Caitlin Kenney

This January, we celebrated my friend Lexy’s bachelorette weekend at the Snowshoe ski resort in West Virginia. The cabin was absolutely perfect, with rustic ski decor, cute bunk rooms, and a cozy fireplace. Know before you go: Driving to Snowshoe is a little like going back in time 10 years…because there is no cell phone service for about two hours surrounding the resort and at the resort itself! We had such a great time and I’d highly recommend Snowshoe for a laid-back winter bachelorette weekend!

From texts and emails about the wedding to the special events dedicated to celebrating with your girlfriends, the process of getting married can be a celebration of female friendships as well as romantic love, with fun events like bridal showers and bachelorette parties helping you stay in touch with your girlfriends on a deeper level. I’ve been working my way up the East Coast for the last decade and leaving close friends in my wake, from my oldest friends who I’ve known since grade school to my college girlfriends who I’m still close with almost ten years after our graduation (eek! ). If friends live on opposite coasts, institute an alternating coast rule—one year pick an East Coast destination and the next go west, which will help mitigate flight costs over time. Even if you know you won’t have the time to spearhead the entire weekend, taking a concrete action, like emailing out a cool AirBnb listing that’s caught your eye or floating a free weekend as the perfect time to meet up, may be all that’s needed to make this trip happen.

For bride Morgan’s bachelorette party, her friends decked out a house by the sea in beachy peach and turquoise shades. The star of the party was the custom donut wall, decorated with peonies, greenery, balloons and, of course, donuts, each topped with a diamond cutout to look like an engagement ring. Mini bottles of champagne added to the festive atmosphere, along with seaside accents like pineapple drink stirrers and starfish decor. Sidney Leigh Photography was there to capture this gorgeous DIY bachelorette party.

For bride Alyssa’s bohemian bridal shower, her friends transformed a shady backyard into an idyllic retreat, complete with a teepee hideaway. Guests picnicked on the lawn, enjoying fresh summer salads and a naked cake bursting with berries and cream. As an extra-special touch, all of the guests dressed in neutral shades ranging from white and taupe to soft pinks and greens, which resulted in some stunning group pictures that make this look like the most sophisticated garden party ever. While Alyssa is usually the photographer in the group (see her work here at Alyssa Wilcox Photography), her sister stepped in to capture the special moments of the day.