Backyard Rustic Elegance Garden Party

If you would have told me 20 years ago that I would fall in love with all things burlap I would have thought you were crazy…but it’s true — I did! Seriously can’t explain why something that used to be seen as something kind of old and crummy can be made to look so sophisticated. Well, actually I can explain it…have you looked on pinterest lately? Some truly lovely ideas for decorating with burlap. But I digress…For my 40th Birthday celebration I designed my theme around all things burlap and vintage. Twine, crocheted lace, bulap…even damask printed burlap! This girl loves her neutral colors and this burlap and lace pairing has me swooning!

    The beverage station was stocked with several varieties of wine and some refreshing cucumber water for guests who preferred not to drink wine. The table is adorned with some old vintage suitcases and a couple cute mini portraits of my husband and I enclosed in cloche domes I found at the craft store. The numbers “40” were made by wrapping with either jute twine or burlap.

The food table sat nestled under our big shade tree that I used to hang my mason jar candles. They really looked elegant later that night. I also made a pennant banner from burlap and white canvas then added “happy birthday” letters. For each place setting I created little pockets for the utensils using wide burlap ribbon folded and glued. I couldn’t figure out a quick way to stich 20 of these, but my trusty hot glue gun really worked perfectly. 

For my cake I called on my super talented sister-in-law to make my chocolate umbra ruffle cake. I absolutely love how it turned out and did I mention it was chocolate? Crazy as it seems, I think this must be my first ever chocolate birthday cake request. Growing up I used to think chocolate cake was dry and horrible.  Actually, come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I actually had a cake for my birthday. Score one for turning 40!

Invitations really set the mood for a party, and designing them is probably one of my favorite parts of planning a party.  I designed these invitations with a tri-fold opening and a burlap and lace belly band to hold it closed. Simple and sweet with a little rustic thrown in to not scare off the fellas!

This was a really fun gathering at the end of an incredibly hectic day. We had lots of friends and neighbors come to celebrate with us and get their first tour of our nearly completed kitchen!

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