Yesterday marked exactly 12 months until the wedding. I spent a lot of the day in a little bubble thinking about what I’d been doing in a years time. I was watching the clock waiting for 1pm (which is the time our ceremony is booked for) just so I could grin at Mr LA and say ‘by this time next year I’ll be your wife’!! So yea, you could say I’m a little excited!

So, where are we in the planning process? Well, I thought I’d dedicate a post to answering that very question. Not only will it be useful for me to see what we’ve done and what we have left to do, but it also gives me an opportunity to share some ideas and useful links with you all. Oh, and wedding porn. We all love a bit of wedding porn, don’t we ladies!?

What, Where, When, How – The venue is booked and we’ve arranged the civil ceremony too. We’ve decided against writing our own vows (Mr. LA thought he’d be awful at it) but we’ll be personalising things with beautiful readings and lots of music. I know what I want to walk down the aisle to and I’m pretty set on having a version of Moonriver while we sign the register. Mr. LA suggested The Pixies for when we walk out, but I wonder whether asking ‘where is my mind’ after we’ve just got hitched will send out the right message to our guests!

We’re yet to finalise the exact menu for the day but we’ll be serving our guests cocktails and canapes straight after the ceremony, a 3 course sit-down meal for the wedding breakfast and then pizza in the evening. Then there’s the cake buffet of course!

We’re also in the process of booking a wedding creche. It goes without saying that our children are going to be a really big part of the day and I also have a whole heap of friends with kids in tow. I want everyone to be able to relax and enjoy themselves (including myself and the groom, I have nightmares about Jesse smearing his dinner on my wedding dress) and I really don’t want to worry about the children being bored, particularly as the chances of them being to run around out of doors is slim to none. So, although this a hefty expense I think it will make or break the day for us, which makes it totally worth it.

Me – The dress is done but I still have to pick out and purchase my veil, shoes and jewellery, as well as something to keep me warm. I have a few ideas about my hair and make-up but I’m still undecided about whether to hire a make-up artist or not. Also wondering if I should stick to red locks or go for something a little more natural, although Mr. LA seems to love it (but that will be his Shirley Manson crush rearing its ugly head again). Feeling very inspired by this image…

Him – No suit as yet, our plan to shop in the January sales was scuppered by the flu. We couldn’t get out of bed let alone drag our snotty selves round crowded shops. He does have a style in mind and will no doubt opt for black (it’s his signature colour after all). I think he wants to channel a little of the Korean mafia, he fancies himself as someone out of the film ‘Bittersweet Life’. I’ve told him I draw the line at him carrying a gun.

I have found a tie, so all is not lost! It’s exactly the same shade as the bridesmaids dresses and it’s the only grey/pewter one I’ve seen that doesn’t have a hideous cheap sheen thing going on. I’m supposed to be ordering 7 from the Debenhams website, but I need to build up to spending £126 on ties.

Them – The bridesmaid dresses are done (have a peak at them here) but so far I have no ideas about shoes or jewellery for them. The adult maids also need a pashmina each and Izzy needs a cardigan and tights too. I’m a little stumped on what colour to go for, ivory perhaps or a dusky pink? Your thoughts ladies? I think I probably need to get them a clutch bag each too, perhaps this can double as their gift?

Mr LA is yet to decide on a best man, he’s finding it a rather tortuous decision. However, we do know that the 4 groomsmen (one of whom will eventually be selected for the BM role) will be wearing their own suits. I’ve asked them to stick to either black or dark grey and they’ll have the same tie as the Mister. Not sure what we’ll do about a gift for the boys, something alcohol based would be most appropriate I feel. I’m not even going to bother shopping for Jesse’s outfit until the end of the year as he’ll only hrow out of it I’m sure! He’ll definitely be in a waistoat and a pair of converse. Not particularly original, but perfect for my little man.

Paper – We’re still waiting on our Save The Dates and I’m yet to glue a single doily to an envelope (I haven’t even ordered the bloomin’ envelopes actually). My mum, in her infinite wisdom, has suggested we put some accommodation and travel info in with the cards, which seems sensible. However, this means I actually need to get around to investigating the accommodation and travel options. We’re not even sure where we’re going to be staying the night before the wedding yet. Perhaps this should be a priority, I don’t fancy getting my frock on in the nearest Travel Lodge.

I’m really excited about our invitations. A close friend of mine is an artist with a background in graphic design (and she also happens to be getting married herself in June). She’s putting together a design for us and, having seen her initial sketches last night, I just know they’re going to be fabulous. They need a little tweaking and we still have to hunt down the right fonts and materials but I’m quietly confident about this particular piece W. D. I. Y. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to manipulate aspects of the design in photoshop so that they can be used for an entire suite, table numbers, menus, seating plan etc.

Blooms and Pretty Things – My florist friend will be doing our wedding at no charge, so we only have to pay the wholesale cost of the flowers. I’m almost certain that I want to carry an overarm bouquet of lilies (they’re my favourite flower) and I know I want some dusky pink roses and lilly of the valley (if we can mange it, it will only just be coming into season) in the bridesmaids bouquet but my ideas aren’t getting anymore specific than that at the moment.

Centrepieces still baffle me too. All I know is that I feel the ballroom where our wedding breakfast etc will be needs something with height, so tall vases or candelabras are a must. I haven’t even begun to think about how we’ll decorate the ceremony room, although I know I want candles. lots and lots of candles.

Snaps – Mr LA is responsible for organising the photography as he’ll be much more particular about it than me, although I do appreciate good photography. It’s his line of work so he can spot the talent. He’s put together a shortlist and I have a definite favourite so lets just hope she’s available (and we can afford her!). We’re not planning on having a wedding video of any kind. Toying with the idea of having a polaroid guest book (or the fuji instax equivalent) and rigging up some kind of photo booth with props.

Rings and Things – I have no idea about wedding rings, although I can’t imagine Mr. LA in anything other than a chunky ROCK ring! I adore the jewellery from this local boutique so I will probably have a little browse here and take it from there. My aunt is making us a ring cushion for Jesse to carry the rings on.

Well, this has turned into something of an epic post. Well done if you made it this far. So what am I forgetting ladies?? Any tips, I know there are some beautiful brides and brides-to-be out there….

Loveaudrey xxx