The Wedding of a Lifetime!

Friend-filled bridal shower? Check.

Girly bachelorette party? Done.

Wedding of a lifetime? HAD! I’m so glad I’m already married because it would be nearly impossible to top my friend’s big bash last night. It. was. spectacular! :D

Lets start from the beginning!

The ladies started the day early with a light breakfast in the presidential suite of the Crowne Plaza hotel, in downtown St. Paul.

The suite was HUGE, with plenty of room for all 9 (9!) bridesmaids to spread out and get ready.

Our breakfast spread was perfect. Nothing too heavy or greasy here!

Ultra-moist bran muffins, bagels,

and snappy red grapes for me. :)

Hair and makeup started promptly at 9am – the guys didn’t have to show up until 1pm. Will they ever know how much work it is to get wedding-ready? ;)

A personal glam-squad took the already beautiful bride,

and made her totally wedding ready! Gorgeous!!!

Pictures were next and we all slipped into our dresses. Couldn’t you just die over this gown? It fit the bride’s personality to a T. Elegant, yet sassy. :)

An assortment of sparkly shoes for each stage of the day peeked out the bottom,

and finishing touches like crystal earrings and a custom necklace completed the look.

This is my favorite thing ever. My friend’s boss made her this necklace for the reception out of vintage brooches, earrings and silk flowers. It was absolutely incredible!

She looked like she stepped out of the pages of a magazine!

After pictures along the Mississippi River, it was off to the church.

Everyone was there – including my Mom and Dad. Hiiiiii!

We strolled down the aisle (well more like, hauled down the aisle – I get SO nervous when people are watching me,)

and were trailed by a few runaway dogs. BAHAHAHA!

The couple’s beloved pups were supposed to be walked down the aisle by the most precious flower girls you have ever seen, but they somehow got away. Classic! ;)

The bride and groom exchanged vows in a private ceremony with their parents, us girls and the groomsmen earlier in the day, so the actual ceremony was very quick.

A sweet smooch sealed the deal!

Whee! :D

We celebrated with a champagne cocktail party at the reception site, where I found hubby sippin’ bubbly, (doesn’t he look handsome? ;) )

and reunited with a bunch of friends too!

Soon the doors to the ballroom were opened, and everyone’s jaws literally dropped. Check…

this…

OUT!

They thought of EVERYTHING to trick the space out!

Candy at every table, a lounge area with throw pillows, slap bracelets at every seat,

cute drinking straws,

and a CUPCAKE BAR!

There were so many flavors to choose from that they needed a menu!

Each moist and delicious cupcake was topped with a swirl of sweet icing, then dotted with a candy in the shape of their dog’s faces. HA!

(ps the bride and groom obviously love their dogs a lot – check out the groom’s cake at the rehearsal dinner!)

Personal touches like this were all over the reception.

It was one surprise after another, all night long!

Dinner was next, and the wedding party was seated at a long harvest table in the middle of the room.

A Pear Salad,

and Vegetable Pasta made up the meal.

Speeches,

first dances,

and the cutting of the cake followed.

Then the party really got started – muwahahaha!

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better – it did. Shades around the entire room rose, revealing the glittery lights of downtown St. Paul and…

an 80’S COVER BAND!

Journey, A-Ha, Rick Springfield, oh my!

It was SOOO much fun – we felt like we were at a concert!

Then they really did the damn thing. They brought out the shades.

People went wild for these things!

Photoshoot!

Ooooh my gosh – SO much fun!

This was seriously the most fun wedding EVER. So personal, with fun and unique touches everywhere. I’ve known the bride since Jr. High, and I am so happy that I could be there to celebrate such a special day with her. AND that I could see her marry her soul mate. She and her new husband were made to marry each other. It’s a really special relationship and I can’t imagine they could have picked a better way to start their new life together than with a wedding day like that. I am so happy for them! :D

The celebrating didn’t stop there. This morning Ben and I met up with my parents for a Mother’s Day breakfast at the Uptown Diner in nearby Minneapolis.

I can’t come to the Twin Cities and NOT eat at the Uptown Diner. It’s one of my favorite spots for THE perfect breakfast.

Great coffee,

local eggs, bakery-fresh bread,

and the best hashbrowns on earth. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside.

We stuffed ourselves silly.

Ben was down for the count!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mama’s! I know I sure love mine and Ben’s!

With that – I’m off to spend some more time with my Mom. Have a great start to your week everyone! :D

~~~~~

What’s your favorite thing about your Mom?

I love that my Mom would give anything to anyone. She is incredibly giving, caring and the NICEST person in the world. There’s not a mean bone in her body!

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