Ideas and Examples for a Beautiful Fall Party

The home of Jack and Patty Holzknecht was the scene for our first fall party. The beauty is impossible to describe, but the picture above, showing the reflection of the trees in the water, gives you a clue. I think my pulse rate slowed 10 beats per minute just walking into the backyard.Michele Petry hosted a party the following night. The weather was perfect and her outdoor rooms are brilliantly designed and so relaxing. She imported Havilah to cater the soiree, and the results were spectacular. Here you see the appetizers. Notice the beautiful fall plates, the artfully arranged flatware, the cloth nestled under the center bowls and platters to add visual interest. (It tasted great, too! Sumptuous fresh fruit, goat cheese-stuffed figs, exotic cheeses, edamame hummus, and more!)
Dinner itself was served, buffet-style, in Michele’s dining room. Note the fabric overlay on her table. Good job, Michele! It made a fabulous backdrop for the bowls and platters of fabulous eats. See how everything is labeled? No questions here about what was what! Patty made fabulous centerpieces for each of her tables. They were eye-catching and really set the theme for a perfect fall night. I am always fascinated by looking at pictures later and trying to figure out how the table went together. I noticed that night at Jack and Patty’s that the main serving table was beautifully appointed, but the details were a blur. Now that I can see the picture, I see that the table covering was carefully skushed, and pumpkin, corn and sunflower decorations were scattered strategically. The one in the foreground is on a stand to give it some height. The different serving containers on the table were also at differing heights. This was Patty’s hors d’oeuvre table. I’m not sure you can tell, but it was artfully arranged with different spacers under the beautiful tablecloth so that the pumpkin centerpiece was the highest object on the table, and other elements were at various heights. I loved the way she scattered huge silk sunflowers around the table, tying in with the centerpiece. If you look closely, you also see the smaller pumpkins and gourds nestled about. Peek at the cheese and fruit tray in the back. See how the strategic placement of parsley makes it pop? Big impact from the simple addition of a garnish smartly placed!