Pretty Table for a Ladies’ Dinner Party
I love dinner parties. They can be elegant and dressy or casual and laidback. They are the perfect way to gather good friends for good food and lively conversation. They all start with a pretty table. Here’s a look at a pretty table for a ladies’ dinner party.
There doesn’t have to be a reason for a dinner party. In this case, there was one – a birthday celebration.
The occasion was a birthday dinner party for my friend Jayne and me. Every few months a group of friends get together and celebrate whoever’s birthdays fall closest to the month.
Jayne’s birthday is on June 3rd and mine is on June 13th. We split the difference and I hosted the party on June 8th. It was perfect timing to share the simple, but pretty table I styled for the event.
I intended to have the ladies’ dinner party outside, but it was just a little too warm for comfort. I set the table in the dining room and it was perfect for the party.
Today is a tablescape blog hop hosted by Rita of Panoply. She’s a whiz at her hostess duties. If you are joining me from Sandra at Dinner at Eight, I’m so happy that you are joining me for my ladies’ dinner party.
Whenever it’s tablescape blog hop time, I try to time it with an actual party I’m planning to host. Or if I’m going to create a tablescape for a blog hop, I’ll plan a dinner party, brunch or lunch party. My mantra? Never let a pretty table go to waste.
Ladies’ Dinner Party Inspiration for a Pretty Table
Tablescapes evolve either from a party theme, a color theme, or items that you want to use.
You might think that this ladies’ dinner party was inspired by the birthdays. But, no, it was inspired by three items that I recently bought and wanted to use.
The Prettiest Placemats
When I was shopping for our little Kentucky Derby party at the end of April, I saw these beautiful blue and white floral placements at the party store. I couldn’t resist them. They are made by Caspari, the maker of beautiful paper napkins.
The placemats were in a package of 12 for $26.00. They can be wiped down and reused. I didn’t think twice about purchasing them.
I couldn’t find this particular style (It’s called the Met collection) online, but these pretty designed blue and white placemats would be lovely.
The Prettiest Napkins
I’m not above using paper napkins for a casual sit-down dinner party, but I opt for cloth if I find the right ones.
When I saw these beautiful blue and white cloth napkins in a toile pattern, I was smitten. I liked that they were a generous 18 inches square.
They were 12 to a package for $21.99.
Really Cool Salad Plates
Since my placemats and napkins had a very traditional design, I decided to mix it up with a more modern plate. I found the perfect salad plates in a variety of 4 patterns. I bought two sets.
Now I was ready to set my table.
Setting the Pretty Table for the Ladies
I’m sure you can tell that my color scheme is blue and white for this dinner party table.
Normally, I start with the centerpiece, but I was so anxious to use my inspiration pieces that I started there.
Just FYI: I counted that there would be eight of us even though one of our group was out of town. I set the table for eight, but realized when everyone arrived that there were just seven of us.
I laid out the placemats first.
As chargers, I used my large white dinner plates from World Market. I’ve had these plates for years and they have been used dozens of times.
Next came the salad plates.
For silverware, I chose to use the pearl-handled set that belonged to my mother-in-law. Here is a similar set of white-handled silverware.
Some of the forks needed polishing so I used my favorite silver wipes to give them a shine.
TIP: I always get the package of three.
Even though blue and white was my main color scheme. I wanted to infuse some pops of pink. For a simple napkin ring, I made a ring with wired twine. Then I stuck in a small stem of pink flowers. I had already taken the flower stems apart for wreaths and other decorations.
I decided to add my centerpiece next.
Adding the Centerpiece
For my centerpiece, I used the blue and white “foot bath” I bought at an estate sale. I wanted a variety of colors and textures in pretty pink flowers, so I made a trip to Trader Joe’s.
My flowers included pink peonies as the main focal point. I wanted a “I went out to the garden and cut these flowers” look.
NOTE: Buy the peonies as buds. See the ones in the picture below. They will open up in about 24 hours.
I used all the flowers I bought but didn’t need the boxwood. I like the airy and spacious feel of the flower arrangement.
Next, I added water glasses and some of my glass coasters.
TIP: Water glasses do “sweat” so coasters protect your table.
You can also see the Delft-style candlesticks I added.
I set the napkins on the salad plate and added the silver forks.
I decided to change my white candles to pink ones. That made my pink accents more impactful.
You might think I would add some “happy birthday” elements, but I wanted to leave the pretty table simple and spacious.
It’s Ladies’ Dinner Party Time
For our ladies’ dinner parties, the hostess makes the main dish and the guests bring appetizers or dessert and wine. You can see from these pictures that a great time was had by all.
These ladies have been friends for years and we love spending time with each other. Here are Jeffre, Connie, Nancy, me, Jayne, and Amy.
Most of us met when our daughters were in preschool and played sports through elementary school. Today, those girls are grown and several have kids of their own.
Jeffre, Connie, me, Jill, Nancy, and Jayne
As a first course, I made a delicious fresh pea salad.
The main dish was a delicious baked shrimp dish. I’ll share both recipes in future posts.
You may be wondering if we had a birthday cake. Absolutely! But we lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday so fast, we all forgot to take a picture of the beautiful cake my dear friend Amy brought.
The evening was a success and it all started with a pretty table. The next day, I finished clearing off the table. The beautiful centerpiece is still looking pretty on the dining room table.
Pretty Table Accouterments for Your Dinner Party
Here are some lovely items to help you set a pretty table for your next dinner party.
Want other ideas for dinner party tablescapes?
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE TABLESCAPE IDEAS.
This list of everyone participating in today’s blog hop is below. Please visit our hostess Rita and see her fun summer dining idea. Enjoy all the beautiful ideas we’re sharing with you.
I hoped you loved taking a peek at my pretty table for a ladies’ dinner party. Use my design, my resources, and my tips to create your next get-together. Be sure to PIN the pretty table idea for your future styling.
Panoply – Up, Up and Away With Summer Dining
Home is Where the Boat Is – Hydrangeas and Butterflies
Everyday Living – Welcoming Summer With A Garden Tablescape
Life and Linda – A Boho Alfresco Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Summer Plaid and Polka Dot Picnic
Living With Thanksgiving – Summer Blessings
Debbee’s Buzz – Alfresco Bee Theme Table and Florals
The Painted Apron – Boats, Floats and Fish!
The Little Yellow Corner Store – Pucker Up Lemony Tablescape – It is Time to Have a Bee-utiful Day!
The Cat’s Whiskerz – A summer picnic tablescape for Canada Day
Pandora’s Box – Summer Blues
Me and My Captain – Florida Blue Crab Summer Tablescape
From My Carolina Home – Welcome Summer Tablescapes
The Bookish Dilettante – Summer Tablescape: Old Glory
My Thrift Store Addiction – Summer Picnic Brunch under the Texas Mountain Laurel
Red Cottage Chronicles – Lemon Tablescape for Summer
Hyacinths for the Soul – Long May She Wave
Celebrating Everyday Life – Create a Chic Seashell Table Setting This Summer
Dinner at Eight – A Summer of Colors
Bluesky at Home – Pretty Table for a Ladies Dinner Party
Carol, I felt like I was right there at the luncheon along with you and your friends. I am thrilled and I am sure your friends really loved your beautiful table and wonderful hospitality along with great food. Happy Birthday to you and the ladies. I adore your mixture of plates in difference blue and white patterns and your pop of pink really captured the feminine mood. What a great find on the placemats and napkins. Super work on a great get together. Happy Summer!
Oh my goodness Carol. I could have sworn I left a comment several days ago so I am really glad that I came back and checked. Your white and blue table with a pop of pink is so pretty and fresh! I love your mixed salad plates and the placemats are gorgeous. But that footed vase – oh my. It is truly stunning. The DIY napkin rings are so clever. The menu sounds and looks delicious and it looks like all the ladies had a fabulous time. Happy Birthday to you and I hope you have a wonderful summer!
Carol, thank you for inviting us all to have a virtual seat at your beautiful blue and white dinner party! Love the color palette and mix of different patterns. You lovely top goes perfectly with the tablescape theme! The meal looks enticing and tasty too. Hope you had a lovely birthday. I celebrated my own during the same June period.
Carol, Your table is beautiful! I love how you styled all your table pieces. The plate stack is so pretty with the floral placemats by Caspari. I have always loved all their designs. Your classic white plates were perfect, and adding the blue and white check, stripes, and dot salad plates adds whimsy and variety. Blue and white dishes and your gorgeous butterfly foot bath filled with pink flowers are delightful. I love peonies. The toile napkins added just the right additional pattern.
The most fun was seeing your food and friends. It looked like a happy celebration of birthdays. Happy Birthday to you!
Have a great summer. So nice to blog hop with you again. Blessings, Bonnie
Happy Birthday Carol! What fun to have friends over to celebrate with a joint dinner party and celebration! It’s hard to beat the classic color combination of blue and white. Love the mix of pink from your pretty flowers in your footbath. It’s always a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Happy Summer
What a beautiful setting! The blue and white placemats are timeless. Having lunch with your friends is such a recharging experience – and gives everyone a chance to reconnect. Thank you for stopping by the Home Imagined Link party!
I love your table Carol!!! It’s fabulous that you showed you & your friends enjoying it. Tables are most often shown by themselves, this gave the table so much life and the evening looks so fun! I love, love the toile napkins and I never heard of silver wipes! Loving the idea- thanks for the tip. I am so jealous of those mother of pearl forks. I’ve been hunting for a set myself and they are always priced higher than I’m willing to pay. They are on my list and continue the search. I’m also waiting for that pea salad recipe. Sounds so good! Happy belated bday btw. Have great weekend. XO- MaryJo
This is just lovely Carol! Pink with blue & white is one of my favorite color combinations, and you’ve made your table so pretty and springy! It looks like you all had such fun – isn’t it great to have such a wonderful group of friends? Pinned!
Carol, your crisp blue and white table is so pretty and I especially love the placemats and napkins you selected. Looks like a fun gathering! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Happy Birthday Carol! Your ladies table is just beautiful! I love that you mixed modern patterns with the old fashioned ones, the place settings are so interesting and fun. The tureen you used for the centerpiece is so pretty and I love love the way you arranged the flowers! Adding pink was genius, it’s not only perfect for a ladies gathering, it really pops against all the blue and white and adds a lot of energy! I know everyone oohed and aahed and had a wonderful time!
Happy Birthday Carol. Your table is lovely with the blue and white theme. The Caspari placemats are gorgeous, I was looking at their site yesterday. The centerpiece is stunning with those pink flowers. Love the added pink candles too, along with the pink floral napkin ring. Such a lovely group of ladies celebrating birthdays. Always a pleasure hopping along with you.
Carol, first off, I hope you had a wonderful birthday and enjoy your next trip around the sun in good health!
Your table is such a fun mix of style with the underlying common thread of blue & white. I love it all, amd how you threw caution to the wind in mixing it all up. I’m certain everyone enjoyed all the details, as do I. Thanks for joining, and sharing your inspiration. Happy summer!
Carol, happy birthday! Your girls lunch does look like a fun time. The blue and white table was lovely. It’s always a winning combo in my mind. Dining inside was wise. I decided to forgo an alfresco setting too. Just too hot and humid here in Texas even though it’s early June. Happy Summer! Stay cool!
Carol, I love your blue and white table – its so fresh and summery. The pops of pink are perfect too and I love how you did the napkin rings – very creative. The mix of patterns is so pretty and the Delft-style candleholders are gorgeous! The pink flowers in your “foot bath” look fabulous. It looks like you and your friends had a great time. It was lovely to hop with you and I hope you have a great summer!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you’re having a great day. Your birthday luncheon had the prettiest setting, and I know Jayne had a nice time, too. I love your blue and white for summertime birthdays, and I think the pinks in the centerpiece and napkin rings are a nice complement to the blue and white plates, napkins, and placemats. I hope your birthday today is the beginning of a very Happy and Fun Summer!
Happy birthday, Carole! You have set a lovely blue and white table with an addition of that perfect touch of pink. I love your pretty setting and your centerpiece. How fun that your group of ladies get together to celebrate your birthdays. It is always a pleasure to hop with you…Happy Summer!
Blues and pinks! They’re one of my favorite combinations to use on tables. And yours is particularly lovely — light, airy and summery! A pretty table indeed! So fun hopping with you today
The blue salad plates are fabulous! Looks like you had a fun dinner party and I am sure they enjoyed your pretty table. Happy Summer!
What a pretty table Carol…I love the blues along with the addition of soft pinks. I am ordering the silver wipes as I am always needing to shine up my pieces. ☺️ thanks for the suggestions. My Trader Joes is a bit of a drive for me to get too, and I am envious of your pretty pink peonies. We can’t grow them here in Florida and so I have to enjoy them through others. I love the simplicity of your lovely table as one does not need the “Happy Birthday” paraphernalia when celebrating birthdays for adults ….of course it is different for little ones, they expect and look forward to all that.😊 It is always a pleasure to table hop with you. I hope your Summer is filled with good friends and lots of family. Blessings.
Carole, I love those placemats- I am going to have to look for some of those!! So pretty. I also like the way you mixed stripes and plaid with the toile. The tureen makes such a beautiful centerpiece!! Your group looks like a lot of fun! Enjoy your summer!!☀️🩴
Gorgeous!! Love the mix of patterns in the linens and dishware. I adore your butterfly tureen for your centerpiece, and the pink accents are lovely.