92 to mrs. allen

That's how many days are left before May 1st. When I realized that earlier today, I almost fell out of my chair. But although this seems like such a short amount of time to get so much done, I'm so glad we don't have to wait an excruciating amount of time to make it official.

the selection of venue

The penthouse is booked for our reception. A few other details have to work out as well: we need to either get an apartment there in March or receive permission to use the space even if we don't. Either way, I know this is the perfect venue.

We visited the Studio Gallery on R Street NW just to make sure that wasn't the better route to take. After touring the space, we quickly realized it was a great concept but that this particular rowhouse didn't fit our aesthetic, number of guests and overall needs. I'm so glad we agreed.

And although the penthouse isn't exactly perfect either, we know that it has the most to offer. All we need is a blank canvas for our creativity. The rest is up to Him.

the inspiration for venue

Home.

It's personal. It's intimate. It's ours. How inviting to bring guests into the most private of atmospheres. God brought to my mind Lydia again. She invited people into her home for ministry and fellowship. I want that to be our legacy.

On the 12th floor overlooking the lights of Washington, D.C.

the venue 1

I don't have a photo because I don't have a venue. And it's getting really frustrating. But I will not fear. Strength will rise as I wait upon the Lord.

the decor

Look what I came home to last night! The perfect example and vision of this celebration reception. I think I called everyone I knew to take a peek at this glorious array of black and gold. God is absolutely ordering my steps and providing inspiration when I need it. I have nothing that I lack in this entire process. I give Him all the credit for breathing this vision into me and furnishing me with a visual. I'm absolutely in love. My eyes have already seen the glory of that evening.

the inspiration for decor

It's no secret: I like black and I like opulence. Tom Ford's Black Orchid is not only one of my favorite scents, this packaging represents exactly the color scheme of a perfectly opulent wedding reception. I've been dreaming of ways to transform a room with black and gold.

the dress

They say the dress sets the tone for the entire event; the venue and the atmosphere. Mine has set the tone for the entire process of preparation. I visited the bridal boutique with my mother over the Christmas holidays not being engaged and without a ring. But my reasons for going were twofold: to try on dresses alone with my mom and to stay one step ahead of Rico. She lives 600 miles away and he makes split-second decisions. I have to be prepared.

I selected a small army of dresses that I thought represented my aesthetic: simple, smooth, clean. I tried them all - from slim and slender to big and poofy. Then at last, hanging there in perfection was a dress that whispered my name saying, "Angela, aren't I gorgeous? Don't you love all my intricate and ornate details?" Did I, I asked myself. I tried to ignore it but couldn't tear myself away. When the cathedral-length veil was placed on my head, my search was over, and I was a bride.

In a similar fashion, that dress has the set the tone for the rest of my preparation. Every ounce of my control over what I think I want has been replaced by God's desire to plan this thing Himself. (Apparently, He's a wedding planner by day.) Again and again, He has shown me that no perfect venue, no perfect meal, no perfect set of decorations will triumph more than the perfection of His Presence showing up to make Himself known on that day in May. I can't begin to understand what He's planning. Everyday I wake up ready to discover the newest details of His wedding. I'm just following Him relentlessly in my fabulous dress.