So it is all official.

So sorry for the hiatus.  A ton has happened since the last time I blogged. Yes, we did get engaged. On 11-11 actually. I knew it was going to happen because she was very concerned about how long I was going to be at the supermarket. When I drove up the apartment was dark and flickering with candles and music was playing.  I thought I would torture her a bit and make her carry in groceries.  She finally had to say "Stop!" and sit me down and she proposed.  I turned right around and got her ring (that she had picked up that day) and proposed back.  It was sweet and at home, just like I always wanted.  No big production, just wonderful and between us.
So, after the engagement we had Thanksgiving, Christmas in Florida with her mother (remind me to tell you the stories about that one), and moving to worry about.  On top of all of that I began a new job and so did she.  So the past 6 months have been super-crazy. Also, in the past two months, two of my best friends from seminary (we'll get into that later and how that impacts the wedding) got engaged.  One is getting married in August and the other September...both of this year.  I am in both of the weddings so the phone calls of "I'm trying not to being a bridezilla, but....tell me if this person is right or not" or "So-and-So is being selfish right?  This is my day! Right?"  And of course, we are always in the midst of a shower or bachelorette party email or two. They are both straight, but not narrow, weddings that I am happy to be a part of.  Unfortunately they are both 1000 miles away from me, so that is the downer.  I can't just pop over and give them a needed hug or go with them to a fitting.
Since they were both engaged, and lest us just say that... it went viral on a social network, I was feeling a bit of pressure to do the same.  So, we made it such yesterday.  Posted pics of the rings and everything online. This is the moment you have waited for as well.

I am happy, even now 6  months later (which I, guess is a good thing cause they are gonna have to last forever) with our purchase.  They go together, but aren't matchy-matchy. I'm proud to show folks our choice.
So now that we have decided on some of the bigger stuff, hopefully I can keep this updated with our thoughts and reactions to this planning process.

Alright Here We Go....

So, I thought starting a blog would be good to keep all of my thoughts down.  There are so many when planning a wedding.  Mostly you just make one decision after the next and, hopefully, it all goes together.  I guess the main reason for jotting down what decisions I need to make is for the benefit of others.  My mom lives far away, as do many of my friends.  There are just so many websites to keep track of, photos I love, inspirations, and just random things I have no clue what to do with, let alone how to share with others.  Getting them all in a blog just seems logical, I guess.

So, there are a ton of decisions we still need to make. What we have so far is:
1) We want either a fall or spring 2012 wedding
2) It will be an outdoor service and reception
3) We will not serve dinner
4) We know what we each want to wear for the big day
5) The rehearsal and wedding will be on the same day because the plan is to not get married until 7pm
6) We want to keep it under $10,000, and better if under $7,000 for the whole she-bang
7) The guest list, wedding party, officiants

The biggest decision is what we have left to make: WHERE TO HAVE IT?!?!

Julie is from Boston. Me...all over. NW Indiana, Bloomington, IN, Louisville, KY, Massachusetts...the options are overwhelming.  I guess more on that later.

I guess that gives us a pretty good start.  So much more to come!