This post is dedicated for all our AR followers!!!  We are continually asked where we get our basic supplies for parties, along with what are the quintessential supplies needed for any party.  Today we are going to share with you our favorite must haves along with the tools we use for almost every party we style.  We created a Party Styling Guide for you to reference along with links on where to purchase these necessities. Hopefully this inspiration board will help guide you when throwing your next party.

We always use basic white dishware starting with cake stands (we also use them for cookies, cupcakes – not just cake),  rectangular platters and square platters. Sur La Table has GREAT Basics!!!  We typically need some sort of glass for drinks (we love vintage milk bottles), but we use other glassware such as mason jars, etc.  For most parties we will use several styles of apothecary jars for candies and treats.  Having a white tablecloth on hand is essential – you can cover most surfaces with this if you aren’t using an interesting piece of furniture for your dessert/food table.

I think the number #1 question we get about our party styling is what are we using for a backdrop board!  We buy wood-fiber insulation board (also known as sheath board) from Lowes or any other hardware store.  They are really big, and we have the store cut them to the size we need.  We then use a staple gun to line the board with fabric along with any other decor we place on it. (The board is perfect for staples and thumbtacks).

We always print our Printable Designs from our own home printers and we recommend Epson printers along with printing on photo paper – this will give your printables a professional look with great color & saturation (bonus – photo paper is water-proof, for spills, etc).  We cut most printable designs with a paper slicer and the tape we use constantly is double-sided… it has great sticky strength!  You will want 2″ craft punches for party logos and sometimes we use other sizes depending on what we are creating.  Lollipop sticks are needed for our printable designs such as party logos & party flags – you can get them at Target!  One last item, you wouldn’t think to have is floral styrofoam blocks.  We wrap them with patterned paper or wrapping paper and stick upright desserts out of them (such as: cake pops, cookies on sticks, popcorn cones, etc).  See below for all the links on where to purchase your party basics!

SOURCES for the above fabulous ideas

1. Cake Stands (Here) | 2. Rectangular Platters (Here)  | 3.  Square Platters (Here) | 4. Milk Bottles (Here) | 5.  Apothecary Jars (Here) | 6. White Tablecloth (Here) | 7. Wood Fiber Insulation Board (Here) | 8. Staple Gun (Here) | 9. Epson Printer (Here) | 10. ​Photo paper (Here) ​| 11. Paper Slicer (Here) | 12. Double-sided Tape (Here) | 13.Craft Punches (Here) | 14. Lollipop Sticks (Here)​| 15.  Floral Styrofoam (Here) | 16.  Anders Ruff Printables (Printables and Party Posts)