I
cannot believe we are already two weeks into 2013! By my estimation it
should barely be Christmas, and I should still be watching old DVR-ed
shows while curled up in my pajamas on my parents’ couch. Oh how I wish
that is still what was happening. Instead we are hurtling along and it
is halfway through January and I still haven’t figured out exactly what
my resolutions for this year will be.
I
have, however, figured out several questions to ask YOU, dear internet.
First off, D and I have decided to take our rather generous Christmas
vacation, er I mean “Winter Break” time next year and use that toward
our honeymoon so that we can go somewhere epic and awesome for an
extended period of time. We’re looking at about three weeks of travel,
probably right before Christmas to mid-January, and we need suggestions
for where to go. We definitely do not want to spend this time lazing on
a beach, because as lovely as that sounds it’s just not our style. We
also don’t want to go to Australia, because we are saving that continent
for when we are SCUBA certified and also have a bit more money, and
probably not Southeast Asia, because we are saving that part of the
world for an even longer, even more epic trip in a few years (knock on
wood), but I could be convinced to go to one or two countries in that
part of the world (twist my arm, why don’t you). So, where shall we go?
What’s on your list, or where have you been that’s amazing?
Second
of all, I’m rather conflicted about what to do with my last name once
we get married. It’s not something I love (never have, don’t think I
ever will) but I’m also not too keen to take D’s last name. My name is a
combination of both my parents’ last names, from back in the 80’s when
it was fashionable to give your kids hyphenated names (spoiler alert: it
is not cool, not cool at all, to give your kids a lifetime of
headaches, which is what a hyphenated last name REALLY is). So, I’d
love to ditch the hyphenated nonsense. BUT, D’s name, since it is
foreign, is possibly even more complicated than mine. His has a
prepositional phrase in it, for Pete’s sake! People just look at you
like you have two heads when you try to explain it to them, especially
when you throw in the term “prepositional phrase.” Perhaps if I’m going
to have an annoyingly complicated last name it should at least be
something I know well and have been dealing with for the last 28 years.
The other option is that we could both
change our names after the wedding, since getting married offers a “get
out of jail free” card when it comes to changing your name (changing it
at any other time requires a lawyer, maybe seeing a judge, and lots of
other complicated nonsense), but we don’t have any specific name that
we’re sold on, at least not until it becomes socially acceptable to
change your last name to something like “Amazing.” I think Marisa
Amazing has a nice ring to it, don’t you?
The
last thing, the one that’s been making me the most stressed and left
feeling like everything has already passed us by, is that we cannot
agree on a wedding photographer to save our lives, and the ones who seem
to be the right combination of amazing and (barely) affordable (which
is a relative term when it comes to wedding-related stuff, I assure
you), are all completely booked. For November 2. Which is when we are
getting married. Here’s betting that's the date that really comes hurtling along out
of nowhere when I still feel like it should be about mid-February.
10 comments:
I would go to Europe and would spend time traveling around France, Spain, and Italy. I know it will be colder there around that time (well in France, maybe not Italy and Spain), but since you aren't beach people that shouldn't matter as much? That is a tough decision to make though (but a fun one).
Good luck w/ the name changing decision. I do not care for my last name at all, so I will definitely change it when/if I get married.
And good luck w/ the photog situation! I hope someone fabulous and affordable pops up!
I like both your last name and D's. I think it's cool to have an interesting last name! One idea is for you both to change it to D's mom's last name, which I remember him strongly considering doing in college (and his FB profile uses it!). It is much simpler than either of your current last names, but still not your run-of-the-mill white person's name. As far as changing it something totally random -- I dunno, isn't it nice to have that family connection? Or am I being too old-fashioned?
Hey lady, I did not change my name when I got married, however I do have a "normal" name so not as many considerations as you have. I think change it to "Amazing!" That would be so awesome. Of course I know nothing about you or your fiance but ReeseAnnaJean seems to have a great suggestion. Choosing something that's in the family will be good for your future geneology buff descendants.
As far as wedding photography goes...let me suggest that you prioritize this part of your budget and if you have to spend a bit more to get a photog you like, do it. It's the one day you are really going to want to have documented beautifully. I hired an ex-roommate/friend for super cheap and still regret it 5 years later. Likely I will regret it for a long time. And depending how traditional you go, other stuff, like your shoes, underwear, tablecloths, favors, cakes, and the flowers on your tables can take a hit for the sake of a good photog.
As far as the honeymoon, I haven't been to too many exotic places but there are 2 that stand out for me: The Dominican Republic (we went with some friends who had lived there for a few years, check out canyoning, kite surfing, but there is good scuba too so maybe worth waiting.)
Another memorable trip was to Ecuador, a summit attempt on Cotopaxi. We stayed with this place: http://english.tierradelvolcan.com/Very rustic, incredible. We were at El Porvenir. The mattresses were made of hay. The hot chocolate was the best I've EVER had in my entire LIFE.
Good stuff packed into this post, Marisa! The only thing I will say about names is if you plan on having children, it's a lot easier and less complicated if you both have the same name ... which name that should be is entirely up to you (why don't you really screw the next generation and do a three-name hyphenated last name!). You should go to Africa on honeymoon!
PS - If there's a photographer you absolutely love who is booked, ask them to put an asterisk by your name on November 2. Strange things happen and you just never know when someone will back out of needing a photographer.
It was an easy decision for me to change names because my new name is MUCH easier for people to grasp (even though my old one shouldn't have been too difficult either!)
What about a trip to South America? A big hiking trip through Peru or kayaking in Costa Rica sounds pretty amazing to me, plus if you *do* get a bit tired out and want a bit of time on the beach it would be right there ;)
Haha first deep breath! It'll all come together :) I agree with Lisa...I'd backpack Europe (maybe do part of El Camino) or since I'm in love with it and desperate to go....I'd go to Africa...OR maybe back to South America--except Christmas time in South America will be HOT. I so wish I wouldn't have changed my last name and honestly since I'm academically published and professionally known under my married name, I honestly don't know that I'd change it again if I do get remarried. Creating a new last name might be interesting but I agree, a combo of your last names already would have more meaning, if possible. What about any friends or family friends in the photography business? I feel like there are so many people getting into it that maybe someone would know of someone, etc etc. Regardless, good luck!!
1. Happy wedding year! Yes, you are correct, it will be here before you know it.
2. Honeymoon ideas: Does D have any connections with his cultural/ethnic background still? I know you just went to South America, but we really enjoyed exploring and sharing my cultural heritage and family during our honeymoon, since it was totally foreign to Luke. Great way to get to FURTHER know your spouse! ;) As for ease - Europe of course has unlimited potential for traveling to multiple countries in a few weeks' time. My top choice: Africa. Just because it looks/sounds awesome.
3. Name...I'm with the others on this one. I'd want something that will acknowledge your family history/genealogy somewhere down the line. Reese-Anna's idea to use the name D currently uses on facebook is fabulous (and easy to spell! haha).
4. Photographer and/or videographer are worth splurging on. It's the only way you'll remember the day for years to come, because the day is a complete whirlwind of chaos and joy, and it's over in the blink of an eye! I'd definitely put it high on your priority list. Other things like cake, etc...meh, who cares! :)
Turkey. Hands down. I lived there for 4 months, and I still need to go back and visit stuff. Barring that, Croatia. If not that, Spain-Morocco combo. Now you know my top three. We just went to Crete and it's also a heaven-on-earth relaxed sort of place with history, hiking, food, and beaches. So...yeah...
Jim wants us to change our last names to either "Cookiemonster" or "Face" if we get married...I'm all for "Awsumb." which is like 'Awesome', but not. 'Awsumb' is also someone's real last name. Not as ridiculous as it could be.
P.S. You can get scuba certified in Pittsburgh. You should probably do that, no matter where you go on your honeymoon. Ahahahaha.
Aaaand I was about to give you Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer recommendations, but then realized that would not be useful. rofl.
Do you like hiking? If so, I would suggest either Patagonia or Nepal. Both are great in December.
Post a Comment