Since our engagement in July, the most frequent question I’ve been asked is: “How’s the wedding planning going?” The truth? Aside from sending out announcements and collecting addresses, most of the planning has been put on hold. Life has a funny way of rearranging priorities, and for us, that meant focusing on our three-month stint in Texas before diving into the big decisions.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we haven’t dreamed a little. We’ve mapped out the vision—what we want the day to feel like, and the elements we know we want to include. But we haven’t yet taken the leap of hiring a planner to bring all those ideas to life. Honestly, it didn’t feel like a true Glamazon wedding was in the works without a proper party to kick things off.
A Weekend in Austin That Changed Everything
This past weekend, we drove to Austin to spend time with my two best friends, Kate and Jill, and their husbands. What I thought would be a simple visit turned into the sweetest surprise—an intimate engagement party thrown just for us.
Now, I’ll admit, the idea of an “engagement party” always made me think of grand guest lists, glittering decorations, and champagne towers. But what I discovered is that it doesn’t need to be any of those things. Sometimes, the simplest gatherings—with the people who know you best—carry the most meaning.
The six of us spent the evening surrounded by love and laughter. Kate and Jill transformed the dining room with thoughtful bridal touches, creating an atmosphere that felt festive without being overdone. There was endless champagne, delicious cocktails, and a decadent cheese plate that could rival any wine bar. Meanwhile, the boys manned the grill in the backyard, serving up perfectly cooked steaks for dinner.
It was cozy, relaxed, and completely unforgettable.
The Dresses That Made It Feel Real
The night was also the perfect chance to debut not one, but two engagement party dresses gifted to me by David’s Bridal. For weeks, they had been hanging in my closet, waiting for the right occasion. Slipping them on that evening made everything feel official somehow—like the engagement wasn’t just an announcement, but a season of celebration.
It’s amazing how much a dress can shift your mindset. Wearing something special reminded me that even though we haven’t finalized venues or vendors, these little moments are just as important. They’re the stepping stones that carry us to the big day.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
While in Virginia earlier this summer, I stumbled upon something that made me smile: my high school sociology project. Tucked inside was a section on—wait for it—wedding planning.
Back then, I was determined to ace the assignment, so I went all in. I ordered a real wedding planning book and mapped out every detail, from budgeting to timelines. That teenage version of me was ambitious, maybe even a little over the top, but she definitely earned her A+.
Finding that project felt like a full-circle moment. Here I am, years later, actually planning a wedding for real. And while the stakes are higher now, the excitement feels just as bright.
Why This Little Party Mattered
What struck me most about this weekend wasn’t the champagne (though it was plentiful!) or the decorations (though they were beautiful). It was the reminder that wedding planning isn’t only about the big day. It’s about the small celebrations along the way—the ones that bring your people together, make you feel loved, and remind you why you’re doing all this in the first place.
In the middle of life’s chaos, this little party gave me exactly what I needed: a pause. A moment to stop worrying about checklists and budgets and instead soak up the joy of being engaged.
Looking Ahead
We still have plenty of work ahead—venues to tour, planners to interview, a hundred details to sort out. But for now, I’m holding onto the memory of that cozy Austin evening. It was the kind of celebration that didn’t need a big guest list or a perfect Instagram shot. It was intimate, heartfelt, and filled with love—the kind of foundation I want our entire wedding journey to rest on.
And if my high school self could see me now, I think she’d be proud—not just of the A+ wedding plans, but of the way life has unfolded, messy timelines and all.
