"Simply having a wonderful Christmas time!"

[hazy_reflection]

It's December! Yes I realise that it's already the third day in and I'm just now posting that little announcement. For the first time in the past 7 years I look forward to the holiday season with complete happiness instead of a mix of self-loathing and insecurity. I blame that on my fiancee. So weird to say that...

We've settled on a date, which has actually become dates, plural. I'm having a winter wedding. And a summer wedding. All in one month. Ahhh the wonders of crossing the equator. Saturday August 7th will be our "official" legal wedding here in Australia with all of John's family. It's going to be extremely informal, more like a family party, which is just the way I would like my wedding to be...I think. The second will be August 13th--yes that's a Friday--and we'll be winging our way stateside for that one. That will be a little more lavish, as I will be the first of four girls to get married. My parents are more excited about it than I am I think... They sounded so disappointed when I told them that I really just wanted something small and informal. And that if I did have a somewhat more pronounced ceremony and whatnot that I really didn't want a lot of flowers and the "usual" wedding stuff. That about killed my dad I think because he used to do floral arrangements as a side hobby for a while way back when. So...with this double ceremony/reception thing John and I will get ours and my parents will get their's. It works, right? Of course, it did get to the point where I was threatening John with not having a wedding ceremony at all and just getting married at a courthouse, which I still believe that I would be completely fine with. As it is, it's going to be weird enough trying to coordinate two celebrations between now and then, all on top of the holidays, going home for three weeks then coming back for another week of vacation here, and then trying to find a job, figuring out the whole getting a new visa thing and whatnot, trying to get a loan for my own car, finalising stuff with the house, moving into the new house, furnishing the new house...there's so much to do... I'm very lucky that my parents want to pay for a lot of the wedding stuff on their end or I'd be absolutely batshit insane.

I know they say the wedding is supposed to be all about the bride, but what happens when the bride really doesn't care all that much? I mean, I was the girl who didn't even think about getting married when I was growing up. I told people I was going to be the successful single woman! I was eight at the time, but seriously...kids really kinda do know what they want sometimes. And now I'm going to attempt to plan two weddings, one of which I am on a completely different continent from. And it's not like Europe and Asia and Africa where I could quite literally walk from one continent to another if I were close enough to the border. No, there's an ocean there... And I can't have two dresses, so I need to find one that will fit with a possibly cold winter wedding but also not be too warm for a summer wedding... I'm thinking accessories FTW!!



But people, if there were ever a time when you were debating on commenting on my entry, this is that entry! I want your dreams and hopes and ideas and everything you ever thought you wanted for your dream wedding!! I'm seriously at this big huge loss here and instead of browing through millions of webpages and photos on weddings and dresses and everything else--though I have already been doing that as well--I want to know what real women who I know and talk to have to say! PLEASE!! *puppy dog eyes*

Comments

[roguebelle.livejournal.com]

May I recommend a book? Never Throw Rice at a Pisces. Whether or not you care about astrology, it's a fantastic guide. Just figure out what sun sign suits your personality best and go from there -- it's got awesome tips based on what kind of bride you'll be, quite apart from trying to cookie-cutter all brides into one style. And if I'm remembering correctly, it has plans for distance weddings, for budgeting, for all kinds of helpful things to de-stress you. And it takes you through step-by-step, so you know what things to cross of your list first. (I can't wait to have an excuse to use it myself, it is such a fun book).

This place has flipping gorgeous dresses, but they're all pretty pricey -- nice to dream, though. ;)

Lately I've been loving the idea of a splash of colour on the gown, though -- something like this or this or even this -- those are all from David's Bridal, but I bet you can find similar things in lots of places. Actually, I have no idea if they even have David's Bridal out on the west coast, but it's big in VA -- I just got a bridesmaid's dress from there for the wedding I'm in several weeks from now, and while I was there, a bride found a gorgeous, perfect dress for under $200, on account of it being on sale, so you can definitely get some awesome deals.

When you start doing colour coordination, work with your bridesmaids, btdubs -- Katie and I have been pulling our hair out because our bride told us we could pick our own dresses, but then she picked the most difficult colour in the universe (dark cornflower blue), and one that's not particularly flattering on at least two of her bridesmaids. Honestly, I'm a big fan of making the bridesmaids a big part of the process, but that's because I'm a Leo -- I do think they can be a big help if you use them right, though.

*squee!* Okay, seriously, feel free to talk to me any time you want to talk about wedding stuff, because I love it.

[hazy-reflection.livejournal.com]

I am highly amused that the title of that book involves Pisces...seeing as how I am one. But I definitely think I'll be looking up that book, simply because I'm going to need all the help/guidance I can get! =)

Rivendell Brides is absolutely amazing! Those dresses are gorgeous but completely out of my budget. Maybe in five years when we do a vow renewal ;-)

I've been toying with the idea of colour on the gown too, but more in the way of beading or embroidery? Instead of a belt or edge lining, but they're definitely ideas. I really haven't got a huge budget so I'm probably not really going to get an overly fabulous gown but we'll see. My mom and sisters want to take me when I'm home for the holidays...

As for the bridesmaids...heh...there aren't going to be any? If anything it's going to be a single attendant, eg the Maid of Honour. I've picked her--my older sister--it's just a matter of asking her...if she says no...I'm not sure where I go from there O_O

I'm really at a loss as I'm not going to be a traditional bride at all... two ceremonies two receptions both of them completely different and in two different seasons...could I be any more spastic? =P But they're all ideas and I think that book really may help me when I get around to buying it/finding it... Thanks! And I'll mostlikely be poking around asking questions here and there too as the day gets closer! =) *hugs*

hrm...I think I need a wedding icon... O_o

And I totally just posted this as a new comment instead of replying to your's... *headdesk*

[fyrestar1.livejournal.com]

I wish I could help you out, but honestly the perfect wedding to me is a quick wedding at some little country chapel up in the mountains in a color that looks good on me (aka not white.)

Since you're not in the U.S., you can get out of planning that one easily by just letting everyone take it over if you don't really care. Just poke you're head in every once in awhile so they don't add anything too fugly and you'll be fine.