Serindipity: weddings

Showing posts with label weddings. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2016

He's Her Lobster

On September 23, 2016 my blonde bestie Kate married her lobster Bill.

Kate and Bill are such a fun couple and it was truly my honor to stand up them on their special day.

The day started early on Friday morning with hair and makeup at Salon G in Hamilton.

When we walked in we were greeted with Mimosas and breakfast.

Kate said yes to Bill and I said yes to champagne! That's the same thing, right?

Post Glam Shoot

It was a pretty chill atmosphere in the salon. Everyone was calm and excited. The country jams were pumping through the speakers and we all sat around chatting and giggling. Mimosas+girl talk+being serenaded by Luke Bryan?= My kinda party!

Kate getting glam

A little Maid of Honor/Best Friend Bonding session courtesy of SnapChat

We then went back to Kate's house to get ready for the wedding.

Kate looked incredibly gorgeous! Kate is one of those people who looks amazing without makeup on, too. Some of us (me) look like Death's ugly sister when we wake up, but Kate wakes up looking glamtastic. She looked insanely gorgeous on her wedding day!

Gorgeous!

All hail the veil!

Seesters

The photographer took pictures at her parents' house and we all got ready. Shout out to Kate's dad for being the only one who could lace up our bridesmaids' dresses!

We then piled into the limo and drove off to the church! When we got there, we were greeted by a bag piper! He was a surprise from Kate's dad as a nod to Kate's Irish culture. It was so romantic and added a fun upbeat element to the entrance. We MAYBE felt like we were being ushered into a real life fairy tale. #Cinderellagoals

The ceremony was a beautiful service given by Kate and Bill's childhood priest. I always love when the clergy knows the couple because it makes the service more personal and special.

Getting ready to greet the couple

After the wedding, we piled into the limo and the party started. There was a ton of dancing, champagne sipping, and laughing.

Our first stop on the Kate and Bill Wedding Photography Tour?

The elementary school where Kate and Bill met. So sweet! Bill's class came out and they took a group shot with the newlyweds.

After the elementary school cuteness, we went to Princeton University for the majority of our shoot. It was the perfect day...80 and NO HUMIDITY! My hair thanked God for this!

Next, we headed to Point Pleasant for some pictures on the beach.

Finally, we ended our tour at the reception hall. We went into the Lobster Shanty and we were filled with anticipation about the upcoming night's festivities. First of all, the food?! OHHHMYYYLAWWWD! We munched on calamari, veggies, fruit, cheese, lobster rolls, wontons, pretty much anything and everything!

How cute is this cake?! He's her lobster <3

The bridal party then was summoned to make our grand entrance. To keep up with the school motif, the 3 groomsmen and I came out by leap frogging.

Kate's dad gave a great speech welcoming Bill and his family into their family.

Bill's dad sang Frank Sinatra's All The Way for Bill and Kate's first dance. It was beautiful and so touching that his dad was able to perform it.

The band started to play and from their first note to the last note, no one left the dance floor. The band was so good! They were awesome because there was not "break"! Every few hours some band members would go take a break, so the band was never "off".

Kate's sister gave a beautiful speech that was both funny and touching.

Dev killing the MOH speech

Bill's best man, Charlie, gave a funny speech and revealed some secrets! Everyone was cracking up.

Charlie making the room laugh

Dinner was amazing! I'm pretty sure I ate more seafood that day than I have in my whole life. I regret nothing!

Yep...get jealous

There was a cake AND a chocolate fountain. This is a wedding trend I can get on board with. I dipped strawberries, pineapples, marshmallows...and all the cookies on the dessert table into the chocolate. It was perfect! Some people may have judged me for eating all.the.brownies. but I don't care. Bridesmaid privilege.

Maria and my adopted Aunt Dee!

Everyone had a great time and I was truly sad that it was over.

The happy couple

Kate and her dad's father/daughter dance

Pretty much sums up the night

Love those smiles

Kate's Annie Banks Mackenzie Father of the Bride-esque sneaks

The next day we all reconvened at breakfast and talked about what a fun night it was. There was so much love and family sitting around the table that even though it was raining outside, it seemed to be sunshiny and bright.

This was the fruit cup. I kid you not.

It was a beautiful weekend and I am so happy for Kate and Bill! I can't wait to see what the future holds for this beautiful color!

XOXO,

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Friday Favorites

It's the Freakin' Weekend...I'm about to have me some fun!

Happy FriYAY! I don't know about you, but I definitely feel like I earned this weekend. I can't believe that in one week one of my best friends will be getting married! Grown up married, not like 5th grade married! Crazy! So excited for her! I know this will be an awesome week full of fun and festivities.

This past week was a struggle. I have been to PT for a week now and I am feeling a lot better. I know it's a long road ahead, but slowly and surely I'm getting used to my new normal. Adapt or die, ammiright? I've been using kinesiology tape and I'm loving it now. Maybe it's all mental, but I really think it's helping! One of my students told me I looked like an Olympian. Someone clearly wants an A...My PT said I can do light interval running aka 1 min walk/1 min light jog. Hey, it's a far cry from 1/2 marathons, but I'll take it :) Sunday morning I'm going to start my day with a little run/jog/walk.

Does anyone have anything fun going on this weekend? I'm babysitting tonight and tomorrow I teach my last Total Body Blast class for the year. This has truly been one of my favorite summers because of this class. It was kind of a dream I didn't know I had. I'm definitely getting certified this fall so I can hopefully have my own class soon. Sunday I *maybe* have a breakfast date with Amanda for acai bowls. Deb and I then have manis for Kate's wedding. Then, Cait, her mom, Deb, and I are going to Valenzano Winery for their annual wine fest. I love this! I think this is my 6th favorite day.

If you're wondering my favorite days go as follows:

1.) Thanksgiving

2.) Christmas Eve

3.) Souper Bowl Day at school

4.) Cookie Tray Day at school

5.) Cole Swindell Concerts

6.) Valentano Wine Fest

7.) My birthday

8.) Halloween

9.) Fourth of July

10.) Valentine's Day

Speaking of Favorites...here are my favorites from the week!

This hair cut! I'm obsessed with Carrie Underwood (duh, total girl crush!) After Kate's wedding I'm totally cutting it!

President Barbie! Every election, Barbie comes out with a President Barbie, but this time she's different! There are 2 of them! They are also multicultural. I was also blown away by Barbie's career diversity. While I was perusing the aisle at Target, I saw Barbies dressed as pediatricians, vets, scientists, and businesswomen. Win win win!

When I was in Target, some how these little babies ended up in my cart. Weird how that happens, huh? I wanted to try these puppies out. Half way through the bag, I can say they are pretty good. They remind me of the Crispy M&Ms. They're really sweet, though. They taste more graham crackery than marshmallowy.

SPIN!

My favorite spin instructor goes down the shore for the summer, so I'm thrilled when she comes back and I can finally take spin again. Yes, spin is still offered at my gym when she's not here, but I really only like her. So I take the summer off to focus on running, and then get back in the (spin) saddle come September.

I was supposed to have a half on Sunday, but I obviously have to pull out of it. I'm really upset about it, but I know that I'll get better and be able to run again soon enough. To all my friends running on Sunday, best of luck!

What are you loving this week??

Love Love Love,

E

Thursday, August 18, 2016

The One With Kate's Bachelorette Party

Happy Thursday!

It's almost the weekend everyone! Insert happy dance here!

Things are getting a little crazy around here as we approach our vacation, but I wanted to check in with you all before I set sail for Bermuda.

So let's talk about Kate's Bachelorette Party!

Last Monday into Tuesday we celebrated Kate's impending nuptials by feting her in my favorite city. Since her sister and other bridesmaid were both in town for th shower we decided to piggy back the bachelorette party to keep the festivities going.

We started the day at Spruce Street Park. Spruce Street is a cool hang out spot with food and booze trucks. The girls had drinks and we sat and relaxed while looking out over the Delaware. I was super hungry so I went in search of some food. Knowing that we'd be indulging all day, I went in search of something healthy. I couldn't find anything healthy so I settle for vegan chocolate ice cream.

Riddle me this...no salad truck, but a full on vegan ice cream truck!? I mean I'm not complaining, but still.

After lunch we checked into our hotel and started getting ready for the night.

We stayed at the Liberty Hotel on Locust. It's a swanky little boutique hotel. The room was ginormous.

Kate and I made a wine run while the there started getting ready.

L'occitaine goodies=we're gonna steal them like Ross!

At 6:30 the hotel had a wine party for us...just kidding...but they did put out a nice spread of dried fruit, nuts, and red and white wines. We put ours in a coffee cup (to avoid spills) and headed on our merry way.

We walked 3 blocks to El Vez (my favorite Mexican spot) for dinner. I had a Paloma, all the chips and guac, and a naked vegan burrito.

The Bride to Be!

GUAC!!

My Paloma. This was my splurge drinks usually if I make this on my own I'll mix a shot of tequila with a freshly squeezed grapefruit.

The Bride Tribe

After dinner we headed to some local bars.

Bridal Party on Broad

I had to leave early Monday night because I had to tutor Tuesday morning. The party was so fun and it was the beginning of the omg the wedding is coming excitement.

Congrats to Kate and I can't wait to stand by your side on your Big Day!

Again, in terms of healthy living, I had fun and rolled with the day. I started the day with a weights session and then got my cardio from walking around the city. I also didn't get a drink when we first got there because I knew we'd be living it up all day. Guac isn't the worst thing for you but it is high in fat. But you know what, it's a bachelorette party and they don't happen that often so live it up!

Xoxo,

Erin

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

The One With Kate and Bill's Shower

Happy Tuesday!

Is everyone loving Bachelor In Paradise? I heart Sarah. I just want her to find love. And I'm sorry, even though Andi Dorfman is my spirit animal, Josh Murray is hot. A jerk? Yes, but a hot jerk.

Last night was our Zumba Fiesta! Mui fun! Everyone brought over apps/desserts/and something to drink.

Tonight I'm off to the welcome dinner for the new teachers. It's crazy to think that was me 3 years ago. Time flies.

So last week we celebrated Kate's shower and bachelorette party. Kate knew the shower date, but not the theme or venue. The theme was...

source

How cool is that theme? Especially for someone as obsessed with the show as Kate.

Kate and I met my sophomore year at TCNJ. She had a Friends coffee mug and I said that I liked it. She said its my favorite show and I concurred and it's been a reality show/Royal wedding/Kennedy obsessed friendship ever since.

The shower was held at the Meecer Oaks Country Coub in Princeton. Everything was beautiful. The bridesmaids got their early to set up, and as we were putting the finishing touches on everything we kept marveling at how beautiful the venue was. The workers were so helpful and set up was a breeze.

Every little detail was thought of and related to the theme. As Kate's sister, Dev, said, "No stone was left unthought of...maybe in turned, but not unthought of."

We had a mimosa bar (a shower must) and you could mix the champs with a peach bellini mix, cranberry juice, or orange juice. There were also strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries to add some pizzazz to your mimosa.

As guests were gathering, we had a bagel bar with fresh fruit to nosh on.

After Kate and Bill made their welcome rounds we started eating brunch. We had Caesar salad, penne vodka, chicken Marsala, eggs, and bacon. All was delicious.

Kate started to open her presents and while we were all oohing and ahhing over the household goodies, the staff started passing out the cake and dessert trays. The only downside to the whole bridesmaid thing is that you can't run like the ravenous boar that you are to the mouth watering cake awaiting/calling your name from your place. No easy task my friends. We played Bamboozled, basically the newlywed game, the don't say wedding game (I collected 15 rings!), and a bridal scramble. The winners received a mini cheesecake in reference to the episode where Rachel and Chandler eat their neighbors cheesecake.

As for healthy living, when it comes to showers and parties I like to indulge. I give myself a pass to have a slice of cake and cookies and dessert tray musings. I also had a mimosa...or 2. I figure these things are not a weekly or monthly event so you can enjoy a little more freely than you usually would. I also started my day with a 12 mile run so I ate without guilt.

Ready for some pictures?

The Wishing Well! Everyone was asked to bring a small household object to put in. I gave Kate a salad chopper.

The favors were coffee mugs with coffee fixings and Milano cookies.

The room complete with purple and yellow accessories.

Even an orange couch! In the background we played all of the Friends wedding episodes.

The tables were set with little frames that possessed notable Friends quotes about love. Everyone also received a Bridal Shower Bingo Board where they were asked to write gifts they thought Kate would get.