Tying the Knot - Nautical Style

In appropriate fashion, it's time for my next wedding post! This wedding was extra special in that I was the Maid of Honor. My best friend from childhood got married in Virginia Beach - Nautical Style. Growing up we always joked that we have been "friends since lamaze" since our Mom's were friends when they were pregnant with us. God knew what he was doing in bringing us together because we have had an inseparable bond since we can remember. We were both born in California and then when we were both 2 years old we moved away.

We were reunited in middle school when we met in gym. I had no idea who Christy was! We developed this great friendship, and then on open house night I went to go introduce my mom to her and we realized our momma's had been friends all along! It was the craziest moment. Needless to say, that just solidified our friendship. After I moved to Memphis in high school we stayed in touch and I always knew I could count on Christy. She was one of those friends that whenever we got together it was like no time had passed. That's how you know it's real!

We were lucky enough to go to college not too far away from each other and so we were able to maintain a great friendship. Christy started dated Stephan, her husband (still crazy to say!) right before college. He went to Virginia Military Institute (VMI), which was right down the road from JMU. It was great because whenever Christy would visit VMI; I was able to come up and visit too! Of course I loved Stephan from the minute I met him and can't wait to see the ways that God will bless their marriage.

Now for the best part...the wedding! If you think you know someone who is Type A and great at organization, I'd bet you they wouldn't hold a candle to Christy. She loved/hated when I would come visit because I would leave my bags all over her room and make it messy. She is the queen of organization! This made her an amazing wedding planner. Of course she had thought of every little detail, had pinned all of the essentials (gotta love Pinterest), and had everything labeled and squared away. It was so easy being her Maid of Honor because I felt like she hardly needed help! (She could seriously start a wedding planning business). Anyways, the wedding and reception were both at the Yacht Club at Marina Shores. Talk about beautiful -- and perfect for a beachy/nautical wedding. 

From the beginning Christy had little touches of the beach in her wedding activities. The bridal shower had sand dollars and starfish's in the decorations and this went along great with the turquoise and teal colors that she would have in the wedding. Her "Aunt Christine" (her mom's best friend from college) hosted the bridal shower and it was gorgeous! Aunt Christine was definitely the brains behind several wedding operations, and we were so thankful for the ways she pulled things together and was instrumental in the wedding planning process! Plus she's a hoot! :)

Then we had the Bachelorette party in downtown Norfolk. Talk about fun! I had a friend from InterVarsity staff, Lindsay Fauver, come and take pictures of us before we went out for dinner. Y'all, she is amazing. She took some pictures of us getting ready and then down by the water and they turned out wonderfully. It was such a unique and exciting experience....and now we all have keepsakes from the night! I gave Christy a poster board ring to wear around her neck that was a scavenger hunt, so that kept our night pretty busy. That was the same weekend as the Bridal Shower, so the timing was perfect!

The bridal luncheon also went along with the ocean feel as it was held on the water at "Bubba's" seafood restaurant. This was my parents gift to Christy and was an opportunity for her to thank the women in the bridal party for all they had done for her up to the wedding. It was a lovely time! Christy gave gifts to her mother and to Stephan's mother and of course a few heartfelt tears were shed. The bridal shower is typically held a few weeks - months before the wedding and then the bridal luncheon is held the weekend of the wedding. After being in so many weddings you start to learn your wedding etiquette pretty quickly!

Then came the rehearsal dinner. Their rehearsal dinner was hosted by their neighbors and family friends, the Davidson's. They rented out some tables for the backyard and created such a great environment. A family friend DJ'ed and had karaoke for us and with the house being on the water we got some awesome pictures as a group. They served delicious BBQ with slaw, vegetable salad, and other treats. After the rehearsal dinner we headed over to the hotel to have a girl's night in the Bridal Suite. Christy and I were being so silly! It was her last night as a "single" woman so of course we had some good laughs and were giddy the night before the wedding. We made sure to go to bed pretty early though, so we could get our beauty sleep!

The next morning we headed over to get our hair and make up done. Virginia, the lady that did our hair, has been cutting Christy and I's hair since we were in middle school! She also came to the wedding and touched us up and took care of us all night -- we love her! We had a relaxing morning and enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by "Taste Unlimited" and before we knew it it was time for pictures. Christy was so sweet and got all of the Bridesmaids matching tank tops with monograms...they were adorable and perfect to lounge around in on Saturday....until the wedding!

Of course the wedding was beautiful, amazing, and SO much fun! There was a photo booth, delicious meal of salmon, steak, chicken, & veggies, and a great open bar and night of dancing. I gave my MOH speech and then Christy and Stephan were surprised with a video of one of their friends who is stationed in Afghanistan. Of course there wasn't a dry eye in the house after that!

The day after the wedding a few families came over for a luncheon and to relax before heading out of town. It was nice to have the day to relax and spend time with friends and family. It was nice that Christy & Stephan had a day to regroup before leaving for their honeymoon too. 

Then they were off! It was so much fun to be a part of Christy and Stephan's special day and I couldn't be happier for my best friend. Now for the best part of the experience...pictures!

Bachelorette Party

We had little candies and games to play while we got ready in the hotel!

#BohananBash was the hashtag for all things wedding related! 

I thought it was pretty clever! 

I made Christy the frame with her favorite quote and then we had a little snack bar for the girls in the hotel as well...the Ring Pops were a hit!

Here is the scavenger hunt "engagement ring"...I also had little monogrammed coffee mugs for each girl with coozies, sunglasses, and gum.

Curling Elissa's hair! 

We had so much fun getting ready all together.

Mystee picked up these adorable signs for us to take pictures with...they ended up being tons of fun!

We had to get a few sassy pictures too ;-)

This was a "behind the scenes" shot of us throwing our sorority symbols!

Bridal Luncheon

These were on the doors when you walked in...isn't Aunt Christine great with the little details?!

The cakes were delicious, and there were little chocolate sand dollars to go along with as well!

This was a very thoughtful idea...you write one "wish" for the bride and groom on a "wishing stone" and each anniversary they will take one stone out and read the note. 

Opening Presents

Wedding Week Activities

Christy & Stephan with a beautiful painting Christy's Grandma Sally made for them...it's the place where they met at VMI and you can see the two of them standing in the corner. Precious!

This was the special gift Christy got for me as her MOH...very thoughtful!

Me & Momma in our matching polka dots :)

Out to dinner on the Bay!

Trying on photo booth essentials...anytime Christy would get stressed out I would make us do funny things like this to make her laugh ;-) What are best friends for after all?!

This was the Bridal Luncheon...hosted by Momma, but I had a few gifts for the Bridesmaids there as well!

It's hard to tell, but we had a beautiful view during the Bridal Luncheon

Cheers to the Bride & Bestie

From left to right: Elissa (Stephan's sister), Adrianne (Stephan's mom), Sally (Christy's grandma), Leigh-Anne (Christy's mom) and Christy.

The Cake! We also had little pictures on the table and all over of the bachelorette party and bridesmaids..it was a cute little detail!

Practicing at the Rehearsal...they kept giggling and goofing off ;-)

Rehearsal dinner eats -- talk about yum!

It was so nice to be reunited with half of the family. We definitely missed Dad and Stephen though!

These boys grew up together in Virginia Beach...it was fun to see them all together!

Matt's girlfriend, Katie, and I taught Stephan the "Soulja Boy"...it was hilarious!

All the siblings! Just missin' Stevo

Bridesmaids!

Here we are before hair and make up!

After getting dolled up with Momma! She came by just to visit and realized that one of the hair dressers had also lived in Naples, Italy. They bonded over Napoli stories and she ended up doing her hair for free as a special treat!

Here we are with the beautiful Bride...Virginia (our favorite hairdresser) was going to town on Christy.

<3 Very Kate Middleton

Christy & Virginia!

En route to GET MARRIED! :)

Ice Sculpture at the reception...so cool!

With my Bride...this was just minutes after I buttoned up her dress...it was a very sweet moment!

Father/Daughter dance, melt my heart

This was the King's Table! They had the whole bridal party at a long table in the front, which was fun.

We came out to the dock to take a few pictures...this is the epitome of Stephan, love that boy and so glad he married my best friend!

Of course I couldn't leave Brandy out of the fun!

All in all, it was a wonderful wedding...but we all knew it would be. More than anything, as Christy's Maid of Honor it was so fun to be a part of the wedding planning process and to help with all of the festivities before the actual wedding. It's just so much fun to celebrate your best friend and be excited about her future with a great guy. It was especially fun since I've known Stephan from the very beginning and have seen their relationship grow and evolve into their now married life! I know Stephan is going to be an amazing husband to Christy and I felt so blessed to stand by her on her special day. It was so funny too because Stephan and I kept making eye contact during the wedding and giggling the whole time...I think we both had to let ourselves laugh otherwise we would've been crying over how beautiful Christy looked! :) I know I joke about being the star of my own version of 27 dresses, but the fact of the matter is that there is so much joy in seeing your best friend soak in a moment of true happiness in her life and watch God bless a covenant bond of marriage. Here's to my best friend tying the knot and the many adventures that lie ahead for her and Stephan!

Stay tuned for more adventures...

XoXo,

Southern Saving Grace