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.
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.
Richard and Dawn Ford
Erin Donovan and my hubby, Alan Carmichael
A beautiful buffet was set up on the table.
It included shrimp scampi skewers.
Duck tacos
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.
Stunning.
Francis Norris and Ann Pierce
Dr. Michelle Brewer, left, and Sherri Gardner Howell
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 off a big surprise!
Excitement was mounting as dusk fell.
And then they came in and we discovered the joke was on us!
They talked about how much they love each other.
And thanked their hosts and co-conspirators.
Here’s the back of that fabulous dress.
First dance
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.
From left, Molly Lonon, Georgie and Elie Creswell. Adorable.
Mother of the bride, Janet Testerman Crossley, and Bill Regas
Janet’s sister, Muffet Buckner, was matron of honor. She’s with her father.
The band was Soul Candy and the Traffic Jam
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
Will and Vanessa Bellamy
Alan with Kay Clayton
Jeff Cupp and Gay Lyons
Vicki Baumgartner and Bill Regas took a spin around the dining room.
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!
Speaking of attire, check out Bob McClellan’s shoes! (I assume they are available at M.S. McClellan’s!)
Frank Nystrom, left, and Bob McClellan
Best man, Rusty Hutcheson, with the newlyweds
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 roasting in the outdoor fireplace!
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.
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!
Now THAT’S a “surprise party” Good job!
It was a lovely event for a lovely couple!
Bette: You are so right. It was really done to perfection!
Dawn: Glad you all were there with us!
This was so clever! I love it. Janet was stunning. Congrats to Janet and Joey. So happy for you both!
Shaun: I agree! Judging from how gorgeous Janet looked, I’m going to recommend that all brides start wearing bronze dresses!
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.
Agree on all fronts, Gay!
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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