While preparing to leave work and begin the start of a fun-filled weekend, Joi (a BFF & Patrick's sister) asked me to go and look at some gowns at the boutique where she found her wedding gown. Although I had not planned to go looking at gowns on a Friday afternoon, she stated that there was a gown that had my name written all over it!
We arrived at the bridal boutique, where luckily, Joi squeezed us in on the appointment book. The assistants were very attentive and seemed extremely interested in the details of my wedding in order to assist me in my search for the perfect gown.
After being escorted to the dressing room, the bridal attendant entered with a gown. I adhered to her instructions and did not peek in the mirror before stepping out onto the bridal floor "stage." I'm so glad I did! What a gorgeous gown! I said to myself, "And here we go again...falling in love with the first gown I try on." This is exactly what happened at the first bridal boutique I visited. We continued to try on gown after gown, but nothing came close to encompassing all of the classic, southern elegance that the first gown captured (although I did find a runner-up gown to the first choice.)
As every bride knows, it takes time to finally "say yes to the dress," but when you do...and it lingers in your mind, you know you've made the right choice. So, I am down to a total of two #1 picks and two #2 picks at the boutiques I have visited thus far.
Here's to "Happy Dress Hunting!"
Friday, September 24, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Bridal Basics #101
The day after the engagement, while I was basking in the glory of being a shiny, new "bride-to-be," Patrick's beloved sister (and one of my besties), Joi, wasted no time in providing me with the necessary materials every future bride needs: bridal magazines! She came armed with a variety of magazines, calendars, sample china settings, bags, etc. I was now ready for "headpiece-to-garter" battle against the wedding that had yet to be planned.
Although I have been a part of weddings since I was old enough to smile and wave, being an actual "bride-to-be" is literally the icing on top of a 5-tier wedding cake!
Of course, as a girl, everyone has their own special "wedding in their head." But, in reality, when the moment arrives, that "dream vision of your wedding" no longer consists of a Barbie pink princess gown and matching tiara with a 20ft train and 10 attendants to carry the thing down the aisle!
I'll admit that I, as well as every other girl I know, have longed for the moment to plan my special day. Now, the moment has arrived (and I've finally snapped out of shock!), I am learning what I call the "Bridal Basics!" Since I wasn't the girl who had a secret stash of wedding magazines or a dream board covered in color swatches and diamond ring cut-outs, I'm starting from scratch!
So, here's to this journey to wedded bliss with my handsome husband to be. May the good Lord keep me from drowning in fondant and tulle along the way. ;-)
- Blessed Bride To Be
Although I have been a part of weddings since I was old enough to smile and wave, being an actual "bride-to-be" is literally the icing on top of a 5-tier wedding cake!
Of course, as a girl, everyone has their own special "wedding in their head." But, in reality, when the moment arrives, that "dream vision of your wedding" no longer consists of a Barbie pink princess gown and matching tiara with a 20ft train and 10 attendants to carry the thing down the aisle!
I'll admit that I, as well as every other girl I know, have longed for the moment to plan my special day. Now, the moment has arrived (and I've finally snapped out of shock!), I am learning what I call the "Bridal Basics!" Since I wasn't the girl who had a secret stash of wedding magazines or a dream board covered in color swatches and diamond ring cut-outs, I'm starting from scratch!
So, here's to this journey to wedded bliss with my handsome husband to be. May the good Lord keep me from drowning in fondant and tulle along the way. ;-)
- Blessed Bride To Be
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Wowzers! I'm engaged!
Wowzers! I'm engaged!
Before the engagement, I thought that I knew exactly when it would happen and how I would react when Patrick decided to propose. Boy, was I wrong! Patrick's timing, preparation and overall execution threw me for a complete loop. What I thought was a girls night out turned into an evening of modern day enchantment!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14TH --
Originially, I was under the assumption that I was gearing up for a fantastic dinner date with my lovely gal pals of "TG!" For about a week, we were emailing restaurant suggestions, times, attire, etc. (as we always do.) We finally decided to dine at one of my favorite restaurants, Taki Japanese Steakhouse in Dunwoody.
About an hour before arrival time, Patrick's sister & one of my besties, Joi Reed, said that she would just swing by and pick me up since the restaurant is literally next door to my apartment. Free ride?! Of course! After Joi's arrival, we proceeded to the restaurant and were greeted by my gorgeous gaggle of girlfriends who were all decked out in their stilletto-stompin', summer chic swag (as usual for us!)
The hostess promptly seated us at our reserved table. During this time, we did our usual "catch-up/updates" chit chat while we placed orders for our beverages. All of a sudden, the sounds of the Asian-fusion melodies were replaced by the soft vocals of Jamie Foxx's "When I First Saw You" from the movie, "Dreamgirls." I look over to my friend, Jennifer Thompson, and we start to talk about how much we love this song and the movie...all the while I'm thinking silently,"This is one of me and Honey's songs...it's his ringtone for me." *insert girly blush here*
Then, Jamar Bell, one of Patrick's childhood friends begins to approach our table. I look up and in shock reply, "Jamar! What're you doing here?!" Mind you, I'm still totally clueless as to what is going on. He proceeds to hand me a beautiful bouquet of callie lillies and begins to read a message about the initial courtship between Patrick and I. *insert lightbulb* I began to realize what was happening. Jamar was followed by Tim Goodwell, another childhood friend of Patrick's, with another beautiful bouquet of flowers (yellow roses this time!) Tim recited another message from Patrick. Markeil Davis, another friend of Patrick's, then entered and in the same fashion, handed me another arrangement of roses (pink roses!) and a note from Patrick. After Markeil, Sherrod and Val Pritchett, friends of ours, entered with the last rose bouquet (red roses!) and another note from Patrick.
Then, in true Prince Charming form, my Honey strolls down the aisle holding a small box in his hand. He proceeds to take my hand and escorts me up from my seat. Patrick then begins to kneel down on one knee and shares an intimate passage with me before asking me to become his wife. He opens the box and the stunning diamond ring inside sends my eyes into overdrive! At this point, I muster up enough mental clarity to close my jaw-dropped mouth and accept my darling's proposal with a "yes" and an internal "thank you, God."
After the proposal, we were greeted by our family and friends, who were anxiously awaiting in a private dining room of the restaurant. My parents, Patrick's parents, and other friends greeted us as we sat down and prepared for dinner. During dinner, the house band serenaded Patrick and I with the song, "Love Will Keep Us Alive" and I was given a beautiful set of pearl earrings and a signature keepsake photo by Patrick's mother, Mrs. Reed.
Still very excited and in the moment, we finished dinner and began to leave the restaurant. Patrick stated that he wanted me to ride over to his home with my parents. I agreed. Once we entered the house, I was greeted by a "Congratulations Patrick and Angela" banner displayed on the fireplace mantle, adorned by wedding bell balloons on either side. Our Husky, Isis, was dressed in the cutest pink shirt with the words, "Mom said YES" on the back...a special present from Patrick's sister, Joi! A delicious cake and glasses of sparkling grape juice awaited us in the kitchen. Toasts from family and friends followed as the night came to a wonderful close.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14TH --
Originially, I was under the assumption that I was gearing up for a fantastic dinner date with my lovely gal pals of "TG!" For about a week, we were emailing restaurant suggestions, times, attire, etc. (as we always do.) We finally decided to dine at one of my favorite restaurants, Taki Japanese Steakhouse in Dunwoody.
About an hour before arrival time, Patrick's sister & one of my besties, Joi Reed, said that she would just swing by and pick me up since the restaurant is literally next door to my apartment. Free ride?! Of course! After Joi's arrival, we proceeded to the restaurant and were greeted by my gorgeous gaggle of girlfriends who were all decked out in their stilletto-stompin', summer chic swag (as usual for us!)
The hostess promptly seated us at our reserved table. During this time, we did our usual "catch-up/updates" chit chat while we placed orders for our beverages. All of a sudden, the sounds of the Asian-fusion melodies were replaced by the soft vocals of Jamie Foxx's "When I First Saw You" from the movie, "Dreamgirls." I look over to my friend, Jennifer Thompson, and we start to talk about how much we love this song and the movie...all the while I'm thinking silently,"This is one of me and Honey's songs...it's his ringtone for me." *insert girly blush here*
Then, Jamar Bell, one of Patrick's childhood friends begins to approach our table. I look up and in shock reply, "Jamar! What're you doing here?!" Mind you, I'm still totally clueless as to what is going on. He proceeds to hand me a beautiful bouquet of callie lillies and begins to read a message about the initial courtship between Patrick and I. *insert lightbulb* I began to realize what was happening. Jamar was followed by Tim Goodwell, another childhood friend of Patrick's, with another beautiful bouquet of flowers (yellow roses this time!) Tim recited another message from Patrick. Markeil Davis, another friend of Patrick's, then entered and in the same fashion, handed me another arrangement of roses (pink roses!) and a note from Patrick. After Markeil, Sherrod and Val Pritchett, friends of ours, entered with the last rose bouquet (red roses!) and another note from Patrick.
Then, in true Prince Charming form, my Honey strolls down the aisle holding a small box in his hand. He proceeds to take my hand and escorts me up from my seat. Patrick then begins to kneel down on one knee and shares an intimate passage with me before asking me to become his wife. He opens the box and the stunning diamond ring inside sends my eyes into overdrive! At this point, I muster up enough mental clarity to close my jaw-dropped mouth and accept my darling's proposal with a "yes" and an internal "thank you, God."
After the proposal, we were greeted by our family and friends, who were anxiously awaiting in a private dining room of the restaurant. My parents, Patrick's parents, and other friends greeted us as we sat down and prepared for dinner. During dinner, the house band serenaded Patrick and I with the song, "Love Will Keep Us Alive" and I was given a beautiful set of pearl earrings and a signature keepsake photo by Patrick's mother, Mrs. Reed.
Still very excited and in the moment, we finished dinner and began to leave the restaurant. Patrick stated that he wanted me to ride over to his home with my parents. I agreed. Once we entered the house, I was greeted by a "Congratulations Patrick and Angela" banner displayed on the fireplace mantle, adorned by wedding bell balloons on either side. Our Husky, Isis, was dressed in the cutest pink shirt with the words, "Mom said YES" on the back...a special present from Patrick's sister, Joi! A delicious cake and glasses of sparkling grape juice awaited us in the kitchen. Toasts from family and friends followed as the night came to a wonderful close.
Patrick's proposal totally surprised me! It is a night that I will truly never forget.
 |
| The question of a lifetime... |
 |
| Yes! I accept! |
 |
| The newly engaged couple! |
 |
| Our princess, Isis! Her shirt says, "Mom said yes!" |
And this, ladies and gentlemen, was the "birth" of The Blessed Bride!
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