I Am That Engaged Girl: Planning Has Been a Piece of Wedding Cake
by Laura Platino

I am not overwhelmed, stressed or tense. In fact, my lack of that typical, soon-to-be bride frenzied feeling has got me wondering if I’m forgetting something, doing something wrong — or just planning the worst wedding ever.

Here’s my list (and yes I’ve checked it twice):

The Party: There is one — thanks to my parents.

Dress: I bought the third one I tried on. It’s ready to be fitted — in Rochester. Since I’m in L.A. until a week before the wedding, I have three fittings in six days.

Guest List: Typically a source of contention, but there has been little drama. Both of our families are huge but close, so hemming and hawing over the invites never happened. Ben and I invited our closest friends to the ceremony and dinner. We also are passing out “crash” invitations, so we can invite whoever we want to party as the night wears on.

Invitations: A good friend designed them and they are being printed.

Bridesmaids: My two sisters, Lisa and Suzie. They have dresses, and I have handmade gifts for them.

Groomsmen: Ben’s brother, Zach and their “other brother,” Mike. I should still check in on their suit progress.

Wedding Rings: We need to pick them out before Ben leaves on tour.

Venue: Set from the beginning at Mike’s parents’ house on Lake Ontario. Tent and portable bathroom secured.

Food: My mom is making gallons of homemade sauce for lasagna, while my friend Sharon is growing pounds of lettuce on her farm for the salad. My whole family is getting together to prepare 1,000 stuffed olives.

Cake: Lisa makes amazing cakes from scratch. Suzie is great at decorating and I usually watch, though I might not eat as much frosting as usual. Java’s Cafe in Rochester, where I worked for years, is providing coffee.

Photographer: In exchange for a flight home from California, a good friend from Buffalo is taking pictures. He is a great photographer and wouldn’t have been able to make the trip otherwise.

Flowers: A small shop across the street from my sister’s house is providing flowers.

Ceremony: Our craziest and most sincere friend is performing our vows.

Music: Zach and our friend, Ryan, (who are in a band together) will DJ the party. A former customer from the cafe is setting up the sound system.

Favors: My sisters and I are still brainstorming, but there will be something handmade and a day set aside to make them.

Rehearsal Dinner: Ben’s mom is hosting the dinner at a very special restaurant owned by Mike, who also owns Java’s, and Chuck, the general manager.

Hair: A friend who is a stylist will do something sweet and simple for my sisters and me. She’s invited anyway.

Now I realize why my wedding planning is flowing so smoothly. Ben and I are the luckiest couple in the world. We have the greatest families, the best bridal party and really amazing friends. I still hope I’m not forgetting anything!

Read the previous “I Am That Engaged Girl” article

photo by jen molander

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