I’m so grateful to have the very best friends on the planet who would put other things on hold to celebrate me for the day. I’m so lucky they’re going to stand up next to me and be there for me during this whole stressful journey! They (besides AJ – of course but feel like I need to say that ha!) are the shiny little light guiding me through the crazy! 

My extra luck is not just that they love me so much but they also know me very very well and threw me a shower that was literally everything I have dreamt about! It’s honestly like they know me better than I know me – because they threw this totally blind and surprised me with so many things!!

The one thing I knew I really wanted was to have it in my parent’s backyard! My mom is a gardener and has the most beautiful garden in the back. So many trees and flowers and grasses. A few years ago they installed a really nice water feature that sounds like a babbling brook. 

Totally unplanned but completely lucky is how beautiful the weather was! And so many things were blooming. Little flowers on the apple tree and huge tulips too! The sun was shining and the sky was so pretty blue it made everything pop even more!

I first need to give my creative, extremely talented best friend a shout out: Paige (of PY arts – her artwork is all over our home!) She went above and beyond and made the most beautiful things for me! She is seriously so talented with her calligraphy and painting! 

My equally talented bff Mallory is a creative genius and planned the perfect event from the make-your-own mimosas and palomas (my fav!) to surprising me with a ~*braid bar*~!! She made a sweet toast and was popping the champagne all afternoon!

The best part was that everyone came together and put on the most amazing shower together! There was a balloon arch (where we took lots and lots of photos, be forewarned) complete with little tropical leaves. All of my favorite things! Paige’s husband made the arbor because he’s as talented as his wife!!! 

My bffs had the genius idea to made an announcement as well as a table card that I would not be opening presents in front of everybody. I think every bride (and person, honestly) can agree that is an awkward, older tradition that isn’t necessary now! They phrased it to say I would rather mingle and spend time with my guests than take time to open presents – perfect. 

Gigs, my brother’s girlfriend turned my bff, is a charcuterie board master and helped build the perfect snack table full of donut holes and tiny avocado toast for us. It was laid out almost too beautifully to eat! There was a little coffee cake my mom had made because it was technically my birthday (double whammy!) but still on the brunch theme! 

The cutest, little chunk baby Joel made a celebrity appearance and we got to gaze at him (and squeeze him) all afternoon! His mama and my best friend Kelsey makes the MOST ADORABLE babies I tell ya! After the shower, we all headed to ABGB to switch gears and do birthday celebrations (I really ask a lot of these people in case you can’t tell…!) My bff Paige – yes two Paiges, try to keep up y’all! – stayed basically all night long celebrating because she is my friend who will stay for many more rounds 😉

For that I am so grateful and for all of my best friends I am so straight blessed to have them in my life! Here are some photos from the day!! P.S. Thank you to Alicia for being our unofficial photographer snapping all our group shots!!