Just because you can't make it to Munich doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to celebrate Oktoberfest in typical German style! We decorated our home in the traditional blue and white colors of the Bavarian flag, threw in a few pretzels to represent the official snack food of the festival and after a few steins of beer, were ready to oom-pah-pah with the best of them! So, dust off your lederhosen and dirndls and get ready to join the world's largest party without leaving the comfort of your own home!
Growing up in Germany, attending Oktoberfest in Munich was a rite of passage. The sights, smells and tastes are definitely something to experience at least once in your lifetime. Though we can't travel abroad to take part in the fest this year, we think we did a pretty good job of bringing a bit of Bavaria into our home to celebrate!
We based the color palette of our decorations on the official colors blue and white, which represents the region of Bavaria where the festival is held. Next, we would be remiss if we didn't make room in our dining room for our picnic table that was itself once used in an actual biergarten in Munich! Hanging over our table was a DIY hanging chandelier that was our creative twist on the Oktoberfest wreath.
Starting with a large embroidery hoop, we simply cut long strips of blue, yellow and white streamers and used hot glue to secure each strip around the edge of the hoop. Once we covered the outer portion of the hoop with the streamers, we glued daisy and sunflower blooms all around the edge, alternating the flowers as we went. Finally, we tied a bit of string to the hoop in three equidistant spots and then hung our chandelier from a hook on the ceiling for it to hang stylishly over our table!
The most Wunderbar detail of our decor was hands down the balloon arch and pretzel backdrop we created as a focal point on our main wall! Inflatable Oktoberfest Pretzels were first blown up and secured to the ball at random using double-sided foam tape.
Next, we created clusters of 9" light blue latex balloons, 11" light blue latex balloons, 9" yellow latex balloons, 11" latex balloons, 9" white latex balloons and 11" latex balloons and then strung them together using fishing line. We then hung the balloons in an arch over the pretzels above our dessert table. Using a Hand-held Air Balloon Pump made the task of inflating the balloons so much easier!
An Oktoberfest Wall Pennant filled the space to the left of our dessert table nicely, and to balance the pennant on the left of our dessert table, we tied a grouping of Oktoberfest Hanging Fans to the lower right side of our dessert table using a length of blue baker's twine.
The Tablescape
I cannot think about Germany without conjuring images of the pups that, in my book at least, should be the official animal of the country - the dachshund! When I saw these adorable DIY Ceramic Puppy Planters I knew they would be the perfect detail to add to our centerpiece!
We gave the weenie dog planter a quick swipe of yellow paint and tucked dainty white and yellow flowers inside. An Oktoberfest Tumbler was turned into a vase and held faux sunflower stems along with fresh-cut thistle and mini chamomile blooms. A White Bud Jar Vase with fresh flowers rounded out the look.
Oktoberfest Alpine Hats helped to get everyone in the festive mood!
The Place Settings
Setting the table began by laying out a length from a Blue Gingham Tablecloth Roll, which added a wonderful pop of color to our table.
We love a layered look to our place settings that not only makes it easy for multiple courses, but also is aesthetically appealing as well. Each setting comprised of a Yellow Round Paper Dinner Plate sandwiched between a Light Blue Square Dinner Plate and an Oktoberfest Paper Dessert Plate.
Resting upon each dessert plate was our DIY place card, which also doubled as a fun take-home gift for our guests. Sticking with our pretzel theme, we used blue baker's twine to tie blue thistle to Sunflower Boutonnieres and then attached the floral bundles, along with guests' names written onto white cardstock, to Pretzel Stress Toys!
Sitting to the left of each place setting was an Oktoberfest Party Luncheon Napkin, along with Premium Metallic Gold Plastic Cutlery that received a swipe of blue paint to better coordinate with our theme's color palette.
Plastic Pilsner Glasses and Oktoberfest Plastic Shot Glasses both sat to the right of each place setting ready to be filled with the evening's German libations - bier and schnapps!
After the salad course, each guest received mini charcuterie boards consisting of pretzel bites, cheese, sauerkraut, sliced bratwurst and grapes served atop Oktoberfest Beverage Napkins in Oktoberfest Serving Trays.
The cheeky saying on this hilarious baseball t-shirt pretty much summed up everyone's feelings about the delicious nibbles!
Sweets & Such
We made sure everyone's tastebuds were satisfied and that no one went home hungry by providing plenty of sweet and salty munchies!
In addition to savory white cheddar popcorn, served in double stuffed yellow and blue and white striped mini popcorn boxes, we also provided guests with candied pretzels that were served in a lidded cylinder jar. A jar filled with yellow, white and chocolate candies also sat nearby.
Guests couldn't resist the mouth-watering quintessential German treats - mini apple strudel puffs - that were the piece de resistance to our yummy meal!
Photobooth Station
Our festive balloon and pretzel backdrop turned into the perfect photobooth once everyone had finished dinner! We simply moved the dessert table to the side and everyone had a blast choosing themed Oktoberfest items from our photo prop station!
An Acrylic Riser Set, turned upside down, became the perfect container to corral all our props. The largest box was filled with yellow Easter grass, which helped the Oktoberfest Photo Stick Props stand up better. The medium size box kept Oktoberfest Head Boppers in place nicely.
Next, Clear Square Vases, painted white, held Oktoberfest Bead Necklaces and Oktoberfest Party Buttons. The smallest acrylic box was filled with Sunflower and Daisy Flower Crowns.
We hope you've been inspired to bring a bit of Germany's largest festival to your home this fall. Prost and Zum Wohl ("to your health")!
