A party for the bride!

Javier and I are super lucky. We have a wealth of family and friends that have been so supportive since we got engaged (many of you readers included!).

Support is important during this process. There are a lot of decisions to be made and details to think out and its nice to have people that have your back; people that can help you keep your day a reflection of you; people that can have a reasonable, outside perspective when its needed and people you're close enough with to say 'I don't want your opinion right now' and know will still love you!

Enter bridal party.

That's right! In addition to some wedding dress shopping, I asked my bridesmaids to join in the celebration 'officially' this weekend!

ISABEL! Javier and I are so excited that Isabel has kindly agreed to be one of my bridesmaids! In the middle of finishing up her junior year, applying for colleges and starting her senior year, Isabel is going to help us plan a wedding :) I'm excited about the young, fresh, (okay, with-it) perspective that she is going to bring to my ideas. In addition to being my future sister-in-law, I think its great that someone who has known Javier even longer than I have will be involved with some of the girlie details. She'll help make sure they day is a reflection of both of us! She also has a good strong opinion that she is willing to share: As we got shopping, I pulled one of the first dresses from the wrack and asked 'Isabel, what do you think?' Her response: 'I think it looks trashy.' Let's just say I put that dress back...

JESSICA! Who better to ask to be in my wedding than my first (and only) wifey? In addition to sharing our childhood and college years, Jess and I had the unique opportunity of living together through those transformation years; from college student to 'real person.' It took a while (hell I'm still working on it) and it was ugly at times (i.e. melting plastic in the oven) but she was there through it all. Which means this whole wedding planning thing will be a cinch. She's also willing to challenge me when I need it and will let it go when I refuse her advice. She was an amazing support during our courtship and will help make the day a culmination of where Javier and I have come from and an extension to where we're going. So excited to have her standing up there with me!

KELSEY! My sister and Matron of Honor is none other than Mrs. Kelsey Bottoms. You all know that she is not only my sister, but my best friend. We really are lucky to have each other and to have had the chance to live so close. I had such a blast helping her out with her wedding a few years back. (She set some pretty tough, non-bridezilla shoes to fill.) Mostly, I value her opinion only slightly higher than Javier's ;) I kid, I kid, but she does have great tastes. My whole life she has been such an amazing big sister to me and so selfless when it came to my happiness. She also sets a great example for me by finding joy in every day. I have a tendency to get stressed and I hope I get to enjoy my wedding day without letting the stresses get in the way. I know she'll be a big part of ensuring that happens. Oh, and Javier loves her too.

The four of us went to a delicious brunch (I would highly recommend Fontaine's in Alexandria if anyone is looking for a good brunch spot!). I had made each of them a little card asking them to be a part of the wedding and explaining why I wanted them to be there not only on the day, but during the process. It wasn't fancy but I hope will be something each can keep a) to remember me by when we're no longer friends b/c the wedding planning ripped us apart or b) as a memento from that awesome Staples/Cabezas wedding they got to be a part of. They each also go at little pocket mirror (a gift idea I got from Javier's cousin, who gave me one that I use all the time!) to keep them as purdy on the outside as the in. Mostly I know that being a bridesmaid is a lot of work; time, money and strength (fighting that bridezilla) and wanted to show each that I really do appreciate them taking me...I mean the wedding on!

So, I have maids! Of the bridal variety anyway and look forward to working with each as we continue planning! Thanks again ladies for agreeing to be part of the day :)