Breathe deeply now......

Posted Wednesday, December 10, 2008 10:02 PM

Somehow I imagined this more fun,

 Now, don't get me wrong.  I am THRILLED to be engaged.  I am looking forward to marrying my fiance more than I can express in words.  My excitement for my marriage is insane. 

It's the wedding that I thought would be more fun, somehow.

 I'm hoping that this gets more fun, after we finish the price-comparing, looking through every vendor in the twin cities, part.  Picking out details....colors......dresses (!)......food.....cake......flowers....I'm sure those will be the fun part.  And I'm so enjoying sharing this (HUGE) project with Joseph.  We do make a fabulous team, and whenever one of us is lacking in enthusiasm, motivation, or timeliness, the other picks up the slack.  He has been an AMAZING partner in planning our wedding (much more so than what I had heard of typical grooms' involvement, to my delight!) 

So far, here's where we're at: 

Location:  my home church, St. Victoria's Catholic Church.  Size is a limitation (it seats 225, MAX) as is the fact that our wedding is in August and there's no A/C, but the church is adorable, and will be a beautiful setting for our wedding.

Reception:  Much less sure, but we're leaning toward the Chanhassen Dinner  Theatres.  We're both "theater people" and I have a strong background as an actor, singer, director.....so it seems appropriate.  And cheap.  Did I mention cheap?  And cheap has to be a huge factor, since no place is truly "cheap."  They're all ridiculously expensive.....this site is just slightly less so.  And is conveniently located near several affordable hotel options. 

Photographer:  Can I please get a job where my 1-day gig is worth $3k?  Yes, I understand.  We're paying for more than their time....but seriously.  I don't think I pay $3K for 7 hours of my doctor's time!!

Florist:   Umm.....don't make my head hurt.  Haven't gotten that far.  And  NO, I don't think I need to arrange everything 8 months before my wedding.  Seriously.  Do people actually plan things this far in advance???  Only childbirth.  That's about the only other thing I can think of that real people plan that far in advance.  Yet somehow I'm considered "overdue" because I haven't bought a dress, decorated the church, or named my firstborn.

Music:  see florist

Dress:  see florist

Colors:  Anyone know of some good ones?  I like 'em all.  See florist.

Honeymoon:  Ask Joseph.  He's on it.  Should be fabulous, and fattening (food is his number 1 deciding factor in where we stay!)

Budget:  Less than a new car.  Less than a used car, if we can get away with it.....

Bridal Party:  Well, this was relatively easy.  This was the one part of my wedding that I had actually been planning since childhood (some people actually plan other parts??)  My entire life, I have had fleeting thoughts about who might be  my bridesmaids.  So....naturally, I had pre-planned a group of, oh, say....12 (aww....13.  Make it a baker's dozen, why don't cha?)  So, when Joseph told me that he thought 3 was a good number, I was understandably panicked.  However, I managed to make my choices, difficult as that was, and feel good about  the women that I've chosen.  And this way, Joseph won't have to look at a wedding photo with 10 people in it....he finds 8 so much more visually appealing!  (don't ask...I don't get it either)

Yes.  I'm certain that I'm missing many vital components of my wedding.  No.  I don't care.  I just got engaged 2 weeks ago.  Congratulate me, drool over my diamond, and leave me the hell alone.

Blissfully engaged,

Ali