Thursday, July 12, 2012

Wedding Plans (subject to change..a million times)


all via my pinterest here


So naturally, a lot of you have asked where Stephen and I will be getting married.

We have talked about it a lot,
and gone back and forth many a times..
But the one constant is that we will definitely be getting married in the UK..
Northern Ireland to be specific.

Ideally we want to do a more formal wedding in Ireland,
and then a very informal gathering in the USA.

For now, our focus is on the Northern Ireland affair,
since for me, it is going to be the most difficult to plan..
and planning one in California can basically be taken care of all in one trip out there..

that may seem a little backwards..
you would think it would be harder to plan a wedding from another country..
But I am finding it harder to plan a wedding in a country I am totally unfamiliar with.
I know california, I know everyone there (yes, I know the entire state of california), and have a whole lot of friends who work in the industry..
But planning a wedding in northern ireland?
I am at a total loss.
My bffs/bridesmaids and family all reside in so-cal..
and if i am being totally honest with you,
I feel completely alone here in planning this for a few different reasons.
(Stephen is a wonderful help..but I mean, he is a boy).

We had initially planned to do this giant destination wedding (for the americans)
but the thought of having to coordinate a group of people who would be paying a lot of money,
and taking a lot of time out to come here,
actually made me physically ill.

One thing you may not know about me,
is that i am a huge people pleaser and worrier..
And as much as everyone would be like "it's your day! just worry about you two!"
it would NEVER happen that way for me.
I would stress throughout the whole thing making sure everyone was okay.

So we ex'ed that idea and that is how the two weddings was born.


We still need to find a venue,
but what I love about having a wedding in the UK is the venue possibilities.
Castles? Huge Historical manor houses?
Totally do-able and shockingly affordable.

The date is for June of next year.

So you get a whole year of me talking about this process..
(I know, you are pumped)

Anyone out there ever have to plan a wedding in a country foreign to them?
Any expats out there have a destination wedding for people from your home country in your current country, or any destination wedding couples out there at all?
Anyone want to come out here and help me? ;)



On a related kinda unrelated note...
I had quite a few people ask about my ring..
and I was originally going to post yesterday,
but then I got uncomfortable and thought people might think I was being too forward or something..
( I do actually hold back sometimes..who knew?)
but, for those that asked and want to know,
it is a oval cut blue sapphire with two pear diamonds on either side. It is set in a platinum setting on a yellow gold band.
And yup, I told Stephen I wanted a sapphire and yellow gold.
I wanted it to be unique and different, but also timeless.
And I wear mostly all yellow gold..
so duh.
I am IN LOVE with it!

64 comments:

  1. Exciting!

    I'd love to help but I'm afraid I would know nothing more than you re: planning a wedding in the UK.

    Joe & I were married in Gabon (which turned out to be legal EVERYWHERE) and then planned a wedding in Canada with our friends and family. I hired a wedding planner - best decision of my life. I never had those moments of stress or anxiety or wondering if I'd get it all done. Instead, I just got to enjoy the entire process and when the wedding weekend came, I spent the entire time with friends and family without having to 'work.'

    Good luck as you continue - looking forward to seeing it all come together!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know I'm a little late to the party, but congratulations! I'm so happy for you! You guys look so happy and your ring is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations Megan! Really loving these engagement posts. I'm from New Zealand and Mr Man is from the North of England (we live in London). Last year we ended up picking a spot right in the middle and got married in Sri Lanka. We were lucky to find a villa owner who was really efficient with emails and did everything we wanted plus more - communication is KEY to planning somewhere you're not that familiar with. We had the perfect day. I know you will to! x

    ReplyDelete
  4. you will get married somewhere amazing i am sure.

    i rememeber the whole wedding planning business and it was stressful--i am a people pleaser too. but i would say do what you guys want, you won't get it again :)

    and i would help but i have no idea about nothern ireland #fail

    ReplyDelete
  5. Let the good times begin! Indians do two weddings all the time! You'll have no problem. But You could always hire a planner...surely one good has to exist up there! I wear yellow gold too! We can be best friends now.

    ReplyDelete
  6. plane ticket booked. :) jk

    i am totally wearing a hat to your wedding. i know it's about you, but let's face it, the day is about me finally getting to wear a hat with a dress too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so excited for you! :) x

    ReplyDelete
  8. 2 weddings...sounds awesome! And I can't wait to hear more about the wedding details.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yay!!! A UK wedding! Just the sort of thing to bring me out of my blog-stalking and comment :)

    I married an English fellow last year (we got married here in the UK). It wasn't a huge "destination" wedding, but the nearest-n-dearest Americans came (which was stressful enough!). I planned the whole thing sight unseen from the US, so I can understand how overwhelming it feels to plan a wedding in a country you're unfamiliar with.....but it's super fun! and you're going to love it!

    I would totally help you, and it would be eaaassssy since I practically live down the road.

    So happy for you both!

    ReplyDelete
  10. YES duh happy to help in any way. We're getting married in Suffolk and I'm planning most of it from DC, though I am going back over at strategic times to do wedding things. (see our venue! http://betsytransatlantically.blogspot.com/2012/07/wedding-wednesdays-venue-search.html)

    but can you explain "we still will have to legally get married in the USA" - is that followed by "if we want to be able to do x y and z" ? because i haven't heard/read at all that we have to have a legal ceremony in the US, too...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi there

    Just wanted to say congratulations and that I really love your blog. I'm from Northern Ireland myself thought I would give you some websites to look at that may be of help. Firstly there is getting married in northern ireland, http://www.larchfieldestate.co.uk/, http://www.drenagh.com/. Also you can get married in the mussenden temple on the north coast. Good luck with your search - I would get stephen's family to send you over local wedding magazines - we have 3 or 4 in northern ireland and that may be of some help to you x rachael

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow What a amazing wedding dresses and flowers I like very much for that all dresses and wedding things.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How exciting! Enjoy your time. :)

    I wish I had advice for you in a foreign country, but alas I'm stateside. Hope you have a fun time planing!

    PS - Eloping at a British castle was a serious idea for us a year ago. I'd love to see that happen!

    ReplyDelete
  14. YAY! I am so, so, so happy for you two. You more than deserve this!

    I'm also a big fan of the first collection of pictures - that dress would look stunning on you!

    I'm so happy you're going to get married in Northern Ireland, I think that's absolutely perfect. I'm also incredibly jealous but that's a side note.

    Also, my birthday is in June, grrrrrrrrrreat month.

    I'm far too happy about someone else's wedding right now, ah well! :)
    Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  15. http://thisismyrealhair.blogspot.com/

    Oh my gosh. Your dress selections are amazing. I am sure that your wedding will be beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm a yellow gold fan too! When I got married in 2004, the platinum and white gold trend was just beginning, and I thought it was going to be a fad. A lot of my jewelry is silver, and I wanted something that would stand out from the rest of my jewelry. I also think yellow gold is timeless and classic!

    ReplyDelete
  17. dude. i can so relate because we're doing the same thing! our formal wedding will be in italy in may (in a castle, and yes, it was more affordable than most places, ha!) and then a couple months later just an informal party in america. only about 20 americans will be coming to the italian wedding - more would have given me a heart attack, like you said! get ready for things to change as you go, already we have had a bunch of different plans!

    ReplyDelete
  18. just noted in my iPhone the exact description of your ring.... because... you know. i want it. and will need to pass on that information to a boy i know.

    i cant imagine planning a wedding over there - but LOVE the idea of two weddings. brilliant. i will keep my eye out for any super meggy Stephan northern Ireland weddingish stuff on pinterest and let you know if i find anything great :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. YAY weddings!! okay i work with people who work in UK and are now facebook friends with them so i SEEEE the gorgeousness of those countries and the rolling green hills and castles and royal people just flocking around so i can only imagine your venue is going to be BREATHTAKING!!

    i love your ideas for your wedding. elegant, pretty, lovely are some words that come to mind :-) I cant wait to see the ideas AHH!!!

    and i love that stephen knew exactly what to get you in a ring. That ring seriously is gorgeous and timeless and just perfect :)

    unfortunately i have zero wedding planning advice to give you because ya know, im not engaged yet. No im not bitter! but ill live through you! haha since you are one of the amazing bloggy peeps I know right now going through a wedding planning process so I can follow along! However, I know you will plan your wedding SO well and itll be absolutely AMAZING!

    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am SOOO glad you aren't doing a big destination wedding. I had to coordinate getting 52 people to a remote island off the coast of Mexico and it was a nightmare!!! I thought only our closest relatives would come...but my ex-husband invited every person he ever met! lol

    Best advice is hire a planner. It will truly make the day-of go so smoothly! That way he or she can do all the not so fun work, and you only have the planner to deal with. :)

    BTW-I've been leaving the internet tab opened to the page with your engagement ring hoping someone will get the hint!!!! Farm boy is so slow sometimes. :(

    ReplyDelete
  21. I LOVE the two wedding idea because it means double the fun....and yes double the stress but hey two dresses what a pleasure!!!

    I have always wanted a traditional Irish wedding because I read in a book once that when the bride and groom leave the church the congregation rings little bells to ward of any evil spirits which may be lurking around. I can't think of anything sweeter than the sound of little bells warding off those pesky evil spirits!!

    I look forward to following your journey and seeing your plans take shape but at the end of the day the wedding is just one day and the marriage for a lifetime!!! So try and enjoy it and not worry to much about pleasing others!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations! I absolutely love your inspiration board and your idea to have a more formal wedding in Northern Ireland. I cannot empathize to that extent, but I did plan my wedding to be in my husband's hometown rather than my hometown, so it was a little tricky to get things done and figure things out. I think being in Northern Ireland, you really cannot mess up - it will be gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I wish I were out there to help you (not just because I'm obsessed with the UK). I feel your pain and loneliness. When I got engaged, I was living in a state with no friends because I moved out there for my then boyfriend. I went dress shopping alone. It was so sad. When the other girls in the boutique had their ENTIRE family there, taking photos and clapping every time the bride stepped out of the dressing room, I had the sales lady giving me her half hearted shrugs of approval. Planning a wedding alone is real tough, particularly when you're in a different country. Hugs to you.

    PS... I think you need to rewatch the friends episode where Ross gets married in England.

    PPSS... Get married in a castle. Be Will and Kate for us, please!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh my lord, I would totally come help you plan your wedding if it weren't for this whole about to have a baby, husband, two-year-old and job thing. Besides those things I would be there. Can you tell I love wedding planning?

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm a people pleaser as well. We're planning our wedding in Mexico for next summer/fall & my main concern is trying to keep costs as low as possible for everyone :-/ I look forward to following along with your wedding plans on the blog - I'll prob. be doing the same thing over on mine, too :p

    ReplyDelete
  26. My brother and sister-in-law did the California/ UK wedding thing (methinks it was just a cunning plan to have 2 parties...)
    If it's any comfort, both weddings worked a treat, I think partly because the US guests thought that the UK wedding was utterly charming (complete with mediaeval church and afternoon tea) and the UK guests thought the California wedding was awesome because it was outside AND it didn't rain.
    Perfecto.
    So exciting :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. i'll take care of the blogging table, invites, skype decorations, etc. ha! (i'm for serious)
    xo!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Getting married at a castle or huge historical manor house sounds absolutely perfect, you should definitely do that!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've never planned a wedding in another country but I currently have a friend living in Spain and planning a wedding in the US (her fiance is Scottish so it's all kinds of complicated) and I have quite a few clients who live overseas but are planning SF weddings (by overseas I mean Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia). Not sure if you've heard of A Practical Wedding but she has some UK/Ireland vendors listed that you can get in touch with. (I also advertise on that site so I totally trust it - it's how my international clients have found me). Hope that helps at least a little bit!! Here's the link: http://apracticalwedding.com/vendors/?price=&text=&region=uk-and-ireland

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh Megan, I am so excited to hear all about your wedding planning for the next year! The pictures you posted from Pinterest alone are stunning... I can't wait to see what you come up with! And a castle for a venue!? Holy AMAZING. So excited for you and S! Congratulations, again!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Who wouldn't wanna get married in an amazing location like N. Ireland? Duh. I'm sure it will be gorgeous! I can only imagine the possibilities! And I love the inspiration ideas so far...that bouquet!! Perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Northern Ireland??? That's going to be a dream.

    The most important part of your day is YOU. You need to get over the whole trying to please everyone thing. It's all about you, friend!

    And yes...I would love to come help you. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I think your wedding is going to turn out just perfect, don't stress about it!! Having a wedding in the UK is something people wish they could do but can't afford it and you get to automatically do it!

    I think it's going to be beautiful!! I always said that if I were to get engaged soon, my wedding would be next summer between June and August. I think it will be a great summer for that. And there is no problem with planning your wedding out that long ;) It's YOUR day and the process should be fun and one you will never forget!

    -Ashlee Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  35. Getting married in a castle sounds like a total dream! You are such a lucky lady! I can't wait to watch all the details come together!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh boy, I'm afraid that I will also have to cross this bridge one day! We are thinking the same thing now - big wedding in South Africa (at ridiculously cheap prices) and a more casual party/reception in the states. I'll definitely be coming to you for advice one of these days :)

    Love the mint color of the dress in your pics!

    xxx
    Jenna
    ps PLEASE get married in a castle!

    ReplyDelete
  37. A wedding in the UK...DREAMY!!! I am pretty much just excited to hear about your wedding planning for the next almost year so bring it on!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sounds beautiful!

    I have a lot of ex-pat friends in the US who have married American boys & had this issue. One couple just did 1 destination in Mexico b/c they lived in the US, had families from 2 different countries, & met in yet a 4th country.

    Another did 1 American wedding, 1 Chinese wedding w/only the groom's parents going to China. And another is having the ceremony in France w/no US version as of now, but not sure if they'll end up having a party.

    From looking at them, its difficult but I think people recognize that & your plan sounds like a good one!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just wanted to second the "you don't have to get legally married in the US" because we didn't, our UK wedding was totally legit everywhere in the world, they have slightly different rules (like you have to get married indoors in a legally sanctioned room!), but it was simple enough to do it legally there.

    Also, I highly recommend a wedding planner, this guy is in London but I LOVED HIM, as I was planning everything from the US:

    http://niemierko.com/

    Or a cheaper alternative is that once you've picked your castle or manor house they tend to have their own wedding planners and will help you out with flowers and cakes, etc. and they usually do the catering/food themselves.

    Good luck, let me know if you have any questions! I got married in Bath but looked at Ireland a bit before my husband nixed it!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Castle, castle, castle!! That's my vote. ;)
    I can imagine it is super stressful but I bet it turns out just fabulous. Keep blogging about it, you'll get tons of help! I would be so down to come help you plan it, but I wouldn't (actually) be much help when I got there so... nevermind.
    Love the (tentative) plans, the ring, the Pins, Stephen listening to you about the ring, everything... Keep your chin up, girl. You'll pull it all off with style and charm and adorableness.

    ReplyDelete
  41. love the two wedding idea. Now we live in Cyprus I have family in the UK and while we aren't getting married, just thinking about the potential logistical nightmares that may ensue and having to host everyone brings me out in cold sweats [even in this 40 degree heat we have here] I too worry, more than I like to be sarcastic. :) but the two wedding thing kind pleases everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I think everyone agrees that you should get a wedding planner. When I got married I wish I would have been able to hire one. It would have eliminated the stress and having to plan everything with my mother in law. i wasn't out of the states when i got married but i was across the country from my whole family, so i might have been. but it was extremely stressful with wanting to please everyone and then getting married in a month i really didn't want to. with all that, I say make it about you and stephan, get his ideas and what he would like to see there and just get a planner. and of course get married in a castle. oh man, the pictures would be priceless to see. Oh and facetime your family as much as possible to show them what you have picked out and such for the wedding.

    ReplyDelete
  43. so exciting! huge congrats!
    x brianna

    ReplyDelete
  44. awesome photos ... such an adorable wedding dress. love it.Thanks for sharing all these blogs and phots are very useful to every one

    wedding planning education

    ReplyDelete
  45. Megan = you are the epitome of class with a splash of sass and I am SO GLAD we have 11 more months to read your love story in brilliant daily doses! And this is very cliche, especially, coming from a West Texas dreamer with a eclectic taste in music ~ including Rascal Flats song I am quoting - but, "God definitely BLESSED the broken road that led you straight to Stephen... So many people are going to live vicariously through your journey to "I DO" in the UK and "I do TWO" in So Cal! Gosh I know I'm putting the cart waaaayyyy in front of the buggy here - but you two are gonna make genetically blessed babies some day! OK - I bet you don't need a ton of people commenting on babies, so I'm taking one for the team and, "Just saying"! Just once... Peace to you both!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I definitely understand. It's when you're sick, and when you're completely elated that you miss home the most.
    It's times when you find the perfect something and want to tell your best friends... only to see that it's 4am or in the middle of the work day so you can't call to tell them, and the moment will have passed if you wait until they're awake.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Here post a wonderful commends for the great wedding celebration of wedding dresses. It's very useful for other wedding users.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hello & congratulations! I married my Dutchman in Holland even though we were living in the states. We decided to have the wedding in Holland because it would be different for me and honestly much cheaper. We were married in a beautiful castle and it was perfect! Planning was super easy, we flew to Holland for a week and did everything; florist, venue, photographer, CAKE and we even booked our honeymoon to Greece. Two months after the wedding, back in the states, we had a large clambake in our backyard with friends and family and a mini wedding cake.
    Have fun planning!

    ReplyDelete
  49. First, I've never commented before, but just had to say congratulations on your engagement! Like you, I was married before and found my true love in the form of a Brit! We're engaged and marrying in December in the Caribbean, so we are doing the 'neutral territory' option and can't really advise on planning something in the UK. However, I think the idea of the larger wedding in Northern Ireland is fabulous. I'm pretty sure my friends and family would absolutely love to wear hats/fascinators! (The little things, right?!)

    Second, I'm also confused by the getting legally married in the US like some other commenters as I have not read that this was necessary. Could you maybe touch on that? Just in case I am missing something big! Thank you and congrats again!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'd be more than happy to move to Ireland and be your wedding planner. You can pay me in potatoes (I love carbs). I mean, you know how much I love LOVE so it's pretty ridic I'm not a wedding planner already. K, so that solves all your problems right? GOOD


    CarissaExplainsItAll

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am so happy I found your blog! I can't wait to see more of your wedding plans. These colors are so happy and fresh.. and your ring sounds beautiful. I am not engaged but often think about having a destination wedding. I love the idea of keeping the wedding intimate and sharing the experience in beautiful location wtih all of my loved ones. Good luck!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Love it, so surprised (and sad) that I am only NOW finding your blog - I love it! You're beautiful, your blog is beautiful and this post was beautiful - I just got married so definitely identify with a lot of the feelings youre describing.

    LOVE your blog! stop by and say hi sometime!
    www.dysfunctionaleverafter.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. @Melissa: that is EXACTLY like what we want to do!! (except change out holland for northern ireland..lol)


    @yankinyorkshire: Frist, thank you so much and congratulations to you!!! So glad you found me..love getting to know others who are in similar situations as myself. Second, in regards to visa stuff, i honestly have no idea now at this point..i have heard and been told a lot of different things and i think it all depends on where you are applying for your greencard..if you are applying for it from within the UK then you dont need to do anything in regards to getting a marriage certificate in the USA..if you applying from within the USA then i think it might be different? But i am no expert and its something i will have to look into more when we decide exactly which country we will be applying for the greencard from, because as im sure you know, you cant leave the country for as long as your application is being processed, and in the USA it takes about a year for the greencard to come in.

    ReplyDelete
  54. and I'm in love with for you. so duh.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOUR MAGICAL WEDDING IN A CASTLE OR GIANT MANOR HOUSE.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I don't envy you on the whole planning thing....I don't even have all of those things to consider and I always joke that whenever I get engaged I will probably just elope. Okay, really that won't happen, but it would be soooo much easier!

    Loved your ring. The saphire is definitely unique and I think that's why I liked it so much.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Congrats on the engagement! I absolutely love this wedding eye candy! And the ombre napkins! YES PLEASE!

    ReplyDelete
  58. First of all, I love your taste. All of your wedding ideas are stunning. Like seriously.

    As for planning a wedding, I don't have any experience (unless Pinterest counts?) but the idea of having two celebrations sounds wonderful. The only advice I feel qualified to give is to tell you that you shouldn't worry and should make every effort to enjoy the process as much as possible. I, for one (and based on the comments it looks like I'm not alone), am really excited to see the planning process pan out on this blog. Best of luck with everything!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am excited for you. Love that you are thinking ahead of time and taking everything and everyone into consideration. I can relate a little to the fact that you are literally alone in Ireland not having your family and close friends with you. It must be hard. I'll send you hugs. But I also know that you'll be fine.
    I have a feeling you'll be coming up with amazing ideas and a fantastic wedding...because you are most likely less distracted in Ireland when it comes to planning since you don't know anything there...so to speak.

    Fingers crossed, your special day will be more than just amazing!!!

    xoxo

    p.s. i think that's the longest i have ever commented...ever. lol

    ReplyDelete
  60. Congrats...cant wait to read all the planning posts



    http://espressocookie.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  61. How exciting! It sounds like you've got the hardest part done and that's figuring out how and what to do. My cousin married a british man and they got married in England. I could give her your email if that might help.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Good luck with planning! I am a people pleaser too which resulted in a lot of tears when planning was underway. We opted for pleasing both sets of families and had a wedding in NY and are doing a more informal gathering in Seattle soon.

    And I love all your Pinterest ideas. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  63. HI ! Yay congratulations. I am getting married next June also but in France as my other half is French.

    I am also a big wanna-be pleaser for all. I can't think of anything worse than seeing people bored outta their brains at parties. Apparently, I am a good planner. My friends are always pleased with my parties. So the pressure is on, but I am enjoying every minute of it !

    Enjoy and good luck.

    Love Chrissi

    www.christianaholt.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. The wedding couples should have plan for their wedding. If they planned the wedding with the plan using the wedding planner person or wedding mobile app, then the couples feels the planning the wedding is easy.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I read and try to respond to every one! I will either respond in the comment section or directly through e mail :)

Pin It button on image hover