Earlier this month I experienced the most magical evening . . . . a celebration in honor of my mom.
When she passed away last September I was aware that several big milestones were on the horizon. One of which was her 60th birthday. I decided right away that we needed to honor and celebrate that day in a special way. It didn't take very long for me to know that the best, most fitting way to do that was with a Diner en Blanc.
If you remember, she and I got to experience a Diner en Blanc on our trip to France in May 2016. It was absolutely amazing and one of the most memorable parts of our trip. If she had not become sick just a few months after that trip, and left us a year after that, I am positive that a Diner en Blanc would have been one of her next parties.
In fact, she designed the long table in her backyard after the one we dined on in the shadowof a 13th century Chateau. Her table, built by my dad, resting on a carpet of pea gravel, was an extension of the dream home she imagined in the rolling golden hills of central California. I knew that table needed to be the setting for her party.
And what a fitting way to celebrate my angel mother than by gathering a group of her family and best friends, all dressed in white.
It felt completely right and perfect.
I spent months planning out the details . . . trying to create an experience that would feel like my mom.
And I have to say that when it was all said and done, it was perfect. It was everything I hoped for.. It was beautiful in every way -- and a large part of that was due to the people who were there. So much love. We intentionally kept it small - family and her closest friends - a table full of women who loved her dearly.
I have a lot of pictures and details and more thoughts to share. It's hard to know where to begin and how to put into words everything that was this beautiful evening. Watch for more posts. For now, I think I'll start with the invitation. And piece it together from there.
I N V I T A T I O N
I worked with a graphic designer in my ward - Right and West - to design these invitations. They were so beautiful. We kept it simple and classic. My favorite part is the vellum overlay featuring a delicate white peony (my mom's favorite flower) and her signature phrase, "Happy Day". I also slipped in a little photo of her taken at our Diner in Blanc in France.
S E T - U P
I had two of the most amazing helpers with me alllllll day Saturday to get things set-up before the party began. I seriously could not have done it without them! They were great at helping with the thousand of little tasks that needed to be done. It was so great to spend the day with Anna and my niece Carlee and to give them a taste of what their Grammer Teresa was all about -- beautiful parties and all the special touches!
We wore our Happy Day t-shirts, we hung banners (of course), and the girls assembled the goodie bags
Speaking of goodie bags . . . here are the contents:
- a stack of recipe cards from our dinner, tied with twine
- a trio of meringues - from Trader Joe's
- two "Happy Day" vinyl stickers - I had these made at Sticker Mule
- two Raffaello coconut candies
- a mini white french farmstyle bucket - from this Etsy shop
All the dishes stacked, ready, and waiting to be set on the outdoor table
I set out a sample place setting and the girls got to work preparing the rest of the 14 place settings.
Lots more to share in the next post! . . . . . .
