Classy Carnival

On Saturday my sister got engaged. We were so excited. I was able to be there to take pictures for her now fiance`. Monday my whole family went to meet his family and we went dress shopping. I was amazed that she found a dress she fell in love with that first day, and it was only $500! She is the first in child in our family to get married so all of this wedding planning is new to us all. But, we have a common goal through all of this: to make this wedding fit her personality while staying classy. We have chosen a carnival theme, full of life and color. My sister is an absolute ray of sunshine, so anything fun is perfect for her. We feel like a carnival fits her perfectly. Our only problem is to keep the party from becoming cutesy and hokey.

We started by choosing colors that would be found at a carnival, but that do not blare out "ketchup and mustard!" She chose lovely muted coral, blue, and yellow. To bring the party in we are having a live band and a dance floor, which will be surrounded by a white picket fence. There will be colored pennants swooped across the fence to bring in the color. We are arranging for a photobooth for the guests, and scheduling a miniature ferris wheel to put the gifts in. The food is very important at a carnival as well as a reception. Using deep fryers is not practical for our venue, which kind of ruled out funnel cake. But we found miniature waffle irons which will be similar to funnel cakes, and much easier to make. The toppings will include fruit, chocolate, syrups, candies, anything that can possibly be conceived to go on a waffle. To bring the elegance of a night life into the mix, we will be stringing lights across the ceiling, with colored balls hanging down to lower the ceiling. 

We have a lot left to plan and work out, but it's a good start for first time wedding planners! My sister is so happy, and as the maid of honor, I'm pretty excited too. My sister and I are best friends, and this will be a great memory to look back on when we aren't together anymore. I will miss her, but this is the best thing that has ever happened to her, and I am so happy she found her prince charming!