On Monday, I recapped our trip to Connecticut and Cape Cod last weekend for my cousin's wedding. Today, I'm recapping the wedding itself. It was black tie optional which gave us an excuse to get dressed up. I broke out the "fancy heels" and my husband purchased a tux that he can use for future events.
My beautiful cousin who was a Junior Bridesmaid in our wedding back in 2010 got married in Cape Cod last weekend. It was amazing to see so many family members I haven't seen in years, and to have a weekend getaway where we used to vacation growing up.
She's now the BRIDE! Cannot believe it's been over 12 years already, and she has found her Prince Charming. I've never seen her so incredibly happy, and the whole weekend was perfection.
The cocktail hour and reception were at the Wychmere Beach Club, and the views were amazing! We enjoyed watching the boats during cocktail hour, and had magnificent views inside during the reception as well.
My brother, husband and I with my aunt and uncle (father and mother of the bride)
All of the table place cards had a personal message for each guest which was such a heartwarming touch. There were over 200 guests, so I can't imagine how long it took them to handwrite these sweet messages.
*My grandparents on their wedding day in the late 1940's*
We are officially back from a whirlwind trip to Connecticut and Cape Cod. We hadn't been up north to visit family in 4 years - eek! So, it was truly good for the soul to see everyone, generate nostalgia and celebrate my cousin's wedding. I took way too many pictures (of course), and am going to break the trip down into 2 posts - one for the general trip and one for the wedding (which was amazing!) The wedding was on the Cape set on the water, and it was adults only which gave H and I an excuse to have a weekend getaway while Lil' Miss stayed back in Connecticut with her grandparents and lots of playtime with her cousin.
We had a super early flight on Thursday morning into Hartford, and picked up our rental and headed to lunch with my parents. Since the wedding was on my side of the family, they wouldn't get as much time with Lil' Miss so they soaked up every moment with our sweet girl.
Then we headed to my in-law's and had dinner with everyone while Lil' Miss got settled in to stay for the long weekend. She was SO excited to play with her cousin, and they were running around and screaming in no time.
We felt fully relaxed listening to the live music, people watching (there was a big 60th birthday party celebration and they hit the dance floor in front of the band), the views and sitting by the fire. I of course was already getting chilly so when we checked in to the hotel, I changed into a sweater before we headed out for dinner. My born and raised in Connecticut blood is so ashamed of my Florida tolerance for the slightest chill in the air - ha!
We stayed at the Inn on the Beach which was close to the wedding venue, and were greeted by the sweetest welcome box in our room. I remember creating these for our out of town guests at our wedding (ahemmmm 12 years ago - WOW!), but don't recall much of what was in them. This one was packed with snacks, 2 mini bottles of bubbles (which we enjoyed by the fire pit on the beach), pain reliever, boxed water and a custom made candle from the bride and groom.
After unpacking, we headed to Brax Landing for dinner. We sat outside by the fire pit on the water, and took a walk down by the marina before heading back to enjoy our mini bottles of bubbles by the fire at the hotel. We were then joined by my parents and my brother and his girlfriend which was the happiest reunion. I hadn't seen my "little" brother in 4 YEARS.
The next morning we enjoyed a picturesque continental breakfast, and a walk on the beach with our coffees. The breakfast area was giving me strong coastal grandmother vibes, and I am here for it. Super cute!
After grabbing another coffee in town with the fam, we got ready for the wedding. Here's a sneak peak from cocktail hour:
The next morning we enjoyed breakfast outside with my parents before heading into town, and then to the day after brunch celebration.
After multiple collaborations with Dune Jewelry, I was super excited to stumble upon their shop in Harwich Port. I was mesmerized by the sand bank wall, and loved seeing the destinations from around the world.
Then it was time to celebrate over brunch with the newlyweds. There was a full bar stocked with bloody marys, mimosas and coffee, fresh fruit, pastries, a taco station, a raw bar and a live band.
We headed back to CT to be reunited with Lil' Miss, and were treated to dinner at my sister in-law's. The kiddos ran around, and we all caught up.
On our last day, we took Lil' Miss to ice cream at our favorite local spot in CT and then packed up to fly home that evening. It went by way too fast as usual, but it was so good for the soul to see everyone.
I'm still in disbelief that "birthday month" is over, and we are well into September. I was spoiled with lots of gift cards, and treated myself to some fun shopping sprees.
I scooped upthis twist bodycon dress with an Amazon gift card for birthday brunch celebrations, and it was perfect. I loved the pattern mixing, and it was SUPER comfy. Did I mention it's less than $30?
I received a few Nordstrom gift cards, and ended up using them at Nordstrom Rack where I cleaned up. I ordered a Kendra Scott necklacewhich was on sale for only $25, this adorable Free People skirt for 40% off and a long sleeve cut-out dressfor the day after brunch at the upcoming wedding in Cape Cod. I decided that the dress I had ordered earlier this summer may be too fancy, and to go for a more casual chic look. It will be outside, and the invitation said "summer casual" so I'll pair it with sandals or wedges.
And who would I be if I hadn't scooped up some Express goodies during birthday month? This twisted one shoulder bodysuit went for a spin on date night a few weeks ago, and again for happy hour. It's available in 5 colors, so I may need to pick up another one. I also orderedthis relaxed off the shoulder top for the plane, since it will be chillier up north for our upcoming trip.
I also picked up my free Starbucks on my birthday when we were en-route to Universal for the day, enjoyed free hibachi for dinner and picked up my freebie gift from Ulta when I was there for a Brow Bar appointment. Who else is excited that we can finally book those online? Just me?
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