**Blogiversary Giveaway Winner is announced at the end of this post**
After much anticipation, today was my bridal shower!! I was beyond excited to see the people who were going to be there, since it had been quite some time since I’d seen a few of them. People came from near and far, and I felt very truly loved today. It was wonderful having most of my best friends and family in one room to celebrate our upcoming wedding!
Of course, there was excellent food:
Smoked salmon on mini pumpernickel; The whole spread
Unbelievably delicious pastries made by my sister
Another view of the whole spread, including shrimp salad, beef tenderloin sandwiches, and mini caprese sandwiches
My sister spent the last week baking for today, and the best part besides the delicious tiny pastries, was the fact that she made 2 of my grandma’s recipes as well.
We played a couple of shower games, and I got to open our gifts, which were beyond generous! I’ll have quite the stocked kitchen! I’m so beyond grateful to everyone who helped plan and throw the shower, as well as all my friends, family, and future in-laws that came to celebrate. Eo really outdid herself with the amazing food, the generous use of her house, as well as this incredible towel wedding cake:
How cute is that??
I was thrilled to have all four of my bridesmaids in one place at one time, along with our adorable flower girl:
From left: Meghan, Leigh, Me, Lizz, Kristin, and Skylar in front
I really cannot express my gratitude to everyone enough! I’m truly overwhelmed…
Once our kitchen is all set up with the amazing new things, I’ll make sure to share with all of you, but right now, I need to decompress, take off my makeup, and oh… announce the blogiversary prize winner!
I used random.org to come up with a number between 1 and 151 (can’t believe there were 151 entries!) and it came up with ***drumroll please***
which is Laura of Hey, What’s For Dinner Mom’s comment:
CONGRATULATIONS LAURA!!!! Send me an email with your snail mail address, and I’ll get your prize out to you as soon as all the components come in!
Have a wonderful evening! Make sure you come back tomorrow for the kickoff of another giveaway!
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
oh your bridal shower looked awesome so happy for you
Awww Mara, it looks so beautiful! I’m so excited for you, what a fun love-filled day! Your sister’s pastries look divine and the towel wedding cake is a great idea! What a hostess!!
Congrats to Laura! I was almost excited as if I’d seen my own name! haha Somebody I knowwww won!!!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Cauliflower "Risotto" =-.
I love Bridal showers! how fun!
I’m so excited for you! This is just such a reminder that the wedding is not too far off.
I adore your dress and you just look so gorgeous and happy!!!
.-= Mama Pea´s last blog ..Smashing Posts, Picking Pumpkins =-.
What an amazing spread!
It seems that you and I were on the same wavelength when we came up with our post titles today:)
Oh wow!! My first win EVER. I’m so excited for me and for you. You are so very lucky to have such a wonderful network of friends and family. Love the Shrek towel cake. Too cute.
.-= laura´s last blog ..Potluck Pleasers =-.
you so so so so so deserve the loveshowerage.
xo xo,
Carla
.-= MizFit´s last blog ..Two Fit Chicks & A Microphone podcast: Goal setting. =-.
All of those pastries look so good!!
.-= Jessica @ How Sweet It Is´s last blog ..Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies. =-.
So lovely!!!
Sooooo much fun! Mara, I am so glad you had a wonderful shower. I remember mine like it was yesterday and it was truly amazing to be surrounded by the women in my life whom I love the most celebrating such a joyous occasion. You look stunning!!!!!
such a lovely shower! You guys look so happy in that picture!
I love the love going on in this post
So great that so many ladies came out to celebrate your wedding – which is SO soon! It looks like you all had a marvelous time and I’m certainly jealous of all the goodies your sister made – those look amazing! I love the pumpkin on the plate of smoked salmon, too.
Can’t wait to see more of the goodies you received! Congrats to Laura on winning the giveaway, too!
Talk to you soon!!
.-= Jenn (eating bender)´s last blog ..Go Bananas! =-.
What a beautiful shower! You look so happy:)
.-= Marisa (Trim The Fat)´s last blog ..Race Reflections =-.
glad your shower was good – how fun!
and congrats to Laura!
.-= brandi´s last blog ..Too Slow for Joe =-.
Aw, I’m so happy you had a wonderful shower!! I think your sister should do a guest post about those delectable pastries
I hope you enjoy using your fully stocked kitchen! Have a great Monday!!
.-= K´s last blog ..Good Morning =-.
What a great bridal shower! That spread is amazing and the cake – ADORABLE. I went for a bachelorette party cuz that was more my style. My cake was um… male genitals, hehe
.-= Quix´s last blog ..Where Everything Falls Apart =-.
Oh yay!!!! My bridal shower was this weekend as well & I was equally overwhelmed! I think I stood there shaking while opening my gifts! Our friends & family were greatly generous & we received most of the big items that we registered for! So so fun!!
Can’t wait to see what new things you’ve received
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Distracted. =-.
Looks like such a beautiful event! And you look radiant, what a great way to celebrate!
.-= Meghan@traveleatlove´s last blog ..Montreal =-.
aw so fun Mara!! I am so excited for you!!!! OOO sissys pastries!! bomb diggityyyyyy!
love youuuu!!!
.-= glidingcalm´s last blog ..Kettle Brand Tater Chips!!! =-.
what a delightful gathering! Those treats look to.die.for!
Fantastic celebration – SO happy for you
.-= Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog ..Try it for yourself! – COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY =-.
Love the towel cake! Looks like a marvelous time with plenty of wonderful food!
Looks like you had a wonderful shower Mara
.-= Marianne´s last blog ..Go Fig-ure =-.