And the planning started...

So the location was decided.  The Old Rectory in Chulmleigh, Devon.  No "When?" was the next question.


I've always wanted a spring wedding with spring flowers however practicalities prevailed - can we save enough money by Spring? And having leave years tied to financial years meant before April would not be possible. "How about waiting another year?" I hear you cry.  Well, I'm 36 this year and want to start a family soon so as far as I was concerned I wanted to get on with it!  TL will have a different view on that of course.
Other issues concerning dates were TL's Mum is a Deputy Head so would have to arrange around school hols and obviously when would the venue be available?


We plumped for late May early June to coincide with Half Term.  The venue was available so, after visiting it, we paid our deposit and the real planning began.


I think it was on the BBC Three programme "Don't Tell the Bride" that they mentioned there are over 1000 decisions to be made during the planning of an average wedding.  What makes these decisions even more tricky is the fact that two people have to agree and that the groom is generally competing with an idea of a wedding that's been in his bride's head for most of her life (not to mention the Mother of the Bride as well).


I must admit TL has been brilliant during all of this.  Involved enough to care and help with the process but not too involved to argue over small details.  


Before we were engaged I had many varied conversations with friends regarding types of weddings and what we would all prefer.  I was very much divided.  One part of me wanted the Pomp and Circumstance of a traditional do and cheesy disco but the more grown up part of me wanted something much more elegant and meaningful.  TL definitely wanted a smaller event and REALLY wouldn't have felt comfortable with a large audience for his vows, speech and first dance.  And as mentioned in my previous post neither of us wanted to spend the day of our wedding feeling like we had to speak to my cousin's children who we'd met once and TL's Great Uncle who I've never met and on top of that we may for them to be there!


On discussion with friends regarding TL's reticence over the large do I was told, on more than one occasion, "he has to remember this is your day".  I must admit I TOTALLY disagree.  This is OUR day.  We must do we BOTH want to celebrate the joining of our families.


And so the format was decided....Hire a whole house for a 4-day weekend, get married on one of the days and enjoy close family and friends for the rest.
This isn't necessarily a cheap option (we have a £10k budget) but I'd prefer our (and our parents') money going on those we care about rather than the outer fringes of family.


It would be boring to include every aspect of planning on this blog so I'll breeze over the next few weeks and just say we booked, registrar, caterer, photographer and florist.  


We had one small fumble when trying to decide the colour scheme.  TL wanted pale blue and as I had an older maid of honour I thought we should team it with a more grown up colour so went for chocolate brown.  This was fine but our Flower Girl (my 4 year old Goddaughter) has the most beautiful head of red hair and I wasn't sure if Pale Blue would work with her colouring.
A lot of the planning went on hold pending the outcome of how a 4 year old looked in a blue frock.  Disaster diverted - it works! Pale Blue and Red Hair will look fine.  Now if we can only persuade her to smile too! :-)