I was too busy setting things up to take many pictures of the Mardi Gras party I threw for my daughter the other night, but there was still plenty to shoot the morning after the bash. I actually love “after party” shots, they tend to have a lot more personality than the perfect looking set up before the party begins.
This was the first party of this theme I’ve thrown, but it won’t be the last, everything about this holiday is colorful, festive and delicious. Mardi Gras {fat Tuesday} is on Tuesday, February 17 this year, also the first day of Lent. This post is loaded with links to help you to throw your own Mardi Gras party with ease.
Colorful accessories make it easy for guests to get “the look” on and they also make great decorations.
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| Mardi Gras Glitter Top Hat |
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| Fleur des Lis Mardi Gras Beads |
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| Feather boas |
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| Sequined Masks |
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| Assortment of Mardi Gras feathered masks |
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| Mardi Gras Tinsel Garland |
Throughout the house I made “wishing trees”, a tradition we learned about when we visited Tulane University, there students make wishes and throw their beads up in the tree, if the beads “catch”, there wish will come true.
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| Assortment of Mardi Gras Beads
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These tissue paper pom~poms looked fun dangling from the trees as well.
Balloons set such a festive tone, I spilled dozens of purple, yellow and green balloons filled with air on the floor, they looked so great floating around as people danced and flitted about.
There were also dozens of balloons floating overhead with long gold ribbons hanging down.
These tissue paper balls added just the right boost of color hanging in the stairwell
and lounging on the tables.
As far as food and drinks, I went for a high/low presentation, a little touch of rustic bayou mixed in with old world New Orleans elegance, drinks were served in canning jars, and presented on antique silver trays. Parasol straws added to the festive look.
What was for dinner?
Big Easy Gumbo, was passed in these Weck canning jars, Muffaletta sandwiches wrapped in waxed paper, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, and cajun shrimp on plantain chips.
For snacks, chips, popcorn and pecans prepared with my favorite spice combination, all served in large Weck canning jars on antique silver platters.
Candies in Mardi Gras colors
Speaking of fat Tuesday… I doubled this sour cream chocolate cake recipe
{with the exception of the powdered sugar in the frosting, I just added the amount for one cake because I didn’t want it to be so sweet}
to make this King size, 4 story chocolate cake with whipped cream between the layers.
The courtyard was filled with Ball crystal canning jars filled with sand and candles {it didn’t rain until the party was over, thankfully}.
So there it is, my first foray into the big easy…
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| Mardi Gras Crown Beads |
Looks like so much fun!
No doubt there was fun had by all, and would have finished off that cake.
Love the balloons and colored balls, and all of the color was magical.
Exactly what wold expect. Perfecti
on.
Teresa
xoxo
Emily,
What a fun and colorful party!!! I've been so wrapped up in Valentine's Day that I hadn't even thought about Mardi Gras! Love that you did this for your daughter and the after photos definitely give us a clue of the fun that was had.
Love all the color, too….we are fighting the gray days here, one after the other. Celebrations of any sort keep winter from becoming a downer!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
Wow Emily what a party!!! That looks right out of a Bourbon Street itself…you really went all out. I so agree that pictures from the "morning after" can be such fun, they really do tell a story. Fun!
You are so incredibly talented at this sort of thing, the colours are just mesmerising what fun!
I still have some time left in Eden – great country!
Emily I am not sure how I missed this fun and colorful Mardi Gras post! Love all of the accoutrements that go with this event!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Wildlife Photographer David Gulden