Pete and I in Mr. Fogg's Tavern. New favourite place.

Hello lovely readers! I hope this November finds you well. November. Blimey. Not only does that mean IT'S NEARLY CHRISTMAS but it means that it's less than seven months until I become Mrs Randall. I couldn't be more excited. I'm a lot more relaxed about wedding planning than I thought I'd be. I'm a big stress-er usually, but I can't shake the feeling that it's all going to be OK and I really don't need to sweat the small stuff. I may regret saying that in a month or two.

It's my wedding dress fitting next week. Poppy (Maid of Honour), my mum and my little sister (mini Maid of Honour) are all going to be there. It's recommended that the bride has her wedding underwear ready to see how it fits underneath said dress, but I have yet to buy that - I've been trawling the M&S and House of Fraser websites like a crazy person. Must have extreme tummy control. Must somehow get rid of cellulite. But most importantly I must be able to go to the loo in it. I mean, not in it. It's not like I'm after a built-in catheter - but if I can pop out for a wee without having to spend half an hour adjusting several buttons, that would be most pleasant.

A lovely homemade engagement present we received. It's going in the wedding!

Recently we've been sorting out the jackets for the boys. T.M. Lewin have been so very helpful; since we placed the order earlier this year they've reduced the prices. My mum - in her excellent way that I will never be able to imitate - managed to charm them enough so they knocked the prices down to the sale amount. Also - and I forgot to mention this - my wedding dress has been reduced by a significant amount. The one dress they have left is in my size and the lovely lady at Harmony Brides has put it aside for me. So purely by chance, it's looking more and more likely that our budget of £10,000 is going to cover everything.

Seeing the boys in their jackets has been quite emotional. It's not just that they all look very handsome - although they do -it's just feeling so real now. This is how our friends are going to look on our wedding day. Whether by accident or design, the colour theme that has emerged matches the wildflowers we'll be carrying. Lilac, ivory, cornflower blue, poppy red. Hopefully a burst of colour will greet our guests as they walk into the church on a beautiful summer's day. Or on a day of blistering rain, y'know - we'll take whatever we're given.

We've started on the name cards and the seating chart (although that is very much a first draft until the invitations have gone out) and we're having great fun placing everyone in their little table groups. I'm sure it'll be dramatically shifted when people start to RSVP but for now, Pete and I are greatly enjoying imagining the conversations that will be had during dinner. "Have you ever spotted the Golden Oriole?" "No, do you prefer a Gibson Les Paul or a Fender Strat?" "How do you think Harlequins are playing this year?" "Don't know, but did you see Kenneth Branagh's doing a season at the Garrick?"

We've one week left of tour. Pete starts his new job on December 2 ^nd (please wish him luck, I'm so proud of him) and I have a second interview for a position with the National Trust (please wish me luck, I'd kill to get it!) so things are getting exciting over at Chez Randall-Jones. Also, I made a chuffin' great veggie lasagne the other day. Things are looking pretty lovely.