Amy and the Great World

USA

Catching Up (+ Honeymoon News!)

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-I’ve been back in the States for two weeks! Whoaaa. I have so many thoughts but I’m giving myself time to settle. Reverse culture shock is real, yo.

-Our wedding is in one month from TOMORROW. Cue dramatics!! For all of you, I don’t recommend this being-abroad-then-planning-everything-in-six weeks approach. However, it does mean that instead of waiting a year or longer to marry E, I get to do it in four weeks! So it has some pros.

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-I can’t help but find it a little amusing that I’m ending up with a largely DIY wedding when every DIY project I’ve ever endeavored has turned into a disaster.

-Another thing I don’t recommend? Wedding dress shopping the day after an international flight. If there’s anything that will throw you into reverse culture shock, it’s wedding dress shopping (and rush hour traffic). There may have been some tears in the dressing room, but I ended up picking a gown that was the most fun. Since that is the ultimate goal for our wedding day, I figured why not have fun in my dress, too? And by fun, yes, I mean fun in the it’s-poufy kind of way. I can’t really remember it all that well at this point even though I picked out it two weeks ago…so hopefully when I try it on again I’ll still be happy with my decision.

-I admit that I’m having a lot of guilt when it comes to wedding planning. Or, really having a wedding at all. It’s a unique reason for most of our loved ones to come to one place, which is great since we’ve been living abroad (and will continue to be doing so). But, I have to admit that sometimes weddings feel so commercial and consumer-based. Everything is so expensive, from the food to the dress to the chairs. It also feels…socially irresponsible! Can any other brides relate to this?!

-It’s really nice to be back home, but now I am so homesick for Prague and Europe in general. America is just…gigantic! After arriving in Seattle, three days later I drove back with my parents and sister (who had come to meet us!!) to Montana. It was a full twelve-hour drive, and that’s barely a third of this whole country! Yet another thing I don’t recommend…a long-haul flight followed almost immediately by a long-haul drive.

-Reunited with my favorite pups and it feels so good.

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-Not only is America the country gigantic, everything else here seems to be giant, too. The houses! The stores! The cars! The cups of coffee (there is nothing as wonderful and American as the bottomless cup of coffee.)! The serving sizes! The freeways! Dare I say…some of the people?! And I’m not even talking about the obesity epidemic…everyone here seems so tall!

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-E and I officially booked our honeymoon!!! We are going to spend…wait for iiiiit…SIX WEEKS IN CENTRAL AMERICA! I am beyond excited, as I’ve never been to any of the countries and neither has E. We were looking for an adventure honeymoon close to home (read: cheap, cheap flights) since we will be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we found an amazing deal from Seattle to San Jose. We are flying in and out of Costa Rica but otherwise we haven’t made any plans. So, for those of you who’ve been, I would love all of your tips for the area, especially Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua! 🙂

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-Now it’s your turn! Tell me what’s up with you in the comments!

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Comments

  2. Reverse culture shock is so crazy! I was so excited for free refills when we got back from living in Europe! Haha. Your honeymoon sounds amazing! Can’t wait to read about your time in Central America 🙂

  3. Wow, sounds so busy! I can definitely 100% relate to the whole wedding commercial thing, I’m feeling exactly the same at points too… and also the whole planning from another country! We will have just a bit longer than you guys once we get to Chile to make sure everything is ready, eeep. So thankful to have Carlos’ family who are sorting out stuff from there, otherwise there probably would be no wedding!
    And oh my, your honeymoon plans sound amazing! Please do let me know your Costa Rica tips as we will be honeymooing there too (in February, can’t wait!) Good luck with all the changes and enjoy x

    • I think you might be en route to Chile right now–how funny that we have similar timelines and the same honeymoon spot!!! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding–and good luck getting it ready! I have to say, the prep was stressful but our wedding was SO AMAZING I would do (almost) all of it again. It’s good that you have family there already preparing, that will help a ton. Oooh I can’t wait to read all about it!! Costa Rica is lovely so far, I’ll have to email you some tips, I think you’ll have a fantastic time!!!

    • Ooh we were hoping to make it there but the flights are a bit pricey and overland travel isn’t recommended right now–maybe next time :). Costa Rica and Panama will have to do!! Did you make it to Panama?

  5. Exciting! Exciting! Exciting!! What a whirlwind! Your wedding day will be here before you know it! And yes, I did have similar feelings about the cost. We had a small wedding but I still feel we spent a lot even while really trying to not do anything too extravagant.

    • Yes, I agree–we really didn’t spend THAT much I suppose (especially considering the average wedding cost nowadays!) and everything ended up being really DIY (which I hated but it turned out well). Still, a part of me is like “wait, WHERE did that money go?”

  6. Central America sounds awesome! And pouffy dresses are always fun. I know what you mean about weddings. We had a small one too – but it was still probably more than our 3 week honeymoon will end up costing. It’s really ridiculous.

  7. Wow, such exciting times ahead! I can see what you mean about weddings feeling consumer-based, but I guess the important thing to keep in mind is that you want to plan a lovely ceremony and unforgettable party with allllllll of your best people. Which you (and them) will remember (and maybe still talk about) for the rest of your lives. And big parties are expensive 🙁 BUT I just thought about how it will basically be the best reunion ever, which I really think it was. So not to worry, do what you can, but don’t feel like you can’t say no to something that seems unnecessarily expensive or overly wasteful, etc.
    Oh, and your dogs are soooo sweet looking! Congrats on your honeymoon plans 😀

    • Thanks Cynthia! Even though I’m only now responding (whew) I really took your words to heart before our wedding. While I didn’t dance the night away like you did lol, I had SUCH a great time and everyone else did too. It was special having everyone there that I would do it again, even with the cost! Although there are a few things I would spend less money on…and a few things I would spend MORE money on ;).

  9. I am so excited for you! All the best with the wedding planning and DIY projects .. Can’t wait to hear about it all. Your honeymoon sounds like it’s perfect for you guys! I haven’t been there so I can’t share any tips but I’ll be sure to what out for when you share yours!
    Also, I just booked a 4 day trip to Prague in December so I’ll be stalking old posts of yours for tips! Can’t wait X
    Ps you’ll love your dress because when you know, you know it’s the right one!

    • Thanks, Natalie! How exciting you’re going in December–one of my favorite times of the year in Prague! Their Christmas markets are pretty small but really fun!! Aww I wish I was going to be there so I could go with you. Let me know if you need any tips 🙂 I have scores of restaurant recommendations, and more!

  10. The Honeymoon sounds amazing!! I can’t wait to read all about it!
    Good luck with all the wedding planning, I definitely do not envy you 🙂

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