Desperation calls

If it were up to us, we would elope. At most, we would have a destination wedding surrounded by close family and friends. But alas, my parents are DESPERATE to throw a wedding. You see, both of my older brothers eloped the first time around and I am the last hope to have a wedding to repay their friends for all the weddings they have attended over the last 35 years. It's silly, I know, but I do want to do this for them. What that means is that both parties are going to have to compromise. At the moment, what it's looking like is a small intimate ceremony for us and a big reception for my parents. I think that's fair, don't you? So, to answer those 2 pesky questions...

Do you know where it's going to be?
I've given into my parents wishes and we're going to get married in Dallas. They are getting on in years and travel will be difficult for them. So although I haven't lived in Dallas since I was 18 years old, I am willing to do this for them. The problem that arises is planning the darned thing from NYC. Thank goodness for the internet! What did people do before the internet??

Have you set a date?
 The answer to this is still no, but we at least have a little bit more direction now that we have a city. We would like to get married sooner rather than later -- I mean, let's be honest, I'm no spring chicken! So our considerations are:

• Timing - can we pull something together in 6 months? Or will waiting a year allow us to plan something nicer with less stress?
• Weather - in Texas, if you wait 10 minutes the weather will change...at least that's what people say. Judging by the winter they just had, Texas is getting colder, so I don't want to chance a winter wedding. Also, for those of us traveling from less sunny climates, I don't want to get stuck at the airport for my own wedding! And a summer wedding in Dallas? Fuhgeddaboudit! So that leaves FALL and SPRING, just like everyone else planning a wedding in Texas.
• Venue - will we be able to find a place with availability given the above constraints?