1 Bride, 1 Groom, 1 Big Family

So many decisions !!!! I suppose my childhood ideals about what goes into making a wedding happen is a little different when it actually does happen. The simple "Yes, I will marry you," is far from simple once you start thinking about planning your wedding, let alone the reality of it all. I had barely said yes when my thoughts started racing and my heart started pumping, and all the while ­ though it was probably only a few seconds - my fiancé Michael sat there calmly and smiled at me. He handed his cell phone to me without a word: I grab it wanting to call my parents, my sisters and brother, and my best friend to tell them. How well he could anticipate my reaction ­ some of the time, anyway. I told each of them to meet me at our folks in 20 minutes ­ no excuses accepted. Half an hour later we walked in. They were sitting in the living room, patiently waiting. I didn't have to say a word. They stopped chatting, looked at us and knew. Then the hugs, the congratulations, and clamoring started. I left Michael to deal with them. I needed a good strong cup of coffee and a minute to breathe. I went into the kitchen, got coffee and then outside over to the gazebo and sat down. That's when I decided I wanted to have our ceremony right here: where I had grown up: where my most cherished childhood memories began; and where my most cherished future memories would begin. I must have been daydreaming because everyone had come outside and started asking when we wanted to get married, where, did we want a wedding planner, did we want a small, medium, or large wedding etc etc. And, on top of all that, each one had their own ideas/suggestions about who would do what. Mom was first. One of her best friends owned a catering house, and I don't use that word "house" lightly. She had a house beautifully architected and specifically designed to cater events, and an outstanding catering staff. It was a deliciously tempting suggestion. My sister Gillian and her husband Ian were next. They had "wedding planner" friends. I knew who they were talking about. They were nice, and probably good, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to use a professional planner. They must have seen me grimace some, but that didn't faze them. They did their best to convince me otherwise ­ well at least to think about it. If you knew my sister you'd know it was easier to say yes ­ for now anyway. My younger sister Amber and brother Josh were third. They had recently gone into the printing business with an old, mutual, friend and they were doing rather well. Amber was a really talented graphic artist and Josh was simply good at whatever he did, so I was inclined to let them take on the invitations plus. They knew it too ... when you know you have a good thing you use it, and with Amber and Josh I did. Melanie was my dearest friend and the way-out imaginative one. I was going to give her the fun chore of coming up with the wedding favors. She'd love it. Challenge and unique were right up there in her lexicon. She got this grand smile on her face and asked me what I thought about having miniature gazebos as music boxes with Michael's and my song of choice for the music. I was delighted, as was everyone else. One potential headache resolved in advance. It should all fall into place this easily and quickly. Well, my work was cut out for me and my family. Yes, I would give into to them. What choice did I have ... they were my family and I knew, my heart knew, that they would want my wedding to be even more beautiful and memorable than even I could imagine. "All you need is love," and we certainly had it. Baby steps ... we had just taken our first ones