Weāre two days away from the wedding. TWO. DAYS. (Yes, Iāve been counting. Yes, Iāve lost all sense of time. Yes, I may or may not have had a small panic attack while folding napkins.)
Family isā¦ well, theyāre doing their thing. My sister canāt come ā she has two kids under two, itās a long drive, and flights are expensive. Totally understandable but its still sucks. My little brother? Selfish asshole. Out. No explanation given. My dad may or may not show because apparently the universe, his job, and COMMON SENSE are all conspiring against him ā even though he requested time off EIGHT MONTHS AGO and got approval from a manager who is now DEAD TO THE COMPANY.
Hector still isnāt talking to his family either. Donāt ask me why. I donāt know. (Seriously, WHO EVEN KNOWS?) But honestly? They better get their butts in gear, because when I get pregnant, none of this ānobody talking to anyoneā nonsense is gonna fly. If Iām stuck a state away from my support system, I will make it everyoneās problem. And yes, I will guilt-trip, nag, and possibly blackmail them into participating in my childās life.
Me? Iām broke. Like, āpray-to-the-budget-godsā broke. Somehow, somehow, weāre making this wedding happen in a friendās backyard with love, chaos, duct tape, snacks, tears, and maybe a little screaming into the void.
My mom is literally making my dress and showing up on the day of the wedding with my entire outfit ā hats off to her, but also panic levels: high.
And Iām sure whatever can and will go wrong will go wrong. I mean, the weather may decide to literally flood us ā doubtful but whenās the last time it rained on Halloween? Someone might trip on the garden hose. I might have to share my wedding day with the Dodgers. After last nightās gameā¦ I canāt ignore my guests for six hours to watch baseball. I love the Dodgers, I love the game, but I love my people more. Sorry, mom, love, and marriageā¦ also go Dodgers?
Chaos is coming for us, and it will take no prisoners. But somehow, somehow, itās happening. Somehow, love, duct tape, a mom with sewing superpowers, and sheer panic are enough.
So, quick update! My site is finally working again š and I know Iāve been venting a lot lately ā wedding stress, tech issues, all of it ā but I wanted to share a little more about why this wedding means so much to me.
This wedding isnāt just about the day itself. Itās about giving my mom the celebration sheās never had. Her first wedding, to my bio dad, was small like family only and pressured by family expectations. the whole they had a kid thing, living in sin no biggie. She was young, and they were both just starting their lives with me in tow. Her second wedding, to my dad, was a quiet courthouse affair ā no big ceremony or party. And then my siblings both did the same: courthouse weddings, and no one even thought to invite for my parents. So, for me, itās important that this time, my mom gets to experience a wedding.
The timing has made everything feel even more significant. I havenāt talked about it but my momās health is a bit uncertain right now. Thereās a mass, but nothing is confirmed yet, and sheās scheduled for a biopsy next month. Itās a reminder that I want her here for all of lifeās big moments ā and that includes the wedding, my future pregnancy (yes, TMI, but weāre starting to try for a baby soon), and whatever comes next.
Now, I do need to keep it real ā this is a small, budget-friendly wedding, and itās happening in our friendās backyard. Itās not about luxury, itās about love and creating meaningful memories. Plus, thereās a chance our wedding could be slightly overshadowed by the World Series ā weāre planning for the same night as Game 6, in case the series goes that far. But honestly, if we canāt compete with a Game 6, Iām okay with it! Iāll just be happy that my momās there, and Iām surrounded by the people I love, celebrating something thatās meaningful for all of us.
So, as the countdown continues, Iām leaning into the joy. Despite the challenges, despite the tech issues, despite the low budget, and despite the family problems. I know this is a moment that matters. Itās for my mom, yes, but also for all of us to hold on to something beautiful amidst the craziness.
Thanks so much for all your support as we get closer to the big day! Now, letās just hope the only drama weāre dealing with that night is a baseball game ā because the Dodgers better fucking win!!! I mean, if Iām going to share the spotlight with the World Series, at least make it worth it, right?
There are officiallyĀ 100 daysĀ until I say āI doāā And in a shocking twistā¦ Iāve done, like,Ā almost nothing.
Okay, notĀ nothingĀ nothing. I have a few key things checked off:
We have a venue! (Read: my friendās backyard. Because why not get married somewhere that already has good vibes and probably a dog?)
Weāre doing aĀ pasta barĀ for dinner because carbs are love, carbs are life.
And instead of a traditional wedding cake, weāre havingĀ cupcakes, because theyāre cuter, easier to eat, and way less stress to cut in front of everyone like some awkward edible performance art.
MyĀ momĀ is making my wedding dress (yes, sheās a queen).
I just bought the invitations, and they are so cute that it makes up for how late I ordered them. However, I still need to print them out and mail them.
And I actually know what I want to look like! Hair, makeup, vibesāall locked in.
But beyond that? Not much else isā¦ settled. I havenāt finalized the guest list. I havenāt figured out where everyone will sit. I havenāt even started thinking about the playlist. (Unless āwinging itā counts as a theme.)
Hereās my very plan: One task a dayĀ for the next 90 days. That leaves 10 extra days for last-minute chaos, deep breaths, and probably crying over centerpieces that no one will notice anyway.
Itās not a traditional weddingāitās a heart-first, low-key, cozy backyard celebration. And at the end of the day, I just want to eat pasta, dance in the grass, and marry my person surrounded by people we love (and hopefully twinkle lights).
So no, I havenāt done much. But itās starting to come together. And honestly? I kind of love it this way.
Can you believe it? The wedding is just 127 days away! And, uhā¦ yeah, Iāve done almost nothing yet. Well, I mean, I have a pretty good idea of the vibe I want, but thatās pretty much it. Youād think with all this time, Iād have it together, but nope. Here we are.
This morning, I opened my inbox and felt like I stepped straight into wedding central. There was a reminder from The Knot to set up my wedding website (which, honestly, Iām not even planning to do), Zazzle nudging me to check out my cart for invitations, and a little note from Menās Wearhouse about Hectorās suit fitting. And thatās just the tip of the iceberg! There were a million other emails about random vendors, updates, and so much more. Itās overwhelming, to say the least. I might just delete my email and start fresh to escape all the wedding spam!
As for the vibe, I have a loose idea. Iām thinking Halloween vibes, with a little Corpse Bride, and maybe a haunted tea party thrown in there for good measure. Sounds cute, right? But now Iām feeling totally stuck on how to blend it all together without it looking like a random collection of Halloween decorations. I want dark florals, lace, candlesā¦ you know, spooky but still romantic. But then I keep second-guessing myselfāam I going too goth? Is it all too much?
Food-wise, I think Iāve got a plan! We tossed around some fun ideas like pizza skulls and squid ink spaghetti (I know, wild), but it turns out Iām not really a pizza person, and squid ink spaghettiā¦ yeah, not really my thing either. So weāre going with a pasta bar instead. Itās simple, customizable, and honestly, who doesnāt love pasta? My stepdad even suggested getting a taco guy, and heās offered to help cover the cost. The taco guy we found wanted $1000 for just two meat options for two hours, which is a bit much for me. I love Mexican food (I mean, Iām Hispanic, so itās practically in my DNA), but tacos just arenāt speaking to me for this wedding. Iād much rather have enchiladas, chile rellenos, birria, or pozole instead.
The best part is that my friend Marc is going to make most of the pasta for our wedding! Heās a fantastic cook, so Iām super excited about thatāit takes a little pressure off me knowing itāll be delicious. And when Marc has his wedding? Oh, weāre absolutely having a taco guy. You better believe Iām going all in. Iāve literally seen him eat tacos every single day for a week straight.
Life has been pretty crazy latelyāworking full-time, going to school, and trying to find a new place to live. As a result, the wedding keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list. I keep telling myself to focus and knock out a little bit every day, but then life pulls me in a million different directions. Suddenly, Iām back staring at the guest list, stressing over what decorations I should get, or debating if I even want to throw this whole big party in the first place.
I do want to give this wedding the love and attention it deserves, but right now it feels like Iām just trying to keep everything from falling apart. I keep reassuring myself itāll be fine, but the pressure to get everything just right? Yeah, thatās a lot. Iām definitely an overthinker and a perfectionist at heart.
Iām absolutely certain that my niece will play āEnchantedā by Taylor Swift on her keyboard as I walk down the aisle. This is actually kind of a sweet little story: She originally asked if she could be in the wedding party, and I had to break the news that there is no wedding party. Yeah, nontraditional wedding, nontraditional bride over here. I felt pretty bad, though, because she was so excited about being involved. So, I had this ideaāwhat if she played me down the aisle? It just feels like the perfect touch. I didnāt want anyone walking me down the aisle even before my dad and I had a falling out, but having her play that song for me feels so personal and special. I canāt wait for that momentāitās going to mean the world to me.
So, Iām just trying to remind myself that there are still 127 days left. I have plenty of time! It doesnāt have to be perfect; I just want it to reflect meāslightly spooky, a little quirky, and full of love. Iām trying to breathe through it all, but man, those emails just keep coming, and my to-do list is growing by the minute.
Okay, real talkāIām a bit worried about becoming a bridezilla! š¬ I really donāt want to be that person who micromanages everything and gets stressed over every little detail. With all the emails and decisions coming at me, I canāt help but feel a little anxious that I might start demanding perfection. Maybe thatās why Iāve been procrastinatingā¦ I just want to avoid the stress of turning into that person! Iām trying my best to keep things relaxed and fun, but who knowsāthereās still plenty of time for me to feel a littleā¦ intense.
Fingers crossed that I can stay calm and collected during this whole process!š
I can hardly believe itāsix months to plan our wedding, and weāve picked Halloween as our big day! Itās such an exciting mix of joy and a sprinkle of āHow in the world do we pull this off?!ā But thatās all part of the fun, right?
I feel a bit nervous about how Hectorās family will take the news, especially since Iām unsure if theyāve heard anything yet. I mentioned to Hector that Iād like a bit more space from his family for now, and heās been pretty quiet about it. Family dynamics can be a bit tricky, but I know weāve got each other to lean on, and thatās what truly matters.
In the meantime, Iāve been diving into many fun tips and creative ideas to ensure our wedding is everything weāve dreamed of, even with just six months to plan! Most sites share similar checklists, but Iām super excited to keep track of everything and see how my wild ideas match up with reality. Itās going to be such an incredible journey!
6 Months Out
1. Book the wedding venue and set the date.
I would love a big, fancy wedding, but weāre on a budget (because, you know, adulting). I wanted to get married at my familyās church, but that didnāt work out. Luckily, a dear friend has offered her beautiful backyard for the day, which is honestly perfect for the cozy, intimate vibe Iām going for. Itās going to be so special.
2. Hire your wedding vendors!
Planning a wedding can feel like a never-ending list of to-dos, but there are many helpful resources. Some vendors Iāll be looking into include:
Wedding planner (if youāre lucky enough to have the budget for one!)
Caterer (if your venue doesnāt provide food)
Florist
Rental companies (for things like tables, chairs, etc.)
Photographer
Videographer
DJ or live music (Iāll probably stick to a playlist for simplicity)
And many more!
For us, Iām keeping things simple: Apple Music and a speaker for the tunes. The one thing I really want to splurge on? Cake and cupcakes. Priorities, people. Priorities.
3. Finalize the guest list.
I come from a big family, and trimming the guest list is challenging. Iām hoping to keep it under 100 people, but cutting down can be tough. Hectorās family is a bit smaller, so Iāll be handling most of the invites. If you have any tips on gracefully letting people know they wonāt be invited, Iām all ears!
4. Buy wedding attire.
So, hereās my questionāwhere do guys usually get their tuxes or suits? Do people typically rent, or do they buy? Iām a little lost here. But, the best part? My mom is making my wedding dress, and Iām beyond excited! Sheās made so many beautiful pieces over the years, and it means so much to me that sheāll be creating something truly special for the big day. I canāt wait to see it!
5. Book hotel room blocks and transportation.
Since most of our guests are local, we donāt need to book a block of rooms or worry about transportation. If people want to stay over, theyāre more than welcome to make their own arrangements!
6. Schedule an engagement photo session.
Not our thing. We already have 800 pictures on our phones of us smiling awkwardly. Weāre good, thanks but if itās your thing, I say go for it!
7. Create a wedding registry.
Weāve been living together for a while now, so our home is pretty much set. We could use things like a new Swiffer or an expresso maker with a built-in milk frother. But honestly, your presence is the best gift!
8. Build a wedding website.
I think weāll pass on this one. If youāre looking for the details, you have to ask me directly!
9. Buy and send save-the-dates.
Save-the-dates sounds cute in theory, but $1.25 a card for 50 people? Thatās $60 just for saying, āHey, save this day for me!ā that does not include spending that again for actual invitations. Iād rather keep things simple and let everyone know the date through text or emailāstill personal, just more affordable.
10. Start planning your honeymoon.
Iād love to take off somewhere amazing, but since this wedding is happening during the semester, the honeymoon will have to wait until after finals. Weāll make it happen, though!
11. Shop for wedding rings.
Weāve picked them out! Now we just need to finalize the sizes and all that fun stuff.
12. Book your rehearsal dinner venue.
Is this a real thing? I thought we were just supposed to eat tacos the night before and practice not tripping while walking down the aisle. No rehearsal dinner for us!
13. Start shopping for wedding invitations.
Iāve saved a ton of designs on Zazzle, so now itās just about narrowing it down to the one. Itās like trying to choose your favorite ice cream flavorāso many choices!
5 Months Out
14. Plan the wedding reception menu.
Weāre keeping it cozy and casualāspaghetti and pizza. Itās not your typical wedding fare, but itās totally us. Plus, we found these adorable skull-shaped pizzas, which are perfect for our Halloween theme. I canāt wait for everyone to try them!
15. Order wedding invitations.
A month to pick invitations? Feels a little rushed! But hey, Iām sure Iāll figure it outāafter all, this is what Pinterest is for, right?
16. Book honeymoon.
Like I said, after the semester is over, weāll be planning our getaway. But for now, Iām focusing on the wedding.
4 Months Out
17. Finalize ceremony details.
Weāre keeping it simple and heartfelt with vows from Corpse Bride. Itās spooky, romantic, and fits the Halloween theme perfectly!
18. Order ceremony programs.
Iāve been to a lot of weddings, and I donāt think Iāve ever seen a program. So, weāll skip this one and just let the ceremony speak for itself.
19. Create song lists.
Iāve already started a 100-song playlist, and Iām asking guests to add their favorite songs when they RSVP. It worked great for Hectorās birthday, so Iām hoping itāll create a fun and diverse vibe for the wedding.
3 Months Out
20. Attend pre-wedding parties.
No bachelor or bachelorette parties for us. Weāre more into relaxing and enjoying time together before the big day.
21. Purchase thank-you gifts.
Whatās the difference between thank-you gifts and wedding favors? If anyone knows, feel free to shareāIām genuinely curious!
22. Complete hair and makeup trial.
I think Iāll do my own hair and makeup. Itāll be less stressful, and honestly, I love doing my own thing when it comes to that stuff.
2 Months Out
23. Send wedding invitations.
This feels a little late, so I might move this to 3 months out to be sure everyone has enough time to RSVP.
24. Write wedding vows.
Weāre all set with our vows from Corpse Bride. Theyāre perfectāromantic and full of meaning.
25. Order wedding favors and welcome bag items.
Done! My mom found the cutest mini-shot glasses at a closing store, and theyāre perfect for our theme. Iām excited to share them with our guests.
1 Month Out
26. Obtain a marriage license.
Weāll make sure to check out the marriage license rules in our stateācanāt forget this critical step!
27. Finish attire alterations.
Once my dress and Hectorās suit come in, itās time for any final tweaks to make sure everything fits perfectly.
28. Start the seating chart.
There is no seating chart for us! Weāre keeping it super relaxedāguests can sit wherever they like. Itās a casual celebration, so everyone can enjoy the day how they want.
2 Weeks Out
29. Provide the photographer with a shot list.
Weāre doing it live. Everyone with a phone can be the photographer. Iāll just give them a high-five for capturing the moment. Weāll make a big album together afterward. Itās the best way to get candid shots, and I love the idea of everyone being involved!
30. Schedule final meetings and conversations with wedding vendors.
This is mostly just confirming the catering order and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
31. Discuss music requests with the DJ, wedding band, and ceremony musicians.
There is no DJ or band hereājust Apple Music and a speaker! I think thatāll work perfectly for our vibe.
The Week Before
32. Share the final headcount with the venue, caterer, and other vendors.
Iām ordering food for around 100 peopleāhopefully, they all show up, but if not, I guess Hector and I will be eating pizza for a week!
33. Share contact information with all vendors.
Since weāre only dealing with a few vendors, this oneās easy. Iāll confirm everything when I place the catering order.
The Day Before
34. Organize gratuities.
Iām a fan of tippingāsome of these vendors go above and beyond to make your day memorable. Just make sure you donāt accidentally tip them in āwedding cake.ā
35. Give gifts to loved ones.
Iāll definitely be giving gifts to my mom and friends whoāve helped so much. Theyāre the ones making this whole thing possible!
36. Bring any special items to the wedding venue.
Iām on itājust making sure everything is packed and ready to go.
37. Rehearse the ceremony and have the rehearsal dinner.
Weāll definitely rehearse the vows, but as for the dinner? Weāll keep it simple and focus on the love.
The Day Of
38. Get married!
All the planning will come together, and Iāll be surrounded by the people I love most. Hopefully, I wonāt trip down the aisle, but if I do, itāll just add to the charm of the day!
