Dinner Party Inspiration: The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Poe Inspired Dinner Party: The Raven
A few weeks ago, I received a call a wonderful client who LOVES hallow’een – I will affectionately refer to her as Mrs. Fortunately, Mrs and her husband also love parties and entertaining at home – so when she told me she had fallen in love with the idea of hosting a dinner party themed around Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven , I was delighted to lend a hand.
Shortly after, I met Mrs at her home to discus her ideas; at which time she also showed me her (copious) stash of hallow’een decor plus an enviable collection of black birds in all shapes and sizes. Needless to say, she was ready to get her invites out and set a menu. It took barely a few weeks to pull it all together since her vision was so clear and the guest list was small. Approximately twenty guests were expected so it was reasonably easy to put extra effort into all the special details.
Dinner Party Inspiration: The Raven
photos (c) ELISAD.com
There are barely enough pictures to do justice to all the incredible details, but hopefully you will get the idea. Invites were hand made fairly easily and sealed with red wax (P for Poe) before they were mailed. Guests were encouraged to come in costume, or wear black and white. We used the living room area to set up a large feasting table to accommodate their guests. Above, you will see Mrs etched* The Raven poem on her large living room mirror (*using a dry erase marker), and pictures of Edgar and his wife were displayed on the piano.
photos (c) ELISAD.com
Guests arrived early evening and mingled over cocktails and a cheese platter. The catered dinner was a four course affair~ featuring a black linguine appetizer, a wilted salad, and a duo entree with purple potatoes and white asparagus. It was to die for …
There was an abundance of candles: Two dozen luminaries were set out side the front entrance, plus pillar candles in lanterns. Inside, candle-scapes and ravens were placed on tables, sideboards, book shelves, the mantel, the piano and throughout the sprawling centerpiece. The table was set with black satin linen, and napkins to match. Fortunately, an old typewriter was also on hand and it was set atop a secretary desk to create a vignette: The Raven was typed out on vellum paper.
photos (c) ELISAD.com
The wax seal used on the invites was also used on each place card and the menu card, as well as a few other small signs.
The hosts compiled a perfect playlist of creepy music: themes from The Omen, Halloween, and other eerie classics (via Pandora). In the Den, the TV played a DVD of Vincent Price movies.
Everyone had the most delightful time! Quite a few of the guests came in The Raven inspired costumes; one gentleman came as “Dead-gar Allan Poe“, which was hilarious! I was thrilled just to be there and all the kudos go to our hostess the for the outstanding atmosphere at the event! – I doubt I could’ve done a better job. Definitely a unique idea to try!
Very innovative idea…