Ingredients for a Breakfast at Tiffany’s Party

By Debbi Benedict

Benedict & Co.

A successful party has many ingredients, just like a recipe.  A very special party I recently planned was a Breakfast at Tiffany’s 50^th birthday luncheon.

Invitations are tres important for setting the mood right from the start.  We found invitations in the shape of a blue Tiffany box with a white satin ribbon.  The top of the “box” flipped open and a large cutout of a diamond ring was tucked inside, along with card stock that had the actual invitation printed on it.

Renting a gorgeous historic mansion for the setting proved to be sublime.  Its gleaming wood floors, crystal chandeliers, and beguiling French doors set the perfect tone.  Guests were welcomed by a guitar and flute duo seated at the beginning of the walkway to the mansion.  Strains of Moon River wafted out to accompany guests on the way into the mansion.  A row of white mums were placed in front of the musicians and ten Tiffany blue shopping bags were the base for blue, white, and black balloons lining the walk to the front door.

Once inside, guests were greeted by a vignette on the polished wood buffet in the foyer.  Placed on it was a large (24 x 36) framed black and white poster of Audrey Hepburn seated at a table in Tiffany’s.  In front of the poster was an antique silver tea set, a silver basket, lined with a Battenberg napkin and holding two croissants.  Next to that was a vase with a single red rose.  On one side of the tea set were two large Tiffany shopping bags with white tissue, pearls, and a cigarette holder and on the other side were several different sizes of Tiffany boxes with pearl necklaces draped over them.  Everything was regally set on a plush black velvet cloth, just like at the jewelers!

A violinist playing classical music strolled amongst the guests as they enjoyed hors d’ oeuvres and champagne in the wood paneled library.  A huge poster of Audrey looking in the Tiffany’s window dominated the fireplace mantel, while more Tiffany boxes were placed on either side.  Vases of red roses sat on the deep window sills.

A lush floral scent drifted through the mansion.  Scented candles were burning in the foyer and both bathrooms.  Speaking of the bathrooms, don’t forget to decorate those either!  As the mansion is owned by the county and operated by the parks department, the bathroom had institutions accoutrements, which I changed out and enhanced.  I brought in Tiffany blue rugs, towel holders/towels, and beautiful bottles to hold liquid soap.  I also set up a small vignette on the table – a 11x15 head shot of Audrey on a small easel, the candle and vases of red roses.

Two standing easels were set on either side of the doorway leading into the large living room where lunch was being served.  On one easel was yet another black and white poster of Audrey and on the other was a small triptych of Audrey photos and the seating chart.  

Two long tables, each seating 25, were covered with luscious Tiffany blue tablecloths.  Each table had two Tiffany box-like cakes and three bowls of exuberant white roses.  Interspersed between the roses and the cakes, strands of pearls were languidly arranged around jaw-breaker sized faux diamonds.  White ceramic bow place card holders held place cards scripted with elegant calligraphy.  Each setting had large glass chargers that were rimmed with silver beads.  The chairs were white chevaliers.  Over the fireplace was a vibrant Audrey poster mimicking the blue, black, white theme of the party.

The menu was sumptuous.  Creamy artichoke bisque started the feast and was then followed by a colorful lobster salad – mounded in the shell and surrounded by tropical fruits.  Three different flavored cakes – carrot with crème cheese filling, butter pecan with caramel filling, and chocolate with peanut butter filling punctuated the meal.

The hit of the party was a “performance” of an actor friend who gathered lots of interesting facts and tidbits about the movie and Audrey that he regaled the guests with – adding his charming English accent and comic timing.  He performed between the soup and salad.  Then as dessert was served, the hostess stood up and went person by person and briefly told each how they had impacted her life and how important they were to making her into the woman she is today. 

Guests departed through the dining room which was set up with a large table.  At one end of the table was a large colorful drawing of Audrey in poster form on a table easel.  In the middle were two large silver trays that held the party favor gifts bags and on the other end was a massive standing candelabra and a vase overflowing with full-blown roses.

The party favor was a special anniversary edition DVD of the Breakfast at Tiffany’s movie.  They were placed in white glossy bags with black tissue peaking out the top and tied with Tiffany blue ribbon.

The day turned out beautifully.  Guests felt loved, appreciated, and cared for.  And in the end, that’s all you can really hope for.

Steps to organizing a stress-free party 

1. Keep a notebook

2.  Walk through the venue and visualize what your guests will hear, see, touch, smell, and taste

3.  Take lots of photos on your first visit for reference

4.  Analyzing each photo and make a list of what needs to be done in each room – what you need to buy, order, and make

5.  Use that list when you are loading up your car, so you won’t miss packing anything.

Contact Debbi Benedict at Benedict & Co., an event planning firm, 941-483-4460, or debbi@benedictandco.com.