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There’s something magical about a coastal dinner party. The gentle hues of the sea, the fresh air, and the casual elegance all come together to create an unforgettable evening. I didn't necessarily pick a coastal theme going into the dinner party but it just all came together. It was me planning it, so I am not surprised it all ended up leaning coastal.
I did thrift a lot but feel free to check out my Amazon storefront for the things that made this event become a reality!
But, as with any event, the magic lies in the preparation. Balancing the thrill of the hunt for unique decor with menu planning and day-of execution can be challenging. However, with a little planning, you can enjoy both the journey and the destination.
First off, I had to invite my guests! I wanted to have an intimate and relaxing birthday, as I was coming off a busy and chaotic July.
When it comes to me and party planning, I of course was prepping like crazy and not the most relaxed but that's, of course, part of the excitement. The 27 dresses birthday theme came from TikTok and it felt like perfect opportunity to have a slightly themed party that everyone could pull off with what is in their closets. We ended up swapping and trading amongst the group so it all worked out.
Prep Work
I ended up finding these peeeerfect sea shell plates at the thrift with my bestie Mel. Then we found really beautiful curtains that I ended up using as tablecloth and table runners. The table runners had a sea shell lace print and little gems and shells hanging from the bottom. It really solidified the beach theme from there.
During the days leading up to the weekend, I prepared as much as possible, buying all the food, getting the flowers, and organizing my decor.
Similar to the party hat on my invite, I wanted to make a banner of my faces when I was a kid. It was very much worth it because now I can use it every year! I think this would be so cute to make for everyone in your family, unique to them.
I also had some inspo for what I overall wanted the day to include. I knew I wanted "beachy" florals that weren't also over the top.
Luckily for me, my friend Alex let me borrow her beautiful wood cake stand that perfectly matched the theme. My dad also has a TON of silver platters and dishes that we used to display the foods.
When it came to food, I wanted to have something light and refreshing but also fairly hearty. I also needed to balance the vegan options with the non-vegan as a couple of my friends are vegan.
I tried to pick items that I could prepare ahead of time, so I could enjoy time with my friends more. I picked a salad with a lemon marinated tofu/chicken, tabbouleh, bruschetta, grilled carrots, and a few other sides!
I knew I wanted to make my own cake so I could get creative and have some fun. I recently became obsessed with hibiscus and knew I wanted to make a hibiscus frosting for my cake.
I had the idea of using silicone molds to make butter shaped shells and angels. The angels were incredibly difficult and I ended up only successfully making a few.
Prepare as much of the menu as possible the day before. Chop the vegetables, prepare the bruschetta topping, and mix the tabbouleh ahead of time. This will allow you to spend more time with your guests and less in the kitchen.
The day of the party can be hectic, but with a little planning (and a lot of help), you can enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed.
So during the day we had a pool party and enjoyed the day in the sun! I also made some homemade vegan oreo sammies for us to enjoy before getting ready. I got us a bottle of Casamigos to take shots throughout the celebration + my bestie Katie made jell-o shots!
It was in the plan to make cute crowns for the night before we got ready for dinner but honestly, we just didn't have the time.
Once the sun started setting, we decided to all get showered and ready for the night.
I showered first so I could work on the tablescape. Not going to lie this process was a bit insane and chaotic of me lol. It was not necessarily what I was envisioning but it was cute.
One of my favorite parts of the dinner was the pre-batched hibiscus margaritas! I made them ahead of time and also made a hibiscus rim, one mixed with sugar and the other mixed with sea salt.
I also totally forgot to put out my hibiscus clips and perfume samples on the table! I was giving lil party favors but alas I remembered them as we were about to get in the jacuzzi at the end of the night.
My friends absolutely pulled through on the content. They took all the pics of me and made me feel so loved and special! All in all, we had SO much fun and made such good memories. The aesthetic was just a bonus.
With each party, I build my collection and get closer to having the hosting thing nailed.
So, here’s to creating some more coastal memories with what is left of summer!
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