Monthly Archives: March 2009

The AJC Auto Show is back for it’s 27th year at the Georgia World Congress Center. Come and check out over 600 cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. Some of the participating lines include, Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagon and Volvo.

The show starts Saturday, March 14 and ends on Sunday, March 22. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $6 for children 6-12. Special Discounts are $3 off adult admission for Monday – Thursday. There are no discounts for the weekend days. For more information check out the AJC Auto show online.

From my research, it seems as though it is appropriate to to a dessert reception between 1pm – 4pm and after an 7:30pm. Just be sure to add “Dessert Reception following Ceremony” to the bottom of your invitation. A good menu would include, bride’s cake, groom’s cake, assorted cookies, fruit, and maybe some type of bar or square (ie. Cream cheese bar, lemon square).

Just because you are having a dessert reception doesn’t mean that it can’t be formal. You can have your guests dress up if you would like. Another great idea would be to hire a musician such as a harpist or saxaphonist to add a classical or jazzy feel. You can still slow dance and have as much fun as would at any reception. Be creative as you want to be and happy planning.

Great Gospel Music Ideas for Romantic Events
Songs for the Parent’s Entrance:
Beatiful – Rachael Lampa
Center of My Joy – Richard Smallwood
I’ll Always Be Your Baby – Natalie Grant
You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
Seasons – Donald Lawrence

Great Gospel Music Ideas for Romantic Events
Alternatives for the Lord’s Prayer:
Give us This Day – Myron Butler & Levi
With All My Heart – Joanne Rosario
Holiness (Take My Life) – Micah Stampley
Favor – Karen Clark Sheard
The Prayer – Josh Groban

Great Gospel Music Ideas for Romantic Events
Songs for the Bride’s Entrance:
Nothing Without You – Smokie Norful
I Give You Praise – Darwin Hobbs
You Amaze Me – Vickie Yohe
Born for this – Bebe Winans
Seeing the Very First Time – Bebe Winans

Great Gospel Music Ideas for Romantic Events
Songs for the Processional:
This Feeling I Have is Love – Wendy Moten
Friend – Israel Houghton
Joy of My Desire – Fred Hammond
Seasons – Donald Lawrence
Unconditional Love – Tarralyn Ramsey
All That’s Left to Say – Marvin Sapp
Order My Steps – GMWA Women of Worship
You Love Me – Karen Clark Sheard
Breathe – Byron Cage

When choosing colors for any event, I believe that you find out what those colors symbolize and use those meanings somewhere in your theme. I like to use Christian references so for my anniversary party, I thought about yellow and green. Yellow would represent the glory of God and the brightness of his presence. The green stands for growth, life and being fruitful. This would be great for the spring.

Great Gospel Music Ideas for Romantic Events
Songs for the Recessional:
This Is the Day – Fred Hammond
My Day – Canton Jones
Celebrate New Life – Bebe & Cece
Lord You Are Good – Israel Houghton or Sound of the New Breed
Hallelujah Praise – Cece Winans
Hallelujah – Spensha Baker

Keeping expenses low:

· Use major retailer or discount store for your dress and shoes – who says that you have to get married in white. I used a champagne colored Donna Ricco dress that I got from TJ Maxx for $39.99. Go throught the clearance racks and find something uniquely you.
· DIY – For a lot of things. On the things that you know you can not do, get assistance, but if you’re crafty, then why not make your own favors or design your own invitations. I bought my invites from Michael’s and hand wrote them myself (don’t forget to use the 40% off coupon found in the Sunday paper).
· Getting family and friends to help (my aunt is baking some of the desserts, my friend enrolled in a photography so she will be taking our pics, get someone to act as a DJ, have everyone be a part of the clean-up crew). Find out what people’s talents are and play up on it – use it for your good.
· Use flowers that are in season or go get a few flower bouquets from the grocery store (I always get beautiful bouquets from the local Kroger store for my parties – the manager’s specials always seem to flow with my theme)
· Use what you have at home (for example, my hubby and I load up on peanuts – they are a part of our grocery bill. Instead of throwing away the cans, you can use them as favor boxes.
· You don’t have to hire a calligrapher, take the class and do it yourself or hire someone who is just starting out in the business
· Choose a professional photographer and negotiate the rate – as them for the photos on a high res cd and print the pics yourself

Great Gospel Music Ideas for Romantic Events
For your wedding or vow renewal, here is a list of slow, mid-tempo and upbeat songs:
It’s Like Air – Sunny Hawkins
I Love to Worship – Jonathan Butler (unity candle)
Show Me Your Glory – Karen Clark Sheard
This Is the Day – Fred Hammond (perfect for the recessional)
My Day – Canton Jones (perfect for the recessional)