Today we're excited to share a colorful summertime back porch party that we hosted last weekend. For this party we teamed up with West Elm. They will also be sharing our recipes on their blog, Front&Main, in the coming weeks! Having parties on the back porch is our new favorite tradition! Here are a few photos from the night…
We served appetizers and cocktails, hung colorful flags and watched the sun set together. Sometimes I wish it could be summer all year (here in Missouri- haha!). There's just something about lighting the backyard up with twinkle lights and candles that makes entertaining so special! For this get together we made peach caprese skewers, mini fish tacos, sweet pickled strawberries and shortcake (SO good!) and two refreshing summery cocktails.
Curious about the recipes? We'll be sure to share them all with you this week! xoxo. Elsie + Emma
A backyard full of friends and food–happy, happy, happy! The colors are so festive and everyone is having such a good time. This weekend here (in Missouri) was nice and cool and I wanted to do a fire in the fire pit…but it kept raining in STL. Have a lovely day!!
Absolutely love these photos! Looks like a wonderful time! It has been all rain in Maine for a few weeks so I’m hoping it clears up so I can have a few porch parties myself!
Lovely times between friends, we can really tell how close you all are and you know how to spend good quality time together!
Thank you so much for sharing these moments with us on this blog, you always are such a source of inspiration in every way (just a little reminder that the time spent with our beloved ones is always so precious…we all need that kind of reminder every once in a while!)
Love you guys and once again…congrats for all the good things that happen in your lives, you deserve it a hundred times!
xoxo
Melodie http://sevenlivesandmore.blogspot.fr/
Summer time, fairy lights, good friends and good food – honestly how can it get much better than that! These photos are fab and it looks like you call had a great night!
This looks like an awesome time with friends. I love Emma’s dress. SO cute! Just the way you all look so harmonious in pictures, lovely! Can’t wait for the recipes!
Beautiful….my fave kind of parties, other than pool and beach! All of you looked great….love love Emma’s dress it looks so Anthropologie, although I realize from Emma’s response it isn’t.
Looks like a great porch party! When I lived in Wisconsin we had a porch and I loved it- would love to have one in my future home someday. Beautiful decorations!
I LOVE that first candid shot! So beautiful!
Hanging lights in a backyard for a party is the absolute perfect decoration. It never fails to make pictures look great!
Ka- I got my hair dyed back to my usual ombre right when I got home from my honeymoon. We are in the middle of photographing a book so I couldn’t keep the blonde for long, sadly.
Oh someday we’ll have a lovely yard to host parties like this. It’s coming along. I mean, it started as a gravel lot so you can only go up from there, no? This is good inspiration.
I would love to see a full length shot of this green Mexican dress in action. I got one myself recently and would love more ideas on how to wear it. Gracias!
oh my gosh, i wish i got an invite, this party looks fab!! i get so inspired by home decor & party ideas like this, i want to throw my own bash soon 🙂 xoxo
gorgeous party! so much fun. the appetizers all look scrumptious. thanks for sharing the amazing pictures! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com
Look like an amazing night! I can’t wait until I move back home in a few weeks and get settled into my new place so I can host a back-yard party of my own 🙂 http://long-road-to-somewhere.blogspot.com/
Emma, you give such sweet looks at people which the photographer captured so perfectly! You can tell you really love those around you! Such refreshing photos to see, non posed and just perfectly you guys! <3
i have to agree, i sometimes wish it could be summer all year long here in missouri too! if it would snow thanksgiving through new years and then go back to 80’s…perfection.
This looks like the most dreamy area… I don’t blame you for loving parties out there! Those lights are amazing, especially when you’ve had these banner things and the flowers at Emma’s bachelorette party! And it sounds like you had amazing food there as well!
That looks so delightful!! I’m thinking I might organise a little chocolate-tasting get together for my friends as it’s winter over here in Aus! Need some chocolate to get us through ^_~
So jealous of you. Here in the southern hemisphere it is mid winter….cold and wet…..no porch parties here! Looks like you had a good time, thanks for sharing.
lisa newton- Yes, I dyed my hair back once I got home from my honeymoon. We are in the middle of shooting our second book. And I didn’t want to have ombre hair for part of the book and blonde for the other half, so I had to dye it back. I may go blonde again some day, but for now it’s just my happy wedding day hair. 🙂
I love get-togethers like this, having friends over and having a good time, how can it get any better? Love your photos, the food looked yummy, and beautiful scenery 🙂
Yasmine xx http://www.yasminebrooke.blogspot.com
Looks like such fun! Hope the weather in Cornwall improves soon and we actually have a summer : (
Are you going to share wedding DIYs soon? Can’t wait to see your amazing creations! My little sister had her wedding on Saturday, beautiful! Have started to share a few of our DIYs such a fun time to get crafty and make the most amazing memories xxx
I don’t have a back porch but the sunny living room worked just as well, i had a “Let’s try this new coctail that i saw online and looked really yummy” party last Saturday. It was very much fun! Pics on my blog: http://letterstonoone.typepad.com/blog/2013/06/summertime.html I also did caprese skewers hehe. Next time I’ll try Elsie’s paper flowers along with the baloons 🙂
My dear friend Heather and I follow your blog like everyday. She has just purchased a house that has a similar patio like this. Pretty sure we’ll be having amazing parties like this in the near future. @Kat; we’re in Wisconsin too, I agree totally.
You serve tacos, drink Jarritos and margaritas, and yet all the guests are white white white white white. I get frustrated seeing these blogs filled with all of these beautiful things and they’re represented in this narrow way, with only white faces… Así es la vida.
Thank you for the constant inspiration. I really want to be you ladies when I grow up. Also-how do you add that hue to your photos? Is it a filter? Thank you!
@marilyndays
119 Comments
A backyard full of friends and food–happy, happy, happy! The colors are so festive and everyone is having such a good time. This weekend here (in Missouri) was nice and cool and I wanted to do a fire in the fire pit…but it kept raining in STL. Have a lovely day!!
This makes me feel absolutely gutted that I don’t have a backyard! So much fun, I love it. And what a nice little deck.
Absolutely love these photos! Looks like a wonderful time! It has been all rain in Maine for a few weeks so I’m hoping it clears up so I can have a few porch parties myself!
xoxo
Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop
Oh such lovely photos! Looks like a wonderful party!
http://erstwhilefelicity.blogspot.co.uk/
Emma, that is the most gorgeous dress! Where did you get it?
Lovely times between friends, we can really tell how close you all are and you know how to spend good quality time together!
Thank you so much for sharing these moments with us on this blog, you always are such a source of inspiration in every way (just a little reminder that the time spent with our beloved ones is always so precious…we all need that kind of reminder every once in a while!)
Love you guys and once again…congrats for all the good things that happen in your lives, you deserve it a hundred times!
xoxo
Melodie
http://sevenlivesandmore.blogspot.fr/
Lily – It’s vintage. Rachel gave it to me. It’s one of my favorite summer dresses. 🙂
Looks so cozy and fun! 🙂
Emma you look so happy since your marriage!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/xen-tan-dark-lotion.html
Looks like awesome times! Jarritos are delicious!
Gen | raspberry-notes.blogspot.com
Summer time, fairy lights, good friends and good food – honestly how can it get much better than that! These photos are fab and it looks like you call had a great night!
Martina
http://snapshotsandwhatnots.typepad.com
This looks like an awesome time with friends. I love Emma’s dress. SO cute! Just the way you all look so harmonious in pictures, lovely! Can’t wait for the recipes!
What a beautiful party (and backyard)! Can’t wait for the recipes 🙂
Alex from http://www.polkadottedpixels.com
this is so beautiful! makes me want to host a dinner party. love the colors.
xxoo,
dreaminneon.blogspot.com
Do you have problems with mosquitoes on your porch? Do you have any tricks to fend them off?
mariathemagpie.blogspot.com
Beautiful….my fave kind of parties, other than pool and beach! All of you looked great….love love Emma’s dress it looks so Anthropologie, although I realize from Emma’s response it isn’t.
Well, I don’t think that’s from last weekend 😀
But still, I love the pictures. So beautiful!
Looks like a great porch party! When I lived in Wisconsin we had a porch and I loved it- would love to have one in my future home someday. Beautiful decorations!
That looks like a blast!
Gorgeous porch lighting 🙂
Nicole
http://www.eleganceandclutter.blogspot.com
I love the pictures! Beautiful colors:)
lovely photos, make me want to have a party like that 🙂
familiarlight.blogspot.com
Colorful indeed! Super cute girls!
Deana, from Birds&Oxfords
Beautiful backyard! Love how colorful it is without being overkill.
Best,
http://www.maggiefinejewelry.com
You guys look like you always have so much fun. Beautiful soiree.
This is so cute!
Miafelcetextiles.blogspot.com
X
Who has time to throw a cute party like this!? LOVE it 🙂 Did it take very long to setup? FYI – Those hanging lights are amazing
http://hellonewlywedlife.blogspot.com/
Sounds like the perfect summer evening!
I LOVE that first candid shot! So beautiful!
Hanging lights in a backyard for a party is the absolute perfect decoration. It never fails to make pictures look great!
The Patch Diaries
Aw this looks absolutely incredible. I really wish I could do something like this with my friends. Looks like so much fun!
Your back garden looks great!
Such pretty photos!! This inspires me to throw some back porch parties 🙂 Also, I LOVE Emma’s dress!
xoxo
Erica
sweet-endeavors.blogspot.com
Last Weekend??
How come Emma’s hair looks exactly like it was BEFORE she got married?
Really beautiful pictures! 🙂
Love it! Makes me want to have a Backyard shindig ASAP 😉
The last photo is so beautiful, I want a porch like that one!
Mhmm, those tomato-peach-mozarella appetizers looks so good! I’ll have to make them soon 🙂
Ka- I got my hair dyed back to my usual ombre right when I got home from my honeymoon. We are in the middle of photographing a book so I couldn’t keep the blonde for long, sadly.
Your back porch is amazing! I wish I had something like it. You guys must have had so much fun.
Oh someday we’ll have a lovely yard to host parties like this. It’s coming along. I mean, it started as a gravel lot so you can only go up from there, no? This is good inspiration.
I would love to see a full length shot of this green Mexican dress in action. I got one myself recently and would love more ideas on how to wear it. Gracias!
I love your dress!
Seaside Beauty
xxx
So summery and beautiful!
So in love with Emma’s dress.
It’s fantastic!
These parties look so fun! I need a backyard badly.
oh my gosh, i wish i got an invite, this party looks fab!! i get so inspired by home decor & party ideas like this, i want to throw my own bash soon 🙂 xoxo
hannah
http://www.bemorethrifty.blogspot.com
beautiful and colorful photos!
http://underthestarsandsun.blogspot.com/
I love the cafe lights mixed with the fun flags hanging above!! Perfect summer night.
Such a pretty party!
Can you let us know where Emma’s gorgeous dress is from!?
Great pictures! Love this post so much xx
fashionvitae.blogspot.com
These photos are so warm and inviting!
Looks like the best kinda party! I had fish tacos for the first time yesterday – I’m a fan! We could do with some warm summer evenings here in the UK.
such wonderful pictures! You guys look so happy 🙂
So stealing all of these ides for the 4th of July weekend!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your decorations and the creativeness behind your party!
gorgeous party! so much fun. the appetizers all look scrumptious. thanks for sharing the amazing pictures! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com
What a cute party!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Look like an amazing night! I can’t wait until I move back home in a few weeks and get settled into my new place so I can host a back-yard party of my own 🙂
http://long-road-to-somewhere.blogspot.com/
oh, so lovely! looks like so much fun.
http://kendra-genevieve-rose.blogspot.ca/
This looks so awesome! What a wonderful job.
Christen
http://christenlouise.blogspot.com
Beautiful party!! Looks like fun–and the weather was nice–not so much here in Louisiana. Hot, hot, hot!!
I want to be invited to one of your parties! Looks amazing! Not to mention, I love West Elm… feel like my whole apartment is furnished from there 🙂
Xo
Dana Ivy
http://www.iadorewhatilove.com – Check out my blog!
Wow, looks like a great time – the food sounds yummy and perfect for a hot summer night!
Emma, you give such sweet looks at people which the photographer captured so perfectly! You can tell you really love those around you! Such refreshing photos to see, non posed and just perfectly you guys! <3
Also, love love love! the green dress Emma!
Ngaio xx
So beautiful!
xo Lisa
http://www.makinglifeslemons.com
i have to agree, i sometimes wish it could be summer all year long here in missouri too! if it would snow thanksgiving through new years and then go back to 80’s…perfection.
ryan is super talented, beautiful shots!
Oh how fun!
x. Pixelhazard | Bright Green Laces |
This looks like the most dreamy area… I don’t blame you for loving parties out there! Those lights are amazing, especially when you’ve had these banner things and the flowers at Emma’s bachelorette party! And it sounds like you had amazing food there as well!
Ah, what a great idea. Nothing like a good party with beautiful decorations!
I love Emma’s hair either way. (You and Elsie and all your friends have the BEST HAIR), but I wonder why you couldn’t keep it blonde for the book.
It looks like you all had so much fun!
Almost makes me wish it was summer again here.. Almost.
Looks like a great time! Beautiful everything 🙂
simplyonelove.com
Love all the decorations! One day I would like to have a porch party like that 🙂
happilymel.blogspot.com
That looks so delightful!! I’m thinking I might organise a little chocolate-tasting get together for my friends as it’s winter over here in Aus! Need some chocolate to get us through ^_~
The party looks so amazing, I love all of the bright colors!
http://www.teapotsandbelles.blogspot.com
So jealous of you. Here in the southern hemisphere it is mid winter….cold and wet…..no porch parties here! Looks like you had a good time, thanks for sharing.
Looks like a lovely time 🙂
Carina xx
http://www.carstina.com/
Great photos! I love the vibe!
Nice pics, seems to be so fun!
http://doitnaturalnow.com/
random question but emma did you dye your hair straight back after wedding? ps looks great both colours
miriam
This looks like my kinda party, beautiful photos 🙂
http://jessielovesjake.blogspot.co.nz/
Emma, the embroidery on your dress is so Hungarian-ish 🙂 Lovely pictures!
Kinga
http://classycat.fanfusion.org/
This looks like a lot of fun! xx
http://kaisaphoto.com/
Your photos are always amazing! The colors were all so bright and cheerful. Loved it!
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
Lovely photos, looks like a very nice party. I wish it would be summer all over the year here in ITALY too. xoxox
http://www.blogsoulfashion.com
Totally want to have one here now, thanks ;-p
Emma’s dress is BEAUTIFUL. Lovely pictures!
Looks like a lot of fun! Love your dress, Emma 🙂
http://atadbitcreative.com/
looks like a good party! has emme dyed her hair back to the ombre, or was this party pre-wedding? if she has dyed it back, can I ask why?
Thanks! love the blog!
So pretty and colorful! The recipes sound amazing, can’t wait to get them!
Looks beautiful, and fun! The picture of Emma looking at Trey about made my heart explode. They are adorable.
lisa newton- Yes, I dyed my hair back once I got home from my honeymoon. We are in the middle of shooting our second book. And I didn’t want to have ombre hair for part of the book and blonde for the other half, so I had to dye it back. I may go blonde again some day, but for now it’s just my happy wedding day hair. 🙂
Hey guys, which camera /lense where you using for those photos :)?
Regards from Germany
Lapina
the party seemed like a blast! I feel like bright colours uplift the mood of the guests too.
– Janine
http://theeoptimist.blogspot.com
I love get-togethers like this, having friends over and having a good time, how can it get any better? Love your photos, the food looked yummy, and beautiful scenery 🙂
Yasmine xx
http://www.yasminebrooke.blogspot.com
The porch is just so beautiful every time you show it. I like the idea of those peach caprese skewers!
Great party!
Emma’s dress looks so fresh, i love the pics, but specially the ones were you two are together, you have the best facial expressions Elsie!
ooo, these colors are to die!
have you guys discovered the adobe kuler app for playing around with color palettes yet? it’s so fun! i just posted about it…
http://westsidebestside.com/home/2013/7/2/styling-inspiration-with-adobe-kuler
L
Looks like such fun! Hope the weather in Cornwall improves soon and we actually have a summer : (
Are you going to share wedding DIYs soon? Can’t wait to see your amazing creations! My little sister had her wedding on Saturday, beautiful! Have started to share a few of our DIYs such a fun time to get crafty and make the most amazing memories xxx
http://www.lovelybettycornwall.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wedding-name-places.html
I wanna party on your porch! Loving Emma’s white nails 🙂
Rosie x | Every Word Handwritten
Love the photos and I just absolutely love your blog! Keep posting! 🙂
Looks so relaxing and fun 🙂 Makes me wish I didn’t live across the country from all of my best friends!!!
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
It looks like you guys had so much fun. I wish my parties turned out like that.
Mana
http://www.fashionandhappythings.com
Great party!!!
inatrendytown.blogspot.com
Emma your hair looks so good, did you dye is straight away afer the wedding? ps looks great both ways
What a lovely party! You all look stunning. 🙂
Beautiful backyard party! Can’t wait for the recipes.
Besutiful! I love the lights and the strings of paper. My backyard is under construction right now, so can’t wait to throw a party!
Elsie’s dress is so cute! Looks like a fun time!
Love the party idea…the decorations and food looks great 🙂
I don’t have a back porch but the sunny living room worked just as well, i had a “Let’s try this new coctail that i saw online and looked really yummy” party last Saturday. It was very much fun! Pics on my blog: http://letterstonoone.typepad.com/blog/2013/06/summertime.html I also did caprese skewers hehe. Next time I’ll try Elsie’s paper flowers along with the baloons 🙂
My dear friend Heather and I follow your blog like everyday. She has just purchased a house that has a similar patio like this. Pretty sure we’ll be having amazing parties like this in the near future. @Kat; we’re in Wisconsin too, I agree totally.
Just beautiful! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
I wish I had a backyard porch! Looks beautiful with all the colourful decorations and yummy food!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
You serve tacos, drink Jarritos and margaritas, and yet all the guests are white white white white white. I get frustrated seeing these blogs filled with all of these beautiful things and they’re represented in this narrow way, with only white faces… Así es la vida.
These pics are lovely! Which lense were these taken? Xoxo
This photos are just amazing! And the green dress: 0_0 waouh!!!
Tilapia or St. Peter fish is one of the best next to Milk fish. Thanks for the recipe, Emma! 🙂
Thank you for the constant inspiration. I really want to be you ladies when I grow up. Also-how do you add that hue to your photos? Is it a filter? Thank you!
@marilyndays
those drinks loo lush! Gorgeous night 🙂