kiss the miss goodbye

In a year when many have lost so much it’s difficult to give voice to the special occasions that have evaporated. Quietly everyone is grieving the loss of coming together and celebrating life’s milestones. How many times have we had to plan, cancel, regroup, and reboot? Virtual stand-ins have surely fallen flat. My heart sank a bit when my youngest decided to cancel her bachelorette party. What’s most important is that she is marrying her perfect match. And we’re keeping our fingers crossed her downsized wedding occurs in July. But the buildup of festive moments simply isn’t in the cards.

We knew it was time for the “I do” crew to look on the bride-side and find a way to throw her one final bash. My oldest daughter and I decided to pull out all the stops even if it meant just the three of us. Must say our small but mighty bride tribe had a blast planning this weekend affair.

Any party’s success is in the details. And those who love to entertain take pleasure in the planning and prep. Anticipation building up to the event can and should be fun. Most start with a reason or a theme. The MOH and MOB certainly had both. Here’s Molly’s Final Fiesta.

We kicked off the weekend with a celebratory bottle of bubbles.

In the morning gift bags awaited to help us get ready for the day.

It was bride time.

The MOB couldn’t have been prouder.

We headed up the mountain to Stone Eagle. The entire staff was amazing and helped us shower this bride-to-be with so much love.

After lunch and a slew of party games, the maid of honor toasted the bride with her piñata purse in hand.

The next morning was our designated “spa day”. Upon waking, soothing music filtered through the house and our spa attendant greeted us with terry cloth robes and glasses of cucumber infused sparkling water.

We each received an Oprah-worthy gift bag filled with all of the essentials for the day. 

After our facials and mani/pedi masks it was time for a lunch of tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, mimosas and confetti cupcakes. Because seriously- nothing says special like teeny tiny finger sandwiches. For the recipes click on this link tea sandwiches.

To make the chicken salad and arugula tea sandwiches I start with Boar’s Head EverRoast chicken from the deli. It’s the perfect roast chicken for this type of recipe. Just ask them to cut it into quarter-inch thick slices, then dice. Toss with finely chopped onion and celery and a light mixture of mayonnaise, whipped cream cheese, sherry and chopped parsley.

For the bread I went to my market’s bakery and picked up freshly baked loaves and had them slice the bread thin. Spread one slice with chicken salad, then cover with arugula. Top with a second slice of bread.

Cut off the crusts with a serrated knife. Slice each sandwich diagonally two times to create four triangular finger sandwiches.  All of these sandwiches can be made earlier in the day. After they are cut place back together and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Note that all of the components for the sandwiches can be made a day or two in advance, ensuring that you will have plenty of time to be at the party.

For the egg salad and watercress tea sandwiches. Top one slice of bread with egg salad and the other with watercress.

Cut off the crusts, then cut into fourths.

For the cucumber and radish tea sandwiches spread both slices with softened whipped cream cheese. On one side of the bread top with alternating rows of sliced cucumber and sliced radish. On the other sprinkle with chopped chives and a little lemon juice. 

Place together and cut off the crusts, then cut into fourths.

To round things out I made blini with smoked salmon. Simply top store-bought mini blini with a dollop of creme fraiche, top with a rosette of smoked salmon and a sprig of dill.

Place all on decorative serving plates.

Confetti cupcakes and Parisian macaroons made for a fun finish.

After lunch our cabana boys- Jerry, Alfred, and Chad made sure we were well cared for.

It goes without saying… the entire weekend was truly a memorable fling before the ring.