Well the last of the Jake & Steph wedding festivities are over after an open house last Saturday. Ahhh...the relief! 
Initially we weren't going to do any sort of open house/reception here in Vegas. Who would come? Our unspoken thoughts were...if we didn't have one...then no one could not come and we'd avoid any emotional injury.
But then we got thinking... the relatives, they'd be obligated to show up. Then Jake had a few friends that he wanted to share this happy time with. And then the ward members...some of them are so darn nice that they show up, just to be nice. So we decided to go forward.
Next challenge where? Our house...too small if some one actually showed up. Outside in someone beautiful yard...way too hot in August. The church gym ...too big for our expectations...but the price was right.
Next challenge how to make the gym feel inviting and special on a miniature budget and even less time. Plus gyms are known to swallow up token decorations making them look even more lame. Food I can handle...decorations were causing me to hyperventilate and sweat.
But in steps my wonderful friend Karla, who loves to decorate and had just done a wedding for her daughter. She had some great ideas! We pulled it together in a couple hours with just the things we had. Another friend Linda, a past wedding caterer, helped pull together beautiful buffet tables with her amassed collection of serving pieces. Thank heavens for talented friends...I want to grow-up and be talented too...just like them. (And collect beautiful things)
It all turned out very nice...simple elegance. With very little hyperventilating on my part.
We did a Mexican Buffet which got very good review from those attending. A variety of desserts coutesy of Costco. A slide show of Jake & Steph's childhood pictures, engagement photos, Canadian reception and the SLC wedding entertained continually.
It was a wonderful evening...
and people actually came!
and people actually came!
