Stuck at Home

Been stuck on the couch all weekend trying to get better, so figured I might as well update a bit.

We got engaged with about 12 1/2 weeks until the wedding. That first week we did... almost nothing towards actually planning anything. After all, there was reason to celebrate; forget the work part of it!

Beyond the time crunch, we've got the interesting challenge of planning on a major budget. This has been both a nightmare and cause for miracles.

At the 5-week mark, we've used about half the budget and still having fun putting everything together, so what follows are the details thus far:

Ceremony: at the LDS temple. Cost: free.
Marriage License: $50, plus shipping across the country.
Reception: We got really lucky and are doing the reception on a weeknight, so the cost of the rental was cut into a third. Cost: $400 for all day, PLUS linens, tables, stands, hurricane globes, kitchen, bathrooms, parking, etc.
Food: I have a major super-saver mom who really knows how to find a deal. Cost: ~$300.
Invitations: We hunted through a LOT of options (including the DIY route) before finding some that would work. Cost: $269, plus another $110 in shipping.
Engagement pictures: we found am AMAZING photographer willing to do a free shoot, but cost to access pictures was still pricey, so have a friend taking them this weekend. Cost: free.
Cake: there's an incredible lady from my church at home that is willing to trade services, so our gorgeous three-layer cake will be exchanged for piano lessons. Free (monetarily at least).
Reception photography: another miracle. A licensed photographer friend/old teacher is willing to do a little charity work that evening, so (at least for the time being), free.
Hotel rooms the night before: Hello, Priceline! $65-70 a night.
Accessories for all the bridesmaids and moms: a lovely deal I got while traveling abroad: $24.

Total cost so far: $1223.

Still hunting for:
-decorations
-transportation
-shoes
-flowers
-ceremony photography
-dress
-tux and ties (for all the guys)
-music
-his ring
-family dinner
-honeymoon
-dress extras
-religious necessities
-beauty/physical routine

8 Weeks to Go!

Ok, all,

I had the idea to create this to document the wedding planning process, and then to document the beginning of the rest of eternity with the man of my dreams.

Short bio: N and I met in September of 2008 in the LDS BYU Singles Ward from our apartment complex and started dating that November after an epic "not date" that resulted from the BYU-UofU football nightmare. We shared our first kiss that January, and spent the next 18 months getting to know each other, going on grand adventures, learning through ups and downs, and having fun.

About him: he's the oldest of two kids, served an LDS mission to Finland, and majoring in the social sciences at BYU.

About her: she's the second of four kids, has an older sister that's married, and majoring in life sciences at BYU.

He liked [her] so...

September 20th he paid for the ring. I was POSITIVE something was up, so barraged him with questions all evening, but to no avail. September 21st he picked up the ring. September 23rd he met me at Institute and said my roommate had something. When I got home she had a letter from him: picture antiqued pages, scripted/calligraphied writing, poetry, and a mystery all rolled into one. The letter was the beginning of a scavenger hunt that, over the next 24 hours, sent me to school and home, family and friends, before leading me to... my apartment again. I was to await his arrival. A few hours later there was a 'ping' at the balcony window. He was there, throwing Hershey kisses at my window! I went out on the balcony, and we talked for a minute, before he told me to grab my shoes.

I met him outside and he handed me a small jewelry box. "How much patience do you have?" "Umm... thiiis much," (picture two fingers more or less touching) I responded. He helped me into the car, and by the time he made it to his side, the box had made its way to the back of the glove compartment. We drove up to Rock Canyon Park in time to watch some parasailers and a gorgeous sunset. He brought apple cider and roses, and we sat on the rocks talking. Again, he pulled out the box. "Open it," he said. "No. You open it," I responded. We played with the box for a few minutes, but at the end of the sunset, he got down on one knee. Something along the lines of, "I've had the best two years of my life with you, and I want to share the rest of it with you, too. I've never been so happy," was followed with momentary silence, and a short "Please?" I gave him a huge hug, and reminded him I needed a question. A short smile, then, "Nanna, will you marry me?" "Yes!!!" We finished enjoying the sunset, scared a couple of nine-year-old girls, and had his sister take pictures before heading to Olive Garden to celebrate. From November 25, 2008 (our "not date") to September 24, 2010, we've had the best two years of our lives and can't wait for the rest!

The date: December 22, 2010.

Location: Washington, D.C.

And the real reason this whole story is interesting...

The budget: $2500