Monday, October 13, 2008

Wedding Plans

Well there is less than two weeks until the big church wedding!

Things are falling into place and I am fairly sure it will all go off alright. The only things I still have left to do are the flowers, pick the menu, sort some music out and confirm the number of guests. The last one is something that has been bothering me for a few weeks to be honest. I know it shouldn't, I know I am asking too much of my family and friends to come all the way to France for a wedding. The thing that actually bothers me is that there were a large amount of people saying they would be here and of course the number is (literally) now less than half of what I expected from my side. Yes, I know the economy is not well right now. Maybe I'm just a selfish brat. But I had people telling me all summer how they would see me at the wedding. Oh well, I know my Mom will be here, an Aunt, a cousin and handful of friends.

No matter how many times I read and retype this post I just sound like a whiny bitch. I am very excited about the day and the people that are coming. The truth is that most of my best friends and family can't make it for real reasons. One just had a baby less than a month ago, another has two kids she needs to take care of, my Dad is sick and can't make it, and some people just plain don't have the money. It's ok, I understand. Truth is that it's going to be just about the perfect size. With all of Cyr's family and friends coming I think there will be about 45 people total for the dinner and reception with a few more at the ceremony.

I'm also really excited about the people that are coming. I have some friends arriving this weekend in Paris and I'm going to meet them and have a great time. My family (Mom, Aunt, cousin and family friend who is like family) comes in on Monday and we are also going to spend a few days in Paris too. I think I am actually more excited about this than anything else! They have even booked a tour with a chance to see a show at the Moulin Rouge! Ha! I can't wait! Next week is going to be one of the best weeks ever, I can feel it. I have two more friends coming in next week the Thursday before the wedding and will get to spend time with them too. Then there will be the wedding, where the most important person of all will be; Cyr. Now that I think about it, I guess it is the perfect size. Just enough folks to really be able to share something special, not just have a huge show. I guess I can say that it may sound super dorky, but the wedding will actually be "intimate" which is usually code for "small" but the more I think about it, the more I like it. It's a special day for a small special group of people.

Plans are next year to have a big "not-so-intimate" party in the states so that we can celebrate with all the people that can't make it this time. And you can bet your ass I am going to wear my dress again. ;-)

9 comments:

Justin said...

Susan, how great! So close... you guys will have so much fun. And you did not sound like a "whiny bitch" to me, I could understand your disappointment. You will have that reception in the US, so that will make up for all of it... ah and you will have a wonderful wedding anyway. 45 sounds to be the perfect number to me! Enjoy it!

Patricia said...

I agree with Justin, 45 sounds perfect. My husband and I eloped so we had 0!!!!!! Like you said, the most important person is Cyr. I do not have any regrets that we eloped (although my daughter will have a big wedding - ha!). You will have such a wonderful wedding. It sounds like a good amount of people coming to your wedding - it is hard to travel with kids (especially the friend who just had a baby) and like you said it is expensive, but I am sure all of your friends wish they could come. I am sure they will all come to visit you over the years to come. Have fun and enjoy your family.

BlondeInFrance said...

Wow I didn't realize it was so close! (Despite your handy countdown clock, lol) Part of this whole expat thing is accepting that some people will miss certain things and you'll miss others, but missing = caring, so it's nice to have so much love on both sides of the ocean! Hope these next few weeks aren't too crazy, bon courage!

And you are totally not a whiny bitch you are a normal person who just wants to share her special day with everyone she cares about!

islandgirl4ever2 said...

Hi Susan,

I know how you feel... We had our wedding IN San Diego and about HALF of my friends (even good friends) didn't come!!! We got married on Good Friday, during the daytime.. and people had to work.. DAMN.. people can't take 1 day off from work to attend a good friend's wedding (knowing that'd I'd be leaving forever for France just 4 months later)... Well, I know I might sound like a whiny bitch, too.. But, it's not... it's normal to want friends and family close on such a glorious occasion... Plus, since you are living in France now.. it would be nice to be able to share all of "this" with your friends and family... Still coming all this way is a lot, I know... It's sometimes even hard to expect guests to travel a few hours by car/plane and ask them to pay for lodging somewhere... So, I can understand...
Anyhow... I would LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE to meet you and your family next week.. I can't this weekend because WE will be in the Champagne region for a wedding party for our friends... I'm making around 90 cupcakes on Friday... and frosting them at the hostesses house on Sat. afternoon... Carrot cake and chocolate cupcakes... two kinds...
I will be avail. during the day... Would you like to meet at Aimee's Salon du The' for lunch/tea/coffee?
It's a pretty central place... and she's another expat... Put Your Flare On...
Her business website is _ http://www.loisivethe.com
Let me know.. Drop me an email....
Take care,
Leesa

Steph said...

Like everyone else said, it's tough to live far away from people and it's normal to want them there. But your wedding sounds like it will be perfect!! I'm excited for you!! 10 days!! That's soooo soon!!!

Susan in Lille said...

First - thanks to EVERYONE who posted. I wonder if everyone feels that warmth and excitement from receiving a post. You all feel like my cyber-family...thanks.

Justin - you are so nice, thanks so much

Patricia - thanks! I think you are right, I hope I get some visitors next year. :-)

Leesa - I totally understand your wedding story! And how about on Wednesday morning (the 22nd?) I will send you an email.

Steph - Woohoo! yeah, so close, I never thought it would get here. Like waiting for a ride at an amusement park when you are a kid. An expensive amusement park...

Emily said...

I had the same issue as you....so many family members said they were coming and then when it came down to it, we had about 15 less than we thought. Of course I was dissapointed but what can you do?! The wedding size ended up perfect (65) and we could even splurge on a few extras since we weren't spending so much on guests!

Don't worry about anything...it might be stressful up until the big day but I promise you you'll be so busy your wedding day that the details will no longer matter! Good luck; I'm sure everything will be wonderful, rain or shine! ("mariage pleuveux, mariage heureux")

islandgirl4ever2 said...

Hey there bride-to-be!!

Thanks for your response... It DOES feel like a big cyber family of expat bloggers... I swear- I have met more expats from their blogs than I have met non-bloggers just living here in France...
I'm very greatful for the friends I have made through blogging... I'm truly blesses... And so are you!! Have a very wonderful, beautiful wedding...
Best wishes and see you Tues/Wed...

Anonymous said...

I'm no expat :-) just a friend wishing I could say, "Let's meet at the 'les asjf;df;a' for coffee!"

I'm so excited for you and am counting down the days until you're wedding. And when you have your big party in the spring, you'll be one of those lucky girls who gets to plan her reception twice.

take good care of yourself these next few days!