A historic Mediterranean Estate surrounded by lush gardens and a manicured park was the scene of an elegant late-summer party, complete with lunch on the patio, hand-calligraphed menu cards, a one-of-a-kind vintage Packard limousine, and even a harpist.

What could be a more beautiful setting for a leisurely late-summer lunch party than a historic country estate in a park? That’s why I chose the famed Villa Montalvo in Saratoga as the venue for a festive luncheon – with cocktails in the enclosed courtyard centered around antique fountains….

… and harp music to set an elegant mood and a decidedly “polished” atmosphere.

Guests were then invited to a three-course lunch menu on the intimate covered patio, looking out onto the extensive park surrounding the Villa.

Guests found hand-calligraphed, pentagram-shaped menu cards on their place settings,

announcing a gourmet meal of organic vegetables and lean meats…

Starting with a … bisque…. and continuing with an heirloom tomato salad accompanied by goat cheese, adorned by tiny edible flowers, in the rust-and-burnt-orange colors of the “upscale-rustic” checkered silk linens…

… and concluding with a turkey or vegetarian entrée that looked and was equally delicious.

Tables were decorated with beautiful antique Tuscan-style stone urns filled with yellow and orange late-summer blooms and fruits – a small cornucopia on each table!

Following lunch, guests enjoyed coffee

and two varieties of delicious cake

in the Villa’s solarium and on the side patio.

To round it off, departing guests received an unexpected party favor: hand-calligraphed seeded paper –

ready to plant and bloom for a beautiful memory of a gorgeous day!

Event Design: A Day Like No Other; Venue: Montalvo Arts Center; Catering: Culinary Eye; Music: Krista Strader; Florals: Tutti Fiori; Cake: True Confections; Calligraphy: Monks of Age; Vintage Limousine: Elegant Journey; Photography: photograffiti