Montero Wedding

Well this day has been a long, long time coming...

 

Tara and Andrew finally got hitched!

 

 

Stewart and I went down to San Diego last weekend for two glorious days to celebrate the marriage of these two love birds.

 

The festivities took place at this adorable location called Shelter Island (San Diego's Hawaiian aisle). Stew and I stayed at the Best Western Island Palms Hotel, right next to the Kona Kai Resort and Marina, where the wedding took place. We were shocked at how nice our accommodations were! Our room was lovely, with a little patio out front and a view of the water right across the street and a walking path that went along the water down the length of the island.

 

We were so excited to be on vacation -- kid free! -- for almost three whole days!

 

Champagne mani/pedis and a Mexican rehearsal dinner (complete with tequila shots) kicked off the weekend festivities.

 

Tara is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We met in college when we were just 21-year-old babies. After forming a quick bond, throughout the years our friendship has grown and stood the test of time... so many adventures we'll always remember (plus a few we'd rather forget).

 

Tara is one of those constant friends in my life where days, weeks, or even months can go by where we don't see each other, but the second we're reunited it's as if no time has passed at all. She has been there for me through graduations, breakups, relocations, and family disasters. She stood beside me at my wedding and was one of the very first people to meet my firstborn son.

 

I'm so grateful that I can consider her a lifelong friend, and I was so excited to celebrate with her as she devoted her life to her own Prince Charming.

 

It was quite a weekend! 

 

Wedding day and the countdown is on... I made those bouquets with the help of the other bridesmaids, and I was pretty pleased with how they turned out! What do you think?

 

The lovely bride gets help from her momma and sister as she gets into her dress. It's almost time!

 

 

How to kill time while you're waiting to walk down the aisle? Selfies, of course!

Picture time! Check out those adorable flower girls...

I was so proud to stand next to her during such an important moment in her life.

 

The wedding took place on the beach in front of the marina, and it was the first time I've ever gotten to walk down the aisle barefoot! The ceremony, was lovely -- short and sweet.

And here they are for the first time -- The Monteros!

Cocktail hour on the patio overlooking the marina. Beach weddings are definitely where it's at!

This may have been the most epic cake-smashing I've ever seen. Andrew was still blowing frosting out of his nose the next morning.

The first dance -- always my favorite part of a wedding reception.

And then we really got the party started. For a smaller wedding, we managed to orchestrate a pretty epic dance party (an open bar always helps facilitate that), and we partied until the hotel shut us down.

 

But that didn't mean a dip in the pool wasn't in order for the bride and her bridesmaids. YOLO!

And where was Ryder all weekend?

 

He spent a few days with Grandpa and Nana, and also got to see his Aunt Nichole, Uncle Aaron, cousins Sophia and Aubrey, Great Grandpa and Great Grandma, and Great Grandma Sally.

 

He was very busy!

This was the first time we had ever left Ryder for two consecutive nights before, and I admit I had a lot of anxiety about it. But I knew he was in the best hands possible and having a great time, so I tried to let it go and enjoy our weekend away.

 

 We sure missed that little guy, though!

 

Overall it was such a refreshing, wonderful weekend, and I'm so glad we got to celebrate with our friends. We wish them all the luck and love in the world as they start this new adventure together.

 

Cheers to the Monteros!