We're engaged!

So I’m engaged. It happened last week while I was lying on the couch watching TV (we’re real romantics.) He looked over at me; asked “do you wanna get married?” and I said yes.

For those of you that don’t know me, I am a wedding photographer and I’ve been with my boyfriend for 13 years. I shot a wedding a few weeks back on 6.7.8, which I thought was a cool date. I mentioned that 8.8.8 would be a cool date to get married on if we were very going to do it. Well, after he proposed he said that we should try for 8.8.8 and like the crazy person I am, I agreed.

This gives us 42 days to plan the wedding.

Day one: Told the parents. My mom flipped (because of the date being so soon. I think she said that she needed to lose 40 lbs or something.) His mom cried, and said she was going on a diet. His sister called right away with a million ideas to help. Both Dads’ were happy of course, typical guy mumblings.

Budget:
(Not including the rings) Our goal is to keep it under $1000.00. I think it will be more like $1300.00, but it’s good to have a goal! And no, we’re not poor dirt farmers. I would just rather buy a house than pay for a huge wedding.

Day two: Went to David’s Bridal (which I do not recommend, as every experience with them has been not pleasant, but when you’re out of time- well, I was out of time.)

Dress shopping: I brought in photos of what I wanted. I knew exactly what I wanted and the price I wanted to spend. I tell her my date, and she gasps. She pulls out a $1,000 designer dress. Of course, I liked it, but told the saleslady that I’d like to keep looking. She brings me 5 dresses in row that are completely hideous. She tells me that if I don’t find my dream dress by the next dress that “we’re going to have a serious discussion about that first dress.” She sounded like a teacher scolding me. She tells me that most brides find their dress in the first try. But, before I can strangle her and stuff her in a dress bag, she brings me THE dress. I always thought that I would cry seeing THE dress for the first time. Instead I was more like “ring it up.”

We spend the rest of the day driving to the ceremony site and checking out Hobby Lobby (for centerpiece ideas.)

Day three: I found what I thought were the perfect shoes, on sale for cheap cheap! But, they are not tall enough, so I think I’m going to have to buy the expensive ones from David’s Bridal. Damn. Why do I have to be so short?? (Mental note: take back shoes- exchange for cute orange ones that were on sale.)

After shoe shopping, we went ring shopping and found an awesome ring that we can actually afford. The saleslady had him try on a ring and I cried! This sent the sales ladies into a frantic dash for Kleenex- and then she got all teary! (I’m normally not the crying type, but seeing him with a ring on kind of hit home.)

Later I was up until 1:30am designing our invitation and looking at Flickr for flower ideas. I was up by 5am- I think I may be a little excited. :)