Reception Decorations-Confirmation AfterParty

Who doesn't love to plan a reception for 500+ for work...

while taking care of a husband who just had surgery and a 15 month old who recently decided to run not walk??! meeeeee. :)

I would likeeee to say that i thrive under stress and pressure...and that's partially true. i love it. i love having stuff to do. but...at the same time. sleep is sorta necessary and lately i haven't gotten much. at any moment i feel like i could fall asleep or start crying. haha. that's how delirious i am right now. 

The husband came home from the hospital but had some more complications and we ended up spending the next night in the ER. we had family friends come over and watch the game on tv while sophia slept. we left beer and chips and salsa on the table for them haha. then we went to our regular doctor the next morning (the day of my event) a few trips to the pharmacy later i was able to set the sick hubby up at home all comfy..drop off sophia with friends to play..and get to work. luckily i did all the paperwork already and just had to do the decor for the event. 

The hubby is feeling wayyyy better today! he actually was able to pick up sophia finally :) she was so love-y with him.

Here are some photos from the event we just had. (I work at a church.. this was for the reception for the Confirmation Ceremony..we had 91 kids. they are awesome. the room was PACKED.)

(The photos aren't the best.. i was kinda rushing before everyone came in..and the lights in the hall aren't so good)

For the centerpeice i used branches from my back yard..and then i used jewelry wire to attach flowers to the branches. (i used mini white carnations ((cheap)) but i've usually seen orchids used) doves are a sign of the holy spirit so i googled how to make them and made up a bunch of origami doves. i got pretty speedy!! haha. i just used vases and glass jars that i had around the house.. the main large vase is from pottery barn (a wedding gift)
**inspiration**

i filled my tall vases with flowers and water..i'm pretty sure there is a trick to get the water bubbly. i dropped some 7-up in but it didn't really work. haha. anyone know the trick?? someone told me it once. i also cut off the blooms of the flowers and placed in bowls of water. (i scavenged the kitchen at work and found the cute bowls.) we were working a super tight budget and tried to use things we had..spent $30 on the flowers. used candles from a previous event and personal items.

abbey helped me put out the cookies! and sophia helped eat them. 

I made little toothpick signs that had the Gifts of the Holy Spirit on them. Everyone thought it was a cute touch and went with the theme. I also cut up some limes and put them in the jars with the floating candles. it actually smelled amazing. and i loved having the green limes and green stems of the flowers.

i never want to eat another cookie again.... :)

The event went sooo smooth..and i had volunteers coming out of the woodwork helping to re-stock the cookie trays and punch bowls..pitchers with water and lemons.

I love a good party. :) 
and being able to take home the leftover flowers. :)

(this morning my recovering husband and exhausted self saw this..and it made me laugh so hard... i think we just needed a good laugh.)