Backyard Italian Party And What We Wore For Louisa’s Christening
Our granddaughter, Louisa was baptised last weekend in Santa Monica, California. Both sides of the family united to create a lovely blue and pink backyard Italian party for the small gathering after the baptism.
The blue table was inspired by the blue and white Italian hand-painted dishes from the Amalfi Coast that our son-in-law Luca inherited from his grandparents.
Blue and Pink Table Cloths With Italian Pottery Dishes
With a photo of the plates that Alexandra gave me, I ordered these two Indian block tablecloths from Amazon. We added a folding table at the end to extend the table.
Alexandra and Luca live in West L.A. where rents are a premium but they have this expansive private patio that they have decorated with umbrellas, potted plants, and furniture.
Embellished Place Tags
I was inspired by the potted rosemary plant to add little fragrant sprigs to the place cards that Alexandra had on hand from the Paper Source.
Peonies Are In Season
I bought five bouquets of Trader Joe’s peonies two days in advance, but the morning of the party, they were not filled out enough. So, we grabbed four more bouquets to get this lush look.
The Baptism
here she had just woken up
I gave Louisa the little pearl bracelet from the Catholic Company online.
What We Wore
I wore this Cotton Silk Flowered Dress and Louisa wore the vintage crocheted dress, for her “after party”, that I wore for my baptism. Notice the intricate work. I hope Alexandra saves this for her granddaughter.
My mom and dad had six kids so there were a few beautiful baptismal gowns in their cedar chest that we whitened with Oxyclean here.
Louisa is a fast mover/crawler. I have a new appreciation for baby photographers.
Blue And Pink Backyard Italian Party Menu
There was a charcuterie table to start (sorry no photos). And then the best focaccia I’ve ever had that Francesca made (the other grandma–again no photos), followed by grilled veggies and sausages that Howard made and Francesca’s Zucchini Pasta.
We are going to Italy with Francesca in the Fall and I may be able to coax some recipes out of her!
You may also like to read about Luca and Alexandra’s wedding in Madrid…where this little family started.
Shop The Backyard Italian Party
I was also married at St. Monica’s, in 1990. Living half the world away, it’s lovely to see it again.
We were married there in 1985! Small world.
I wasn’t married there but I was IN a wedding there and it was beautiful! 1991 maybe?
Love the post, the table is gorgeous, I’m a tablescape fanatic. Thanks for all of your good ideas and hard work!
Hi Mary Ann,
So much to take in that you shared.
EVERYTHING was so beautifully done and presented. I could go on and on.
The dishes are beautiful and to think Luca was so fortunate to inherit these from his grandparents made the christening extra special. The tablecloth was perfect and the gorgeous Peonies. The good made with so much love, wow.
Louisa’s Christening and after party vintage crocheted are beautiful. Mary Ann your dress that you wore I loved, so feminine. It’s also amazing you also got married in the same church that the Christening took place.
Thank you for sharing your joy.
Thanks so much Katherine for your sweet comments.
Beautiful, just beautiful…all of it! Thanks for sharing.
Louisa looks so precious in her baptismal gown (I love the photo in her mom’s arms) and in your heirloom crocheted dress. What a sweet day.
Thanks , Pat. It WAS special.
What a beautiful Baptism and celebration!
Your granddaughter is so precious.
Thanks, Meg. We are crazy about her.
What a beautiful Christening event. Louisa is adorable and the vintage christening gowns she wore were gorgeous. How wonderful your mother kept them and isn’t Oxyclean the miracle product? I can’t believe you found that tablecloth that was perfect with Lucas family vintage plates. It was certainly a special time that will be a sweet memory always. Thank you for sharing, you always do the best parties.
Thanks, Gail…one of these trips we HAVE to meet up, even for a coffee!
Just beautiful! Our family handed down a baptismal gown from generations also. Such a great tradition. Your granddaughter is beautiful. I love the table setting. Were your shoes comfortable? I love them.
That’s great, Pat. The shoes are relatively comfortable with the reasonable height block heel…not like sneakers but not bad!
Thanks so much, Renae!!
Such a beautiful tablescape. And the baby is absolutely precious.
Such a lover’s lovely party. It looks very relaxed and such a nice way to celebrate with family.
It was so pleasant. Thanks for commenting!!
It’s so wonderful that you have saved things like the baby gowns and plates from Luca’s family. There is so much history there that Louisa can’t now appreciate but hopefully will recognize someday. Beautiful celebration!
Thanks, Wren. I have to credit my mom and her cedar chest. I think I need a cedar chest!!
Mary Ann this is just gorgeous and the menu sounds fabulous. I am hoping you finally made it home. I am sure the wonderful memories of the day will overshadow the travel issues once you are home!
It was a lousy trip home, Cindy. But I think I will take a nice nap today!!
I love when you share photos of Louisa- she is such a cutie. So glad you got to spend time with your family to celebrate her baptism.
It was glorious, Amy, and fortunately they are coming to Jacksonville this weekend!
Joyful – beautiful! So happy for all of you – love the treasured heirlooms on adorable granddaughter!
Thank you, Stacy! I had more photos but didn’t want to go over board 🙂