Joy's Bridal Showers

Saturday, January 14th was 1 month from Valentine's Day and 2 weeks and 1 day before the wedding; it was also the day of the second bridal shower. Held in their beautiful lakeside Parkland home, Lisa, Melissa & Audrey Goldman once again generously hosted a bridal shower in my honor.

This shower was a tea party ~ so girly! Guests were greeted with cosmopolitans, red or white wine, or of course, mimosas (the tea came later).

Wedding cake candles and finger snacks adorned the circular table in the main room. Off to the side, the long dining room table had been converted to allow for a lunch buffet. There were finger sandwiches made out of cucumber, tuna fish, turkey, cheeses and more, all on various types of bread. A colorful fruit salad, delicious pasta salads, various pastries and fresh out-of-the-oven hot cinnamon scones complimented the beautiful calla lilies and my personal favorite - "Bridal Barbie".

(look, there's Grandma Bosh)

We socialized, ate and drank yummy tea. There was this one game we played... perhaps you have heard of it? Dress the bride in toilet paper! It was so fun we just had to do it again. This time there were 3 lovely brides! Don't we look ready for our runway début?

The afternoon brought wonderful conversation. We were actually so busy having a great time that we kind-of forgot to take too many photos.

The beautiful bridal shower ended with the traditional "opening of the presents".

The ever talented Audrey (with Little Lisa's assistance) embellished  upon the bouquet she created during the Connecticut Bridal Shower. Using the ribbon & adornments from all of the pretty wrapped gifts, Audrey created a keepsake bouquet used for the wedding rehearsal.

I cannot say which shower was my favorite because I loved them both! They were both different, however elegant and full of love. I will forever hold September 29th and January 14th close to my heart. Thank you so much Aunt Lisa, Melissa and Audrey!

Saturday, September 29th was exactly 3 months to the day of the wedding, and also was the date of the first of two bridal showers. Generously hosted by Lisa, Melissa and Audrey Goldman in their big, beautiful Madison home, guests arrived from as far as Florida (ok, it was more like a bridal shower weekend) and as close as 5 miles away.

With Debbie Harris' culinary talents and Lisa's creativity, the luncheon was one to savor forever. The hearts made out of phylo dough, decorating a large wheel of baked brie cheese with fresh raspberry jam was my favorite.

What is a party without games? Since we're all so fashionable, a contest was held to see which designer team could make the most beautiful bridal gown - out of TOILET PAPER!

Doesn't Aunt Faye make the most beautiful 99 year old bride you've ever seen? Her main concern was finding a cute young husband.

(it was a good thing she didn't notice the pool boys out back)

As tradition dictates, bridal gifts were unwrapped (everything was so perfectly beautiful), a bouquet was made from all the ribbons (by the very talented Miss Audrey), and there was plenty of champagne and mingling.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures of dessert, by that time the paramedics had already come (hey, it was a party) and the chocolate fountain was too good to stop eating in order to take more photos. It's like they say, "you just had to be there".