Beach Theme Cocktail Party
How to have a fun, casual summer cocktail party in a rather formal 11th floor condominium?  Throw a Beach Ball Summer Party!  Guests received beach balls folded up into colorful envelopes with the invitation details written on the balls.  The invitations set the mood for this fun cocktail party.
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It’s a cocktail party, so bring out the party food! Â On the peninsula kitchen counter I arranged all of the food so that guests could help themselves. Â 
It is rare that I use paper plates for any party, but the combination of discovering these adorable paper plates and wanting to keep the party casual, I used these!
The arrangement I made for the dining table was to evoke the beach, with grasses and reeds along with colorful flowers.  Tiny beach balls and sand toys were tucked into the arrangement.  Little sand pails were filled with nuts and candies and tucked around the arrangement. 
The wine was set up for guests to serve themselves. Â Curious about these bowling pins? Â Check out the tour of my modern condominium for the story. Â 
I used beach balls everywhere, they are an inexpensive decoration, so you get a lot of bang for your buck with them and a lot of color! Â You can get these in bulk for a great price at Oriental Trading! Â 
The bar was also set up so guests could serve themselves, but if you are hosting a beach themed party, of course you want to use a big sand pail for your ice bucket! Â 
There were lots of beach balls out on the balcony, but even though the water of Lake Erie is below, guests were advised with signs, NO DIVING!
Even with no actual beach or sand and the lake 200 feet below, guests enjoyed spending time out on the balcony this lovely summer evening!
The menu included cheeses and meats, raw and marinated vegetables, shrimp cocktail and beef tenderloin. Â I almost always have one or two hot dishes, but for this casual summertime party, I didn’t feel anything else was necessary.
What do you bring to the hostess of a beach party on the 11th floor? Â One of my guest, in addition to a lovely bottle of water brought me a pineapple! Â How fun was that? Â It was delicious, too! Â 
I added some fun to the bathroom by filling the shower with inflatable toys and beach balls! Â This was one of the big hits of the evening, just for fun! Â Would you host a beach party in a high rise condominium? Â I think the silliness of that idea made it fun and easy for everyone!
If you want to host a dinner with the same beachy theme, this might be just what you are looking for!
Looks like a fun party. I’m smiling since the last pic. I’m sure all the balls in the shower was a cute and unexpected surprise. Your food looks wonderful and such great styling. Themes make us feel special when the host goes to extra trouble with all the neat details from your invitation to the clever sand pail for ice!
Thanks Bonnie, I also thought the beach ball theme let guests know this really was a casual affair!
Those tiny beach balls are cute! But the showstopper is the shower full of beach balls – how fun!
Thanks Rita, with dollar store balls, it was fun!
Chloe,
I love your parties. How did you make the lemon ice tray for the shrimp? It looks so delicious.
Oh Charlotte, I was going to feature how to make an ice bowl for an upcoming post and I thought it didn’t look good enough in the pictures! Perhaps I will re-think it and go ahead and share it! I will try to remember to send you the link directly! It isn’t too difficult!
How fun, creative and totally clever Chloe! I can’t think of a better way to set a casual theme than using beach balls, they are kind of like summer’s version of candy canes, they bring instant happy! LOVE the way you incorporated them in your fab centerpiece and tossed casually on your balcony, and of course the show stopper shower! The invitation idea is so cute too!
Thank you Jenna, I love that..”summer’s version of candy canes”! You are right, they are happy and make you smile!
Chloe, that looks like so much fun! You party decorations look so happy and fun! The food looks delicious, and the view out the window is gorgeous! I love seeing your tablescapes and parties. You are a very talented designer!
What a great view of the lake! I’d love to sit out on your balcony. Love the idea of using inexpensive beach balls for decor. I hope you are enjoying these last few weeks of summer!
Thanks Dawn, it is a fantastic view we never get tired of! I am back down in Florida, and ready for summer to be over down here!!
Chloe, this party looks like so much fun! Fabulous food and a cute hostess with wild ideas…the beach balls in the shower are the best! Pam @ Everyday Living
I love how inventive you are. The beach balls in the shower are so much fun.
Wow! The food–spectacular! Don’t you just love beach balls 🙂 They’re so versatile.
This had to be so much fun and very relaxing for you and your guests. I agree that the inflatables took this party way over the top! Beautiful party Chloe!
Thanks Sandra, it was fun, beach balls are so easy and cheap!
I love the clever ways you used the beach balls! Looks like a fun party!
Thank you Dawn, it was pure fun!
Great party idea and simple, cheap decorations – who doesn’t love that! Thanks for sharing on the Pinterest Game.
Thank you Candace!
This party is fabulous! This theme is going to drive the inspiration for a party I am hosting in August. I am planning on picking up props from the Dollar Tree or Target, which will be an inexpensive way to recreate the look. Thanks for the ideas Chloe.
It was fun, and such a bargain for decor!
How fun, Chloe! What a wonderful evening of whimsical beachy-ness!
Catherine
Thank you Catherine.
I like the beach balls in the shower. Nice touch. The food looked good too. Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-up. Please come back and join us again!
Thank you Charlotte! I am heading on vacation for a couple weeks, but I will come to the party again!
I love the beach balls in the shower. Such a fun party. I am glad you joined the Pinterest Game this week. Next week don’t forget to add the Pin URL, not the post.