Baby steps

On June 23, 2012, I was shocked when Paul got down on one knee and asked me to marry him while we were eating dinner at the Chart House in Boston. I found this picture on Yelp.com and chuckled, because we were sitting at the second table behind the brick "wall" when Paul proposed. He was so concerned about  wanting me to be able to watch the sun set on the water. I realized the sun would be in my eyes if I sat in the chair and sat on the bench then quickly invited him to share the bench with me. The rain, intoxicated adults and an energetic child couldn't stop him. That kid planned the proposal for three months and had to keep it a secret. 

Now I have the fun task of planning a wedding. Only it is not a secret. No. That would make it nicer. Everyone and their dogs want to know how it's going and of course when and where we will be getting married. Great questions. Wish I had great answers. So, when Karen suggested we go to the Gainesville Bridal Show, I was all for it. 

After being anything but impressed with the Gwinnett Bridal Show, my crew (Mom, Karen and Sarah) trekked up to Gains-Vegas and were amazed to find the cost of the show to be 1/5 of the Gwinnett cost. Just $3 at the door- Yes please! After eating our way through the various venders, visiting all the booths, I wish I could scream from the rooftops that I now have a venue and a date. Instead, I can say Gainesville has some great places to eat! Yum. The vendors were super nice and made me feel special, but I just don't feel like I want to give any of them a ton of money for the privilege of getting married on their property. At this rate, we will get married at the justice of peace.

Any who. We decided to take a field trip to the Small (Gainesville's mall) to try on the dress I thought would be a cute bridesmaid dress. We hit gold! Not with the dress I originally thought, but with THE best dress ever! It is a boysenberry Ralph Lauren dress that was marked down 30%! The Small had Sarah's size and (after trying on a different pattern to confirm Karen's size) we were given a list of stores that had it. Which led Paul and I on an expedition to find Karen's size, and presto! We have dresses!!! 

While we continue to work on a venue and date, we have knocked some items off the to-do list. So far we have figured out our wedding party members, purchased my dress, purchased all the rings, purchased bridesmaid dresses, found the groomsmen ties, we have a wonderful wedding photographer and I've started our wedding website. Oh progress, how I love thee. Paul thought it a little odd when I announced we've taken care of the hardest tasks but failed at the easy ones. Seriously, trying to find a dress that both of my sisters can and will wear... scary thought. Venues, we can get married anywhere. Dates, any date'll do, kangaroo. Food, we'll eat it. Stay tuned...