{celebrate} nick & sharilyn’s engagement party

This weekend we spent our days prepping an engagement party in the beautiful city of Santa Cruz. My brother-in-law found the lovely lady he wants to spend the rest of his life with and I can’t think of a better excuse for a party than that! Given that our family loves throwing a shindig, we had all hands on deck to cook, decorate, and create a little gathering for 65 family and friends.

Guests were greeted at the gate by an arrangement of white hydrangeas, tulips, and twisty willow that had the invitation tucked amid the branches. My sister-in-law, Kelly, put it together. She has a way with flowers that she may have inherited from her green-thumbed mother.

My favorite detail of the party was the guestbook. My mother-in-law, Debbie, had the brilliant idea to purchas The Newlywed Cookbook from Crate & Barrel and have guests write a note to the happy couple on a page of their choice. After flipping through its pages I may have to purchase one for myself, despite the fact that I think my “newlywed” window has long since  closed.

The welcome table also dawned a card box Debbie covered in the teal of the party. She attached a sea star to the top to add a little of the elegant ocean vibe we were going for. The picture was a favorite from their engagement photos and a handful of pens sat ready for guests to grab.

As you entered the backyard my “Happily Ever After” banner was there to greet you. Paper is my thing. I used scalloped cards, foam stamps, and gray paint to create the cards. Then I backed them in teal and cut slits that allowed me to string them onto satin ribbon. I have made a similar banner before and love how it looks as a backdrop for photos of the happy couple.

The yard was lit with tiki torches and a mixture of teal table cloths covered round tables. It was so nice to sit and chat and hear from people who I hadn’t seen in far too long.

My hubby acted as bartender for part of the evening, mixing delicious margaritas and chatting people up. It was a beautiful afternoon and a fun filled night. Congratulations Nick and Sharilyn!