The Phases

1) Pre- Engagement
You spend as much, if not more, time looking at wedding magazines and browsing bridal fashion shows, and inordinate amounts of time staring at engagement rings, whether in store windows or on people’s fingers. But all secretly, and with a “no pressure” attitude.

Anyone who knows me, knows this is me to a Tee. I looked the other day and the oldest wedding mag I have is from 2005!

2) Engagement
Completely exhilarated, you call everyone you know, buy an enormous stack of wedding magazines, say the word “fiance” as many times as you can even in inappropriate situations, and drive recklessly while staring at your ring.

I called parents, Grandma, Brother (who was less than enthusiastic), and all the girls I knew were going to be my bridesmaids.

3) Initial Planning Phase
Beaming with hope and expectation, you ask your fiance “So what were you thinking for the wedding?” most likely illiciting an overwhelmed look because your wedding planning energy is radiating like a force field, and he knows that you’ve probably already picked out the linens and designed monogrammed cocktail napkins.

I had everything pretty much planned. I mean my vision did mature but not change dramatically. The only thing that changed was bridesmaid dresses and my dress.

4) Apathetic Phase
Maybe this is only in long engagements, but after about six months of frantic planning and then realizing the wedding is still a year away, the less fun tasks like bullying home addresses out of people or recalculating the budget (again!) seem tiresome. Can also be accompanied by a short lived substitute obsession, like interior decorating or shoe shopping.

I am totally here now. I don't care anymore I just want it to be done. Oh and the shoe thing.. try 5 pairs in one weekend.

5) Re-engagement Phase
What?!?! two months left? Guess it’s time to start those D.I.Y.’s

I have almost everything done. The invites were like pulling teeth and that is what really put me in a "this needs to be over" kind of mood. I need to get to this next stage...