Wednesday, May 22, 1:26 pm

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Fabulous Outdoor FĂŞtes - Flight of Fancy

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A touch of whimsy for a garden party.

Photographs by: 
Peter Frank Edwards
The buffet included paella, marinated mushrooms and olives, and warm lentils.
The signature drink—a “Bird of Paradise”—was a delightful mixture of Prosecco, mango juice, and blueberries.
The signature drink—a “Bird of Paradise”—was a delightful mixture of Prosecco, mango juice, and blueberries.
Antique chandeliers were adorned with faux birds.
A flock of vibrant birds was placed throughout the outdoor setting.
The buffet-style dinner took place under a tent and giant magnolia tree at dusk. Each table was set with a different china pattern, as well as antique sterling and lace tablecloths. At each place setting, tiny birds’ nests of crab and mango relish with a tortilla “spoon” awaited the guests. Forgoing place cards, the bride requested that the dinner be more casual so that her guests could eat at different times and move around the garden as they liked.
Thomas topped the coconut cream cake—covered with architectural slabs of white chocolate—with white hydrangea and peonies and placed it atop a piece of glass in an antique birdbath. “We filled the birdbath with moss and set an antique mirror against the tree as a backdrop,” says Thomas. “The color of the bark made the white chocolate pop, and the patina lent character.”
For a welcoming entry, Thomas posted one of the custom-made invitations—a bird watercolor on Italian paper—with feathers and blooms on an antiqued mailbox on the garden gate.
An étagère provided the perfect container for the bar.
A flock of vibrant birds was placed throughout the outdoor setting.
Before entering through the wrought-iron gate, guests could pause to admire one of the bride’s watercolors and sign the guest book with a quill, of course.
Five rows of joggling boards on either side of the aisle provided ample and interesting seating for the guests during the ceremony. “The bride thought that people would leave the joggling boards and go to other areas, but they all went back for more,” says Thomas. “They absolutely loved them!”