A Few More Photos de Dress Trash

We had such a great time taking these photos. I stand by our decision 100% to take photos versus preserve the dress. 

And for those who are worried about really trashing the dress, it basically came out of the creek unscathed. I let it dry out at home later and rubbed a few dirty spots out with a rag. Hopefully someone else will be able to enjoy the dress again later.

(click any photo to enlarge)

Dress: Trashed

(click any photo to enlarge)

I'll admit it. I felt a little silly and embarrassed to be the focus of these photographs — but I reminded myself of the goal at hand (that the discomfort of being photographed would be worth it because the neat photos would last forever). Plus, we were under the direction of three professional-yet flexibly-fun photographers.

And it sure was totally fun. Steffi, Laura and Steve made us feel comfortable and at ease. We mixed serious moments with goofy ones and chuckled our way through the mountainous stream's chill. The north Georgia mountain weather held up for us for just enough time to wrap the shoot.

I'll post a few more photos later week. 

Check out more of Cariad Photography's work here.

Survey: Weirdest Wedding Moment

Many of my coworkers know I took a vacation day Friday for Moeko's rehearsal festivities, so several people have asked me today how the wedding went. Luckily I could respond, "Totally fun, great weather, no drama, laid-back bride and groom, etc. etc."

During one of these conversations, a coworker mentioned to me that the daughter of a good friend of his mother's also got married this weekend. They said their vows and as they were announced as husband and wife, they made another announcement... that they'd actually been legally married for four years already and never told anyone.

How bizarre. I mean, what? 

So that prompted me to ponder weird wedding moments. I don't know if I have any that good... but I do have a few. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding once and witnessed the mother of the bride telling the well-endowed bride that her breasts looked slutty in her wedding dress. (Note: she did not look inappropriate at all). That was fun. And we all know a girl who's kicked bridesmaids out of her wedding at the last minute. 

So, what's the most bizarre or dramatic wedding moment you've encountered? Do tell.

Thanks for the Reminder, Heather

I was reading Heather's post from earlier when I realized I never posted pictures of my bridesmaids in their varying dresses. I was so happy with how this turned out! Granted all the girls were fabulous and unique to start with — but seeing their personal styles reflected in their dresses was totally fun!

Katy

Italia: Day 3

Dan reminded me this weekend that I ought to recap the rest of our honeymoon before the events become uncommitted to memory. He has a good point, especially since we have no photos to remember our trip by. The trouble has been that I need to dedicate a solid amount of time to a quality posting.

So here we go again.

Our breakfast on Sunday, our third "full" day in Rome, we had a similar spread as the morning before. We loaded up on eggs, cereal and toast at our somewhat meager (but perfectly suitable) bed and breakfast then stopped for a cappuccino (enjoyed standing up, of course) on our way to the day's big events—the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. 

We were eager to spend some more time with our lovable, Liverpool accent-laden tour guide Ian but knew we needed some cash to pay him with. So we used Dan's TomTom, which he loaded with European maps prior to our trip, to find a few ATMs that might dispense us some benjamins. Our commute (on foot) from our lodging to the historic sites was quick; we could actually see the Colosseum through the alleyways from our B&B.

As I recall approaching the Roman Forum, all I can muster up to type is "WOW." Being there—and reflecting upon it—conjures up feelings of respect, reverence, awe and mystique. It's the place where Roman civilization developed! To think about setting foot in the very places where Caesar rallied his troops (and eventually fell to the sword of Casca and Brutus), it's unreal. Just think about Marc Antony and Cleopatra's lover's quarrels on this very land. Our guide, Ian, recounted the Ides of March (Caesar's doom day) with dramatics and fervor. I suppose political underminings and backstabbing aren't modern day things in the slightest.

Our tour group size was similar to the day before at about ten to 12. We were led from monument to monument, hearing about everything from erecting the city center to excavating it hundreds of years later. The Senate's meeting place is located among the Forum's buildings, as are a multitude of temples (Saturn, Concord, Vesta, Venus and Roma, etc.). Ian told us how some of the structures (and beliefs) are a mix of Greek and Roman beliefs. Did you, by the way, know that the Romans invented modern plumbing? I didn't.

The Colosseum, just a few steps from the ruins of Rome's ancestors, was host to blood baths via gladiator fights. Sure, we've all seen Russell Crowe's Ridley Scott-directed Gladiator movie, so we know at least a little about how this would play out. Prisoners of war and criminals were pitted against one another and against animals in the most grueling of fights. It's debatable how many people the Colosseum could hold (Wikipedia says 80,000), but I'm sure it was incredible to observe the crowds there—with the poorest of the spectators viewing the carnage from the top levels. Our tour guide told us that some say nearly 500,000 people and animals were slain in the famed (or infamous) arena. The arena's floor, no longer there from years of wear, once sat above a series of cells, basically. Through a system of pulleys and levers, event orchestrators could lift gladiators and animals up from the "basement" and allow them to enter the arena via secret stage doors. 

One tourist tip related to the Colosseum: it's free to enter with your Roman Forum pass unless you appear to be with a group of 10 or more (if that's the case, there's something like a 2 euro/person charge). So if you're with a guide and a group, act like you're minding your own business until you're past the security checks.

Since Ian did such a great job the night before with a restaurant recommendation, we listened attentively as he told another couple of a good restaurant near our present location. After the group parted ways, we looked for the orange-ish building with a ship out front that Ian described but to no avail. We settled on a large, probably rather touristy lunch spot called Antica Trattoria Pasqualino al Colosseo. The outdoor seating seemed to be calling our name.

Another pair from the tour happened to be seated at the table next to ours, so we had a lovely conversation with the native New Zealanders. It was also their first trip to Italy. Our food was tasty (ricotta and spinach ravioli with red sauce and lasagna, accompanied by a Peroni birra) but it did take a solid 20 minutes to get our check.

A perk to the random way we chose to navigate home was passing by San Clemente, the small church Ian mentioned was probably his favorite in town. We just happened to stumble upon the place of worship. Not that I have photos from the trip, but no photography is allowed in the building. Slightly underground, the basilica seemed to be preserved from it's 12th-century roots (though it was built atop a 4th century church). Frescos and mosaics galore were sights to behold.

While walking around, we also decided to pick up a few friend souvenirs. We found a few shops that weren't closed for the Italian equivalent of a siesta and picked out a fun few items. We particularly enjoyed the coziness of Arrivederci e Grazie and the nice old man and younger boy who helped us with our selections. There was something endearing about the way the old man spoke to us in quick Italian despite realizing we could understand him. There were, of course, a few universal words we could mumble back and forth—words like "vino" (wine) and chocolate. We grabbed some lemoncello, olive oil and tiramisu chocolates for dear friends in Atlanta.

Of course I couldn't help but suggest we grab some gelato on our final stretch back home. And by "we," I really mean "I" with Dan stealing little bites. This time, I opted for two flavors: after eight (kind of a mint flavor) and an old standard, pistachio. I thought two euros wasn't bad for my sweet afternoon snack. 

We had intended to visit the Pantheon, one of man's greatest architectural accomplishments. It's dome is one of the top tourist attractions in Italy. Unfortunately, the Pantheon closes early on Sundays (5pm) so we missed our window of opportunity. 

We rested as quickly as we could before deciding on a dinner plan. Since we'd traveled some distance from the B&B the night previous, we decided we'd wander the nearby streets for dinner on this night. We meandered along larger and more off-the-beaten-path streets, taking note of menu offerings and prices. If a restaurant had employees staked outside, calling you to come in, we decided they must be desperate for customers. Begging musicians (accordions, etc.), asking for tips, also led us away from certain restaurants.

Chico di Grano was our final dinner destination. Our Nigerian waiter was not exactly your authentic Italian, but the food served was overall good. We enjoyed a half liter of house (red) wine, bruschetta with green pesto and tomato pulp, grilled veggies, shrimp risotto and a margherita pizza. The pizza was incredible, while the risotto was a little more disappointing (slightly underdone and using tiny popcorn shrimps instead of substantially-sized prawns). Some Americans have complained about sitting fees, but since theirs was prominently displayed before we even entered the restaurant, we found no objection.

With a relatively early train to catch, we skipped any after dinner drinks for a few minutes of talking and preparing for our next day. We both REALLY enjoyed Rome though. The area where we stayed was great—and seeing one of the cruxes of humanity (second to Greece) was unforgettable. Everyone has their opinion, but I very much disagree that "you really one need one day in Rome." There's so much to take in and we could have even stretched out our Rome visit one or two more days.

Miscellaneous thoughts on Rome: 

• Geez, a lot of people smoke. I mean, a lot
• The city is more diverse than I would have guessed (we noticed this especially after walking through the predominantly Indian/Asian/African neighborhoods near the train station)
• Graffiti is everywhere, though I hear this is the case throughout Europe
• Coffee isn't sized "venti" or "grande;" it's quick espresso that's enjoyed standing up
• Gelato stands are on every corner, even more prominent than I would have guessed
• Apartments are small yet offer everything you would need in a bustling, metropolitan city
• Streets feel like alleys because they weren't built for cars—and road rules really need not apply
• In general, people were helpful and had nice attitudes toward tourists (I'm not sure if it helped, but we tried to reciprocate kindness at every opportunity possible)
• There are two types of train tickets: one more luxurious and direct, another with multiple stops but about 40% more affordable (whoops... we bought the more expensive ones to travel from Rome to Florence)
• Tips are optional (at least we heard that tips aren't expected or necessary); we still chose to tip a little when we felt like we had quality service

Vendor Reviews 4 and 5

photos taken by Cariad Photography

It seems only fitting to review Wolf Mountain Vineyards and the City of Dahlonega together, as they both played backdrop for our wedding weekend.

When looking through an Atlanta bridal magazine with Maria just a week or two after becoming engaged, I saw some information about getting married in Dahlonega. I made some kind of silly remark about how funny it would be to get married "up there" in Dahlonega. It wasn't until maybe two or three days later that I realized Dahlonega actually would be a neat place to get married. My sister goes to college there and has always boasted about the nice weather, great views and unique small businesses. 

Here's my logic (and luckily, Dan agreed). The majority of our family (and many of our friends) would have to travel for our wedding no matter where we held it; after all, they're spread out from California to Massachusetts. If we invited friends and family to an Atlanta wedding, it would be fun but maybe not as quaint as we pictured. We decided that Dahlonega's laid-back feel (and mountain views), more affordable lodging and relatively quick drive from the Atlanta airport (maybe an hour and 20 minutes) made it a great spot to host a wedding weekend.

We looked at a few different locations in Dahlonega. Frogtown Cellars was stunningly beautiful but not quite as well set up to host a wedding. We decided on Wolf Mountain Vineyards because of its fabulous covered pavilion (great for beautiful or rough weather), well respected food, amazing views and already beautifully-decorated winery interior. I must also give Dan credit for our choice, as he insisted we check it out after hearing a great review from his colleague Heather, who wed her husband there earlier in the year. 

While we thought we made a good choice, we couldn't have been more pleased with the wedding weekend settings. Dahlonega offered cute little restaurants, a karaoke bar, unique lodging options (from bed and breakfasts to boutique hotels—all about $165 or less per couple, per night), shopping and outdoorsy activities like hiking. We very much enjoyed our rehearsal dinner at Caruso's, too, with its casual atmosphere, good food, incredibly hospitable staff and room big enough to accommodate our approximately 100 family members and wedding party.

Wolf Mountain not only looked amazing, but the staff there was professional and accommodating. Lindsey Smith, hospitality manager and our "day of" wedding coordinator, was always easy to reach and full of helpful information. Lindsey also came prepared to every meeting with document templates to fill out or spreadsheets to fill in. There were no hidden costs and we felt like we received everything we paid for and more. Lindsey and her mother, Linda, made sure the ceremony and reception went as planned, even paying attention to little details like putting my grandmother's cake toppers on the cake and corralling people for activities like the toasts, cake cutting, bouquet throw and garter toss.  Lindsey and team provided reliable/recommended vendors and treated us very personally despite having likely 52-plus events like ours throughout the year.

I feel like both Wolf Mountain's pavilion and winery speak for themselves, but I'll talk about them both some anyway. The covered pavilion was the perfect balance of an outdoor yet safe from inclement weather location. Already simple and airy, the only real decoration we used were some flowers on the arch and petals down the aisle (thank you again, Aunt Vera, for the flowers).  The inside of the winery is breathtaking. Some style between rustic and mountain cabin chic, the craftsman-style building is decorated well and appropriately. We were able to choose our linens from some already in the vineyard's collection (chocolate brown satin on the bottom and a champagne-colored metallic fabric with some slight ruching on the top) at no additional cost. Decks with great views on every side of the building didn't hurt its aesthetic appeal either.

The food and wine were both very enjoyable. I'll admit that I enjoyed the vineyard's white wine more than its red, which worked out well since I was wearing an ivory dress, but both were enjoyable. The food. Wow. The food. We tasted some of the vineyard's food before, but never exactly what we chose for our wedding menu. I've heard most couples don't eat, let alone remember, their wedding food. Well, I distinctly remember how delicious that tilapia with lemon caper butter sauce was and how tasty the lyonnaise potatoes were. The salad was great, too, as were the roast, chicken cordon bleu and sauteed vegetables. Mmm mmm mmmm. It took a Michael Jackson song being played outside to pry me away from the table. 

I could go on and on, so if you have question, feel free to e-mail me. But for the rest of you, I'll end my review here. I am obviously biased, but I think it's insane that getting married at a beautiful and charming place like this is less expensive then getting married at, say, a Marriott somewhere in Metro Atlanta. 

If our experience is/was the norm, I give both the city of Dahlonega and Wolf Mountain A+++ marks. They helped make our wedding weekend especially memorable. 

124...

...is the number of bobbypins Molly put in my hair on Saturday to make sure it stayed put. 

Crazy!

The Most Selfish Review (Photographer)!

I feel that few words are needed to go with this review. The photos speak for themselves. Cariad Photography did a wonderful job capturing so many special moments. Our family and friends were also impressed with the photographers' professionalism and laid-back demeanors.

Even before the wedding, I realized Steffi isn't the kind of photographer who's out to rip people off—but was I ever impressed when she mentioned this weekend that ordering prints off her site only cost you a mere $0.39 each.

Plus, in this blog post, not only do I get "review" Steffi and Laura's work, I get to share a few photos from our nuptials with the world...

Thank you, Steffi, Laura (and Laura's "assistant" Ellen).

Vendor Review 2: Hair

Molly at Belle Avance really outdid herself. She was fabulous when Megan and I went up for my "trial run" in early September but somehow even managed to improve her craft (I didn't realize this was possible) for the actual wedding day. My wedding hair (including a trial run) ran me $119, which I felt was well worth it.

The four bridesmaids who opted to get their hair done were also very impressed with their looks. Anna wore her half half up, half down. Lauren chose down but voluminous. Megan and Moeko chose up-do's. My maids paid $59 a piece for their do's. Too bad I don't have photos of Anna and Lauren's "finished" looks.

I was also very impressed with Fate, who did my makeup. She kept my look gentle and fresh looking but gave me a little more "umph" in my eye makeup than I would have on a typical day. I think Megan said it best -- that Fate helped me look like "the best version of myself." ($35 for makeup)

Belle Avance Salon

232-A E. Main St.

Dahlonega, GA 30533

PH. 706.864.3013

Officially Married (and Sharing Vendor Reviews)

It's official! Dan and I "tied the knot" Saturday night at Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia. I can honestly say the weekend was incredible in every way. The people (friends and family), weather, views, food, logistics, vendors and more were all absolutely amazing. It's rather surreal but Dan and I are thrilled to be Mr. and Mrs. Mallory.

I thought it would be helpful to my metro-Atlanta friends (and others) to share reviews of the vendors we used. Since it's been a long (and wonderful) weekend, I thought I'd start with a simple and quick one.

We bought our wedding cake from Publix supermarket in nearby Gainesville, Georgia. We went to a tasting there in early February with our friends Maria and Kyle. Wow! I wouldn't have guessed their offerings would be so great. We decided on carrot cake with cream cheese icing (with a sheet cake of vanilla on vanilla for our pickier guests). We paid for the cake (including delivery) that day and never worried about it again. At about $350, this cake was well-priced for our 175 guests—and very tasty. 

The cake was topped off with some silk leaves and faux berries from Michael's and a vintage bride/groom cake topper care of my grandmother, Bette Beck. 

I would highly recommend the Publix bakery to anyone looking for a sophisticated, affordable and delicious wedding cake. 

(Photo courtesy Ben via Megan's camera)

"Wedding Weekend Eve" Playlist

What's better to accompany the excitement of "Wedding Weekend Eve" than a fun, energetic playlist for your morning commute? "Not much!" say I!

I enjoyed listening to some tunes this morning and tried to forget that those in cars surrounding me must have thought I'd lost my marbles.

A few of these are mainstream, a few less so; some are embarrassing while others basically (and happily) coerce fist pumping from any listening, warm body:

1. "Shimmer" by Fuel
2. "Desperately Wanting" by Better Than Ezra
   
3. "CrushCrushCrush" by Paramore
   
4. "Lose Your Love" by The Outfield (had to practice for karaoke tomorrow night!)
5. "Face Down" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
6. "Too High" by Jump, Little Children (man do I miss them touring... sad face)
7. "Hey Jealousy" by The Gin Blossoms
8. "I Just Want to Live" by Good Charlotte (yes, I admit that I listened to it)

Eight songs. Just enough for a great, music-filled commute.

Wedding on the Brain

Do I have wedding on the brain—or am I just a tad bit hungry?

Here's the cake we're having at the wedding, though ours will be carrot cake with cream cheese icing (an antiqued white color versus this bold assortment of colors). Also try to ignore the little colorful flowers on there...

Mmmm!

More Wedding Craft Projects

After an eternity (but a happy, blissful eternity) in Hobby Lobby, I emerged with about $150 worth of project materials. My mission(s):

• Create individual "menu cards" for our rehearsal dinner (see previous post)
  
• Make wedding programs, complete with ribbon bows on the spines
  
• Wrap 8 bridesmaids' gifts, 2 program "attendant" gifts, 8 groomsmen gifts and 2 readers' gifts
  

I also picked up some chocolate brown, satin fabric for the bubble and program baskets as well as some random supplies I thought may come in handy (two sharpies, two different types of tape, etc.).

Too bad I can't talk (yet) about what's in the bridesmaids' gifts. I'm so excited about them! I even put bows on two of the items in each bag. Note: when this is all said and done, I will have tied approximately 250 bows on various items. I can, at least, talk about the way I did the gift wrapping. Since I didn't see many gift bags in our color palette, I opted for some natural kraft bags. I had the relatively creative (maybe?) idea of stamping each bag with a "thank you" stamp. I tried to find a wine or grape stamp but couldn't. Oh well. This "thank you" stamp will be more versatile going forward anyway. Brown tissue paper finished off the bags. The finished results are, in my opinion, pretty sharp looking!

I'm going to handle Dan's gifts for his guys similarly. I bought kraft wrapping paper and brown ribbon to tie up his finished packages. I plan to put a little "thank you" stamp in the bottom, right-hand corner of each gift.

The programs are lumbering along, I suppose. About 50 down, 135ish to go. We printed each program (front and back) and are working on the folding, slitting with an X-acto knife, inserting and bow tying of the ribbons. So far, so good... though this is more time consuming than I thought it would be. But wait! What am I doing instead of working on them? You guessed it. Blogging.

Rehearsal Dinner Menus!

I've been pining to post more about our upcoming wedding; unfortunately so many of the items I've wanted to post about need to stay secret from Dan (wedding hair style, dress, etc.). Today while working on these, I realized I could put up a post about them.

We're having our rehearsal dinner at a casual Italian cafe in the small mountain town where we're getting married. Since we're hosting a large group (approximately 90 folks, comprised of the wedding party and family), the restaurant suggested choosing three entrees for guests to pick from. 

Another suggestion from the restaurant was including a place for our guests to write in their orders. I thought this was a little bizarre at first, but if it helps the restaurant maintain organization, it's worth doing. 

I struggled with whether or not I should include the beer (Amstel Light, Peroni and Newcastle) and wine options (a cab, a chianti and a white TBD). In the end, I decided that those who wish to consume can easily choose when they walk up to the little private/makeshift bar in the dining room. 

So, each guest will have this little menu card in front of him or her—and we'll have a little votive on each linen-covered tabletop.

We'll see how it all goes (six days from today)... 

Things I Look Forward to on My Wedding Day

• Marrying my "crush" of two and a half years—the love of my life
• Dancing with my father
• Feeling blessed to have a generous mother 
• Listening to readings read by two of my younger brothers
• Feeling lucky to have my 80-plus year old grandparents in attendance
• Seeing my littlest two brothers dressed up
• Giving donations to meaningful charities in lieu of favors
• Enjoying the company of about 150 of our closest friends and family
• Having my lovely bridesmaids (including my sister, Anna) at my side in their unique chocolate brown, satin dresses
• Smiling nonstop
• Seeing Megan lead the crowd in the "thriller" dance as Michael Jackson plays over the DJ's speakers
• Eating carrot cake
• Overall, making memories to last a lifetime... and having these moments captured on film

Something Not Right About This Picture

Dan and I went to get our marriage license today at the DeKalb County Courthouse. Oddly enough, the marriage licensing department is in the same office as another licensing department.

Hmm....

A Fabulously Unique Wedding Gift

My Uncle Harry offered up a wedding gift idea that wasn't your typical china place setting or bedroom linens. He asked if we would be open to him creating a painting for us.

After we enthusiastically agreed, Harry got to work on a Georgia O'Keef style painting of a lily. The colors, which he also ran by us, will be perfect for our living room.

The painting was completed a few weeks back. Harry and his partner planned to have lunch with us in Atlanta this past Sunday but had to reschedule because he wasn't feeling well. Instead we'll meet up in two weeks. To satiate my desire to see the finished work, he sent us a picture. The 30'' by 40'' painting is going to look great on our wall!

What a great wedding gift. Thanks Uncle Harry!

Good News in Twos

When I listened to the voicemail that Steffi Smith, owner of the photography company we're using for our wedding, left this afternoon, I can honestly say I was nervous. She said, "Katy, give me a call when you get a chance." Did she have bad news?

Cariad Photography, Steffi's company, handled our friends' Jeff and Laura's wedding last May. Steffi's business partner, Laura Parente, photographed their nuptials and following celebration. We were fortunate enough to spend some time with Steffi in July, when she invited us to her mountain home for a little weekend getaway. A love for entertaining and an interest in photography encouraged Steffi to keep up this tradition for years.

I dialed Steffi up, picturing her answering the phone at her handcrafted home amongst her dogs and piles upon piles of digital memory cards and photo printouts. She asked me to send some of the wedding readings we'll be doing to incorporate into the handcrafted, one-of-a-kind wedding album she'll be working on for us. We quickly updated one another on our lives and goings on before Steffi spilled out six little words. "I have a surprise for you." 

She elaborated. "I have a surprise for you that I couldn't keep to myself any longer. I have such a tough time keeping surprises to myself."

At this point, I was beyond curious. "Tell me, Steffi, tell me!" I coerced. 

Steffi went on to tell me that she has decided to join Laura on our wedding day—that she and Laura will both be photographing our wedding. She mentioned that she couldn't imagine missing it, so she decided to come, too. 

I can't imagine why Steffi is so excited (she's photographed so many weddings), but I can tell you that I sure am. I hope she has fun, feels the venue is enjoyable and thinks our group is a fun one. What a treat, honor and delight to have them both in attendance! I've been smiling ever since I heard the news.

Two talented, thoughtful and engaging photographers. 

Maybe 15 minutes after hanging up with Steffi, I dropped by That Pottery Place to pick up the custom platter we ordered. The girl managing the shop surprised me by saying they made two platters, allowing me to pick which one I thought looked better. I examined each one, finally deciding that one with a teeny paint smudge was still my favorite because of its antiqued ceramic shade.

While packing it up, this employee said, "Edith said you could have both of them if you liked them both." I nodded and smiled in approval and within moments she was wrapping the large platters in bubble wrap and placing them in a large brown shopping bag. I think we'll keep one "as is" and have the other on hand as our wedding "guestbook."

Two unique platters with the unique wedding logo created by our friend Greg. What a fun surprise!

Because Laura photographed our engagement and not Steffi, I've "borrowed" a photo from her blog, shared below. This is one of Steffi's more creative shots, using self-taught photoshop skills to make life imitate art.

Bachelorette Party Weekend

I hate that I am just now blogging about this; I only hoped to give the recap the attention it deserved. Not to mention I'm sure I won't do near as superb of a job as my dear friend Mb.

So, the abridged version is that I have wonderful, fabulous, generous and fun girlfriends. Ladies came out en masse for my bachelorette party weekend (Labor Day weekend). I had fun for every moment of the weekend and couldn't have asked for a better "last hurrah" as a single gal. While Dan and his friends were in Charleston, my girls showed off Atlanta's best assets (and their own). Friends came from far, all seemingly equally as excited about the weekend's festivities. For this I was grateful, as they've had many a Katy event they've been invited to. 

Since some friends were already headed to town, I corralled a bunch at our place for Friday evening. Kate joined me early for grocery shopping and a little pre-festivity quality time. We had plans to bowl originally, but as the conversations roared and time elapsed, we realized that staying in and playing a game of "Who's the biggest pervert" (real board game, care of my sister) sounded like the best idea. We laughed; we cried; we had a marvelous time before heading to bed.

Saturday morning brought breakfast and a quick shopping trip to the Ross ("Dress for Less") nearly across the street from our little three bedroom ranch. Before I knew it, it was time to head over to Megan's, where I had no idea what was in store. 

I was welcomed by spinach dip, fresh fruit, drinks, hummus and pitas—and smiling friends, ready to entertain. Megan was a gracious host for the weekend with other friends/family playing generous hosting roles as well. A "sexy gift" shower kicked the bachelorette weekend into high gear. Honeymoon attire, silly games and other unmentionables poured out of gift bags while friends laughed and took photos. Another bride to be, Miss Moeko, seem to like what she saw so much that we may just incorporate a lingerie/sexy gift shower into her upcoming bachelorette weekend.

Before I knew it, Maria was leading me back to a bedroom and asking me to don clothing and accessories from a random "packing list" she'd made for me. I had, of course, been wondering what I would need the following items for: crimping iron, hat, scarf, boots, something animal print, swim suit, pajamas and night club clothes. After following Maria's instructions, I looked in the mirror and questioned my red shorts, zebra top, slouch boots, swimsuit overtop my shirt and cheap cowboy hat atop my head and questioned her fashion sense. After all, I didn't think I was going to try out for the next season of "Rock of Love."

"Whatever could we be preparing for?" I asked myself. Because I enjoy surprises, I suppressed my curiosity and complied. In a few moments time, I was told I would be blindfolded, put into a car and taken on an adventure.

We weren't in the car but for a few minutes before we pulled into a parking spot and unhooked our seat belts. I was really curious at this point. Hearing propellers and jet engines overhead, I asked if we were at the airport near Megan's house. "Wrong," I was told.

The blindfold was removed and I recognized my surroundings immediately! I'd been to this Goodwill many times before. "Since you love a deal more than anyone we know," Maria announced, "we have decided to do a thrift store bachelorette fashion challenge!"

She went on to explain the rules. Three teams would choose an outfit each for me to try and model runway style in the store—then I was to choose a winner. The winning outfit, I was told, was what I would be wearing "out" for the evening.

I browsed the store while the teams hunted the store's aisles. While I was waiting, I found a Theory black button-up top and a black Gap brand trouser skirt (score)! The three teams' final outfits were impeccable and worthy of Bryant Park accolades (okay, maybe that's a stretch). See the photos below in order. 

I really think I would have worn the black, beaded jumpsuit number out (so silly!); too bad a group of effeminate guys, possibly drag queens, staked their claim on the dress before I even got it off my body. Oh well, maybe they have more use for it than I would have. 

What a fun idea. You ladies know me too well!

We trudged on. Dinner (chicken fajitas and beef tacos alongside beans, rice and margaritas) was divine. We prepared for a night out on the town and were picked up by a thoughtful pair (my sister's boyfriend and his cross country coach). Alan drove from out of town to be one of our "taxis," which was very thoughtful.

The gaggle hit up new-ish nightspot Door 44 (a rock-n-roll kind of club) before moving the party to an old standard (Twisted Taco). A series of "dares," put together by Mb, kept the night fun and exciting (not to mention full of great photo opps). Veil and all, I embarrassed myself (and my female companions) through a series of dares, having a great time along the way. 

The early morning came before we knew it. Our chauffeurs picked us up and brought us back to Megan's for some Mexican leftovers and frozen pizza. Time to wake up also came before we knew it, especially since Lauren and I stayed up talking until the wee hours. 

The girls wrapped up the weekend with a Sunday diner brunch/lunch and a planned, lazy poolside afternoon. We worked on our tans, napped, read the latest gossip rags and recapped the weekend. What an ideal end to the perfect weekend. Thank you, ladies, for being so wonderful. I am one lucky, lucky girl.