Another Place & Time: My Best Friend's Wedding...in the Bayou!

Haley and I were inseparable from the first day of school in 1st grade to the day she moved to Ohio in 8th grade. We were the two little brats that dressed the same, got glasses at the same time, spent the night with one another at least twice a week, made up skits and dance routines, started a secret club, and pestered the lifeguards every day that the neighborhood pool was open...yeah, we were "those girls". I had four friends move away during the summer between 8th and 9th grade. Haley has always been the one that kept in touch. I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in her BEAUTIFUL wedding on June 5th in Lafayette, Louisiana (well, actually Carencro, LA). I have been in multiple weddings and can honestly say that this one was my favorite! (...minus the 14 mosquito bites I received)

Side note: Before I get into the "girly" details, I need to extend a big THANK YOU to Cliff (boyfriend) and Dylan (brother) for being such troopers during our 3-day stay in Lafayette. I could not ask for two better guys to accompany me to such a special event...(and they looked so handsome too!)

Note-worthy details from Mr. and Mrs. Alex DiNunzio's wedding...

Rehearsal Dinner: An all-day outside event; including swimming, smoked brisket, and a ping pong tournament (gotta love an athletic bride!). The setting/mood was laid-back, which made it extremely easy for Cliff and I to get to know the friends and family from Alabama and New York.

Pre-Wedding: A morning of spa treatments (done by the bride's sister/maid of honor, Sally) and up-dos (thank you Kristen at Belle Tresse Spa and Aveda Salon) for the ladies...while the men enjoyed an afternoon at the shooting range.

Ceremony: Outside, in the front yard of Haley's parents' estate. A true Bayou setting...a light dew on the greenest grass I've ever seen, under an old, tall mossy oak tree adorned by pink and white topiaries and tea lights. The sight was to die for! Oh, and one very important note...Carsyn (Haley's Golden Retriever) was the ring bearer...yes, adorable!

Reception: Globe lights were strung from trees to the house to light up the dance floor and tables. A bartender was serving on the pool-side of the house, where cocktail tables lined the edge of the pool. The DJ set up his equipment on one corner of the wrap-around porch and played a wide variety of songs picked out by the bride and groom. Caterers from Prejean's delivered a true "Deep South" Cajun meal...I couldn't stop eating the crab cake appetizers.

Cakes: The groom's cake was dutch chocolate with a chocolate chip cream-filling, covered with pretzels. The bride's cake was made with layers of wedding cake AND strawberry cake (Haley's favorite flavor).

The Get-Away: As guests lined the driveway holding sparklers, Alex and Haley ran towards the BMW...only to surprise everyone by making a bee line to the swimming pool and jumping in...in tuxedo and wedding dress. We (the bridal party) followed them. :)

Wedding Favors: Haley's step-father (operations manager for the company who distributes Louisiana Hot Sauce) had a personalized label made for the bride and groom, so everyone went home with a real Louisianan treat!

Take a few minutes to glance at the pictures from the weekend, as well as the businesses that made it all happen! (websites below)