Finally we have had success and now have a wedding reception venue. The place we looked at yesterday was just right. We can use it early and leave it late and they agreed to some of our more quirky requests. Jolly good stuff all round. So the deal is done and the deposit is paid.

We had a very successful day, the first day we have dedicated to wedding type stuff and achieved lots. We now have a church, a reception, a colour scheme, wedding list stuff, suits for the boys, shoes for me and rings pretty much chosen.

We were quite chuffed with ourselves - until we realised how much there is still to do! The last four months have flown by as will the next and we will run out of time before you know it!

But still. The reception is booked and I can relax awhile.

Thank goodness.

Posted by kary at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Although I did promise that life would not be dominated by our wedding, in the last three weeks it has become unavoidable.

Having thankfully had the nod from the church, the idea was to organise a reception venue and let the rest of the organisation slot into place. Sadly the search for a reception venue is proving tough.

Our original idea has been scuppered by the church/village halls all wanting us out by 11. That includes clearing up. I cant see many of our wedding party being satisfied with an early night where the beer stops flowing at 10.00 and who can blame them? They are also seemingly unwilling to allow us entry before midday (at the earliest), leaving NO time to dress the place, whilst we are not too concerned about the style/colour of the napkins, it would be nice to have some tablecloths and a couple of glasses to pour the wine into!

Our second idea seemed, in theory to be ok. This time no entry before 3pm (the wedding is at 2.30pm) unless we pay them an extra 250 quid and then we only get from 12.30pm again with greater distance to travel to the church. Time being an issue once more.

As I am sure you are aware, as soon as places hear the word 'wedding' they up the price but it seems that we are left with no choice but to go for something that is over budget and stop eating between now and then. It isn't what we wanted but it isn't booked, more suited to an infant tea party or charging double because we would like to put on some tablecloths. We are off to look at it tomorrow.

It shouldn't be this hard.

We are also off to look at suits for the Best Man, my dad, and Nick this weekend. 'Has he got the legs for a kilt?' asked one of my parents today. I am still laughing now ;)

So fingers crossed we will have a reception venue and some idea how lovely my Nick will look as of this time tomorrow. We need to have, else I think I may just give in to the cheese monster

...and no one wants that.

Posted by kary at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The wanderers have returned from their Easter jaunt to the Peak District. A very fine time was had - games, walks, visits, beautiful scenery, goats, lambs and baby cows!

Photos here for those who are interested :)

Posted by kary at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wishing everybody a very happy Easter :)

Posted by kary at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well it looks like the sun has returned. That can only be a good thing.

I have been watching the footage of the UK troops returning from their 'holiday' in Iran. I have not followed the story all that closely, but close enough to know the basic details. I have also been reading the BBC 'Have Your Say' thing and I have to say that I am somewhat surprised by the reaction of some of the people commenting. There are many criticising the soldiers, saying how weak they looked, how the UK forces have been made to look like 'worms' Would the troops have responded in this spineless way to the Nazi's in the war? etc etc. Showing just how weak the UK is as a nation now...

For example:
'Well, they seem to have had a lovely time, cooperating with the enemy, what happened to name, rank and serial number and why are they coming back home instead of re-joining their ship, they are not fit to wear the uniform and ought to be ashamed of themselves for not acting like UK Armed Forces Personnel. A complete disgrace.

Philip R, Southport'

Surely the fact that they are home, safe and sound, that no blood was shed, no shots fired, is a good outcome? Our Government, for all their many faults, are not stupid. They can see the benefits Iran is seeking to gain from all this, they are not simply going to be taken in, 'Well they can not be that bad and evil a regime if they released them can they? Let's trust them from now on! Three cheers for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hip hip..'

It is a shame that people so quickly lose sight of the fact that there are human beings at the centre of all this, lets be pleased they are home shall we? With so many not returning for whatever reason, this should be a happy story, not an attack on the soldiers themselves. Grrr.

Posted by kary at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well they did it. After some hectic planning and lots of balloons, Matt and Mary are now Mr and Mrs Haney.

Hurrah!

Thanks for a lovely day, it was a real honour to be your bridesmaid. I hope I did ok.

Update: A growing gallery of pictures from other guests

Posted by kary at 09:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)