Setting the Date

Immediately after texting/calling our families and friends to tell them about our engagement, we starting thinking when we wanted to get married. We kept in mind needing at least one year from the engagement date to plan. Or, two years if we really needed to save more money. I was okay with that.

First we thought about early fall since that's when Gabe proposed. Then we thought about just going with our anniversary date, late fall. But I liked Spring because I always wanted an outdoor ceremony. Gabe liked the idea but preferred summer. So the options were fairly open.

Gabe expressed the ideal venue would be somewhere we could hold both the ceremony and reception. I'm sure it's difficult just about anywhere, San Diego was no exception. Especially when considering budget and costs, which depended on the size of the wedding. My first choice venue could hold the ceremony and reception, as well stay within our price range. However, they booked up to two years in advance, and Gabe had not seen it yet.

After narrowing down a few months both for years 2011 and 2012, I called the venue for availability. All Saturdays in 2011 were completely booked! Not a problem. Gabe and I had already discussed getting hitched on a Friday. Most of our families and friends would be coming from out of town. We figured, it would be cheaper for our guests to fly in Thursday evening or midday Friday.

Then I spoke to my brother. He told me he needed to know the date as soon as Gabe and I set it. He would have to plan to request leave from the Air Force. Next, he reminded me that he would be receiving his orders by the end of 2010 for possible deployment in 2011. The soonest departure would be in June.

We discussed the situation. Gabe was fully aware that I, being close with my brother and conversing with him just about every other day, could not bear the thought of him not being there to partake in our special day. We decided to cross out all the dates we had selected for 2012. Then we narrowed it down to three dates in April and May 2011.

We made it to the site one day after work. Gabe's dad went with us as he had naval base access. We only spent between five and ten minutes to view the banquet rooms and ceremony location. The view was amazing! Gabe was sold! Hooray! His dad liked it too! We put a deposit down that same week and booked the date: Friday, April 29, 2011. 

The Wedding Party

Choosing who we wanted to be in our wedding party was fairly easy. We elected to ask our closest siblings and friends. We have been able to count on them through thick and thin over the years. It seemed fitting that they should be standing beside us at our wedding. Thankfully, they all agreed to partake in our big day. 

We chose to have five couples, including the Best Man and Maid of Honor. We also asked a friend to be a ceremony reader, another to serve as officiant, two flower girls, and one ring bearer. The bridesmaids and groomsmen were given information regarding their attire and where to purchase, the color scheme, and contact information of other members.  

Guest List

Our next step was to start our guest list. We asked for lists from our parents (and my grandparents). After narrowing down our list of family and friends, we would consider inviting some from our parents' lists. Our maximum head count allowed is 155, including our vendors.