Reception

Tim and I finally got to host our reception/family reunion on the second of July, and it felt amazing to be able to stop worrying!!!  Months and months of preparation and hard work (with much much thanks to all of my dear friends and family) went into this day, and I have to say, it was one of the happiest days of my life.  I wish I could have done something as elaborate and grandiose as I wanted, but being surrounded by almost every single person I hold dearest more than made up for the simplicity.  

Solution to keeping tablecloths from flying away?  Weave ribbon through the cloth and tighten underneath.

Thrift stores were my favorite place to shop when trying to find decorations I couldn't make.

Cupcake tower with DIY cupcake wrappers made out of doilies.

Place setting in a jar...guests just needed to load up a plate with food, then grab a jar with all of their silverware/napkins/etc.

We set up a photobooth with a great backdrop and silly masks on sticks for some entertainment.

Our guestbook was a mad-lib that we had each of our guests fill out.

It was so warm outside!!!!  We gave fans to everyone in hopes of keeping a little cooler...

Hand-made doily garland to decorate the rafters.

Hand-made pom poms to add a spruce of color.

Small and simple, but such a success!!!

My family and friends also pitched in on making and bringing food and drinks.  There was such a spread, we had enough leftover for the next week!  The theme was country, so my dad fried up some chicken, my mother-in-law made lumpia (not quite "country" but so so delicious), we grilled, plus there were tons of cold salads and pastas.  We threw some fruit into pails on the tables in easy reach, and made tons of cupcakes and cookies for desert.  Everything tasted so so delicious, and there was more than enough for everyone.

Tim's mom made 300 lumpia!  I stole some and froze them so we could eat them after the party :)

My dear Aunt Rhonda chopped up the watermelon, then used the shell as a bowl.  So clever!

Sweet tea, lemonade, and ice tea (plus tons of water and soda) quenched our thirst.

Grapes, apples, plums, oranges, and much more covered the tables to chow down on.

Yummy cupcakes!  My best friend, Alyssa, did the icing, and my sisters- and mother-in-law spread the sprinkles.

  

We grilled sliders and brats for some hot food.

The entire spread.  Delicious!!!

More important than the food and decor was the fact that pretty much my entire family (minus my sister, my maternal grandfather, and my great uncles) and the majority of my friends were able to make it.  South Carolina, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nevada, Washington, and Southern California were all present.  It was amazing!  My parents and in-laws were finally able to meet, I got to see my best friend in the entire world, and everyone got along fantastic.

I got to see family that I hadn't seen in FOREVER!!!

My cousins (the Wilsons), my brothers, aunt and uncle, and Grandmother

Most of our friends in the local area were able to make it.

My dad and his sister.

My Aunt Deanna and great-Uncle Frank.  They're so cute!!!

Everyone lined up to greet us when we arrived.

My parents and my in-laws.  Fantastic having them in the same place.

Notice the faces in the background :)

All the family that showed up to celebrate with us!

Photobooth shot of Uncle Frank and Aunt Rhonda

Cribbage is a very VERY important past time on my side.

We were so lucky we had so many of our friends and family there to support us!

My mom and I :)

I heart my parents.

Sisters-, mother-in-law, and myself

The hubby's side.

My best friend, Alyssa, and I.  Pretty much the best representation of us ever.

My high school buddies.  Loved having them here to celebrate this new chapter in my life!

I was NOT a happy camper.  I despise icing with a passion, so Timmy decided to shove it in my face. 

Mom and I again.  We have too much fun together.

All in all, the day was a success and I am so happy.  There is no way that any of it could have happened without my amazing friends helping with the decorations and food, my family helping me set everything up and take everything down, and everyone being willing to drive/fly so far just to be here.  No, I didn't do the whole wedding thing, but I'm not sure that it would have been any better.  I mean, my day was absolutely perfect.

These aren't all the pictures, so I'll be adding more over the next few days.  You should check out my photographer, Tiffany Kaye Photography, if you live in the local area because she is seriously amazing.  Find her on Facebook, or shoot me an email and I can give you her information.