Let's try this again...

Today, I would like to give an internet-worthy thank you to Gus, at FedEx Office, for his incredible patience and assistance as I attempted to get my programs printed up.

I originally thought that this would be a relatively simple endeavor; copy the file to a memory stick, take it in, and have them print it up. Long story short, first I forgot the card stock that I am having them cut and punch for the back, then I forgot the paper that I wanted them to use to print the programs on, then (for whatever reason) their MS Word was having compatibility issues with the font that I used, then we couldn't figure out how to save as a .PDF on my version of Word (it's different than theirs, and we did get it figured out), then we got it all printed up for the proof and I found a typo on my part, then we couldn't edit the .PDF that they had and of course this time I had left my computer at the house, and now... did I say long story short? My mistake. ;)

At the moment, we are waiting for them to complete the second proof, so that we can go check it out, and (hopefully, with a little luck) okay it for the rest of the productions.

That will have been six individual trips to and from FedEx Office since 1030 this morning.

I'm glad I bought extra paper.

Also, some random thoughts/advice about weddings:

1) I suggest that you choose a Maid/Matron of Honor that has either acted as MOH before, or been married. I know that mine has pulled my butt out of the fire on more than one occasion due to her previous experience, and, being that she's been married&knows how much goes into a wedding, she's also aware of just how much insanity is going on over at my end.

2) I also suggest that you decide what kind of wedding you want to have before you pick the date to have it. Although there have definitely been some exacerbating factors in our particular circumstance (unexpected move, for one), I think that picking the type of wedding and then looking at how much time it'd take us to put it together would probably have been a good idea.

3) When it comes to getting things done, underestimate yourself. Early on in planning, it can be tempting to take on a lot of things that - as the wedding date approaches - you wish you had left yourself more time for. Assume that whatever you need to get done will take roughly 3.5x longer to get it done than you think. (This also allows for things like having to spend an entire day running back and forth to FedEx without causing undue stress.)

4) RSVP's will surprise you; whether it's someone being completely unreachable about whether they're going to show, or having 95% of your guest list say 'Yes! I'll be there!' (both of which occurred for us), just know that you're probably going to be surprised by people.

5a) Know that everything wedding related is going to be ridiculously more expensive than you thought it was going to be. Look around for deals (amazon.com has some real steals, and vistaprint.com does as well), or expect to get hosed, or both.

5b) Lowball your budget. W and I set our 'budget' for the wedding nice and low, and that way, when we blew it in the stuff we weren't expecting, we didn't have a frickin' coronary. For example - when I was looking at gifts for the wedding party, I forgot that I'd also need to purchase wrapping paper and tissue paper and thank-you cards. Or how about the programs? Paper costs, backing costs, ribbon costs, printing costs, cutting costs, collating costs, drilling costs, plus tax. Gifts for the guests? Oh man, those went up in price since I looked at them last week! You get the idea...

6) On the topic of gifts for guests: My number one eye-rolling moment at most weddings is when the gift is something like a picture frame that has the bride&groom's name or wedding date on it. Or a champagne flute with their names, or... well, pretty much anything with their names on it. It's an awesome thought, and I get the idea (I'm supposed to think about you guys every time I use it, right?) - and know that if it has your name on it, I'm highly unlikely to use it. If I am a guest at your wedding, give me something themed (W and I are having a traditional Native American ceremony, we're giving out dream catchers) or practical (I just went to an outdoor wedding where they had fans on each person's seat), or both.

I think that's enough for now. More later.