Havana Nights {J & G’s Bridal Shower}

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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