Patty and I like to throw parties, but last night we outdid ourselves: We hosted a wedding reception for about 150 people.
We weren’t responsible for everything; it was catered, and an event production company and other service providers were involved. But we had to get the house, yard and patio in tip-top shape. Lot of work.
A week ago Saturday there was a surprise, complicating factor: A huge oak tree in the back of our yard went down in the big storm. The tree went three ways — east onto our yard, north onto the master bedroom and west into a neighbor’s yard. Fortunately, the damage was relatively minor, although the tree removal was a four-phase operation that took place over four days.
The bride, Sarah Cayton, of Kansas City, is the daughter of longtime friends of ours, Roger and Suzanne Johnson, who live in the Los Angeles area. Sarah had long wanted an outdoor reception, and we were happy to oblige — with help from the weather gods, who gave us a perfect midsummer’s evening.
I had the foresight to alert the neighbors, up and down the block and behind us, that it was going to be a pretty noisy affair. Everyone I heard from said things like, “Have a good time; it won’t bother us.” So, I thought we were in the clear…until the police arrived shortly after dark, blue lights flashing.
At first I thought someone must have complained, but the officer who was standing in our driveway pointed to a black Toyota Scion that was parked — of all places — on southbound Ward Parkway, 50 yards or so from our house!
It takes a lot of cheek (and not a lot of good judgment) to park on Ward Parkway, but this person had obviously pulled stunts like this before because he had brought alone a couple of orange cones and had put one in front of the car and one behind it…Like those cones were going to provide a protective cocoon around his little vehicle.
Turns out the perp was a member of the bride’s family, but I’m not going to name him to spare him further embarrassment. Anyway, he scurried out to Ward Parkway, moved the car and that was the last we saw of the police, fortunately.
I thought you’d like to see some photos from this special event, so here you go…(I took all the except two that Roger Johnson took.)
Our daughter Brooks gave the dance floor a trial run on Friday, the day before the wedding. (In the background you can see what remains of the oak tree that went down in the July 22 storm.)
Three kinds of Boulevard on tap
Patty, hostess extraordinaire (Photo by Roger Johnson)
Fifteen tables were set up in the yard…
…and one on the patio.
Monique (front), her husband David and Cathy were among the guests.
Sarah — the bride, of course — and Patty
The groom, Eric Hawk (right), and friend Mike
From the bride’s side, sisters Maggie and Ellie (Photo by Roger Johnson)
Dancing on the patio
I’m going to spare you photos from the aftermath, today’s clean-up. All I’ll say is that — like I told several guests at the party — Patty and I produced this one free of charge, but for the next one the price is $10,000. One guy I told that to nodded and said, “You’re underpricing yourself.”
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Jim:
You and Patty were real heroes to give such a beautiful wedding reception at your home, Everyone looks so relaxed and happy in your photos, That was quite a job to get that organized after that giant storm. The guest who brought borrowed or stolen cones to protect his car is really gutsy and also really stupid and thoughtless…The bride and groom must have been thrilled and very grateful for your great hospitality,
Thanks, Laura. Many people sought out me and Patty to tell us how much they liked the house and how great it was that we were hosting the reception. Having a reception at a friend’s house — when the accommodations and preparation are right — almost always beats a reception at a rented facility, regardless of how fancy it is. I think that was reflected in the “relaxed” atmosphere you noted from the photos.
I hope you’re doing well, Laura.
So cool! Looks like a HUGE success!!
Thanks, Marcie…Besides Patty, you are one of only a few people I know who has the ability to pull off a reception of that scale. Patty is one of the best hostesses in Kansas City, and you’re one of the best in Louisville! With a couple of trial runs, I’m sure you could pull off an event comparable to Patricia Barnstable-Brown’s annual Derby party.
Must be “Blakeney week” on your blog.
First, what a great event you and Patty put on for your friend’s daughter. Looks as if “a good time was had by all.”
Second, I just caught up on a couple “back issues” of your blogs and read with intense interest the one about the Fourth of July (comments closed, I was warned!!!) and how the balloon bursts at midnight and what a let down on the 5th of July. Well I have a remedy for you. Since the 5th of July is my birthday, you can now buy a special present and send it to me and celebrate the day with me in mind.
Just a thoughtful suggestion.
PS…If I hire you for the $10,000 version of your next wedding reception, I want Arthur Bryant to cater.
What a fun party!
What a nice gift providing the venue! Will you share cater, planner, and other contact info please?
It was all done on the cheap, Rita…Hy Vee catered; AAA party rental provided tables, chairs and dance floor; and friends and family provided the rest.
Pretty yard! Who has the green thumb?
Thanks, Gayle…Patty is a good gardener and shows me where to put down the mulch. She has spent quite a few hours in that garden the last couple of weeks, getting up early and putting in an hour or so before going to her real job.
I love working in the early morning like that. Cooler, quiet and occasionally you’re visited by wildlife of sorts. Once again, hard work pays off!