Christmas Time

I'm taking a bit of wedding planning backseat time with the run up to Christmas. I'm writing a nativity play for the Sunday School, and I'm very bored of sewing favour bags! I can do about five in a go, but have largely ignored them this month this far as technically, there's ages to go and I work better under pressure!

I'm heading to Exeter for the Christmas weekend and am sad to have my first Christmas away from my family, but it'll be the start of the alternate visits and I wanted to be with Steve for our first (and only) engaged Christmas.

Ho ho ho one and all!

Arriba Arriba!

Our honeymoon is booked! I'm so very very excited.

We've booked two weeks in Mexico at the Hotel Catalonia in the Riveria Maya.

It's an all inclusive resort and food and drinks are included. It's right on the beach and we can go snorkelling in a lagoon and the sea. There are various trips to do and relaxing to be done and I can't believe we're going to have quite such a luxorious holiday together. It's going to be so perfect.

This is the website for the hotel :- here

And it's right by a marina where there are dolphins and manatee turtles. We can eat in a buffet restuarant for dinner and lunch and also at an Italian restaurant, a Japanese, a steak house and a Mexican, and there's a creperie for pancakes and milkshakes, a snack bar for nachos and much more! We can hire bikes, kayaks, see entertainment shows and I just want to lie by the beach with Steve and enjoy our time together. I can't believe we'll be married! I'll be his wife and he'll be my husband.

And I'm checking up on Trip Advisor frequently and it all looks great. Only 117 days to go!

Jewels

Found these pieces on Amazon, after having seen some beautiful earrings on Ebay which I was outbid on at the last minute. Grr.

So these are £17 and I quite like them, and they would go with my other bits I think. I'm going to go for studs rather than dangly I think.






And these ones are £21 and similar, but a bit bigger I guess. Not sure of the differences really.











And this is a lovely one from Carolee with the sort of drop element I think I'll need to fill the space. This is only £14.50 at the moment. I can't really spend any money at the moment, I only have £60 till pay day and need to buy some food for the weekend, but still, I've put it in my Amazon basket, and hopefully, it may come down in a sale after Christmas? Maybe?





xoxo

Glitzy Secrets Success!!

My headband arrived yesterday and I tried it on last night. It is so beautiful I felt like weeping! I love, love, love it! Hurrah! Am taking it to show mum tonight after work. Love love love it.

The Dress! The Dress!!

The dress has arrived! Hurrah!

Here it is in it's box. All carefully wrapped up and sent from the US of A. Exciting much!

After opening it with care we found pink tissue paper and a flyer. Lots of pink tissue paper. There is still pink tissue paper on mum's carpet! =D

Here it is on it's hanger in it's bag with a

pretty pink and purple bow. and tan tarra, here's me in the dress.
I do love it. I love the length, and the fact my shoes go very well, and that my birdcage veil goes with the headband, and the colour, feel and texture of it.I will have to have a couple of adjustments made, but will book in somewhere say, the beginning of March to just have it nipped in over my shoulders, and maybe nipped in at my waist as it does feel a little roomy there.

I can't believe I have my wedding dress now. It's getting more real!

Glitzy Secrets II + Hen Party

Well the headbands and comb arrived, and they're beautiful!

But, I liked the headbands so much, I've decided maybe I need something bigger. The comb is lovely, but wouldn't be seen as well as this... It's really lovely. So as I was still in the 25% discount week, I've bought it too! Oops.

I think it'll go with a birdcage veil though. I shall have to have a play once they're all here.

Also, I've been planning my hen-party, and this is the plan:

Friday 5th March - for those coming, on the Friday night we'll have a pizza, a girly film and cocktails and something of a sleepover.

Then Saturday 6th March, we're hiring a mini-bus and trundling down to Stratford for a picnic, shopping and a boat cruise along the river avon. Then at 6.30pm we'll head over to Warwick Castle and change into our 18th century costumes to go to a Highwayman's supper and it'll be lovely!

I'm really excited about it now, and have bought a costume for it. That was a bit of a mishap. I got it into my head that I wanted an Elizabeth Swann dress and found some on Ebay in America and it was a best offer sort, so I put quite a low offer in (it was $99) and I got it for $70 which is £40 which is fine, that's the cost of rental, but still, 3 weeks before Christmas when I need to buy a shower and pay an electricity bill is a bit stupid. :(

I had an email saying it had been despatched already too. Which is good, I can't wait to try it on, but arggh! Money needed.

Bookings Galore

A quite update on the booking side of things I think, just to clear my head...

Church - booked
Reception at Littywood - booked
Jenkinsons Caterers - booked
Registrars - booked

Chair covers - booked - for a bargain £1.50 per chair! Hurrah!
Dress - ordered - Mum just called to say it's arrived. Nervous much!
Pageboys - bought - very cute, two little waistcoats.
Bridesmaids - ordered

Theme - decided
Colours - sorted

And I think that's most of the important things looked at.

Putting the 'Kate' in Catering

We met with Jenkinsons today. It was a good meeting.

A very nice man came round and he talked us though things, such as crockery, and table linens, and how we'd want the napkins folded (you can see why Steve wasn't interested at this point) but he also talked us through the timings of the day, which has given us a very good idea as to how it will all pan out.

So the day now looks a little bit like this...

08.00am - Breakfast
11.00am - Hairdresser
12.00pm - Make-up
01.00pm - Dress on and Photographs
02.00pm - Ceremony
03.30pm - A few photos at the Church with tea and cakes
04.00pm - A receiving line at Littywood to say hello to everyone, and the drinks reception
05.00pm - Canapes and a few group photographs
05.30pm - A few photos of Steve and me somewhere
06.00pm - Sit down for dinner
08.00pm - Speeches and Toasts

And the food will look a bit like this...

Canapes - 6 different types, including mini sandwiches (Steve chose the fillings - chicken and stuffing, pate and cucumber, salmon and cream cheese), mini spinach roulade, duck pancakes, and I can't remember the othe two!

We thought cold would be better as hot ones will go cold too quickly as this will be on the lawn (still praying for sunshine!)

Bread rolls with butter

Main - Roast sirloin of beef, hand carved ham, poached salmon with lemon mayonnaise or vegetable terrine silver served, with hot new potatoes, mixed salad, waldorf salad, rice salad, homemade coleslaw and mustards, horseradish sauces.

Pudding - Scones with jam and cream, wedding fruit cake and fairy cakes.

Cheese board - Stilton, Brie and Cheddar served with crackers, celery and grapes Teas and coffees with fudge.

The nice thing is, they've said we can add extra bits, for example Steve wanted Wensleydale with Cranberries, which would increase the cost of the menu (currently £25 p.p.) but we can just buy a chunk and add it to the board, and he can have his Mexicana cheese as well, and we will provide the fudge to be served with drinks afterwards too.

Then there will be champagne or Prosecco served for the toasts, and hopefully, be a nice long, chatty atmospheric meal :)

So that was all very good. They seem very keen to do things as we want!

And, the fellow was saying when Littywood began doing wedding receptions they'd approached them with regards catering but were rebuffed rather, so with us asking to have Jenkinsons, and her caterer friend not really being able to cope with larger numbers, they're looking at how things would work with Jenkinsons in the future, and between Littywood and Jenkinsons, they're hiring an extra marquee (!) to put on the back as a catering marquee and sorting out a tunnel down some steps and another tent, so when he said this I thougth eek, that's a bit more money for us, but they're not asking us for any more! So that's good and will work really well. Jenkinsons are pleased we're helping them expand into another wedding venue I think.

Glitzy Secrets

Today I bought the hair slide and two head bands for Sarah and Amy to wear. I've waited for this week for ages, since getting a 25% off voucher, and have watched the original slide I wanted sell out, and the headbands also sell out.

But, they have very similar things coming in all the time, and I was worried that the vintage dream would be too bold for me, so I think I do prefer the slide I've purchased instead, and the headbands are both very similar with a little flower details on the side, so will match silver shoes and a silver bag - monsoon sale, I'm there, online Dec 26th!! Ha ha!!

Nightmare of Lists

Completing the final guest list is seemingly a bit stressful.

So many friends, family, others!! It'd be lovely to have everyone, but space constraints and budget just won't allow it.

Still, we've invited 158 and are hoping only 140 come as that's the food budget and to have more would mean cutting back else where.

This is my first sign of stress though!!

And I guess it's a nice thing really though, having so many people who'd want to share your special day with you! Rather that than be alone!!

Chair Covers

I've found a local supplier right here in Stafford! Who seems to have been a main contact for Baden Hall before they closed down, but there are some good reviews and pictures.

This is the website - click here but it's not the poshest, but at £1.70 per chair and sash, I don't mind!

She's sending me colour samples through the post.

One more thing of the tick list.

Videography

As Steve is a cinematographer, this is something close to his heart.

And I think we've decided that we'll ask his cousin Ed, to use Steve's super dooper camera and film the ceremony and reception, and then have the footage for Steve to edit afterwards.

Ed's been into film for a while, and he'd be bored at the wedding, so giving him a job to do will help him out, and help us out, and all I want is a recording of the day.

All the forum's I've read have said it's a wonderful thing to have afterwards, as things get so crazy you forget elements, and I want to remember everything! And it'll be a lovely thing to show the children!

Bookings

Well, Littywood is now booked, (finally!)

The Church is booked.

The dresses are ordered.

The suits are booked.

I think the wedding is well on it's way to actually happening. =D

On my to-do list - make the invitations. Meet with Jenkinsons to discuss catering. Chat to Sharon about the flowers. Book the car. Book the honeymoon. Anything else? Hmmm.....

Waiting and Hoping for My Dress

I've found a few pictures of my dress. I hope it looks this lovely on me. It's rather agonising waiting to be honest :( I just want to try it on with my shoes and veil and see if I get 'feeling' that it's 'the one' or not. I want that perfect moment where I realise I look like a radient bride!!

Un-Registered

Eeek. Had a letter from the Registrars office saying that we've both got to go in again and give notice.

I think they've made a boo-boo.

I was quite clear that we intend to marry at the Beacon International Centre, which is part of the Sandon Road Baptist Church, but they've got the addresses mixed up.

Bah. Getting Steve there for one 30 minute slot was hard enough and he's out and about all this week now. Ho hum. We have lots of time to do it though.

One more thing on the to do list.

The Wonderful Things About Gift Lists

I love the internet.

I truly do. I've had a wonderful afternoon setting up a gift list. All online!

I didn't have to leave my chair, I just clicked and looked and liked and clicked, and now I have a lovely gift list with new duvets, chinaware, dishes, glasses, cutlery, and all manner of things.

Steve doesn't think any of it will be useful, but he'll appreciate it at some point. I hope. He wanted an Amazon list, so he could put DVD's and computer games on it. I had to tell him, that wasn't quite the point, but did add Band Hero for him. Whether that gets bought or not I don't know, but he doesn't understand wedding lists are about setting up a home together with practical items for life!

We've gone with John Lewis, they deliver free, and all together on chosen date, so we can get back from our honeymoon to lots of presents to open, although Steve just mumbles that they're my presents! It's not like Christmas, but he'll enjoy them too I hope.

What's New Wedding News? - The Groom

I don't seem to have mentioned that the Bridesmaid dresses were ordered and should be arriving sometime around Christmas. Can't wait to see them!! I'm deliberating over accessories for them at the moment, but will get them a vintage style headband to wear each from Glitzy secrets I think.

Steve went and chose his suits a week last Saturday. He got quite into it to be honest, and was flattered by the attending woman, into choosing a sumptuous and very expensive silver brocade suit, but in that I'm going a bit different, I dont' mind and was quite thrilled that I didn't have to do it all for him!! Anyway, suits are all booked and paid for, I just need to take a list of details in for them as to who they are for.

I'm going to get some baby waistcoats from Ebay as to hire matching ones is about £25 and I could buy them for £13 on Ebay! Christmas presents sorted for the boys methinks! Heh heh!

Ooh, and I think we're narrowing down the honeymoon destination too. We're now looking at Hawaii, the island of Kaui for 10 days, with car hire and there seems many things to do to keep us entertained as well. It's just finding a nice hotel with a pool to do next.

Dad rang Littywood and they haven't sent a quote yet (!) but I think it should be ok. They seem to be ok with us taking our own drinks in so hopefully, all will work well.

And that's it for now.

xoxo

The Wedding Website

I whiled away an afternoon creating a wedding wesbite of which I am mightily chuffed. You know how in invitations, there's a bit of paper with directions, hotels, transport, ceremony details and a gift list!

This is all now included on my website. It may come across as a bit cheesy, but there's no denying, it's brilliant in its simplicity.

I've disabled the RSVP online facility, as I want people to send cards and write back their acceptance, but I've we'll have our gift list on there too.

This is the link ;- here and it has a password and everything (gladstone).

I think I love it rather!

Giving Our Notice

Today we had our meeting to give notice at the Registry Office in Stafford. I met Steve and we went along to the office which was very red velvet and dark furniture! I wouldn't like to get married there, but I suppose there are uglier places. My church is full of light and windows and to me and Steve, a much nicer place!

Anyway, it was amusing as whilst we waited, we looked at all the other notices on the walls. There were so many for everyone getting married in the town, and we noticed that hardly any were first time marriages for both partners.

We're obviously one of a kind!

We were called into the office of one Sue Fox, and she then talked to us about the ceremony, and then Steve was sent out whilst she asked me questions about his middle name, date of birth, occupation (which is difficult as he gives himself a new title daily!) and then I was sent out, and he was asked questions which he panicked about, but we passed the test!

Apparently this was a new thing brought in to combat unwelcome arranged marriages, but it was entertaining, and then we paid our £60 and left!

All done!

More Marquee News

198 days to go now and plans are still underway.

We went back to Littywood on Tuesday and the extension will be perfect. I was still very pleased with how the whole thing looked and the only hitch in the plan is details over the catering. They said we could take in our own caterers which was fine as we wanted Jenkinsons, but it seems they didn't mean drinks, and they normally provide all the wine etc.. and serve it themselves which seems silly when Jenkinsons bring all their waiters etc and there's no way we're going to pay corkage to two companies.

So they're deliberating and we'll have to wait for their estimate to come back.

As marquees go though, it'll be perfect, it's just dependant on the catering aspect.

Finishing Touches...

Well, my shoes arrived and they're fabulous! I've won one pair of clip on earrings so far on Ebay which I'll try on the bow to add glitz and glamour, and I've found a wonderful website called GlitzySecrets.com which have the most amazingly glamerous jewellery and I think I've found my hair comb, and possibly a load of other flashy jewels to wear too!

Look at this for a hair comb! It's just what I want, all crystals, no pearls, and stunning! It's called Vintage Dream and I can see why. I think it would be perfect for me.

I also rather liked these earrings, flashy but lovely at the same time! I had thought of a discreet little white gold heart locket which I've asked Steve for already, but I'm starting to change my mind after seeing what this site has to offer. It's so hard trying to decide on what look I'm going for, without having tried on my dress. I know one should go for something that one is comfortable with, rather than something crazy out there, but another bit of me thinks, I could get away with it, as there's an inner vintage goddess waiting to come out!! What would go best with my dress? Hmmm. Ponder ponder.

A Picture Tells A Thousand Words

I had an email today from the husband of a friend who used to work at the Uni with us.

He's offered to photograph our wedding day for free to build up his portfolio as he's trying to get into more 'official photography'.

It's a wonderful offer, and having looked on his website I'm really impressed. The photographs would mean a lot to me, and even though I'm not the most photogenic girl around, and Steve won't likely smile, he looks as though he'll do a wonderful reportage style which is informal enough for us both. You can see his website 'here'

We'll be having a pre-wedding shoot, and a meet up to discuss what we want, so I'm really pleased. Even though out budget is going to be shot on food and location, we can have a wonderful album of beautiful photos for free!

The Dress, the Dress!!!

The dress is ordered, bought and paid for! I cannot wait to try it on!

No going back now! It's worked out at £415 for the dress, and £45 for the postage and packaging. Not too bad. Now we just have to wait and see what happens with the import duty.

I also ordered a birdcage veil to play with from Ebay:

and then some shoes from Debenhams in the sale which weren't the perfectly lovely rose ones I'd seen previously, but were similar with bows, and which I thought i could maybe adapt to be sparkly, as I'm sort of thinking at the moment I may need extra sparkle with my outfit.

What do you think of sewing something vintagey onto the bow? Like two matching brooches, or something? I love the line and shape of the shoe and the bow is lovely too. Just needs some glitz! That's whats in my mind today anyhow. I've also been looking at my hair and whats going to go in it. I'm not sure about a side comb, or whether down hair will go with a birdcage veil, but maybe something like this hair comb to the right would be nice? I was thinking one for each side, and then I can remove the veil for later on, and eating, but retain the vintage sparkliness in my hair. Hmm. I need a hairdresser to trial this with, and discuss ideas with! I like the idea of a half up do, and then some little pins dotted around in it, and then accessorizing with a vintagey brooch on my waist line, and maybe adding a lavender colour ribbon if I need a splash of colour? Too many thoughts in my mind and not knowing how it will all look is stressing me out!!

Budget Budget

We decided to go backwards last night, my parents and me, and rather than looking at the cost of locations and food, see what else we needed to pay for so....

Honeymoon - We've allocated £2000
Dress - £700
Bridesmaids - £200 x 2
Pageboys - £60 for two - will look at hiring mini suits
Suits for the guys - £350 x 7 for Steve, Nick, Richard, Paul, Dad, Chris & Ed
Flowers - £400 for 9 buttonholes, 1 posy for me, 2 wrist corsages for S & A and some blooms for Church which will come to the reception with us. Then lots of free foliage for the marquee decoration.
Car - £300
Wine - Not sure yet, depends on corkage, and Dad wants to buy a barrel of bitter! Try saying that after a few pints!

Stuff we're doing ourselves which aren't massive savours, but hey, pennies make pounds -

Photography
Videography
Favours
Cakes
Stationary - Invites, RSVP cards, Menus, Order of Services, Place Names, Thank you cards.

So it does leave enough for £5000 for Littywood, and then about £4000 for food. Hmmm. Such big numbers, swimming in front of my eyes!

Buttons...

Oooh, look at these! How cute would these be on my favours? They're £1.25 for 3, so I'd need 70 so ..... sums sums & sums, if it were 70 / 3, then timesed by 1.25 it's about £29.00? Is that right? I got it to be about £58 last time. Hmmm. £29 would be much better than £58!

What I'd do would be to sew a butterfly on a felt heart, and then sew that onto the bag fabric and get 70 done before Christmas, then after I can get the lavender, add it to a gauze thing and stuff them :) Happy days!

Favours...

I was thinking about this last night again, or rather the thoughts were keeping me awake (I must try and switch off from weddings before bed, it's keeping me awake at night) and I was thinking I could make 70 little lavender bags for the ladies, and 70 little bags of homemade fudge for the men and kiddies could have a thorntons chocolate lolly. That would be quite cheap to do, and not too fiddly.

I'm going to the market on Saturday to look at fabric I think.

Littywood Costs

Well, Littywood have got back to us. And it's more expensive than anticipated to say the least! To have their marquee at the moment for 70 people, it will cost £2100. Any more than that (and you can sit 120 in there) would cost extra anyhow for extra tables and chairs etc...

For the extension of 9ft square it would be an extra £1800, and then on top there'd be more tables and chairs, and the toilets would cost an extra £400.

Steve practically had kittens as unfortunately he was there when Mum was telling me on the phone! He doesn't mind a wedding day, but he is minding a costly reception. I too would be gulping rather at the prospect of paying nearly £5000 pounds for a tent, and that doesn't even include food! But I know we can afford it with our budget and it would be the one splurge factor and we can cut costs everywhere else I'm sure.

Anyway, with it costing that much, it's put Trentham back on the decision list really, as if they would come down to £5000, it's all there sorted with loos and chandeliers and everything already.

The only question is, do I want a homely manor house where I can put out my bunting and it's pretty and tea on the lawn etc.... or Trentham where it is spectacular grounds but maybe a bit big and probably wouldn't suit my English garden tea party sort of thing.

Dad's calling Trentham today to enquire, but I think I'm still verging towards Littywood myself.

Let Them Eat Cake....

I looked again in cakes today. I’ve been wondering whether to go with a three tier one, for simplicity, but before I rule it out, I’ve decided to do some trial runs, so have bought some foil cups, and a few icing bits and bobs to ‘get the look’ and I’ll make a couple of batches as per instructions I’ve read online, and will try freezing them for a few days, then icing them and whether they defrost ok. If they do, then I will go with that idea, as a freezer full of fairy cakes, and defrosting them on the morning would be an ideal solution, or the day before maybe!

To be honest, I guess it’s more of the ‘look’ of the thing for me! I’ll then get a small top tier with a starburst ornament on it for cutting and fruit so people can choose. I think that’ll work. The towers I’ve seen so far look best with lots of different sorts, and different colours and toppings, but in a co-ordinated scheme. It’ll help with the informal approach too I think. Ooh, must start collecting fabric for bunting too!! Mental note to me….

THE..... dress...

I sat this morning and sent an email of my measurements to Dolly Couture for a Beveleywood dress. Mum measured me up on the Friday night, and determined to book something, I emailed them. They emailed back to say that I’d not said which colour I wanted, Ivory, White or Champagne, and I’d got some measurements wrong, so could I confirm, but at least I’m acting on something.
This dress has sleeves, and I thought I could see how they look, and remove them if necessary, but I think it would be a good way of hiding my ugly arms. Once all details are confirmed, they put a listing on Ebay for me, and I pay in full, and they work on it and send it to me. Possibly within 2 – 3 months J I’ll then find a birdcage veil on Ebay, and just try the look out methinks. It’s so exciting.

I also got the little colour samples in the post for the bridesmaids dresses, and one of them is perfect. I think it’s a lavender sort of colour. It’s not lilac, and it’s not purple, so that’s just what I want. The nameless colour! It will perfectly complement a silver grey suit and look very co-ordinated.

Bride's Dress

I have also been looking and changing my mind on my dress. I knew the shape and style I wanted, but rather than the one I thought I wanted, I'm now verging on the Beverleywood, which is what my original picture was based on, but this doesn't have an across tummy sash, which I think will be more slimming, and little sleeves. I wasn't sure about that bit, but have now thought if I like them, fine, if not, I can have them taken off so it's better to have the option.

I've also emailed Debenhams directly to enquire about the Red Herring shoes I've fallen in love with which were last season. Fingers crossed I get a favourable response!

Mum and I are going to measure me this week, and get the order in. No more umming and aahing. At least if it comes by January, I still have four months to change my mind if necessary. And try and tone up and lose a bit of weight. Ooh, I don't know how I'll stand having a dress hanging up that I can't wear for so long! I hope Steve will like it.

Bridesmaids 2.....

Ok, so I've decided to completely change my mind, and go with a different dress entirely, that my Mum and I think would work better.

We like the contrasting satin ribbon hem and bow effect on this one, and it could be done with straps, and if I asked for the skirts to be a little fuller, it may hide Sarah's post-baby tummy, and I can put them both in a net petticoat too.

I just like the simplicity of it. I may then give them both a wrist corsage instead of a bouquet, and they can hold a little matching bag if I find one, matching shoes, and I'll get them a nice necklace and earring set which can be their gift too :)

The colour and fabric swatches have been requested, and they don't do waistcoats but they will sell me more fabric to have them made up with in Stafford. All in all, a move in the right direction methinks :)

Bridesmaids

I decided I had to act upon something, so sent an email to a seamstress I found on Ebay requesting a quote and if she could do what I've asked. It said:

Dear MKM

I’ve found your shop on Ebay, and am interested in a quote in having two bridesmaid dresses and two pageboy waistcoats (2 yr old boys) made up for my wedding in May 2010. I would like a lavender colour, pale purple/pink. From your colour chart I would imagine that colours 27, 80, 81 or 39 may be what I’m looking for, although it’s difficult to tell. Would you be able to send a swatch in the mail so I could see the type of fabric and actual colour the dresses would be made out of?

Having looked on your Ebay page, I would like two different styles of dress to accommodate two different sized bridesmaids, but in the same fabric and colour if possible.

I liked the BS3522 style dress, but with the skirt of BS3527.

My bridesmaids are my sisters, and one is happy with my choice, but the other would prefer the BS3521 as she had twin babies and prefers the lower waist on that style and shoulder straps, but if possible would like the same style skirt as BS3527 adding to it if this is possible?

I would then like two waistcoats in matching fabric for my twin nephews who will be 23 months old by that time.

Is this something that is feasible to do, and if so, could you please email me a quote and how long it would take to make up?

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best Wishes

Kate Biggin
katebiggin@gmail.com

Not too demanding I hope! I feel better for it though.

I liked this one:

Sarah liked this one:

but with this skirt:

Amy was happy enough with anything! No reply as yet though. Maybe it would be better to find a local seamstress. I just don't want that 'homemade' look. *sigh* At least I've decided on my Dolly Couture dress. If only I could work out import taxes. I just want something signed, sealed and delivered!

Wedding Fayre

I was quite excited to be going off with my Mum and sisters to a wedding fayre at Trentham Gardens today. It was a lovely sunny day for it, and I wanted to look for information on aisle runners, other invite ideas, and hair and make-up stylists.

I was so denied. There was a lot of rubbish thrust at me from every direction, I didn't like any of the things I saw and none of it was useful, and whenever anyone talked to me about the date of the wedding, they all expressed shock and horror that it was 8 months away and I have nothing booked. I was rather told off by most.

Not fun.

I know when things are going to be, but no, nothing is firmly booked as yet and I'm beginning to panic. I need Littywood to confirm which will set the date, and I can register the wedding, and feel something's underway. We can then look at the honeymoon and book the caterers and photographer/videographer.

I'm going to send off about my dress this week, and the bridesmaid dresses and then I'll feel better. I hope! Steve was lovely yesterday though :) totally on his best behaviour and once he'd explained that he was teasing me about the dinosaur themed wedding, I felt happier with him!

Honeymoon Thoughts...

We went to the travel agents to discuss honey moon ideas. I would like two weeks in Italy, around Sorrento and visit Rome, Pompeii and Capri. Steve would like to go driving across Canada and rough it and meet bears. Ok, so I exaggerate slightly but that’s not my idea of a honeymoon at all. I do like the idea of a special break, but I wouldn’t want to be so busy I don’t relax. A driving holiday would mean deadlines and stress and a sore bum from sitting in a car all the time.

Anyway, we sat there and this poor woman looked a bit confused by our separate requests. She did a lovely quote for me, with 10 days flying to Sorrento and there’s lots to see and do and we could have a lovely time, not to hot at that time of year, but Steve said staying in a 4**** hotel would be his worst nightmare and he doesn’t want any luxury. To be honest, all he wants is to go to Canada. But even a nice hotel in Canada he wouldn’t enjoy. Difficult much.

So a honeymoon for us both to Italy would be about £2500 which isn’t so bad. Canada would be about £4000.

We picked up the brochures and I browsed through them that afternoon whilst Steve was out and about, and an in them was a coaching holiday which I wouldn’t want to do, but it gave me an idea that would be something of a compromise.

It was something like this:

Fly to Calgary and hire a car and drive for a few days along to Jasper. Pick up the train and then head along to Vancouver relaxing in an element of luxury and then spend a few days in Vancouver seeing the sights and staying in a hotel.

Then from Vancouver we could fly over to Hawaii for a week to relax. This would likely be horribly expensive, but seems to be the only compromise I can think of. And I do want to make Steve happy by us going to Canada but I don’t think it’s going to be the best option.

To further my argument, in the Wedding Book that his parents gave us, it says this “the honeymoon should not be a ‘holiday of a lifetime’. That’s not the time for it, a honeymoon is a different sort of holiday, and a romantic, loving time to enjoy each other’s company. But that’s the sort of thing Steve will hate :(

What to do, what to do….

Setting the Date...

It's looking closer to be the 2nd May. Littywood have confirmed they're available that day and we're waiting on a proper quote for the marquee extension. yay! I am so longing for a Bank Holiday wedding, it'll be perfect.

I'm getting quite antsy as if it doesn't come off, we need to keep the options open and quickly re-visit some other places.

Fingers crossed for Littywood though.

Fonts Fonts Fonts

Who knew there were so many!

I really liked Passions Conflict, which was a pay for one, but we found a free version called Aquarelle, but Steve felt it was a bit flouncy (although it makes a wonderful monogram I'm determined to keep!) and you couldn't really read the writing in the invitation giving details as it's too flouncy and looks too small.

Currently in the running are: Clarissa (my No 1 of the new batch), this isn't a good picture, but it's quite a nice modern one, and will work better in the centre of the invite: Swansong (another pay for one unless we can find a free version), Jayne Print, Allura Script, Ellianerellis, Montague (not really in the running at all) amongst about 5 others!

No ordinary font will do for me! But it's difficult to compare and contrast them all!

You Fill Up My Senses

I woke up to this John Denver song this morning, which made me think of Steve. Last October, we went to a wedding fayre with Amy and Karl, and he made the musicians play it for us. It was a nice moment.

Invitations

I want to make all my own wedding stationary, and have devised what I think is a beautiful invitation. I shall have to take some photos to demonstrate on here but they're lovely.

I'm going for a lavendar lilac shade, and a tri-fold piece of A4, in a pearlescant ivory, with purple ribbon across the top, some lavendar mulberry paper to make a square with some ivory card on it, and a butterfly, and some diamantes.
On opening the card you'll see a monogram of our initials on the left hand side, details on the Church ceremony in the centre, and on the right, details on the Reception.

So beautiful! And everything shall match, the order of service, menus, placecards, thank you cards, RSVP cards, everything. xxx

The Wedding Party

It sort of goes without saying who my bridesmaids will be!

My sisters Sarah and Amy will be performing their duties on the day, and I'll have two page boys in form of Theo and Isaac who will be 23 months by the wedding.

I was a bridesmaid for them both at their weddings, and we are a very close family.

I won't be asking any friends, I don't have such a close best friend that I think I'd have to have, but my best friend from school Emma, is moving to Australia for a year so won't be able to attend at all :( Which is very sad, but I can't wait until May 2011 to be wed!!

Steve is I think of the same mind. He's only asking his brothers to be his wedding party, Nick to be best man, Richard and Paul to be ushers.

I'll also have my brothers in law Karl and Aaron around to assist them on the day too I'm sure! They're the sort who'd be happier with a task in hand!

And of course, my Dad is the organised Mr Biggin of it all and he'll be sorting lots out and keeping the day running smoothly.

Littywood Manor

On Sunday afternoon we went to look at this farmhousey place that Mum had found randomly online that we'd never heard of before, and it was beautiful. See for yourself here The sun was shining, they have a marquee for a lot less than Bishton and Trentham, and it could be so beautiful. We also drove round to Eccleshall Castle which was nice, but would be more pricey, and we really liked the cosy feel at Littywood.


We're looking at a guest list of 150, and a cold plated buffet so they'd be able to do it, if they can call back and confirm the date and time.

Location, Location, Location

We went to see Bishton Hall today. Dad got us an appointment with Hilary Northcote-Stafford, who lives there, teaches there and does all other things besides as well! A very jolly hockey sticks lady, Steve I think instantly disliked her as much as my parents and I did like her!

Bishton Hall was a grade I listed manor house, which is now a boarding school for the affluent, a point which immediatly put Steve off, although, I think he'd put himself off way before visiting.

We were shown from a large hall, into a once elegant drawing room, which now showed a few signs of age, and probably the fact it was a school as well. The hiring of the place was a standard £2000 which included the hall, drawing room, two larger rooms and a dining room, none of which were large enough. What we were more interested in was the dance hall, which you could make look like a marquee. But I'm not sure fabric could be enough to hide the fact from the outside it looked like a shed :( Not what I had envisioned.

However, the grounds were lovely, the gardens beautifully tended and one could hire a marqee to put anywhere we wanted, but the cost would be on top of the £2000. Which depending on marquee hire could have been a valid option, and I began to warm to the thoughts of drifting through the shrubberies on a lovely May Day, and having a stunning Marquee reception, until on returning home, Steve flatly said not. Apparentlly, if we booked there, he'd have nightmares and refuse to smile on any pictures.

Dad commented that I wouldn't have any less of a wedding than my sisters and that there was a certain image to uphold, but was jovial enough with both of us, and we do agree that a marquee would be lovely, but it's the costs of it that are worrying me.

Trentham Gardens do hire out a marquee, but it's £6.500 which seems an awful lot, but I guess it includes access to the gardens which would be private after hours. It'd be nice to go and see that one. That's more than Mum and Dad are providing though.

I don't know if I'm more disapointed in Bishton Hall's 'none-marquee' option, or Steve's adament 'No' although I have to say, the insides didn't do the hall justice.

Back to the drawing board. Oh, and Eccleshall Castle which I was very keen to see has no May availability. Which is a shame. I found the prospect of a ruined castle in the grounds very romantic!

Going to the Chapel...

The registrar called back to say we can marry on a Sunday, so the 2nd May could go ahead. Just need a reception place now. Steve keeps saying we could have the reception at the Beacon, but he doesn't get that I want a lovely hall, with grounds and all the trimmings! Maybe even a water feature. I'm sure it'll get through eventually though. Just needs repeating every so often!! He's going to be so fed up of me by May. Poor thing. I'll have to keep being extra nice every so often. It doesn't help that I'm still run down with this wretched food poisoning. I'm not the nicest fiancee in the world at the moment. He is being very understanding though and putting up with my grumpiness and demands for lucozade!

The Mood Board

Well, I don't have a 'board' persay!

I've been working with a scrapbook album and since Amy gave me all her old wedding magazines after her wedding, I've been looking through them, and cutting out pictures and things I like, and thoughts and ideas.

I've got pictures of birdcages, cups and saucers, bunting, lavender pink and purple, tea party, beautiful china, organza, butterflies, roses, peonies, marquees, short wedding dresses, fabulous shoes, glitzy jewellery, ribbons, sunshine, cream teas, sandwiches, lace, fascinators, going away outfits, and lots more besides!

And it's all in a lovely lilac little book!

It's been a while in the planning and all the thoughts were in my head all along!

First Thoughts

I've had thoughts and plans for a long time and know in 'theory' what I want. Am feeling rather daunted today at the prospect of actually putting it all into practise.

Still feeling rotten about this illness. Steve has gone to Church without me to announce it properly!! I really wanted to go to, but couldn't, and cried a little. What should be a lovely thing has really been a bit warped. Everyone else is celebrating! I sat and watched Mum, Dad and Steve enjoy my favourite roast lamb whilst I nibbled on two biscuits. *sigh*

On the plus side, we discussed plans and thoughts after lunch. And as for being a silent partner, just turning up on the day, Steve suddenly seems inspired to participate which although is nice of him, I don' mind if he can agree on what I want!! =D ha ha!!

Anyhow, with our guest list being on the larger side, and neither of us thinking that an evening do is something we want, we are thinking of a marquee somewhere, 150 people, and an informal afternoon tea style reception with champagne and bunting, games on the lawn to amuse the kiddies, and a magician. Food would be canapes and drinks on arrival, sit down meal with a starter, salads and cold meat, and cake stands with scones, jam and cream.

The Church ceremony will be at the Beacon, our home church, and be a joyful celebration of union! I'm looking forward to that bit the most.

Steve is going to organise the honeymoon and look into photographers and videographers.

Places for the marquee could be Eccleshall Castle, Bishton Hall, or even Trentham Gardens.

And I'm sure there'll be a few arguments along the way with Steve expecting to pay about 50p for everything! Maybe I'll manage the wedding budget instead.

The Proposal

No, not the new Sandra Bullock film. The day when Steve asked me to marry him.

It was Friday, September 11th, and it was sunny and warm.

I took the day off work, and we went out to Trentham Gardens for a meal at Frankie and Benny's, then mooched around the shops. After an ice-cream from Cadwaladers, he asked if there were any places to take a walk, so we drove up to Barlaston, and parked at the top of the Wedgwood Estate. Strolling down a lane, with picturesque views and pastoral scenes overlooking the lake, there was a bench. And sitting on this bench, Steve asked me to marry him and produced the ring!

The ring was my grandma's. My Mum had offered it to me a while ago, and I'd mentioned it to Steve. A few times probably!! He'd had it for a couple of weeks or so, after having spoken to my Dad.

We called our parents and family and headed home all happy!

On getting home, my housemate was so excited that she insisted on taking me out for dinner. I had guides at 7 and thought that another night would be better, as I'd have preferred to spend my time with my new fiancee, but I went along, and then went straight to Guides afterwards.

From 9.00pm onwards I didn't feel well. My tummy was very noisy, and giving me pains and it turned out Samira's was too. We'd got food poisoning from our meal! Typical! So our celebratory weekend wasn't exactly that. My Mum was in Scotland and my Dad in Wales, and I was ill. Looking forward to when I can drink champagne with the people I love though!!