Ace of Cakes

Want to know one of my favorite parts of wedding planning? The Food! I have become obsessed with wedding cakes. The sugar flowers, the fondant, butter cream, the elaborate designs; I want it all! I have been planning my wedding cake almost as long as I have been planning what my dress will look like; age 4.
I have decided that I still really want a white cake; just with some different details added to it. My favorite cake flavors are the traditional southern red velvet, vanilla-almond, and hazelnut-praline. I do not like chocolate, strawberry/raspberry/or any berry flavor, or just plain vanilla.

Some of my favorite cake designs (yes I love many) that I am going to base my cake off of...

To Do List...boy is wedding planning stressful!

1. Book ceremony and reception hall
2. Book florist
3. Book photographer
4. Book videographer
5. Book baker for wedding cake and grooms cake
6. Buy my wedding gown and begin alterations
7. Book Band
8. Book string quartet for my ceremony
9. Pick out bridesmaids dresses for my girls
10. Book hair and make-up for my girls and I
11. Get save the dates and invitations made
12. Take engagement photos and put an announcement in our local papers
13. buy wedding rings
14. book honeymoon hotel
15. book officient
16. find out what all we need for our marriage license and my name change
17. reserve hotel rooms for my guests
18. buy bridal lingerie, jewelry, and shoes
19. Set up where we will have our rehersal dinner
20. book wedding transportation


So much to do before the big day!

The Rock

I have been engaged now for over 3 months and I still am in awe of my beautiful ring. I could not have asked for anything better; it fits my style and personality to a T! I was told by a family member that I need some good close up photos of my ring so that I can have something to turn in for insurance purposes in case it is ever lost or stolen. I took her up on the offer and here are some of the pictures for all of you that have not seen it yet.
Photos by von Drehle Images

Engagement Party

So what's the first thing you do after you get the rock on your finger? Have a party of course!
Will and I were lucky enough to have a great family that offered to host it for us so we did not have to worry about a thing! We had our engagement party on December 4th in North Carolina and it was a blast! After compiling my guest list and getting together all the addresses, the invitations were sent and we could not wait for the day to come. I had gone shopping a month before for my outfit and actually bought the first dress I tried on. It was a gorgeous black one shouldered number that I matched with gold Badgley Mischka shoes. I also bought this cute French Connection fur mini jacket to wear from the car to the party.

The party was catered and the food was awesome (or so I heard!) Will and I did not get to eat but a bite because we were so busy talking to everyone. Some of the food was crab cakes, lamb, crab dip with pita triangles, marinated veggies (I did have these and they were to die for!), and so much more! There was also a bartender hired to mix our drinks and also serve beer and wine. I chose to only have water with lemon because I am one to turn red with just a sip of alcohol in me. I think everyone really enjoyed the party, I got many compliments from friends and family after.

We spent a lot of the night being photographed (My idea not Will's!) because I love any chance for a photo shoot. Here are some of the many photos I just got back from being edited.

Did I say yes to the dress? Well not yet. But, I sure had fun!

I went on my first wedding dress shopping trip in Davidson, North Carolina. Classic Bride was where I bought one of my favorite dresses (a silk Nicole Miller) so naturally I had to go back when planning my big day!
I tried on about 20 dresses in 3 hours and narrowed it down to 3. I am pretty sure I am going with a strapless, sweetheart neckline and a tight fitting bodice. I also favor the chapel or cathedral train to go along with a cathedral length veil. Silk is the fabric of choice (I cannot stand the taffeta). Here are some of the pretty dresses I tried on. Don't worry I didn't buy any today and I am going to keep looking in Atlanta and Dallas.

I'm Getting Married!

It has been a long time since I posted due to a crazy schedule! But I have some news...I'm engaged! I am so thrilled to be spending the rest of my life with the man I am so madly and deeply in love with. I have no doubt in my mind that were meant for each other; I knew the minute I met him that I was going to be with him (my roommate can attest to that!)
We fit each other perfectly. We are both very driven, family oriented, God loving people that were raised very similarly. We are two people with almost 900 miles between us brought together by God.

So now that I am engaged what's next? Planning of course!
I am going to plan an extravagant southern affair in New Orleans for our wedding. We are getting married at the Southern Oaks Plantation and our reception will be in their grand ballroom. Southern Oaks is known for their great service and wonderful Louisiana cuisine.

I have already made my invite list for the big day and compiled all the addresses. I am choosing to have a small wedding of 170 people. Now I just have to decide on what kind of save-the-dates to send. I love these from etsy! You send them like a post card...so presh! More on the wedding plans later including my wedding dress shopping last week!

Say Yes to Atlanta!

Y'all I am so excited that my favorite show is now being filmed in the south instead of NYC. Say yes to the dress is my guilty pleasure for sure. Because of this show I have already picked out my top 5 pnina tornai dresses haha! At least I'll know exactly what I want when I go dress shopping. Because I am so in love with weddings (what southern girl isn't) I have decided to share some of my favorite dresses.