pre- [pree]
prefix meaning "before," "prior to," etc.

A wedding these days, as huge an event as it is in and of itself, is certainly not the only celebration that recognizes the imminent union. There are numerous "pre-parties" that occur long before the bride and groom say, "I do," long before that first dance as husband and wife, long before the final check has been written to every vendor on the list. Yes, there are other parties before THE PARTY; and they differ in every aspect except for the celebrant(s).

THE WEDDING/BRIDAL SHOWER

A shower is the casual gathering of relatives and friends in celebration of the engaged couple. The soon-to-be bride and groom are essentially "showered" with gifts and good wishes. It's a way for wedding guests to be pre-acquainted and a way to spend some time and have fun with the couple in a not-so-hectic setting.

Iya and Chris' wedding shower was set in Italy; red and white gingham tablecloths covered round tables topped with baskets of Martinelli's Sparkling cider, candy-coated almonds (an Italian traditional giveaway), grapevines and breadsticks. The ambiance was sealed by famous Italians singing from Joe and Riann's Ipods.
We feasted on pasta, chicken marsala, and gelato. We played games, won prizes, talked, laughed and rejoiced in honor of Iya and Chris' upcoming wedding.

It was truly a family affair, not only with the couple's relatives, but with their friends (and their friends' parents!) with whom Chris and Iya have grown to call their own. My parents have known Rochelle's parents since we were 5, and have known Iya's parents since we were 12. Having seen us through so many milestones in life, they all beamed at the thought of witnessing another.

THE BACHELORETTE PARTY

Last weekend I spent, not 24, but 21 hours in Las Vegas to celebrate Terry's last few weeks as a single gal. I've known Terry since high school, we were college roommates, and except for the distance that separates us physically, not much has changed. She is still the funloving, kooky girl who used to cook us korean barbeque for dinner and the very same one who had stacks and stacks of navy blue sweatshirts in her closet.

The goal that weekend was not only to give Terry a good time, but to "whore it up" while we were at it. Hahaha! After day of swimming, we played games in the hotel room (we stayed at the Mirage), watched Ter amp up her lingerie collection, got dressed and then headed to the Grand Luxe Cafe at the Venetian for dinner.

Then it was off to Tao for a seemingly endless night of drinking and dancing. That IS what bachelorette parties are known for after all.

Our bottle service not only provided us with a tabletop of drinks and fruit, but allowed us our very own spot to hang out and chill. I can't remember exactly WHAT kind of alcohol we had and WHAT types of juices we had to work with, but I do remember that some random guy tried to feed Chary one of those strawberries. Hahaha!

Cile, with her habit of taking off her shoes when we party, had to go to the bathroom and was in such a hurry to put on some shoes, that she failed to wear a matching pair! HAHAHAHA!!! When she and I got to the bathroom, I looked down and seriously laughed my booty off.

When hands are in the air, you KNOW people are having a good time. Plus, check out the expression on Gwennie's face! HAHAHA!

Here's Cile...done got caught. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

23 hot chicks partying in Sin City to celebrate the last days of a fellow female... dangerous but oh so necessary...

So what've we learned here, kids? Wedding Shower: Come one, come all. Bachelorette Party: Ladies leave your man (and your family) at home. After these small gatherings take place, come the mother of all...