SNOWY SOIRÉE

Throw a beautiful winter soirée without the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

Throw a beautiful winter soirée without the

hustle and bustle of the holidays.

With the holidays over, there’s room to breathe, think and party plan without the pressure of the season. For a beautifully rustic winter party that’s not centered around a holiday, look no further than this cozy country get-together.

DÉCOR

You can easily set the mood for a dinner party with elegant décor. The key to creating this winter theme is by bringing the outdoor color palette indoors. Stick with whites, creams, wood stains and other neutral hues to create a rustic look. Event planner Michelle Leo of Michelle Leo Events suggests keeping things “simple and organic on the table. From the fresh evergreen garland to the wood stump chargers, this table design feels raw in nature.” Add a few winter blooms for some color, but make sure to keep the focus on the table’s centerpiece. “An evergreen garland spruced up with randomly placed pinecones and candles helps create a cozy, romantic setting and wintry color palette,” Michelle says.

Small details also go a long way. Place cards allow your guests to feel that they belong and shows how much thoughtfulness went into planning your soirée, while linen napkins instantly elevate the entire tablescape. If you’re thinking about making a dinner menu, take a few minutes to incorporate some artistry. Michelle’s team added a hand chalked deer graphic on the menus that not only brought together her color palette and nature theme, but also added a touch of whimsy.

DRINKS

Keep the ambience cozy and your guests warm with a few fun drinks. Set up a bar cart area with mercury glasses and your favorite cocktails to get the party started. Prepare a simple punch and let the guests serve themselves to give you more time to host and, of course, enjoy yourself. A little bit of bubbly is simple and necessary, but you also can’t go wrong with a creamy liqueur and a few cinnamon sticks for garnish.

FOOD

Before deciding on a meal, focus on what level of elegance you want to achieve. If this is a casual party with a few friends, cook a few oven dishes that you can warm up during cocktail hour. Chicken cordon bleu is a warm winter favorite and easily pairs with roasted vegetables and homemade macaroni and cheese. Michelle planned this as a winter wedding, which upgraded the dinner selections. Focus on your meat or protein as the centerpiece of the meal. Whether it’s steak or salmon, pair it with a side salad and potatoes and gravy, and try to balance your meal with your décor.

BY MADISON NAUTA PHOTOGRAPHY B Y J ACQUE LYNN P H OTOGRAPHY STYLING BY MICHELLE LEO Using natural elements like wood can save you money and add a rustic element to your table setting. Layer small china plates on a wood charger to bring the colorpalette together.

“From the fresh evergreen garland to the wood stump chargers, this table design feels raw in nature.”

(above, left) Switch out your Christmas poinsettias for a few white blooms. Add pinecones and fresh pine leaves to create a romantic winter bouquet.

A" n evergreen garlandspruced up with randomly placed pinecones and candles helps create a cozy, romantic setting and wintry color palette." Layering and playing with height is important when setting up a table. Try to stack different plate widths to create depth. While the centered garland lies low on the table, tall candles stand out without blocking guests’ view.

Get inspiration from what’s happening outside your window, and bring those winter colorsand natural elements inside.

(above, left) Dessert tables are always a fun touch for any wedding or event. Prepare and showcase your desserts before your guests arrive so they can look forward to that after-dinner treat.(above, right) Stationary sets the stage when planning an event or a wedding. Your invitations, place cards and dinner menus can fall in a similar color scheme and texture to match the theme of your event.(left) Wreaths aren’t just for the holidays. Bare garland wreaths will add a winter element to your event and make beautiful chair ornaments for a wedding, such as this one.