18th May 2005

 Met with Meryl today…well, first meeting, got through loads– literally think we covered everything from button holes through to readings through to honeymoon plans. Not sure how I feel – nervous, but excited. We've got a lot to get through but plenty of time to do so, and Meryl has a very calming influence. Best thing our meeting was that Meryl kept saying to me “Sarah it's YOUR day, you must have what YOU want” Meryl is going to be there on the day too – great…now that's excellent, she will go to the venue first (if she doesn't stay there night before) to check all is ok that morning and then come over to see me at my parents place to calm my nerves…and check I haven't hit the champagne already, although maybe she will need one by then!

Got home and spoke to Darren about everything…mmm, now seem to be more excited than nervous…tee hee…got into bed later that evening and started to write out lists…

19 th May 2005

Meryl sent me an email just recapping yesterday's meeting…and re-iterated what I need to focus on…which at the moment is the registry office booking, what readings I can have…timings for the service…ok, cool – that I can handle. She also sent me ALL her contact details…again…reassuring…

27 th May 2005

One year to go EXACTLY – well took Meryl's advice, and got to the Leatherhead registry office at 7.15am …yep can you believe it…it didn't open till 9am – but there was already 2 brides to be there!!! Obviously a very popular weekend to be married – turned out that one of them wanted 1pm slot (damn – I wanted that) the other wanted 2.30pm…so I ended up with 1.15pm – fine…but by 9.15am just 15 minutes after opening all time slots for that day in 2006 were gone except a couple late in the day (4/4.15) can you believe that…THANK GOD we turned up in person, as you get priority then…Meryl also asked me to check what readings /music I could use on the day – yay – we can have whatever we want…although we do need to send all info over to them one month in advance of wedding so they can approve. Now need to make appointment with our local registry office for interviews, and to get our permit to marry – so much to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

28 th May 2005

Meryl called me today, checking that all went well yesterday…

3 rd June 2005

Booked interviews at Brent Council Town Hall – for 11 th June…got to shell out more money! Oh well, at least most of the legal stuff will have been sorted. Meryl has given me the low-down on the types of questions they will ask us – we have prepped ourselves (just in case!)

6 th June 2005

 Tried on dresses today, had 3 appointments with various shops in London – Gran came with me to 1 of them, as the shop was round the corner from her…they all look lovely!

9 th June 2005

More dresses today – this time done my parents way…one in Henfield – lovely little shop, and then re-visited the first dress shop I went to back in October 04. OH MY GOD – FOUND IT…am so very very excited…it's amazing, incredible – it's true what they say – when you know you know it's THE ONE. We left the store (after 2 hours) and went across to the pub for a celebratory drink (and fag!) with Kelly (shop assistant). Ma was wonderful. Have paid my deposit already – well Ma did!, and need to head back there in September for measurements – also need to hit the gym…and get that back toned as best as possible. Have ordered 2 sets of swatches (good idea Ma) one for me, and one for her…as the colour, well is a little ‘different'. Now have an idea of far more stuff….cant keep smiling though = I look fab!

10 th June 2005

Couldn't sleep last night – kept dreaming of my dress

June 2005

In fact to be fair spent quite a few sleepless nights this month …oh it's fab…my dress that is…I will be a princess!

23 rd June 2005

 OK so have been working on the guest list…mmm surprising how many people come out of the woodwork – I knew we had a lot of mates but really!!! Meryl did mention a while back that I should start sooner rather than later …watch this space

8 th August 2005

 Think I have found the DJ – they do this wicked thing whereby they have a screen and take pics of people dancing and load them up – almost real-time…reckon there will be some baaaad photos on there knowing us lot.

9 th August 2005

 God there's only one DJ left who is available on that date…sh*t…

31 st August 2005

 YAY – DJ booked and deposit paid…another tick off the list huh?

24 th September 2005

 Went to see Bloomsters in Cobham today – WOW…those flowers are amazing but reckon they will have hefty price tag…have already decided to have my Ma's local florist do all my personal flowers but am also going to go with Bloomster's who the hotel have recommended too – that way I will get best of both worlds…also it wouldn't really be the same if I didn't have Erica doing my bouquet – as she's become a family friend over the years and did my sister's first wedding 12 years ago!

27 th September 2005

 Got email today from Naomi…with a whole list of string quartets to choose from – YAY…another thing to sort out!!! This seems never-ending…but GREAT FUN…and easy…well with Meryl & Naomi around…

September 2005

 Been umming and erring a lot about cake…to have one , not to have one...I know it's traditional but do people actually eat it? Something different? Oh I dunno….

12th October 2005

 Got my Save the Date Magnet proof through today…WOW its now in print…looks great, thought it might be naff but reckon it's perfect, Ma also said to me that guests are bound to remember our anniversary now as it will probably sit on their fridge's for years to come…good point well made – definitely going for it…plus very reasonable…great

20 th October 2005

Got email today from Meryl just checking that I was alive, and that everything was going all ok…and to see whether I had chosen my stationery – naturally it is a good idea to get this decision out of the way prior to Christmas…but Christmas seems awfully close…just got me Save the Dates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did get Meryl to get on to the hotel though and start sorting through the room allocations…at least that's another thing I don't have to worry about…I cant believe that they wont give you any more rooms until you have the list already ‘named' and a credit card given…it's 7 months away??? Meryl, Naomi and me are gonna get together again soon…think I will bring my CBM Bex…will be good for them all to meet…

2 nd November 2005

Naomi emailed today…god, she's a bit worried that am leaving my decision on the music a bit late….just that I can't decide on what I want…As she wrote in her email to me though “we'll cross that bridge when we get to it”….god she's great

7 th November 2005

Meryl has been on to the hotel – tee hee!

16 th January 2006

 Ordered my BM dresses today – god they are sooooooo gorgeous…all coming together…think the woman freaked out a bit though when I told her when I was getting married…ah well …Naomi mentioned that one of the Opera Singers she suggested was going to be at Wedding Fair soon…going to go and check her out…

14 th February2006

My last one as Miss…(sorry had to get that in)

22 nd February 2006

Alan came round last night – he's one of the DVD people Naomi got for me…he's lovely…and sounds really good, watched some of his work, and feel very happy…booked…

Stationery all sorted…thanks to my mate Nick…yay, am getting the printers to help…first item that's come in under-budget! Cant wait to send out….tee hee…not long now

5 th March 2006

Went to Denbies today – wedding fair…to hear Sarah-Jane. OMG. Booked. Thanks Naomi….it was really funny the hall itself wasn't that big, and we got there early to avoid any queues and stuff, and when she started to sing I got shivers ….Darren loved her too…and it's Dads birthday today…YAY

8 th March 2006

Ha Ha got email from Naomi…apparently SJ thought we were all lovely…tee hee…guess next time I'll see her now we be on the day…

15 th March 2006

Naomi sent me few ideas on string quartets…think we should go for one that SJ knows…

28 th March 2006

Meryl has done the insert for the invites – what a star…AND she's actually going to follow the directions for when we meet at the hotel next week to make sure they are right…bless her…now that's service…

30 th March 2006

Tee hee – first lot of invites out…really gonna happen now!!!!

1 st April 2006

Meryl, Naomi, Ma and I met at the hotel at 2.30. Meryl & Naomi tried the directions and they are perfect…good meeting got a lot sorted…am bit nervous (and excited). We all met with the hotel staff too…

4 th April 2006

Been speaking to Naomi about maybe an ice sculpture or something different instead of a cake – choc fountain…she's come up with loads of ideas over the weeks…but I just don't know…Naomi has been sorting out the recording of my Dad's speech too with Alan, just waiting on Dad to get his suit and button hole sorted though…plus the music lot – as still have got contract yet…mmm, worried don't want them to go with anyone else... Naomi suggested we get it in writing sooner rather than later…

5 th April 2006

Naomi meeting with Alan tonight to go over bits…

Cant wait now…Meryl and Naomi have decided that as Meryl has been working with me a little longer she's going to come to the house on the morning for the wedding, and Naomi will be at the hotel organising them…good plan…that way at least on the morning if there are any problems Naomi will get straight onto the phone to Meryl and we can sort it long-distance as it were. Feel calm (ish)!

24 th April 2006

Naomi sorted music out – the lot, where they will stand / sit…and pretty much sort out all music that's gonna be played too…yay… She's great…making me feel really good about me, not just the day – if you know what I mean?

26 th April 2006

Naomi has sorted out all the logistics too for Alan…he's been on site a view times too as he's not down my hotel before…phew…surprising just how much there is to think of…

29 th April 2006

 Had food tasting at the hotel today with Darren…mmmm God its good…the chef Cliff is lovely too – feel real happy

15 th May 2006

 Ma and I had final visit to hotel today to tie up few loose ends and for Ma to pay the balance!!! Bless my mother…she's been so amazing. No need for Meryl & Naomi to be there as they had done enough site visits already.

20 th May 2006

 Got text today from Naomi…just checking I was ok!!! Mmmm, ok, excited, nervous, scared, happy…all the above!

25 th May 2006

 Meryl called me today, to run though EVERYTHING…all under control…am gonna enjoy the next couple of days like you wouldn't' believe…Meryl gonna come here as planned, and Naomi to the hotel – they've got it all under control…

12 th June 2006

Well well well – what can I say.?

I have just had the most AMAZING time of my life. My wedding day was perfect – everything was perfect, and I was a princess for the day…well for almost 2 days as I partied till 6am in my dress!!!

Thanks to Meryl & Naomi for EVERYTHING…

…and Brides to be – YOU ARE GOOD IN HANDS

Mrs Fuzi-Jones (how cool is my surname now??)

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Please contact Champagne Event Management for details of Sarah and Darren's suppliers including the photographer who took most of the above photos of the day.