Hello Again!

Wow - I can't believe it's been a month since my last post, and exactly three months since Arthur proposed!  Time really is flying.  So a quick update on everything.

First I want to congratulate my cousin (and bridesmaid) Amanda on her engagement last week!! I'm so excited for her - she will undoubtedly be a great planner and beautiful bride.  Best wishes to you and Mark!

Second, the planning.  All along I've sort of thought of my planning in three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Essentials - venue, church, minister - the items needed to set a date!  Phase 1 is of course complete, so I sort of checked out of wedding planning to work on the engagement party.  After the party was over Arthur and I had a week off, which I thought would probably include lots of planning, but instead filled with fun & relaxing. 

Since we got home from our vacation I had been going full steam on Phase 2, High Impact Elements.  For me those are the photographer, one of the few elements that will be left over after the big day, the DJ/music for a great atmosphere, and my dress.  We've met with a couple of photographers now so that process is well underway, I've got my first dress appointment scheduled (and have started my get in wedding shape plan), and have started contacting DJs.  Phase 2 planning is really exciting but a little stressful at the same time because these 3 elements are all really important to me.  I know I would be disappointed if I didn't have wonderful pictures to document everything we've spent a year planning and the beginning of our life together.  A DJ really can set the tone of wedding - fun, cheesy, dull, etc.  I definitely don't want anyone stuffy because I want everyone to have a great time, but I also do not want things like the chicken dance or an overly interactive DJ.   Just sometime to keep the flow of events moving, get people on the dance floor, and then let the rest unfold naturally.  Then the dress.  I don't really want to say much about that, mostly because I'm not breathing a word to Arthur about it, other than it will be white...

Finally Phase 3, the details.  Really everything else like the invitations, favors, flowers, tuxes, etc.  I'm super excited to get to these.   For me, there won't be as much pressure as each a smaller elements with lots of options.  I've also worked on a few of these elements in the last couple of weeks - bridesmaids dresses have been picked, started to look at different readings for the ceremony, I scheduled our pre cana counseling, and we scouted a few rehearsal dinner location options. 

All and all I'm very pleased with how the planning is coming.  Unfortunately work has really picked up for the summer busy season, but despite the 60 hour work weeks I don't think that will really deter me too much.  Hopefully I'll be able to blog in a bit more detail later, but that's where things stand as of now :)