a shower for gretters

I have the great honor of serving as my lovely sister's Matron of Honor for her upcoming nuptials this fall.  While there are many important duties in such a role, one such obligation is that of the Bachelorette party - a critical rite of passage for many a bride.

Unfortunately due to Gretter's school schedule (she is a schoolteacher and is going to school herself) and my baby schedule (most airlines ground pregnant ladies ~1-2 months out for fear that they may go into labor mid-flight and force the plane to land), we couldn't find a date that worked.  After much discussion, we decided to have me opt out of said Bachelorette and instead have me host a more pregnant-lady-friendly bridal shower.

With the help of my party-planning-extraordinaire mother, we orchestrated a lovely get-together for friends and family at the condo Gretchen and Al recently bought in New Canaan, CT.  (What grown-ups!)

We opted for a low-key brunch with lots of yummy goodies catered by a local spot:

We did make-your-own yogurt parfaits, 

to-die-for mini muffins and scones, 

made-to-order lattes and cappuccinos,

fluffy, decadent baby quiche, and 

- since no bridal brunch is complete without some bubbly - assorted Mimosas.

Note: custom linen napkins with Gretchen and Al's wedding logo on them

Who doesn't love an excuse for Champagne at 11am?

After chowing down (and drinking up!), we watched as Gretters opened up some top-notch gifts - many of which would be put straight to good use in their brand new place!

There's nothing like some good place mats!

Note: coffee cups with G&A's wedding logo stamped on -

you know how I love stamping

We chatted and sipped and chatted some more as we showered the soon-to-be bride with advice, gifts, wisdom, and love.  While not quite a Bachelorette, the morning was a charming celebration of this lovely soon-to-be bride.

xoxo

KK

the mackenzies

Greetings friends!

It's been awhile.

Since I've chimed in here last:
we've had bridal showers and baby showers, 
this bump has gotten a whole lot bigger (t-minus 6 weeks!), 
I finally took my miserable test, and 
my best, best friend tied the knot!

There's lots to report back on but I'll start by filling you in on this past weekend: the sensational nuptials of my fab friend Charlotte.

After some picnic-ing and tennis playing Friday afternoon (both the bride and groom are athletic all-stars), we rehearsed our ceremony duties and got cleaned up for the Friday night festivities.  

The rehearsal dinner and welcome drinks Friday evening were a total success.  Top-notch toasts, amazing appetizers, thoughtful touches, a delicious dinner, incredible ice cream, and lots of celebrating.

some of the maids with the bride during cocktail hour

the mother of the groom went all out 

with her "perfect match" theme

Saturday I carried out my very taxing duties as a bridesmaid:

sending the bride off on a morning run,

getting my hair done,
getting my make-up done,
eating lots of delicious food,

hanging out with the bride,
lounging about in a comfy bathrobe,
getting my picture taken.

It was a really tough day.

At 5pm the bride and groom sealed the deal in the most gorgeous of settings:

They then surprised all of their guests with an adorable, perfectly choreographed dance number that charmed the whole lot. 

I was waterworks galore watching them tear up the dance floor.

Again, the party was a smashing success and full of fab moments, best of which was watching how over-the-moon happy both the bride and groom were.

Sadly, the weekend was over just as soon as it started and I was back on a plane to SF.  Luckily, my fabulous husband spoiled me with a business-class upgrade (one of the few pros of him traveling all. the. time.) so I nursed my sadness with warm nuts, a made-to-order ice cream sundae, and lots of on-demand movies.  Had to take advantage of my last pre-baby flight! :)

More news on happenings here soon.

xoxo

KK