If I had all the money in the world...

Hello! Many apologies as I have been neglecting the blog a bit as I have started my new job which is going great. But fear not my friends as I have not been shying away from the wedding plans and so far have my band and photographer booked. Which is a bit crazy as they are probably the two biggest aspects of the day minus the venue. Lots more still to do and roughly about 10 months to go. Plenty of time... I think.

As they say, it is all about the dress. This has struck a bit of fear into me as there are so many styles, shapes and trends to choose from. Of course I want to look AMAZING (come on I'd be lying if I said I wasn't bothered) but I don't want to wear something I look back on and think 'Eww what was I thinking?!?!'

None of this... image courtesy of My Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.

More this....
Jenny Packham's 'Aspen' dress - Spring Summer 2012
Image courtesy of jennypackham,com

But there is one designer that is just fabbity fab, fab (that means bloody brilliant in my books) and if I had all the money in the world I would buy myself a Jenny Packham wedding dress. She is a British designer and her gowns are absolutely beautiful. She uses lots of different types of embellishment, fabrics and really focuses her dresses on eras gone by yet with a modern twist. They are super feminine, each to their own but Packham's dresses stay away from the traditional bridal gowns in most shops. Just need to win the lottery first... or who says we need to feed our guests? Just kidding! I love my food to much for that. Plus for those who don't know I am a massive spiller of food. Hmm... nice expensive dress? Maybe just get me a bib.

The Glasgow Wedding Collective.

So far I have been to about 5-6 wedding fayres in less than three months and I think it is pretty safe to say I've had my fill for a while. For anyone who is new to them, word of advice; pace yourself. They are very exhausting! As expected there are usually a lot of sales people there, all asking you the same questions and you will be swamped with lengthy conversations and leaflets.

The one that was my favourite and really stood out from the crowd was The Glasgow Wedding Collective. They showcase some of the 'most creative, kitsch and downright gorgeous handpicked wedding suppliers from throughout Scotland'. Exactly what I am looking for! It is quite a small fayre, but the atmosphere is lovely and all the people on the stands are friendly, putting no pressure on you. The suppliers and products on display are super funky and vintage inspired. So far I have found an amazing photographer, stationery and some vintage decor accessories that I all have my eye to get sorted on (ASAP!). Each company also has a really unique personal feel, not seeing another wedding as just another big commercial money maker.

The next farye is on April 15^th (11am – 4pm) at Hillhead Bookclub in the west end of Glasgow and entry is free. What's even better is that Hillhead Bookclub is uber cool, doing some great food and yummy cocktails. So plenty time to chat over any ideas and pop back up to admire some of their gorgeous vintage dresses and accessories. 

Poster for next fayre. Courtesy of GWC.

 

Save the date.

I've been missing in action. So has Gary, my significant other (S.O) as he won't get his butt moving to blog for me, no matter how much of my nagging.

Me: ''You could do your blog for me today''.

S.O: 'I've not got time and I'm not good at that sort of thing''.

Me: ''What about when you come home from work''? (Gary gets home roughly at 4.15pm, I get home about 7ish)

S.O: ''Well I've got stuff to do and need to make your dinner. You'll be wanting your dinner ready eh''?

Me: ''Yeah I'd rather have dinner''.

Anyhow not to bore you with our routine, my S.O and I have been busy looking at a couple more venues and I have been busy trying to sort my life out; flat, to do lists, and a mini break to Leeds. To give you a quick update, we have booked Glenskirlie House on February 16^th 2013..

That is less than a year away. Scary biscuits! Full steam ahead, choo choo. It doesn't matter what date or time of year we get married but Glenskirlie do offer a great wedding. I think with anything cost is major factor and we don't want to get a bit crazy stupid with plans. To put it simply we want good food, good music (with the drinks flowing) and everyone to have a good time. Obviously we (I mean me) will be adding our own special touches to the day. More to follow on theme and decoration ideas...

Meanwhile my sister, Nicola is getting very excited and already searching for bridesmaids dresses. 

Here is a maybe. Wowzers! Better get saving, but she's worth it. Here is her hat shopping in Leeds.

Venue visiting.

Our first proper day venue visiting went quite well. We both work during the week and decided to take a wee cheeky day off. When making meetings to see venues, most people work Monday to Friday but you will sometimes find amazing wedding co-ordinators who will make time for you in the evenings or weekends. This is a good sign! Especially to find people who make the effort to see you.

We saw four venues today and have still got one more to go tomorrow. The meetings were Stirling Management Centre at Stirling University, the Albert Halls in Stirling town centre, MacDonald Inchyra Hotel in Grangemouth and the Highland Hotel, also in Stirling town centre (I love where this hotel is situated, right in the heart of the old town and close to the castle). 

*Courtesy of MacDonald Inchyra Hotel. Can you tell our favourite so far?

It was quite odd going to meetings being on the other side and listening to pitches (I'm usually the one doing the sales pitches at work). They ranged from amazing, totally professional and extremely helpful to very rushed, lacking in information and to even seeing our wedding as just another function. Don't get me wrong, I know these places must do hundreds of weddings and we are not naive enough to think our wedding will be that different from others. However, I don't really want to go with places that have the feeling of 'get you in, get it done and get it over with'. No thanks! 

Signs of a good meeting are co-ordinators who take you around the venue, walking you through your day and the most obvious, asking you questions about what you want (expect a mini interview – don't worry it's not scary). It was a surprise to see three out of 4 venues didn't do this. A couple of handy things to take with you to the meetings are; a notepad and pen (obviously), also I found a great checklist on the internet here, which has lots of good questions to ask. Also take money! For us it was a fun but long day and we had to take more than one break to chat it over...

 My idea of taking a break. Mmmm Chai Latte...

 

Gary's idea of taking a break.

How to stay on top of things.

If there was such a Little Miss character, I would literally be Little Miss Organised. My sister, Nicola calls me Monica from Friends as I'll will probably have a little head piece on the big day. However, organisation is key and to kick things off for the wedding plans I have created lots of helpful guides to keep my head straight.

It just gets bigger and bigger and bigger...

Spreadsheet - tastic!

Warning! Will inspire you to make things.

Ironically sat next to my piggy bank.

1. A4 folder with dividers and polly pockets. Split into sections such as venues, photography, flowers, dresses etc. You will get handed lots of business cards and leaflets at wedding shows and it is good to keep them somewhere.

2. My laptop. I have a made a few lovely spreadsheets which is for things like guests, venue meetings and costs. We use spreadsheets a lot at work and they are very handy to quickly update as I'm sure there will be a lot of changes.

3. Magazines. Okay, I was a bit hesitant at first as some are so expensive but they are really helpful for ideas (as are the internet & blogs). Although, there is something quite nice about licking through and tearing out things you like. I won't lie I will proabably make a scrapbook soon.

4. My favourite engagement gift! From my lovely sister who will be my chief bridesmaid, maid of honour etc etc. We are very close and she knows how much I love stationery and other daft cute things. She got me this book. It is called 'Our very big huge wedding planner'. It's from the Bright Side gift range and is very good for the handbag. It has lots of different sections where you can doodle, list and brainstorm ideas. I'm really looking forward to filling it in and is something to keep to look back.

The next chapter begins...

Bonjour and welcome to my first blog! I have decided to set up a blog and more specifically a wedding blog for a number of reasons;

• As a new hobby for 2012.
• To develop my writing skills.
• To generate some calm and vent all about the craziness that is weddings.
• To allow our friends and family to follow our planning.
• For the memories. The family went a bit old school in putting a announcement in the local paper which we loved.

I always wanted to start a blog but was very unsure where to start. My colleague at work, Juliet helped me with some hints and tips to setting up my page and what to write about. You can check out her blog here. If you are a girly girl like me then happy reading!

Okay so to get on with the story. Gary and I have been officially been a couple for seven years. We have known each other since primary school, through high school and is also my neighbour. However, lets make this clear; we did not like each other. Yeah there was the odd 14 year old crush (mainly from me) but the majority of the time we pretty much thought each other was a pain in the backside. So fast forward one drunken night in Stirling town when I was 17 and Gary was 18, we began dating and after going back and forth about being boyfriend and girlfriend (mainly Gary), eventually we became a couple.

The happy couple. Doing what we do best, eating and drinking.

Don't get me wrong we have had our share of tears, mini break-ups and hard times. Nevertheless the good times obviously outweighed the bad and we have had many laughs, amazing holidays and have been living together for nearly two years. Not only are we partners, but best friends and we looking forward to more of the above (hopefully not the mini break ups haha).

So on December 25^th 2011, Gary proposed and this started a new chapter of our lives. He bought me this lovely ring from Beaverbrooks.

Before you ask, picked all by himself. Good man!

It is all very exciting but we have never been so confused! Neither Gary and I have been to a wedding and after flicking through lots of magazines and talking to lots of friends and colleagues, we have realised there is a lot of work involved! So hopefully this blog will help us and other people in our situation to get some ideas. People can also have a few laughs while we gain some clarity through all the stress. I have also enlisted Gary to guest blog on it as while researching wedding blogs I feel there isn't much around from a guy's perspective. As people keep saying it is his day too. Hmmm we'll see..........

Gone are the Christmas cards....