I love a party.
And I haven't held one in nearly 15 years.My mom threw a big bash for me(well, a few, over the years)for my 35th Birthday, at "Einstein's" in midtown Atlanta.

The Setting: Primrose Cottage--a former Plantation House-- the Garden area, next to a 350-year-old-oak.
The Weather: Probably around 37 degrees--maybe colder!
The Reason:I wanted an outdoor, nature-setting, for our(Hansoo Kwon and Lisa Allender) wedding.(I know--a garden-wedding in February--I actually wanted it colder, so we'd have icicles hanging from the trees--you know, icy-and-kinda-stark-and-wintry-looking, to match my lavender(GLBT color) and silver I'd chosen as the wedding colors...)
This past Saturday, my fiancee', Hansoo threw quite a bash---Candlelights, Floodlights, A string-trio known as Allegro Strings (they are members of famed Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)played for our ceremony, and the dee-jay from Spectrum played music to set the stage for lots of dancing, after a buffet of everything from vegetarian appetizers and pasta to seafood to Beef Tenderloin.The cake consisted of white layers with buttercream icing, and white chocolate, with layers of raspbery filling, then a strawberry-flavored cake with lemon filling, then white cake again, and so on...
A chocolate fountain finished off the evening, with champagne toasts...

I'm still amazed I married. But Hansoo is a pretty compelling fellow. And me? I'm more able to focus on ONE man than I was when I was a young, young lady.In fact, I've been committed to Hansoo for many years now....
I still identify as a Bi-woman, and I had my share of dances with the hottest women in the room(Thank you Jess, Coral, and Crys!!)....

The FIRST dance--the Bride and Groom's dance, however, was just magic. I know it probably sounds corny, but the truth is, it felt like I was falling-in-love with him, all over again. Except THIS time, with an AUDIENCE!)

I'm going to use this forum to THANK everyone who attended, and participated.
My only regret is that I did not get to truly visit with everyone, and get photos WITH everyone-- though I carefully instructed our dedicated photographer, Heidi, to "Make sure you get photos of everyone at these tables."
I even pointed out certain tables-- I made sure she knew to "Shoot the Poets."Which, in times past, may have had a completely different connotation....

So here I am, feeling fortunate for the moment with my Dad, dancing that Father-Daughter Dance.Grateful for my niece, Breaz's delight.(at everything--there's youth for you--delight in it all!)
for my Mother's help, and confidence in me, all these years.For my Sis's toast, which made me giggle AND cry...
And to those of you who could NOT be with us, I saw you in my mind's eye, as I stepped out, careful not to trip on my silk-charmeuse gown, steadying myself on my Dad's arm, looking for my Mom, joining her, and walking towards Hansoo, veil over my face,I was delighted--just like my niece-- and awed.