This post and party outfit are brought to you by our friends at Lovita & Co.
“It’s not goodbye, it’s see you next weekend,” was the theme for my in-laws’ going away party. We planned this surprise bon voyage party because my in-laws moved to New Hampshire. With majority of the family still in Connecticut, including my sister-in-law, the family knows they’ll see my in-laws often. We didn’t want the party to be sad; we just wanted to wish them good luck on their next adventure. The whole family came together for some food, a fire and wine. It was a perfect send off for my in-laws.
Since they already moved, we needed a good excuse to get them to come down for the weekend. We capitalized on Brian’s MBA completion. We told them there was a dinner for all MBA graduates on campus. There was no hesitation from my father in-law and they were going to make the trip back for Brian. We went up to Connecticut a day before the party to help our Aunt Holly set up. We pregamed the night before with tacos, tequila, and a lot of laughs. There is no denying that you’ll always have a good time at the Lafonds.
“It’s not goodbye, it’s see you next weekend.”
The next morning, we all woke up a little hung-over, but nothing coffee and water couldn’t fix. The party was going to be outside, the theme was “New England/New Hampshire,” and it was little cloudy and rainy, so I wanted to be comfy but stylish. I threw on my fringed jeans, a v-neck tee and a layer necklace by Lovita & Co. to dress it up. This outfit was effortless–but cute–and it allowed me to move around and set up for the party. I spend a lot of time in business clothes during the week, so on the weekends comfort is my top priority. We all needed to wear something from New Hampshire/New England, so I threw on my favorite Lake Winnipesaukee sweatshirt once everyone arrived.
Once everything was set up, Brian and I made a quick outfit change and met up with his parents. In order to get back to Aunt Holly’s, we told them we left the ‘tickets’ for the dinner reception at Aunt Holly’s, so we needed to stop there before heading to the dinner. To sweeten the lie, Brian and I put on a little ‘fight’ as he rummaged through my bag looking for the tickets. The family waited at the end of the driveway as we pulled up to the house. To say my in-laws were surprised is an understatement. The video we took was full of $%*# and *$$#*%!, so you’ll just have to take our word for it.
“Home is not a place, it’s wherever your heart is.”
The party turned out great and everyone had so much fun. The rain stopped just in time for us to get the fire started. Aunt Helen brought her famous egg-rolls and there was a smile on everyone’s face. Alyssa’s Cakery made the cutest bon voyage cake! As always, she did a great job. We’ve loved her work ever since we hired her for our wedding!
Change is never easy for anyone. I know it will take some time getting use to not being at the old house. But if there’s one thing that I learned as I get older, it’s that home is not a place, it’s wherever your heart is. Although I haven’t been to the new house yet, I know once I walk in it will feel like home because it’s where a piece of my heart lives.
My three tips to throw a successful surprise party:
- Guarantee the guest of honor will show up.
- Brian knew his parents wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to celebrate his academic success.
- Keep your stories simple.
- Too many details may spin an intricate web of lies.
- Set up a way for your guests to know when you’re arriving.
- We knew we needed to call Brian’s cousin about looking for the made up tickets we left at the house to alert the guests we were on our way. Texting also works.
Love the necklace?
Check out Lovita & Co.’s Opalescent Chic Necklace set.
