Bride Diary: The Guest List
By Kelly Stewart
When you think you can't handle working even one more night on that excel document titled "Guest List," just wait until the requests for shower lists start coming in. Don’t get me wrong, it is a true honor to have showers thrown for you, but getting the shower lists together can be quite taxing! Some things are just more overwhelming for certain people; I believe I have discovered that wedding and shower guest list-making is not one of my favorite things! Good news is, the guest list-making process has an “end,” especially as the wedding draws near. I am one-month away from my wedding day, and I am pretty sure that my list-making duties are finally over! The following is a list of all of the various guest lists I have made: wedding guest list, college/church friends shower list, lingerie shower list, “stock the kitchen” shower list, home-town ladies shower list, rehearsal dinner guest list, and finally, bridesmaids luncheon shower list.
Now that I am finished venting, I will tell you that the end result of making all of the various guest lists is very fun! The lists are for other friends or family to be able to throw special events for you after all! Moreover, the special events result in many wonderful presents! I have just recently been “showered” by four wonderful hostesses, who put together a large, fabulous party for me! I never imagined what it would be like to be given- and have to open- so many presents at any one time in my life! I was exhausted from being loved on so much! What a wonderful problem to have!
Showers are a not only a wonderful time of getting presents, but are also a chance to have more personal time with your close friends and family- and some not so close friends or family- before the wedding. The reality that I am the bride really hit this past Saturday morning at my home-town wedding shower. I soaked up the love and excitement like a sponge! My excitement barometer went through the roof! I really enjoyed watching my mom and my sister, my maid of honor, interact with others at the shower. It was fun seeing the excitement on their faces, realizing that all of these sweet people that I love are excited for me! More and more, I am discovering that the joy of getting married is in the process- the preparation, the wedding, and married life. Although I am still in the preparation stage, I have discovered the importance of soaking in the moments and enjoying them every step of the way.
With only 23 days remaining until my wedding day, here is a taste of what's happening in my wedding planning world: wedding shower- Saturday morning, bachelor/bachelorette getaway camping trip- Saturday through Sunday, final pre-marital counseling session- Sunday afternoon, final meeting with florist- Sunday evening, final meeting with reception site/reception food tasting- Wednesday during lunch hour, bridal portraits- next Thursday, lingerie shower- next Friday, designing programs, and so on!
I am still a happy bride!
