Our Journey
Alvin and I met at Grambling State University in Spring 1997. I was a Sophomore and he was a Junior. When I first met him, I thought he was so cool, charming, and of course very handsome. We instantly clicked and formed a great friendship. We dated for a short while after I graduated and recently reconnected February 2006 when I moved to Atlanta for a job opportunity. We've been inseparable every since. After dating for about a year and a half, Alvin surprised me with the perfect proposal. Of course I said YES with tears! Alvin and I have been friends for a very long time. I am so thankful that we’ve had the opportunity to really get to know each other as friends. He is truly my best friend and life-mate. I feel so lucky and blessed to have him.
He Popped the Question!
Alvin called me at work on Friday, September 28 and informed me he had made dinner reservations that evening. I was totally caught off guard because he is not the "reservation-making type.” He is extremely spontaneous. He picked me up and we went to the Sun Dial Restaurant on the 73rd floor of the Westin Hotel. The restaurant was absolutely beautiful. So, I got a little suspicious that he had something planned, but I didn't see a "bulge" in his pocket in the shape of a ring box so I thought it was just another evening out. We actually finished our appetizers and entrees and he started talking about getting married "sometime in the future." This was a total set up!!! I turned away and looked and he was getting on his knee he simply said "Will you be my wife?" and pulled the box out. I was soooo shocked. I cried for at least 30 minutes. It turns out that everyone knew except me. He called my parents a few days prior and got their blessing and his parents knew as well. It was a perfect proposal!
Pictures of US!
Here are a few pictures of our princess! Her name is Coley. We got her in July 2006. We really want to include her in the ceremony, but we’re both a bit hesitant about how she’ll act!!! She’ll be included on the program as “Doggie of Honor” though.
Now that we've gotten the introductions out of the way.........
Let the Planning Begin!
Colors
Our colors are Chocolate Brown, Burnt Orange with Gold Accents
Our Monogram
We used this monogram on the outside flap of our invite. We will also use this on our cocktail napkins at the reception, programs, etc.
All Things Paper
I created our save the date using MS Publisher. It was really easy and fun to make. I then converted the file to a .jpg and uploaded to Vista Print for printing. I absolutely love Vista!
Invitations
Here are a few pictures of our invitations!! They were designed by Eldesign. I'm so happy with the way they came out! We mailed them on August 6th!
Picture of the Outside -- Pocketfold is a metallic chocolate brown w/ burnt orange belly band.
Pocketfold Enclosures
Our Venue
I absolutely love our venue. After checking out 7 different venues, this was the one that we both agreed upon!!! We're getting married on the verandah located on the back of the club overlooking the golf course and the reception will take place in the upstairs ballroom.
Whitewater Creek Country Club
We will hang the letter "J" monogram on the columns in the front similar to the picture below:
Reception Decor
I love the way this looks. I want to go for the same look. I can't remember whose bio I took this from.....just send me a note and let me know and I'll give you cred :-)
Pictures of the Whitewater Creek Country Club Ball Room
There are several french doors along the right wall that lead to a balcony overlooking the golf course. The linens/ china are included. The flowers are there for demonstrative purposes.
Centerpieces
I love calla lilies. We are having a mixture of tall & short centerpieces. The tall centerpieces will be composed of all calla lilies (similar to the pic below).
Bridesmaids
I let my bridesmaids pick out their own dresses because I want them all to feel comfortable in what they are wearing and wanted something to reflect their personalities. These are the dresses that each of my bridesmaids will wear. They will all be in the color: Espresso from Alfred Angelo.
MOH Dresses
These are the options I gave them. They are still undecided. They have until next week to make up their minds!
As for the shoes, since their dresses are long I have just asked that they wear gold strappy sandals (which they already have in their closets).
Flowergirls
Yippee! My nieces got their flowergirl dresses. They were ordered from www.cottoncandydress.com.
The Guys
The tuxes have been ordered from Savvi Formal Wear. FI will wear a white tux and the groomsmen and our dads will wear choclate brown tuxes.
OOOHH....the fun part....The Cake!
This was by far Alvin's favorite vendor appointment. We are going with Eileen Carter "The Cake Lady" FI & I met with her and after talking with her and tasing her cake we booked her on the spot!!! We are having a 5 tier round cake with alternating designs on each layers of swirls and dots. I want to do a monogram cake topper. My fellow knotties have inspirited to attempt DIY!! God Help Me!
We are having a traditional white wedding cake with buttercream icing. The fillings we have chosen are baileys buttercream and fresh strawberries. We'll probably do a sign like the one shown below:
knottie DietCokeAddict
Groom's Cake
FI decided he didn’t want a groom’s cake…but…I decided to surprise him at the Rehearsal Dinner with a cake! Eileen is going to make one similar to the picture below to represent his fraternity. Instead of where it says “MEN” it will say 1911 which is when the fraternity was founded. I can’t wait to see the look on his face!
I ordered our monogram "J"& We Do letters for the cake table from Crafty Eddy. He was extremely quick! See below for the before pictures:
THEN...I ordered 10ss swarovski crystals from Dream Time Creations and purchased some cement glue from Hobby Lobby and finished them off!
Menu
Cocktail Hour
Fresh Seasonal Fruits, Vegetables
Imported and Domestic Cheese Display
with Gourmet Crackers and French Breads
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Oriental Spring Rolls
Hibachi Beef Skewers
Salad
Tossed Garden Salad
Crisp Green, Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Onions
Served with a Raspberry Vinaigrette
Entree
Herb Roasted French Chicken
Classic Roasted Chicken Breast Served
With a Classic Beurre Blanc
Vegetables
Green Beans Almondine
Rice Pilaf
Dessert
Wedding Cake
Flowers:
I changed my bouquet!!! I decided to go with a mixture of cream callas and roses. See picture below.
MY DRESS!!!
I love my dress!! After weeks of looking, I finally have it. It is from Demetrios Bridals! The bodice is heavily beaded, sweatheart neckline, and pick up skirt. I really love it. My veil is trimmed in the beading on the bodice of the dress. The veil was a huge splurge for me....but well well worth it. I took these on January 21 at the boutique.
I got my accessories on Saturday. Here's some pics of my veil, headpiece, & top of dress.
Accessories
I purchased my earrings from Nordstrom! I'm really happy with them. I tried to take pictures, but they didn't turn out too hot:-)
I changed my mind about the earrings! I just got these last week...they're sparkly and pretty...I like them more!
This is the bracelet that I just ordered!!!! I'm so excited about this. I got this from Dana Saylor designs!! She has a shop on etsy.com.
I got it in today!!! I LOVE it!
Handbag
I purchased this from Nordstrom. I just love it.
Shoes
Yippee! I just ordered my shoes! I can't wait to get them in.
Bridal Tea
The bridal tea was simply amazing! It was held at the Swan Coach House. It was just amazing. The first picture is me with my bridesmaids (one of my girls could not come). The second picture is me with the shower hostesses!
Bridal Shower Invites. I love the little belly band with the tea cup on the outside!
Ceremony Music (Harpist)
Prelude
Air on a G String
Bach Meditation
Wedding Song by Kenny G
Ceremony
Ave Maria
Canon in D
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Bride Entering
Bridal March
Recessional
Trumpet Voluntary
Cocktail Hour Music (Harpist)
TBD
Reception Music (DJ)
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First Dance | |
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Song (haven’t decided yet) |
Artist |
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Love of My Life |
Bryan McKnight |
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My Dream |
Jamie Foxx |
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Father-Daughter Dance | |
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Song (haven’t decided yet) |
Artist |
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Wind Beneath my Wings |
Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert |
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What a Wonderful World |
Louis Armstrong |
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Mother-Daughter Dance | |
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Song (haven’t decided yet) |
Artist |
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??? |
??? |
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Everything in Between | |
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Song |
Artist |
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Sexy Love |
Ne-Yo |
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Rock With You |
Michael Jackson |
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Brick House |
The Commodores |
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Joy and Pain |
Maze & Frankie Beverly |
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Happy Feelings |
Maze & Frankie Beverly |
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Southern Girls |
Maze & Frankie Beverly |
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Before I Let You Go |
Maze & Frankie Beverly |
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Just Fine |
Mary J. Blige |
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Be Without You |
Mary J. Blige |
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Flashing Lights |
Kanye West |
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Good Life |
Kanye West |
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What’s Goin On |
Marvin Gaye |
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With You |
Chris Brown |
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Kiss |
Prince |
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All Night Long |
Lionel Richie |
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No Air |
Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown |
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Yo (Excuse me Miss) |
Chris Brown |
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Yeah |
Usher |
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Crazy in Love |
Beyonce (featuring Jay-Z) |
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Déjà vu |
Beyonce (featuring Jay-Z) |
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So Amazing |
Luther Vandross |
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Overjoyed |
Stevie Wonder |
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Because of You |
Ne-Yo |
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I Call it Love |
Lionel Richie |
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Show me what you got |
Jay-Z |
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American Gangster |
Jay-Z |
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Heaven Sent |
Keyshia Cole |
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Last Night |
Keyshia Cole featuring P. Diddy |
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I Need a Girl |
P. Diddy, Usher, Mario & Ginuwine |
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Let me love you |
Mario |
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Sexy Can I |
Ray J |
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Umbrella |
Rihanna |
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When Doves Cry |
Prince |
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I Wanna be your Lover |
Prince |
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PYT |
Michael Jackson |
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Real Love |
Mary J. Blige |
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Noone |
Alicia Keys |
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Like You’ll Never See me Again |
Alicia Keys |
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When I see You |
Fantasia |
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One in a Million |
Aaliyah |
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My Boo |
Usher featuring Alicia Keys |
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Don’t Stop ‘til you get enough |
Michael Jackson |
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Crazy |
Gnarls Barkley |
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Overjoyed |
Stevie Wonder |
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A Long Walk |
Jill Scott |
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Golden |
Jill Scott |
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The Way |
Jill Scott |
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Hate on Me |
Jill Scott |
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Superstar |
Lupe Fiasco |
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How it Make you Feel |
Jill Scott |
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On & On |
Erykah Badu |
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Otherside of the Game |
Erykah Badu |
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Next Lifetime |
Erykah Badu |
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Wanna be Starting Something |
Akon (Michael Jackson) |
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Pretty Brown Eyes |
Mint Condition |
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Sweet Thing |
Chaka Khan |
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That Thing |
Lauryn Hill |
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Too Good to be True |
Lauryn Hill |
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This Love |
Maroon 5 |
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For the Love of You |
The Isley Brothers |
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I Wanna Dance Tonight |
Lucy Pearl |
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So Fresh So Clean |
Outkast |
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Cupid |
112 |
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Prototype |
Outkast |
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The Way You Move |
Outkast |
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Hey Ya |
Outkast |
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Ms. Jackson |
Outkast |
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Last Dance | |
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Song (haven’t decided yet) |
Artist |
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I’m Coming Out |
Diana Ross |
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Overjoyed |
Stevie Wonder |
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Signed, Sealed, Delivered |
Stevie Wonder |
Honeymoon Celebrations My friends Shelby & Vivian took me to the Ritz Carlton for high tea on November 3rd to celebrate our engagement. Here are a few pictures. We had a great time.
Vendors: Ceremony & Reception Site: Whitewater Creek Country Club We have been working with Sandy Sanders and she's been great and extremely accommodating. www.canongateoccasions.com Florist: On Occasions of Atlanta- Carla Duncan I can not say enough about Carla. She is absolutely amazing. Photographer: RC Photography We met him at the Bridal Expo at the Cobb Galleria. We liked his work and he offered us an excellent deal. We're looking forward to working with him. Musician: Monica Hargrave (Harpist) She is awesome. She's going to play for the ceremony and cocktail hour. A good friend used her for her wedding 2 years ago. We visited Monica at her home and Alvin & I both loved her. She's probably the vendor that I'm most excited about. www.harp411.com Invitations/ STDs: DIY: Save the Dates I created them in Publisher and using Vista Print to print them. For the Invitations, I'm using ElDesigns. Dress: Brides by Demetrios Salon in Buckhead- So in love with my dress and the service that I have recieved. I highly recommend them. DOC- Eliana Baucicault- By Your Side Events- So happy to finally have this nailed down after months of searching. FI & I really like Eliana and are looking forward to working with her. Many thanks to Ricsbride for the recommendation! Baker- Eileen Carter "The Cake Lady" We are so pumped about working with Eileen. This was FI's favorite appointment!! Wedding Checklist Finally, the checks our outweighing the "to dos!" I still feel overwhelmed!
Thanks for stopping in to check out my BIO....check back often as I'll be making updates! Oh and if I happen to paste one of your pics in without giving you credit...let me know. I've been cutting and pasting pics forever....long before I thought about creating a bio :-) ~Nikki
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