this past weekend i got do something i love for someone i love.
that is a favorite of mine.
don't you enjoy doing something you love soooo much more when you get to bless someone else?!
my friend's son got married and my friends and i were honored to prepare and serve the rehearsal dinner.
we were the mother of the groom's friends….
you know…like at YOUR wedding when your mom's friends took a picture?
and you thought they looked old then?
yeah….that is ME now?!!!
surely we don't look as old our parents did???? ha ha ha
i love flowers.
i cut from the craft house, bought sunflowers at the grocery store & pulled over and cut wildflowers in the fields.
they came together so beautifully.
the meal was simple and perfect.
a group effort of friends and family.
and all family recipes of the groom's favorite foods.
engagement photos were blown up at kinkos in poster size.
we used spray adhesive to mount them onto plywood.
and then they were hung from the rafters in the barn.
the happy couple….adorable. :)
the craft house tables and chairs took a little field trip this weekend for the party.
hay bales served as seating and even made a loveseat for the bride and groom.
this old door made a perfect frame.
the parents of the groom…..
time to eat!
pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, baked beans & pasta salad….SO YUMMY.
the parents of the bride….
wildflowers + mason jars + candles = happiness.
my beautiful friends.
this picture gets me all emotional….love them so much.
we had such a nice day together preparing to help our friend become a mother-in-law.
🙂
YAY is the perfect word!
after dinner we got the dessert ready….homemade ice cream and four kinds of cake!
ice cream served in jars with your choice of strawberry, peanut butter, chocolate or banana sheet cake.
this was absolutely DELICIOUS!
the sun went down and the candles and twinkle lights were so pretty.
we enjoyed some time when everyone went home just soaking up the day.
what a blessing it was to be a part of it….to prepare something special for our friend.
AND get to do some of my favorite things at the same time….decorate AND eat good food!
my heart is full today.
bursting practically.
i am a happy happy girl.
Laurel - So fun! Where did you get the little paper trays for the cake?
Lisa - That is seriously gorgeous! I love the rustic simplicity and those giant pictures were amazing. Great job!
the whyte house - i JUST saw their wedding photos on facebook via their photographer’s page YESTERDAY!! such gorgeous kids! 🙂 congrats to the families!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10151233514944148.550899.212372784147&type=1
Heather @ Glitter and Gloss - Wow, what a gorgeous party!! Congrats to the adorable couple!
amy jupin - what a special party for a special little family!
i loved this…each and every detail.
great job ladies!
and congrats jana! xoxo!
Heather Mattos - megan. it is all so so SO amazing.
julia - This party should be featured in a magazine.
Jill - OH MY! Spectacular!!! Love this party!!!
Oh, and Meg…you are rockin those cowboy boots! DIG EM!
Charisse - Meg – Have you seen the farm video that’s going viral on youtube? It’s called ‘I’m Farming and I Grow It’. I’m spreading the word for my neighbor boys that made it. We live north of Newton in Saline County. It’s awesome! Hope you check it out. Stay cool.
Mary - SWOON!!!
i love everything about this so much!
you did a really great job. 🙂
Tiffany - Beautiful! That whole event must have been pure sweetness! You are one creative, thoughtful, and inspiring person! What a blessed couple!
julie - That’s it. I’m moving. Possibly getting remarried. Or having a rehearsal anniversary dinner. Or something.
Jenn N - I just adore all you and your friends did to make this day. Everything; the barn, photos, decor, food, all fantastic!
Alicia @ La Famille - i love the heck out of this!! great job!!
Carrie - I likely will never remarry (or date again) but if I do I want you to come do my wedding! Beautiful! 🙂
Tracy Fisher - Wow. Love that setting. Makes me long for the country. 🙂 -Tracy
Linda - I want to have a party!! Just like the one who threw! Maybe in the fall with a fire…mmm….thanks for the inspiration. Love what you did! Could you share a bit about the chair paint colors sometime?
Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - It was all so beautiful. My kind of party. So glad you are a blessing to others as well as you are blessed to be a good friend. ..lucky you!
kasey - seriously makes me miss the parties i used to throw by looking at these photos….
Carla - I have been following your blog for a couple of years now and hands down, this is my favourite post. Wow, wow, wow. What an amazing looking party, everything looked just perfect. Love the blown-up photos, the love seat, the light, the barn the adorable couple, the impossibly young-looking mother-in-law and friends. Everything jsut looks perfect. I know its a bit of an ask but could you plan more parties so that your blog readers can devour all the eye-candy on a regular basis lol 🙂 And you guys ARE so young. I’m the same age as you and my eldest is just 4. MOst of my friends’ kids are around the same age so when they start getting married, we are going to be officially OLD. especially if they wait as long as their parents did…I don’t even want to think about it…but hey, i have alot of cute ideas for the party 🙂
Alice H - Everything looks PERFECT!! This is such a great idea.
Just a few questions: how many people were you serving? And how many pork shoulders/butts did you buy? And can you share the recipes for those cakes?
Thanks in advance if you make the time to answer these questions.
jeannett - you should throw a party for me.
because that is ridiculous cute.
dumb california being so far from dumb kansas.
who can we talk to about this???
Dani - Beautiful! I love the pictures from the rafters. Simple, yet beautiful!
Dana @ Bungalow'56 - Megan,
I always look at events like these in magazines. You and your friends are so creative, it truly looked like a perfect night. The thought given to small detail and the meal… oh my goodness, just amazing. Your friend is one lucky lady to have you ladies in her life.
Dana
Lela Pohlmann - I wanna throw a party and have you come and decorate. What an absolutely perfect setting for a party! You girls are awesome!
Stephanie - So, so beautiful! You have a gift! I love everything about this especially the tribute to friendship- how special:)
Jen Brandt - I want to be there, Meg! I can see why your heart is so full. You did such a nice job. Beautiful!
april - What a wonderful weeding! For reals if I could redo my wedding it would be just like this! xoxo
april
amber - Wow! You all pulled together such a beautiful dinner! And so much sweeter doing it with dearly loved friends. So so lovely! I am so inspired! Among everything (which i loved it all!) I absolutely love that old door as a picture frame! What a fabulous idea!
dcure@carolina.rr.com - You need to go into business! Rent out that barn for occasions! GREAT job! It was beautiful, and makes my heart happy for you to know that the sweet couple will look back on those pictures years from now and remember how special the party was! Awesome!!!
Jen - I must say that there is NOTHING I don’t adore here. Great idea for the photos, the flowers, the dessert, the candles……wonderful!
Elizabeth - OMG! That was so Beautiful! What wonderful memories this couple will have.
Katie N. - I loved my parents’ friends – always so special how they helped us out like decorating for weddings and such – a true sisterhood!
Heather - Everything about this is show stopping. It’s all so beautiful. These pics, like mostly all of your others, make me long to live in Kansas. The lifestyle seems so…I don’t know…country I guess? Warm and inviting.
Michelle From Australia - Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Mindy Harris - swoon over all of this! this is how i would want my rehearsal dinner if i was getting married to shawnie again.
the couple looks so young…sigh…so were we.
good job on all the decor–burlap does wonders.
karen gerstenberger - You are such a good friend, Meg. God bless the happy couple and their family and friends!
Makila - Amazing. I loved everything but I loved the picture of your friends the most. It is a blessing to walk through life with friends. A complete blessing. Thank you for sharing.
Lisa - Perfection! I’m all the time imagining what I would do if I had to plan a wedding/rehearsal/reception NOW instead of when I was 22. THIS is it. So, so perfect! Nice job, ladies 🙂
Chris - Good Lord…when do you sleep?! BEAUTIFUL!!! You are so creative!! I’m so jealous….
Barbara Nelson - So amazing loved it all the cake & ice cream idea was so smart!
Julia S. - I can’t even begin to explain to you how much a LOVE this party! it’s beautiful and makes me so happy. i just keep looking at these pics over and over again. And serving the homemade ice cream in mason jars…brilliant…i keep thinking “why haven’t I thought of that????” I have GOT to do that for fourth of July!!! Thank you for sharing. You and your friends did an outstanding job!!!
Becki - Beautiful! AND you DON’T look old. None of you!
Christy - How Beautiful! Meg you really can do it all girl
Jenna@CallHerHappy - Meg, this could have been the wedding! How gorgeous. How warm. How welcoming. Just beautiful!
Jenna
callherhappy.com
Amy @ Little for a Little While - What an awesome idea for a party! I want to find a reason to have a barn party! And you’ll help decorate and cater it, right? 😉
betsy - Looks like a great party! You & your friends look like you aren’t old enough to be married … which means the bride & groom look like they could be in high school!
I bet many fun memories were made 🙂
Ashley - This all looks amazing.
How did you make the YAY sign? I have a birthday party coming up and want to make a little hanging flag sign myself!
thanks!
Sarah Wolfe - That seems like the perfect celebration. Everything came together beautifully. Great job!
Stephanie@Geezees - wow – as always your pics are amazing here! That was beautiful!
TAB - Absolutely beautiful. Charming displays and somewhat magical. Your friend was blessed to have you girls to set up the rehearsal dinner. Gorgeous!
roganne - have you done this before?!? this party looks like a professional organized it! great job, you should feel very proud 🙂
keri - forever folding laundry - This is just perfect.
Not only the evening – which was obviously amazing! Loved it all.
But I love the sentiment behind it all: the friendship and community and bond you all share.
Just lovely – all of it!
And she is not old enough to be a MIL. Period.
Cheryl E. - WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
Just beautiful…. all of it… the huge photos of the bride and groom, the wildflowers, the hay, the mason jars, home-cooked food…. all of it made with L.O.V.E.
Laura - NO WONDER YOU ARE EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!
good for you for making the time to do what you love
the prettiest light of all at that party were the FRIENDS
beautiful job
the happy couple looks YOUNG YOUNG YOUNG
(or am I just old?)
Christy K - It looks like you all had an amazing time… and who wouldn’t in an amazing setting like that?? Love all the little details, and as always your photos are just fantastic! This post definitely brought a huge smile to my face. Everything looked just perfect. : )
Jenn - Glorious! What a great way to do a rehersal dinner. So laid back, yet it has a sweet country elegance to it. I’m sure everyone was thinking, “this is the best rehersal dinner I’ve been to.” Well done!
Jenn - Glorious! What a wonderful way to do a rehersal dinner. So laid back, yet still with sweet country elegance. I’m sure everyone was thinking, “this is the best rehersal dinner I’ve ever been to.” Well done!
Tanya H - Wow! So much happy in this post! Its all so fabulous! The door “frame” made me gasp! 🙂 So many awesome ideas too!
Kati - Amazing!! I love all the details. Those huge pictures are amazing too! It looks like a fun laid back event. Makes me wish I had a big barn to host parties at!
Suzanne - how sweet! love the ice cream and cake bar!
Kimberly Dial - It’s all so lovely!
happygirl - Ice cream in jars. GENIUS!! This was a stunning, but simple affair. Perfect. 🙂
Kimberlee Jost - Happiness for Jana!
I love her so!!!!
Casey - This is one of the most lovely parties I have ever seen in my life 🙂 It’s always a tough balance with weddings to make things “perfect” and “special” enough and still make people feel comfortable and laid back being there. You hit the nail on the head. Fabulous.
Flower Patch Farmgirl - Nothing beats a barn bash! You did real good. Perfection!
ps – Pass the PB sheet cake.
Tammy - Absolutely beautiful! I’m so inspired!! Love your blog and uplifting posts.
mollie's mom - What a sweet and simply tasteful party – it couldn’t have been more perfect. Marcie
shannon - What a beautiful dinner rehearsal. Love, love, love all the rustic touches and that it was laid back and simple making it much more enjoyable for everyone there.
You guys did a great job!
Pamela Gordon - This is such a fun looking party! I love every photo and detail. Great job!
Katy B - What an absolutely beautiful party!!!
tiffany gardner - stunning. i loved everything about this post! thanks for sharing. 🙂
Lori Danelle - Absolutely PERFECT. And I remember when he was born! Good grief – I keep feeling old!! 😉
Maria Bryan - you are amazing! Everything is beautiful…you inspire me so much!
jennibell - What a beautiful party!!!
sofie - Gorgeous. You are all very talented!
Andrea - Meg….so beautiful…what a true friendship. What a sweet couple (they look so young…maybe I am getting so old…)……best wishes to them!
Kate - Oh, this is so beautiful! I’m so happy for you! What a beautiful group of friends.
Tiffany - Definitely made me want to call all my High School friends over to cook, decorate and take pictures. Love really is what it is all about. You mommas showed up and that makes me smiiiiiiiiile a mile wide. I have a son and I know how much it would mean to have my friends help me get my baby boy ready for a wife and a new life. AAAAAAAAGH!! But alas he is just 16. Thanks for sharing Ms Meg.
Linda - perfection!
laura b - Everything looks so lovely and relaxed. My brother just had his wedding reception (they married in a private ceremony a month earlier) and they did a lot of the decorating and cooking themselves, but they seemed so busy and stresssed. I’m afraid they didn’t get to enjoy their special day as much as they should have! I’m sure it helps that they have so many friends to help out!
Terrie G - Oh.My.Gosh!! I LOVE it all!! You gals did a great job!
You don’t look old at all!! Your friend doesn’t look old
enough to have a son getting married! I just feel old every time I see A!
🙂
You had quite the gamut of emotions this week. Loved seeing all the
treasures from your family this week. And that quilt was to die for!
Thanks for sharing all of it with us. So sorry for your family’s loss.
My thoughts and prayers were with you!
Jana Banana - Really beautiful–so obvious that love is in the details! Well done and all best to the new couple!
christiejayne - Wow!! What a stunning party! And cute couple!!
Rachel J - WOW!
This is AH-mazing! Love the decor and simplicity. No doubt there was lots of hard work, but taking simple things and making it beautiful. You rock Meg. For real.:)
Chrissie grace - Every detail makes me giddy:).
Toni :O) - A-MAZING!!!! And so lovely to boot!!! What a blessing to have such special friends in your life. May God bless the sweet couple to a lifetime of happiness, patience and love everlasting. :O)
Anna - The little jars of ice cream make me swoon! What a beautiful rehearsal dinner (and beautiful couple)!
Stephany - WOW!
That party looks fabulous!
I’m going to be pinning some of your beautiful photos!
Hope you don’t mind…
They are beautiful.
Kari C. - I get SO excited every time I see you have a new blog post! Your posts always make me feel so happy! You and your friends did a BEAUTIFUL job on the rehearsal dinner! Looks absolutely adorable! What a good looking couple! Best of wishes to the happy couple!