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Anna's Wedding Blog Week 17: Statistics and a Spoon: A Week in Apologies
Posted on 03/02/2010 by Anna Ferguson |
Possible wedding napkins? What do you think?
I need to issue two apologies. The first goes to my fiancé. For the past week, Michael has been- more or less- neglected by me. He has yet to complain, and truthfully, he may not have noticed. But the attention level I have paid to him in the past week has been far below what I consider acceptable.
My second “I’m Sorry” needs to be issues to the Foundry Park Inn. Somehow, I ended up taking home one of your fancy smancy spoons.
Let me explain.
Apology No. 1 comes on the heels of an extremely hectic week, which is being followed up by a week of graduate school midterms. Projects, papers and exams have been/will be tossed upon me, and well, it’s a lot. The biggest problem is my statistics midterm exam, which will be finished (with a passing grade, I hope and pray) by the time this blog is posted. I have yet to understand why I, a journalism grad student, need to know how to calculate the regression line of an equation, or why I need to be able to find the correlation of a word problem, but apparently I do need to know this. And my brain may explode at any minute.
So rather than have sweet date nights and fun movie nights and deep conversations late into the night, my world has revolved around figures and numbers and equations. And for that, Michael, I apologize.
Let it be known, though, that I did apologize to him face-to-face, not just virtually. His reply: “Just don’t go insane, and we’re fine.”
I think those are pretty solid words of advice.
As for my second apology, to the lovely Foundry Park Inn here in Athens, well, read on.
On Sunday, Feb. 28, Foundry Park (www.foundryparkinn.com or 706-425-2610) hosted the bridal event to end all bridal events. The 6th Annual Bridal Open House was so much more than a bridal show; this was a matrimonial extravaganza. Two galleries, the Melting Point Concert Hall, two bridal suites, the gazebo and an expo room were all open to guests of the event, with each room stocked with wedding vendors and consultants of all bred and brand.
From spa services to and catering to cakes, jewelry and photographers, no bridal stone was left unturned. Despite the wide range of vendors and the hundreds of attending guests, each merchant was extremely personable, making for a highly customized and warm event.
Although many of my bridal needs/wants have been planned, I was still able to find merchants at the event who could answer my lingering questions.
According to my mother, I need fancy, customized napkins for the wedding, and my attendance at the show was in part to help figure out what sort of linens I may want. Though I am likely to go online for this item, it was nice to have Plain Jane Designs (www.athensgaweddings.com or 706-369-7006) on hand to describe for me lingo of the industry.
On a side note, I did find a few napkins online I thought were fun. What do you all think about this one? It’s kind of cheeky- “Eat, Drink and Be Married”- but I like it.
My second looming question was about my veil. This is one piece of my nuptial outfit that I have yet to seek out. My master plan is for my mother, my to-be mother-in-law and myself to all go veil hunting next weekend, when both sets of parents are in town for a visit. In preparation for that field trip, I stopped by the I Do I Do Bridal Center booth (www.idobridalathens.com or 706-546-8586), and owner Patty Oropeza assured that when all my ladies are here, she will readily assist me in finding that perfect piece.
A third question I hadn’t thought to ask was what other pieces I’ll be wearing come June 17. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings—just what jewelry will work with my dress and personality? Sarah Currie of Stella & Dot Stylist accessories boutique (www.stelladot.com/sarahcurrieathens or 706-380-4920) offered a wide display of jewelry and accents for The Big Day— and honestly, any day. I didn’t make any purchases at the show, but was assured that her Web site could more that fill any need if I or my wedding guests want to indulge in a few cute accessories (hint, hint). Plus she gave me a Ring Pop, which I though was simply creative and cute.
Once these three major quandaries had been settled, I then took in all of the bridal show. By all, I mean all. A solid two hours of chatting, of examining trinkets I didn’t need, of tasting after tasting. Oh, the tasting. Even if you won’t be planning a wedding next February, checking out this bridal open house is worth it just for the tastings.
Each open room offered up an array of delightfully delicate treats, from tuna tartar on gourmet spoons, flank steak in a red wine demi-glaze, to a bacon-wrapped pork and turkey carving station, and fruit assembly line, plus plenty of wedding cakes to sample and so much more. The event wasn’t limited to edible wonders, either. There was also a wine tasting, samples of white and red sangria, and a build-your-own champagne bar.
Couple this weeks afternoon wedding feast with last week’s Taste of Athens gastronomic event, and I’ll be surprised if my wedding dress still fits. Not that I’m complaining.
Oh, yes. Now, for the spoon thing. So, as I strolled through the rooms of the bridal show, my hands became full of catalogues, business cards, food sampling plates and miniature wine tastes. After trying the tuna tartar (mmm, one of my favorite foods of all time) served on the aforementioned gourmet spoon, I had no hands left to hold anything. The nearest table was overflowing with tossed aside business brochures and dirtied plates, and the second nearest table was crowded with people. Instead of balancing my now-empty spoon with the other goodies in my hand, I slid the spoon into my complimentary gift bag, thinking I would find a spot to put it later.
I became so overcome with sights to see and folks to talk to, though, I forgot about the white spoon I had placed in my gift bag. That is, until I got home, opened my gift bag to see what fun things I had acquired, and realized that the spoon was still there. Foundry Park, I apologize for ganking your spoon. It was, I promise, an accident. And the next time I am over your way, I swear on every tuna tartar I have ever had that I will return the danged thing to you.
But in the mean time, thank you for hosting such a lovely event. All in all, the bridal show proved there was no better way to spend a sunny Sunday in Athens. If nothing else, it sure beat studying for statistics.
Apologies, food and wedding vendors aside, I also had a chance to say hello to an old buddy, Carol Rich Ragin, who was attending the event to help a friend plan an upcoming nuptials.
“I miss planning a wedding!” Carol said with her signature sweet smile. “It’s so much fun, and there is so much to do. Aww, I wanna do it again.”
Her words got me thinking. You know, she’s right. I will only do this once. Though the initial stages of planning are slightly overwhelming and can be super stressful when coupled with, say grad school and exams, overall, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I’m getting married to this man whom I love and adore. Let’s have fun!
So thank you, Carol, for your advice, even if you didn’t actually intend to give it. Your sage wisdom came in handy, yet again.
Comments
Thanks for mentioning me in your blog. If you haven't already ordered your napkins on line, i can do the Eat, Drink and be married napkin as well as any other saying. So if you still need help please drop by our shop in five points. We would love to see you again. Jane