Now, to Organize Some Thoughts

Well, I have my list of questions out of the way. Now, I need to contemplate a bit of post-semester organization so that I'll be out of the starting gate as soon as finals are over and I've had a good night's sleep.

Things to do ASAP

• Get fabric swatches from David's (if possible)
• Get ribbon mailed to Mom for the weekend "discussion"
  

Before Leaving for Home

• Send Save the Date cards
• Register for wedding gifts
• Call the park about what they allow in the reception hall and what they provide. Also find out if they could take a donation of trees.
  

While at Home

• Plan to see the park and scout around town for good places to include in the guide
• Visit the Chamber of Commerce for information on the area
• Make arrangements to visit the Minster and discuss the ceremony
• Discuss details with the Moms
• Discuss the itinerary for the weekend and make sure everybody has a copy of this
  
• Tell the parents where we're registered so that they can pass on the word
• Talk with photographers and videographers
• Answer questions on the list (if possible and still needed)
• Go shopping for Moms' dresses and take them to see Bridesmaids' dresses if needed
• Decide who is willing and capable of taking care of some details over the next few months
• Discuss wording of the invitations (who is hosting, etc)
• Discuss welcome baskets and ideas for contents

Keep in mind that this is the hopeful plan for the week that we're there. If it doesn't get done in the time we're there, we'll figure it out. Alright, it's on paper (so to speak). I'm off to bed.

Five Hundred Questions (Okay, so I exaggarate)

In the last seven days, we've talked to both of our mothers about the wedding AND I've had a long talk with my Maid of Honor about wedding details. We won't discuss the paranoid look on one of my former student's face when I said "It's on hold" in response to wedding planning. Of course, she thought the wedding was on hold! I'll admit that I have been thinking and pondering the wedding as well as how I'm going to get everything done for my final due dates. So, tonight, to de-stress and think about something other than Mikhail Bakhtin, the appropriate means of writing a cohesive paragraph, or grading papers, I am putting together a list of questions that have crossed my mind in the last few weeks. I'm doing this in preparation for a planning session here in a few weeks with both the mothers and my Maid of Honor.

So, my first step is to make a list of questions I have. Then, I'll focus on what needs to be done immediately at home, during the planning session, and then after I return and start summer classes. Please, if you have answers to any of the questions on the list (or even just suggestions), feel free to comment! I thrive on advice and input. Well, I've put it off long enough; here goes (and in no specific order):

1. What does the site provide?
2. What does the site allow?
3. When can I reserve space for the rehearsal dinner?
4. How many people am I inviting to the rehearsal dinner?
5. What about those in town that I don't invite to the rehearsal dinner?
6. Where will I have the Bridesmaids' luncheon? When?
7. Can I get fabric swatches of the Bridesmaids' dresses from David's?
   
8. When do I need to order the Bridesmaids' gowns?
9. What do I need to rent?
10. What are we serving at the reception?
11. How will we orchestrate cooking if we self-cater?
12. What time are we getting married?
13. Where are we going to register? What for? When?
14. Music?
    
15. When will I find time to meet with my minister?
16. Do we want readers?
17. Who is going to be asked to give a toast?
18. Photography? Videography?
19. Where are we getting the cake?
20. Who will we get to announce the important moments at the reception? Do we need a microphone for this?
21. Centerpieces?
22. Pine trees for the park--can they take them? If, not what favors do we want?
23. Do we need to add a block of motel rooms to the reservations for guests that want to stay close to the park?
24. How are we going to make arrangements for people who are flying in?
25. How do I determine "A list" people and "B list people?" When do I send invitations to each group? Do I need a "C list?"
26. How many people do we want to cap this wedding at?!

Okay, so I have the resources (books, wedding sites, etc.) for some of these questions, it's just a matter of looking some up. Others, I'm clueless about. But, now, I have a starting point. More planning posts soon.