A Vision on the Hill

When I last left you, dear reader, in the hunt for our perfect venue, I had just had my wedding bubble burst: the Fernbank Museum of Natural History was WAAAAAAY out of our budget. What's a sad bride to do?

Well take a gander at this:

Isn't she gorgeous??? Allow me to introduce you to our lovely wedding venue: Bona Allen Mansion in historic Buford, Ga.

We found her quite by accident, while driving around on one of our aimless drives we like to make on weekends. Coming out of the historic district of Buford, Bona Allen presides over the horizon, perched on a hill at the edge of town and visible all the way down the main road. We couldn't help but stop and stare when we turned that corner and saw it shining in the sun. It was pretty much decided that day that if all the numbers worked out and the inside was as gorgeous as the outside, this would be the place we'd say I Do.

And so it is. Come May I'll walk up the beautiful brick walkway and marry Ben under the large arches on the front porch. The guests will be seated on the lawn under the big Magnolia tree and then everyone will enjoy a cocktail hour in the garden around back before moving inside for the reception. Here's some of the pics from our first visit to Bona Allen so you can all take a look-see. Forgive me, it was freezing and raining that day, and they were setting up for another wedding, so some of the pictures are dreary looking. It'll be much prettier in Spring!

This is the garden where the cocktail hour will be held. On the left is a better view of what it looks like inside the gate, but on the right is what it will actually look like in Spring. You know...with actual flowers and trees and stuff : )









On the left you can see an example of what one of the rooms look like. Reception seating will be broken up all throughout the rooms on the ground floor (it's pretty open, though) and in the balcony, on the right, as well. The balcony overlooks the main foyer where our cake and guest book will be displayed.

And finally, the patio outside where all the dancing and fun will happen. It needs some sprucing up, to be sure, but I'm not quite sure how to go about that yet. Hmmm. We'll see. Any ideas?