Mrs. Sylvia Flanagan (a very close family friend) hosted my Bridesmaids’ Luncheon this past Saturday at a lovely little tea room in Woodstock called “Tea Leaves and Thyme”.  It was so much fun!  All of my bridesmaids and flower girls were there, along with a few family members.  I passed out a few gifts to them all as a token of appreciation for being in the wedding.  We had a sweet little lunch, tea, and wore fun hats!  Mrs. Sylvia went above and beyond with the details, gifts, and a gorgeous tea set!  It means so much to me to be surrounded by wonderful and cherished friends and family….

Yesterday, I was given a shower by four ladies at church (Karen Carp, Cindy Smith, Ginger Tumlin, and Carole Scroggins). It was a sweet shower and we received some really wonderful gifts! It was a brunch (10:00 am) and the food was delicious! The cake was so cute…it looked like a toaster and it said “Let’s Toast the Bride!”. I had a wonderful time and I really appreciate everyone that came and spent time with me!

This past Friday evening we had a little “bachelorette’s night out”…we had so much fun! Natalie, Linda, Jennifer, Brandy, Candy, and I all went to Brio Tuscan Grille in Buckhead. I had to wear dress up beaded necklaces, dress up chandelier earrings, and a dress up tiara with a veil attached. I gave all the girls (wish Tiffany could have been here) a baseball cap that said “bridesmaid” (Natalie’s said “Maid of Honor”). We strolled right in to Brio and into The Cheesecake Factory with our attire on! We all had SUCH a good time together that night! They were all so sweet, paying for my meal and dessert…Yummy!

This past Saturday, we had a shower that involved both sides of our family.  It was held at my Aunt Jennifer’s lovely home and it was so much fun!  The shower was given by my Aunt Jennifer, my cousin Kristi, and my Aunt Diane.  They did a wonderful job with the food and the games!  It was really special to have both sides of our families meet and spend time together.  All of the bridesmaids were there, too.  I had a such a great time and we both really appreciate all the wonderful gifts that everyone brought for us!

Our wedding invitations were sent out last week and most people have received them by now.  The time is really dwindling down now and I can’t wait until that special day arrives!

Yesterday evening my mom, four bridesmaids (Natalie, Brandy, Candy, and Jennifer) and I had an “invitation assembly line” going on!  It took all six of us about 3 1/2 hours straight to get it done, but they are ready and will be mailed this week!  Shane–you’re stuck now, mister!  Hehe…just kidding!

I had my very first bridal shower this past Saturday! My matron of honor Natalie and her mom Vickie hosted a Southern Living at Home shower for me at the Church Street Tea Garden.
What a sweet little place!  I’d never been there but would really recommend it, especially for showers!  It was a brunch from 10:00 to 12:00. We had scones, peach tea, fruit, and chicken salad sandwiches.  We had such a great turn-out of people (around 30) and I had the most wonderful time.  It meant SO much to me to be surrounded by all these women (and Shane) that I cherish.  If you were there, thank you so much for choosing to share this blessed time with me.  I truly love all of the gifts you ordered for me from my wishlist!  It’s such a blessing to have such wonderful friends and family!

Completing the address list has been quite the job.  I had no idea what an undertaking this was going to be.  I feel like a secretary for myself!  Ha!  That and filling up my calendar with showers and other important dates has pretty much been my life lately.   My first shower is next Saturday (July 29- the day before we go see Rascal Flatts, yippeee!).  Natalie, my maitron of honor, and her mother are hosting it at the Church Street Tea Garden.  That sounds so sweet…I’ve never been, but it truly seems like a neat place to have a shower.  This is going to be my Southern Living Shower and I’ve got my wishlist all ready to go.  I’m excited about having my first shower…I think I’ll truly begin to feel like a bride!!  Mom and I are making a trip to Atlanta tomorrow to make a few more wedding purchases–busy, busy (but I’m really trying to enjoy the whole thing!)

Mom and I went to “The Velvet Box” yesterday and ordered the wedding invitations (and miscellaneous other items).  That took about 2 1/2 hours to get everthing chosen, worded correctly, written out, and ordered.  I love the invitations and I can’t wait to see how they turn out!  We also went to “Write on Main” and chose a couple of cute invitations that we are thinking about using for  the rehearsal dinner.  That is the cutest, most creative store!  I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for invitations, announcements, stationery, etc…in the future!

Well, it’s been a little while.  Things have just been crazy with the end of the school year and other stuff, so I’ve got to play a little bit of “catch up”.  My mom and I (my cohort in this whole wedding planning escapade…) went and met with the lady that will be making the bridesmaids’ dresses a few weeks back.  All three of us went to the store and picked out a pattern and the fabric that I liked.  The dress is so simple ( chocolate brown, a-line, strapless, t-length, with a sash), it just seemed like it would be much more affordable for the dresses to be made!  I think they are going to turn out great!

Mama and I also went to meet with the ladies that are doing the flowers.  This was one of the most fun things I’ve done so far (well, except for the dress of course!).  I love flowers and choosing types, styles, colors, arrangements, and so on was really great!  I am using mostly gerber daisies and roses in deep beautiful fall colors.  I can’t wait to see how this all turns out!

Shane and I will be doing our engagement photos here in a couple of weeks.  Victoria is going to shoot pictures of us in Rome on Broad Street and at  Berry College.  I know that she will be able to do some really cool shots in both locations!  She and I are also both very excited because some strings have been pulled and we are going to be able to do my Bridal portraits at the lovely Barnsley Gardens.  Ooh la la!!

Plans, plans, plans…

We have booked a DJ, a violinist, and a harpist.  I can’t wait to hear all of the wonderful music from these individuals that I know will really just add to our wonderful day!  Yippee!

Wahoo!  My wedding dress came in so much earlier than we had anticipated!  I went straight to Brides and Belles to try it on.  That was fun.  I really love that dress and I can’t wait for everyone to see it! 

Well, I just thought that I would make a quick little entry here. Just incase you haven’t notice, Shane has beat me to the chase of making entries on recent events! Haha…So far, I am loving making all of these plans. The photographer hunt was a little tedious, but well worth it. Mrs. DeLoach is already calling me with fun ideas for photo ops! I love it! Okay, registering was just so much fun (well, Bed Bath and Beyond was…hehe). I’m looking forward to going to Target and finishing it up even though the bulk of it is at Bed Bath and Beyond. The resort seems like it is just going to be amazing. I saw a show today on the Travel Channel about Maui and it just made me all the more excited! Woohoo….this is all fun!

I’ve always dreamed of the day when I would get to be a bride….and not just always a bridesmaid!  Hehe…I’ve always loved weddings, ever since I was a little girl and now the time has come to plan it!  I’ve been named a bridesmaid a few times now and I always felt so cherished when a friend asked me to stand by their side on one of the most important days of their life, so I do hope the following ladies will feel the same way:

Matron of Honor: Natalie Adams- Natalie and I have been friends for years.  We used to live practically next door to one another and we’ve been through a lot.  She’s a true friend and I love her to pieces…

Bridesmaids:

Candy Shook

Brandi Black

Linda Tinney

Jennifer Williams

Tiffany Miller

Flower Girls:

Haley Grace Shook (she will be four)

Maggie Shook (she will be two)

Lindsay Miller (she will be two)

Reghan and Reese Black (twins who will be three)

Reilly Black will be five and he will do the honors of being our little ring bearer.