Size Up the Seating
Determining how and if guests will be seated is an important step in planning your party decorations. Be sure to avoid inviting more guests than your table or location can comfortably handle.
Create Mood Magic with Flowers
The selection of flower varieties and color choice can go a long way in achieving the mood you desire. Just follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Consider the Lighting
For low-light or candlelight use lighter or "warmer" colored flowers - such as yellows, oranges and reds. Whites and lighter colors are also excellent reflective choices for candlelight. Avoid "cooler" colors such as purple, violet or dark blue - these are considered passive colors and don't reflect light as well. For bright spaces anything goes. Since bright light is highly reflective and shows color in it's purest hue you might want to use deeper or darker tones such as burgundy, purple or deep blue.
Extra light can add dimension to any party. Add a few white "twinkle lights" to trees or try shining an inexpensive work light or can light onto a floral arrangement for dramatic impact. These can easily be hidden with a plant or cloth.
Step 2: Choose Colors That Help Create the Mood
When planning your floral décor, think of the way you might make the best use of color to enhance the environment. Take a cue from the type of food you plan to serve. To make the most of a zesty Mexican meal, spice it up with bright reds and golds. If a romantic wedding brunch in a traditional setting is on the agenda, pastels may be the perfect choice. A casual pasta dinner might call for eclectic colors.
Step 3: Select Flower Varieties That Get Your Point Across
Unique Ideas for Party Flowers
Here are a few simple and inexpensive ideas to add that extra special touch to your party:
Flower Napkin Rings/Guest Favors
Ask your florist to create a floral napkin ring for each guest, or order a few extra flowers that match the centerpiece and simply tuck one into each folded napkin or napkin ring. Be sure to keep flowers in water until right before guests arrive and then cut the stem back to about 3 inches. Ask your florist about what kinds of flowers work best for this type of treatment.
Floral Place Cards for Each Guests
Use small vases with one flower cut very short in each as place holders. The card can be glued or taped to the front of the vase, or nestled into the blossom itself. Another option is to glue each place card to a single flower blossom.
Dressed Up Candles
Place votive candles on flower petals or a leaf. Add ribbons with flowers to candlesticks. Float flowers or fragrant flower blooms in crystal bowls.
Buffet Flowers
Ask your florist to make several designs in different sizes. Place them throughout the buffet table to allow everyone to see the flowers up close.
Decorate a Cake with Flowers
Ask your florist which flowers make the best cake decorations. Wash the flowers thoroughly and allow them to dry. Cut the stems to about 1 inch. Dip the ends into melted paraffin and allow them to dry before inserting the stems directly into the cake. Foliage or flat flowers such as pansies can be placed flat onto the cake.
Posies in the Punch
Make a punch float by placing washed fruit or edible flowers into a tube cake pan. Fill with water to about 3 inches. Freeze it and pop it into the punch bowl flower side up as guests arrive. Make sure that you replace the float when the ice melts.
Garnishing Trays and Platters
Line the tray or the edges of your serving platter with decorative lettuce leaves or kale. Use flowers as accents in the center or on a corner of the tray. This is a great way to disguise serving platters that don't match.
Determining how and if guests will be seated is an important step in planning your party decorations. Be sure to avoid inviting more guests than your table or location can comfortably handle.
- How many guests will be attending your party?
- How many guests will your current dining table seat comfortably?
- Is there enough extra space in the room for guests be able to move comfortably to socialize?
- Does it make more sense to seat your guests at several smaller tables rather than one large table?
- Is there enough space for drink or hors d'oeuvre stations?
- Can you do a buffet in place of a seated affair?
- Do you have an outdoor living area such as a patio that could be utilized, weather permitting?
Create Mood Magic with Flowers
The selection of flower varieties and color choice can go a long way in achieving the mood you desire. Just follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Consider the Lighting
For low-light or candlelight use lighter or "warmer" colored flowers - such as yellows, oranges and reds. Whites and lighter colors are also excellent reflective choices for candlelight. Avoid "cooler" colors such as purple, violet or dark blue - these are considered passive colors and don't reflect light as well. For bright spaces anything goes. Since bright light is highly reflective and shows color in it's purest hue you might want to use deeper or darker tones such as burgundy, purple or deep blue.
Extra light can add dimension to any party. Add a few white "twinkle lights" to trees or try shining an inexpensive work light or can light onto a floral arrangement for dramatic impact. These can easily be hidden with a plant or cloth.
Step 2: Choose Colors That Help Create the Mood
When planning your floral décor, think of the way you might make the best use of color to enhance the environment. Take a cue from the type of food you plan to serve. To make the most of a zesty Mexican meal, spice it up with bright reds and golds. If a romantic wedding brunch in a traditional setting is on the agenda, pastels may be the perfect choice. A casual pasta dinner might call for eclectic colors.
Step 3: Select Flower Varieties That Get Your Point Across
Unique Ideas for Party Flowers
Here are a few simple and inexpensive ideas to add that extra special touch to your party:
Flower Napkin Rings/Guest Favors
Ask your florist to create a floral napkin ring for each guest, or order a few extra flowers that match the centerpiece and simply tuck one into each folded napkin or napkin ring. Be sure to keep flowers in water until right before guests arrive and then cut the stem back to about 3 inches. Ask your florist about what kinds of flowers work best for this type of treatment.
Floral Place Cards for Each Guests
Use small vases with one flower cut very short in each as place holders. The card can be glued or taped to the front of the vase, or nestled into the blossom itself. Another option is to glue each place card to a single flower blossom.
Dressed Up Candles
Place votive candles on flower petals or a leaf. Add ribbons with flowers to candlesticks. Float flowers or fragrant flower blooms in crystal bowls.
Buffet Flowers
Ask your florist to make several designs in different sizes. Place them throughout the buffet table to allow everyone to see the flowers up close.
Decorate a Cake with Flowers
Ask your florist which flowers make the best cake decorations. Wash the flowers thoroughly and allow them to dry. Cut the stems to about 1 inch. Dip the ends into melted paraffin and allow them to dry before inserting the stems directly into the cake. Foliage or flat flowers such as pansies can be placed flat onto the cake.
Posies in the Punch
Make a punch float by placing washed fruit or edible flowers into a tube cake pan. Fill with water to about 3 inches. Freeze it and pop it into the punch bowl flower side up as guests arrive. Make sure that you replace the float when the ice melts.
Garnishing Trays and Platters
Line the tray or the edges of your serving platter with decorative lettuce leaves or kale. Use flowers as accents in the center or on a corner of the tray. This is a great way to disguise serving platters that don't match.