So...we're moving along (kind of)

There's an honest reason why I haven't posted much - we've gotten some planning accomplished without much conflict or upheaval to my non-girly sensibilities. While this is great for our planning, it's not so great for blog posts based on being a fish out of water. For my long term sanity, I'd prefer planning going smoothly.

Now that I'm 8+ months out, I struggle to understand why some brides feel so overwhelmed by the enormity of it all (please feel free to rub my nose in this statement at the 2 weeks out mark). If you give yourself 15 choices for every vendor and every item on your checklist, then you will always feel like you don't know what decision to make or who to choose. If you identify what you're looking for ahead of time and find one or two possible options, it shouldn't be so tough or agonizing.

Here's what we've done so far...
1) Chosen a date and picked a venue for ceremony and reception
We decided that, in order to have our wedding in the location we wanted, we'd have to do offseason and the early spring is the only part of the "offseason" (which is clearly not consistent among vendors) that would work for us.

We did some research, and gave ourselves two options for a venue. These options were literally a block away from one another. One was a full service hotel/catering hall with beautiful views and unique features with an award winning caterer that included largely inclusive packages.

The other was a historic landmark and was a blank canvas of sorts. The coordinator of this venue tried to sell this to me at the aforementioned bridal show. Having to bring in all your own vendors gives you, "a lot of flexibility and allows you to make your choices to design your own wedding". You know how that sounded in my own head? "You're going to have a ton of details to sort out and vendors to coordinate. You'll get to make many decisions and you'll have the full pressure of figuring out how to set up the room, decorate and time everything perfectly".

Right.

We chose the full service catering hall/hotel.

2) Set our wedding parties
This was tougher for me than my fiance. Because I've always been one of the guys, we've had a ton more guy friends than girl friends. I just don't know how to socialize with women my own age. It's always been a struggle. My fiance had a list of groomsmen and his best man ready two days after we were married. I was luckily able to pull together the four women (and really the only women) closest to me.

This, however, has turned out to be a good thing. My sister is my maid of honor, and I have three friends who are all very organized, willing to help, and very driven. I figure this will help when I'm ready to pull all the hair out of my head at the said 2 week out mark. Meanwhile, my fiance has his brother and three friends from college. I think I win that race.

3) Found a baker for the cake
We have a favorite bar/restaurant in the town in which we're getting married. We've gone there for years, and it's like a second home. The baker there makes the most amazing desserts, so we asked if she does wedding cakes. As it turns out, she's done a few and was more than happy to do our cake for a great price. No need to search any further.

4) Tentatively scheduled our rehearsal dinner
At our favorite bar/restaurant. If we could have our reception there, we would, quite frankly. All I ask is that the vomit in the girls restroom from the college kids "totally partying" the night before is cleaned up by the time we get there.

5) Bridesmaid dresses
I've found an online company for the bridesmaid dresses, and possibly even my gown. I sent my bridesmaids the potential colors and am giving them their choice of several styles.

6) Favors
We're doing donations to two charities in honor of my late aunt and in support of my fiance's uncle.

That's about all I have so far. I've looked at a few photographers, officiants, and invitations. I've also emailed a hairstylist to inquire about her availability. I've got ideas for flowers - just have to find a florist who can work with my budget. I've also put together ideas for place cards, programs, menus, and table cards. We also have a DJ in mind who is a friend of my fiance's and we've seen work another wedding.

Ultimately, nothing is crazy or out of hand yet.

Why do I feel like this is just the calm before the storm?