Drinks

As there isn’t going to be a Bar (we’re opting for a waiter/waitress service), we finalised the drinks’ list today. The list will be part of the keepsake and they’ll choose from it straight after the Ceremony i.e. not when they arrive (we have other non-choosable drinks for that) and not before they go into the Breakfast (as they’ll be wine served with the meal)

Ushers – you’ll need to remind guests the list is there, as naturally, they’ll assume there is a traditional Bar!

Shoot Us!

After yesterday’s downpour - that lasted most of the day, today looks a lot brighter for our pre-wedding photo-shoot at Kelmarsh Hall set for 11am.

105…

Obviously reviewing the wedding guest list only 853 times, wasn’t quite enough! The total number invited is now 105 (that’s 2 more guests since we last looked at it) …and that’s final …yes, final …there’s no-one else to add …surely…

(famous last words!)

:)

Seating-Plan, Timings and Expenditure

We spent a significant amount of time today looking at the big-day. Specifically, we’ve re-looked at the seating plan for the 853rd time, and now it’s more-or-less finalised. We’re now up to 103 invites. Obviously they’ll be more fine-tuning once we know who’s actually coming!

Next, we turned out attention to the actual timings for the day and we’re now happy with that and it’s been added to the Keepsake.

Last of all, we looked at the expenditure spreadsheet – err, just plain scary... ‘nuf said!

I spoke with the Printer this week and we’ve agreed the design for the invitations – they’ll be sent out at the end of July requiring replies by 1st November. They’ll also be an opportunity for guests to choose their menu online from that date too, as well making a donation to a range of charities that we’ve chosen - as we’ve decided that we won’t be asking for wedding presents.

Big things left to sort out? Well, not that many actually: Seat covers, dress-rehearsal date and florists are where we’re next concentrating our energies – but not for another week or so!

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Paperwork – Even more fine-tuning

We spent some more time on the design of the invitation pack, formal invitation, coach ticket and keepsake today – as well as test-driving the online food selection form.

(Techy note: Because the emails your are receiving are sent directly from our wedding blog, they are NOT designed to be replied to – they’re just for your information. Any replies sent end up in a void somewhere, and I don’t get to see them. If you want to get back to me, use my email address – thanks!)

Paper Boy

Inspired by Ralph’s precision work on the keepsake, I spent most of today working on the invitation pack – the content and the overall design. At this early stage, it’s all looking good and I’ll bring a draft version with me when we meet for the Stag Do!

 

(Techy note: Because the emails your are receiving are sent directly from our wedding blog, they are NOT designed to be replied to – they’re just for your information. Any replies sent end up in a void somewhere, and I don’t get to see them. If you want to get back to me, use my email address – thanks!)

The Keepsake gets ‘Ralphed’

After Ann and I worked on the Keepsake in the morning, we somehow managed to squeeze in an internet connection at the Farmhouse (of sorts) and then emailed it to Ralph. As it turned out, it was perfect timing as he was just about to begin finalising the mock-up and print a few out for us all to look at.

Printing something like this, using a HOME printer is full of challenges - the limitations of page sizing and borders as well as colour reproduction within Windows OS means that printing with any degree of precision, requires the patience of a saint, lots of paper, a phenomenal eye for detail and plenty of room for rejects!

Luckily Ralph had all of these and when we met up in the evening, the result looked amazing!

I’ll bring it with me when we meet on the Boat.

(Techy note: Because the emails your are receiving are sent directly from our wedding blog, they are NOT designed to be replied to – they’re just for your information. Any replies sent end up in a void somewhere, and I don’t get to see them. If you want to get back to me, use my email address – thanks!)

Invitation Pack

Ann and I took advantage of the peace and quiet of the holiday to review a lot of the paperwork for the wedding. This included the final touches to the keepsake and draft 1 of the invitation pack.

Registered Boast

Ann and I had our scheduled appointment with Ritchie at the rather unglamorous Kettering Register Office this afternoon.. It’s located next to the Court and the Police Station – how romantic!

This was the first meeting of two, where we ‘announce our marriage’ to the wider community, but not until we’ve been separated (really!) and interviewed individually. We weren’t sure what to expect from the question-session, but we learned that we both  had to recite our address and describe the exact job title of the other, in order for Ritchie the Registrar, to formally accept our application. Apparently, one slip here and we can’t proceed! Additionally, we needed to provide as passport or birth certificate, proof of identity and proof of where we live – and in my case proof that I’m not still married. Ohh, and we parted with just over 60 quid for the privilege too!

Thirty-five minutes later, it was almost all over. All we needed to do to complete the process was to sign with the special ink provided and for the documentation to be printed on blue paper – blue apparently means an authority document round these parts - and it’s then official, our event is now in the public domain.

I appreciate that these things need to be done, but it’s soooooo unglamorous and unromantic.

(Techy note: Because the emails your are receiving are sent directly from our wedding blog, they are NOT designed to be replied to – they’re just for your information. Any replies sent, end up in a void somewhere, and I don’t get to see them. If you want to get back to me, use my email address – thanks!)

Admin: Bits and Pieces

We spent an hour or so looking into:

• Fireworks and Sky Lanterns
• Sashes for the chairs + table cloths/decorations
• Postal Cake Boxes
• Guest Books

(Techy note: Because the emails your are receiving are sent directly from our wedding blog, they are NOT designed to be replied to – they’re just for your information. Any replies sent end up in a void somewhere, and I don’t get to see them. If you want to get back to me, use my email address – thanks!)