The Bride's Babes

I am so excited to be spending such an exciting time with some of the most special and important women in my life. Each of these gals have shaped me into the woman that I am today, and I can honestly say that I would not be where I am if it weren't for them. They have all supported me and shown me so much love over the years, that I have no doubt that they will be in my life for years and years to come. 

So today, I am spotlighting them and am so incredibly proud to call them friends. 

Meagan Juarez - Matron of Honor

Meagan is one of my closest and oldest friends. We have grown up together since meeting in 4th grade at Proctor Elementary School. Along with her twin sister Nicole, I have felt that they were the sisters I never had. We have been through it all, beginning with the days when we thought boys had cooties, to tearing it up on the softball diamond in middle school, to late night homecomings and proms in high school, to long road trips to see each other while we were in college, and up to today, where Meagan will return the favor as serving as Maid Honor and standing at my side when I marry the man of my dreams. Meagan has been a pillar of strength for me over the years and has been that constant and stable friend that I could always count on. There are no words to express how excited I am to share this special day with someone who has taught me to be myself and shown me love unconditionally.

Nicole Manley - Maid of Honor

Nicole is the other half of the elementary-school-born-triplet trio. I have been lucky enough to grow up Nicole and we have created some pretty wonderful memories together; beginning with sharing Nicole's first snowball fight, to spending a week without parents in cabins at Middle School Outdoor School, to sneaking out my bedroom window to TP a high school friend's house (sorry Mom), to midnight Twilight Movie Screenings in my college town, and up to today, where Nicole will be the comic relief of the wedding party when they watch me say my I Do's to my new best friend. Nicole has been there for me through everything, and has always offered her shoulder to cry on, or her big bed to have a spontaneous sleepover in, and I am incredibly grateful to have a friend who never stops loving me. 

Kristina Fino - Bridesmaid

Mine and Kristina's friendship was brought together through an act of fate. Growing up in the same hometown, being AP Science classmates, and even playing on the same high school softball team, it just wasn't our time to become friends. It wasn't until our senior year of college, where we were both attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, did we form a friendship that will last a lifetime. Both working for the Parks and Recreation Department for the city of San Luis Obispo, we were both placed to work at the same elementary school after school program and instantly bonded. Now all grown up and working as teachers, we both purchase the Country Mega Ticket that allows us to put our boots on, kick up our heels, and get our country on together every summer! Kristina's laugh and fun nature brings out the best in me, and I am so incredibly grateful to have such a positive light in my life. Having Kristina stand next to me when I say my vows is something so special that I will treasure forever. 

Sam Herrick - Bridesmaid

Sam was the very first friend I made in college. Both deciding last minute to join a sorority (something neither of us thought we would ever do!), I instantly gravitated towards the sweet, genuine heart of Sam. We instantly clicked and became fast friends. This led to our many fro-yo dates, line dancing Thursdays, and those infinite dates that consisted of us sprawled out on Sam's couch in our sweatpants, eating ice cream and watching Lifetime movies. Sam is the type of friend that every girl wishes for, someone who is there for you no matter what, someone who will listen to everything you have to say without an ounce of judgement, and someone who genuinely cares and wants the best for you. She has one of the purest hearts out of anyone I know, and I am beyond lucky to have her in my life and stand beside me as she takes the Petrellese last name. 

I  have absolutely no doubt that this wedding will be a complete blast because I have such fun and amazing women who will be taking this journey with me. Thank you so much to all of you for being the friends that any girl could ever wish for! 

We Said Yes to the Dress(es)!

After you get engaged, there are certain moments that you look forward to most. Obviously, the wedding being at the top of the list, the honeymoon, the showers, and so on, and for me, I had one of those special moments this weekend. I have 4 wonderful friends who are doing me the honor of standing beside me in August as I take a new last name, and I could not be any luckier to have them on this incredible journey with me.

So this past Saturday, we set off on one of the most daunting tasks; finding bridesmaids dresses. Now, Mike and I are tying the knot up in Yosemite, in August, (post soon to come on our wedding venue), so it will most likely be preeeeeetty warm. We are planning for a later afternoon-evening wedding, so by then it shouldn't be too hot (fingers crossed), but one of my top criteria for these dresses were they have to be comfortable and allow the girls to not die of heat stroke, (seriously) and be absolutely fabulous of course. So the 4 of us (we were missing a very important piece to the Petrellese Posse, but she was there in spirit) plus my mom piled into the car and headed down to Cupertino in search of 'the dress.' 

This was one of the days I was most looking forward to because it was a day spent with my girls and what could be more fun than trying on a bunch of fancy dresses?! I had an idea of what I was looking for, but I knew that would most likely change once we got down there. Once we got there, our rep gave each of the girls their own dressing room with a few different dresses each and they went at it. It was so funny to see them tossing the dresses over the walls to each other to swap out. 

some of the most wonderful women you will ever meet

So after a couple different swaps, comparing styles versus cuts versus colors, war finally settled on a dress! It was a win win that it ties in to my dress in a couple different ways and they all liked it! I'd call that a success, people. This process was pretty painless because of the amazing bridal party; they were all so willing to try on multiple dresses, gave their opinion but also told me they would be happy with whatever dress I chose. I mean, how lucky am I? #blessed 

this wedding is going to be a blast with these gals

My dress had also been received at the store the previous week so I got to try it on and they got a sneak peek of the big day. They helped me pick out accessories and gave their insight on earrings vs necklaces vs both, so it was great to have outsiders opinions. Because after all of the wedding detail decisions I have made, it was so nice to have some help on the girly things! 

So moral of the weekend, I have amazing friends who love me and support me and I couldn't be luckier. I'm planning on doing an upcoming post highlighting these 4 wonderful women, so stay tuned for that. 

finding "the dress" is the best feeling! 

a few of my biggest supporters and i couldn't be any more blessed