Friends!It has been forever (lol, a few weeks). Life has been crazy, and I am currently typing this from my phone as Steve drives us through the hills of never-ending Virginia, on our way back from Kate & Chris's New Orleans wedding! I am so grateful for the time spent celebrating my dear friend this weekend, and I wanted to share some photos & memories from our time together. UPDATE: I have since returned from New Orleans and I am finishing this post surrounded by the most snow I've ever seen in Ocean City. Moving on.Since we road-tripped it a cool 19 hours each way, I'll spare you that agony & get right to our arrival. We stayed in the cutest boutique hotel in the Business District, The Catahoula Hotel. Some pics for ya:

Our Stay

Kate's Roaring 20s Bachelorette

Steve and I pulled in at 3pm, just in time for me to get ready for the bachelorette party. I wrote about the planning process & custom invitation collaboration with Willow Wynn Co. in a previous post you can find here.We started with drinks at the Piscobar inside the Catahoula, dinner at Rock-n-Sake, and finished the night bar-hopping through Pat O's, a karaoke spot and ended at the Carousel Bar.Favorite part: stopping in the street to do The Wobble with a bunch of strangers. No shame.

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The Bridesmaids' Luncheon

I have almost zero photos from the Luncheon because we were enjoying the time so much. And the food was phenomenal. And Kate is just the sweetest person alive and was showering us with love and gifts and her beautiful presence. So, here are a few baby photos just because:

Holy Hour & Rehearsal Dinner

I ran back to the hotel after the luncheon to change for the evening festivities & then made my way to St. Louis Cathedral for the Holy Hour. I had the distinct honor of leading worship with the beautiful Kara Klein of His Own, and it was so wonderful to pray and sing from the rafters of this incredible church.After adoration we walked to the Hermes Bar at Antoine's and I had something called a Sidecar (or three) for the first time, which was delicious, and then it was off to Our Lady of the Rosary to rehearse. Please scroll for the CUTEST photo of Stephen looking at baby Lyla, captured by my dear friend, Lisa .From rehearsal we uber-ed our way to Ye Old College Inn for dinner and an open mic in honor of Kate & Chris. I had to tap out around 11, because I was EXHAUSTED and knew the wedding day would be nonstop.

Wedding Day

Kate was the EASIEST most BEAUTIFUL bride, and Friday was just the best day. Also, thank you, Lord, for weddings at 6pm. AND! I did my own hair and makeup for this wedding and I am weirdly proud of how it turned out???Anyway.The incredibly moving ceremony was followed by a to DIE FOR reception at City Park, which I also have no photos of because I was busy trying to calm my nerves before my MOH speech. Here's what I have of the day, start to finish:

Our Last Day

We decided on one last meetup Saturday morning, before going our separate ways. It felt a little like an episode of Friends as we sat around a table in this lobby-meets-coffee shop version of Stumptown, inside the Ace Hotel. I am continually grateful for the friendships forged so many years ago, and I love watching my people grow and change as time moves forward.I am so grateful I could stand beside Kate & Chris on their most special day and watch them begin their new journey together in marriage. What a gift they are to all who know them!Thanks for reading, friends.  I hope you're having a joyous start to the new year.2018! Can you believe it?!xo,Katie