[Wedding & Health] It's Official!

This will be a short, short, post...but I've done it!

Yesterday, I went back to Coyote Creek and put down my deposit to rent our room! Yes, we are officially getting married now. (Sorry baby, no backing out now!)

Now begins the real planning...sorting out exactly what I want to do theme-wise, picking colors, and even wedding dress shopping! Though, I still dread that last part. I just need to work on channeling my inner zen master, and not stress over any of this.

 My biggest challenge of course, will be losing weight. That's been a frustrating battle thus far. I'm realizing exactly how big my problem is...Today, I had a cookie. I told myself, "I just need one more, and I'm done." Need. NEED? It's an f'ing cooking. I'm so full of excuses, it really sickens me. I think I need to sit down sometime soon, and find some yummy looking recipes that look simple to make. I have a hard time, even when I make something that should be healthy, believing it's really good for me. I need to find that special menu that tastes healthy, is healthy, and I want to eat more of! There's just so much I can't stand...broccoli, peppers, spinach, lots of leafy greens...Either the texture makes me want to gag, or the taste does. It's honest to goodness frustrating.

I'll keep you all posted on that, any how...Wish me luck! I need all the help and support I can get.

~Jenicsaco

[Wedding & Health] It's Happening!

So last weekend I went to check out Eaglequest: Coyote Creek with my bridesmaids and family. I was amazed, I didn't expect everyone to show, but sure enough, there they were! It was a good thing, too. THey all had lots of questions I hadn't considered!
I'm glad I went, as the room we had originally planned for...was underwhelming. It was more or less a basement with ugly walls and carpet, and an awkward layout. We could have made it really nice...but my new events lady, Cathy, showed us the other rooms as well, just in case we were curious. Thank goodness! The next cheapest room was only $90 more, and it was worlds apart from the other room. So much room, nice open layout, plenty of windows, a patio, and the room looked really pretty, even sans decorations.

This is...half the room? Sorry Mom, Dad. You were in the way. <3

Basically, we'd be getting something much nicer, that needs much less work, for only a little bit more money. Hands down, we have a winner! I'll actually be going in, in a couple of weeks to put a deposit down.

It was a good day overall, though very, very long. (There was also a dentist appointment and grocery shopping afterwards)I'm grateful to have so many fantastic people in my life to help me with this.

This was the view on the way home that day. Surely a sign of

 good things to come, yes?

I'm now in the process of figuring out ways that I can maybe reduce the cost. My fabulous bridesmaid is handling alcohol, so that's pretty huge, and a lot less stress on me. I wanted to have a slideshow, and the projector/screen cost isn't very high, but we're already struggling with this budget, so I think I have to nix that. I'll see if maybe I can do some haggling. Is that something that can happen with wedding venues? I don't even know.

Next, I'll be dress shopping and playing with the Guest List some more, I suppose.
I'm currently awaiting my next day off to jump full force into art, and trying to raise as much money as I can to help with this, and get me and my dude off on probably our only real vacation together (that's the honeymoon, folks).

I feel like I should be delegating more...but I don't know what I can ask people to do yet. I guess it all starts to become more obvious as time ticks down.

I'm not looking forward to the dress shopping, to be honest. I looked when we'd go with my friend for her dress, and did not find one dress close to my size that appealed to me. For those that don't know, at 260lbs, I most certainly qualify as a plus-sized bride.  I'm really not comfortable with anyone helping me in a change room, and I'm anticipating a whole lot of embarrassment with this whole shopping business. I should be excited, this should be the best part, but it's far from it.

I am trying to lose weight, but I have almost no support system. I have little motivation, no matter what I tell myself, and I'm finding it difficult to find tasty and healthy food. Cooking is tricky, because I'll cook food that I think is pretty darned healthy, and after I eat it, I don't feel that I accomplished what I had wanted. I'm also fairly picky...and lazy. Uuuugh, forever a fatass.

~Jenicsaco

[Wedding] One Step Closer

Okay, so it's update time!
I'm still in contact with the super nice lady, and she's sent me some proposals for some ideas on venue options. Now, I had said my budget was $1400 (canadian). My mom told me that I could push my my budget to $1900. The only reason I allowed this, was because I know having my wedding at an actual venue, not a hall, would take care of my biggest problem. They will handle all of the set-up/take-down. That was my biggest stress, and it's gone. That peace of mind is worth so much more than what they're charging.

At the moment, we're looking into a pasta buffet, which also comes with salad and garlic bread, and desserts. Who'd oppose that? Sounds great, and with everything else (decorations, set-up, taxes) it's just over $1800. Wow. It looks like I'm getting close to a wedding I never thought I'd be able to have!

I'm going to see the venue in September to check everything out. I'm so excited! Also really looking forward to meeting the woman who's been helping me. That's very odd of me to say...I'm generally crazy shy.

That's about it for wedding updates at the moment, I guess...short, but pretty darned exciting if you ask me!

My next big task is finding an officiant...Non-religous, and not stuffy. If anyone knows someone, let me know!

~Jenicsaco

[Wedding] Fingers Crossed!

That's something I've been doing a lot lately, keeping my fingers crossed. I tend to get carried away in my hopes and dreams, get a little excited, then everything gets taken away from me. I'm expecting that to happen with this venue I've been looking at. I'm trying very hard to to get excited, but the more I talk to the events planner, the more likely it seems. Even my friends think it sounds good, which I take as a positive sign. I expect them to keep me grounded.

This place is Eaglequest Golf (Coyote Creek location). It looks beautiful. They also take care of the setup/take down of everything (which means I wouldn't have to beg people to help), and they have a complimentary bartender service (we just pay for drinks, or however we decide to do that. Cash bar or toonie bar, likely).

I was very clear to the events planner that my budget was small. I specifically told her $1400 for venue and food costs. She mentioned that the cheapest buffet was $23 per person, which I'm not sure we can afford, but it's by far the cheapest buffet option in all of the venues that I'd already looked into. She said it could be difficult, but suggested a lunch or cocktail reception.

Now, in all my e-mailings to potential vendors, I ask for costs, and look through whatever they send. Unfortunately for each, I've had to reply with "Thank you for your time. Unfortunately, this is quite a bit over my $1400 budget. I will keep you in mind though, if I am able to get some more money.". Nobody's responded to that.

However, this lovely lady at Eaglequest seems to be making every effort to find some way to accommodate me. I'm seriously impressed with this! Very friendly, and I'm getting terrified with the hope that she's giving me. I never once thought I'd ever be able to afford any sort of a 'golf course' wedding. There is hope.

She's out of town now until Monday, but I'll be giving her a call when she returns, and we'll set up a date for me to go and check out the venue. This sort of thing would normally have me very nervous. I hate talking to new people. I'm excited, comfortable, and ready to go! This should hopefully be a fun, and fruitful experience!

~Jenicsaco