entertaining: a low-country boil on the lake

In my small town community, the annual wine festival at the lake is the official transition from summer to fall.  For the past two years, Mr. Q and I have been lucky to be invited to a lovely lake home in the evening after the festival for a low-country boil. One of Mr. Q's coworkers in the home decor industry handles the decorations for the party, and I love seeing how she is able to execute beautiful seasonal decor in different ways depending on the setting.  She's the mastermind behind the beautifully decorated showroom the company she and Mr. Q work for will present at High Point Market in a few weeks, and she used simple elements to create tablescapes for the party that blended a nautical theme with autumn traditions.

How clever is this centerpiece built around stacked flower pots and hurricane candleholders?  

Donna used real and ceramic pumpkins, silk sunflowers and leaves, artificial berries, and tulle and print ribbon along with orange fairy lights to make a garland for the buffet table.

The hostess, Vickie, created this centerpiece with real flowers and floating candles - it was so bright and colorful in person and looked amazing with the candles lit!

I can't think of a better place to welcome fall than at the lake!

Linking Up:
The Inspiration Exchange at Clean and Scentsible
The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict
That DIY Party at DIY Show Off
Twirl and Take a Bow at House on the Way
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style