As all of you know by now, I LOVE hosting a party. Ever since we moved into the house, the backyard has always been the crown jewel of our property. I have been dreaming of hosting an elegant, romantic, glowing dinner party in our make shift gazebo.  I finally seized the opportunity this summer, because I have also been really wanting honor my parents on their anniversary.  I feel like it slips through the cracks all the time and sheesh, am I every grateful for the marriage, now I think more then ever.  I wanted to do it up BIG.  So, we surprised them and threw them a dinner party, completely catered to them...what they love, memories we have created and places we like to go and it included people they love! Us kids (my brother and I), our spouses and the grandkiddies were the "help" for the night, serving, honoring and making sure everyone was having a wonderful night. It felt good to serve the ones that loved us first...  

Here is all the fun details of the night.

Gourmet S'More Bar.  All the S'more concoctions had names that had to do with our annual family River Trip we take every year. It was a yummy way of remembering so many fun times.

Cornhole and Cocktails- my dad's favorite combo....specifically a with a rum and coke.

The festive bunch.

The dance floor was illuminated by a ton of tea light candles rimmed around it.  Grace, my sister-in-law provided the music with her own songs (which we all love and cannot get enough of!)

The Love Birds.

All the kids and kids-in-law took a turn to say a few words to honor the happy couple...my mom cried...the entire time, which surprised nobody

Then it was off to roasting s'mores!

We even had grand kid entertainment, they sang a few songs they both knew, one being the ABC's...it was very romantic. 

I hope you enjoyed a walk in my backyard.  

Now go and enjoy hosting in the great outdoors in the last few days of summer we have left!

Check out this whimsy outdoor party too!

Simple Dinner Party Inspiration // Entertaining

Here is some eye candy inspiration for you- how to host a simple outdoor dinner party.  This was a fun party we had for my friend's birthday during our annual girls trip up in a cute apple-country farm town.  I was so inspired by the whimsy-ness of this place I knew it would be a great backdrop to a beautiful outdoor dinner party.  Here are some of the simple details I put together to make this night special.

Table:

 Burlap/Lace/Fabric extras for table covering.  Small cuts of a tree (our christmas tree actually), glitter mason jars, candles and sparkly vase filler sprinkled around along with a tin pitcher filled with clippings from around the property.  

Up high in the trees:

I really wanted to hang twinkle lights, but alas the extension cord I packed was not long enough, so I had to improvise.  I had brought a bunch of glitter jars with battery powered lights, so I used string I had to make them hang from the tree to add some sparkle and shine.  This was a happy accident, I loved this way more! I also had bunting I hung around the trees.

Place settings: 

I used the serving ware that came with the rental, but I added a little pizzazz with glitter name badges and candy button napkin rings.  The candy buttons are very nostalgic and added just the right amount of color and fun to the table...

bonus: a little dessert before dinner ;)

This is me and the lady of the day! Happy Birthday Stephanie!

 I am glad we had an excuse to throw a party, thanks for being the inspiration!

Linking up with:

Show-Licious Party