Its been a whilst since my last blog post so i thought i would update you all..
My last post was about me going to choose my Eternity Bridal gown. After driving for an hour and a half to get to the allocated shop in Aylesbury i tried on all the ones pictured and i fell in love with... One of the 5 that i had posted the pictures of. For those of you following my diary on UkBride, you'll know 'the chosen one', but for those of you that are not, you will just have to wait and see! The ladies in the shop were absolutely lovely, and so helpful!
One of the downfalls of winning such an amazing prize was that i wasn't happy with my reception venue.. Call me a Snob or even a Bridezilla if you want, but i just wanted something a little more 'fitting' with the prizes we had won. With such an amazing dress, the men looking so smart in their suits, gorgeous diamond wedding rings and everything else that was included in the prize we then had our original budget to spend on somewhere fabulous and that is exactly what we have done. On Friday, we're paying our deposit on Farleigh Golf Club. Its about a half hour drive from where we're getting married and i have fallen in love with the place! You drive through the gates and drive a mile around the golf course before getting to the clubhouse. Its all undergoing renovation at the moment but the room we're hiring has just been finished and as soon as i walked in i could just imagine us celebrating our special day there. Kind of like when you go househunting i suppose, i walked in and imagined our tables being in certain places, what our centrepieces would look like and exactly how i was going to decorate it. Debbie and Lyndsey, the ladies i have been dealing with, have been so helpful and i couldn't ask for more. Needless to say, i am one happy bunny! I will post more updates about the venue as and when i have them but here is the link for anyone interested www.farleighfox.co.uk
With only 207 days to go i have plenty to keep me busy. I am still to finish off my button bouquet and make Skyes mini bouquet, buttonholes, centrepieces and bunting. I have always been a bit 'crafty' so to speak and i'm loving the fact that with my little bit of 'DIY' its making our day all that more personal. eBay is my new best friend!
On Saturday i went to Chandrika Thomas and with £3000 to spend my eyes were everywhere! Its a quirky little boutique in Kew and Chandrika was great. I decided that with a dress i have already bought, plus my Eternity Bridal dress i didn't really need another. One of Chandrikas stipulations was that whatever was purchased HAD to be worn on the day. Thats completely understandable of course but because i am already in love with the 2 dresses i have got and i'm finding it difficult to choose between the 2 i just couldn't make that kind of commitment. Instead we opted for one of her wrap dresses for my beautiful sister Laura. Its a long dress which can be worn in many different ways and such a stunning colour too. No upstaging the bride now Sis! Chandrika has also said that when i have decided on what dress i want to wear (i'm 95% sure it will be the Eternity Bridal one) then i can take it in and she will custom make me a hair accessory to match. Now that is something i am very happy about!
Monday, 12 March 2012
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
THE DRESS!
THE DRESS!!
Due to our original low budget i had every intention of going to try on dresses to find the one that i fell in love with and then order it from China. Yes, it would be a replica and no, it probably wouldn't of been the greatest quality but it was the best that our money would be able to buy. Little did i know that i would go dress shopping with my Mum, Sister Laura and my daughter Skye and fall in love with the cheapest one in the shop! I must of tried on about 30 dresses that day but nothing compared to the one that i tried on 3rd. I then found out the price......... Only £395! What would the point of been in ordering it from China when it only worked out £150 more expensive? No point at all was my answer so i went ahead and ordered it. I've been measured for it, the deposit has been paid and its probably being made as i type this. Then..... I won the competition and i have £1000 to spend on a dress from the Eternity Bridal range! There are soooooo many lovely ones to choose from but i have whittled it down to these few below. I will then be in the lucky position of having to decide which one to choose?! Hmmmmm, decisions decisions!!
Monday, 20 February 2012
The beginning...
I have entered the world of blogging...
3 kids aged 4 and under, all i can say is that i must be completely bonkers. I hardly have time for a wee let alone keep on top of a blog everyday but hey, i'll give it a go!
So, where do i start and what do i write in a blog? I'm presuming its an online diary of sorts so i should write what i do in my day. Ok, here goes.. I woke up, i gave the kids their breakfast, i weighed myself (pre-marital diet), i changed some smelly nappies... No, no, no - you don't want to hear all this rubbish so let me just say, on the topic of weddings, I AM THE 2012 ANNUAL PRIZE WINNER ON UKBRIDE.CO.UK
What does this mean i hear you ask? It means i have won a whole load of prizes which are going to contribute to mine and Marks PERFECT day!
Let me tell you my story so far..........................
Its the morning of Valentines Day 2012, 14th February for all you Valentine haters out there that choose to forget the day.. Mark is on a late shift and the kids are on half term from school so we poodle about a bit first thing in the morning before deciding to go to Tesco. Strapping the kids into their car seats my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. Looking at the number, i shrug it off and put it back in my pocket. Previous to this day i had numerous crappy phone calls from minibus firms trying to rip me off with their ridiculous quotes for my hen night.. Now, i don't know what it was but i felt the need to take the call, instinct or what?! This is the conversation, as i can remember it...
Me: Hello?
Caller: Hi, is that Carly?
Me: Yes, who's calling?
Caller: Hi Carly, i'm Anna the editor from UKbride and i'm calling you to tell you that you're our 2012 annual prize winner.
PAUSE
PAUSE FOR A BIT LONGER
EVEN LONGER PAUSE
Me: Are you kidding me?!
(Mark looking at me all confused)
Caller: No, i'm not kidding, you're our winner!!
Now the rest of the phone call is a bit of a blur, i think it went something along the lines of me crying, then laughing, then crying a bit more before asking Anna to explain everything that she had just told me to Mark as absolutely none of it sunk in and i was in a complete daze!
Needless to say, its probably been one of our more joyous trips around Tesco! Saying that, having won such an amazing prize, we're still always skint and we ended up having to put 3 items back as we had overspent.. Quite ironic some might think!
Right, so what did i win................
I look back at all of those nearly a week later and i still can't believe my luck!
Having got all the details through for all of the above, i sent out emails to them all explaining who i was and what i needed to do in order to claim my prize. Everyone i have dealt with have been absolutely lovely and very helpful.
My developments so far....Shoes have been ordered. Watches will be dispatched this week. Invitation design has been chosen, with the added extra of customising them to match our wedding theme. Spa break has been provisionally booked for Easter Weekend. Appointment has been made to visit Chandrika Thomas' showroom this Saturday. Wedding cake ideas have been sent off and tasters are being sent this week (diet is going to go to pot!). Photography booked and the wedding ring representative is coming to see Mark and I on the 1st March! Not bad for 6 days work, who said this wedding planning lark was hard work? Great fun more like!
Now onto the subject of the honeymoon. A absolutely amazing prize, and holiday of a lifetime! But, we can't go..... *sad face* Partly down to childcare issues after the wedding but mainly because i am too much of a paranoid Mother to go so far away from our kids for so long. Yes, its our Honeymoon and yes, if we had someone to look after our babies then they would be well cared for and nothing would happen to them but the 'what if?' inside my head is a killer.. What if we had to get home in an emergency for whatever reason? Its not just an hours drive home is it? Its a private plane back to Barbados and then a goodness knows how long a flight back and i just can't take that risk. As of today, i gave the prize back to UKbride and they're running a new competition for another member of the website to win it. Enjoy it whoever you are you lucky so and so's!!
Well, that is my last week in a nutshell.. Bit of a whirlwind to be honest but one of the most memorable Valentines days ever! I shall keep you updated with all my wedding planning madness as and when there are further developments.
Over and Out!
My favourite part of UKbride.. The Forum!
3 kids aged 4 and under, all i can say is that i must be completely bonkers. I hardly have time for a wee let alone keep on top of a blog everyday but hey, i'll give it a go!
So, where do i start and what do i write in a blog? I'm presuming its an online diary of sorts so i should write what i do in my day. Ok, here goes.. I woke up, i gave the kids their breakfast, i weighed myself (pre-marital diet), i changed some smelly nappies... No, no, no - you don't want to hear all this rubbish so let me just say, on the topic of weddings, I AM THE 2012 ANNUAL PRIZE WINNER ON UKBRIDE.CO.UK
What does this mean i hear you ask? It means i have won a whole load of prizes which are going to contribute to mine and Marks PERFECT day!
Let me tell you my story so far..........................
Its the morning of Valentines Day 2012, 14th February for all you Valentine haters out there that choose to forget the day.. Mark is on a late shift and the kids are on half term from school so we poodle about a bit first thing in the morning before deciding to go to Tesco. Strapping the kids into their car seats my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. Looking at the number, i shrug it off and put it back in my pocket. Previous to this day i had numerous crappy phone calls from minibus firms trying to rip me off with their ridiculous quotes for my hen night.. Now, i don't know what it was but i felt the need to take the call, instinct or what?! This is the conversation, as i can remember it...
Me: Hello?
Caller: Hi, is that Carly?
Me: Yes, who's calling?
Caller: Hi Carly, i'm Anna the editor from UKbride and i'm calling you to tell you that you're our 2012 annual prize winner.
PAUSE
PAUSE FOR A BIT LONGER
EVEN LONGER PAUSE
Me: Are you kidding me?!
(Mark looking at me all confused)
Caller: No, i'm not kidding, you're our winner!!
Now the rest of the phone call is a bit of a blur, i think it went something along the lines of me crying, then laughing, then crying a bit more before asking Anna to explain everything that she had just told me to Mark as absolutely none of it sunk in and i was in a complete daze!
Needless to say, its probably been one of our more joyous trips around Tesco! Saying that, having won such an amazing prize, we're still always skint and we ended up having to put 3 items back as we had overspent.. Quite ironic some might think!
Right, so what did i win................
£500 worth of shoes
£760 His & hers designer watches
£2000 Wedding Stationery
Suit Hire
£500 Wedding Lingerie
Three night spa break for two
£3000 for dress for bride and/or bridesmaids with accessories
Wedding cake
Wedding Photography Package
7 Night Honeymoon- Buccament Bay in the Grenadines
£1000 Wedding Rings
Wedding Dress
I look back at all of those nearly a week later and i still can't believe my luck!
Having got all the details through for all of the above, i sent out emails to them all explaining who i was and what i needed to do in order to claim my prize. Everyone i have dealt with have been absolutely lovely and very helpful.
My developments so far....Shoes have been ordered. Watches will be dispatched this week. Invitation design has been chosen, with the added extra of customising them to match our wedding theme. Spa break has been provisionally booked for Easter Weekend. Appointment has been made to visit Chandrika Thomas' showroom this Saturday. Wedding cake ideas have been sent off and tasters are being sent this week (diet is going to go to pot!). Photography booked and the wedding ring representative is coming to see Mark and I on the 1st March! Not bad for 6 days work, who said this wedding planning lark was hard work? Great fun more like!
Now onto the subject of the honeymoon. A absolutely amazing prize, and holiday of a lifetime! But, we can't go..... *sad face* Partly down to childcare issues after the wedding but mainly because i am too much of a paranoid Mother to go so far away from our kids for so long. Yes, its our Honeymoon and yes, if we had someone to look after our babies then they would be well cared for and nothing would happen to them but the 'what if?' inside my head is a killer.. What if we had to get home in an emergency for whatever reason? Its not just an hours drive home is it? Its a private plane back to Barbados and then a goodness knows how long a flight back and i just can't take that risk. As of today, i gave the prize back to UKbride and they're running a new competition for another member of the website to win it. Enjoy it whoever you are you lucky so and so's!!
Well, that is my last week in a nutshell.. Bit of a whirlwind to be honest but one of the most memorable Valentines days ever! I shall keep you updated with all my wedding planning madness as and when there are further developments.
Over and Out!
My favourite part of UKbride.. The Forum!
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