Not us, just our planning. It's so far in the future still! It's exciting because there is a WEDDING to plan and think about and gush about, but I honestly am feeling kind of stuck again. It almost makes me want to move the wedding up so I can get started on stuff, but I don't want to stress myself out yet either. So I'm taking a rather chill approach right now.
That said, I keep having freak out moments, where I will see something on Pinterest, say a guestbook, and think to myself "OH MY GOD! I don't have a guest book picked out yet!" This leads to some frantic searching on Pinterest, Etsy, and anywhere else I can think, until about 5 or 10 minutes later I realize I still have like, a year before I even have to worry much. That and we haven't nailed down the feel or theme or colors or anything. So it is pointless. But it feels like there is so much I should be doing! I think my frantic searching may also be wearing me out and making me burn out on weddings a little (already?), which is terrible! It doesn't help that I have been reading wedding blogs for over a year now...
I guess my next step would logically be to discuss with Dino how we want this whole shebang to feel. I think he might have a different idea than me, especially when it comes to formality (and what is and isn't formal). He seems to have jumped on the black tie bandwagon, where colors are subdued and everything is formal. I'm more on the side of bright colors and fun, but still formal (because how often are we and all our friends all dressed up? That makes it formal automatically, right?). So there is something we need to hash out. And then we really should make a list of venues we would like to see in person, tour them, and decide on that (although since we're looking at houses to buy one soon, I am not enthused to be looking at any more buildings right now!).
Am I the only one who feels like planning starts out so slowly? How do you just jump right in, go from being a girlfriend one day, to suddenly having basically a new job in planning a wedding?
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Getting Down to Business
And by business, I mean list making.
I feel like the best way for me to get started is to make lists. Things I must have, of course, but things I don't want is also quite important to keep in mind. This is that list.
1. Vintage/Rustic Feel
Is it just me, or are 98% of the weddings these days described as either "Vintage" or "Rustic"? I must admit, most of the time these weddings are so pretty, the soft colors, flowers all over, a random piece of furniture antiqued and placed outside, and of course, mason jars. They just 100% are not me.
I feel like the best way for me to get started is to make lists. Things I must have, of course, but things I don't want is also quite important to keep in mind. This is that list.
1. Vintage/Rustic Feel
Is it just me, or are 98% of the weddings these days described as either "Vintage" or "Rustic"? I must admit, most of the time these weddings are so pretty, the soft colors, flowers all over, a random piece of furniture antiqued and placed outside, and of course, mason jars. They just 100% are not me.
This is an example of a "Vintage" wedding. And not me. (Image from http://www.betsywhite.com)
If you had asked me 5 years ago, I probably would have gone gaga over this type of wedding. But now, I think I'd rather have bright colors, less fussy looks, and more FUN.
2. Soft, Muted Photography
This goes hand in hand with the Vintage thing. I'm not sure if the recent popularity of Instagram or the whole Vintage/Rustic aesthetic is why I've decided it's not my thing, but it definitely isn't. Again, it can be very pretty, and achieves a look that is reminiscent of old times.
Yum, old cupcakes... (Image from http://sweetapolita.com)
However, I want our day to be recorded as crisp and clearly as possible. I want the bright bright colors I choose to show through! I want everyone's faces to be in focus! I want to remember it as I live it! I guess that means we'll be looking for more of a journalistic photographer?
3. Cupcakes.
This is something that will surprise basically all of my friends and family. I am known as a cupcake fiend! They are cute, they are delicious, but they don't really fit in with my wedding vision.
Mmm, rustic cupcakes... (Image from http://wedding-cupcakes.org)
Any other day, I would be down for a cupcake! But the look of a beautiful, tall cake... well, cupcakes just can't compare. (Another potentially unpopular opinion of mine - I LOVE FONDANT!!! It's pretty, and the fondant I've had actually tastes good.)
This is just the start of my NO list. I'm feeling like I am kinda picky, but I want a unique-to-us day, not a blog/picture-perfect day. Something that will be fun, but still a little fancy.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Starting the Wedding Craziness
Number 1 awesome thing about being engaged: The love pouring out from everyone!
Number 2: being able to talk to Dino about weddings and not seem crazy. However, the worst part is everyone is dying to hear details about the wedding... Details we haven't even started to sort out!
Our first detail to tackle is the date. When to have it! We have agreed that sometime warm where there is a good chance of good weather is super important. So late July through early September. Then we need to decide if we can pull this shindig together in just 6 or so months, or if we want to wait 18. The jury is still out on that one.
We're currently in the beginning stages of buying a house - as in, just about ready to jump in and do the serious searching. So, as you might expect, we're a little preoccupied. We would like to find somewhere before June, as his lease expires then. I'm not certain either of us will have the time or motivation to do wedding things when we'll be busy looking at houses and eventually packing up and moving. But we don't want to wait eternity (18 months seems so far away!). But I also kind of want to have an engaged Christmas. If you can't tell, we're totally conflicted. Which makes it confusing to tell people "We're getting married! Either this year or a year and a half from now!" And Dino says he has decided to spend his life with me, so why does he have to wait so long? (Then I start talking about details and he gets overwhelmed with how much actually goes into a wedding!)
So here we are, undecided, but so so happy!
Like the Grinch, my heart has grown so much! (image from clker.com)
Number 2: being able to talk to Dino about weddings and not seem crazy. However, the worst part is everyone is dying to hear details about the wedding... Details we haven't even started to sort out!
Our first detail to tackle is the date. When to have it! We have agreed that sometime warm where there is a good chance of good weather is super important. So late July through early September. Then we need to decide if we can pull this shindig together in just 6 or so months, or if we want to wait 18. The jury is still out on that one.
We want the weather to look like this... (image from restaurants.uptake.com)
Not this. (image from komonews.com)
We're currently in the beginning stages of buying a house - as in, just about ready to jump in and do the serious searching. So, as you might expect, we're a little preoccupied. We would like to find somewhere before June, as his lease expires then. I'm not certain either of us will have the time or motivation to do wedding things when we'll be busy looking at houses and eventually packing up and moving. But we don't want to wait eternity (18 months seems so far away!). But I also kind of want to have an engaged Christmas. If you can't tell, we're totally conflicted. Which makes it confusing to tell people "We're getting married! Either this year or a year and a half from now!" And Dino says he has decided to spend his life with me, so why does he have to wait so long? (Then I start talking about details and he gets overwhelmed with how much actually goes into a wedding!)
So here we are, undecided, but so so happy!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wouldn't ya know it...
Wow, I managed to ignore this for a long time! I found myself reading other peoples' blogs, chatting online with other waiting ladies, and just trying not to make myself miserable thinking of things that could be, will be, and are off in the future at some undetermined date. I even made a pact with myself to not worry about it or bring it up or anything until after February was over. Well, I am beyond ecstatic to report that the waiting game is OVER!
Because it is so fun to get caught up in the romance, let me retell my proposal (eeek!) story for you! At the beginning of the month, we left for a 10 day trip to Hawaii with Dino's family. We stayed in a beautiful house, enjoyed amazing sunsets, ate ridiculously well (boy is his brother a good chef! Glad he was willing to cook for us every day!), had wonderful adventures, and spent a whole lot of time relaxing and soaking up some much needed sun. We went to a couple of beaches, but they were mostly hike in beaches (leaving us gross and dirty) or rocky or windy or just generally not perfect. That is, until our last day there. We went to a beach that nearly rivaled Australian beaches. It was beautiful, soft sand, water we could actually play in, and perfect weather. We body surfed, sunbathed, snacked, and I even got some pictures of whales! By about noon, though, I was getting a little more burnt than I liked, so we moved into a shadier, less crowded spot a little further from the water. We were just talking, and it looked like we might all have been getting a little crispy and ready to leave, when Dino said "I've been waiting for the perfect time all week to do this" and reached into his camera ring, pulling out something small and shiny. He continued "Will you marry me?" to which I eloquently replied "Really? Really? Are you serious? You're serious right now?" He got me to say "Yes!" though, and placed the ring on my finger.
I was so so shocked! I didn't think he was even thinking about it, let alone buying a ring and toting it around on vacation with us! He was so sneaky too, and managed to surprise me in the biggest and best way ever! I think I was a bit in a daze for at least the rest of the day, if not still in a daze 3 days later now!
So a couple minutes later, his dad walked over to tell us we were thinking about heading out, and Dino told him the good news! His dad didn't seem super surprised, but very happy, and told us that prior to leaving for vacation he was telling people that he might just marry us in Hawaii, since he is a pastor. His mom was so excited too, it was wonderful. She exclaimed "I'm going to get a daughter-in-law!" and was proudly telling everyone we met that we just got engaged. Dino had told his brother the night before, since he was getting a little nervous about getting down to the last day of vacation and trying to find the perfect moment. So his brother wasn't surprised, but was happy for us also (although that might be just because it'll distract their relatives from bugging him about settling down for a bit!).
It was so weird, so amazing, and so wonderful. We didn't have very good cell reception, so I could only text (it took several tries too, ugh!) my parents and best friend, but their excitement was so wonderful. In fact, the response from everyone has blown me away. I knew people would congratulate us, but so many people are beyond excited for us, it is truly making me feel so loved. I've very rarely received flowers before, but my office gave me some beautiful flowers the day I got back (yesterday), and then my FIANCE brought me flowers last night also, something he's only done once before! Not to mention the fabulous new bling I'm sporting now. Emerald cut, just over half a carat, sparkly and beautiful, currently in a "presentation setting" I believe he called it, soon to be placed into a fun, vintage-y inspired setting of our choosing.
Good golly I love that man. And I love the way he proposed. And I love that I have a Fiance now and am ENGAGED!!!
We haven't nailed any details down yet (except for the florist! My friend in Australia is officially my first vendor, as she offered to do my flowers as a gift. What a wonderful wonderful gift and friend!!!), as it has only been 3 days, but for now I think we're just reveling in the excitement, the love, the new titles, and our celebration. But I can't wait to dive in and put a wedding together!
Because it is so fun to get caught up in the romance, let me retell my proposal (eeek!) story for you! At the beginning of the month, we left for a 10 day trip to Hawaii with Dino's family. We stayed in a beautiful house, enjoyed amazing sunsets, ate ridiculously well (boy is his brother a good chef! Glad he was willing to cook for us every day!), had wonderful adventures, and spent a whole lot of time relaxing and soaking up some much needed sun. We went to a couple of beaches, but they were mostly hike in beaches (leaving us gross and dirty) or rocky or windy or just generally not perfect. That is, until our last day there. We went to a beach that nearly rivaled Australian beaches. It was beautiful, soft sand, water we could actually play in, and perfect weather. We body surfed, sunbathed, snacked, and I even got some pictures of whales! By about noon, though, I was getting a little more burnt than I liked, so we moved into a shadier, less crowded spot a little further from the water. We were just talking, and it looked like we might all have been getting a little crispy and ready to leave, when Dino said "I've been waiting for the perfect time all week to do this" and reached into his camera ring, pulling out something small and shiny. He continued "Will you marry me?" to which I eloquently replied "Really? Really? Are you serious? You're serious right now?" He got me to say "Yes!" though, and placed the ring on my finger.
I was so so shocked! I didn't think he was even thinking about it, let alone buying a ring and toting it around on vacation with us! He was so sneaky too, and managed to surprise me in the biggest and best way ever! I think I was a bit in a daze for at least the rest of the day, if not still in a daze 3 days later now!
So a couple minutes later, his dad walked over to tell us we were thinking about heading out, and Dino told him the good news! His dad didn't seem super surprised, but very happy, and told us that prior to leaving for vacation he was telling people that he might just marry us in Hawaii, since he is a pastor. His mom was so excited too, it was wonderful. She exclaimed "I'm going to get a daughter-in-law!" and was proudly telling everyone we met that we just got engaged. Dino had told his brother the night before, since he was getting a little nervous about getting down to the last day of vacation and trying to find the perfect moment. So his brother wasn't surprised, but was happy for us also (although that might be just because it'll distract their relatives from bugging him about settling down for a bit!).
It was so weird, so amazing, and so wonderful. We didn't have very good cell reception, so I could only text (it took several tries too, ugh!) my parents and best friend, but their excitement was so wonderful. In fact, the response from everyone has blown me away. I knew people would congratulate us, but so many people are beyond excited for us, it is truly making me feel so loved. I've very rarely received flowers before, but my office gave me some beautiful flowers the day I got back (yesterday), and then my FIANCE brought me flowers last night also, something he's only done once before! Not to mention the fabulous new bling I'm sporting now. Emerald cut, just over half a carat, sparkly and beautiful, currently in a "presentation setting" I believe he called it, soon to be placed into a fun, vintage-y inspired setting of our choosing.
Good golly I love that man. And I love the way he proposed. And I love that I have a Fiance now and am ENGAGED!!!
We haven't nailed any details down yet (except for the florist! My friend in Australia is officially my first vendor, as she offered to do my flowers as a gift. What a wonderful wonderful gift and friend!!!), as it has only been 3 days, but for now I think we're just reveling in the excitement, the love, the new titles, and our celebration. But I can't wait to dive in and put a wedding together!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
A Few More Bits and Pieces
I forgot some random little thoughts the other day, specifically in how strangely Dino and my expectations line up.
A while back, I decided it would be cool to get married in a forest (specifically with woodland creatures around, but it's hard to invite chipmunks and robins and the like). I think I mentioned it to Dino in passing, but that was a long time ago. So when we were discussing weddings this past weekend, he mentions that, wouldn't you know, he dreams of getting married in a forest! (I promise not to implant any ideas into his mind that could be problematic, although it is tempting to use my newfound mind control more...) While my thoughts have kind of shifted (in that I like neon and bright colors, which may not be harmonious with the outdoors), I still really love this idea. Nature is beautiful.
His dad is a pastor, and he has told everyone that he wants his dad to marry him, and to this I wholeheartedly agree, and can't imagine anything different. However, it is funny that while he is 100% sure he wants his dad to marry him (us?), he is also worried about how his dad will, uh, adlib... go off script... insert some humor and unplanned thoughts into the ceremony. It's true. He will, but it will still be wonderful!!! His dad is so amazing, and warm and loving, and while he may say a couple unexpected things, I can only imagine they'd be perfect.
We were talking about all the little fancy desserts they had at the wedding, and Dino said he'd like just tons of different kinds of cookies. Boy likes cookies better than pretty much any other dessert. I told him about a tradition that is completely foreign here in the PNW, but commonplace somewhere on the east coast (Pennsylvania, I think?). The Cookie Table!!! The cookie table is a glorious table, and the bride and groom ask people in their lives (ones who volunteer is preferable) to make several dozens of a kind of cookie (hopefully their specialty), and then the cookies are placed on a table for guests to enjoy a bit of the guests of honors' childhood and familiar flavors. I am absolutely in LOVE with this idea. I think it would be a nice way to include our friends and families in the production of the wedding, and maybe a neat little favor. Although, I love cake more than most things, so we would DEFINITELY need an amazing, delicious cake still.
Speaking of favors, I also told Dino about the beer bread mix favors Mrs. Pretzel had at her wedding, even in bottles, and he seemed to love it. We also brewed beer the other day, and he announced to everyone (a couple of his coworkers and me) that he will be brewing beer to serve at his wedding, which I think is an amazing idea. I think it would be fun to either just do that, or also have homebrew as favors as well (custom labels!).
It's nice to see that we are on the same page for so many things, even though I still can't picture what I want overall, these little details are awesome.
A while back, I decided it would be cool to get married in a forest (specifically with woodland creatures around, but it's hard to invite chipmunks and robins and the like). I think I mentioned it to Dino in passing, but that was a long time ago. So when we were discussing weddings this past weekend, he mentions that, wouldn't you know, he dreams of getting married in a forest! (I promise not to implant any ideas into his mind that could be problematic, although it is tempting to use my newfound mind control more...) While my thoughts have kind of shifted (in that I like neon and bright colors, which may not be harmonious with the outdoors), I still really love this idea. Nature is beautiful.
His dad is a pastor, and he has told everyone that he wants his dad to marry him, and to this I wholeheartedly agree, and can't imagine anything different. However, it is funny that while he is 100% sure he wants his dad to marry him (us?), he is also worried about how his dad will, uh, adlib... go off script... insert some humor and unplanned thoughts into the ceremony. It's true. He will, but it will still be wonderful!!! His dad is so amazing, and warm and loving, and while he may say a couple unexpected things, I can only imagine they'd be perfect.
We were talking about all the little fancy desserts they had at the wedding, and Dino said he'd like just tons of different kinds of cookies. Boy likes cookies better than pretty much any other dessert. I told him about a tradition that is completely foreign here in the PNW, but commonplace somewhere on the east coast (Pennsylvania, I think?). The Cookie Table!!! The cookie table is a glorious table, and the bride and groom ask people in their lives (ones who volunteer is preferable) to make several dozens of a kind of cookie (hopefully their specialty), and then the cookies are placed on a table for guests to enjoy a bit of the guests of honors' childhood and familiar flavors. I am absolutely in LOVE with this idea. I think it would be a nice way to include our friends and families in the production of the wedding, and maybe a neat little favor. Although, I love cake more than most things, so we would DEFINITELY need an amazing, delicious cake still.
Speaking of favors, I also told Dino about the beer bread mix favors Mrs. Pretzel had at her wedding, even in bottles, and he seemed to love it. We also brewed beer the other day, and he announced to everyone (a couple of his coworkers and me) that he will be brewing beer to serve at his wedding, which I think is an amazing idea. I think it would be fun to either just do that, or also have homebrew as favors as well (custom labels!).
It's nice to see that we are on the same page for so many things, even though I still can't picture what I want overall, these little details are awesome.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Some random thoughts right now...
Not much has changed since I blogged last... Been pretty much the same for me (aka, no ring...)!
My best friend recently asked me for some ideas of rings I like, just in case. Talk about making me suspicious! However, Dino just had to get some major car repairs done, costing nearly 3k, which is ridiculous, so I don't think he has much extra cash at the moment. My car also just went into the shop (he literally drove my dying car to pick up his fixed car, and left mine there. Talk about perfect timing...).
We also just went to a wedding in Portland, which was fun. Always nice to see weddings up close and personal! Really makes me list things I do and don't like, things I may do or will definitely steer away from. Afterwards, a drunk Dino and I were talking, and he asked me to describe my wedding I've been planning in my mind. I honestly couldn't, though. It isn't like I can make any decisions without a timeline or, you know, a fiance, or budget or anything. I tried to explain this, and he seemed touched that I would take his ideas into consideration, but of course I would! It isn't just going to be MY wedding. Plus I feel like I look at wedding blogs for the pretty, and for general ideas, rather than specific plans. But it seems he is thinking more about our future wedding, even if it is just drunk Dino saying things about it.
Soon enough, though... soon enough I'll be planning my own wedding! I hope so, at least!!!
My best friend recently asked me for some ideas of rings I like, just in case. Talk about making me suspicious! However, Dino just had to get some major car repairs done, costing nearly 3k, which is ridiculous, so I don't think he has much extra cash at the moment. My car also just went into the shop (he literally drove my dying car to pick up his fixed car, and left mine there. Talk about perfect timing...).
We also just went to a wedding in Portland, which was fun. Always nice to see weddings up close and personal! Really makes me list things I do and don't like, things I may do or will definitely steer away from. Afterwards, a drunk Dino and I were talking, and he asked me to describe my wedding I've been planning in my mind. I honestly couldn't, though. It isn't like I can make any decisions without a timeline or, you know, a fiance, or budget or anything. I tried to explain this, and he seemed touched that I would take his ideas into consideration, but of course I would! It isn't just going to be MY wedding. Plus I feel like I look at wedding blogs for the pretty, and for general ideas, rather than specific plans. But it seems he is thinking more about our future wedding, even if it is just drunk Dino saying things about it.
Soon enough, though... soon enough I'll be planning my own wedding! I hope so, at least!!!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Down Under and back!
Recently, Dino and I went down to AUSTRALIA for two weeks of awesome, including the wedding of a dear friend of mine. It was, obviously, amazing!!! We spent time at Gold Coast, Brisbane (where the wedding was, and where I studied abroad a few years ago), and then at North Stradbroke Island. Aside from getting nasty colds, it was the best vacation in a long time. Two whole weeks!
Going to the wedding was fantastic, it was great to see a wedding in person since becoming a little obsessed with weddings. Plus we later got to talk with my friends, the newlyweds, about what they thought of the wedding and what they expected and everything. They did say it was weird to be done with the day they spent 8 months planning, so I can only imagine what people planning weddings for a year or more go through after the day comes and goes. Makes you think a little, put it into perspective some! Just one day, for sure.
Later, we were stopping at a bottle shop (liquor store) for some refreshments, and the boys ran in and my friend and I stayed in the car, and she simply said "I thought he was going to propose." In the excitement of the trip, the idea of proposal had barely touched my mind, but the fact that she had expected that and had actually talked to her mum and sister about it make me think I might not be crazy for expecting it sometime soon! Well, he didn't, but my friend believes it is coming, since we are going to so many weddings this summer, and he may see how non-scary they can be. Of course, her romance was slightly different (long story, but the groom is just cool like that), but I dunno. It was good, though. Nice to talk to someone also into the wedding industry a bit at the moment. And get her view on everything.
Now, however, I cannot wait to go back, and cannot wait until I get to plan my wedding. And can't wait for the next 2 weddings we're attending this summer! Oh how I love weddings...
Going to the wedding was fantastic, it was great to see a wedding in person since becoming a little obsessed with weddings. Plus we later got to talk with my friends, the newlyweds, about what they thought of the wedding and what they expected and everything. They did say it was weird to be done with the day they spent 8 months planning, so I can only imagine what people planning weddings for a year or more go through after the day comes and goes. Makes you think a little, put it into perspective some! Just one day, for sure.
Later, we were stopping at a bottle shop (liquor store) for some refreshments, and the boys ran in and my friend and I stayed in the car, and she simply said "I thought he was going to propose." In the excitement of the trip, the idea of proposal had barely touched my mind, but the fact that she had expected that and had actually talked to her mum and sister about it make me think I might not be crazy for expecting it sometime soon! Well, he didn't, but my friend believes it is coming, since we are going to so many weddings this summer, and he may see how non-scary they can be. Of course, her romance was slightly different (long story, but the groom is just cool like that), but I dunno. It was good, though. Nice to talk to someone also into the wedding industry a bit at the moment. And get her view on everything.
Now, however, I cannot wait to go back, and cannot wait until I get to plan my wedding. And can't wait for the next 2 weddings we're attending this summer! Oh how I love weddings...
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