How to Plan the World is Your Oyster Themed Wedding Reception

A wedding reception is the "ta-da" after months of wedding planning and decision making. It's a big deal, but curb your desire to recreate Buckingham Palace in order to feel like "Queen For a Day." Think elegant, not garish. What would Marlene Dietrich do? Throw a party fit for a starlet, and of course, her charming groom. Read on if you're ready.

Things You'll Need

• Silver party favors
• Music
• Coco Chanel Cocktail (don't forget candy pearls for the bottom of the glass)
• Champagne
• Black crystal stemware and dishes
• Plywood, 12-inch acrylic mirrored tiles or crisp white linens
• Clear glass, flowers, pearls
• Oyster shells for place cards
• White linen napkins
• Décor: Flokati rug, mirrored table, pearls, rhinestones, crystals
• Boutonnières, corsages, pearl-headed pins

Instructions

1. Set the mood. The look is an updated, modern, '20s deco vibe. Think starlet's apartment, complete with Flokati rugs, mirrored tables, pearls, rhinestones and crystal. The color palate is black, white, silver, and amethyst. The objective is to set a table to spark conversation and interaction.

2. Tabletop: Make by applying 12-inch acrylic mirror tiles to a plywood base, or use a classic crisp white linen cloth as your canvas for accessorizing.

3. Centerpieces: Customize a clear glass, wide-mouthed jar, footed urn, or bowl by engraving it with, "the world is your oyster" (nothing a trophy store can't handle). Fill it with water and float gardenias, peonies, carnations, and orchids in it. Invite guests to make a wish and toss a pearl into the bowl for good luck.

4. Favors at each guest's place setting: Silver compact mirrors for the women and silver champagne stoppers for the men.

5. Place cards: Oyster shells. Write each guest's name on the shell and drop a pearl inside.

6. Napkins: Classic white linen adorned with a white carnation boutonniere for the men (use pearl-headed pins for attaching to the lapels) and an orchid wrist corsage for the women.

7. Consider the accessories: Black crystal and classic mother-of-pearl are the alluring trims this season. The crystal's dark elegant style is steeped in tradition. Waterford, Baccarat and Lalique are re-launching dramatic lines made from the ultra-refined medium. Their stemware, vases and accents are perfect for our elegant palate. Mother-of-pearl is readily available and surprisingly overlooked as a material with a big impact for everything from serving pieces to flatware.

8. Music: Think Cotton Club, jazz, Louis Armstrong. You can still have a DJ, just ask for one who will spin jazz.

9. Dancing: The Charleston, shimmy, and soforth. Hire someone to show guests the moves. Contact dance schools to hire a student instead of paying full price for J-Lo.

10. Food and beverage: Mix up a specialty cocktail like the Coco Chanel for good luck. Pearls are considered a lucky charm. That's why brides wear them on their wedding day. The cocktail is garnished with pearl candy.

11. The toast: Leave a bottle of bubbly on each table so guests can help themselves. I can hear the toasts now. Toasting ideas can include "The world is my oyster, but where is the pearl?" "It's all of you, my friends" and "Here's to us and all that we are meant to be."

Tips & Warnings

• oyster wedding reception theme party