How to Throw an Epic Game of Thrones Party

When The Social asked me to design a "how to" segment on throwing a Game of Thrones party, I lost my mind a little bit. Game of Thrones is a stylists DREAM... every character has their own distinct style, their trademark colour, etc. YES they have their sigils but it goes so far above and beyond just that and that's part of the reason why people love the show and why they can identify with the characters as easily as they do. The characters, while incredibly complex internally, are marked distinctly on the outside almost like superheroes are. To show this, I designed 3 different tables and parties, each based on a different character or house.

THE NIGHT'S WATCH

A lot of last season took place at Castle Black with The Brotherhood of the Night’s Watch. I based this table around a palette of black and silver with wood accents. The Night's Watch are marked by long black, often fur trimmed cloaks. Their swords and weapons are silver and metal of course, and they are not a showy or wealthy group, so everything is accented with items that are practical versus ornamental. The chargers and flatware guests are using are wood, lanterns decorate the table but would also light the way at night and the goblets are a flat silver - nothing showy.

Make your centrepieces using dark red florals as a nod to the leaves of the weirwood and darkly, to remind us of the blood of the brothers. This look could so easily go goth, so you need to always bring it back to the rusticness of the North. We did that here by using lanterns on the tables, furs, antlers and by having super rustic, manly food options like steak and potatoes.

Crows or ravens are also important symbols in the north: they have mystical connection with the weirwood tree and the appearance of the white walkers, they are what the Night's Watch use to communicate to the rest of the realm, and John Snow's cloak often mimics the wings of a crow. So I've used a black ruffled linen as a fun but unique way to bring that element into the party.

Offer your guests themed cocktails like The White Walker and The Crow. The White Walker is a white drink that should glow blue; The Crow is a dark cocktail made up of whiskey, averna, walnut bitters and garnished with a mulberry skewer.

And for dessert of course you can really have a lot of fun with the theme. This cake really plays into the crow theme and reflects just how desolate and bare the North is.

HOUSE LANNISTER

The Lannisters are royal but lethal and their colours reflect that. Their banner is red and gold so your party should be as well! Red linens make a statement and then your tableware should all be gold pieces like these chargers, silverware and goblets. Because the show is a period piece, this is a house where you can antique hunt a bit and find a tapestry like this one and throw it on top for that extra layered effect.

In every room the Lannisters occupy at the Red Keep it seems as though there are always vessels overflowing with fruit, so have fun with that! Have displays of pomegranate, plums, figs, nuts, dates, grapes etc in brass or gold vessels... you can even spray paint fake grapes gold for added kitsch. Candle light is also key to a dimly lit castle, so make sure you have lots of it.

In terms of food, this family always eats... well... like kings and queens, so fill your table with abundant c