This weekend, I spent a relaxing amount of time in South Lake Tahoe!  It was perfect summer weather and I was able to somehow work in some wedding talk…are we surprised?  Each year, Lewis’ family migrates to the same cabin his grandparents (and their five children) have spent their summers these past thirty years to partake in some R&R and family time.  For the last two summers, I have attended and last year, Lewis took advantage of the gorgeous scenery and proposed at Emerald Bay.     

Photo-op right after he popped the question last year!

This summer, I brought along a couple jars of my homemade blackberry jam and two new swimsuits (Gottex and Badgley Mischka). I asked Lewis’ sister to be one of my bridesmaids and his sweet little niece to be our flower girl–she’s so girly, I know she’ll love wearing a ”princess dress!”  Here are a couple of pictures I was able to snap while I was there this weekend!

View of the lake from the cabin...beautiful sunsets!

Our fav place for appetizers and drinks after lounging at the beach.

Me and one of my bridesmaids--Lewis' gorgeous sister!

Almost one year exactly since he proposed, Lewis & I went back to our spot in Emerald Bay! I got a sweet kiss to commemorate!

I’m currently en route to the SOUTH…heading back home to Tennessee so that my wedding plans can officially commence!  I’ve been planning this special trip for months: scheduling potential wedding vendor meetings, planning out a menu for the reception caterers (so that I could have a tasting this summer while everything’s in season), and emailing back and forth with florists, photographers, cake bakers, etc…whew…

 Luckily, I’ll have my beautiful Mama (just further claiming back my southern vernacular), Aunt, and best girlfriends since childhood with me there to sift through the decision making.  I’ll be MIA here on Honeysuckle Chic until next Wednesday, but no worries as I’ll be sure to take plenty of pics while away to share with you all.

 XOXO Ashley

Since the wedding will be held in Nashville, I’ll be scouting out ceremony and reception venues, enjoying two cake tastings (yum), and speaking with photographers and the most awarded/acclaimed florist in the south.

In Chattanooga, where I’m from, I’ll be partaking in my reception menu tasting, browsing through bridesmaid gowns, and trying on bridal gowns—hopefully narrowing it down to “the one!”  

Well…now it’s less than two weeks until I fly to Nashville and wedding planning commences. I want to get all of your lovely opinions on which gown is your favorite style for my sweet bridesmaids to wear.  Keep in mind the theme of my wedding is “elegant garden party”—if there even is such a theme! :)  I’d also like the dress to be a design that my girlfriends wouldn’t want to stash in the back of their closets or, gasp, donate to their local Goodwill.  So…here are some of the options I’ve been contemplating below. I adore their unique necklines (especially the 5^th frock) and the modern cuts—yet they all have a hint of traditionalism.

Tell me your favorite, and remember, five ladies are in anticipation of what y’all will say!