Mary Loyal & Lash Get Married

This past weekend I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in the wedding of one of my best friends, Mary Loyal.  ML asked me if I would submit a post on her blog recapping the momentous occasion.  I was elated to be able to share some of my favorite memories and snapshots from the celebrations.  The entire weekend was nothing short of spectacular; from the Bridesmaid's luncheon, to the reception at her family's plantation and everything in between.  I can not say enough great things about the newlyweds and I am so so so happy for them and the journey they are beginning.

I have included some of my favorite pictures here but you can refer to her blog for a more detailed account of the nuptials.  Congrats again to the new Husband and Wife!!!!!

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

Year of the Weddings

2011 has been a great year so far.  Several of my girlfriends are engaged, and I have been fortunate enough to join in the celebration of their pending nuptials.  I hold my friends in very high regard, so I am even more joyful to confess that each of them has found a man equally deserving of their awesomeness.

I was able to celebrate one such couple's engagement this weekend in DeBordieu.  Hanna and Nelson have been together for eight years!  Through high school, college and post-grad, these two have overcome more than just the test of time.  Hanna accomplished her dream of becoming an entrepreneur with the booming success of her stationary line, Gadabout.  Nelson is in medical school where he is not only making impressive strides in the radiology department, but also holds a position on MUSC's honor board.  Impressive as this may be, the power couple's laundry list of successes pales in comparison to their abilities to grow as individuals and a couple.  Although we have all called them a married couple through college, I can't wait until July when we can witness their official union.

Friday night we all reunited at the Hot Fish Club to relive our college days.  The sunny Saturday weather was perfect for a day of relaxing on the water and soaking up some rays for the first time in months.  I LOVE summer!

 

Saturday night we enjoyed a cocktail party hosted at a beautiful home, which we nicknamed "The Lair".  We thought this it was a fitting name thanks to the "game room" which displayed an array of hunting trophies, including. but not limited to, two bears, a leopard, a baboon and of course, a lion.  Neglecting all rules of social etiquette and decorum, we all could not resist snapping a picture (or three) of the lion's den.

After a delicious Sunday brunch on Pawley's Island, we all said our goodbyes.  Fortunately, we will only have a short time apart as we are all reuniting this coming weekend for a highly anticipated wedding.  On Saturday I will be standing by one of my dearest friend's Mary Loyal as she exchanges vows with her long-time beau Lash.  I am so excited for them! Let the water works and champagne flow!

Bridal Showers Bring May Flowers

I am still having girlfriend withdrawals nearly two weeks after our brief reunion in South Carolina.  I was thrilled to spend the weekend in DeBordieu for an unforgettable Bachelorette Party honoring the Bride-To-Be, Mary Loyal.  Eight of the 10 bridesmaids were in attendance, and considering 7 of us were Wofford alums, I felt like I was back in Terrier-land! On Friday night, we had a very enjoyable dinner at Frank's Outback.  Among the meal's many memorable moments was the presentation of Tippins' Jumbo Sweet Potato Scallop.  Talk about an oxymoron... We then piled into the party bus and headed out on the town.

Tippins holding her not-so-jumbo meal.

The bridesmaids (minus Helen and Lightsey)!

On the way to The Islander.

Next, we danced and sang the night away at Pawley's Island's local dive.  The bar was small which was advantageous to us because we received star treatment.  The band was eager to join the BM's in our quest to make Mary Loyal's night memorable.  Everyone took their turn dancing or singing on stage, but ML's rendition of  Matchbox 20's "3AM" was the ultimate show stopper.  We ended the night back at the house with an impromptu dance party.  We finally turned in our dancing shoes sometime before dawn.

Dancing...I think?

The girls!

The beautiful bride takes center stage!

Looks like a widespread case of Bieber Fever

Saturday was spent relaxing on the porch chatting about the big day.  With a looming thunderstorm, we decided to eat dinner at the house.  Next was the lingerie shower and of course, game time.  We played "Fish Bowl", a combination of charades, Cranium and Taboo.  We all were in stitches, and I have not laughed so hard in a long time.

Laugh Attacks during Fish Bowl

It was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend.  The next time we will all be together will be for....THE WEDDING!

So happy for the Bride :)

Beautiful Beaufort

What a wonderful weekend! I was reunited with a handful of my Wofford friends in Beaufort, South Carolina, Mary Loyal's hometown.  I had a great time seeing everyone and celebrating ML and Lash's first engagement party.  On Saturday night, family friends of the Bride-to-Be hosted a cocktail party at their gorgeous home.  There was an endless supply of bite-sized quiche squares, mini-ham biscuits, and petifores monogrammed with the initials of the soon-to-be husband and wife. The party ended, but everyone headed downtown to continue the celebrating.  We had a great time reliving good ole college days!

The Bride and Groom

The Bridesmaids

Me, Lauren, Bethany and Hanna

Sunday morning we headed to ML's gorgeous home for an enormous brunch cooked by the FOB.  As luck would have it, the weather was perfect, and after a filling meal we spent some time in the sun on the family's pier.  We had a few hours of downtime before getting ready for the next soirée. 

Mary Loyal's backyard

Mimosas and Bloody Marys on the pier

Enjoying the gorgeous weather

Around sunset we arrived at an Oyster Roast that was being hosted by Mary Loyal's neighbors.  The backyard was beautifully landscaped and offered picturesque views of the creek. There was a folk/bluegrass band playing music on the deck of the guesthouse.  The hosts provided homemade chili and cornbread for the non-oyster eaters (I know, I know, New Year's Resolution) and wine appropriately named "The One". 

All the right things!

Ladys Creek at sunset

The backyard

College Roommates

The sun set and we all said our goodbyes, but I am looking forward to the ongoing festivities leading up to "The Big Day".  I am so glad we all got to celebrate together and could not be happier for the future husband and wife. Cheers!

.....Must Have.....

My grandmother is a huge collector of Native American art and jewelry, and over Christmas she showed me a ring she had purchased on her last trip to Santa Fe.  I was so impressed when she handed me her reversible Turquiose and Roserita ring by designer Gloria Sawin.  The interchangable ring is reminiscent of Bvlgari's design but Sawin's is much more unique. With the twist of a band, the face of the ring changes, how inventive! Choose from an array of gems ranging from your basic diamond and pearl to more unusual stones like the Black Onyx and Australian Opal.  Sawin has found a way to make a simple accessory versatile and contemporary while reflecting the rich culture of her surroundings.  Santa Fe may be a long way from Raleigh, but I am hoping this creative twist on ring wear will make it to the East Coast.  After all, the only thing better than having one ring is having two!

.....Must Hear.....

"Last Request" Paolo Nutini