The Final Lead-Up

It was a week to go! And a very strange week it was. With everything arranged, the seating plan finalised, the times and details of music, readings, table decorations and so on, all confirmed, and the remaining balances to suppliers paid, there was nothing much left to do but sit back and wait. J finished writing his speech, I practised walking in my sky-high heels, had a facial, printed off more information on things to see on our honeymoon, and packed. And waited some more! It was bizarre to think that everything was ready, all the build-up was over, no more research, arranging or discussion, and in a matter of mere days we would be man and wife!

As the wedding was on a Sunday, we both worked right up to the Friday before. So in amongst the lack of wedding-related jobs at home, there were plenty of day-job things to finish up before the three weeks that we would be off work after the wedding. Winding down, though, I was greeted with a desk decorated with balloons, confetti, and streamers on my last day; a lovely card and gift from my colleagues; and a fun lunch out with work friends. J was also presented with a thoughtful card, gift and well-wishes. I spent most of the Friday afternoon, evening and the following morning in a strange state of high adrenaline, nerves, excitement, joy and disbelief.

We travelled up to Cirencester on the Friday evening, to stay with J's parents. On the Saturday morning we picked up our cake from Marks & Spencer's, then went to a last, 'hand-over' meeting with the wedding co-ordinator and duty event manager for the day itself. We delivered the cake plus the table decorations and guest book, and went through step-by-step details of the day with the event manager and toast-master. This included finding out where we would be collected from to enter the hall, and where we would each meet with the Registrar prior to the wedding itself.

Following this meeting we took some much-needed time to ourselves and strolled the beautiful, wooded area of the hotel grounds, catching a breath and just being with each other. This, we felt, was very important. I certainly recommend this! And not only at the 11th hour, but at regular intervals during the lead-up to the big day. After all, this is why it's all happening! If you can't reconnect and remember why you're getting married, all the stress and chaos can carry you away. We had a lovely, relaxing couple of hours together before my parents, sister and aunt arrived, and J left to return to spend the night with his parents. My parents, sister, aunt and various other family members and family friends were all staying at the hotel with me on the Saturday night. J would be at his parents so that we would be spending the first night apart for over three years! We wanted to keep the tradition of spending the night before our wedding apart and not seeing each other on the day of the wedding, prior to the ceremony.

Myself, my parents and my sister checked in, unpacked and then all met up in the hotel bar for some food and a couple of drinks. It was a nice family evening, allowing everyone to catch up and wish me well for the following day. I actually expected to be more nervous than I was, but keeping an eye on everyone and making sure they were having fun meant I wasn't thinking too hard about the next day! It was only at one moment that it hit me hard, and I found my hands shaking as I was talking to my sister. Luckily that soon passed and I was more excited and happy than apprehensive!

And then it was an early night, in order to be up bright and early for hair, make-up and dressing for the big day!!