This may or may not be the last of the wedding planning posts. I feel like we are ready and that the next few days will be calm. There is also a part of me that feels like come Tuesday, I am going to be freaking out as I get ready to leave for the beach the next day.
So much has been going on the last few days with the planning, but here are the “highlights”:
-I made a very detailed list of all 11 of my vendors a few weeks ago, but just recently gave it to my dad. He pretty much officially took the reins of the wedding from there. He mailed a bunch of checks and got a lot of the vendors paid off. That was huge for me, and I hope he knows how thankful I am. I really didn’t give my parents a lot any time to save, so considering that, both mom and dad have been completely selfless and helpful. I pretty much agreed to take care of buying all the “little” things, but it’s crazy how those little things really start to triple after a while. My “notes” app on my phone has been my saving grace the last five weeks! I have over 30 (no lie!) to-do lists on that thing just devoted to weddings. If you are NOT an organized, go-getter type of person, DO NOT try to plan a decent-size wedding in under six months. It’s a lot of work!
* A word of advice to those who are engaged or will be engaged in the future: SAVE FOR YOUR WEDDING NOW. Really. It’s wild how you can “budget” and “financially plan” all you and your family want, but you just can’t plan for everything. For example, I have spent $65 at Hallmark in the last two days buying cards and bags. Nothing else! Stuff adds up. How many wedding showers are you having? You also have the buy your hostesses gifts. Don’t get me wrong: I LOVED buying my incredible hostesses gifts, but my point is that those are the expenses you just can’t plan for, and THEY ADD UP TO THE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS. 🙂
The most common question I have gotten the last few weeks: “OMG, how are you doing it all? You must be dead!”. Honestly, I’m good to go. I have absolutely, positively worked my TAIL off the last six weeks, and got myself sick because of it (I was in the walk-in clinic sick on christmas eve morning). It was ALL worth it though because I’m not stressed at all right now. My agenda after work today consisted of picking up my GORGEOUS dress (!!!!!!!!!!!), tanning, going to Hallmark, wrapping gifts, and making a beach shoe valet sign. Considering what my normal to-do lists use to be after work, that is nothing. 🙂 I even got to hang out with Emily and Ashley all night Monday while watching the Bachelor and finishing my favors. I love those girls. VERY genuine and true friends that I am very blessed to have in my life.
My family is so on top of everything. Jennifer and Dad are the planners; they have really helped with realistic legistics of everything. Mom is my encouragement that it’s going to be wonderful no matter what.
Above all, Jamie and I have grown even closer over the last two weeks. I didn’t even know that was possible. We have had some of the deepest, most mature conversations we’ve ever had, and it’s so wonderful to know that I have found my match, without a doubt. I could cry to him about who-knows-what, and he just listens and comforts and supports and encourages. We talked last night about how our entire situation following the wedding is completely out of our hands, and that God is totally in control of us. Jamie discussed how the Bible really offers better encouragement and peace than other any source of peace we “find”, and that if we stick close to Him, we have God on our side no matter what.
I think the paint on my sign has dried, so I’m going to finish it up and probably hit the sack. HOLY SMOKES it’s 9 o’clock. I thought it was like 7. Crap. 🙂
On a side note – I started this crazy week with a late arrival to the first day of school (10:20 to be exact – thank you USairways. You kind of suck.). I have had an AWESOME week with my students though. My lessons were extra planned out back in December, and we’ve started working with poetry in Literature and persuasive writing in grammar. I am trying to make it really fun and PRODUCTIVE while maintaining a good learning environment, and SO FAR SO GOOD. 🙂
Thanks for reading! To those who have been praying for us, thank you thank you. It’s crazy how much kind words can encourage you.
Hi! I’m Erica, and I absolutely adore sharing my life on this website with you! I come here almost daily to blab about all of the things related to being a regular wife and mother in today’s ever-evolving society. I share about our new home, what’s on our kitchen table, what we’re hanging in our closets, where we’re traveling to next, my crazy 5 a.m. work outs, how I make time for girlfriends, our faith, and much more. We always have a lot of balls in the air and somewhat thrive on the chaos. I believe in the power of story-telling as a form of inspiration and entertainment, so I’m here to do both! I was born and raised in north Alabama and recently re-planted roots here again after my husband transitioned out of the Army (he is now in the Reserve and it’s going so well!) I’m a super proud mom to three little girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) who seem to be the stars of the show around here (for good reason – they’re pretty great!) I’m so glad you found me and are here reading! I hope we can get to know each other here on the blog as well as Facebook and/or Instagram. xoxo