Wedding Planning – Initial Stages

I have begun to plan the big day. I figured that a good place to start was choosing a date, picking a church, finding a reception site and caterer.

The date choosing was easy. Grant and I started dating on August 28, 2002. To share a couple details about that day…It went something like this:: Grant was hanging out with me in my dorm room and turned to me and said, “Becky, do you want to go out with me?” I replied, “Sure, where do you want to go?” Grant said, “No, do you want to be my girlfriend?” I said, “Yes.” The rest is now history. So back to the topic…I decided that I wanted to keep the same anniversary date, the 28th. So I looked at the calendar. We wanted to marry soon after Grant’s graduation in May 2006. Memorial Day weekend looked like a perfect time. So the wedding date is May 28, 2006.

Date...check.

Next, we had to find a church that would hold a wedding ceremony on a Sunday. This is obviously a little difficult. This difficulty was compounded by the fact that I wanted to get married in Chicago and I currently live in Florida. I first contacted the church I grew up going to. However, they would not do a ceremony on a Sunday and they had strict rules regarding the wedding dress. Specifically the dress had to have straps that were at least 4 inches wide on each shoulder!! So I had to search for another church. I contacted the church where my parents got married, First United Methodist Church of Western Springs, IL. They said they could do a Sunday wedding. Grant and I are meeting with the Pastor in late August when we make a trip up to Chicago.

Church…check.

Then, I started a search for a reception site that was available and affordable. This was a daunting task. Many of the places I contacted were either way over my budget or already booked solid. I finally found a conference center that is a part of a seminary in Lombard, IL. The Lindner Conference Center looks like the perfect size and just about on budget. Grant and I are meeting with the event director during our August trip.

Reception site…check.

Finally, in order to have dinner at this reception a caterer was next on the list. This decision was relatively easy. The Lindner Conference Center only has two approved caterers. I looked at both menus and they were both about the same price. I chose the caterer that also caterers the Cialis Western Open in Chicago, Noteable Events. I figure that anyone who can cater a PGA TOUR event can easily do my wedding reception. Grant and I are tasting the menu options on our trip as well.

Caterer…check.

The other details will fall into place with a little work, but I think these are the big four initial steps…date, church, reception site and caterer. I am also looking for a wedding dress. This is pretty difficult in Jacksonville. So, I am traveling up to Atlanta this weekend to shop with a friend. It’s going to be so much fun!