This is why I worry!

The church is booked for the date we wanted.  They are available the next weekend, but our reception venue of choice has a temp. hold.  SO...can we work it out so both can be reserved on our "back up" date?  Can we marry at another local church because ours is booked?  Trust me, I have called everyone I can think of to get these answers...I am super anxious and I just want ONE of the dates to work out!  

Worry...worry, worry, worry...

The staff at the church is coming back this week and I am getting nervous - ok I already AM nervous.  I just want these decisions made already!  I want to tell people our date and be able to really start planning some things!  Our marriage application has been mailed and *should* be waiting for the staff when they get in.  Once it is reviewed and approved, we can set a date.  (AHHHH!)  We're both parishioners of the church, so I am hoping it's an easy decision for them to make...  What could be wrong?  We do live together, but I can't imagine that would preclude our getting married at the church - we can't be the first couple who live together to get married at St. Bede.  


How does the application process even work?  Will we have to meet with Monsignor before he approves us?  Or does he read the application, approve us to set a date, and then have our meetings with him?  I've (thankfully) never done this before - I have so many questions about the process and it just adds to my worrying!  I pray this is decided early this week...  We shall see...  

Annnd a hiccup!

Our wedding planning has its first major hiccup...our church staff is going on a 2 week pilgrimage to the Holy Land, starting yesterday, so our marriage application cannot be processed and a date even discussed until May.  We have week holds at the reception sites we like.  What do we do?  What if the church isn't available when we want it?  If we reserve a reception site, we pay the deposit.  We can't afford to lose that.  We also want to get married at the church that we belong to.  Can we make a decision without talking to the church officials?  We're members of the parish, what would be the problem with our application?  But if they can't confirm, who knows!?

Luckily, our reception sites have been understanding and have extended our holds.  A few worries eased...as long as no one tries to book the sites between then and now.  Then we'd have to either pull the trigger without knowing about the church or pass.  Let's hope it doesn't come to that.  As a worrier, this is NOT good.  I'm sure this will not be the only hiccup in planning but as the first, it is a major.  A glass of wine it is....

Parents, Venues, and a Photographer

Whew!  It is so nice to sit down after a busy weekend!  James and I met with both of our parents to explore options for wedding venues.  My parents live in Kenosha, WI so our opportunities to get together to make wedding plans are few.  James and I had been going to a number of venues that we might be interested in and chosen our top 3 "do-able" venues to show to our parents.  We have been in contact with the church but don't know availability yet...so we have two dates that we are targeting.  
We started at a favorite, but one we thought may be a bit out of our price range.  We were right.  We still love the venue but it will be too expensive - Two Rivers Country Club and it's gorgeous river view is out.
Next we went to Colonial Heritage.  This was a front runner for me going into the day.  The building and grounds are gorgeous and it should be more in our price range.  After our tour and meeting with the event coordinator, we are heavily favoring this option.  They are so very accommodating and willing to let us use virtually their entire grounds for getting ready and for pictures.  The venue is exactly what I have envisioned for our reception from the drive up to the balconies to the ballroom.  Now for the most important question - do they have availability for the date(s) we are considering?  They had one but a tentative hold for the other...  
     ***After hours between the two venues we were hungry, so we stopped in to CARMINES - which is newly re-opened at the Williamsburg Outlet Mall (the old one).  Food is delicious as always! ***
Our final venue - Fort Magruder Inn.  This was not our favorite going in but we like it and it is the most affordable.  The feel when you drive up is not what either of us envision but when you get into the ballroom is it picturesque with crystal chandeliers.  There is a nice courtyard we could use for cocktail hour.  This venue had a tentative hold for the first date but was available for our second date.  
So, decision time.  Almost miraculously, all six of us are in agreement about the venues - we think both venues within our budget would be great and we have the same favorite...but how much more ($$$) do we like it?  If we go a bit more expensive there, where can we cut back to stay on budget.  I really don't want to bow our budget with our first decisions...


The other big agenda item for the weekend with my parents was a meeting with Gene King of Creative Worth Photography.  We'd met him at a bridal show and were impressed with not only his photos but also his knowledge of Williamsburg and wedding venues and his suggestions for logistics on the big day.  The meeting went well, we are comfortable with him, my parents like him and are impressed with him...another win! 
All in all a great weekend of families coming together and starting our wedding process.  Thank you to my parents and James' for joining us and supporting us - now, during this process, and in our lives.  <3

Parents are here!

It's becoming real... My parents got into town from WI today. On the agenda: dinner with both parents (they've never met), venue shopping tomorrow all day, meeting with a photographer Sun. Lots of different feelings: anxiety, excitement, nervous, happy.... Check back Sun for details of how it all goes!

Honeymoon!

One topic that James will talk at length about that is not immediately necessary is our honeymoon.  We LOVE to travel so we've talked some about our honeymoon since getting engaged.  Do we want a lazy, relaxing vacation or a busy, exploration tour?  Can we combine those two ideas into one INCREDIBLE trip?    James wants to go to Spain but I've been, so that's out.  I want to go to Italy but James has been, so that's out.  We've decided that we want to go somewhere that we may not otherwise justify - Australia/New Zealand have come up; lately it's been a Greek Isles tour.  James likes the history and beauty of the area, and so do I (especially the beauty part of it).

I have it in my head that I want to go to Santorini....how pretty is the blue?!

We've looked at a few sites and have seen some tours that go into Croatia and Turkey.  How gorgeous is Dubrovnik?!

Dreams of travel...  We are definitely looking forward to our honeymoon and relaxing in an amazing location, just the two of us...  

Any great honeymoon suggestions?  Or suggestions of cruise/tour companies?

Update next week:  final decision on reception venues!  My parents will be out in VA and we're going to a few places.  Hopefully one will fit with our budget and our "wedding vision".

BM Dresses

This week is spring break for me, so James and I are off in FL visiting my brother, sister-in-law, and niece.  Such a great, relaxing, and much needed break!  

While I've been here, I have done a few web searches for bridesmaids dresses.  I want their dresses to be knee-length and purple, of course, but how can I choose when I haven't even asked everyone to be in the wedding yet?  James and I haven't decided on the size of our wedding party yet...although we are getting close.  I can't choose a dress before I know who will be wearing it.  And do I decide on the dress or does this need to be a committee decision?  Because if everyone needs to agree, I don't see it happening.  [ Love you all!  :-) ] Can I choose and just get the ok from my girls?


When that is decided, do I need to wait until all of our decor and such is decided on, so I don't pick something that ends up clashing?  Worries, worries, worries...


Here are a few of the dresses I've seen and liked:


The convertible dress (girls get the same dress but can tie the top however they want it.)

Mori Lee  (LOVE the flower detail at the top)

One Shoulder (too trendy??)

What do you like/think?  There are a few more that I have found...but you can't see everything!  <3