Save The Dates? Check.
Addresses? Almost.
Vacation? TOMORROW.
While I was at work this morning, it hit me. Hood Canal. Where else can I get away from the address-gathering, photographer-researching, DJ-decision-making than the Canal? I just need a breather. It feels like annoyance/frustration/insecurity is resting just under the surface and any question of flowers, decorations, or other things I haven't even begun to look into yet will just.....put me over.
While I am at in my apartment or anywhere close to home, I feel like I should be planning. I won't be able to plan at the Canal. If anything, it will be great to revisit the place where this whole crazy journey started. :)
And sit back to truly relax. The hope is to turn my brain off for awhile.
But come Tuesday (or even tomorrow night), we MUST decide on a photographer/DJ and get our mail out! Prayers for that. I want to feel SOME relief. ;)
February 28, 2010
February 23, 2010
Brides stress me out
Being a bride could quite possibly be compared to being involved in any competative arena, I am sure. Chefs compete over creating the best recipe, athletes have to get the best score or time, and musicians have to define a genre.
Brides are no different.
Apparently, the sound of a starting gun echoes through the minds of women everywhere as soon as they say "yes!" The clock is ticking and it's a race against time (and other brides, darnit) to plan the most spectacular and unique celebration of your union anyone thought possible. We may as well all be assigned a bright paper number to pin on our backs as soon as we're engaged. Spectators (a.k.a. family and friends) will watch in wonder as we hit the checkpoints (a.k.a. checklists on websites everywhere), sometimes without any training at all!
The question is: when did this turn into a race?
Didn't we "win" as soon as we said "yes"?
Cheesy, I know, but I am just saying on behalf of mellow brides everywhere to all over-zealous brides everywhere- SLOW YOUR ROLL! You're making me CRAZY! If it weren't for YOU, we would all have a much more relaxing experience, reveling in the road we're on since it only happens once. Oh, and remember...you will be with this person 'TIL THE DAY YOU DIE. Just throwin' that out there. Take it as you will.
Ah. I actually kinda screamed that in my head and I feel a little bit better.
Brides are no different.
Apparently, the sound of a starting gun echoes through the minds of women everywhere as soon as they say "yes!" The clock is ticking and it's a race against time (and other brides, darnit) to plan the most spectacular and unique celebration of your union anyone thought possible. We may as well all be assigned a bright paper number to pin on our backs as soon as we're engaged. Spectators (a.k.a. family and friends) will watch in wonder as we hit the checkpoints (a.k.a. checklists on websites everywhere), sometimes without any training at all!
The question is: when did this turn into a race?
Didn't we "win" as soon as we said "yes"?
Cheesy, I know, but I am just saying on behalf of mellow brides everywhere to all over-zealous brides everywhere- SLOW YOUR ROLL! You're making me CRAZY! If it weren't for YOU, we would all have a much more relaxing experience, reveling in the road we're on since it only happens once. Oh, and remember...you will be with this person 'TIL THE DAY YOU DIE. Just throwin' that out there. Take it as you will.
Ah. I actually kinda screamed that in my head and I feel a little bit better.
February 18, 2010
I aint no Martha, but I'll have her stuff
Ah Valentine's Day- a day for kisses, a day for greeting cards, a day for...registering? Yes, didn't you know? :)
Kenny and I bit the bullet and made it an occassion, gosh darn it. And we were prepared, too. Knowing how we are, we ate a nice lunch right beforehand (we get really grouchy when famished) and took off to the Macy's in Bellevue. Walking into Macy's Home store felt much like being lost- that's the only time I end up in sections like that. Seriously.
Heading into this experience was no different than most others required for planning a wedding- I felt completely unqualified. Not only do I never shop, making brand names and comfort in the store evade me from the start, but I have absolutely no reference guide for appliances, kitchen stuff, etc. I mean, how many kinds of SPATULAS could there be?
Being let loose in the home store is, I imagine, like releasing a captive lion out into the wild and expecting them to know what to do. I'm sure there was much blinking and small, hesitited steps when we first started out, fending for ourselves and trusting our insticts. There were probably even a few wary glances at surrounding, more experienced lions with scanning guns and bling-bling who may or may not eat us alive. You know, lions who grew up in Macy's.
But we did it! We went out there and scanned our little hearts out with only one casualty. There may have been a blender that went home to Kitchenaid heaven at the hands (or elbow) of one current or future Soldano, but it's still under investigation. The day ended in massage chairs pressing the "demo" button and feeling finished at the exact same time (a blessing!). Dinner later was its own adventure, but wonderful all the same and overall a very great day. Crazy to think that we're looking at things for OUR home, friends. That part has yet to sink in. ;)
Kenny and I bit the bullet and made it an occassion, gosh darn it. And we were prepared, too. Knowing how we are, we ate a nice lunch right beforehand (we get really grouchy when famished) and took off to the Macy's in Bellevue. Walking into Macy's Home store felt much like being lost- that's the only time I end up in sections like that. Seriously.
Heading into this experience was no different than most others required for planning a wedding- I felt completely unqualified. Not only do I never shop, making brand names and comfort in the store evade me from the start, but I have absolutely no reference guide for appliances, kitchen stuff, etc. I mean, how many kinds of SPATULAS could there be?
Being let loose in the home store is, I imagine, like releasing a captive lion out into the wild and expecting them to know what to do. I'm sure there was much blinking and small, hesitited steps when we first started out, fending for ourselves and trusting our insticts. There were probably even a few wary glances at surrounding, more experienced lions with scanning guns and bling-bling who may or may not eat us alive. You know, lions who grew up in Macy's.
But we did it! We went out there and scanned our little hearts out with only one casualty. There may have been a blender that went home to Kitchenaid heaven at the hands (or elbow) of one current or future Soldano, but it's still under investigation. The day ended in massage chairs pressing the "demo" button and feeling finished at the exact same time (a blessing!). Dinner later was its own adventure, but wonderful all the same and overall a very great day. Crazy to think that we're looking at things for OUR home, friends. That part has yet to sink in. ;)
February 11, 2010
Say "cheese!" Oh geez.
There was a time when finding a photographer was simple, I am sure. I mean, how many different styles of pointing a camera at something and clicking a button could there be? They were probably pretty stationary, as were the subjects, and from what I can tell people tended to look like they were in pain when being photographed. It didn't seem like a very enjoyable experience, thus not rated very high on the grand priority list of throwing a party.
Now photographers claim to be able to capture the absolute essence of your wedding. Every moment of joy, every tear shed by grandma, every stollen look between bride and groom. Come hell or high water, they will make it so that when you look back on that day with the help of their $700 wedding album, it will be as if you are sharing that day once more from the comfort of your secondhand couch (the one you had to grab by the side of the road with the "Free" sign, since you spent couch money on the wedding album). Mmmmm.
Well that leaves me in a pickle. I want good pictures, I do. I realize that they really are the only thing you are left with after the whole shindig is over. Well, besides the eternal love of a spouse of course. However, I'm not sure how to choose. I don't want to pay with my firstborn, yet I want them to be as fun and full of love as we are (I know, I know). Anyway, it just stresses me out. Making decisions, big decisions, stresses me out. Most times I just feel unqualified to be interviewing anyone of any craft for my wedding.
"You know, I know nothing about F-stops or shutter speeds or at all how to do what you do, but let me run you over the coals to see if you line up with my wedding vision." Okay, I hope I never utter the words "wedding vision," but you get the idea.
SO, photographers. Can't remember your wedding without them. :)
Now photographers claim to be able to capture the absolute essence of your wedding. Every moment of joy, every tear shed by grandma, every stollen look between bride and groom. Come hell or high water, they will make it so that when you look back on that day with the help of their $700 wedding album, it will be as if you are sharing that day once more from the comfort of your secondhand couch (the one you had to grab by the side of the road with the "Free" sign, since you spent couch money on the wedding album). Mmmmm.
Well that leaves me in a pickle. I want good pictures, I do. I realize that they really are the only thing you are left with after the whole shindig is over. Well, besides the eternal love of a spouse of course. However, I'm not sure how to choose. I don't want to pay with my firstborn, yet I want them to be as fun and full of love as we are (I know, I know). Anyway, it just stresses me out. Making decisions, big decisions, stresses me out. Most times I just feel unqualified to be interviewing anyone of any craft for my wedding.
"You know, I know nothing about F-stops or shutter speeds or at all how to do what you do, but let me run you over the coals to see if you line up with my wedding vision." Okay, I hope I never utter the words "wedding vision," but you get the idea.
SO, photographers. Can't remember your wedding without them. :)
February 10, 2010
I couldn't resist!
So- it looks like the blogging world has continued on in my absence, yes, but I believe with less charm.
The idea of once again blogging about my little life has been living in the back of my mind for many months now, so long it's had time to put up curtains. However, it's now quite the fad (thanks, "Julie & Julia") and thus I have resisted.
No more!
We are coming up on six months 'til the wedding- that's right....SIX MONTHS until the "big day." In a few measly months, I will be Natalie Soldano...whoa, that's only my second time writing that. Ever. ANYWAY, the six month mark seems pretty remarkable and as my anxiety level rises with each passing day, I figured I would entertain anyone out there who cares to read my wedding musings and maybe even figure some things out for myself in the process (comments can be posted, friends, but don't get too carried away).
To catch you up, here is what we have so far:
~place (the best part- it's lovely!)
~dress (well, that's pretty lovely, too)
~wedding party (way more than lovely)
~officiant
~caterers, though no menu
~a rough guest list
~save-the-date photos
~honeymoon
Okay, so when it's all written like that, it can look like quite a bit. However, what haunts my dreams is The List, courtesy of several bridal books, swimming around in my mind every hour of every day.
So, if you don't mind, I will be doing my best to keep my head and keep you posted. One way or another, August 22nd will be quite the party and end with a Mr. and Mrs. Soldano. It'll just be interesting seeing how we all get there. :)
The idea of once again blogging about my little life has been living in the back of my mind for many months now, so long it's had time to put up curtains. However, it's now quite the fad (thanks, "Julie & Julia") and thus I have resisted.
No more!
We are coming up on six months 'til the wedding- that's right....SIX MONTHS until the "big day." In a few measly months, I will be Natalie Soldano...whoa, that's only my second time writing that. Ever. ANYWAY, the six month mark seems pretty remarkable and as my anxiety level rises with each passing day, I figured I would entertain anyone out there who cares to read my wedding musings and maybe even figure some things out for myself in the process (comments can be posted, friends, but don't get too carried away).
To catch you up, here is what we have so far:
~place (the best part- it's lovely!)
~dress (well, that's pretty lovely, too)
~wedding party (way more than lovely)
~officiant
~caterers, though no menu
~a rough guest list
~save-the-date photos
~honeymoon
Okay, so when it's all written like that, it can look like quite a bit. However, what haunts my dreams is The List, courtesy of several bridal books, swimming around in my mind every hour of every day.
So, if you don't mind, I will be doing my best to keep my head and keep you posted. One way or another, August 22nd will be quite the party and end with a Mr. and Mrs. Soldano. It'll just be interesting seeing how we all get there. :)
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