I do - my wedding blog

I found some possible stamps for the invites (well the non-international ones). I liked the idea of using older stamps, but it is just too fiddly. These album cover ones come out in January and we would be happy to use most of them on the envelopes. The design classics stamps could add another layer of 'London' to the thing.

Both our mum's managed to buy their wedding outfits last week, and so very nearly bought the same thing! It was something I hadn't foreseen, but should have guessed would happen. We had said to both of them to keep their eyes open for things, and not to worry too much about the other as they shop in very different places usually and wouldn't pick up the same things. It seems that it is all ok, and that, although they have their outfits from the same shop, they are not the same - but will instead co-ordinate, which I think is the best outcome we could have hoped for.

I had an idea that we could get some outside games for people to play with before dinner. Obviously this is only fine if it is not raining, plus we're at a museum, so we quite fancy just going for a wander in there. J wants a photo with Mr Walrus there - he's huge, the walrus I mean - it's over 100 years old. I think the choices, if we bother, are dominos, stacking tower and connect 4 Ebay seems to have loads Something to think about...

J if you are reading - GO AWAY! I had an email from my dress pattern cutter saying my pattern and toile were almost done, plus some photos! It really brightened up an otherwise rubbish day Image is mine

My sister did good and sent me a nice long email packed full of dress ideas which were exactly what I was thinking and with litttle prompting! She only looked at one site: Dessy , so all of these are from there I'm hoping that the bridal party will look a bit like this: Top images from Dessy, second image from Yvonne Wong (via MadebyGirl )

After conducting a straw poll amongst our friends and asking our parents to do the same, we came to a simple conclusion - just go to John Lewis It's the sensible option, everyone can order from them, and there's no issue with people being offended by being asked to contribute to a pot rather than choosing an item.

Well gosh, yesterday was a bit busy in terms of ticking things off the list, and I hardly lifted a finger! My mum was knitting my shrug and kept calling me through to check the sleeves were the right length My sister has a surprise she isn't doing very well keeping quiet about - it's something to do with a guest book, so one less thing for me to do My brother has a box of umbrellas stashed away I now have the font we want for our invites, J wrote text for the invite inserts and we know what size they need to be. I'll spend the next couple of evenings on photoshop sorting those out I have created a full, nothing left off to do list, with deadlines - just to stress everyone out. I just need to buy some sticky fixers to put it up now Phew

We just got back from a Monday night trip to the supermarket, but this time I rolled in the door back at the flat with a bit of a swagger. We just scored all our wedding champagne for less than half price. Quality stuff for about £13 a bottle! We got some funny looks at the counter, it looked like we were going to have a GREAT Monday night. Image from stock.xchng user vierdrie

J has gone, with his best man, to get his suit fitted today and organise the hire. He was really excited about it! I have not taken any responsibility for this bit of organising, all I need to know is what colour ties/ cravats they go for. He is (as far as I know) going for a classic 3-piece morning suit, with hat. He'll look fab!

We went to my boss's wedding reception at the weekend. It was a lovely evening with a very lively dance floor. The bride was wearing a dress from Candy Anthony (so jealous) with a red petticoat. There were (very yummy) cupcakes, gramophones, and plenty of free drink on hand.

Back onto the wedding planning, as there are things which need to be done. I read a wedding ideas book this week, which had been given me by my MIL (she picked it up at a charity shop). It wasn't great, but I picked up a couple of things. One was handing out mini champagne bottles (or champagne splits as I think they are called) with straws to guests at the drinks reception. This would look quite kooky in the photos! Images from: ivillage and 88events

This week has been tough. A friend of ours passed away this week. He got married to his long term girlfriend just 10 days before, after realising that they would regret it if they didn't. The wedding was a small affair arranged in 6 days with just family in attendance, but it was a happy, simple day full of love. It kind of adjusts your priorities a bit...

The hot topic of conversation in the house this week has been gifts.  We would like a list a Selfridges, just because it is the best shop in the world! But it would be too much to expect that to be straightforward - they either do a selection of items in their wedding shop, or a 'pot' of money which you can then use to have a spree. I like the sound of the spree, but not sure that all the relatives will...

The stuff this stationers are churning out is just great..go look! It is so quirky and original Via Style me pretty

I'm compromising on something.  While I'm not being a bridezilla (as far as I know), I am being quite singleminded in terms of most of the decisions. This is, however, because it takes me so long to make a decision, so I can't cope with then having people changing my mind. I mentioned previously that my mum didn't like the idea of me wearing coloured shoes. So after a discussion, I've decided I will have a pair of proper ivory satin heels for the ceremony and during the day, which I can then kick off for the evening and switch into a pair of coloured flats! Everyone wins! I know I won't survive in heels all day anyway, especially if I want to have a dance. (I since found out that my MIL likes the idea of coloured shoes, but I guess that's not enough) Some pretties: Wedding shoes by smomo on Polyvore.com Items in this set: Theaccessoryboutique.com , 55 GBP Allbackgrounds.com Hattie - Rainbow Club , 75 GBP Dolly - Rainbow Club , 69 GBP COL...

I bought a new diary for next year, and began the process of adding important dates. Starting with the most important I managed to write "WEEDING" on 15th May! Arrrgh how irritating... Possibly need to invest in a new diary

After yesterday's post on hair accessories I headed to etsy , as I often do, to see what was on offer there. No surprise, there was so much to choose from. This is a selection of pretties, having only searched for headbands. The best thing is they are all so reasonably priced and handmade. First up, this pearly one from The Lovely Lamb My Lavaliere has this swallow headband. It is simple but pretty This one is from Live in style . I love this whole shop. This headband is maybe a little big compared to what I actually want, but it was too pretty not to post - there are plenty of others on there I could choose instead. As well as beaded headbands like this one Little White Dresser also has a really pretty beaded sash Quirky beauty live up to their name. I found it tough to pick just one. This sequinned one is from Wee Gardens . And last up, this one from Ice Cream Candy . This shop has a large range, and I particularly like this one as it is on ribbon not on elastic ...

I need to sort my hair out, I'm not happy with my current cut but I'm hoping it will grow on me(!) Whilst at the hairdressers last week, she found a grey hair - horror of horrors! Anyway, wedding wise, I would like to have some kind of hairpiece but nothing so fancy as a tiara. My ideas are very much still as I first imagined for my hair . How about something like these I already have one a bit like this from being a bridesmaid earlier in the year, so I could just wear that. Or a pretty hairband. This one is a bargain at topshop at the moment Images: First two from 2) Yarwood-White, 1 &3) Flutterby weddings, 4) Topshop

Woah! For a minute there, a gig was coming before the wedding. Pavement are reforming and the one date is, of course, our wedding day. But, so luckily, they have announced another date the week before. Phew!

I went to meet the caterers/ venue organisers this week, and we discussed all the details, inlcuding some menu choices. But one thing which stuck with me was that they did a wedding recently which used bunting. I had quite fancied this, having seen some lovely pics from elsewhere but now I'm thinking seriously. Some inspiration... This last one is in my colours Looks like there is plenty of choice on zig zag , not on the high street ,  as well as adventino ,and the cotton bunting company . Or another diy project... Images from flickr users holster , Laura-Elizabeth , deadheaduk , dangermain , and imedagoze , plus  the cotton bunting company

I have just chosen my final dress design from my designer friend. It has been such fun choosing the designs and picking which bits I liked from each one to put towards the final design. I just have to send a cheque and I get my design through so I can get someone (not sure who yet, any ideas?) to make a pattern. This process is highly recommended, as I am getting exactly the dress I want, for a much lower cost than I would otherwise get, and it has been really fun. The only thing I didn't realise beforehand was that I wouldn't get to try it on until it is made. There is no falling for the dress when you try it on. I know I still have to wait, but I will go through the fun process of making my dress with my mum. I'm not going to share just now, but I will eventually crack...

I found it quite funny this week when my dad gave me some information on weddings in Gretna Green, in case we wanted to elope! It wouldn't be a wedding in either of our families if someone didn't suggest eloping, but luckily I know he's just being amusing. It definitely appealed to my sense of humour! I've still got no idea where he got the info from, and how much effort he went to to source it

I was playing around on Style me pretty's inspiration board maker, having joined the Circle. I'm quite happy with it, although I could do with changing the colour of the bunting. Credits: Lisa Lefkowitz (2), Lisa Lefkowitz , Lisa Lefkowitz - Editorial Shoot Backyard Chic , Heather Kincaid - Annie & Joe (2), Heather Kincaid , Linda Chaja - Chris & Leah (2), Linda Chaja , Jubilee Events (2), Kelley and Todd Whittaker, Jubilee Events ~ Matt & Kim , Horniman museum (2), Diamond Affairs Weddings & Special Events (2), Karlisch , Diamond Affairs - Amy & Patrick , Jose Villa Photography (4), Jose Villa (2), Jose Villa - Marissa & Pat , Justin Marantz (2), Justin Marantz-Julia and Mike , Q Weddings (2), Q Weddings , Q Weddings - Jenifer & Scott , Jose Villa - Marissa & Pat

There seem to be more and more tools for aiding with making inspiration boards, especially useful if you don't have access to or the skills to use photoshop or similar. First up, Dessy have just released their tool based on Pantone colours. It seems to have a few bugs just now but it is useful if you are trying to select bridesmaid stuff based on colour. Style me pretty have got their new tool too, which has produced some great boards so far. I'm just in the process of making my first ones. If you want to start from scratch the mosaic makers at big huge labs makes it nice and simple, but it only works with flickr pics unless you sign up

We met our photographer on Thursday. After a couple of weeks of trying to arrange a meeting, we finally sorted it out and it's all good. I've said before about how we are not too bothered about the photography element of the day, but understand that it will be regretted if we don't get it. We also don't want any photography in the church (I don;t think they allow it anyway). We don't want prints or an album, just the images so we can do what we want with them. It may seem like we're being a bit picky, but it's a lot of money to spend if it's something your heart is not in! Our photographer seems to completely understand. He's nice and laid back, very friendly, doesn't like doing formal photos, is creative, and loves working at our venue. Perfect! Image from stick.xchng user porah

My J is being wonderful - on Saturday he went to the department store off his own back to ask about suit hire! He is also spending a lot of time at the moment organising our minimoon (our few days break in the UK straight after the wedding) and the honeymoon (our proper holiday later in the year). He is also doing a wonderful job at keeping me sane xxxxx

After the early interest in Vera Wang (well, who couldn't be interested in her dresses), on Saturday I went to the Vera Wang boutique in London with my chief bridesmaid. Oh, the dresses are beautiful! Put any of them on and you will feel fabulous, because of the quality of the dresses. But it was obviously still important that I felt like me. It was nice not to be under any pressure as I was only really there for the fun of it and for ideas. This is the one that really got me - enough to make me try it on twice. I'm showing you the back because the detailing is especially nice. It is quite a plain dress, no sparkle, no lace, i.e. perfect for me, but it has enough of something to make it interesting. I also enjoyed the fact that the stock shoes they had were Jimmy Choos! They were comfy too, which was doing its bit to try to persuade me that they were something I could maybe invest in for the big day - we'll see! I tried these two as well; the proper princessy one was great...

This post from A Practical Wedding is just great. I hope to feel exactly like this after my wedding.

This week so far has been quite exciting planning-wise. On Sunday my chief bridesmaid phoned to tell me she was sorting my hen night, and had just about everything ready but that she was going to keep the details a secret (if my sister, other bridesmaid can keep quiet!). Secondly, it looks like we have a photographer almost sorted. Luckily it is one of those on the venue's approved list, so we don't have to worry about the awkwardness of having to deal with paying extra commission. We're meeting him next week. And then thirdly, I have some initial ideas from my dress designer. That had to be the most exciting email to ever walk into on a Monday morning! I'm musing over them, but of 9 I have 3 favourites. Pass me the sharpie so I can cross things off the list please...(well nearly, I can write some notes or something!)

I quite like the idea of cookies as a favour (I'm still not sure about favours, they are the one thing I have no ideas about). We were given a box of biscuiteers biscuits when we got engaged, which were so pretty and yummy. So that got us thinking about giving cookies. But, as I love crafting, I thought we could do our own! It is easy to find cookie cutters in any shape you want. But I hadn't seen these before: These are texture plates for cookies. You just ice them with fondant or buttercream icing and once it has hardened, you put the plate on top and roll over it, leaving a lovely textured pattern. So clever and saves all the fiddly decorating business! I'm quite tempted. Images from biscuiteers and cookiecutter.com

I met my dress designer friend-of-a-friend this evening to discuss my ideas and what I was looking for. I thought I was being quite prescriptive by suggesting that it had to have straps, an a line silhouette, some detail at the back - possibly some kind of sash/bow, but she was over the moon that she had this quite clear start point really a blank sheet to take from there. I took along my ideas sheet which I put together to tidy up my image files Click on the image for better detail. The dresses are from: l-r top row Amsale, Johanna Hehir, Mikaella, Johanna Hehir, Alfred Sung, Johanna Hehir row 2 Watters, don't know the next 2!, Martina Liana, Alfred Sung, Amsale, Both the last 2 are from people's wedding pics - sorry row 3 don't know, Johanna Hehir, Amsale, don't know next 2, last one from Amsale You can tell the stage at which I started noting where things were from - apologies, when I get a change I'll source some of the others! I'm expecting some first idea...

I love cupcakes - It's no secret I might even try and sneak along to the Hummingbird bakery or Lola's on Saturday while J is at the football We're not having them at the wedding as plans go so far, but I quite liked this place setting idea I saw on the Wedding channel's diy blog Or this one from One charming party (with tutorial) Or maybe we could just have some of Bakerella's cupcake pops

It seems like yesterday everything started coming together... I got in touch with the potential dress designer and are planning to meet up next week. I need to look into pattern cutters and fabric next. I've also realised it doesn't matter if mum doesn't like the dress I do, as that won't be the dress I have in the end. Finally got a reasonable response from a photographer, so planning that meet up too I sent the list of invitees to my BM for my hen night which was quite exciting. I don't know how far on she is with the plans so I'm looking forward to know what's happening - I don't like surprises! I was at Spitalfields market at the weekend, which seems to be the go-to place for wooden printing blocks and letters. I was hoping to find a sundial one for the invites but had no luck this time. Phew!

This is just meant to be a quick catch up of what's been going on this last couple of weeks, just so you know I haven't been sitting back doing nothing (just next to nothing) so it covers a bit of everything. I've been getting in touch with a few photographers - I can tell this is going to be one of the major sticking points of the planning. We don't have a huge budget for the photos as we are not huge photo people. The disappointment of not having the one photographer we really wanted also makes it a bit harder. The other difficulty is the approved list, where we have to start our search (or pay commission to the venue). I've got the contact details for the dress designer friend-of-a-friend, so I can get that going. Which is just as well because my mum decided to come out and tell me that she didn't really like THE DRESS! (don't get me started on that one!) Shopping with my sister today I managed to convince her of the coloured shoes thing. J and mum don...

Chatting weddings, as I do, with J while we were watching Four Weddings... We were discussing what we thought of the communal/ interactive elements of the day. We have one idea which is still a surprise even to family and will not be announced until much closer to the time. But, in terms of guest books and favours, we're not convinced. We're just not into the soppy messages which get blurted out at every wedding everyone goes to, with perhaps a name change if you are lucky (yes, we are quite a cynical couple), but also do not see the point in something we are only going to look at a couple of times ever. So I set myself the task of looking at alternatives: from style me pretty from kiss the groom J liked the idea of the photo booth or polaroid guest book - which kills both the guest comment and photo birds with one stone. I think I forget that he doesn't scour the wedding blogs/ magazines like I do and hasn't seen this however many times I have. All those others who are...

We're making our own invitations, and thought, now we have everything booked up, that we could start to make them. The more we do now, the better. We are doing pocketfolds, with info and RSVP cards in the pocket. Reasonably modern on cream card with blue details. Much like these from the Knot I made a first mock up, but managed to leave it with my mum before I took any pictures of it I'm now looking for a way to emboss some detail Image from the Knot

I ended up watching the film Confetti on Sunday night, which was quite funny. It was always one I said I'd get round to watching, starring as it does a number of funny British comedy actors. It is about three couples competing for a magazine 'Most original wedding of the year' contest. The three weddings are themed tennis, musicals and naturist! I then ended up watching Four weddings on Living last night. This was the same thing but real life. Four couples competed, except the weddings didn't have to be original, they just had to be rated by the other brides. Plenty of ideas of what not to do! Obviously they are going to pick ones which make more interesting TV, but they were all a little odd

I love maps (yes, I'm a geek) as does J (yes, he's a geek too!) but I never considered combining them with my wedding! This great post at project wedding shows how it can be done with flair - and diy!

I was dress trying on at the weekend, with mum and my sister (also a bridesmaid). We went to Johanna Hehir in Marylebone, London as this was where I saw the first dress I really liked . It was a lot more relaxed than the previous trying session (I guess that's what you get at a designer boutique) and we started by looking through the style books and letting them get an idea of what I liked/ didn't like. I did start to worry for a moment as I hadn't seen the dress, but it was, happily, on the last page of the last book! I tried 5 dresses in all, starting with one which was a bit different to what I thought I was looking for - just to rule it out (or not). It's the one on the right of this picture. It has cute short sleeves which I liked and a light skirt, kind of evening dress style. And that's what I thought when I put it on - not quite a wedding dress for me. Dress 2 was more what I was expecting and was the dress! I was really excited to finally try it on. And ...

It's exactly a year since we got engaged. I'm so happy and excited. We only get one of these days so it's really special. This time next year I'll be Mrs M!