Celebrate Fall: My Autumn Apple Dessert Party with KitchenAid®

All images by Stagetecture

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I paired up with KitchenAid® to show off their gorgeous colors of the season. From their Empire Red –  Traditional Cast Iron 3-Quart Casserole that I used to bake the Apple Crumb Bars Recipe to the Persimmon (Orange) Nesting Ceramic 4 Piece Set I made a version of Apple Dumplings with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe. The beautiful orange and reds are a good theme color to start decorating your dessert party table. Here’s how to create your table:

Decorating your Autumn Dessert Party Table:

Choose colors that resonate with the season. Reds, greens, natural burlap in dark and light shades of brown can be used as your tablecloth or table runner and throughout your display areas. Cover the table with the runner and choose 2-3 colors that you will use repeatedly throughout the display. Gather wicker baskets, galvanized tin pails, and rustic or metallic chargers below your serving dishes.

Use Apples as Decoration and as Edible Display

When decorating with apples remember they can be edible display and used around your table for color. Grab various size apples and an assortment of types to bring color around your dishes. I used an apple around the apple crumb cake to add color to a neutral plate display.

The Empire Red KitchenAid® Electric Tea Kettle is one of my favorites. It plugs into the wall, and has a removable base to bring it directly to your buffet table. Guests can pour hot water for tea, or you can serve warm apple cider to keep with the apple theme!

Lastly, gather your favorite red napkins, silverware, and metallic chargers to add reflectance to your autumn table. My family wished we could have an Autumn Apple Dessert Party everyday! Thanks KitchenAid® for the wonderful opportunity to showcase the colorful side of entertaining.

For more autumn party ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Easy Outdoor Entertaining Tips 

Image Via: Bright Bold and Beautiful Blog

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Get The Right Gear:

Make entertaining easy on yourself by investing the right gear beforehand. Plastic plates and serving dishes will drastically reduce the chances of broken glass coming in contact with bare feet. A few mesh food tents will keep the flies away from your snacks while you socialize. Outdoor speakers allow you to use music to create ambiance. Consider storing it all in a closed bar cat. That way, everything will be in the same place for easy organization and you have a ready-made spot to keep the libations on party day.

Image Via: Better Homes and Gardens 

Set Up Sections:

This is especially true for larger groups or parties that go on all day long. While mingling, your guests will break out to form smaller groups. Help facilitate these more intimate conversations by setting up several, small seating areas. (After all, no one wants to spend all day on their feet.) Use trees or a small white canopy to offer shade. Horseshoes or a badminton set are a natural draw for guests who like a bit more activity.

Image via: Pinterest

Let There Be Light:

In particular, outdoor entertaining is infamous for lasting well into the night. Keep your party going by making the transition seamless. Use nature to your advantage by hanging string lights or orbs in your trees. A chiminea or fire pit will do double duty by providing light and warmth. Tiki torches are perfect for creating an island paradise feel. Mix standard and citronella candles to allow people to see while keeping the bugs at bay.

Image Via: Style at Home

Keep It Simple:

No one wants to spend the entire party slaving away indoors at the oven, or even out by the grill. When choosing food and beverages for the party, opt for easy recipes that can be made in advance. Pay particular attention to foods that can be served at room temperature and are okay to sit out for hours. Go for bottled beverages or cocktails that can be pre-mixed in large batches.

The last and most important tip: Remember to have fun. As much as we wish the nice weather would last forever, it’s only here for so long. Make the most of it by taking every opportunity to create memories with family and friends. Use these suggestions to help you do it simply and in style.

Do you have a great outdoor entertaining tip? Share it with us in the comments. We love to hear from you.

Spring is in full swing, which means it’s time to party! Whether it’s graduation, birthday, or just to kick off the warm season- there are reasons more than one to throw a spring party. And this does not mean that you have to spend a fortune each time you invite people over for spring entertaining. Read on these money saving tips that will help you plan a great seasonal bash without going overboard.

How to Save Money on a Spring Party

Image via: Charming Trinity

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Decorate with existing items

Make casual arrangements in containers you already have such as tall glasses, pottery bowls, vases, or canning jars. From your backyard, use green cuttings like rosemary, ivy, or bay leaves. If your party will continue after dark, use holiday lights and candles to decorate. Don’t ignore a simple bowl of fresh vegetables or fruits. An arrangement made of seasonal items like oranges, lemons, egg plant, strawberries, or pineapples will not only look attractive but will also help you save a lot on centerpieces.

Use flowers, vases, and other items for a gorgeous buffet display

Save money on invitations

Forgo the traditional paper invites, and use online services like Evite to send your guests a free invitation. Alternatively, you can use social networking sites like Facebook and Google to create events. Not only will it help you save a great deal of money, paperless invites will also help to reduce your carbon footprints.

Food and beverages

Image via: The Kitchn

Plan ahead and take advantage of sales when they come up. This will help to avoid the seasonal price hike. If you are planning more than one get together during the season, consider buying in bulk and freeze whatever possible. To save a few extra dollars, skip the pre-cut veggies and take time to chop them yourself.

Similarly, skip the expensive sodas and make batches of inexpensive drinks such as lemonade, iced tea and more. If you want to serve alcohol, don’t go overboard by including varieties. Try a pitcher of Fruity Sangaria or Margaritas.

Overall, entertaining on a budget does not have to be boring. All it needs is creative and careful planning.

For more spring ideas on Stagetecture, click here.