I haven't been very active on these boards lately. The main reason for that has been because this wedding planning--so far--has really not been a lof of fun. The problem is we are getting married in the Greek Orthodox Church, and there are sooo many time throughout the year when weddings can't be done. I am finishing on my last year at Stetson University, conducting a Senior Research Experiement, working around 25 hours a week, and commuting 2 hours a day. So I have no time right now to start looking at venues. From Aug-Nov my FI works around 15 hr days, so we really can't start looking until the first of the next year. We have narrowed it down to these months to get married: very end of Jan, first 3 weeks of Feb, last week of April, June, and July. Oh, and the Greek Orthodox religion won't perform wedding cermonies during Lent.
Secondly, I can't stand the Greek Priest who will be marrying us (and there are only 2 in the entire central florida area!). We are getting married in the Greek church b/c it will mean a lot to my dad, who is also paying for the wedding. Even though we will never go back to that church, we have to lie and say we will raise our kids Greek Orthodox and all of this BS. Then, I had to get re-baptized b/c I've received communion elsewhere. My poor MOH had to get a formal letter from her church saying that she is in good standing with the church (and pay around $100 to become a member). Plus, my dad has to end up paying $1000 to have this wedding in a church we won't have anything to do with later. He knows this, and he's fine with it. He just wants to see me married there.
I'm sure all of you know how it is with venues in Orlando. From what I heard they book super fast. So if we are thinking a 2012 spring wedding, we freaking have to wait until april 2011 to book. It's so crazy. Then we have to make sure it's OK with the church b/c they have SO many rules.
Everyone is also SO excited about our wedding, and when made our list it looks like we will have at least 200. Plus, we have to find a venue close to the church for the reception. I know these places are going to be SO expensive. I am just starting to feel like it's the biggest waste of money. I mean, it doesn't make my marriage any less of a marriage without all the hoopla. I just want this day to be about me and my FI not about all the ridiculous preparations. I always dreamed of having this over-the-top wedding with all of the trimmings. But I am at the point if we just went down to city hall and had a party afterwards with our closest friends and family that be great too. Or if we had an intimate ceremony on the beach and went on a 2-week honeymoon. I just don't want to look back and say ''wow, i can't believe we spent this much money on a wedding,'' when all that really matters is that me and my FI can't wait to start our future together. I don't think anything can top that feeling.
I haven't told my parents my feelings, but I told my FI and he wants whatever makes me happy. Has anyone ever felt this way? during the wedding process? after? I am sure some of u might think I am crazy, but oh well
