Daily affirmations of a word mercenary
Tonight Andreas and I tried to make the transition from general wedding plans (all checked off: location, caterer, cakemaker, photographer, djs, guestlist) to more specific ones (parking, tables, coolers, programs, bla bla). It was hard. We still can’t quite make ourselves talk about the ceremony itself yet. We’re all, “And, uh, yeah then everyone will, like, sit in a circle and we’ll, like, say stuff about each other, and then, um, do rings.”
Oh, speaking of which, this Friday we head to Kingston to talk to a goldsmith about recrafting my grandmother’s wedding and engagement rings into two rings for us. Bonus points: in the ’80s my mom delivered the goldsmith’s two children. Score!
The biggest thing we realized when making plans tonight was that we SERIOUSLY need our friends’ help to make this thing happen. We’re not throwing a traditional wedding, and so we’re going to do it all a little weird. Table bouquets? They’ll be crafted by friends who get sent out into the woods with a mason jar and some clippers. Table clothes? Oh yeah: those’ll be old bedspreads and sheets and stuff that we’re borrowing from various folks. Oh wait: only enough tables for 50 people to sit at? No problem! Picnic on the lawn for everyone else! Who’s building little altars for the party? FRIENDS! Who are we hoping to borrow audio equipment from? FRIENDS! Who’s washing dishes after the fact? FRIENDS! (er, we hope?)
That said, if you’re planning on attending the wedding (ie, you’ve received a “save the date” card) and you feel liking helping, please oh please let me know. It takes a village, folks!
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, is in bookstores now.
You're reading a page from the archives. Check the homepage for current content.
JDub
May 5th, 2004 at 10:52 pm
It takes a village??
Does that mean your pregnant?
Ariel
May 5th, 2004 at 11:03 pm
HA! No. But from what I hear, planning a goddamn wedding is almost as difficult!
tlc
May 6th, 2004 at 9:22 am
i want to pick flowers! and i’ll wash dishes. and i’ll sit on the lawn. it sounds fun to me. how many people are you having?
Ariel
May 6th, 2004 at 9:25 am
Oh, excellent, Terra! Dishwasher #1: CHECK!
The ceremony/dinner will probably be about 75 people, the reception/hippy rave after could be more like 100+.
esther
May 6th, 2004 at 10:22 am
I went to a wedding just like that last summer, in the coastal mountains between Corvallis, OR and the coast. (Everyone in a circle singing, mini hippie-rave, picnic tables for eating, everyone doing the dishes and camping in tents on the site overnight) It was truly lovely; but you know, any wedding of two wonderful people will be brilliant no matter whether it costs $1, $1000 or $10000.
heidi janet
May 6th, 2004 at 1:29 pm
okay, i’m in for anything. i can be a people mover, i’ll wash dishes and happy to help set up.
you can sit me down whereever.
tlc
May 6th, 2004 at 1:39 pm
ok, but i want to pick the goddamn flowers too.
amanda
May 6th, 2004 at 1:43 pm
Whatever you need!
Ariel
May 6th, 2004 at 2:31 pm
Terra, don’t you worry: I think everyone will be encouraged to do at least one forest-bouqet. But keep in mind that there aren’t many flowers in the woods…lots of greenery and ferns and other pretty things, but not many flowers.
Also: is Kevin coming with you?
tlc
May 7th, 2004 at 7:19 am
yes…and ashley says she’s coming too.
sarah
May 7th, 2004 at 6:18 pm
We can discuss my role when I ARRIVE IN 20 DAYS!!!!