As I narrow my checklist down even further I think back to my bridal showcase of last year and wish they had more throughout the year! I feel a bridal showcase would be quite useful as I'm struggling to narrow in on particular aspects.
Since they don't have them more often I figured I'd instead set up a facebook event and invite all who wanted to attend the bridal showcase this Jan. :)
I am really worried about not getting people booked in time. Looking at the budget, punching in the numbers and thinking that this is going to work. I have to book the venue in April then get married over a year later. Sure I can do it. I found the perfect song for the bridal party to walk down the aisle to so I've been having luck with the musical side of things.
I have a coupon for a free pearl necklace if I throw a jewelry party. I am curious if any of my friends are actually interested in something like that. But there are a lot of useful coupons from the other night as well. So still totally worth it both mentally, emotionally and financially.
As for productivity? I sent off the wedding planning e-mails, updated a wedding registry with bed bath and beyond, researched wedding venue options and now I'm going to wedding pla--...bed.
The bridal showcase was positively amazing, all the information you could possibly want was right there in front of you. Questions to be asked, cards to be taken and everyone wanted to know when your special day was. It was amazing and I wish there were more every year. ;) Right now I'm still in the early stages of planning so I needed information on everything but in a few months I'll be looking at Cakes, or flowers and I think it'd be more beneficial to have those showcases then. But today I had loads of fun entering my name in draws and gathering bagfuls of information. I had at the ready two of my bridesmaids both also running around in all the excitement filling their bags with so many pamphlets and ideas.
The girls (flower and ring girls) were having almost as much fun as us adult girls. By the end of it they were completely played out! As much fun as they had I think we could have tackled the event even better were they left home with the best man and/or groom-to-be. Next year I believe I will ensure they have someone to watch them and that I have even more bridesmaids there. SO MUCH FUN!
I think the moment that hit me the most was when we were sitting there at the fashion show and the men started coming down the runway to Putting on the Ritz doing their best Fred Astaire impressions although they were marching to Taco's version of the song.
There I was surrounded by some of my best friends, my two favorite little girls and these men all dressed up in their best duds dancing down the aisle like goofballs just as David would and tears welled up. I tried to hide behind my hair. Such a silly bridal tear moment but it just hit me. Everything in my life, every trial and tribulation, every stumble, every fall, it was all leading to this moment when I would be surrounded by my best friends, people who want only the best for me as I plan my wedding with my best friend.
In the end the day was a huge success. I gathered massive amounts of information which I quickly sorted into careful piles that covered my living room floor. We had piles such as, jewelry, fashion, dress, tux, transportation, honeymoon, coupons, business cards, etc. and then they were sorted into my wedding planning book. I have not filtered through them yet simply sorted them into their categories. However, tonight I am armed with post-its and paper to dive right into my book of wedding bliss.
I think this book will help get through those days where I am feeling inspired but can not afford the inspiration until next paycheque. Those days when all I can do is browse through options and write down information and ideas. This book is now my wedding bible and I shall know it verse by verse.
So while the beast slumbers I have been dedicating precious minutes to planning out the wedding ceremony and reception and searching for venues. Never have those naps meant so much to me. Sure it's easier to do regular chores when she's asleep than when she's awake but planning a wedding just can't be done when she's awake. For one thing I feel incredibly guilty if I'm not teaching her something or playing with her in some way. This girl is my life and I can't put her aside for wedding planning, no matter how perfect it needs to be.
I have managed to find one possible location that is pretty much attached to the hill where we want to have our photographs taken so it's really not that bad a deal. In addition I will be attending the local bridal showcase in a few days. I'm so excited to be going and glad I looked when I did. I would have otherwise missed out on it.
