Alison's Bridemaid's Luncheon, The George Town Club, Washington DC

Hello dear ones. I had to dust off the 'ole blog to share Alison and Michael's wedding weekend adventures.  It's been over a year since my last blog post. Feels like confession. That's three Bloody Mary's.

Driving into Washington, DC from Baltimore felt like coming home for a family reunion. The bride, Alison, was one of my "youth groupies" so hilariously named by Lizzo years after the actual J2A classes. Alison was 13 when she was in my class. She admitted she HATED it at first. Man, I'm so glad she stuck with our youth group at Christ Church over 20 years ago.  

Ewalking and I left DC ten years ago. I was the Director of Catering at The George Town Club then and ironically, the luncheon was held at the club on Friday. It really was a blast from the past. They have opened up the windows in the Main Dining Room, refreshed the sofas in lighter shades of beige, and done an outstanding renovation in the Club Room. It was such a treat to see it looking so fresh. 

I also worked for Ali's dad, Stuart when I was at Christ Church, Georgetown. I remember Fran opening their home for a rectory new member reception, I was maybe 23 years old and remember hanging out in the kitchen with their youngest daughter Margaret Grace and middle child Stuart. Ali's dad was the rector of Christ Church and married us 10 years ago. When Stuart came to our wedding my cousins all greeted him like an old friend, since he had been participating in our football and basketball bowl pools for years. When Stuart finally won the pot one year, I remember everyone cheering for him on-line because it had been quiet a long, dry run of loosing. 

But I digress. See, I still go around the world to tell a story. Back to Bridesmaids and bubbly.

And garlic scapes in the flower arrangements. Be still my locally grown heart. Fran and Linda hosted this beautiful party and the flowers were from Ultra Violet. 

Franny, these are all for you. Since we love to document all the little details,especially the food.

The mother's were beaming ear to ear. Laughter and wise womanly advice was given freely. And a few tears were shared when Michael's sister told us all how much Michael comes alive when Alison is in the room.

Alison, Fran and Jeanne.

Linda thought of absolutely everything. She gave each friend a vintage handkerchief tucked in a Victorian paper nosegay cone. I desperately needed this gift on Saturday watching Stuart walk Ali down the aisle. But let's not jump ahead. She also asked friends to write letters of advice to the bride.

Alison's fabulous vintage dress was a score on one of her many trips around the country at Bad Granny's Bazaar in Oklahoma City. She is an award winning producer at ABC for Good Morning America and met Mike on a Bike at work. Watch their video below learning to tango!

I'm sure I'm not the only one having a wedding weekend happy hangover. I loved meeting all of these smart, brilliant and beautiful women. And of course hugging your faces, Hadley, Margaret and our beautiful bride!

As we left, Fran gave us these fabulous Scout bags. Expertly filled with comforting welcome goodies. That Popped Republic Popcorn is a game changer!

Words and pictures really can't express the love I have for the Kenworthy's. Stuart gave me a job after loosing mine after 9/11. Teaching J2A at Christ Church with Shep and Ann will still be one of the favorite seasons of my life. Ali loves to travel and I think, just maybe, it's because we all went to England on a holy pilgrimage together in 1999. Then in 2001 we camped in the dessert of Mexico on a mission trip. We took bucket showers and grilled our food. Now she jet sets all over the world telling stories. By the grace of God she found Michael who is the perfect ying to her yang. Michael's mother hugged me as if we had known each other for decades too. It was a full-on-love-fest and we truly couldn't be happier for you both. 

Baby Plum's Shower

A few weeks ago I helped host a baby shower in DC for my divine friend Mary Margaret. Marge and I met at Christ Church, Georgetown about ten years ago and were fast friends. We were in a Bible study that often finished with the two of us grabbing dinner at the Daily Grill talking for hours over a bottle of Clos du Bois Chardonnay! She is simply the BEST story teller of all time. She's a talented graphic artist from Birmingham and loves Auburn. She is funny, smart, beautiful and a light of the world. When she told us the news last year that she and Scott were expecting we were over the moon excited.

Mary Margaret's DC friend Kathryn organized all of the hostesses and sent great emails keeping us organized. I love how the invite turned out. I suggested we use Kristin at Sweet Spot create the cutest cookies ever from the invite design. I have used Sweet Spot three times now. 

I offered to order the flowers too since I had great vendors in Baltimore who could help. I went to Flowers and Fancies to pick up these beautiful arrangements. I showed Eddie Wingrat, one of the owners, the invite and cookies and he said, "Wait a minute, we have bunnies for you that match your invitation." 

He brought out these darling moss bunnies and they just made the arrangements perfect for the party! Amy at the shop also helped me wrap my gift in cellophane. I love to bring shower gifts wrapped in cello so you don't really have to open them.

I headed down to DC with flowers and bunnies in tow and arrived on Capital Hill to find this charming garden oasis. Kathryn's beau grew up here and his mother let us borrow the home for the party. How absolutely wonderful is that?

The garden was in full spring glory. Bleeding hearts just thrill me every time I see them.

The bunnies fit in perfectly.

The bar was set with raspberry iced tea and mimosas.

The guest of honor arrived and the party began. The weather was simply gorgeous.

Jess, Sophie and Tina enjoyed the garden.

I was so excited to see my heart friend Juliana. We always joke that we fell in love at first sight. Her daughter Fleming was our flower girl. We had so much to catch up on and were both doing a detox! Please read her inspiring and fabulous website Smarter Tables.

The front door welcomed us with childhood photos of Marge and Scott.

I love the photo of Scott's happy mother Kim. She is one of my most favorite people on the planet. At their wedding E. and I were overwhelmed but how thoughtful she was and gave us "N" and "E" letter Christmas ornaments for our first married Christmas together. Scott doesn't fall far from the tree and is such a great match for Mary Margaret.

Hostesses Gin, Tina and Kathryn made sure everything was perfectly set for the tea inside.

The buffet was light and simple and I couldn't get over how beautiful the blue and white china looked throughout this home.

Even the water closet was beautifully designed.

I could simply die for this sink basin.

We served Kathryn's famous sausage balls, Robin brought "P" petit fours, tea sandwiches were made and Whitney brought the scones.

Sweet Marge and her baby bump welcomed everyone inside.

You can barely even tell she is preggers from the front. 

Other hostesses Whitney, sweet Kathryn and Robin were ready for fun and only one game.

The tea was delicious.

It was a lovely party.

I also got to clap eyes on my soul friend Amanda who I haven't seen in ages. She's in Sudan doing amazing work. Mander was also in our wedding and is another Christ Church pal. I made the best friends from that church.

I loved meeting so many new people and seeing old friends. Liz, on the right, has a wonderful event planning firm called Elizabeth Duncan Events and has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. She is so talented.

Everyone gathered and we began opening gifts.

One of my favorite gifts of all time is the stack of children's books. Marge's sister-in-law Jess put together this fun gift.

Whitney read the card for Jess's gift. We passed all the presents out to each guest so that it would go quickly. 

I went a little camera crazy because at the last minute Marge's beautiful mother Lynda couldn't attend. I had to document everything so she felt like she was at the party too. We missed you so much Ms. Lynda! Give Daddy George my love.

Scott's mother Kim is watching over their niece Sophie, who was their flower girl. Jess is the great SIL in the blue.

This precious little child speaks three languages and looks so much like Marge when she was little. 

My go-to shower gift always has my hand stamped Crane's stationery, a Le Pen and a children's book. I found the Chewbeads from my JLW pal Kristen's blog and on-line shop Pineapple Grove Gifts. I went a little nuts for Marge and also found a few silver baby spoons at Antiques Exchange in Hampden. I found her a Lamb lovey for the Lamb of Christ who takes away the sins of the world at Linens and Lingerie....AND I had to throw in the Noah's Ark smocked pillow/music box that hangs on the doorknob too. I went a little nutzo but it's Baby Plum. Please.

Loved seeing her so excited.

All the Plumridge girls and baby Plum hiding behind Sophie.

Marge and Tina are due days apart. 

Marge is a graphic designer/marketing genius. She printed these sweet cards for all of the hostesses.

We were given these cheerful begonias as hostess gifts.

The hostess shot is missing our babes from Alabama and other fun bridesmaids, Laura and Liz. 

Thank you again Kathryn for your hospitality and to Geoff's family. It was simply the prettiest tea ever. Marge, I love that we laugh so much together. You truly are a light in my world and I can't thank God enough for you. Sending you prayers for a safe and healthy delivery. Baby Plum, you don't even know how much we love you already. Uncle E. and I have been praying for you and can't wait to meet you in a few weeks. Be sweet to your Momma and Daddy and enjoy your entry into the world you precious child.