This time last year, we were sending out our save the dates for the wedding! We had just taken our engagement photos, and wedding planning was all I could talk about. It was also right about this time that Jay and I really started getting under each other’s skin. Nothing like a wedding to drive people crazy! I have a theory that wedding planning is very similar to AA. There are various stages one must go through before getting to the recovery.
Stage 1: You can’t stop staring at your new bling, saying the word “fiance” never gets old, and you wonder how you could EVER tire of wedding planning!
Stage 2: As guest lists are formed, you realize for the first time that you have TWO families to consider. Things start to get a little sticky.
Stage 3: You are over budget (let’s be honest- I have never met a bride who was UNDER budget!) If you are marrying a “frugile fred” like I did, these conversations usually never end well. “Flowers cost HOW much??” “We registered for HOW many sets of china?” “The total guest list is HOW many??”
Stage 4: From the research I have gathered, most engaged couples usually have at least one knock-out, drag-out kind of fight. Ours happened to be about crab cakes. And ended with me jumping out of the car and walking home. Low point!!
Stage 5: The big day is near, and you can start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! As much fun as wedding planning is, a gal can only take so much before her head explodes. It is now amazingly clear why a honeymoon is crucial to your sanity.
Wow- this really takes me back! I was the girl who started reading bridal magazines in high school, picked out my venues when I was 17, and have seen Father of the Bride probably 1578 times. Even with all of that, wedding planning is stressful, and does not always bring out the best in those involved. Sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up in flowers, linens and cakes- that you forget what wedding planning is really all about. A marriage!
In honor of this walk down memory lane– a few engagement pics!