Red Rose and Chocolate Brown for Valentine's

This past weekend, we were fortunate to be able to host a Valentine's Dinner Party for Mr. Delight's  siblings and their spouses.  It is not often all 10 of us can get together so it was an occasion to celebrate!

Inspiration for my tablescape started with these red table runners I purchased on sale at Christmas. I bought multiples so I could lay them width-ways and have a "placemat effect". When placed on a brown tablecloth, of course, I thought of a "roses and chocolate" themed t'scape for V's day!

Secondly, I knew I wanted to use these heart-shaped red vases I've had for a few years now.

I combined them with 2 of these crystal tealight lamps (Partylite years ago).

By placing 3 of the vases filled with roses and tulips and 2 of the lamps on square mirrors, I created a centerpiece that ran the length of the table. 

Below is a pic of the center ones.

 

 

Here, you see how they looked running down the center of the table.

 

 

Placecards were created by taping names (done on computer) to these styrofoam glitter hearts and setting them in small white bowls with a chocolate.

 

 

The placecard heart bowls were set on top of a chocolate brown napkin.

 

 

I did a "cross-over" fold with the napkin and  placed the fork and knife inside with other required flatware set above the plate/charger.

 

 

I filled little "lacy" bags with chocolates and tied with red and gold ribbon for each guest to take home.

 

Christmas dishes can serve double duty as shown here.  This red plate with snowflakes has a lacy edge which works well for Valentine's.

 

Unfortunately, the other red plates with Christmas trees and gingerbread men didn't go quite as well but I "hid" them with a white vinyl dish "silencer". (The soup bowls were eventually placed on these and then the red plate and soup bowl were removed together)

 

 

Multiple place settings altogether.

 

 

Each guest had their own Menu Card placed beside their place setting.

 

 

A red wine glass alongside a white wine glass were ready for guests to choose their preference.

 

 

 

 

Just before the guests arrived...

 

 

The other view...

 

Here's a look at what is on the sideboard wall area. First, my "Valentine" tree, left out and redecorated with hearts after Christmas, sits at the left of the sideboard.

 

My feather heart hung over the mirror above the sideboard.

 

 

A closer look at my snowman family who are ready to ski!

 

 

Three large hurricanes are filled with pine cones and hearts atop faux snow in the bottom.

 

 

And on the right side of the sideboard sits a faux arrangement I created in another heart-shaped vase.

 

 

I've given up trying to capture pics of the food while serving our guests (never remember in the heat of the moment!) but I did take a couple of the dessert!

On this Valentine's occasion, we celebrated the

 

LOVE of FAMILY ...

 

...and had a wonderful evening with lots of laughs, reminiscing and later on, even dancing!

 

Thanks for sticking to the end of this photo intensive post!

 

 

I will be linking this post to these fabulous blog parties:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming
Tutorials,Tips & Tidbits at Stone Gable
Be Inspired Fridays at Common Ground