Surprise 50th Anniversary Party

I decided early on to have my in laws a party for their golden anniversary, but with planning Presley's 2nd Birthday a month earlier, it didn't leave me much time to plan. I was on a budget so I decided to spend most of my money on food and entertainment and spend less on the decor. Since I hosted the party at the Historic Bank Lobby, the building is already gorgeous and doesn't need much decoration. Feel free to email with any questions about the details. 

I purchased the numbers at Hobby Lobby and painted them with black paint and sponged some gold paint on them. My mom put it all together on the bar with some gold mesh ribbon.

My Mom picked up some vases for less than $1 at a local dollar store and I spray painted them with a matte black spray paint. The gold twigs were purchased at a craft store. A very nice $2 centerpiece!

I used my white chair covers that I already had (purchased from eFavorMart.com) and I ordered black organza overlays, black sashes and round mirrors from eFavorMart.com. Their prices really can't be beat and they have a huge selection. I purchased the candles at Hobby Lobby and the gold flowers at a craft store. The centerpiece looked gorgeous and probably cost less than $5. Of course, my Mom put it all together!

 

The event was catered by Clint Neel at Your Grate Escape. I hate I didn't get more photos of the food but guests started arriving very early as he was putting the food out so it created some chaos! I decided to go with heavy hor d'oeuvres due to the fact that I didn't want to crowd the room with seating for 100 people to each sit  down and have a meal. My menu consisted of thai beef & chicken satays with peanut dipping sauce, stuffed mushrooms, cranberry meatballs, fresh vegetable display with ranch dipping sauce, hot spinach & artichoke dip with crackers & chips, shrimp cocktail shooters, mini twice baked potatoes, fresh fruit display with marshmallow dip and then later on int he evening we placed ham biscuits with herb butter & roquefort grapes out on the bar for guest to snack on. I didn't actually get to eat, but I was told the food was wonderful!

 

My friend Ben Baker from LKN Screenprinting Factory in Lake Norman, NC designed and printed up 16 oz. stadium cups for favors. He did such a wonderful job and it was so nice to work with someone with such outstanding customer service! I filled the cups with gold tissue paper and Hershey's nuggets and stacked them on a table near the door to make sure everyone took home a favor.

 

As an added touch my Mom came up with the idea to put champagne glasses filled with fun facts from 1963 scattered throughout the room. This was really a hit!

The cake was beautiful and tasty as always. It was by Renee McMillion of Renee's Cakes and Things. 

The band was Robotic Jive from Salem, VA. They are an awesome 80's band but they played all different eras of music and kept everyone dancing!

Here I am in full ordering someone around mode, I think Presley is calling me out on it lol!

Presley's outfit is from Janie and Jack. It's hard to tell in the photo but the bottom part of her dress is fur (faux, of course). She looked absolutely darling!

Here we are with the happy couple, wow 50 years is a long time!

Another shot of my girl looking gorgeous!

 Here I am looking completely exhausted!

 I think my mother-in-law, Gayle, was pretty surprised and very appreciative!

 

None of my party planning would be possible without the help of my gorgeous and talented mother, Cindy!

 

With my girl!

 

I ordered personalized water bottle labels from Announce it Favors on Etsy. I didn't get a great pic of them but I'll snap one and upload as soon as I can, along with pictures of the invites, which I ordered from Tiny Prints.

I didn't go on a huge shopping trip to find an outfit for this party, I actually threw together something I already had in my closet. I'm wearing a Cynthia Rowley leather trimmed tuxedo blazer that I got a TJ Maxx and Paige (similar) coated denim.

 

This is the only shot of my shoes so I decided to post it. I am so proud of the bargain I got on these Nine West founder platforms at 6pm.com, $39.99! And they are so comfortable and versatile!

 

With my gorgeous friend Courtney and baby River (see my baby shower post from June 2013)

 

 

 

All photography by  my gorgeous friend Jennifer (left) of Jen Farley Photography.