Thursday, May 19, 2011

Bridesmaid's Luncheon

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
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This week's post is from my archives.  The luncheon has never been posted, although it actually took place several years ago.  This one will be relatively short and sweet; I was not blogging back then, and I didn't shoot pictures with posting in mind.

 When my precious daughter asked if we could host the bridesmaid's luncheon for one of her dearest friends, I, of course, said, "Absolutely!"  Spring was in the air, and it was the perfect season for festive, clear colors.  We seated sixteen guests at two tables of eight.

  To keep everyone in close proximity to the bride-to-be, I prepared two tables for eight in the living room.  Both of the tables were enlarged to 60" by using the flip-top table tops.  I made both of the apple green, 120" round tablecloths.
The darling white metal birdcages are from Tuesday Morning.  They were on loan from my dear friend Cindy.  Tip:  Think co-op with your friends.  We have a fun group of ladies who enjoy entertaining, and we trade table-top goodies back and forth all the time.  It really makes great economical sense, and it helps with storage issues, too.  I flanked the birdcages with a pair of tall crystal candlesticks.  They look like Juliska, but I think that they are knock-offs.  Also flanking the centerpiece are two reticulated creamware jardinieres.  I used assorted blossoms from good ole' Sam's to repeat the colors of the bouquet in the center of each luncheon plate.

 I often use the Copeland Spode, "Jewel" for wedding celebrations.  I found all of it on eBay over a fairly short period of time.  The rims remind me of the lace on a wedding dress.  The dinner plate is the plain "Jewel" pattern.  The luncheon plate is called  Copeland Spode, "Jewel, Heath & Rose".  The Caspari, Rattan Charger added a natural texture that complemented the garden motif of the birdcage.  My wonderful daughter-in-love collects the Copeland Spode, "Billingsley Rose", probably the best known of the patterns on the Jewel blank.  The vintage Madeira linen napkins belonged to our dear Nana; her beautiful things always add such a dignified note to each table.  Did you notice the oversized Diamond Ring napkin rings?  Those are another co-op item.  Three of us bought four dozen of them, and we share them for large parties.  The silver flatware was my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton, 
"Francis I".  Someday it will belong to my precious daughter; she chose the same pattern for her wedding silver.  When Spring rolls around, I find that I frequently choose the Waterford, "Simply" goblets...love the colors!  Today I mixed the "Simply Pink" and the "Simply Lime"...



They played really well with the flowers, too!  The small wedding cake place card holders are another co-op item.  Several of us bought them, and we share them.  I cut out the oval place cards on my Cricut...such a handy tool.  Do you use a Cricut?  The MacKenzie-Childs individual S&P's were a fun whimsical touch on today's tablescapes.

Everything is ready to go!  I always look forward to the bridesmaid's luncheons that I host.  There are inevitably several young girls present who are captivated by the art of tablescaping.  Many of them ask if I'll teach them how to create a beautiful table...it makes my day!  I'm convicted that it is important to share our passion with the next generation.  I hope that you'll join me on my soapbox!  I think that it's a worthwhile mission.



Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, "Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "Tablescape Thursday."   Hop on over HERE and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.


You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!   


  
Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

19 comments:

  1. Cherry Kay, the whole room looks magical. I love the idea of coop tablescaping.. What a grand idea. I might need to find new friends though :(. Love Spode china! How fortunate that you have a daughter to whom to pass things. That makes it even more special. The centerpieces were lovely creations, you certainly have a magic touch with flowers.

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  2. Beautiful! Love the floral arrangements! I never responded to your comment about us being neighbors, but we are indeed! I grew up in OKC, but now work in Norman & live just south of there. I always enjoy meeting fellow Okies! Your tablescapes are always beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. What beautiful settings. I bet all the young ladies had a wonderful time....you always do such nice tables!

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  4. I think I picked the wrong colors for this week...several have done pink and green. Very pretty table, Cherry Kay...your tables are always a work of art.

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  5. What a lovely reason to entertain. I don't think many people entertain brides and bridesmaids here, the way they used to. I remember several such lovely events before our wedding, culminating in the Trousseau Tea, to which my mother's friends were invited. I get a blank stare now if I say Trousseau....let alone Trousseau Tea!

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  6. Those tablescloths are outstanding. They really set things off. You're so talented to have made them. Great idea to coop things from your friends!

    - The Tablescaper

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  7. Gorgeous tables! I think bridesmaids' luncheons in homes are so much more special than those in restaurants, and yours proves that point. I enjoyed seeing all your pretty things and you always do a wonderful job with your flowers!

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  8. I always love your tables. I'm hosting a bridesmaid luncheon next month so will borrow your wedding cake name card idea. Thanks for posting....so glad you're blogging now! ~CJ

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  9. What a gift you presented with your decorating! The music is beautiful, as well. Blessings!

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  10. Welcome back, Cherry Kay. Your "Simply" goblets always catch my eye, and your tablescape colors of choice - even years later - are just as delightful today.

    Although I don't have a Cricut (wish I did!) but I happily join you on your soapbox! It's definitely a worthwhile mission -- and you are certainly a wonderful teacher. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. I can only imagine being a guest at one of your tables, no detail goes unnoticed! I think your photos look great for not having taken them with blogging in mind!

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  12. Isn't it fun to be able to be in the same room together? I have had my husband remove the couches and put them in the garage so we could have a large gathering.

    Your green dotted tablecloths are just wonderful. The precious cake placecard holders are too perfect. Great idea to share.

    I thought that I would know that I had "made it" in life when I could afford fresh flowers and then along came Sams and Costco who offer fresh flowers at such reasonable prices - it's a great thing.

    How fun for these young people to be exposed to your beautiful style and to become interested. Keep entertaining!

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  13. Great that you can share with friends! And that you have the room to have everyone in one spot.. I think I might have to do this too for the next family event.. Your designs are always so gracious and beautifully thought out. Love all your little details.. and your florist is the best!
    XO marlis

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  14. How lovely. The china is beautiful and so are your tablecloths.Everything is just perfect for a lovely luncheon.

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  15. Your tables are so lovely, so befitting for a bridal shower. The birdcages are adorable and I love the plates and silver. You are just the perfect hostess, Cherry Kay!...Christine

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  16. So glad to see you back, I've miss you! Your Spode china is so gorgeous, I hope someday I get one myself,I love them all!. Your tables are stunning, each detail and elements are fabulous, you've made professional designed tablescapes.
    Have a nice weekend and thank you for your wonderful visit.
    Hugs
    FABBY

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  17. I've got three Yorkshire Terrorists (Mister, Zap, and Murphy). Thanks for visiting me!

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  18. Inspired as always. Love the floral arrangements, green and orange, the bird cages and of course the fabulous china and crystal. You make it look effortless! ~CJ

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  19. Love it, you give me such inspiration! But my husband wishes I wasn't so inspired, too many dishes he "thinks!"

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