>> gulf shores

We just returned home from the best. trip. ever. We went to Gulf Shores, AL to watch some friends of ours get married, but we also got to do some outlet shopping and beach lounging. When we booked our hotel, we basically went with the most affordable option with the highest rating. We had no idea we were going to be staying in the cutest, most elegant bed and breakfast, Hotel Magnolia.

It was about an 11-hour drive for us, but we still had time to meet up with everyone (the bride, groom, and their bridal party) for dinner at Lulu's, which is an awesome restaurant/outdoor party area right by the water. We ate at colorful picnic tables under a pavilion, surrounded by live music, volleyball, and various outdoor activities on the sand.

The next day, Friday, was Leslie's and my day to do whatever we liked. So we started the morning off with our complimentary breakfast downstairs. This was a pleasant experience, with only one other older lady downstairs eating at the same time as us and old Frank Sinatra style music playing softly in the background.

After breakfast, we hit up the biggest Tanger Outlet Mall I've ever seen. We probably didn't make it to half the stores because we only had this one day to squeeze in shopping and the beach, but we both found some pretty exciting merch. Then we went to Walmart for snacks, went back to the hotel to change and grab the beach bag, then headed to the ocean.

We laid out, played in the water, and people watched. It was hot, but so relaxing and beautiful. After the beach, we stopped by a souvenier shop and got some t-shirts then headed back to our room to get cleaned up. We wanted to eat somewhere special for dinner, and decided on a place in Orange Beach called Cotton's, which was described as "Seafood and steaks in a wood-paneled, 1950s former beach house with water views." It did not disappoint! There was live music downstairs, and Leslie enjoyed crab legs while I ordered the catch of the day fish, which turned out to be grouper. The food was great, but y'all, the frozen margaritas were T.D.F.

>> heading out to dinner<<

>>best margarita ever<<

Saturday was all about the beach wedding! We slept in a little then got ready to go. We drove to Dauphin Island, and in doing so had to go over the craziest bridge...

The island was beautiful, and the wedding was set on the beach outside some condos. It was so sweet to see our good friends get married.

The reception was in the clubhouse room of the condo building, and we had fun dancing and eating. Afterwards, we went back and changed before meeting the bride, groom and wedding party at The Pink Pony in Gulf Shores where we watched some pretty killer karaoke. 

We drove home all day yesterday, and I haven't been able to stop reminiscing about the beautiful ocean and the fun we had the short time we were there. I'm already dreaming of going back!