When planning an event – whether it’s a formal intimate event celebration like an engagement party or a baptism or a more intimate one such as a dinner party – surely you want to impress your guests and make your event uniquely stand out from the rest. And this is definitely not possible if you opt for an ordinary table setting!

Although the importance of a table setting is often overlooked, about 40% of an event takes place at the table, making it a huge aspect of your special day. Not only will it largely dictate the mood of your event, but a special and distinct dinner table decoration will also make your guests remember you and your event for a long time.

What is Art de la Table?

Art de la Table can be described as the art of entertainment, referring to preparing and presenting food. Very simply, it is how to set a table according to the rules of etiquette. According to Jean Francois, a French maître and true master of the art, the most important aspect of Art de la Table is “the architecture of the table and creating harmony”.

How far back does Art de la Table go?

As the name suggests, Art de la Table originated in France, the country of Savoir Vivre, and it goes back to the 15th century, evolving ever since. During the French Revolution, it was briefly lost, however, Napoleon revived the art as he felt that this tradition of etiquette and elegance was also a statement of power.

My finishing school experience in Switzerland

When I was at finishing school, a school that focuses on teaching social graces, we learned all about the Art de la table, how the presentation of the table is as important as the food itself, and what we should take into account when preparing a table. For example, the space between the plates and cutlery is extremely important to the point where a tape measure is required to make sure the place setting is uniform and equidistant.

Also, we learned how to place a name card on the table, as well as how to use decorative elements in the center of the table and make impressive centerpieces. Using candles for the decor is a must-do and fresh flowers are also very important, since, as Jean Francois states “…a proper table should have some sort of living element to represent life as well as give the table a fresh, light air”.

Art de la Table today

In the event planning industry, the main focus of L’Art de la Table is about expressing your creativity, showing your unique personality, and making your guests feel special. Although following the standard rules of etiquette is important, experimenting with different and more modern styles, as well as, mixing and matching items will ultimately create a table that harmoniously reflects your individual taste. Art de la Table is a surefire way to make your event memorable and add a personal touch to your special occasion.

Top 3 things to consider when setting a table:

#1

The colors and patterns used to decorate the table are what draws in your guests’ attention. Make sure to add a splash of white, which always coordinates well with any color scheme, and use gold, silver, or metallic details to beautifully accentuate the main colors and bring a sense of luxury.

#2

The flower decor is the focal point of the table, therefore, it is important to select the right flowers to perfectly fit your theme. One safe, yet extremely elegant and classy choice, is opting for roses, which are available in a range of stunning colors and can complement any color scheme.

#3

When decorating, make sure to use a range of different sized decor pieces to create dimension. Also, playing with the shape of plates and accessorizing with beautifully decorated pieces of cutlery can help you achieve an exceptional banquet effect!

Whether you want to keep your event budget-friendly and decorate with simple and clean touches, or you want to go the extra mile and add luxurious details, like custom design napkins or hand-painted flatware, we will design a most perfect tablescape to reflect your theme, style, and color scheme. Let’s start planning!

Nikos Kazantzakis, Crete’s most celebrated author, once wrote about his homeland: “The mystery of Crete runs deep. Whoever sets foot on this island senses a mysterious force coursing warmly and beneficently through their veins, sensing their soul beginning to grow”.

Indeed, Crete, Greece’s largest island, is a mystical and alluring place. Renowned for its wild natural beauty with breath-taking mountainous landscapes on the one hand and idyllic beaches on the other, exquisite cuisine, thousands of years of history, and extremely hospitable people, the island of Crete perfectly captures the essence of Greek living and enchants anyone who visits.

With that being said, it’s no wonder Crete is considered one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. So, if you’ve met the love of your life and want to organize the marriage proposal of your dreams don’t think twice – Crete is an amazing place to pop the question! Here are some of our favorite proposal spots and ideas in Crete, guaranteed to melt your heart.

#1 An Elegant Proposal At The Old Town Of Chania

The Old Town of Chania is undoubtedly one of the most romantic (and most photographed!) spots in Crete. The architecture of the buildings, a beguiling mix of Cretan, Venetian, and Ottoman elements, the picturesque alleyways, and the Old Venetian Port – the whole town invites you to travel back in time, to the romantic days of knighthood.

A leisurely walk along the harbor will lead you to the lighthouse, which enjoys panoramic views of the town and the White Mountains – a perfect backdrop for your proposal! Or better yet, take a tour of the town on a carriage and propose to your partner alongside the sounds of horses galloping. We’ll set up a beautiful proposal spot just for you, and once you’ve heard the much-anticipated yes, we can also have arranged an exceptional dinner for two on a rooftop overlooking the old port of Chania. Sounds just perfect, doesn’t it?

#2 A Dreamy Beach Proposal At One Of Crete’s Magical Beaches

If you’re dreaming of the ultimate beach proposal, then one of Crete’s amazing beaches is the ideal proposal spot for you. Although Santorini island is renowned for its magical sunsets, the Cretan sunset is equally awe-inspiring. Picture this, fine-grained, soft, golden sand, crystal-clear, turquoise waters, the sun melting into the sea creating a kaleidoscope of colors, and you holding out a box and ring, asking for your love’s hand in marriage.

For a boho-chic proposal, we can plan a great photoshoot on the beach, leading up to a romantic picnic setup that perfectly matches your unique style as a couple, including flowers, balloons, and candles! Or, if you prefer something more elegant, how does dinner for two under a gazebo on the sand sound? Whatever you choose, it’ll feel like a proposal that’s straight out of a fairy-tale!

#3 The Ultimate Cruise Proposal In Heraklion

An organized private sailing trip around the most picturesque places in Crete is a great way to surprise your other half with a proposal. Spend the afternoon swimming, soaking up the sun, or if you’re the adventurous type, try out some water sports like snorkelling and SUP. Then, as the sun starts to set, we’ll create a romantic setting with rose petals, a flower bouquet with your partner’s favorite blooms, a bottle of champagne to celebrate in style, and a dinner table beautifully arranged for the most romantic candlelit dinner with the azure blue Cretan Sea as the backdrop.

There are so many romantic destinations to discover in Crete that it’s almost impossible to gather them all in one place. From the old town of Rethymno, to cosmopolitan Elounda and wild Agiofarago, you are spoiled for choice. If you’re more of a private couple and want the proposal to be as intimate as possible, with just the two of you and the photographer capturing the big moment, we can simply coordinate a special photoshoot with a top photographer and take you to the most spectacular locations for your proposal.

Get in touch with us and we’ll take the time to find the perfect place for your dream come true proposal in Greece – it’ll be the place that takes your breath away!

Whether you are proposing to your partner or celebrating your anniversary Greece is a top destination for same-sex couples from all over the world. With so many picture-perfect islands and romantic villages, it is a wonderful place to celebrate your love!

The most important thing is a meaningful moment between you and your love. It take place anywhere, from a beachfront local to a luxurious villa or luxury yacht, No matter what your preference, your Proposal in Greece will be intimate, special, and can be completely personalized!

No matter what type of same-sex event you’re planning in Greece, our extensive list of venues includes exclusive holiday villas, stylish resorts on the Athenian Riviera, romantic beaches, verdant gardens, private yachts, beautiful vineyards, and quaint villages – the options are endless! It’s up to you and your partner to decide which venue is the best for you. If you’re envisioning an extravagant event, a luxurious hotel in the Cyclades such as the islands of MIlos or Mykonos could be an ideal option, whereas a smaller, more intimate affair could be hosted on an off-the-beaten-path island that reflects the relaxed mood of your celebration.

Regardless of your ideal location in Greece, we will tailor-make every detail so that the experience for you and your guests is truly exceptional. Together we’ll select your theme, floral design or balloon decor, menu and entertainment and other aesthetic details so that everything perfectly aligns with your own taste, personal aesthetics, and character. We appreciate that each couple is unique, and want your special day to eloquently narrate your unique story.

Love is the source from which all life begins, it is limitless and has no gender or race. Everyone’s love deserves to be celebrated and we would be honored to be part of celebrating your special bond – it would mean the world to us to be part of your love story!

So, your intimate event is quickly approaching and you still haven’t picked your invitations? Maybe you have a specific creation in mind and you realized that the options out there aren’t right for you. It may only be words on paper, yet your invitations can really round out your event style and set the tone for your celebration.

In MILI LO, we embrace your uniqueness and customize every detail to compliment your individual style so that we creatively curate all of the complex layers of your special event.  Based on our expertise in event design and planning, we’ve gathered a few tips to navigate you through the process of designing your event stationery and invitations, be it a baptism, corporate social function, milestone birthday party or name day!

#1 Think About Your Vision

Your event invitations should harmoniously blend with your event style. How do you envision your event? How formal is your event? Is it a ‘Hollywood glamor’ inspired party or a more casual, rustic-chic gathering? No matter what, keep in mind that except for listing the location and time, the invitations hint to your event theme!

#2 Get Inspired By Your Venue & Color Palette

The location of your special event plays a key role in designing your invitations. If your party takes place on the beach on a Greek island opt for something more colorful. On the other hand, a a mountainous location calls for a more traditional invitation. Also, think about your event colors and how to incorporate these hues into your paper selections.

#3 Play With The Size & Shape

The envelope drives the size of the invitation, so your design needs to fall within your chosen envelope formats. A 4.5-inch-by-6.25-inch rectangular card is a typical choice; however, you can channel more playful and modern vibes with other shapes such as circular, scalloped or square. And believe it or not, the size of your invitation says a lot about your event. An unusual size signifies an untraditional, one-of-a-kind intimate gathering!

#4 Check Out The Hottest Trends 

The selection of paper and printing techniques are overwhelming. Gold and silver foil can add shine to your baptism invitation, creating a more luxurious effect. Envelope liners are a great finishing touch and add to an eye-catching design. While pearlescent paper with a shimmer finish along the top has a very elegant feeling. Thermography, letterpress, linen finish or cotton fibre are some other glamorous techniques that you will simply love. Last but not least, custom monograms representative pure luxury and are ideal for a meaningful and elegant invitation. An extra tip is to seal your envelopes with a custom made wax seal!

#5 Decide What To Include In The Stationery

In addition to the actual invitation, an invitation suite typically includes, a reception card, a response card, as well as a directions card to ensure that your guests will get to your celebration on time. Accommodation cards are optional, but thoughtful for your out-of-town guests. ‘Save The Date’ cards are a fun way to let your guests know in advance that you are planning a bespoke baptism, making sure they keep the date free. Lastly, ‘Thank You’ cards are a polite way to express your gratitude to each person who was present on your special day!

#6 Pay Attention To The Wording

Whether you want to keep the wording classic or modern and fanciful, some basic elements should be included in your invitation. Most importantly we recommend including the names of the hosts, the date, time and location of your event, as well as the information for your reception. A request line is an appealing way to ask for your guests’ company. Optionally, you can include a note on attire if you are opting for a very formal event.

#7 Go For Timeless Fonts & Typefaces

Just like the color, size, and shape of your invitations, fonts also convey information about your event. You can choose from a broad selection of different fonts, however, classic fonts that have stood the test of time will ensure your design never goes out of style. If you’re keeping up with the latest trend then you are looking for handwritten calligraphy which radiates elegance and sophistication.

#8 Don’t Forget To Bring Out Your Style

Above all, your invitations should reflect who you are! Be involved in the designing process, express your creativity, share your ideas and immerse the stationer into your vision. Your distinct style and unique personality should be brought together into a unified design!

Designing your invitations can undoubtedly seem like a challenging task. However, when you have a plan and know the key factors to pay attention to, the process can be an exceptionally fun and creative experience. Our team of experienced planners and designers always strive to surpass your expectations; together we’ll be sure that your event invitations and stationery make a statement and a lasting impression to all of your guests!

Few experiences capture the essence of summer in Greece as strongly as spending time at the beach; and the only way to make a perfect day at the beach even better is to host an unforgettable beach party at a private venue or villa! Picture it, sunshine, refreshing cocktails and sand between your toes – what else could you ask for? No matter the type of intimate event or what occasion you’re celebrating, whether you want to throw a wedding party, baptism or anniversary, choosing a beach party is a really great way to have a ton of fun and create everlasting moments!

A beach party is undoubtedly the epitome of relaxation and freedom, however, as everyone knows, the essence of a successful event lies in the details of the preparation and if you truly want your beach party to make an impact, you’re going to have to put some forethought into it. Luckily, at MILI LO we’re experts in organizing one-of-a-kind parties in Greece! We understand how important it is for you to enjoy your party and cherish fun moments with your guests and this is why we take the time to ensure that every detail is flawlessly arranged. From choosing an ideal beach venue setting, the best menu and the most impressive decor, we make sure that all your needs are taken care of, and all you need to worry about is the guest list!

To get the party vibe started we must first pick an ideal beach location. This can take place either at a private villa or private venue in an exclusive resort or seaside location. Next, it’s time to decide on the theme and decor. When it comes to summer soirees, we’re fans of unique Mediterranean themes with summer elements. A multitude of floral centerpieces, will transform a plain beach into an oasis, transporting your guests to exotic places; impressive decor installations will also add to the elevated atmosphere. We can choose chic Moroccan lounge and sitting areas using comfortable poufs; having a gazebo offers a lovely and shady spot where your guests can relax. When it comes to lighting, fairy lights, lanterns and candles, will create a magical setting in the evening.

Food is of course an important part of your party and we put a lot of effort into setting up stylish food stands. Our team always serves creatively presented and delicious dishes that also provide a great setting for guests to mingle and interact. For the menu we recommend traditional coastal themed dishes. We focus on creative and elegantly simple food design since it can transform eating any ordinary meal into an unforgettable experience. Of course, we can’t imagine a beach party without drinks and for this we arrange for fun cocktail bars that add a proper summer vibe to your beach party in Greece, where guests can enjoy a espresso martini or a refreshing mojito!

At MILI LO we know that there is no better luxury than celebrating life experiences with your friends and loved ones. That is why we listen to your ideas and work with you step-by-step to design and curate your party concept to your exact wishes. We immerse ourselves in your vision and combine your individual style with our expertise in event design for a fully tailor-made experience! Get in touch today and let’s get this party started!