Sea of Love

Yesterday I had the honor of celebrating my good friend, Kelly's, upcoming wedding.  The intimate affair was a trip down memory lane as we shared our fondest (and sometimes embarrassing) times with Kelly and reminisced about how far we've come now that we're "grown-up."  We also got to know the bride and groom's relationship a little better with some fun question and answer games!

Together with her other bridesmaids, we threw her a vintage beach-themed bridal shower.  I was inspired by the pretty and muted colors of sea glass, so we used it as the splash of color on an otherwise white-washed and neutral palette.  Kelly's sister's home was the perfect space for the event.  (Thanks to my sis-in-law, Kathie, for snapping these pictures when I didn't get a chance to!  Besides, her iPhone-picture taking skills are much better than mine.)

What can I say? I love a vintage-inspired party. Since Kelly & Evan are getting married by the beach, we thought we'd do our own version of a seaside party.  Here is part of the beverage station.  Cucumber-mint lemonade, strawberry water, and wine and champagne were on the menu.  All served in pretty glass cups, of course.

Sea glass, seashells and other beachy finds adorned the buffet table.  A white paper parasol topped it off and made a good focal point for the delicious raspberry-lemon cake.

The buffet spread.

The delicious food.  Most of it was from Porto's and the rest was (semi) homemade.  The utensils were all tied together with some garden twine and a white lifesaver candy, to keep with the beach theme.

For the flowers we stuck with whites and creams.  The seafoam blue ribbon and driftwood accent was a nice added touch by Kelly's sister-in-law.

We took the message in a bottle idea and applied it to one of the shower games where Kelly had to answer questions that were asked to Evan.  It was hilarious fun watching her in the hot seat! 

Guests were asked to guess Kelly's age in the pictures.  It was nostalgic seeing some of these old photos again, especially since a lot of us have known Kelly since we were very young.

Kelly as an infant (left) and Kelly with her fiancé (right).  Time flies!

We had no problem diving into the cake!

You know it's a good party when there are lots of empty glasses and plates! 

The favors consisted of cocoa butter body lotion and coconut body wash, all wrapped up in a jute pouch with a sand dollar accent.  

Kelly's four-year-old niece helpfully passed out the favors to all the guests at the end of the party.  She made sure to thank them for coming.  She was definitely the life of the party!

I always love weddings and wedding stuff.  It's one of the few times in your life that you get to be unselfishly showered with so much love and well-wishes.  It's also such a significant moment as you prepare to make a truly meaningful and life-changing commitment.  I'm so excited for Kelly and Evan, and cannot wait to see them start their happily-ever-after together!