Relaxed Outdoor Dinner Celebration For A Baptism
Here’s how our daughter and son-in-law created a stress-free dinner celebration for a baptism. The relaxed part comes from planning ahead!
Early on our daughter, Alexandra and her husband Luca sent out baptism invitation emails to their immediate family for baby Leo’s baptism in Pasadena, California. This made attendance easier for out-of town guests (like us).
Alexandra divided the labor with the menu and table setting responsibilities and tried to have as much done in advance as possible. We were lucky with the weather!
Let me show you how this magical family evening, which was a fantastic example of a dinner celebration for a baptism, was accomplished as part of my Sunday Faves with Annie and Cindy.
Garden Dinner Celebration For A Baptism –The Table Setting
Alexandra knows how I like to set a table, so she asked for my help. She mentioned using pretty purple artichokes that were at Trader Joe’s (and artichoke hearts with pasta were on her dinner menu). Knowing her dishes and the artichoke idea got the wheels turning. So I purchased lots of artichokes the day before.
The morning of the baptism, we arranged the outdoor furniture, put down tablecloths and I got to clipping olive branches in their yard to prepare for the dinner celebration. I love using “free” decor for a blue, white, dusty green and purple color scheme.
I tucked place cards (that Louisa had watercolored as a craft) in each napkin ring. The idea was to have a casual Italian countryside feel.
Family Dinner Menu For A Baptism
We climbed the steps to the backyard terrace with a view for cocktails.
Nice to see Louisa with our cousin and my siblings.
There was a beautiful graze board prepared by the Sorella Collective. Alexandra and Luca’s sister-in-law is a co-owner/designer of the Sorella Collective serving the Los Angeles area.
“little finger foods with home-made sea salt crackers”
Hummus for the veggies, fruit and crackers. The board has all sorts of goodies tucked in so it is like a “Discovery Platter.”
We went back downstairs for a wonderful dinner served family style with large bowls of:
- Artichoke pasta (served room temperature and made earlier by Alexandra)
- Rigatoni Bolognese (Luca’s specialty)
- Focaccia from a local restaurant
- Roasted chicken pieces
- Roasted broccolini
- Italian bakery cookies with bowls of fresh cherries and candy coated almonds for dessert
Baptism Celebration Gifts For Newly Christened Leonardo
Baptism Gifts
Leo wore his Uncle Tommy’s original white baptism outfit. I brightened it here as I did with other heirloom baby dresses.
The Baptism Toasts
Did you know that the artichoke symbolizes hope, prosperity, love, resilience, strength, and depth?
Luca has embraced the Irish side (my side) of our family and our love of a nice toast which added a special touch to the dinner celebration for the baptism.
At the start of dinner, before the blessing, he said (paraphrasing) that “on this day of Leo’s baptism we are all like the outer layers of the artichoke, here to protect the heart, little Leo, and guide him with love throughout his life.”
Our son Tommy, the godfather, uncle and new husband also made a toast saying that he was honored to look out for Leo and that Alexandra and Luca are his role models as young parents.
And so as Leo’s grandmother…my heart is full. My mom and dad would have loved this day.
View of downtown Los Angeles from the upper terrace
What To Wear To An Outdoor Family Party
floral cotton skirt with elastic waist (love this–breezy and flattering and I will wear it a lot–easy to pack) • Cream boxy tee in x-small • Quince cashmere $50 crewneck sweater • short kitten heels • Bembien woven leather tote — I bought at Madewell, sold out (similar dupe by Quince) • Classic Wayfarer sunglasses
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
What a beautiful day and evening celebrating Leo’s sweet baptism. Everything was so lovely. I think I saw you shared your daughter’s dress link and thank you for sharing links to baptism gifts. Cheers to you and your family.
karla
Would Alexandra allow you to share the recipe for her artichoke pasta? Everything looked beautiful. You have a lovely family,
Yes…I will try to have it by next Sunday, Jamie. I want it too.
It all looks so lovely. And the photos are all beautiful for such a significant and wonderful day in Leo’s life.
It really was a great day!
What a beautiful celebration of family! Thank you for sharing Mary Ann!
This was beautiful. You all succeeded in making it look Italian. I’m reading this at 11 pm and I could eat some of that delicious looking pasta. Ahh, the confetti, my parents are from the town in Italy that produces the best confetti in the world, Confetti Mario Pelino. Thank you for sharing this blessed celebration with us, you have a beautiful family.
That is so interesting, Rita! I just looked that up to discover that that’s where the candy almonds are from…delicious.
Mary Ann, this is such a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing such a special family event. Your grandchildren are adorable!
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Your table scapes are always wonderful. Quick question about the long narrow table you used for alfresco dinner. Is there an actual table under the cloth? Would love to recreate for grand daughter’s June graduation (gulp!Time truly flies by…)
Enjoy your blog tremendously. Thank you!
One table is theirs and they borrowed a 6′ folding table (the kind you can buy at Costco).
I loved sharing in your beautiful baptism celebration. My favorite photo of all is Leo holding the back of the beautiful old wooden pew….precious setting from the past. I have one in my living room from the church I was baptisted in 83 years ago. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and precious time. I loved his Daddy’s prayer.
That is so cool you have that pew!!
Gorgeous table, Mary Ann! And a lovely casual menu for a family event. Yes, the grazing board also looks fabulous!
While your daughter’s home reminds me a lot of my brother’s first in Santa Monica, her backyard (and view) are special!
It’s small, but it lives large, Joan.
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you for sharing such a joyous family occasion the pictures are so very lovely. Little Leo looking very much like Howard I think!! And beautiful Louisa! Gorgeous family pictures!! Cannot wait for grandchildren….
The table is really pretty and I learnt something new, use artichokes for decorating. I have another The Great skirt, the blue and red flowers, and I like the one you wore too. I am going to wait and see if the price goes down! Have a wonderful week.
I’d like another great skirt, too!
Mary Ann—
As a grandmother myself, I can imagine the emotions you felt during this beautiful celebration. Alexandra has such a great sense of style—I bet her talented mama was quite the influence. The grazing board was so pretty and looked delicious. Love the table setting including sweet Louisa’s watercolored contribution. What a lovely day—and that view!!
Thanks so much, Carol!
That grazing board is to die for! What a beautiful dinner, and I love the menu! Alie is amazing to pull this off with two kids! It helps having grandma and grandpa!!
Alie and Luca really did a great job!
What a beautiful and love filled celebration. #family goals. Can you share your source for the blue and white dishes?
Luca inherited them from his grandparents.
Hi Mary Ann,
Wow, what a beautiful Baptism for Leo. Everything was incredible. The table setting was gorgeous, the blue colors so pretty. The graze board was created with extraordinary artistic talents.
I like that your dad started the tradition of making a toast and your parents were smiling down on you and are proud of each and everyone of you.
Such a sweet, sweet comment!!
Oh ! The graving table spread…beautiful. I just contacted them for a baby shower!! Thank you
Oh that’s great. They are so talented.
Love the glass hurricanes for candles on the table – they set the table decoration off beautifully. Are they readily available?
Alexandra borrowed them from a friend…I will see if we can find out. But we got some similar ones on Amazon.
Everything looks wonderful! Your outfit is great! Can you tell us about Alexandra’s dress?
Her dress is by Rixl.
absolutely gorgeous celebration! your ideas inspire me. you do such a great job creating a feeling of being in another place. Do we ever get over missing our mom and dad? i always tell my daughter and granddaughters how much my mom and dad would have loved something.
I think it’s so nice the remember them, Jill.
What a pretty party. I love the toasts,
What a wonderful celebration! I think small, intimate family occasions are the best. Everything looked just lovely.
It was sort of peaceful!
What a beautiful casual dinner for your very special occasion…looks fabulous! Beautiful grandchildren…enjoy! Would love recipe for Alexandra’s artichoke pasta.
I’ve asked her for it. I know it involved Trader Joe’s artichoke hearts that she cooks down. She made up the recipe herself. But I will get it as I would like it too!!!
I would love the recipe, as well!! Also, the whole celebration looks wonderful! Lovely!!
Also, one more question!! Is the tablecloth on line? I love the color! Actually, I love everything about your special celebration! Thank you so much for sharing!! ☺️
yes…they were actually white but the shade gives them a blue appearance. She bought them on Amazon.
This is a fabulous post!! One of your best. I love everything about it.
Thanks, Allison!!
Love the photos – the occasion – the little ones. The “Discovery” Platters from Sorella Collective magnificent. I especially adore the photo with little Louisa’s hand reaching for a goodie … what great memories you are creating in real time with your family. Brava!
Thanks, Stacy. And writing this post helped me relive it 🙂
Hi Mary Ann,
Lovely, lovely! How wonderful to celebrate Leo, and with such gracious style. Congratulations Grandma!
Xo Heidi
All of it lovely including the heartfelt toasts.
My dad always made us make toasts when we were little. Now I am glad he did.
Everything looked wonderful!! Blessings!!
franki
Thanks, Franki…feeling blessed.
What a gorgeous celebration for Leo’s Baptism. Yes, your parents would have loved the beautiful day. Tears
Somehow I think they were there, Deanna.
Such a lovely beautiful and intimate family celebration for sweet baby Leo 🙏🏻 Love the table setting so much.
Your skirt and matching top to the skirt are in my cart. Fingers crossed it will look half as good on me. Not familiar with the brand. What size are you wearing?
It’s a new to me brand, too, and a bit expensive but it feels soft and well made. I got the size one.
and the boxy tee is an XS but normally I wear a small in t-shirts.
Thanks. I used your link, pulled the trigger and got the same size 🤭 Hoping the matching top when worn together will make it look like a nice sundress. Yes it’s pricey but timeless pieces are worth every penny especially when they’re travel friendly.