This is going to be a LONG update so bear with me. FH (future husband) - I really can't bring myself to say fiance'- and I have been throwing a lot of ideas around for the last 6 weeks but we didn't have any actual concrete plans until last week. We flew back to our hometown(s) for a friends wedding and made a mini-vacation out of it. It was crazy busy with back to back plans with multiple friends/family members but it was a great time. While we were home one of my bridesmaids threw us an engagement party (more on that later). In the midst of all the fun we actually got some big wedding things accomplished.
Ironically, the original reason for the trip- our friends wedding- never ended up happening. We got all gussied up went to the venue only to find out the wedding had been canceled 3 weeks earlier. The groom had apparently posted a status on facebook about it but never bothered to let us know (not that we're the most important guests but we were flying in just for the occasion). And of course my FH never saw the update and we were all dressed up with nowhere to go.While we were driving away from the venue- speculating on what caused the canceled wedding- FH says "so you sure you wanna get married in April?!". I, being in complete wedding planning mode, immediately reply with "if you're gonna bail the week before just let me know now so I can save myself the stress". He's cracking up uncontrolably at this point because he thinks it's hilarious. Now I can laugh about the joke but at the time.. sooooo not funny.
First- the venue. FH and I both knew from the beginning that we wanted to be able to choose our own caterer/vendors and do things our own way. As such that eliminated a fair amount of venue's since a lot of them have contracts with certain vendors for food/drinks/etc. I made a joke about a year into our relationship that we should just get married in his uncle's backyard and well... that's where we're going to get married! His uncle has a beautiful big house with an amazing backyard with an in-ground pool/rock slide/small waterfall combo that will be a nice back drop for the ceremony. It's also HUGE and should be able to hold our fairly large guest list. His aunt/uncle seemed excited about the wedding and had some very good insight into logistical issues that they've worked through before with other parties that we probably wouldn't have thought about but are now part of the budget/planning.
Second- the date! We knew approximately when we wanted to have the wedding but obviously we had to clear it with FH's aunt and uncle since we're having the wedding at their place. While we were home we made a point to go visit with them and get some wedding details hammered down. Pending any serious issues, we're officially getting married April 14, 2012! ZOMG it's really happening :)
Third- the wedding party! So I got a million crazy looks when everyone asked how big the wedding party is going to be but we're super excited to officially have all 14 members on board! I know 7 bridesmaids is A LOT but I think it's going to be fun :) It was even hard to narrow it down to 7 to be honest. FH and I both have big circles of friends and I've known all my bridesmaids for over 10 years so ya... I guess we had to cut it off somewhere. I love my friends and I'm suuuuper excited they all wanted to be a part of our special day. My sister is going to be the MOH and I can't wait!
Fourth- budget and schtuff. Less specifically but also equally important we now have a rough budget set and some plans to get things done. We're very lucky in the fact that we both have large friend circles and big families (he has a big family and I have 3 families so overall we've got a lot of people around us) that all have jumped in and offered to help us make our wedding day amazing. Both my parents offered financial help and our friends have offered everything from home-brew beer for the reception to flying up to help me with invitations.Squeeeeeeee!
I can't believe how much got accomplished is just 6 short days of running around so cal. From Long Beach, to Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Hesperia and Riverside there was never a dull moment but it was worth every minute. I can't believe how much love and support we've gotten from everyone about our wedding. I feel amazing and one of these days I'll actually get down to the nitty gritty details but for now I'm going to enjoy the progress we've made and catch up on some sleep!
Ironically, the original reason for the trip- our friends wedding- never ended up happening. We got all gussied up went to the venue only to find out the wedding had been canceled 3 weeks earlier. The groom had apparently posted a status on facebook about it but never bothered to let us know (not that we're the most important guests but we were flying in just for the occasion). And of course my FH never saw the update and we were all dressed up with nowhere to go.While we were driving away from the venue- speculating on what caused the canceled wedding- FH says "so you sure you wanna get married in April?!". I, being in complete wedding planning mode, immediately reply with "if you're gonna bail the week before just let me know now so I can save myself the stress". He's cracking up uncontrolably at this point because he thinks it's hilarious. Now I can laugh about the joke but at the time.. sooooo not funny.
First- the venue. FH and I both knew from the beginning that we wanted to be able to choose our own caterer/vendors and do things our own way. As such that eliminated a fair amount of venue's since a lot of them have contracts with certain vendors for food/drinks/etc. I made a joke about a year into our relationship that we should just get married in his uncle's backyard and well... that's where we're going to get married! His uncle has a beautiful big house with an amazing backyard with an in-ground pool/rock slide/small waterfall combo that will be a nice back drop for the ceremony. It's also HUGE and should be able to hold our fairly large guest list. His aunt/uncle seemed excited about the wedding and had some very good insight into logistical issues that they've worked through before with other parties that we probably wouldn't have thought about but are now part of the budget/planning.
Second- the date! We knew approximately when we wanted to have the wedding but obviously we had to clear it with FH's aunt and uncle since we're having the wedding at their place. While we were home we made a point to go visit with them and get some wedding details hammered down. Pending any serious issues, we're officially getting married April 14, 2012! ZOMG it's really happening :)
Third- the wedding party! So I got a million crazy looks when everyone asked how big the wedding party is going to be but we're super excited to officially have all 14 members on board! I know 7 bridesmaids is A LOT but I think it's going to be fun :) It was even hard to narrow it down to 7 to be honest. FH and I both have big circles of friends and I've known all my bridesmaids for over 10 years so ya... I guess we had to cut it off somewhere. I love my friends and I'm suuuuper excited they all wanted to be a part of our special day. My sister is going to be the MOH and I can't wait!
Fourth- budget and schtuff. Less specifically but also equally important we now have a rough budget set and some plans to get things done. We're very lucky in the fact that we both have large friend circles and big families (he has a big family and I have 3 families so overall we've got a lot of people around us) that all have jumped in and offered to help us make our wedding day amazing. Both my parents offered financial help and our friends have offered everything from home-brew beer for the reception to flying up to help me with invitations.Squeeeeeeee!
I can't believe how much got accomplished is just 6 short days of running around so cal. From Long Beach, to Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Hesperia and Riverside there was never a dull moment but it was worth every minute. I can't believe how much love and support we've gotten from everyone about our wedding. I feel amazing and one of these days I'll actually get down to the nitty gritty details but for now I'm going to enjoy the progress we've made and catch up on some sleep!
:D I'm so excited and happy for the two of you!
ReplyDeleteI'm always honored sister! We're all so excited for you and Brother Matt.
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