With less than 1 month 3 weeks 6 days!!! to go... I thought I'd post an update...
Carmen took a piccy of our rings from Smooched - we're both very happy with them, and glad they arrived safely!
They are now safely stashed away.
We had a tasting session at the venue, and were both very impressed. The food was very well cooked. I wasn't too keen on the wine, but mainly as both were fairly "medium", whereas my taste for White is dry and Red needs to be pretty full.
We've gone for Leak & Potatoe Soup, Beef and Lemon Tart. We had a few options, but these were the best (the other choices were also very good).
Importantly, the staff were great. This is important to us, and a warm simile from the restaurant manageress, and her attention was very welcome.
I was a bit disappointed that their sound system for the ceremony music was a Portable CD player.... I've been firmly told (by Carmen) that I can't bring one of my sound systems :-( lol
Their system did the job when we were eating.. but I'll bring our portable player as a Backup.
We had a meeting last week with our Wedding Co-ordinator. I think it went well, Cheryl at the Bobsleigh Inn (our Venue) has been very helpful.
As we're getting Married on Bonfire Night, we'd really like some kind of influence. Fireworks are out of the question, and not allowed at the venue anyway (so nothing to do with the £££ they would have cost! ️?️).
However, Carmen has found some candle bags that we'll put around the garden. We're also getting some sparklers in, and our TOG is up for experimenting with some shots.
We've decided that my 2 children (14 and 11) will be on the top table. They've always got on very well with Carmen, and it made sense for them to be with us. That does mean 10 people on the table, but the daytime will be around 50 people total, so pretty cosy.
Our DJ (a good friend who also specialises in Weddings) is bringing his "Retro" set-up. We're both into soul/funk/motown, and apart from this normal set-up, he has a wide selection of lighting from the 70s and 80s.
It won't be tidy, but it will be different!!
We need to provide a list of music we want to hear... but apart from the 1st/2nd dance, and about 5 or so (some Queen, some 90's club and possibly some Salsa), I think we'll leave him to do his work.
I've also asked our DJ to mount my moodlighting around the room, but leave them switched off until the evening. Luckily, these lights do a fine "royal blue", and I think it will look stunning - I'm looking for a complete change in the look of the room when we all go back in.
We had an engagement shoot a few months ago, and our TOG has a base very close to the venue, so we viewed the shots. One or two ones I didn't like, but we both loved a shot of us through a willow tree. We're now getting that picture for guests to sign.
We've also opted for Chair Covers with a buckle for the sash, rather than the normal bow. We felt this looks a bit tidier.
I think she's also providing a few other things, but we are using a separate florist.
One of our friends does custom cards, and is providing favours for guests and a box for the few children. I think we'll provide a line drawing of us for them to colour in.
All the suits are sized, slightly tricky as my parents are in Suffolk, Carmens in Dorset, and my best man in Essex! However, its all in hand, and I should collect them at the end of October. From my mum "Your Dad looked really smart - he loved it". Very happy at that one, as my Dad really doesn't do smart!!! lol
Its looking like we'll have around 80-90 guests in the evening, with a few staying over.
What's left To be done?
-Music for Ceremony
-Background Music
-Chase a few stragglers for RSVP (evening)
-Kick my friends so my Stag night is not a few pints and a curry!!!!
-Meeting with venue manager
-Pay florist and decoration suppliers
-Book short UK honeymoon
-My Speech!
All of our planning has been pretty late, mainly as we've had a very busy summer with other peoples Weddings! I think it will all fall into place though.
