May 22, 2015, posted by Gina – Last week nine hostesses (yours truly among them) organized a bridal luncheon for a young lady who, as most of us have known her her whole life, is near and dear to our hearts. We also hosted a bridal luncheon for her sister last year; yes, that’s right one after the other!
Guests were signaled to the house by a small hand-tied bouquet with large white ribbon on the mailbox and the theme continued as guests were greeted by a bridal veil halo arrangement on the front doors.
The ladies were guided to a screened-in porch that was the setting for a champagne bar and appetizers (click HERE for information about the food and drinks).
After lunch the bride-to-be was presented with an apron monogrammed with her married initials and a wonderfully cute story about the history of the apron was told. Earlier, while the guests enjoyed appetizers, they were given wooden spoons and asked to write a message about marriage to the bride on the spoon as a keepsake. One of my favorite quotes was from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, “The man is the head of the household but the woman is the neck and she can turn the head anyway she wants”.
Now for a tour of the table settings…
Blue Italian
The blue and white china is Spode Blue Italian, a design icon. In the 1700’s blue and white china was very popular around the globe as the UK and Europe were flooded with imports from China. In 1773, imports began to slow down although demand for blue and white remained high. Spode’s blue and white collections were very popular in America where the tableware reminded the settlers of home.
In 1784, Josiah Spode perfected the process of underglaze printing on earthenware with tissue paper transfers made from hand engraved copper plates. Initially, the designs were reproductions of the Chinese porcelain that had been so popular in earlier years. Spode launched original designs such as Willow, Tower and Blue Italian in 1790. Blue Italian features scenes of the Italian countryside, remarkably detailed figures among Roman ruins and an 18th century Imari Oriental border.
About the table: I used a French inspired tablecloth (source: HomeGoods, a recent purchase), toile placemats (source: Pier 1, purchased many years ago), rattan chargers (source: Pier 1, purchased many years ago), vintage cream napkins with a brown border (source: antique store), tortoise crystal (Pier 1) and Bamboo Flatware (source: Ballard Designs).
At each place setting there was an eyelet sachet filled with lavender and a tag with the bride and groom’s names and the wedding date printed on it. (source: Flying Little Birds shop on Etsy, these were handmade and just beautiful)
Castle Garden
The Castle Garden pattern was manufactured by Lenox in the United States from 1973-1993. It features a strong floral border with hints of a medieval coat of arms (thus the name Castle Garden) on a cream background with raised gold trim.
About the table: The tablecloth has the look of burlap but the softness of a cotton fabric (source: purchased at Walmart years ago). The gold beaded glass chargers add a bit of glamour (source: One Kings Lane, recent purchase). The napkins are made by Vietri, the flatware is King Edward silver-plate and Rose Point silver-plate (source: Mother-in-Law) and the crystal is Lenox Hayworth.
Duchess Blue Green
The Duchess Blue Green is by Royal Tettau, a German porcelain manufacturer which started producing patterns in 1794. Duchess Blue Green has a beautiful blue green border with gold flowers and leaves accenting each piece.
About the table: Grass cloth table runner (Source: Homegoods), White wooden chargers (Source: Pier 1), Leopard print napkins (Source: Split P), Crystal is Waterford Marquis (Source: Dillard’s), Flatware (Source: Southern Living At Home, purchased years ago).
