I realized a couple of months before the wedding that it wasn’t only about me being prepared for the wedding. It was also about the bridal party being prepared. After all the chaos that I have seen unfold at friends’ weddings in their last couple months, and knowing that our wedding was (slightly) out of town, I knew that getting everyone together and on the same page was very important.
So back in April, I sent out a Facebook invite setting aside a day in the last 60 days where the entire bridal party could get together, I could disseminate information (and also KNOW they got it), and everyone could have one last chance to hang out before the hectic-ness of the last 30 days set in. To be honest, I had visions of grandeur for this barbecue. I pictured myself having packets of handouts and schedules and lists. I figured we’d push a couple picnic tables together and I would stand in front of them like a CEO at a large board meeting explaining to them, in detail, what was going to go down. YYYYEAH. That did NOT happen. When it came down to it, it was more about everyone enjoying themselves: the guys at the barbecue, the ring bearers getting to play together in the sand, the girls talking about the disorganization of the guys, actually getting to sit down and (briefly) meet with M about cake (bottom line: I trust her to make it perfect with no direction whatsoever). While everyone was eating I went between two tables, bringing up the miscellaneous things I did need to discuss, trying to keep it casual and trying not to come off as a bridezilla dictator. But at the end of the day, the barbecue was awesome! And I’m so glad we had the chance and forethought to plan it!
Here are some awesome photos of the event!
GM R, MOH S, BM T & BM J (and S’s FI in the background)
GM R, Mr. B, Mr. B’s bro K & GM Vegas by the grill
BM N & his girlfriend M
Ring Bearers N & K enjoying the sand at the yacht club
Our two group pics (minus BM J who had to leave early and GM E who didn’t make it)—the first serious, the second, with my signature hands move. Have I mentioned how many awesome friends we have?
All photos personal
Did you do anything fun with your bridal party in the last couple months before the wedding? Did you make it a formal meeting or decide to just let it be a relaxed fun time?
what a great idea! its nice that your whole party is close.
I absolutely love this idea! I wish my whole party was close enough to do this. I find it a little bit sad that our party probably won’t even meet each other until the day of the rehearsal
Good idea! Doing something like this never occurred to me, probably because our people are so scattered (in space, not mind).
Such a great idea to get everyone together. I would recommend this to every bride. Get the bridal party ready. Although our wedding day was amazing, there were a couple of hours just before the walk down the aisle when things got *very* hectic.
Aww I wish I could have done that! I will have to settle with the rehearsal! It looks like so much fun!
Mrs. Buffalo, San Diego, CA Age and Occupation: 26, Treasury Services Representative Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Manufacturing Engineer Engagement Date: July 28, 2011 Wedding Date: September 2012 Venue: Bailey's Palomar Resort About Me: I’m a So Cal girl who doesn’t like the ocean (or sand) and would much rather be out in the country. I’m a Gleek and a Twi-hard, I enjoy baking, reading, watching old movies, and listening to country music. We both love football season, and thankfully our two favorite teams are in different conferences (and therefore rarely play each other). He’s a die-hard Indianapolis Colts fan, and I love the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (and YES, we’re both born and raised San Diegans). He’s my best friend, and I can’t wait to begin the journey of our lifetime together.
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