As a wedding planner, you don’t often get the chance to help with all
of the fun surrounding build up activities of the big day! I always love hearing about the engagement
party, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc but last month I got
the chance to plan and experience a gorgeous co-ed bridal shower!
I have blogged about this family in the past but watching this party
unfold and all of the thought and details that the family put into it really
touched my heart! Guests came from
Miami, New Jersey, North Carolina and more to surprise the bride with this
special moment!
We distracted the bride by sending her and her sister on a girls’ night to the wonderful Liaison hotel where they enjoyed the rooftop pool- one of the hotel’s many attractive amenities! The next day the bride’s sister dressed her up and sent the bride and the groom off to film a portion of their Love Story with Suburban Video! I love this option that Suburban features where clients get interviewed about their story and while doing something they love! The first part was filmed at The Botanical Gardens in DC. The second part will feature the bride and groom taking a trip to a local farmers market and cooking in their new home together! So special!
Meanwhile, at her parents gorgeous home in Fairfax Station, VA,
Ridgewells catering was setting up for an amazing Cuban feast featuring a
mojito bar, guacamole station, passed hors d’oeuvres such as red mole beef empanadas and croquetas
de jambon. Yum!! Amaryllis was setting the stage with an
amazing floral display. Rick truly
outdid himself- do I say this every time I get the chance to work with him?
Yes! The head tables were farm tables set under a rustic trellis accented with
a variety of vines and flowers in apricot, orange, and yellow hues! Simply stunning!
Trio
Caliente serenaded the guests as they arrived while the talented Juan Carlos of
Fotobriceno caught the guests socializing and catching up!
The family had arranged for the bride to wear a traditional Cuban dress in white with the bridesmaids matching in light blue!
Then
the big moment came. The groom arrived
with the bride and entered through the house and out the back door onto the
deck. Their immediate family was waiting
to yell “Surprise!” and give tons of hugs!
We pulled it off! She was totally
surprised!
As
she entered the tent and saw all of her friends and family, I honestly became
over come with emotion! The look on
everyone’s face is what makes it so memorable!
The guests dined on paella and grilled rockfish finishing up with some
delicious flan!
We then played a version of the newlywed game-
the bride and groom, her parents, and her cousin and husband rocked at it! Everyone was laughing and as you can tell in
these pictures recounting many memories!
The
beautiful mother of the bride had some cakes baked for the occasion- one ring
was buried in the cake and all of the single ladies at the shower pulled a
string to see who got it! Interesting
part-- the bride was the one who got the ring at a friend’s shower right before
the groom proposed! Guess it does
work! We wrapped up with presents,
cigars, and lots of cocktails into the evening!
The
next day all of the guests returned for a brunch catered by Ridgewells which
was equally as delicious! Needless to
say- I think it was a success! Thank you
to my amazing team who kept quiet and made this surprise a spectacular memory
for all!
Special
thanks to my co-planner team: the dynamic duo-- Sister and Mother of the Bride!!
Catering
and tent: Polly Ernst of Ridgewells
Floral
and Décor: Rick Davis of Amaryllis
Photography:
Juan Carlos Briceno of FotoBriceno
Music:
Trio Caliente of Bialek’s Music
Rentals:
Party Rental Ltd
Videography:
Love Story by Suburban Video
Xoxo,
Amanda
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