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How to DIY a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

Oct 24

DIY Your Way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

So I’m 25 now. Woohoo! A couple weeks ago, I had my 25th birthday and invited some of my closest girlfriends over to celebrate. I thought it was a great excuse to get fancy and cook a delicious meal (before games, of course). I was picturing something something girly and luxe, but my budget was picturing something pretty basic. I’m so happy with how it turned out! So this post is not only about my birthday party (Woo!) but how to save money on dinner party decorations. Today I’m talking party decorations, but I’m going to follow this up with posts on the flower crowns & leaf garland, as well as the cake (it’s a hack!) and the bunting and monogrammed napkin ‘rings’.

DIY Your Way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

DIY Your way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

The first thing I did is hit the fabric store for some inspiration. I knew I wanted a table cloth- but not a plain-jane one (we hate our kitchen table right now, we plan to paint it, but for now we cover it up as much as possible). I found this purple in the discount section for $3 a meter. Done. I also picked up the pink for $2 a meter. I only had to get .4 of a meter for the pink and 2.5 for the purple (that did the table cloth and the purple bunting). I used the napkins I made for my pancake party ($1 for four), and picked up the velvet ribbon for wrapping them at the fabric store for $2.

DIY Your way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

DIY Your way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

So I like flowers, no two ways about it. But unless you get them from your garden (like for my Friendsgiving), they can be really expensive! Since it’s the end of the season here, there wasn’t much left in my Dad’s garden to pick from. I filled out the bouquet with grocery store flowers- a bunch of pink snapdragons and a bunch of pink alstroemeria (2 bunches for $10). The leaf garland for the table was surprisingly affordable too! I’ll be talking that and flower crowns next week.

DIY Your way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

The driftwood branch down the table I’ve been holding onto for a while. I picked it up on a driftwood hunt a few years back (the same beach where I got these) and it’s made the move(s) with us, so now I can say it was worth it. The tea light holders I bought as vessels for this carnation arrangement at Target after Christmas. They were on sale for $1.50 a piece. So don’t count seasonal (Christmas) decor out when you’re looking to decorate for a party! When they’re matched with all the purple and pink, they don’t seem too Christmas-y to me.

DIY Your way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

DIY Your way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

Our night consisted of making flower crowns, making dinner, then eating cake and playing games. It took so much stress off of me as the host (it was my birthday after all) by having us cook and make the flower crowns all together. Plus, it provided an activity to entertain us while some of my friends who didn’t know each other as well got to know each other before we switched to games. Have you ever cooked with friends? I love it. It’s such a good excuse to make something way fancier than you normally would. Then, by the time you get to eat everything tastes so much more delicious because you’ve been talking about it all night. In university I had a group of friends who would have cook nights and I miss those nights so much!

I wrote out the recipes I’d selected so we wouldn’t be pulling up websites on our phones all night (how I usually cook). I also tried to have all the things we would be using out of the cupboards to save on the hunting. If you’re curious, we made my go-to spinach dip, this amazing chicken, garlic rice, and my mother-in-law’s recipe of broccoli salad.

DIY Your Way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

DIY Your way to a Deceptively Luxe Dinner Party

I had so much fun, guys. I’m thinking I’d like to make dinner parties a regular thing at our house. After Friendsgiving and then this… whether it’s a potluck or we all cook together, I’m enjoying the excuse to get together with friends and eat something other than pizza. Does this mean we’re growing up? Maybe, and this is one reason I’m totally good with it. What are some of your secrets to hosting affordable parties? I’d love to learn some new tricks!

Category: EntertainTag: Birthday, Budget, Decorations, Dinner Party, Florals, Party, Party Decor, Party DIY, Party Food, Tablescapes
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin

    Oct 24 at 7:35 pm

    Beautiful! One of the things I really miss since we moved is fabric…reasonably priced fabric. I used to be able to do things like this, but have had to find some new ideas since fabric is a fortune here!
    Xoxo

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Oct 25 at 8:03 pm

      Thanks Erin! I would miss it too… We can go together next time you’re down :) If you have suitcase room that is.

      Reply
  2. Ginnie

    Oct 27 at 1:38 pm

    This turned out so beautiful! I love the velvet napkin rings. I need to search out more bargain spots, everything is so expensive here in NYC … even the thrift stores!

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Oct 27 at 10:48 pm

      Thanks Ginnie! It’s funny the value you get in different parts of the world. Here I would pay a fortune for antlers and my sister in law who pays a fortune for fabric, can get them for unreal prices.

      Reply
  3. Karen

    Oct 30 at 2:58 am

    Hey Colleen, I’m stopping by from Paper & Fox link party, and I wanted to say how pretty this table is and I LOVE the look of that cake! I want one that looks like that for my Friendsgiving! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Oct 30 at 9:46 am

      Hi Karen, Welcome! Thanks so much- I’ve got the tutorial for that cake coming up in the next week :)

      Reply
  4. Alexis @ Persia Lou

    Oct 30 at 11:55 pm

    So beautiful!

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 11:56 am

      Thanks Alexis! And thank you for featuring it yesterday :)

      Reply
  5. Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness

    Oct 31 at 3:24 pm

    Uh, SO PRETTY!! I love the bunting on the wall, and the driftwood, and the flowers, and the colors, and…everything!! Can I come to your next dinner party?? :) Seriously amazing! Thanks or linking up with us at Motivational Monday!! Hope to see you again Sunday! :)

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 7:39 pm

      Uh, SO THANK YOU! You’re so sweet Amanda, if you lived around here, you know you could :)

      Reply
  6. Amy | Club Narwhal

    Nov 04 at 9:15 am

    Oh, I ADORE all of this! Especially those pretty votives and branch. I love bringing natural elements when I’m setting a nice table. You did a fabulous job!

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 7:46 pm

      Aw thanks so much Amy! You’re too sweet, and I’m thrilled you’re here (love your recipes!!).

      Reply
  7. Melissa French, The More With Less Mom

    Nov 06 at 11:05 am

    Oooh I love the purples, that is gorgeous! Hello from Think and Make Thursday!

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Nov 10 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks so much Melissa! I appreciate you stopping by :)

      Reply

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I’m Colleen: wife; mom to 4 wild ones; and DIY blogger behind Lemon Thistle. You can expect to see rad DIY, modern home decor, renovations, hand lettering and the occasional party on Lemon Thistle. Read More…

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