Ceremony: Not in a Church…Say What?!

since i can remember, i really envisioned my wedding in a church sanctuary -- classic and traditional, yanno? but I swear this was before I realized all the roadblocks that come when your church isn’t in a traditional church building per se, and you would like to utilize a church that you aren’t a “member” of. ::BIG sigh:: it’s NOT an easy feat AT all! one of my very first tasks post engagement, was looking for a church with “welcoming arms” ughhhhhhhhhhh. don’t get me wrong, many are welcoming, but there are gobs and gobs of rules and regulations.


1. No flash photography

2. No photography during the ceremony

3. No videography unless from the balcony

4. No flowers or decorations with tape, tacks or staples

5. No candles

6. Only real flowers (fine by me)

7. No fake flower petals down the aisle

8. No aisle runner

9. No parking lot (hunh?)

10. You can ONLY use our pastor…maybe your pastor can perform the ring ceremony (hunh?)

11. No recorded music

12. You MUST use our wedding coordinator

13. No center aisle

14. You MUST use our organist

the list goes on and on and on. note that the above is a combination of rules listed by the several churches we have looked into. i’m just over it. why should we have to compromise? we want a center aisle, the ability to use our own officiant (who IS ordained), and get video/photo coverage. period. apparently it isn’t that simple. this leads to the path we are now considering: getting married somewhere other than a church! lol yes, I know, people do it alllllllllll the time. but I really wanted a church :-/ some think it LUDICROUS to even consider the thought. But c’mon folks let’s be real…will our marriage be any less ordained by God if it isn’t performed in a church? will it be destined for failure? i think NOT.

what’s the real dealio? does it really matter where we get married???? so long as we are joined as man and wife…. #imjustsaying…. what say ye?

Toodles my loves!

here's an image i stole of Peachtree Road UMC here in Atl. one word: gorgeous....
 

Pose for the Camera Now ‘Click.Click’

since the snow shut down Atlanta on this past saturday, we met with our wedding photographer-to-be, Mr. Ross Oscar Knight, on valentine’s day. for me, this will likely be the most exciting initial vendor meeting we have. i’m so, so, so, so in love with the work of this photog and have been since the summer of 2007. do any of you recall that photo slideshow of a Ritz Carlton proposal that went viral? amazing. after seeing that my heart was set on having the same photog one day capture my wedding, if i were blessed to have one.

fast-forward to 2008, I begin attending my church, Impact, and low and behold mr. knight is an attendee and will be capturing a new friend’s nuptials as well. I was able to see him and his wife in action at her ceremony in may of 2009 and was enamored by the images later posted in their slideshow. ross has this amazing ability to tell your story and capture every emotion, light or heavy, with his images. i love it.

needless to say, after rob and I were engaged and jumped into planning our big day my one request was to have ross as our photog – and we will! i’m so very excited for our engagement session, wedding day, and the memories that we will forever have from our photography. we’ve given ross total creative reign, and I trust that he won’t let us down.

if you aren’t familiar with his work, you’re missing out! i’ve included the link to his blog, and that very memorable slideshow that stole my heart back in 2007. i hope you enjoy! stay tuned for engagement session pics in the coming months.

Links:
The Proposal Slideshow

Ross' Blog

Toodles!

p.s. here's a latest look at baby caiden and my new dark hair!

And The Venue Choice Is…..

drum roll please ::drum roll::


NOPE we don’t have one! ::sigh:: BUT we’re almost there folks! ::applause:: LOL this has indeed been a journey and with a family (my side and rob’s side) that likes to provide input, it’s made it that much more of an adventure. I am happy to announce that since my last venue post, in which you all ever so kindly provided your input, we have seen some additional sites and narrowed down our selection to about 4. These have been sent to the planner and we will then conduct a cost analysis -- apples to apples. Sadly, my friend the Ritz Carlton was booted (along with my inclusive silver chivalry chairs :( ) lol the MIL referred to it, and this is verbatim, as a dungeon. ::gasps:: Only michele hill would call the Ritz Carlton a dungeon but, oh well! so, all that being said, the cost analysis will be conducted on the following:

1 – The Georgia Aquarium

2—The Four Seasons

3 – The Atlanta History Center

4 – The W Midtown

now, I will say that if I had to rank my favs, the order would be: 1,2,4,3. i’ll take a moment to share my likes (we’ll leave out the dislikes) of each site:

#1 – it’s the GA Aquarium, lol, enough said. however, i will touch on the lighting, the 2 huge viewing tanks (of the “fish-ies”) in the ballroom, in-house catering by Wolf Gang Puck, and the spaciousness.

#2 – traditional glam is what this venue offers -- windows, a terrace, and i keep hearing great things about the food. (notice that food is VERY important to me, GOOD FOOD at that).

#3 hmmmm let me try and think of something i like…lol…ikid ikid. seriously, this site offers floor to ceiling windows that are indeed spectacular, an overall clean slate, hardwood floors meaning no gaudy hotel carpet with massive prints, and the pre-function area would allow guests to occupy their time by getting toasted and visiting the museum and catching up on their atl. history.

#4 although very contemporary, I love the space layout, and let’s face it, it’s a funky hotel.

So my friends, based on the above, which would you choose…I’m sure I’ve made it difficult because I failed to mention my dislikes and the $$$$$$$$$ (:-o). but again i say, give me a little feedback if you’re able.

below are some images that you might enjoy

love you all!

toodles

GA. Aquarium

The W midtown (not really-- lol --but close enough)

AHC

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Terrace

FS- Lobby

Save the Date!

LOL, no it isn't ours, but my homie found this very interesting and creative save the date on Youtube. i personally think it's a tad bit much for a save the date buuuuuuuut that's just me.

check it out:
 cool save the date link

sorry i dont have more to report on, but for the first time since we became engaged, we did NO wedding related activities this past weekend! awesome.

happy tuesday!
Toodles