We have lift off ...

The website is up and running now, www.thecelebrationherald.com, and so far no hitches. It is exactly how I wanted it so all thanks to Thom for his patience and creativity. www.thecelebrationherald.com

All systems are now go for my first event - The Wedding Affair at Duncombe Park in Helmsley on Sunday 21 February. The banner is ordered, as well as the dozens of French macaroons - in The Celebration Herald colours no less (but let's be honest that is because when I was agreeing colours with Thom I kept mentally returning to La Duree macaroons. All those lovely shades of pink, lilac, green and even black - which is NOT one of my colours!).

I realised I needed a cake stand of some sort, which was in keeping with my ethos of laid back tea time elegance and where else should I go but eBay. In the past week or so I have become an expert on the myriad and confusing types of cake stand on offer to ladies who take tea, and the catering trade. As of yesterday I am now the proud owner of a Copeland comport, pre-Spode, lovely piece of 'japonnaise' porcelain, dating from around 1857. It is delightful. Ivory porcelain with a tiny butterfly, bamboo and heron design. Fluted edges and base and just perfect for my stand. I can't wait to see it laden with macaroons - although I expect that the pattern will be visible for much of the day if reports of show visitor eating habits are anything to go by!

Yesterday I spent a lovely hour or so in the British Library. I can heartily recommend it as a great place to relax and given the lack of seating at Kings Cross these days it is ideal for having a cup of tea while waiting for your train back up North. Best of all though is seeing the words, "Reader I married him" in Charlotte Bronte's own handwriting, in and amongst a Pinter script and Lewis Carroll notes for Alice in Wonderland. If you've never been I can definitely say it is well worth a visit. Everything from the Magna Carta through Hayden's Messiah to Beatles and John Lennon compositions. Anyway there is a fabulous shop - great Valentine's card for husband - where I found the perfect visitor's book which I am going to use to log details for visitors to my stand.

Everything feels like it is coming together, well until it isn't I guess. If this blog does find its way out into the sightlines of any bride-to-be in Yorkshire please come to Duncombe Park on Sunday 21 February, I really do think you will want to see how wonderful your own Wedding Herald could be. Maybe without the tragic aspects of Jane Eyre, but your own "Reader I married him" tale to share with family and friends.