When Bill started to plan out a surprise anniversary party for his wife Patty, I wonder if he knew just how high he’d be setting the bar for all other future anniversary parties. He planned out two surprises in one day, for what could be considered the most romantic, meaningful, and fun days ever. {And a huge thanks to his sister Karen for helping pull it all off!}
A few weeks ago they celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary with the help of 60 of their family members and friends. Patty was coming home from Florida while all the guests gathered upstairs waiting for her arrival. While waiting they enjoyed appetizers and drinks and I kept hearing everyone betting on knowing she was going to cry when she walked up the stairs. They were right. The surprise was epic!
At the time, Patty had no idea there was another surprise waiting for her as well. A Vow Renewal on the beach.
Let me walk you through this awesome celebration of their love…
When I first arrived at Bill & Patty’s beach home in LBI I met with Jeanne Bogath, my favorite event planner, and she gave me a tour of the festivities. There were bartenders on their deck for cocktail hour, the caterers were preparing food, a tent was setup in the back yard for dinner & dancing later in the evening and the beach was decorated for the vow renewal. We walked out to the beach and I was blown away by how beautiful the arbor and florals looked, all ready for the surprise vow renewal.
While guests were arriving there was an excitement in the air. They drank cocktails and snacked on yummy appetizers both indoors and out. It was a beautiful, warm, and sunny September day. The perfect weather for the occasion. Inside, a piano player from Cermonious Strings set the ambiance.
Patty was flying in from Florida and had no idea that when she arrived at home all of her friends and family would be waiting in the living room for her. As she slowly walked up the stairs she realized what was happening, started to cry and was oh-so-surprised to see everyone. Her sister brought over a box of tissues and everyone was so happy to say hi to her and wish them a happy anniversary! Isn’t Bill’s face great in that center photo?!
Now that Bill and Patty were there the party really started! Cocktail hour lasted a little while longer and guests were having a wonderful time sharing stories and talking about the surprise!
This family has a wonderful tradition when they get together called Sobre la Playa – meaning “Drinks on the Beach”. So at 5pm when Bill requested that everyone meet them down by the ocean for Sobre la Playa Patty had no idea another surprise might be waiting for her.
Each guest took a glass of champagne and raspberries to the beach with them and sat down in front of the arbor.
Bill and Patty were the last ones to walk down to the beach, and although at this point Patty saw the arbor she still had no idea that there was going to be a surprise vow renewal.
As they walked through the crowd to the arbor they clinked glasses with their loved ones, but it wasn’t until she got to the end and saw the officiant that she realized what was happening.
Standing under the gorgeous arbor in front of all their family and friends, next to their maid of honor and best man, they renewed their vows after 36 years of marriage. It was super sweet and totally romantic. There were laughs and tears, promises made, and extra surprises like an anniversary ring!
After the vow renewal everyone celebrated on the beach for an hour or so before the reception got started.
All the girls wanted to check out Patty’s new ring!
We ended Sobre la Playa with family photos, celebrating the legacy their love has created!
Once everyone made it to the tent for the reception, dinner was served. The best man and maid of honor made two toasts, and Bill & Patty shared their first dance of the evening.
After that their friends and family joined them on the floor to dance the night away!
Being there to witness their love and photograph these moments for Bill and Patty was so special! I wish you another happy 36 years and many more after that! Happy Anniversary! <3
Leave some love and best wishes for Bill & Patty in the comments below!
This beautiful celebration wouldn’t have come together so perfectly without the help of these awesome vendors:
