Recovering from Vacation

[AdminAssistant]

So, I got back yesterday from two weeks out and about in the fine state of Arkansas....and damn I'm tired.

The first week I spent with my parents, which was fine as far as that goes. It's an effed up situation, but they're two grown-ass people. They can figure it out; I'm not gonna do it for them. At any rate, my nephew is growing exponentially more adorable and mischievous. Sis and BIL are about a month away from finishing their house - which is great because now I can spend some of my home time with them instead of crazy parents. Woot!

No, the fun came when I went down to Little Rock to see my SO. We really didn't do much - went out to eat a lot, he finally got me to watch The Life Aquatic (meh). Hung out with his roomies, etc. But we got to get some idea of what living together will be like. He's trying to transfer within his company, and it's taking time, but I hope he'll move in this summer or early fall. We'll be okay, I think. There are things to work on. I'm much more organized and like to stay on top of housework. He doesn't worry about it as much and goddammit would you hang up the wet towels??? *ahem* Oh, and as EQ mentioned, he taught me how to play Warcraft. I'm debating whether or not I'll actually sign up for it. I might play some more the next time I visit him to see if I really like it.

Well, and we did one more thing. We looked at engagement rings. Which was a completely overwhelming experience for someone who doesn't wear much jewelry. I was looking at a couple of different ones and just said, "they're all so SHINY!!" And here's the kicker. He's going to trade in a ring from a previous engagement, but he has to get a ring that's worth twice the original one in value. Basically (for example), he could get a $2000 ring for $1000 with the trade-in. I decided on a basic style (he'll pick out the actual ring, so that there's some element of surprise), but all the ones we were looking at were 1.5-2 carat. I'll probably be afraid to wear it!

So...I'm really excited. So much so that the next day at the grocery store I picked up a bridal magazine. I think he'll probably ask next month, since we're planning a weekend trip then. But we won't be married until next summer at the absolute earliest. And don't ask me how I'm going to plan a wedding during my last year of Ph.D. coursework and comp exam prep, because I haven't figured that part out yet.

[Elspeth]

Wow sounds like you had a nice trip, minus the crazy parents.

And on planning a wedding when trying to finish school it can be done but you need to be organize and have the help of friends / family.

I finished school 2 days before we got married. My Aunt and Mom did a lot of the work, but I still had a lot to do. I suggest starting a notebook with everything about the wedding in it. Also if your SO wants to help take him up on it. The hubby planned the honeymoon.

And start cutting out gowns and dresses and put them in the book. If you see something you like write it down and put it in the book. Also maybe have a small notebook with you in case you think of something, like oh I want flower pots as center pieces, you can write it down and so you don't forget it.

Congrats!!!

[Evil Queen]

Let SO figure it out. It's not uncommon for the future grooms to plan weddings these days.

[Magpie]

You get the wedding you want! "Sorry Mom/sister/grandma, I don't have time to get a dress that looks like a cake/have a theme for the wedding/invite 1500 people, I have to do course work." Unless, of course, they offer to help. In which case I recommend freaking out over not having time for the input they want. (I figured this out too late to apply it).

[AdminAssistant]

Let SO figure it out. It's not uncommon for the future grooms to plan weddings these days.

Oh dear. All of the music would be Euro-dance-pop (think Armin van Buuren) and the cake would be adorned with Final Fantasy and Warcraft characters. He's actually already said that he wants me to do most of it, since there are things I definitely want and he tends to be a bit indecisive.

The ceremony will definitely be back home, and I'm sure my mom and sis will help me out...hopefully not too much though. I know them, and they'll try to "save" me from my idea of what my wedding should be like. "Oh, you think you want this, but you REALLY want that." I already know I want some things - music: "Non, je ne regrette rien" as a recessional, "Quand on n'a que l'amour" either during the wedding or reception. I want my cake to at least have a Mario and Princess Peach topper (I'd love a fully decorated Nintendo-themed cake, but a plain white one is more feasible), and the groom's cake will be Warcraft. As far as dresses go....I'd prefer one that isn't strapless, but I swear all of the ones I've seen recently are. I really like the ones that have splashes of color. I'd love to have a fun reception with drinking and dancing, but that would probably cost too much and, well, my dad's an alcoholic and I do NOT want to deal with that.

A friend of mine is about to have a wedding (well, "commitment ceremony") and they've set up a wedding website, which is awesome. I'll probably ask the SO to handle that, since he's more net-savvy than I am.

It'll be relatively small, but bigger than a courthouse wedding. I do want most of my extended family to be there, along with as many friends as possible. Plus, I want to do a reception up here since so many friends and colleagues won't be able to drive to the wedding (this is probably when we'll do the dancing and drinking part). The true challenge will be trying to find an affordable, indoor, secular location. *sigh* I don't care to get married in a church, and neither does he, but it may be the only option.

[Magpie]

If you want a non-strapless dress, try looking for "modest" dresses when you check out the websites for various collections. I wouldn't call them particularly modest myself, but they are never strapless. And apparently most shops will add straps or sleeves to a dress. I found these tidbits out AFTER buying my dress (and needing to get a jacket, because it was sleeveless for a church wedding), so I try to make sure everyone else finds out before.

[Solumina]

I don’t know about where you are from but in many areas there are local museums and government owned historic sites that can be surprisingly affordable and make very interesting wedding and/or reception sites (that require almost no decorating), a lot of them can only handle smaller weddings but that doesn't sound like a problem for you. You may want to look into parks as well, a lot of them do have indoor areas in addition to the outdoor spaces that people tend not to think about.

Also if you want to save some money then having non-alcoholic cocktails can be a great idea. Alcoholic drinks can run you $10 per person, easy, non-alcoholic drinks (even ones that are mixed) will cost less than half of that. I went to an early afternoon wedding and with a reception from 2:30 to 5:30 and it was really delightful, I think it was actually the most enjoyable one that I have ever been to (doesn’t hurt that I really have thing for finger sandwiches and tea cakes, which they had instead of a sit down meal). The only alcohol that they had was for the Champaign toast but they had a couple types of these amazing fruity thingies with sparkling grape juice that were just so light and refreshing that most people would have still had those even if there was a full bar.

Another way to save a bit without sacrificing is to have hors d'oeuvres instead of a sit down meal. If you are catering your reception it can cut the catering bill by as much as 50% and people will love being able to try lots of different things, plus it makes for more of a modern, social atmosphere that something a bit more formal or traditional (I may be wrong but a really formal event doesn't really sound like your thing).

[AdminAssistant]

I'm hoping to find a place in Jonesboro, AR, since it's 1) where we met and 2)central to most of our families. It's a dry county, but there are locations with special liquor permits. The University is out, because all of their locations require that you use their dining services company. Sorry, I had enough of their crappy food in college. But I haven't done a lot of digging (maybe I should wait until I'm actually engaged? )

I was planning on doing hor d'oeuvres - little sandwiches, fruit, etc. I'm sure we'll have a sit-down rehearsal dinner. But my sister had a BBQ restaurant cater hers and it was quite reasonable. Besides, that's the kind of food our families like - nothing fancy or anything. Since we met in college, I'm tempted to opt for pizza.

I got a different wedding mag today, and I saw a lot more dresses with sleeves and jackets, and a lot of plus-sized dresses. I'm hoping to lose enough weight between now and then that I won't be in plus-sizes, but it's comforting to know that there are nice options available if I am.

[Fire_on_High]

Oh dear. All of the music would be Euro-dance-pop (think Armin van Buuren) and the cake would be adorned with Final Fantasy and Warcraft characters.

*SNIP*

I want my cake to at least have a Mario and Princess Peach topper (I'd love a fully decorated Nintendo-themed cake, but a plain white one is more feasible), and the groom's cake will be Warcraft.

Sounds good to me :-)

Friend of ours had some of the zone themes from Everquest for his...very geeky-cool.