Bridal Showers: Turning Sensible Women into Raging Bridezillas Since 1981

Before we left for Hawaii, my amazing Maid of Honor Ashlee and bridesmaid Laura threw me the most incredibly bridal shower! I was so touched by all the work they put into the event and ecstatic that so many of my friends made time in their weekend to be with me. And because I'm under the impression you want to see every last sugary detail of the shindig, I AM sharing ever last sugary detail of the shindig! 

{My beautiful friends made it such a fun and special day!}

{What?!!? Papparazzi!? Who possibly would have called them!???}

{The lady who made it all happen--my gorgeous MoH Ashlee}

{First line of business: champagne cocktail}

 {...with a gold sugared rim, no less}

{"Tell 'em keep bringing bottles, I'ma pop fifty!"}

{All you need to know is rock candy in a glass of champagne is deliciousssss!!}

 {Pretty ladies Emily and Allie}

{Needless to say, possibly one of my favorite things about the day--DESSERT TABLE!!!}

{Cake pops shoved in rainbow sprinkles! WHAT?!?!? INCREDIBLEEEE!!!}

{Macarons in rose, vanilla, and salted caramel. Crowd favorite.}

{Ashlee had the event catered with the most gorgeous and delicious spread}

{I'm DIPE-ing--Documented Incident of Public Eating}

{Look at that bevy of springy ladies!}

 {This was a fun and embarrassing game called "Guess How Old Melissa Was," in which everyone saw my natural hair color and early signs of drag queen.}

{OBSESSED with the tassel garland Ashlee found. So much so that I'll be reusing it for the reception as a backdrop for our photo booth!}

 {PRESENTSSSSS!!!!! mineminemineminemineminemine}

 {My mom was able to fly in for the weekend! I'm so glad she was there for the festivities!}

 {With the lovely Megan and divine Anna}

 {Every good party has a favor--baby champagne!}

 {Two people I went to school with. Donna and I went to high school together--she was a cheerleader, I was an outcast--and Anna and I went to college together, although we didn't truly meet until we both moved to DC after graduation}

 {Here's when I told everyone a story about a creepy vice principal in high school who tried to get me in trouble for a skirt I showed up in one day. So what if it was covered in sequins? It was mid-thigh!!!}

 {Ashlee made a video of Kyle answering questions about our relationship--the goal was to get our answers right. Things I learned in this game: Kyle's celebrity crush is Ryan Gosling and his favorite part of my body are my "eyes." That's code for boobs, you guys.}

 {I finally have a cake stand!! Thanks Em!}

 {Megan bein' all pensive and gorgeous}

 {Here's my gorgeous and adorable bridesmaid Laura playing papparazzi!}

 {Ashlee wrapped my gifts in the same colors as our wedding}

 {Incredible serving pieces from Allie}

 {Custom wine charms Ashlee got on Etsy}

 {I'm celebrating 'cus we got the dishes!!}

 {And this was when we made wedding dresses out of toilet paper. I judged.}

 {Here's my beautiful friend Leslie. She was the one who decided to give Donna an Angelina Jolie leg slit.}

 {My mom getting in on the couture-let paper}

 {Anna's cathedral veil was prett-ay, prett-ay, pretty good}

 {End of party sugar rush. Worth it.}

{I was really excited about the balloons!}

{With my mom and future mother-in-law! I felt really lucky to have them both come to DC for my shower}

"Will You...?"

In case the giant rock on my finger isn’t a dead giveaway, yes, I’m engaged!!! 

Kyle popped the question last Friday and since I posted the picture on Instagram (follow me at cupcakesomg), many of you have been asking for the story of how it happened, but I figure unless you're a good friend of ours, you've either already heard it or are just interested in the ring, so here's the highlights:

- Kyle asked me at 6:30 in the morning, when I was fully dressed and ready for work

- I had no idea he was planning it

- Yes we had discussed marriage

- Yes, I cried. I cried big, black, Tammy Faye Baker tears

- Everyone (my parents, Kyle's parents, our friends, my BOSS!) knew except for me!

At this point, we have made no decisions about the wedding as far as locale or exact date, so we’re allowing ourselves to just enjoy the next week or so before I get all Bridezilla up in here. Oh, and btw, I AM applying for Say Yes to the Dress (both versions!). No surprise to anyone, I'm sure.

{The ring is rose gold with diamonds all over the place!}  

Kyle knows me so well (as does my friend Ashlee who offered him some helpful guidance)--I couldn't have imagined a more gorgeous ring. It's all I can do from being distracted every 20 seconds and starting at my hand!! I mean, I can't even finish this sentence withoutkjdjkasjgdigjtiouwekncv8937981#$..................

{Kyle and me enjoying the first day of our engagement at the Inn at Little Washington, another surprise!}

Not to get sappy and junk, but I feel so incredibly lucky to be engaged to the most amazing man I've ever known and my best friend. I can't wait to see what life has in store for us. And my ring.