For the last two years I have held down two jobs: a full, day-time job and a part-time evenings and weekends job. As I was juggling these two responsibilities, it was increasingly hard to get anything done at home. My house was a wreck, my laundry laid unfinished, my half-hatched DIY plans for the wedding lay strewn about the apartment, and I felt like I was never able to do anything because I was so tired all of the time. Turns out 65-hour weeks can be a problem...
When I requested the time off I'd need in August for the wedding and honeymoon, it was turned down by my part-time job. Granted, it was most of August, but it was frustrating that they expected me to alter wedding plans for my retail job. Therefore, I put in my notice, which ended last week. I didn't realize it, but working 40-hour weeks feels like a vacation!!
I have been able to get so many things done, and it's only Wednesday! Invites = done. Favor problem solving = mostly done. List for rehearsal dinner = made. I still have a lot to do, but for the last five months I've felt nothing but behind. DIY, here I come!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The Venue: Greenbank Farm
Even though Greenbank Farm was one of the first places I thought of as a possible venue (perhaps even the first...), that didn't stop us from doing what we do best: waffling.
The first decision was so easy it practically wasn't even a decision: the state. Even though we are in Michigan, everyone that would be attending our wedding lives in Washington, or at least near it. Washington is still home for us, so it was assumed we'd be there.
Then, we thought about our passion out west: the water. We love being in it, near it, or just looking at it. Clearly this meant we'd need a location in western Washington. Baby steps, but we were slowly narrowing it down.
Washington is blessed with many islands in Puget Sound that are each beautiful and amazing in their own rite. When we were kids, both Adam and I would spend many summers on these islands as our parents rented cabins on the beach. Guemes, Whidbey, San Juan, Orcas... all of these islands had special places in our hearts. We thoroughly researched each one.
While each had venues that were breathtaking, each had their drawbacks. From ferries to distance to expense there was always something that made it less than ideal. Even our dear Greenbank had its issues: all beer and wine had to be purchased through their wine shop, and Adam and I wanted to make our own to share with our friends on our day.
However, when it came down to it, we picked Greenbank because of its practicality and ease. It is far less expensive that many other venues, it was available on the date we wanted, there are contingency plans for rain, and there is an amazing spot where you can stand and see both coasts of the island - even all the way out to Adam's parents' cabin. It's easy to get to, it's designed with weddings in mind (some of the places we looked at were chunks of beach in the middle of nowhere...), and the folks there have been more than accommodating.
Some pictures so you get the idea:
http://www.greenbankfarm.com/weddings.html
More on the way!
Love and alpacas - (I didn't mention Greenbank has alpacas? More on that later...)
Coffee
The first decision was so easy it practically wasn't even a decision: the state. Even though we are in Michigan, everyone that would be attending our wedding lives in Washington, or at least near it. Washington is still home for us, so it was assumed we'd be there.
Then, we thought about our passion out west: the water. We love being in it, near it, or just looking at it. Clearly this meant we'd need a location in western Washington. Baby steps, but we were slowly narrowing it down.
Washington is blessed with many islands in Puget Sound that are each beautiful and amazing in their own rite. When we were kids, both Adam and I would spend many summers on these islands as our parents rented cabins on the beach. Guemes, Whidbey, San Juan, Orcas... all of these islands had special places in our hearts. We thoroughly researched each one.
While each had venues that were breathtaking, each had their drawbacks. From ferries to distance to expense there was always something that made it less than ideal. Even our dear Greenbank had its issues: all beer and wine had to be purchased through their wine shop, and Adam and I wanted to make our own to share with our friends on our day.
However, when it came down to it, we picked Greenbank because of its practicality and ease. It is far less expensive that many other venues, it was available on the date we wanted, there are contingency plans for rain, and there is an amazing spot where you can stand and see both coasts of the island - even all the way out to Adam's parents' cabin. It's easy to get to, it's designed with weddings in mind (some of the places we looked at were chunks of beach in the middle of nowhere...), and the folks there have been more than accommodating.
Some pictures so you get the idea:
http://www.greenbankfarm.com/weddings.html
More on the way!
Love and alpacas - (I didn't mention Greenbank has alpacas? More on that later...)
Coffee
Friday, May 14, 2010
Whew! Let's give this a try...
Well, after many failed attempts at blogging, I've been hoping to find a place to document these few months of my engaged life. With my new availability, I will attempt to catalog all of our trials and errors in these next three months of putting together a wedding from 2200 miles away.
Background: The man and I have been together 7 years (next weekend!) and he proposed to me for Christmas. In those last few months we have been putting together a fun-tastic event in our home state of Washington. This proved to be complicated since we are living in Ann Arbor, MI for grad school. It's been quite a fun experience overall, but not without frustration.
I, up until yesterday, had two jobs to balance as well as all my DIY-wedding dreams. I decided to quit my second part-time job to give me some sanity. 65-hour work weeks are not conducive to effective wedding planning, turns out! And now, with merely 40-hours to my work week, I hope I am able to not only complete but document my project shenanigans.
I am really looking forward to these next three months (and it's three-months exactly, for anyone who's counting. Oh, only me?) and let's hope I can pull this all together!
Love and blogs -
coffee
Background: The man and I have been together 7 years (next weekend!) and he proposed to me for Christmas. In those last few months we have been putting together a fun-tastic event in our home state of Washington. This proved to be complicated since we are living in Ann Arbor, MI for grad school. It's been quite a fun experience overall, but not without frustration.
I, up until yesterday, had two jobs to balance as well as all my DIY-wedding dreams. I decided to quit my second part-time job to give me some sanity. 65-hour work weeks are not conducive to effective wedding planning, turns out! And now, with merely 40-hours to my work week, I hope I am able to not only complete but document my project shenanigans.
I am really looking forward to these next three months (and it's three-months exactly, for anyone who's counting. Oh, only me?) and let's hope I can pull this all together!
Love and blogs -
coffee
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