Time ticks on....

Since my last diary entry, I mentioned that we finally decided on where we want to go on honeymoon, I've had my first dress fitting and the invites have been posted.

About the honeymoon - initially we were thinking of taking two weeks to visit 4 places in the US and Canada but that didn't work out. We just couldn't agree on where to go. Then Joe decided we should go to South Africa. I was against spending 11 hours in a plane when we didn't need to. Eventually we toyed around with European destinations. Malta, Gozo and a few other places were mentioned but I think we hit the jackpot when we decided on Madeira. The weather should be around 18-23 degrees Centigrade during the day in October, so not too hot and not too cold. Also, as they are a Portuguese island, they are "Euro"fied. The only problem is that there are no direct flights from Dublin to Madeira (Funchal) from October to March, don't ask me why. So we're flying out a day earlier to stay in London so that we can catch our flight from there. One week in the sun and then home to our boy. He will be having a holiday by staying over in his Nana's house while we're on honeymoon. When we return, we envisage taking a week away with him. Then before we know where we are, it will be time to return to work - this time as married people.

The dress fitting was interesting. I drove down with my bridesmaid (who also needed her dress altered) and we chatted and had another get-to-know you session. When we arrived in Athboy to McElhinney's, we were shown upstairs where the fittings take place. Audrey (my bridesmaid) got into her dress and put on her shoes and was out of the dressing area before I had even begun to get undressed! She looked lovely and it was the first time in months that I got to see what the dress looked like on her. The day we picked the dress, I was so stunned that we had decided on mine that I really didn't remember what her dress looked like. To be honest, I vaguely remembered what MY dress looked like, let alone hers. Anyway, before we knew it, we were all togged out and looked pretty good. I just wish I had brought a hairbrush with me on the day as my hair didn't do the dress justice. The room was stuffy and I suggested to the ladies in the store that a fan wouldn't go amiss on close days like that. The closeness and humidity of that day made my mind up though that I would wear tights on my wedding day. When I came out from behind the screen wearing my dress, I got the first look (without my mother being there) of what I look like in a wedding dress and to be honest, it felt kind of surreal. I can't put it into words but suffice to say I just didn't recognise the woman looking back at me in the mirror (even though I knew it had to be me!). I was all grown up. I guess I had better start acting all grown up too! It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon and I can't wait to get the dress home with me.

The invitations' getting sent out was another milestone and one I'm really pleased that we were able to keep. A few months ago, I had written on our calendar that hangs on the back of the kitchen door that our invitations had to be sent by 13th August. They were all posted on that very day. The previous evening, we spent approximately 3 hours putting together our invitations. There was the outer envelope which had the destination address. Then there was the internal envelope which had the name of the guests that the invite was specifically for (so that no confusion could arise as to who was invited). Into this internal envelope was put the invite, the rsvp card and reply envelope and the information sheet. As we weren't getting someone to write the addresses on the envelopes for us (a calligrapher if you will), we decided to use clear laser labels and print off the addresses using a pretty font. All in all, I think they turned out very well. I asked Joe for the guest number (from a spreadsheet we had put together earlier) which I wrote in pencil on the rear of each rsvp card. This was done so that if any were returned without a name on it, we could work out who sent it. Joe put the stamps on the envelopes and sealed them all using a dabber thingy (similar to the old style sponges that you may have seen in post offices as a kid). Without it, he still probably wouldn't be talking properly now as there was 80 invites or so that required sealing. Licking them simply wasn't an option!!!

So my tips for other brides to be based on my recent experiences are the following: 1. Don't think the world will end if your honeymoon doesn't go according to plan. There is always room for flexibility. 2. Bring tights, hold-you-in underwear, deodorant (non staining type) and a hairbrush with you when you go for your fitting. I would suggest that fake tans and makeup be left at home as you really don't want to stain your gown before the day. 3. Take your time when putting together your invitations. It will pay off in the long run. If possible, find yourself a dabber or use envelope seals.

That's all that I have for now. I think the next diary entry will be after the big day so until then, take care.

Lynne