{"id":201,"date":"2010-07-29T09:55:43","date_gmt":"2010-07-29T16:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bellenza.com\/wedding-ideas\/decorate\/a-havana-night%e2%80%99s-engagement-party-theme-one-night-in-cuba.html"},"modified":"2018-09-10T12:52:06","modified_gmt":"2018-09-10T19:52:06","slug":"a-havana-night%e2%80%99s-engagement-party-theme-one-night-in-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bellenza.com\/wedding-ideas\/decorate\/a-havana-night%e2%80%99s-engagement-party-theme-one-night-in-cuba.html","title":{"rendered":"A Havana Night\u2019s Party Theme"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Havana<\/p>\n

Just picture it\u2014Havana in the 1920s<\/strong>. An exciting and imaginative setting for a party such as an engagement celebration that guests will be talking about long afterwards! The scene is pure vintage Cuba, reminiscent of the luxurious hacienda of a rich tobacco or sugar plantation owner. This ambiance of laid-back Latin elegance can be yours for the hosting. Simply take your cue from our complete arrangement of creative table settings and decor elements, exotic buffet menu and cocktails, and even party attire and music\u2014all with a definite Cuban accent. So bring out the rum. It\u2019s time to plan a Havana Night’s Party in a stylish way! *This post contains affiliate links.<\/em><\/p>\n

Decorate the Party Scene a la Cubana <\/em><\/h2>\n

\"Havana
\nWe’ve transformed a sunny veranda into a corner of a stylish hacienda! A chic color palette of aqua, browns, and greens is tempered by cool ivory and touches of orange, as references to sultry Havana keep the decor authentic but fun.<\/em><\/p>\n

Welcome guests to your own little hacienda<\/strong>! Set a party scene that’s casual yet elegant\u2014decked out in a dressy palette of rich brown and beige, highlighted by vibrant aqua and touches of green and orange.<\/p>\n

Then, for the d\u00e9cor itself, here\u2019s where you can really have fun! See how a medley of antique store finds and nostalgic collectibles are sure to get the party conversation going. To evoke that unmistakable Havana charm, we laid out the following key d\u00e9cor elements:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Antique stand fan on one side<\/li>\n
  2. Dinner chairs in a mix of wood and rattan<\/li>\n
  3. Jaunty fedoras<\/a> and plantation-style woven hats<\/li>\n
  4. \u00a0Empty\u00a0cigar boxes<\/a>\u00a0that were filled colorful centerpieces<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Call for Dressy Cuban Summer Attire<\/h2>\n

    For such a stylish summer event, it seems only right to request guests to come in fashionably casual attire<\/strong>. Get them all excited about planning what to wear by sending out invitations early, encouraging a “vintage Havana” dress code. The ladies can come in summery cocktail dresses<\/a>, while the gentlemen can don cool linen guayaberas<\/a><\/em>, plantation or tropical print shirts with collars, and smart fedoras. For attire ideas<\/strong>, please see Beach Grooms\u2019 Attire: Cool Casual to Stylish Semi-formal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Assemble Place Settings That Say “Havana”<\/h2>\n

    \"Havana
    \nWe assembled simple yet stylish place settings with clever cigar accents\u2014boxes used as centerpiece “vases” and rolled up fabric napkins with a classic gold seal. <\/em><\/p>\n

    To suit this appealing scene, we crafted place settings that are surprisingly low-budget yet so cleverly theme-friendly<\/strong>. Old Cuban cigar boxes are used to hold the table centerpieces\u2014each one filled with a simple arrangement of orange heliconias. A dash of bright color amidst the table\u2019s palette of aqua, brown, and green.<\/p>\n

    Then, like each guest’s very own personal cigar, brown linen table napkins are rolled up into slim cylinders with gold circle cutouts serving as their “seals.” Matching these are place cards sporting whimsical palm tree cutouts also in gold, mimicking those that line the sandy beaches of the country of Cuba.<\/p>\n

    Other thematic details you can add to the party tables:<\/em><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Vintage bottles of rum<\/strong> as flower vases<\/li>\n
    2. Place cards cut in the shape of fedora hats<\/li>\n
    3. Colorful maracas used as fancy centerpiece accents<\/li>\n
    4. Mini Cuban flags displayed atop appetizer plates<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Prepare Havana Themed Guest Favors<\/h2>\n

      \"Havana
      \nBring in a refreshing feminine touch with       pretty bags<\/a> filled with sweet or savory treats. <\/em><\/p>\n

      Surprise guests with something special awaiting them right on their place settings. For the ladies, give treats that are nostalgic of old Havana such as sweet coconut candies, guava-flavored bon bons, Merenguitos<\/em> (Cuban meringue cookies), or turrones<\/em><\/strong>. As for the men at the party, you can give out fedora hats propped on their chairs, personalized shot glasses, mini bottles of Cuban rum, and of course classic cigars! To see more favor related ideas<\/strong>: 8 Salsa and Hot Sauce Favor Ideas for Your Wedding <\/a>.<\/p>\n

      Other party favor ideas (*through our Amazon affiliate<\/em>) you can consider would be chocolate cigars<\/a>, powdered “mojito mixes” enclosed with a recipe card, novelty shot glasses decorated with the Cuban flag, or coasters with a vintage Cuban motif.<\/p>\n

      Play Cuban Jazz and Dance Music<\/h2>\n

      Cuban music spans a wide range of influences from Europe to Africa. Cuban-style jazz<\/strong>, though, is just the thing to get everyone in the party mood. You may choose recordings by popular jazz artists Tito Puente, Alfredo Rodriguez, P\u00e9rez Prado, and Dizzy Gillespie. Or you could select from among the many CD compilations available that represent the Golden Age of Cuban jazz.<\/p>\n

      Want a truly exciting spin on the festivities? Bring in a dance instructor, put on some bossa nova, samba, and mambo tunes, and guests will be dancing the night away!<\/p>\n

      Mix Refreshing Drinks for Cocktail Time<\/h2>\n

      \"Havana
      \nMmmmojitos! The perfect summer cocktail for this Havana theme engagement party. Paired with crusty empanadas and adorned with fancy swizzle sticks, they’re tempting indeed.<\/em><\/p>\n

      For this summertime occasion, think of cocktails such as mojitos served up nice and cold in stem-less wine glasses or in stylish long stem goblets. Add a personal twist to the drinks by creating monogrammed swizzle sticks. How? By combining hot silicone glue with gold paint and forming it into a letter\u2014\u201cm\u201d for mojito perhaps, or your own paired initials!<\/p>\n

      Other popular drinks include Cuba libre<\/em><\/strong>, which is a simple mix of rum, Coke, and lime juice; or mojitos using non-traditional flavors like peach, cherry, or pineapple. For a fun recipe, try this one from Tommy Bahama called the “Crazy Cuban.”<\/a><\/p>\n

      And for the teetotalers among your guests? Have non-alcoholic drinks on hand as well. Iced soda water flavored with syrups like guava, coconut, or lime would make a great fizzy drink. While another option would be to serve “virgin mojitos.”<\/p>\n

      Serve Delectable Entrees and Appetizers<\/h2>\n

      \"Havana
      \nGolden-crusted empanadas are a favorite. Serve them as filling welcome appetizers or as a scrumptious side dish to the main entr\u00e9es at the party.<\/em><\/p>\n

      Cuba is famed for its rich, meaty dishes<\/strong>. Some main entr\u00e9e choices for your party, then, could be \u201cRopa Vieja<\/em>\u201d (Beef Stew), \u201cMasitas de Puerco<\/em>\u201d (Fried Pork Tenders), ox tail, or barbecued ribs. For a lighter option, you can serve the popular sandwiches called \u201csandwich mixto\u201d or Cuban Pressed Sandwiches. These are typical menu items at any Cuban caf\u00e9, and are simply slices of grilled or fried pork with cheese pressed between buttered bread slices and toasted to a crispy golden brown.<\/p>\n

      TAKE 5<\/strong><\/h6>\n