Hosting an elegant evening garden party for 10 people,?

Question

Need new ideas theme of dinner is opera night under the stars. Would love some fresh new ideas.

Answer 1

ok this is something i did for my boyfriend's surprise party. we're both big fans of the phantom of the opera. so as dinner place cards, i used white masks as seen in the above musical. they're inexpensive and commonly available at the local party supply store.

and for table cloths, i used rich red cloth paired with gold lining so it looks like the curtains from the opera stage. and i painted white masks in gold paint as decor... also had masquerade masks as favors. i used floating candles and the masquerade masks as centerpieces.

i used peacock feathers to decorate the wine glasses, place mats. i had a unused medium sized fountain lying around which fit perfectly on my punch table. i cleaned it thoroughly and filled it with punch instead of water so my guest had to get punch from the fountain instead of a regular punch bowl.

these are a few things i did so hope it helps

Answer 2

I personally would go for elegant old fashioned English approach. Bubbly on arrival (Cava is just as good) with flower in it or Pimms and lemonade. Elegant canapes - you could name these after famous operas (the same could be applied to cocktails). Lots of candles - I would suggest tea lights in jam jars dotted around the garden (or those fireproof paper bag type holders). I would serve simple food such as sandwiches, pastries, scones & jam, mini meringues on three tiered cake stands. This will allow you to prepare in advance so you can enjoy the evening yourself.

Or alterantively you could embrace the origins of opera and have an Italian theme with pizza and pasta.

It sound like you are a great host so everyone is sure to have a great time regardless.

Answer 3

You can make the whole dinner on the grill.  Grilled meat such as chicken b*****s, pork loin, beef loin.  Marinated flank steak is excellent on the grill.

Get some hearty bread and grill that too to go with the meal.

Vegetables such a young asparagus, corn on the cob, carrots, tomatoes.

Even fruit can be grilled. Pineapples, pears, apples.

Create your sauces at home and bring them in containers to baste over the food either as you grill it or as you plate it.

Chilled wine, beer or lemonade to wash it all down.