A few weeks ago, I worked with a group of wonderful ladies to host a celebration for a family that attends our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The Moore family was going to the Mesa Arizona Temple to have their family sealed for eternity. This is a very special occasion for members of our church, and since most couples are sealed when they are married, it is more rare for a family with children to go and be sealed.
So we wanted to throw a fun party celebrating their new “Forever Family” and took a lot of decoration cues from a favorite church hymn.
Since our budget for this event was pretty much zero, we had to be creative. The centerpieces included borrowed jars filled with a print of the song, various black-and-white colored family games (marbles, dominoes, chess, even matchbox cars) and homemade purple lollipops.
We used some damask runners I already had and a garland made from torn strips of black fabric in my mother’s stash to decorate the buffet table. A lineup of five monster balloons were the centerpiece and added just the right touch for a “family fun” kind of atmosphere.
Paper chains made from sheet music, were a budget friendly way to add some character to the church hall (which is normally a basketball court).
Since this event was all about families, we figured a kid’s table was a must. A paper-doll chain (cut from a $1.50 roll of solid black wrapping paper found at Walmart) dressed up the table. We also made purple, polka-dot pinwheels for the kids to play with and take home.
I scoured the internet looking for a coloring page of the Mesa Arizona Temple, and was beyond surprised that I couldn’t find one. So I took matters into my own hands and drew one up. Here is a link for the next person needing a Mesa Arizona Temple Coloring Page.
I designed and printed out paper flags to create a banner for the dessert table. After cutting them out, I strung them on white embroidery thread — it was super easy and inspired me to create a Halloween paper banner, which I will be posting the printable file for in a few days!
For the dessert table, we wanted to bring in the damask print that was used on the buffet table, but we were out of fabric. Luckily I found a roll of wrapping paper with a similar print, perfect for covering cardboard boxes to use as stands and to line the cake plates.
bettijo – every party you plan is beautiful.
I really like the purple polka-dot windmills.
awww, thanks Shuantel! (I’m blushing)
I love ALL the attention to detail. Looks amazing! I especially love the handmade purple lollies and the family game pieces in the jars–so appropriate for a family celebration. Congratulations to the Moore family!
I love the purple with the black and white paper. I’m impressed with how cheap you were able to pull this off and how amazing it looks!! You are so sweet to do this for the family Bettijo. I’m sure they appreciated it so much!!!
Wow! That party sounded fantastic. I’m so amazed at your creativity and talent. I bet they were so excited. The pictures are incredible. Go Bettijo!