96 | Carolina Bride

M.O.B. MattersBy Debra KennedyTatyana M Photography

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We are in full swing of the planning stages for June 6, 2015. !at is the day Alexis will become Mrs. Ryan

Stephen !ompson. !ere are many days when I get emotional, but it gives me great comfort knowing millions of other mothers are feeling exactly the same way. I must admit I also have days when my head is spinning with all of the planning and details that have to be conquered. Fortunately, Rome wasn’t built in a day—and a wedding can’t be planned in a day, either!

Enter the perfect opportunity for a celebration with friends and family, the engagement party! What I loved most about planning the engagement party comes down to one simple fact: anything goes. !ere are no rules, and it can be as relaxed or formal as you care to make it. I must admit, I did have fun planning this special

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CarolinaBride.com | 97

W!a" !a# bee$ %& big'es" (ha)*ng& +,-nnin. /0 1-ugh2er’3 4d5in.?

—Dawn Bolter

Dawn, most definitely the guest list. Narrowing down the guest list has been grueling for all parties involved. This was not an enviable task, but at the end of the day you are constrained by space and/or budget and you have to make tough decisions. I just keep reminding myself, it is all about Alexis and Ryan on this magical day and everything else plays second fiddle.

98 | Carolina Bride

day with the help of John Love, co-owner of Red Rocks Café, Andrea Chiles, Event Coordinator at Red Rocks Café, and Angela Recinella of Planned Perfection.

It is customary for the bride’s parents to throw the !rst engagement party, and for me, having it at a venue to avoid the hustle and bustle at my house was an easy decision. It takes the stress o" and allows the host to relax and enjoy the company. We decided to have the engagement party at Red Rocks on Providence Road and it was the perfect setting, with a private room with ample space, a covered patio, great beverage selections and a variety of amazing menu options that we’ve been enjoying for years.

Alexis and I had our nightly telephone conversations working out the details of the invitations, signature drink, special song requests for the musical duo, #ower selections, party favors, and so much more. $ere were a few meltdowns as the stress level is high—

nothing prepares you for the ups and downs every bride endures. $e engagement party gave me a glimpse of just how quickly time passes, though, and we’re trying to enjoy every step.

Many of the bridesmaids are like my second daughters, and with their careers taking them to distant cities like New York and Ft. Lauderdale we don’t get to see them o%en. It was one of the most exciting things seeing guests from near and far come together to join the celebration. But the real joy comes when you see the look on your daughter’s face that everything is wonderful and magical. It makes it all worthwhile.

And the best part of it all? At the end of the night, we were able to go home and someone else cleaned up!

I love getting your comments and questions and will answer one with each article going forward. We are bonded in this journey and I love the sisterhood we have established as Mothers of the Bride. You can email me at debra@debrakennedyshow.com.

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$e Detailss

Photographer: Tatyana M Photography

Venue: Red Rocks Café, Providence Road

Wedding Planner: Angela Recinella of Planned Perfection

Musical Duo: Ashton Geiger and Josh Slu

Flowers: The Flower Diva

Photo Booth: Shutter Booth

Cake: Cheesecake Etc.

Bride and Groom Cake Pops: Red Rocks Café Bakery

Engagement Party Invitations and Calligraphy: Mary Hannah Statham (maid of honor)

Stylist: Laurie Walker (bridesmaid)

Hair and Makeup: Bryce Carey

Live Personal Artist: Laurie Bostian

Host Hotel: Renaissance Charlotte Southpark Hotel