Can someone explain this entertaining trend to me?

TarHeels&Rebels

I have never seen this in IRL, only in the blogosphere. It seems so plastic, formulaic...Stepford personified. 

I also find it super weird that this many people go to such lengths to coordinate a backdrop, hang things from the ceiling, make printed nametags, and line things up in perfect rows like they forgot to take their OCD meds...  Good heavens - all you need is good food, good drinks, and fun people.  I thought at first that maybe these were just supposed to be inspiration boards of sorts, but nope, these are from real parties.

So what do you think?  Have you seen this IRL?  

From an assortment of bloggers:

 

 

 

 

shesthetoast

I have never been to a regular party with anything like that. 

Something more low-key at a shower or wedding candy buffet, maybe, but not when we head over to the Smiths' house for dinner on Saturday night.  

pugznploons

I kind of get it for a kids party or bridal/baby shower when you really want to emphasize a "theme".  I do not push my table up against the wall as I keep it centered under our light fixture.  People would bonk their heads on it if we moved our table!  

wejustwant2:)

No... 

When I worked in catering professionally we worked on some stunning buffets - some clients even hired designers for their events.  But nothing IRL ever looks (or stays) like this for very long.

grahamsm3

It would have to be a really important party for me to care that much. Then, even if I did care that much, it would still look like crap, because I suck at making things look like a magazine.

 

Catlawdy_____

My friends are mostly arugula eating foodie DINKs and the only time we'd do anything remotely close to this is for a shower or big party.

mireille86

I made a candy buffet like that for my sister's wedding, but it got eaten so quickly that by the time I turned around to get a camera after setting it up (literally ten seconds) my cousins had eaten at least half of it!   

 Some of them are nice, but mostly the ones I like the best are the ones that look like they were made to be eaten.   

6fsn

I've never seen it IRL.  I've never considered doing it IRL.  I have no inspiration when it comes to stuff like that though.

I'd venture if you were ever invited to Laurentian's house you'd see it though.

Wingit

I've never seen soemthing to that extent IRL.  I love to see these for inspiration though and like to make my food table a little special but never to the point of a backdrop.  I have hung things from the ceiling and that turns out very pretty!
As for lining everything in a row, i think it's cute for somethings like wine glasses but to do the whole table like that is just a bit overboard.
While I love tags I don't think they are needed for every single thing. 

If I went to a party that was like that I'd totally appreciate every detail though.  I'd think it's too much for a kids party but a very nice touch for a shower.

SA7206

I kind of see what you're saying, but if I went to a party and saw that, I would be impressed. I like those extra touches.

While I haven't set up an appetizer/dessert table like that, I do go all out when it comes to place settings and other little extras.

I like to host a lot.  Sometimes the parties are casual and there's no decorating at all, sometimes I just have table cloth, napkins and a centerpiece, but many times I like going all out.

I will frequently create a table with a more unique centerpiece, custom placemats, custom napkin rings, special favors tied with ribbon and nametags, etc.  (I'm using the word custom--but what I mean is that I've made it myself, so not bought off the racks).

For one party, I even made a backdrop so that people could take pictures against it.

It's something I really like to do, and you're right people have fun regardless of all the little extras, but I think the extras make it a bit more special and people really do notice and appreciate it.

 

lsgarver

I did something similar for a recent baby shower--hung blue paper as a backdrop, strung a pennant banner, set up the food buffet.  BUT--the blue paper cost $4 and the whole thing took me about 2 hours to do, from a roll of paper and a stack of a cardstock to full set up.  When they have crystal strands and 10 candelabras and such, I don't get it--who would have that and/or be able to buy that for one party.

This has long been my pet peeve about entertaining blogs--they all feature eye-cancy parties that are put on by rich people and planned by people who do it for a living.  They can literally spend all day party-planning and have a massive budget.  Then the whole things get photographed by pros or semi-pros.  I'll take my roll of paper and cardstock banner and call it a day.

Temp38995750004016

Showers and birthday parties, yes. And it looks great in person.

I've never seen it at dinner parties and casual get togethers.

megandscott07

I try to do stuff like this, but it never looks as good as your photos. I like entertaining and especially for special events I think these added touches make the event feel more special. But like I said, this sort of stuff makes me happy!

julie5220

All of my friends work 40+hours a week, some of them with kids.  If I ever saw anything like these setups I'd assume they were on crystal meth.  Who's got time for this?

bergerkathryn

Haha, Julie.  Exactly!!!  I sure don't have time for that!