Hello fellow brides, soon-to-be-brides and those who love this crazy time of wedding planning!!! We are the “soon to be” Altimare’s. I’m Joy and he’s Frank (or Frankie, as I/his family call him). You’ll get to know us – and let me warn you, we are a little crazy! Crazy in love? Yes! And, just plain crazy : )
So welcome and join us on our journey as we plan this amazing celebration of our love for each other.
The Proposal
What a loving and thoughtful man I’m marrying? As planned, Frankie and I set out on our annual summer vacation. This time, Frankie planned the entire event – we journeyed to the West Coast. A tour of all the national parks – Grand Canyon, Bryce, Arches, Monument Valley, 4 Corners, Lake Powell and Zion. It was a very ACTIVE trip, to say the least. Define active: every day, we hiked (at least 3 miles as day) and swam – which put us to sleep by 10pm. On average, we fall asleep in NYC never before 12am, so this trip WORE US OUT!!Active and eventful – at the foot of Delicate Arch (in Arches National Park), Frankie dropped to one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. It was an amazingly overwhelming moment…one that connected us, spiritually, from that very instant.
We continued our journey back to NYC to tell all our friends and family – starting this crazy whirlwind of planning the biggest party of our lives.
The first week of planning….dresses, dates and destinations!
Immediately returning from vacation, we were able to pop down to Philadelphia (Frankie’s hometown) to tell his family in-person. Turning into an impromptu engagement celebration, friends and family gathered at his parents to hear about the proposal . It was lots of fun – foreshadowing the INSANITY that is sure to exist at my reception!!!
Once I was able to catch my breath, I realized that although we want a very simple, classic, chic wedding – since we are planning a destination wedding, we – translation, I – have a lot to do! O-M-G!?!?!? Can I at least enjoy a moment to be engaged? I mean, I AM a 31 year old woman (uh-hum!), successful and focused. But, I’m from the South (Tennessee), so it could be safe to assume that I, along with my mother, grandmother, aunt, (girl) cousins and friends (since birth) have been waiting for this moment for…30 years! So, five minutes to take it all in was all I was asking.
No way, no how!
All the questions: “Do you have a date?, Where? Who’s going to be in the wedding? “ began to become the topic of every conversation that I had in the first couple of days of returning to NYC. “I have NO idea” is what I wanted to scream – although, I secretly had most the details decided in my head. Just needed to make sure (translation: convince) Frankie that he wanted the same thing.
Luckily, we came to a compromise. I will do the research (me and my small army of girlfriends who had all been recruited to ‘get this wedding in order’) and share with him the top 3 options. This will ensure that I love whatever choice we decide on …lessening (we hope!!) any arguments. I’m sure we’ll laugh about this ‘plan’ later when we’re in the middle of an argument over…flowers! LOL!!!
So, what have I done thus far?
2. Picked two dates (mid-late September 2010) for the wedding.
3. Picked the location for the wedding (Jamaica) and honeymoon (Italy). A nod to both of our heritages.
4. Picked the wedding party – contacted them and they said “yes”…thank goodness!
5. Created my own personal ‘task-force’ of professionals and experts to help me figure out where I need to focus.
6. Picked up a planning guide for destination weddings – NOT HELPFUL…it’s all generic common sense, so…
7. Hired a travel coordinator who specializes in destination weddings. This is the best idea. She knows all the locations, can suggest the best venues and resorts and negotiate the best prices for airfare and hotel. She’ll also help me by being the #1 contact for all my guests – both, the needy and self sufficient – and their travel needs. I LOVE her already!
8. Tried on dresses. I thought it would be better to go by myself for a pre-fitting to my favorite designer – Carolina Herrera. I mean, I know what I like. I thought that it would be better for me to go, try on a few, maybe decide on the silhouette, fabrics, etc. It was the MOST FUN!!! No one to tell me what they “think I should wear or what they wore at their wedding!” to influence my decision. Before leaving, I picked a date to bring my mother, future MIL and MOH to make the final decision (and appease everyone!).
Whew! I’ve been a busy bee… I deserve a glass of wine. Which I’ll go enjoy now and speak with you next week. Who knows what adventures I’ll have to share!
Peace and love, xoxo!
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