An Intimate Backyard Dinner Party – Kristal’s 30th Birthday!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of throwing my best friend and business partner, the one and only Kristal Lane, her 30th birthday party! I have known Kristal for 5 years and she has been talking about the plans for her 30th birthday party since I have known her. I knew this birthday meant a lot to her and I was honored to be hosting this party in her honor. I also knew that it had to be a special event for this incredible woman.

Kristal requested a backyard dinner party for her 3-0 celebration. I was 100% on board and told her that I wanted to surprise her with all the details. I was able to surprise her with some things, but seeing as I typically tell her everything, keeping everything under wraps was kind of impossible.

I was clear on my vision for the party; an intimate sit-down dinner for a close group of friends enjoying good food by candlelight in my backyard. The vision included a cocktail hour with a special signature cocktail followed by simple, but delicious dinner menu. I pictured guests dining at a long table with fine linens and beautiful, fresh flowers. I wanted the party to feel elegant — a grown up party — but with a fresh, intimate and relaxed vibe.

I worked hard to making this night special for my friend and I was really happy with the results! Honestly, everything turned out just how I had envisioned in my head. I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome!

Cocktails and Appetizers

We enjoyed the first half of the night sipping cocktails and snacking on appetizers in one part of our backyard. After trying Veev at a neighbor’s house a few weeks prior to Kristal’s party, I knew that the Veev Spa Cocktail was the perfect signature cocktail for the 30th birthday celebration! This weekend was really HOT, so the guests really loved sipping this refreshing cocktail at the end of such a warm day. Each guest had a personalized mason jar waiting for them on the cocktail table.

Cocktail Table

Cocktail Table Floral Arrangement

Veev Spa Coolers Served in Personalized Mason Jars with Paper Straws

Veev Spa Cooler Instructions for Guests

Each guest brought a bottle of wine to share. Wine bottles and glasses were displayed and served on a separate table nearby. Each guests had their own personalized wine glass for the evening. I made these mason jar and wine tags using a paper punch and letter stamps I purchased from Michael’s. These tags were a fun twist on the typical wine charm and they gave the party a very personal touch.

Wine Table

Wine Glasses with Personalized Wine Charms

For appetizers I decided to go with a classic cheese platter, honeyed figs with goat cheese, nuts and skewers with melon, mozzarella and prosciutto.  I served the cheese and crackers on slate platters decorated with hand-made cheese labels and a palm frond for decor. One of the slate platters I bought from Pottery Barn a few years ago, but the other I got for FREE on a trip to a stone yard with my sister-in-law. We went on a quest for remnant stones we could use for platters and I got this beautiful platter for free! Gotta love that!

Cheese Platter

Honeyed Figs with Goat Cheese

Skewers with Melon, Mozzarella and Prosciutto

Friends Enjoying Cocktails and Appetizers

Dinner

For dinner guests were invited to move onto the lawn and find their place card at the dinner table. The menu included cedar plank salmon, red roasted potatoes and salad with fresh peach slices, goat cheese, avocado and sweet white corn. Two women hired to help at the party (my secret weapons) helped to serve the salmon the plank to the guests at the table. The salmon looked really beautiful on the cedar planks and this method of serving was a great way to allow guests to appreciate the beauty of the dish.

Table Settings with Gold Chargers and Name Cards

Outdoor Dinner Table

Florals ~ Hydrangea with Palm Leaves

Cedar Plank Salmon on the Grill

Kristal Enjoying Dinner

Guests at the Dinner Table

Kristal and Marty

Happy 30th!

The night was so much fun and I was so happy to be able to make Kristal’s birthday party wish come true! Happy birthday, Sweet Friend! I adore you!