Last weekend our good friends Maaike and Erik invited a big group of friends together for an end of summer paella party. While it was a breezy, overcast evening, it was a beautiful night to enjoy the outdoors. And while they would call this a casual affair, you can see that as always, this duo left no detail untouched. Just check out that simply stunning table setting for 30 people with candles hung from oars that are dangling from a huge backyard tree.

The bar and appetizers had an elegantly rustic vibe, and the flowers were a mixture of blooms from Maaike’s mother’s garden and wildflowers (or as Maaike puts it, “they’re just weeds.” And I love the simple bunches of sage in small jars scattered about the table.

It’s always fun to have a specialty cocktail at a party, and this one was delicious and highlighted the fruits of late summer.

You’ve got to have good Spanish wine to go with your paella!

Erik cooked the paella over an open fire in the backyard which encouraged people to gather around and watch the process.

When it was finished, we had this gorgeous creation of lobster tails, mussels, shrimp, chorizo, chicken, vegetables, and rice that was simply amazing.

All to be enjoyed at this beautifully candlelit table (the one decent shot I got with my phone).

Good friends, good food, and a beautiful night–there’s no better way to end the summer!

**All images (except where noted) by Maaike Bernstrom Photography**