Fabulous Party Food

Early Morning Party Food Preparation

My mom and I thought and thought about the menu that we would have for our party. There are so many things that go into choosing your food for any party. First, you have to consider the people that are coming, Second, you should consider the time, and Third you have to consider that whatever food you have, it should be FABULOUS!! My mother was absolutely amazing. She worked so hard on the food for the party, and my soon to be mother in law showed up with some fabulous surprises. We had the perfect party, the perfect guest, and the perfect food!! There are more photos to come!!

Party Party Party!!

This weekend was absolutely amazing! We had our engagement/housewarming party where our families met for the first time!! Yes! You did read that right! Our families met for the very first time in 9 years, and it could not have went better. There is nothing like getting all of your friends and family together in the same place and celebrating the love that you and your significant other have for one another. I can't wait to share all of the details of our party. It was truly amazing!!

Themed Engagement Party

As many of you know, this weekend, we will be having our engagement/housewarming party. We are really excited for this time in our lives. There are so many different ideas for engagement parties and housewarming parties. One of the popular things that brides and grooms are doing today is combining their parties, just as we are. Our families both live out of town, along with over half of our close friends. So, it was really important for us to make things convenient for our guests, and have a great time in our new home.Many couples decide to have a theme for their parties, just as they do for their weddings. So, for all of you themed brides our there, here are a few ideas for themed engagement parties.

* Beach themed with Pina Coladas and grass skirts

* A night out in Paris with wine, stars and romance

* A country boil or barbecue with cowboy boots, cowboy hats and lots of straw

* And for the sports fans, nothing like having a party with your mascot everywhere GO DAWGS!

Whichever theme you choose, I am sure it will be a blast and a night to remember. I can't wait to share everything about our party! So, to the party to come.....CHEERS!!

Bridal Salons...One Apple

Photo Credit: Blue Orchid Blog

There's one place that every bride will end up at some point during the wedding planning process and that is..........a bridal salon. There are so many wonderful salons across each state, with dream gowns, sparkly tiaras, and smiles all over the place. Unfortunately, just like everything else, there can always be one bad apple that spoils the bunch. Here in Charlotte, one of the well known bridal salons has closed up shop, leaving several brides, both out of money and out of their dream wedding gown. For brides, it's not about the money, it's about the fact that many of these brides had found the dress that they were going to marry the man of their dreams in. Many of these brides have layed in bed at night picturing themselves walking down the aisle to their groom to say I do, and the people that should care, they don't! Please say a prayer for these brides because no bride would want to be in their place. There is enough stress just getting to the day. So, to all of the brides that this has affected in Charlotte, please know that we do care, and to the owner of the shop, who refuses to take calls from these brides and is hiding behind his sunglasses, shame on you!!

A New Friend

Photo Credit: The Wedding Planner

This past Thursday was my first Atlanta planning day in a while! I got up at 4am, in order to make the drive down to Atlanta and get some things done. My mom, being the wonderful mother that she is, took the day off, to be my right hand woman. I was so excited about the day that we had planned because it was all about making things happen and getting things done!! I was so excited to finally meet my planner!! She is exactly what I was looking for in a planner, and I am so excited that she will be taking care of things on my wedding day. There is nothing like feeling total confidence in the person that is going to handle your special day, and I totally feel that in my planner. She is everything that we were looking for. I think, most importantly, that your planner should become like a trusted friend because I feel that you will have that same confidence in them, as you would your BFF!! So, for any brides in the Atlanta area searching for a planner, feel free to shoot me an e-mail or message and I will be glad to "hook you up", with not just a planner, but a friend!!

It Is Here

Photo Credit: Style.com

After about 6 months, it is finally here!!! I am talking about my gorgeous wedding gown. I am so excited! Words cannot begin to describe. I wasn't sure how I would feel when the gown came in because you don't want to spend everyday contemplating its arrival. So, today was just perfect. As soon as I saw the name of the bridal salon on my phone, I new that my beauty had arrived. I can't wait to get together with my mother and try on my beautiful wedding gown. I am sure that there will be tears coming from everywhere. There is nothing that can really prepare you for this entire process, so the best thing is to just go with the flow and enjoy every single moment!! I am taking it all in and smiling, laughing, and loving each and every day!

50 Yard Dash

Photo Credit: Brides.com

Again, sorry for another delay.....I have been away in the great state of New Jersey taking a training course for work. The fabulous fiance and I are spending a weekend in New York City to take a break from wedding planning, house stuff, and to be honest, we just need some time together . However, I couldn't resist telling you about my 50 yard dash down the middle of Times Square! A girl will jump through hoops to get some goods for her blog. Yes I will!! So the fabulous fiance and I are walking through Times Square and standing right in front of us are a bride and groom, who were just married! She was so beautiful and they were so happy! It was written all over their faces. For once in my life, I knew exactly what it felt like to be the paparazzi!! I immediately grabbed my camera and took off in a crazy sprint, just to grab the photo. The fiance, by the way, was on the other hand, running along! Hehe!! And of course, I got it! The picture looks to be one of Sex In The City, but it was actually Takila In The City! I will post the few pictures that I got, when I get back home, but I couldn't resist sharing this story! We'll let the one above do for now. Just goes to show, that wedding planning, never ends! Even when you are on a mini vacation, you may wind up running through the middle of Times Square, trying to grab some special brides photo and loving every minute of it!!

Brides, Brides, Brides

I am in New Jersey this week for a meeting, and it is so refreshing to have girls to talk to about wedding stuff. Every other person seems to be either recently engaged, a few months away from their wedding, or a few months actually married!! I love it! To hear all of the bridal experiences, from all angles, is just great. I have talked to women who planned a wedding for 500+ people in 5 months, brides who just got back from the honeymoon of their dreams, and one gorgeous bride, who is going through all of this chaos, just because the man of her dreams wants his dream wedding. Sometimes we brides just need someone to listen and feel our pain. Sometimes we want someone to just understand what we are going through. And sometimes we want someone to understand the feeling of just saying, "Honey, let's just run off together and do this"! But then brings you back to reality because both of your moms would kill you!!

We Registered!

Photo Credit: Instyle Weddings

Today the fabulous fiance and I created our first wedding registry. Yay! I wasn't quite sure how the experience would go, but needless to say, it was a lot of fun! Of course, I ended up picking out the majority of things, with the fabulous fiance agreeing or reminding me that we already have one of those! :) There are so many places to choose from when creating a wedding registry, so it is best to take your time and register at a place that you really enjoy and a place that has lots of "wants and needs"!! While a lot of the stores will allow you to register online, it is absolutely worth it it to go with your fiance and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Check

Photo Credit: Instyle Weddings

There are so many wonderful resources out there for us brides. So many, that often times, it can become extremely overwhelming. You are always wondering what is the best, what will make this process easier, and which will not stress me out. Being a bride, that is planning an out of town wedding, it was so important to have a checklist that just really worked for me. I was really looking for something simple and organized, and I have found it.

If you are looking for a checklist that covers everything and really makes you feel stress free, please check our Russell Hazel Ideas. You will not be disappointed and you will save yourself, your mother, and your planner a lot of stress. So, enjoy checking all of those to dos off of your list. I sure have been.

Our First DIY

This week has been all about the engagement party invites. There are so many different invites out there, so you really have to have an idea of what you are looking for. I cannot begin to tell you just how many invitations I looked at, and including the ones that my mom looked at, I'd say we were batting a thousand. We are actually combining our housewarming and engagement party. Most of our family and friends live out of town, so we wanted to make things more convenient for them. I have been putting together invites all week and tomorrow I will be working on the inserts! Yay!! Funny thing is, after looking at all of the engagement party invites, we actually ended up creating our very own invite!! And they are so adorable! So, you can add our engagement party invites as our first DIY project!

Photo Credit: Wedding Paper Divas

Photo Credit: Wedding Paper Divas

Photo Credit: Fun & Sassy Designs

Photo Credit: Fun & Sassy Designs

Photo Credit: Wedding Paper Divas

What An Amazing 4th

Words can not begin to describe what an amazing 4th of July weekend we had. It was so fantastic to have our family in Charlotte, for the weekend, celebrating the 4th of July and spending time with one another. We had several things planned, on a to do list, for the wedding, however, those plans quickly got cancelled, due to all of the fun that we were all having. We did however, get our engagement party invites printed, thanks to my mom. They are so cute. I can't wait to share them with you. This weekend really reinforced one thing for me, and that is the fact that all you really need around you is your family. They will love you no matter what, and will support your life and love with the man of your dreams

Champagne Cheers

One of the things that we have recently made a decision on is our linens. This was the first appointment that the fabulous fiance was really involved in "hands on"!! Being that the colors of our wedding are very neutral, with ivory and champagne being the main colors, we wanted to stick with that same concept for our linens. A lot of times, you can really over do it in the space, and we don't want to take away from the beautiful details and color that the Biltmore has. We decided to go with a champagne linen for the reception. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one. The color is perfect and it looks so elegant on the table. And to top it off, the fabulous fiance was totally in agreement! Yay!! We have a little something different for the cocktail hour, but please look for our inspiration throughout the entire wedding. One thing is now checked off of the list..........Only a million more to go!! Cheers.

Live It Off The Wall

I know, I know, I have been MIA!! For the past few weeks, I haven't had one extra minute to do anything......but I am back. It is full steam ahead for the wedding planning! We have made more decisions with the wedding, and we are, of course, making decisions daily. I have to take a moment to say that we will miss Michael Jackson so much!! Last Thursday was a heartbreaking day for fans of Michael Jackson, all over the world. We have celebrated his amazing talent and his humanitarian spirit for decades. His music has filled millions of wedding receptions, and has brought a tear or two to many eyes during wedding ceremonies. My fabulous fiance and I had so many of his songs already on our list wedding playlist, and you can believe that we will party like never before. My favorite MJ song has to be "Off The Wall"....."So Tonight, gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf. And just enjoy yourself"!! We plan to live each day, just as those lyrics describe. "Life Ain't so bad at all, if you live it off the wall"!!

Photo Credit: Ben Chrisman

Official Engagement Announcement

Finally.....It Hit The Paper! This past Sunday, Father's Day, our official engagement announcement hit the paper. My mom always hits the town early on Sunday mornings to buy all of her goodies, and I was so excited when she walked in and handed me the Rome News Tribune. Anytime, I am home, I always look in the paper on Sunday mornings to read the engagement announcements and to see the brides who have just recently been married. Sunday was my turn!! It was even more exciting because my mom had chosen the picture and I hadn't seen it yet. As I opened the paper and saw "Wilson Williams Engagement" a huge smile came upon my face. I am preparing myself to marry the man of my dreams!! My fabulous fiance was still asleep, but I had to wake him up and share the Sunday morning paper with him! He said that he loved our announcement, but as soon as he woke up "for real", he asked to see it again!! LOL! So, it is official!! Let the festivities begin!! (Below is the actual announcement that hit the paper)

Photo Credit: Rome News Tribune

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Wilson of Rome announce the engagement of their daughter Takila Shamere Wilson to Christopher Anthony Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Williams of Darien. Miss Wilson is a 1998 graduate of Pepperell High School and a 2003 graduate of University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. She is currently employed with Daiichi Sankyo as a pharmaceutical sales representative. The bride-elect is the sister of T.J. Wilson of Columbia, S.C., and Mia Wilson of Rome. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Wilson Sr. and John S. Ransom, all of Rome and the late Emma Ransom.Williams is a 1998 graduate of McIntosh County Academy and a 2004 graduate of University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology. He is employed with Orkin Commercial Services as a service manager. The groom-elect is the brother of Shawn Cox of Portland, Ore., and Charity Williams of Darien. He is the grandson of Maude Smith, Mattie Williams, the late Henry Smith and the late David Williams. The wedding ceremony is planned for Saturday, June 12, 2010, at The Biltmore Ballrooms in Atlanta. Invitations will be sent.

The Most Important Outfit of My Life

It is getting closer and closer to the time that my dress will be making its arrival. Just a few more months, and the gorgeous beauty will be here. I am honored to wear a beauty designed by Reem Acra. Her gowns speak for themselves, and I can't wait to slip into my gown for the first time. I am in the process of finding the perfect pair of shoes to compliment my beauty down the aisle, and you can believe that they will be a special pair. The countdown is on to the most important day of my life, where I will wear the most important outfit of my life!!

Photo Credit: Amy Squire

Engagement Debut

A special package arrived today at my mom's house, and it contained our photo and announcement that we will place in my hometown's newspaper. We are really so excited to "officially" announce our engagement and upcoming nuptials to everyone, well at least Rome, GA. I would have to say, however, that I was a little disappointed. I don't know if it is because I am from a small town or maybe they are just old fashioned, but our newspaper would not let us print a photo of us, as a couple. They only accepted photos of the bride!! ::( Regardless of that, we are really excited to print our announcement. We will also place an announcement in my fabulous fiance's hometown newspaper, and hopefully we will both make the paper!! Can't wait to share more. (P.S.- Thanks Mom for taking care of everything. You Rock! I love you very much!)

Photo Credit: Abigail Seymour

One Year To Go

Today is it.....One Year to Go and we will be husband and wife. Next year on June 12, 2010, we will be saying our vows and committing ourselves to one another for the rest of our lives. God could not have chosen a more perfect man for me to share the rest of my life with, and I will be both honored and blessed to walk down the aisle and commit to my best friend. We cannot wait until next year, at this time, to share our love for one another, with our family and friends. It will really be the happiest day of our lives. So, to my fabulous fiance, I love you and I will meet you at the alter, exactly one year for now. I can't wait!!

Hot Black Number

So, my mom and I had our morning talk, like we do every morning, and she finally agreed with an idea that I had months ago..........Black bridesmaids dresses. Yay! Success!! I love the idea of a black, sleek, elegant gown. While my bridesmaids would be gorgeous in any color, they are sure to dazzle in a hot black number. We have had one go at bridesmaids dresses and are currently preparing for several more outings. I can't wait. Tons of fun! Until we actually find the one, I have found some gorgeous black gowns, that really caught my eye and would be fantastic options!!

Photo Credit: Lazaro

Photo Credit: Alvina Valenta

Photo Credit: Bari Jay

Photo Credit: Jim Hjelm Occassions

Photo Credit: Alfred Angelo

Save The Date

With the one year mark approaching us, I thought that I would share these adorable save the dates. I love this idea because it is something that you could keep forever! They are different, dainty, and down right charming. So, Save the Date, Takila & Christopher, June 12, 2010.

Photo Credit: 100 Layer Cake

Almost to the Mark

This week is a special week. Friday will be exactly one year until our wedding day. June 12. We are so excited! We will be celebrating this year mark, and I will be sure to have cute pics to share. Next year at this time, this will be us, walking down the aisle as husband and wife. I know the posts have been short, but we are about to go into full wedding planning mode. There will be lots of appointments, decisions, and DIY projects. We are almost to the mark. As our cute nephew likes to say, ready, set..........GO!!

Photo Credit: Carl Zoch Photography

The Perfect Accessory

I have searched and searched for a bouquet that I am in love with, and the one below is it!! This bouquet is absolutely gorgeous. The champagne and ivory flowers are perfect and will be a perfect compliment to the wedding dress that I will wear on the most important day of my life. There would be a few additional changes and personalization, but the look of this bouquet is exactly what I am going for. This bouquet is the perfect accessory for my wedding day!

Photo Credit: WeTV

M.I.A.

Okay, okay, I know that I have been totally M.I.A. Yes, my fiance and I have been hiding out..........In Our New Home!! We finally found the home of our dreams and have been busy, busy, trying to settle in and make our new home, a home of our own!! We are, of course, still in the midst of wedding planning, but the new house is really taking up A LOT of our time. I will definitely be posting more things about our upcoming nuptials, really soon. For now, back to the fabulous new hideaway!

Photo Credit: WeTV

Another Perfect Match

The one thing on our wedding day that is just as important as the wedding gown and the food is the.....groom's tuxedo. We have been playing around with a few different ideas for my soon to be husband's wedding day attire. I think that we both have the same idea, however, we just have to make that step to start trying on some tuxedos. Whatever my groom decides to wear, what matters to me most, is that he will make an appearance, waiting to become my husband, for the rest of his life!! So cheers to the bridal gown and tuxedo that in essence will become the perfect match.

All Things.....

Okay, okay, I know this week was supposed to be "all things groom", however, for me, this week has been all things "basketball"!! For anyone who is or is not a basketball fan, I have to say that this year has been THE BEST year of NBA playoff basketball since the Jordan era. So, this week, I did take a mini break from all things wedding, and went all things "NBA basketball"! I guess that you could say, in a tiny way, that this is "all things groom"! Where there's a groom, there's basketball, and for my fabulous fiance, there's also, his soon to be bride!

Photo Credit: David Christensen Photography

The Groom's Boutonniere

In honor of my fiances first trip on the road to wedding planning, I figured that we would dedicate this week to "all things groom"!! While my fabulous fiance has donned many boutonnieres in his many days as a groomsman, the boutonniere that he will wear on our wedding day, will be the most important one ever! We haven't decided on the exact boutonniere, but here are a few that caught my eye.

Photo Credit: The Knot

Our First Visit Together

This weekend was an extremely busy weekend. However, any moment spent with my fabulous fiance and my family is so worth it. This was the first time that my fabulous fiance had visited the very site that we will exchange vows and become husband and wife. He has now officially become a part of the wedding planning committee!! :) It was just exciting to have him there, so that he could start to get a feel of our upcoming nuptials next year. I can't believe how time is just flying by, but every day that goes by is a day closer to becoming a wife to my fabulous fiance, and I can't wait!!

Chris & I at the Biltmore for the 1st time together
Little sister, Mom, & Myself (The girls)