Monday, February 6, 2012

Biscuit Plans a Wedding: Part 1

Hi everyone. You can breathe again, I have restored external internet access at work! It was a long, arduous 1.5 days in the office, but I survived and I feel stronger for it.

So, wedding planning. Wow. First of all, let me say that I feel like a complete impostor calling myself a "bride," calling Mr. Good Hair my "fiance," and in general discussing anything wedding related. We've been together for almost four years, lived together for two, and have talked about this seriously for more than a year. But for some reason, I feel like I'm pretending with this whole thing. It's weird. Does it ever start being real?

Anywho, once again perpetuating female stereotypes, I went full type-A on planning last week and did not rest until we had secured a venue we love, on a Saturday, in this calendar year, and not smack dab in the middle of the Holidays. What did that entail? Well, I think I read the entire "here comes the guide" website, opened myself up to the possibility of any affordable venue in Northern California, asked HB to talk me down at least twice, sent my parents approximately 100 emails/day, and called or emailed at least 40 venues. 

On Saturday we visited two venues that had the general look I was going for (rustic dance party, obviously) and had (any) dates available in 2012. While I thought I would love the Presidio Log Cabin the most (both for being IN the city and for looking like it's in Tahoe), I ended up falling in love with the Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley. It's right across the Golden Gate bridge, and feels like a cabin smack dab in the middle of a lovely garden. While we were visiting there were 8 other couples touring the venue, so of course my competitive side took over and I submitted my request for our date (the only non-holiday Saturday left past July) from a bench directly outside the property, within 2 minutes of leaving our docent. I then proceeded to worry over whether we had gotten it for the next 24 hours, until I received a confirmation email from the rental director Sunday afternoon. 

We currently have a hold on November 10, and though we're looking at a few more venues, I expect that we will be putting a deposit down on the property. Very exciting!

After we went venue hunting, I went dress shopping with a friend of mine who is also recently engaged. She found a bridal store that was having a closing sale and was blowing through it's stock at 50-70% off. That'll get me through the door. I was unexpectedly nervous about putting any kind of a wedding dress on, but thought I would get over it. I was wrong. I put one dress on and had a panic attack a-la Carry Bradshaw. I started sweating and itching, and I felt like a monster in that white thing. I definitely wasn't ready to put a dress on. I think I'll wait for another 10-15 pounds before I try again.

I feel so much better now that we have a timeline and a location. Now I can plan the fun stuff: drinks, snacks, bachelorette party. I'm super excited to, for the first time, have all of my friends and family in one place. My loved ones are so scattered across the country that I have never been able to enjoy their company all at once. I'm making a commitment to myself, after the venue and dress anxiety, to actually have fun planning, not spend money on things I don't care about, and to throw a really fun party for everyone. That means: good food, good drinks, good music, and dance-offs. Also, crying. And possibly arts & crafts. It's going to be fun.

1 comment:

  1. The art club is awesome! I toured it for an event I was planning for work and was floored! Go you!

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