tangible literals

Ellen here:)

For this entry, I decided to make more of an up-to-date post explaining where Andrew and I are in this crazy process of not only planning a beautiful wedding, but also where we are in the process of preparing to share the rest of our lives together! pretty big stuff. I'm not sure if one post can handle it!

Lets start with the the tangible.

There were two things about the wedding Andrew and I knew we had to figure out first; that was when it would be and where it would take place. 

The question of when depended on many factors: my college schedule/graduation, family convenience, financial practicality... lets just say there were lots of logistics buzzing around each of our heads. it was like trying to do a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle with a blind fold on- just feeling around, desperately trying to find a corner piece to build off from. It was quite the challenge. We would pick a date that seemed to be perfect and fit all the necessities. I'd obsess about it and put it in emails, and invitation and save the date designs (yes, we're going to try and make our own invitations. more posts to come on that, I'm sure!). Then, sure enough, we'd discover some obvious reason why the date couldn't possibly work (usually by the next day). This went on for what seemed to be forever. But looking back, it probably only took about week or two to figure out- haha

The question of where was a little bit trickier to consider, because with where comes how. Keep in mind- where and when were being decided simultaneously. (stressed spelled backwards spells desserts- can I get a witness?! lol)

Now, we were trying to be smart about the location decision. We were focusing on thinking economically not only for ourselves but for our families and friends as well. Most of our intended guests live out of state. So once again, many ideas were swirling up in the air. 

blindfolds on, puzzle thrown on the floor- go find it, then put it together. that's what i was thinking.

Should we have the wedding here in Florida? Andrew's hometown up north? Further up north in between Andrew's family and mine? That was the first hurdle to overcome when considering where the wedding will be. We didn't want to offend our loved ones or to make our wedding inconvenient or troublesome to get to, but all along, it only made sense to be be married where our adult lives took root. Where God allowed Andy and I to meet, grow as friends, fall in and promise to love... Our wedding will be a reflection us and of the new life we will create together. Florida here we stay!

Once that was decided (phew!) the real where was needed to be found and quickly found too! I was amazed at how far in advance people book wedding locations now- amazed and then frightened beyond all belief! haha- okay, i'm being dramatic. but seriously... there were tears of "AAAAAHHH!!" happening quite frequently around this early stage in our planning.

We looked at churches, chapels, a barn, a historical plantation, neighborhood community centers, beaches, beach houses, hotels, state parks, (all on Saturdays, by the way, due to work and school schedules- which made for some awkward wedding crashing situations haha) and a really big tree before we finally found just the right spot for our ceremony, and then reception too! 

God certainly provided as well as showed me how silly my fears had been... He's got it all figured out and as long as Andrew and I trust in Him, our wedding and marriage will be just wonderful. We just have to work on the trusting part :)

so those were the first two big tangible literals! more to come soon! AH!!