We recently joined with Kate and Kendra of Dress Your Guests to create a perfect patio dinner party on the terraces of The Duke Mansion, to inspire you to host something fun and fabulous for your best girls one evening this summer. Granted, most of us aren’t working with this:
But we all have girlfriends we’d love to entertain one balmy night, to get a little dressed up and enjoy a bit of rosé in great company with delicious gossip food…and no men or kids or bosses.
We decided our Girls’ Firefly Dinner needed to be: 1) gorgeous and 2) first class, so we rounded up our “only the best” to set the stage.
- Fashions were provided by the new McKenzie Claire boutique on East Blvd.
- Jewelry provided by Elizabeth Bruns in the Specialty Shops SouthPark
- Tabletop and Linens provided by Elizabeth Bruns
- Flowers by InBloom
- Hair by Jaclyn Beith, 8 The Salon
- Make Up by Travis, 8 The Salon
- Venue ~ The Duke Mansion
- Models: Mary Margaret Beaver (Elizabeth Bruns), Carrie Carickhoff (McKenzie Claire), Clary Hilliard Gray (Hilliard Studio Method and HSM | Core), Kate Brennan (DressYourGuests) Kendra Slisz (DressYourGuests)
- Heard but not seen, Susu Bear (scoopcharlotte)
- Photography by Ariana Clare (Ariana Clare Photography)
We decided to serve a crab cake salad to start, the crab cakes are a specialty at The Duke Mansion and a must-have when you book a party or event there. To follow, we picked a grilled salmon and vegetables recipe, for the paleo / whole30 / all protein / pescatarians in the mix.
Anything we served would have been beautiful showcased on the lovely place settings from Elizabeth Bruns. Here’s what we used:
- Dinner Plates ~ Gwendolyn by Herend $110
- Salad Plate ~ Tobacco Leaf Dessert Plate by Mottahedeh $145
- Anna Weatherly Charger from Elizabeth Bruns in Aqua Green Anna’s Palette $150
- Flatware Bistro Gold by Juliska $145 for a 5 person place setting
- Linens Raspberry Fringe by Halo Home. Napkins $38 Placemates $36
- Cocktail Glasses ~ Roxie by William Yeoward $100
- Teal Tumblers by Rablabs set of 4 $165
- Wine Glasses ~ Carine by Juliska $35
Our signature drink for the party was a Pineapple Ginger Mojito, a few made without alcohol for the expecting mom among us. The Duke Mansion replicated the recipe with frothy perfection ~ signature drinks are so popular these days at their parties and receptions.
- Kate of Dress Your Guests
Dessert was picked to look pretty on the beautiful “Chinese Bouquet” plates by Herend…and of course to be tasty, seasonal and not too heavy or rich.
I’m not sure what the girls enjoyed more, getting to dress up in adorable, spring chic from McKenzie Claire and draping themselves in the amazing jewelry from Elizabeth Bruns OR enjoying dinner with good friends as the sun sank on the beautiful setting. Both, probably.
- Mary Margaret Beaver, Manager of Elizabeth Bruns
- Clary Hilliard Gray of Hilliard Studio Method and HSM | Core
- This ring was amazing with Clary’s dress. Or any dress for that matter.
- Kendra from Dress Your Guests
- Carrie Carickhoff, owner, McKenzie Clair Boutique
As you can see, a good time was had by all. Beautiful setting, beautiful table, beautiful girls. Salud!
Follow our Friends on Instagram to Stay in Touch with Their Stores & Businesses:
8 The Salon @8thesalon
Jaclyn Beith  @jaclynbeith
Travis @travis4ncsu
Jay with InBloom  @inbloomltd
The Duke Mansion  @dukemansion
Clothes @mckenzieclaireclt
Elizabeth Bruns @elizabethbrunsinc
Clary @HilliardStudioMethod
@scoopcharlotte
@dressyourguests
