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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 “A lot of brides might have focused on themselves, wanting their bridesmaids or their moms to do everything for them. Not Catherine Ann,” says Elizabeth. “Despite it being her wedding morning, she was still focusing on everyone else, making sure the bridesmaids had enough food, et cetera, and she extended that focus to her mom.” makeup done yet because there would have been mascara streaming down my face! It was such a fun time being able to spend those last few hours with Catherine Ann before she finally became a Bundy.” It was mom Lisa who coordinated a fes- tive brunch to carry everyone through to the cocktail hour. With help from Sue and Corinne, chicken salad, hummus, cheeses, crackers, fruit salad, and sweets were set up in the kitchen of the bridal suite, along with plenty of bottled water to keep everyone hydrated. Replacing the more traditional mimosa was a light strawberry lemon cock- tail, combining Catherine Ann’s favorite fla- vors. Wanting to set the proper mood, the bride-to-be created a special morning play- list. “I think my favorite part of the morning was seeing Catherine Ann’s reaction when she looked in the mirror after her hair and makeup were done,” says bridesmaid Morgan Jenkins. “She kept repeating, ‘I look so beautiful!’ which she did. She was smiling and screaming, and it was a moment I’ll never forget.” “I’m pretty high energy, so I wanted to play music that would be fun and relaxing,” Catherine Ann said. Some of her favorites were “What a Time” by Julia Michaels and “Only Want You” by Rita Ora. A special moment of the morning was when Elizabeth gave Catherine Ann a scrap- book full of photos and messages from the bridesmaids, friends, and family members who are important in her life. “I was never expecting Elizabeth to put together the book,” Catherine Ann says. “That changed the whole morning. I am so sentimental, and the book was really about my whole life with my bridesmaids, my friends, and my family. Everyone spending the time do what they did really made my day.” As the bridesmaids’ dresses were being steamed, the morning was full of laughter as the girls recounted their favorite sto- “That was one of my most favorite parts of the morning,” says bridesmaid Erin McGrath. “I was thankful I hadn’t had my ries with the bride. “Catherine Ann and I met through Stefan at Georgia College and State University,” says bridesmaid Sammie Baker. “He lived on the floor below mine in the dorm. The year before she started GCSU, Catherine Ann came down to visit Stefan. We all got together, and we’ve been best friends ever since!” The morning passed quickly, and by 1:15, the entire wedding party were on their way to Summerour for pictures. By 5, Catherine Ann was preparing to walk down the aisle, escorted by her father, Steve Parker. By the end of the evening, all the efforts that went into the celebration of her marriage had cre- ated the ceremony and reception that she and Stefan had envisioned. But the memory of her morning with her bridesmaids is one she still holds dear. town bride TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020 | 13