Planning 101

We’re engaged! (as if you didn’t know…) But if you were not aware or don’t even know “Joe” and “Marisa” and you are still reading this, grab a cup of coffee, a J. Walker, or simply, enjoy reading. We have quite a way to go.

After the firestorm of phone calls, emails, Facebook and MySpace posts, and congratulations cards (thank you everyone!), we knew what would follow... "So, have you set a date?"

We have an idea of a date, but we are not locked into anything quite yet. We aren't telling just anyone either. We had to tell a few people for the outsider’s standpoint and etiquette tips, but that’s about it. Don't worry we'll let you all know (right here!) as soon as we decide.

I knew that after asking the question, planning would have to take place, naturally. What I didn't know was how soon. Like, now. We sat down with our event planner (which we'll get back to later) on Tuesday and (4 days later) we are already booked for more preliminary visits for our second Saturday of being engaged, than we know what to do with. We’d have even more, but travel and timing just not feasible, so they will extend to Sunday. She kicks some serious you-know-what, by the way.

The following probably should've been be the first topic of this blog post but to those of you reading this, I'm sure budget isn't what you want to read about. Especially ours. Have we nailed one down? Of course not. Do we have money? Not really. This is the most unsure facet of the getting married process, at least to me. (Not sure if Marisa is having second thoughts of saying “yes” to this guy.) This is where a planner comes in handy (at least that’s what she told us.) They are there to keep you us on track with budget and advise as to where money may be better spent. Our biggest problem up to now is what our budget will be. But no worries here, we have our budget analyst friends punching numbers into spreadsheets as we speak. No matter what our budget, I want Marisa (and myself) to have the best wedding possible without me having to sell an organ. I would if I had to, though. However, as we thoroughly expressed to Michelle, Superwoman of event planning, “best” to us, doesn’t necessarily mean the traditional “chandelier-horse-and-buggy” type wedding that others might die for. Actually, it absolutely does not mean that at all.

There are so many things to consider and we’re only a week and a half into the engagement. The only part of this whole thing that I’m sure of, is who I get to do it with. There are times when I know there are about 127 things I would rather be doing then listen to Marisa explain this color over that or what food we should get or can’t afford, but when I realize who it is that I will be sharing the rest of my days with, I can’t help but smile.

Anyway, enough of the sappy stuff… I have asked Marisa (had to bribe her with candy) to write along with me on this blog. She should be posting soon (she even helped a little with this one!) We thought it would be fun to have anyone who wants to read what we are doing and where we are going, do so. We will be posting everything from what and where we are looking for plans, to registries and maybe even stories (definitely stories). So stay tuned and please feel free to comment, email us and/or just follow along.

Well, its now about 10 a.m. and we have a 10:30 beverage tasting. We'll let you know how it goes.