Atlanta Shower Photos

We had the most amazing wedding shower a couple weekends ago at my aunt and uncle's fab Decatur house. Jeanne and Lee, you guys were amazing. Thanks also to everyone else (Jennifer and Michelle) who helped make the night one we'll never forget. Here are some crappy cell phone pics you've probably already seen.

These are my boys, I love my boys.


This is us amidst a plethora of presents. I love presents!


This is me and my best friend & bridesmaid, Jennifer. Ain't she purty?

Cutting the cake. He was actually gonna let me cut the cake all by myself!

Doesn't it look yummy? It was. Jeanne made it ;)

Groomsman, Quincy & Best Man, Andrew with the groom in the Den


Beautiful hostess Jeanne. Need to tell you about that barrette. Don't let me forget to do that!

I am so funny! Snort, snort.

Eat this yummy food right now!!!


Friends Doug, Tiffany and Suzanna.

Beautiful table spread.

Reading one of our favorite gifts from Jeanne, book of candles. (Will post more on this later)

Another favorite gift. Doily made by my great grandmother from Memaw.

Complete Martha Knife Set (with coin) from Elaine & Bob

Again, thank you soo much everyone! What a blast!
See you very soon now!

ATL Bound!

We are very excited to be taking a little trip this weekend up to Atlanta for our very first shower! I am so excited! It's going to be at My Aunt & Uncles beautiful Decatur mansion and Jeanne is preparing some very fun stuff! Though I don't know exactly what yet. That coupled with the fact that I was able to find a cute dress, makes me very happy.

We hope to see you there!

Invites & Such...

First off, congratulations to my lovely cousin,

Lindsey & her new fiance Jonathan
Can't wait till your wedding!

Lots of things have been going on in the (almost new) Efferson household:
I am making tee shirts
and
embroidering handkerchiefs

Tin cans + vintage lables + mod pdoge =
fun cheap centerpiece vases

Pack of napkins from party supplies store: $1.99+
Stamps on sale at Big Lots & ink my sister gave me for xmas: $5
= personalized cake and cocktail napkins, voila!

But by far, my favorite has to be the invitations! Here they are!

Three-paned hand designed and drawn invite featuring a vellum travel info card sewn over a hand-drawn map, raised invitation center panel, and a perforated rsvp postcard.

Hand-drawn rsvp postcard banner. ( I know i keep saying "hand-drawn" but it really is a big deal because i can't draw!)

My little brain baby all folded up and ready to go. Too bad the post office didn't have cuter stamps.

Did you get yours yet?

Bachelor Party Weekend

Everyone join me in wishing Jason a bon voyage as he begins his testosterone filled journey into the mountains of north Georgia tomorrow for his bachelor party camping weekend. The boys have obtained nearly 50 pounds of meat, and plan to roast it in a pit in the ground, wrapped in Ti and Banana leaves. They also plan to kill many trout in the streams and creeks nearby.

Fire, meat, nature, beer. Sounds manly.
Meanwhile, I'll be assembling and addressing invitations by myself; eating hooters chicken wings with Suzy in tight fitting tank tops and watching True Blood; hitting happy hour with Elsa; and definitely trying to stay out of the mall.

Edit 8/13/10:
Here are some of my favorite of his shots from the camera:

He takes such pretty pictures, doesn't he?

For the weekend...

Something to om nom on...Inspiration board #2. I think it's a good mix. What do you think? Happy weekending!

100 Days Left & The Evolution of Programs

One hundred whole days left!
I'm ready. I've pretty much got most everything taken care of. Of course last minute changes are always expected and even though this isn't very last minute, it is a plan change.

The original plan was to print the save-the-dates on handkerchiefs. Guests could then use those as hankies to wave during the second line parade, which was then planned for after the ceremony. But that would involve approximately 200 people remembering to bring a hankie they got in January to a wedding in October...and we all know that isn't gonna happen.

So then the plan evolved to printing the programs on the handkerchief. Don't worry about how. I am a super crafter, dont ya know. I actually have already cut and prepared 200 handkerchiefs for this express purpose. But then I was reconsidering. I've just recently finished hemming and embroidering thirty handkerchiefs, and my arthritic fingers are telling me there is no way I can do that for almost 7 times that amount! So it's back to the drawing board we go. And these programs from TheKnot.com and MarthaStewartWeddings.com (duh) serve as inspiration.

I really like the mismatchy covers of these programs...

This bow binding looks pretty simple.

Love these wooden sheets or couldn't I just design it so it looks like a wooden sheet?

I am always looking for another excuse to show off our engagement photos.

The bride's niece drew this super cute likeness. Who wants to draw me one?

Love the way the pencils are attached to this. Might use for activity book!

Love the whimsical, storybook theme of these programs.

So during the second line, please use your beverage or cake napkin for waving. Speaking of cake napkins...homemade personalized cake napkins - $6. More on that later. Second line parade will now end the entire reception. So make sure you grab your purse. Maybe things will change again...who knows?! And what will the programs end up like? I guess you will have to come to the wedding and see...

A Note About The BP Gulf Oil Spill...

We are so excited to welcome you to our city later this year! In the wake of the environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, our hearts go out to our fellow Louisiana citizens on the Gulf Coast who are suffering from this catastrophic event. However, we also want to reassure you that all of the things that you've come to enjoy in New Orleans remain unchanged and in some ways, are better than ever.

You should know that New Orleans is located 100 miles inland, and in turn, have avoided any physical or environmental damage. Tourism in New Orleans has undergone a resurgence this year as huge numbers of visitors and convention-goers have flocked to one of the world's most exciting culinary and nightlife destinations. We continue to meet and exceed the expectations of hundreds of thousands of business and leisure travelers and festival-goers. October is one of our most beautiful and popular months, historically speaking. New Orleans tourism officials are constantly monitoring the environmental impact on our wetlands and beautiful marshes two hours to our south bordering the Gulf of Mexico.

Our world famous seafood industry has and always will go through rigorous testing from various strict agencies before our product reaches market, and our renowned chefs ensure that only the highest quality fresh products are prepared and served. In fact, our restaurants and food suppliers work with purveyors locally and nationally to ensure food quality and safety from sea to table. This has long been a New Orleans commitment. To learn more about seafood, please visit www.louisianaseafood.com.


Additionally, the BP oil spill has had no impact on the air or water quality in New Orleans both of which are completely safe and unaffected. Air and water quality samples are taken regularly and tested as they are in every major American City as a matter of course. Don't believe everything you read or hear. Especially about this town. Do you have any idea how many false reports about Katrina came out? TONS. In fact, we heard the "rumor" of the aquarium after the storm, in a big pile of glass and marine animals swimming 'round the city. When we returned, it stood strong and unchanged. Ready for you to visit and tour.


We are most appreciative of our fellow citizens around the world who are closely watching events unfold and looking to find any way to lend support. For the latest information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

Thank you for keeping New Orleans in your thoughts and we look forward to celebrating with you in October!

Also, my cousin, David Ferris and I are working on organizing an optional but suggested tour of the ninth ward and surrounding areas. Dick and I have taken this tour before and it is really fascinating. Especially the work his organization is doing to educate the children. Here is their blog. More information on that later.

The Key...

I've been meaning to upload this for a while now. It's our first wedding card! Received summer of last year from Jeanne. And it's pretty much perfect so I wanted to share.

Mine should be doppelbock...

Four Months To Go!

Great news!

I discovered a way to share every blog post with you! If you want to be removed from this update listing, please say so. I won't cry, I promise. If you want to be added, send me your email address!

Good Evening!

Today marks the four months (exactly) to go and things are coming along.

I've ordered the suspenders from The Suspender Factory in San Francisco. Susan was amazingly helpful and informative. I definitely tested her patience. We ended up ordering custom suspenders that look much like these Windsor (fitting name, huh?) in the dark brown with Y-backs!

The maid of honor has found her dress!
pretty, isn't it?

Also the flower girl's dress has been ordered.
totally cute, huh?

That leaves the darker green colors and the sage to fill. A note to anyone planning on ordering a dress. Do it now! Some designers take up to three months to fill your order. That's September!!!

I found a printer to print my custom designed invitations!
Dawn was extremely nice and helpful and even offered to help me learn Illustrator! Plus the price was oh so right at just under $200. What do those online invitation companies charge so much for anyways?


Now if Jason could just remember to call the jeweler so we could go order our rings. I think I'm going to pick one that looks like this.
J will most likely pick out a plain rounded band and we might get a Titanium one because of all the chemicals he has his hands in all day long. But last time we went, he was having a rough time deciding...so...we'll see!


We've also got to go to the men's store to pick out J's attire.
I am still crushing on the Sean John brown pinstripe...

A visit to the Bead Shop is on the schedule.

ATL Shower is being tentatively planned for August 21st at Bill & Lee's fantastic Decatur house.
NOLA shower is planned for September 18th at Rock N' Bowl!

A special prayer for my Pop, who is fixin' to get a new hip!
Rainbows, marshmallows, kittens, and super-fast healing to you!

Working on an activity book for the children to occupy themselves with at the wedding.
Vintage clip art has been extremely helpful in this endeavor.

Jeanne has found some amazing serving pieces for our dessert buffet!
Amazing Salvation Army finds!

Also working on Welcome Bags for Out of Town Guests. Would love to use a canvas or even woven tote bag but that might not be in the budget. Paper wouldn't be so bad, I guess.

Next time: Dominoes, Checkers, Tricky Triangle (cracker barrel) games, oh and did I mention the voodoo station yet? I will!
Much more to come.
Stay tuned.