Order of Service

By Samantha Parker on Jun 29, 09 10:20 AM in

I have been so wrapped up in planning the reception that I must admit that actual ceremony has slipped to the back of my mind.

Rich and I went to see our Reverend, Jonathan Gibbs on Wednesday to get everything sorted. He has a brilliant no nonsense approach to the service and helped us make decisions very quickly.

First was sorting out our Banns. We are getting married at St Peter's Church in Heswall, where my Dad lives and we lived last year, but we currently live in the New Ferry parish.

The whole thing confuses me still but unless we have our Banns (where ppl are asked if they know a reason why you can't get married to avoid a Jane Eyre moment) read in New Ferry we can't get married in Heswall as you need a certificate.

This panicked me a bit but luckily the Reverend in New Ferry was lovely and laid back about everything. I was a bit disappointed to learn we have to pay another £40 to have them read twice as it isn't in my budget! But at least it isn't £400!

We then moved on to the Hymns. Rich has his own opinions on the hymns whereas I wasn't really that bothered. My stipulation was that I had actually heard of it! I also didn't want any of the hymns that were played at my Mum's funeral as I know that would set me off. Especially Jerusalem. I don't ever want to listen to that ever again.

Rich had a list of about 6 and Jonathan went through them and ruled certain ones out and then picked the best three.

So.. we are starting with Love Divine which was my choice, followed by Be Thou My Vision and finally Guide me, O thou great Redeemer which I don't know that well but the words are nice.

So that was that and felt relatively painless to be honest.

We have decided to have a biblical and non biblical reading. Rich has chosen 1 Corinthians 13

for the biblical reading and I am still deciding on the non religious reading and am open to suggestions? It should be a poem.

Next we decided on the music to come in and leave to. I am having the Bridal Chorus by Wagner. I can't really imagine having anything else and we are leaving to the Wedding March by Menessohn. Which I loved on Father of the Bride. Yes I am currently a sucker for wedding films.

We also had to sort out who is doing what. Rich has two Best Men and I have Two Chief Bridesmaids. Best Man 1# Ian will in charge of handing over the rings and Best Man #2 Duncan will be our witness.

When we go in to the vestry to sign the register Rich's parents, Duncan, my Dad, Danielle (sister) and Laura and Kim will come in. But it will be Laura who signs as my witness.

The rehearsal time was also set but we care currently having problems getting ppl to agree to come because it is the night before. But we shall see.

In other news....

I have had a lovely email from Rachel who reads the blog and is also on Weight Watchers. Thanks for getting in touch :)

For any bride who is on Weight Watchers don't lose heart if you mess up or even if you gain a pound.

Easy for me to say, I know but it still happens to me. I ate an ice cream yesterday thinking I would work off the points at the gym but never made it as I got side tracked by the weather! I beat myself up about it all night which I realise now was silly.

Weight Watchers works - it certainly has for me :) but I find it only works long term if you exercise.

I am now 10 weeks away from the wedding and find myself having to lose another 5-8 pounds. There is an issue with my wedding dress which I won't go into until next week but basically it is tight. I don't know why as I have lost weight since I was measured and well, as you can imagine I am beside myself. Its does up - but that is it. I will keep you posted when I know where I am at.

Since this issue emerged I have lost another 2 pounds because I am not eating my gym points (or trying not to) and I have cut out wheat and dairy from my diet as I am intolerant to them.

Other than that everything is going well. Still waiting for most of the RSVPs but will get them eventually I hope!!