Like butterflies to spring flowers, the social swans and their escorts floated across the Buffalo Bayou bridge that leads to the lush gardens of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens for the annual "Garden Party" this weekend. Lovely.

The ladies in spring frocks and gents in summery linens and pastel ties toured the museum home of the late Miss Ima Hogg, strolled the verdant rolling landscape and finally sat down for dinner in a tent so beautifully decorated with flowers and greenery that it could have been the gardens of Versailles.

The weather was perfect — cool and dry. The setting was spectacular with the Diana Fountain providing a magnificent backdrop for the City Kitchen dinner.

The McDugald-Steele team, which annually oversees the floral decor of the expansive tent, outdid themselves with towering urns overflowing with hydrangeas, roses, lilies, tulips and other blossoms in shades of pink that bowed to dinner chair Marjorie Cain's "Pink Perfection" theme. Suspended from the center of the tent ceiling was a massive green and floral "sculpture" redolent with spring flowers and rich in greenery.

Bayou Bend director Bonnie Campbell could not have been more pleased with the evening, not only with the beautiful decor and sophisticated turnout but also for the money raised. The event surpassed the $400,000 goal.

Swinging to the tunes of Yvonne Washington and the Mix were Bobbie and John Nau, Frances and Peter Marzio, Franci and Jim Crane, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs and Carol and Mike Linn, 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Houston gala chairs. The Linns have signed the popular Washington to perform at that October gala.

Among couples celebrating spring in their fashion best were Cornelia and Meredith Long, Dancie and Jim Ware, Cherie and Jim Flores, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Karen and Mike Mayell, Ginni and Richard Mithoff, Jeanie Kilroy with Ed Becnel, and Karol and Paul Barnhart.