You don't know the last thing about wedding planning. And you're totally against getting a wedding planner because they'll tell you what to do. Luckily for you, you have Pinterest. And a ever-growing list of things to be done.
1. Set a budget and determine how the costs will be divided.
2. Set a date and reserve venues
3. Start the guest list and estimate the costs of each
4. Start a folder for reciepts
5. Select your wedding party
6. Hire a day-of coordinator (you weren't against those)
7. Book a flourist, photographer, and a DJ.
All things you had to have done in the first month.
You'd already set a date - May 11. And with you doing some photography work on the side, you knew a couple of the best photographers. Thomas knew the DJs and he would find the perfect one.
Everything else? You were completely oblivious to anything wedding.
"A standard wedding is 25,000 dollars!" You exclaim, your jaw dropping as you stare at you computer screen.
Thomas peers over at your screen, and shrugs, "No big deal."
You look at him in horror, "It most certainly IS a big deal!"
"Iris, I have that much money and more to spare!" Thomas laughs.
"It's a lot of money." You object.
Thomas just shakes his head, chuckling, "You need to stop stressing out. It'll all end up fine."
You shake your head, "It has to be perfect!"
Thomas furrows his eyebrows, giving you a belittling look, "HAS to be?"
You nod, dignity showing, "HAS to be."
Thomas get up off the couch, grinning.
"Where are you going?" You ask.
He holds his hand out to you, "Not just me. Both of us. Come on."
You take his hand and let him help you to your feet, "Fine, then. Where are WE going?"
He grabs his coat and hands you yours, "For a drive."
- - - -
"What exactly are we doing?" You ask, annoyed.
"Relaxing." Thomas says calmly. He always manages to keep his cool. You don't know how he does it.
"Where are we going?" You ask.
"I don't know." Thomas admits.
"Well, why don't we go back to the house and-" You start.
Thomas cuts you off, turning the radio on, "This conversation is over now. You need to RELAX."
You sigh as he turns the radio up.
Thomas hums, "Oh, I like this song."
You listen carefully and hear One Republics Apologize, playing on the radio, "Mmhmmmm." You mumble.
You watch Thomas as he starts sing the lyrics quietly, "Holding on your rope, you've got me ten feet off the ground. I'm hearing what you say, but I just can't make a sound. Tell me that you need me, then you go and cut me down, but wait. You tell me that you're sorry, didn't think I'd turn around, you say -it's too late to apologize. It's too late."
He sings the rest of the song. You admire his voice. He's not the best of singers, but you'd always wanted to marry someone who liked singing and would just sing at random times. And now you were going to.
He finishes the song, "Holding on your rope, you've got me ten feet off....the ground."
He turns and looks at you, "That's a good song."
You smile, "Yeah, it is."
And then Jason Maraz's I'm Yours comes on. You squeal and turn it up louder, "I LOVE THIS SONG!"
Thomas looks over at you, surprised, "Okayyyy."
This time when Thomas sings you sing along with him, "Well, you've done done me and you bet I felt it. I tried to beat you but you're so hot that I melted. I fell right through the cracks. And now I'm trying to get back." This time you start singing REALLY. LOUD. And Thomas sings loudly with you, "BEFORE THE COOL DONE RUN OUT I'LL BE GIVING IT MY BESTEST AND NOTHING'S GONNA STOP ME BUT DIVINE INTERVENTION. I RECKON IT'S AGAIN, MY TURN, TO WIN SOME OR LEARN SOME. BUT I WON'T HESITATE NO MORE. NO MORE IT CAN NOT WAIT. I'M YOURS. "
"WELL OPEN UP YOUR MIND AND SEE LIKE ME. OPEN UP YOUR PLANS AND DANG YOUR FREE, LOOK INTO YOUR HEART AND YOU'LL FIND LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. LISTWN TO THE MUSIC OF THE MOMENT PEOPLE DANCE AND SING. WE'RE JUST ONE BIG FAMILY. AND IT'S OUR GOD FORSAKEN RIGHT TO BE LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVED."
You jump back into the chorous again. Neither of you pay attention to pitch or tempo, you just belt out, word after word, laughing every so often and smiling as you sing. You don't nessicarily call this relaxing, but whatever it is, it calms you down and you enjoy yourself instead of focusing on the wedding.
- - - -
Thomas pulled over during your ride, stopping at the top of a hill. He jogs over to your side of the car and opens the door, "Thank you." You smile.
He takes you by the hand and pulls you off the side of the hidden road. Trees surround the road and you can see a good portion of the city from your spot on the grass.
"Questions." Thomas says, kissing the side of your head and making your heart flutter.
You close your eyes as he presses his nose against your cheek, "Hmmmm, what's your favorite memory of us?"
He chuckles, "That whole saying you would marry me was bloody great."
You laugh, "Besides that."
He rests his forehead on your shoulder, thinking, "Your birthday was really fun." He laughs, " ' Apple-john'."
You smile, "That's an insult for Shaksperian times!"
"Oh, yes. I felt very insulted." Thomas grins.
You click your tounge, "Your turn. Ask me a question, Mr. Smarty-pants."
He grins, "I want to see if you know the answer to this question. What are our favorite snacks?"
You think, "Hot chocolate would defiantly be on the list. Italian...." You smile at him, "And....brownies?"
"You forgot cheese." Thomas says looking at you.
"Oh," you roll your eyes, "How could I forget cheese?"
"That's what I'm saying." Thomas nods.
You lean over and kiss Thomas on the cheek, "Hey, thanks for this."
Thomas smiles softly, "You needed it."
You're both quiet for a minute before Thomas looks at you, "You've never told me what your parents do."
You shrug, "There's not much to tell. My Dad was an actor too. But, he's retired now. He didn't become very famous either. But he was good. He was on Broadway several times. In commercials. Played extras in movies. Just like me."
Thomas nudges your shoulder, "Except you're going to become big and famous."
You laugh, "Yeah. Sureeee."
Thomas smiles, "You are. Just watch. Anyway, what about your Mum?"
"She's a cook too. She's where we got most of our income. She's REALLY good. I told you my Aunt was good, but she has NOTHING on my Mom. Mom has a small chain in the Utah area. She didn't want it getting very big, but it's a local sensation. If you go to Utah you have to go to her restaurant." You tell him, with wide eyes, "Well, I mean, you are going to Utah. But if anyone were ever to go, they'd have to try it."
Thomas looks at you, "Your family seems pretty successful."
You shrug, "They are, I guess."
You look to him, "Are you excited to meet them?"
Thomas grins, "Of course! They seem fun."
You smile, "They are. You'll like them."
Thomas smiles at you. There isn't really a need for words right now. The two of you sit quietly a few minutes longer before Thomas stands up, "Well, I guess, we should head back."
You sigh and stand up, "Yeah."
Back to stress land.