Party Boat
I promised more detailed posts from the wedding weekend, so here’s the Thursday night recap! Because most of the rentals on the island required three-night minimum stays, and we knew our guests were spending a lot of money to travel, Matt and I ultimately decided to do bachelor and bachelorette parties on Thursday night. We had separate pre-parties and then combined the festivities on a boat that we chartered from nearby Carolina Beach. Since there’s only a small grocery store and no liquor store on the island, coordinating dinners, transportation and docking, and drinks for the boat required an incredible amount of planning. I may have told Matt that I regretted taking on all the planning for Thursday night a couple of times, because it was just too much only two days before the wedding, but in the end it was SO.MUCH.FUN!! I’m so, so happy we decided to get everyone together on Thursday, and I think having one more night on the island made it more relaxing for our friends.
For dinner, my sister helped me get supplies for a taco bar and we picked up a pan of spicy pulled chicken from the market on the island.
My sister and bridesmaids also did an incredible job planning a surprise lingerie shower!!!!
I loved it so much, and got some nice gifts:)
For some reason I hadn’t thought about how beautiful the boat would be! The water was calm and peaceful and the sunset was gorgeous. Did I mention the weather was perfect?
My mom also spent hours in the kitchen making her famous whoopie pies for dessert – everyone loved them!
Married!
Wedding Wirlwind
My dad had his heart set on seeing the sunset over the ocean, so even though it was in the 40′s outside we had a picnic style cocktail hour.
We didn’t think we would be able to see much with the cloudy skies…
but we still enjoyed some wine and then the sun emerged from under a cloud!
It descended from the cloud and we instantly felt warm…
and then it quickly disappeared again. What a neat sunset!
I think the highlight of the weekend was the wine tasting we did on Saturday night. We’re having the rehearsal dinner at the golf club and the bartender was nice enough to give us very generous pours of all the house wines. We were impressed!
Mazen showed his ID but it wasn’t accepted.
After lots of wine and a Duke win (!), we were so ready to eat!
My sister and I split the fresh catch with bourbon glaze over a grit cake as well as the fish tacos.
And we shared the most divine cobbler for dessert! Mixed berry with a scone crumble on top. I swear I blinked and it was gone:)
Sunday was the reception tasting! I never get tired of the view from our venue. Palm trees + ocean = wedding paradise.
We tasted a ton of different stuff. The good news is that we liked almost everything. The bad news is that we can’t make up our minds on anything!
I know I want these crab cakes for sure.
We want the menu to be balanced and well-rounded, so we’re going to see if the chef can do variations on some of the dishes. I’m pumped for the food!
After the tasting, we went into Wilmington to meet with our wedding coordinator and florist at Kickstand Events. She is awesome and we had so much to talk about that 2.5 hours flew by. I’m so glad we decided to use Kickstand and I’m thrilled with how things are coming along.
By the time we finally got home, it was nearing 9 and we went straight to Whole Foods to satisfy a pizza craving. I think I went to bed within 30 seconds of finishing my last slice. It was a wonderful whirlwind of a weekend and I’m smiling from ear to ear. With less than 3 months to go, I’m getting nervous and excited at the same time.
Read MoreThoughts from a Thursday
I think I pulled something at bootcamp this week. I stepped on the treadmill and didn’t make it 60 seconds before I headed to the bike.
Sometimes I search for split ends and cut them one my one. It’s therapeutic .
This weekend is my wedding tasting at the island! I guess if the food’s not good it’s too late.
Matt’s at the kitchen table studying for an exam with complicated math – aren’t you so glad it’s not you?
Every day that gets closer to the wedding, I feel more and more overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.
Why is it so hard to go to bed on time?
Bald Head tomorrow evening. Gotta go pack. Have a splendid weekend!
Welcome to TBT!
I've created this blog because I'm in a bit of a quarter life crisis. Since graduating from college in 2008 and earning an advanced degree in school psychology in May, I still don't know what career path to follow. All I know is that time is moving way too fast and I find myself living only for the weekends. Bear with me as I attempt to reclaim my twenties by finding pleasure and balance in the work week and incorporating my passions of food, fashion, fitness, and fun into everyday life. 
She said what?