A Barbie-Pink-Meets-French-Toile Bridal Shower Featuring the Couple's Pets

Spending her childhood watching Anastasia, “Together in Paris” became a throughline for Morgan, and she finally got to visit the romantic city in 2022. Just a few months before, another fateful encounter took place: meeting her future husband on Hinge. She and Kenneth initially bonded over living in the same small New Jersey town, known for being the home of Six Flags. From there, the coincidences grew. “As we continued to talk, we learned that we only lived five minutes from one another, our grandfathers had raced horses together years ago, and that my grandmother was his aunt’s bus driver, whom she tried to set up with my uncle,” Morgan says. Their first date happened on Memorial Day at Asbury Park, beginning with coffee, then to the beach. “He asked me to be his girlfriend unknowingly on Flag Day, so we joke that we have a very patriotic relationship,” Morgan adds of their romance.

As a wedding photographer, Morgan is often surrounded by love stories, and while her own was unfolding, she took that memorable trip to Paris and wished Kenneth were there with her, enjoying the sights. Upon returning, their relationship blossomed and before long, they were buying a house together and planning a photo shoot in Central Park, not far from Kenneth’s workplace in Manhattan. Morgan had booked one of her favorite photographers, Cassi Claire, to capture the session. The initial June date got pushed back to September 21st, a happy fluke that reminded the bride-to-be of her favorite Earth, Wind and Fire song. While on the Bow Bridge taking pictures, Morgan says, “[Cassi] asked us to pick a favorite song to dance to, and [to] Ken's surprise, I did not pick September. I chose ‘Better Together’ by Luke Combs… He said, ‘I am glad that you chose this song because everything with us is truly better together, and this isn’t me, but I would do anything for you.’”

Morgan’s engagement ring from Verstolo in New York was both European and vintage, perfect for encapsulating her love of Paris. Naturally, hosting a Parisian-inspired wedding shower was a no-brainer for the future bride. With their wedding aesthetic leaning more feminine and revolving around pink hues, she says she took a slightly bolder approach for the bridal shower, adding: “I requested that every guest wear their favorite shade of pink in hopes that it would become a vibrant array of pink with some subtle bubbly pinks thrown in as well!” Their event planner at Vine and Oak took the “Together in Paris” vibes to the next level with a mix of personal touches and whimsical elements.

Their planner built a custom “les cafe des chats,” or cat cafe, in honor of the couple’s cat Monkey. During the shower, they even served a signature cocktail called the Mademoiselle Monkey’s French 75, with an accompanying menu of Monkey in royal garb. “She is so regal and grand that I thought what better way to feature her with this drink but have her painted in watercolor as a royal queen,” Morgan says. Though their cat was there in spirit, the nearlyweds’ chihuahua, Roo, made an actual appearance at the shower. Wearing a pink bow tie to match the color palette, guests enjoyed showering him with love throughout the festivities.

And for a playful Parisian twist, the centerpieces at the shower infused pink florals and fresh croissants from a local bakery, Bredenbecks. Guests could take home personalized macarons (in shades of pink, of course), and the decor took inspiration from the City of Love with light pink toile, golden accents and elegant blooms, like ranunculus in creamy whites and soft pinks. Another dessert option was the custom pearl cake with an edible bow, monogrammed with Morgan’s initial. Cassi Claire also captured this event, and photos from the couple’s relationship were placed around the venue in antique frames.  “Overall, I believe the shower complemented the wedding day inspiration while still standing alone as its own memorable theme,” the bride adds.

Unlike many bridal showers, both Kenneth and Morgan wanted the focus to be on their relationship, so his involvement included “he said, she said” games and other fun activities chronicling their journey. “The idea of celebrating our love story at an event without Ken was kind of terrifying to me in many ways,” Morgan says. “We are truly a team and do almost everything together.” He even chose a pink suit to fit the theme, and they spent the majority of the event making memories with both sides of the family and their friends, and meeting many of them for the first time.

Another main theme of the decor was Chanel, with a unique “guess the wedding day scent” game where guests had to figure out which perfume Morgan would be wearing for their May wedding. (The answer: Chanel’s Gabrielle.) And the love for Paris didn’t end there, with the couple planning their honeymoon in the City of Lights as their first trip there together. “I know that seeing this city I love so much will be as though I am seeing it for the first time as I hold his hand through the streets,” Morgan says.

One of the most important aspects of the day for the bride and groom was having this precious time with their nearest and dearest. She says, “What makes my wedding so important to me is seeing all of my loved ones and new family members in one room celebrating love.” Whether it’s the wedding shower or wedding day itself, the couple emphasizes that it can all go in the blink of an eye, so leaving room for the guests is a must. “Make sure you plan a day that allows you moments to soak in everything that is happening…[Plan] time to make sure you have private quiet moments alone, add a half hour to cocktail hour to mingle with guests, and add more time to the beginning of the day is so important,” they say.