Talk about one of the best days of my life. Eight days after Jake proposed, my DC girlfriends made sure we celebrated til all confetti in the District was thrown, and all the champagne properly popped.

Earlier that afternoon, my roommates (Anna and Ashton) took me wedding dress shopping, “just for fun,” we said. Georgetown’s Anthropologie still offers bridal fitting sessions in their wedding brand, BHLDN, with extra precautions for COVID. Our lovely assistant, Rachel, helped us pull styles that I liked best, answering our questions and offering helpful pointers throughout. Brides-to-be, I highly recommend checking out BHLDN. They carry a gorgeous line of gowns for a super affordable price point!

I tried on half a dozen or so different styles, all beautiful, and not a single option I disliked. However, the third or so dress I tried on really stood out to me. It was (without divulging too much) comfortable, flattering, stylish, and I absolutely loved how I felt in it. It just had that touch of magic every bride wants in her wedding dress. This was one I did not intend to let get away.

So…I bought it.

Yep. I bought my wedding dress, on sale, a week after I got engaged. Call it a Christmas miracle. Normally I’m painfully indecisive and hem and haw for days and weeks over a decision like this. But WYKYK. Having these two with me made the moment really special, and I 100% trust them to be honest and kind in sharing their opinions. Pictures of the dress will come after the big day. ;)

We shopped a bit longer, each of us finding great pieces (including this hat), and left triumphant. The dress would be expedited to our house later this week.

We came home and got ready to host a few more of my friends for light bites and champagne. My roommates presented me with a beautiful handmade flower crown and properly "crowned” me for the evening’s festivities. Taylor brought these darling cookies with Jake’s and my initials, from a local Shirlington bakery! I recounted the proposal story, so happy to invite them into that wonderful moment Jake and I shared by a lake in North Carolina. Then we whisked off to dinner at Primrose in Northeast DC, where the waitstaff offered their congratulations (and a round of free drinks) throughout the night.

After dinner and drinks we came back to the house to be silly, take pictures, and watch Gossip Girl (before the reboot releases).

Everything about the day and night - from the heartfelt toasts made to friendship and future, to the songs we blasted in the car ride home after dinner, to the Christmas tree waiting for us at home - was perfect. I have never been more grateful for my tribe here than I am right now.

There are many things I could gush about endlessly, but among them are my wonderful friends who’ve gone to incredible efforts to celebrate our friendships and my relationship with Jake. I can’t wait to start life with him and get to call myself his wife, but there is NO doubt I will cherish my next seven months here in DC with these beautiful gals while I still have it. Cheers to these five!

Thank you again for everyone’s congratulations, sweet notes, and Facetimes. More stories and pictures to follow.