At what point will society finally deem it acceptable to use Evite or something like it to send out invitations to a formal social function, e.g. Nick & Amy’s wedding? Technologically, we’re already there. What are we waiting for?

We’ve spent a bunch of time recently organizing the guest list, and Amy has put some work already in to the invitations themselves with much more to come. No matter what we do, the nicest invitation we could ever come up with is still going to end up in the garbage. The reply card will get sent back immediately for some, for others (like me) it will sit around for a while, hopefully not get lost or discarded. All the paper and work involved seems to me the most wasteful part of the day.

I’ve mentioned Evite a few times, and I get laughed like I was joking. I suppose I was half-kidding. An event like a wedding deserves a bit more reverence than the advertisement-ridden Evite provides. I have to think there’s a market for elegant, fancy, romantic yet electronic-only invitations. Who wants to join me in bringing it to the people?!

Rant over. Look for your invitation in the mail somewhere in mid-September.

Wedding plans are rolling along! Last night, Amy and I had the chance to hear our wedding musician Joann Funk play at The Dakota last night, and I knew immediately she had the gig. She’s a jazz vocalist and pianist, and she’ll be performing at our reception with her trio as she does every Thursday at the beautiful Dakota in downtown Minneapolis.

She had a great, smoky jazz club style, and everything the band played was beautiful. I was also impressed with how concious she was of our needs. Knowing we had tentatively planned on seeing her last Thursday, she had the foresight to call us and tell us that a private party would probably prevent that.

We’re really excited. She just seems perfect for the day.

Better late than never, I wanted to post a link to my favorite April Fool’s Joke this year (aside from my own): Google Romance really made me laugh and smile, especially since that’s how Amy and I met. I couldn’t be more thankful for online dating, but it certainly can’t avoid being a target for humor.

Amy’s parents were in town last night after a week in Charleston. We had dinner with them at the usual spot when they’re in town. As all conversations tend to lately, every topic discussed at dinner seemed to evolve in to questions of wedding planning. When are you going to buy your dress? The band is going to cost how much?! When are we going to meet Nick’s parents? The evening grew more and more frustrating, and I’m not ashamed to say that we both shed a few tears in the process.

Back in the car, Amy and I looked at each other, and, as if on cue, said, “Let’s elope!” Already spitting distance from the Mall of America, we raced to the Chapel of Love (not as bad as you think). The ceremony was surprisingly reverent and touching. More tears again! Afterwards, we toasted to our wedded bliss at the California Cafe.

We couldn’t be happier, and we look forward to celebrating with all of our friends and family soon!

Update: Indeed this was an April Fool’s gag. The first draft was funnier but would have tricked no one. Amy’s suggestion to make it more believable panned out on more than a few people. Planning is going very well, and our dinner with Amy’s parents was nothing but pleasant, as usual.

Looks like maybe I should do double duty and use the honeymoon to get those pec implants I’ve always wanted. Interesting quote from the article: “Add the quality reputation of Colombian medicine to the savings and you’ve got a good product to promote…” - from my understanding, that’s not a joke. Most of those Colombian doctors (my cousin is one) are very-well trained in the US. Beefcake, here I come!

When I tell people that Amy and I are going to Colombia for our honeymoon, they usually say something like, “Oooo, cool!” but I generally detect a bit of, “What?! You’re taking your new bride to the murder and cocaine capital of the world? Nothing like third-world poverty and the constant threat of kidnapping says romance like that.”

Sadly, even I occasionally wonder about the sanity of the idea. Perhaps a week on the Italian Riviera would be more safe. Even my mother, the original cartel connection, has a worriedness about our trip. “How would you feel if your aunt and I stayed in Cartageña at a different hotel while you two were honeymooning?” she asked recently. I’m not sure which is less romantic: honeymooning with my mom or with a gun to my head.

Well, knock on wood, there’s no reason to worry! According to this article on cnn.com, Colombia is the new tourist hotspot! Yay. I can’t wait! Now, where did I put that ransom insurance form?

My fiancée still has some of her baby teeth. No, I’m not marrying a 12-year-old; she’s twenty-eight. Sounds freakish to me, but she’s convinced that it happens occasionally.

I just found out today that November 11, the day Amy and I chose for our wedding, is also the anniversary of my mother’s arrival in the United States from Colombia. On our wedding day, she’ll celebrate 38 years in the US.

Many thanks to Ryan and Jess for throwing a great engagement brunch for Amy and me and all of our friends. Worlds collided with little fall out. It was a lot of fun, and I was reminded of the brunches Jess used to throw back in the day. This was basically the same, but gone were the screwdrivers, matchmaking, and hangovers. In their place we enjoyed toddlers, home improvement tips, and grey chest hair.

Wow, we’re getting old. Thankfully, we’re not much more mature.