A Formal Affair

Last night might have been one of my favorite dinners of all time! Matt and I love entertaining and having friends over. For so long we had been in the apartment adding fold out tables and chairs to our small kitchen table, and having to rearrange the living room to fit in enough chairs. Don't get me wrong...doing that is what made tonight extra special and we wouldn't have changed a thing about our fold out table dinners. As a house warming present my dad gave us money for what might be one of the most important "things" in an Italian house...the table where friends and family can eat together. For the first time I got to fit an entire dinner party around the same table and it just warmed my heart. (Having all the chairs match was a different story!)

So how appropriate that the first major dinner party was for a Valentine's Day celebration. Jamie, Paul, Steph, Ryan, Kelly and Joe joined us for an over the top formal dinner party and we had a blast. I had such a hard time narrowing down the pictures for the blog - because I wanted to share the full effect.

The table seatings. I am not even sure if that is the appropriate way to set a formal table, but I did not think it googling was necessary so I just went with what I thought looked good. The seating cards are a pack of chocolates with a valentine and everyones name. The valentine on the seating card matched the card in their wine glass. Matt was very patient with my "special touches."

The menu, was of course, Italian themed. I might have to branch out soon with something besides bruschetta and spaghetti...but we have it mastered so it is hard to switch! We made each item on the menu have its own time to make the dinner last all night.

Each couple was asked to bring one of their favorite bottles of wine and we enjoyed a wine tasting. We all noted that price does not always equate to better taste.

I cut out different colored hearts and used puffy tape as wine charms on the bottom of each glass. Not sure how helpful that was as Ryan's wine glass seemed to be the communal cup - but it was cute!

The appetizer station: Round one started with fench bread and olive oil with an amazing Seattle seasoning sprinkled in.

Round two was a special touch from Matt - tomato basil soup shooters...spicy but very tasty!

After soup shooters and before anyone got close to a food coma I made everyone participate in a photo shoot. We got some hilarious pictures that started out as classy couples poses until someone threw out the prom picture idea. Love. it!

Round three: Matt's famous bruschetta.

The already special table was even more special because I got to use the table cloth that my Italian aunt and uncle got us as a wedding present. This picture doesn't do it justice because it is absolutely incredible. 100% linen with gold embrodered lace. It is beautiful!

Waiting for the noodles to boil we did a cupid swap. Each couple was asked to bring a "Valentines Basket under $15" to be given to another couple. I was very impressed with the themes/ideas but have to say Paul's find of the athlete's gel shot - but with alcohol instead of energy goo. Hilarious. The parents got that basket...appropriate!?!?!?

The actual dinner was a success: Fresh green beans, spaghetti with heart shaped pasta noodles and an amazing salad thanks to Jamie and Paul.

Dessert completed the meal. A few weeks ago I put in a request for Stephanie's famous heart shaped goodness of a dessert. She graciously accepted the half day project and everyone devoured her desserts. She topped it off with long stemmed chocolate covered strawberries. Delicous!!!

Around 10:30 we finished our 4 hour dinner and had a great time with friends and our significant others. We got to hear the story of how everyone met and the qualities we like most about our significant others. Valentine's Day isn't officially here until tomorrow, but I already feel like the holiday is complete!