Why the wedding plans changed

So I've been asked how we went from having a destination wedding to having a traditional ceremony. It all started with a conversation with my daughter. We were talking on our way to her cheerleading practice one day, and she says (out of the blue) "Mommy, can I be in your wedding?" I was shocked, because I just assumed she had no concept of a wedding, being in a wedding, or anything like that. So I decided to see where the conversation took us. I asked her what she wanted to be, and she said a flowergirl...then she said she wanted to dress like me, and started actually talking about what she was going to wear, do, etc in the wedding. I saw how her face lit up while talking, and it just completely changed my though process. Initially, the LOML and I wanted the time to be completely about us. After all the years and finally getting it right, we deserved to have this time and day totally to ourselves. But having this conversation with my daughter made me realize that there were 3 little people that we'd be totally leaving out of this day. 3 little people that I really feel need to see this process and be a part of the process. See, both the LOML and I have children (by other people), and are single parents, but I'm determined to break that with my daughter, and want to be a positive influence on his children, showing them all how love and marriage can be a wonderful and fulfilling thing- if done correctly.
So after having this revelation, I sent him an email asking him how would he feel about us forgoing the Hawaii thing, and having a wedding ceremony.
**Sidenote, this email was sent out a few days after my mom came to visit, and made mention to us having the wedding in my hometown, in her backyard...No pressure, she said- just a suggestion.**
So his response was "What ever you want to do. The power of your mother is unbelievable". So I got a little offended, and said screw it! But I'd already started thinking about having this nice (SIMPLE) ceremony, with us, the kids, and the people we love sharing the moment with us. I decided to let the attitude cool off, then have another conversation with him. This time he was more receptive, and genuine when he said "It's your day and I want you to have no regrets, so what ever you want to do is fine with me"....... SO there it is we are having a wedding!!!!!!! and hence, my obsessing over dresses, colors, location, etc....

We have a date! We have colors! We have dresses! We have a location! I think I've got a pretty good start on this....Now I just need to get on the diet and exercise plan so that I can actually order my dress in January but that's a whole OTHER story!

The Dresses!

I have never done as much window shopping as I've done for the dresses over the past week. This has been the most INTENSE process I think I have ever been through when it comes to shopping! But the end result is I've found the dresses for the entire bridal party!!!!!! WHEW......I'm blogging as I'm logging off the designers website, and I'm not looking at any more dresses. One thing I've realized is everytime I look, I see something else that is cute, or different, or better than what I saw before. I think I drove the bridal shop owner about mad, but she's digging the color scheme. I really think it's going to look really good when the pictures are taken. I'm so EXCITED!!!!

Oh- wedding plans changed also....We've decided to have a traditional ceremony and reception so I'm knee deep into wedding planning. I think I'm becoming obsessed! I'm trying to get as much out of the way as I can now, so that I can relax as it gets closer to the big day! I thought about posting pics of the dresses, but that'll take away from the WOW factor for my 3 readers (who will also be at the wedding, RIGHT?!!!!!!??!???!!??!)......

So now I'm back to the budget. He got a little flushed when he saw the figures for my 1st take at it. I need to knock it down a LOT or well be at the J.O.P.

C-YA!

The Location!

It only took me, oh about 5 months, but I've finally got a very rough draft of how it's going to happen. It has been so hard trying to plan an event to accommodate friends and family from so many different cities, as well as our BUDGET and still get out of the day what we want. We kept going back to the point that this was supposed to be our day, and we can't try to please everyone. We wanted the ceremony to be very special, very private, and very much about us, just him and me. We also want to actually enjoy each other during this time and not be stressed with trying to entertain so many people who really don't have a connection to anyone other than one of us. So we've separated the actual ceremony and reception and spanned it over a week of events.

We will start off by flying to Honolulu, Hawaii and getting married in Wakiki June 18th. I found a very sweet wedding planner who would also officiate the nuptials. The ceremony will just be me and Fish, and we'll spend 5 days on the island sightseeing and just enjoying each other uninterrupted.

We then will fly back home on June 24th to prepare for a weekend of celebration with our friends and family. We are going to invite everyone here for the weekend, having a (very belated) housewarming celebration/welcome reception at our home on Friday.
The actual reception will be on Saturday (still trying to find a location). Finally on Sunday we want to have a farewell brunch with those who are still in the city with us.

Sooooo....i got a LOT of planning to do. And I've been checking airfare to Hawaii and I think I may have to sell a lung and a kidney to purchase those tickets! :(

Pray for me!

How it happened

So I guess I'll start at the beginning...well, not ALL the way at the beginning, because that's just to much information for any one person to digest. But I'll go back a year ago, Labor day weekend to be exact, and we'll let that be the beginning. Fish and I have been on and off for years, and finally something last September snapped. You know how it feels when you've reached your breaking point? Like you just cannot go any further without making major changes? That's where I was last year. I could not go any further with the off and on. Well, that visit was a moment of truth. We decided that we'd stop with the on and off and move forward, together. So in a matter of months I was engaged and moving to Kentucky. A ton of things have happened since then, but now comes the fun and stressing task of planning my wedding! Wow- I never thought I'd be at this point. I'm so emotional just at thinking about the fact that in about 1 year, I'll be referred to as "The Mrs."! HA- well, I am going to use this blog as my outlet. And since I have MARRIED readers, you girls can be my voice of reasoning and help me out along the way! So- LET'S GET IT STARTED!