So it begins: Wedding Planning, take 1

Well, Chip and I have officially begun, and it's starting to sink in.

We've at least decided on a venue for the outdoor ceremony/indoor reception:

LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN. Evening wedding (6 p.m., with a reception from 7-10)

BTW, for anyone who doesn't know, the wedding date is Sept. 12, 2009.

Next step: finalizing some sort of a guest list, and figuring out who we like enough to keep on it. HA! We've also got our first round of the wedding party done. We have to discuss whether or not we're keeping it as-is, or cutting it down by 2.

I have decided to design the invitations myself, and get them professionally printed. Chip and I have agreed it would be in our own best interest to use something we design ourselves.

We've also discussed first dance song....and I'd tell you except it would be quite unfair to divulge such a great secret. we've also figured that we will not walk down the aisle to the "wedding march," but I have picked a different song to walk down to...yet another secret I cannot share.

I want to extend a huge thank you to my sister, who has become my own personal wedding planner. Without her, I'd be lost. It's always good that you have a sibling who has done that whole "marriage" thing, because I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Thanks Jess. You're a lifesaver.

I will keep everyone posted as details come.