Weekend Shenanigans: Mike & Kathryn's Wedding

I cannot adequately put into words how wonderful this last weekend was.  My dear friend Kathryn married her best friend, Mike.  Kathryn and I have been friends since we were 9 years old.  We dove club together at the U of MN.  Kathryn is from Rochester, MN and would drive up several times a week for practice.  In the summers we would room together at diving camp and she would stay with my family for a few weeks at a time so her parents didn't have to drive back and forth so often.  Kathryn left for California after high school to dive at USC.  She met Mike on the diving team and really the rest is history!  I absolutely love Mike!  He is the perfect match for my friend and he makes her happier than anyone could.  It has been so great getting to know Mike thru the years and I so wish they lived closer.

Mike and Kathryn got engaged last May 2011 in Greece.  Shortly there after Kathryn asked me to be a bridesmaid and I gladly accepted.  I really felt honored to be a bridesmaid- I know Kathryn has many wonderful friends and friends that she has gone to school with for years.  I couldn't have been more thrilled to celebrate this incredibly event in her life by her side this weekend.  

We started the weekend really on Thursday with a trip to Ivy Spa at the Ivy Hotel downtown.  With Kathryn's mom, Marti (one of my mom's best friends), and other ladies of the party we ate lunch, drank some wine, and got massages, pedicures/manicures, or soaked in the hot tub.  It was the most relaxing way to start off the weekend!

After the spa, we had Kathryn's bachelorette party!  We had dinner at Rosa Mexicano then proceeded to the pedal pub and then finished the night at Stadium Pizza.  It was a great night- celebrating the bride and having a really fun time with all her girlfriends!

Friday was full of wedding festivities- the bridal luncheon, the rehearsal, the groom's dinner, and the welcome party!  The luncheon was hosted by Kathryn's mom's good friends at the hotel.  Delicious food and it was really fun for all the ladies to get together and celebrate Kathryn.  Then the rehearsal went off without a hitch- perfectly executed and well done.  The Groom's Dinner was at McCormick's downtown.  Mike had the most beautiful speech- of course I cried.  He individually thanked each family member and friend who was part of the wedding and his words for Kathryn were so sweet.  I love knowing one of my best friends is marrying such a great guy.  After a VERY filling dinner, we headed back to the hotel where Kathryn's parents hosted a Welcome Party for all guests attending the wedding- it was unreal!  This was a super smart idea because I think it gave Mike and Kathryn a chance to greet all of their guests without feeling obligated to do a receiving line or walk to each table during the reception.  Once again I was reminded how lucky I am to be part of this special diving family and how blessed we are that we remain wonderful friends.

And then it was wedding day!!  I wish I could describe how perfect and beautiful everything was.  Kathryn's wedding colors were charcoal grey and purple.  It was stunning.  The bridesmaids got ready for most of the early afternoon and then took pictures.  It was fun to be girly and enjoy the last few hours before the wedding with Kathryn, her mom, and all the bridesmaids.  Kathryn has some awesome friends from USC!  I have heard so many stories about them so it was so nice to finally meet them and get to know them.  

Kathryn's a BRIDE!

Then it was on to the ceremony... a gorgeous wedding party, two beautiful readings, a lovely song sung by an old diving coach, beautiful vows, and one hot kiss!  And then they were married...
Mr. and Mrs. Hilde!

The wedding party left to take some more pictures while the guests enjoyed the cocktail hour.  We proceeded into the reception to dine and dance the night away!  We had an absolute blast!  Of course I didn't take as many pictures then as we were having too much fun!

Congratulations Mike and Kathryn!
Cheers!