Our Engagement Shoot In Edinburgh

We both had a great time on our Engagement shoot which was taken whilst we were up in Edinburgh this weekend!

Our photographer Derek made us feel completely at ease despite the fact that we were being photographed right bang in the middle of the Royal Mile!

Here is a link to the pictures taken... 

http://www.derekchristiephotography.com/blog/2011/09/30/carlyn-bens-pre-wedding-shoot-in-edinburgh/ 


Let me know what you think!

I can't wait to have the pictures taken on the day now : )

Our 'Forget Us Not' Save The Dates

Our Save the Dates have finally been sent!

When we were deciding what to go for, we had lots of ideas. I didn't want to just send a card as I thought people may put them at the back of a drawer and forget about them, so started to think about more practical options.

I liked the idea of fridge magnets and tea towels but then came across personalised seed packets from Mooks Design. Neither Ben and I are big on gardening (yet - this is mostly due to us living in a flat) but I thought it would be a nice idea to have everyone plant them in June and watch them grow in the countdown to the wedding.

The packets are full of little forget-me-not-seeds, which are a gorgeous flower : )

Here are our proofs:

You can find details about purchasing the seed packets yourselves on the Mooks webiste at http://www.mooksdesign.co.uk/Forget_me_nots.html

Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

Last week I managed to tick another item off my every-growing wedding list: the purchase of my wedding shoes.

I have to admit, this purchase had started to drive me insane.  I didn’t really know what I wanted – ivory, a colour, open-toe, court shoe, lace, vintage or none of these?

After much research online, I came across some beautiful Rachel Simpson shoes: http://rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk/range.php?range=2&name_id=25&style_id=157

These are simply stunning, but I just couldn’t justify the price (RRP £150). I’m not stingy, but my logic is telling me that no one is really going to see the shoes anyway and I always had a budget of £50 in mind.

I was then back to searching for the perfect pair on the high street, and wasn’t having much joy. No matter where I went, I just couldn’t find the right pair.

So last Saturday when I was visiting my local popular high street discount store, my eyes were drawn to a pair of shoes that looked comfortable and I knew they would go brilliantly with my dress. I tried them on and that was it – I had to have them! When I turned them over to look at the price I almost did a double take as they were only £10, reduced from £45! I examined them to make sure they were in good condition and they are perfect! And at that, I bought them : )

I’m really chuffed. As a budget-savvy bride, I think I’ve outdone myself on the shoes and my advice to other brides is that you really can get some bargains – you just have to look for them!

So what are the shoes? I don’t want to give them away by posting a picture but they’re ivory, are not peep-toe and have an average 10cm heel, so I won’t be toppling over on the big day. At least not until I’ve had a few drinks : )

Motherly Love

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, this week I thought I would write a blog about Mother of the Brides and how my lovely Mum has been getting involved in my big day.

Upon researching the web as to the role of the Mother of the Bride, I came across some things that I hadn’t heard of!

Apparently the traditional role played in the past by the MoB included:

• setting up the guest list
• ordering stationery
• sending out invitations
• helping the bride choose her dress
• arrange and book the Reception
• hire the cars
• book the photographer
• draw up the seating plan

Now I’m sorry, but that to me sounds like it’s the MoB’s day rather than your own!  Ben and I will be doing all of the above ourselves pretty much : )

I also wasn’t aware that apparently the MoB should always be the last to be seated at the ceremony.

If you continue to stick with tradition, the MoB should stand first in line to greet the guests as well as dance with the groom’s father after the first dance!

All these things to consider!

My lovely Mum has been nothing but helpful throughout the wedding planning process.  As her first-born, she has been really excited about the whole thing and has come up with some great ideas along the way.  She isn’t afraid to give her opinion about things and although we may not always agree, it’s great to have someone to bounce ideas off of.

When Ben and I first got engaged, I took her with us to 4 wedding venues to get her valued opinion.  She was with me when I chose my wedding dress and has been with me to a couple of wedding fairs, braving the Bridezillas : )

The next thing I’ve involved her in is the guest list and we’ve just about finished that now!

The biggest challenge for her will come on the big day itself though.  With the absence of my beloved Dad, Mum will be walking me down the aisle and I know that emotions will be running high.  But I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side on our special day.

Cannae Wait For Some Ceilidh Dancing!

Although we are still searching for a band to play at our wedding, we have decided that we would definitely like them to include a short half an hour Ceilidh dancing set.

A Ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering which usually involves playing music and dancing.  It actually originated in Ireland but is now common in Scotland as well.

Ceilidh music is usually provided by an assortment of fiddle, flute, tin whistle and accordion and also the drums and electric guitar.  The music is cheerful and lively and the steps should be fairly easy to learn (here’s hoping so, because we are both left-footed!)

The dances can be performed in circles or lines with couples facing each other and should be a great chance for our guests who haven’t met before to become better acquainted!

Popular Ceilidh dances include:

The Britannia Twostep, The Gay Gordons, The Flying Scotsman, The Dashing White Sergeant and The Eightsome Reel.

We are going to spend the next few months searching Youtube for these dances and deciding which ones to go for.

If anyone has any recommendations as to which dances are best, please let me know!

The History Of The Hub

This week I thought I would explore the history of our chosen wedding venue, The Hub in Edinburgh.

Although from the outside it looks like a church, The Hub is actually the home of the Edinburgh International Festival, and a central source of information on all of the Edinburgh Festivals.

Its gothic spire is the highest point in central Edinburgh and towers over the surrounding buildings, including the adjacent Castle.

The amazing spire

The building was constructed between 1842 and 1845 and was designed in collaboration with Edinburgh architect J Gillespie Graham and Augustus Pugin.

The Hub was built for the Church of Scotland both as a parish church and as a purpose-built General Assembly Hall (originally known as the Victoria Hall).  The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland last met here in 1929.

The venue is simply stunning and I just can’t wait to get married there!

A 'moody' looking Hub!

We’ve Got The Whole World…In Our hands!

I literally cannot stop dreaming about our Honeymoon of late.

The World is literally our oyster.  We can go wherever we please, and I love that feeling of freedom.  I keep looking at a world map which is pinned up by my desk and imagining what it would be like to visit each continent.

One regret I do have is going travelling.  I never went to university, but I did have the opportunity to head off to Indonesia for 6 months when I was 19 and turned it down as my sensible head said no.  Maybe my ‘you only live once’ head should have won the battle!

Having spoken about our various honeymoon options over the last few months, I think we have narrowed it down to two and they are each very different!

1) Florida and the Keys

I am a massive Disney fan (always have been, always will) and have ALWAYS wanted to go to Florida to the theme parks.  I would be like a child in a sweet shop (especially now they have built Harry Potter World – just don’t get me started!), most likely driving Ben completely insane, but still!  He’s been lucky enough to have holidayed there a few times already, and loved it each time.  So the plan is to have 2 weeks discovering the parks and then jetting down to the Keys for a week of relaxation to unwind at the end of it all.

Harry Potter World!

The only problem I can forsee with this option is that it isn’t exactly a ‘relaxing’ break for the first two weeks and after all the stress of the wedding we may just want to do absolutely NOTHING but lie horizontally in the sun, sipping cocktails and chillax.

2) Thailand

As a couple we’ve always fancied jetting off to the Far East, particularly Thailand, but have yet to get round to it.  Ben’s parents go for a month every March and always wow us with their stories and photos of white sands and gorgeous crystal waters when they get back.  We are also huge fans of Thai food so this seems to fit the bill in that respect too.  It just looks like total paradise and a mixture of Bangkok and 2 beach locations would be ideal.

Bangkok

Beautiful Thailand : )

One thing getting in the way is the weather.  If we were to go in May it’s going into their hurricane season and I certainly don’t want to swept away on our Honeymoon : )  Apparently the best time to go is January to March, and this would mean waiting until 2013 to go and I don’t think I can be that patient!

But we have decided to be really greedy and in fact have two honeymoons!  We are going to have a ‘mini-moon’ straight after the wedding and plan on staying in a secluded log cabin in either the Lake District or Loch Lomond.  It makes sense as we’ll be in Edinburgh anyway.

We figure, why not?  My ‘you only live once’ head is certainly on this time!

I Go Potty…Over Teapots!

This week I thought I would share with you one of my strange obsessions – tea pots and tea sets!

My fancy for all things vintage crockery started when we visited Marrakech on a weekend break.  Whilst searching the Souks for a bargain or two, I became mesmerised by the dozens of silver vintage teapots that were on sale.  Up until that point I had never really been a big tea fan – I had the odd cup at work, but that was mainly for the purpose of dipping a Rich Tea biscuit in rather than drinking!

This is similar to the teapot we purchased in Marrakech

So ever since that trip, I have seemed to acquire this desire to own lots of pretty, delicate, old-fashioned tea sets and tea pots.  Any colour, any style, you name it, I love it!

Last Summer I was a nightmare.  Every time Ben and I went out and there was a charity shop in sight, I’d be straight in there rummaging through the old bric-a-brac section with one thing on my mind: “I. Must. Have. Teapots!”

In the course of three months I think I bought five or so tea sets, and a couple of extra teapots - just because I could! 

I got some brilliant bargains including a cute Chinese tea set for £4 and a lovely white polka dot tea set from a charity shop in Horsham for under a fiver.  Ben’s Mum has also given me a vintage blue and white tea set that belonged to Ben’s nan : )

It did get to a point though where Ben told me that I could buy no more, as we really won’t have the room to display it all in our house.  Alas, I haven’t bought any in a while, but I can’t resist the urge to look no matter where we are! 

I’m now thinking of bringing my love of vintage crockery into the wedding plans, and am looking into options of using tea cups in the flower arrangements or as favours.  Somehow they will feature, I’ll make sure of it!!!

Gorgeous flowers in a teacup

Our Engagement Do At Ruby Blue!

This week I thought I’d reminisce about our engagement party, which took place at the end of June 2008.  We were talking about what a good night it was over the weekend, so I thought I’d share it with you all!

Once Ben had proposed on 2^nd June, I could hardly wait to show my gorgeous ring off to all of our nearest and dearest!  We knew that we wanted to get everyone together in a party atmosphere, but for ages we couldn’t decide where to hold the bash.  In the end we settled on Ruby Blue, a nightclub bang in the middle of Leicester Square.

I booked a booth area (named the Fur Booth, which I loved!), ordered some nibbles and drinks and away we went inviting everyone along.

And what a good night it was!  Our closest friends and family all made it there to celebrate with us, including my oldest friend Karen who came all the way down from York, bless her.  It was a great opportunity for our families to meet too, because although we’d already been together for almost 3 years at this point, they hadn’t really met that much.

So the party really went off with a bang – there was tons of booze, oodles of cheesy shape-shifting on the dance floor, and of course the cake!

My Mum had ordered the cake from a local bakery, and we’d made sure the green matched my dress!  However, the more drunk I got, the more protective of the cake I became for some reason!  So much so that once everyone had left and only the hard-core remained (me, Ben, my sister Natalie, her boyfriend Nick and our friend Greg), I made us all carry the cake all the way home from Central London to Sutton via foot and night bus!  This was no easy task, I tell you, but we did it!!!

The cake!

Thanks again to all the lovelies who came – we hope you party as hard at the wedding reception as you did that night!

We're engaged :-)

Some of our nearest and dearest

Cutting the cake

Maid of Honour and Chief Bridesmaid

No idea what was so funny!

My Wedding Dress Quest

I know quite a few brides-to-be find their search for the perfect wedding dress a bit of a nightmare, but for me this wasn’t the case!

I actually found mine on the second visit to a wedding dress shop! 

My first experience of looking at dresses came with my good friend Natasha.  We went ‘All That Glitters’ in South Croydon where her older sister had purchased her dress a few years before. 

I have to admit, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was looking for, and I tried on a complete array of dresses – from a massive Hollywood Dreams creation to modern classic to a flowing Grecian style.  I think in total I modelled 7 or 8!  Although some of the dresses were gorgeous, they didn’t suit me at all.  I tried this one on:

One of the first dresses I tried on

We left the shop but I had decided on a few things I DIDN’T want – white, halterneck or big!  It’s funny how my tastes did a complete u-turn, because ever since I became engaged I had always seen myself in a big meringue-style dress with a long train.  And somehow I have gone for almost the complete opposite!

So outing number two took place last September.  I really didn’t step into ‘The Bridal Way’ in Warlingham with the intention of making a purchase that day – I just thought it would be another browsing session!

The boutique is really lovely, and the staff can’t do more than enough for you.  If any brides-to-be in the area are looking for their dress, I can’t recommend them enough! You can find more details at http://www.thebridalway.com/

The lovely Bridal Way boutique

I’d seen a few dresses that I liked in magazines by Sottero & Midgeley and Mori Lee and so tried those on – but they just weren’t right.  I remember feeling quite deflated as I’d really set my heart on the below Maggie Sottero gown, and when it did nothing for me I wondered if I would ever find anything that suited!

I thought this would be 'my dress'! But it wasn't to be...

It was then that the store owner brought a gown over to me.  It was completely different to anything I’d tried on before, and I thought ‘why not, let’s give it a go’.  I put it on and came out to the front of the shop where my Mum and Maid of Honour were sitting and we just all knew that it was the one.  I felt a lump in my throat as I looked in the mirror, imagining walking down to the aisle to meet Ben.  The dress really did make me feel like a princess!  I won’t give anything away on here as Ben reads my blog, but it’s by San Patrick and is very ‘me’.

Once I’d gotten over my giddiness, they then informed me that the dress was actually in the sale – even better!  Because of this, if I wanted to buy it, I had to pay and take the dress away that same day!

So twenty minutes or so later, I left the shop having purchased my dress and with it sitting in the back of my car : )  All I need to do now is go back 8 weeks before the wedding and get it altered!

Needless to say, after all the drama and excitement, we went across the road to the pub to celebrate!

My lovely dress is now hanging up at my mother-in-law-to-be’s house safe and sound, and I get to have a sneak peak at it every so often when I visit them.  I’m ever so excited to wear it!!!

The only downside to having bought my dress so early on is that I can’t try any more on!  I keep having a browse through the bridal magazines at the new collections, but nothing I see comes close to my dress, so I’ve definitely made the right decision!

Happy hunting to all you brides-to-be : )

Sisterly Love

“Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters”

I have to admit, 10 years ago I never would have considered linking that sentence about my sister, Natalie, and myself.

When we were younger we fought like cat and dog.  The main problem was the ‘borrowing’ of clothes.  It got so bad at one stage that I had a lock on my wardrobe door!!!  The three year age gap back then seemed like a mountain that was wedged between us.  But now I forget the gap – she’s just Nat!

Over the years though we’ve shared so many things – bedrooms, men (not at the same time, I must add!), some great nights out and hundreds of happy (and sad) memories.  Natalie is always the life and soul of the party and usually the last one standing.  She’s great to go out and have a good time with, but she’s also a great listener.

I think we got closer when she headed off to Uni in Liverpool five years ago.  Mum and I dropped her off at her halls of residence and spent the night there before leaving her to enter the big wide world for herself.  Needless to say we were both in tears for most of the journey home!  She looked so helpless standing there as we drove away, but of course she had the best 4 year adventure of her life!

When she came back from Uni, we had to share a bedroom again.  I was absolutely dreading it – the lack of privacy and space certainly weren’t appealing but it actually worked out quite well and it was almost like we were getting to know each other all over again.

So when she announced she was leaving British soil in October last year to travel 5,000 miles away, I was not a happy bunny!  After dropping her at Heathrow I was devastated – this time she wasn’t just a few hundred miles away, she was halfway around the world in China! 

I guess the saying ‘you don’t realise what you have until it’s gone’ really is true.  I’m missing her loads but thanks to the world of email and Skype, we’re in regular contact and I’m so proud of her teaching English out there to classes of 50 children.  I certainly couldn’t do it!

My beautiful sis the teacher : )

So roll on her coming home – which will be sometime between April and August this year.  When she’s back we’ll be able to sort out the bridesmaids dresses and of course the hen do, which I have left in her ‘Chief Bridesmaid’ hands.  Who knows where we’ll end up for that though!  

Us at mine and Ben's engagement do

The Story Of How Ben And Carlyn Met And Became An Item

It was 2004.  November to be exact.  At approximately 6pm the door to HJP Independent Financial Advisers in Dorking opened and a petite brunette opened the door, oblivious to the fact that the entire company was holding a meeting.

“Hi, I’m Carlyn,” she quietly announced.

Richard Phillips, the HJP’s Director, welcomed her and asked her to sit down.  For the next half an our or so Carlyn sat in the office trying to take in what everyone was saying with an eager expression on her face as she was due to start working at the company the following week.  This was her ‘initiation’.

After the meeting quite a few members of staff headed over to the local pub for a drink.  It was here that Ben, who had been working at the company for a few years, introduced himself to Carlyn and they began chatting away.

At this point neither or them fancied each other – Ben had just come out of a relationship and Carlyn was still in one.  They did however get on really well and Carlyn went home thinking that there were a bunch of nice people working at HJP.

So the next few months rolled on.  Carlyn found her feet at HJP and enjoyed working there.  The company moved offices in April and it just so happened that the new seating arrangements meant that Ben and Carlyn were now sitting opposite each other, with only a photocopier for company.

The pair began to talk more and more, and Ben was there to listen to Carlyn venting when she split up from her boyfriend. 

Newly single and although certainly not on the rebound, Carlyn asked Ben if he fancied going to the cinema one night to see ‘War Of The Worlds’.  The date was finally set for 21^st July 2005.

Ben picked Carlyn up after work and they drove to Epsom cinema, although en-route, Ben asked if Carlyn fancied a drink beforehand.  Never one to turn down an alcoholic bevvie, Carlyn accepted and they ended up in Jim Thompson’s pub in Cheam.   

After a vodka or two (this was the tipple back then), the pair revealed that they couldn’t really be bothered with going to the cinema after all and why not carry on drinking back at Ben’s place?  (on a school night as well – shocking!)

They bought a litre of vodka from the nearest off-licence and consumed half of it back in the comfort of Autumn Drive, Sutton!  As the vodka flowed, the pair grew some ‘wings’ and admitted that they secretly fancied each other and…in the words of the Mamma Mia musical…dot dot dot!

The following day at work was rather awkward as both Ben and Carlyn were extremely hungover.  Carlyn was actually so bad that she had to leave work at 11am to go home, not before being sick in the car first!

Once they had gotten over this though, they started dating properly and haven’t looked back since!

Look out for the next instalment: ‘Ben And Carlyn : The Early Years’

Going Back To Bonny Scotland To Get Married

Over the last few days I’ve been thinking about our wedding venue and what it means to me to get married back ‘home’ in Scotland.

I was born in Dundee along with the rest of my family, and although we moved away when I was 5, I will always consider myself Scottish and am proud of my heritage.

My dad, who sadly passed away in 1996, was extremely patriotic and I know that he would have wanted me to get married nowhere else other than Scotland. 

Edinburgh has always held a fond place in my heart.  I remember going there when I was younger.  We’d go and visit family in Edinburgh but would often stop through the capital on the way there or back.  There are some photos of me aged 3 or 4 having a whale of a time at Edinburgh Zoo, and I also have fond memories of walking around the memorial gardens, visiting the castle and the Royal Britannia yacht, which is where Prince Charles and Lady Diana spent their honeymoon.

For anyone that hasn’t been to Edinburgh, you must!  With streets steeped in history and a thriving cultural scene, the city offers the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary.  And it’s the same with our chosen wedding venue, The Hub.  Located in the heart of the city’s old town on the Royal Mile, it boasts a steep history.  Step inside and the interior is breathtakingly modern.  Take a peek at the photos below to see what I mean!

Edinburgh is also surrounded by stunning scenery and coastlines.  I didn’t realise that there actually some beaches near the city centre, as we are hoping to travel to one on our wedding day to have some scenic photos taken. 

I simply can’t wait to get married in such a beautiful and iconic building, in one of my favourite cities in the world, surrounded by our family and friends.

16 months today – bring it on!

2011 Is The Year To Get Fit!

Today I can finally say that I am getting married NEXT YEAR!

This is most exciting news, although the wedding does still feel quite far away.  There is simply so much to do, but bring it on!

I've also decided that this year I will up my fitness levels.  I want to tone up for a friend's wedding in Cyprus in May as well as ensure that I can fit into my lovely dress : )  The plan of action to do this is to increase the number of gym sessions I do before classes when possible, cut out alcohol for 12 weeks (this starts on Saturday, wish me luck!) and run at least two mornings a week before work around the local park.  Hopefully if I put all these ingredients together, a new fit me will emerge!!!  Maybe I'll even have a flat tummy like this...

The whole assessment of my fitness has also made me think again about becoming a qualified Les Mills instructor.  I'd love to teach Body Combat and Body Attack classes in the evenings or at the weekends, as what could possibly be better than getting paid to do something I love? I now need to seriously look into the cost of the course as well as the demand for teachers in the Surrey / Sussex area.  I'll keep you posted on my progress!