A Weekend Before “I Do”

The weekend started with a car full of laughter, music, and the kind of excitement that only comes when a big life moment is just around the corner. Eight girls, overnight bags stuffed with outfits and snacks, and one very special reason for the trip—we were heading to New Braunfels to celebrate Viktoria’s bachelorette weekend. The drive itself already felt like part of the adventure. Between missed turns, one of us always asking if we were “almost there,” and spontaneous sing-alongs to songs we only half remembered the lyrics to, the energy in the car never faded. When we finally arrived at the Airbnb, the place immediately filled with life. Bags were dropped, rooms were claimed, and everyone scattered around the house exploring like kids on a field trip. Julia had done an amazing job booking the place—it was cozy, welcoming, and perfect for a weekend of chaos and celebration. Once we settled in, the first adventure of the weekend began almost immediately. Before the sun dipped too low, Viktoria, Adrienne, and Julia decided to head out for a canoe ride on the river. It was the kind of peaceful Texas evening that makes you slow down for a moment. The water moved gently, the sky slowly changing colors as the sun lowered toward the horizon. While the rest of us stayed back at the house to decorate, they got a quiet moment on the water—one last calm adventure before the full bachelorette festivities really kicked in. And once the sun went down, the night officially began. After getting ready and piling into cars, we headed out to Moonshine & Ale, where the energy of the weekend really came alive. The music was loud, the dance floor was full, and the whole place felt like it was buzzing with excitement. Viktoria looked absolutely glowing the entire night—laughing, dancing, and soaking in every second of it. There’s something special about watching your best friend celebrate a moment like that. It wasn’t just a night out—it was a celebration of everything leading up to the biggest day of her life. By the time we made it back to the Airbnb later that night, the energy hadn’t slowed down much. Conversations carried on in the kitchen, people were still laughing about things that had happened at the bar, and the whole house felt alive with the kind of joy that only happens when a group of friends are completely comfortable around each other. Saturday brought another round of adventures. One of the highlights of the weekend was visiting Natural Bridge Caverns. Walking down into the cave felt like stepping into another world. The air was cool, the ceilings stretched high above us in winding stone formations, and every corner revealed something incredible carved by time. Some of the girls decided to take on the ropes course nearby, while Allison and I explored the caves and took everything in. Later that afternoon, we went to dinner at The Gristmill. Sitting out on the patio overlooking the river felt like the perfect Texas afternoon. The food was great, the conversation even better, and when a light sprinkle of rain started to fall, the staff kindly moved us under better cover. Instead of ruining the moment, it made everyone laugh as we shuffled around and continued our conversations like nothing had happened. But honestly, some of the best memories of the weekend happened late at night. The spontaneous Whataburger run. Half the group was exhausted while the other half somehow still had energy left. We piled into cars, laughing about the night and grabbing burgers and fries like we hadn’t eaten all day. Back at the Airbnb, the night continued with Cards Against Humanity, which quickly turned into the kind of laughter where everyone is trying to catch their breath between rounds. Those were the moments that made the weekend unforgettable. Not just the planned adventures. But the quiet river before sunset, the dancing at Moonshine & Ale, the caves, the late-night Whataburger run, and the ridiculous card game jokes that somehow kept getting funnier. By Sunday, none of us were quite ready to leave. Bags were packed a little slower, hugs lasted a little longer, and everyone kept saying the same thing: “We have to do this again.” But this wasn’t just another girls’ trip. It was the weekend before Viktoria says “I do.” And being there for those memories—the loud ones, the quiet ones, and everything in between—was something none of us will ever forget.