I'm sure you've all heard about the engagement by now, and I hope that you're as excited as Beth and I are. Because we're living a little far away from most of you now we thought it would be a good idea to put all the information on the wedding plans on the web so you can keep up to date. So the story begins on....
24th December 2003
A large group of old friends always meet up in the Skylark on Christmas Eve. It's never organised, you just go there if you're in town. For me it's the start of Christmas celebrations proper and it's great to see people you haven't seen for a year or longer.
Dave and Ruth between them thought it was a great idea to tell everyone that I'd got engaged (Not sure why, possible because they're nasty people). I lost count of the number of people who came to wish me congratulations, and I was started to get a little annoyed. My solution was to start telling people that Beth and I had broken up and the wedding was Dave's idea of a joke. This ensured that everyone went and told Dave just how much of a bad man he was.
That'll teach you, Pilch.
Christmas came and went, but the incident didn't completely escape my mind. You suddenly realise that you're growing older and decisions which seemed years in the future might now need making.
June 2004
The summer was, as usual, full of time spent in the garden drinking beer. Mike asked me in passing if I had any intention of proposing and I *stupidly* told him that I was considering it. After this day him and Emily must have hassled me about it everytime they saw me...arrghhh!
The move to Macclesfield was coming and I decided that it seemed right. If I was prepared to move to Macclesfield with Beth then I was prepared to marry her. The original plan was to propose immediately after we moved, but circumstances eventually dictated that it wasn't a good idea. I hadn't planned much anyway, so I put it to the back of my mind.
October 2004
Beth's birthday, and we'd just settled in Macc. Everyone came to Macclesfield (as I'm sure you all, except Anna, will remember!) for a celebration and I got yet more stick from Mike and Em about proposing. I decided that the timing was now good, and on the Monday after took a visit to Cottrills' in Macc. I would strongly reccommend a visit here to anyone who's looking for a ring. Not only is the building fantastic and the customer service excellent; the rings (which they make themselves) are second to none. A slightly lighter bank account later, I was ready for the deed.
20th November 2004
It took a while to summon up the courage. It took even longer to find a free day to do it. We've been rather busy since we've moved to Macc and we never have a day free. I decided that I wanted to propose at home with good food and good wine, but it still needed to be right. There's a fine line between perfection and tackiness, and it's going to be an event that you remember forever.
In the event I think I got this right. I'm not going to tell you the details here - I'll leave that to Beth. All you need to know is that she said yes!
27th November 2004
This weekend we told the parents. Some people thought it was a bit strange to wait seven days, but we wanted to do it face to face and we wanted to ensure there was enough time to discuss it with them. We think everyone was happy with our decision - no one's complained yet. We're trying to put the planning off until after Christmas, and then there's a lot to do!
23th December 2004
It's been a while since this was updated, but then not at lot has happened. We spent the last month having fun telling everyone and celebrating, and now we need to get on with the planning. Or maybe we'll leave that till the new year.
For those of you that don't know there's this idea circulating about having the wedding in the chapel of St. Pauls. The wedding will be down south for sure, and St. Pauls does seem like a chance too good to turn down, but we haven't really made up our minds. Email me and tell me what you think - I'd be interested to know.
20th January 2005
Paaarrrttttyyy!! The engagement party is now set for the 5th March in Macclesfield. The local pub has been booked for the occassion and we're all very excited. If you think you should be invited then you probably are - so keep the date free in your diary and wait for your invite to turn up.
We think that everybody might as well make a weekend of it and therefore we're happy for people to start arriving on Friday. We suggest that everybody sorts out their own accomodation - we'll be able to put a few people up here but you all know how small this place is.
Finally, give me a shout if you need directions or any help with transport. It'd be useful if as many people shared cars as possible (That's you: Dave & Mike. If the girls can get five in a Micra, then you should be able to get four in a Sierra) which will save money and hopefully the environment.
Pictures will be on the website after the party.
16th February 2005
So, the invites have been sent and I hope you've all put the date in your diary. Information is now available on accomodation and some directions to the venue. Just follow the links on the right.
See you there!