Kentucky Derby Entertaining

Assistance provided by Spring 2018 Interns Taylor Trimble & Jackie Furia

Let's face it ... deciding to entertain on a whim is a real thing and it can sometimes cause unnecessary stress. Why? When you decide nearly last-minute to host a group of people you're cutting short the amount of time you'd usually have to prepare. I'm a firm believer in details. If you pay attention to small details, nobody would have any clue that you didn't spend weeks throwing your party together.

That being said, if you're thinking about having friends and family over tomorrow for the Derby there are a few fun, and most importantly easy, ideas that we wanted to be sure to share.

Spruce Up Florals

Y'all, we literally took grocery store flowers, put them in a vase and added an equestrian ribbon. How easy is that, and how cute did it turn out? Make it even easier by cutting some fresh spring blooms from the yard and save yourself a trip! 

You should be able to order similar ribbons online (can we get an amen for Amazon Prime?) or ask around in your social circles to see who might have some legitimate ribbons of their own that you can borrow.

Polish the Silver

You know the silver pieces you only pull out for very special occasions and meals? Allow them to make an appearance tomorrow too! Silver will add a classic touch to the theme and can be used in plenty of unique ways. Whether it's holding food or flowers, it's going to make a statement. 

Use a Color Palette

We went with red, greens and blues for our arrangements and ribbon selections. Cohesive color palettes mimicked throughout the decor will bring it all together.

A Signature Drink

Mint Juleps are the classic Derby beverage of choice, but serve what your crowd enjoys! A Moscow Mule in a copper mug can add just as much of a festive touch. Have a beer crowd? Set them out on a mirrored surface or silver tray and it'll give your go-to drink a more elegant vibe.