For All Eternity
Breaking Dawn Premiere Party
Breaking Dawn is the fourth movie in the Twilight series written by Stephanie Meyers. In this motion picture's opening scenes, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen her vampire groom, profess undying love for one another as they exchange nuptial vows. How fitting then to host a wedding themed premiere party for girlfriends!
In order to accommodate 12 or more people, the party space is divided into several stations: cocktail, chocolate fountain, hors d'oeuvres, specialty beverages, and cheeses. Each station has its own color scheme that blends to create a distinct yet harmonious whole. Because the party is scheduled at the end of November, I am able to incorporate autumn as well as Christmas colors. Reds, golds, whites and accents of black define the primary party spaces.
As guests arrive, I like to offer them a cocktail. The Vampire's Kiss, with its red candy coating ring around the brim, sets a festive atmosphere. Cranberry spritzers are a delightful non-alcoholic alternative.
The chocolate fountain station gives guests an opportunity to mingle as they dip fruits, cookies, or cake bites. Apples, pineapples, and strawberries afford diet-friendly options.
The hors d'oeuvres table, across the room from the chocolate fountain, is abundant with delectables. Caramel popcorn, chocolate-covered cherries, turkey pinwheels, Lindor chocolates, cheese straws as well as lobster cheesecakes adorn the table. These perfect party foods are delicious served hot or at room temperature.
Another visual delight is the chai mousse piped into tiny chocolate cups. Topped with raspberries, these miniature desserts present a pretty impression.
Served on a platter lined with decorative paper, comestibles become even more tempting. Lining platters with archival papers is a beautiful way to enliven a white tablescape.
This buffet table is decorated with different types of platters, plates and napkins. Because all of the dishes are primarily white, they work together combining classic shapes with modern. In addition to the white square luncheon plates on the right side, the table also holds round bird plates on the left. These winged birds are reminiscent of angels and other heavenly creatures. And allowing guests to pick up nibbles from either end of the table facilitates the dining experience.
Fresh flowers lend an air of sophistication, dressing up a table. This bouquet mimics a bride's. I bought the roses at a local grocery store but added fresh baby's breath. In lieu of a bouquet toss, they were gifted to the youngest lady at the party.
Beef wellington canapes are garnished with chive and horseradish cream. Recipes for these canapes, the lobster cheesecakes, and the chai mousse cups can be found in
Tea Time, November/December 2011.
Roasted tomato soup shooters are served with grilled cheese panini garnishes. These tiny glasses are useful because guests can drink their soup instead of having to juggle an extra bowl and spoon.
Autumn spoons are made with bulgar wheat. Mediterranean flavors are added to the menu in order to give a sense of the exotic. Vampire royalty are from Italy after all. The platter is lined with embellished scrapbook paper that reads "Love." (Recipe found in
Tea Time, September/October 2008)
Place cards describe each dish. The platters are small but replaced as the guests take the appetizers, keeping the buffet table uncluttered.
Apothecary jars showcase sweets: giant meringues, chai macaroons, and Jordan almonds. For added romance, a beribboned flower decorates the largest jar.
Accompanying the scones are choices of orange marmalade, clotted cream or lemon curd. The table is a mix of sweets and savories. Instead of silverware, the snacks are all finger foods or served with picks for convenience.
Beside the table is my Victorian inspired wedding dress. I always like to include a "wow factor." The sequins and beading reflect the light in a heavenly way.
White flowers decorate the table. White is bridal and also reminiscent of snow, thereby suiting the season. I draped tulle and flowers to create a canopy above the table and hung a painting of a kissing angel and butterfly above the food station. Both suggest a heavenly love.
The beverage station is located in the adjacent room. Guests should be able to serve themselves easily if they are thirsty. The colors here are silver, gold, and white with an accent of green. A sculptural gold cherub is placed within the mirror to continue the eternal love theme.
The samovar holds coffee. The
Twilight CD plays on the stereo while
Eclipse runs silently on the large screen television in this room. Trivia games are also played in here. Everyone wins a small prize.
Christmas punch centers the beverage table. It offers a cold alternative to coffee. Biscotti cookies are placed on the table as an added indulgence.
Orange spice tea is served from the apothecary beverage dispenser. A gilded floral decoration graces the top. Frozen orange slices and a floralite give extra glow. An antique demitasse saucer catches any drips.
Varying vignettes are placed throughout the house to delight the guests as they wander. In the dining room, for example, the table has been set for Thanksgiving, a "Frost on the Pumpkin" theme. The colors of white and gold are still evident but orange has now been added.
The Christmas tree is reflected in the window. There is a
Twilight board game table set up in front of the tree. Piano music fills these two rooms.
Each place setting is topped with chocolate candy painted with gold leaf. Located beside the table is a cheese bar.
The cheese bar provides water, various cheeses, tapinade, candies and pistachios.
A picture of Bella and Edward reminds guests of the party theme as well as a pack of question cards designed to help guests meet. Extra plates could also be easily accessed from the back of the sideboard.
It's easy to entertain larger groups of people if you set up stations that encourage movement and use different glasses and plates. By designing complementary looks, you can keep your theme consistent while creating visual excitement.
Goat cheese truffles and lavish flatbread are served in addition to cheddar and colby cheeses. I like to give guests something familiar as well as something novel. The truffles are coated with paprika, fennel, sesame, basil and cumin flavors. (Recipes found in
Tea Time, January/February 2010)
I add more gold accents to the Christmas tree in the adjacent room in order to unify the look. The butterfly wings also echo angel wings.
As a parting gift, the guests receive large cupcakes with giant blood-red roses. The cupcakes are wrapped as individual gifts with decorative paper and black ribbons. What's a wedding party without cake?
Also, as each guest departs, they are handed a decorated water bottle in case they get thirsty while waiting in line at the the theater. To create such a lovely bottle, I remove the original label, and apply a decorative tape. The tape is preferable to paper because it holds its shape if the cold water condenses on the outside of the bottle. I also add various jewels so each bottle is individualized and people can recognize their own.
A premiere party is a festive way to gather Twihard friends before a movie such as
Breaking Dawn, Part One.
Best wishes!
Frost on the Pumpkin
Thanksgiving is often a large family affair where card tables are lined up and casserole dishes are shared. This year, however, we only entertain immediate family. Because we will be feeding an intimate number of five, my husband and I decide to focus on traditional menu items, adding a slight twist to our family favorites.
The main table is dressed in white linens with decorative pumpkins as a centerpiece. Multi-colored fall leaves, metallic and glittery pumpkins, reflective gemstones, and votive candles line the table creating a magical pumpkin patch. Gold chargers and gold-rimmed plates visually enhance the rose-edged salad/dessert plates and continue the luxurious yet organic feel. 
