Derby Days

This past Saturday, my five aunts hosted a Kentucky Derby themed bridal luncheon in my honor at the Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Virginia.

Forget about monogram parties - this was a good theme.

All guests were asked to creatively decorate their hats which couldn't help but remind me of Derby Days laced with Foxfield - two highly anticipated events within the Greek community at James Madison University.

During Derby Days, there is a fierce house decoration competition; at Foxfield horse races, you aren't caught dead without your hat.

To prove a point:



Over 23 ladies - all donning hats - attended the luncheon which included one male in a seersucker suit: my Uncle Wayne, Master of Ceremonies.

He would've fit in at Foxfield, for sure.

The shower did in fact occur on the day of the Kentucky Derby, but the significance of the theme reaches back to Adam's experience photographing the Derby for Sports Illustrated.

(To view his published photo from two years ago, which was shot from the MetLife Snoopy 2 blimp, click here.)

Derby details were carried out throughout the day - between the hat judging, roses on the tables and mint julep cupcakes made by my Aunt Mimi!

A big THANK YOU to my family for planning and executing this event is southern style, and lots of HUGS to my friends who traveled to join us.

I leave you with a photo of two beloved Tri Delta sisters, Sara and Kerri-Jean.

We've been to Derby Days a time or two.

DL,
BTB

p.s. - Thanks to Hopkins for providing the Derby Days photos. ΔΔΔ Nation.

Mother's Day

Wonderful things happened this weekend, but none of them would've been possible (one way or another) without this beautiful lady.

I love you, Mom.

Your,

BTB

Bach Time

Tonight I am headed to dear Virginia for a weekend full of bridal festivities: a bridal shower hosted by my five aunts AND a bachelorette party coordinated by my two Virginian bridesmaids.

I can't believe I'm hitting the bachelorette benchmark. That's a milestone, y'all - one that can't help but conjure up images of sashes, tiaras and high heels.

The thing is - I would just about die if I had to wear any of those. I think I might just wear cowboy boots.

If that ends up being a bad decision, I'll have another go at it.

I'm a teensy bit embarrassed to admit this, but I am having two bachelorette soirees - one in Virginia and one in Tennessee.

My friends are split between the two states (with one outlier in Maryland and another in the District), and I couldn't imagine asking either group to travel.

Time, money and sanity are precious resources for all ladies during wedding season.

This weekend I'll celebrate with some of my oldest friends from home and college, and at the end of June, I'll celebrate with my Knox friends (who will certainly be OK with me wearing boots.)

I'm counting down the hours until I see you: Emily, Laura, Kerri-Jean, Brittany and Sara!

Love,
BTB

p.s. - image via Curly Girl Design -- the perfect all-occasion treat for your gal pals.

Love Shoot

As someone who fervently follows wedding blogs (I've given them up on Google Reader for Lent...twice), I have been awaiting the day we took engagement pictures.

It was a dream to collaborate with our photographer, who is also my roommate. Carrie gave me liberty to style the shoot (hence the five outfit changes and props) and she drew heavily upon sessions I found inspiring.

In the end, we absolutely adore our engagement pictures. They have such personality that reflects the story of our relationship. I can't stop staring and sharing.

Here are a few of my favorites and the scoop behind them:

1.) We are behind my neighbor's shed using a Beacon Two-twenty five that my parents gave Adam as a wedding gift. The Beacon is symbolic for many reasons, but mainly because Adam got his start in photography as the photo editor of The Daily Beacon at the University of Tennessee.

2.) A world map was the perfect backdrop in this shoot by Lang Photographers, and I was lucky enough to find one in our friends' dining room. Adam and I both studied abroad in Wales and Florence, respectively - and we can't wait to travel the world together. (We love that Kate and Wills are moving to Wales!)

3.) I saw this pose captured by Shannon Norman on Green Wedding Shoes in June 2010. For 10 months I've been itching to recreate it in the field at Maple Grove Inn. Now I'll be itching for the rest of the week from the grass!

4.) To create consistency between our engagement and wedding photos, I wanted to use similar elements in both that will make it easier to group framed pictures. This JCrew blouse is the same print as the bridesmaid dresses.

5.) I loved the idea of creating a photobooth after seeing this session by Erin Hearts Court. We rigged Adam's backdrop frame in my backyard with an old sheet. It was perfect practice for the wedding reception!

We are so thankful for the creative direction and patience of Carrie. She is a fantastic photographer who connects with the heart of the couples she photographs. If you're engaged, book her -- book her now!

To view our full engagement album on Texture Photo's Facebook page > click here!

Love,
BTB

Holy Moly

Let these wet your whistle!

We're waiting for a few to pop up on Facebook later today... until then, this sneak peek has me _______ (fill in the blank).

Speechless,
BTB

Joey Donner

We had a blast taking engagement photos yesterday with Texture Photo!

Apparently Adam and I have quite the knack for the "pensive face."

Only the photos will tell!

Throughout the entire shoot, I couldn't help but think of this scene from 10 Things I Hate About You.

Joey: [holding up headshots] Which one do you like better?
Bianca: Umm, I think I like the white shirt better.
Joey: Yeah, it's-it's more...
Bianca: Pensive?
Joey: Damn, I was going for thoughtful.

Smiles,
BTB

p.s. - I'm still talking about the Royal Wedding.

These Five Things

Earlier today, fellow blogger and friend Caite followed Marcy May's lead and wrote 10 (well, 8) little things about herself. She then turned the table on her readers, and asked them to do the same.

I took interest in this challenge because after college I kept a tiny blog called These Five Things. While I wasn't divulging five facts about myself, I was sharing five things in which I'd taken interest.

One day shy of exactly two years ago, I had taken an interest in Mr. and Mrs. O. More so, Mrs. O's style, but who hadn't from the moment she started wearing belts around cardigans and shopping at Target?

Back to the point - I'm going to play along with Caite, but today I'm aiming to write five wedding-related things about myself.

1. The first time I heard Pachelbel's Canon on the 5-disc changer in my aunt and uncle's Volvo, I knew I'd walk down the aisle to that song. I slaved away to learn it on the piano, which always put a smile on my mother's face, and it's probably the only song I can still play by heart. With that being said, there are no secrets come July 16th!

Admittedly, Adam and I thoroughly discussed using the acoustic intro to Sigur Ros' "ágætis byrjun" off their hvard-heim album. But that wasn't in the cards for our string trio.

2. After a service trip to the redwoods during college, I broke my habit of religiously wearing mascara. These days, my make-up regimen is minimal. I get by with under-eye concealer, blush and bronzer - and when I'm feeling sassy, a little clear mascara on the brows. All that to say, the thought of wedding make-up scares the crap out of me. It's the one time where, "more is more!"

3. When I was the flower girl in my cousin's wedding, I lost my two front teeth at the rehearsal dinner. The daughters of that bride will be handing out programs at my wedding! At the wedding of another cousin, I was snuck my first mimosa. Her red-headed cutie-patootie is my flower girl.

4. My wedding paradigm was shaped by the following cinematic moments: 1) The armadillo groom's cake in the "blush and bashful" wedding // Steel Magnolias; 2) A father in denial befriends the cooky wedding coordinator // Father of the Bride; 3) Julia Roberts' bridesmaid fitting with Cameron Diaz // My Best Friend's Wedding.

5. I have never been a bridesmaid. Imagine that - planning a wedding without ever having been in one!

Enough said!
BTB