Weddingbee boards

Alright, my relationship with FI has NEVER been "traditional" or "regular" or "normal."  But I don't have to go back that far in the story.

FI and I are transplants to this crazy city that never sleeps.  We both moved here because our jobs are in theatre.  I left an ENORMOUS family back in western PA and he left a small but very close family back in Alabama.  We also have a very close, supportive group of friends here in NYC.

When it came time to plan our wedding (the proposal story is just too much for this post, haha!) we decided on a very small affair with just close friends and family.  The problem is, my close family (aunts and uncles etc...) comprised over half of our 100 person guest list!!  And if any of you out there has ever tried to plan a wedding in NYC (or even been to NYC) you know there's an "exchange rate" between here and the rest of the world.  Everything, down to even a Big Mac at McDonald's is more expensive in the big apple.  Having 100 people come here would be seriously expensive (they're all out of towners!!! *shriek!*)

Then we got some more news.  His grandmother would not be able to travel to New York for the wedding.  She is just not in good enough health for the long trip.  More news, my great-grandmother would not be able to travel that far either.  Neither would a very special aunt of mine who is going to be 8.5 months pregnant.  These were all DEVESTATING bits of news.

Then, I brainstormed.  If they couldn't come to us, maybe we could go to them!  At first I brought up the idea tenatively, then we spoke to FI's parents about it and it sort of solidified in the hour skype conversation.

We're holding THREE (yes...THREE) vow ceremonies and three receptions!  We're going to be getting legally married in the courthouse in NYC (with our parents present via skype) Then we'll have a vow ceremony in Central Park followed by a small reception of our 20 closest friends in NYC.

Three days later, we'll travel to my hometown and start preparing ceremony number two. A morning wedding.   All new vows, all new music, all new theme (to keep it fresh for us and make it special for those in attendance.)  We'll be getting married by my dear uncle at my old Girl Scout Camp (Okay, I know that sounds weird, but seriously, it's only $50 for the whole day and night of renting a HUGE cabin with all amenities!)

The very next morning we'll fly to AL where my dear FMIL will have basically planned and prepared the whole wedding.  A Sunday service in the Shakespeare Festival Garden followed by a party at their country club. Again, different vows, different music, different theme, different place. A few days later we're off on our honeymoon (MY FIRST TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD!!)

It's a lot.  I have THREE weddings to plan, three guest lists to make, and three sets of vendors to deal with.  But I'm happy with my decision.  If we didn't have everyone we cared about, it wouldn't be complete.  Besides, we want to start our marriage off with everyone who helped make us who we are today.

K + M - The Traveling Wedding Show!

@slicey19: Our courthouse wedding will be FAR in advance (in early/mid August we hope) then 9/10/11 NYC 9/16/11 PA and 9/18/11 AL  It had to work that way because of everyone's schedules.  I know I'll be tired but I hope it will be worth it!

@mmsva: We're going to use our first wedding date as our "official" anniversary.  9/10/11 (so he'll NEVER be able to forget!)  But if he does...he's at least got an excuse, haha!

@PurpleUnicorn:  Thanks!  I'll be posting a lot about it I'm sure! :)