photo Header_zps3dfc1873.png
 photo Home1_zpsb3c9fdd9.png photo About_zps15362ae7.png photo Shop_zpsb51777c5.png photo Subscribe_zps85d829b0.png photo Contact1_zps08f071b4.png
“Spacer"/

A Holiday Engagement Party


Saturday was the big day here for 
the engagement party
for my gorgeous daughter and her handsome fiancé!


After a week of prepping
with fingers crossed for a rainless night
things went off  beautifully without a hitch!


Every great party here always starts off with a beautiful invite.

I am a believer in invites you can touch and hold
To me there is a magical party spell cast with a proper invite!

Ellis and I found these in La Jolla 
at the Kate Spade store.
They started out as New Year's cards
but with an embellished sticker and gold pen
they turned personal for the occasion.

Ellis's background in graphic design was put to use 
for the stylish insides!

These invites really had me with the beautifully dots sprinkled inside 
as well as a lined envelope
with a grey trimmed outside.
It's details like these that make my heart sing!


I started off my holiday paper whites
the day after Halloween.
With the heat we have had here
they were ready for the party!


When my husband brought home the giant poinsettia
he receives each year from one of his vendors
I knew it would be a perfect backdrop for the table!

I start pulling together pieces days before a party
to make sure I have everything I need before hand.
I never want to feel undone with last minute scrambles.
I start at least a week ahead with a planned daily schedule of what needs to be accomplished.

This time I needed to buy a few more glasses to have enough for everyone.
I found what I needed to add to my glasses from Ikea
at the flea market.

When I pulled them all together on mirrored trays
they looked much more impressive in mass
but I still wasn't quite satisfied.


I decided my naked glasses needed a little accessorizing of their own.
So with a quick trip to the craft store for
some earring hoops, gems and red jingle bells
perfect wine charms were added for a festive dash jingle!


With the table coming along nicely
I set off to dress the rest of the room.

Our chalkboard above the mantle 
was the perfect place
to write out a party message!


I simply copied the font from the invites that Ellis made
and
 custom art work was created in a flash!


With the party to take place in our backyard
I moved our large farm table against the wall
to create space for the bar
 and
ample room for traffic flow.

I used our dining chairs outside for extra seating.


Since the party was a cocktail party
I made sure to have lots of champagne on ice!
the addition of this large bowl was the anchor for the table
both for aesthetics as well as usefulness.


I dressed the table with textiles from Anthropologie
edged them with kraft paper banners
and 
finally garnished the table with Christmas greens.


Ellis and I were absolutely tickled with the Engagement cake!
Having been inspired from our Pinterest boards
we ordered a diner cake from the grocery bakery.
I specified no frosting trim with clean sides
for the three layer cake.

 W thene topped the cake with some vintage finds
a few cinnamon sticks
 a snowfall of powdered sugar
a ring of fresh cranberries
and
Voila
the cake we had imagined came to life!

And all for under 15 dollars!


Since the party had no staff
the bar was set up serve yourself style.

I made sure to welcome and serve each guest upon arrival
then had everything at the ready for refills.

I had pulled out everything else 
that would be needed for the party food
 and
 cake 
onto the table as well
so everything was always at the ready.


With the inside all ready to go
it was on to the backyard!

After a rainy week
we were blessed with the most perfect party weather.

One of the big hits of the party
was the photo booth 
we created on the back deck.

Jeff made an 8x8ft frame
that we draped with a drop cloth
 then added a sparky table cloth
and
geometric garland 
both from Target.

I dressed all my tables in the backyard as well.


For almost instant holiday decoration
I used greens all the way down both sides of my custom candle holder.


I sprinkled some more greens on the sitting area tables as well
so that all the spaces felt addressed.

When the backyard was done
all that was left was to get dressed for the party!


Then it was party time to 
celebrate the engagement
of this fabulous couple!


A signature champagne cocktail
made with pomegranate juice,  Saint Germaine and a garnish of pomegranate seeds
only needed to have the chilled champagne added
when guest arrived!


After dinner
sparklers were handed out to all of the guests
for a toast to the engaged couple!


Then it was time for cake!

With plenty of time left to play in the photo booth!


We ordered a huge ballon from Geronimo
and
 made the tassels ourselves from a Christmas garland
to finish the look!


The photo booth ended up to be just as entertaining as it was useful for 
great picture backdrops!

I think I might have one every party now!

I want to say a huge thank you to Jarrett Thomas
(the handsome husband of the maid of honor)
for the fabulous night shots of the party!
I will be ever grateful
for the wonderful captures on such an important night
for family and friends!


Ellis is the baker in the family
and
 made gingerbread cookies
tied with twine and jingles
for everyone to take home!


Wishing my darling daughter and her wonderful fiancé
so much love 
as they begin their journey towards wedded happiness!


As always my friends


I wish you love and joy
as you style your life









46 comments:

  1. Wow T - this looked all so beautiful, I wish I could have come and er, gatecrashed !!

    If ever you want to lend out your services for party planning, let me know. I think we would get along fabulously with all the sparkling details :)

    xxx

    Also, I discovered Kate Spade's stationary when I was in Selfridges over the summer, and absolutely loved it, especially the ones with the gold.

    INDIA | http://www.seethesparkle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darling India … you could never be a gatecrasher here … as you will always have an open invite to my house!

      I know we would get along famously … for we both love to find the sparkle in life!

      I so enjoyed following along on your latest travels to India!

      I look forward to the day we all mer in person!

      Big hugs to you and your mother!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  2. Unbelievable! I feel so excited just scrolling over all these beautiful photos. Tamera.... you and Ellis did an amazing job on her engagement party. I knew it would special and wonderfully unique with you in the background adding your creative magic to the event. Congratulations to your sweet daughter and her future husband. And of course....to the proud parents!!!
    I'm so happy for you,
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you dearest Leslie! I knew a master party planner like yourself would appreciate this one! Thank you for your sweet words … they are quite the complement coming from your skilled party self!

      Hope we can get together again for coffee after the holidays!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous cake! Looks like you all had a wonderful time :) Love of all the special details.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you dear friend! It was truly magical!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  4. Oh, my dear friend, this was picture perfect in every way. Simply magical! My favorite moment to see was captured with the two of you beautiful women (mother and daughter). The look in both of your eyes as well as your smiles speaks for itself . . . There is a lot of love and happiness being shared right there. I am so genuinely happy for you and Ellis and the rest of the family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My dear, dear Trina … thank you so very much for your sweet words. Thank you also for sharing your heart with me when I reached out to you … I so appreciate your wedding perspectives … and think the world of you and your wonderful Tori! You two always inspire me!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  5. Fabulous all of it! Congratulations to your gorgeous girl! Everything looks divine and LOVE your garden x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you dear Faux! I so appreciate your visit and your loving words!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  6. A SPARKLING EVENT...........in every way!Loved the cake and the SPARKLERS!
    Congratulations...........looks like the season is off to a bang!Have the "E" couple decided on a date as of yet?More important have YOU decided what YOU will FEATURE for the EVENT???!!!XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you darling! It was truly a sparkling event! Made all the more glamorous wearing my fabulous cashmere 'Contessa' wrap!

      We are still looking for the perfect venue for the E couple! I have no idea what I will feature … So much to decide!!

      Big hugs to you!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  7. What a gorgeous party and a wonderful family. You must be so proud.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Suzanne! I am indeed proud of what a wonderful couple that Ellis and Elliot have become … their love and devotion to each other warms my heart! Thanks so for stopping by my dear!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  8. Oh Tamera!

    I was watching the weather in SoCali all week! The watering from heavens above made everything fresh, lush and green! Thank goodness it stopped in time for the party! Your back yard plantings are so pretty!

    The invites, the cake, the champagne jingles,the frosted ginger heart charms, and the gorgeous faces reflecting pure love and joy just melted my heart.

    Every detail "parfait"!

    I wish beautiful Ellis and handsome Elliott the best of blessings and a gifted journey together...forever!

    What fun the two of you will have planning their wedding day!
    ~Lynne
    w/L.




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne … you are always so sweet and loving with your visits here … you always leave gifts in the way of words. I am truly touched and honored my dear!

      I would be most appreciative of any wedding advice you have to offer!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  9. What wonderful pictures! It looked like a magical evening! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loreen … thank you so much! It was truly a memorable and magical evening!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  10. Your party looks perfect. Everything is gorgeous....you have such a gift when it comes to creating a beautiful event, it is all those little details that add up to spectacular!
    Wished I could have peeked through the fence and seen the couple in all their glory.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So lovely to have you visit my dear! Thank you for your lovely words!

      I so enjoyed your most recent post … and still thinking I need to throw a swag party here!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  11. Oh my gosh, Tamera, nobody does it like you! This is gorgeous. So so sweet. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connie thank you so very much my dear!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
    2. Connie I see you haven't posted in a while … hope all is well with you and yours. xo

      Delete
  12. How beautiful the party was. I know it's a lot of work, especially of the heart, so I am happy you are able to enjoy the outcome now. Everyone is glowing! Wishing you the deep joy that comes from letting go so that you can embrace fully. xxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kerrie many thanks my dear! How very eloquently put … "the deep joy that comes from letting go … so that you can embrace fully". These words … are a gift to my soul!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  13. What an unforgettable day not only for the couple to be but for you as parents as well. On one side you might felt wistful but on the other
    side a new life together has arisen from love. I wish E&E (these initials alone predict a wonderful future) lol , happiness, deep friendship
    and faith as a fundament for an ever lasting marriage. You, dear Tamera did a wonderful job and you can see all your joy and efforts you did to make this a special party. b.t.w. love the pic "you and your daughter".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My dear Mumbai … thank you so for these beautiful words … and well wishes. You have said so much … so very eloquently … my heart thanks you!

      Always so happy for your visit!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  14. Tamera, you create enchantment with whatever you touch. This engagement party is magnificent, down to every detail. You all look radiant and happy. Best wishes to Ellis and Elliot, and to the gorgeous mother of the bride.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you dearest Judith for your kind and loving words!

      I have so enjoyed your latest yoga posts … not only are they inspirational … but works of art as well!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  15. What a wonderful talent you have, Tamera! I can feel the warmth all the way across the country and it is not the weather I'm referring too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth thank you for your visit here … and your kind words!

      Tamera

      Delete
  16. Wow! Congratulations to the young couple! I am thankful that you've shared your ideas, especially the grocery store cake. All of those personal touches really show you care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Holli! I had so much fun with the cake … as I am not a baker or a cook … but love styling anything! I have already found some new vintage garnish for another holiday cake!

      So enjoyed your post with teenage gift ideas!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  17. Tamera you always exceed my expectations and create a perfect party setting!!
    The classic glamour of your tables and decor are fabulous!!
    Your daughter and her fiance are such a darling couple! Al the best!
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karena, my dear friend! It was a joy to do the party for the wonderful couple!

      I hope your recovery is still progressing well! Sending big holiday hugs your way!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  18. What an adorable party! So much attention to detail and I love how you combine rustic with glam, Tamera. Your daughter is adorable with her fiance and wishing them a happy life together. Really cute pix of you too as mother/daughter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathryn than you my dear! I do so love to juxtapose primitive with glam! Thanks for noticing!

      Sending you holiday hugs to you in beautiful San Diego!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  19. What a wonderful celebration and your style and design is exceptional as always! I too love your attention to detail Tamera. I wish your daughter and her husband to be every happiness! What a wonderful evening you all had! Cathy from Aust!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy thank you for your very kind words and good wishes my dear! You are always so thoughtful!

      Sending big holiday hugs to you … all the way in Australia!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  20. Tamara, please pardon my lateness in attending the beautiful party. You are like me a bit, we must plan each detail, down to the last minute one. Love the fondant cake and all the greenery. Your theme was perfect. I wish the happy couple so much happiness. Merry Christmas, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Marsha … thank you for you lovely visit … and your kind wishes! It's always so lovely to hear from you!

      Big, big holiday hugs to you!

      xoxo
      Tamera

      Delete
  21. You are the most stylish woman Tamera, I have never known anyone decorate, entertain and dress with so much style, it blows my mind.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is the most fabulous party I have ever seen! Congratulations to the whole family. Your daughter is gorgeous and looks so much like you. Happy New Year!

    ciao! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Superb holiday themed engagement party!! I am truly very impressed with glittery party decorations. I also want such a warm family party on my engagement day. I would like to reserve best Los Angeles venues for this and will hire a party planner for arrangements.

    ReplyDelete