Modern & Glittery :: Holiday Appetizers

Oh my gorgeous, do we have a holiday treat for y’all today! Michelle Edgemont, floral/crafting/styling maven, stopped by to share the latest sparkly + modern shoot she put together to inspire seasonal soirées. Cobblestone Catering whipped up the beautiful array of savory bites, and photographer Trent Bailey captured it all to perfection (always.) Aren’t you dying over the glittered ombré effect that Michelle created on the wooden boxes? And those peonies…words won’t do them justice. This is the first time I’ve had the chance to collaborate with Michelle, and I’ve got to say that her enthusiastic, brimming-with-creativity personality made us instant friends, albeit virtually. Be sure to pop over to check out her recent work, and don’t miss this video that gives such an awesome glimpse into her style. Keep reading for lots more images and Michelle’s top 5 tips for creating the perfect appetizer table! 

*isn’t she adorable?!

Michelle’s Tips for Styling the Appetizer Table

1. For the food, think small. Make it easy for your guests to grab, bite, and enjoy without needing to fumble around with their drink, a napkin, silverware, and a plate. I’m still trying to figure out how to chow down on a too-big piece of shrimp while holding a conversation and looking like a lady. One bite is the perfect size for appetizers. 
2. The less crumbs and sauce the better. Save your guests from that awful moment when puff pastry flakes are stuck all over their freshly glossed lips. 
3. Cohesive platters make a strong statement. Here, I topped the rectangle platters with similar shaped black, acrylic trays. All round bowls would work perfectly too! Or, bring in platters that are all in the same color family, but different shapes. Lots of platters in shades of blue for a New Year’s party would look awesome. 
4. Stagger the heights of your platters. Appetizers at different heights makes it much more easier for your guests to grab a yummy bite. The higher platters also create drama and a ton of visual appeal from across the room. Try placing a round try over an overturned short bowl – a super easy way to create height while using what you already have!
5. Oooooh…pretty flowers. Accent your delicious appetizers with a small, loose floral arrangement. It doesn’t have to be huge, to make an impact. Here, color is the most important. Pick flowers with hues that will pop next to the platters you chose. Here, I used big, burgundy peonies as a color accent against the gold and silver platters.Gorgeous!