Judys Journey

The end of a perfect day

2008-05-23T01:18:00.001-07:00

The Godfather - but with a smile not threats

2008-05-23T01:14:00.000-07:00

The new Mrs Taylor - how come neither of them are wearing their "I climbed the wind turbine badge?"

The Bride, the Groom - and the Mums!

2008-05-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

OK, you caught me out - I DID wear a hat! Well, Mum of the Groom, Liliane was going to...she's on the left, it's me on the right - think it might be Tim and Sam in the middle.

It was a slightly unusual day...

2008-05-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Friend of Tim's Family (and much loved by Sam but she might have changed her mind) was asked to "do" a reading at the wedding ceremony - and had us all in hysterics with his poem of Turbine Tim and Super Sam.

More brave souls than we would have expected clambered the steps to the top of the Wind Turbine at Swaffhm's EcoTech Cenre in the sweltering heat....you could always tell the latest group down because they had a haunted look and were an interesting shade of red (and it wasn't sunburn - that came later).

Later in the evening, a surprise entertainment. Tim's Mum, Liliane, and Brian had joined forces to create the "The Goodlet Life". With the opening theme of the Good Life playing, they made an entrance in Green bin bags and wellies as Sam and Tim on their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Tim's present to Sam - a homegrown potato.

They start to row about their parents. In years to come Peter will be cruising the streets in his camper van, selling food - the Winchester Whooper goes down well. Tim's Dad sends Tim food parcels to help ease his 25 years married to a vegan, I am having long and involved conversations about road works on the A34 - even though I've been retired for 20 years, oh and Tim's Mum's in trouble for tap dancing in the post office and bursting into song every time the fridge light comes on – she’s become the Entertainments Officer at the local home for the bewildered, having starred in adverts for stair lifts and Tena Lady incontinence pads. Tim’s Brother Chris has become a Director for the BBC (Big and Bouncy Productions).

Liliane and Brian might just have found themselves a new career as wedding entertainers.

Now here's a cake you won't see everyday

2008-05-17T03:44:00.000-07:00

Peter's cake and wallhangings caused some gasps - particularly when the cake was cut with a Lord of the Rings blade - Sting!

They got through it!

2008-05-16T03:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what unnerved the Groom, Tim, more, the sound of Nina Simone singing "It's a new day", or the sight of Sam, but he was shaking so much the advice from the Registrar was to grab his hand and force the ring on, a softer approach and we'd be there all day! Success!

Trotting through Swaffham

2008-05-16T03:20:00.001-07:00

Sam's trotting along with her ring bearer, Ian and bridesmaids - and no-one batted an eyelid - in fact there was a Shoe Sale in the Assembly Rooms, as well as our wedding and one lady walked past the Registrar, three Bridesmaids, the Ring Bearer, the Proud Dad AND the Bride, and didn't even look at them!

It didn't rain!

2008-05-16T03:10:00.000-07:00

In fact we sweltered. When we left home for Norfolk on Friday we couldn't believe that after all those weeks of rain the sun was shining, it was hot, and the forecast was fabulous.

We filled up the camper van with the 120 Lavender plants (ALMOST in bloom), an enormous wall hanging Peter had made, metres of muslin and ribbons, fairy lights, tablecloths, napkins, wedding cake (three layers and the castle), THE dress, MY outfit, waistcoats, cravats, food and drink for all those staying with us and for a party on Sunday.....

We'd hired two holiday homes - an enormous converted barn - to put up 25 people - mainly Sam's friends from Cornwall, Wales and London, who gradually made their way there on Friday, too. It was great to have Sam and her best mates at the Barn on the night before the wedding.

Saturday morning and some of us dashed off to the Ecotech Centre to lay out tables put up the hangings and drapes and then dashed back to change.

Momentous moments as Sam struggled (I'd like to say slipped but anyone who has put on a long, layered dress knows that's not really the right word) into her dress, came downstairs on a beaming Dad's arm and then off in a coach we all went to Swaffham.

Skin Care and Make up for Crinklies

2008-05-16T03:00:00.000-07:00

Having had a couple of mini facials (just half an hour) it hit me that the old adage about cleanse, tone and moisturise is THE holy grail of skin care - not all the pots of promises on the shelves.

A really good cleanse and exfoliate (which I thinks better than a toner) meant skin was glowing - and whopping on moisture cream meant it looked plumped out. I hadn't noticed that in using one of those pots of promises there wasn't as much moisture being slathered on!

Okay, so the crinkles come bag big time when you grin - something I intend to do a lot of - and there maybe all sorts of expensive treatments to get to grips with that - but seems to me there's nothing wrong with that!

I did find a pot of Moisture Surge, which you can plonk on OVER your make-up throughout the day to plump things up again - made sure I bought a bag big enough to slip it in.

Make-up wise the most important thing was to get the foundation colour right and find one that looked fairly matte and would stay on. Haunting make-up counters and asking for samples really paid off. Mind you, when the assistant kept asking what type of moisturiser I used when I bought the foundation, I got quite defensive - I was determined that she wasn't going to sell me anything I didn't need. Which meant I nearly lost out on a free pot - it was a special offer - hadn't noticed!

Would you buy your special outfit from a Dress Agency?

2008-04-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

Dress Agencies (rather more upmarket than a second hand shop!) are a wonderful place to find outfits. Many people take their special occasion wear there to sell on. There are many Dress Agencies in our region - go have a look!

On the Charlie Crocker Show on BBC Radio Solent Ali Galvin came in with some wonderful outfits from her Dress Agency - The Clothes Line, Winchester.

I got a bit over excited - I got into a size 14 (was sure I'd only made it down to a 16) and I was quite surprised to find I didn't look too bad in an outfit in a colour I would never have put on normally - and what a hat!

This was a very special outfit - costing over a thousand pounds new, with the hat and shoes it was just under four hundred pounds at the Dress Agency. More extravagant than most, but it shows the sort of quality that you might find at a shop like this.

The quality gleams in the picture - there are those here that think I'm mad not to buy it - but the bias cut dress was a bit too sophisticated for me - yes, I look like Mum of the Bride, but didn't feel like Judy. In the context of a cheap and cheerful wedding this doesn't quiet fit the bill - so the sewing machine is still whirring away! What a treat to have a chance to try it though. Thanks, Ali.

Hen Night 2, Phase 1

2008-04-28T01:23:00.000-07:00

The Taxi driver was a bit startled to take a ladybird, fairy, six foot squirrel, man of the woods and a moth to the Chinese Restaurant in Stamford, where we caught up with the Green Man and his wife! Squirrel Nat was slightly startled by the woman who sighed "Oh Dear" as we trotted into the restaurant. Perhaps she only liked red squirrels.

After a great meal it was a taxi back to Peterborough and meeting up with more mates in a 70s disco!

Yes, too much WAS drunk so best to draw a veil over the rest of the evening!

However Ladybird Bride to be Sam declared it to be the best night ever (even if she did tell her Boss that he was the greatest boss in the world possibly more times than was prudent).

Things are hotting up - and not just the weather!

2008-04-25T01:36:00.000-07:00

Two weeks to go and Hen Night, The Return, beckons. This was on (there were two because Sam's friends are in the West and the East of the Country), then off - and suddenly (because the boys had such a good stag night last week) on again!

It's fancy dress, of course, so panic stations. This was the weekend to make my dress for the wedding and instead I shall be cavorting as a...a...moth! It's come as a woodland creature and with no time to create a bat or caterpillar outfit that brown dress and brown and gold scarf will have to do...oooh..and there are light up deeley boppers with little bunnies on the top! Can't wait!

Thank goodness it's getting warmer - sitting in the conservatory are 120 lavender plants with no hint of a blossom - not even a stem for the blossom to form on! Now I know what it's like getting ready for Chelsea! The plot was to get them from the nearest grower and purveyor to the wedding, but despite their stunning website and invitations to contact them by email, they ignored our two enquiries, so it's DIY time again! Maybe we can paint some leaves with purple blobs and spray lavender perfume around the room.....

I'm all made up!

2008-04-24T01:26:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday, the lovely Lucy Rossiter came into the studio. She's a makeup artist who specialises in Brides, Bridesmaids, Mum of the Bride (maybe even Dad if he fancies some mascara).

I learnt that I need to be braver with colour - I felt all that blusher looked too much but everyone I asked here at BBC Radio Solent said "Oh, have you got makeup on?!".

Here are the type of products Lucy used:

A luminous moisturiser - adds a brightness to the skin. I confess I think this is great on younger skins - at 55 I felt it drew attention to my crinkly bits!

A Mattifier - to be used on the "T Zone" where shine would appear

A foundation - Lucy used a very light Bourjois one - will go and investigate those!

Cream blusher which she then enhanced with a powder blusher

Bronzer - swept around the chin and forehead with a big brush

Concealer - the very light cream that goes under the eyes and on any dark lines - she paid particular attention to the area around my nostrils and the dark line down to the lips (will definitely practise that!)

Two shades of eyeshadow - gold and brown - the gold was swept all over the brow bone, the brown on the lower lid. I think I'd use a touch of green and a slightly paler gold to try and make my eyes a little larger. To be fair to Lucy we pushed her on time and the lighting in the studio was terrible!

Eyeliner on the top and bottom lids

Mascara - waterproof of course!

Lipliner and lipstick

NO powder (apart from the blusher and bronzer) as it falls into crinkly bits and emphasises them

A make-up lesson is a great way to catch up with modern products and to have some-one nudge you out of your safety zone! If you search on the Internet on Bridal Make-up you're bound to find a make-up artist in your area. The beauticians in stores will of course help, but you will be under pressure to buy particular products. Your local spa can probably offer help. If your local College has a Beauty Therapy Department (and a lot do), they're bound to offer lessons, too.

I'm off to practice - oh, and I'm having a facial tonight so will update you on skin care tips later!

Don't faint, I've made my jacket!

2008-04-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm sure it's bad luck to see the whole jacket before the wedding (only 'cos Sam hasn't seen it yet!) so here's a sneaky peak at the embroidery detail. Done by my glorious machine - all I have to do is work out where to plonk the pattern so it (a) looks vaguely right and (b) is precisely positioned when a repeat is done on the other side - nearly made me seek out the wine bottle opener!

Fingers crossed I'll have something to wear it with by the 10th!

Stamford, Spamalot - it must be the Stag Night

2008-04-21T01:01:00.001-07:00

If you were in the beautiful town of Stamford, Lincolnshire on Saturday you would have been a bit startled! King Arthur (Sam's intended, Tim) and his knights were on a quest (which seemed to be alcohol related). Based on Spamalot, and Monty Python's Holy Grail, everyone entered into the spirit of things - including hubby Peter and son Adam....all rode horses (well, clashed coconut shells together and bobbed up and down) and puzzled the waiters in the Indian Restaurant they invaded "What is this night stag?".

Two of his knghts - Husband, Peter and Son, Adam, on their way - where did we put the coconuts?

By Heck, I don't think Lolita would wear "Solutions Underwear"

2008-04-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the scarey image, but seeing that, I'm not sure I would, either! Wow they sound tempting though - drop a dress size and have lovely smooth lines - let me at them!

As promised, Kim from Debenhams joined us on the Charlie Crocker Show yesterday with a selection of pull-me push-you undies. Thanks to Trinny and Suzannah and "How to look good naked" sales in the UK of this type of lingerie are soaring - and having been intrigued for a while, I was really grateful to have the chance to try them

First up - Spanx High Waist Power Panty, they go from just above the knee to just above the waist - I was surprised that they felt and looked more like very thick tights than the lycra I'd expected. You also need to know your height and your weight in pounds to work out what size you need. They were VERY hard to get on - and we hit a snag. I'm tall, about five foot ten, and longer from hip to waist than most - so what should have been a nice high waist lurked low on my bulky bits! They took one centimetre (less than half an inch) off my waist, the good bit was the two centimetres off my hips. Boy, they were hot - I'd have been whipping them off once the dancing starts! Yes, I've got a photo, but it will take some editing before I dare put it up - the faces of the innocent need to be removed!

Next was a thong style pair of support pants - thongs have always bothered me - although enthusiastic wearers have always told me they are really comfy I've always wondered what medication they were taking that let them think that! Easy to get on, I felt if they'd been a more normal knicker shape they would have been comfy - but - no difference at all to waist or hips - although they do give a nice smooth line.

Last up was the Waist Nipper - rather like a corset, it's a stretchy tube that goes from hip to just below the bust - and this one had plastic boning. Not too hard to heave up over the hips and it was the most successful at pulling in that waist - two centimeters (nearly an inch off). My lungs felt a bit squished and you'd need to wear a lined dress so that you don't see the ridges of the boning.

Lurking in my drawers (!) I've a pull me push you petticoat - which gives a great line from bust to thigh - I've had it a while, so it's more bulky than modern ones - so I'm off to see if the new fabrics make this style even more successful. Once again, I suspect it's my height that makes this the best option for me.

Funniest bit of the session - daughter Sam, who was listening on-line in her office in Peterborough, emailed Charlie and then was forced on-air! Wicked child was munching biscuits and laughing at the thought of me being squished into various instruments of torture. Better be careful, kiddo - I can make sure that boning in your wedding dress prods you every time you move!

Can't wait for Thursday, 17th April

2008-04-16T01:44:00.000-07:00

On the Charlie Crocker Show on BBC Radio Solent at about 2.00pm tomorrow I'm going to wiggle into all sorts of pull me push you undies!

Kim from Debenhams in Southampton is bringing in a variety of "Solutions underwear" (love that name!). I'm bringing in a tape measure and a dress I've only just been able to wiggle back into again recently.

We're going to try out magic knickers, waist nippers, magic thongs, spanx things and judge how easy they are to get into, how they look under the dress, measure to see how much has been heaved in and also find out how comfy (or not) they are!

I PROMISE to make a note of them all and publish the results as soon as possible. Bring them on!

Him in the kitchen turns table cloth maker

2008-04-16T01:37:00.000-07:00

The Ecotech Centre has never had a wedding before - and never used quite so many tables. Daftly, when they announced they didn't have enough table clothes (and no napkins) I blithely said we'd sort up the shortfall.

Thanks to Him in the Kitchen and Internet Auction Sites we have 120 napkins for about a fiver (which we'll sell again later) and metres of pink sheeting for the remaining table clothes (cunning plan is to give everyone bedding for Christmas, hope they all like pink).

We had to go on-line to get metres of coloured thread for the over locker (which cuts and sews a neat edge). You can only buy basic shades in the shops but out there are on the web there's a feast of colours! After a quick lesson last night he's got his instructions for today!

Wonder if I can get him running up my jacket by the end of the week....

I DID sneak back for my fabric to make fringe

2008-04-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

Would you believe that when I got back to the curtain fabric counter and hoicked the last bit of the roll onto the counter - it wasn't quite the same! No fringe!

I'd decided I could make myself a bag wedding cushion with the bit of fabric I didn't really need but wanted the edge of.

We found larger rolls, smaller rolls, all very similar but none exactly the same .. I think the poor woman thought I was beyond batty.

Humm...back to pondering about embellishment. Better ponder soon or I'll run out of making up time.

Don't tell Brown Owl...

2008-04-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

But I had a drink, well - more really. Fiddlesticks! Monday was our 35th Wedding Anniversary and when Him in the Kitchen offered wine I really meant it when I said No....but then he, who only has about two glasses a wine year said he was going to open one of the "special" bottles. You know the ones - it's a special occasion, some-one brings something SO much better than you would normally buy, you save it for later...and now it's ten years later. So who could resist! A glass last night, a glass tonight..oh and a little bit of port....I'll jump on that wagon again tomorrow!

Hey, this Make-up's subtle

2008-04-14T02:34:00.000-07:00

Now, I wouldn't be a girl if I didn't see the wedding as a chance to update my make-up. Have you seen the new blushers and eye-shadows with the little brushes on the top. Great idea. Snaffled one of each, pottered home, removed the stopper, waved the brushes around - was surprised how subtle it look, but it seemed quite pretty.

Next day, there didn't seem to be much on the brushes, or on my skin, so investigated - and discovered the powder DOESN'T magically come out through the top, on to the brush - you have to unscrew the brush and wave it at the pot.....not convinced there's much point (although handy in the camper van). Colours are nice, though!

If you can't splash out on skin creams now, when can you?

2008-04-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

Whilst out shopping on Saturday I stocked up on creams for pretty much every part of my crinkly body. Hand cream, toning type cream for arms, legs, tums and bum and for the first time ever some different eye cream to add to the usual moisturiser.

Was astonished at how huge the market is and how many different products there are now. Look for the cheapest, Jude....

The one thing that always amazes me is how quickly you can see an improvement on bits you don't usually bother with. Particularly body toning cream. Being a stingy sort I bought the cheapest I could find which means it smells a bit suspicious but by heck, it makes skin look and feel better. Makes me wonder if the stuff that promises to help you slim as well as be smoother is worth the extra, or if it won't offer much more than it's cheaper sister. After all, I can always hand out clothes pegs when people get close....

Have I sorted out my outfit? Dream on!

2008-04-14T02:07:00.001-07:00

So many people looked exasperated with me last week I scuttled into Southampton first thing on Saturday on a mission to sort out my outfit (less than a month to go now so I guess it's about time!).

I started with the curtain fabric department of John Lewis for the jacket - curtain fabric is firmer than dress fabric - great. Fell in love with a light cream and gold brocade...but what would I put it with?

Nothing in the dress fabric department (a plea to buyers everywhere - can you remember those of us with peachy skin tones when you fall in love with the fabrics that suit your rosey glow?). Off to Fabricland and found a pale yellow chiffon which with a dark yellow lining could pass for gold. Tried to get back to buy the jacket fabric but by heck by eleven o'clock parking at West Quay is pretty much impossible.

Pottered home with my find, tried machine embroidering the chiffon to see if it could take the strain - it could - and then turned the house upside down looking for the much loved pattern I was going to use for the dress. OK - I'm now paying the price for being Little Miss Messy and tidying up at Christmas by hiding things in cupboards - I KNOW it's somewhere!

Couldn't decide if I'd want a coat of jacket of the brocade and to my amazement DREAMT I saw the outfit made up with the short jacket. In case it will look as good in real life as in dreamland, I scuttled off to get the fabric - it's now cut out and ready to go! The fringe on the selvedge makes a great trim - trouble is I need more fabric to get more fringe - seems a bit extravagent but if you see me sneaking guiltily back to the shop, you'll know what I'm up to.

By heck, I'd like a glass of wine

2008-04-11T00:55:00.001-07:00

Having decided to give up the grape until the wedding (I'm curious - will it make my eyes sparkle, my skin brighter and my waist thinner - oh yes, please) if you'd been in my vicinity with a large, cold glass of the dryish stuff last night I'd have had your hand off!

Daughter Sam (always wise) reminded me that whenever you give something day three is the toughest...she muttered something about eating a potato instead....she used to find winters very difficult, with a bad bout of SAD most years, then read Potatoes not Prozac, which recommends swapping sugar for protein and carbohydrates and has been SO much better since ....the author's website http://www.radiantrecovery.com/ has helped her a lot, too.

Mind you, Sam called because she had to come home from work early with a migraine - don't think she's had one since her GCSEs. I suspect a new job and something about a wedding might be contributing. She also realised she'd been cutting back on naughty foods since Monday and was possibly going through a bad moment, too.

Oh, the joys! The wedding is a month tomorrow - and there's a slight sense of panic setting in!

To hat or not to hat?

2008-04-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

With the wedding just over a month away people are starting to ask - are you going to wear a hat? Seems a bit premature to me as I have no idea what any part of me will be clad in yet...although I'm still hankering after those shoes... http://www.coast-stores.com/fcp/product/-/Shoes/Anjolie/6110000433

On Julian's Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent this morning there were hats galore - and I PROMISE that I'll visit a hat shop, learn about shapes, take some piccies and let you comment on them ...but it might be a bit like voting for post office closures, I may take your advice and then completely ignore it.

Of course, I wore a hat at a very beautiful, and formal, Catholic wedding ceremony last year, but this is a more casual affair. It's meant to be a cheap and cheerful wedding too, so I'd rather spend the money on a trip to the hairdressers for those high and low-lights (OK - I know those shoes are VERY extravagant but at the moment I'm only dreaming).

Him in the kitchen bakes the cake

2008-04-09T07:45:00.001-07:00

When I arrived home yesterday the house was filled with the yummy of smell of baking, and a very red husband was lurking in the kitchen. He's been perfecting the recipe for a while.

He'd "whipped up" three tiers of vegan fruit cake - in the stainless steel bucket we'd bought to make my Mum and Dad's Golden Wedding Anniversary cake several years ago. TWO bucket loads. Three HUGE cakes - I think we're feeding the 5,000.

Most frustrating thing - an overwhelming desire to eat a slice of fruit cake! Wonder if I took it off the bottom he'd notice......

I've taken the pledge!

2008-04-08T02:28:00.001-07:00

No those glasses are NOT all mine - that's Nat, me and Kathy at Sam's Chicken Night in Exeter.

Having drained the last of my birthday wine from the weekend it's time to take the pledge.....intrigued to read that an LA Skin Guru forces his Oscar Celebs to stay tee-total for the six weeks before the ceremony because of the impact of all that glorious wine on the skin. Fiddlesticks...and then all the Diet Gurus go - oh, all those calories. One small glass might not have many but I prefer my wine by the bucketload. So the drinks cupboard is in lock down....the corkscrew hidden..wonder how long I'll last?

Recycled forks

2008-04-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Sam and Tim pondered a bit about wedding rings. Should they be second hand? Should they melt down the little stack of rings from various Grandparents? Neither was quite right. So, off to Cambridge to the Hairy Growler - who creates jewellery from old cultery!

At Sam's Hen Night in Exeter (renamed chicken night to ensure no hanky panky), one of the Bridesmaids' Mums, Sheila, came too - heard what was afoot and sent some forks! Off the forks, Sam and Tim went to the Growler and, fingers crossed, the forks will reappear in their new form, any day now.....

At least the Bride has shoes

2008-04-07T06:05:00.001-07:00

When Sam popped back last week, I went to work happy that by the time I got home the dress would be nearly complete. Was it heck - she'd snuck into Winchester to buy shoes and was busy decorating them when I got back. Ah well, as least she's got SOMETHING to wear.

Forget Sam's dress, what am I going to wear?

2008-04-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's only just over a month, there's Sam's dress to finish and my outfit to make (I think - Producer Vicky on the Charlie Crocker Show feels there MUST be something out there I would buy so she's chucking me out of the door of Broadcasting House on a quest).

The main reason I make my clothes is I'm such a WEIRD shape - and for the last few years have sported a huge tummy that made me a size 18/20. Being tall means it never looked that huge, but I knew......and being tall has it's own horrors for clothes buying. BUT Jumping up and down like a constipated chicken to the Strictly Dancercise DVD Santa Claus bought me before I head out to work (or if I've got up a bit late, Pilates) and swimming every lunch hour means that my midriff has shrunk by 10 inches - and the weight's gone down by a stone and a half. For the first time I feel perhaps I could find something I'd enjoy wearing - instead of trying to find a way to detract from said bulge.

Apparently I should have sorted out my outfit months ago, but if you can't get motivated to sort yourself out when you know that in 10 months time there will be piccies to stick into the family album, you'll never get motivated. I've seen some glorious shoes - seems a good place to start.....wonder if they'll pinch.....

The cake is evolving, too

2008-04-07T02:43:00.000-07:00

Husband Peter has perfected the recipe for the vegan wedding cake.

Sam's asked for a castle. I thought she meant something like the pink confection I made for her sixth birthday - different length Swiss rolls with icing swirled around and little silver doilies for turrets.

Seems she was hoping for something more sophisticated! After looking at Castle Cakes online, and discovering many had Castle "tops" rather than cake turrets, Peter disappeared for a few days - and came up with something that can come out every Christmas! Yes - it DOES light up!

10th May, 2008 is THE day

2008-04-07T02:19:00.000-07:00

That daughter Sam will marry Tim. Here's Tim, Sam, Me and Lilliane (Tim's Mum) this Christmas. Peter took the picture - we'll find another one to torment him with later.

She met him in Cyberspace nearly two years ago - little emails, then long emails, short phone calls, then really long phone calls before they were able to meet for the first time - well he was in Peterborough and she was in Cornwall.

Sam was also looking for a new job and one of the first that bobbed up was in - yes, Peterborough.

Tim's great, although we have a language barrier - he's from Manchester and finds our accents VERY hard to cope with!

Then last summer, the phone call from our daughter who was NEVER going to get dressed up like a sweet and be given by one man to another man saying....uuummm.....could a girl change her mind?! Of course she can - isn't that the whole point of being female.

They wanted to get married at the EcoCentre in Swaffham, Norfolk, http://www.ecotech.org.uk/ ,where they had their first date...Tim's a green engineer and whisked her (well made her clamber) to the top of the wind turbine there. They don't have a wedding license and had never had a reception - but carried away by the romance, agreed that Sam and Tim, keen to have an eco friendly wedding, could have their reception with them.

So, no cut flowers (although we're not yet sure if Sam might have a very small bouquet) - pot plants on the tables, which will be the wedding favours - wrapped in paper, tied with string and with a label for the place setting.

The bridesmaids have all been given money to buy their outfits - the only stipulation is that they are the same colour and that they can be worn again. We've made wraps for them all so they look as if they belong to the wedding party!

Sam's dress (which we're making together) is a mixture of old and new fabric - and can be cut short in the hope of another airing in the future!

Husband Peter has found a huge box of waistcoats and cravats on an Internet auction site.

Most guests, and possibly even the Bride, will arrive by bus