Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Location, location, location

I've had a bit of a shock trying to find a location for our wedding.

$4,000 for a venue ... not including food or drink.

WHAT?

I see how it would be so great to have everything taken care of ... but sheesh. 

I could *(ALMOST)* buy EVERY single item in an Anthropologie catalog for that much.

SO ... it looks like we're going with this little place:


Inside: 


Balcony:



It's only a couple hundred to rent ...
BUT.

It's kind of ...

Intimate? Cozy?

Or just plain small. 

If the weather is nice, there's expansive grounds, picnic tables, even a little playground nearby.

BUT. IF it's crappy outside, we are going to be doing it sardine-style. 

...



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Excitement feels a lot like panic.

Yep, you know what that means ... I got engaged!!!



So, this blog is turning into a bit of a wedding journal since I need to vent some ideas and get some feedback!

Here's the background:

I've been dating my boyfriend for about 4 years. We are late 20/early 30s.
We went up to Gettysburg for a mini-trip and to stay at a B&B.
Our room had a little balcony ... and though it was sprinkling a bit outside and sort of wet, he insisted we go outside to get "some fresh air."

...

All goes blank ... he's on one knee opening the ring box.
What?
What?
Squeel!!!!!

...

We had a lovely dinner to celebrate and a chance for me to turn my ring in the candlelight from side to side and say "oooo" and "ahhh".

That night I basically didn't sleep AT ALL. I would keep grinning and then kick my feet a bit in the sheets. 

Total excitement ... like, every night before Christmas put into ONE.

...

Finally, it's been about 3 days, and the excitement is waning .. but now slowly turning into a feeling of panic.

My whole life is surrounded by weddings. I talk to brides just about everyday (and they are usually stressed out.) I just thought they were putting too much pressure on the event ... letting the whole thing get out of control.

But now, I see that there is no way not to.

...

Of course, we could do the courtroom thing. 
But that feels like giving up.

I know it will be awesome to see my little niece Ella with her flower girl dress ... and my dad waiting to walk me down the aisle. 

But where to start?

...

I've never planned a party for 75-100 people before .. how am I supposed to organize it and be the host if I'm busy getting married?

And above all else, how are we supposed to pay for it all?????

...