Feeling very relaxed... should we panic?!

Everything has gone really well with the planning and booking etc (touch wood) so we are feeling quite relaxed about it all.

Since we last wrote, I have chosen THE dress and it is ready and waiting for me and my final fitting at the end of July. The diet is going ok - been having treats here and there but have lost almost a stone so I'm happy. Just a few more pounds to go over the next couple of months...

The cake side of things is all sorted now - don't want to say too much but we've chosen what we want and hope that you'll all like it (if you have a sweet tooth, you certainly will!)

We also have chosen our wedding rings and these are tucked up safely at home. Trying to resist the urge to try them on again, but Ste thinks it may be bad luck.

We paid 75% of the venue fees this week which felt good, although I don't think our bank account would agree! At least that's a huge weight off our minds. We only have a few organisational things to arrange now (choosing our vows, wedding breakfast meal etc) and Ste has his appointment at the Austin Reed to make with his best men soon.

Oh, and the invitations of course! From the amount of visits we've had to this website, I know that a lot of you are aware of quite a few details but the invitations will tell you all you need to know (hopefully). As I mentioned last time, we are making these and have all the bits and pieces together - just need to find the time to do them. Bex is coming to stay at the end of April so will help us make the final touches then they will be in the post so expect them in four weeks or so. We may have a few addresses missing, so will let you know if we need yours...

Everyone around us is getting very excited about the big day too - Louise and Ellie almost seemed more hyped up than us at the weekend!! We have even been notified of a wedding gift from Tina and Dave already - a 3 day pass for us both to see all of New York's sights on our honeymoon! They have just returned and absolutely loved it so we can't wait to go - and thank you to them both for the generous gift.

The rest of this month will be spent doing very little while we start to save up the pennies again. We're almost 2/3 of the way with the total costs so need to be super strict over the next few months.

It will all be so worth it though.

The Good Wife's Guide - don't be getting any ideas Stephen!

A colleague kindly sent this old Housekeeping Monthly article from 1955 to me, so I knew what to expect from married life...

• Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
• Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
• Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
• During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
• Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
• Be happy to see him.
• Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
• Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
• Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
• Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
• Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
• Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
• Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
• A good wife always knows her place.

Hmm... glad that we live in the 21st Century and that times have changed!