Hola amigas and amigos! Who doesn’t love a good party? Especially one centered around love… and tacos!
Recently engaged, Emily & Daniel wanted to “Taco ’bout Love” with family and friends in the backyard of her parent’s house in Ona, Florida, under the stars. And, to help make the stress of planning and organizing a bit easier, they hired us to assist. That way, the bride, groom, and guests could relax and not be bogged down with party details.
The bride’s parent’s house was the perfect backdrop for the fiesta. Spacious, picturesque, and peaceful, the natural beauty of their surroundings was the ideal palette to start with. Then by incorporating color and texture, the party would become alive!
Farmhouse tables and chairs were brought in from A Chair Affair to accommodate all the guests. Natural and rustic, we topped them with vibrant woven table runners, various colored vases and candle holders filled with fresh flowers, and small gold votives. We also found some adorable cactus vases to add to the mix.
Obviously, you can’t have a taco-themed party without delicious tacos, and Olympia Catering didn’t disappoint. A self-service taco bar was the main course draw for the guests. But the real star of the show was the churro station! Made to order, it was the perfect ending to a delicious meal.
If the guests were chilly or their sweet tooth wasn’t fully quenched, they had the option to huddle around the fire pit for a bonfire and smores. Or, they could take in the brisk night by the pool under a space heater.
Overall, the party was a celebration to remember and a delicious way to “Taco ’bout Love!” Below are photos from the event.
Love this idea and wondering how you can re-create it yourself? Scroll down for some of our secret tips…
..…shhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone 🙂
Assess Your Space.
Unfortunately, we all don’t have a fantastic backyard similar to Emily’s parents. However, we’re confident that you can still transform your location into something just as festive. Here are a few tips:
- If the weather is nice enough, consider holding your party outdoors. The natural landscaping of your yard can add natural beauty… for free!
- If you would rather have your event indoors, make sure your guests have enough room to freely move around the area. This might mean you need to temporarily move some furniture (either out of the room entirely or somewhere out of the way) so guests don’t feel crowded.
Light Up the Night.
Does the space have adequate lighting as the sun sets? If not, can you hang string lights, move lamps from other rooms, or add candles to dark areas. If you’re going to use candles, consider battery-operated LED ones. You can find them at most big-box stores and can be less of a fire hazard around guests or small children.
One of our favorite decor pieces for the Taco party was the giant “Taco ’bout Love” custom sign one of our vendors made. If a custom-made sign is out of your budget, there are tutorials online for making something similar. Or, if that’s something you’d like to see us recreate, let us know! We’d be happy to create a follow up blog post if that’s a DIY of interest.
Color Sets the Mood.
A fiesta is supposed to be lively, fun, and entertaining, right?! So find decor and accessories that set the mood immediately when guests arrive. Consider visiting a local thrift store to look for mismatched-colored vases or candle holders. Sometimes found $1 or less, you could stock up on these items while supporting a local business. Stores that advertise offering wholesale prices (such as Old Time Pottery) can also have some inexpensive options.
We also added small succulents and potted plants to the tablescape for Emily and Daniel, along with fresh-cut flowers. In Florida, veggie stands are great places to find small plants and herbs. Some, such as Parksdale Market in Plant City, carry a wide variety of indoor and outdoor houseplants, along with herbs and succulents. Or visit, and support, a plant store similar to our friends at Full Grown Girl. Some cities have fresh-cut flower trucks that pop up around markets in the area, such as Posies in Tampa. Or, you can always visit a local florist to see what varieties are currently in season.
Compliment Color with Texture, Patterns, and Metals.
Texture, pattern, and metals can tone vibrant colors down a touch and add layers of visual interest. Natural baskets, metal trays, candlestick holders, or textured linens and rugs, for example. Mix and match neutrals and neutral patterns with your color palette for a layering effect. Remember, you don’t have to add ALL of these suggestions to only your tablescape design. Use baskets, wood boxes, and trays to display food and beverages for visual height. If you decide to have a seated dinner, woven placemats can be used in place of chargers. Scatter inexpensive rugs around open areas for a more cozy and intimate feel. And don’t forget your ceiling! Baskets, lights, paper cutouts, or paper lanterns could be hung to keep eyes moving all around the room.
Pro Tip: Everything doesn’t have to be purchased new! Pull items you’re already own if they’re located in a room off-limits. Or, consider starting the planning process early and visit thrift stores, pop-up markets, or flea markets. They’re fantastic places to find unique items while supporting your local community.
So, are you all set to plan your own “Taco ’bout Love” fiesta? Are there any secrets you want to know about that we left off the list? Or, does this seem like too much work? We want to hear your thoughts!
If you create your own taco party, please post and tag us on Facebook, or Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Or, if you would like someone to do all the heavy lifting for you, we’re happy to help with that too.
We hope all of your parties are colorful, fabulous and taco-friendly!
Your savvy “biz” friend,
Summer
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