Last night we helped my brother-in-law Ben throw a surprise 30th birthday party for my sister MaryAnn.
The theme: 1995 Stake Dance
or
Footloose Prom meets Napoleon Dynamite
or
totally up for interpretation
If you know me you know I love an occasion to dress like a weirdo and I love a dance party. So I was all over this.
We had it at their church and decorated with crepe paper, twinkle lights and spray-painted silver stars strung across the gym. A guy in their ward rocked as our DJ. Oh, and I can't forget the refreshment table complete with a punch bowl (recognize it Mom?)
I hit up the D.I. and found a lovely pale pink number and even a black velvet bolero jacket (Jessica McClintock brand, yo) with shoulder pads. I tried to fluff my bangs but I just don't have the skills anymore. They were flat by the time I got to the church.
My outfit was so ambiguous that some people probably thought I was serious. It's hard to capture the 90's because it's not that over-the-top (like the 80's) and lots of people are still sporting it. Ah well. Shoulder pads are fun.
Oh, but Casey! Casey was perfect in his jeans, white shirt, tie, mullet wig and top hat a la this guy from Better Off Dead.
(The great thing about a Napoleon-esque theme is that you can pull in 80's references and it totally fits.) I felt like Summer Wheatley.
Channeling Debbie Gibson...
The big surprise - she had no idea!
Kristina showing her girls how to get DOWN!
Adam surprised Karin by showing up in a denim shirt and his old glasses, while she was rocking the jean skirt and bangs. They seriously looked just like their engagement photos.
I can't believe how cheesy I look in this picture but I guess it fits the persona I was going for that night.
The Birthday Girl and Ben
This last picture is for Poo-pah "because we've all got Daddy's nose" :)
I love my family! We love dancing together. The only thing that would've made the night better is having Liz and Diane's families and our parents there. And our long lost brothers if we could ever get them to visit :) But there will be plenty more times to dance together because in case you didn't know, Bluncks Were Born to Boogie!
Happy Birthday to MaryAnn!
PS - I had to stop at the grocery store after the party, still in my party clothes. I got some interesting looks and one older couple asked me if I had just come from my own wedding? They told me I looked beautiful so I didn't tell them my outfit was a joke :) I also ran into a high school friend and had to explain the shoulder pads, and then a girl in line asked me what was going on, as she'd seen a bunch of people dressed up all over town. I told her there was a high school homecoming that night but that I wasn't a part of that :) But I could've been 15 years ago!
15 comments:
What an awesome party idea!!
Loved your outfits!
I've been waiting all night to see these pictures--thank you!! Casey is just plain ahunkaburninluv. Everyone is fabulous----wish we could have found that dress many homemade prom dresses ago and saved us all that grief. We could have recycled it how many times?
Happy Birthday MA!!
You guys look great! I love both of your costumes.
That looks like fun! I love dancing! Casey looked AMAZING! I love your bangs! I'm looking for other things to shout with exclamation points!
Yay- awesome photos! I'm actually listening to the CD right now. U can't touch this- STOP- HAMMER TIME!! The really sad thing is that I still wear that jean skirt on occasion. But not with white nylons ;)
I LOVE it. And I love that you rocked the grocery store afterwards.
I also cannot believe Mae is two. I really had to think about that because it feels like she should only be one. Your family is beautiful as always.
What fun people you are. You make me laugh and I love your and Caseys outfits. You are one HOT couple. I love dance parties too. I wish there were more opportunities as an adult to dance. Glad you had fun. Thanks again for your help on Sunday!!!
Love your dress... and Casey's mullet. If I didn't know he had short hair, I would have thought it was his! You guys rock and I'm glad you had fun...
That looked so fun. You all did a great job. Casey wins the costume contest, but the rest looked fab!
Diane, not Natalie. oops
Wow! How fun. I'm not sure I would even know how to dress for a 90's party!
Hey Girlfriend, I love the early 90's hairdo, or whatever it is. Of course your babes are beautiful. I hope to see you soon (although it probably won't be until Christmas),
Love, Rachel
A belated THANK YOU for this post & all you did for the party, Kelbel! It was the coolest ever!! It still feels like a dream. And there's so much I'd like to comment about your funny comments & pictures, so I'll try not to write a novel. Maybe bulleting my comments will help ;-)
*You totally rocked the Debbie Gibson look and Casey's look was perfect.
*Grocery store comments afterwards= lol hilarious
*I love Karin & Adam's engagement photos.
*You're right, the ONLY thing that would've made it better was having our parents & other siblings there.
*It was a TOTAL surprise or I would've showered after work & done my hair. I totally thought I was going to a missionary openhouse at the church.
*And Ben also surprised me with that kiss in the picture of us 2. So sweet.
Thanks again, yo.
This is so awesome!! I have been telling Brad for months now that this is exactly what I want to do for my 30th birthday party!!! I guess it's in the blood to do a dance party. :) I can't wait, you guys made it look like so much fun. :)
You guys do the funnest things and always have the funnest costumes--you are so creative!
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