the invitation
This past fall I was asked to chair the decorating committee for our annual church Dinner, Dance and Auction. A chance to plan an event like this??
Of course I would do it!!
the entry way
So, when we met the first time, I was told what the theme was for the year, "Dream a Little Dream" had been chosen. When I asked them what they had envisioned, they were thinking gold lanterns and wishes; you know Aladdin magic carpet stuff. The first thought that came to my mind was dreamy... starry night skies, the milky way, and aurora borealis colors. They mentioned that they wanted to theme many of the auction items in such a manner that these types of things would be something you would dream about...dream vacations, things that we wish for, but aren't likely to have. So, when I sat back and started thinking of things I would dream about, being a girl, these first thing that popped into my head? DIAMONDS!! Well... you know, they are "a girls best friend." Along with lots of sparkle and bling, I thought about pillowy clouds and pure relaxation. (Not only am I a girl...I am a Mom of four...relaxation? Yes, ALL Moms dream about that!) My mind began to swim with ideas! I began choosing my team to help me and my thoughts were relayed to them, and the wheels began turning. The first thing I ran across that I knew I had to use were these huge bling bling rings. I actually found them in the kid's party favor section, but I was in love!!
the bling bling ring napkin holder
I knew they would not only make a great tie for on the linen napkins, but as a party favor for all of the girls at the tables. I was right! Everyone was walking around with them on their fingers at the end of the night.
I bet there were some pretty excited little girls at home that got them the next day from their Moms, too!!
fun with the rings
Once we settled on the rings, the idea of using RELAX wine bottles for some of the centerpieces came to mind. The color was perfect, the name was perfect... now what to put with them??
How about some dreamy white ostrich plume feathers?
Tie them to the top of the bottle with a big diamond... "Perfect!!"
a table done with a RELAX bottle centerpiece
Next, we got to talking about making some of the centerpieces work as just that, but also have something custom that could be auctioned off. The idea was hand blown glass. I have a friend who is terrific at this very thing!! (So blessed I am!!) So, Jamie agreed to help me out, and made some one of a kind pieces to put on some of the tables, then the pieces were auctioned off.
a beautiful tall purple vase
gorgeous cobalt blue scallop edge bowl
A few of the tables had a tall hurricane vase filled with white feathers, and held a cobalt blue votive holder that twinkled with a battery operated tea lite candle.
feather filled hurricanes
Our final centerpieces were made especially for the corporate sponsored tables.
They were a tall square vase, filled with a coil of floral wire, water and had a star shaped candle
floating on the top.
close-up of the floating candles.... make me want to sing "tiny bubbles...."
the vase on the table
The annual signature drink glass was based on our ideas and color schemes, they were beautiful!!
2011 signature glass
the glasses sat on a mirror surrounded by "diamonds" and feathers, accompanied by a RELAX bottle
Finally, the stage was set. The stage was a "floating cloud" of irredescent balloons, pale blue tulle and twinkling lights. Behind the stage was a wall of lights, with stars shadowed in the background.
front view of the stage
fifty-five tables await their guests
I would like to give a special thank you to Jessi Sallenbach of J Sallenbach Photography
for the gorgeous photographs!!
