Um...

[a_time_slip]

This is a lot of planning. What about finding an officiant to do this when we're ready to marry, because I have no confidence in my wedding planning abilities at all. Having a wedding would be nice and I want one... but this is a lot of planning, and I don't know who would be in the party, I can't contribute to the costs, I've got no dowry- wait, that's not used anymore.

I think all of this is starting to hit me. I'm getting married, I'm moving, I'm going to school, this stuff with my 'family', I'm going to be a stepmother. If this all fails... No. I'll forget about that for now.

9-12 months before the wedding:

*Announce your engagement to friends and family. 
* Arrange for parents to get together and meet each other if they haven't already.
* Pick a special date to begin your lives together. May 25.
* Discuss what your budget will be and who'll be contributing what to the event.  I can't, unless I get a job (which I will when we're in Texas)
* Interview wedding planners if you're using one.  Not trusting anyone else to plan this if we do this wedding thing.
* Pick the ceremony site and meet with the officiant.  Um, haven't done that yet.
* Work on the guest list to get a rough head count.  5?  Is that even a wedding?
* Visit reception sites and reserve one.  I?? Um.  I haven't yet.
* Begin shopping for your wedding gown.  Does looking online count?
* If you want to drop a few pounds for the wedding start now.  ???  I have to lose weight?

6-9 months before the wedding:

*Choose the members of your wedding party.  But those are my guests...
*Select a caterer.  Bring your own lunch?  Okay...  um, I'll need to research this more.
*Enroll in a bridal registry.  I'm not sure about this.
*Order your wedding gown. Once I pick one out and get the money for it.
*Shop for bridesmaids dresses.  ...I have to buy those too?
*Pick a photographer and videographer.  No.  I don't want my picture taken.
*Hire a florist.  This is already adding up to too much
*Start thinking about where you'd like to go for your honeymoon.  Somewhere quiet and relaxing.
*Send out save-the-date cards, especially if your wedding is on a holiday weekend.  This list is discouraging.

4-6 months before the wedding:

*Order wedding stationary (place cards, thank you cards, etc.).  I understand thank you cards, but I don't care where people sit...  well, no.  Phoenix can't sit with us, and Mother can't sit near Daddy
*Shop for the perfect wedding cake.  Mmm, cake
*Hire your wedding-day transportation (carriage, limousine, etc.)  We can't use Ian's car?
*Book your favorite hair stylist and makeup artist. Done!  It's me!
*Check on hotels for any out-of-town guests.   I don't think that'll be a concern?
*Finalize the guest list.  All 5 of the people on it.
*Get definite plans for your honeymoon, make airline and hotel arrangements.  We'll cross this bridge when we get to it
*Plan the rehearsal dinner.  Mmm, dinner.

2-4 months before the wedding:

* Purchase the marriage license from your cities county clerk.  Everything has a price.
* Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen.   He already has a tux.
* Meet with the caterer to go over menus, wine selections, etc. A glass of wine would be good right now.
* Order the wedding cake.  Again, torturing me with the cake!
* Select wedding ceremony and reception music.  That will be easy.
* If you plan on writing your own vows start writing them now.  Um.  If I can write a set of equations I will.

4-8 weeks before the wedding:

*Mail wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks ahead of your wedding date.  That's actually simple
*Do a hair and make up run through with your wedding veil on.  Why?

2-4 weeks before the wedding:

*Work on the seating arrangements for the reception.  IMPORTANT STEP!
*Confirm details with the photographer, florist, and other vendors.  They shouldn't need confirming.
*Have your final wedding dress fitting.  It needs to be fitted?  Fine.
*Write your rehearsal-dinner toast.  Can this be an equation too?
*Purchase gifts for the wedding attendants.  They need gifts?  No idea what to get them.
*Compile a list of all of the wedding vendors and wedding party. Carry this list with you everywhere you go just in case.  Obviously.

1 week before the wedding:

*Place any amounts due on the wedding day in envelopes for easy distribution.  Obviously.
*Give the caterer a final head count.  Another obvious thing.
*Find a trustworthy person to take the cake knife, toasting glasses, etc. to the reception.  That person is on the guestlist/wedding party
*Get final beauty treatments (manicure, facial, massage, waxing, brow shaping, etc.).  Um... I don't do those things.
*Pack for the honeymoon.  Common sense.


The day before the wedding:

*Get something old - symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past.  Done.
* Get something new - means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead  Done.
* Get something borrowed - an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. Thanks, John.
* Get something blue - to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity.  Done.
* And a silver sixpence in her shoe - represents wealth and financial security. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny can be substituted.  Thanks Phoenix.

The day of the wedding:

*Relax and remain calm.  HAHAHAHAHA
*Remember to eat something. You may be so busy with things that you forget.  I doubt I'll remember this list
*Allow yourself at least two hours to get dressed.  Why so long?
*Enjoy yourself at this once in a life time event!  If I'm not freaking out.

Summary = (Freaking out) X (Wedding planning list) / promise of food and drink = Pessimistic Janie.

What if this doesn't happen?  Something is going to go wrong.  Something terrible.  I can't take it if that happens.  I don't know what to do.

Comments

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

One less thing...

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Yes, now to finish the rest of the list.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

That's a scary list... think I'd rather be knee-deep in carnivorous 'roaches on some gods-forsaken asteroid.

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'll get everything on it done.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

*Studies the list again, picking up something he'd missed* Uhmm.. I think it'd be okay for Ella to..

*Rubs his head awkwardly* ...You sure you want me there?

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Yes. Do you want to come? You don't have to, if you don't want to.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

*Longing for the aforementioned 'roach-pits... but can't bear to let Janie down. The big softie*

No No.. I mean yes, I'd love to, really, it's.. I'd love to. I wouldn't want to cause any friction with Ian is all.

Is.. erm.. Sal invited?

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Yes. She can come if you're there, can't she? I don't think there will be any friction if you go. I'll make sure you aren't sitting near us. Mother can't be near us either, or with Daddy.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Sal's from a nexus world, she'll get it if I talk to her, and I'll be on my best behaviour with Ian. Promise.

In fact... I'm sure it'd be okay if Ella sits with me?

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

I'll trust you... um, sure. You two can sit together. Thank you.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

*He's being a mite cagey, not sure of the weirdness factor here* Great. I mean, you know, if it's okay with her. And you're welcome.

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Please don't argue with her. I'll tell her to be nice to you too, if she'll listen.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Yeeee--aaahh... about that. We sort of.. ahh.. I don't think we'll argue.

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Sort of what? Did something happen?

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Well she hasn't hit me yet.

It started off as intelligence-gathering and ended up as.. Well, okay, I sort of took her out a couple of times.

Is that too weird?

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

...

What?

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

*Frowns, a little confused*

I think I might be dating your mother.

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Have a nice time.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Are you mad at me?

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

Not at all. I have to leave to work on some math. I'm sure you understand.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

*He doesn't quite know where to go with this*

Er, yeah. I'll uhm.. later then.

[a-mind-flip.livejournal.com]

I'll talk with you soon.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Sure. *Nods* Good luck with the list.