Honeymoon Planning

I've slacked on the wedding planning a bit lately and instead focused on the honeymoon. My moms coworker generously offered us her timeshare week through RCI.com and as we started doing our research we found things to be booking quickly! The resorts on Santorini were 100% booked for next summer and we found only a few islands in Greece to still have remaining options. I then had to begin the research I was hoping to start on later in the year. Our choices were Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu. Corfu looked amazing but as I delved into it further I started hearing about what a huge resort it was for the British, and what can I say, I don't think British vacationers are really what I want to be around. Its other downside was its location, close to Italy but far from our ultimate destination of Santorini.

Rhodes is seeped in history but a little off the beaten path by Turkey. So we decided on Crete. Crete is a huge island but I started doing my research and decided we would stay near Rethymno which is nicely located near the center of the island.

Then came the issue of timing as the wedding is on a Sunday and the resorts only book Sat-Sat. Plus the flight which takes 18-22 hours and once you land, the time change will put you a day later. I decided we would stay in town and leave for the honeymoon the following weekend. I had to time ferries, flights on puddle jumpers, etc. but I do believe it all worked out in the end! We'll rent a car, do a week exploring the islands historic locations and beaches and then move on to Santorini followed lastly by Athens. Let me tell you.. Santorini is not a cheap place! I'm really glad we have this timeshare which will allow us more time in the country without blowing the budget.

A few pics of Crete:

Wedding planning is as tedious as it is enjoyable.

Since becoming engaged, I've purchased the requisite pile of wedding and bridal magazines and began the process of making a 'look book' (no, I didn't know what that meant when I began this process, but now I know it involves cutting pages from magazines for 'looks' you like) and delved into the research involved in wedding planning.

The venue choice was easy. I helped a friend plan a wedding a few years back and noticed how daunting it can be to plan an outdoor wedding in Seattle as you never know when the sky will open up. I think Seattle is so amazing and beautiful, but I would be so sad to have rain on my wedding day (cue alanis morissette~)

Also, planning a wedding is enough work without renting every little odd and end, from the tent, to the plates, cups and chairs. I'm just not up for it!

Then there is the entire issue of the alcohol. I don't know about you, but a dry wedding just was not a choice for me, and I find the caters prices on liquor to be obscene.

With all these things in mind, the Lake Union Cafe was beyond a shadow of a doubt, the perfect location. Its on Lake Union (moments from my house) with a stellar view of the sparkling lake and boats. They already have all the plates, linens, tablecloths, etc that are necessary for a wedding, and to top it off, they allow you to purchase a liquor permit from the state and bring in your own drinks. Couple all these amazing venue items with their chandlers, rich history and classic architecture, and I fell in love.

Sounds so easy huh? Well, now its on to the other jobs involved in wedding planning! Finding a photographer who not only, I trust to provide me with amazing pictures, but also offers a reasonable price point (not easy! open to suggestions - hoping to not top $1000 on this!) The budget, Figuring out the music, the sound system, the playlist, the dances, the dj, the mc! The piano? The dress? The Cake? or Cupcakes? The colors, The guest list, the website, the addresses for everyone, the details for out of town guests, The officiant (an agnostic one at that), centerpieces, flowers, favors, invitations (this is going to be the source of much insanity, as I'm a perfectionist when it comes to things of that sort, and sadly, not that crafty), the escort cards? The programs? My hair? Veil or no veil? The bachelorette party? The reception dinner? Save the dates? the chairs? ....

I knew pretty quickly who would be in the bridal wedding party, as I'm lucky enough to have amazing girls in my life. The only hard part was narrowing it down and choosing a maid of honor (so I've decided on two - my dear friends Kelsey and Satin). I ambushed Jeremy with a list of 6 women in my party, and three flower girls (Amelia's awesome daughter, Anastasia, or Asia. And my two nieces. Ellie and Sarah) We still don't have a ring bearer, so if you know of any little boys you want to toss our way, Please let us know! Jeremy is working on assembling his groomsmen to 6 in order for the parties to match.

I also know the shoes. I've salivated over Christin Louboutins for some time, and I decided my wedding would be a great excuse to break down and buy a pair. :) yayay.





My mom (hereby referred to as M.O.B) has been generous enough to offer to pay for our honeymoon in Santourini, Greece. (As long as I skip Italy and wait to go with her :) ) So planning Greece will be a whole new task to accomplish during this upcoming year!

My father (hereby referred to as F.O.B.) and step mom have been generous to contribute a nice portion of the wedding costs, for which we are extremely grateful!

**My next task will be to start dress shopping and get my ring resized! Its still too big, but I'm not thrilled about the idea of parting with it for a day, but I'll have to grin and bear it!

**Karen (Iris photography) has offered to take our engagement pictures, so we'll be doing that sometime soon and will update this site with new / professional pics. Cant wait!

**Amelia is organizing an engagement party for Karen and myself. It wont be the typical engagement party since usually its reserved as a time for the family to meet, but just an excuse to get our friends together to have some wine and celebrate. Details to come!

I've been working pretty hard on getting this website together and things will change day to day as I update all the information and pages. I'll keep this blog updated with my day to day joys and frustrations of assembling a wedding!

XOXO!