Wedding Planning: Part One

Since Matt and I announced our engagement, I have been inundated with loads and loads of advice and thoughts from different people.

Now I just want to point out:  I don't think Matt has been given any advice at all.  None.  If he has, he has not imparted it with me.  It seems to me that the bride-to-be is the one who receives the bulk of this shared wisdom, whether it is wanted or not.  Traditionally I suppose this is because the bride is typically far more involved in the details of the wedding than the groom.  Whatever the case may be, I have received a lot of ideas/thoughts/wisdom/advice, much of it that I'd rather not hear.

Then after doing research online and making choices about our wedding ceremony, venue, etc, I came to this huge realization (again, because I keep having it over and over like Groundhog Day) that the wedding industry is a huge money-making scam.

For example, I looked at mobile makeup and hair costs.  $400 just for the bride. 

I cannot justify that in my head even for the airbrush foundation technique.

I also have stumbled across a host of wedding do's & don'ts.  One website in particular really irritated me.  Here's their list of all wedding things considered tacky:

• Chocolate fountains
• Facebook invites
• Pulling up in any old ride
• Ice sculptures
• Dance performances
• Visible tattoos
• Banning kids
• No alcohol
• Ratchet music
• A revealing dress
• A crown
• Asking for money
• The money dance
• Dresses that aren't white
• Getting married at your favourite store

Albeit, some of those ARE a little strange and not up my alley, such as wearing a crown and revealing dress.  HOWEVER, if people want to do wear a champagne or pink wedding dress, why the heck can't they?  Why should they be considered tacky if it's something that they truly want to do?

Even worse, some people tell me (unknowingly) things they don't like about weddings/choices brides make without knowing I have opted for those very things. Then it becomes this awkward discussion (always at work) about wedding etiquette and what should be expected from a bride.

Them:  Wear a veil.  Wear contacts.  Have a flower girl.  Have a candle lighting ceremony.  Weddings should always be open bar.  Invite all your cousins or else.  Get actual bridesmaid dresses.  Don't be cheap.  Get your nails done.  Go to a spa prior to wedding.  Throw a stag & doe.  Throw an engagement party.  Set up a registry.  Do whatever you want.  Do what everyone else does.  It's all about you as a couple.  Don't be weird or do weird things.  Get professional invitations done.  Cover up your tattoos.  Show your tattoos and be proud.  

Me:

When it's all said and done, here is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I am focusing on:

I am getting married to my favourite person in the world.

Nothing else matters.  I am constantly repeating that over and over to myself.  What I opt to do is my choice alone.  If people don't like our style, they don't have to come.  We're not getting married for other people, we're getting married for ourselves, because we love each other and are committing to each other in front of people who love us.

And in an actual wedding update, so far I have:

• chosen a date and time
• gotten hair & make up darlings set up
• booked the church
• booked the reception venue
• started working on invitations
• chosen bridesmaids (and Matt has chosen his men)
• chosen a reception menu options
• booked photographers (so excited to work with Mike & Jenny!)
• started a website (ballers like that)
• picked an walk-down-the-aisle song (what is the official name?)
• asked my brother to DJ an after party (he said yes, obvi)
• sort of picked a dress (still have to try it on)

I am on schedule!  Soon I will release our website URL when all the information has been input.

Among words of advice, people ALSO keep saying to me, "Planning a wedding is SO hard, it's SO MUCH WORK, you will get so overwhelmed, make sure you delegate..."  Up to this point, I have found it to be none of those things.  When I mentioned that it was smooth sailing so far, I got the "WAIT until the DAY OF YOUR WEDDING and THEN you will see WHAT I MEAN!!!!111!!!!"

*deep breath*

I am getting married to my favourite person in the world.

I am getting married to my favourite person in the world.

I am getting married to my favourite person in the world.

I hope you will all come and dance Schmidt-y like with me.  Stay tuned for more wedding updates!