On the Friday before my wedding, we had a bridesmaids’ luncheon to honor all of my bridesmaids and have some girl time before the weekend got crazy. My adorable neighbor in Vero Beach, Carolyn, of Papers and Presents, offered to host the luncheon on the golf course at John’s Island, where we live in Vero Beach. It was a spectacular, sunny day and the girls were girling. You know that I love nothing more than a feminine, floral-filled affair, and this luncheon was just that.  

The Luncheon

Carolyn had the table set up with ranunculus, fresh citrus, and adorable notepads personalized with everyone’s names (she owns her own stationery shop!). She had a greenery wall constructed, which said “From Miss to Mrs” on it in hot pink, and we sat on a balcony that overlooked the golf course (where Johnny and a few of the groomsmen were playing golf, funnily enough). Not only were my bridesmaids at the luncheon, but my mom, aunt, godmother, and a few of our closest family girlfriends joined too. It was truly all of my girlies in one spot. 😊

While everyone enjoyed fresh shrimp, grilled chicken, sorbet, and champagne, I made the (last-minute) decision to read aloud the note that I had written to each of my bridesmaids. I went through so many emotions when I had written the notes a week before, and then again as I read them out loud to everyone. They weren’t terribly long or anything, but entailed just enough stories and descriptions to show how truly special each one of my bridesmaids is, and what they mean to me.

Bridesmaids Gifts

I couldn’t help but include a little gift too, so I had spent the few months prior sourcing vintage jewelry for each one of my bridesmaids, because I’ve had a growing affinity for vintage jewelry ever since I got engaged (my engagement ring is old). I managed to find a piece– from earrings to necklaces to rings, that matched the personality and style of each of my bridesmaids, and it was SO fun to see them open the items up and have something unique to them.

I can’t tell you how much I cherished this time with them, and how nice it was to get some of my cries out before the big weekend, and also center myself in what mattered the most: the most exceptionally loving people who were a part of it all.

My Outfit/Wedding Looks

I based all of my outfits leading up to the wedding on the appliquéd and embroidered floral details that were on my wedding dress, including this Self Portrait set I wore to my bridesmaids’ luncheon (links at the bottom of the post!). I loved the idea of hinting at my wedding dress before I wore it by incorporating the flowers into my pre-wedding outfits.

We also tied the exact flowers from my wedding dress into so many other details of the wedding, like the flowers around our couture monogram wedding crest (which you’ll see in the additional wedding blog posts!). We also created a custom print with Ashley D. Studio, that was inspired by the flowers embroidered and beaded in my wedding dress. We had this print made into tablecloths, ribbons, a bandana for Liberty, and even smocked dresses for all of my bridesmaids to wear to get ready in the day of the wedding as well! More on that to come…

Outfit Details

Top: Self-Portrait (sold out, Similar here) // Skirt: Self-Portrait (similar here) // Bag: Over The Moon // Heels: Naturalizer // Jacqueline’s Dress: Tuckernuck // Personalized Stationary: Papers and Presents