​Make a Birthday Wish…​

Neil McIntyre’s surprise 40th birthday party was a night to remember. See how friends and family, with the help of event planner Michelle Hope of Social Butterflies planned the perfect sneak attack.​

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When Raeline McIntyre decided she wanted to throw her husband, Neil, a surprise 40th birthday party, the hardest part was keeping it a secret. “We were so excited to help her in the planning and came up with a fun DIY theme incorporating many of Neil’s favorite things,” says Michelle Hope of Social Butterflies, LLC.  The look and feel of the event was designed in a color palette of light greens, slate, grey and white.
To create a wreath on the front door as well as centerpieces for the tables, Hope and Raeline McIntyre used split peas. The girls even spelled out his name using all peas. “Using commonplace materials is a good idea for anyone looking to decorate on a budget,” says Hope. “It’s super easy, too!”
Always looking to make each person’s experience memorable, Hope ensured that there was never a dull moment as each person was entertained from the time they arrived and even while waiting on their special guest. 
As the early well-wishers arrived at Magnolia Hall at Florence Gardens, they were greeted with an assortment of  hors d’oeuvres and a variety of lawn games like cornhole and horseshoes for them to play while awaiting the guest of honor.
Neil’s wife, Raeline McIntyre, had been baiting Neil for weeks by telling him how she wanted to look at houses near the party’s venue. So when her mom offered to babysit last minute so they could have a date night, the perfect opportunity was at hand. En route to dinner, she started to drive toward the party where she then pulled over and told Neil she had a surprise for him and gave him the blindfold.
The party was a success. Neil arrived completely shocked and the surprises didn’t stop there. Among those in attendance were out-of-town guests that had traveled significant distance to take part in the celebration. And to top off the occasion, a special musical number highlighting the past 40 years was performed by Raeline McIntyre with a group of close girlfriends.
Each element of Neil’s Surprise 40th Birthday Party was custom designed to fit his likes and interests. The menu featured Neil’s favorites like grits and grillades, and for dessert, a cookie bar and Carrot Cake. Even Neil’s favorite tunes were incorporated into the dance.