legally and financially, we're at least a year away from getting married - two years would be a better guess. nevertheless, i'm in full-blown planning mode this week! i figure the more we can figure out/narrow down now, and the more costs we can ballpark, the better we can prepare (and the lower our stress levels will be).
E is immensely relieved that i'm so gung-ho ("thank God one of us is into this kind of thing!"). she has pledged her input and her help with absolutely everything, but isn't comfortable planning anything larger than a Superbowl party. i think she was worried that i would be sad, but honestly? i've just been given free rein to plan our wedding.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
so far, our requirements are few. we're neither of us the princess type, and couldn't care less about things like chair covers and tulle and things matching. we just want a nice, laid-back celebration with our families and friends, and we'd like things to look suitably festive. we're also very budget-minded, and are willing to spend more on what really matters to us (great food, great pictures, an awesome first dance, a Hawaiian honeymoon) and less on things like venue and decor.
ideally, we'll be using the back yard at my Mom's house for the ceremony and reception (i say ideally because i haven't asked Mom yet. well, not recently. but she did agree to that idea twelve or so years ago...). That would mean no venue fee, but we'd need to rent a canopy, chairs, tables, tablecloths, a dance floor, and some kind of sound system. we'd also need to deep-clean the house and spruce up the yard. i've already been considering preparation timelines...have all deep-cleaning done and the yard mowed three days before; make the frosting two days before; bake the cake/cupcakes and have the rental items delivered the day before (and host a combination wedding rehearsal/table-setup/cupcake-frosting party that afternoon). that would leave the wedding day morning/early afternoon free for putting tablecloths on and decor up, with plenty of time left for getting ready! (i don't understand the common multi-hour hair and makeup sessions. i plan on looking stellar, but also looking like ME. which means very little makeup. and probably braided hair. and a dress that takes all of 5 minutes to put on, lace up, and adjust.)
the second option we're considering is a banquet hall near E's house. it's a very pretty venue, with tall windows in the main banquet room (i do like those windows), but it's also very cookie-cutter. i've emailed the contact person for rates, menu options, and rental information...the website had a list of preferred vendors for things like flowers and cakes, but i don't know if "preferred" means "you're free to use whomever you like", or "these are the only vendors we're comfortable with". and i am determined to make our wedding cake. so. we'll see how relaxed their rules are, and we'll see what the cost breakdown will be.
the theme will probably be "laid-back, colorful wedding with maybe a picnic-y vibe". metal tubs (or possibly the wheelbarrow) full of iced beers, water, and fizzy drinks! buffet-style BBQ, perhaps, or maybe individual boxed sandwiches, salads, and cookies! strings of Christmas lights around the dance floor and in the dining tent! spiked lemonade! chocolate cupcakes with fluffy white frosting and rainbow sprinkles! a bonfire, maybe...we could do individual s'mores kits as favors!
a yarn pompom bouquet!
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