Savannah Summer Kick-Off/Porch Party

This weekend one of my best friends and I threw a party. And it was a blast. Kerryellen and I had to put our thinking caps on...we had a unavoidable change of venue about 3 days before the party.

We were going to have the party at a restaurant... but that fell through and we decided to throw it on Kerryellen's amazing porch.

I have to tell you that this was the perfect party planning experience for me. We were both on the exact same page/wavelength...we agreed on everything and worked together in the most wonderful way. Decorations,food,setup...we did it all together and had FUN doing it. What could have been a really stressful situation was an adventure and an experience I'll always remember!

Here's what we came up with.

The invitation (we sent it through Paperless Post-the only online ivitation site i use. It's the absolute best):

We decided on a summery,happy and bright theme. A summer kickoff. We envisioned lanterns,candles,seashells,and peonies.

Our color scheme was pinks,turquoise,green,and tangerine.

Here is us before the party:

I really believe that wardrobe falls into the party planning category!!

Dress and belt from LOFT.
Did I mention how much I love Kerryellen's home? Oh my goodness it is stunning. Quintessential Savannah. And she has such a gift for decorating a beautiful home.

Here's how we set up the porch:

pom pom/lantern cluster- all by martha stewart

battery operated lanterns (michaels) and lights twisted in tulle:

entering through the house:

one of the two seating areas- her pillows fit our theme perfectly!

each table was decorated with peonies in milkglass,seashells in vintage masob jars,candles,peony petals,and sixlets in milkglass...i brought over almost every piece of milkglass I own!

another seating area:

the green chair was hers and the blue is mine (i tell you, all of our things worked together just perfectly!)

The wall where the food was served. Solid flowers/fans by Martha Stewart,polka dot fans from Party City, garlands sewn by BB:

Under the buffet:

 I ordered these lights from Amazon and brought the "H" from home...both of our last names begin with H. :)

The food (wine and bottled water was on a separate table):

 

We mixed and matched plates that belonged to both of us and stacked them on a pedestal (I love this look much more than matchy-matchy):

Cheese selection:

Prosciutto and Mozarella:

Mushrooms and olives:

Peonies everywhere:

 Raspberry Lemonade with mint,lemon,and strawberries:

 

Favors (wooden fans with notes attached) Fans-Michaels, Chevron ribbon-May Arts, Tags-Martha Stewart:

I wish I would have taken a photo of the brick steps leading down from the porch into the garden. We put candles down the steps and at the bottom is the most beautiful fountain.

So there you have it! A fun summer garden party. Totally doable in just a few days. HA!

Have a beautiful Monday!

xoxo

s

Comments

[Kimber-Leigh]

all the details are amazing! and i'm so impressed by how quickly you were able to change plans & still execute a lovely party :) i love those fans in the last picture...great idea and so cute. can you share your source?!?

[Stephanie Howell]

thank you!! michaels!

[Jessica]

Such a great job! Everything looks so pretty. Love all the little details

[steph h]

everything about this party makes me feel like I should be there!
My favorite colors, my favorite flower, hey..my last name even starts with H!!!

[Janet M]

Wow that turned out just beautiful, I love all the pictures you took of everything . The color combination is amazing and every detail flowed together great. Your right the two of you are great team.

[ginny]

Wow! What a party! I can't believe you two were able to do all of that in 3 days. Maybe you both should look into being party planners(when you aren't busy with kids!)

[Tinka]

Where's the LOVE button? ;o) Everything looks so wonderful. So wish I had a place to host a party like that!

[Jenni Hufford]

SOOOOO PRETTY!!!

[Alison Krogsgaard]

The colours you chose were perfect, and your decorating skills are MAD!!!! stunning!

[Melanie C]

Simply beautiful!!!

[Michele H.]

you plan the best parties steph! what an awesome way to spend time with friends. love the colors that you chose...it definitely screams summer:)

[Sandy]

Everything just screams summer and fun. Great job! And you're right - your friend's porch is fantastic! I'm in love with the green mosaic tables. Any idea where they might have come from?

[danni reid]

GORGEOUS stephanie!!!

[kate]

love the martha stewart decorations, and the idea of a good party!

[Jingle]

How fun! It all looks amazing!!!

[Reb]

Beautiful party! LOVE the decorations... I can't wait until I can shop at craft stores again!

[Kim S.]

I am so totally stealing some of these ideas! do you mind? ;)

[Jo Jo]

Just Beautiful!

[Linda]

What a wonderful set up!

[christina rayevich]

I want to party with you! =)))
It turned out beautiful. I love seeing all that milkglass at work. I've accumulated quiet a collection myself... it's an addiction =)
xo

[Kerryellen Hart]

The mosaic tables are from World Market. Loved planning this party with you. I hope someday we can do it again!

[dawn]

WOW, everything is gorgeous, love the colors!!! How fun it must have been, great job on all of it!!

[Gayle W.]

Love every bit of this and isn't that porch fab! Love, love, love the peonies. Really miss having them in my yard. Sniff, sniff ...

[Jessica]

I have that milk glass vase - two actually. One from my great grandmother and one from her sister. Love them!

Beautiful party, by the way. The details are amazing.

[Koko @ Koko Likes]

Beautiful and so creative Stephanie. LOVE what you did.