My Awesome Goals for 2012: Wedding Plans

Well, my 2012 goal is rather a personal one to me, but I guess if you're in the same boat you may be able to share some ideas.

I think by now, the majority of my fellow hubbers are well aware that I am getting married this year. It is not something I have been shy about. I have written about it and commented on every wedding themed hub going, telling everyone that I am a bride to be.

I am not the most conventional person in the world, and nor is my future husband. But as we are deeply in love and share the same values, we went ahead and booked a date whilst skipping on the engagement altogether.

For the past few months I have been excited for my wedding 'next year', but as soon as it struck midnight on New Year's Eve I announced rather loudly in a room full of people: 'We're getting married this year!' My other half groaned and everyone laughed as I am sounding like a broken record, but we cannot escape the fact that we have a wedding to plan.

We have eight months in which to do it. So, although it isn't exactly a New Year's Resolution, I still have some goals to achieve this year, and it has to start now!

Goals Achieved So Far:

Luckily we have already treked around what feels like hundreds of reception venues, and have picked the right one, in the right location. That is booked, as is the wedding itself. The deposit is down on:

• The wedding breakfast
• DJ
• Bouncy castle (as I said, we are unconventional)
• Rooms for guests
• Honey moon suite
• The honeymoon
• Wedding licence

Sounds a lot, but there is so much more to do, and this will help (I hope)...

My first goal of this month was to start shopping for wedding dresses, but I accidentally bought the shoes first. At least it's one thing to tick off the list. I have decided that my (two) bridesmaids will be dressed in a raspberry color, so (unconventionally) got shoes in said color to match. My dress might be ivory, but ivory shoes are not sexy.

Second goal is to remember to pay off some money for the honeymoon. We have been paying this off since September and it should be fully paid by May. The majority of the balance is cleared already.

February Goals

My folks will be helping me out rather kindly with my wedding dress. Actually, I am so excited about this. I have never worn a wedding gown before, so going ahead and trying them on will be quite emotional all round.

I have done my research and looked at hundreds of dresses online. It may be an obsession but it has to be right, naturally. I have an idea of what I want in a gown: a corset top with a full ruffle skirt, either in ivory or with a hint of gold (because I am rather pale). But being a woman, I may change my mind.

Once I have booked appointments at two or three bridal shops, I should ideally find a dress and put a deposit on it.

My husband to be will also do his suit shopping with his best man. With any luck, a purchase will be made.

The last goal of February is to pay off a bit more of the honeymoon.

March Goals

We will be getting into spring and I won't be far off panic mode by this point, I'm sure. I will be spending a lot of time on the telephone to photographers, drivers, hairdressers and bakers (the cake is very important!). We are getting married about 200 miles away from where we live, so this is a challenge in itself.

In March a trip to our location will be made. Face to face appointments with the photographer, baker and hairdresser will be made to put down relevant deposits.

(Wow, this is already costing an arm and a leg...)

I have chosen my florist, who is a family friend, so I will sit down with her to discuss the bouquets. I want Gerberas to match my shoes, er, I mean the bridesmaids.

Another visit to where we will be having our reception will also be made. I will be making my own seating plan and place names and am excited to check out the room to make further planning. It is an old family run pub out in the countryside and meeting the chefs to make up the menu's and organize seat covers, table decorations, napkins and balloons is where my creative streak can run wild.

I'm also making my own invitations, which I am rather looking forward to. Most of our guests know about the wedding, but a few reminder emails will need to be sent, along with the invitations and a map of directions.

The final March goal will be more money towards the honeymoon.

As we have been going along we have been putting money aside for savings. Provided nothing goes drastically wrong with the house or car which will be rather costly, we (in theory) should be able to afford this wedding. A little help from family is enabling us to do this as well.

My bridesmaids are growing teenagers, so dress fittings for them cannot be done too early. I have however chosen the color and style of the dresses, so some shopping around cannot hurt. Accessories and shoes can also be purchased.

The ceremony needs to be paid, so the plan is to do this by April. We will then choose the music and vows and give them to the registrar.

The final installment on the honeymoon will be paid this month. Hurray!

May Goals

Our wedding bands will be picked and bought, which will totally knock me into reality. I want white gold or palladium.

A list of music we want at the evening reception will be made up for the DJ. I would also like the bridesmaid dresses to be bought and all accessories sorted out. That includes my tiara and jewelry for everyone.

Planning will also go ahead for the stag and hen nights.

June Goals

Not far away now and nerves will be aplenty. A hen night should help with all of that, so a night away at a spar with all my hens will help. Hubby to be will have his stag do. Whatever he chooses to do, it will be messy...

July Goals

Now is the time to check the check list. I don't want anything to go wrong. I will make sure everything is booked and deposits paid and I have recieved RSVP's from all of my guests.

I would have had my last fittings for my wedding dress and paid this off in full.

August Goals

With the wedding at the end of the month, we have a few weeks to get organized.

My partner would need to arrange gifts for the bridesmaids and our Mothers, along with anyone else who has helped us out.

All the wedding favors will need to be put together (by myself of course).

All my makeup will be bought (I'm doing my own).

We will need to pack for the honeymoon and make sure we have our tickets and passports!

We made it!

For me, all I will focus on is:

• My champagne breakfast
• Getting ready - hair, makeup, dress, accessories
• Flowers
• Getting the bridesmaids ready
• Having a spare pair of shoes (with flat soles)
• Looking like a bride

My Husband to be will need to focus on:

Everything else!

It better run smoothly, but if it doesn't, what the hell. I can't wait.