Wedding Blog
Hi Hive! My name is Miss Labrador Retriever and I’m so excited to be a part of such an amazing community of creative wedding planners!
I was so happy to find out I was the newest bee, and equally thrilled to snatch up the coveted Labrador icon! The timing of the doggie generation couldn’t have been any more perfect. You see, Mr. Lab and I are the proud parents of 3 (yes, THREE) Labrador Retrievers: Dixie (yellow), Madie (black), and Gabby (chocolate). I’m sure you’ll hear a lot about them during our wedding planning (doggie table numbers anyone?).
Mr. Lab & I at dinner on St. Simons Island in summer of 2008
About Us:
Mr. Lab just turned 29 and is a Physical Therapy Assistant student. He basically started over with college around the time we met, which is bittersweet, because he would have been working full time by now. But then, we would have never met! Mr. Lab is a true Southern boy who has lived his entire life in Georgia. Like me, Mr. Lab knows just about everything there is to know about college football and health/fitness. We fell in love because of our common interests and shared sense of crude humor. 
As for me, I’m 24 and finishing up my second degree at the University of Georgia (Go Bulldogs!). I earned my first degree in Sports Management and my second is in Broadcast News. I hope to find a job in sports broadcasting by the end of the year. No, I don’t want to be just a pretty face on the sidelines at football games. I want to have the desk job competing with the big boys about opinions on who is National Championship material. If you’re wondering about my ethnicity, you’re in the same boat as I am. I like to call it a Heinz 57 mix (a little of everything; a mutt if you will). I am Caucasian, Native American, African American, European, etc. etc. etc. I was born in Germany but have a Hawaiian name. Confusing, I know.
Here we are at an Atlanta Falcons game. Attending sporting events is our favorite thing to do together.
Our Story:
Mr. Lab and I met at our workplace (where we both drive 40 ft. buses!). I knew he drove a motorcycle, so every time I saw him, I’d bug him about giving me a ride on it one day. I soon developed a crush, but because I was tired of always being the one to ask a guy out, I decided to enlist his roommate’s girlfriend (a fellow co-worker & one of my now bridesmaids, Brooke) to help me get his attention.
The plan was for Brooke to casually start mentioning me in conversation to find out if he had any interest in me. Instead, she just put a Post-It note on his computer that said, “LeiLani likes you. Here’s her AIM screen name.” I guess she didn’t pick up on the subtlety I was going for!
That night, I got an IM from Chris. We messaged back and forth for hours, finding out things we had in common like how we both had golden Labradors and both lost our fathers while in high school. I told him about recent events in my life (which included currently using crutches after getting hurt in flag football, accidentally driving my Jeep into a ditch, and hitting a BMW with my bus at work). He flirtatiously picked on me about all these things but did say he would finally get around to giving me a motorcycle ride to make me feel better.
The next day we both had really early reports to work. When I got on my bus, there was a note from Mr. Lab. He had gotten to work early and found out what bus I would be driving so he could sneak in and leave the note. On the front it said, “You’ve had a hard time lately…” and he had drawn pictures of my recent unfortunate events I told him about the night before. On the back it said, “… so I think you need a hug!” As I started to drive off the yard, he stopped me so I could redeem my hug!
That night we had our first date. He picked me up at my apartment and I finally got my motorcycle ride! We drove to a nearby store and bought ice cream and rented a movie to watch. When it was time for him to leave, we stayed another hour outside by his bike kissing (on the first date! Ooooo!) and trying to stall his departure. We’ve been inseparable ever since!
Mr. Lab popping the question on New Year’s Eve 2008
So now we’re planning a budget fall wedding for 75 guests in the absolutely gorgeous city of Savannah. We’ve come up with the theme of “Romantic Southern Charm” because it embodies what Savannah means to us. I plan to DIY a few projects, bargain shop, reuse some items from my MOH’s & FSIL’s weddings, and learn from the hive in order to stay within our budget.
I look forward to sharing our planning process and getting feedback from all you wonderful ladies! Oh, and although I’m a journalism major, I tend to write online with tons of passive voice, run-on sentences, and an overkill of parentheses. I apologize ahead of time.
Much love!
-Miss Labrador Retriever aka LeiLani
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Share this post: Greetings from Miss Labrador Retriever (Sans the Bum Sniffing)!
Hello and welcome! cute couple!
oh and so awesome that you a picture of him popping the question!
Hi Miss Lab! I love your story! You and Mr. Lab are one hot couple! I love the last pic, I can just feel the happiness!! I can’t wait to hear all about your southern wedding!!
Welcome Miss Lab! Can’t wait to hear more about your weddng planning.
Welcome! What an awesome story … one that starts with a hug is the best!
PS - That is a rockin’ new years eve dress you have there!! I’d love to know where it’s from!
Welcome!!! I love the fact that you are a sports hottie!
Weolcome to the hive! Your wedding sounds so romantic, I can’t wait to read all the details! 
Welcome! I loved your intro and can’t wait to hear more from you!
Welcome, Miss Lab! I love your spunky, free spirit and I am looking forward to hearing allll about your planning!
Welcome! I’m so looking forward to following your planning. You and Mr. Lab - too cute. PS I adore your NYE/engagement dress! Love the pink and bling!
@HumarockBride: It’s a Betsey Johnson that I found on Ebay for $100 shipped (originally $400). I’m telling you, I RARELY spend full price on things.
@Mrs. Magnolia: I just had to check out your profile and noticed that you named your pup Knowshon. Too cute! I’ve actually gotten to interview him a few times.
To everyone else: I’m just loving this warm welcome the hive is giving me. You guys have me ecstatic! I just hope I don’t disappoint. 
yay for atlanta brides
Woohoo!!! I’m looking forward to hearing about your wedding planning.
Welcome Miss Lab! I’m so excited to see a GA bee on there. My FI is from north georgia (Sautee Nacoochee, dont’ laugh) and we just bought a house on Lookout Mtn and are moving next month. I spent all day yesterday wearing my Atlanta Braves gear with pride (and strange looks…i live in TX right now) and cheering on our team against the Phillies. Go Braves! We’re spending out honeymoon on Cumberland Island, and will be in Savannah the night before we leave, so I can’t wait to see all the fabulous things you have planned!!p.s. y’all are the cutest couple!!
savannah! I went to school there - I miss Gallery Espresso.
Your icon is one of my favorites from the doggy group !
Oh, how exciting! I’m getting married in the fall in Savannah, too! I can’t wait to read your posts and see what you have planned!
3 labs?! Wow…can’t wait to hear more about the wedding the the pups
I expect to see some puppy porn! (Gosh that sounded wrong!) I mean puppy pics!!
welcome! sounds like you two are a great match. i’ve always wanted a chocolate lab — can’t wait to see pictures of your dogs, and all your plans of course!
Miss Lab,
I cannot wait to hear about your planning!!!
1)I LOVE Savannah but have never been.
2) I look forward to seeing your face soon as a sportscaster. It drives me crazy to see female sportscasters that look like they absolutely hate their job and are just their for the paycheck. Hopefully you will be the first of many who report they sport they love!
As an aside, we’re going to a Falcons game this upcoming season when our beloved Bills play them! Go BILLS!!
Miss Lab are you Miss Golden from the boards? Those pics look very familiar from your blog! Congrats on becoming a bee! How cute that you have a proposal pic…so do we…he asked a lady on the beach to take our pic! BTW I love the cute little dress you’re wearing in the proposal pic! COngrats again!
Remember strippers should be a fun part of your hen night or bachelorette nite.
Martyxxx
It’s so awesome you have a picture of him popping the question! Welcome again and I look forward to your Southern wedding!
Welcome!!! So far, Miss Labrador Retriever was the best fitting name for me as well. i’ve grown up with labs my whole life, until the FI and I got a pit bull dog of our own. She’s the sweetest thing in the world!! I also love the name Leilani, too!!
You and the Mr are so cute together, and I love your whole career path. Can’t wait to hear about your wedding
Hello, hello! I love Savannah and can’t wait to hear more!
Welcome welcome! My FH and I were engaged in Savannah. It’s such a beautiful city. I can’t wait to hear about your plans!
Welcome, and woohoo for puppy table numbers. We are having engagement shots taken this week so we can add to what we hope will be some great table numbers inspired by our own Dalmatian Mix.
Welcome Miss LR!! I can’t wait to hear about your event! We love Savannah! Yay for another Georgia Bee (but War DAMN Eagle! I guess we can have a little bee SEC rivalry!)
Welcome. I love your story. I went to UGA too. I have to ask. Did you and Mr. Lab drive the Uga buses?
Yay, welcome!!! I LOVE Savannah. I wish my FI and I were gettng married there! He lives there now so I get to bask in the Southern culture every few months.
Welcome, Miss Lab!!! I can’t wait to hear about your wedding planning. Your spunk in your intro have captivated me already.
Welcome. You guys are just too cute. And I love the puppy icon!!
Welcome! You and Mr. Lab make such a cute couple! I’m looking forward to hearing about your wedding plans.
@KateMW: That hurts. 
@londonladybug: I’m glad you’re already embracing the Georgia sporting world. With the performance the Braves put on last night and the fact that the Falcons had a successful season, it looks like the Georgia pro sports scene is back on the rise. Just in time for your move!
@Irene - Eneri: I’m actually not from Savannah, just getting married there. But it’s definitely on my short list for places to live after graduation!
@Jenn C: I have a feeling you and I are going to be sharing a lot of information back and forth!
@MightySapphire: Are you already forgetting that I’m into crude humor? lol
@Gerbera: I know what you mean about female sportscasters! If they don’t look like they hate their job, they’re usually oblivious to the sport they’re reporting on. I’m in class with a few girls who want to go into sports and they have absolutely NO clue what they’re talking about. Btw, I’m a semi-Bills fan. I have family in the Buffalo area, so I’m a fan by association!
@D.Marie: I sure am! Mr. Lab actually proposed during a New Year’s toast in front of our friends (who knew what he was doing). That’s how I have the photo! Did your FI just ask a random lady to wait around until he popped the question? I need more details on this!
@Miss Crab Cake: Do you really want to get me started? haha I don’t know if they’ll be much SEC rivalry this year with your new head coach… I was going to call you a traitor but then I realized that you’re from Alabama. I’ll say this though, I’d rather you be an Auburn fan than a Tide fan.
@eva: We sure do!
Awww, you guys are cute! And I think you are every guy’s fantasy - pretty and loves sports
Hi Miss Lab!
I’m so excited for a GA Bee, especially a South GA bee! I’m from St.Simons/Brunswick, and I now live really close to Savannah!
Happy Wedding Planning!!!
welcome! i love, love, love labs. great story. looking forward to hear about your wedding planning!
Oh my! A kindred spirit. Most men (including FI) are somewhat amazed that I know anything about sports and can debate them all while wearing a nice pair of heels. You and Mr. Labrador make such a cute couple. Welcome to the Hive!
@caribqueen: Don’t you just love that dumbfounded look on their faces when you pipe in on their sports talk? They have absolutely no idea how to respond! lol
Welcome! I got engaged on NYE as well (a year after you though), so I know what a crazy flurry of excitement it is. Can’t wait to hear more about your puppies and wedding!
@Sezzy: Did you get engaged this past NYE? That’s when I got engaged, as in 4 months ago. It’s always confusing trying to distinguished between NYE and the actual first day of the New Year when talking about things like this. lol
Welcome! You should work for Fox Sports NW. Hands down worst staff on TV. They could use your help:).
Aw, I love that you have three labs! I’ve got two mutts and if I ever move to the country and get a third dog, I’d want a lab.
@Miss Joey: Haha, maybe I’ll keep them in mind. I’ve already worked for Palestra.net which is owned by Fox News/Sports, so maybe they’ll have me!
Welcome again! I love labs!!! My parents now have the two I grew up with (yellow and black) and I am always telling them they need all 3 and to get a chocolate one. Can’t wait to hear about your plans!
Welcome!!! I like you already!!! Can’t wait to see how your wedding plans unfold!!
Hi again Miss. Labrador! We were walking on the beach and we came up to one of the lifeguard boats that they keep on the sand and there was a pregnant lady standing nearby and he asked her to take our picture infront of the boat and thats when he got down on one knee!!! And she thought it was awesome and took a few pictures for us!
@D.Marie: That is so sweet! Very thoughtful of your man to make sure and sneak in photos of such a special moment! I bet that lady had quite a story to tell when she got home!
What a GREAT story!!! I love you guys already! And although I’m not even American, I love those big Southern romantic weddings!
What a sweet meeting story, I’m excited to hear about more of your planning!
First of all, welcome to the HIVE! I love your first BLOG and look forward to hearing more about your wedding plans and life. Will you post pics of your three babies? I love your story of how you met Mr. Lab and how things lead to he engagement. Congrats!!
Welcome!! You guys are such a gorgeous couple! It’s refreshing having a girlie girl around that can kick the boy’s arses!
Welcome to the hive - love the stiry and look forward to hearing about your planning!
Yay, Ms. Lab! So excited to have you here! From one UGA J-school grad to another (future) one, I can’t wait to hear about your wedding planning! And seeing as sports are your thing, I’m hoping to see a lot of references to the Dawgs in the process. GA football games is one of the things I miss most about moving away. (I’m still trying to get FI to call the Dawgs with me!)
**Wow, did I really just say “GA football games IS…” I swear, I really am I journalism major! We’ll just blame it on the fact that I’m posting before having coffee…never a good idea
I LOVE your skin color!!! LOVE it for real! …I wish I had it…
welcome!! cant wait to hear all about the wedding planning, and the dogs!!!! (we have 2 mutts of or own!)
Such a cute story!
I have a black lab, Princess, 13, and a possibly part lab, Buffy. They live at home with my parents. I miss them much 
Labs are the best aren’t they? Sweetest doggies.
Welcome…. Can’t wait to hear more about your wedding. Wish I could have 75 people at my wedding…
Welcome Miss Lab!! You two are absolutely adorable, and I can’t wait to hear about your wedding. Savannah is so beautiful!
Welcome!!! You two make a gorgeous couple! And I LOVE your new year’s dress!! I can’t wait to hear all about your Savannah planning!!
Yay another motorcyce loving bride! Welcome welcome welcome!
Welcome fellow Georgian! I love Savannah and St. Simon’s!
You two are adorable and can’t wait to hear about your Savannah ideas! I have myself considered Jekyll Island Club..
Welcome to the hive and can’t wait to see your postings!
What a cute story! Can’t wait to hear more about your wedding planning!
Aww, I remember you from your post a while back about your blog application submission to be a Bee (specifically because your name was Golden also!). I was curious to see if you had been chosen because I liked your blogging style. Congrats!
I love that you’re a Southern bride who loves to bargain shop. We shall be friends, Miss Labrador! Welcome!
Hello and welcome. Firstly, what a sweet story about him writing a note to you! and secondly, love that dress you were wearing when you two got engaged! adorable!
You two are precious! I can’t wait to hear about all of your thrifty ideas! I love a good thrifty challenge!
Welcome! You and Mr Lab are so cute, I love your story
P.S. So jealous you’re getting married in Savannah, that was one of FH and my dream spots!
What a cute story. I already can’t wait to hear more. Wlecome to the hive
Welcome! Like the rest of the hive, I love your story. Can’t wait to read more.
Welcome! Yay, another Southern(ish) bride! ya gotta love a bee with three dogs - keeping up with my two is hard enough.
Welcome to the hive! It’s great to see another “SportsGirl” in these parts.
Welcome. I also have 3 labs one of each color also. People think we are crazy having 3 dogs. I can’t wait to see your pups and wedding plans!
Okay, can I just say that I’m incredibly thrilled to get loving from all of you girls, especially fellow GA & UGA ladies!
Thanks SO much for welcoming me with the red carpet!!! Oh, and Madie, Gabby, Dixie, and Mr. Lab all say hi (& woof!).
@Miss Labrador: You know what’s funny, my sister is an Alabama student…blech! Georgia is our second favorite anyway…. so considering our coaching staff, I’m thinking we’ll be routing Georgia on this year!!
Welcome to the hive, Miss Lab! So excited to see the details of romantic southern charm!
awh I love your story and I’m so happy to have you here!!!
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Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/Savannah
Age and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports Reporter
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT
Engagement Date: December 31, 2008
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah Station
About Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
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