Who'd have thought wedding invitations would involve so many decisions?
I had never really considered just how many options there were until leaflets started dropping out of wedding magazines with more design ideas than I've had hot dinners.
Luckily Damian's sister is helping us design our invitations and will then make them for us, which is a real relief as I haven't a clue when it comes to arts and crafts. Despite her knowledge on the topic, I still can't make up my mind exactly what I want, so we're off to an exhibition to see what's what in a few weekends time.
Next time an invitation drops through my letter box I'll have a new appreciation of the hours that went into deciding what kind of paper/design/envelope size.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Hold it! Flash bang wallop - what a picture!
Damian and I had loads of fun having pics taken in this passport style booth at the wedding fair. It was just like the ones you got in Woolies years ago, where the flash goes off for each pic.
This was the only set where I had my eyes open for each shot - my excuse is I don't get a lot of sleep, so I get it when I can!!
Thanks to Dave from groovybooth for sending these on to me, much appreciated!
A-dressing the issue.
The bonus about being newly engaged is the sheer amount of advice that comes your way, which puts you on the right path about so many issues.
Some subjects seem to divide opinion though. 'The dress' being the one where I feel really confused. As I'm planning a winter wedding I didn't think I'd need to start looking at gowns until the summer at the earliest - some people agree, others are rolling their eyes and pointing out that you might not find 'the one' straight away, and it also takes a while for some dresses to arrive after you've ordered them.
I'm hoping to lose a bit of weight before my big day (a stone at the very least - especially after Jez compared me to Rik Waller - the cheeky monkey!), and so to me it seems a bit mad to look for a dress before I'm closer to my goal size, but again opinion seems to divided on this.
As for the dress itself - I've flicked through some bridal magazines and I've been shocked to see that 99.9% of dresses are strapless. I love that style of dress on other people, but it really isn't a style that looks good on me, as I've got strapping shoulders and so I want a wedding gown with some sleeves. Wearing a shrug or small jacket with a strapless dress won't cut it either, as I want the security of knowing the dress will stay up without me tugging at it.
I'm hoping that because it's winter right now, all the dresses I'm looking at are for Spring and Summer - maybe in the heat of July and August these magazines will feature big bridal coats with thermal lining!
Some subjects seem to divide opinion though. 'The dress' being the one where I feel really confused. As I'm planning a winter wedding I didn't think I'd need to start looking at gowns until the summer at the earliest - some people agree, others are rolling their eyes and pointing out that you might not find 'the one' straight away, and it also takes a while for some dresses to arrive after you've ordered them.
I'm hoping to lose a bit of weight before my big day (a stone at the very least - especially after Jez compared me to Rik Waller - the cheeky monkey!), and so to me it seems a bit mad to look for a dress before I'm closer to my goal size, but again opinion seems to divided on this.
As for the dress itself - I've flicked through some bridal magazines and I've been shocked to see that 99.9% of dresses are strapless. I love that style of dress on other people, but it really isn't a style that looks good on me, as I've got strapping shoulders and so I want a wedding gown with some sleeves. Wearing a shrug or small jacket with a strapless dress won't cut it either, as I want the security of knowing the dress will stay up without me tugging at it.
I'm hoping that because it's winter right now, all the dresses I'm looking at are for Spring and Summer - maybe in the heat of July and August these magazines will feature big bridal coats with thermal lining!
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Fair Lady
Ooooh I LOVE wedding fairs. A sweeping statement maybe, but after my first one, I am smitten.
I spent Saturday morning at the Menzies Hotel in Swindon where all things matrimonial were all in one glorious place. A place where it was OK to swoon over fancy dresses and discuss the option of having a harpist (yes really) with like-minded souls. For someone who is still finds being engaged a huge novelty, it was enormous fun.
I spent time chatting to some great exhibitors (special mentions to Jane and Lis for their fab advice) and then also got top tips from some of the other couples who are planning their big day. Debs and Duncan had LOADS of great advice, in fact Debs has shared some of it on the comments section of my first post (Here Comes the...Clueless), thank you for that lovely lady, you are very kind. Jez, my co-host has been on at me for some time to get a wedding folder - Debs was carrying one that was as gorgeous as it was practical, so I shall be making my way to the shops this week and purchasing one.
I took Damian along with me, and despite my concerns he would be bored, he really got involved and had opinions on everything we saw. I've heard so many horror stories from girlfriends of grooms who did nothing apart from pick a suit, so it's lovely that he's keen to share some of the decision making.
If you came along to the fair, let me know what you thought, and what you managed to get organised - and keep those top tips coming!
I spent Saturday morning at the Menzies Hotel in Swindon where all things matrimonial were all in one glorious place. A place where it was OK to swoon over fancy dresses and discuss the option of having a harpist (yes really) with like-minded souls. For someone who is still finds being engaged a huge novelty, it was enormous fun.
I spent time chatting to some great exhibitors (special mentions to Jane and Lis for their fab advice) and then also got top tips from some of the other couples who are planning their big day. Debs and Duncan had LOADS of great advice, in fact Debs has shared some of it on the comments section of my first post (Here Comes the...Clueless), thank you for that lovely lady, you are very kind. Jez, my co-host has been on at me for some time to get a wedding folder - Debs was carrying one that was as gorgeous as it was practical, so I shall be making my way to the shops this week and purchasing one.
I took Damian along with me, and despite my concerns he would be bored, he really got involved and had opinions on everything we saw. I've heard so many horror stories from girlfriends of grooms who did nothing apart from pick a suit, so it's lovely that he's keen to share some of the decision making.
If you came along to the fair, let me know what you thought, and what you managed to get organised - and keep those top tips coming!
Friday, 16 January 2009
Ring ring...
I have a soreness in my neck which I can only put down to one thing: ring whiplash! Since I got engaged, I seem to have spent a ridiculous amount of time staring at the sparkler on my left hand.
Is this condition a common phenomenon amongst brides-to-be, or is it just me? In my defence I have never worn much jewellery. I have a silver bangle that my dad bought me, (which is identical to the one worn by my mum) which I wear every day, but that's it. No earrings (despite having my ears pierced), not even a watch, but now I have this extraordinary ring that I can't take my eyes off. Part of it is the magpie in me - I love anything pretty and sparkly - and part of it is still the shock of being engaged after waiting for soooo long.
I sometimes forget I have this gorgeous thing on my finger and I'll be driving and see it out of the corner of my eye - and I'll whip my head around to clock it.
Of course the irony of all this, is that I have spent much of my adult life telling my mum that I probably wouldn't bother with an engagement ring if I got proposed to, as I'd never seen one I really liked, and it was an unnecessary expense. I'm glad I changed my mind - not only is a beautiful thing to behold, but every time I look it I'm reminded how lovely it is to be loved, after so many years thinking this would never happen.
Is this condition a common phenomenon amongst brides-to-be, or is it just me? In my defence I have never worn much jewellery. I have a silver bangle that my dad bought me, (which is identical to the one worn by my mum) which I wear every day, but that's it. No earrings (despite having my ears pierced), not even a watch, but now I have this extraordinary ring that I can't take my eyes off. Part of it is the magpie in me - I love anything pretty and sparkly - and part of it is still the shock of being engaged after waiting for soooo long.
I sometimes forget I have this gorgeous thing on my finger and I'll be driving and see it out of the corner of my eye - and I'll whip my head around to clock it.
Of course the irony of all this, is that I have spent much of my adult life telling my mum that I probably wouldn't bother with an engagement ring if I got proposed to, as I'd never seen one I really liked, and it was an unnecessary expense. I'm glad I changed my mind - not only is a beautiful thing to behold, but every time I look it I'm reminded how lovely it is to be loved, after so many years thinking this would never happen.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Bride Wars
I went to the cinema last night to see the chick flick 'Bride Wars' with Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson. This may have been a mistake.
I understand it's a fictional account of weddings, but it made me very afraid. I'd forgotten that some women do become 'Bridezillas' once they start planning their big day - controlling every aspect of their day, mainly through the medium of shouting. As I am the least organised woman on the planet, I'm hoping it won't happen to me - but you can never tell.
Whilst most of my friends have been very laid back about their preparations I have a former friend (notice the word former) who became a living nightmare the second she was engaged. She had wanted to get married for a long time, and so I assumed it would be fun planning her wedding - how wrong I was! Phone calls were joyless affairs listing all of her responsibilities, and complaining that even shopping for her dress wasn't fun. The moment I realised I didn't really 'get' her anymore was when she revealed she'd even made the Best Man RSVP his wedding invitation - despite the fact his key role on the day indicated there was a pretty good chance of him turning up...
Another part of the film that struck me, was how fabulous the brides looked. They were groomed to within an inch of their life, and as a lifelong scruff it's given me a wake-up call. I'm going to have to devote some time to looking after myself and ensuring I look a bit more 'together.' I may even have to think about make-up lessons...
I understand it's a fictional account of weddings, but it made me very afraid. I'd forgotten that some women do become 'Bridezillas' once they start planning their big day - controlling every aspect of their day, mainly through the medium of shouting. As I am the least organised woman on the planet, I'm hoping it won't happen to me - but you can never tell.
Whilst most of my friends have been very laid back about their preparations I have a former friend (notice the word former) who became a living nightmare the second she was engaged. She had wanted to get married for a long time, and so I assumed it would be fun planning her wedding - how wrong I was! Phone calls were joyless affairs listing all of her responsibilities, and complaining that even shopping for her dress wasn't fun. The moment I realised I didn't really 'get' her anymore was when she revealed she'd even made the Best Man RSVP his wedding invitation - despite the fact his key role on the day indicated there was a pretty good chance of him turning up...
Another part of the film that struck me, was how fabulous the brides looked. They were groomed to within an inch of their life, and as a lifelong scruff it's given me a wake-up call. I'm going to have to devote some time to looking after myself and ensuring I look a bit more 'together.' I may even have to think about make-up lessons...
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Here comes the...clueless
Despite having been a bridesmaid eight times (Yes - EIGHT), I have to confess I actually know very little about the art of organising weddings. Many of my friends have got married over the last decade and yet I've not taken much notice of the preparations going on around me. When mates first started tying the knot, I felt I was too young to even think about it, and then as time went on, I began to feel like I'd missed the boat and it would never happen. I now realise this lack of attention was an error - but more of that later.
My switch from long-term singleton to bride-in-waiting took place in the early hours of Christmas day. I went home to Herefordshire, to see my family with my boyfriend Damian in tow, and we decided to up the festive feeling by going to Midnight Mass. After the service we made our way to the Christmas tree and he ended up on one knee proposing to me while holding open a box which contained the most glittery ring I've ever seen. I accepted, but was completely in shock. Dazed, I made my way home and my mum cracked open some champagne to toast the moment. My dad was poorly in bed with flu and congratulated me with exactly the same words that he's used for everything from passing my Cycling Proficiency test to getting my degree: 'Well done.'
I spent Christmas day gazing at my left hand, and feeling like an imposter in fiancee world. It would not sink in that my boyfriend had decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Gradually as time's gone on, it's started to hit home that it's real and not a joke - and it's a great feeling. However, people seem to think I must have been thinking about this for some time, and want to know times, dates, themes, locations and all kinds of stuff that has never crossed my mind before.
So welcome to a wedding blog which features a bride-to-be who hasn't much of a clue about what's going on, but is looking forward to finding out all about how to plan the big day.
My switch from long-term singleton to bride-in-waiting took place in the early hours of Christmas day. I went home to Herefordshire, to see my family with my boyfriend Damian in tow, and we decided to up the festive feeling by going to Midnight Mass. After the service we made our way to the Christmas tree and he ended up on one knee proposing to me while holding open a box which contained the most glittery ring I've ever seen. I accepted, but was completely in shock. Dazed, I made my way home and my mum cracked open some champagne to toast the moment. My dad was poorly in bed with flu and congratulated me with exactly the same words that he's used for everything from passing my Cycling Proficiency test to getting my degree: 'Well done.'
I spent Christmas day gazing at my left hand, and feeling like an imposter in fiancee world. It would not sink in that my boyfriend had decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Gradually as time's gone on, it's started to hit home that it's real and not a joke - and it's a great feeling. However, people seem to think I must have been thinking about this for some time, and want to know times, dates, themes, locations and all kinds of stuff that has never crossed my mind before.
So welcome to a wedding blog which features a bride-to-be who hasn't much of a clue about what's going on, but is looking forward to finding out all about how to plan the big day.
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