I do - my wedding blog

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...

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

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!)

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...

I'm going dress shopping - well, trying - on Saturday with my mum and sister. I'm really looking forward to it as I love all the dresses there. Having been before I know what to expect, but this time I'm much more excited. At least this time it's actually planned! Things are coming together, apart from the photographer, which we are struggling with a bit. We are not exactly sure what we want and whether we can get something a bit more relaxed than the majority seem to be. We took my MIL to the venue yesterday (which is all booked up now!) and it made us all really excited!