Taking Inventory

With a 17 month engagement, I knew that we would have plenty of time for planning...being engaged...and saving money. However, I think the extra time has made me lazy! Jacob and I have been engaged for nearly 7 months already and I feel like there is still so much to do. In actuality, we do have quite a bit to accomplish, but we are moving along at a nice leisurely speed.

What gets me are the people who have gotten engaged recently and have just as much - or more - planned for their weddings that are just as far off as mine! Makes me feel like even more of a slacker. :)

My big thing lately has been to get organized. The wedding binder is looking good, budgeting spreadsheets have been laid out, checklists created and timelines drafted. I am in a good position. I just need to move forward!!

To feel a little better about what I have accomplished, I am going to do a little inventory.

Things I have to date:

• A date/time: September 18, 2010
• Ceremony site: Southland Christian Church (where we both grew up)
• Reception site: Keene Run Golf Club
• Caterer: DaRae and Friends
• Wedding Party: Check (sans a few of the ceremonial roles/ushers)
• Minister: Todd Tyler (close to Jacob and the Kelly's)
• Color scheme: emerald green, dark orange, white
• Photographer: Mary Lashbrook

Things I have ideas about:

• Invitations
• Programs
• Centerpieces
• Reception/ceremony decor
• Ceremony components
• My dress
• Wedding party attire
• Flowers

Goals to accomplish before Christmas 2009:

• Research and hire a DJ
• Research and hire a florist
• Make a decision about a cake and hire a baker

Also along the way, I have bought misc. items that we will need for the big day. Things like crafting supplies (bone folder, paper cutter, corner rounder), dessert serving set (super cute orange/green set from Pier One), dried grasses and berries for a centerpiece at the reception, etc.

The many ideas out there are a bit overwhelming...I think it is my fear that I will get the whole thing planned and then have some totally other ideas come into mind. And then what will I do??! I think the only thing is to make my decisions and stick with them...no matter what else may come up.

Wedding party: 8+8=16

Sixteen. Jacob and I are going to have a total of 16 attendants standing by us when we exchange vows next September. I know, it sounds pretty overwhelming, but that is just how it is going to be. The more I think about it, the more excited I am to have eight of my closest friends by my side. On top of that, pictures will be symmetrical…four on each side (and eight on each side for the whole wedding party). Symmetry is definitely key.

So who are my beloved bridesmaids? Well, I have Trish, my maid of honor. And then there are my sisters, Katie and Kimberly. And Jacob’s sister, Rachel. And there are Hilary and Crystal, girls I grew up with in school. And of course Erin and Anna, girls I grew up with in church. Each of my bridesmaids represents a part of who I am and how I got to where I am today. I love each of them very much!

My girls are wearing dresses in the most gorgeous shade of emerald green. I chose a line (Forever Yours) and am letting each of them choose the dress that best suits their personalities. (The girls are all VERY different – by personality, look and shape and I felt that different dresses would allow for each of them to shine through!) I am pretty excited about their dresses. I am in the process of helping each of them try dresses on and figure out what they like. Goal is to have these dresses ordered by mid-January.

I think the toughest part of having eight bridesmaids, with differing interests, will be when it comes to choose the thank you gifts. I have already been toying with a few ideas…but I am going to keep those a secret so they don’t find out!

Jacob’s guys are just as diverse…I think that will create a very fun (and unique) wedding party! His guys include (in no particular order): his brother Seth; close friends Clayton, Kyle, Grant, Len, Justin and Brian; and cousin Chad. I am trying to talk Jacob into letting them wear gray tuxedos (or suits…just something GRAY). I think the gray and emerald would look beautiful together. If we do go with gray, I don’t know that I would want them in emerald vests…too prom-like for my taste.

Well that is the wedding party…