Category: bridal

ain’t no party like a bridal party!

Published on by simply gray1 Comment

Three months ago today, Connor proposed to me in Napa and made me the happiest woman alive! It is crazy just how quickly time is passing by, but with our wedding coming up in November, we are in full-time planning mode!

We are having so much fun with the wedding planning process, but one part of wedding planning that I was really looking forward to was “proposing” to my bridal party!

I used Connor’s idea of proposing in wine country as inspiration for my bridesmaid proposal by inviting my sister (MOH-to-be) and seven of my best friends (bridesmaids-to-be) over for a wine / cheese / dessert night. I started spending all of my free time on Etsy, and I decided to make baskets for each one of them, filled with the below:

  • A mini bottle of rosé with Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid labels
  • Stemless wine glasses customized with everyone’s names (I got one that says Bride, and my sister got one that says Maid of Honor!)
  • Cards that say “ain’t no party like a bridal party!” (which reminded me of Michael Scott’s famous line from The Office about Scranton parties — fitting, as Connor and I met in Scranton!)
  • Shirts (inspired by the cards) that say “Wife of the Party” for me and “The Party” for the bridal party
  • Baskets to hold all of the gifts — gold for my Maid of Honor and white for my Bridesmaids

I wanted everyone to have the same baskets, but I wanted to do a little something extra for my sister since she is my Maid of Honor. I added in an Eternity® Rose from Venus ET Fleur® for her in her basket!

After spending quite a bit of time elbow deep in shredded paper, glitter tulle ribbon and cellophane with my mom and sister, the baskets were created. I set out snacks, made a cheese board and kept the wine flowing as the girls arrived for the night.

For the most part, the girls all had a feeling the “proposal” was coming, but it was still so special and fun to spend the time with them talking about bachelorette ideas and discussing wedding plans! Each one of the girls I asked has had a profound impact on my life and has been by my side since the day I met each one of them. I am so excited and blessed to have these girls stand with my on one of the best days of my life, and I cannot wait to continue the wedding process with them!

we’re engaged!

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The past month has been the most beautiful whirlwind. Connor and I went to California in October, and he proposed while we were in Napa! We have been so overwhelmed with love, happiness and excitement — and it is just the beginning!

Our date is set, our venue is booked, but I still cannot stop thinking about how perfect the day of our proposal was.

October 21, 2019 will forever be one of my favorite days.

Connor and I spent three days in San Francisco before driving to Napa on October 20th, our seven year anniversary. While our San Francisco itinerary was packed with places to see, food to try and things to do, the Napa portion of our trip was meant to be much more relaxing (a full travel guide is coming soon!).

We heard about how beautiful Stags’ Leap was, and knew it had to be part of our Napa trip — after all, it is rated one of the Top 5 Most Romantic Winery Destinations by Sonoma Magazine! Unfortunately, when we were booking our trip, there were no available tastings and tours for the day. A few days later, Connor said he checked the website again, and there was an opening. I was so excited! I later found out that the open spot was created for us as part of a much bigger plan.

On Oct. 21, we went to Boon Fly Cafe for the most delicious breakfast and mini donuts before heading back to our hotel to get ready for our tasting and tour at Stags’ Leap Winery. While at Stags’ Leap, we toured the beautiful Estate and sipped on several different wines throughout the afternoon. After the tour was over, Connor and I had planned to stay to enjoy some more wine before heading to dinner — it was our last day, so we wanted to soak in all that Napa has to offer before flying home!

We went out to the porch that overlooks the vineyard and had a glass of wine. Connor wanted to get a picture together before we left, so we walked through the vineyard to find the perfect spot (little did I know, Connor had this all planned out!). We turned down one row, and Connor took a selfie of us,  put his phone down and looked at me.

“This has been really great,” he started. I jokingly interjected (as we do when one of us unintentionally says something that sounds so “final”) and said, “Please don’t tell me this is where you leave me — right in the middle of a 240-acre vineyard!” He laughed, looked me in the eyes and said, “I don’t want to leave you, I want to stay with you forever.”

In that moment, I realized what was happening, and I just couldn’t believe it. I was crying, shaking and smiling as the love of my life got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was such a beautifully intimate moment that I will treasure forever.

Best Proposal Wineries in the Napa Valley - Stags Leap Winery, Yountville - CA

Best Proposal Wineries in the Napa Valley - Stags Leap Winery, Yountville - CA

Best Proposal Wineries in the Napa Valley - Stags Leap Winery, Yountville - CA

After I said yes, he sprung another surprise on me — he turned me around and pointed to a photographer that he had hired to take our proposal and engagement photos! I could not believe all of this was happening! Our photographer, Christophe Genty, captured one of the best moments of our lives together, and I am forever grateful for that.

In between our engagement photos, Connor told me all of the details of the proposal — from how he asked my dad for his blessing to designing my ring and coordinating the day with Christophe and the winery. The start of our forever was one of the best days, but our best day ever is going to be in just under a year! I cannot wait to marry my best friend!