Practicalities

It turns out that planning a wedding isn't just about dresses and flowers. Now we're getting down to the nitty gritty and trying to work out logistics for where family/ wedding party will stay the night before the wedding and how everyone will get from A to B. That isn't just for the wedding party but also for the guests. Given our rural location and the distance between our ceremony venue and reception it's going to cause big problems for anybody who doesn't drive or can't find a lift share. 

Accommodation is proving to be another hurdle. Almost from the moment we announced our engagement family members have been chomping at the bit to book their rooms at the hotel. There seems to be little understanding that as we have the hotel on an exclusive basis there will be no issues when it comes to supply and we can even set the room rate. We didn't feel the need to do this particularly early and as such there has been a lot of grumbling as we're yet to give the go ahead for the rooms to be released. 

Although accommodation the night of the wedding is not an issue accommodation the night before is a different matter. The hotel only has 9 rooms, priority for which is going to have to go to those who are travelling furthest. This means that most of my side wanting rooms will be disappointed and that includes my parents. However we may have solved that issue by deciding that my parents will stay at our house with me (presuming the purchase goes ahead) while James will stay in the bridal suite and woe betide him if it's a mess for the wedding night. 

If all goes to plan the house we're buying will easily be able to accommodate me and my parents and possibly a bridesmaid or two the night before, as well as having ample space for us all to get ready. It's not materially much further from the church although I will have to put essentials in the car boot and change to booking details for the car companies. 

It seems there's quite a lot to be thinking about.