger while using their free hand to select the food. It's also recommended to use white plates as "the food is your gift to the guest" - what a great saying!

Placecards are a great element even for a small intimate gatherings for that extra special touch (and take home gift). Two ideas for placecards would be either a bud vase with a name tag attached to the flower (real or silk), or a picture frame with a photo of the guest. Both are great take home gifts for the guest.

For the centerpieces:
1. When grouping elements together, it's recommended that you alternate heights and colors. Also, you will want to have groupings of odd numbers. Above, there was 3 vases of flowers and 2 glass cylinders with pillar candles in them (note: one candle is behind the taller flower vase and not showing in the photo)
2. For a small table, it's recommended that you use a tall, narrow centerpiece (so the guests won't have to keep craning their neck to see the guest across from them), or a short wide centerpiece that allows for easy conversation as you can see over it.

Utensils:
Instead of having a basket with all the utensils in it and the guests have to reach in for theirs, it's recommended that you wrap up a fork, knife and spoon so the individual serving set is ready for your guest. Just these 3 utensils will suffice, there no need to have an extra's like a smaller fork for salad, etc.
While the above table is the Easter display, elements from this tablescape can easily be implemented into any event. For example, I'm thinking a great way to make use of the pink floral branches in the pot, would be to have your guests write wishes or advice on tags and then hang them on the brances.

This was my first Pottery Barn decorating class and I had a great time. Hopefully I'll be able to attend more and I will be sharing more photos with you as the classes become available throughout the year.

Stay tuned: coming up a bit later this morning, I have a blog giveaway for you.