Hi there! When I first started HWTM way back in 2006, my goal was to inspire others and make stylish party planning more accessible to first time hostesses, amateur planners, or really anyone that wanted to add a little bit of creative pizzazz to their events. On that note, I’m excited to announce that – starting this week – we’re making a tiny bit of a shift from our normal daily posting schedule by incorporating more DIYs, tips, behind-the-scenes peeks, and other ways for YOU to get involved! But don’t worry — we’ll still be featuring lots of fantastic full parties too… I just feel like it’s important that we also get back to a strong focus on the original mission of HWTM, which is to make the creative party world as fun, approachable, and accessible as possible. And to me, learning is one of the best avenues to making things accessible. :)

So, to kick off this new series, we have Stephanie Duclett of Lovelyfest Event Design, who offered to show us how she styled this glamorous Summer Engagement Dinner Party – featuring a stylish and super creative DIY that can be used at all sorts of events. Make sure to check out the instructions for her DIY Acrylic Signage, made with just 3 things and 4 simple steps, below!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

• Gold framed plexiglass menu & ‘Love Story’ signs + large paper flowers & gold vines surrounding
• Black & white Kate Spade place setting + tissue paper flower accents & tall gold & white candles
• ‘He popped the question’ popcorn bar sign with ‘She Said Yes’ bags + pink & purple plexiglass place cards
• Brightly colored floral centerpieces + a gold glitter table runner & DIY gold painted votive candle holders

PARTY DETAILS as told by Stephanie…

This stunning and intimate engagement dinner party is the perfect start to celebrating your engagement. With just six guests, the newly engaged couple can share their evening and the happy news with those closest to them. Using the Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid, we built around this color scheme and added touches of lavender, black & white stripes, pinks, golds and yellows. Mismatched Kate Spade dishes and glassware paired with offset gold flatware and glittered taper candles makes for a glamorous, inviting dinner.

Set at a large round table with comfortable white leather chairs by Shine By S.H.O, the newly engaged pair can celebrate in comfort and talk about the details of their upcoming wedding with their family or friends. Placed center stage is a hanging gold frame and acrylic insert written with their love story and adorned with beautiful gold garland, tissue and gold foil paper flowers. Each place setting has a custom acrylic place card with fun calligraphy bringing the radiant orchid and pink colors to each setting. An acrylic and gold frame was placed on the table letting all the guests know what’s on the menu for dinner. Hand dyed coral napkins with ball fringe make the setting inviting and add a fun element.

For dessert, homemade kettle corn was on the menu! A custom sign stating “he ‘popped’ the question” and hand written favor bags saying “she said yes!” is a fun play on words to a simple dessert and brings in the engagement theme. Set on a crisp white and gold tray table, this popcorn dessert station is the perfect ending to a small gathering!

This shoot is sure to inspire brides, as well as mothers of the bride & groom to throw a stylish, intimate dinner for loved ones. It celebrates the beginning of a new life together! You could also use it for inspiration for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and even weddings!

DIY ACRYLIC SIGNAGE TUTORIAL

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Supplies:

• Acrylic paint
• Acrylic paint pens
• Plexiglass sheets

Instructions:

1. Buy Plexiglass sheets from the hardware store (you can cut these to any size you’d like with an exacto knife and a straight edge).
2. For the place cards, use a ruler to keep a straight line, and paint with your choice of acrylic crafting paint along the edge. This gives the acrylic name cards a little fun pop!
3. Write names on each card with acrylic paint pens. These are easy to use because they come right off with soap and water if you make any mistakes.
4. For larger signs, insert the sheet into a frame just like you would with the glass of a picture frame.