The New Girl: Miss JeffMemorial
Hello, all! Miss JeffMemorial here. I'm the newest addition to DC Nearlyweds, and I'm very excited.
While I am a DC Native (yes, we do exist), Mr. JeffMemorial is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Oddly enough, Mr. JeffMemorial and I have known each other since we were about 18 years old. We never dated. We weren't terribly close, but we got along and were friends. Last year he reappeared in my life; I had moved home to DC after spending six years in Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and North Carolina. We reconnected and got swept away last December. We just fell right into the relationship, like we had been together forever. But I knew instantly, even before the relationship began. I called our friend up and told her in confidence that I was freaking out, because he was the man I was going to marry. I just knew it.
And I was right.
He proposed in April, and I said yes. While it surprised everyone, all we received were well wishes and support. Anyone who knew us said that us getting married was a wonderful thing.
Mr. JeffMemorial and I now live in Capitol Hill, at Potomac Avenue, with our Scottish Terrier, Horatio.
Now we are doing the unthinkable. We are having a wedding IN Washington DC without putting anything on a credit card and with a budget of $5000.
Some may think I'm joking.
I'm not.
Some may say this seems impossible!
Much to my surprise, it isn't.
While we'd love to adhere to tradition with my family chipping in, it's not possible. The money for a big wedding isn't there on either side; so we're being very 21st century and paying for it all ourselves.
Now I'll admit that the budget restrictions have not always been a source of smiles and rainbows. The wedding has been through a number of incarnations as ideas went from feasible to unreasonable. Throw in a money-eating family emergency for good measure, and you have a recipe for a bride wanting to run off to Vegas and never look back.
Thanks to one superstar bridesmaid and the support of another (who happens to be Miss Gallery Place!) we're not eloping. We're pulling off the impossible, and we have just a bit over a year to do it, with our wedding being on October 10, 2009.
Our vision was to have a wedding that showcased why we loved Washington DC so much. So many write DC off as a fake city, but it's our home, and it's my favorite place.
We've been through art gallery receptions, church hall receptions, you name it... we've tried to plan it. And that's when the idea came up, thanks to my Super Bridesmaid.
Why not have the wedding on the West Lawn of the Jefferson Memorial?
While I am a DC Native (yes, we do exist), Mr. JeffMemorial is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Oddly enough, Mr. JeffMemorial and I have known each other since we were about 18 years old. We never dated. We weren't terribly close, but we got along and were friends. Last year he reappeared in my life; I had moved home to DC after spending six years in Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and North Carolina. We reconnected and got swept away last December. We just fell right into the relationship, like we had been together forever. But I knew instantly, even before the relationship began. I called our friend up and told her in confidence that I was freaking out, because he was the man I was going to marry. I just knew it.
And I was right.
He proposed in April, and I said yes. While it surprised everyone, all we received were well wishes and support. Anyone who knew us said that us getting married was a wonderful thing.
Mr. JeffMemorial and I now live in Capitol Hill, at Potomac Avenue, with our Scottish Terrier, Horatio.
Now we are doing the unthinkable. We are having a wedding IN Washington DC without putting anything on a credit card and with a budget of $5000.
Some may think I'm joking.
I'm not.
Some may say this seems impossible!
Much to my surprise, it isn't.
While we'd love to adhere to tradition with my family chipping in, it's not possible. The money for a big wedding isn't there on either side; so we're being very 21st century and paying for it all ourselves.
Now I'll admit that the budget restrictions have not always been a source of smiles and rainbows. The wedding has been through a number of incarnations as ideas went from feasible to unreasonable. Throw in a money-eating family emergency for good measure, and you have a recipe for a bride wanting to run off to Vegas and never look back.
Thanks to one superstar bridesmaid and the support of another (who happens to be Miss Gallery Place!) we're not eloping. We're pulling off the impossible, and we have just a bit over a year to do it, with our wedding being on October 10, 2009.
Our vision was to have a wedding that showcased why we loved Washington DC so much. So many write DC off as a fake city, but it's our home, and it's my favorite place.
We've been through art gallery receptions, church hall receptions, you name it... we've tried to plan it. And that's when the idea came up, thanks to my Super Bridesmaid.
Why not have the wedding on the West Lawn of the Jefferson Memorial?
We're looking at a tiny itty bitty cost for permits, as opposed to the astounding non-member fee structures at our church. Not only that, but the scenery is beautiful for our guests, a number of whom are from out of town! Also, Washington DC in the fall is so romantic to me.
Now it isn't officially our location yet, as we cannot purchase permits for use of the memorial more than a year out from our date. Needless to say, on the morning of October 10th I will be calling the Parks & Rec department, check card in hand!
Coming up...!
Can a plus-sized bride find a reasonably priced dress of her dreams?
And!
How can one throw a fabulous reception in Washington DC on a small budget?
In all seriousness though, I'm happy to be here and sharing planning with all of you!
Now it isn't officially our location yet, as we cannot purchase permits for use of the memorial more than a year out from our date. Needless to say, on the morning of October 10th I will be calling the Parks & Rec department, check card in hand!
Coming up...!
Can a plus-sized bride find a reasonably priced dress of her dreams?
And!
How can one throw a fabulous reception in Washington DC on a small budget?
In all seriousness though, I'm happy to be here and sharing planning with all of you!
Labels: Ceremony Location, Introduction, Miss JeffMemorial
posted by Miss JeffMemorial at 8:46 AM
6 Comments:
I am definitely looking forward to following your journey. What a great idea and so memorable...Jefferson Memorial. I'm having the same issue too... the venue i want said "it's too early, come back 12 months from the date" so I can't plan anything til the venue is finalized, kinda makes the next few months of waiting torturous!
Good luck! can't wait for your future posts!
I can't wait to read your posts for the next year! I'm amazed at the idea of $5,000 for a wedding in one of the most expensive cities in the nation — most site fees around here are way more than that!
you can definitely find a good deal on a plus size dress. i got a 100% silk well made gown (plus size) at the Filene's sale. I went at 5pm afterwork, still plenty of dresses! Also, you can do the bridesmaid-dress-in-white option to save major bucks.
That my wedding date too!!! and I also ADORE DC and my fiance proposed at the Lincoln Memorial at night! I thought about that exact spot as well! It's crazy! I can't wait to hear about all your ideas!
Your location is perfect! It DC-ish, it's on the water ... may your first autumn together in DC be as romantic as your second. <3
Great post! I like how you're looking at this as an adventure. I'm sure you'll end up with a fabulous wedding and reception. :)
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