Engagement party was big surprise — to the guests!

The already married Joey Creswell and Janet Testerman enter what we thought was their surprise engagement party. One of Joey's daughters, Georgie, is behind them.

The already married Joey Creswell and Janet Testerman enter what we thought was their surprise engagement party. One of Joey’s daughters, Georgie, is behind them.

I knew from the minute the invitation arrived that this party was going to be fun! It was, according to the information on the heavy beige stationery mounted on a glittery bronze background, a surprise engagement party for my friend Janet Testerman and her sweet fiance, Joey Creswell. The invitation came from Mary Ellen and Steve Brewington and the party was to be this past Saturday at their new home on Lyons View Pike. But mum’s the word, the rhyming verbiage warned. “We must keep it under wraps/Until their arrival,/when we greet them with/loud cheers and big laughs.”

Well the  surprise actually was on the guests – not the wedding couple! When everyone had assembled and had their first drink, we were told Janet and Joey were about to come in. We hid on both sides of the entryway and were ready to yell “Surprise!” when Steve Brewington announced them from the microphone set up for the band. But instead, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, give a big welcome to – as of four hours ago – Mr. and Mrs. Joey Creswell!”

We roared as they came in, Janet wearing a bronze wedding dress complete with a bouquet and a beautiful veil. They had married before about 20 people at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Knoxville at 2:30 in the afternoon. It was an absolutely perfectly planned and executed surprise. And the party turned out to be pretty wonderful, too.

Wow, the food while we were gathering was great, starting with these passed blinis with caviar, sour cream and chives! Caterer was Holly Hambright.

Wow, the food while we were gathering was great, starting with these passed blinis with caviar, sour cream and chives! Caterer was Holly Hambright.

We spent time socializing while waiting for the "surprise." From left, Rene Yanes, Vicki Baumgartner and Chris Davis.

We spent time socializing while waiting for the “surprise.” From left, Rene Yanes, Vicki Baumgartner and Chris Davis.

Hostess Mary Ellen Brewingon, center, with  Susan Brown, left, and Gay Lyons.

Hostess Mary Ellen Brewingon, center, with Susan Brown, left, and Gay Lyons.

 

Richard and Dawn Ford

Richard and Dawn Ford

Erin Donovan and my hubby, Alan Carmichael

Erin Donovan and my hubby, Alan Carmichael

 

A  beautiful buffet was set up on the table.

A beautiful buffet was set up on the table.

 

It included shrimp scampi skewers.

It included shrimp scampi skewers.

Duck tacos

Duck tacos

 

And buttermilk fired chicken and waffles.

And buttermilk fired chicken and waffles.

The  most interesting thing on the table was this "wedding cake" made of cheese! If it had been a real wedding cake, the surprise would have been ruined.

The most interesting thing on the table was this “wedding cake” made of cheese! If it had been a real wedding cake, the surprise would have been ruined.

Stunning.

Stunning.

 

Francis Norris and Ann Pierce

Francis Norris and Ann Pierce

 

Dr. Michelle Brewer, left, and Sherri Gardner Howell

Dr. Michelle Brewer, left, and Sherri Gardner Howell

 

From left, Sherry Jenkins, Renee Repka, Erin Donovan and Jeff Cupp

From left, Sherry Jenkins, Renee Repka, Erin Donovan and Jeff Cupp

 

The crowd swelled to about 100 folks in a great mood. We were thinking we were about to pull of a big surprise!

The crowd swelled to about 100 folks in a great mood. We were thinking we were about to pull off a big surprise!

Excitement was mounting as dusk fell.

Excitement was mounting as dusk fell.

 

And then they came in and we discovered the joke was on us!

And then they came in and we discovered the joke was on us!

They talked about how much they love each other.

They talked about how much they love each other.

 

And thanked their hosts and co-conspirators.

And thanked their hosts and co-conspirators.

Here's the back of that fabulous dress.

Here’s the back of that fabulous dress.

First dance

First dance

 

The bride dancing with her father, former Knoxville Mayor Kyle Testerman.

The bride dancing with her father, former Knoxville Mayor Kyle Testerman.

The  groom on the dance floor with his daughters, Elie, center, and Georgie Creswell.

The groom on the dance floor with his daughters, Elie, center, and Georgie Creswell.

 

From left, Molly Lonon, Georgie and Elie Creswell. Adorable.

From left, Molly Lonon, Georgie and Elie Creswell. Adorable.

Mother of the bride, Janet Testerman Crossley, and Bill Regas

Mother of the bride, Janet Testerman Crossley, and Bill Regas

 

Janet's sister, Muffet Buckner, was matron of honor. She's with her father.

Janet’s sister, Muffet Buckner, was matron of honor. She’s with her father.

The  band was Soul Candy and the Traffic Jam

The band was Soul Candy and the Traffic Jam

Janet enjoyed them as much as the rest of us.

Janet and the girls enjoyed them as much as the rest of us. (Look at those flowers!)

 

From left, Deanene Catani, Foster Arnett, Tom Catani, Katie Bahr and Matthew Williams

From left, Deanene Catani, Foster Arnett, Tom Catani, Katie Bahr and Matthew Williams

Will and Vanessa Bellamy

Will and Vanessa Bellamy

 

Alan with Kay Clayton

Alan with Kay Clayton

Jeff Cupp and Gay Lyons

Jeff Cupp and Gay Lyons

 

Vicki Baumgartner and Bill  Regas took a spin around the dining room.

Vicki Baumgartner and Bill Regas took a spin around the dining room.

 

From left, Brent Wilhoit, Dottie Arnett and Will Bellamy

From left, Brent Wilhoit, Dottie Arnett and Will Bellamy

Check out Dottie's necklace. She was admiring it  earlier in the day at Kimball's and they insisted that she take it "on loan" and wear it Saturday night! Just like on the red carpet!

Check out Dottie’s necklace. She was admiring it earlier in the day at Kimball’s and they insisted that she take it “on loan” and wear it Saturday night! Just like on the red carpet!

Speaking of attire, check out Bob McClellan's shoes! (I assume they are available at M.S. McClellan's!)

Speaking of attire, check out Bob McClellan’s shoes! (I assume they are available at M.S. McClellan’s!)

 

Frank Nicely, left, and Bob McClellan

Frank Nystrom, left, and Bob McClellan

Best man, Rusty Hutcheson, with the newlyweds

Best man, Rusty Hutcheson, with the newlyweds

 

Susan Brown, center, with Annette and Scott Brun

Susan Brown, center, with Annette and Scott Brun

 

For late-night snacking, there was a s'mores bar with a dozen or more kinds of gourmet marshmallows!

For late-night snacking, there was a s’mores bar with a dozen or more kinds of gourmet marshmallows for roasting in the outdoor fireplace!

Like these chocolate malt numbers.

Like these chocolate malt numbers.

Again, bravo to all involved for pulling off the surprise event of the winter! And best wishes to the beautiful, special couple.

 

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9 Responses to Engagement party was big surprise — to the guests!

  1. Bette Bryan, on February 26th, 2014 at 12:32 pm said:

    Congratulations to Janet and Joey. What a wonderful wedding and reception! Wishing you so much happiness!
    Thank you for sharing with your Blue Streak friends!!!
    What a beautiful couple and darling girls……great times ahead!

  2. Bette Bryan, on February 26th, 2014 at 12:35 pm said:

    Now THAT’S a “surprise party” Good job!

  3. Dawn Ford, on February 26th, 2014 at 12:42 pm said:

    It was a lovely event for a lovely couple!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on February 26th, 2014 at 2:55 pm said:

    Bette: You are so right. It was really done to perfection!

    Dawn: Glad you all were there with us!

  5. Shaun Fulco, on February 26th, 2014 at 3:10 pm said:

    This was so clever! I love it. Janet was stunning. Congrats to Janet and Joey. So happy for you both!

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on February 26th, 2014 at 3:15 pm said:

    Shaun: I agree! Judging from how gorgeous Janet looked, I’m going to recommend that all brides start wearing bronze dresses!

  7. Gay Lyons, on February 26th, 2014 at 3:38 pm said:

    It was a perfect surprise. So happy for them both & excited to be there to share with Janet & Joey & friends. Love, love, love the dress. Absolutely stunning–and Holly outdid herself with the food.

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on February 26th, 2014 at 3:48 pm said:

    Agree on all fronts, Gay!

  9. Annette Brun, on February 27th, 2014 at 10:43 am said:

    I haven’t had that much fun in a long time! What an event, what a locatoin, what a night! Thanks to the Brewingtons and the Creswells! We were honored to be there! 🙂

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