Pre-wedding Dinner Party

The excitement is building!  Our son is getting married in 12 short days.  Amidst all the to-do lists, the last-minute details, and the stress, tonight my mother provided the bride and groom and my husband and me with a much-needed, and much-enjoyed respite--a lovely dinner party to celebrate their upcoming wedding.

The Battenberg runner and placemats, silver pieces, and white china with
a black band and gold rim set the tone.
The red flowers--plants from her garden--and the candles and napkins added a beautiful touch of color.

The china is new to her--a recent fabulous find at an auction--and it was so perfect
for the occasion that I commented that it reminded me of a tuxedo...
The pattern?  Black Tie, by Mikasa!
How apropos.

The butter in its own covered butter dish,
with mint garnish.

Crystal bobeches...such a beautiful and sparkly touch on the silver candlesticks.

And silver and crystal salt cellars.

Silver tea service, including a gorgeous samovar, is a gift from my brother and sister-in-law. 
WOW.

Then for dessert...



Espresso to accompany dessert...served on a silver tray.
Have you ever seen such a beautiful demitasse set?
Another recent auction find, my mother remembers an
identical set at her childhood home.
We don't know the pattern--can anyone help us there?



A gold band on the cup and saucer, and this woman, whose
dish addiction I've inherited, just happens to have
gold demitasse spoons and sugar server!
I told you I come by it honestly! :)

And the set even has its own holder!



Isn't it the sweetest?



The after-dinner drink--Bailey's Irish Cream--was served in the living room.
The pink Depression glass cordials are new to her too, and the pattern
remains to be determined.  For now let's just call it "Beautiful."
Too bad that the other pictures I took of them were blurry--I'm lucky to have gotten
these with my phone (!), as I forgot my camera. 

Thank you for visiting and sharing in our happy family occasion!  I'd love to hear from you.

I'll be joining these parties this week; please visit them and join in the fun!

 Marty's Table Top Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ 

 Kim's Wow Us Wednesdays at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ 

 Susan's Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

 Open House Party Thursday http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

 Courtney’s, Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

 Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

 Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com

 My Romantic Home at Show and Tell Friday 

 Common Ground at Vintage Inspiration Friday

 The Charm of Home at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

 Stuff and Nonsense at http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/

    The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/