Waters Mill : North Georgia Weddings and Events Venue

For the past 7 months, I have been working with my dear friend Wayne Baird on the Songwriters Under the Star Concert. Wayne and I used to sing together for fun while we both attended college then at North GA College. Our voices blended so well together we began doing “gigs” for the college for President Owens, beauty pageant talent and later weddings for “sisters” and brothers. As time rocked on, we would occasionally get together to do one more “gig” and then the inevitable happen. We lost touch. Wayne left GA and pursued a career as a Pharmaceutical salesperson and I was busy serving churches. I received a phone call one winter night and though the voice was familiar I hadn’t heard it in such a long time I was taken back…it was Wayne….he was coming home for a visit. Wayne was sporting a new earring and spoke with a new dialect he earned from California but he was still Wayne. We stayed up most of the night talking and sharing about life and dreams. Wayne expressed to me he wanted to go to Nashville and follow his dreams. So he did….Wayne moved back to the East Coast, packed up his guitar and moved to Nashville to follow his dreams. I have not spoken to Wayne in 12 years until Facebook re-connected us this past February. We picked right up as if we had never stopped singing together. I began sharing with him after viewing the ABC special on the lost children of the Appalachian mountains and how haunted I was by this story. We both agreed we needed to join forces once again and do something good for the community. After many phone calls, a one day trip to Nashville and numerous emails, we both were in agreement we needed to do what we do best. This is how “Songwriters Under the Stars” was created. It evolved from a small concert of “in the round” to now quite the impressive list of songwriters and performers traveling to Dahlonega in order to raise money for the Rainbow Children’s Home located in Dahlonega, GA. Wayne will be performing with his lovely wife Kim Parent,Walt Aldridge,Pete Best, Dusty Wilkes and Georgia Middleman. Lots of time and details have gone into the planning and lots of folks to thank but I will do this after the concert for fear I may accidentally leave someone out.

Waters Mill is the location on September 12, 2009 for the Songwriters under the Stars. General admission is $35.00 which includes entrance and a gourmet supper box. I met with our culinary staff and we have created a yummy menu that I think will please everyone. You will have a choice of an appetizer,entrée,side and dessert. Of course, a southern picnic wouldn’t be complete without sweet tea and my Mom will see to it that we have plenty of that for everyone.

This night will be extra special for us at Waters Mill for we are honor that Wayne has also chosen this night to be his CD release party. We are excited for Wayne and I couldn’t be more proud of him for following his dreams. After the concert on the lawn, we will move the party inside Waters Mill for some toe tapping Blue Grass music provided by the Cochran’s. Great fun for everyone.

Come out and help us raise money for the Rainbow Children’s Home and celebrate with Wayne Baird on the release of Wayne’s first CD. I can’t wait.

Tickets are available online at www.watersmill.eventbrite.com.

Today has been a great day. The very hot summer is coming to an end with nice afternoon rainstorms lowing the humidity and the dog days of summer heat with the tinge of Fall in the air.

I have been walking high today and no it is not because of my new MBT shoes. Although I must admit, last night was the first time my feet have not ached after an event. I have been walking high today because last night we had the distinct pleasure of hosting the rehearsal dinner for the Briley’s from Indiana. I met the Briley’s last February has they were ending the search for their son’s rehearsal dinner for an August wedding in the North GA mountains. I happened to be working at Waters Mill last February when the Briley’s stumbled upon us very frustrated from their search for the perfect venue for the festivities. It wasn’t long into our conversation that both parties had a mutual respect for each other and the relationship was formed. Because of the distance, we planned all the details virtually via email.

Last night was the first time I had seen the Briley’s since our February acquaintance and what a blast we had. The air was absolutely clean with no toxins in the air and the sky was clear from the morning rains. No humidity and the temperatures were seasonally low. Low humidity and low temps are a much welcome blessing in the South during August. Guests began to arrive at Waters Mill after traveling from long distances and ready to experience Southern Hospitality at its best. Waters Mill and her staff did not disappoint. During the cocktail hour, the culinary staff had prepared homemade beautiful Reuben puffs and mushroom stuffed with herbed cheese and crab. Following a lively cocktail hour, we moved into dinner. The Briley’s had over 40 menu items to choose from and their selection was superb. We began dinner with fresh baby spinach, tossed with mandarin oranges, toasted pine nuts dressed with homemade buttermilk vinaigrette. Very light with interesting complexities. We then served pork tenderloin that was massaged with many spices and placed on the grill over hickory chunks of wood. We use chunk wood when grilling at Waters Mill. It gives great flavor to the meats and gives a great “smoke”. We also served Black Angus Filet Mignon with a Blackberry Compound Butter. Wow! The palette is now very happy and excited. To complement the entrée selections, we served a spinach artichoke casserole along with twice baked potatoes and to finish the meal a southern delicacy….creamy grits bar. Now, I realize this is a lot of starch but it also proved to make a lot of people very happy. We ended dinner with, as my sweet husband would say, desserts that were just “naughty”. Our pastry chef prepared homemade bread pudding with a bourbon anglaise sauce on top. Gasp. Because we always aim to please our guests, we served two desserts in order to have peace in the family. It was just too difficult to make a final decision. My Mom made homemade apple dumplings served with my now famous homemade caramel ice-cream on top. Because we are so serious about the food being outstanding at Waters Mill, Mom actually traveled to Ellijay, the apple capital of Georgia, to gather the perfect apples for her dumplings. She rolls the dough on a marble slab, fills the apples with lots of butter, spices and sugar and bastes every 30 minutes. I must say the bowls were clean when they made the return trip to the kitchen.

The evening ended with the guests enjoying all of the property. Some enjoyed the Koi Rain Porch while listening to the frogs hollering and the katydids singing their evening lullabye. The men enjoyed a nice stoogie on the front porch while rocking and telling tales. And I resting in the dark and fading into the night, very pleased of all the laughter for once again Waters Mill had made new friends from her pleased clients.

It's that time of year again.  I make that semi-annual visit to the local pharmacy to grab my wedding magazines from various publications.  I can't wait to get my wedding magazine.  One of the advantages to being a Wedding Planner is that I have the privilege of viewing wedding magazines and designing one of a kind weddings just for my bride.  I feel it is my responsibility to "stay up" on my trade in the industry.  As I  flip through the magazines reviewing the different trends and brainstorming ideas, I catch a glimpse of an article published in "Brides" Atlanta magazine.  "Brides" Atlanta magazine features a story entitled, "What It Costs to Get Married".  The editor has complied a list of five elements of the typical wedding.  One of the most difficult part of planning a wedding if not the most difficult is finding the perfect venue.  I was intrigued with this article.  I was curious where Waters Mill measured up against the findings of this magazine.  I'm going to use the "high end" findings from this article.  So here it goes......

For a wedding in and around the Atlanta, GA  area, this is what you are looking at according to "Brides" Atlanta magazine:

Atlanta

Music (DJ) $1,700.00

Photography $3,999

Reception: $139 per person

Bouquet:  $290

Cake:  $810

According to my fiqures with GA  Sales Tax and service charge you are looking at a wedding in the Atlanta area somewhere around $29,000.00

At Waters Mill, our exclusive package is almost  half of this costs which is more value for your buck...During these difficult times, get more for your buck and have a completely stress free, gorgeous wedding at Waters Mill.  What are you waiting on....let's  get planning.

Being that the wedding was in August, we certainly felt the “dog days” of summer with the temperatures in the 90’s. That’s ok. I cooled everyone off with a very special “adult” Popsicle. I made homemade lemon crème popsicles for the guest to enjoy. I must say they were incredible and a huge hit! A perfect way to end a perfect day. Congrats to Kate and Camilo. Thank you for dedicating your life to protect mine. We greatly appreciate you.

Last night, we celebrated 50 years of a golden marriage with the Carter family. It was a great night for all. Sometimes in the news we hear only doom and gloom, but the Carter’s anniversary celebration last night was a reminder that we do not have to be a statistic. It was great fun seeing some old friends of my parents. Thank you to the Carters’ for allowing Waters Mill to host your celebration. You are loved by all.