I do - my wedding blog

I have read a lot of magazines, websites and particularly blogs as I have gone through these last 20 or so months. Some of the blogs have come and gone, but some I have stuck with. I thought I would share: A Practical Wedding - if you want straight talking this is where to go. Keeps everything in perspective. This one is staying in my Google reader for the future. Craft my bride - this is the blog of a soon to be bride who is diying her wedding. Rock My Wedding - It is great to see a British wedding blog flourishing like this one. Temple of Groom - a groom's blog With this ring - pretty stuff and good ideas. Always quick to link to interesting things! Project wedding blog - whole host of diy stuff Ruffled - nice vintage weddings iDIY - more diy snippet and ink - inspiring inspiration boards Wiley Valentine - invites and pretty stuff 100 Layer Cake - more pretties Lucky me - inspiration boards and pretty stuff Once Wed blog - a good mixture of different type

We arrived at the church slightly early so parked up the road a bit and Dad jumped out to go and check everything was hunky-dory. This was the first moment when I was really nervous, and as always when I'm nervous I needed the loo. The same had happened on Friday evening as we pulled up to the church so my bridesmaids had thought it was very funny to buy me some incontinence pads. Anyway, everything was fine, and the men were told to go and take their seats in the front row. We pulled the bus forward, and had a couple of minutes to grab some photos with the buses, like a traditional father-daughter photo plus one of me on the back of the Routemaster (one of the key ones on my list for the day). Then it was time to go. Mum said a quick prayer before we walked up towards the church to be met by the vicar,and then she headed inside. I had managed to get my shoe stuck between paving slabs on the path but this was a minor hitch, it did relieve my nerves somewhat as we all laughed.

Last Saturday all went wonderfully. I could put that down to perfect planning from us, but I think in fact it was a combination of planning, good suppliers, help from friends and family and a bit of good luck. Firstly, the weather was lovely. After it was rather cold and overcast all week, the day was almost completely dry (apart from 2 minutes when leaving my flat) and despite a few clouds it was relatively sunny, perfect for hanging around outside as planned. I didn't put my cardi on until I was leaving at 11pm. Next, nothing went noticeable wrong, or at all really. So, a bit about the day. I'll start from the beginning... We had had a busy week, with various people staying and enjoying our week off. There was some organising to do but mainly we filled the time catching up with friends, going to gigs and collecting people from stations. There were a couple of minor issues (like family illness causing a couple of late drop outs), hence the post but generally there was

I realise the post I put up last week was less than happy. Apart from a couple of short episodes the preparation week was good fun, with friends and relatives around us, a couple of gigs and even time for a manicure*. The day itself went wonderfully, and our few days away have been the most relaxing ever. I'll post more as I have time. *BTW a week on, and my nails still look great, that's what comes of going to Nails Inc , courtesy of a birthday present from my friends. I went for a pastel pink called Birdcage Walk (although I can't find that one on the website)

Right now, I'm getting married! Image from Ryan Feerer

Feeling slightly stressed today. The 'everything's ok' facade has fallen. This has the feeling of a runaway train, which I am not at all in control of. But chief BM had words of wisdom to calm me down.

A week to go. At exactly 2pm I just happened to be driving past the church, which was really exciting. Well, I've finished work and have just made my final to-do list. It now fits on one page and has everything allocated to a day and person. The more complicated bit seems to be working out who is where at what time, and who is staying at our flat. I think we have different people each night. I might try and make it like a sleepover in the lounge to save on changing the beds!

I think I had underestimated how excited I would be, at just over a week to go. I did however have a wobble (my first proper one) earlier in the week, but I think that was a mixture of feeling generally emotional and wedding worries. My to do list is not that long, and tomorrow is my last day at work. So feeling happy! Also, feeling much better about my tiara after my hair appointment today

I didn't realise I had gone quiet. It's not  that I've been run off my feet busy or anything...I just forgot to write. So, 2 weeks to go, and we're feeling quite organised. I keep getting packages in  the post containing interesting and useful things for the big day. Yesterday it was peach puree for the drinks reception bellinis,and today my special etsy necklaces for the girls. We're not really feeling stressed - but this seems to be what everyone expects from me! I guess I'm just chilled out about it, focussed on the bigger picture and super organised. Today, we went to scope out the reception venue again to check where we fancy having our photos done. It was quite sunny and it seemed so lovely. They were just setting up for another wedding which made it seem even more real. We picked up our rings last weekend, and J wore his home just to make sure he was going to get used to it. My dress is so close to being ready. Plus my veil and tiara arrived tod