Slow and steady wins the race...but a little push doesn't hurt either

As most of you know, Todd popped the question on July 5th, 2008, and I have recently become slightly obsessed with Wedding planning. I have done a bit of wedding 'stalking' -- or 'research' if you will -- on various engaged couples websites, facebooks, and myspace pages. I am pretty sure if I know you and you are engaged or married, I have visited your knot.com site. So, needless to say, I 'researched' a few people, found some inspiration, and thought it would be a fun idea to blog my way down the aisle!

I suppose I could start this first blog with a re-count of how Todd and I met, followed by the story of the proposal, but then this site wouldn't be much different from our site on TheKnot.com. So for those details visit http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/view/co_main.aspx?coupleid=5576515610581406. (Side note, I just visited our page to copy and paste the link, and when I saw our names and the date of our wedding, I totally got butterflies in my stomach. Like the good, swooning, we-just-had-the-best-first-kiss, i'm-head-over-heels-for-you butterflies. I love it.)

Anyway, to bring you up to speed -- which is slightly ironic given the title of this blog post -- let me tell you where we are with wedding plans as of today:

• Venue and date secured -- Regency at Dominion Valley, July 25, 2009


• Budget talk with mom & dad has (sort-of) happened


• Mom and I ventured out to the DC Bridal Showcase which was tons of fun, with tons of freebies, and led us to Horizon Entertainment...meaning...


• DJ secured -- DJ David Taylor from Horizon Entertainment (he's the bomb.com!)


• Our friends threw us a fantastic engagement party at Garrett's in Georgetown, DC.


• Dress has been found, paid for, and swooned over both online and in the store every chance I've had...no details to be revealed to the outside public until July 25, 2009.


• Bridesmaid dress shopping is in progress (my maids are also the bomb.com and allowed me to make them try on just about every dress in David's Bridal...in the ugliest colors possible. Honestly, who buys putrid green or salmon pink bridesmaid dresses? barf. I'm just sayin...)

Ok so that's about all that's been done thus far. Which brings me to the whole "slow and steady wins the race" title. We have approximately 10 months (just under) until we say our "I Do's". Now granted, we need to find a photographer, cake specialist, make-up/hair person, etc. etc. etc. but I feel like taking our time, exploring our options, and really figuring out what we want will ultimately make for the wedding of both of our dreams (yup, both. Todd proposed and 10 minutes later he was showing me the list of date options and guest list he had developed 2 months prior. He's just as excited as I am!) With that said, I'm so grateful for all of the ideas, recommendations, and over-all enthusiasm and support that all of my friends and family members. Lori (best Matron of Honor ever) sent me info on her photographer, florist, and make-up/hair person, which was an enormous help. And my mom and I have been tossing around ideas non-stop about center pieces, table settings, ceremony ideas, and more. Like I said...a little push doesn't hurt either....

"I get by with a little help...from my friends."