It's been a long, long time since I posted, so this is going to be really long, just as an up-front warning. I'll break it down in manageable chunks.

1 -- I tend to binge-plan for the wedding. I'll go weeks without doing anything, then get a whole lotta stuff done, then nothing. Is this normal? I guess if everything gets done in an adequate time frame, then it doesnt really matter. It is getting harder, since the weather is nice now, to not hang out inside and do wedding stuff instead.

2 -- Things I have not made any progress on, that I need to: attire (for everybody), guest list, florist. I need to resume communications with the DJ, which I plan on doing today. I also need to lose 9 more lbs, to get to my -15. I was doing well, but fell off the wagon in the last month or so. Work has been insane, with super-long hours, and I havent been exercising at all, really. So, I just need to get myself exercising and eating out less, and I should be good!

Things that have been done: Booked photographers (well, I still need to mail them a check, but I will do that Monday), I am soooo soo excited about working with them. We met with them a few weeks ago, and they are really awesome people, who know what they are doing. We are also done saving for the wedding, which is a huuuuge milestone. If you include the money that has already been spent, we have 30% over our budget already. So, there is a good chance that we have our honeymoon also paid for, or at least a good part of it. Now, it's my job to spend the money.

I bought a bridal undergarment. I wanted to have it for trying on dresses, so A - I dont have to touch the dreaded community bra that some places make you wear, because thats nasty, and B - I can see what dresses will look like with a support garment, in the best possible shape that i can squeeze myself in to. This thing is a beast. its not too uncomfy, once you have it on, but getting it on, holy hell.

I have set up an online registry, with the idea that we can both gradually add things to it, and not have it be a major task a few months from now. So far, its mostly low-priced kitchen things. Putting together a registry is actually kinda difficult, esp since we have a lot of things from matts parents still in the house, and i have been living on my own for 6ish years, so I pretty much have everything we need for the household. New towels, sheets, etc are always good though.

I also got my bridesmaids their gifts, a 3-day pass to Lollapalooza. I am unbelievably excited for this. I'll also get some small memento closer to the wedding, but at least I dont have to worry about what to get them for all of their time and hard work.

3 -- MORE DRAMA -- the person who we wanted as our officiant politely declined. I am pretty bummed about this, he would have done a fantastic job. I dont know what his reasons were... I have some ideas, but I'm not sure. Matt has offered to take on the responsibility of getting a new one, so I'll let him do that. In the meantime, I have drunkenly asked at least 2 friends to do it for us, hahaha. I was doing a basic internet search, and they are wicked expensive!! I suggested to my teacher friend that he do this for supplemental income,,, seriously, if you are good at it, there is a market out there. I was perusing Yelp, and a lot of the reviews said that the ceremony "had just enough religion to make the grandparents happy" - I'm glad I'm not the only one in that boat! I seriously don't have a clue as to what our ceremony is going to consist of. Sing-along? Raffle? Complete solemnity?

4 -- I need to get a new ring. I wear my engagement ring on my right hand, because it doesnt fit properly on my left (i sized it at a bad time, and the company that makes it doesnt do half-sizes). Other than raising a few questions, this hasnt caused any problems... until last week. I had a vendor visit, and he had a rather strong handshake, which really, really hurt - my pinky and middle finger both were bruised from the ring being pressed into it! Anyway. So, I am going to buy a new ring, and make sure it fits properly, and after being married, wear it on the traditional finger. I need to decide whether to get the same ring I have now, something similar, or completely different.

5 -- Royal wedding thoughts: Briefly, because everything that can be said about it has already been said, multiple times -- beautiful. They make such an adorable couple, and seem genuinely in love. I loved the trees in the church, and the dress. I did not like her bouquet, at all. Lily-of-the-valley is one of my favorite flowers, but a whole bouquet of them looked scraggly, esp from far away. it was pretty up close, though.

I think thats it, for now. Today, I want to try making a couple of tissue flowers, book a haircut appt at a salon near Carol Stream, with the intention of finding someone for hair/makeup for the wedding, re-email the DJ, and organize everything, and put together a payment schedule for venue, so I dont forget to pay them on time.