HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! AND WELCOME TO THE FIRST OF THE NEXT ALMOST YEAR AND A HALF OF WEDDING WEDNESDAYS!
I just want to start off by saying THANK YOU to everyone who shared sweet and kind words with us! And those of you who sent gifts are gems in my world!!! So freaking grateful!!
So how did he propose?? It’s a great story. On December 19, 2020 I was running around town dropping off christmas packages for family across the country in my comfy leggings, hair unwashed, and not showered. I didn’t think twice though because it was a Saturday and we were just planning on hanging out until my mom was supposed to come drop off gifts. Soooo I was sitting on the back couch in my babe cave/lady den lol when Michael calls up from the man cave/basement saying he has a gift for me. He tells me to cover my eyes with the blanket so I don’t cheat. I’m sure I looked NUTS! But I didn’t care haah he was being so silly I was loving it. When I opened my eyes he had a snowglobe for me (if you didn’t know I collect snowglobes I have about 30) but it was one that I owned and got in 2015. I laughed and he went back to the basement. A minute later he called up asking me to close my eyes with the blanket again because he had another gift for me. When I opened my eyes this time, it was a ScoobyDoo toy that belonged to Remi. I start cracking up which leads Remi to jump all over me. It was just too funny! He goes back to the basement and calls up saying he had one more gift for me so I play along. When he tells me to open my eyes, he is getting down on one knee and I’m flabbergasted!!!! On one knee, he looks at me and says: “Zaina Banihani, do you want to marry me?” The tears that flowed out of me were insane!!! I didn’t even say yes and he put the ring on me. For the next hour all I did was cry like a baby. He was so concerned that I was sad instead of happy. In that hour, my mom was driving down and she had no idea what had just happened!!! She got here and she was the first person we told which was everything I could have dreamed of. Honestly, I thought I wanted an elaborate and planned out proposal but when I think about how he did it, I get goosebumps. It was perfect in every way.
Now let’s talk BLIIIIIING BLAAAANG!!!! Michael and I had discussed getting engaged in early 2020 which included talking about budget. He gave me what he was comfortable with and I knew what I wanted. I found an amazing custom jeweler online who was able to execute my vision perfectly. I found my ring on an estate sale website but it was $30,000 which is INSANITY! But I was able to get anything I wanted with www.custommade.com!
It has officially been one month of being engaged and I’m the most stressed out bride to be. I won’t even lie to you. My OCD is on a rampage and out of control. I went into a complete panic feeling like I was already behind without even starting. What I did do was make an email account and excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs encompassing everything we would need for the wedding. We picked out a few hashtags and decided on colors. I started looking at venues using the knot website and made a list of potential options. The list had 12 options of various price points. Little did I know that weddings are DAMN EXPENSIVE! I got a quick slap in the face with all the money that gets added up.
I did fall in love with a venue however it was so expensive I cried. It’s exactly what people say. Do not look at things outside of your price range. That made us set a definitive budget. It’s soooo important to do that.
Oh I forgot to say, we did pick a season we wanted to get married during. 2022 was definitely the year but I was torn between spring and fall. Ultimately chose spring of 2022 so I don’t have to worry about football lol that’s stupid I know but I don’t care.
So here are my first few tips for month 1:
- Make an email account just for your wedding emails
- Sign up for one of the wedding websites to make searching for vendors easier
- Choose the year
- Set a budget
- Make a list of potential venues
- Choose a theme
My goal for the next month is to finalize the venue and date. I want to also start looking for dresses and boutiques that carry that designer.
I’m more relaxed now simply because I am down to two venues. Next time we may have a venue and date!!
For now, I will talk to you next Wednesday!!
Xoxo, Z
