Friday, September 21, 2007

Player's Club: Tableware finds for your next Game Night and the inspiration behind my wedding theme

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Chip and I are learning so much from my parent’s, who recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. We are learning that the key to harmony and happiness in their relationship comes from the flip of a card in a game of gin rummy, the sound of dominoes slapping the table and the advancement of the checkers across the backgammon board. I love the fact that after 40 years of marriage my parents still play games together!

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(shown above: Kate Spade gin rummy coasters, set of 4, $35.00, Park Ave Gifts; Playing Card dessert plate, $35.00; Playing Card Mug, $35.00; both available at Tiffany & Co).

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(shown above: Oscar de la Renta City Collection: Domino Place Card Holder, Domino Frosted Cocktail Shaker, Domino Lacquered tray).

Growing up, “Game night” was the foundation of my family's quality time. The sharing and laughter that occurred when my family played board games or cards together has made for some lasting memories and created a family tradition. Now that I am getting married and starting a family of my own, Chip and I will continue to uphold this "Game Night" tradition because we’re learning that it can do wonders for a relationship. I am even considering having a "Game Night" theme for my wedding.

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(clockwise: Chess Bar Collection dof, $70.00, Reed and Barton; Kate Spade Gin Rummy decanter, $125.00, Four-suits-vodka, $550.00, Steuben glass; Dice bottle stopper, $75.00, Ralph Lauren Home; Spice Dice, Unica Home).

What does playing board games have to do with relationships? A lot, actually. As a new couple, it is a fun excuse to meet new neighbors, hang out with old friends or spice up a dinner party. It's also a great way to gain a little insight about those you think you know: Who knew that your soon-to-be, sweet mother-in-law was so competitive or that your future father-in law was a sore loser? (Well, Chip knows now…)

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I hope these tableware finds have inspired you to log off the computer, put down the blackberry, invite people over and have a “Game Night”!

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( Inspiratation for my wedding reception: Escort cards made out of playing cards; cocktail hour
hors d'oeuvres would consisit of slides, pigs n' a blanket, mini grilled cheese, veggie, etc.; domino and checker filled centerpieces, board games at the children's table, deck of cards for favors, etc. Do you see where I'm going with this? The best theme wedding I've ever seen is "Grade School Sweethearts", check it out at Brooklyn Bride and check out the post Vane did just for me entitled, "For Sarah: Ulimate Game Night Wedding", she's unbelievable and provided me with so much inspiration for my themed wedding! Vane, THANK YOU, these invites are fantastic)!

Board games are hot! Yes, Monopoly and Scrabble are good board games; but look at these luxurious alternatives; they are perfect for the stylish high-roller who takes their play seriously:

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(shown above: leather traveling backgammon set, 98 pounds, Links of London; Acrylic backgammon , $625.00, Vivre; Glass dominoes set, $595.00, Polo Ralph Lauren; Medieval Chess Set $2500.00, Lladro; Jonathan Adler Utopia Playing Card Box, $125.00, Barneys; Small Poker Game set, $290.00, Vivre).

49 comments:

perfect bound said...

So cute. This reminds me of the Design Star challenge where the designers created a Vegas style wedding reception. Clearly, you have more Design Star in you than they did.

Sarah Dennis said...

Thanks Natasha! I'm thinking about doing a "Game Night" wedding theme. It's such a huge part of who I am and how I grew up, My FH has come to love this tradition and as a couple we love playing cards and board games.

I love this as a theme, it's perfect for us...I think I may do it!

Vane said...

http://bklynbride.blogspot.com/2007/09/for-sarah-ultimate-game-night-wedding.html

just for you sarah! hope it helps!

Sarah Dennis said...

Vane you are unbelievable, I love it, I love it, I love it! And who better to pull inspiration from than the event planning mistro himself Mr. David Stark.

Thank you so much, I'm so excited, you have made my DAY!!!!

girl meets glamour said...

These are just so great! It makes me want to get a group of friends together for a few rounds of cards. I esp love the last image of JA's playing card box. Great post Sarah!

~Kate

Oh Happy Blog! said...

Sarah- found this and thought of you... (

http://gamesake.com/wedding

(guestbook perhaps?)

Preppy Napkin said...

You do such a great job with posting and pictures!

Brilliant Asylum said...

I love this post. Acrylic backgammon? Spice Dice? I must have them!! It has been years since I played a good game of cards and I am now inspired for game night.

Sarah Dennis said...

Kate, I love the JA cards as well. My girlfriends would flip if I shuffled a deck of these at our next gin rummy game. GO AHEAD, invite some friends over for a card game...I guarantee you'll have a blast.

Sarah Dennis said...

Danielle, THANKS for thinking of me.
This board game is PERFECT for a sign-in book!!! Oh, I'm getting so excited...I think this theme is going to be phenomenal!

If you come across any other great finds or have more suggestions I welcome them.

Sarah Dennis said...

PN, Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy the post and pics!

Sarah Dennis said...

BA, that Acrylic backgammon board IS FIERCE! Leave it to Vivre to only offer the best of the best. I swear their product offering keeps getting better!

This post was so much fun it is the inspiration behind my own wedding and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I'm a huge fan of "your blog". Keep up the great work.

katiedid said...

What a great idea! I think it is so much fun to have parties where there is something to "do" such as play a game, cook with the hosts, discuss a book. I think you are so right that you learn alot about people and it keeps the evening going! I would love to see your wedding pictures!

Oh Happy Blog! said...

Sarah

To you
From Me...

http://ohhappyblog.blogspot.com/2007/09/sarah-this-is-for-you.html

Vane said...

check the new issue of Elegant Brides...theres a whole spread of dresses with the set theme of Queen of Hearts...looks pretty promising.

here's that other thing i promised you.
http://bklynbride.blogspot.com/2007/09/for-sarah-part-deux.html

Sarah Dennis said...

Vane, yes, I saw it Friday.

I love this spread, it makes for some great inspiration for the photo shoot that Chip and I are planning for our "Save the Date" cards.

In addition, remember the story BluePrint did about photo enlargements in the Premier Issue? They blew up playing cards and framed them. I'm thinking about maybe incorporating that into our photo shoot as well.

I'm just busting with ideas...

Thanks so much for all your help!

Anonymous said...

Wow! There are a lot of fun and (to my surprise) stylish ideas piled into one post. It could make an amazing wedding party if you choose wisely.

As the colder season is coming back, it is the right time to revive the game night tradition.

Anonymous said...

i spent most of my afternoon getting acquainted with your blog. i love it! i could have swore i saw an engagement photo with the couple playing chess - but i can't find it now!

nice to meet you, Sarah!

People St.Clair said...

Ok, this theme is so fabulous!! I just designed a game night invite and love this theme. There are so many ways you can go with this theme. I may be late in providing links but a long time ago on OrangeBeautiful's blog I saw this great entry and I think its perfect for you.

http://www.orangebeautiful.com/blog/post.php?post_id=107

Plus I wrote about games too here's that link
http://allprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/2007/08/you-got-game.html

and these...

http://www.tossdesigns.com/shop-new/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=241

http://www.tossdesigns.com/shop-new/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=167

http://www.tossdesigns.com/shop-new/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=271

Oh and I saw something on house beautiful's website about domino's that were actually chocolate. Its under their "the best" category

Enjoy!

Sarah Dennis said...

Kim, yes, editing is key...the wonderful thing is that the blogging community has provided me with so many stylish ideas that all I have to do is pick and choose.

Game night is alive and well, 'tis the season!

Sarah Dennis said...

Excited Bride, thank you for taking some time out of afternoon to visit Toast and Tables as I know you're busy in law school.

You're always welcome. Stop by any time.

Happy planning. I'll be checking in on you to see how things are going.
Congratulations on the engagement!

Sarah Dennis said...

Natasha, I totally forgot about the dominoes featured in HB, the chocolates were created by Woodhouse Chocolate in CA. Thanks for reminding me!

The links were awesome! Thanks for those. I love the invites by Orange beautiful!

Thanks again, I can't wait to share with everyone how everything turns out.

Anonymous said...

Check out Melissa Jill's photography blog - awesome chess playing picture!

Sarah Dennis said...

Excited bride, thanks for introducing me to Melissa Jill, what an awesome photographer!

I love that shot! So in line with the theme and highly sophisticated, I'm hoping Chip and I can pull off a pic just like it.

Thanks again!

mrsplainjane said...

fabulous ideas!!!! LOVE the carnations with the dice. I want to have a game party now! And that invitation is just gorgeous, game night in the NY public library- what a kick that would be! When are you getting married? I think that carrying that theme through your wedding would be so fun. :) I love how you described your family's game night, I'm totally going to show that to my husband...he's not as much into games, but I grew up playing them with family and friends, and would love to pass that on too. It's such a fun Sat. night tradition....taking back old school rather than just numbly watching tv/movies.

mrsplainjane said...

p.s. last post- I sort of got on a roll here :) but I saw you mentioned Woodhouse Chocolates- they are my absolute favorite!! They're right down the street from our fav little sandwich shop we've loved since college. You CANNOT go wrong with Woodhouse!!! I love sending their chocolates as gifts...and keeping a few for ourselves ;)

Sarah Dennis said...

Ooooh, thanks for the tip. I've heard such good things about Woodhouse. I was thinking about having them make our favors. I wonder if they'll mail me samples?!?!

K said...

Such great finds! I saw an inspiration board you should see at snippet & Ink (the #9 one)http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/
for a Vegas wedding that would work well with this.

Sarah Dennis said...

Oooohhh K, that's for the tip on snippet & Ink, it's a great blog that I didn't know about. I love #9 - - - "What happens in Vegas, STAYS IN VEGAS"!!!

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