Pri-or-ities!

My mom bought me this magazine today. I was thrilled even though I swore off wedding magazines now that I'm thoroughly engrossed in internet wedding planning sources. It was always so much more ads than content and it's hard to see all the things I can not afford. I opened this one up to the first article: Getting Started....

It was well written and one of their first suggestions was to make a list your ideal wedding elements. They suggest taking your time and really thinking about it. Once you've got them on paper you should rank them by importance.

Prior to reading the article on the advise of a been there done that bride I wrote my priority list:

1. Only things that have significance to us. Meaning no empty traditions or "supposed to's"
2. Great Pictures They are the piece of your wedding day you keep forever.
3. Unforgettable Good Time I don't mean keg party good time. I mean the kind of wedding where everyone joins in and participates and leaves all glowy.
4. Full Bellies I went to three weddings in a row where I was either pregnant or postoperative and I want everyone to be stuffed. I'm 100% in favor of a full dinner, just not a super formal one.

My list is an overall general list and they were suggesting a more item specific list to assist budgeting and time lining the planning. I had to chuckle when they said:
If your list consists of 75 items, make peace with the fact that you can accomplish (and probably afford) only the first 25 and don't even build the others into your time line. So, I took a deep breath and began a list. I ended up with 16 items and I ranked the items by their importance to me. I knew full well Mike would agree with my list, but not my priorities. So here they are in order:

1. Rings we will be happy with forever.
2. Not working/being in charge on my wedding day
3. Great photographer
4. Botanical garden venue
5. Meaningful ceremony
6. Great meal
7. Lovely flowers
8. Amazing artistic cake
9. Beautiful gowns
10. Great music
11. Beautiful maids
12. Themed decor
13. Kids activities
14. Comfortable groomsman
15. Surprises!
16. Slideshow

I'm not sure how things will change as planning progresses, but I'm sure my original core list will remain at the heart of things. I know it sounds like a long list, but some of them will take care of themselves. They won't all cost money and some will be down right fun to pull off. Nine-ish months and counting...