The big day is exactly six months away, and I’m starting to feel anxiety and butterflies. Thoughts of what I need to get done go through my head before I go to bed and when I wake up. I’m trying to avoid stress by getting as much done as possible. My mom and sister joked that I’ll be done with everything by the end of the year. I really doubt that but I have a good start. So far, I’ve covered the venue, photographer, videographer, DJ, florist, bridesmaids’ dresses, mothers’ dresses, my wedding gown and I am working on invitations.
In my last entry, I mentioned revisiting the venue with Bobby and our mothers. We went for a tasting which started off with a tour of the grounds. They all loved it! After the tour, we were seated in one of the banquet rooms where our orders for a four-course meal were taken. We made sure to order different meals to cover the meat options. The food was great! The cakes were exceptional; however, one stood out from the rest and we chose it for our wedding cake. Before leaving, we confirmed our reservation with the manager; he thanked us and notified us that our contract would be sent via mail.
Once the venue was booked and confirmed, I was on a hunt for dresses. The search wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, since I had in mind what I wanted. When I first saw the gown I chose for myself, I knew it was the one I envisioned wearing. Though I searched for and tried on a couple others, I kept going back to the same dress. The reaction, from both my mom and sister, was a confirmation that this was the dress for me. On top of that, a total stranger walked by and commented on how great it looked on me. Of course, it was a done deal! My dress is strapless, so I wanted the bridesmaids’ dresses to be strapless, also. I took my sister, who’s also my matron of honor, and my niece, who I’ve asked to be a bridesmaid, to help select and try on dresses. We narrowed our selection to two dresses and had each of them try on one. The vote for the dress my niece tried on was unanimous. I loved the way it fit in all the right places, yet gathered in the middle to camouflage any vices. I picked a color and shared a picture with the other bridesmaids.
Selecting a photographer was easy, since I loved the person my sister used for her wedding. I booked with him and his associate videographer. As for the DJ, the moment I started planning, I knew I wanted to use a guy who I’ve known since elementary school. I’ve heard him at a couple of functions and I like the way he works. He also knows Bobby from high school, which will make his presence at our wedding even more significant.
Until I post again…Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Guest List & Location Planning
Thank you for your comments and well wishes; some brought tears to my eyes. One comment mentioned how blessed I was to have found a good man and how a good man is hard to find. We’ve all felt that way at some point in our lives; but, please remember that you deserve the best and never settle for anything less. Though it may seem hopeless at times, there are still good men out there. Speaking of which, I can’t go on without saying something about President-Elect Barack Obama. We’ll soon have an African American serving as the President of the United States! This is yet another confirmation that anything is possible with faith and perseverance.
I’m still absorbing the fact that I’m getting married. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. However, my anxiety hasn’t stopped me from jumping into planning my special day. I started what I felt was my biggest task, the guest list, weeks ago. It’s still a nightmare! My goal is to have between 180 and 200 guests, but my list alone reaches close to that amount. Having a large family and friends, who have been there for me over the years, make it difficult to cut the list. I find myself adding more names after realizing I’d forgotten family members or after my mother reviewed the list. A “B” list seemed to be the way to go right now, though I feel most should remain on the “A” list. I was reminded that everyone invited might not be available to attend. This somewhat put my mind at ease because I could maintain my desired number of guests.
Finding a venue wasn’t too challenging; I’ve always wanted an outdoor ceremony. I made a list of places with outdoor facilities and called or emailed for prices and availability. After narrowing down the list, I scheduled an appointment with one of my top choices. My sister accompanied me to assist with my decision-making. The location was perfect for an outdoor ceremony. I loved that the banquet room split for the cocktail hour and opened to a patio leading out to a garden area. After discussing price and amenities, we booked the date and agreed to bring Bobby and our mothers back to seal the deal.
I’m still absorbing the fact that I’m getting married. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. However, my anxiety hasn’t stopped me from jumping into planning my special day. I started what I felt was my biggest task, the guest list, weeks ago. It’s still a nightmare! My goal is to have between 180 and 200 guests, but my list alone reaches close to that amount. Having a large family and friends, who have been there for me over the years, make it difficult to cut the list. I find myself adding more names after realizing I’d forgotten family members or after my mother reviewed the list. A “B” list seemed to be the way to go right now, though I feel most should remain on the “A” list. I was reminded that everyone invited might not be available to attend. This somewhat put my mind at ease because I could maintain my desired number of guests.
Finding a venue wasn’t too challenging; I’ve always wanted an outdoor ceremony. I made a list of places with outdoor facilities and called or emailed for prices and availability. After narrowing down the list, I scheduled an appointment with one of my top choices. My sister accompanied me to assist with my decision-making. The location was perfect for an outdoor ceremony. I loved that the banquet room split for the cocktail hour and opened to a patio leading out to a garden area. After discussing price and amenities, we booked the date and agreed to bring Bobby and our mothers back to seal the deal.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Introduction & Engagement
I want to start by thanking the ladies at ForBlackWeddings.com for the opportunity to share my wedding planning experience and my special day.
Finally, after many disappointments, failed relationships, always being the bridesmaid and never the bride, my time has come – I’m getting married!!!
The Engagement
After years of separation, Bobby and I were reunited at our class reunion. The reunion sparked my interest because it was the first anyone was able to pull off since graduation, and I was interested in catching up with old classmates. According to Bobby, he had a different agenda. He claims I was his incentive for attending. At the reunion, Bobby approached me inquiring about how I was doing and why I wasn’t married. Of course, me being me, I threw the marriage question back at him. We talked a couple times throughout the night and he asked for my number. I gave it to him not anticipating that he would call.
When Bobby called, I was hesitant to call him back; however, I gave in after he’d left a couple of messages. After an enjoyable phone conversation, he suggested that we get together. The following weekend, we went to dinner and a movie. We had a great time! He walked me to my car and said we needed to do it again. From that night, we talked at least two to three times a day. We had a lot in common, including the fact that he and my sister/best friend shared the same birthday. That commonality explained why we clicked. Although I knew something was there, I tried to hold back. I questioned my every move until I decided to let go and let God (lead me).
A few months into the relationship, we were already talking about “our future”. We even looked at rings on the cruise we took in July. Three weeks ago (13 months later), he proposed with a beautiful ring. It wasn’t romantic, but definitely unique and thoughtful. I’d been having “just one of those days, that a girl goes through” and he came over to take me to dinner. He noticed my bad mood and questioned if I still wanted to go out. I needed to get out the house and at that point; I just wanted a drink. So, I searched for my keys and finally found them in the bottom of my purse. As I walked toward the door, I looked down and saw something hanging from my key chain. Bobby was ahead of me so I called out to him asking what it was and if it was a toy. I later realized it was the bottom of my ring’s band. Of course, he played dumb but then I saw the “bling” from the diamond. Awestruck, I looked at him and told him to come to me. I stood frozen with my hands shaking. He walked over, asked if I wanted him to put it on, got on his knee, asked me to marry him, and then put the ring on my finger. Bobby said he considered proposing on Sunday; but, after seeing the bad mood I was in, he knew the time was NOW.
After I said that the ring looked like the one we saw on the cruise, he confessed that it was and he’d purchased it at the last island we visited. He’d secretly bought it, along with his and her watches, while I was off browsing in another section of the store. He wanted to make sure the ring would be one I’d like. That was another display of his thoughtfulness, always thinking of me. That’s the man I am in love with and am planning to marry. Talk with you soon, Pam.
The Engagement
After years of separation, Bobby and I were reunited at our class reunion. The reunion sparked my interest because it was the first anyone was able to pull off since graduation, and I was interested in catching up with old classmates. According to Bobby, he had a different agenda. He claims I was his incentive for attending. At the reunion, Bobby approached me inquiring about how I was doing and why I wasn’t married. Of course, me being me, I threw the marriage question back at him. We talked a couple times throughout the night and he asked for my number. I gave it to him not anticipating that he would call.
When Bobby called, I was hesitant to call him back; however, I gave in after he’d left a couple of messages. After an enjoyable phone conversation, he suggested that we get together. The following weekend, we went to dinner and a movie. We had a great time! He walked me to my car and said we needed to do it again. From that night, we talked at least two to three times a day. We had a lot in common, including the fact that he and my sister/best friend shared the same birthday. That commonality explained why we clicked. Although I knew something was there, I tried to hold back. I questioned my every move until I decided to let go and let God (lead me).
A few months into the relationship, we were already talking about “our future”. We even looked at rings on the cruise we took in July. Three weeks ago (13 months later), he proposed with a beautiful ring. It wasn’t romantic, but definitely unique and thoughtful. I’d been having “just one of those days, that a girl goes through” and he came over to take me to dinner. He noticed my bad mood and questioned if I still wanted to go out. I needed to get out the house and at that point; I just wanted a drink. So, I searched for my keys and finally found them in the bottom of my purse. As I walked toward the door, I looked down and saw something hanging from my key chain. Bobby was ahead of me so I called out to him asking what it was and if it was a toy. I later realized it was the bottom of my ring’s band. Of course, he played dumb but then I saw the “bling” from the diamond. Awestruck, I looked at him and told him to come to me. I stood frozen with my hands shaking. He walked over, asked if I wanted him to put it on, got on his knee, asked me to marry him, and then put the ring on my finger. Bobby said he considered proposing on Sunday; but, after seeing the bad mood I was in, he knew the time was NOW.
After I said that the ring looked like the one we saw on the cruise, he confessed that it was and he’d purchased it at the last island we visited. He’d secretly bought it, along with his and her watches, while I was off browsing in another section of the store. He wanted to make sure the ring would be one I’d like. That was another display of his thoughtfulness, always thinking of me. That’s the man I am in love with and am planning to marry. Talk with you soon, Pam.
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