One Month: Commence Freakout

[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”20872686″]

It’s been 337 days since I said I’d marry that boy. How have we gotten to here already? Am I ready from a logistical standpoint? Heck no. Am I elated in an emotional sense? You better believe it.

So many of you have requested wedding planning updates along the way, but truth be told, there hasn’t been a whole lot to say in the past months. From Christmas until I left for Africa on March 18, I had a handful of crazy book deadlines on my plate, then I was road-tripping it around Rwanda and South Africa for a month. Naturally, now that I’m home, I’m all “Jesus Mario Christ, what was I THINKING?” (Answer, in short: I’m usually not. Case in point, see below.)

Still, I’m also one of those efficient planner types who doesn’t beat around the bush. I booked the first florist I met with, settled on the only cupcakery where we had a tasting, bought the second dress I tried on: My life is so transient and uncertain that I don’t have a whole lot of time for being fickle. So, all the big stuff was settled on months ago, and it seems like from then until now, we’ve been in a period of stasis where I feel as if we should have been doing something wedding-related in every spare moment, yet had no idea what it was I was supposed to do.

However, in the time since we last chatted weddings, I have tackled the following:

“Booked” an officiant! That would be my best friend in the whole wide world, Liz. We’re not having a religious ceremony and, thus, a preacher seemed a bit off—plus, we wouldn’t know one to ask in these parts even if we had gone that route—and when it kept coming down to a person to perform the ceremony, neither SVV nor I could think of a better officiant than she. I presented her with a story board scrapbook of our eight years or friendship, which culminated in the proposal of sorts, while we were at my bachelorette party in New Orleans last month, and I think it’s safe to say she was shocked, ever so slightly.

Nevertheless, it took her all of one work day to be officially ordained by the Universal Life Church. And just like that, we have ourselves a High Priestess.

Found Scott’s suit. We’re not traditionalists by any means, and I’m not a fan of tuxes. To match my dress color, black was out of the question, and chocolate brown seemed like the best option. Luckily, it’s also Scott’s best color. I haven’t seen the suit on him yet, but I have no doubt he looks dapper!

(Uh, that’s not him…obviously. He’s going to look far better than that joker!)

His brother, the Best Man, is wearing the same (only with a purple vest and tie in lieu of Scott’s ivory tones), and my ridiculously talented MIL is crafting a mini version of the suit for my three-year-old nephew Jack, our ringbearer, as well as a mini version of my dress for six-year-old Kiva, flower girl extraordinaire, out of Scott’s sister Lisa’s former wedding dress material. Here’s the mock-up minus some last-minute accoutrements and a layer of crinoline.

Isn’t she ridiculously talented? (And Kiva ridiculously adorable?)

Finalized the Playlist. We’ve hired a dazzling string trio—violin, guitar and cello to be exact—to play pre-ceremony, ceremony and cocktail hour, and I’m quite happy with the mix of jazz, Broadway tunes and contemporary songs that we have picked out. Want to know what our processional, recessional and first dance are? HA! You’ll just have to hold your pretty horses until May 23 then. As far as dinner tunes, we’re relying on Simon’s Super Awesome Wedding Mix to get us through the sit down, and post-dinner will see Scott’s Navy pal Roy spinning some tunes for the dancers in the crowd (which, ahem, will be everyone if I have any say in the matter! and being the Bride, I’m pretty sure grants me legislative powers for 2010 the evening).

Planned the Wedding Week festivities. More than half of the 80 attendees are coming from other corridors in the country. We don’t want them to venture all this way and NOT enjoy the best of what California has to offer, so we have a four-day roster of events all set to go and keep them occupied. Let me just say, I’ve stressed over this far more than I have the little things like what shoes I’ll wear and what color my nails will be.

Sent Out the Invites. More creative handiwork by my amazing cousin-in-law Kelly, following a similar style as our tedious save the dates. These were the main invites (don’t mind the tacky purple blocks; my PhotoShop skills are lacking…one day, someone will teach me the proper utilization of the blur function):

The reply postcards (front and back):

The rehearsal dinner invitation:

And the events round-up (printed and cut into strips to channel admission tickets)

Oh, and AS IF we’d end there. Kelly also designed completely unique envelopes for both the invitations and rehearsal dinner notices. And we ordered vintage California and Golden Gate Bridge stamps off eBay, since clearly I’ve become the type of person to care about postage.

Well, that’s about it. Now, I’m all ready to get hitched! Heh. Only things left on the docket are “minor” things like seating charts, dry cleaning my dress (which is going to cost nearly as much as the garment itself, no lie), paying all the remaining deposits, making the place cards and table centerpieces, procuring all the items for our homemade photo booth, shopping for and preparing out-of-towner welcome baskets, stocking the champagne cocktail (pre-ceremony) and hot chocolate bars (post-reception), finding accessories for my MOH and officiant, etc. etc. etc. to the nth degree—those sorts of menial tasks. So, you know, on top of my writing deadlines, upcoming work trip to LA for five days,  and daily ass kickings, there’s absolutely nothing on the docket for this next month! (Hold me.)

Oh, what’s that you say? What you REALLY want to know about is the…

HONEYMOON? OK, alright then, without further ado—and because our flights are officially booked now, finally—we will be spending the first two weeks as newlyweds on…

(via)

BORNEO. (With four days in Vietnam to break up the journey, and two in Brunei.)

How about THEM apples?

(Also, have you ever tried to plan a “vacation” to just a remote corner of the planet? NOT easy, let me tell you. I’m going to need a vacation simply from all the honeymoon planning, which has now consumed the last four months of my life.)

COMMENTS
  • April 22, 2010

    Dude, Borneo means ORANGUTANS. Just saying.

    I’m ordained through the ULC, too! Which is like saying that I know how to fill out an online form. But really, officiating a ceremony was one of the most meaningful things I’ve done. Your friend will love it, and so will you guys.

    Love your invites, etc. So much fun.

  • April 22, 2010

    Wow! Congrats! Love the invites.

  • April 22, 2010

    Wow! I can’t believe that you planned a 4-day extravaganza of activities. Your guests sure are lucky. I have heard such good things about Borneo. Can’t wait to hear how it goes.

    And, breathe in, breathe out. I am now firmly convinced that the more weird and crazy things that happen before the wedding, the better the marriage will be. For example, we had to rush out and buy the top to my maid of honor’s dress (it was a skirt/top combo) on the morning of the wedding because it got left behind at my parent’s house, my husband didn’t have socks and had to borrow a pair from my grandfather, and our caterers forgot to put out our wedding favors. But, we have had a super happy marriage.

  • April 22, 2010

    The invites are beyond amazing – and my goodness, you’re going to be related to a whole slew of talented folks!

  • April 22, 2010

    Your wedding is going to be amazing! Congratulations!

  • April 22, 2010

    So happy for you Kristin and Scott! Glad all the planning is down and it’s just walking down the aisle and to Borneo! It looks awesome in that picture. By the way, I heard in the radio this morning that there are about 100 new species found in Borneo recently. Isn’t that exciting?

  • April 22, 2010
    Amy Louise

    AHHHHH BORNEO! I spent a month there last summer. It’s the most awesome place ever. How long will you be there and where are you planning to go? I could give you some recommendations if you want 🙂

    Can’t wait to see more wedding posts 🙂 Good luck!

  • April 22, 2010
    Jen

    Oh Kristin, I am so EXCITED for you and SVV. LOVE LOVE LOVE the invites and I am very much looking forward to a wrap-up of your wedding week and the honeymoon!

  • April 22, 2010

    Sigh. That photo alone makes me relax. Enjoy dear!

  • April 22, 2010

    This is the best wedding invitation design I have ever seen! Sounds like one helluva wedding – Congratulations and good luck wrapping everything up!

  • April 22, 2010

    One month! One month! ONE MONTH!

  • April 22, 2010

    I am super-excited about your wedding!

    I love that you spent so much time making sure your guests enjoyed themselves during that weekend, and saw a lot of California. You are such an awesome bride.

    I can’t wait to hear about the ceremony and see pictures, and of course explore Borneo through you and Scott. That picture took my breath away.

  • April 22, 2010

    So excited for you! Can’t wait to see pictures of your big day. You’ve got the big stuff covered, the details will all fall into place and it will be perfect. Even the parts that aren’t perfect will seem perfect in retrospect, I promise! 😀

  • April 22, 2010

    LOVE the invites and all their accoutrement! (Especially the Casual Cocktail tickets! We totally call them the Casual C’s in our house!)

    So excited to see all the pictures from the big day!

  • April 22, 2010

    Oh, I so thoroughly love your invites. Hang in there!!!

  • April 22, 2010
    methodpam

    Your invitations are so much fun! One small thing – on your admission tickets it says Friday, May 22. Should it be 21? You probably already caught that, but just in case.

  • April 22, 2010
    Laurel

    I had just started reading your blog when you got engaged, so excited that the big day is almost here! What a gorgeous part of the country to get hitched in, and your invites etc. are perfect. Enjoy the next month and just soak it all in on the day of!

  • April 22, 2010

    Oh, SO excited for you guys! I can’t wait to read about it after and see all of the photos. Yay!

  • April 22, 2010

    Yay! I can’t believe it’s almost here!

    Can’t wait to see the photos!

  • April 22, 2010

    I’m so excited for you! One small word of advice for your friend who officiates the wedding… make sure she knows how to file your marriage license after your big day! You can call your registery office for assistance if you need help. It’s a step that’s missed sometimes because ULC allows one to officiate but doesn’t necessarily tell you how 🙂 My friend had to go through some extra legal hoops because the license wasn’t registered correctly with the state.

    Best Wishes for your Big Day!!

  • April 22, 2010

    I cannot wait to hear all about your wedding! I just know it’s going to be amazing, and hopefully you will have tons of pics for us! Also, I’m loving that your best friend {and C+C guest star!} is officiating for you, that will make it so special! Best of luck with all the planning until the big day!

  • April 22, 2010

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I always knew you’d be a quick and organized planner though. One doesn’t travel the globe without learning a thing or two about planning an event.

  • April 22, 2010
    Katie

    Everything sounds like it will be so much fun! The design is genius for your invites/reply cards/etc. You’ve accomplished so much while being so busy, props to you! I’m sure everything will be beautiful =)

  • April 22, 2010

    The top image is laugh-out-loud hilarious!! Your paper suite is GORGEOUS. Best of luck! (Wait wait – Tequila Tweet-Up on Saturday? Are you going? I’m going…)

  • April 22, 2010

    Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re gonna have the best wedding, I’m sure. And the honeymoon will be unforgettable. Can’t wait to see a pic of you in your dress. 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • April 22, 2010
    Alyce

    This is so exciting! I love wedding planning and details details details. I can’t wait until you’re hitched and honeymooned to hear about how swimmingly it all went. It promises to be YOU, which is what matters most.

    One month away – egads!

  • April 22, 2010

    I can’t believe your wedding is coming so soon! I love your invites and cannot wait to read about your honeymoon.

  • April 22, 2010

    WOW now that was an update! I am so excited for you guys and I cannot wait to see the pictures!

  • April 22, 2010

    I read often and think that I have been lax in commenting, but holy shit you can plan my life from now on.

  • April 22, 2010

    I like the travel theme of the invites. looks like you are all set to go! sit back, relax, and put ur tray tables in the upright position.

    are you going to malaysian borneo or indonesian borneo?

  • April 23, 2010

    I love your invites SO MUCH. They’re fabulous.

  • April 23, 2010

    I want to be invited to this wedding if only for the stationery. Well, also to meet you in person. But you know that would be totally inappropriate to ask for something like that…

    Great, so I’ll be getting my invitation in the mail? Awesome. Just forward to “Sarah Jackson: New Zealand” I’m sure I’ll get it.

    😉

    -Sarah

  • April 26, 2010

    I am so excited for you – it all looks wonderful and you are going to have an ABSOLUTE blast!

  • April 27, 2010

    I forgot to mention before…We got married by a traffic judge. I think my mother-in-law judged (so to speak) us a bit (she’s religious), but whatever! We didn’t have anyone else and this guy was cheap!

  • April 28, 2010

    AHHHH!!!! I love (LOVE) your invitations and your honeymoon destination looks divine! Wow.

  • April 28, 2010

    Okay, after you told me about Borneo, I had to come to your blog for more wedding details (I love that kinds of stuff). And LOVE love your invitations! Congratulations:)

  • April 28, 2010

    LOVE your invites. I’m in the midst of that right now and I DO NOT CARE FOR THIS PROCESS.

  • April 28, 2010

    I’m impressed that you’re going Dailey daily (hilarious!). I went to Bar Method 6 days in a row and my muscles felt so heavy that I HAD to take a day off. That picture of Borneo is amazing- it makes me want to break off a piece of purple coral even though I know that is WRONG and I promise, I really would never actually do it.

Leave a Comment