Countdown: 255 - Maggie & Collin's Wedding!

Two weekends ago I traveled back to St. Louis to celebrate the marriage of one of my oldest friends and bridesmaid, Maggie. She married a wonderful Texas boy, Collin, and their wedding was absolutely beautiful. Not one detail was missed and everyone had such a blast.

Here are some photos from Maggie’s big day. How gorgeous is she?!

At the rehearsal dinner the wedding party all took turns to say something about the bride and groom. I wasn’t sure what I would say – there were almost 20 years to cover! But I just focused on our friendship through the years and how happy I am that we still remain friends.

I’m so happy for you Maggie! Being a part of your special day meant so much and I’m so happy you will do the same for me in May!

Countdown: 277 - Guest Post by Julie Ravensberg, MOH

Hi everyone!

I'm Julie, Lauren's incredibly pretty, smart and funny MOH. Some of you may also know me as Zoof. For that nickname, I thank Matt.

Lauren was a bridesmaid in our friends’ wedding this past weekend. During the wedding ceremony as I watched Lauren walk down the aisle, I got very excited and emotional.  Maybe it was the music, or the church or the general wedding atmosphere. Or maybe it was because I realized that in 9 short months (277 days) my BFF will be a MRS.

Little did I know 9 years ago when we were moving into the dorms at IU as freshman roommates that we’d end up best friends, sorority sisters and MOH’s in each other’s weddings. Who would have thought that my boyfriend’s confirmation sponsor would later be our daughter’s god-mother?! If the past 9 years have gone by this fast, then I know that the next 9 months will fly by!

I’m honored to be a part of Matt and Lauren’s big day and cannot wait until May 5 - It will be here before we know it!

- Julie

Countdown: 285 - Flowers!

I'm having the first meeting with our florist in a couple of weeks so I'm starting to pull together some examples of what I like. (OK, yes I've had most of these pictures for months now and, yes, some from before we were even engaged. I can't help it, I'm a planner.)

Here are some of my faves:

Photo Credits: l photographie;  mywedding.com; perfect-wedding.info;  mywedding.com; john koch; l photographie; jpsotila; unknown

Countdown: 290 Days – El Paso Trip & Our First Shower!

Matt and I spent the 4^th of July holiday with my family in El Paso, TX. I was so excited to FINALLY take Matt there to show him where my Dad grew up and where I spent the best summers of my childhood. It was HOT, but we managed to get in all the necessary stops - including Chico’s Tacos, Good Luck and the Acosta Center - and spend some quality time with the family.



Matt's first Chico's experience!



GG and the newest addition, Matthew



Yum!

The Acosta Center



Me and Pop :)

My Aunts (Dad’s sisters) and a couple of my cousins threw a wedding shower for me and Matt over the weekend too. It was so much fun and the first “official” celebration of our upcoming nuptials. It was clear how much time and love the party planners put into the fiesta, from the delicious food to the beautiful – and handmade – decorations.

We had such a great turnout, and it was so fun to be able to see and catch up with some family members I hadn’t seen in years. Plus, I was able to introduce Matt to some family he hadn’t met yet.





 

 



Matt and me with GG

 

Me & Dad

Thank you to GG, Aunt Alice, Aunt Bertha, Aunt Sylvia, Aunt Shelly, Missy and Shanan for putting the special evening together. And thank you to all of our family who came out to celebrate with us. We are so lucky to have families that are just as excited for our big day as we are!

Countdown: 304 Days – I’m a New (God)Mom!

I was recently asked by my best friend (and MOH) Julie and her husband Billy to be the Godmother to their baby girl Anna. I was THRILLED when they asked me, seriously, what an honor!

At first, I was nervous when Billy plopped a screaming Anna into my arms when I was at their house one evening preparing for my first babysitting gig with her. Then I saw this:



Lolo's Goddaughter!

How cute is that? What a creative idea!

I told Julie I felt like we were on the episode of Bethenny Ever After when she asked Julie to be Bryn’s Godmother. HA! I like to say I’m their spiritual guide since I’m also Billy’s Confirmation Sponsor. Yes, really. But that’s a whole separate post.

I officially became Anna’s Godmother at her Baptism last month. Here are some pictures (thanks Chelsea!) from the big day.

Thank you Julie and Billy for bestowing this great honor on me! I promise to always be there for her with whatever she may need! Love you all J

p.s. I also have to throw in a photo of my Godson Luke. I have the cutest Godchildren, right? Right.

Countdown: 317 Days - Bachelorettes & Engagements!

You know when there comes a point in your life when everyone you know is either newly married or engaged? Well that’s where I am right now. And I LOVE it!! We have so many weddings between now and next year to look forward to, including our own!

This past weekend we kicked off a year of weddings with my sorority sister Ashley’s bachelorette party here in Chicago. We had a blast and it was so great to see everyone who was able to make the trip.

We kicked off the weekend with a lovely dinner at one of my favorite places for outdoor dining, Trattoria Isabella to catch up.

 

It was also the first time we had all been together since I and my two friends Katye and Lisa got engaged, so we had A LOT to celebrate!

Notice how we’re positioned by order of wedding: April, May and June!

 

On Saturday we hung out at the pool (and all got burnt), then headed to the Swissotel to shower Ashley with some very exciting gifts. We ended the night at a club where we danced the night away.



Next up, Ashley’s wedding!! I can’t wait to celebrate with her in less than six weeks! Should be a great party and I’m so excited to be a part of her special day.

Countdown: 325 Days – Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

I have some very special bridesmaids, so I knew I needed a very special way to ask them all to be a part of our big day. I racked my brain trying to come up with something creative. I found some pretty cute ideas online including personalized, handmade “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?” cards, scrapbooks, etc. but I still wasn’t sold.

Then I remembered that I know THE BEST and most creative cookie baker in Chicago! Any time I have an excuse to bring cookies anywhere I call Jenna at For Sweets Sake and am never disappointed.

So, I asked her if she could make me cookies that were in the shape of dresses (of course she could!) and I had her write part of the “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?” question on each one. Then I put them into little bags and tied them off with a cute ribbon. Plus, I was able to freeze the cookies until I was going to see each girl which was great because it took me a few months to get to everyone!

They turned out so cute…and delicious! These seriously are the best cookies I’ve ever had, and my bridesmaids must agree because they all said yes! One of my bridesmaid’s fiancé even told me that my friend had to think about it, but a second batch of cookies would probably do the trick. J