Question:
Hello!!
I'm a 2018. My boyfriend decided to pop the question before I started school and now I have the lovely added stress of trying to plan a wedding on top of school. At this point we are just trying to set a date. This is where I need some help. We have Aug 2017 in mind (after my 3rd work term and before 4th year). Do you think that is logistically possible? Will have a week off before the end of my co-op and the beginning of fall classes? Is there any other time that you suggest? Thanks for your help!
Response 1:
First and foremost, congratulations!!! I completely understand that although planning a wedding is very exciting, it can be stressful while in school. My boyfriend proposed to me last March and we are getting married this August (at the end of my 3rd work term and before 4th year). To make our plans work, we booked all the major things (venue, officiant, photographer, etc) while I was on my second work term and we will be taking care of all the smaller details this summer. It does however make the co-op process more stressful because there is added pressure to find a job close to home and to find an employer with flexible start and end dates (to allow you to complete your 16 weeks before your wedding and to allow yourself time for a honeymoon if you are planning on going on one). This is manageable though because there is always an opportunity to self-arrange. I think the most important thing is to work together (my fiance makes all the phone calls, sends emails, etc) and try to enjoy the planning process as much as possible.
Response 2:
Congratulations on your engagement! We have very similar stories :) I got engaged the October before I started pharmacy school and had to find a way to plan our wedding. Our original date was supposed to be at the end of my 3rd co-op but because of financials we had to push it ahead another year. So my advice is to definitely plan for those unexpected expenses (i.e. a car for co-op) so you don’t have to rearrange your date!
I think while in pharmacy school, the best time to have the wedding is at the end of a co-op term. Usually you can have some flexibility and ask to start work a week earlier so you make sure you have time for prep just before the wedding. The longer engagement (3.5 years for me) helped immensely with planning and saving up for the wedding we wanted and could afford.
Wedding help:www.apracticalwedding.com is an amazing resource that grounded me in the planning process. Start with a budget, find a venue and officiant that are available, then you can hit the ground running.
No matter when you have your wedding, it’s going to be super busy but in the end it’ll all be worth it :) My wedding is actually coming up in April - right in the middle of my Patient Care Rotations. There was also another student in my class who was married at the end of an academic term - so it can be done!
Best wishes to you and your partner.
Sara Rx 2015