Holiday Entertaining - The Lux Look for Less

At this time of year I am bombarded with questions pertaining to holiday entertaining. This year, I wanted to take the time to post my favorite affordable ideas to make your party fabulous and budget friendly.

1-Make your centerpieces multi-functional.
If serving a sit down dinner, make the meal family style and use a collection of dishes and bowls as your centerpiece. This makes each table unique and delicious. Surround them with candles and loose flowers to complete the look. A large tablespoon at each place setting can serve as individual serving pieces and tied with a placecard they can add value to your table.

2-Fruit and Vegetables.
This is the decorating item that keeps on giving after the party is over. Use fresh fruits and vegetables cut in a glass (peppers or citrus), whole in clusters (artichokes or pomegranates), or as an accent to placecards and buffet items (small pears or apples). Do not be afraid to mix fruits and vegetables, some whole and some cut. After the party, use them in your favorite recipes so they do not go to waste!

3-Layering your Table
As my clients well know, I am always in favor of layering your table. Start with a great linen, add charger plates, then the napkin fold. Top it with a menu or placecard tied to fresh fruit or holly berries. By incorporating layers into the look of the table, the centerpiece carries less weight and can be more modest. Use an extra charger plate, place three candles of different heights in the center and surround them with loose cranberries, whole nuts or coffee beans.

4-Mix and Match
Every year you find some linens are missing, napkins are damaged, and pieces of china are broken. Do not worry. Go to your local home decorating store (Homegoods, Target, Pier One) and look for open stock pieces. Add color and splash by mixing it up. Have all white dishes but now the bread plates are broken, add all gold bread plates. Add gold to the centerpiece and you have a new look.

5-Most important - Have fun!!

Jillian & Jesse

From my years of doing weddings, I notice the subtlety that makes a couple dynamic - the short glances into each others eyes, the sly laughter at inside jokes, the beaming smiles when they talk about each other, and the sparks when they hold hands. Jillian & Jesse have it all! With amazing families behind them and a strong love for each other, these two are a powerhouse. It was such a pleasure being involved in their planning and now being their friend. Their weeekend at the Mayfair in Coconut Grove was filled with such fabulous moments - enjoy a sneak peek from Nina Sutherland Photography.

Zoe's Bat Mitzvah

What do you get when you board the S.S. Zoe? Fun! Fun! Fun! Jensen Beach was abuzz with the tropical night that belonged to Miss Zoe. Family and friends celebrated as Zoe became a Bat Mitzvah. It is hard to believe such a sophisticated, charming, and intelligent young woman is only 13! Thanks to Janine Stone Photography, Elliot Valentine and his entertaining staff, and Doug Brown and Christine Politz for making the event such a great evening.

Cristy & Kurt

Since I had not entered to the world of blogging last year, I did not want to miss the opportunity to post a first anniversary tribute to Cristy & Kurt. What a beautiful wedding for such a great couple! Getting ready oceanfront, an early evening ceremony at St. Anne's Catholic Church, and a fabulous reception at the Harriett Theater, all filled with shades of red, black and burberry plaid. This was a wedding to be seen! Enjoy the viewing from Janine Stone Photography.

Ovations Catering

I wanted to wish Doug Brown and Christine Politz congratulations on their new venture - Ovations Catering. I have been proud to call both Doug and Christine colleagues of mine for the past several years. They are always wonderful to work with and the food is outstanding! I look forward to our next event!

Janine Stone Photography

Abby & Jimmy

As a wedding planner, I feel privileged to be part of a couple's wedding day. When the groom's toast to his bride makes you tear up, you know you are part of something special. That was the wedding day of Abby & Jimmy! After my first meeting with them and the families, I knew we were going to have a romantic yet rockin' time. With a special thanks to the Sailfish Club, the amazing Booga Sugar and the beautiful photography of Lucien Capehart, it was truly a magical event!



Oh and Go Yankees!