Breaking up with The Knot

So, I mentioned in a previous post that I jumped on the crazy train for a few weeks after our engagement. Me being the planner I am began flashing back to the preparation time it took to make camp a success. I remembered meetings with contractors, site visits, logistics and I began to panic. This panic morphed into me crying every time the word wedding was said. Not exactly what your fiancee wants to see every time he walks in the door and asks a simple question.

I sought help from friends and they talked me off the edge and I broke up with The Knot.

See, a few days after I got the rock, I excitedly logged into their site and registered us. We didn't have a date yet so I put in a tentative one just so I could have access to all of their exciting ideas.

BIG MISTAKE!!

Once you provide them with the date of your nuptials, they start a running checklist of things that need to be done...that day, that week or that month. I started scrolling through the list and hives broke out?

Here are just a few:

Let friends and family know you're engaged.  Send them a just-engaged video Ecard and submit an engagement announcement to the local newspaper.  You may also want to have your engagement photos taken in time for this.
I opted for calling and texting my friends after having a few drinks on NYE and telling them we were engaged. Much faster and much more entertaining...or so I was told.

Start taking better care of yourself. Get in wedding day shape by eating right, joining a gym and/or even hiring a personal trainer.

No pressure here. Basically, they are saying stop eating you cow! Plan on salads for the next 9 months and you may look okay for your wedding day!

Book your reception site as soon as you see something you love that's available on your date. Before you sign the reception contract, make sure it includes everything you discussed.
I work full-time people. How the hell am I supposed to see all that's available in a weeks time...seriously???

Make sure everyone in the wedding party is aware of what you expect of them --especially your bridesmaids and groomsmen.  Provide a list of duties to the maid of honor and a list of to-dos to the best man.
Wedding party? Oh, goodness how do I choose. Wait? I get to give them a 'to-do' list? This doesn't sound so bad after all.

So, there were many more 'to-do's on the list...25 items to be exact. Needless to say...only a few of them are complete. And I have finally come to the realization that regardless, our wedding day will be exactly what it's supposed to be...a uniting of two people who love each other and want to share their special day with family and friends.

So goodbye for now Knot. I may visit you again for ideas and tips but I will surely avoid your dreaded checklist forever!!