Wait, We Have To Plan A Wedding?
"Do you have a date yet?" is pretty much the equivalent of "When are you getting engaged?" once you're finally engaged and 99% of the time elicits the internal response: "LET. ME. LIVE!"
Everyday Pursuits Andy and Ashley - Paris Shoot
After we got engaged (see the story here) we were lucky enough to have a little engagement moon to shield us from all the wedding related questions but when we got back to the states - dear god - from EVERY angle. At one point Andy said "Wait, we have to plan a wedding? I already told you I want to spend my life with you... let's just create that life!" That's my V logical fiance right there!
So here we are 1.5 months in and no, we don't have a date.
A potential venue? Possibly.
Sticker shock? Omg, yes.
Wavering feelings about spending tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding vs. saving for a house? Absolutely.
I don't care who you are or how much money you may have saved in the bank/what your parents plan to pay for, any average person would find it pretty hard to swallow the cost of a wedding in the states. It's mind boggling when you realize what that money could go towards outside of a fabulous weekend celebrating love with your family and friends. But as I said to Andy the other day "not having a wedding is not an option..."
So yes, we have to plan a wedding!
oval engagement ring with pave diamonds - Everyday Pursuits Engaged
At this current moment I am feeling excited about it although that feeling changes often. I know a lot of you have recently gotten engaged or will be going on this journey soon, so I'm hoping we can have a super open and honest conversation about the process. Yes, it's a magical time but it's not all love and butterflies and I cannot stand reading articles and blog posts where people sugar coat the sh*t out of all things weddings. You with me?
Here are few sites I've been using lately for research and planning:
The Venue Report - they make it really easy to search venues and provide pertinent details on all of them AND do it with a beautiful aesthetic that makes me excited to browse!
The Knot - the planning tools are great, however, they send you SO many emails that I'm just not ready for. Hoping they will be relevant soon. I've also researched some other planning apps but haven't had a chance to dive into them yet - one I do I'll share!
Pinterest - I've had my "I Do" board for YEARS; it's hilarious to look back at things I thought I wanted for my wedding. Pinterest is a great way to find inspiration for all things wedding. I'm thinking of possibly breaking out my board into more specifics now that we're really diving into the process. Would you guys want to see those/ how I plan?
Until next Wednesday (obvi, jumping on the Wedding Wednesday train) - xo, Ash
The daunting task of planning a wedding! Wedding real talk: Everyday Pursuits
images via Katie Donnelly Photography | shot in Paris