The weather was wonderful. We had two gazebos butted up together on the 'lawn' and chairs and tables all over the place. The buffet was laid out in the summer house, air con on, with everything on special thermo platters or stood in tubs of ice. The IceMan, our ice maker, had been working all day every day for about 3 days to produce the ice. We think he's almost paid for himself now, when we look at what we would have had to spend to buy the ice in.
We started at about noon, and carried on until about 11.30pm. My niece and her family reluctantly had to leave early evening because she had to work, and my eldest brother had to leave because he had a prior arrangement.
We didn't think about photos until some people had already left.
A few people were unable to make it, so we had an overabundance of food. We froze that which was safe to freeze (the backups that were stored in the fridge), and provided party platters for people to take home with them.
My other lovely brother had provided one of the gazebos, most of the chairs, one of the coolers, loads of soft drink, some wine, and lots of moral and practical support. He, DH and I had a review the day after, so we know what worked, what worked less well, and what we could do to make it even better next time.
Which is just as well as we'll be doing it again for my parents Diamond Wedding anniversary next year.
