Theme

I've always been sceptical about 'themes' when it comes to weddings and if you'd asked me a few weeks ago I would have strenuously refuted the idea that our upcoming nuptials would have a theme. However as our plans have evolved a theme has gradually started to emerge, however unintentional. The indisputable fact is that I am marrying a true Scotsman. I always said I would and it was on the wish list I gave to the mutual friend who set us up, but I couldn't have foreseen the way things would pan out - it was just a dream. Said dream did involve marrying a guy in a kilt. And it just so happens that my dream guy wouldn't dream of not wearing his kilt on our wedding day.

 So it started with the kilt. Anyone who's ever been in the process of planning a wedding to a groom who wears a kilt will know that it's a mixed blessing. Yes it's seriously hot. But it's also an absolute nightmare to match with a colour scheme. James' tartan is the Robertson tartan. It's red based and thus my natural predisposition towards pink had to go out the window to avoid a clash. I didn't want to go with the blue in the tartan - navy and thus too dark. I didn't want to go with the green as it's not my favourite colour in the world. For me red was too much of a generic, easy choice and if I'd gone for a red it would have been a completely different shade from the one in the tartan anyhow. And so it was I decided simply not to clash and go with purple as the colour scheme.

Then my thoughts turned to flowers. The obvious choice in this situation is the thistle - not only is it the national flower of Scotland and a very common Scottish emblem but it's purple. It won't be the only component of my bouquet but it'll certainly feature in that, the buttonholes and potentially the stationary and the favours.

It was never in dispute that our evening entertainment would vary from a disco/ DJ/ band. The fact that the evening would feature a ceilidh was inevitable. Not only is it a way to get people up and dancing - because let's face it who can resist a reel - but it's also reminiscent of one of our early dates and yet another 'us' feature.

The piper we've booked (yes I do actually really like the bagpipes!) founded a ceilidh band and we're in the process at the moment of seeing if they're available to play for the wedding. The piper has already confirmed and we've given him an idea of some of the tunes we'd like to feature during his set. Last time we saw him perform (at Burn's night last year) he was kitted out in spectacular regalia and I'm sure he will not disappoint on the wedding day - 8ish months and counting!

It was only today that I came up with table names. We'd talked through a few ideas and what we'd provisionally decided just didn't seem quite right to me - although we have worked out how to involve it in the table design anyway. However today I pitched my latest idea to James and he loved it - we'll name the tables after distilleries. True, whisky is more of James' passion than mine, but we've been to a number of distilleries both together and separately and I appreciate the process even if I don't like the product. A lot of them also have seriously interesting names.

So we now have the national dress, national dancing, national flower, national instrument and the national drink featuring prominently at our wedding - not to mention an actual national as the groom. And the theme is...

'Aye that's right'...

It's Scotland!

And so it begins....

Finally, on 21st December last year (even though that's less than two weeks ago!), the much longed-for proposal was forthcoming. In a way that epitomized our relationship, it was low key and at home, with just the two of us there, but it was utterly perfect. He told me how much he loved me and that he wanted to be with me forever and then it was down on one knee and out with my stunning new sparkler to formalize things. I was so overwhelmed I forgot to say yes until a few minutes later but the hug said everything I needed it to. Thus began the madness...

Within a few days all relevant family and friends had been informed of the news and already the planning was well under way. The Christmas cards had been lost beneath a mountain of engagement cards and the only magazines lying strewn around the house were wedding related - who knew you could get magazines purely about wedding cakes and wedding flowers? Clearly I'd previously been naive! With the future in-laws staying with us over the festive period and most wedding planners being on annual leave - how selfish - I managed to email a few potential venues in the Midlands and during a quiet spell (five minute lunch break) at work I contacted the vicar.

The end result of this feverish planning is that tomorrow, two weeks to the day after our engagement, we will be travelling the 50 miles North to Stratford-Upon-Avon, where we will be viewing five potential reception venues, along with the church where I hope we will get married. Are there enough hours in the day? Quite simply I don't know but I'm sure as hell willing to give it a go!

To my surprise James was keen on a 2014 wedding. I'd imagined that it would be the other way round and that he'd be dragging his heels. To be fair I took little convincing to marry in relative haste. My only concerns being venue availability at the comparatively short notice and the lack of time to diet before I need to start trying on dresses.

We've already made lots of decision surrounding the wedding including

• Colour scheme : purple with hints of pink. 
• First dance : To be revealed on the day
• Drinks : Our personal favourites...
• Attendants : My four bridesmaids (two adult and two child) have all been asked and agreed. As have James' best man and multiple ushers - I think there were 5 at last count, if you count my 8 year old godson.
• Budget: Thanks Dad!
• Guest list: Although provisional we're thinking 100  - 120 for the ceremony and formal meal with more guests to be invited for the evening do.

The latter idea is something I've always been against, feeling that if someone is important enough to you to want them there then they should be in attendance for the whole thing - this was until I started looking at how much weddings actually cost and counting up how many family members I have (and I'm from a small family!). I've also been presented with the horrifying conundrum of being told that whatever of my budget I don't spend on the wedding I can put towards a house deposit. Being a pragmatist the idea of eloping has started to appeal, but this is being weighed against the little girl who's always wanted the fairy-tale. I think ultimately the princess will probably win - after all this is something I only ever intend to do once. 

I'm keen for a lot of things to do with the wedding to be handmade - I intend to pilfer the idea of silk flowers from a friend's wedding last summer for my bridesmaids - they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. My mum, who has recently retired is keen to calligraphy the invitations and place-cards. A Scottish contact will be making the edible favours. We also want certain aspects of the day to be very personalised. If I can convince the vicar I think my beloved cockapoo should be the ring bearer and we have a slightly different take on celebratory drinks at the reception which will be discussed with whatever our favoured venue is tomorrow. 

So roll on the morning, when at the crack of dawn (first appointment 9am!) we'll be heading off to explore the creme-de-la-creme of what Stratford has to offer and the ball will well and truly start rolling. Who knows... we may even set a date!