Summertime is the perfect time of year for many families to gather from around the country or across the globe! This nautical party theme is perfect for sunny, lakeside gatherings.
As guests walked toward the pavilion, they were guided by this reunion yard sign positioned along the pathway from the parking area. Upon arriving at the reserved pavilion, an oversized “Welcome Aboard” life preserver standee and anchor mylar balloon greeted guests.
Seated tables were draped in white paper tablecloths; 2 overlapping per table for a floor length linen. A blue table cover was folded lengthwise to use as a runner and a pop of color on the tables. For centerpieces, we loved these illuminated felt sailboats and rustic rope nautical containers filled with gorgeous red and white hydrangeas.
Our snack and dessert table was draped in floor length burlap and then layered for visual interest with the same blue table cover unfolded and draped white fishnet. We displayed family reunion cards on the tables with these adorable sailboat place card holders.
The table’s centerpiece was this fun plastic life preserver that we used to highlight our DIY Rice Krispy treat sailboats topped with “Ahoy” paper toppers. The preserver was a great, affordable way to dress up a simple while milk glass pedestal.
Simple buttercream cupcakes were dressed up in “Welch Family Reunion” cupcake wrappers and displayed on this 3-tier galvanized server. Since I can’t resist beautiful cookies (and they’re a super popular party treat), we added this display of nautical theme sugar cookies sitting on a bed of sand (aka brown sugar). For bulk snacks, we served popcorn in fun red and white striped paper boxes atop a white crate. And finally, for fun, we displayed these personalized white swirl lollipops in glass containers filled with sand.
Snacks were served on these fun red Trellis dessert plates along with personalized water bottles and fun nautical inspired red striped paper straws and blue chevron paper straws. For a bit of table personalization, we added family photos in these custom printed 4×6 frames. And finally, for height, we added poles in sand to our centerpiece lanterns and used them to hang a fun red, white & blue pennant banner across the tabletop.
One of my favorite components to this party was the oversized 3D lighthouse standee sitting behind our main table. It was definitely a conversation piece amongst party guests.
