The Southern Mercantile
  • Home
  • Getting Acquainted
    • OUR STORY
    • MEET OUR MAKERS
  • blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Archive
  • Events

Celebrating Friends with a Summer BBQ

7/24/2015

3 Comments

 
PictureTara
I have had the privilege of sharing my college years with two wonderful people I now call my best friends.  

I met Russell the summer after my freshman year.  Because of his brutal honesty, snarky sarcasm and general friendliness we quickly became buds.  Our relationship usually revolved around food--seeing as we both loved to cook and entertain. (And did I mention, eat?)  Russell has and always will be someone I can count on.  After Phillip and I began dating, I couldn't wait for he and Russell to meet each other.  They hit it off , like I knew they would, and now call each other friends.    

Picture
Mary Claire began as a mystery college roommate, which I was hesitant about. (Those situations usually don't end up well.)  She moved in, and we instantly became friends.  Through much time spent at the pool, painting our nails, baking, and watching chick flicks, we soon became inseparable.  She is a talented, sweet-spirited, spontaneous girl who stole my heart and encouraged me more than she will ever know.
Picture
It was inevitable that at some point these two would meet.  They became friends at first, and I never imagined anything else...until April 1, 2014 (a.k.a April Fools Day).  Russell and Mary Claire agreed that it would be fun to fool me by telling me that they were going on a date.  You can imagine my excitement when they told me, as well as my disappointment when they unveiled the truth.  The only bright side in this cruel trick was that Russell was just trying to find out Mary Claire's real feelings about the possibility of them dating.  What started as a "funny" joke that I didn't think was so funny turned into a fairy tale.  Russell made known his interest in Mary Claire as more than a friend and the rest is history.
Picture
Now, Russell and Mary Claire are getting married, and we wanted to do something special.
Picture
 Since we are in the middle of summer, I thought what could be more fun than a BBQ? I decided to play up the red and white checkered tablecloths for a festive look--using that same look in the invitations as well.
Picture
Picture
 Russell's favorite foods just happen to fall into that category--I mean who doesn't love pulled pork, mac and cheese, deviled eggs...you get the idea!
Picture
To dress up the tables a bit while still keeping it casual, I decided to use sunflowers.  A friend of mine has an entire field of sunflowers, so I knew just where to go!   
Picture
We used my collection of milk glass and gold-rimmed plates along with my silver to set the tables.  I decided at the last minute to use twine as "napkin rings" to tie the invitations back into the theme. 
Picture
Although the party was casual, the food was delicious, and the guests were a delight.  We had the best time visiting with one another and celebrating our wonderful friends.  This party was just one of many celebrations to come--we are so thankful to have friends like Mary Claire and Russell to enjoy life with.
3 Comments
Linda McKenney
7/25/2015 12:42:00 am

Love this and they are wonderful friends!

Reply
Susan
7/25/2015 07:36:04 am

Tara... What a lovely story about special friends! Your photos delightful... the delicious food + charming setting + good friends = perfect party! Those red and white napkins tied with twine are just right for your pretty plates. Best wishes and congratulations to Mary Claire and Russell! Thanks for sharing your pretty party!

Reply
Tara Smith
9/16/2015 10:31:47 am

Thank you Mrs. Susan! It was so much fun to throw a simple, but pretty, BBQ for my friends!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    @thesouthernmerc



    Categories

    All
    Alder Street Renovation
    Beauty
    Beech St. Bungalow
    By Jorjanne
    By Roxie
    By Tara
    Childhood
    Christmas
    Curated Collection
    Decorating
    Easter
    Events
    Faith And Community
    Fall
    Family
    Free
    Gardening
    Getting Crafty
    Get Togethers
    Gift Ideas
    Meet Our Makers
    Organization
    Printable
    Recipes
    Renovations
    Showers
    Southern Summer
    Spring
    Style
    Thanksgiving
    Traditions
    Travel
    Tutorial
    Valentines Day
    Video Tutorial
    Wedding
    Words From Fellow Southerners

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Subscribe to our mailing list

    * indicates required



Home



About



Contact

Pinterest

instagram

Facebook

Picture
Copyright © 2015