Late Friday afternoon I made the four and a half hour drive to Ft. Lauderdale to meet up with my friends and kick off Cherayne’s bachelorette party weekend!
I stayed in Ft. Lauderdale and enjoyed a low-key night at a local bar with a small group of friends before we drove to Miami on Saturday morning for a pool party and some craziness.
The weekend passed by in a flash, but here are some highlights from the past three days:
- Pool Party at Shore Club
Since Cherayne’s bridal shower took place on Sunday, the plan for our group was to party it up during the day on Saturday and then go to bed after dinner. As I am sure you can imagine, drinking and dancing by the pool created a “fun wave” that a small group of us rode into the early hours of the morning, but we rallied and still had a blast at the bridal shower. The daytime pool party in South Beach was a highlight and I had such a great time with some of my very best friends from college.
As you may be able to tell, we stuck with a black bathing suit + flower headband theme while the bride wore a colorful suit to stick out a bit!
- Dancing at SLS
Following the pool party at Shore Club, our group meandered over to SLS for some dancing before dinner. This place was so much fun and I wish we could’ve stayed here longer. The atmosphere was perfect for a group of crazy girls! I didn’t take any pictures after this but dinner and the rest of the night out in South Beach was fun!
- Bridal Shower at Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita
Cherayne’s maid of honor, Chelsea, did an absolutely fantastic job planning a gorgeous bridal shower at Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita, a beautiful restaurant (with a crazy name!) in downtown Miami.
I loved everything from the beautiful menus and the games to the soft mint details and delicious food.
We also had adorable little props to use for some fun photo ops!
Cherayne was such a gracious bride and we all enjoyed watching her open gifts and chatting about her upcoming wedding!
- Family Time with Friends
Immediately after we said goodbye to Cherayne and a group of our friends at the bridal shower, five of us made the three and a half hour drive to my friend Merri’s dad’s house in Sarasota for a backyard cookout. Merri’s dad is one of the most bubbly and welcoming people in the world and I always know that an evening at his house will be full of laughter, great food and entertainment! He plays the guitar while we all sing along and it’s always an absolute blast!
During this trip we were also able to stay at my friend Leah’s in-laws’ house in Ft. Lauderdale and it was so special to be able to squeeze in a little time with my friends’ families during the otherwise rather crazy bachelorette party weekend.
- Beach Bootcamp Workout
Once we hugged Merri’s family goodbye on Sunday night, we drove to Clearwater to stay at Leah’s for the evening. We woke up at 8 a.m. on Monday morning for a beach bootcamp workout with Nicole Turley, an awesome trainer Leah knows from her CrossFit box. She put us through a short but seriously sweaty beach bootcamp workout that we loved!
We left wishing we could all do beach bootcamp workouts with Nicole every morning! She made sure to correct form and encourage us, but still pushed us which was great. If you live in the Clearwater area and are looking for an awesome trainer, Nicole can be reached by email at NMT1587@gmail.com.
- Cinco de Mayo in Clearwater
Merri, Ashley and Krystal didn’t have to catch their flights back home until 6 p.m. on Monday, so we all spent the day at the beach in Clearwater which was perfect! It was a laidback day in the sun with my best friends and I could not have been happier that we extended the weekend to have a little extra time together. I miss them so much already!
This weekend was a blast and I’m so happy I was able to see some wonderful friends from college and celebrate Cherayne!
Congratulations again to Cherayne and Matt!
Questions of the Morning
- What was one of the best things that happened over the weekend in your life?
- Did you do anything to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
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It sounds like you had a fun weekend! The bathing suit colors is such a good idea for a bachelorette party/bridal shower! Love it! The best thing that happened to me was a Cinco de Mayo party. We drank Mexican beer and listened to Spanish pop music 🙂 Era una FIESTA!
What an awesome weekend!
Congratulations to the bride-to-be. I LOVE the name of the restaurant her shower was in.
Your advice to her was the best. Josh and I have such a strong relationship because we talk. about. everything. It’s so important.
Totally agree! Communication is key!
Wow, what an awesome weekend!! I want to come party with you girls.
Everything looked so beautiful for the shower! The mint was so pretty and I love your advice – so true!
What a fun bachelorette weekend!
I love those headbands! I’m so excited for my friends to start getting married so we can plan fun weekends just like this!
Also, this is going to sound totally creepy, but as a huge sports fan, I can’t help but recognize/ wonder – is Chelsea JJ Redick’s wife? I recognize her from when she lived in Orlando/ pictures. I think they’re such an adorable couple! 🙂
Julie, you and your friends look absolutely beautiful in all of your pictures!! Even though I won’t be able to rock it as well as you did, where did you get that great dress you wore to the bridal shower?! <3 Jamie
Thank you! And I’m sure you will look beautiful. 🙂 It’s from Hautelook and the brand is Sugar.
Wow–what a fun weekend!! I love the idea of black, flower headbands, and the bride wears a pop of color. So cute!
A workout on the beach sounds amazeeeee right now!!
What a fun weekend in the sun with your best friends!
Wow what a jam packed fun filled weekend!!! I will admit I am slightly jealous of that awesome weather n beach fun!
Wow, what a FUN time! Looks like you gals had a blast!
Love your hat in that last photo. Where is it from?!
It was actually my friend Leah’s! I’ll text her right now to ask and report back!
It’s from Charming Charlie’s. I think that’s a boutique? 🙂
You’re awesome, thanks for checking for me. Yes, I know Charming Charlie’s – it’s a store FULL of accessories! Thanks, Julie!
Looks like you had one great weekend! I am currently trying to plan my best friends bachelorette party and you have had so many great ideas on here from ones you have attended! I love the idea of a pool party day with the girls and the outfits with flower headbands!
On another note I know you did a hair tutorial a long time ago but I would love to know how you have been doing it lately where it is more waves than curls, I love it!
Love your quote for the bride – that’s a great one! Looks like you had so much fun and packed a lot into the weekend:)
What an amazing looking weekend (and so detailed)! I’m impressed at how coordinated it seems to have been, even with many people and everything traveling.
My wedding was definitely the best weekend of my life so far.
Ah it looks like you had sooo much fun!! This is making really excited for Summer now! Girls weekends with Uni friends are seriously the best!
What a fun bachelorette party and shower!! We are doing a similar setup for my bachelorette party and shower in August, so I am glad to know that everyone still looked beautiful and refreshed for the shower!! The flower headbands were adorable!
That beach workout sounds awesome and killer all at the same time.
I didn’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year-I did have mexican food on Friday night…does that count?? 🙂
Man, if I ever need a bachelorette party thrown, I want to recruit your friends to organize it for me. You all always seem to have the best time at your bachelorette parties!
Is that a cake shaped like a wedding dress in the bridal shower photo collage?? Holy smokes! Even if it’s not a cake, whatever it is looks absolutely beautiful!
Looks like you had such an amazing time! I love girls trips/bachelorette parties! I am jealous of the nice weather that you got to enjoy!
such a fun wknd! i was in South Beach in Feb and we went to SLS for a bit…complete and utter craziness. 🙂 one of the best parts of this past wknd for me was a looooong, full Saturday kicked off by a good 10 mile run and then brunch and a derby party with girlfriends.
Omg, what an epic weekend! Looks like you had a blast. Happy Tuesday!
Congratulations to your friend! I loved reading this post and seeing you living life. Photos look fantastic. 🙂
What an amazing weekend! So glad you ladies had a blast. That workout looks tough but appealing : )
I’ve gone to a pool party bachelorette in Miami before, and it’s quite fun. Looks like a great time. And I love the flower headbands.
I can’t imagine you guys felt 100% at the shower, but it sure looks like a lovely place.
No Cinco de Mayo celebrating for me, save for some home-made tacos with the husband and some Mexican music on the Pandora station. 🙂
this looks like such a great time! Love all of the details! Too much fun.
Oh man, this makes me want summer to come even sooner! Looks like a blast of a weekend!!
I looooove that bathing suite of the girl to your left in the second picture under the “Dancing at SLS”. Do you know where it’s from?
I love your colorful maxi — where is it from?
So fun! Had to comment on the restaurant name–I’m glad it wasn’t as creepy as the book: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolita (It may be genius, but I found it seriously disturbing.)
wow, such a fun bachelorette weekend! you and your friends are all so gorgeous. glad you had a blast! =)
I have a soft spot for flower crowns. The black bikinis on all the bridesmaids is such a cute idea!
That pool party looked so fun! I hope I get to do this sometime in the future haha
Looks like an unforgettable weekend! You and your friends are all gorgeous! So it made me go hit the gym and do your circuit 20 minute hotel workout-it kicked my butt, so thanks!
This really has nothing to do with your post, but last night I was searching Pinterest for wedding ideas (newly engaged!!!!) and I came across a pin of you and your husband on your wedding day. You were holding hands with the door between you. Thought it was pretty cool that you got pinned! 🙂
I had a nice relaxing weekend with my hubs before the craziness of packing and moving begins over the next few weeks with work thrown in. Overall a great weekend!
You and your friends are all gorgeous! Glad you had a fun weekend!
Wow – you’re really living it up – I’m so jealous!! What a fun looking group!
Looks like so much fun! I’m heading to a bachelorette party next weekend in the Lake of the Ozarks. Just wondering you all got the fun headbands? I think they would be a fun touch to our day at the pool as well! Thanks!
Looked like such a fun weekend!!
Just saw Merri & Petes engagement session pictures on Popsugar, so neat!!
Did absolutely nothing for Cinco de Mayo… but I live about 20 mins away from Clearwater beach so I should’ve just joined you gals! 🙂
Random, but how do you pronounce Cherayne?? Pretty name!
Sounds like you girls had a great weekend!
In love with the black suit and flower headband theme!
I used to live in the building Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita is in! It’s a fun place, I’m glad you enjoyed!
Looks like an awesome weekend! Do you know where the menu came from? It’s adorable and I would love to do something similar for my friends shower!
Love the themed Bach idea!
I LOVE your friends strapless blue dress at the restaurant!!! Could you please tell me where she got it?! Thanks!!
Hi there!
I’m putting together some last minute details for a bachelorette party THIS WEEKEND! Was curious if you could point me in the right direction for creating cute itineraries, and the game he said/she said without having to order them to be delivered. do you know of any online design programs or people i could work with to get digital proofs that I could print on Saturday morning? Huge rush i know, but figured you’d be a good person to ask since you’ve been involved in so many bachelorettes recently. Thank you in advance for any help you can give!
Looks like so much fun! A couple questions…where did you girls get the flower head bands from? Also where is the brides swimming suit cover up from? I just love it!!!
Thanks!!! Love your blog!
Flower headbands are from Claire’s! I’ll ask Cherayne where her cover up is from and report back!
Thanks so much Julie! Did you find out where the cover up was from that Cherayne wore?
Thanks!!! 🙂
Yes!! Totally forgot to get back to you! It is from Victoria’s Secret. 🙂
Thanks Julie!!! Just ordered it!!!
No prob!!
Beautiful bridal shower! do you know where the brunch menus were printed from?
Looks and sounds like you had an amazing hen party. Love how your friends were even able to support your lifestyle in their choices for your party too.