On May 1st, I will be catering a Bridal Shower. The bride is in her 30's and as such a little more sophisticated than some of the younger brides I have dealt with for such events. For the actual wedding, the bridesmaids will all be dressed in Black and each one will be wearing a dress and dress length of their own choosing, a trend that I have been seeing a lot more. Personally, I would have preferred that option in the weddings that I have been a participant.
Since this surprise shower will be a brunch, I thought what better theme for this bride-to-be, than "Breakfast at Tiffany's" combining the chicness, glam, little black dress style and plenty of bling.
The menu has been set, party favors designed, and a look created for the table that incorporates sophisticated style and elegance with a fun flair reminiscent of Holly Golightly herself. Think flower arrangements made with actual ladies shiny black pumps and pocketbooks as vases along with sumptuous silver candlestick holders and trays and of course all the cut crystal shining brightly as any diamond.
Over the next couple of weeks, I thought I would share the projects and recipes that I will be using for the event. First thing to discuss is the buffet table -- the "Look". I hate seeing a buffet spread laid out in a monotone fashion, all plates identical and on one level, flat on the table. Any good hostess knows that you eat with your eyes before ever tasting that first bite. The food may be 4 stars quality but if it looks bland and boring, it may taste the same way. Some of the dishes should be elevated to create visual interest.
I had found these band boxes at a lawn sale last summer knowing that I would of course be painting them or doing some other treatment to change their appearance. These are sturdy pieces that would easily hold a heavy food platter. So this is the Before photo.
With a little paper from the Dollar Store, a roll of trim for $1.00 at Michael's, wrapping paper on after-Christmas clearance from Old Navy for $1.00, Black Tassel for $.25 and of course spray paint, here is the After shot. I have a couple more boxes to create for the table, but you get the general idea of the look from these three. The next Bridal Shower post will be showcasing the serving pieces and the menu card holders.
Have a great day.
Sherrie
It is Silver Sunday and welcome to my post. Thank you for stopping by for a visit. By the way, for those who have visited before, please note the name change, hope that you like it. Also, please be sure to say hello to Beth, our glittering hostess, at http://thegypsyfish.blogspot.com and the other participating "Silver Sunday Sistas" to see all the silver fun.
I call this photo "Silver Icicles on a Winter's Day"
As a caterer, I am always picking up serving pieces to use, brand new, lawn sale or thrift store finds. Here is a sample of silver ladles or gravy spoons. The first spoon pictured on the bottom is just marked stainless. The second spoon, my favorite in its simplicity, is stamped Viners of Sheffield England, Empire Stainless Steel. The third spoon is marked Japan with Pageant, Stainless Harvest. The fourth spoon is marked Rogers or Royers, too small to make out. the biggest spoon at the top, is marked Oneida LTD, Silversmiths.
In my 8th grade literature book, there was a short story about a woman that walks in to a silver shop and requests to be shown their most expensive silver ladle. The proprietor hands the woman a beautiful piece, simple, with no adornments. The woman is offended. The ladle is to be a wedding gift for a very prominent and influential couple. She would be embarrassed to present such a simple and presumably common gift. The owner patiently explained that anyone can create an item covered with embellishments, perhaps unnecessary touches. A rosette or curlicue design may be covering flaws in the piece. It takes true craftsmanship to create a simple and flawless piece thereby making it priceless. I wish I had noted the author's name as I have often told that story to make that same point.
These pieces above, except the cake server, are all marked Oneida LTD Silversmiths and have such a beautiful soft shine. The cake server has no markings and is quite a heavy piece.
The next three pieces are all marked China, and although they are shiny, it is a bright and cheap shine. I keep them to use for utilitarian purposes only and don't mind if one of these pieces gets lost.
I love the fork to the left, kind of a crinkle cut design, it is marked Korea. The other 2 pieces are both Cuisinart 18/10 Stainless.
I don't own much silver for my own personal dining table; however, I had purchased these salt and pepper shakers from a large and well known shop in Maine. This was several years after I had been married, still with no formal set of "good china". I had a moment of weakness, thinking that since I was now married and a new home owner, that it was time to start a proper dish collection, meaning from Macy's or some other similar retail establishment. This shaker set is beautiful, and I do love them, but thankfully, they were the only official store bought formal purchase that I have made.
I was married in 1980. I did not have a gift registry on file, again at a store like Macy's. My friends and family were broke, times were tough. I received 3 crock pots and tons of towels among the assorted gifts of home-made pillows, quilts, cook books, can openers and a blender. All those gifts are now gone, all lovingly used. The one gift that remains, was my most cherished gift of all, a silver tray, silver plate to be exact, with a little fork. It is a "party set" produced by Rogers Bros, marked IS, 199, America's Finest Silver Plate. Whenever we entertained, the tray would be used.... for cheese and crackers or nuts or olives. It made me feel like such a proper little hostess. After each use, the tray would be carefully washed, wiped dry and be put back in its box for safe keeping. Needless to say, I now own a substantial collection of trays and other serving pieces, that are large enough for crowds of 40 - 100. But I will always remember how I felt when I would bring out that little tray for the few slices of cheese it would hold and how I dreamed of becoming the hostess that I became.
My last piece of silver, a 25th Silver Anniversary plate.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a chance to say hello. Looking forward to our visit together next Sunday.
The menu has been set, party favors designed, and a look created for the table that incorporates sophisticated style and elegance with a fun flair reminiscent of Holly Golightly herself. Think flower arrangements made with actual ladies shiny black pumps and pocketbooks as vases along with sumptuous silver candlestick holders and trays and of course all the cut crystal shining brightly as any diamond.
I had found these band boxes at a lawn sale last summer knowing that I would of course be painting them or doing some other treatment to change their appearance. These are sturdy pieces that would easily hold a heavy food platter. So this is the Before photo.
With a little paper from the Dollar Store, a roll of trim for $1.00 at Michael's, wrapping paper on after-Christmas clearance from Old Navy for $1.00, Black Tassel for $.25 and of course spray paint, here is the After shot. I have a couple more boxes to create for the table, but you get the general idea of the look from these three. The next Bridal Shower post will be showcasing the serving pieces and the menu card holders.
