Engagement Party

We have another family wedding coming up in the next couple of months.Our youngest son is getting marriedto his gorgeous fiancee in July! So it is beginning to be full steam wedding mode at our home these days!

This has made me realizeI haven't even shared the wonderfulEngagement Partywe threw for Hunter and Megan a few months back!

I believe a great start to a party is a 
fabulous invite!
It's an easy way to set a style and tone for the event!

The party was an evening event in the backyard.

I set up a lovely cake table inside

to greet our guests.

These  love spoons are a perfect cake topper

for an engagement cake They were an engagement present for the couplefrom a dear friend!I was so happy she gave them to me early!

I dressed up 
a simple cake with natural elements.

Ellis and I handmade
Hunter and Megan'sinitials out of tubing and cotton strips to personalize the tablescape.

I used plenty of

 battery pack tiny lightsboth inside an out that evening.They are such a quick and inexpensive way to addsome fun drama and ambient lighting.

For party giveawayswe had white candlesthat we simply finished off with twine and an eucalyptus leaf.

I loved the white, which says bridaland there was eucalyptus used throughoutboth inside and out.We got these beauties at the dollar store.Used in massand finished offthey far exceeded their price!

Another design element for the Engagement Partywere the

Mexican Wedding BannersI ordered 12 packsand used them throughout the party spacesto tie all the spacesinside and out together.

For the menuwe wanted to keep it fun and lightso we did tacos and margaritas!

We hired someone to come and make fresh tacos to order.She brought a huge selection of top ingredientswith several meat or vegetarian choices.She was set up in our front courtyardso her setting up, and taking down her cooking stationnever interrupted the party flow.

Our gorgeous engaged couple!

In the backyard I set up
a salsa and chip barfor easy access for everyone.

For the appetizers we ordered
 bamboo plates and forks.

It was an informal partyso I left our tables unsetandhad votive candles with eucalyptusfor decor.

And how gorgeous are these two!They have been together seven years already!They met at summer campthe year before high school!I have loved Megan for yearsalways secretly hoping they would get married,but never mentioning that factas I never wanted to put pressure on either one of them.So I couldn't be happier that they are getting marriedand becoming a member of our family!And I am so happy that our two families will be joining together!Megan's Mom gave me a card that said she thought"god had chosen our families to come together"I couldn't be happier at the joining ofthe couple and our families.

These two might be on the young sidebut they are old soulswith maturity beyond their years!With such an ability to see the important parts in life already!

This Momma's heart is  pretty darn proud at the most wonderful 2 spousesmy son and daughter have found!It's a truly joyful timeto see your family growwith such love!

One of my favorite things to add to a party these days is a photo booth.

Time seems to go by so fast these daysespecially at parties.I really appreciate having loving memories of the Peopleat a party.

I added more of the 
Mexican bridal garland
 to my framed canvas backdropAnother way to tie the party elements togetherand create a beautiful backdrop.

We added  a large
 'bouquet' of pampas grassfor some bohemian flair.

For the night's festivities I chose to wear myvintage 'Hostess Dress'that I found in Palm Springs.And it worked like a charm.The dress spoke to the occasion with it's full embroidery front and backand just as importantmoved with such hostessing easeI think it's a type of dress that need a resurgence!

And of course the occasion called for a Crown!

Here is our gorgeous Bride To Bewith her lovely sister and beautiful mother!Megan's mother has raised two intelligent, strong, gorgeous young womenwho also are athletes at the collegiate level!

Aren't Crowns just perfect for a photo booth!

The engaged couple with my parents and brother.

For those of you who have been following my blog for a whilecan you believe these two will be celebrating their two year anniversary next month!It seems like we were just planning our  darling daughter's wedding to her incredible husband!

Two of my dear friends that not only came to the partybut came early to help me light what felt like a hundred candles!

And they got their men to take this fabulous picture!!See everyone can use a Crown!!

It ended up to be such 
a magical night all around!And another chance for both side of family and friendsto come together to celebrate a very beloved couple!


And there were 
presents to be opened as well!How darling was this gift's presentation!Complete with a chalk board sign to count down the days untilthese two say I do!

Wishing Hunter and Megana lifetime of love and happiness!

I am so excited for their wedding!!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joyas you style your life