Spring is officially here and we are ready to party! Our friends at Be Inspired PR have gathered tips from industry pros that will get you excited for spring. Whether it’s setting the perfect table or super cute snack ideas, you’re sure to snag a few ideas for the warmer months ahead:
1. “A simple idea that always makes a big impact is to personalize your place settings. This is an added touch that never goes unnoticed, and even the most basic hand-lettering is much appreciated by your guests.” –Laura Hooper Calligraphy
2. “Add placemats! We often reserve placemats for more formal occasions, but they can be an easy way to incorporate color or texture into your outdoor entertaining. A modern pattern makes any table look more thoughtful and finished without feeling too stuffy.” –Laura Hooper Calligraphy
3. “Our favorite way to dine outdoors is in a cozy, secret garden with friends. If you don’t have a garden, you can create your own! Pick a flat spot that will fit your table, chairs for all of your guests and additional tables for both a buffet and a bar. Surround it all with a dense perimeter of trees wrapped with tiny twinkle lights. Have one opening for guests to enter. Most cities have companies that will rent you these trees, deliver them and set them up to your specifications. The containers that the trees are in should be filled with ferns or other underplanting so that all you see is greenery, not containers. Make it look like this little clearing in the forest was always there! If you have a budget, hire a local lighting company to wash the dining area in chocolate light, with a pin spot on your centerpiece to really make it pop. Your centerpiece, as well as your flowers on the buffet and bar, should be in mossy containers filled with spring flowers like hyacinth, peony, tulips, lilac, anemone, iris, and freesia. Fill all surfaces with glimmering candles to create an ethereal glow. Use linens that are neutral in color like a soft, textured chenille (many linen companies have wonderful selections to choose from), along with coordinating hemstitched napkins. Drape pashminas on all of the ladies’ chair backs in case it gets chilly later in the evening. Set a lovely springtime buffet with an assortment of salads, a chilled spring pea soup, poached salmon, crusty baguette and salted Irish butter. For dessert, a rustic berry crostata with crème fraiche. Place a few bowls of chocolate dusted almonds around the table. Create a show stopping bar loaded with bottles of red, white and rosé wine, local beer, fresh organic juices in carafes, bottles of tequila and vodka, Italian sparkling sodas, and fresh pomegranate seeds, berries and passionfruit to muddle. Let guests make their own delicious concoctions! Have a selection of glasses including pints, double old fashioned, highball, red and white wine glasses. Be sure to have big buckets of ice to chill your beer and wine and another tabletop ice bucket for your cocktails. Rather than music, consider a soundscape of springtime forest sounds (but make it subtle, not too loud, and no rain sounds!) When you bring your guests outside for dinner, there should be an element of surprise; don’t let them see into the enclosure right away. When they enter this magical, twinkling, and candlelit space, everyone will know that they are in for a splendid and memorable spring evening!” –Merryl Brown, CEO and Creative Director of Merryl Brown Events
4.“Incorporate edibles into the decor! Crudite and/or fruit can be added to floral arrangements (perhaps within vases or bowls to make it more apparent) for snacking. Guests can pluck their snack of choice. Place bowls of dip around the arrangement!” –Euri Wong, Lead Designer at Bloominous
5. “Avocado Toast Station. Spring weather calls for light bites full of fresh produce, so put together a build-your-own avocado toast bar for your guests to enjoy! Lightly toasted slices of crisp sourdough bread can be set out next to bowls of mashed avocado laden with lemon juice and sea salt. Set out tons of colorful toppings like pomegranate seeds, goat cheese crumbles, sun-dried tomatoes, diced mango, and even jalapeño slices! Your guests will enjoy customizing their toaststo their hearts’ content—and it’s an easy, healthy lunch just perfect for dining al fresco.” –Jenna Miller, Creative Director at Here Comes the Guide
6. .“When in doubt –break out your blender. Seriously –who doesn’t appreciate a frozen cocktail with a drink umbrella. If that doesn’t say spring has arrived I don’t know what does!” –Irene St. Onge, Soiree Special Events
