Wedding Blog #1

So, I came across this lweb site called Wedding Wire. I love it!! 

It breaks down your budget, gives you a place to put your guest list with addresses, it gives you a web site where you can post info, pictures, registry info, etc. 

The other thing I love, is that it gives us a count down. As of today, we have 79 days left. OMG....

I still have not told Alex's father, as much as I want him in the wedding, I dont think it will happen. But I want it to a lot. 

I also really want Gracie (my cousin that im closest to) as the Jr. Maid of Honor. But, sadly, I dont know if that will happen either. But I'm hoping it will. 

This Sunday we are going to get together with some friends and family to talk about the basics, so I can figure out what I need to be doing, and dont need to be doing right now. 

I also need to figure out a wedding hall/location. 

We found a couple, but we are trying to figure out prices.

The Italian American Club is always my family's first choice - the price is $16.50 a person

The Knights of Columbus is second - $270 for the day, full use of the kitchen

The American Legions is third - $45 an hour, $100 deposit, $50 clean up fee, and use of kitchen, plus 10 bags of ice, and $1 for every bag after that

So, lets figure, if we have 130 people, we are going to spend about $1300 on food and drink, plus $270-$400 for the hall rental, plus $150 on paper and plastic products - im already at almost $1900 after tax. 

I'm really lost and don't know what to do. I think people would be more willing to offer their time if I needed them to help cook, but it would still cost more. The problem is, it would just cost less all together if we had it at the Italian American Club. 

Also, we found a minister who is willing to marry us there on that Sunday so my family and Friends can be present. Im so happy for that. We meet with him on the 19th for our first session. 

We also found a photographer who is willing to do the ceremony, reception, and some couples photos for $250. She wont print them out, just put them on a CD so we can pick and chose which ones we want.

We still haven't found a DJ, bit I did e-mail my cousin Pat. I just havent heard anything back yet. 

This Sunday my Mom, M.o.H. and very close family friend Chris is coming over to help us start narrowing down or "wants" and "don't wants" and also so start making some decisions on finances, and reception ideas. 

All I have so far, is that my wedding colors are Red, Black, and White.

In no way do I plan on this being a traditional "wedding" First of all, this f***ing government wont allow Andrew and I to marry legally yet, so this is a commitment ceremony. I guess it just makes me feel better to call it a wedding, because we have always been "man and woman" "Andrew and Patty". But, I know a lot of people don't support that, and its fine, they don't have to come.  

My brother made a few nasty comments on my sisters page, and it really hurt, he honestly had me in tears. But, in the end, I don't care. I will send a invite to my Mom's house, but not to his. I am not sure I Want him there to make nasty comments or ruin my day. And he has always been the one to start the comments that are hurtful. 

Having my brother there isn't an issue that hurts or bothers me, but the next thing I have to rant about IS.

I'm not sure if my father is coming, but right now, I am just prepared that he wont be there. I may be one of his children, but for his own reasons, I am below the others. And that hurts a lot. Because this is my day, and more than anything, I want to share it with him there. 

Now, onto what boils my blood. I hoe he doesnt get upset for me making this public, but yesterday I went on an emotional roller coaster, from Happy, to nervous, to upset, to pissed, to angry, to sad. 

Andrews Mother, just about every chance she gets, vocalizes how much she is against this marriage, and against this union, and I'm sure against this relationship. I have tried over and over and over again, to kiss her ass, but i'm done. I have no use or need for someone who causes un-needed negativity in my life or my spouses life. She may be Andrews parent, but she is not Mine. Unless she shows up to that Sunday, or has some change of heart, 

I will no longer have anything to do with her. 

Thats very hard for me to say, because the Buddhist in me wants to smooth everything over, destress the situation, and remove the suffering for everyone. But now my family is involved, and it is effecting our home. And this is where I have to say "I need to remove myself from this situation because it is not in my power to control it." What else is there I can do? Nothing. I just wish she could see how hurtful her words are to Andrew, and how much she is causing stress with us. And the worst part about it is, Kathleen still wants to go see them when 

Andrew goes, mostly to play with the dog, but she asked me if they are going to be her Grandparents when Daddy and I get married. Well, yes, they will be, but you wont have a relationship with them. HOW DO I SAY THAT TO A CHILD?!?! She doesn't need to know whats going on. But she does know. She hears them on the phone, and she ask me, "Why cant they just love Daddy like we do?" Baby girl, that is not a question I have the ability to answer...

Anyways, this is all the wedding crap I am dealing with. Except for one last thing....

A wedding shower. 

Let me be honest, I have seen people who already live together, have everything they need, and still register for a Wedding Gift Registry and have a Wedding Shower. I'll be honest, I thought it was kind of tacky. Well, then I started thinking. 

You know, Andrew and I started living together in 2009 - he proposed in Feb of 2010, but it was not received happily by my family. We started our life together with lots of old used things, and less than a handful of things are new. Everything was gifted to us second-hand by people who no longer needed it, or knew we didnt have it, etc. And I thought, look, if people want to buy us gifts, fine. But I want them practical, and useful. So, I did a registry and added things like Bake ware, Measuring cups and spoons, cookware, glasses, a Keurig (praying I get that!!!), Photo Frames, a Wicker Chest for the living room that we can put the blankets in, some serving bowels, some sheets, pillows. I just thought, here is a list of cheaper things that, if they want to bring a gift but dont know what, then here are some suggestions. Nothing expensive, but everything practical. 

So, we registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Two of my most loved stores 

Well, as things change or come up, I will post. I am just so excited about the wedding that I want to post everything, but I dont want to get on peoples nerves about it lol.