Our Venue: SHEHNAI, Reading

So the wait is over...

I know you've been waiting patiently for this oh so important news!

Where are we going to party after getting married at St James'?

That's where!

Where's that?... I hear you say!

Well here it is!

 75 - 77 London Street, 

Reading,
Berkshire 

RG1 4QA

Right in the heart of Reading, walking distance from the Church, all the hotels and more importantly the After Dark! The after after party venue! I'll explain more about that in a different post.

Why Shehnai?

Here's why...

We have a very large number of guests attending our wedding, mainly due to my Irish side of the family being over sized and slightly mad. This has left us with the task of finding a venue large enough to fit our guests and also large enough to fit our after do guests too!

OK so it doesn't have the beautiful gardens of a Mansion or Castle or the entrance or driveway of  them either but as you walk in the doors you are transformed somewhere completely out of Reading and into your own little wonderland.

We also had specifics about distances from the church and hotels as we want to keep the costs down for the guests. We have had to think about where our wedding is based so we and our guests have options for each aspect of the wedding.

The venue is so beautiful, with a Marble floored entrance and plenty of space I instantly fell in love. I looked around and the team showed me several options of lighting and placing and discussed with me and told me that I could have it however I liked it, as it was my day. Music to my ears. 

They have a design team who will source specifics if I wanted them and help my vision and dream to become a reality! I explained my ideas and they just got it instantly. I was so taken a back by the professional yet creative approach that they had that I pencilled in our names on our chosen date there and then.

We are really lucky to have found such a beautiful wedding venue with every tiny detail of my MUST HAVE list. This is often not the case, with brides having to sacrifice areas they've dreamed of for other areas they deem less important just because the venue won't accommodate their needs.

It was also important that we had a local, homely vibe, that meant something to us as a couple as part of the chosen venue and as we live not far from there and the nightclub opposite has played a huge part of our relationship it seemed like the location was also perfect for us. I remember many moons ago when the venue was a dingy nightclub and I was about 13, my cousins and I went to an under 18's disco there. It wasn't a fabulous as it is now as it has been refurbished. We had a brilliant time though and I'll never forget it. When we walked in to the building I was instantly thrown back to that moment. It was so strange. Hoff went to the club a few times too he said and he felt the same it was like a weird flash back I'd never really thought of before.

The History of the Venue

Here are The Birds, featuring Ronnie Wood, pictured in 1964 outside the Olympia Ballroom on London Street, Reading, where the band had a residency.

Formerly known as The Olympia Ballroom and the Matrix this amazing building is now home to the Shehnai Group. Throughout the 60s The Olympia Ballroom hosted a number of amazing acts among them is Rod Steward, The Who and the Rolling Stones.  

Yeah that's right our band will be playing on the same stage as the greats!

How amazing is that!!

I bet most people of Reading didn't know that!

Most people think of Shehnai as an Asian wedding venue as it has been used by so many amazing Asian weddings!

But it has so much more to it than that. 

One of the positives of this wedding blog is that I will be showcasing this amazing venue for what it really can do and be, to an audience that can spread the word.

What they say about Traditional weddings at Shehnai!

If you’re looking for a traditional wedding venue with character, style and a long established history as the setting for your wedding, The Olympia Ballroom, at Shehnai is the perfect wedding venue for you.

Here, couples can hold their wedding in uniquely designed and themed Suites, while enjoying exclusive use of all the rooms, including the exquisite marble lobby and bar.

Shehnai is licensed for civil weddings and partnership ceremonies in all its three Suites, which can accommodate wedding parties from 50 to 700 guests. In order to make your guests most comfortable, whatever the party size, why not use a combination of Suites for your celebrations?

The various event spaces can be used for banquets, lounge set ups, music and food stations, themed bars and stylised dance floors, all dependant upon whether you wish to have a traditional or more informal event set up.

Our team of world cuisine chefs can help you select a menu for your guests that will tantalise their taste buds, serving up your choice of Continental, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican or African Cuisines.

Local historic and town locations within short distances serve as the perfect photographic locations to add yet another twist to your wedding day, including the historic Forbury Gardens and picturesque Caversham Court.

As soon as you are ready to discuss your wedding arrangements a co-ordinator will work with you to design your special day, whilst helping you to take full benefit of all the features of The Olympia Ballroom.

I hope you are excited by this as me!

I can't wait for the next meeting about my wedding and all the food tasting and creative brainstorming I have left to do!

I'm actually 'Whooping' loudly as I write this!

If you need any more info on the venue, the team or for hiring Shehnai for an event please visit their website

or

add them on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates and events!

How to find the Perfect Venue for you!

Where to start with finding

THE PERFECT VENUE?

 

Do you have a budget worked out already?

or

Are you working the budget around the suitable venue's pricing?

Are you going to stay in your area?

or

Somewhere else like Abroad?

Do you look on the internet/magazines etc?

or

Do you go on word of mouth?

Do you think the Bride an Groom have to both like the choices?

or

Is it all about the Bride?

Is it OK to have it where your friends had theirs?

or

Is that a huge Faux-pas?

Do you find your perfect dream venue and work the numbers around it?

or 

Work out the numbers and then find a venue that will fit in with your guests?

Do you decide on a venue by sentimental value?

or

Value for money?

Do you think about your guests at all?

or

Is it just a day for the Bride and Groom to enjoy?

Do you find a venue for the ease of your guests getting there?

or 

Only think of the beautiful photos you could have?

Do you look at the bar/taxi/hotel prices for the guests?

or

Does it not matter what the guests pay as long as it is perfect for you?

So many things to think about, and for many, so little time!  

(not us we are overly organised I gave myself 2 years to organise it all and the venues were no.1 on my to do list)

So where to start...

Work through those questions with your other half and bring up your own.  

Now write down the answers relevant to you and work through what you can and can't sacrifice... 

You're now ready to look for venues online etc and decide on one of the biggest decisions of the Wedding Preparations without the panic of the 'what ifs' from both parties!

The main thing is you're both on the same page about what you want! 

  

 Has this given you a headache?

This isn't even half of what you have to think about. This is just the start. Once you've found one you like that fits your expectations you have to think of...

Visiting it to make sure it's right.

Think about the Price of it!

The numbers they can take.

The rules of the venue.
What evening entertainment you're allowed and not allowed.

How to decorate it.

Where people will sit.

Where every thing goes.

What will work with what?

The menu.

How to get everyone there?

The days schedule.

These should all be considered in your decisions before you sign the contract but if you're determined on the venue then you can work everything around it, it depends what you're willing to sacrifice.

What I did....

Personally I wrote down what we couldn't/wouldn't sacrifice and what we wanted in a venue then only looked at venues that fitted the bill. 

This saved a lot of heartache as I didn't fall in love with what was out of my reach and we didn't have to sacrifice anything. We had to find somewhere to hold our numbers yet still work with me on what I wanted for the day, not what they wanted me to have.

Finding a venue was easier than I thought after doing all that. Not many places could hold the numbers we needed so it was down to only a few and luckily the one we picked could see my vision and were willing to work with my madness!

 

I'm So Bloody Lucky!

Is it ALL about the Bride and Groom?

I have been to many weddings. I have been to small ones, large ones and uniquely random ones. I have had many good and not so good experiences but have always enjoyed the day no matter what!

They have all been different and they have all been unique to the Bride and Groom.

I think the ones I've enjoyed the most are the ones that I have felt completely comfortable, happy and overwhelmed about. The ones where I've been surprised and shocked at, the ones that have been easy to merge from one venue to the next and the ones that I can barely remember the evening do the next day yet haven't re-mortgaged my house for.

I think all Brides and Grooms should stick to the rule 

'It's our day and it's all about us' 

BUT it should also be remembered that you're spending all this money to have a 'fully memorable day'... surely it's money well spent if the guests all say 

'BEST WEDDING EVER! We will never forget it!'.

The guests are there because you love them and you want them to share in your day.... let them know that by thinking of them too!

I'm the first to say 'uhhh I want it this way it WILL be this way...' 

BUT 

Whilst saying that, personally, I am thinking about this as it being an event, not just for us but for all, so everything I want, in certain ways, benefits everyone not just us.

Here is what I think is most important FOR US!

(doesn't mean it's important for all)

It is unique.

A venue is big enough for everyone to fit in comfortably.

Everyone is there with us that we want there.

Children are welcome at the venue. 

Everyone is comfortable.

The venues are close together and close to hotels too (avoidance of extra taxi money or driving).

There are surprises throughout the day.

Everyone dances.

We have a band that will get people dancing.

Everyone gets merry!

We have an after hours bar nearby people can move on to if they want to carry on the fun.

Nobody is overly out of pocket at the end, as times are hard.

They don't feel OBLIGED to spend money or buy a present, as their presence is present enough. (cheesy!)

Getting through it financially... without taking out a loan!

Most importantly...

Everyone has fun and remembers it for being AMAZING!

Basically I want a massive party!

this will be me!

This blog will take you through the Wedding planning adventure of me, Alice, and the Madman marrying me!

Everything above will hopefully be fullfilled and by the end of it all we will have all our friends and family remembering

27/07/13

as one of those crazy days where anything that could happen at a wedding, happened and they won't forget it any time soon!

Making the day not just about us but remembered for it being for us!

Stay Tuned

What does your Wedding Colour Scheme say about you?

OK so we have chosen our colour scheme and it will be various shades of blue with a mix of other pastel colours too. Why? because Alice in Wonderland's dress is blue and most of the Wedding things don't match in a very vintage way, so having the option of many colours helps with our theme.

But did you know?

The colours you choose for your big day reflect your personality and style. You can create a sophisticated environment or a whimsical escape. Colours can influence moods and exude sensuality, cosiness, earthiness and youthfulness. With tasteful variations from vibrant to pastel and shimmery to matte, your wedding day colours speak volumes about you and what you hold dear. Whether you choose your favourite colours for your wedding or select hues to complement the current season, we have compiled a list of some wedding colour choices and what they say about you.

Black: A conservative choice, black complements almost any colour, especially lighter hues. Dignified and mysterious, black denotes sexiness and sophistication with a modern twist. Black is classic, never trendy, alluding to a modern bride. As an opulent choice, black is timelessly elegant.  

White: Symbolic of purity and innocence, white has strong connotations of youth and perfection. White aficionados seek excellence and enlightenment, as simplicity and recognition are constant ventures. White is a glorious hue (or lack thereof) that denotes a clean palette or fresh start for those who seek serenity and peace.

Red: A passionate, romantic choice, red is impulsive and outgoing. Depicted as zealous and ambitious, red symbolizes love and rage. Whether it denotes joy, celebration, happiness or prosperity, red elicits a dramatic response from both sides of the emotional spectrum. Red lovers tend to be restless and optimistic and go along with people with uncomplicated natures. A powerful selection, red is sure to represent a fiery hostess with 'look at me' flair.

Pink: A softer, girlish choice, pink is the sweeter side of red. A delicate hue, pink represents a sensitive heart that is affectionate and nurturing. The bride surrounded with pink has a maternal grace and compassion and a desire for protection or shelter. The rosy hue fan may also have a strong personality, but one that is willing to share.

Orange: Spontaneous and daring, brides who choose orange are bold. Because orange is a happy and trendy hue, orange enthusiasts tend to be popular, have excessive energy and are part of a large social circle. From a bright and happy backdrop to an exotic, spicy richness, brides who prefer orange tend to be fearless and curious, with a zest for life.

 Yellow: The colour of a sunny day, yellow denotes happiness and hope. Exuding warmth and vitality and usually possessing a great sense of humor, people who love yellow have cheerful spirits and optimistic values. You tend to look forward to the future and are intellectual, creative and idealistic. Yellow represents enlightenment and spirituality, lending itself as a great color on your day of matrimony.

Green: Green shades symbolize life, freshness, nature and fertility. A common choice for eco-friendly brides, green shows that you value your health and the environment. A harmonized and balanced colour, green is a mixture of warm yellow and cool blue, just like its admirers. A calming and tranquil hue, brides who select green are affectionate, frank and responsible. You seek stability and balance, yet remain fiercely principled and refined

Blue: Soothing, compassionate and cool, blue is the colour of tranquillity and royalty. Blue belles are deliberate, introspective, conservative and patient, tending to be sensitive and wise. Serene and cool, blue denotes cautious partners who are faithful but require a calm and harmonious existence. From watery aqua to a deep shade of midnight, blue can be soft and sweet or strong and bold.

(That'd be me!)

 Purple: Often associated with both royalty and luxury, purple is a passionate color. Choosing purple symbolizes dignity, tolerance and value. Violet lovers tend to be unconventional and observant, with a multifaceted personality. Tolerant and witty, purple devotees are likely to achieve authoritative positions. From light lavender and lilac buffs, who tend to be charming, witty and cultured, to deep eggplant lovers, who are creative and talented, purple can be provocative or sweet.

 Brown: A natural, neutral colour of the earth, brown represents wholesomeness and dependability. Symbolising comfort and contentment, brown represents honesty. Just right for your wedding day, brown is substantial, steady and responsible. From rich chocolate and dark coffee to cream and soft beige, this earthy shade can be intense or pale, dramatic or modest.

FYI

The aforementioned colour synopses are not strict rules or character definitions, but rather are designed as an indicator of what is important to you. Whether you select a spicy orange to match the falling autumn leaves or a peony pink simply because it is your favourite colour, choose what looks and feels good to you. Your natural selection is indicative of your true self and innate style.

Information taken from ProjectWedding.com

Wedding Theme - DIY Vintage Alice in Wonderland

DIY Vintage Alice in Wonderland??

For a Wedding??

are you mad??

  Do you know what??

All the best people are!!

Don't worry I'm not completely mad! I have said before on here that growing up I have always wanted a big old crazy Alice in Wonderland meets Pride and Prejudice wedding. I had lots of bonkers ideas and I have managed to wiggle some of them down to grown up level and decided that most of it is still perfect for us. 

The theme is Alice in Wonderland with a vintage twist! I am using mix and match blues and pastel colours and the lovely thing about it is... nothing has to be the same so it doesn't matter if you run out of something because anything else similar will work just fine.

The process of the whole 'Wedding planning with a theme' should be scary but I am so excited about it because I can be as creative as I want and nobody else will have ever had the same as me because I made it my own! 

BUT 

It will still turn out to be a beautiful weddingy wedding with a bit more fun added in!

I can not wait!!

I have decided that DIY is the way forward for us as I am a control freak, so Hoff has told me, and I need to have full creative control. 

I hate the Norm. I hate being the same as everyone else!

Not everything is going to be DIY though as the lovely Venue we have chosen is providing the Food... to my exact mental thought process, which will make my life easier. A few other aspects are being done by people around us too. I have picked and chosen what I needed help with and what I could do on my own and gone with it.

I have a lot of work ahead of me!

There is so much you can do with this theme from Mad Hatter tea parties to High Tea with the Queen of Hearts for the sit down or every thing giant or miniature for the different parts of the story to the extreme.... FANCY DRESS! 

OK so I'm not going as far as fancy dress but there will be a hint of the different characters in certain people in the Wedding Party. Subtly done obviously!

I don't want tacky and I don't want serious! 

I want FUN and Bonkers and Unique! 

I think Alice in Wonderland fits in well with that spec!

Image courtesy of APerfectCelebration.com

THE PLAN FOR THE PLANNING OF OUR WEDDING....

Everything will be designed by me/us!.... OK me!

Everything will be made by me, a friend or family member or by a local source.

Everything that can be, will be bought in charity shops and recycled.

Everything else will be sourced for cheap or Free

THE REASON FOR THIS?

I like to do my bit for charity and I prefer my money to go to a good cause rather than a big firm. I like to stick to local sources because I think it is important to support small businesses in these economic times! Everything I source for the crafty things of the wedding will be recycled where possible because I want to prove you can recycle products and make beautiful things out of them.

Image courtesy of Wedshare.com

With this Blog I will teach you how to create the small things that will make your wedding stand out. The beauty of this is that you don't have to follow things to the tee, you can chop and change them to fit any kind of theme or colour scheme so it will still be completely unique!

LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!!!

DIY Wedding: Good or Bad idea?

You have complete creative control, but do you want it? Here's what you need to think about when having a DIY wedding. (expert advice)

With the raging costs of catered food and professional guidance that comes with a hefty price, planning a DIY wedding might not be such a bad idea. However, before you make the commitment to handle all of the details (no matter how large or small) on your own. There are so many things you can do yourself but you don't have to go completely all out, I know not everyone is as odd as me. You don't have to be overly crafty either some things are so simple that anyone can do it.

Consider some of the following components that go into planning a DIY wedding first though...

DIY Wedding Make up
Pros: You've been doing your make up all of these years and it just doesn’t seem right to pay someone else to brush on the bronzer and create pouty lips. DIY wedding make up allows you to take all the time you want dabbling in various colour combinations and techniques.
Cons: Yeah, you've been doing your makeup all along, but you can't quite recall the last time you actually got a compliment on your lip liner and eye shadow skills. Since your wedding is one of the most important days in your life – you may want every detail professionally in place.


DIY Wedding Flowers
Pros: With a few rolls of wire, twine, bold-coloured ribbons, Baby's Breath, and fresh blooms, you will soon travel down a road filled with creativity. Many DIY wedding books highlight various methods of accomplishing beautiful centerpieces and floral arrangements for your reception. This adventure also makes a fun project for friends and families that wish to help out.
Cons: Making centerpieces and filling vases with long-stemmed roses for your reception are not the only tasks that call for handling flowers. If you aren’t ready to create your bridal bouquet, boutonnières, and other necessary items, you may want to ask for the assistance of a professional florist.

DIY Wedding Reception Food
Pros: A bride planning an intimate gathering of family and friends will benefit the most from DIY wedding food. Preparing hors d'oeuvres, the main course, sides, and dessert for a small number of people usually winds up much cheaper than hiring catering services. Lucky brides don’t even have to lift a finger in some cases when family members offer to handle this task.
Cons: Will you honestly be able to feed a guest list consisting of 200 people? Catering your own event may also mean enlisting the help of relatives or succumbing to a potluck dinner affair. While some couples can entertain guests with an outdoor BBQ, are you prepared to keep in line with your wedding theme if you provide DIY wedding food?
 

DIY Wedding Music
Pros: Is it really necessary to hire a DJ or subject loved ones to a cheesy band? Take complete control of the music played at your DIY wedding by utilizing a collection of pre-made CDs or an iPod with an endless play list.
Cons: However, this means someone will have to periodically check in on the music and sound system. Also, there is the business of requesting songs – it will take a little bit of shuffling to satisfy such wishes.

I just thought I'd give you something to think about.

COUNTDOWN: 9 months today!!

9 MONTHS TO GO!!!

Oh Good God it's only 9 months until the big day!

Well it's 272 days to be precise!! 

I have just had a baby, so I know how quick that 9 months will go! I have so much to do and so much to write up and tell you!.... maybe I need to pull my finger out and start doing it properly!

Jeeeeees I haven't even bought a dress yet!! 

Whoops!

I will have to get on it like an American on Cheesecake!!!

EEEEEEK

Who's Wedding Is This Anyway?

My Our wedding day to me us is one of the biggest events in my our life. It is a way for me us to show just how much we are in love and not only that, but just how much creativity and individualism I we have in my our head heads!

OK so lets face it this day is ALL about me! Don't get me wrong Hoff HAS had input on everything and we've both had the final say in all of it.... but whether I took any notice of his opinion is a different matter.

He has to go to work and earn a crust so he doesn't have time to be sticking gems on things and deciding on which shade of a colour look better or which tables go where! I do have time though so it's all good!

He does have a job in all this though.... The finances! Along with The Cars and the Suits... and turning up on the day.... that is all!

I think he's quite pleased about that though, as he's better at the budgets and spread sheets and I'm crap at all that so we'd end up bankrupt!

Although he wants a big wedding and a big party, if it was up to him then we'd have nobody there so he didn't have to pay much and nothing would get done until the last minute.

This would give me heart failure!

So planning this wedding is mainly MY project,

Why? 

Because I want it to be.

Why do I want it to be?

Because I'm a massive control freak with OCD!

Yep I admit it! I'm bloody awful at having to have things my way.... also known as THE RIGHT WAY!

It is a brides right to have hissy fits about the little things but the way I see it is, if I'm the one doing it all, then I'm the only one who I can shout at if it goes wrong, so I'm doing everyone a favour really!

OK so now we have that straight I can get on with telling you all about the planning!

Happy reading!

My Childhood Wedding Vision...

Look at me I'm getting married! I never thought I'd see the day....

WELL that is a massive lie as growing up all I could think about was wedding dresses and what I would and wouldn't have on the day. I used to draw dresses over and over and they always looked like a mixture of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice and Alice in Wonderland. But as I got older and a little more cynical, I became anti marriage. Deep down the desperate need to arrange my day and be happy was still there but due to ex relationship upsets, I'd gone off the idea... all this before I turned 25... amazing!

ANYWAY...

Now I am getting married I want it to be just how I pictured it back then. Just like every little girls dream.... but without the dodgy Disney princess option... I don't do Lovey Dovey Princess!

So what was that dream?

It would be Crafty and Handmade, with everything Mad Hatter like,

Vintagey with Lace and Wild Flowers like a summer tea party with doilies.

It was a bit old school Alice in Wonderland with Jane Austin influences.

It was Fun and Exciting with twinkly lights and dancing.

It had Tea Cups and Fish and Chips.

It had Silly Games and Bouncy Castles.

It had live music from Guns 'n' Roses (well I was marrying Slash),

I had the most amazing yet ridiculous wedding dress that showed my legs like on the November Rain Video but with more a more classy feel like a Jane Austin Novel. (I have no idea how that works either).

I had a lovely Catholic church and a big long veil.

Oh and we had...

Sweets, Sweets and more Sweets!

So where did all this random stuff come from in my head?

Well, I love Alice in Wonderland because my sister named me at birth after her favourite book, I just thank the Lord I wasn't a boy as my Brother's favourite thing at the time was The A Team... Murdock Hannibal Face BAillie does have a ring to it but I can see the school bullies having a field day with that one. So the reason for the wonderland theme was from my name sake.

I was always making and drawing stuff when I was little and I have always had a creative streak. My mum is an artist and has always made us be hands on in the craft department each of us Baillie kids having Art as our favourite subject, The thought of someone else making my wedding things makes me feel like I'm flushing money down the toilet with my head in it too. I love making things and handmade is always the best I think.

Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice was on the TV when I was wedding planning in my head. Although I didn't understand the appeal of Mr Darcy I did fall in love with the era and the simpleness of the designs. I decided there and then that I must have lived in that era in another life and that deep down I was Miss Jane Austin. I had a very active imagination.

I have always loved lace and doilies. I remember sitting and playing with them at old peoples houses and thinking how pretty they were. Lace always reminded me of curtains until I saw a wedding dress on the TV and I instantly fell in love. I don't even know what I was watching but I can picture the dress in my head as I type.

I grew up at the seaside and fish and chips in paper just tastes amazing in the sea air. My mum used to work in a nursing home not too far from the beach and I used to love that the ladies who lived there used proper tea cups and saucers with teapots and everything. It seemed so silly when you could get more in a mug but I remember one lady who I grew really close to telling me that 'a lady only ever drinks tea from a tea cup' I don't know why that stayed with me but I strangely now agree! Tea tastes better from a tea cup just like fish and chips taste better in paper.

I hadn't been to that many weddings but the ones I did go to were very adult orientated. Looking at a wedding from a child's eyes it is very boring. Often the kids are tired of sliding across the floor on their knees really early on and by the time the drunken adults get on the dance floor the kids are either asleep in the corner or shoved into a corner out of the way. I still don't like this idea so my aim is to get the kids involved in the planning and ask what they want. Why not they are more adventurous than us. Although games still in my head I'm not sure I'll be able to justify a bouncy castle in my budget... although I may be able to talk Hoff into putting it in the budget... 

OK so Guns 'n' Roses are not going to be playing at my wedding, which is sad really as I think Axel would be a huge hit with the crowd. But I do want Live music so this WILL happen. I did want to marry Slash but I think Hoff will do... I'll buy him a top hat and a curly black wig that will have to do. (Just kidding Hoffy).

Twinkly lights and lovely decorations that I made myself were always high up on the list. I love the idea of them looking like the nights sky but indoors... simple minds. I think whilst everyone is dancing away they would look amazing. Dancing and fun is a must at a wedding so this was always key in my head. How can people have fun. Hence the games, music and the bouncy castle. I was a funny kid.

Dresses, ohhhhh dresses were amazing in my head. Big and bouncy and showing some flesh without being too much. Yet with lace and ruffles like a Pride and Prejudice dress... it looked better in my head at the time, I think. I loved the Guns 'n' Roses November Rain video so much that I cried every time. The bride dies you see and they bury her at the end. But at the beginning they have an amazing wedding in a tiny church with the most Rock Chick dress ever. I wanted that dress. I am NOT getting that dress.... it is awful but at the time was amazing. lol. The church, however, I can do. It isn't in a desert and it's not that tiny but it is beautiful and it is the one my nan used to go to, so that is a plus.

All kids love sweets! and I was no different I wanted sweets everywhere in my dream wedding and I wanted non of those hideous sugared almonds!! Ewww I hated those they just sat on my windowsill after each wedding as a keepsake, then got thrown away because they'd gone funny in the sun. I love sweets. We will have every bloody type of sweets you can think of if it kills me..... or makes me obese! Why not ay? Everybody loves sweets.

Right so that's my childhood wedding vision... a little bit odd but then again so was/am I. I will do an up to date version in my next post and see how much I keep in... I'll work on Guns 'n' Roses but don't get your hopes up.

Hello Weddingland My Old Friend.....

OMG *said in my best Essex accent* you will not believe what I have been through since I was last on here BUT that is in the past and THIS is all about my future. (If you're being nosey just click on the My Life, My Son, My Way tab above... you'll see the stresses and strains!)

ANYWAY.... Since I last checked in I've had a baby... YEP Robin aka Rocky was born 10/07 and he is happy and healthy and not yet causing trouble which is lovely.

Whilst I was on bed rest for months and months, during and after pregnancy, I managed to make all sorts of wedding wonders and we booked quite a lot of stuff too! So now all I have to do is write it up..... easier said than done! Busy bee being a new mum and an old mum and all that.

So please bare with me Wedding folk.... it might be a long old slog!