Hosting a Dinner Party: Setting the Table

Now that you've got the jams selected, time for another super fun part of planning a dinner party... the table decor. As much as I love looking at ideas for tables, it was definitely something I agonized about for my wedding... just because there are SO many options out there that are all lovely and awesome. We ended up going for a very natural look and used burlap overlays. I loved the way it turned out.

The best thing about an intimate dinner party is that you can be more random and use pieces that are very special to you as decor, and you can also do a fun DIY or a flower arrangement that's more time consuming since it's just the one table. These are some favorite tablescapes of mine:

Love these paper flowers, and the whole rustic feel.

This probably is from a wedding - but I love the gold flatware. What better time than a dinner party to bust out your china and fanciest stuff?

I would totally use my "farmers market" pieces from Anthro (that tray the deviled eggs are on). And love the gold horse, the rock candy, the runner, the fun plates... all of it.

Really like the idea of a random little animal or figurine for each place setting with their name tied to it. via

The little details are where it's at. Katie and I are obsessed with personalized, clever details when it comes to any kind of party - we get it from our mom. Some cool ideas for place settings:

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Spotted this adorable idea in a Martha Stewart wedding mag when I was planning mine. Planned on doing it but didn't end up working out with the awesome round menu place cards we ended up doing.

Super cute for an outdoor party. via

How about something fun and quirky like this chalkboard mustache napkin ring? ok.

Love this idea from Laura Parke to do an herb or some sort of plant in a monogrammed mug, as a place setting/favor.

More tomorrow from Katie on planning a dinner party. Party on!