Four Days and Counting

Just back from The Final Fitting of THE DRESS which is now hanging, swathed in a white protective carrier, on the back of the bedroom door. I'm actually surprised I can see to type as I'm still moist-eyed and soggy. I sniffed bravely as Elle stepped into it, snuffled not-at-all-bravely as the fitters all fussed around nipping and tucking, then howled uncontrollably as she finally swept into the showroom.

O-M-G. All those years ago when Elle was tiny and she'd teeter around the bedroom in my shoes and a net curtain playing weddings I'd hoped that one day it'd be the Real Thing. And now it is. And she looked so beautiful (of course I'm TOTALLY unbiased) - and that's without the hair-do and the make-up and the additional tiddly accessory things... She'll blow them away... She looked radiant and calm and just so HAPPY. The dress is sensational - just right for the princess wedding she's always wanted -and so is she... Elle, if you're reading this, I'm SO proud to be your mum.

Then there were the bridesmaids to final-fit, and me - and the whole place was awash with net and silk and frou-frous of every imaginable type. And despite us being in crack-of-dawn Tuesday morning scruffy-ish hair and minimal slap, I think we all looked wonderful. And in FOUR days time it'll be the Real Thing. FOUR days!!!

On Sunday the boys had their final suit fittings and they were transformed too. And yes, I cried - again. Writing has been abandoned, emails have gone unanswered (sorry!), all normal life is on hold until After The Wedding. I'm wallowing in every joyous minute of this. And it's all gone wonderfully to plan - except for the weather forecast of course - and they might be wrong about that (and even if they aren't it's the one thing we can't alter so I am not going to worry about it - honest)...

There is one other minor hiccup which I'll gloss over in as few a words as possible as I've done my stomping and swearing and ranting and screaming in private. The Toyboy Trucker's family have decided (at the eleventh hour) that they won't be coming.

I'm not going to expand on the reasons why or how I feel about it because the blog would probably explode - but suffice it to say the "family" table will now look a little bare... As I have no family it was all down to my in-laws to wave the flag for our side. Something they all seem unable to do now - despite all having replied to their invites in the affirmative. I'm hurt, Elle's hurt, The Toyboy Trucker is hurt - but hell, that's families for you. I'm actually glad today that I haven't got one.

All our friends, some of whom are travelling immense distances, Elle's friends, The Doctor's friends and family (who will be there in supportive force, bless them) and the entire estate (and you should see some of their wedding outfits - amazing!!!) will more than make up for the ill-manners of my outlaws (who you'll be unsurprised to know I have now excommunicated for ever). And it's their loss - and all the more food and drink for the rest of us.

And as everyone told me there'd be at least one hitch, and everything else has gone smoothly, if the lack of family support is the hitch then so be it. We won't miss them - but I have a feeling they may well miss us in the future.

Am now going to help Elle pack her trousseau (isn't that a lovely old-fashioned romantic word?) for their honeymoon - they're off to Hawaii for three weeks and I'm not in the smidgiest jealous (hah!) - and practice walking on my killer heels again and try to rehearse my in-service reading without bawling...

Four days to go!!!!!