Giving a Maid of Honor Speech

Public speaking is my worst nightmare. Worst. So giving a speech for my best friend gave me mixed emotions. If I had to choose between swimming with sharks... with no cage (I'm feeling wild) or getting up in front of 20 people and giving a speech. Bring on the sharks! Even reading the title for my blog post brings back all the butterflies in my stomach, and I kinda want to vomit. oh and I had to speak in front of 252 people.... I'm just glad I didn't barf on the mic or piss my dress.

Blogging has taught me a lot in the last few months, and what I've learned the most is people want honestly. So, let's get to it.

I hated the fact that being a "MOH" came with the duty of giving a speech. I was so excited I got to plan the Bachelorette party, but in the back of my mind I knew a speech was involved. I'm gonna let you in on a secret... let's just not go around telling everyone. Deal? ok good. In college I failed out of speech class (twice) because the idea of talking in front of people made me hide in my apartment or run to the nearest coffee show until it was time for the next class.... oh and it was an online class. I couldn't bare to one my laptop and simply speak in front of 7 or less people.

Let's get something straight first, I was and still am honored that my best friend, Victoria even thought about me being in her wedding, let alone trusting me to stand by her side and toast to her and all her friends and family. I couldn't be more thrilled and forever grateful for her.

The one thing I take from this crazy experience and really the only way I didn't die from a heart attack was because I was prepared. I made sure I wrote down my thoughts little by little for a few months and made sure I said what was truly on my heart.

There is no way I would have been able to go up and "just talk" about Vic. You should have seen the Best Man... it was godawful.

Anyways.

I first wanted to start out with a little humor. Who doesn't like a little ice breaker? I'm not saying start out with a knock knock joke or anything. I just simply introduced myself with a little extra laugh thrown in. Can you tell Vic was the only one laughing. ^^^^

Awkward

Yes I wrote my speech on my phone. And I typed it out and hid a copy under my plate. I made sure my phone was at 100% before hand, but just incase a back up is always good to have.

To be honest I felt more comfortable reading from my phone. It came across more natural than it would if I read it off an piece of paper. Just my opinion. After all I did write it on my phone, so it was genius in my mind. 

At the end of my speech I felt flawless. Honestly. Knowing how big of an accomplishment this was for myself and I knew it meant something to the bride was all worth it. I wouldn't have traded it for world. In her own little way, she knew I had this fear and helped me tell myself that I can do anything. 

Isn't my bestie the most beautiful bride?! 

If you live in the central Indiana are you NEED to contact Evangeline Renee! Like yesterday. She was wonderful to be around, you could tell she loved her job and her pictures just speak for themselves. 

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Decorating for a Bachelorette Party

Recently I was blessed with the title of Maid of Honor in my best friends wedding. With this being my first time (MOH virgin over here), I was beyond overwhelmed and way in over my head... but I like to think I pulled it off very well! But you be the judge and let me know. 

The destination was Louisville Kentucky #yuckyinkentucky. For us Indy chicks this was a fun way to mix things up. I stuck with the color scheme of the Brides wedding, gold and purple and added a few fun things along the way.

Everyone got their very own "Gio head" to take with the dinner and out on the town. This was a last minute add-on and it was the most talked about weeks after the bash. Some of the ladies kept theirs and brought them to the wedding. 

You can't have a party without party favors. Simple purple nail polish with tule fabric wrapped with gold ribbon. Such a simple DIY that anyone can do.... even if you're overwhelmed, have your bf give it a try.

^safe to say we had plenty of booze. 

^ sorry mom 

Worth the extra $$. All the ladies were taking selfie with the poster and the bride even took it home to show the groom. 

Planning a Bachelorette Party: Louisville Kentucky

This summer I had to honor of planning a surprise "destination" Bachelorette party for my best friend and her 17 close friends and family. YES, I said 17! This was most certainly a nerve wrecking experience, but I like to think I handled it gracefully and hit it out of the park!

When planning something like this for a large amount of people.... especially women you have to be organized. About 1 month before the big weekend I sent out a schedule itinerary for the day and with all the events and prices. This gave the ladies enough time to gather the money they needed, get their outfits together, and plan on who's carpooling with who. Being the host I need to stay on my A game and make sure everyone that was attending knew what the plan was and to be on time.... which no matter how much you stress, ladies are always late..... cough cough, you know who you are. 

Our Bachelorette destination was Louisville Kentucky. #YuckyInKentucky
For us Indy gals, this was a nice change of pace and something out of the ordinary but still closet home. Forth Street Live is the place to be when visiting Louisville! 

oh hey, you can't have a bachelorette party without the grooms head on a popsicle stick to bring out to the bars.  By the end of the night all the ladies were snapping pictures with their "Gio's" drinking at the bar, peeing, and dancing on the dance floor. A few ladies even kept them after the weekend and brought then to the wedding. For such a last minute party favor, it turned out to be the best.



I wanted to plan something different and since everything was a secret to the Bride-to-be I wanted to do something she would NEVER guess....  no pole dance class,  no "Wine and Canvas", and no strip clubs. If you haven't heard of The Breakout Game or The Escape Game, it's worth checking out.



After lunch we went back to the hotel and got ready for the rest of the night.



Which included some naughty gifts and some jello shots . . .  oh and games of course.



We had dinner at the Market Place just a few blocks from 4th street. This restaurants was the place to be! Do you see the purple light in the background? It's like the whole place knew we were coming!



^ did I mention I planned a surprise out of town Bachelorette party for 17 ladies . . .



I like to think she had a blast. What do you think?