Wedding Wedding planning avoidance

[museikchik]

Ok so I have gone through my entire life being a procrastinator. I am the person who will pull an all nighter to get the 15 page term paper done the night before it is due. This is the thing, my FI and I have been engaged for four years (keep in mind we didn''t plan anything during that time). We didn''t want our parents to pay for our wedding so we took that time to save money. We finally decided that we are going to get married next May on our 10 year anniversary. That leaves us 274 days, 13 hours, 26 minutes and 15 seconds (I have a countdown on my myspace page). So far I we have picked the venue (which is providing the food for the reception) and are meeting with a potential photographer next week. I am thinking I am going to use the same florist as miraclesrule (because she said that she was awesome and not that expensive). So I still need to figure out who is going to be the officiant, who is making our cake, pick the wedding gown and pick the invitations. I am just hoping that somehow these things will magically get done without me needing to stress over them. Don''t get me wrong I really, really, REALLY am looking forward to getting married but between work, school, writing my Master''s thesis and planning a wedding, I think I am going to explode. If I were rich, I would pay for someone to take care of this for me. Does anyone else feel like this or am I just a complete freak for even thinking this way?

 

[loverocks]

You are not alone.
Your situation is very similar to mine. FI and I have been engaged for about 5 yrs. We are getting married in Oct., 10 days prior to our 10 year anniversary. We only decided on our wedding date in January of this year and I had done no planning prior to that. Now I am in the thick of it. I got all of my sites and vendors lined up really early, so that I think was a big help. Then I got lulled into this false sense of security and was like "Well, I''m done....I''m good, got all the major things in place". Well, I don''t reccomend doing that. Now I have all the small detail stuff that is slowly overwhelming my life and I just can''t wait to get it all done. I am so so so excited for the day to be here. I think it will be wonderful and one of the best days of my life. BUT - truth be told, I am focued and looking forward to my marriage more then the wedding. I am more excited about saving for our first home and starting a family. I am not really wrapped up in the wedding planning at all. I really wish someone could do it for me too and I could just show up! I think this may be a symptom of a long engagement and being together for a long while, also maybe being a little bit older (I am going to be 30). I don''t know? Now that my wedding is getting closer I will see, maybe it will change - I will report back!
My only advice that has worked for me is to make a decsion and get things done right away, do not dilly dally. Then really concentrate on the few areas that you truly are really excited about and really delve into those and enjoy them to the max. Afterall, you really only get to do it once

 

[loverocks]

BTW - your avatar is sooooooo cute? Is that your little kittly? What is his/her name?

 

[marchswallowbird]

I don''t see why planning a wedding has to be stressful, UNLESS you wait too long! Sounds like you are on track. You can buy invites online...very stress-free and easy. Dress shopping is a bit different, depending on what type of dress you are looking for. I found that I look COMPLETELY different in the dresses than the models did, and what I thought would look good on me didn''t, and what I at first did not even consider looked awesome on me. Start now.

 

[museikchik]

Thanks for your understanding loverocks. I did the same thing, I looked up everything online and had it all picked out but then found that it was much harder than that. I just turned 27 so I totally hear you. I am hoping that once I get the momentum going, everything will just fall into place.

My avatar is actually a picture of some random kitty. When I first signed up for my myspace, one of my friends emailed me this picture and I saved it. It was my profile picture for the longest time.

I just remembered, the only thing I can really pat myself on the back for is that I have kept track of all of our expenses on a spreadsheet. It took me like an hour to make (it outlines everything). It has the guest list, how much the reception costs per person, how much the ceremony will be etc... Anyway thanks again, let me know how your wedding goes. I am excited for you.

 

[loverocks]

Thanks for the well wishes
Marchswallow is right about the dresses - best to get that done asap. You need the dress in place to determine the accessories, etc. Also - I would suggest workign on your guest list as one of your first things too.
Everyone here is really fabulous. Great support, great ideas. It is a big help

 

[Gypsy]

I know a lot of people here have the impression that I am a planning nut. But, I confess, I am a procrastinator. No, I haven't been much of one during the wedding planning process, but I totally get what you are saying.

So here are some vendor recommendations-- hopefully some of it will help you.
My MOST stress-free vendor was weddingpaperdivas, I mean ZERO stress. I ordered, got the proof approved it, and the RD invites were here so fast my head was spinning.
Netbride for my dress was just FABULOUS.
Myweddinglabels.com was also super stress free for my favor tags.
I bought one hair clip from WhiteAisle, also totally stress free.
Occansay for veils is great if you know what you want and what to order (I messed up my own order, my bad).
Mikayki (or something simlar) on Etsy was awesome for a hair flower (I'm not using it, but it's really pretty).


The best wedding resource in many cases has been this board though. I post on the knot local boards, and you'd think I'd get quicker and more numerous results on there. Not true. The ladies here CARE and will bend over backwards to help you hunt stuff down, give you honest feedback, and help you help yourself.

 

[museikchik]

Thank you for the advice on the vendors Gypsy. You are right the people on this board are awesome and are great in helping you make your decisions. I have to get ready for work now (so glad it is Friday).