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a bit of a "Monica"...

Ok, so I�m not getting married until June 2007 I know�but I am a bit of a �Monica� (as Andy likes to describe me) when it comes to certain things and planning our wedding is no different.

I have asked my sister Sandra and my friend Wendy to be bridesmaids and Andy has sorted out his best man and groomsman.

A daughter of friends of my family will be my flower girl on the day. She is so excited because its also the same year that she will be making her Holy Communion so you can imagine the look on her face when she found out that she gets 2 new dresses that year! In terms of suppliers, as soon as I hear they are taking bookings, I am on the phone enquiring and asking about how much of a deposit they need!

My mum has offered to make our wedding cake (she makes a mean fruit cake) and a friend of hers is going to ice it for me.

I have also bought my wedding candle and a few little bits and pieces such as the Guest book, bubbles for the church, extra tea lights for the reception and bridesmaid�s presents. I have also booked the photographer�Frank Gavin Photography in Dorset Street in Dublin.

The photographer in there, Joe, was so nice and really helpful. He gave us great suggestions as to where to have pictures taken, and because he had worked at weddings held in the same church, he had great ideas for photos there. And he had some wonderful example photos from that church. So it gave us a great insight into how our pictures would be taken and how they would turn out. (and it turns out that he took my confirmation photos!)

His sample albums are magnificent as well. He does, along with many other photographers, a more expensive album, which is like a storybook. It�s quite a large album and instead of actual photos, its thick paper/thin cardboard sheets that have your photos scanned onto them. It�s really hard to describe but it�s amazing. A great idea if you�re looking for something a bit different.

One thing I would advise you though when looking at photographers is to study the sample albums really carefully. A couple of others that we went to see showed us pictures of a couple at their wedding with strangers in the background. For example, there was one picture of a couple outside Malahide Castle, and in the left of the photo there were tourists standing watching. Personally, I would prefer people I know in my pictures. I have looked into the cars as well� we are going with New Ireland Limousines based in Baldoyle Industrial Estate. They are really helpful there and it�s no problem to go up anytime and view the cars�they are open from 8.30am and are open weekends. They will be taking bookings from about November time.

That�s the same as the bands that we have been looking into for our reception. Every band we have spoken to though advises us now to go and see them perform while its still �wedding season� and at least then when its time to book you can do so without any hassle�I just cant believe the difference in some of the prices though. I have been quoted prices starting from EUR1000 up to EUR1700. What�s a girl to do??

So I feel like I have gotten quite a bit done and I still have loads of time for everything else�. Although I can�t imagine how quick the time is going to go.

So that was 5 months ago and I am really getting into the swing of organizing stuff for the big day� we have booked the 16th June 2007 and the reception will be held in the Marine Hotel in Sutton. Its ages away yet, I know, and sometimes I think I do his head in a bit that he is probably finalizing the divorce details already. (amazingly, we are sorting out a wedding but still haven't sorted out if I am moving to London or if he is moving to Dublin!)

I think the hardest part will be choosing the music for the reception, as I am worried that even though Andy and I might like the band, everyone else won�t!

Oh well, just have to have a bit of faith I suppose!
Till next time�