Lauren is my only niece and I’m so glad I got to share in this special time of her life, with the wedding showers and festivities surrounding the upcoming wedding on March 19th.
The wedding will be in Atlanta at a venue in Vinings.
My sister, Renee, planned it all and I know it will be fabulous. She dearly loves to throw a party. I haven’t followed along with all the details to date, but will be filled in when I get over there for yet another shower this coming weekend in Atlanta. The girl will have plenty to start her new life as a married woman. In the meantime, there is mother of the bride dress shopping to be done and I’m getting in on all of that too.
I’m so proud of my beautiful niece. Lauren is a wonderful young woman with a fun-loving personality and lots of smarts. I’m glad she waited until she was sure and ready to get married and 28 is a great age, I think. They have both started careers and will be ready to settle into married life before babies come along. And of course, we girls are ready for babies in the family one day. 🙂
We all stayed in Lauren’s cute little 2 bedroom apartment. It’s in a nice area of town, an older apartment building with hardwood floors and lots of charm. She has frou-froued up her apartment and it looks just like her. I’ll do another post later contrasting the decor differences between Lauren and her groom, Philip. They couldn’t be more different.
As Lauren has told me, “Philip loves mid-century modern. I want a house with a turret.” You can imagine the compromise and conversations that will ensue between the two of them, can’t you? That will be a fun post, as I show you both of their current places and decorating tastes, since I took lots of pics of both.
But for now, back to the shower. This is the house that hosted the shower. Lauren’s future mother-in-law has lots of friends in town who threw the shower and had it all decked out. 
The doorway was festooned with white ribbon tulle swags and some fresh flowers on the door. So pretty. I loved her house too.
Fresh peonies on the door were just luscious. 
The dining room was decked out with some yummy food for all of us.
Little cakes and cookies on the sideboard. 
The wedding presents are stacking up, ready for Lauren opening them later.
My sister, Renee, and my mom talking to guests.
Me, Lauren,Renee, and mom got a shot of all of us.
As I mentioned before, Lauren was born in Louisiana, in Lafayette to be exact. My sister married her dad, a Louisiana native and they lived down there for a few years before they split up. This is my sister, Renee and her former sister-in-law, Susan. It’s been great that Lauren has renewed acquaintances over the last few years with her dad’s sisters, her Aunt Susan and Aunt Toni. They have been so good to her and only live about an hour away from New Orleans, in Morgan City. 
Lauren with her aunts, Aunt Toni and Susan. We had a fun time visiting and having lunch with Toni and Susan the day before the shower and I got some great pics of Toni’s historic 1890’s home in Morgan City. It’s a real gem and I’ll share that with you soon. 
The wedding presents are stacking up.
This is Lauren’s future sister-in-law, Philip’s sister, Nicole and her new baby, Elise.   They live in Birmingham and it was great to finally meet his family. She is marrying into a wonderful family. 
After some delicious food, we all got settled in for the present opening. Lauren registered for all the things on their wish list and got lots of great things.
She registered for this set of fancy dishes from Bed Bath and Beyond. By Noritake, they are plain white with gold bands, very elegant and classic.
I was the official camera person, capturing it all for memories. It was fun seeing her so excited and opening all those fun gifts. 
I adore this girl! 
Mom, me and Lauren.
These ladies all hosted the shower and they did a fantastic job. It was so much fun to be there. To the left of my mom on the back row is Philip’s mom, Karen
She’s a very sweet lady and had us all over for dinner one night. I’ll have to share that with you too, some fabulous Cajun food: Crawfish etouffee and Jambalaya. YUM, I love that Cajun food! 
The groom dropped by at the end of the shower to whisk away all the gifts back to his loft condo.
The happy couple are less than a month out from the big day. You can bet my camera will be busy snapping lots more pics.
The blessed winner of the $50 Timeless Settings giveaway is Becky K. with Hospitality Lane. Congrats, Becky! You were lucky #5!
Hi Rhoda … these posts are making me homesick!!! I love your blog and you, of course. I live out in California now …but grew up in Morgan City. I can’t wait to see Toni’s home … there are some beautiful historic homes in MC … what is her lat name. I probably know her children. She will know my dad for sure … he is one of the two local MC Architects. Ask her if she knows Jim Firmin??? Small world!!! Take care SAM
This is a beautiful shower indeed, your niece is a blessed lady! I can’t wait to see all the other pictures you took!
Beautiful post Rhoda! I can feel the love between all of you!
Great picture of you and Lauren and your family!
So glad you are enjoying your family!
Rhoda,
I just recently discovered your site and it never fails to make me smile. I look forward to reading more about these two as they embark on their newlywed journey!
What a great collection of images! I’m sure your niece will be appreciative for years to come. Thanks for sharing.
Isn’t young love wonderful! Lauren is beautiful and such a wonderful and happy future!
I look forward to the rest of the photos from your visit!
Lou Cinda
Rhoda,
What a lovely shower. My brother is getting married in two weeks and we threw his fiance a shower a few weeks ago. What happy times! They waited too. My brother is almost 37 and she is a few years behind. So glad they waited to find each other. I look back and know I would have done things a little different had I known then… I hope you are doing ok. I really do think about you often. I know it’s strange since we’ve never met, but I’ve followed your blog since you first started. I’ve been through some of what you must be going through and even in the last year there have been challenges which I have not shared with hardly anyone. You are loved! I can just imagine you throwing a beautiful shower too. Do you think you’ll ever go back into event planning? If so, I hope you would blog about it, I could use the tips.
Take care sweetie,
Kristi
Hi Rhoda-
What a beautiful event – pretty places, pretty packages, and pretty women in every scene. It looks like you had a wonderful time. Best wishes to Lauren and her soon to be hubby.
My best- Diane
What a beautiful bride to be. I remember you talking about your sweet neice Lauren over the years. How special this time will be for you and your family. Enjoy!
Blessings
Rhoda,
Your niece is simply lovely. Definite family resemblance there.
The shower looks so elegant and pretty.
Congratulations on the upcoming wedding.
I am thrilled to be the winner of your giveaway!
Now to choose from all of those delightful choices.
The online store is set up so well and everything is so unique.
Becky K.
Rhoda, what a delightful day for your family. Has anyone ever told you how much your niece looks like her lovely aunt???? Sure enjoyed the wedding shower photographs and look forward to the Wedding Day. I’m sure it you’ll make photos to share.
God Bless
Emily
[email protected]
The French Hutch
Hey Rhoda
Thank you for sharing this very special event. Your niece and her future husband seem so happy together. What a great moment in their lives! For us, 10 years after we got married, it’s also very exciting as we are planning a honeymoon we never had.
All the best to the young couple! It’s so nice they found each other.
Kinga
What a lovely shower and your family is just beautiful! Thanks for sharing all this with us and can’t wait for upcoming posts!!! XO, Pinky
Wow, what a beautiful family, you, your Mom, your Sister and Neice. She will indeed be a beautiful bride.
Rhoda, that looks like it was one fun event. Your niece looks so much like you.
Come by for a Shabby Apple dress give away. 🙂
Gosh, this post brought back so many memories of Bree’s showers and the excitement of her wedding last May.
Great photos. Congrats to Lauren and Phillip.
Hugs,
Kat
Oh what fun! I love weddings and showers and happy couples. I can’t wait to see more. I’m hoping you’ll be sharing the wedding with us!
What a beautiful family! Congrats to your niece, and I hope you enjoy every moment of this exciting time in their lives!!
It’s funny hearing that her fiance loves mid-century while she has different taste. When my boyfriend and I first met I was sure I was hardcore mid-century, as was he. He still is, but after blogging and discovering my design tastes more I realize that my taste often is the polar opposite of his!
I think your niece looks like she’d be your daughter. Do you have any pictures of yourself at her age?
Rhoda,
What a great time you had. Your family and the family of the groom are all great looking folks. From the pictures, I can tell that Lauren adores her Aunt too!
Best wishes to the happy couple!
Enjoy this time with them.
Blessings,
Kathy