Getting back to the to do list

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As much as I've enjoyed my staycation the past two weeks, I really haven't done much that was wedding-related since the semester ended other than a few attempts at dress shopping. While the dress shopping helped me get back in the wedding planning mood (a little—now that I know I can't find my dream dress in two days of shopping, I'm feeling daunted by how much work I think it might actually turn out to be), I really need to get back on the serious planning!

According to the to do list in the sidebar, I have until June 20 to book an officiant, and research DJs, florists, and photographers. My goal is to have at least two officiants to call (probably MoH's rabbi and the local Unitarian minister at the church D and I are actually thinking of eventually joining) and to meet with them both and make a decision by the end of June, and at least three (each) DJs, florists, and photographers to call as well (although I'm not in as big of a hurry to tie those down unless they are must-haves).

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For the florist, my only requirement is AFFORDABLE. I don't care about flowers, really. I need some kind of decoration for the ceremony area, a bouquet for myself, bouquets for the bridesmaids, and a bunch of boutonnieres and corsages. I don't care to make any of these myself! But I will be putting together my own centerpieces (glass jar + white candle = DONE), so hopefully that will save us some money and questions and planning and thinking about things I don't care about. :)

As far as the photographer goes, I'm going to hold off on the final decision until after my mom's wedding pictures come back in. If her guy is any good, we'll use him (cheap). If not, I've got a few local photographers in my bookmarks who fit within our budget. Honestly, I don't love any of the photographers who fall in our price range, but when you don't have $5,000 to spend on photography, you have to take what you can get, I guess.

Same goes for the DJ—we've got so many weddings to attend this summer that we'll consider it a trial run and see if we like anyone. If not, D is responsible for this one!

Anyway, I really do hope to have all of these things done by June 20 (list of vendors to call) and the end of June (officiant booked). Then I'll move on to the even less fun part of wedding planning—actually calling the vendors assembled. Bleh.