MToday, my FI and I took off from work to complete our remaining wedding plans. We began this morning at the Baltimore City Courthouse, where we applied for our marriage license. After handing over $85 cash and swearing we weren't blood relatives, we got the ceremonial marriage certificate, officiant's copy, and court license. Next, we met with our florist. I initially met the florist with one of my friends because my FI couldn't attend (he lives and works in D.C.). Before signing the contract, though, I wanted my FI to meet her and talk about his boutonniere. My color is blue, his is red. There are limited flowers available that has both colors. He quickly fell for her charm and motherly advice ("Oh hon, you won't want gerber daisies. They're too fragile!").
After our florist, we went to my apt so he could take a nap and I could conclude our photo booth contract and mail the deposit. We found the deal on Groupon -- 4 hour photo booth rental for $379 at Charm City Photo Booths. I spent much of Friday and Saturday emailing one of the owners about their packages and upgrades. Today, we closed the deal and I still got it under my $500 budget.
Then, once E left my place for D.C., I visited one of my friends for dinner. He's a well known man in Baltimore, hosts a radio show, and a prolific writer. He also happens to be an ordained minister. I've been having trouble finding an officiant in the past. I was turned down by one of my judge mentors ("Officiating weddings is more of a clerks job than a judge's") and a colleague who is a minister but I learned was against same-sex marriage ("I like you, you're a good guy, but I just can't support that."). I was playing phone tag with another guy who was an ordained minister and a self employed consultant. After 3 strikes, I asked my friend. I thought he would decline because he was either 1) too busy to do a wedding or 2) out of my price range. How wrong was I! Not only did he agree, but said he didn't need the money. He would attend both rehearsal and ceremony and I could pay what I could.
After tonight, the only thing outstanding is my photographer, which my FI is supposed to handle. The photographer is a childhood friend of my FI and he already knows our budget. I'm working on invitations with my best friend who's also a designer. Hopefully they'll be done by the end of this month. I already bought and received my bespoke tux and ring (both of which had to be resized twice). For the most part, all I have to do between now and May is drop deposits and write checks.
I feel so relieved.
My Tux
Sunday, May 18, 2014 - Baltimore, Maryland
"Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever" - Audre Lorde