Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Adventures in Surprise Wedding Showers

Warning: the people you are about to see are professionals. Don't try this at home.

I would NEVER suggest that anyone do what I'm about to tell you I did last month. Seriously, only highly trained professionals should attempt this particular feat.

I'm an event planner. I work on non-profit events for my day job and weddings for my side job. I do LOTS of events each year. And I love them! Give me some time to create a timeline, set up some decor items, and I'm a happy camper. It's fun!

However, what I don't love is the last minute nature of events. I've learned over 6.5 years to go more with the flow, because you have to be flexible in my line of work.

When my mother-in-law told me her longtime friend asked her and me to plan a last-minute wedding shower for her future daughter-in-law when the couple was in St. Louis over Memorial Day weekend, and oh by the way, it’s a surprise, I was a little worried. Well, a LOT worried. I had lots going on… like another celebration I could mention here.

But an evite sent out, a timeline created, cover story concocted, and supplies purchased the day after the graduation party, and we were set. A surprise wedding shower with Cardinal touches was a go. 

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Baseball cookies from a local grocery store. So much easier to pick these up instead of making them ourselves!

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Gus’ Pretzels makes fabulous pretzels in crazy shapes – including the Cardinals’ logo!

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Popcorn in individual containers.

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What’s a wedding shower without mimosas? Strawberries just completed the red look.

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The sister of the groom made chocolate covered strawberries which were yummy!

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The dessert table.

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The mantel was decorated for the occasion.

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Baseballs and peanuts!

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Cracker Jacks and centerpieces.

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The bride-to-be was VERY surprised. She thought she was coming to my MIL’s house for beer and pie. Winking smile

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The couple with their gifts. He left pretty quickly after this picture to hang out with my husband while we had the party.

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The bride-to-be with her adorable flower girl.

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The planner and the bride-to-be!

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Other guests…

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And with her maid of honor.

 

While she was very surprised, I think she truly enjoyed herself once she was handed an adult beverage! She received some beautiful gifts and we had a lovely time hanging out before the wedding this past weekend. It was a great celebration.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Law School Graduation Party Details

I jokingly said that I had been planning this party since Husband’s first day of law school. In reality, I started the Pinterest board sometime last year.  I ended up hiring a caterer to do the heavy lifting and had specialized cupcakes delivered to the apartment’s club house for the big day. That saved us a LOT of work. Having someone set up the food, ask my guests if they wanted another drink, and clean up at the end of the day? Totally worth the price.

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You have to display the diploma! Plus, beautiful white carnations in a SLU blue vase.

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White carnations with blue and white beans made a perfect centerpiece.

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Diploma cookies!

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What’s a St. Louis celebration without toasted ravioli?

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Food set up.

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Blue pom poms and crepe paper to complete the look.

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The congrats banner made a great backdrop for photos.

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Vanilla bourbon cupcakes from The Sweet Divine. Custom made flavor the graduate!

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He even got special cupcakes just for him.

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Chocolate raspberry cupcakes were the other flavor of the day.

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Most of his presents were cards… and beer. Very apropos for a law school graduation.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Adventures in Law School Graduation

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I am going to go out on a limb that I was the most proud wife of all time on Thursday, May 16. At the Chaivetz Arena, my husband officially accepted publicly his diploma as a Juris Doctor. An official lawyer.
It's beside the fact that he already had his real diploma at home, framed, and his gold bar membership card in his pocket.

This was Graduation Day.

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It was a big deal! We had family in town - his parents, my mom, my brother, my cousin from KC and the nephew. Unfortunately, his brother and girlfriend had to work but they ended up coming to the party over the weekend so we could celebrate. But to be surrounded by all the SLU blue and the excitement for a graduate school commencement ceremony, it was amazing.

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And yes, there were tears. I have never been more proud of my husband. He looked SO handsome in that beautiful black robe with blue and white master's hood. And that mortarboard! That's what did me in. That cap and the tassel. It was so official and final.

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Although, I will admit, it's a bit strange that he had to take off from work that day to come to the ceremony. Kind of funny, but pretty darn awesome that he had a job already!


Now on to our next big adventure... :)