Calm & Serene

It's here! I leave for Athens tomorrow morning. The only things I have left to do are pack and paint my toenails.

This picture here is the calmness I hope I'll be projecting this weekend. My main goal is not to be stressed out, overwhelmed or negative. This will be a challenge for me because there's going to be lots of family and friends around, and it's in my nature to want to make sure they're taken care of and are having a good time. I'm just going to keep telling myself that I can't worry about everyone else and that I have planned everything as much as humanly possible (or as much as you can without shelling out hundreds of dollars for a Day of Coordinator).

Another fault I'm trying to combat is my tendency to have a "glass is always half empty" attitude. I've had lots of random "what if" worries about the wedding that I know in the end won't matter (like, should I have done the sunless tanning thing?, will people like our food? will people like the band?)

So, I'm going to focus on just having fun, being in the moment and knowing I'm marrying an amazing person who I love and makes me happy and will continue to do so for years to come.

Programs - Check!

The finish line

Gentry and I have been engaged for a freakin' long time. I'm talking 20 months long. Yes, that's right. One year and eight months. I could have birthed two babies in that time. I feel like I've been planning the Olympics, and I'm finally going to see the fruits of my labor.

Now, I have nine little days left. Finally. Sweet Jesus.

My attempt at being artsy

My new favorite show

I really like this show. It originally aired on Canada's CBC, and is now on the Soapnet Channel on Thursdays at 9 Central.

Bouquet toss gets a bad rap

We're having both a bouquet toss and a garter toss (Gentry really wanted this). I've been reading about how so many brides are forgoing these traditions because of how all the single guests secretly hate them.

Since I'm indecisive and always need help forming opinions, I asked one of my single bridesmaids if she thought the bouquet toss was cheesy. She said that she really liked the tradition, so that sealed the deal for me.

I just hope the girls at my wedding are more enthusiastic than in this video.



Do you like the bouquet toss?

Cold feet about the name change

So, I'm definitely going to change my name, but let's just say I'm not enthused about it. I've had my name for 30 years! It's my identity. It was my byline in my previous profession. I'm a little attached.

Don't get me wrong, I love the whole idea of how changing my name will be the beginning of our family. And I can see how changing your name connects you more as a couple. But, I guess I'm just set in my ways and the thought of legally changing my name in two weeks freaks me out a little bit. And even though I'm going to use my maiden name as my middle name, everyone is still going to call me Angie Hislastname.

For a good half of our engagement, I was set on keeping my name, and Gentry, thankfully, was very supportive of this (he said he wouldn't want to change his name either). What changed my mind was that if we have children, I would want all of us to have the same name.

On the bright side, my new last name flows really nicely with my first name.

Damn, what a fine lookin' guest book table

Call me cheesy, but I'm excited about our guest book table for the reception. I think the event coordinator at our venue thought I was crazy because it was the first thing I wanted to discuss when I met with her last.

It's going to consist of pictures of our grandparents, a kick-ass Greetings from Georgia sign that I bought at Junkman's Daughter's Brother in Athens and a MyPublisher book (check it out here) that I made of all our engagement photos that the guests will sign.

Must take pics

So, I'm getting to the point (22 days to go!) where all the little details have to be taken care of.
Next week I have to touch base with our photographer.

The picture you see here is one I know I'm going to ask her to take. It definitely fits our relationship.

I'm up in the air on whether or not I'm going to give the photog a traditional list of must take photos. I read a blog post on weddingbeepro.com a while back from a photographer who was complaining about such lists because it compromises their ability to capture spontaneous moments and, besides, they are professionals and this isn't their first rodeo.

Having worked with many newspaper photogs in the past, I can certainly relate to this way of thinking. But, you can also make a valid point that I am paying this person a lot of money, so I deserve to get what I want. For instance, I don't want to get my pictures back and realize I don't have a single picture of just my sister and I or whatever.

Anyone have any thoughts? Should I go all Type A on my photographer and give her a detailed list of must take photos?

Ye olde bachelorette party

Last weekend I had the best bachelorette party in Atlanta with five of my lovely bridesmaids. It was so much fun! We stayed at The Georgian Terrace, which is right across from The Fox Theatre. One of my bridesmaids has a friend who works at The Fox, so she gave us a top to bottom tour. We got to go on stage, into the headliner dressing rooms -- the works. I especially enjoyed it because I had never been, but had always wanted to go.

The next stop was Flip Burger Boutique, which has as its creative director Top Chef finalist Richard Blaise. We gouged ourselves on Krispy Kreme milkshakes and sweet potato tots.

Then, we headed to The Vortex's comedy club. I knew this would be fun, because let's just say there was no denying that the six of us were a bachelorette party. My bridesmaid Suzanne had adorned me with a white boa, veil, tiara, bachelorette sash and some items relating to a certain part of the male anatomy.

One of the comics asked us what all the gear was for, and one of my bridesmaids went on stage and gave him a candy penis necklace to wear and a penis straw to drink his beer with. That pretty much gave him enough material for his whole set.

Before I knew it I was called on stage so my bridesmaid could take a few pictures. It was all really hilarious.

We ended the night with a carriage ride (aren't we romantic!) in which we passed a naked man on the sidewalk changing clothes (that's how it is when you visit the big city:)

All in all, I had a blast and was glad my bridesmaids had a chance to get to know one another before the big day.