Oh my goodness, last post!! Where has the time gone? It is 1 month to go until I become Mrs White so the countdown is officially on, and now I couldn't be more excited. What a journey it has been. My dusty, 20 year-old wedding file will actually become redundant in just another 30 days time... What on earth will I do with myself? Hmmm, house interior-design file...?

But I couldn't possibly sign off without allowing Simon to finally have his say. This is long overdue and greatly anticipated (by me, at least!) So at long last, I introduce you all to my man:

From The Groom (to be)

Simon The Groom So, my turn! Having watched Sophie blog for the last year I naively thought this would be easy. As I have come to learn with so many things about weddings...nothing is as easy as it looks.

I have developed a theory on this very topic. Man hits his peak of manliness when he (successfully!) proposes to the girl he loves; he asks the question only when he is ready...it's the epitome of masculinity. From this point forward the balance needs to return, so wedding planning was created. Soon man will begin to marvel at the magnificence of his future wife, at the multi-tasking ability, the wealth of apparently innate wedding knowledge and the militarily precise organizational skills. From being an all-conquering 'wife-finder', man will un-puff his chest and realize how lucky he is.

This, of course, may be specific just to me. However, I can't be the only groom who, as the wedding planning builds, has continued to smile smugly that the girl accepted him. Don't get me wrong, I have been as involved as I can be in the entire process but I just can't compete! I can't match the eye for detail, the efficiency and don't get me started on the listss (this is not a spelling mistake, I just concluded that one 's' wasn't sufficient plurality for the volume of listing that has taken place).

Anyway, blabbering aside, I thought I would share a few of my thoughts before the big day.

The wedding speech. I have planned my entire career around avoiding standing in public and talking...suddenly I will be up in front of an entire party providing witty and heartfelt words to be recorded and remembered for a lifetime. I fought with this for a while, refusing to accept my fate and contemplating alternatives. I seriously considered trying to create a Tim Minchin style musical serenade instead, but soon my lack of musical ability and love of wearing shoes blocked that option. Finally, I believe I have the solution. After 30 years of not drinking (long story built around stubbornness and...well actually just stubbornness) I will partake in 'Dutch Courage' to ensure I can deliver a speech worthy of the occasion. This actually means I will be 'practicing' drinking for the final few weeks of the build-up.

As the assistant wedding planner (or assistant to the wedding planner) I have come to have viewpoints on issues I didn't know existed. For example:

I've never visited New York, but I now have a favourite Kleinfeld consultant.
Flower budgeting...money doesn't grow on trees, but it apparently grows on stems.
Finally, I've developed an active dislike of owls as ring-bearers. Donning arm-armour as Hedwig hurtles towards me on the big day seems a romance killer.

Anyway, that's my bit. I hope I have given you a tiny insight into the thoughts of a groom. Now, I'm off to buy some White Lightening, find a park and begin my drinking practice.

Some Thank You's

Sophie The Bride (to be) Well I have no idea how I follow that, but I'll do my best! I warn you in advance of the public display of affection that's about to ensue, but as the saying goes: there are things to be said. And let's be honest, family and friends are what all of this madness is really about when it comes down to it.

Firstly, a HUMONGOUS thanks to the other 5 Real Brides for your insight, humour, support, kindness and friendship over the past year. I can't tell you all what an awesome bunch they are! We've spoken almost daily over the last year (I'm not kidding!) on everything from money-saving tips to outright blow-the-budget must haves. We've been there for each other through the highs and lows, and even been on the occasional shopping expedition on each other's behalf! They have made the planning process a million times more fun than it already was. Having seen a sneak peek of how incredible Jackie's and Stef's weddings were (RMW, just you wait until you see them!!) I'm so excited to see Carly, Nicola and Sarah tie the knot. Girls, thanks for taking me along for the ride.

Secondly, a GINORMOUS thanks to all of our friends and family for your support over the last 18 months, particularly those of you who had to put up with my constant wedding updates every time so much as a poufy-o flower was chosen - you know who you are! I salute you all for your patience. We're both extremely lucky to have such wonderful families. Simon's parents and brothers have welcomed me into their family with more love and support than any girlfriend could ever wish for, and I know just how much my family adores Simon too. Our parents have contributed so much time and effort to our wedding plans - in fact mine have been supporting my plans since I was 7! Don't worry Mum and Dad, just one more month before I finally put the wedding file down. We are so grateful for the invaluable support that they have provided in pulling this wedding together. We couldn't have done it without them, and we can't wait to celebrate with them all. And a little message to the best man Tom - do your worst! I fully support you!

And Of Course, My Simon

Finally, where do I even begin to thank Simon?

Friends have asked me when I knew he was 'The One'. I can honestly say that it was the very first weekend we spent together at Lancaster University, almost 10 years ago. All it took was 1 date, and that was it for us. We've hardly stopped laughing since.

We've come a long way since our time at Lancaster...all the way to Texas! But he has been the most loyal and unwavering companion and friend throughout the whole journey, and I'm incredibly lucky to have a person in my life that makes me feel truly cherished. He is the most caring person I know and I'm so proud of who he is as a person and everything he has achieved in his life. Every single day, the thing I look forward to the most is seeing him when I walk through the door after work (and I promise that's not just on the days that he sends me photos of the gin and tonic waiting for me when I'm still in work at midnight!) Over the last 10 years we've grown up together, and I'm grateful in the knowledge that for the rest of our lives I get to grow old with my best friend. And this is just the beginning! If our future looks anything like the last 10 years, it's going to rock!

Thanks for picking him Mum, you chose a good one!

So this is me signing off lovelies. I'll see you all on the other side. I'm off to practice my new signature...!

P.S. Please send happy good-weather-thoughts in the direction of Italy on 25th May!!!

Sophie x