New Orleans is famous for her summer temperatures and locals, from Gentilly to Gretna, the French Quarter to Faubourg Livaudais, are pulling out the summer whites. We have swapped our jeans for breezy linen skirts and our linen pillowcases for cool, crisp cotton.
On our party planning agenda, we bid adieu to the vibrant colors of Easter and high spring. In these hottest months, we pay homage to the hottest color of all – blinding white.
We sought the styling advice of Jennifer Rabalais, owner of Jade, an interiors boutique in Metairie, and The Plant Gallery, a fantastic garden, landscaping and floral center on Airline Highway), for all the tips, tricks and even the florals you’ll need for throwing a perfect, all-white party.
What’s great about an all-white party?
“My daughter just got married and I told her to register for all white plates and serving pieces. Everyone has that base of white. Having a set of white china is so timeless and classic, and throwing a white party is the same. It’s just easy. Even if you don’t have white furniture, you can use drop cloths or sheets. It’s also a great choice for guests to dress the part. We have so many excuses to party in this city, and I think adding a great theme makes it special.
What do you start with when planning?
I always start with food and drinks. I think that can be the hardest part. Some fun ideas are doing all white pizzas. No tomato sauce, but use mushrooms, white asparagus and lots of white cheeses. You can get white candies … M&Ms, white chocolates, Lifesavers, white jelly beans … and put them in clear glass bowls. White candles add atmosphere and something fun is to get those big ice cube molds. You can place white flowers in the center and freeze them into beautiful cubes. For drinks, think white margaritas, white sangria, coconut milk or frappes, and, of course, white wine and Champagne.
What’s a way to take it to the next level?
I always like to use flowers. White hydrangeas or gardenias are really easy to source. If you go to a plant store, you can buy the actual plant, instead of cut stems. Hide the base in a container that’s pretty, and then after your party, you can just plant them. I love having little party favors too. Jump on Amazon and get white sunglasses, or fans if it’s an outside party, and there are also those floating white orbs you can put in a swimming pool.
