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Military Brides
sarahmariexo
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I'm going to be an army wife:)
I've been with my fiance since my freshman year of highschool- we're highschool sweethearts. He joined the army right after he graduated (a year before me) and I'm now in college and will be done before our wedding. He is leaving for a deployment in the next 2 weeks and I will be planning alone! I'm very nervous but excited at the same time that I have something to look forward to while he's gone. I just don't know where to start!
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Re: I'm going to be an army wife:)
First things first is figuring out a budget. Then you can see how many people you can feed etc. Once you have a guest list total you can start searching for places that will fit your # of guests. Your dream venue may only be available xyz date so that can help with the date. We figured out our budget first then our date -- the military makes finding a date really hard!
I think you can see where it goes from there
HTH!
ETA: Planning during a deployment has its perks and pitfalls. It can remind you that he is gone but keep your mind busy and focusing on your future and when he returns!
I definitely second everything Shan said - plan the budget, then the guest list, and go from there.
Also, it's usually helpful to plan your wedding over a holiday weekend to increase the likelihood that he'll be granted leave. I have an Army friend who got married on Friday of Thanksgiving weekend, another who got married on the 4th of July (how festive, right?), and yet another to get married on New Years. It's not required, but it can help lessen the chance that you'll have to change your date.
Regardless of when you do it, make sure each of your vendors is willing to sign a "military clause" into the contract, stating that should his commitment to the US Military prevent him from attending the wedding on said date, that the vendor will transfer your deposit to another available date. You might end up taking a less-than-ideal date, or postponing your wedding if something comes up, or even losing 1-2 deposits that can't accomodate the new date, but it can save you a lot of headache, heartbreak, and money in the not-so-unlikely case that the military changes his orders and thus your wedding plans.
Good luck!
Go for a Holiday Weekend!! Or near a holiday!! We got married a week before Christmas, that way we both took leave during our respective commands holiday leave periods. Also Military Clauses are super helpful. Trust your instincts when it comes to making decisions. Talk with your FI before he leaves and make notes on the things he really cares about, most guys really care about the food, and not so much about the flowers. Good Luck!!
Im a little on the OCD side, so I make lists, tons and tons of lists and always carry pens and paper because I'll see something I like out, or a color or a detail and will never remember.
I was completely overwhelmed at first, so I had to sort of filter everyone else's opinions to not get completely frustrated! I say think of budget and where you want to have it, once that is done, think of when. Once all of that is done, everything else will be 10x easier because you won't be planning ideas for 5 different places because you aren't sure where etc.
Most importantly-Relax and enjoy!