The last post

So this is it. Two days left. I can't believe our wedding day is almost here! There's nothing more that either of us can do now except sit back and enjoy the ride :)

We are both so happy that our closest family and friends can be with us on Saturday and we're looking forward to seeing you all.

See you at the Swan!

xx

Seating plan

We've just sorted out the seating plan. It's surprising how difficult it was! We've also been looking at table decorations again and checking that everything works together. Hopefully it'll look good on the day.

What else have we been up to? Not much as it happens! The bridesmaids have all been to the seamstress so that's being sorted. I've also had my dress back from another seamstres and it's now perfect. Thanks Sheryl.

The only other thing we've been doing is paying bills. Everyone seems to want money 2 or 3 weeks before the wedding. Don't get married if you can't afford a credit card....

Typical!

So my passport is back already. They said it could take a few months but it came back in less than two weeks! At least it's sorted now and it's one less thing for me to worry about.

Speaking of worrying, I had a little panic attack last week about the bridesmaids shoes. Their dresses were ready to be picked up and I realised that they needed to be altered but there were no shoes! My bridesmaids have now ordered their shoes and they should be here at the start of next week. There's five weeks until the wedding and it can take up to four weeks for the shoes to be dyed so fingers crossed nothing goes wrong.

We have now sorted out some more 'detail' stuff like table and room decorations. I've also booked the coach that will be taking some of the evening guests to the wedding reception. There's not much left to do now :) The guys all need to buy their shoes, I need to sort out what's happening with the bridesmaids hair, then I think it's just the seating plan left!

I also had my hen do last weekend. Fabulous! The girls did a wonderful of job of organsing everything AND keeping it all secret. I know I've already said it but THANK YOU!

Only five more weeks....!

Passport and allsorts

So the passport form has gone! It took me a while to figure out how my new signature was going to look but it's sorted now :) Because this is technically my fist passport it can take a couple of months to get my new passport back. Of course it could be back in two weeks but that's not likely. All I care about is being able to go on my honeymoon in my married name.

We've also confirmed bookings with a few more suppliers so that's sorted. It's all things to do with entertainment like the DJ - you're gonna love the disco! We've been trying to come up with a list of some songs that we'd like to be played at our evening wedding reception and it's really hard! At least we've sorted out the first dance. That's the most important song of the evening.

I'm also just about ready to book the coach for the evening guests to get to the reception in. I'm amazed by the huge price differences I've found. This is just one of many things that needs to be sorted within the next SEVEN weeks!

Eight weeks left!

So when I sent back the forms to the registry office, confirming all our details for our marriage (which is in eight weeks, in case you didn't know!!), I also sent in a form for them to fill in so I could get my new passport in my married name. They messed up and spelt BOTH our names wrong. They finally sent back a new form, filled in correctly. I can now apply for my new passport! Woo hoo!

I've also ordered the material for the guys' cravats so that should arrive this week. The Wedding Centre where we've hired the suits from will make the cravats for us. I'm sure eight weeks is enough time to do that, right?

I had a trial hair appointment two days ago which went really well. I love my hair do! It's going to go really well with my dress too :) I still haven't figured out what I'm doing with the bridesmaids hair though. Really need to getting the thinking cap on for that one.

Not long now!

The first ickle hiccup and a bit more

Nothing major, just a supplier we wanted is no longer available :( Now I have to do a load more research and contacting before we can tick this little treat off the list.

On the 'exciting' front, I've had my first dress fitting! It doesn't need any major adjustments which is fantastic. I've also sorted out my jewellery and Joe is making something gorgeous for me to finish off my look. I need to have a very long, hard think about if/how to accesorise the bridesmaids. It's proving to be tricky...

I've also made the first step towards sorting out the cravats for the guys. They're going to look so handsome! Because we chose a colour that wasn't 'standard', we have to have the cravats specially made. Well worth it though, trust me.

I finally sent back all the papers to the registry office this week too. Very important! If I'd have forgotten, there might not be a wedding and we can't be having that now, can we.

Bits and bobs

Have spent a bit of time now doing 'bits'. Some people call it 'faffing'. I've been replying to emails, confirming appointments, arranging things and just doing stuff. This is clearly the boring part of organising a wedding :) On the plus side, this is all stuff that needs to be dealt with eventually so at least now I've got a hold of it.

We've got the rings!

Our rings have arrived. Phew! They're wonderful and we can't wait to wear them forever more :)

The all-important suits

We booked the suits today - yay! We got them from the good ol' Wedding Centre in Marlow. The men looked gorgeous and it'll all be perfect on the day. We just need to decide on the colour of the cravats and then have them made, so that's the next task on my list. One more task completed!

Xmas...

Ok, so I know Xmas is a long way away and that it's not strictly wedding news BUT, we have talked about what we'll be doing this year and we've decided to spend our first xmas as husband and wife together at home. That's almost as exciting as the wedding :)

My dress!

My dress is gorgeous - of course! - and it looks and feels so perfect. It shouldn't need too much altering done, which is great. I really want everyone to know what it's like... but I won't spoil the surprise! Ah, I love it!

Bit of this, bit of that.

I've just booked the guys in for a suit fitting. We're going back to the two places we went to before - the Wedding Centre and Jolliffes - and they'll try on the various different combinations of suits that we both liked, get the guys measured and then book the suits! This is all happening next Monday and I'm kinda pleased it's finally getting sorted. It's been 'hanging' for a while and it makes me a bit nervous...

I'm also going to see my wonderful dress today. It'll need some alterations but I get to check that it's perfect in every other way! I'm looking forward to it :)

I have just contacted the registry office in Gloucestershire, which is the county where our marriage will take place. We had some questions so that's now all sorted.

I've also been looking at hair styles for me and the bridesmaids. I just need to find a hair stylist then that's sorted too!

Not long now. Less than 14 weeks....!

Registry stuff

We have now got our 'certificate for marriage' which is the piece of paper that allows us to get hitched. We have also been choosing our vows and sorting out witnesses and readings for the ceremony. It's getting close!

Mr & Mrs Lytzen have booked their honeymoon!

We have just booked two weeks in Whistler, Canada! We're going on January 9th and will be skiing for TWO WHOLE WEEKS! Wow! We can't wait. It's going to be the best honeymoon ever. FACT!

The florist again

We've had the quote back from the florist and it all sounds fantastic. A few amendments have been made and the deposit paid. Excellent!

My dress is ready!

I have just had a call from the lovely Emma at The Bridal House where my wedding dress is from. It's there! It's ready for me to try on and see what adjustments need to be made. I can't wait to try it on again! I have the biggest smile on my face right now!

All sorts...!

Ooh, I have lots to tell! Firstly, we're really close to booking our honeymoon!! We've found a village/resort/hotel that we like and we're going to do a bit more research before booking. All looks fab though! Once it's booked I'll give you all the details :)

In preparatiopn for our honeymoon, I've been looking into changing my name on my passport. I can do this before the wedding but I have to send in my current passport and the new passport will be post-dated to the date of our wedding. That means I can't travel abroad so I have to wait until after our trip to Denmark in September. I'll then be able to fly on our honeymoon as Mrs Lytzen! How exciting!

I've also had the quote back for the flowers for the wedding. Slightly more than I had thought it would be but Frans assures me that it's fine, if that's what I want. I do love him so! I may make a few cut backs - I think a review may be in order. The flower arrangements sound wonderful though and I can't wait to see them on the day.

We've also been on a music hunt. Well, Frans more than me. Frans is in charge of all the music for the day and so far he seems to be doing a great job. All the ceremony music is sorted and we have leads for the evening music and in-between stuff.

It's all coming together now. Only 15 weeks left!

They arrived!

My wedding shoes arrived yesterday and I've tried them on and they're wonderful! Very comfortable but I'll wear them about the flat a bit more before I decide to keep them. They need to be comfortable becasue I'll be wearing them all day. I'm very pleased with them though :)

Loved the florist!

The florist was really in tune with the feel of our wedding and I really liked her ideas. She was so enthusiastic about everything, it was great. I'm really confident that they'll do a good job. That's now one more thing crossed off the list!

Florist

I've booked an appointment to go and see a florist! Riche de Fleurs are based in Witney, Oxfordshire, so not too far from us. They are the recommended florist from our wedding venue so hopefully they'll be good :) The appointment is on Tuesday 21st July.

The guys' suits and more

So we went to look at some suits last weekend and found a few we agreed on! We went back to the good ol' Wedding Centre in Marlow and also had a peek in Jolliffes. Before we decide, we'd like to see all the guys in the various suits and waistcoats we liked from both places. Will keep you updated!

I've also ordered a couple of pairs of shoes for me to wear on the big day. Hopefully I'll like a pair otherwise I'll need to keep looking! The girls will also need to get their shoes sorted within the next few weeks becasue we all need the shoes before the dresses come back so we know what length to adjust them to.

I've found a florist that I'd like to go and meet but I don't think I'll get a chance this week. Frans has said I can do whatever I like for the table decorations so that makes things a bit easier. It's all coming together!

Bridesmaids dresses...check!

I finally got around to getting the bridesmaids measured and ordering their dresses. They're going to look amazing, maybe even better than me. I may have to give them hideous hair pieces or something.... So now it's shoes for everyone and the guys' suits. So very excited!

Not a lot to tell...

Unfortunately, not much has been going on at Camp Wedding recently. We have now received our wedding pack from the registry office so we need to choose our readings, etc and send that back. But that's not urgent in the least. I am also finally getting the bridesmaids dresses ordered on Tuesday June 23rd. The girls are getting measured and then that's all the major stuff done. Flowers next!

Our website :)

We have created our very own website, dedicated to all things wedding. It's just a first draft and the content needs to be properly sorted at some point but at least it's there. Go and see it at http://wedding.lytzen.name

Enjoy!

Marriage registered :)

Frans and I went to the local registry office this morning to give notice of our marriage. Twas all very boring but the registrar was lovely. We also bought the final pieces for the invitations so they'll be going out soon :)

I've also decided which dress I want my bridesmaids to wear. They've all tried it on and love it! Now I need to get them all together again to get them measured. Easier said then done, I fear.

The swatch has arrived!

There's not really much more to say. I shall put one piece in my bag and the other can stay at home. It's such a gorgeous colour and I hope we can get the bridesmaids dresses in it. Fingers crossed!

potential bridesmaids dresses found

Had a great day today looking at bridesmaids dresses. We have narrowed the list down to three but there seems to be a favourite from everyone. Need to have a think and look at the pics again. Unfortunately we don't have too long though as the dresses need to be ordered. Some really lovely dresses out there - hopefully the girls are thinking that too...

The Bridesmaids :D

Have now booked two appointments for Saturday 23rd May so the bridesmaids can try on some dresses. I've also ordered a swatch for the colour I want - sorry, we want - so that I can actually show people, rather than (unsuccessfully) describing it to them. Why didn't I think of that before!

I also need to start looking for shoes for myself. The dress will be ready in approx 12-16 weeks and I need to have the shoes by then. They can't be too high, nor too low, must be comfortable, look fab, work with the dress, be easy to dance in and just be the best damn pair of shoes in the world. Shouldn't be too hard...

Wedding dress...check!

I've done it! I've bought my dress! It's gorgeous and I feel amazing in it! I want to wear it all the time and never take it off. You only have to wait 6 months to find out what it looks like ;) Ooh, it's the bridesmaids next!

Wedding gowns again.

I've just got back from trying on dresses again. After going to The Bridal House in Aston Clinton on Thursday (April 30th), I found myself feeling really torn between the dresses I liked there and the two dresses I liked from Marlow. So I made an appointment to go back to Marlow and I tried on the dresses again. I've decided that I'm definitely having one of the dresses from Aston Clinton. It's so exciting! I've made an appointment to go back there on Wednesday evening to try on my favourites again. I'm really looking forward to it. The staff are so friendly and genuine. I feel like they really care about me and my wedding. And the gowns are gorgeous. It's going to be difficult choosing 'the one' but I do have one in my head that might just pip the others to the post.

More dresses... and a cake!

Going dress shopping again next Thursday (30th April). Although I really love two of the dresses I saw before, I think it's good to know what else is out there. But, I am female, so I will no doubt end up at the first shop I went in :)

We have also booked a cake lady and know exactly which one we're having. Thanks Tracey!

More shopping

Found a couple more dress shops to visit. I've realised that I need to order my dress by the middle of May. I'm setting myself a goal - May 15th. That gives me three and a half weeks to shop around, find 'the one' (dress not man) and order it. Then it's the bridesmaids turn.... Hahahahaha!!!

It's official....

The date for our wedding can now be confirmed as November 21st 2009. Woo hoo! Now we have a date, everything will be alot easier to organise. I better get moving.

The first whiff of a dress....

Looking at dresses today was fantastic. Charlotte (one of my bridesmaids) and my Mum were a great help. There were two dresses that I really loved but I'm going to look at a few other places first, before I make any decisions.

We also had a gander at a bridesmaids dress that I like the look of. The colour is lovely and I really think it'll suit everyone. Just need to get the girls together so we can try some on. So much to sort out!

The room we stayed in at the Swan Hotel. It's a lot bigger than it looks, with a huge bathroom behind me.The view out of our window. The last image shows the Swan Hotel's gardens and the image before shows the gardens and Trout farm behind them.

Dresses

Mum and I (and possibly my bridesmaids, if I get around to asking them) are going dress shopping on Friday! Ah! I can't wait! Going to go to The Wedding Centre in Marlow and see what they have there. Might even look at some bridesmaids dresses too. We've got a colour in mind for them so will be interesting to see if it suits the bridesmaids.

Keeping you all updated

I've decided that for now, this blog will be a great way to keep everyone in the loop about our upcoming wedding. So, first I'll fill you in with what we already know. Our venue is the Swan Hotel in Bibury. It's gorgeous and in a lovely, peaceful village at the edge of the Cotswolds. We just need to confirm a date....

Then there are the rings! We've got them sorted too (from Smooch). Very exciting! And Mark is of course doing the photography :)

So that leaves absolutely everything else. I can't wait to start dress shopping but I do have some ideas. Will be interesting to see if the final outfit is anything like what I imagined. I need to round up my bridesmaids and hit the shops!

My final thought goes to Gem - thanks for the wonderful (and very useful) wedding planner. Love it!

First post!

Just a quick post to see how it all works :) I've never done a blog before....