Wedding Diary of a Destination Bride - Ruth and Jason

Ruth and Jason wedding dairy of a destination bride, Vardioli Beach Wedding, Zante Zakynthos

Ruth and Jason will marry on the 29th of August in a beautiful wedding ceremony at Vardioli in Zakynthos, with 48 family and friends. Here we follow Ruth during the final weeks of their planning.

What has been the most stressful part of planning your wedding so far?

Has to be getting everyone together and deciding who to invite to the actual wedding and who to invite to the party when we return.

We've both got huge families so it has been a bit of a nightmare. We wanted to invite everyone but we just havent got a venue big enough so If we have forgotten anyone, Im sorry! xx

I stupidly took responsibility for the holiday booking for me, Jay and Jays kids and another 23 people. By the time the balance had to be paid, 4 people decided that they couldnt come so liaising with the travel agent became such a burden and took the fun away from it... Moral of the story, make people book their own holiday.

Other things that stressed me out was the table planning. My Mum and Dad have been divorced for 16 years and dont speak to each other. Then there is their families!! Hopefully the way I have set it out will work, if not, tough!! Its my day and I dont care!! LOL It was touch and go that Jay may have lost his job, which was a huge worry but luckily enough he was ok, shame about the other guys though.

Other than that it has actually been a breeze. Not having to worry about cars, venues, chair covers, nick nacks for the table, flowers etc etc... I just couldnt be bothered with all of that so thanks Lisa!!! x

Has the experience been what you expected so far?

It has been better than I expected. Lets be honest, I havent had to do anything apart from the dresses and pay for everything. All I have to do now is get excited for the day.

What are you looking forward too the most?

I cant wait to be Jays wife!!!!! Im looking forward to wearing my dress and getting my hair all curly (such straight hair!!!). Everyone enjoying themselves in such beautiful surroundings and not having it too formal.

I'm hoping all the guys are in shorts and the girls are in pretty dresses. Oh, and the Greek food, Mmmmmmmmmmm. Most of all, Im just really looking forward to spending quality time with my husband when everyone has gone home. He works nights so we spend very little time together so it will make a nice change.

Oh, and visiting smugglers cove again, it is amazing! I want to hire a smallish boat that can go in to the caves as it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.

Tell us about any dilemmas you've come across planning a wedding abroad that you maybe didn't expect.

None Absolultely nothing at all. Everything has gone really smoothly so far... watch this space!

What have you done this week to get ready for your wedding?

I cant decide what to have in my hair as I dont want to wear a veil. I was thinking little flowers but finding it hard to find what I want so I visited a habidatiary and picked up some pretty little ivory flowerys with diamantes. I'll ask my little cousin, who's doing my hair at the wedding, to try it out and see what it looks like. I will give you an update when we've tried and tested.

I've been on a mission tonight dropping off invitations to friends and family for the party when we return. That is a nightmare when you have been in work all day and just want to put your feet up. But it is nice to see everyone.

Paid the deposit for my 2nd hen doo. Going to a Greek restaurant to get us ready for the shennanigans. They do Greek dancing, belly dancing (not very Greek!) and plate smashing... cant wait. 35 of us so far and still more adding on. We will be taking over the restaurant at this rate. I have taken just over a week to recover from the 1st hen doo which I had in Alton Towers! A day in the theme park and then we stayed over in Splash Landings on site there. It was amazing, I think... Everyone had a great time and my cheif bridesmaid Helen did me proud. We had a ball!!!

We received our E111 cards today. Well you never know if you're going to need it. I always think that insurance is enough but recently a friend of ours had to visit the hospital with her Asthma and if she didnt have this card, the treatment would have cost her hundreds and the insurance wouldnt have covered it!! Take a leaf out of this book if you dont already have one!

I went to my friends house to try her 6 year old daughters bridesmaid dress on. She looks so cute in it, cant wait to see her on the day with her hair all done. She's lost her 2 front teeth as well which makes her look doubly cute!

The other bridesmaids have their fitting on 24th July and my next fitting is on 31st July. Only a few weeks before the wedding so a little worried incase any of us gain a few pounds as us girls do. I'm sure we will be fine. Sick of bloody dieting though! Lost a stone so I'm happy with that. No more or I will look ill.

Last Monday we visited the registry office for the certificates of no impediment. So the certificates will be ready on 14th July, day after my birthday. Nice birthday present!!! This is when it will become more real I think because right now it just feels like Im going on holiday with a load of friends and family and the enormity of it all hasnt set in!

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