My how the time does fly!

Ok... Start the one year countdown!

I mean technically it's not one year until the 25th, but I plan on being done with decisions by this time next year.... I mean hopefully I am not making important ones two weeks before my wedding!

I am going to look at a church tomorrow morning. My Mother has already scoped it out. A friend of a friend is actually getting married there tomorrow evening, but the church was really in to me seeing it decorated before the wedding.... I'm excited.

I came to the decision not to get married at Mavris simply because it was going to be a hassle. If we got married out in their wonderful garden, we ran the risk of our ceremony being halted by a passing train. And although their 1st floor is just as gorgeous as the rest of the facility, I really wanted to have cocktails down there, not my ceremony.

In addition, there is a wedding the night before mine. This isn't a big deal except that we would have to have our rehearsal very early on Friday, with hours to kill until the dinner. With so many people having to book hotels, etc., I just didn't feel like making them take the entire day off of work.

So I have narrowed it down to two very traditional churches.. I look at one tomorrow and the other in a few weeks (they are laying new carpet and don't want me to see it until the pews are back in place, etc.)

On another note, I have somewhat officially hired the ladies at Heavy Metal Event Planning to be my day of coordinators. Even though Mavris provides me with one, I really wanted to have someone that sees my vision and knows what I like, not just someone hired to make sure things run smoothly. With all the DIY projects, it's really important to have someone there to make sure things are correctly executed, and I know I can trust Katy and Kathi to be as particular as I am!

I also set up a cake tasting with Jill at Indy Cakes for the first weekend in October. She was referred to me by my photographer and has some pretty neat skills.

I want to start looking at dresses soon, but getting it coordinated with the people I want to be there is probably going to be complicated. As long as I have at least started looking by October I will feel ok.

In the meantime don't forget I am student teaching, showing my horse, and trying to work when life allows for it! I just don't want to wait until next summer to do all of this, so I am going to take it one piece and one step at a time!

I will let everyone know how it goes tomorrow! I'm excited!!

And I just want to take time out to address how grateful I am to be planning this wedding at all.

On a day like today (9/11) I really stop and think about how lucky I am to be alive and have so many loved ones still happy and healthy. I know so many that have suffered such loss and tragedy, and I can only hope that if I ever do experience anything like they have I will handle it with as much grace as they have shown. You know who you are.... and you know I love you.

<3 Jenn

Distance....

Josh and I have never lived within an hour of each other, never! On one hand I am sure that it has made our relationship stronger, because nothing sucks more while being as rewarding as missing one another and not being able to do anything about it. On the other hand, I am terrified that once we move in together it will change things. Today I found out that one of my friends is going to again have to experience distance far greater than I have ever had to deal with. Out of my two closest friends, both now have sig others living very far away, one in Louisiana and one in Maryland! At least I can see my man, even if it costs a small fortune in gas each month!!

I have noticed that people treat you differently once you are engaged. Those that are also engaged, or married suddenly feel like you have more in common, and what to indulge in your need to talk non-stop wedding even though it is FOREVER away. While those that are not engaged/married, have no interest in being, or just aren't there yet, treat you like you caught some sort of illness and need to be kept at arms length. It's really hurtful to be punished for something that you should be 100% happy and supported in. I guess that's just part of it. I know that I have been jealous for a long time of all the people getting married around me, or getting to live with their person, but at the same time even when I have to fake it I act happy, because it is a really important time in their lives.

On a happier note I have found some really great sites with wholesale vases (still thinking about doing the flowers myself) etc. The only issue is that I know I will need lots of help the day before the wedding, and I am not sure who is going to be willing. I feel really uncomfortable asking people for help in any part of my life, especially for the wedding.

I am so happy that I have lots of time to think about it though, because there are a lot of options out there! Here are some of my newest inspirations:

As you can tell I am still really in to the green, brown, and purple. Since Mavris' ceilings are so high I really like the idea of hanging things from them. But then again, I would have to get lots of help, and I'm just not sure people are going to want to come help me hang from the rafters!

Oh yeah, brings me to the first (probably of many) issues with Mavris: They are not handicap accessible for the outside garden, which is where I would want to get married (trains and all) if we have the ceremony there. I got a call back from them, promising that they would be by the time of my wedding, but that is a lot of trust to put in to a place. I have several older relatives that are/will be in wheel chairs, as well as some of Josh's family. I guess worse case scenario I could always rent ramps. It is just hard to imagine spending any more at this point!

At this point with school (which I am SOOOO over) I just need to go out and get a drink and relax! Any takers?