Brace Yourself Effie - Part Two: Location, Location, Location

Well, this is the big moment and I'm not going to drag it out any longer... We have moved the location of the ceremony from Piedmont park to the sacred space behind Phoenix & Dragon. (told you I left something out)

This is great news because, among other reasons, the parking will be soooo much better than at the park. Also, the space is reserved, unlike the gazebo, so I can relax about that. It isn't even going to cost any more than the park! It's more central to all guests. Handicapped accessible (how you doin' dustin) with some benches, and they are even going to hold a room inside in case it rains, but I can't.. wait. One last time, then I have to stop saying this before I jinx it. I can't remember the last time it rained on Halloween.

The best part is nothing else has to change (although there's one issue I'll discuss after it's been discussed with all parties)

OH, I haven't told you yet. We got the handfasting cord in the mail! It's gorgeous.

Here are the pictures of the space I was holding back. It's petite and bijou, as far as weddings, but perfect. Funny thing is, this was Himself's first choice, I just didn't think it would be feasible, boy was I wrong.

Remember the lighter tree on the right, with so much trunk showing

On the right side there is a path

The bridge at the path leads to where she wants us to park

I do have one closer spot at the store reserved for a special guest

A nice "Wedding" sign I found will go here, too

The path is gravel with a small bridge at the corner

Wheelchairs can enter through the store and onto the deck

The bridge crosses a small pond with trickling water

Then a slate path to this side of the deck. You can see one of the benches

The ceremony will be to the right, which is raised

The rest of the deck, procession space, etc

There is that big tree from before

This is that raised space where we will stand

Not sure what we will do with the birdcages but she said to tell her if we want them

I haven't even begun to think decorations

When I took this I had no idea there were fish in it. 

This is between the bridge and where we will stand

So there you have it, folks. The biggest change so far is easy peasy. Ha! except we have to order new invitations toot sweet so they can immediately go in the mail. An acceptable loss, and now we have the old invitations to reminisce about with our grandcats.

The topper was on our journey home, at the transfer of the buses. I spied someone prancing through the intersection and chuckled until I realized who it was. Baton Bob is an institution here, prancing through Midtown in short shorts, flouncy or sparkling attire, and usually some type of fascinator atop his head. The constants are his baton and whistle. Leading a marching band of one, he bestows good will on motorists and pedestrians with his twirling skills and model poses. I had never seen him this far into Buckhead before, and it was the closest I've ever gotten to him.

Baton Bob recently got married, and like the antithesis of a black cat crossing our path, I see this as a good omen for our nuptials.

So Get This

A couple of hours after venting to the postmistress, the guest book arrived. This changes nothing about my complaint, because I would've had it yesterday and none of that negative energy would have to have been generated if only they fixed their boxes two years ago. Or a year ago. Or, no, you know what, I'm done.

I'm sitting here and there was a single, tepid tap at the door. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door to find... a tube. I'll sadly admit that for a fraction of a second I hoped maybe the frame was disassembled inside somehow, but quickly saw the folly there. In the sellers defense, it does say frame not included. I just think it should've been more prominently noted than it was, especially since it was displayed framed. I guess the lemon bars from lemons is that we can choose our own frame. Plus now we need a 4x6 frame for a pretty little sign directing people to sign the "book".

There is a package supposedly coming Saturday, so once again I bet there'll be shenanigans with the post office. Then one more arriving who knows when from China. Can I say China? I never know anymore.

Today was aquarium day, and I just haven't recovered enough to write. I'm also far behind on reading and I need the mental escape, but my brain was in no mood to travel. I was going to try and come up with wedding ideas and explore a computer option I like, but have to discuss it with fiancee. I might actually make it until himself gets home. Ha, I just heard from him and I will see him before I go to bed. That will be a nice treat tonight to help bolster a taxing day.

Tomorrow's forecast: Drowsy with a chance of Brainstorms

Bubbles to Smithereens

Today is Scott's birthday. He just pulled two overnight doubles in a row so it is also catch up on sleep day. I'm finally back to work on the bubbles. Trying to find the right formula of paint to get the look I want. I have my two test subjects on the balcony drying right now. Once I decide what looks best I can finish all of them at once.

The cake debate rages, but both of us are leaning towards cupcakes. A bakery cake is out of the question, and Publix bakery uses some whipped frosting instead of butter cream. We will probably have a small cake, if we do this, to cut at the reception. It's still in talks, so I'll let you know. Oh, we haven't even discussed whether or not to smash cake into each other's faces. Scott isn't keen on things like having a drink thrown in his face, although who is? But he would know it's coming. Or will he? Mwuhahaha.

Wedding favors have recently come up, which is a tough one. We tossed around the idea of making the favors Halloweeny. Maybe while I'm working on the bubble bottles I can shop around for both favors and wedding party gifts. I remember at one of one of my brother's weddings he gave the groomsmen engraved razors. Having always been in the groom's family, I've never known what the girls get. Perhaps a call to my friend Donna is in order. She's been through this a couple of times, and more importantly, like Niecezilla and my friend Stacie, she has her finger on the party pulse. Good ideas for good times. I'll make time to call all three. Wait, I can't ask Donna and Andrea, they're part of it so I'd be asking them what they want me to get them. Stacie it is.



Scott's awake... Back to work

Weekend Progress, part two: Park It

Today we went into Midtown and scoped out the park. It was hot and humid but pretty to look at. We took one of my favorite entrances, down 14th street. On our walk I found some good places to snap off some shots out of architectural appreciation.

I can't believe I've never seen this before

This is like an architecture collage

Buildings in buildings

Go home building, you're drunk

They spelled it wrong

The park was great, mostly in the shade. They've added some things and we scoped out the pavilion and bandstand in case of a rain emergency on the day. My fiancee insisted on being in a shot I got my finger in while trying to get him back for sneaking a pic of me.

We were reminded of how close some bathrooms are to the gazebo, of course they're park bathrooms, but it won't be a long ceremony. I took some shots from the side of the gazebo we will emerge from, one from the guest's side, most without a finger in the shot.

Where's Gazebo?

*considers jumping

Afterwards, we rounded things off by checking out the docks then the 10th street entrance, which is where the closest parking is. 

Once again the finger photobomb

My plan is to include a map of the park with the invitations. There is a lot of free parking along 10th and on the side streets across from the park. Then whichever entrance they use, they can find us.

Now I am full of delicious shrimp etouffee Scott was inspired to make in anticipation of our honeymoon trip. I think he should call it Fiancee's etouffee. Did you guys know Scott is a chef? Yeah, you got me now.

The best thing about today, for me, was getting to do it with my fiancee. 

Now, before I go, I know what you have all been thinking this entire time. Aren't those the same shirts they wore to Niecezilla's on Saturday? Well, yes, as a matter of fact they are. You wanna do something about it? Those are outside shirts. Good for 2 or 3 uses. If you don't like that then yesterday was laundry day.

The Other List

This morning I am just sitting here having my coffee preparing myself for the day. I say morning, but it's almost two. I call this the AM of the PM. The topic of food is still in flux. I will be satisfied if that's all we get sorted today.

Also on the agenda is cake. Or will it be cakes? Why are you asking me? We don't know yet.

Then my big personal project is vows. After my first idea was met with an icy reception, I found some lyrics I thought were touching... until Niecezilla pointed out that a reference to death might not go over so well. Looks like I have no choice but to write my own.

Now it's already 4 so while I fight with the government about paperwork (unrelated) and schedule a doctor's appointment (unrelated but remember when you had to have a blood test to get married?) Here is a list of dream wedding guests. We have our A list, so I guess these would be the * list.

Wendy Williams
Sarah Brightman
Anne Rice
Stephen Fry
Lynda Carter AS Wonder Woman (with cape)
Teletubbies
ANYONE Doctor Who related (I'm talking to you Colin, Katy, Nicola and Janet)
Stephen Moffat because besides Who he's bloody brilliant
Ricky Gervais
Australian Kath & Kim
Our cats
Dame Judi Dench
JK Rowling
Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton
Roger from American Dad
The entire cast of Vicious
George and Poppy Carlton
The no.5 robot from Short Circuit
Aubrey Plaza
Ana Faris and Chris Pratt
Dawn french and Jennifer Saunders
Hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
with special guest star... Betty White