I know not many of you follow the wedding blog but still want updates about wedding thngs. We are still 8 months away but I think I’ll update every month or so with the progress and then probably even more once the wedding gets close. I know it’s not totally health and weight loss related but it’s the biggest thing happening in my life this year. Maybe my life? It’s a huge thing to marry someone and create a family from scratch.
Plus, we fell in love thanks to blogging. ;)
SAVE THE DATES
Yesterday we sent out save the dates to almost everyone we will be inviting.
Did you know it’s hard to collect email addresses from people? And that this would have basically been impossible without Facebook?
We love our save the dates and they fit in perfectly with the invitations and our “colors” and all that. It’s just a little bit different too, which fits us perfectly.
We sent out the save the dates via e-mail. Initially we wanted to do something else but budget is a major concern for us so we went the e-mail route. It saved us money on a non-essential thing we really still wanted to do.
WEDDING WEBSITE
In the e-mail we sent the image and a link to our wedding website.
Once again we went the free route and used a free wedding website from mywedding.com. I know I could have made a website but didn’t feel the need to invest extra time or money when mywedding.com (and all the other sites) offer a perfectly fine option that guides you through the process AND helps you when it’s time to collect RSVPS.
This is our wedding website. Cute, right?
THE WEDDING
So far not many specific details of the wedding have been sorted. Once again due to budget it’s going to be at the local VFW in my hometown. It was the most affordable option for us and the one that allowed us to stay within what we can afford. Sometimes you don’t get your first second third choices and have to settle for what will work. And then you make it work. Which is what we will do.
We also still want an outside ceremony somewhere in the Memphis area. It’s all going to be a pretty simple, casual but fun wedding that fits us as a couple. We both think it will be awesome and we are really excited about it.
We have also thought about either streaming or recording the ceremony to play on the blog (apparently Jen has had the same idea for her wedding!) as a virtual wedding of sorts. Basically you all have been a bigger part of our story than even some of the people in our real lives. If you would be interested in watching the ceremony or parts of the wedding please let me know so Kepa and I can make plans for this and include you all that I don’t get to invite. Because I probably would invite all of you if I could afford it.
HONEYMOON
Obviously since budget is an issue we probably won’t be going on a big honeymoon. Remember when I wanted to go to Hawaii? We really do, but it’s a total pipe dream for us that won’t be happening. We have to save for the wedding, plane tickets, visas, moving out on our own after the wedding… honeymoon doesn’t fit into that equation when I don’t have full time work. We still have the Honeyfund account we started when we wanted to go to Hawaii, but we’ve changed to just spending a couple nights somewhere around here.
I mean, we are in a honeymoon destination afterall. It’s a little less exciting than what we would love to do, but we are realistic. Just a couple nights away, a mini-moon of sorts. Sometimes I get jealous of the brides on message boards talking about their week to two-week long honeymoons in the nicest places, but I have to remind myself that I’m not at the same point in life that they are. It’s amazing how much can bring out the jealous and inner insecurities in bride world.
And that’s it for now! I haven’t really done much else besides getting the word out and setting up the website. We have general ideas about everything else which I will share later on the wedding blog and here.
I just can’t wait! I’m so excited!
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Honeymoons are not all they’re always cracked up to be.
Today is actually my 13th wedding anniversary. And you know, the weather is as nice today as it was then. 72, a little windy… for February in a city known for its crazy rain, this is like a tiny slice of heaven. I’ll take it.
Annnnyway…
My mom gave us a week-long all inclusive trip to Jamaica as a gift.
Let me count the ways in which this was an error.
1) I am severely allergic to pineapple. even the touch of it against my skin can cause me to break out in serious lesions (gross!). Eating it is Right Out. I had to scan everything to make sure it didn’t contain pineapple, or had been sitting near something that contained pineapple. The first night we were down there, I sat on a barstool where someone had spilled a drink and got hives all over my butt and thighs. 2) my husband is severely allergic to shellfish. His allergy is not as bad, but keep in mind we’re on an ISLAND. so, the food was a REAL problem. 3) I couldn’t swim. 4) he doesn’t like the beach. 5) I don’t like people touching me. this is a real problem touring somewhere that has a much smaller personal space requirement than the US. 6) I’d just quit smoking, but that’s not my mom’s fault, and there was a serious lack of soda on the island. It was too hot for coffee. So I went from a 9 can of mt dew a day caffeine and pack of smokes a day habit to none of either. And alcohol was part of the “all inclusive” pack. So we were drinking. A lot. Every time I stopped moving, I fell asleep. I slept for 14 – 16 hours A DAY the whole time we were there.
Honestly, I had a much better time with the 3 days we spent in Outer Banks NC a few years back for our 10th anniversary. So you know, a trip is all what you make of it.
Lynn C´s last [type] ..Plans and Day Planners
Oh my! That pineapple allergy sounds like it would be a drag at an island resort. And allergies to shellfish too. Yikes! It sounds like your mom was trying to do something really nice but just missed the mark with who you guys actually are. Kepa and I would probably enjoy something like that though.
I totally agree though, that a trip is what we make it. Whatever we end up doing will be great!
oooh so exciting! I’m a crazy stalker and went and read the write ups on your wedding web site. It was fun to hear Kepa’s voice/sense of humour in his write ups about his groomsmen!
I feel for ya on the cost. We tried our best to keep our wedding costs as cheap as possible (without sacrificing so many things that we’d be disappointed) and it was STILL expensive to me. When you have the added challenges of long distance travel and tight finances, you just can’t compare that to people working full time and living in the same place they’re having their wedding. Also, I can’t assume but I’m pretty sure that after you have been married for a little while, the things you cherish and remember about your wedding won’t be the same as the things that might seem important now. As much as the online wedding world can be inspiring and supportive, it isn’t always helpful in keeping expectations in check and encouraging contentment with our own individual circumstances.
I think a minimoon is a great way of honouring what honeymoons are about–quality time together reflecting on your wedding and marriage, and just enjoying each other fully for days on end (sigh, I miss my honeymoon). Big extravagant honeymoons, and weddings for that matter, are actually a fairly recent phenomenon. So consider yourselves kickin’ it old school and be proud!
I love Kepa’s sense of humor. However I think one groomsmen was unhappy with the photo choice. HAH!
I hear ya. Our wedding is pretty low budget yet to us it seems so expensive! I have to remember that you are right and I just can’t compare our situation to others because it’s not fair at all. And you are so right- it’s pretty old school what we are doing with a smaller wedding and honeymoon. We are sooo cool. ;)
Let me just say that if i were one of those girls going on a 2 week honeymoon my thoughts would be as follows “Shit, mary gets to live in new zealand and i am just going on a 2 week vacation when she lives in a beautiful place..lucky girl!”
Haha. I have to say though, living on an island and going on a vacation to an island are entirely DIFFERENT things. I don’t get to go to the beach that often. The area where I actually live isn’t all that nice or pretty. I do live closer to pretty places than I used to but that doesn’t mean I get to enjoy them all day every day like you can on a vacation. But yeah, I am lucky to at least be close enough to all the beauty that I can occasionally enjoy it in regular life!
I get your point totally. I still will always be that girl that only gets 2 weeks vacation, if I’m lucky. And, I live the the dry, hot desert. I’d trade that for palm trees any day! Stay safe in NZ and let me know if you need any help/ideas for your wedding.
I understand. I don’t know what I would do living in the desert. I’ve always been in humid climates. Ask me again once it gets to rainy season here. You will probably appreciate the dry desert life more. ;)
Your wedding site is so cute, love the Save the Dates, and you know I love all things wedding…so I’m always loving these updates!!
Rachel Wilkerson´s last [type] ..Life’s a Beach
YAY! I’m glad you like them. As someone who loves wedding stuff that means a lot!
love the save the dates! our honeymoon was a couple of days in a hotel nearby and a couple of days camping. we loved it. it was perfect for us. because we were together :)
How about a honeymoon in New Orleans? I didn’t realize that you were getting married in Memphis (only a few hours away by car). I am sorta biased since in live in NOLA these days.
I hear you on planning a wedding with a tight budget. My husband and I eloped and married on Niagara Falls (literally on the Falls, soaking wet). I think it was $300 cash. We were broke, just out of college and I just started my first job (in NYC at the time) and didn’t have time off for anything beyond a “long weekend.” It worked for us.
Whatever you do will be wonderful!
Aw, yay Niagra Falls!
We actually went to New Orleans when we went across the US on our road trip. It was a fun place but I don’t think we will go back. We will probably end up somewhere around here, which is totally cool. There are lots of islands and beaches and since it will be more of an off season we can get a good deal for a couple days. :)
You know where my dream honeymoon is…. New Zealand and Australia, I just couldn’t afford it…. you are living my honeymoon ;-) I am jealous! :-D
Great to hear the updates, so happy for you!
Cassie´s last [type] ..Happy Valentines Day
Haha. I promise you, I’m not really living your honeymoon. Maybe when we are on our mini-moon we will actually be living your dream then. ;)
Thanks Cassie!
Oh nice to read your blog articles, very interesting keep up the good work and have a Happy married life :) see your another blog post for new born baby soon :)
Lima´s last [type] ..Phen375 – Is it Real
I never thought I’d like wedding planning as much as I have! I told you before and I’ll probably tell you a bazillion times, I love your love!
Jen, a priorfatgirl´s last [type] ..Alive… but not so well
Thank you!
Planning can be really fun at times. It can also be really not fun at times. Hopefully you have more of the fun times than the other. ;)
Hey mary….I know christchurch is on the other side of New Zealand, but am just writing to make sure all is well…that place and earthquakes lately, oy. Hang in there huh. lol. Hope everyone you know is fine.
It is and we were fine. It has been rough though for everyone living in Christchurch and this has been a really bad earthquake with a lot of damage and many deaths. We know a few people down there and they are fine luckily. But it’s just a mess. :(
SO EXCITED FOR YOU AS WELL.
sign me:
14.5 years married and still honeymoon-free :)
Miz´s last [type] ..Living not BLOGGING President’s Day edition
You are the example we look up to and hope to follow. ;)
You are too cute!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been married for 27 going on 28 years so…….ENJOY!
I had to make sure you were OK too. Saw the earthquake on the news in the gym this morn – YIKES!!!
Jody – Fit at 53´s last [type] ..Self-Talk & How It Holds Us Back
LOVE the wedding website, so cute! (And free!? Can’t beat that!) I’m glad the registries are listed, you know, in case people wanna get you something! I don’t know that it’ll be that guitar but it’s a wish list, never know!
As far as the honeymoon, you do what you can with what you have at the time but that doesn’t mean you can’t save up for an awesome 1 year or bigger 5 year anniversary trip! Planning can be half the fun and having something else to look forward to after the stress of planning an international affair could be just the ticket!
The Mrs.´s last [type] ..A tip from The Mrs- Hard Boiled Eggs
Haha. I don’t think the guitar will be bought but it’s one of Kepa’s dreams so I don’t mind putting it on there.
I like that idea of planning for a bigger 1 or 5 year anniversary trip. That’s something reasonable that we could actually do. :)
Heard about the earthquake. I remember checking in with you after the last one and you hadn’t even felt it and said Kepa didn’t have any family in the area — hope the same is true for this one, sounds much more devastating. Very sad.
Carina´s last [type] ..Step 1 is learning to read
Nevermind, just read your response above. Whew…
Carina´s last [type] ..Step 1 is learning to read
that’s a cute save the date!
merri´s last [type] ..11 Days Less Sugar Update – IM STARVING!
See we just decided to do the Hawaii thing after going back-and-forth for weeks between that and using wedding money to fix up our condo (we’re doing Honeyfund too, I really hope it works!). In the end, we realized that if we don’t go now, we will likely never go, and it is an experience that we really want to share. He’s not really into traveling like I am, and I guess we figure we have the rest of our lives to be prudent. It pains me to think about how much these two weeks (between the wedding and the honeymoon) will cost but I have to be honest in admitting to myself that it’s what I want and for once in my life I’m going to do the less-responsible thing.
P.S. did you see this? Made me think of you and your vlog and what I said about all brides being gorgeous: http://2000dollarwedding.com/2011/02/guest-post-why-i-stopped-weighing.html
Hallie´s last [type] ..The SoCal Accent- My First VLog
I hope Honeyfund works for you! And us! I definitely think you should do the Hawaii thing if you can. It will be expensive but you are right that you probably wouldn’t go another time. And the condo can get fixed up later. I’m a fan of honeymoons. Haha.
I did read that post because I’ve read every post on that blog EVER. I am still going to weigh in and try to lose more weight though. Every bride is gorgeous but I have a long history of feeling like crap during big events and I just don’t want that again. I don’t want to be thin, just healthier and more confident than I am now. :)
I don’t even know how i found your blog, but can i just say that you guys look beautiful together! and a lovely love story! all the best!!
Mary, the most important part of your wedding day is just that YOUR WEDDING. The more simple the day, the greater the opportunity for your and your husband to delight in the day…and share that with your guests. My husband I were married in June 2010. We decided on a small wedding in our church with a guest count of 20. It was awesome. The ceremony was fun and filled with joy….It was our wedding day, a day to be happy, not stressed. Celebrate your love and let others see the joy you bring to each other, not the worry that financial concerns et al…can bring. Congratulations and good luck to you!
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