Introducing... My Bridal Party

With my Hen Party and Bridal Shower at the end of the month, I figured it was as good a time as any to introduce my bridal party.

When it comes to choosing those girls you are going to be getting ready with the morning of your wedding, you need to know you have people who truly love and care about you. Choosing my girls wasn't a hard decision as they are family and I couldn't imagine not having them there with me on my big day.

My Maid of Honour:

Megan is my little sister. Although the age gap between us was a bit of an issue when we were younger, I barely notice it anymore and she is a brilliant sister and auntie to Cameron and Carly. I couldn't be without her!


Bridesmaid:

Becky is my soon to be sister in law as she is engaged to my brother James and will be marrying him in 2015! I am so happy to be gaining Becky as a sister as she is the loveliest person I have met. James chose well!


Flower Girl

My Flower Girl was always going to be Carly. Even before she was born I was imagining her walking down the aisle before me and I picked out her outfit at the start of the year (hopefully she'll fit into it!). She is totally going to steal the show!


A special mention also goes to my two close friends Aimee and Sealy. Although they aren't bridesmaids, they are both doing readings at the wedding. I am so happy they get to share my special day with me as life and babies have gotten in the way over the past couple of years.

My Wedding Plans

Although I may have already gone through some wedding plans when I blogged before, most of the details have actually changed over the past year so I figured an update on all things wedding was long overdue. Pinterest has been amazing at helping me with my theme so there are some things from there, and some of my own bits and pieces too. I won't reveal the dress, obviously, but figured everything else goes so here, without further ado, are our wedding plans in pictures:

 

Pinterest Planning:

Our theme is Sweetheart with a colour scheme of pale pinks and ivory and an accent of pearl. So exciting now we are in the double figure countdown!

Home, Business, Children, Weddng.... An Update on my Hectic Life!

Hello again... Not really sure how many of you still see this Blog. I could in fact be talking to myself... Having somehow managed to trick both kids into falling asleep at the same time (a huge achievement considering neither usually nap in the day), I have decided to finally take the plunge and start back up with the writing. After an absolutely ridiculously long break from blogging, I am feeling a little like a newbie again and, as I say, I may well be talking to myself! However, with so much change in my life and things becoming rather stressful at the moment, I am craving the release I get from pouring things out to a blank screen, so here goes nothing...

Well, as I say, things have been constantly changing lately in my life. In April we found a flat and, in a move that seemed somehow much more grown up than having kids, Tim got himself a mortgage and we finally got the keys in June. It hasn't been total smooth sailing since. Finding damp in Cameron's room back in Summer was pretty awful and we had a period of time when I just wanted to sell up and get out of here. Luckily, after treating the damp and repainting as well as buying Cameron a new bed, things have calmed down again and we are enjoying being a little family in the lead up to Christmas. We may well sell in the next couple of years as we do plan to expand the family again sometime not too far in the future, and with it being a two bed flat we always knew it wasn't permanent. We will cross that bridge when we come to it though, and for now, everything is ok.

A picture taken just after we moved in after painting

My business also started up in April and I officially became a self employed events coordinator. Things have been relatively slow to start up, which to be honest, suits me just fine as I have had so much else going on and Carly is still very young. I have run two charity ladies events and have assisted with planning some weddings for 2014 and 2015, including my own (more on that in a minute). I have really enjoyed networking and meeting people in the area who I might not have otherwise met. I went through a period of time when I thought it might be easier to find a full time job, but for now I have decided to revamp my business plan and try something a little different in the New Year before making any big decisions. I need to remind myself that businesses don't become hugely successful overnight. They take time, dedication and a huge amount of ambition, something I have never been short of, so I am crossing my fingers for a bright 2014.

Talking of 2014... with just over three months until the wedding, things have picked up speed in the plans for our own big day! I can't quite believe how fast time has been passing lately. Carly turns one in just under two weeks, which in itself, is crazy. I remember buying her flower girl dress in the Monsoon sale this January and wondering whether she would fit into it as I bought 12-18 months. One of the main things I will be blogging about over the coming months is the wedding (as it does tend to fill my every waking thought at the moment!). I have lots coming up this month including a meeting with our new wedding coordinator at the venue, my hair and makeup trial, my hen and bridal shower and mine and the bridesmaids' alterations fitting, eek! It's one of the most exciting months in terms of planning so I will be posting lots hopefully (must.make.time.for.blogging!).

Getting some practise in being a bride for a wedding fayre's fashion show

I think that's the main updates. Cameron is now three (again, time going crazy fast) and is just coming out of a nasty bout of tonsillitis which resulted in us being in the hospital with him last week. Carly now has a nasty cough, but crossing everything she is all better for her very pink first birthday party next weekend!

Sibling love, holding hands whilst watching tv

If there are people reading this, please feel free to comment so I know I am not talking to myself (it's the first sign of madness, don't you know)!

Hello again...

Yes.... I have finally decided to put pen to paper (well, fingers to keyboard) and write in my badly neglected blog once more. I stopped before because I'd lost the blogging spark and nothing I wrote made me proud. It became a chore to post blogs for me and that is not the idea with blogging. So, although I am back for now, I am making no promises to be back for good. We'll see how it goes...

So, in the world of Emma-Louise, a lot has changed since I last blogged! Carly is almost 6 months (scary how fast time passes!) and Cameron is now fast approaching his 3rd birthday (also scary, but I'll be pleased to leave the terrible twos!). Tim and I are just weeks away from completion on our very first home together- a 2 bedroom flat nearby- I can't wait! And last but not least, in April I finally bit the proverbial bullet and started up my own business- Emma Louise Events. I am really proud of myself and grateful for all the support I've had from family, friends and local businesses since the launch.

I couldn't be happier with how things are going in life at the moment and am looking forward to a lot right now! 

With the wedding plans, not much more can be done at the moment as there's just things to sort nearer the time now. Tim has been left in charge of the suits and is apparently on his way there having found one he loves last weekend. It is now only 9 months until the big day and I know that the time will fly past now with so much else going on in our lives. 

I turned 24 last week and feel incredibly old now (though I know it isn't that old and I have achieved a lot in that time anyway with two kids, a business, a flat and a fiancé!). In my usual style I managed to drag it out over the week and celebrated with not one, not two, but three birthday meals which has meant I am back on the wedding dress body plan as of today (one of my birthday presents to myself was a slendertone- I'm serious about getting rid of my mum tum this time round)! 

Talking of exercise, I am also running race for life this year. I did my first practise run last week and did it in 35 minutes, not too bad for someone who hasn't run since primary school! I am going again tonight and aiming for 30 minutes. If you are able to sponsor me, I am part of the Work it Baby team and would be hugely grateful- http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/workitbaby/eurl.axd/c96dc30692d76949b62f78f25d347be5 I lost my grandad to cancer as a child so it is a cause close to my heart. 

I have been taking Carly to swimming lessons with Turtle Tots, which she has really enjoyed, watch out for a blog post on it soon. I want to take her to baby ballet in the next few months as I think it's important to do activities with the kids. I will be encouraging Tim to take Cameron to football too as he loves being outside and playing with other children, something he fortunately gets through nursery. 

Carly's Christening was a couple of weeks ago and went really well, it was a lovely afternoon spent with close friends and family celebrating our gorgeous baby girl. We went to the Hallmark Hotel after the church for a small reception with cupcakes and canapés which was great. 

Well I think that's about all for now but I have some posts brewing in my head so lookout for another post soon. 

Planning our Wedding: Amazing Bargains in the Sales!

I have a confession to make. I have bought a lot of stuff in the sales. Before you judge me though, I only bought things for the wedding... And I got some amazing bargains!

I bought Carly's flower girl dress and headband in the Monsoon sale for £22- total bargain! I also bought my bridesmaids dresses online from china but have since had to return them as they were totally unflattering on which is a shame. I got a pair of heels for me for £11 from new look, benefit makeup for myself and my bridesmaids for £20 and £13, necklaces for the three of us for £5 each from accessorise and beauty and hair treatments in the boots sale for £14 in total.

It hasn't just been the sales I've been hitting either. I have also been on Amazon and to craft shops to buy things for making our invites and save the dates as well as material to make our favours and decorations for our venue. I now have pretty much everything I need to make out wedding unique and personal for us.

I would totally recommend using the sales as an opportunity to stock up on items for your wedding. By doing it a year in advance I've made sure I have everything ready and can relax throughout the year safe in the knowledge that I have most of what we need!

Back to Blogging...

Hi everyone, did you miss me?

With the new baby things have been extremely hectic around here, as you can imagine. Carly has settled in really well but as she is still so little I am getting many a sleepless night. I nearly cried with happiness when she managed 6 hours straight last night! Fingers crossed for more of the same. Cameron has understandably been a bit jealous but he adores his baby sister and gives her lots of hugs and kisses. Carly is now 5 weeks old and she is already growing up too fast! I weighed her yesterday and she is now 10 pounds, so has gained two pounds in just over a month, not too bad!

Meanwhile, I have managed to lost two and a half stone of my pregnancy weight through healthy(ish) eating and breastfeeding alone which is great, although I am well aware I may put a bit back on over Christmas! I plan to take it easy over the next couple of weeks (I mean, seriously, who diets over Christmas?!) and then come back in the new year and get my pre baby body back!

I will be doing the healthy eating/treat exercise plan I did when I had Cameron as it worked really well. I want to ideally get down to 9 stone, which means probably around a stone to lose once I have gained 'holiday weight' next week. I am also starting back at my old exercise class which I am actually totally looking forward to as I missed the class over the last 10 months (expect to see lots of posts on my new year goals and weight loss journey in the new year).

Talking of wedding dresses, the wedding planning is coming on leaps and bounds. Having already secured our venue for the ceremony and the evening reception, as well as our photographer, we are now moving onto the more creative side of things and have been buying supplies to make our own save the date and wedding invitations in the New Year. I am also making our wedding favours and have already bought the material and ribbon for the bags. I will be putting up some posts in the next month on our DIY wedding including a step by step guide on how to make Save the Dates, Wedding Invites and Favour Bags.

Once I have toned up and lost that pesky last stone I am looking forward to going wedding dress shopping with my mum who has very kindly offered to buy me my dress! I keep seeing beautiful dresses in shop windows and having to restrain myself from going in! Once I allow myself to start looking, expect to see my dream dresses on the blog (must remember to make sure Tim doesn't look on here!).

Also coming up on the blog expect to see the return of regular posts such as 'Plans for the Month', 'Cuddles with Cameron' (now of course joined by Cuddles with Carly!) and 'What I did this Week'. I will also be hopefully doing some product reviews in the New Year of all things mum, toddler and baby. The blog will be taking on a couple of different angles as I want to write both about being a mummy and all that entails as well as wedding planning, which is very relevant for me at the moment and also links in with my degree of Events Management. I hope my readers enjoy the changes coming to the blog! Please feel free to send in any suggestions you may have for blog posts.

Hope you have an amazing Christmas and a very happy new year 2013 lots of love (Not so) Yummy Mummy (I'm working on it!)

Planning my Wedding: It's all Booked!

I can now officially say that I will be married on Friday 14th February 2014 at 11:30am- eek! It is all so exciting!

We met with the vicar last Tuesday and it went really well, I had nothing to be nervous about as the Vicar is so laid back and instantly put pregnant hormonal me at ease. We have booked the wedding itself for the morning and then the evening venue isn't until 7pm so we will have lots of time to relax inbetween and spend some time with our families before the evening celebrations begin.

As well as booking the church, we were able to attend another wedding fayre (I'm sure Tim hates me for dragging him around so many) and from this I have been inundated with emails from potential local wedding photographers.

One caught my eye as her name is what my married name will be, coincidence or what? We have pretty much definitely decided on booking her to take our morning ceremony photos and then will probably hire a photobooth for the evening reception, if the budget will allow it! I am due to meet with her to arrange everything, have a look at the venue and put down a deposit on Friday as long as I haven't gone into labour by then!

After that I can calm down for awhile and focus on having the baby, Christmas etc. I did see a gorgeous dress in a bridal shop window over the weekend, but had to resist going to look at it as I want to be back to my pre baby size 8 before I go dress shopping!

Other little bits keep catching my eye and I will admit that I have already bought the supplies to make my wedding favours for the female evening guests and have seen a beautiful wish tree that I want to buy soon! I think everything will fall into place easily over the next year, I just have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the planning process as all too soon it will be over!

Planning my Wedding: Booking the Venue and Meeting the Vicar

 Last time I posted about the wedding plans, we were in the process of booking our venue. Since then we have successfully paid our deposit and secured the venue for our wedding date. We are officially having our wedding reception on February 14th 2014- Valentines Day! I am so excited to have a date secured as it means we can start planning everything else now.

Totally hoping for snow!

Our Wedding Venue

The first thing I started planning once the deposit was paid was arranging a meeting with the Vicar at the church we want to get married in. It isn't my local parish, but the church I had Cameron Christened in last year, and one that is important to me for this reason. The chruch is also beautiful, really grand and traditional inside. We have been warned by the Vicar that the church is quite strict, but that we should be able to have our wedding there as we both lived within its parish for six months or more.

We are hoping to get married in the church where Cameron was Christened

We have a meeting with the Vicar at my house in a couple of weeks and I am hoping we will be able to get the church all booked then. I am pretty nervous meeting with the Vicar to be honest, it feels a bit daunting even though I met him a few times when arranging Cameron's Christening. I am so pleased we are going to be getting married in a church. Even though I am not the most religious of people, I feel that it is more traditional and romantic to exchange vows in the church. It is all so exciting!

I am hoping to find a photographer in the New Year, but wedding dress shopping is on hold until I have had the baby and lost all the baby weight, I am thinking probably next Spring/Summer. I have been putting together collages of all the ideas I have gotten from wedding magazines and my wedding dress ones look amazing, it is going to be hard to resist dress shopping!