20th Anniversary Ball

Hubby and I recently celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary! To mark the occasion, we decided to throw an Autumn themed ball for all of our friends.

It was such a wonderful evening! I felt like a bride all over again. I got my hair and nails done and found a stunning gown to wear. After the meal had been served, and the cake cut, we opened the dance floor dancing a waltz to the same music of our first dance at our wedding, "Now and Forever" by Air Supply (Our Song). We were so happy to have so many of our friends there to celebrate with us, just sad that none of our family could be there.

The cake was completely Fondant Free! I coated all three layers with white chocolate ganache, then distress painted it with teal food colour (for airbrush). Once dry I added some gold food paint, just dabbing it onto the top and bottom tiers, and brushing it onto the middle one. The leaves and border are made from gold and red Cake Lace.

Each layer was a different flavour - from the bottom, they are: Chocolate Cherry sponge with chocolate buttercream and black cherries, Toffee Apple sponge with cream cheese icing and caramel, and Spiced Pumpkin sponge with cream cheese icing.

We did all the cooking and decorating ourselves, catering for around 60 people! Hubby smoked pork joints for delicious pulled pork. I cooked up a huge pot of chicken stock to be used in my Pumpkin Soup and Hubby's Collard Greens.

I baked a huge batch of Cornbread, and purchased pre-made brioche slider buns (well, it was just a bit too much to make every single thing). I just wish I had thought to take photos before the eating began!

I also baked Pumpkin Pies and stacks of Gingerbread Men, and bought a few Apple Pies (really wish I had just made these myself).

We set up a Photo Booth with plenty of props for all our guests to have a bit of fun :)

 

The hall was decorated with fairy lights, teal organza banners, silk autumn leaves, balloons, led candles, fresh flowers and miniature pumpkins. We also had disco ball lights for the dancing.