It's official, I need an officiant!

We have officially booked our ceremony location. I am really excited but nervous too. It's going to be outside in a garden right down the hill from our Reception venue. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous in the Summer and have plenty of beautiful flowers and even a pond to take pictures by. We have decided on ceremony times and reception times. There are many reasons, long debated questions as to why and how we came to choose this location but now I am getting excited. I have to call around and look into pricing for chairs, advertise/search for a violinist who can play the Wedding March and an officiant. I have already begun looking into the wedding officiant but everything is either too expensive or too odd-ball. One guy had 1970's sideburns and offered to sing in spanish on a guitar for us. That may be right for some people but I am one of those people who feels awkward when it's one person singing alone on a guitar. lol! I always giggle or dont know where to look or what to do. I want someone who can put some religious aspects into the ceremony to make it a little more meaningful. If anyone has or knows an officiant, let me know!?

Those awkward moments.

I am a shy person and avoid confrontation at all possible costs. I always feel uncomfortable and *too* ready to please when others put me on the spot. Well, boy, I was unprepared for all the awkward and uncomfortable moments that would come along when planning a wedding. I have been put on the spot so far for and about the following reasons:
1. Where is my ceremony? People have questioned my intentions and reasons for what I want and where I am choosing to have my wedding ceremony. It finally just came down to Mike and I having a frank discussion and just deciding and then letting people (only the need-to-know people) what our choice was. The others will find out when and if they are invited. Please dont ask or question a bride's decision on this as it is more difficult than you may assume or realize.
2. Why am I not a bridesmaid? Why are you having such a small wedding party? Why aren't you including so and so? This has been a rather difficult question. We are keeping the wedding party small so as to save on $ and to keep it simple. We want a small intimate wedding with those we love. The more people invited to be a wedding party member would mean the less people that are actually guests (there are not many) Plus, we both didnt have an equal amount of close friends and/or family that we wanted to have standing with us. That is why we both chose ONE person whom we felt most close to and that was that. People are becoming offended or hurt by this but they need to understand, its not their wedding. If they choose to add more people at their own wedding due to pressure from family members, than truthfully, I am sorry. But I refuse to change my positioning on this and do feel bad for those left out but hey this isnt a popularity contest. If for some reason you were under some other kind of impression because of some casual remark made one time 3 years ago, well, again, sorry.
3. Am I invited? Can I invite my cousins boyfriend's sister? Why cant we include so and so on the wedding list? Ugh. If I know you, love you, feel close to you or you are close family, than your most likely invited. If you have been dating the person I know and am inviting for more than a year, your invited.  But honestly, I dont want to turn around on my own wedding day and wonder who the heck you are. And I'd rather not turn to my husband and ask who the person is and have him have no clue either. I would like to know who you are when I write my thank you cards! Plus, I really have this vision of a small family wedding. So please, dont ask or assume your invited. This isnt the VIP party of the year but please, its my VIP day and I'd rather not feel awkward when you put me on the spot asking me whether you are invited.
4. Oh, why are you having your wedding there, why dont you have it at XYZ location. Um, I have made my choice and rather not here about your great experience at your cousins/sisters/friends wedding location just because you think its better than my choice. I cannot tell you how often I have sat through this conversation! When I ask all of these people majority have never even been to or had a wedding at my location. How can you honestly judge?

My knot.com checklist?

According to a very reliable source, theknot.com, I have fallen behind in my wedding planning. Seriously, how does a full time working bride EVER get things done!? There is so much to do. Here are the things I have yet to CHECK off of my list according to theknot.com:

1.Choose a wedding date and time, and finalize after okaying with important guests (parents, siblings, and grandparents), ceremony and/or reception location, and ceremony officiant.

            *While we have a date, we dont have a ceremony time!

2. Begin working on a preliminary online wedding guest list and decide approximately how many people you want to invite. Request "wish lists" from both sets of parents, then compile.

         *I have the "wish lists" and I know in MY mind who I want to invite. It's keeping that list UNDER 100 that will be a problem

3.Find a ceremony site (if one hasn't already been determined by your choice of officiant or reception site).

          * A point of serious contention.

4. Start investigating any family wedding customs or cultural traditions you might want to incorporate into your ceremony or reception.

            *um, what?

5. Finalize your wedding guest list. The Knot Hint: When you're done, make your lives easy by entering everything into your Guest List Manager.

           * I thought I was still at number 2?  

6.Sign your catering contract and send in a deposit.

           * Since my location is a county run golf course and although I have reserved my date, I cannot officially book and deposit until January, um help!?

7.  If you've chosen an outdoor ceremony or reception site, then research tent and lighting rental places in your area.

           * Ceremony is undetermined as of yet so lighting is not a concern...yet. My reception is indoors. They have light. yay!

8. Envision your wedding flowers and set up appointments with wedding florists in the area to discuss options.

           * While dress shopping Saturday, we stopped in at a Montgomery Florist and while the people were lovely, I was so lost. Where to begin? What do I discuss? In-season vs. Out-of-season? Centerpieces and ceremony flowers? Bridesmaids flowers? oh help me.

9. Start looking for and auditioning local reception bands or DJs.

            * This I am fairly confident we have covered, DJ Dave Vega. I went to high school with him. Great personality. I hope he will still let us book him!

10. Envision your wedding invitations. Look at invite photos and decide who will make your wedding invitations. The Knot hint: Coordinate all your wedding stationery from the save-the-dates to your invitations and place cards.

           * While I originally thought I would buy a packet from a store and print out my own invites. I am not sure I can undertake this task. I am fairly confident we will use Peacock Printing (our donation favors) to make our invites, but how am I to decide this without even knowing ceremony time location?    

11. Set up appointments with various florists to discuss options.

           *reference #8 and its issues

12.  Start a wedding registry at one or more of your favorite stores. Even if you start with just a few pieces, you can always add more items later. The Knot Hint: Do it all in one place at Registry Central.

          * I cant think gifts right now without actual planning complete