My entry titles sort of stink...but whatev. It's all about the content.
Since we have already gotten most of the big stuff out of the way as far as planning, I'm going to go backwards and sort of talk about the selection process in general. To be honest, I was overwhelmed at times. There were some bumps in the road, but overall, it works out. I'm happy with my choices and looking back, the process wasn't that bad.
The reception site was the first decision we made. I collected information from at least a dozen venues. Most I was able to veto from the start based on price or online pictures. We had a few criteria in mind, but we weren't dead set on party center, country club, hotel or any other option, so I was willing to look at almost anything.
We only visited about 4 sites and were sold as soon as we toured through our first pick. It was the prefect mix of elegance and package price. I felt very comfortable with our wedding consultant and really felt like we were getting exactly what we wanted. Plus, it was a hotel which meant we didn't need to book a shuttle service for our guests. Overall, it was an easy decision.
The church was a little more complicated. I'd love to say that we are avid church goers and I was certain I wanted to get married at the church I was baptized in or my parents got married in or some other completely sentimental reason, but that would be a lie.
To be quite frank, I haven't had the greatest experiences with church and I was SHOCKED at how much they want to charge people that are "non-members" to use their facilities. To sum it up in a word, church selection was very shocking.
I found myself shocked that I was struggling to find a church that would accept us. Many wouldn't work with us because we were already living together. Others insisted we become the same religion before they would meet with us. I was surprised at how many collected my information so they could send me out a pamphlet and it simply never arrived. I concluded those churches already had enough parishioners and weren't accepting new members.
None the less, we finally found one that would take us! It was a fair price and the pastor is fantastic. He seems to care that our day is the most special it can possibly be. They are welcoming and I feel like I'm contributing my money back to the community not just to reserve a spot. Once we found it, we knew...decision made.
The photographer was challenging...simply because my father is an photographer. He cared about the camera type and was format the files would be in when we received them. I asked so many questions that to me were in a different language! He cares about the pictures! And really, so did we. It's the one thing you have to hold on to forever, and it's important it comes out.
I called several but only met with a few. Some were good...some weren't...others were UNBELIEVABLY priced. I think we found someone in the middle and we are happy with our selection. She was patient and excited for us. She genuinely loves what she does and it shows in her work. We are very much looking forward to scrolling through the hundreds of pictures we will get once the wedding has passed.
The moral of the story here is that there is no need to stress about it. I laid awake and night and put off school work to research vendors. I cried fearing we were NEVER going to find a place to hold our ceremony. I asked the same questions to my friends and family millions of times over for reassurance.
The truth is though, you will find the right people...and when you do, you just know. So for any brides freaking out right now, keep this in mind. There is the perfect vendor for you out there! You will find them and you will be thrilled with your choice.
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