Decorating Ideas for a Southern Plantation Theme Party

Southern plantation parties can take place in homes other than antebellum mansions.

By picking the right decorations, including a mixture of regional flowers and food, you can throw a successful and authentic Southern plantation party anywhere in the world. Although such a party requires elegant decorations, plan a budget-friendly version by borrowing tableware from friends, preparing the food at home and making your own centerpieces.

Centerpieces

Create centerpieces for your party using a combination of Southern flowers and plants, like magnolias and Spanish moss as the base. Give the centerpieces a rustic look by placing them in tin canisters. If the party is held outdoors, hang the same floral pieces from a covered patio. For a hanging piece, add dangling ivy to the display.

Food and Drink Display

Greet guests with a table full of beverages, including mint juleps and sweet iced tea. Add fresh sprigs of mint and lemon slices to the drinks, respectively. On a separate table, use tiered platters to serve a variety of Southern-themed desserts, like peach cobbler, red velvet cake and pecan pie. On the same type of platters serve savory selections, such as Southern-fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and deviled eggs. For an added bit of color, scatter bright pink camellias, another Southern flower, across the tables and platters.

Tableware

For an elegant Southern plantation appearance, serve beverages from crystal pitchers into glasses with etched designs. Break out the fine china or plates decorated with light floral patterns, preferably in pastel colors like green, yellow, pink or peach. Use white linen napkins tied with satin ribbon matching the colors in the dinnerware. Stick with polished sterling silver flatware, serving knives and serving spoons. Use light and airy materials for the tablecloths. Choose simple pastel cotton tablecloths, topped with white lace or sheer gauzy fabric.

Favors

Leave a decorative hand fan at each woman’s seat as a party favor. On particularly warm days, place lace or floral-patterned parasols near the entryway for women to grab. At parties with games planned, such as a wedding or bridal shower, give away gift baskets as prizes. Fill the baskets with an assortment of Southern-based products like a bag of gourmet peanuts, peach jam and lilac-scented candles.