Save the Dates?

The next thing on my to-do list is save-the-dates...yaaay... or not.  Actually I am pretty excited about picking out pictures and figuring out how to put 'em together on a postcard like this: 

I really like the collage idea. It's fun and interesting to look at and provides room to be creative and original, without being super expensive or tacky.  However, this layout provides a little romance and simple elegance:

It's modern and classy, which I'm hoping will fit right in with the rest of the wedding.  However, choice #1 gets points for allowing the fun side of Chris and I to come out. We can't be serious and romantic all the time! Thoughts? Votes? Input?

Google Docs

My brilliant friend Kristina recommended Google Docs for all the lists (namely the guest list) of things I need to keep track of.  Even though I'm only a couple days into planning, I can already tell that Docs is going to be a lifesaver. It's so handy because Chris and I both have gmail accounts, which means we can share and edit our guest list (which is set up as an excel sheet), and as I'm writing this I just had the genius idea to put a music list together too! Docs is making it remarkably easy to organize the most confusing and complicated parts of our wedding, and I am forever grateful to Kristina and to Google for their help!

Flower Plans

I'm so excited about picking out flowers! I love flowers. I think hydrangeas, peonies and cabbage or tea roses are on the list for bouquet options.   I'm not crazy about frills and furbelows on the pews and doors, but flowers are a must.  Real flowers are preferred. 

Pink flowers will be perfect.  Since the bridal party is going to be in black, and I'm in white, a splash of pink will complete my wedding trousseau's look. 

I'm still debating about table decor.  I would love for flowers to be the centerpiece of every table in the banquet hall, but realistically speaking, that's probably not going to work.  Although, I've been told that depending on the price of the flower, it could be doable.  Simple, elegant, beautiful and timeless are my goals when it comes to decoration. If that can be achieved then I shall rest a happy woman.

Checklist

Groom- check

Wedding dress- check

Bridesmaids picked- check

Bridesmaids' dresses- check

Colors- check

Decoration ideas- check

Flower ideas- check

Wedding date- TBA

You would think the wedding date would be the first thing to fall into place, wouldn't you? Ha! Well, this weekend has been a merry-go-round of drama as we attempt to find a day this summer that will provide a photographer, a reception venue, a pastor, and the whole family all at the same time.  Oy vey.  I JUST WANT TO GET MARRIED!!!! And that's the point right? And if the point is to "just get married" then why all the stress? Why the big to-do? Why bother with a $500 dress, plane tickets, invitations and flowers?  

As I began to realize the frivolousness of it all, I suddenly had an epiphany of ridiculousness.  If I have to have a wedding and can't have it on the ideal Saturday, what about a Monday?!?!? It's perfect! None of the venues will be taken (which might be more cost-effective), and travel for the guests will be cheaper (and it's not like it would make that much difference taking work off on Monday and Tuesday rather than Thursday and Friday) right? Fail.  So then I suggested elopement--an idea which almost didn't fail...until my mother found out. After that there was the argument about having the wedding in PA instead of MN.  No good.  Now, after a weekend of stress and tears I'm still dateless, but things are looking up.  One last desperate option would be a Friday in July.  Goodness gracious, this life of wedding planning isn't going to last very long if this keeps up!

Becoming a Bopp

Kate Middleton may be marrying into the royal family, but I think any girl who is preparing to join the ranks of her fiance's family can relate to Kate's inevitable pre-wedding jitters about living up to family standards and making a good impression on friends and relatives.

For any newly engaged lady there is always an added pressure to attend social engagements outside of family gatherings, and obligations to please a whole second set of friends and relations.  Expectations continue to rise as I prepare to be the wife of the heir to the Bopp name and eventually mother to the Bopp legacy.  I'm sure any newly engaged/married gentleman could say the same thing.  Standing strong amidst a father-in-law's criteria and girl's best friend's criticism can be a frightening challenge!

Despite the typical in-law worries, I've discovered how blessed I am to be marrying into a family with whom I get along splendidly, who uphold the same ideals and value as I, and who will stick close no matter what. I was lucky enough to be introduced to nearly the entire Bopp clan within weeks of the commencement of mine and Chris' relationship, and I have easily grown to love each member of his family.  My future in-laws have been nothing but supportive and welcoming and I have no complaints. 

Balance

Last night I realized that I'm prone to self-absorption. Since I've been engaged, the only thing I've thought about is me and my wedding-- I have the makings for the perfect bridezilla here. My poor friends (including my fiance) can't get a word in edgewise when I open my mouth; my thoughts are so consumed with colors and flowers and the registry that I can't concentrate on work; and last night I had a dream about navigating through theknot.com website. It's time for an intervention and some serious balance!

So, I've decided that Thursday's and Sunday's will be wedding-free days until crunch time. That means no blogging, no looking at wedding websites, no talking about wedding plans unless asked, and as much as I can, no thinking about wedding preparations on these designated days. Hopefully this will help me enjoy the process, get some rest, and make me a more pleasant being to co-exist with. :)

So it begins...

Well, wedding craziness has begun! Now that I have a ring I can officially begin planning. Before I was engaged, decision-making was a far-off concept that would never actually become reality. Now thinking about putting this wedding together makes me want to throw in the towel and ELOPE! And I've only been engaged for 6 days!

OK, ok...I think it's important to remember that this doesn't have to be as stressful as some people feel like they need to make it. I decided as I was unloading the dishwasher a few minutes ago that I'm not gunna worry about the latest trends, or the newest ideas. I'll get too overwhelmed, plus, I'm not interested in stressing out over making my wedding into something that someone (who doesn't even know I exist) else wants it to be. Besides, who wants to do what everybody else is doing?

PS~ I've noticed that blogging has become a very popular part of wedding planning, so if you never see another post from me again it's because I've decided to forgo yet another element of the pop-culture wedding. However, should I continue on this semi-journalistic exploit my dear readers (should I be so fortunate to have any) will get to see my attempt at an original, drama free, fad free wedding. Enjoy!