Our Engagement Party Recap

This weekend flew by, but we enjoyed every second of it. The engagement party was a huge success and it was so nice to have all of our families come together for the first time. Everyone got along extremely well and I couldn't believe how fast it flew by! It was like a dream. Now I know what people mean when they tell you to make sure you enjoy the moment... because the moment is exactly just that... one moment. I felt bad I couldn't get around to everyone to talk to them because everyone wanted a piece of me or a picture with me & Derek. It was NUTS!!!! I guess that's what happens when your not used to being the center of attention. :P

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better day with  better family, friends, and fiance! It was a day I will never ever forget in my life.

Here is a photo recap.

DECOR

The colors were a hot green and orange to match the invitations. We did this party very bright and modern (It is the opposite of the actual wedding which will be very vintage and muted).

The beautiful collage that my youngest sister surprised Derek and I with. 

Below are my homemade centerpieces. I saw a picture of centerpieces made with fruit in the vase online and thought to myself, "I can make something like that!". So I decided to save some money and do it myself. I cut up oranges into slices and filled the centerpiece vases with them. Then put one green hydranga in each, and finally, poked in one orange lily. I loved how they came out!!!

My parents backyard was the perfect setting for the party. We had great weather too which I was very thankful for.

FOOD

 Now I must admit, the day of the party I was sooo nervous I did not eat much at all! But no worries, I spent Sunday making up for it eating leftovers all day as I helped clean my mom's house up! 

My family is a mix of cultures. My mom is Italian and Brazilian and my Dad is Cuban. Derek's parents are Italian and Ukrainian. For the food, we decided to incorporate the mix of cultures. We had two places cater the food, an Italian/American caterer and my uncle's Cuban restaurant. Everyone raved about the food and how the mix was such a fun add in to the party. 

 Asparagus and tomato quiche and sausage and mushroom quiche. Delicious & light! 

 Grilled vegetable skewers and pesto dip. 

 Chicken and beef empanadas. 

 Jonah crab claws. 

For dinner we had Cuban pork, rice & beans, sweet plantains, crab cakes, chicken parm, penne vodka, meatballs. fillet mignon, mixed green salad, tomato & mozz salad, and bread :) 

Dessert was my favorite part. We got the cake made to match the invitation exactly, it was adorable! Inside it was vanilla cake with two layers of filling, a dark chocolate layer and a hazelnut layer.

Our favors were a big hit too. Everyone loved reading the lyrics and trying to figure out which one could be our wedding song :P

PICTURES 

 Me & my Godmother

Derek & I 

 Calling up our wedding party... 

With my maid-of-honors (My sisters) 

Our wedding party... below making my bridesmaids read a "Bridesmaid Contract" I created .... it was so funny.

 With my mom... 

At night the Cuban side took over and the salsa dancing started :) 

And that's all folks.... by the end of the night we all felt like this..... 

Have a Happy Monday! Be back later to normal blogging ;)