Fun Times....

click on this link:

MorphYourself

to watch a very fun/funny video of us dancing!

Color me Surprised!

Surprisingly(to me anyways) choosing colors has been Shane and I most difficult task so far in the planning process!! We have talked about lot of different combos but really they have roughly the same colors in them so we are talking in circles most of the time. Shane has pulled "groom veto" powers over Yellow and green (not together but as complementary colors). The only color Shane and I 100% agree on in TEAL! The most glorious color every created!

Here is a color board I made:

Rhett Miller - Unplugged

The song that you first here when you come to blog is a band called "Old 97's" and the song is "Question". It is about a guy asking a girl to marry him.

This summer Rhett Miller the lead singer of Old 97's came to Unplugged in the park one of our favorite summer traditions to spend sunday evenings at Park Tavern.

Rhett Miller was awesome! ( so was the black bean dip... B you know what I am talking about)

Here he is performing "Question" (my favorite song) in French?! Random, I know but still awesome!

Ice Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Soft Serve!

We went for one final visit to Silver lining on Saturday. The retirement point challenge was coming to a close and the Quinley clan had 4th place in a lock!!!

While we waited for the presentation of prizes, B and I tried on Tiaras... because it is fun to dream of having a faithful Queendom at your beck-n-call!

Here is me claiming my glorious prize! A soft serve ice cream maker and server.

To my right if Kathy the most fabulous wedding dress consultant ever, she truly made the experience everything it should be, and my mom and I will always be grateful to her for that.

To my left is Sue, the owner of Silver Lining!

Stop #2: Paper Source... the MOST fabulous store in all the land.

The smell of all the paper is intoxicating!!

Jenny met us for some serious invitation deliberation. We narrowed the playing field down to some manageable decisions. It is a bit overwhelming, I feel like I have to write my life story in these darn invitations.

Jenny wanted to Emboss the world and Bethany found a big paper flower. Fun times.

I did order my very own Return Address Embosser... so exciting!

Choosing a font for that was excruciating... so many decisions!!

I think we are finally making so headway on the color front but I don't want to put anything official out there until I know for sure! Picking colors, I swear, has been the hardest part of this whole thing!

We are also close to sending out Save-The-Dates! Yay, I love progress.

engagement pics (59 photos), by Kristen Quinley

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

When giving "the finger" can be cute and sweet...

Unofficial Save the Date....

Official Nail Color of the Engagement!

I just painted my nails with:

" I Do" by Sally Hanson - Diamond strength Nail Color!

I said YES to the Dress!

Trying to find the perfect wedding dress was something that was very intimidating for me. I have only ever purchased a handful of formal dresses in my life and looking for those were not what I would call "fun" and with so much pressure on finding the "perfect" dress I was a little worried.

I ended up really enjoying the process and I credit my mom with helping make that happen. We decided several months ago that shopping for the wedding dress was just going to be me and her, and that no matter what - we were not going to get stressed about it. Hey, I guess there is something to be said for the power of positive thinking!

We visited 3 stores: David's Bridal, Silver Lining, and New Natalie's. I Probably tried on a total of 20 dresses give or take, between the three salons. Each place we visited we narrowed it down to our favorite. At both David's and Silver Lining I could take pictures which helped a lot when I looked back and was trying to organize my thoughts.

Oddly enough I tried on a dress at Silver Lining that we all looked at and decided was not "the one" and put it back without even getting a picture of it! (when I say we I mean my mom, myself and Kathy our wonderful bridal consultant!) It was called the "Rain Drop" dress.

I looked through all the pictures over and over, I looked for other Bridal salons to visit, I started planning a trip to Mobile, to go to Rosie's a wedding dress salon with tons of dresses. But I kept coming back to that one dress that I didn't get a picture of.

So I told mom we were going back! I took off early from work on Friday and met my mom and surprisingly my dad at silver lining! ( Side story: I had wanted my dad to come shopping with me from the beginning but he didn't seem interested, so I didn't push the question. So, needless to say I was very excited to see him! I felt like it was a good omen. Speaking of good omens...
Side Side Story: While my mom and dad waited in the parking lot for me to get there a Ladybug landed on their windshield! That was Uncle Rolo saying enough already just pick the dress and get on with it! haha. That is just what we did. )

I tried on a couple of dresses that I did not try on the fist time. They were ok. I looked for the "Marilyn" (see below) and then was told that she had already been sold. Which didn't really bother me too much because I had my eye on that "Rain Drop" dress. The rest is history! Or as a good feminist would say -"herstory".






My take on New Natalie's:
They had beautiful dresses and good prices but I felt like cattle being herded through the yard. Go here, put your dresses here, wait her until we call you name, throw a dress on, and then stand in front of everyone in the store, no pictures, and then decide if this is the dress of your dreams that you want to get married in, in ten minutes or less and then off with it!

Here is me and dad at New Natalie's. Shane and Dad had a few bonding hours while mom and I tried on dresses here!

The first dress was one that I loved at David's Bridal, but it had no sparkle. I needed to Sparkle!

Wedding Dress Vocabulary/Rules:

Degree of Pouff:(kathy) this is how big or how small your petticoat is underneath your dress and how far your dress is away from your legs.

Angle of Repose: (Jim Quinley) The angle at which the bottom part of the dress falls below your hips. A pleasing angle of repose flows away from you and displeasing angle a repose means the dress trys to come back in towards your legs. (Unless of course you are purchasing a trumpet which would be exempt from this rule!)

NO patting: I had a bad habit of patting the dresses and I kept getting in trouble. This is something I am going to have to work on because Kathy says there will be NO patting the day of the wedding.

French Bustle: a very classy way to shorten your train but still display any bead work or design that happens to be one it for the reception.

American Bustle: Just piling a whole bunch of fabric on your butt while making it look huge in the process!

Here I am looking at myself in the "Rain Drop" dress! Yay! It is done. I said YES to the dress, and now I can check that off and keep the planning train on track and bound for glory.

**Shane said that all the planning has been good, but this purchase makes it feel really REAL like it is really going to happen. I would say..... I have to agree!

Next up:

• Colors... Argh
• Brial Party Attire
• DJ - if you know of anyone that is good please let me know!
  

Idea for Wedding Favor...

What do you think?

a poem....

His hello was the end of her endings
Her laugh was their first step down the aisle
His hand would be hers to hold forever
His forever was as simple as her smile
He said she was what was missing
She said instantly she knew
She was a question to be answered
And his answer was "I do"

~C.Bradshaw

(or probably just a clever writer at HBO!)

July 22nd: A Day of Beauty!

My mom and I had a great day. We shopped for wedding dresses and also went to 3 different beauty appointments to help me get ready for my engagement photo shoot with Heidi, since I am not accomplished when it comes to hair/nails/makeup (especially not this one!).  It took 3 beauty professionals to get me "camera ready"! I am forever in their debt. 

Of course shane took a shower did a quick shave and looking stunning in 20 mins. I hate him and love him all at the same time! I sent him on an errand to get my ring cleaned while my mom and I were shopping. He did good.

Here is one of the pictures from David's Bridal.  I would love to share actual pictures of my in some possible dresses but since Shane reads this blog I am going to have to keep the actual pictures under wraps!

Trying on dresses for the first time was very eye opening. I have been wedding dress shopping with several of my friends so I knew " you never know about a dress until you put it on". You never truly get that statement until you experience it for yourself.  The dresses I thought I was going to love did not flatter me and the some that I had not interest in at all I ended up liking.. it is crazy!

I had a lot of fun and I can't wait to go try on more at some other places!

Coming up:

• GA Bridal Show at Cobb Galeria - Aug 2nd!
  

http://eliteevents.com/

• Our engagement photos! ( I can't wait!)

We HAVE to do this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0



I LOVE IT!!

Wednesday July 22nd's Itinerary

Tomorrow is going to be a fun filled day!

9am - Breakfast with Mom and Shane

10am – David’s Bridal : Kennesaw

Noon- Lunch

1:30 – Bare Escentuals : Town Center for Makeup appt.

3pm – Nikki Nails on Cedarcrest for Manicure

4:45 pm – Panosh for Hair Appt. with Veronica

7pm – Meet Heidi at Henry’s for Photo shoot

Shane and Kristen sitting in a tree...

Guest Blogger: Shane Odom (aka The Groom)

Ah, the joys of wedding season and being engaged. After a few hundred weddings over the past six or seven years, it is finally my turn to “tie the knot.” Not only have I attended these weddings, but most of these I participated in and learned so much. Now I know that all of you are counting down the days to what may be the “Greatest Party of the New Millennium,” I want to settle some fears that you might be encountering in anticipation.

1. 1. 1.There will not be a lighting of the candle. Furthermore, there will not be a lighting ceremony featuring the latest country song by a person that is so head-over-heels in love they were having difficulty staying on pitch while singing the song.

2. 2. 2,You will show up dressed as if this is the important social event it is. Do not show up to our wedding dressed like a fool. I will have several childhood friends in attendance that would love nothing more than to toss you out of the wedding and then proceed to interrogate you (using any means necessary) on why you do not know how to dress for a social function. Big Mike gets a pass on this one.

3. I realize most of you are white. I also realize white people’s affinity for songs that tell them exactly how to dance. Kristen and I together make up one full “white” person. The other person would be Hispanic and Black. Never in the course of human history has a Hispanic or Black person needed someone to tell us HOW to dance. If you are having a problem with dancing….. CONTACT US. We will be more than happy to point you to some YouTube videos that can help you in time for the wedding.

4. GUYS: Do not hit on the Bridesmaids. Yes, I know these are very beautiful women. Yes, I know they look exceptionally stunning in their gowns. But let’s take a look at this for a moment……. Jen and Beth are married, and Nicole and Bethany do not want to “hook-up” with you because they are not feeling vulnerable that one of their best friends is getting married. I mean look at them, they could have most any guy they wanted, so why would they settle for your drunken ass???

5. Eat, Drink, and be merry. If you drink too much and act a fool, see #2 and the repercussions you will incur.

6. LADIES: If you are of a curvier nature (and know that I love curves), it is not a good idea to wear a very outspoken red dress. You may look like the Kool-Aid guy, and then all of us have to walk around thinking that and trying to keep a straight face. Also, if you wear very revealing and sexy clothing, do not get mad if men are staring at you and hitting on you! I’m not going to get mad if people assume I am the groom because I am dressed like one, therefore, you shouldn’t get mad if guys assume you are a “working girl” because you are dressed like one!

7. Do not come expecting to hear any country music made after 1997.

8. Keep an eye on your children! Do not think for one second that if they are making a fool of themselves I won’t take them and sell them on the Black Market!! I will!! And then I’ll use the money to extend our Honeymoon.

9. Lastly, just come have fun with us. Know that if we invited you, it was because we thought enough of you to invite you to the biggest event of our lives thus far. If the Electric Slide starts up, jump on in, but remember, it’s the ELECTRIC SLIDE NOT COUNTRY LINE DANCING.

Needing a little Insipiration...

Here are some inpiration boards from one of my favorite wedding blogs:

http://snippetandink.blogspot.com

To loft or not to loft that is the question?

Bethany and I went to the Dogwood festival... which was awesome. Back in Piedmont where it belongs. 

Since we were downtown we swung by The Loft at Castleberry Hill just to see what it looked like and maybe peek in the window. As luck may have it there was an event going on and they invited us in to look around. The event was "Wanna Play?" They positioned themselves as a club alternative. They basically just had a bunch of games set up and it was like a mixer. Seemed pretty cool. The owner offered to let us stay but it had been a long day in the park so we opted out. 

Before we left we had to have a little fun. B's hips don't lie, and I was drawn to the biggest tower of Jenga the world has ever seen. 

As for the venue... ehh..... it could be a fun space for a party or something but not for a wedding. There was no enough room for Ceremony and reception and the space overall really didn't have a good flow, I wasn't feelin' it. 

This is Shane at the Overlook Building in Vinings. This is where Union Diamond is. Kara at work recommended them to use for custom jewelry. So, we went to meet the jewelry designer, Tony. He was awesome. Hilarious. He is going to do a custom ring for Shane that we kind of designed together. I thought I knew what I wanted but then Tony opened my eyes to lot of different possibilities. I needed a visual, so Tony had a wax model made of something a little special. We are still working through the details, but Shane and I are both really happy with our potential rings. www.UnionDiamond.com ! 

Coming soon:

• Rhodes Hall - The castle of Peachtree st.
• Atlanta Botanical Gardens
• An Appointment at Villa Christina with Mom!

NOT your ordinary bridal show... The NOT wedding!

This past sunday Shane and I went to the most unique and fun bridal show. It was called the not wedding. No vendor booths like other shows it was more of a mingle and party atmosphere. 

Our labor of love was there! They are these really amazing photographers that I am in love with! I basically went specifically to meet them! I was a total groupie. I was embarassed for myself, but Heidi was so sweet and put up with me! Our Labor of Love

Check out the smile booth pictures from Our labor of love. Click Here! Shane and I are on page 4. So fun!

We also got to see Slip Tripman this totally cool band! Click here to check out their website! Lets just say we loved their rendition of Akon's "I want to love you" was awesome! 

Clockwise from the top Left corner:

• This was the Not Wedding Officiant. He looks great in his white dinner jacket! ( Side Note: I have twin aunts and both of their husbands wore white dinner jackets at their respective weddings!) He lead the "not" wedding ceremony. He did this really cool lyrical poem that was great. 
  
• The Next is an outdoor shot of the W Buckhead.
  
• The Not couple - They were so cute. 
  
• Shane and I on the patio. We matched!
  
• Great bouquet!
  

This was the "not" aisle that everyone walked down. 

This couple was in the "not" bridal party. We loved the guys suit it was a light tan and he had a great teal tie on!
On the way home we were driving to Peachtree St and we passed Rhodes hall, which is a wedding venue.  I thought that the "Castle for Rent" sign was Hilarious! 
I took Shane to the Vortex... again! It keeps him happy and wanting to come to bridal shows with me! It is all about the sacrifices we make for each other. 

Next on the Docket:

• The Loft at Castleberry Hill - Click here to check out the website

Ladies Night with my MOH!

Last friday night Jen and I hit the town at a Ladies ONLY party at Opera.

Bachlorette Boutique was throwing a party! Website ( this is group that you can hire to plan and execute your Bacholorette party for you!)

They were serving free drinks... Pink Champagne! There was a nail station where you could get a polish change or a hand massage. They also had a back massage station.

The Girls from PoleLaTeaz were there and did a demostration of how to "walk sexy" and other assorted movements that apparently every girl should know!

Around 10:30 they started letting regular club goes join the party. It must have been 80's night because DJ Mike B was only spinning 80's classics to a club beat... which was Awes!

It was a fun night! Jen and I did our fair share of dancing before we headed back out to the 'burbs! It was a serious flashback to the good 'ole days.