I’d been dragging my feet for the past 4+ months since my engagement, cuz wedding planning is so not something I’m remotely interested in. The most I’d done was buy and flip through (sans enthusiasm) two bridal magazines some months ago. I haven’t even sent in the ring to be resized, yet. I had two small epiphanies in Vegas that kick-started things. One, I “realized” how to make a guest list. Two, I “realized” who my bridesmaids are. The latter happened in the shower, as with many of my great ideas.

After coming back to California, I called my three girls, the women who’ve known me the longest, the best, know what I’m thinking at a glance, have physical and emotional history with me. They all surprised and touched me and said yes, despite the fact that I have no wedding date or location to give them and I assured them this isn’t a commitment and they could back out once I’m able to give them actual solid dates and venues.

This morning, I flipped through my third bridal magazine which I’d purchased in Vegas and started reading a monthly check-0ff list of things that have to be done each month in a sort of count-down fashion, starting 12 months from the wedding date. It was so fussy and details were so expensive that I had a little mental breakdown. I guess I’d been in a sort of denial about how many freaking stupid little overpriced details go into wedding planning, and I’d thought I could just pull it off with minimum work, money and stress. How hard could it be? I just secure the location, date, wedding party, dress, food, and I’m done. But no, the checklist told me to do wedding planner interviews, and DJ/MC/band member interviews, and view photographer and videographer samples, and book appointments for cake and food samplings, and pick invitation themes and colors, and select save-the-date cards. And that’s just the beginning! I wanted to cry. I cursed wedding etiquette and traditions and what they entail. Mr. W offered to elope but I can’t do that to my parents as an only child. He finally asked me what aesthetic details are actually important to me at the wedding site, and I pictured my tranquil place and named three things: Chinese lanterns, bridge(s), water. And he came up with this:

I’m not disclosing the location yet because I’m not committing myself (and I don’t wanna jinx things), but I did some research and turns out this place DOES do weddings:

The location appears to be available for booking next summer and the summer after, and their wedding package includes ceremony, reception, setup/cleanup, sound system, candles around the pond, lanterns around the garden, plus a separate day for rehearsal. I think it’s reasonably affordable for me considering with everything in one place, I don’t have to worry about 2 separate location bookings and transportation. Keepin’ my fingers crossed…if you recognize the location, shhh for now!