Congratulations, Chrissy!!!
(…and Mark!) I had to start things off with that, clearly 
But let’s go back and recap the entire wonderful wedded weekend, shall we?
Way back on Thursday evening I headed back to PA to spend some time with my parents before going away for the remainder of the weekend. It was great to get out of the city for a bit to take in the onset of fall. Momma G had the house covered in harvest-y decorations…
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…and I took charge of making a batch of Apple Crisp.
I followed this recipe, but changed the ratios and used 1.5 cups rolled oats and 1/4 cup (gluten-free) oat flour instead of white. It turned out delicious! A great option for you gluten-freestas, for sure.
On Friday I got an early start to get all my ducks in a row before heading to the 1pm ceremony rehearsal. Afterward all of the bridesmaids headed to the salon for some mani/pedi action, followed by getting all freshened up at the hotel for the rehearsal dinner.
The dinner was at a nearby Italian restaurant, Villa Barolo. It was a great spot for a rehearsal dinner - our party had the entire back of the restaurant to ourselves, and the food was great. I went with their salmon dish, which came with potatoes and green beans.
After the dinner we all headed back to the hotel where Chrissy gave us our bridesmaid gifts. And I’m not just talking about the goodie bag we got for checking into our hotel rooms…
She put together these fun gift baskets for each one of us!
In the basket was our jewelry for the wedding, flip flops (to change into so we could dance away at the reception, of course), and handmade picture frames a la Etsy to later include a photo of the bride and I
Isn’t that a great idea?! I may not have a boyfriend…or even a date to these weddings…but I sure have been coming away from these bridesmaid experiences with some great ideas for my own one day!
After a last minute (best-ever) decision to get a hotel room all to myself on Friday night, I woke up refreshed and excited for the big day. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy sitting around in a suite with snacks and getting pampered all day?
By the time our 4:15 departure to the Aldi Mansion rolled around, we were all dressed up and ready to go.
…with time to spare for a photo shoot, clearly.
And then, the rest was history…
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…plus lots and lots and lots of dancing. It was an epic celebration, to say the least!
But for now, it’s time to start the week for me. I’ll leave you with the winner of the Artistry Skincare Set Giveaway:
Congratulations, Michelle!! Please email me at gracie(at)girlmeetslife(dot)com with your full mailing address.
What’s the most fun/unique things you’ve seen at a wedding?
Oh, I love her bridesmaid dress choice! You look fab!
I am OBSESSED with your hair style! lol
I LOVE your hair - it looks really pretty! So simple and elegant!
Like every other girl that has commented thus far, I loooove your hair! It’s so gorgeous an polished. Much like yourself.
Looks like you had a lovely weekend, Gracie!
It looks like a beautiful wedding and those gift baskets are
Definitely a great idea! I’m in a wedding for one of my friends at aldi mansion next year, good to know that it looks like a place for a wedding!
Oh wow, the bride’s dress is gorgeous! And same with the bridesmaid dresses too!
weddings are so fun! Her dress is stunning!
That’s such a lovely bridesmaid gift. I especially love that you got flip flops so you can change out of your heels
Smart bride!
I agree with Chels on the hair. I looove it on you, and it goes perfect with the dress!
I’m loving the pb-filled pretzels for readying snacking.
lovin’ on your wedding hair, and the bridesmaids dresses…glad you didn’t have to wear hot pint tool and puffy shoulders. You could def wear that entire look again.
omg that hair is GORGEOUS, girl! of course everything else is too.
Love your hair! One of my friends had an entire kids room set up at her reception. Think kid friendly food, games, a clown, balloon maker, kids’s music, video games, make your own candy station, etc, along with volunteers to watch the kids. It was pretty amazing and very unique. Kept all the kids entertained the entire evening while their parents were dancing the night away.
Weddings always make me smile. The bridesmaid dresses are lovely. I love the flowers on top of the cake, too. So classy. I want my friends to start getting married SO. BADLY. Open bar, anyone?
Your hair looks fabulous! At Indian weddings, both the girls friends and the guys friends organise and perform a few dances in honour of the couple (i.e. the songs chosen tell a story of how the couple met)….that’s always the part I love most about our weddings!
Oh my gosh what a fantastic weekend - I so look forward to weddings. My sister and I really enjoyed sharing a suite to get ready in before our cousins wedding.
I’m loving your hair! Looks like a fun wedding-I love having hotel rooms to myself too!
That looks like a lovely wedding and a fun weekend. I love your hairdo for the wedding, very chic and stylish
You and the bride look gorgeous…I love her dress.
My brother’s wedding had a picture booth which was really fun!
gracie you looked gorgeous!!! also, your mom’s harvest decorations are perfect! the most fun thing i’ve seen at a wedding was when my cousin got married at the boathouse in central park - she and her husband took a ride on the gondola after their vows and it was so beautiful.
Ooo loving the hair!
I am a wedding coordinator as my side job and I actually coordinated a wedding this weekend at the SF Zoo and right after the ceremony the wedding party got to go feed giraffes — tell me that isn’t amazing!
How pretty!!
My favorite thing at weddings is when the bride and groom are able to dance their little heart outs on the dance floor. It’s even better when the dance starts as a second line!! I heart NoLa
Weddings are the best. I think my best creative creation was having my dogs wear table number necklaces-we took their pic and put them on our dinner tables for their numbers.
I love your hair and dress! But especially your hair - SO PRETTY!
Honestly, and I don’t mean to sound superficial, but you look better than ever, girlfran! Seriously! You look so beautiful and happy and full of light! xoxo
Kailey, ah! That comment made my night
Thank you girl
GIVE ME YOUR HAIR FROM THE WEDDING! Absolutely gorgeous
I am SO glad you had such a great time! Thanks for always being so cheerful and excited about life - it’s spreading like wildfire.
xoxo Andi
Andi, this comment was such a blessing to read first thing in the morning. THANK YOU for your kind words - I’m so glad to have “met” you recently!!
I love your dress from the rehearsal dinner - very cute!
And those present ideas are so cute
I love reading about weddings and gathering ideas for my own!