Weddingbee

Hey y’all, Mrs. Magnolia here… still sick, and still waiting on professional pics. Our photographers told me on Monday that the pics were at the lab, so I should have them by the end of the week! Man, I can’t wait. Just yesterday, my Matron of Honor sent me a link to the pictures from her little brother’s wedding… which was two weeks after ours!

In the meantime, we’re going to talk about our rehearsal dinner. My in-laws decided to plan a seated dinner, since we would be having a buffet at the wedding reception. After debating several venues, including the Piedmont Room and Ansley Golf Club, they settled on 103 West.

103 West is a private event facility in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, managed by an upscale restaurant group. Both Mr. Magnolia and I had attended several work-related functions there, so we had no doubt that the food was fantastic. Initially, though… I had some reservations about the decor. Maybe it’s just because I tend to be more traditional, but the upstairs of 103 West has never appealed to me:

I know that a lot of people really love it, but personally, I think that the draping on the walls matched with the red furniture is just a bit much. However, I had never seen the grand ballroom, and I was pleasantly surprised:

Not only is it downstairs, which is where the restrooms are located, but it has a private entrance. Score!

From what I understand, Mr. Magnolia and his mom both ran into a couple of communication issues with the staff, but overall we were very pleased with the event. The food was fantastic, the service was great, and the room looked beautiful. Truly, we did very little to it, but everyone was raving about how lovely and elegant everything was.

It was a laid back dinner, with the first thirty minutes devoted to cocktail hour, and then a three course meal with a ceasar salad, filet/chicken combo main course, and pumpkin cheesecake dessert. My father-in-law gave a lovely toast, thanking Mr. Magnolia for being a wonderful son and brother, and wishing us both the best. Seriously, y’all - a wedding weekend is just a big love-fest!

Anyway, since we were opting for all-white linens, my mother-in-law decided to go with all-white flowers… and they were absolutely beautiful! This is Brother Magnolia, peeking out from behind a gorgeous (though cut off) centerpiece of white hydrangeas, roses, and lilies.

Most of the pictures I have are people-centric. My aunt snagged a camera and went to town, taking pictures of just about everyone there… except Mr. Magnolia!

This is me with my cousin. She did a reading at the wedding the next night.

…and, because they’re just too cute, my great aunt and uncle. Of all of the guests we had come to the wedding, I think these two were the happiest to be there!

One last picture, just because it cracks me up. This is my Matron of Honor with her husband, who is hilarious and maybe a little ridiculous. Oh - and she had just consumed three pieces of pumpkin cheesecake.