Finding THE Place

I arrived home from work excited that we would soon be sealing the deal, getting hitched, tying the knot, however I wanted to make certain that C was really on board with my crazy idea. I am sure those who know me (who really know me) understand that I have never been much of a planner, I like to have a plan. I like to know what is going to happen, but to plan an event 6 or more months down the road has NEVER happened in my life. So Friday night, I must have asked C 50+ times if he was really okay with getting married in 3 weeks. He was. Saturday morning, I awoke and began planning. I started emailing places that I had pinned and contacted previously. I made calls to find out if anyone was willing to make a deal. I was going to get married in 3 weeks, did they want the extra revenue or not? Some places were happy to chat, some places must take the weekend off because they didn't get back to me until Monday and by then I had already booked a place and sent out invites... but I am getting ahead of myself. I spoke with one place, that I knew I really did not want to get married there, but if they could make a good deal, I would sacrifice the look I wanted for a great price. They were willing to waive the ceremony fee. When I asked what the fee covered the woman on the other end of the phone said "well in your case, it would be an arch inside". I replied with "You are charging a fee for an arch I don't even want?" Well needless to say I ended that conversation quite quickly. I was emailing with one of the owners of The Mile Away in a nearby town.  He was also willing to waive a single fee.  However their wedding package includes the wedding cake, made by an award winning local bakery.  The restaurant has been one of my favorite places for many years.   It already has the rustic feel that I wanted to for our wedding.  It shouts casual, comfortable, elegant, and US.  The Mile Away is a historic farm house/barn.  It is absolutely beautiful.  The post and beam , wood walls.  The wagon wheel chandelier.  It is all so rustic and elegant.  It has what I envisioned as their usual decor...

My darling prince has never been to The Mile Away, so I made reservations for dinner that evening so he could see the place for himself and let me know if it was everything I envisioned he and I would want.  We went to dinner that evening and enjoyed a very delicious dinner by the fire.

As we dined, I must have asked him at least a dozen times if he thought the place was right and if we should "really do this".  He loved the place, and he loves me.

As the night progressed (at a bar with our fantastic neighbors), I was still wondering was this right?  I knew in my heart all I really wanted was to actually be married to the man I loved.  My sister was calling asking if she should book airfare for my father to fly home from Florida for the big day.  I was 90% certain it would happen, but wasn't quite sure.  She also had sent me photos of a dress she saw at a consignment shop near her home (about 1 1/2 hours from here).  I had finally agreed to drive down the next day and take a look at it... still not certain I was going to be go through with this full wedding in 3 weeks.  

There was a part of me that just wanted to sign the paperwork and be done with it all.  But I also wanted the wedding, the party, my parents walking me towards my groom, THE KISS, the dance with my dad,  the dance with my groom, etc. etc.  I wanted the party, but I wanted the marriage.  So I went to bed Saturday night knowing it was most certainly going to happen, but I had to book the restaurant before it was carved in stone.