A Good Distraction

Here is a swell movie to see with your engaged friends (I currently have one, and thank God for that): Bride Wars. Obviously it is a huge chick flick, and obviously it is geared toward those of us in “bridal mode,” but it sure is a fun movie. I’m biased of course, because everything in the movie made sense to me (the perfect dress? The color of that white is wrong!) in my current state. I still think you might like it. Kate Hudson is so cute.

The only thing I didn’t like is that some things I thought were ridiculous in the movie were actually things I am doing in my real life. I snorted some popcorn out about something stupid the brides-to-be were worried about…and later was able to apply it exactly to something I was spending so much time on myself. Reality check! This is not a competition, and while I am the most competitive person I know, the point is to have a raging party. Well, that’s the secondary goal. I guess the first one is to get hitched, but you know what I mean. Your raging party doesn’t have to be “better” than anyone else’s, it just has to be awesome. Mine will be the awesomest though.

Nap Time

Waking up at 5am is not my strong suit. So let’s say I’m not exactly a ball of fun this week. What, you didn’t know I work? Well, I coach a team, and the only time we can get in the gym is 6-8am. While I feel fantastic around 8:30 when the most important part of my work day is over, I can’t really make it past 11:15 without a nap. By 3pm, forget it. Napping in my office, even though it’s very laid back in the athletic department, is a no-no. What to do? Complain. And go for lots of walks outside, which may or may not be to Dunkin’ Donuts.

If you think any planning is getting done these few weeks you’ll have to check back later. Bridezilla is hibernating until the snow thaws and we can get out on the field.

Only the Best

As I have mentioned, we are getting married in the local church. This community church is an old meeting house—and it looks the part. It has two aisles (which one do I walk down?), some pale green shag carpeting (yes, carpeting), a small raised stage in the front with three throney-looking things (which will promptly be hidden), and it will only fit our guest list if several (or more) people on the guest list can’t attend. So we’ll see how that turns out.

The best part, however, is the Reverend overseeing this church and thusly our marriage. He’s on YouTube for forgetting the rings, among other amazing antics. Someone saw him and made a reference to the Princess Bride (“mawwiage!”). He is cute and old and just so happy. I love him. He will be fabulous and entertaining and if I have to get married in a church then this is how I want to go.

Let's Make it Official

In order to get married, as you probably know, you need an “official” person to seal the deal. That’s why you’re not married to Tommy, your snack buddy in kindergarten who had that three-legged dog you loved so much, even though he asked you to marry him and you said yes (because of the dog, and his Nerf collection).

This “official” person could be a random person ordained over the internet with a crazy title they chose themselves, aka Master of the Universe, or it could be a church-related person given power by the state and said church to wed people in holy matrimony while wearing robes and so on. Because I am not much of a churchy person, I couldn’t care less really about who marries me or where. However, good ol’ Fiancé has some religion in his blood and wanted to hit up the church to make it “legit.”

We shall see what this turns in to.

Play Time

Nothing like a vacation to renew the spirit! Maybe that’s why I’m obsessed with planning our honeymoon. This vacation of a lifetime is going to be my shining moment, and as you know, my organizing it and being in charge and being the boss of it only makes me love it more. We can’t even go for almost a year, so maybe I’m a little early here, but hey, that’s what I spend my procrastination time on and that’s my choice.
My whole life savings is what it’s going to cost? Hell, I’ll only have one honeymoon (knock on wood)! I can make more money (maybe if the economy turns around)! I need 17 shots to enter that country? I’ll make more skin. What language do they speak? The crazier it sounds, the better I like it. And remember, I’m the bride. I do what I want.

Everyone's Favorite Topic (not)

Because we have a couple engaged friends who are also skiing with us for the week, and because, well, we’re engaged, there has been some wedding talk. I guess I couldn’t avoid it.

People, especially unmarried and unengaged people, seem very interested in the whole wedding process. I don’t mean they’re psyched about talking invitations or anything, I mean they seem fascinated that anyone would deign to make such a huge decision and are somewhat baffled by the process. Of course everyone loves a good party—and they’re pumped to be invited—but do they really want to hear about your crazy pastor or mother-in-law-to-be’s annoying habits? No. Absolutely not. And I’ve been on that side so I know it’s true and I know they don’t want to hear it, so you don’t have to pretend.

There is a fine line between answering questions in a somewhat vague and non-gloating, non-judging (as in “you’ve been dating your girlfriend twice as long as we were dating but you’re not engaged, what’s up with that?”) kind of way and overloading your poor friends with ridiculous concerns. Not that they’re ridiculous to someone planning a wedding, but let’s just say there have been some awkward moments. And I’m real good at awkward.