Inside One Bride's "PJ and DJ" Prewedding Party in Dallas, Texas

“There’s nothing better than having a sleepover with your best girls...even if you’re in your early 20s,” says Anne Kathryn (Annie) Trevino (24, works in public relations). Before her May 6, 2023, wedding to Robert (Bobby) DiTullio (24, an outside sales representative) in Houston, Annie hosted a “pink disco” slumber party with her bridesmaids. The prewedding bridesmaid luncheon is common in the South, but Annie wanted to mix up the tradition with a low-key girls’ night.

In keeping with the childhood nostalgia associated with sleepovers, Annie hosted the May 4th event at her parents’ home in Beaumont, Texas (with limousine transportation on hand to pamper the gals). The inspiration for the unique event was to start the weekend on a relaxed note. “I thought it would be more enjoyable to do something casual and fun the night before the rehearsal dinner, rather than being rushed that morning and forced into wearing yet another cocktail dress and heels,” explains Annie.

Since the entire party was so novel, the sky was truly the limit when it came to planning everything from decor to entertainment. As a contrast to the classic aesthetic of the wedding day, Annie leaned into a feminine scheme of “iridescence, sparkles and shades of pink.” To invite her besties to the “PJ and DJ party,” Annie designed a boxed mailer containing a pearl-bordered pink card resting on a bed of feathers, plus a pink satin sleep mask. Pink balloons greeted the crew upon arrival at Annie’s parents’ home. Inside, beds were arranged in rows under a canopy of fairy lights.

Music was a key element of the pajama party. A DJ spun tunes throughout the night, ranging from hip-hop and disco to country and Broadway hits. “Dancing Queen,” by ABBA, was a fan favorite.

While most of the night was focused on Annie, the bride creatively included her fiancé in the party as well. In the backyard, a bar setup with a Vespa scooter nodded to Bob- by’s Italian heritage. She offered a variety of cocktails, including a prosecco sip with raspberry liqueur and a blackberry vodka drink topped with sparkling water. Inside, a picnic-style meal awaited guests with a menu of Annie’s favorite dishes. Attendees enjoyed Parmesan-crusted chicken salad, pimento cheese sandwiches, Kahlua brownies and heart-shaped almond sugar cookies.

Food and beverages were just one highlight from the nostalgic night. “The most special moment was all of us acting like teenagers again, dancing around the living room without a care in the world,” recalls Annie.