Be Our Guest

Be Our Guest

January 8th, 2010 @ 10:24 am by Mrs. Pug
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Miss Nachos stole this post title from me a little while ago. I haven’t decided how to make her pay for this transgression, but in the meantime…

There is a theme song I have for our dinner reception. Some of you may recognize it:

Be… our… GUEST! Be our guest!
Put our service to the test!
Tie your napkin ’round your neck, chérie,
And we will do the rest!

Hint: It’s Beauty and the Beast from Disney (I tend to give strong hints)

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(I would have posted a frame from Beauty and the Beast, but Disney is, how shall we say, a little “possessive” of its images—jolly waiter with desserts will have to do)

We want our guests to feel like they’re being pampered, as if they’re at an elegant, scrumptious, yet comfortable and lively dinner party—like a really lovely restaurant. To set the mood, I am envisioning lots of candlelight and low lighting. Low lighting and candlelight are not only romantic, but something about the slight darkness helps people feel a little more inhibited, which could encourage conversation and good times (the wine should help, as well).

Here are some photos I came across in trying to find the “mood” that I want (oh, look how this post has switched from “We” to “I”, huh):

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Then I found the photo below, and I am in love. Candlelight, warmth, light flickering off the wineglasses, enough flatware and dinnerware to make it all feel like a pampering restaurant… la la la…

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I realize that creating this look takes a lot of work. A small table, chivari chairs, specialty linens and chargers, and I’m sure a lot of other things that I don’t know. Specialty linens, chargers and chairs are out of the budget right now, but creating this atmosphere is part of the reason that we splurged on our venue, so that some of this abundant dinnerware comes with the package, so that guests are served as if they are at a 4-star restaurant, the view will be smashing, etc. It’s also why I bought 100 of these suckers to spread around (and will probably buy more):

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They look unattractive like that, to say the least. But imagine them in frosted votives:

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I’m going to think of other ways to luxe up the tables. Do you have any tips for cost effective ways to dress up the tables?

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21 Responses to “Be Our Guest”

1 2 Last

Member

Miss Britt (message) 915 posts, Busy bee

Pug you crack me up! Those lights look great in the votives!

1/8/10 @ 10:33 am (reply)

Member

Ms. Library (message) 1,250 posts, Bumble bee

I am putting ferns down on the tables under the votives. They go with our arrangements that have been used elsewhere, they jazz up the table, and they are super cheap!

1/8/10 @ 10:44 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Rainbow (message) 1,535 posts, Bumble bee

LOL @ your first line! You’re hilarious Pug!

1/8/10 @ 10:45 am (reply)

Bee

Miss French Fries (message) 2,218 posts, Buzzing bee

I think the votives will help a lot — candlelight is always romantic!

1/8/10 @ 10:47 am (reply)

Member

Arachna (message) 1,267 posts, Bumble bee

Gorgeous… I looove long tables

1/8/10 @ 10:59 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Guinea Pig (message) 1,377 posts, Bumble bee

Well thanks, now I’ll be humming that song all day and people will think I’m crazy! Aaanyway - I think the look you’re going for is perfect and I love that first decor photo. Hooray for battery operated tea lights! I don’t suppose you want some red ones? We have about 16 I’m not going to use…

1/8/10 @ 11:01 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Guinea Pig (message) 1,377 posts, Bumble bee

@Miss Guinea Pig: uh, I mean the base is red, the flame is still yellow.

1/8/10 @ 11:02 am (reply)

Member

mimi06d (message) 646 posts, Busy bee

I think the tea lights will add a lot to the mood. Good call!

1/8/10 @ 11:11 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Nachos (message) 1,733 posts, Bumble bee

Haha, now how did I steal it if mine posted first? I see a blog title war a-brewin’! Anywho, I’m hoping to go for the same effect with the lighting for our home party. Bring on the candles!

1/8/10 @ 11:41 am (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

@Miss Nachos: technicalities, nachos, technicalities!

1/8/10 @ 11:42 am (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Pencils (message) 1,027 posts, Bumble bee

mmm…this idea makes me feel warm and toasty…i love the votive idea. big flowers will add to the romantic feel…mmmm….

1/8/10 @ 11:43 am (reply)

12.

Bee

Mrs. French Bulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

Ooo I LOVE candlelight! I think those electric tea lights will look great in frosted votives, I’ve see that done a couple restaurants and you really can’t tell w/ the frosted glass

1/8/10 @ 11:47 am (reply)

13.

Bee

Miss Scissors (message) 7,343 posts, Bee Keeper

I have the song stuck in my head AND the overwhelming urge to watch that movie… and I only have it on VHS. This is terrible! :p

1/8/10 @ 11:57 am (reply)

14.

Bee

Mrs. Mouse (message) 5,844 posts, Bee Keeper

I love the glowy candle look!

1/8/10 @ 12:23 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Miss Sewing (message) 2,701 posts, Sugar bee

Yay for LED tealights! Flickering flames give the best ambience!

1/8/10 @ 1:05 pm (reply)

16.

Hostess

LatteLove (message) 5,587 posts, Bee Keeper

those fake candles looks SO real! Our local coffee shop has them on the tables and I love the soft look!

1/8/10 @ 1:28 pm (reply)

17.

Member

annabelle5 (message) 23 posts, Newbee

I love the votive candles! If you have time to make the rounds of the local thrift stores every few weeks, you can gather vintage votives and get a little more character for the same price (or less) as new frosted glass votives. I ended up with about 100 by collecting them over about 3 months and didn’t notice a dent in the budget because it was 50 cents here a dollar there over several months.

1/8/10 @ 5:06 pm (reply)

18.