Answers...in case you have questions.

So here's the deal:

The perfect and blissful and romantic engagement happens. It's fun and exciting.

Then, reality sets in...less than 24 hours later and the questions are coming. Do you have a date? Where will you live? What about your job? Where will you get married? What will you do for your honeymoon? Who will be in your wedding party? What about your pregnant sister who lives across the world? Did you know so and so will be on vacation then? Did you realize _______ is planned for then? So will you just have it without them? Will you wait that long? Could it possibly be planned that soon?

Suddenly planning a wedding sounded like a dreadful task. Suddenly my head was pounding and I was wishing I was back in that fun and care-free dating relationship (okay not really, but you get what I'm saying). Suddenly I found myself saying to Devin, "let's just take our parents to some island and get married...after all, my dad can marry us".

I wasn't serious. I knew I wouldn't get married without my sisters and closest friends and I knew having some impersonal destination wedding wasn't my style (though it was starting to sound appealing). I also knew the semi-formed idea of planning an entire wedding in 11 weeks sounded like 11 weeks that I would not enjoy. And Devin only had one rule for planning the wedding...I wasn't allowed to be stressed or upset.

So I began to realize this deal of planning an entire wedding in less than 3 months just wasn't for me. But I also knew that having a wedding without my dear sister Betsy (who can't fly after early February due to baby boy #2) wasn't an option either. And even though I've been dreaming of my perfect Pentwater summer wedding, I knew that an 8 month engagement wasn't something either of us were interested in, especially with Devin moving back to the fort in TWO DAYS (can you tell I'm excited about that?).

The destination wedding idea spurred other untraditional wedding ideas and eventually lead to the best idea: Small wedding with immediate family and wedding party in early February so Betsy can be there; a wedding that's more like a dinner party with those we're closest to...a relaxed, intimate evening. Then, a normal reception later with all the people we would have loved to invite to the wedding, giving us the opportunity to have some extra planning time and two separate events to be excited about instead of one huge whirlwind day.

Suddenly the groom looked pleased and the bride was actually excited about planning the wedding. We had our solution.

Of course there have been some raised eyebrows, some disappointed people, and the inevitable person or two wondering if we "had" to get married that soon (come on, people)...but mostly, we've gotten a lot of this: "That's awesome, you won't regret that" or "Oh that's such a great idea, I wish I could have done it that way" or "I had a friend who did something similar to that and she loved it". Regardless, we've been excited about the idea from the start and continue to be.

So, that's the plan, (in case you were as curious as George).

11 comments:

sarah.flyingkites said...

Here's my opinion:

"That's awesome, you won't regret that" :)

Seriously, I think it sounds so personal!

BTW, the save-the-date cards were adorable!

Amber said...

I think it's such a great idea too - I'm one of those 'I'd have done it if i could have."

Enjoy it all!

Jill said...

Sounds wonderful :)

Betsy said...

Hee hee, I get it, Curious as George. Curious George! BWWAAA! :) Love your idea by the way and hope it's still making you both smile. TWO DAYS? WHAT THE?!!!

Joy said...

Emily, I haven't seen you yet to tell you that I'm so excited for you and congratulations! Best of luck planning your "sweet day" :) Our engagement was only 11 weeks also and I wouldn't do it any differently if I could..:) Yes, at times it was stresful making "quick decisions", but you still have "stressors" even with a longer engagement....:) Joy

nathan and rachel said...

I think it's such a good idea! I can't wait to see all the pictures:)

leah said...

as you well know i'm a fan of all of this. :)

as organized as you are, i know everything will come together perfectly!

love you girl and see you soon!

laura said...

Ok, I admit... I'm an official blog stalker and cannot tell you how excited I am for you! I love hearing your story with Devin (as I stalked you on Facebook too, trying to find out who this boy was that you were smitten about :) I think this is a great idea and it will be absolutely perfect!

L, Ann and boys said...

LOVE it....=) I think that's a super sweet.

Daveana said...

:) Just the way a wedding should be! Love you girl!

teresa said...

sounds wonderful!