Oh, Christmas, how I love everything about you. For my first Maine Christmas since 2008 we have made sure that this is a Christmas season we wont forget. We’ve already done the Christmas tree cutting down- and also found out about this thing where you can go prior and tag your tree, why have we never heard of this?!- decking the halls with garland, stockings, fur everything, baked the cutout cookies, experienced a Christmas wonderland at Magnolia Market, went to a Maine Christmas tree lighting in Portland…ok I’ll stop there because the list could go on and on.
To add to the holiday spirit, I got to photograph a pretty little, styled Maine Christmas dinner with Back Bay Bride. I was so honored when Kelsey of Back Bay Bride asked me to join her and some other Maine vendors to create a “First Christmas Together” styled shoot and I happily said yes! We broke some bulbs, drank some champagne, and enjoyed some more moments of Christmas cheer. Keep scrolling to read Kelsey’s write up about the shoot and see images from the dinner!
As a wedding and event planner, one of my most favorite things to do is host! The holiday season is
such a wonderful time of year not just because everything has that extra layer of sparkle (and
greenery!) but because they are so many chances to gather together with the ones you love.
This holiday season is our first as a married couple in a house instead of an apartment, and I was so
excited to decorate for the holidays and entertain guests. I loved having this chance to pull out
some of our most special wedding gifts for the first time and set the scene for a festive dinner party.
Here are a few holiday hosting tips for the nearly or newlyweds to try!
1. Stick to your color palette – Red and green can be so cheery and fun, but we’ve decorated
our house in neutrals and cool tones. I wanted to keep the décor natural to compliment the
vibe we’ve worked so hard to create in our home! Beautiful greenery designed by Stem &
Vine went a long way to elevate our décor for the winter months.
2. Set a special table – This is it, the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to pull that
crystal and china you painstakingly researched and added to your registry and display it in all
its glory on your holiday tablescape. Cloth napkins and a linen runner also take it from the
everyday to elegant. Seasonal touches like ornaments, pinecones and pine boughs are
thoughtful details that won’t go unnoticed and no setting is complete without a place card.
Mine were handlettered along with other accents by one of my favorite local artists, Letter &
Adore.
3. Keep the menu simple – You may be tempted to roast a turkey or braise a ham like they
do at Grandma’s house but if you’re not a tried and true chef it’s best to keep things easy.
This rosemary garlic chicken recipe looks fancy but can be prepared in advance and kept
warm in the oven while you mix and mingle.
4. Try a DIY – we don’t have a light fixture above our table so I hung a few clear ornaments
as a DIY chandelier. Something crafty is always a great conversation starter.
5. Create a cozy feel – Moving from the city, we absolute love our wood burning fireplace
and my husband takes every chance he gets to build a fire! But even if you don’t have that
option, lighting extra candles or stringing up more lights creates a warm and inviting feel for
your guests.
You can see this featured on Inspired By This!
Planning & Design- Back Bay Bride
Photography- Jaimee Morse
Florals- Stem & Vine
Calligraphy- Letter & Adore
Rentals- One Stop Party Shop
Napkins– Pottery Barn