Well, friends, I am officially one year away from getting married. I got engaged in November, and it's been a long seven months. I've learned a lot in those months, such as:
1. As exciting as it is to finally put it on Facebook, notifications can get overwhelming.
That may sound rude, and I certainly do not mean it to be rude. But suddenly you're being inundated with comments, likes, shares, mentions, texts, private messages, etc. The list goes on and on. I love sharing this moment with all of my friends, but all of a sudden it hits you. You're engaged. You have to do adult things. Adulting. What's that? I was just looking at LEGO kits for myself at Target. Now I have to figure out a guest list and start apartment shopping with my future hubby? Whaaaaa?
2. Share it with those who mean the world to you first.
Cristian and I took our sweet time in announcing it on social media. We wanted to make sure we had the chance to call everyone or stop in to see family to share the news personally. I am so happy we did this. We got free cookies.
3. Everyone has an opinion.
Suddenly it's not just your engagement or your wedding. It's everyone else's, too. While there have been some amazing and lovely people who have stepped up and offered to help with anything possible (who I am so thankful for!), there are also people who think that they know what's best for you and your fiancé.
Their intentions are good. Their way of telling you is less than tactful. Seriously, woman I have only met you three times, don't tell me I should commute two hours to school so I can get married in six months instead of 19 months.
*has a sudden panic attack tries to figure out if marriage in six months is possible, realizes all venues are booked, cries*
4. It's you and your fiancé's day.
While stopping in to say hello to my unofficial Jewish grandmother, we received some lovely advice (and delicious Mandel Bread). "In the end, it's your day. Everyone will want something different, but it's a celebration of you two, so do what you want." Thank you. I will get that cotton candy machine and interactive sloth exhibit.
5. Distance.
As much as you want to invite everyone in the world to your wedding, it simply is not possible. There is not a venue big enough for that many people in Green Bay. Trust me, there's barely a venue big enough for the amount of people who are on the guest list currently. It's okay to distance yourself from people who you know won't make it on the guest list. But that doesn't mean you stop taking phone calls from your mother. She has to stay on the list.
6. DIY is possible.
Yes. You heard it here first folks. You can have the wedding of your dreams if you're willing to make it. Those invites that I adore, but it would cost 20 percent of the budget? Well, I realized I can make those same invites, for literal pennies. Pennies, people. Pennies. I don't even like pennies, I think they're dead weight on the economy. But when it comes to wedding planning, pennies are something I can get on board with.
7. Weddings are expensive.
I've already cried over the fact that an hors d'oeuvres only reception at my dream venue would cost $350 a person. Yes. Cried. Needless to say, only Cristian and I would be attending our reception at that cost. But with help from friends, and a bit of imagination and creativity, it is possible to have a lovely wedding no matter your budget.
8. *Sings like Pitbull* Getting married young is okay!
I have had so many people chastise me for getting married young. First of all, I will be 23 when I tie the knot. That's not crazy young. Second of all, ma'am, you were 19. Stop. I know that Cristian and I are young, but we know that we want to spend the rest of our lives together. If we are both graduated, and financially stable, what is stopping us? Nothing.
In the end, remember this: it's your day, and it should be a reflection of you. Wedding planning can bring out the crazy in everyone, but keep on keeping on. At the end of the day, you'll be married to the love of your life and that's what truly matters.
