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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A Bridal Shower Luncheon


Lately, I've been wearing many "hats"-- that of a landscaper, a party consultant and an assistant caterer! So, it was fun to see it all come together last Saturday when my friend Maureen hosted a bridal shower luncheon in her new backyard.

Since the bride's colors are to be gray and pink, I ordered gray tablecloths with pink napkins. Silver chargers were a perfect addition to the theme.
The centerpieces were potted pink azaleas in sterling wine buckets.


Little pails with monogrammed pink and gray M & M's were the perfect touch too!

It all looked wonderful under the new pergola!

Upon entering Maureen's home, the guests were greeted by this gorgeous arrangement that she made in an alabaster urn belonging to her Mother-in-law.

Everyone was offered champagne cocktails with raspberries.

Maureen gave the bride a beautiful book that all the guests personalized with their messages of best wishes and marriage advise!

Meanwhile, my son Aaron was in the kitchen preparing the lunch.
Beginning with the first course, a cold corn chowder soup, garnished with corn, chives and tarragon relish.
My job: help plate the food and be the photographer!

The second course was a composed salad nicoise!
The Ahi tuna was first seared.....

...then added to the top of mixed greens with heirloom tomatoes, French green beans, egg and potatoes that Aaron prepared sous vide.


A lemon tart with blueberries for dessert!

Since Aaron is studying to be a pastry chef, this was his piece de resistance!

The party was absolutely lovely and a huge success!
It was really fun to see the fruits of everyone's labor all come together for this special day, hosted by a special friend, for a special bride!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
On Friday, I'll join Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday,
and also My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.


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32 comments:

  1. The Polka Dot ClosetAugust 31, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    That was gorgeous, I have a bridal shower coming up so I am devouring these ideas! Thank you

    Carol

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  2. KathysueAugust 31, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Oh D!! You have every reason to be proud of the wonderful job you all did. It looks so beautiful and elegant and special. I am sure the bride was so grateful for all that went into this wonderful shower. The food looked amazing. How wonderful for Aaron to offer his help!! I would say it was a great success to be sure!! xo Kathysue

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  3. TessAugust 31, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Wonderful decor and the food looks fabulous. Pretty convenient having a chef in the family!! ;-) The tables are beautiful and such a pretty color scheme.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  4. JacquelineAugust 31, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    We hosted a bridal shower this week too and that is my Tablescape thursday! Yours is just gorgeous and the food looks so elegant too. I love the outdoor setting. How sweet of you and you do wear many hats well!

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  5. Barb @ The Everyday Home August 31, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    That has to be one of the prettiest Bridal Showers I have ever seen. Understated but very classy. Love that you paid homage to the Bride's colors. That pic with the full scene is a cover of Southern Living magazine. You absolutely outdid yourself. The food looked divine. Great job!!!!

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  6. Patricia @ ButterYumAugust 31, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Fabulous post... such a lovely place for a shower. Your son will make a fine pastry chef - that's a given.

    :)
    ButterYum

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  7. Michele SmithAugust 31, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Gorgeous! I like those arrangements and the food looks fabulous.

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  8. LizabethAugust 31, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Spectacular job! They must of loved it! The tables were done with class and the colors were elegant! The food is so beautiful and the dessert- YUM! Looks like your wore all your hats with perfection!

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  9. Entertaining WomenAugust 31, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Maureen is truly blessed that her good friend has Aaron as a son! Amazing culinary treats! The tables are lovely, and that alabaster urn is spectacular. Thank you for sharing this special event. Cherry Kay

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  10. maureen harberAugust 31, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    This is my favorite post of the week!You captured the essence of the day through these beautiful photographs. I'll make sure Lauren and Julie see this. Yes, I am truly blessed .

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  11. The enchanted homeSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    Beautiful party...and the food, wow! It could be dangerous for me to have a son who is a pastry chef.....I would be signing up to be his guinea pig to try everything!
    Thanks for sharing...so good to be back in blogland, beautiful!

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  12. LoriSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    I so love bridal showers. What a talented son!

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  13. savvycityfarmerSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:54 AM

    perfect in every way ... who would've thought pink and gray?


    always inspired h.e.r.e.

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  14. Rashon CarrawaySeptember 1, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    Really great and inspiring ideas.
    Everything looks fantastic.



    Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  15. UnknownSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    Outside bridal showers are so wonderful. And everything shown here was why I love outdoor parties..The colors are perfect and the food looked so yummy!Great teamwork..

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  16. Connie in HartwoodSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    The luncheon looked beautifully well put together ... the setting, the details, and the FOOD!!!! Wow!

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  17. Anita@TheycallmejammiSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    Your family is so talented. Love the way everything looks...the pergola is absolutely gorgeous.

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  18. MarlisSeptember 1, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    This is the most beautiful rendition of gray and pink.. Love the silver chargers on the gray tablecloth and the pink napkins on top! My favorite meal.. Salade Nicoise.. ooh so wonderfully plated. Love those wonderful little lemon tarts too. A wonderful backyard, party! Best of luck to the happy couple. xo marlis

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  19. CassySeptember 1, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Looks very elegant.
    Very well arranged.
    Everything is perfect.

    Cassy from Beginner Free Guitar Lessons

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  20. Pinky at Designs by PinkySeptember 1, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    It all came together beautifully!!!!!!! I am sure you all thought it was worth all the work. The setting was gorgeous, love the colors! The food looked SCRUMPTIOUS!!!! Your son will be a fabulous chef! XO, Pinky

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  21. VictoriaSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    All of it looks fabulous, Delores; the decorations, the food, the photographs. I am sure the bride was thrilled.
    Best,
    Victoria

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  22. Lori ESeptember 1, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    What a great team you guys make. I love the way the salad is presented. I also like that there is actually a substantial amount of food on the plate. I hate plates that are barren and leave guests starving.

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  23. Tricia Rose Rough LinenSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Multi-talented family! It looks stylish and fun, just wonderful!

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  24. RettabugSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Just enchanting, Delores! Fantastic looks food to be served on some BEAUTIFUL tablescapes. I'm blown away by how gorgeous the yard looks so soon after all that work. Amazing!

    Kudos to your son for his culinary skills. Isn't your DD also into food creating? I seem to remember that. I must go back & catch up on all those posts I missed before I signed up to get yours via email. I'm really enjoying seeing all that you're up to now.

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  25. tableandtop.comSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Great post! Everything looked gorgeous and the food was presented so well!!

    'Please visit our new website www.tableandtop.com'

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  26. under spanish mossSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    What a lovely shower. The bride must have been so excited. The food and its presentation look great.
    Angela and Renee

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  27. CatherineSeptember 1, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Gorgeous ... these are the same colors my daughter used in her January wedding ... well pewter and blush pink but, essentially the same. A very lovely post.

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  28. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)September 1, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    What an enchanting bridal shower. The menu looked so yummy...all the best to the bride and groom.. hugs ~lynne~

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  29. Alycia NicholsSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Aaron was rockin' that food presentation!!! And your photography brought it all out! Fabulous! The tables look wonderful, and everything has that uniquely feminine touch that makes women feel pampered and special. Your friend's back yard looks GREAT!!! Hooray for her!

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  30. Susan at Romancing the HomeSeptember 2, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    this menu looks awesome! What a beautiful presentation on the salad plate. The pink and grey combination was unique and very pretty.

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  31. UnknownSeptember 2, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    A wonderful party, everthing perfect!

    Hugs
    Charo

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  32. laxsupermomSeptember 3, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    What a gorgeous party! The food looks amazing! You must be so proud! Thanks for sharing.

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