"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!" :: My Bachelorette Bash!

Girls just wanna have fun, right?!  And a whole lot of fun is what we had on the eve of my bachelorette bash!  My Atlanta bridesmaids did a stellar job at making sure there was plenty of food, fun, and laughter throughout the evening!  The night's theme was "Sex and the City!" 

 



"Sex and the City" cupcakes!  *TBB favorite!*



 

The cute animal print glasses as favors for each guest!  *TBB favorite!*

The "marshmellow game!" My face says it all!



Wedding Pictionary - type game!

"The Dream Team"





Yes, that's me cracking up on the floor!!

"TG" a.k.a. The Atlanta Bridesmaids! :-)

"Showered in Southern Fashion" :: A 'Belle' of a Bridal Shower

                                                             A Sweet Southern Affair

"Well, I do declare!" :-)

Sweet, southern elegance filled the air as I was greeted at a bridal shower hosted by my future in-laws.  As any true southern woman knows, hats are a must-have staple in the south.  The larger, the better!  And as a lover of hats, the host committee decided to incorporate hats into the bridal shower theme.

Upon making my entrance into the beautifully decorated venue, I was greeted by my future mother-in-law, Mrs. Patti Reed, in addition to my future aunt-in-law, Mrs. Peggy Russell, and my future 'honorary' aunt, Mrs. Shelton Wright.  After initial greetings, I was presented with a white, lace-trimmed accordian fan.  (Another must-have staple!)

As I entered the venue, I was welcomed by my future sister-in-law, Mrs. Joi Fairell, in addition to my host of bridesmaids, who all looked simply fabulous in their hat and dress ensembles!  The bridal shower guests were each given an accordian fan to complete their southern belle ensembles.

Once the shower began, we participated in an ice breaker, which is similar to musical chairs, but instead of moving seat to seat, each guests passed along a bouquet.  This was such a fun game and allowed time for the guests to mingle and loosen up for the rest of the events.

After the ice breaker, lunch was served!  Fresh squeezed lemonade, fresh cut fruit arrangements, yellow and white frosted cupcake tiers, and the entree, which featured delicious chicken salad with finely chopped celery and walnuts, beautifully arranged in pineapple halves, topped with a strawberry.  The lunch was fantastic!  Every item was just as tasty as it was beautiful!

Once lunch was finished and a few more games were played, it was time to open the gifts.  The guests really outdid themselves to make certain my home would be equipped for marriage! :-)  I will definitely need to put my entertaining skills to work!  Each gift was a wonderful blessing to Patrick and I.

Many thanks to the host committee, who executed the affair with such poise and grace.  The southern elegance shower was truly an affair to remember!

Below are some photographs from the event:

The Belle of the Ball! :-)

The Real Bride/Bridesmaids of Atlanta! :-)

Special thanks to:

 - The host committee:  Mrs. Patti Reed, Mrs. Peggy Russell, Mrs. Joi Fairell, and Mrs. Shelton Wright

 - The Atlanta bridesmaids:  Ms. Ashley Scruggs, Ms. Kyla Clark, Ms. Jennifer Thompson, Ms. Stephanie Thompson, Ms. Tiffany Cadogan, and Mrs. Joi Fairell

 - The family and friends who attended to support the bride 



"A Labor of Love" :: Byrd-Reed Wedding Party Community Service Project

Patrick (my fiance') and I often express how blessed we are to have such a wonderful host of family and friends.  During our initial wedding party selection process, we wanted to make sure that our wedding party was a reflection of those members of our family and friends who have stood by our sides and will continue to stand with us for years to come.  This awesome group of people are truly a support system for us! 

So, you can imagine what a wonderful surprise we received when we were informed that our bridal party had organized a day of community service in honor of our upcoming nuptials!  Patrick and I both work in professions that afford us the opportunity to give back daily.  Thus, this community service project was a wonderful way to commemorate our upcoming wedding.

Home Stretch, the organization that we worked with, provides housing for families in the Fulton County (Georgia) area who have lost everything and need a new start.  Please visit Homestretch.org to find out ways that you can help!  It was such an amazing day of giving back!  We are truly blessed to bless again!



Home Stretch coordinator, Steve Watson



Taking a small break before getting back to work!



Chick-Fil-A breakfast provided by the wedding party!



Some of the crew!

Group shot!

Group shot #2!

My "Atlanta" bridesmaids and I!

"Showered with Love"

I was beyond elated when my coworker/sorority sister approached me and stated that she and host of other coworkers would like to honor me with a bridal shower!  Below are some images from the shower:

Special seating for the bride!

The laughter says it all!  I had a ball!

The ultimate "present opening" expression!

Reflections from the shower

Yes!  The multi-purpose cake dome/punch bowl!  A definite staple for every bridal registry!

Reading a card -- I am a card person!

The pretty and delicious cream cheese cake!  It was so good!

The entire process of wedding planning is definitely a "real deal" experience, but the feeling of being honored at my first shower was something truly "real!"  I've been so accustomed to planning the showers/attending showers that being the reason for the shower felt so...so...REAL!

I truly enjoyed being showered with love by my coworkers!  They blessed my fiance', Patrick, and I with love, well wishes, prayers and wonderful gifts!

The ring bling...does it really mean a thing?

20 carats?!  Yes, you read/hear right.  Recently, a reality personality found herself with this precious stone as an engagement ring from her basketball player fiance'.

As I inadvertently listened to various reports via television news/entertainment news shows, I wondered, "Where in the world did they mine that stone?!" 

Grant it, in my days, the largest diamond I have seen on a woman's finger was a 12 carat stone.  It appeared as a gigantic ice cube nestled on her finger!  No doubt it was stunning!!  But as I watched her walk away, (with her unmarked security), I wondered, "Is that a symbol of love or the woman's love of a symbol?"

But, this begs to ask the age old question:  Does the size of the bling matter??  Should you pitch in to 'assist' your beau in making sure you obtain the ring of your dreams?  Or should you accept what he felt was a true reflection of his love for you?

When you are truly in love, the size of the heart should matter most.  I remember my girlfriends and I would discuss love, marriage and relationships and use the phrase, "I'd marry him with a Cheerio!"  And for me, this phrase rang true!  Fortunately, my Honey dazzled me with quite a 'lucky charm!' ;-) *that fella, gotta love him!*

Would love to hear from you gals (and guys!) :-)