Backyard BBQ Inspiration {Part 2} - Build-Your-Own Shortcakes + FREE Printables

Are you ready for part 2 of my backyard bbq inspiration shoot?  Don't miss part 1 featuring the seated table & food buffet.  

This post includes the dessert table and welcome table - a great beginning and ending to your party!

I thought it would be fun to do a build-your-own-shortcake station and include fresh summer berries and those little sponge cakes that make them so easy to put together.  Raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries are all delicious and your guests can pick whichever they like.  I love finding unique items and re-purposing them for food service.  Just remember to line them with a napkin, parchment paper, or fabric to insure food safety.  This 3-tiered storage container was found at Hobby Lobby and I love that the chalk board labels are built right in.  

A can of whipped cream is wrapped in the same paper that I used for the snack cones (below), which also coordinates with the fabric patterns I used.  In order to tie in all the different areas, I used the same fabric over and over in different ways: a rag swag used on the buffet table (2-tiered server), napkin pockets on the tabletop, a fabric flower attached to the box on the dessert table, and another rag swag at the welcome table.    

I bought the retro-style cracker jack boxes from Cracker Barrel!  I knew I wanted to use them but couldn't find them anywhere!  Luckily I discovered an article by someone (thanks Google) who found them at Cracker Barrel.  Funny thing is they make only a minor appearance here, but I was Obsessed with finding them!  They make great takeaway favors for your guests.

I believe in having a "welcome" table at a party, especially when you're outside and have wide open space.  Bring an indoor table outside and set up a sign and snack cones filled with chips.  Pre-made cones make it much easier to have a snack than looking around for a centrally located bowl.  I used an old soda crate to display the cones and tied a mini fabric swag across the front.

Use some outdoor game paraphernalia as part of the decor.  Here I just placed a couple of crocket balls in a wire basket. 

Speaking of games, our favorite thing to do is play bocce ball or corn hole.  You don't need a lot of space for these, nor will you exert yourself too much while playing.

Well, that's my summertime bbq inspiration!  I hope you'll get some ideas to try at your next cookout, and don't forget to download your FREE printables here, courtesy of Paper & Pigtails.  They will get you started on a stylish bash!

As part of Backyard BBQ week, visit these other experts for more summer entertaining ideas.

Housewife Bliss

Second City Soiree

Reluctant Entertainer

Intoxicologist

The Daily Basics

Party Blueprints

Backyard BBQ Inspiration {Part 1} - Tabletop & Buffet + FREE Printables

I'm so happy to share my backyard bbq bash as part of a BBQ Week Blog Hop, including a team of top entertaining experts.  You can see all the participants at the end, PLUS I'm sharing the printables used here by Paper & Pigtails, for FREE!

  

There's so much to share that I'm breaking this design into 2 posts.  The dessert table and welcome table is here, but first up is the tabletop and buffet display.  I wanted to create a party that would inspire you all summer long, including 4th of July, so naturally I went with red, white, & blue.  I love vintage details and this was the perfect occasion to pull out some of the many props I've collected, turning this into classic picnic meets vintage Americana.

The seated table is set rather simply, but the layering makes it more interesting to look at.  Three wooden planter boxes turned upside down act as a great base for recycled cans-turned-vases.  A quick tie of coordinating fabric and you instantly dress up the cans for any occasion.  Napkin pockets were made by folding a piece of fabric in half and hot gluing the 2 sides together.  I always use hot glue for fabric projects because it's just so much easier & quicker than setting up my sewing machine. 

I found a couple of fun accessories at Cracker Barrel Restaurant and knew I had to find a way to incorporate them.  The wooden triangle & peg puzzle definitely takes me back to my own childhood, and the 'faucet' dish is just so unique, I fell in love.  It's actually a soap dish but I put retro-style bubble gum in it and it looks great! 

Some ideas I incorporated into the food buffet are easy to do but add that extra pizazz!  I wanted to serve a classic menu but instead of doing full size burgers I like the idea of grilling up small sliders.  I don't know about you, but I usually fill up my plate with side dishes and a full size burger is just too much!  Plus you could have different burger recipes available for those who want more than 1 slider, or use my favorite "juicy burger" recipe. 

Baked beans are divided among small canning jars I found at Walmart.  They are a perfect serving size, holding a little more than 1/4 cup each, and guests can just grab and go - no messy drips from bowl to plate.

I also transferred condiments into pretty containers.  I love doing this and if there's one thing you can do to elevate the design of a party, it's serving your condiments in a lovely container.

Last, but not least, using canning jars for drinks is a classic and inexpensive idea.  Tie a tag on each jar so your guests can write their name on it and keep up with their own.

Now for a special treat for you all.  Kori of Paper & Pigtails has generously provided this printable set for FREE download here, so you can create your own backyard bash!!  This is exclusive to Celebrations At Home and includes:

• Circle "Thank You" tags (not shown)
• Circles with bbq-themed sayings (on top of bean jars)
• Editable tent cards (food labels)
• Write-in diamond tags (name tags on jars)
• Welcome sign (welcome table in part 2)

Now, please head over and visit these other incredible women as they share more ideas & tips to make your BBQ party the best one yet!

Coryanne at Housewife Bliss - How to Love Your BBQ

Jen at Second City Soiree - How To Grill a Pizza

Dawn at Party Blueprints- How to Host the Best BBQ on the Block

Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer - 12 Tips to Plan a Summer BBQ Dinner Party

Cynthia at The Daily Basics - Hello, Summer!

Cheri at The Intoxicologist - Ten 2-ingredient Cocktails

 

A "Peace"-ful 2nd Birthday

You may remember Anne of A. Party Style from this Cookies and Milk 1st Birthday party.  Well, her daughter is now 2 which means she has designed another incredible party based on the Peace sign/# 2 sign.  Held on Labor Day weekend, there is a definite Americana style with lots of red, white, and blue.  You must see all the details.  The "photo booth" alone will knock your socks off! 

The food and drinks matched the color scheme with blue chips and red salsa, and blue and red punch.

The "photo bus" was genius, and totally created by Anne's architect husband.  Aren't those the cutest pictures?!

Another fun idea is the mini sweets/favor wagon.  It's the perfect height for the little ones to fill their own bag, and a new use for a classic kids wagon!  More favors were placed in small bags and consisted of props for the photo bus: glasses, bandanas, nacklaces, and tatoos.

Anne certainly thought of everything for this Peace-loving birthday party.  To see even more visit her post.

Vintage-Americana Themed Party

I'm completely enamored with this latest collaboration between Sweets Indeed and Found Vintage Rentals.  This event was a 4th of July party, but I think you'll agree, it could easily translate into a fun "Americana" themed birthday party.  Besides that, all the incredible details could be recreated in any color scheme for even more celebrations.   

Sweets Indeed created a superb dessert display incorporating cute food picks, dipped treats with words written in icing, and embelished macarons.  Other desserts include fresh berry parfaits served in lided jars, and mini pies.  

The banner overhead is one of my absolute favorites utilizing printed burlap layered over fabric swatches. 

The party was hosted by Found Vintage Rentals who, of course, provided all the amazing antique/vintage items used for the styling.  Some notable display ideas: using an old dart board as a back drop in the drink station; displaying twizzlers in an old wooden box; and serving cake pops on a vintage kitchen scale.  

   

A wonderful favor station was set up with customized paper bags filled with popcorn, an assortment of cookies, and Sweets Indeed signature candy kabobs. 

Every inch of this event provides something interesting to look at!  For even more photos, visit Sweets Indeed's new blog.