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!