Step 1...find a venue

Actually, I suppose step 1 is really get engaged, followed by step 2...buy a ring. But those were easy steps, they happened naturally, blissfully. I was happily preoccupied with the joys of getting engaged and jewellery shopping rather than spending any time writing blogs, as requested by Tara (my sister in America) who feels like she's missing all the fuss. So the blog is only starting now, at the venue step.

I'm starting to wish I was in America missing all the fuss! After seeing 6 venues my head is addled. Its a pretty simple requirement...good food and accommodation for 40 people with a bit of charm and reasonably affordable...thats pretty much it. How did it get so complicated? After watching me with barely concealed alarm as I fell in love with Adare Manor (has to be november on monday, tuesday or wednesday!), Sean (my h2b!) talked me down to the land of the living. It was a nice idea while it lasted though.

So now its a short list of 2 slightly more affortable venues...Bunratty Manor (h2bs choice involving good food, nice accommodation and absolutely zero magic/fairytale/bridal charm) and Coolbawn Quay (my choice involving major bridal charm, fabulous accommodation and quality of food yet to be determined). We're eating in Coolbawn at the weekend...please, please, please let it be nice.

I'm starting to see why people say secret of good marriage is compromise...just as well I'm not married yet!