Okay guys, I apologize in advance. This is going to be the most stereotypical LJ entry I have EVER made. Why? Because it's going to be 60% me going "OMG FAMILY CHILL OUT! I DON'T WANT ORCHIDS!" and yeah...

HOWEVER- to those of you reading this, I have a wide query to make-
I know it's weird, because I haven't sent out invitations yet- but I think it's safe to assume that if you read my LJ, some sort of wedding notice is on its way to you.

I'd like to make an open casting call to anyone who thinks they might like to:
-Play/Sing music (at the ceremony or either reception - Classy nerd music only. If you play Anybody's stupid canon, I will chomp your face)
-Help set up things of the table/chair/music equipment variety
-Bake cupcakes or some such thing for the awesome nighttime party (coughcoughyouknowwhoyouare)
-Something else I haven't thought of, but will clearly remember as soon as I post this entry
*at the time of the ceremony

OR Maybe you know
-A printmaker
-A rockstar photographer (could just be for the less formal night time party)
-A way we can get projector (and a portable screen?) for like.. giant size video game tournaments (would have to be freestanding screen)
-Someone who has too much time and would like to make a ton of origami or kanzashi flowers (because I really am not keen on real flowers... really not...)
-Someone that had a wedding recently that was catered by something awesome (that you could get me a name for)

JUST AS IMPORTANT
I need some masters of chilling out to help me keep my cool. My sisters have gone a little... overboard (hopefully it's just early days excitement and they will mellow out) so if anyone wants to grab some tea, play some zsnes online, or just give me a call- Color me appreciative.

Okay...
So... we've been engaged almost a year (wow...) now. I got my cute little cake ring (first clue this wasn't gonna be a typical wedding) which has yet to be replaced (and likely won't be) by a more traditional engagement rock. I so don't care, and diamonds are bad anyways. Well... can be. Often are. It's not like I'd be wearing it to school (jewelry is not dress code) anyways.

A year. A year. Lots and lots of months. We told the family in early June. Lots of months.

I was not the kind of little girl who played dress up in her mom's closet and clomped around in heels that were too big. I did not prance in front of the mirror and imagine my wedding day. Since I was old enough to think about weddings, I have been of the opinion that the wedding party day is not nearly as important as the years that follow, and people make a big deal out of it.
Still, I bought a book or two (like DiY Weddings and Offbeat Bride) and sifted through the internet, poking at interesting websites and bookmarking my favorites.

For a year. Lots of months, remember?

I mentioned (innocently) to my mom that we picked January for the wedding (I won't lie, I picked a month I thought would be easiest for Harry and the Potters to make it to...) she immediately phones sister 1, who is in quick contact with sister 2. "HURRY! SOUND THE ALARMS, KID SISTER IS GETTING WEDDINGED!"

This was two days ago. I've gotten (at least) a dozen emails, two phone calls, and a handful of text messages. Andrew and I fell in love with the idea of retro future- we've been doing a lot of research into that. I found a dress I love, jewelry I'd wear AFTER the wedding because it's so lovely (actually some steampunk stuff that's really sweet looking) and downloaded Time Lord/Star Chart brushes so I could give them to whoever ends up printing invitations.

Yeah, I might has well not have bothered. I'm not sure how to make it clear to my sisters "No, I really thought about this. This is what *we* like." because even all caps and italics aren't cutting it in the emails. Sisters don't like the dress I like. (I should wear my sister's old dress?) Don't think I should have a "whimsical" wedding cake. Nobody seems to listen when I say I'm not into orchids (including twitter... some orchid person is now following me???) and it's ridiculous.

I know, sister 1 has been married and did lots of planning. Sister 2 has been to countless weddings. However, I'm not a total doofus when it comes to planning. I plan panels for A-kon, tea parties for 50 all the time. I'm the go-to girl in my classes when people want direction and advice. None of this is on the scale as a wedding, but I mean... I do have skills. I don't need anyone to tell me what I like.

In all honesty- I know you guys are awesome, and you will come and party and enjoy yourselves- but 80% of the people in attendance... this will be one of MANY weddings they will attend in their lives. They won't remember much. They won't remember what kind of cake they ate. They won't remember what my flowers looked like. They won't know that someone played the prelude to FF1 as the wedding party came down the aisle. But for me and Andrew- this is our *one* wedding. We will remember all this stuff. I want to remember that we did something that was ours, that was special, and that we loved- not that I caved in to what my family thought was best to get out of a fight.

I don't want to be a crazy psycho bride- that's not my style... I just wish they'd cool their jets- listen to what *we* (cause it's not just me getting married) have to say- and use their amazing planning skills to help us create the wedding we want (and really, it's nothing TOO out there), rather than the wedding they think everyone wants to see.

Now if I just knew how to tell them that.