A Learning Process: A Nail-Biting Venue Search

Lesson 2: Pick Priorities and HOLD STRONG!

I had three things pictured when I envisioned my wedding ceremony.

1)      I wanted a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains; that skyline is just breathtaking, natural, and a great backdrop for any event.

2)      I wanted an outdoor event. I am Christian, and most of my family grew up as Southern Baptists. Needless to say, I received many disapproving looks from family members when I pooh-poohed the idea of church. In my defense, if churches here in the surrounding area had the aesthetics of churches over in Europe, I might think twice, but I see no reason as to why I can’t be as close to the Lord in his creation: outdoors.

3)      I wanted an arbor. Nothing too fancy, I just wanted a pretty frame to enhance a natural environment.

      These were the things on which I was most unwilling to budge. We looked at several venues before the exasperation commenced, and I developed an unhealthy fear that the date I had in mind was going to be snatched up by a more time-conscious bride. The place my fiancé and I fell in love with was just out of our financial grasp, not to mention the fact that it had an almost militant regimen for the ceremony and rehearsal. Wolf Mountain is a gorgeous venue, and I would encourage anyone who is not planning a budget wedding to consider the gorgeous grounds, friendly staff, and amazing vineyard atmosphere. It just didn’t work out for what I’m sure is a very good reason. I just had to take a step back and be more realistic. Venue after venue was consulted and considered. I was so flustered at one point that I almost decided on one mountain-top, secluded site that had the view upon entrance but lacked the mountain vista from the ceremony grounds. Fees stacked up when looking into my other priorities, but I was just ready to have my venue. Thankfully, my mom reasoned with me, and we took a last-minute trip to White Oaks Barn, about 10 minutes North of Dahlonega.

Here we are checking out one venue (a no-go) that had a gorgeous view but not-so great accommodations. 

The venue is absolutely breathtaking. My arbor sits in the perfect spot. The sun never impedes on your view but instead illuminates the mountainous landscape in the background. The barn is brand new and made from the timber that the owner cleared for his daughters own wedding. Apparently, she was running into some of the same obstacles that I was. The bridal suite is like nothing any of the other venues had to offer and was also constructed from the Georgia pines that were cleared to reveal the view of the The Three Sisters Mountain Range. I couldn’t ask for a friendlier couple to hash out the details of my big day either. Working with down to earth, welcoming people will only relieve my easily stricken nerves. The price? For what is included in the wedding package, the place is a steal. Just working out this list makes me giddy. I am so excited and relieved to have the venue picked out, and my only hope is that everything else falls into place a little more effortlessly. (I’m sure I’ll look back at this post in a few weeks and laugh at my naiveté!) 

A Learning Process: Dress Shopping

SO, where am I in the planning process? Well, I intend to put a hold on my procrastinating tendencies (yes, I can see the irony in that statement) and attempt to accomplish as much as possible in the early months. We’re a year out, and Chance and I have chosen our date, venue, caterer, and source of invitations. Things are really coming together. As another bonus, we have already bought my shoes along with the groomsmen’s boots. In the month that we have been tackling these details, I have learned some things that I would love to share:

Lesson Number 1, kiddies- A high fashion model could make a teletubbies suit look good.

That’s right. I was told it is NEVER too early to start looking for the dress, so my mom and I made an appointment at a shop nearby with the sole intention of gaining an idea of what styles I love and hate. I discovered the only information those pictures of wedding dresses on the World Wide Web provide you is the style number in the caption. The look, the fit, the color all remain a complete mystery until that dress goes on your body, and more often than not, it is not the same dress you thought you saw online. For that reason, I’m glad I started looking early and have an open mind about my styles of interest. I surprised myself by falling in like with a couple of ball gowns; however, I’m not sure how those will fit in with my venue (I’d rather not make my dress feel like the odd man out). Then there was one dress, gorgeous on the hanger, that when finally pried out of the plastic casing and put on, looked like Glinda the Good Witches’ daytime wear was accidently matched with a horrendous jacket resembling an old woman’s doily collection. That one certainly prompted an ab-workout of a laugh. The dress saga will continue on Saturday when my mom, Chance’s sister, and my MOH will make the haul to a boutique in Dahlonega with me.


I’ll post my Venue Searching Lesson Learned soon!



Can you guess what I said to this dress? HA.

Our Meet-Cute

High School Sweethearts

Chance and I have gone to school together since the 5th grade. We didn't really meet, however, until my best friend and Chance's neighbor, Jocelyn, introduced the two of us outside of the car-riders' line. Little did I know that the baby-faced football player wearing a Saw shirt and long, blonde hair would be my future somebody. Chance later asked for my number by me locker. After a couple of weeks of talking on the phone, in between classes, and at other school's football games, we started "going out" just after Chance's 16th birthday. 

Chance claims he doesn't remember this, but I distinctly recall turning him down when he asked me to go to Six Flags with a group to celebrate his birthday. He asked me to go, and I promised to check and see if I could. After a considerable amount of thought, I made up a lame and most likely transparent (to anyone other than a teenage boy) excuse about not being able to make it. Reason being? I was terrified of getting on the Monster Plantation Ride with the heavy and dreaded expectation that I might have to kiss him before the light at the end of the monster-filled tunnel of love. Does Six Flags even realize the kind of pressure they are putting on young, slightly prude minds?! In all seriousness though, my 15-year-old brain just wasn't ready to kiss a boy I hadn't even agreed to date yet.


Photo Credit


Our first "date" could be, and has been, considered an afternoon trip to Waffle House. That's right, Waffle House. My mom was greatly concerned with allowing me to ride in the "hooligan's" newly attained Firebird (not to be confused with a new car because that thing was falling apart), but she finally agreed to a short ride to whatever eatery was closest, ergo Waffle House off hwy 20. Chance picked Mallory up from an after-school practice of the play High School Musical, presented me with a Butterfinger candy bar, and opened my car door. From then on, we dated throughout our high school career.


After a brief break and time to experience our freshman year of college, we met to catch up after months of not seeing or speaking to each other. Where did we meet? You guessed it: the Waffle House on hwy 20. We have been together through the thick and thin, loving every second of what the present holds and looking forward to what the future has in store.

I Said "Duh"

A Good Ol' Fashion Announcement: I'm Gettin' Hitched!

Talk about being thrown into a world of change. My boyfriend of 6 1/2 years proposed on November 2, 2012 of this year (story to come). I’ve heard it through the grapevine that planning a wedding it quite a lot of work (not to mention $$), so here are the goings-on of my planning process. I will be a DIY bride, planning the wedding, balancing my degree and work, and most importantly, prioritizing the relationship between myself and my future husband.