Let's Get This Party Started

My cousin Laura threw me a wonderful bridal shower in August at her home in south Austin. My mom, grandmother, aunts, cousins, and sister/MOH were all there.


My aunt Christine and cousins Laura, Angie and Julie.




Laura's dogs dressed festively for the occasion!


Laura giving directions to the first game, which involved creating a look for the wedding night, Project Runway-style, using only toilet paper.


Merry listening to the directions, already devising ways to subvert them.


Everyone was divided into teams for this game, while I served as the judge. My aunt Kathy and my grandmother were chosen as the models for their teams. Kathy sported a Hawaiian-inspired design, complete with lei and grass skirt, while my grandmother modeled her team's design.


Molly explains the inspiration for her team's look.


Angie models the winning outfit, which, somewhat disturbingly, was designed by my mother.


The winning team (Angie, Julie, and my mom), sans toilet paper lingerie.


My cousin Gracie and I in the classic hold-the-camera-out-in-front-and-try-to-get-both-people-in-the-shot pose.

I had such a wonderful time at the shower and really appreciate the time and effort that everyone put into making it so much fun!

Whew!

Another sizable task that we were recently able to cross off the wedding to-do list was designing and sending out our wedding invitations. We included a lot of DIY elements, and ultimately, I think we are really happy with the finished product. We have received so many complements on the map, which Justin drew by hand:



It has been so exciting to begin to receive the RSVP cards back in the mail (and yes, Merry, we did get yours first)! We are saddened when we hear from family and friends that won't be able to join us, but we know they will be there with us in spirit. It is wonderful to know that we will be surrounded by the love of all of you on that day!

Our First Wedding Gift

We received one of our first wedding gifts from Jessica's mom earlier this week. She gave us a beautiful sugar and creamer set made of sterling silver. The set was made in the early 1900s, and if you look closely (I tried to capture it in the pictures), you can see a lovely script "B" monogram on both pieces. What a wonderful gift that we will treasure always!

T-minus three months and counting...

With a little less than three months left to go until the big day, Justin and I have been trying to finalize more of our plans. Today, we met with Tanya, the wedding coordinator-extraordinaire at Green Pastures, to discuss some of the details of the ceremony and reception. Most of what we have left to figure out are some of our menu choices. It's wonderful to be able to check a few more things off the to-do list!