Here we go again

We thought we had our whole elopement thing figured out a couple months ago, but I guess we were wrong. We keep going back and fourth between wanting to elope or host a small wedding. To me, a small wedding consists of 50 people or less.The problem with having a small wedding is the guest list. Who do we invite? Family. Yes, that's what you would think, but to honest, we're much closer to our friends than our actual blood relatives. It's horrible we know, but tell me we're not alone here! Sometimes we connect with our friends on a such a personal level that they actually become our extended family. 

If we were to go that route, we were thinking to invite immediate family and best friends only, but i'm pretty sure a few people would be a little offended by that decision. We could always let them know what the situation is (budget, stress) but i'm not quite sure if they'd understand. Weddings can make or break relationships! We don't want to go through all that. I guess the most important thing to remember is that it's OUR wedding and we should be able do what feels right to us - like splurge on an awesome vacay instead!

So, where are we now? Elopement is still our number one choice, but we can't seem to shake that little tiny voice that keeps telling us to invite our loved ones. If money and stress wasn't an issue, we'd say no problem! Unfortunately, this isn't the case. There IS life after the wedding bells have rung. We have commitments and responsibilities that need to be taken care of. We also have to take care of ourselves and follow our hearts. Decisions, decisions! Welcome to adulthood!

The Consultation

I don't think we're ever getting married. Every time we agree on a location/venue, it isn't long before I start googling again. I'm always on the hunt for something 'better'. Never fails. What is wrong with me??? Is it because I only intend on getting married once in my lifetime and I want it to be perfect?!? Ugh, the pressure! Moving along...

Since we love to travel, it would be a no-brainer to hold our nuptials somewhere other than our hometown. We currently have four options in mind. Yup, four. Selecting a location should be the easy part; finding the people to help execute our day may be a little more challenging. So, how do you make your wedding  dreams come true? You can always take it upon yourself to do the work (which can totally be done), BUT if you find yourself extremely overwhelmed, I suggest inquiring about a wedding planner or a day-of coordinator. A wedding planner? Day-of coordinator? What for? We've got this under control! Yes, but sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. 

If you want your day to run smoothly (especially if you plan to wed in another city), you'll need some guidance. We recently had a phone consultation with a wedding planner from Wyoming.  It was our first time actually speaking to a wedding consultant. The phone conversation lasted about an hour. It was the most intense hour of my life! We were so unprepared! The questions they asked were very specific."What theme are you going for? Would you like a sunrise or sunset ceremony? Musicians? What kind? What will you do after the ceremony? Candlelight dinner? What type of cuisine do you like?" Hold the breaks! What have we gotten ourselves into?!?

This consultation scared the crap out of me. I didn't want to proceed any further. We decided to postpone our planning. After my mini freak out, I realized that the planner's intentions weren't to scare me away, but to figure out exactly what we wanted. A planner needs to know your vision or else they can't meet your expectations.

Before consulting with a wedding specialist, jot down your ideas and exchange them with your partner. This will give you a little more direction. We had no idea what to expect when we called. We just thought the consultant was going to paint a pretty picture for us and we would agree with everything she had to say. I mean, she's the expert here. We've never planned a wedding before so what would we know! 

A few weeks later, the wedding consultant sent us a follow-up email to see if we wanted to move forward. I informed her that we decided to push back our wedding since we were unsure of our destination. She told me she could send me a list of vendors for a small fee. A vendor list is an awesome way to see what vendors service a particular area. You can google search, call or email these professionals to see if they meet your needs. This also helps if you want to do your own planning and just need some additional information. Like I've said before, small weddings require some sort of planning. Don't be afraid to ask an expert for help if you really need it. Who knows, you might be surprised by what you learn. 

"You're what?!?"

Please note: The following post is just MY opinion for MY wedding day. I love all weddings!

Eloping. Yes, that's what we're doing. As to where or when, that's our little secret. It may be a little hard for friends and family to swallow at first, but once you explain your decision, they'll eventually come around. Hopefully. So, why elope? Well, according to The Knot's 2014 Real Wedding Survey, the average wedding costs around $31,000. Let that thought just marinate for a little. THIRTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. I don't know about you, but I can think of PLENTY of things to do with that amount of money. 

 My fiance and I are trying to buy a home of some sorts within the next two years. Becoming homeowners is our top priority. We currently rent a space at my parents' house and would really love to have a nest of our own. With that being said, we're sorry to disappoint you friends and family, but it's our day and our wallet! No hard feelings?

I've heard a few of our loved ones suggest that we hold a tiny get-together after we return from our elopement. Ugh. I know, I know. I'm kinda being an anti-bride here. Truth is, I really hate to be the center of attention. I've had birthday parties in the past and never really enjoyed them  because I get so worried wondering if my guests are having fun or not. It's stressful! I'm still on the fence about that one...maybe a small dinner, maybe.

 We want our nuptials to be a celebration of our journey - to be as stress-free and and as easy as possible. Most couples get caught up in all the wedding hoopla that they forget why they wanted to get married in the first place. It not about the party, its about love! Don't lose sight of that!

I always think back to the Sex and the City movie. Carrie and Big were ready to take the plunge, but it quickly became a circus. Don't let the wedding run you, you run the wedding! As long as you and your partner are on the same page, you will have a great time no matter how big or small your nuptials are. What do you have in mind for your wedding day? Leave a comment below!