The Blessed Bride featured in Bridal Guide Magazine Online!

Take a look!  The Blessed Bride was recently featured in Bridal Guide Magazine Online!  Check out the article here:  http://www.bridalguide.com/fashion/bridal-party-fashion/mother-of-the-bride-dresses?page=0,3

Featured Love :: Thompson-Banks Wedding :: July Wedding Joy!

The Blessed Bride reintroduces you to Jennifer and Justin!  Readers met the couple a few months back during their engagement season, and now, the couple has tied the knot and are officially Mr. and Mrs. Banks!  Jennifer and Justin shared their wedded bliss with TBB...

Jennifer was born in Gary, Indiana on October 22, 1984 to Paula and Leon Thompson along with her twin sister, Stephanie. She has two younger brothers, Leon, II and Matthew. Jennifer graduated from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA with a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Technology in December 2007.  Her educational efforts continue as she recently began courses to complete a Masters in Business Administration degree, scheduled to be completed in 2013. She is currently employed as an Engineer with Scientific Research Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia and is a proud member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  Jennifer enjoys traveling, staying updated on news and current events, shopping, and spending time with Justin, family and friends.

Justin was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on October 3, 1983 to John and Samanthia Banks.  Justin has one sister, Sydney.  He completed a bachelor degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Georgia Southern University in May 2008. He is currently employed with the Georgia Department of Transportation in Atlanta, GA in the Bridge Design Department. He was recently promoted to Bridge Design Engineer 2.  Justin plans to obtain his EIT (Engineer in Training) in spring 2012 and pursue a master’s degree in the near future. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is a “Big Brother” with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta.  Justin enjoys traveling and going out in the city with Jennifer, P90X and Insanity workouts, and reading and studying African-American history.

Wedding Venue :: Villa Christina - Atlanta, Georgia

Bridal gown :: Modern Trousseau from Kelly's Closet - Atlanta, Georgia

The Bride :: Taking in the view

The Bride & Bridesmaids :: The bridesmaids wore Lula Kate dresses (Bella Bridesmaids, Atlanta) in coral, accenting the fresh floral bouquet perfectly!

The Bride :: The beautiful bride descending the staircase

The Bride & Bridesmaids :: The bridesmaids wore Lula Kate dresses (Bella Bridesmaids, Atlanta) in coral, accenting the fresh floral bouquet perfectly!  The bride's twin sister, Stephanie (bride's left), was the maid of honor.

Mother of the Bride :: The mother of the bride wore a beautiful two-piece ensemble in dark periwinkle.  The color coordinated beautifully with the colors of the floral bouquets. :: Treasures Formals - Roswell, Georgia

The ring :: The bride was surprised by her groom with a gorgeous new setting!

The Groom & Groomsmen :: The gentlemen wore khaki single-button tuxedos with coral vest and bowtie accents.  The groom doned ivory. :: Savvi Formalwear

Beautiful colors fill this floral arrangement!  Accented with an ivory ribbon, these arrangements made the perfect chair markers.

The Beautiful Bride

The Bride making her way to the ceremony with her bouquet in tow

The Ceremony :: Floral petals adorned the side of the stone pathway.  Guests were shaded from the sun with large, white umbrella coverings.

Ceremony details :: Ceremony Program

Father of the Bride :: Walking down the aisle...

Mr. and Mrs. Justin A. Banks!

Wedding Cake :: The beautiful 5-tiered ivory wedding cake was adorned with pearl accents and the "B" insignia atop the cake.

Guests surrounded the couple with a cheerful sparkler sendoff!

The Wedding:

The wedding ceremony and reception took place at the fabulous Villa Christina at Perimeter Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.  The ceremony was in the garden area with an overlooking waterfall. It was a hot, summer day with perfect weather. A harpist and a flautist commenced the ceremony during the prelude. There were over 120 guests that arrived to witness the blessed union of Jennifer and Justin. Rev. Darryl Roberts officiated the ceremony. The wedding program included a sand ceremony, musical selections chosen by the couple, scripture readings, and traditional vows.

The guests transitioned from the ceremony to the cocktail hour which included butler passed hors d'oeuvres and the Bride’s signature drink: “The Blushing Bride”.

 

After the cocktail hour, the guests dined for a full course plated meal in the 2^nd floor ballroom of the three story Italian villa. The jazz band serenaded the guests with romantic love and R&B tunes. The DJ kept the selections going for the second phase of the reception, and played hits to keep guests out of their seats and on the dance floor all night.

Wedding guests sent the couple off with sparklers as they exited the venue and headed to their evening destination.

The Honeymoon:

Jennifer & Justin honeymooned in the beautiful Honolulu, Hawai’i – Waikiki Beach for a full week after the wedding. The couple enjoyed a 1 hour helicopter ride over the island of O’ahu, scooter rides along the south coast of the island to Hanauma Bay, a visit to the Pearl Harbor Historic Site, an authentic Hawaiian luau, shopping, warm, breezy days at the beach and endless evenings of fine dining!  It was the first time the couple visited Hawai’i and it is an experience they’ll never forget!

Vendors for the Thompson-Banks Wedding:

Bridal Gown (Modern Trousseau): Kelly's Closet, Atlanta, GA

Bridesmaid Dresses (Lula Kate): Bella Bridesmaid, Atlanta, GA

Mother of the Bride Dress: Treasures Formals, Roswell, GA

Men's Attire: Savvi Formalwear

Wedding Venue: Villa Christina (ceremony, reception, food)
Flowers/Decor: Blossoms Atlanta, Monique Escudie
Videographer: Creative Video Moments, Steve Schumaker

Photographer: Moment by Moment Photography, Virginia Hall

Jazz Band: Josh Baker Combo

DJ: DJ Q-tip, Gabriel Peck

Officiant: Reverend Darryl Roberts

Wedding Director: Connie F. Smith

Music Director: Keith Williams

The Blessed Bride wishes Jennifer and Justin wedded bliss for all of their years to come!

Ceremony Musicians--

Flautist: Denise Williams

Harpist: Susan Ottzen

Saxophonist: Robert Bryant

"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