Engagement Party

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Image by Sedona Bride/Katrina Wallace Photography
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Some friends of good friends got married a couple of weeks ago. This isn't them. But I just loved the light in this photo that I had to post it as I would like a photo much like this of me and my boy (with less dramatic scenery, obviously, being England)

The photos of our friends wedding have started to trickle into sight, on mantlepieces and facebook, despite the bride and groom still being on honeymoon. By all accounts it was a wonderful, fantastic wedding and indeed seeing so many people I know as guests gave my looking through the photos extra meaning.

What it also did is make me nervous.

It is our engagement party this weekend, the formal one. I.e not the one where we invited friends round to our flat for drinks and a barbeque the weekend after we got engaged. This one is held by my mother-in-law-to-be, with champagne and guests and The Meeting of The Parents. Yes, after almost seven years, our respective parents still have not met. There will also be the meeting of the BestMan and Bride's Parents and various other relatives on both sides. It also means that there is only 1 week and 8 months until the wedding and 7 months until the hen and stag parties.

I must not panic. I must write lists.

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Wedding Vendors

At what point do you suppose you don't use a potential vendor? One vendor is causing me some anxiety and we haven't even handed over any money. They didn't respond to my initial e-mail so three days later I called. Appropriate excuses were proffered and accepted and it was indicated that a quote would be e-mailed and that a meeting would be set up for us to visit. No quote arrived so I e-mailed to jog the memory and one did arrive later that day, only 10 days after the initial e-mail. So far, not too worried.

I then e-mailed about 10 days later to say that we were still considering the quote but would like to arrange the meeting to see - the whatever they offer* - in person and so we could discuss our needs more thoroughly and suggested some dates. So far, I have heard nothing, not even a 'sorry, we're working through our e-mails' e-mail or out of office response. Nothing, nada, zip.

See, the thing is, I really like the 'whatever they offer' that they do offer but I am worried that if this is their attitude to potential clients that they will be worse post deposit. So do I e-mail again and threaten/suggest that if they do not respond more quickly I will take my business elsewhere (and suffer the consequences if they make me follow that through) or do I wait, or what. Organising is stressful enough without having to hand-hold vendors. I thought they were supposed to make my life easier?

Answers on a postcard please...

*i.e. I know what they offer I just want to be anonymous about them at present.

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Image by Nordstrom

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Sigh. Why is it that all the bridesmaid dresses I like are from American websites. Why does it seem impossible to find plain-ish decently coloured dresses which are not around £300. These dresses are silk and $168 with free shipping (to US addresses I suspect). That makes them about £90 each.

Please shout though if you have seen something just as fab for sale in the UK. I will love you forever if someone helps me! (and please, nothing from Coast).

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Necklace

Image by Boodles

India Blue necklace
A vibrant black opal set in wispy feathers of platinum and diamonds

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I know I said that I wasn't going to wear a necklace, but if I did, I think it would have to be this one...

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Save The Date & Hen Party Planning

At last, we are moving forward with the hen party plans. A decision has - roughly - been made and initial e-mails sent out to all my nearest and dearest girlfriends. Those who are invited now know this and we can start sorting out where we are going. I am actually quite looking forward to it now and everyone seems very enthusiastic about the idea.

Save-the-date e-mails are also ready to leave my inbox and wing their way around the country (and in one or two cases, world) just as soon as we have finished compiling the definitive guest list and contact list. The website with all the details on is well in hand and I have made a start in sorting out the accommodation list to, so I feel almost in control... almost...

More bridesmaids ideas

Well, if we're holding the wedding in England, in June, it's bound to rain. Perhaps I should get the bridesmaids one of these each...

Image by http://www.raindropsto.com/

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Or what about one of these?

Image from http://www.prezziesplus.co.uk/

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Bridesmaid Dress Inspiration

Top Row Left to right: (1) & (2) Dessy (3) vera wang/alvina valenta

Top right: niche by Suzanne Neville

Middle: Little Jo

Bottom Left: Pocket Venus

Bottom Row Left to Right: (1) vera wang maids (2) & (3) Ann Louise Roswald

Images from Bridesmagazine.co.uk & Dessy.com