Party Design on a Dime

Our Best Friends, The Duncans, recently celebrated their 10th anniversary.   Because Jeff is a youth minister, he and Abbey rarely get the opportunity to celebrate due to youth camps, mission trips, and other summer youth events. This year their anniversary actually fell during youth camp.  So Jeff spent it with a bunch of teenagers and Abbey at Lake Winnie with her cousin and their sons- Romantic Huh? 

I wanted  them to really celebrate this important anniversary so I began asking Jeff a few months ago what they were going to do.  With him being gone so much during the summer and away from their kids, he really didn't want to go away on another trip.  So we came up with the idea of doing a Surprise Wedding Vow Renewal for Abbey.  I LOVE Planning Events so I as soon as we set the date, the party planning began.  

My mom is the party queen.  She goes ALL out for any event she is doing.  I like to think that I got just a little bit of her creativity and craftiness.  Details are important to her and I love that.  I pretty much went to my parent's house and "shopped" for almost everything I needed for this event.  This makes sticking to budget a lot easier!

We held the vow renewal in their beautiful (and free) backyard! And Abbey was totally surprised! NO idea! They had checked into the Inn they were staying at in Chattanooga, eaten dinner, then Jeff told her he left the card (one that was written for them to read on their 10th anniversary) at home and he really wanted to go back to Cleveland and get it. AND SHE FELL FOR IT!!!!

SURPRISE! I left her bouquet in a vase in front of the garage. 

Jeff told her to carry the vase- Gotta love Men :)

I used my own large petunia planters to outline the center aisle. 

The arbor I borrowed from my parents

Gorgeous Lilies and Hosta Leaves and Blooms made up my middle arrangement and to the right beautiful pink Hydrangeas and Hosta Leaves and Blooms (All from my parents garden!)

The Rocking chairs on the deck are from their front porch and the pillows I brought from our guest bedroom.  

My Favorite piece of Decor! I found this gorgeous piece at TJMaxx for a great price! I think it's going to be the inspiration for my living room when I redecorate it- One Day :)

Gotta love the Picture Garland. Always a nice, inexpensive touch!

I LOVE my wicker furniture! 

Especially when I can use it outside of my own home

I found a beautiful (inexpensive) shower curtain at TJMaxx and made this table runner out of it! I had the beautiful monogram done at Paisley.  I did not make the cake- one thing I handed off and so glad I did- Less Stress!

All the table linens I borrowed from my mom as well as most of the vases. I LOVE the table cloths. I wonder if she would notice if I kept them and made curtains out of them :)

Lantern and Bucket are both from my home- Flowers from my parent's garden

Party Favors for the guests! Ordered the cards and made the Flower Tags and Sign.  Found the Picket Fence at Hobby Lobby- It was used to display windmills, but was empty so I asked if I could purchase it and they gave it to me for FREE! Slapped on a fresh coat of white paint and Voila! The Sun has seeds in them so you plant the sun and wildflowers bloom! :)

Gotta Have Friends! Thankful for these sweet friends! We love them like family!