Celebrating Sweet Lillya’s Church Dedication

Lillya in a floral swing

On a bright, beautiful Sunday afternoon, we hosted a very special long table meal in our backyard to celebrate the church dedication of our little Lillya Grace. Hosting a long-table dinner in our backyard is something I wanted to do since we started building our house, and this one did not disappoint! I cannot tell you how many times my eyes welled up with tears when I looked around the table at our rich heritage of family and friends. Is there anything better than gathering the people you love to celebrate together?

Everyone was relaxed, lingering longer than expected to enjoy each other’s company and savour the last little bites of lunch. Speaking of, the food was amazing. White Table Catering made our lunch and I cannot say enough about how lovely it was to work with Carlyanne and her team. The food was outstanding. The staff was fantastic. Together we also sourced local ingredients for our meal, like Mt. Lehman Cheese Co. and Sebastian & Co Fine Meats for the charcuterie board. If you’re looking for someone to cater your next event, don’t hesitate to contact White Table Catering! They are excellent!

As always, I loved setting up the dessert table. The Cake Mama provided macarons, meringues and cakes in jars. We added a couple of fresh Krause Berry Farm pies, and topped them off with Betterwith ice cream. Have you heard of Betterwith? All of their ice cream is made with traceable dairy, which means they know exactly what farm the cream comes from and can confidently say the cows who produce it are happy, healthy and well cared for. Plus they only use real ingredients. It’s delicious!

And the decor was stunning. It was an absolute treat to have Theresa from Linen and Cake join us to make and arrange her gorgeous paper flowers throughout our backyard. We dreamed up fresh blooms with the Flower Factory (their team always goes above and beyond!!) and the prettiest paper lanterns from Under the Paper Lantern. The tables were set with La Tavola Linen straight from California – right now, they’re my favourite! Everything came together to create such a lovely, welcoming atmosphere. I had to take a couple moments to step back and soak everything in. There are so many more details that made this day perfect, all are sourced below. Most importantly we had the love of our friends and family surround our sweet girl. There just isn’t a better feeling of knowing how loved and prayed over she is. I’m excited to watch out little girl grow, follow her dreams and become the woman who God created for her to be!

table setting in Monika's backyardquote on chalk board table setting in Monika's backyardpaper florals on Lillya's highchair

table setting in Monika's backyardtable setting in Monika's backyardpaper flowers wrapped around napkin and menupaper flower centre piece above Monika's outdoor fireplace

Lillya pulling a woven basket with fresh flowers

food table in Monika's gardenflower details on the food tableshelf full of fresh herbs strawberry plant in fresh herbs boxes

detail shot of appetizers

Lillya's sitting on outdoor patio steps lunch chalk board sign in garden six jugs of infused water in the garden

dessert stand in the garden heart cookies on a cake plate

detail shot of desserts on the dessert stand

detail shot of peach pie paper flower centre piece above outdoor fireplace table setting in Monika's backyardpaper floral wreath on doorpaper floral wreath on and paper lanterns leading up to the door

Lillya playing with paper lanterns at front door Monika and Lillya sitting on outdoor steps outdoor play house with swings

Lillya sitting on floral swing

Hibbs family in the garden Troy and the kids playing tic tac toe in the garden

table setting in Monika's backyardpaper flowers on Lillya's high chair Invitations for garden party Invitations for garden party

Thank you to everyone who celebrated and expressed their love to our Lillya Grace both in-person and online. She is oh-so loved. We will remember this day forever!

Photography by Taya Photography
My hair & makeup: Denise Elliott
My Dress & Shoes
Lillya’s Linen Dress

DETAILS

Floral Design: The Flower Factory
Custom Paper Flowers: Linen and Cake
Paper Flower Name Tags: Linen and Cake
Calligraphy (Paper): Door Post Designs
Invitations & Menus: Minted

Food 
Catering (One of my faves!!): White Table Catering Co.
Local Farm Chicken: Central Park Farms
Finest Quality Meat: Sebastian & Co.
Cheese: Mt. Lehman Cheese Co.
Herb Garden: West Coast Gardens
Locally Grown Goji Berries: Gojoy Berries
Pie: Krause Berry Farms
Cake, Cookies & Desserts: The Cake Mama
Ice Cream: Betterwith Ice Cream 

Decor & Rentals 
Food Serving Trays, Cake Plates & Decor: The Cross Decor & Design
Bud Vases: The Cross Decor & Design
Umbrella Rentals: A&B Party Rentals
Table Rentals: A&B Party Rentals
Gold Flatware: A&B Party Rentals 
Chargers Plates & Blush Glassware Rentals: White Events Studio
Chair Rentals: Bespoke Decor
Outdoor Games: Bespoke Decor
Wine Barrels, Dessert Station: Bespoke Decor
Chalkboards and Script: Bespoke Decor
Table Linens and Napkins: La Tavola Fine Line
Raw Silk Ribbon: ShyMyrtle
Paper Lanterns: Under the Paper Lantern
Lillya’s Flower Basket: The Cross Decor & Design
Dessert Stand Clips and Linen Board: Bella & Wren