Though I’d vowed to refrain from much wedding planning until after January 1, y’all know I’m no good at waiting. I’d crafted color-coded spreadsheets and potential guest lists before Christmas Eve — all in the name of having a plan. I like plans. I like lists. I like organization. And now that 2013 is here, I’m in major wedding mode for our planned November nuptials.
It should surprise no one that the very first vendor I researched — before the venue, catering or florists — was the photographer. When my sister and I attended a bridal event with a friend last fall, we met a lovely mother-daughter photographer duo from our area. I was so enamored with the vintage quality of their photos and fun, friendly personalities that I immediately bookmarked their site — you know, “for someday.” I’ve had a wedding bookmarks folder in my browser since a friend was engaged four years ago, so you know I’m happy to be finally using some of this research!
In the months since that meeting, I’ve followed their event shoots with only the tiniest smidgen of jealousy — and fantasized about booking them someday. Just days after Spencer proposed, I’d emailed Maggie and Betty to get the sparkly wedding ball rolling — and once we finalize a date, Birds of a Feather Photography will document our big day.
I’m so excited.
I’m even more excited that Spence liked the ladies as much as I did, and that their work spoke to him like it spoke to me. There’s something timeless and serene about their images — and I’m thrilled they’ll be the ones behind the lens this fall. Knowing how passionate my family is about photography, I figured finding just the right people to document our wedding would be rough . . . and I feel lucky to have stumbled upon them so early in the process.
As far as other wedding-related matters? We have a color palette in mind, and I’ve mocked up a few potential save-the-dates. We’re visiting a prospective venue this weekend with my parents and sister, and I’m hoping it looks as lovely in person as it does online and in reviews . . . because it can accommodate our large guest list and budget. No easy feat. Kate and her fiance have already chosen their site and date (in September!), so it’s going to be quite a busy year.
I’m seeing wedding planning is filled with decisions “big and small,” as a coordinator recently said, and sometimes the sheer volume of what needs to be done overwhelms me . . . but then I remember we’re really planning a big ol’ party to celebrate our union, and everything is going to be fine.
Better than fine, even. Everything will be awesome.
write meg! 
Congratulations!
My wedding is five months and five days away! Almost everything is in place and I just mentioned last week how I kind of miss the early planning stage. Remember to breathe and enjoy it.
Don’t get too bogged down with details, as long as the wedding reflects who you are as people and a couple.
Everything will be awesome!
That’s also my mantra for the year!
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Glad you had photographers in mind, one less thing to have to search/decide on 🙂 Planning sounds so busy, but you’ve started in good time.
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How exciting! Remember to breathe and have a good time! I don’t remember much about the planning or the ceremony itself (27 years is a long time) so take lots of pictures!
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Ah you have such a perfect attitude about everything!! I’m SUCH a wreck, although it helps HUGE having the photographer booked.
Everything else will just fall into place, RIGHT?!
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How exciting! Enjoy every minute of the planning and the actual event and don’t sweat the small stuff. It will all come together and be a time to remember and cherish.
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Oh I’m so excited for you, Meg! I’m sure you already have this site bookmarked or spreadsheeted or colorcoded but in case you don’t : http://apracticalwedding.com/ This site saved my life when I was overwhelmed. Beyond giving practical advice, it has beautiful ideas on marriage, life, and the important things. I still read it and love it. Particularly the wedding graduate section.
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I fully agree about A Practical Wedding! I’ve been married for over two years now and I still read it too!
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You ladies are dead-on to recommend A Practical Wedding — it was one of the very first website recommendations I received, and I’ve since become obsessed with it! So many lovely photos, tips and philosophies. I love the “real life” approach to everything, too.
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My advice about the whole planning thing is that no matter what happens, if you and Spencer are married at the end of the day, it was a good day!
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Yay! That is so exciting. Photography is so important and I really splurged on my photographer. That is definitely one thing that I don’t regret. I figured it would be important to you as well. 🙂 That’s great that you got a photographer that you adore. How exciting! Can’t wait to follow more of your wedding planning….
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Smart girl. The photographs and videos are all you will have when the day is done and they are worth every penny.
FYI get a video. Nothing catches a moment like a video.
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When I was planning my wedding I had one motto. If by the end of the day I was actually married then everything was fine 🙂 If I tripped up the aisle, if the flowers weren’t delivered, if any of the things that can go wrong DID go wrong…ah well right? As long as I was hitched to my love at the end of it all then I was going to be happy 🙂
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have i told you how much i absolutely love your ring? i bet it gets better and better every time you look at it. congrats to your sister!! i had no idea she was engaged too. this is going to be a busy year for you. good luck with all the wedding preparations!!
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Yay! I loved nailing down those big ticket items. Made planning so much easier!
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Sounds like you are going to have lots of fun just planning things. 🙂
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🙂
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Again, congrats on the BIG news. I’m very excited for you. And it seems to me like you have the right minset going into the madness of planning such a big party. I’m glad that you were able to start off your planning with one major success and I wish you the best of luck as you tackle all the other aspects of planning a perfect (for you) wedding.
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