A reader recently contacted me concerning a post from last year, "
Marie Antoinette-esque," about the fabulous "Imaginative Versailles" party hosted by the senior home editor of
Blueprint magazine {RIP,
Blueprint...sniff!}. This reader will soon be hosting a Sweet 16 party with a Marie Antoinette theme for her daughter, and was curious as to whether or not I might have additional ideas for her event.
So, I put together the following storyboard {scroll down to the bottom of the post for resources and "how to" details}.
I think the key to hosting a party with a Versailles/Marie Antoinette theme is more about setting the scene than any thing else...it's about creating an atmosphere with the same kind of over-the-top extravagance and opulence {minus the price tag, hopefully!}. In light of this, here are the items I would use to set the stage {you will need to click on the storyboard to enlarge it in a new window}...
1. Set the mood with plenty of pink roses and candlelight, and be sure to utilize
The Rasterbator to enlarge your favorite portrait of our muse herself. Use pedestal platters and candelabras to arrange food and candles at varying heights for a truly regal display. Be sure to make plenty of cotton candy towers to scatter around the room, too {use approx. 12 regular-sized bags of pink cotton candy, stack individual puffs on top of each other, pressing down slightly as you add each one, and arrange the tower on a footed bowl or cake plate}.
2. Deck out tables with beautiful centerpieces…silver candelabras adorned with luxurious flowers and dripping with crystals…you can order these candelabras, complete with crystals, from
Ethereal Decor, or collect candelabras at flea markets and hang jewels or strands of pearls from them yourself {Ethereal Decor also sells individual strands of crystals}.
3. Cover tables in beautiful textured fabrics, such as this
table cloth from Macy's Department Store, and layer the table with
gorgeous china {from the Martha Stewart Wedgewood Collection, also from Macy's}, silverware, and
stemware {Marcel drinkware, from Crate and Barrel}.
4. Scatter “diamonds” on as many surfaces as possible…
glass “diamond” paperweights can be found in various sizes and colors at
beau-coup. Feather boas and strands of faux pearls are
excellent for adding pizzazz to surfaces as well.
5. Create stunning topiaries with fruit and flowers…Pink grapefruits and roses will look amazing {purchase cone shaped oasis foam, cover in foliage, and use wooden skewers to attach fruit to the cone. Trim stems of flowers to desired lengths and stick ends into foam…Viola! Versailles!}
6. Cherry blossom branches with their pink blooms are an inexpensive way to create impressive floral arrangements. Or, submerge rose petals in various shades of pink in cylindrical vases and float candles on top for simple but elegant decor.
7. If possible, turn your party into a masquerade ball and ask guests to bring their own masks, or for younger crowds create a craft project by supplying materials and letting guests make their own.
8. Let them eat cake! It isn’t Versailles without a perfectly pink tiered confection, so make this the focal point of your party!
9. Send guests home with a reminder of your fabulous event…
boxwood fans complete with packaging and a personalized label, also from
beau-coup, are sure to make guests swoon
Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend!
