Wedding planning, week 8
I am starting to wonder what we are going to do with ourselves for two months once everything is all planned. I feel like we are way ahead of where we need to be, which is a good thing.

The big accomplishment for this week is that we booked our honeymoon. We're going to be in Hawaii for two weeks--one week on Maui and another week on the Big Island. We were reviewing the hotels and photos last weekend while it was snowing here and I think that pretty much sealed the deal. We booked the trip through a travel agent who comes highly recommended by Rick Steves and others.  At first, I thought, "Who uses travel agents anymore?" and looked at prices myself on Expedia.  But after talking to her, I can see the value in it--she really knew the lay of the land and gave us several useful tips that we wouldn't have thought of on our own.  And the price we paid for the package was significantly cheaper than anything I could find online. 

I went to the Men's Wearhouse and picked out tuxes and accessories and such, and sent a note around to the groomsmen and officiant about how that whole process will work.

We ordered our invitations.  They shipped on Thursday and should arrive on Monday.  Now we just need to decide how to address them and send them out.

We also went to the caterer to begin planning the details of the ceremony and reception.  The catering people are very enthusiastic and full of ideas.  This is going to be a lot of fun.

I had an idea awhile back to have an informal gathering for the wedding party and immediate family prior to the wedding so that everyone could get to know each other a little and also for people to ask us questions and such.  We held the first one last night (there will likely be more) and turnout was excellent:  my parents, Emily's dad & step-mom, Emily's sister, Lawrence & Ethan, Melanie & Jim, and Brian all gathered at the Beveridge Place in West Seattle for some Friday merriment.  It was a lot of fun, as evidenced by the fact that we stayed out much later than planned.

The dance class is actually kinda fun.  I don't know if there will be any swing dancing involved in our reception but I am starting to feel like I might be getting the hang of it, which is a little scary (in a good way).