Actually Planning and Past the Pessimism

It's been a rough summer, so I neglected my blog. I actually forgot that it existed, which is pretty status quo for me to do, but nothing has happened on the wedding planning front until recently. Everything came crashing down recently when Toby, my dog, became very ill and we found out that he had lymphoma. We had to put him to sleep about two weeks ago. It's been very hard to think about a wedding because I had always pictured him as part of it and also as a part of my future home with Shawn. The time that I had planned to use on my summer break for wedding planning was spent taking care of him in his last couple of weeks and then trying to pull myself back together.

We're still working on what we each want and a way to compromise that. We're trying to figure out what our living situation will be and whether to rent or buy a house or to rent my house now from my parents if they move out before March. Everything is very up in the air. Shawn does not want a lot of people (any people if he can help it) at the ceremony. I have too many people that would be hurt if they were not at the ceremony. Our best way to compromise this is to have a very private ceremony with only the most essential people. Then, the reception can be a little more open and free. I would like it to feel less like a reception and more like a fun family reunion, at least fun in the way that I used to remember family reunions with lawn games and music and dancing.

Today, I actually made some progress.

1. I emailed a minister about her availability. It's someone that I've met before and I like her viewpoints on life and love.
2. I showed my mom my Pinterest page. This is a big step for me. She seemed excited.
3. I found someone giving free wine bottles away on Craigslist. I contacted this person, but haven't heard back yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but if it doesn't work out, please save your wine bottles for me if you drink heavily. Or really any pretty/interesting bottle.
4. I found a dress that I like at Macy's. It's actually one that I liked before, but that disappeared from their website for a few months. It's available again and $99.

I feel like my hostility towards the wedding industry is gone now. I still despise it and plan to do everything in my power to keep from falling into that trap.