It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! My last as an official spinster (that's what us unmarried women are technically called...rude or what), and it's almost 2015...which is ever so slightly terrifying for two reasons: 1. I will turn The Big 3.0. and 2. I GET MARRIED!! AHHHH!! (Sound familiar, Summer?!).

Luckily the former reason is covered by a hen do/30th celebration to IBIZA in the first weekend in June - props to my wonderful Chief for organising that one (hi Heather!!), and the latter still has, errrrrmm, some way to go.

Firstly, let me tell you something extraordinary. I actually like Excel. Like, really like it. I have even made my very own spreadsheet, complete with formulas, for my best friends hen do (hi again, Heather!) in May. I also have SEVERAL more complicated versions for work and I am so utterly proud of myself that I am a total excel convert, which can only be a good thing when all the wedding planning (and associated costs...eek!) start to ramp up next year.

So what's new? Clearly the last four weeks have been spent spending far too much time instagramming pictures of our super cute Sprocker puppy, Lucky (but I mean look at him, it's not hard to see why), and wedding planning, despite my previous post, has not progressed much further in terms of decor, colour schemes and general, oh you know, 'how-on-earth-is-this-all-going-to-come-together'.

We have, however, taken a very big, very legal step in giving our notice of marriage. Off we trotted to our local registry office with about every single form of ID we could think of - passport, driving license, 25 different utility bills etc etc - and told them we'd quite like to legally be married on Saturday 8th August 2015 at 1pm. It's actually quite scary, because it means it's really happening. They sort of quiz you a bit, and made us give our declarations separately so they knew it wasn't a sham marriage (I *think* after 8 and a half years we there or thereabouts know each other). As we're having a civil ceremony, I'd be interested to know how different it is for a church wedding? Do you have to give your notice to the Church or go through the same route as we do?

I'm still struggling with inspiration for colour schemes/decor. I have now widened the florist delegation to mother and mother-in-law, and hoping that between us all we'll be able to come up with some imaginative and creative florists! Also James and I have two whole weeks off over Christmas and New Year and we have committed to getting some things sorted (florist, colour scheme, band/DJ). I have decided on one thing though, I would LOVE some of the big light up letters for the evening party. Not quite a glitter cannon but just as impactful and not as messy! Has anyone had them at their wedding or do they plan to?

On a separate note, following on from my last post two of the five maids are now the proud owners of their GORGEOUS dresses. One of my maids came over to mine for dinner (and to see the puppy, obvs), and tried it on for me...she looked so unbelievably pretty and said she felt wonderful in it too. I really can't wait to see them all together on the day, I just hope they don't upstage me they're all that fabulous

I'll sign out by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and fantastic New Year. Eat and drink (A LOT, December is for indulging after all) and be very merry. I'll see you all in 2015!!

Lauren xxx