And Now, A Moment of Clarity

I was recently reviewing our excel worksheet where we keep track of our wedding planning progress. We've been engaged for almost a year and we have come a pretty long way in terms of getting things done. Yet, we still have a ginormous checklist in front of us and that clock be a-tickin'. At moments, I'm overcome with this inexplicable excitement as it hits me that I'm getting closer to becoming a Señora. Others, I want to slap myself across the forehead as I realize how much money we've spent...and how much money there is to be spent in the coming months. Alls I gots to say is dayuuum Gina, this wedding shiz is expeeeensive!!

And it ain't no help that anything remotely related to weddings is marked up like 100%. For example, I'm looking for child care services during the reception, right? How come I get a flyer at a bridal show from this lady dressed up in a Princess Fiona costume offering her services at like $300 an hour (for up to 5 kids; an additional $50 for extra kids). You're kidding me right? I bet you I can find an undergrad friend in college and pay them a decent amount to play with 10 kids for a few hours on a Saturday night. En serio! Makes me wanna join this club:


In all seriousness, though, the wedding industry can really get a girl down. How can it not when you're practically punched in the face with images like these when you google "wedding"?

{Sources here and here}

These weddings look truly beautiful, but waaaay out of my league (as I'm sure many of you can relate). That's not to say that one can't have a beautiful wedding with limited funds. I'm an optimist so I think anything is possible with some effort, creativity, and determination. So, as I move forward with Mr. Tortolito in planning our wedding and sharing our experiences with you all, I'm going to focus on the fact that it's possible to plan this all without getting ripped-off. Mr. Tortolito and I work hard for our monies, dang it! Princess Fiona isn't going to steal it from us!

And Mr. Tortolito, as we approach our 1-year "engagaversery" I want to tell you how proud of you, hell, US, I am! I'm so glad we made this our thing...our "project wedding" if you will. Our families and friends deserve to have a blast at our wedding, and we are gonna rock their socks. This past year has been uh-maz-ing and it's only getting better. You are my fortitude, my heart (and many times my voice of reason). I've only got one thing left to say to you: Go team!!

Ya huurd?