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.

A Square, A Park, A Villa, Oh My!

Shane and I did some more location shopping this past weekend! We didn't have any official appts we just did "Drive By's" of a few places that we have talked about. 

We started the day by scouting the Marietta Square ( Glover Park). This idea came from my co-worker Wendi. We were talking about the Marietta Art Museum and I was expressing my dislike for the "Ceremony" site and she said why don't you get married on the square! 

We wanted to see what that would look like and then the other issue of getting everyone to the Art Museum after the ceremony is over:

Clock wise from the top left corner:

1. A shot of the park standing on the corner. It is undergoing some remodeling right now. 

2.The gazebo in the park

3.The corner with my back to the park. This is the road you walk down - 1 block- to get to the Art Museum. 

4. Me in a train... CHOo CHO0!

Conclusion: I am still very worried about working the logistics of everyone getting to the square and then to the museum. Also I have a very difficult time envisioning a wedding ceremony on the square? Feeling: confused

Next Stop: Peidmont Park, beautiful, but not the place for our wedding.

The great ceremony site is way to far away from the the sub-par reception hall. There was no wow factor that I could see to Magnolia Hall ( not pictured - there was nothing to show).

The top is a great shot of the Park, it really is a city oasis!

Bottom Lefthand corner:  The awesome ceremony location - Clara Meer Dock

Bottom Righthand corner: Historic Visitors center just up the hill from the Clara Meer Dock.

Villa Christina was the last location that we were able to visit. I LOVED it. I think that it has a lot of potential!

It is just inside the perimeter where 400 and 285 cross.  It is half restaurant / half event venue.

Clockwise from the top left hand corner:

1. Me in the dining room. Very modern, I love the look and feel of this area. Lots of bright colors and abstract art!

2. Outdoor pavilion. This is the ceremony location, this has been my favorite "aisle" set up. I love having a straight shot. 

3. The bar and more examples of decor

4. They have a great patio area and beautiful gardens with a cute little water feature.  I would really want to take advantage of this outdoor space. 

5. That thing in the middle is a piece of art that was hanging from the ceiling - I loved it! 

Shane has already spoken to the Sales manager, and has gotten some more details, we are planning on setting up an appt. with her and bring Mom and Dad along for the ride!

Next on the List:

• The Trolley Barn in Historic Innman Park ( for Keri!) www.thetrolleybarn.com 
• The Not Wedding this sunday at The W hotel - I can't wait!! Click here to see the website! 

Signed, Sealed, and we will see if it Delivers...

I am officially signed up for my session of Operation Bootcamp!

At 5:30 am on April 13th, 2009 I will report to my first day of bootcamp! Oorrahh!

Wish me luck!