t minus 17 months

I've returned from Italy! It was gorgeous and Gianfranco's family was wonderful! And now, after two weeks of pasta, afternoon naps and gelato, I am looking forward to the crazy days ahead. With four weddings and a bridal shower over the next two months, Gianfranco will have no other choice but to think about wedding festivities which means I get to do some more planning!

When I finally checked my inbox after the trip, I found an email from The Knot reminding me that I had 17 months to go until my wedding. Seventeen months. I know it sounds like an eternity to most of you but having started my planning at 23 months, I am amazed at how quickly the time has gone. What once began as a pretty long engagement has now become the average length, according to this 2007 Bridal Association of America's Wedding Report.

I probably would no longer feel embarrassed telling people my wedding date except there are plenty out there who forget that we are almost in 2010 and January is the beginning of 2011. Believe it or not, 2011 is not that far away! And with FSIL Nancy's wedding at the end of October and with the holidays consuming most of November and all of December, that means January 2010 will be here before I know it. Then I'll be down to a year.

Yes, I know, I'm rushing past the next four months but I think for once, they will also be rushing past me. As one of Nancy's bridesmaids, I've been quite involved in her wedding planning and will be extremely busy helping her get ready for the big day.

So, what's up next, you ask? Here's my agenda:

• Check out limos
• Check out florists
• Finish planning Nancy's shower
• Create Nancy's ceremony programs

Since I don't want Nancy to know anything about her shower, I'll try to blog as abstractly as possible. Once it's over, I'll be able to give more details of how the whole planning process went.

So don't worry; I am back and ready to plan! Stay tuned!