Marry Me Monday: Bridal Shower!

My lovely, sweet bridesmaids hosted our first bridal shower this past weekend!  Everything was absolutely amazing.  Southern girls just know how to throw a party!  The shower was held in a historic bus station that is now used for small parties.  The tables glowed with little candles and were decorated with white flowers in black vases to highlight our wedding colors.  Champagne glasses stood by ready to be filled with either a champagne punch or mimosa.  And the food was the second best part!  Marinated cheese (amazing), sausage balls, rotel cups, veggies with dip, and pork tenderloin sliders.  I will definitely try to post some of these recipes when I get them later!  For desert, we all dined on my favorite: petit fours!  A friend/food writer also specially made blueberry and marscapone cheese pie holes (miniature pies) and tiny key lime pies.  All fit to be in Southern Living magazine!

So how could I say the food was only the second best part of a Southern shower?  Because the best part was how overwhelmed I was with the love that surrounded us from our family and friends. I had so many wonderful people there to share our joy.  Every where I looked in that room was a smiling face looking back at me.  The afternoon was truly a beautiful occasion to mark this special time.

Later yesterday evening, we had shower part two as Ed and I went back through all the gifts so Ed could see what we received.  Ed shared my same expression of gratitude for the love and care we have around us as he pulled out every piece of stemware, cake dish, plate, baking item, etc. I love how he loved every piece and how excited he was to use each item in our new life together.

I will post more pictures later but for now here is a picture taken at the shower with my wonderful bridesmaids!

Marry Me Monday: Ring Shopping!

Today Ed and I are using our day off to go RING SHOPPING!!!  Yes, it is getting even more real that we are getting married with the big items on our to do list being accomplished!

Ed is not a jewelry kind of guy. He doesn't even wear a watch so what he says about his wedding ring is very sweet.  Today when we shop, Ed will be looking for a sturdy ring that can take a beating because as he says, "The ring is not coming off!"  I love his excitement and how his commitment is reflected in so many small ways.

I will be looking for a ring that my engagement ring can slip in between two bands.  My engagement ring is just a tad too big but I am paranoid about letting it go for a second to be re-sized. My solution is to find a wedding ring that is the right size that will guard the engagement ring.  However, I do like some single bands as well so if I go with a band I will have to eventually hand over my precious ring to be sized....scary day!

Here are some rings that reflect my style:

Something like this ring is my first choice...as long as it does not take away from the beauty of my engagement ring

Love delicate bands with diamonds. This ring is gorgeous and might serve as inspiration but I will need to go with a much more afforadable option!

Love all of these options. I even love the sapphire but I am afraid to go with something too trendy - I am more of a classic girl.

Pinned on Pinterest but cannot find actual link. This ring looks like my engagement ring so this could be a potential.

Marry Me Monday: Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!

I always knew I loved the influence of the New Orleans culture in my life growing up in South Mississippi but I did not know just how much I loved this influence until I moved to North Mississippi.  Since living here, I have introduced the flavors of true King Cake to my pastry deprived friends. Hint: it is not that stale cinnamon bun they sale at Wal-mart or other local grocery stores.  I guess I took it for granted when I lived down in the deep south so now I make extra effort to celebrate the season. My home is usually filled with the spicy smells of the cajun cuisine staple of red beans and rice.  And if you come to a dinner party that I host during this time, you will be greeted by a Mardi Gras wreath as well as the sounds of zydeco music. 

I love it so much  that at one time I dreamed of having a Mardi Gras themed ball for a wedding reception.  For this event, I was really going to introduce my friends to Laissez les bons temps rouler!  I still think this theme would be a colorful and fun reception to not only have but plan! Since we are having our wedding in April after Easter, we have decided on another reception theme so here are some of my ideas for any future Mardi Gras brides!

King Cake Wedding Cake (or Groom's Cake)

Southern Weddings

I love King Cake filled with cream cheese and a fruit filling (blueberry is my fave). I thought having a King Cake wedding cake would be a great twist on tradition. However, if you still want the traditional wedding cake you could top off the topping with a Mardi Gras topper or decorate the cake with Mardi Gras colors.


Guests
Have guests get in on the fun by dressing in colorful attire as you do when you attend a Mardi Gras ball.  I was also going to distribute feather boas, masks, and beads as favors to add to the celebration.

Cuisine
I love pretty much any food that can be found in New Orleans.  The only thing that limits you with cuisine options in this theme would be budget because it would be hard to stop choosing all your selections! At least it would be for me! If I was doing this theme I would serve: gumbo, crawfish etoufee, red beans and rice, and a variety of seafood options. The sweet tooth could be satisfied with King Cake, pralines and beignets served with a coffee bar station featuring coffee with chicory. But the drinks would not stop at coffee because your guests will most likely appreciate the New Orleans signature drink: The Hurricane!

Decorations
The decor could be sophisticated or you could ham it up with a lot of Mardi Gras fun decor like this centerpiece idea.

Centerpiece Idea

Music
No party would be hard to start with the sounds of Zydeco music. Enough said.

Second Line
End the night with the Bride and Groom leading the traditional Second Line.  I still may incorporate this tradition in my Southern reception!

Second Line

The Departure
Why not instead of having your guests throw something at you during the departure, surprise your guests and throw beads at them.  The bride and groom could exit in a Mardi Gras parade fashion with the bridal party exiting first with the smaller beads and the newly married couple finishing up "the parade" with the best beads to throw! 

LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER

Marry Me Monday: 3 Months to Go!

I love when we hit another month mark and the e-mails from the Knot and the Wedding Channel are sent to me to remind me how much longer as well as what I need to do.  It is like a little celebration in my inbox!  I can't believe we are already at the 3 month mark!  I have gone into "get it done" mode.  With my job being so busy and the semester just about to start up combined with us doing a destination wedding, I have to get things done quickly with no more time to deliberate over options.  So what am I doing at the 3 month mark?

* Getting ready for my first shower! So excited!

* Purchasing and making final decisions about centerpieces (not using flowers at the reception - great cost saving option)

* Created and ordered our guest sign in book (Check out Shutterfly!)

* Started purchasing items for bridal party gifts

*Making final decisions on menus for the rehearsal and reception

*Addressing wedding invitations. After going back and forth, I have made the decision to address them myself. I start this week!

*Oh yeah and constantly checking out the webcam of the beach where we will honeymoon.....daydreaming about the beach a lot!!!


Those are just a few items that are currently needing attention (especially the beach daydreaming part). I am trying not to stress out and just enjoy the process.  Having a great fiance and family and friends make it is easy to enjoy! 

A little sparkle inspiration from The Knot. I love all things sparkle!