Uncomfortable day

So, I've been debating how much of wedding planning details to put on this blog. If you know me, you know that I'm very open. I love to share. However, this is our wedding we are talking about! Shouldn't there be some surprises for the guests? ... Well, so I've been holding back. Not that anything's been planned yet. But there are little details here and there I so wanted to share and discuss and get feedback and vent...etc...

I guess today made my decision easy. This morning, I got an email from CD regarding safety concerns in Mexico. ... Wait, let me step back a little. I'll get back to the email shortly.

First, after much thought, we decided we want a DW (Destination Wedding). I've been absolutely overwhelmed researching all over N. America, Hawaii, Caribbean, etc. for a perfect place (stress inducer #1). Eventually, I decided that most certainly, I want the ceremony to take place at a chapel. This helped to narrow down resorts significantly, since not many have an on-site chapel. This was great at first since I could cross out places and come up with a short list. Then, it became not so great since it also meant we now have very limited options (stress inducer #2).

Top 4 places I've narrowed down to are in Hawaii (main island) and in Mexico (Riviera Maya and Los Cabos). Hawaii, to me, seems a bit too far and the airfare seems it will be quite more than it will be to Mexico. To CD, Mexico's recent uprising of violence (mostly due to the drug infighting) is a major concern. So then, Caribbean and/or within US or Canada would work out better. BUT...the cost of DW within US/Canada would require more help in planning (unlike a resort where one place would take care of everything) and if they did provide the service (or if we hire a planner), the cost is outrageous! We might as well have the wedding at our beloved city - Chicago. Problem with the Caribbean is that I have not found a single resort with a chapel! Sigh~ :(

I have gotten suggestions as to rent a few villas in the Caribbean (and perhaps find a local church, if there is one) - but who do we go to in order to plan the wedding part? It seems to me I have to talk to multiple people to arrange this; but the beauty of DW and one of the main reasons we decided on DW was to simplify things. Having to negotiate with multiple vendors/venues does not seem simple to me...

Anyway, back to the email. Why did I have an uncomfortable day today? Well, CD forwarded me an email from a friend who is an expert in International Security...and his outlook on Mexico was not all that positive. I momentarily got very upset (the two Mexico resorts were my favorites and I've seen so many pictures and videos that I was sort of leaning towards them...a lot...), and instead of taking a moment, I broke the cardinal rule of email ettiquette. I fired off a nasty, b!^chy email back to CD going off on how if he doesn't want to do a chapel wedding or go to Mexico, he should speak up now; and, I think I also said I'm not compromising... Well, it was totally uncalled for.

I was even more upset all day (my mind and heart were just so "uncomfortable" for the lack of better words) because I knew I not only ruined my own day, but CD's as well. Of course, I'm also too stubborn to apologize right away, so waited all day to call him. (OK, I did try to weasel out by sending little texts, but I don't think they worked since his replies were a bit terse.)

Well, so there. This blog will now contain ups and downs and the details of our wedding planning. Hopefully, in short time, you'll read about some progress!

BTW, we are thinking anywhere between late January - May, 2010, wedding. We haven't completely ruled out Chicago; and at the very least, we are keeping an open mind to holding small receptions in both Chicago and Toronto (Toronto to appease my parents' friends and to do Paebaek* ceremony, which may not be feasible to do at DW).

!!! I JUST WANT A DATE AND A PLACE, ALREADY !!!

*Paebaek is a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. This website has a good description. Click on the top banner for more detailed description.