Wedding Blog
About a month ago, I woke up out of a dead sleep, startled at what my mind had thought of unconsciously. To make sure I didn’t forget by morning, I ran to my desk in the dark, scribbled the word onto a blank piece of paper, and fell back into bed. The next morning when I went to turn my computer on, I saw the word that had woken me up 6 hours earlier- FIRE.
Panic started to creep its way back into my nerves. We are having our wedding in an area known for wildfires. Why didn’t that cross my mind before? What would we do if that happened? What would our guests do? And what about my grandparents- would they be ok? A million questions started racing through my mind- and once again- different venues started popping into my mind just in case. NO, NO, NO! Not venues again! Anything but venues.
To convince myself I was fretting for no reason, I “Googled” fires in that region… and oh that didn’t help. Because almost all the fires listed occurred in the month of October. October?!! No!! And if that wasn’t enough- they came with pictures like this to make me feel better.
My family and friends have since eased my worries. There’s nothing I can do about it, so there’s no use worrying… even though I still want to sometimes. But I’m not changing venues. I’m not reordering our invites with different information. And I’m going to marry my man up in the mountains dangit! 
Have any of you had to worry about “mother nature”/ errr arsonists for your wedding?
Image via Fireupdate.com
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Share this post: The Issue of Fire
Well, my reception is in the town where the houses were falling into the lake that created a new channel because of all the rain in Wisconsin. So yes, I had some worries. But then I realized that there was absolutely nothing I could do! So I think it’s perfectly normal!
I got married in November of last year in Southern California and there were definitely fires to contend with last fall in that region. We were married in South Orange County and for awhile, I really thought we weren’t going to have a venue. It was definitely an interesting time. Thankfully, we had wedding insurance and since most (seriously, like 90%) of our guest list were people from the area and surrounding cities, if we’d had to cancel it wouldn’t have made huge mess of things. At that points, I just wanted to be married! I was almost defiant at the fires: “Think you can stop me from marrying?! I’ll show you!”… but we never had to cancel. The fires were contained and our venue untouched. We were fortunate.
I’m marrying on a beach on the Gulf of Mexico in the northern Panhandle of Florida in October, which is right at the end of hurricane season. What’s the movie with Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock and the chick from News Radio? I have nightmares like that.
I really have absolutely no problem moving the ceremony inside from the beach if it rains; I just don’t want my loved ones to miss the wedding due to a hurricane!
Not even thinking of hurricanes. The power of positive thinking - warm, sunny weather on my wedding day, warm, sunny weather on my wedding day, warm, sunny weather on my wedding day…
Aw. don’t think about that. But as a precaution, just make sure all your vendors are insured. Hmm..what mountains are u getting married at/in?
Ahhh I would recognize the burning mountains of San Diego any day.
I’d like to reassure you….after having gone through 2 of these things now, you’re probably safe getting married this year because all the old brush hasn’t quite grown back yet in Big Bear. Down here in SD there are still scorched trees and charred fields with little to know growth and I’d imagine it’s the same in Big Bear. Rest easy, I’m sure your day will be just beautiful!
We have similar worries Miss Espresso. Western Montana is known for its summer wildfires, particularly over the last several years. In 2003 a massive fire almost wiped out our cabin along with the entire western side of Lake McDonald. Polebridge nearly burned several years before that. For the last 6 years, Glacier has always had some amount of wildfire smoke, whether it be from the park itself or drifting in from Idaho or southern Montana.
So far the year has been wonderful…a good winter and wet spring, but no rain for several weeks this summer. Fire danger is high and we have our fingers crossed. Part of the risk of a wedding away from civilization, we’re hoping for the best. Best luck to you as well!
Haven’t had weather nightmares (though we will be in a hurricane area so maybe i should be!)
I have had one dream/nightmare about a sports commentator being my wedding planner!!
read for laughs
http://barefootstargazer.blogspot.com/2008/07/wedding-dream-or-nightmare-not-sure.html
and for a brief moment I wanted it to rain because of some great rain wedding photos i had seen - and then remembered i look terrible in the rain. for great wedding rainy photos, and laughs - read below!
http://barefootstargazer.blogspot.com/2008/07/april-showers-bring-may-flowers.html
I’ve been wondering about that Miss Espresso! Per what Alyssa Lang said, I’m sure that you’ll be fine!
As for my mother nature worries, they fall under the Hummingbirds category: Rain. They mean tent rentals - and I don’t want to pay for tent rentals!
@thenewmrsw: haha I love your attitude! I’ve been thinking about wedding insurance myself. I really don’t want to spend any more money- but I think it may be a wise investment
@CarolineG: Oh ya Forces of Nature And I’ll keep saying it with you, “Warm, sunny weather on my wedding day.”
@groomzillaisme: We’re getting married in Big Bear
@Alyssa Lang: that’s a good point, a lot of it is still burned. Thanks for the positive thinking
@Mr. Cherry Pie: Hey Mr. Cherry Pie! I remember hearing about that fire. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you two also
I’m from Souther California too, so I understand you fire worries. I’m sure you will be fine, especially after what the area has been through, they are even more prepared than ever before… if (and I mean if) a fire does start they will have it under control in no time
Yep. Glacier is often under siege by wildfires or smoke… we just have to keep our fingers crossed!
My cousin got married the week of the huge fires in San Diego last year. At 2 am the police were banging on their door telling them to leave everything, the Monday before the wedding. They were in a hotel for the week. Coming from MA we had no idea if we’d be able to get out there, and our hotel wasn’t sure if they’d be able to open. The fire went halfway through their backyard and stopped before hitting their house. The neighbors house was gone.
Some things were done, they were missing some stuff, some things never got done. The only thing that matters is that they did get out safe. They were able to be married. It reminds you that the only thing that matters is your lives and everyone around you’s lives. Yeah, the planning going down the drain sucks, but who cares? They were lucky to still have a home to go to. So, while I am sure you will be fine and you shouldn’t worry, don’t forget the important things!
I’m completely understand how you feel! My wedding site is close to the Big Sur Basin fire, and The Indians fire! Luckily one has been controlled, the other is supposed to be out by the end of this month, but I’m really concerned about the smoke in the air! You can see how bad it is, and everything is outside at my wedding! My wedding is in September, so hopefully in a month the air clears up! I don’t want a gray smoky day!
i hope i had nothing to do with your worries!!! i didn’t want to add more stress to the stress that you’re having to endure with wedding planning. But we were able to push through without even having to cancel our wedding..and it may have turned out 10 times better than what i had envisioned (i know that sounds odd). the only thing that matters on your wedding day is that you get married. ..that’s what my hubby told me continuously the whole time.
Big Bear is a WONDERFUL wedding location!!! And your wedding will be BEAUTIFUL!!
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Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big Bear
Age and Occupation: 23, Community Services Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance Technician
Engagement Date: December 21, 2007
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 25, 2008
Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear Lake
About Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
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