Things nobody tells you about wedding planning (or, things that I haven't heard, anyhow)

I understand that every wedding is different, and thus go through different processes, so not everyone will have these experiences.  But, for me and my wedding planning, here are the things (so far) that have taken me by surprise, that I wish I would have been a little better prepared-for.  Also, for the most part, all of the "I"s are assuming that the bride does all of this (for ease of writing) -- the groom also has a big part too.

1 -- You will need to make a staggering amount of decisions. Small decisions, big decisions.  More small than big, but man, do they add up.  Even fairly meaningless ones like "Which salad dressings?  What kind of chairs do I want at the ceremony?  How about the reception?"   add up, and become exhausting.  Setting up a registry, picking out music, picking out vendors, location, colors, theme, shoes,  food, bridal party members, their wardrobe, etc.  Wedding planning is nothing but a string of making decisions, and it gets tiring.   Maybe I have a lack of endurance from being naturally ambivalent, and having a career that is essentially making a lot of small decisions.  Either way, that is one thing I am looking forward to having done.

2 -- Everyone has opinions about weddings, and you hear a lot of them, especially with a long engagement.

3 -- There is an endless to-do list.  I exacerbate it by coming up with little projects for myself here and there, but even then -- there is always something that needs to get taken care of.  Hopefully I can get it all done by Jan 14.  But, if I don't, then I don't, and we get married anyhow.

4 -- The outpouring of generosity that comes your way is overwhelming.  I get very emotional when I think about everyone that is going out of their way to do all of these things, for me and matt.  it's incredible, and humbling, and pretty much the greatest feeling in the world.  I was not prepared for this at all.

5 -- Wedding shit (DIY things, paperwork, gifts) will take over your house.  I've bought a number of plastic totes to try to keep things together, and they are filling up all of my livingroom space, and now migrating to the basement.  its temporary, but still -- it's a lot of clutter.