Party Inspiration...In Black and White

While most of my design work focuses on private homes and an occasional office/business project, I really enjoy decorating for special occasions. Party planning is one of my favorite things and I love developing party concepts that are unique and different.

Here’s my take on a Black and White Soiree!

The first step in party planning for me, is always to create a theme for the event. The theme of the party sets the tone and serves as the launching pad for all the other party elements….Location, Decor, Invitations, Food, Signature Cocktail, Party Favors, Music and even the attire.

If your event is planned for outside, think about incorporating a tent into the decor. Not only does a tent add visual impact, but it will give your party atmosphere a bit of intimacy and ambiance.

When selecting invitations, go for something dramatic. There are lots of great online resources for beautiful printed invitations, with one of my favorites being the handmade invitations from Etsy’s Ink Obsession Designs. Simple, classic and elegant!

And, for those occasions that call for an email invitation, I turn to Paperless Post. This online emporium of invitations, stationery and cards has an incredible offering of designs and styles to fit any occasion. Paperless Post recognizes the beauty of handwritten or printed invitations, but offers a modern alternative that embodies that same elegance. In their words…

“At Paperless Post, we seek to redefine the tradition of paper stationery so that people can send custom, personalized invitations and announcements with the same thought and care as previous generations, but the way we communicate today: online.”

When it comes to tabletop decor, keep it simple and elegant. Plain china will work with any theme and allows patterned table lines and napkins to be showcased.

Here are a couple other tips that will elevate the style of your table decor:

Layer your place settings to give your table depth. I typically start with a charger plate and layer my other dinnerware on top. And don’t forget that a tablecloth is considered a layer itself.
Incorporate a variety of textures into the mix: textured linens, smooth china, beaded napkin rings, flowers. All these elements create dimension.

Once the foundation of your table decor is set, add in a few unexpected items for a bit of personality.

Festive party hats, made by hand, can become elements of your centerpiece, and solid black urns and vases can hold condiments or candies.

And don’t forget a custom dessert treat to fit your theme!

Often times what really makes a party come to life are the little details and special elements.

Custom cocktails are the in thing. For a black and white themed party, I’d go with a Mudslide Martini. Here’s a great recipe.

Rather than traditional placecards, decorate each chair in a personal way. Check out the fabulous handmade chair covers from Divine Chair Design.(below), and the cute chair cone in the photo above.

And, if you really want to get mileage out of your party theme, ask your guest to dress in colors that work with your theme. This is a great way to get everyone emotionally connected to the party, while keeping the party theme solid as a rock.