Getting married is becoming very, very real now. The little ‘…days until our wedding’ chalk board hanging in my kitchen is now showing a single figure and my excitement/nerve levels have gone up another few notches…just when I didn’t think they could!
But let’s rewind a little bit to how I found myself days away from being Mrs W…
The proposal:
I’ve never been one of those girls who had a dream proposal in their head. I have just always known that I would hate a big ‘song and dance’, especially if it was in public. That’s just not me, or James – luckily. We actually had both of our wedding dates booked around two months before we got engaged and we went through the process of choosing my ring together. The proposal not being a complete surprise didn’t take away any of the romance or excitement for me. I loved all of it. It was like a little secret mission we were on together, planning away without anyone (apart from our parents) knowing. James knew before us even setting the dates when he wanted to propose. I didn’t know when he was planning to do it, of course, although I do now! In the end, he changed his ‘plan’ and brought the date forward. While I was sleeping one morning, he was busy making me a beautiful breakfast – he’d snuck all of my favourite food into the fridge the night before, so he was ready. The rest of the details I will keep between just us and our cat (he witnessed it all, cats don’t miss a trick!), but it was lovely. I knew it was coming at some point, obviously, but I was still so surprised. The proposal was very ‘us’ and definitely a moment I will remember and treasure forever.
We both sent out word we were engaged and for the next few hours our phones didn’t stop…so many lovely messages of congrats. But when the initial whirlwind had calmed down, I realised I felt different. I wasn’t expecting a ring on my finger to change the way I felt, but it did and has. I suddenly felt very grown up, but more than that – I felt a tremendous feeling of love and security. Being engaged is brilliant!
The Small Wedding/Wedding #1 details:
We’re getting married by Father Tim at Christ Church in Jebel Ali, Dubai at 12pm. I’m wearing a dress I got in London when I popped home in the summer, by a designer I fell in love with as soon as I saw posts on Instagram. I haven’t seen it since I first tried it on in August… it’s coming out to Dubai from the UK with my parents two days before the wedding and I can’t wait to see it and try it on again (I’m obviously crossing everything that a) I still like it and b) it still fits!)
I have Jimmy Choo shoes – which I’m planning to wear to both weddings, along with a necklace (a beautiful wedding gift from James). I like the idea of wearing the same shoes and jewellery to both weddings, it will tie the two special days together. I’ve got a small bouquet on order from 800 Flowers and hair and make-up booked. I think I’m sorted (goes through mental checklist again).
After the ceremony, we’re all heading to brunch at The Ivy, Emirates Towers. There’s 20 of us, so we’ve booked the private room so we can have a more intimate celebration.
So, 10 days to go – wow. I can’t believe how quickly time flies when you’re planning a wedding. It feels like we only got engaged last week and now the wedding is almost here. I collected our wedding rings today, they’re sitting on the table next to me as I type. It’s suddenly becoming very real. Every day now my stomach will suddenly flip with either excitement or nerves. It’s all such a lovely time though, there’s such a buzz around us all the time. We message each other with silly things, like the amount of days to go and how next time we go to so and so we’ll be married. And the best part is… once Wedding #1 has happened, we get to the start the countdown all over again…!
Biggest excitements right now:
- Marrying the man I love/my very best friend in 10 days!
- Walking down the aisle with my dad.
- Actually, just all of it!
Biggest fears right now:
- Bursting out laughing while James is saying his vows – I have a habit of getting the giggles at the very wrong time.
- The fact I still haven’t given up eating chocolate despite promising myself I would as soon as I got my engagement ring on my finger. Oops. (Please still fit dress).
- Changing my name! This is huge for me. A new name!
Sonja x
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