Oh Hi!- Engagement Extravaganza!!!

Wow. Wow. Wow.

What a weekend! My future in-laws hosted a gorgeous, fabulous, over the top engagement party for us this weekend....and I am still totally blown away by it.

The event was held at Le Bam on Miami Circle in Buckhead. It's a killer events facility, and the space we used had two floors, each with a staffed bar and tons of comfy, sexy seating and lounge areas.

We loved the space so much that we even had an engagement photo session done there pre-party!

The food was provided by Annette Marcus Catering, we had Theresa Hightower performing the entire evening, and my mother in law had so many special touches prepared for us!

There was a donut tower from Sublime Donuts, complete with a custom bride and groom made to look like us sitting on top, a cake that was in the shape of a bug "A 2" (for A Squared....both of our names start with A....yes...that's right)..and even candied apples dressed in tuxedos and wedding gowns!

It was an absolutely magical night! AND...

I do have to say....I learned a few things from the party:

1. You have to make an extra big effort to try to spend time with your fiancé when it's a party for you. We barely saw each other all night...which I get because we were hosting...but in retrospect I would really have loved to experience our engagement party together a little more.

2. Make a point to walk around and see what's there! There were so many elements I missed because of the whirlwind of activity...luckily there will be photos!

3. EAT as soon as you can. Don't be shy. Grab a few plates, find a seat (preferably with your fiancé) and chow down. People can wait. I literally had one small plate of food because I was trying to hostess and didn't give myself any time to really enjoy what was there. I'm still hearing about foods that I missed!

4. Make it a point to have at least one special dance with your honey. We missed out on this too...and I am totally bummed about it! One of those memories I wish we would have....but there ARE so many other opportunities coming up for a good dance with him.

5. PREPARE a Thank You speech. We ended up on stage with a mic in our hands...and I had it last. What came out of my mouth? "DITTO....AND THANK YOU". Sure, it got some laughs...but really and hold have been a little more eloquent and meaningful!

Do you have any tips or lessons from your engagement party? What about things you've noticed as a guest that you think could improve an event like this??

82 days till the wedding. Whew!

For details on the vendors that made our party absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD...see below! Writing a separate post on the glam prep and new products I grabbed to get gorgeous for the night!

Oh, Hi! - Event Space:

Le Bam Wedding and Event Studio

The Knot Magazine 10 Most Talked-About Georgia Wedding Venues

Le Bam Studio

If you’re planning a real-life fairy-tale wedding, Le Bam Studio in Miami Circle, Atlanta can literally help you set the scene. From classy and eclectic, handcrafted tree to lounge and sultry seating areas with ambient lighting — they’ll work with you to create a wedding you and your guests won’t soon forget. (404) 512-0329.

Oh, Hi! - Catering:

Annette Marcus Catering

About

Annette Marcus Catering

Annette Marcus Catering is a full-service special events and catering company. Annette's clients include corporations, small businesses, and hosts of home parties, weddings, holiday parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, christenings, openings and intimate dinner parties.

Annette's food is a delight to the senses. The food looks as wonderful as it tastes. Annette's presentation creatively reflects the theme, event and client preferences.

Annette and her professional catering staff offer a complete range of services, from serving, to bar tending, rentals of china, cutlery, tables and chairs, flowers, linens, invitations and decorations.

Oh, Hi! - Entertainment!

Theresa Hightower

Theresa Hightower has been named Atlanta’s Top Female Vocalist by Top Star Awards. She was honored as Top Jazz Musician in Atlanta by the entertainment magazine, Creative Loafing. The Atlanta NAACP presented Theresa with the Diamond Jubilee Award, naming her Top Female Vocalist. She also received the Angel of Music Award in 2001 from the New Thought Theological Seminary, and The Women in Entertainment Award from AKA Sorority in 2003. In 2012, Theresa was honored with the Legend Award from I AM Cre8tive Live.

Theresa has also appeared in a number of film and television roles. These include the movie, Made in Heaven (starring Timothy Hutton and Kelly McGillis), the recently released movie, Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection (starring Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, and Denise Richards), and the television series, In the Heat of the Night.