Tag Archives: Entertaining tips

Dec 03, 2019

HolidayBuffet

It’s that time of year again, the revolving door of parties, some of which you are a guest, and some of which you are hosting.  Today, I’m sharing tips on how to host a dinner buffet, which is great for groups. This will help you set up an efficient and beautiful spread that guests will enjoy and will work in any space large or small.

My top tips:

photo by Tec Petaja

-You want to have plenty of the healthier options like the veggies and sides set at the start of the buffet. Set your meats last (which are also the pricier selections), so that guests fill their plates with the veggie options.

photo by Corbin Gurkin 

-Just a reminder- make sure that each dish has it’s own serving utensil for guests’ ease. You’d be surprised at how many times I forget these and am scrambling last minute, or I’ve gone somewhere and seen this as well.  I like to set out all of the dishes and utensils with them I’m planning on using in the order they will be displayed ahead of time so that all that’s left is to put out the food. Tara Guerard Soiree place setting

-Roll up a fork and knife in your linen or cotton napkins and tie with a cute ribbon, etc for a cute decor detail. Set these at the end so that guests can pick up last. So easy to have both hands for serving and then grab a roll up on your way to a seat. Don’t be afraid to mix your napkins as well, if you don’t have enough of one one style or color. Adding a bit of decor and detail to them will make for a pretty set up.

photo by Peter Frank Edwards for Charleston Magazine

Keeping in line with the self service, (which to me is a no brainer for parties larger than 15 people) have a fully stocked bar cart or buffet to serve as a bar.  Make sure you have a variety of everything, I think one of the true essences of a good hostess is having something for all of your guests… I personally know red and white wine drinkers, champagne drinkers, vodka, scotch, and even beer drinkers, so be able to serve them all, and even a fun non alcoholic “mocktail” or nice flavored sparkling water.

12.03.19   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Etiquette, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Parties | Comments >>

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photo by Nickie Stone

With the holidays quickly creeping up on us, we’re sharing a few tips and modifications on designs we do for our clients that you can easily do at home for your holiday tabletops. Feel free to leave any questions or comments you may have if not covered here.

For this first takeaway, I love the idea of a roll or bread piece served on the plate with a name “flag” in it- something so simple and easy that is just a nice little touch for guests sitting down.

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photo by Corbin Gurkin

This I love as a sweet touch for all of the upcoming holidays, a fresh sprig of rosemary laid out on napkins, you could also tie together a small bundle of fresh thyme with butchers twine in lieu of rosemary.

wine-cork-seating-cards

photos by Adrienne Page

We used this concept to display escort cards for a wedding dinner, but for a smaller gathering or dinner party, taking corks that you have around the house or from what you will be serving and placing handwritten name cards at each seat would be just so.

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photo by Liz Banfield

Now, this is a really easy one – one even the kids could get involved with… finding a leaf or piece of greenery from the yard and writing names with metallic markers on them is truly a simply elegant design.

photo by Liz Banfield

I’ve been seeing different variations on this our and around a bit, but for the glam hostess, finding agate slices is fairly easy these days. Painting or writing with white or metallic on them for menus or place cards also makes a sweet take home surcie for the guests.

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photo by Adrienne Page

Lots of ways you can do this at home… Finding different vessels from around the house and filling them with small bouquets of flowers, or greenery makes for a pretty addition to to a formal table, and it also means you can do less in the center. You could also use thing ribbon or twine to tie name cards around the vases.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

This idea would be a nice detail for a buffet type setting where it’s hard to find a lot of decor opportunities. Pre wrapping the silverware in cloth napkins will make it easy for guests to carry along with a full plate. Wrapping them with pretty paper, scraps of special wrapping or wallpaper will give it a finished touch.

photo by Gayle Brooker

For a simple, lovely, inexpensive, and easy centerpiece idea- purchase phalenopsis orchid plants at your local store (Trader Joe’s has great ones!), and put them in pots covered in moss. This is such a small task but really gives a formal and elegant touch… You could even spray paint the pot to match the color scheme.

photo by Liz Banfield

For a client whose rehearsal dinner fell on New Year’s Eve- we took silver strands from decorations we purchased online and decomposed them… tied to each each seat with name cards gives a festive feel!

12.17.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Parties, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Tara Guerard Soiree

Now that it’s finally citrus season, one of my favorite DIY decor tips for entertaining at home are my orange votives! These are killer votives for Halloween (think instead of carving pumpkins) get togethers and perfect additions to your Thanksgiving tables, or just any given dinner party. First step is to assemble everything you need- a sharp knife, a good strong spoon or scoop, and your oranges of course. If it’s your first round, get a bag to allow for any Oops!

Tara Guerard Soiree

Slice a thinnish piece off the bottom (and an even thinner part off the opposite side just of the peel, not any of the inside so that it has a steady platform for where you plan to set it down). Use your spoon to hollow out all of the pulp, juices, etc. I like to keep them all to use for smoothies or juicing.

Tara Guerard Soiree

We make sure to use the candle drop ins that have the plastic bases0 they are deeper and don’t get as hot as the aluminum based ones; they also look nicer!

Tara Guerard Soiree

It’s also a good idea to zest or shave a bit of the peel off of the sides so that the candles are able to really glow through. Of course, they are wonderfully fragrant as well!

10.30.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Food and Drink, Parties | Comments >>