Good afternoon girls and guys I hope everyone is well and enjoying the sunshine. How glorious is this weather in the UK right now? I feel like the sun has finally made an appearance and Spring has sprung so I now find myself saying 'I hope the weather is like this on our big day' on repeat to anyone that will listen.

Paul and I have come a long way on our wedding planning journey from that perfect beach in Koh Lanta when we first got engaged. Thinking back to that evening I can still remember the ping of excitement in my stomach, the lump in my throat, the tears in my eyes and that rush of excitement and now here we are, 10 days to go and I will be Mrs Curtis! Before I start to reminisce and potentially cry into my keyboard I want to share with you what's happened over the last 6 weeks.

I Love My Girls!

I have to say I am one lucky lady, not only do I have the most wonderful bridesmaids I have the most amazing friends and family a girl could ask for. Charlotte and Laura organised the best hen do ever! FACT! The shenanigans took place Bath, the girls rented a gorgeous, well actually it was bloody stunning, I would even go as far as to say a spectacular townhouse for my hen weekend, you can see it here.

We arrived at the house on the Friday afternoon and ran around it pretty much like kids, very similar to The Apprentice when the contestants run round the uber cool pad that Alan Sugar has splashed out on, I even think I ran into our bathroom screamed, jumped up and down and clapped my hands with excitement. This house was perfect to hold the hen do, it had everything you need and could think of. Soon after the tour was over, believe me this took a while as there were 5 floors we heard knocks at the door. It then hit me, this was my hen do, my friends, everyone had planned this and come to Bath to spend time with me and I was touched and totally ready for some champagne!

Both Laura and Charlotte had put a lot of effort into making the weekend as special as possible and for that I will always be in their debt. I decided that for me it felt right to share this special weekend with my family, Paul's mum, my mum and step-mum and Paul's sister as well as 13 of my closest girlfriends. We had a hen tea party to start with which meant we could all sit around and eat cake, I was impressed so many of the girls had actually baked. My soon to be sister in law Liz shocked me the most with her baking skills when she presented me with what I can only describe as something of a work of art, this will be a memorable moment for years to come I'm sure.

After playing lots of funny games at the house on Friday evening and then a bit of shopping in Bath Saturday morning with more games and giggles on Saturday afternoon and some serious girly pampering we were then getting ready to head out for a bit of dinner and dancing. We had a fantastic time even though the Mr and Mrs quiz over dinner revealed a lot more about mine and Paul's relationship than I'm sure our mothers needed to know I didn't care as it was hilarious and everyone had a fantastic evening. A group of us then continued the party and I managed to stay upright, well almost, ok that's a total lie, but we all think we are Superwoman on occasion right?

Hen Do Top Ten Highlights

My hen do is such a memorable weekend and I've learnt a lot.

1. I have some of the best friends a girl could ever need or ask for, I had THE best time. It was lovely relaxing, catching up, chatting and hanging out with all the girls. 18 woman in one house pretty much meant there was a lot of laugher and hilarious conversations none of which shall be repeated.
2. My friends can bake delicious cakes, Amy and Faye's carrot cake was especially lush!
3. 18 woman can consumer a lot of fizz, or was that just me?
4. Woman practise their pout even when they are only kissing a piece of paper!
5. My friends can easily embarrass me when I least expect, thanks Latham!
6. Paul's sister Liz is funnier than Paul, I'm on the fence here but we all love Liz
7. Charlotte will literally do anything for me the mental girl, including holding my hand as I fall asleep because in my drunken state I told her that's what Paul would do (really!!)
8. Laura is the creative queen of crafting, she needs her own business this one
9. I need to see my friends more, I cried when I got home, part hungover partly I was back hanging out living with a boy again, where did all the girls go...
10. Finally, if in doubt nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana...Batmaaaaaan!

Boys Will Be Boys

The following weekend it was the boys turn. As you would expect I have very little to share as boys are harder to crack than girls with gossip, it's very much 'what goes on tour stays on tour' and so it should be really. The boys all 17 of them went to Bristol and from I gather spent most of their time drinking, drinking a bit more, playing drinking games oh and then they went shooting and karting, not in that order! Shooting and karting with a hangover, really? Anyway sounds like they all has a brilliant time, they looked pretty wrecked when they returned so I'm sure that meant it was a success. Paul's friends arranged what could only be described as the world's worst Manchester United kit, given Paul is a huge Liverpool fan this wasn't his preferred outfit of choice but when you are the stag what choice do you have, at least it wasn't a mankini!

So, apart from both of us hanging out with our mates and probably drinking too much, what else has been happening in the land of Curtis Brown? We we've continued to craft our way through the weeks and done some serious honeymoon shopping, my summer wardrobe is looking pretty darn good right now!

Looking Back Over Our Journey

When we first started this journey I am pretty sure Paul thought I had turned into a crazy bride with all my wacky ideas and things that needed doing but over time I think he has managed to draw out those ideas and turn them into wonderful decorations. It's been tiring, emotional, sticky and messy and although I'm sure we've both lost our finger prints with that slightly dangerous glue gun I wouldn't change a second as it's been a real learning curve. Yes there have been moments where I have felt unbelievably stressed or overwhelmed but we have tackled this wedding together and I feel it's brought us closer and made us stronger.

We have really thought about what is important to us as a bride and groom and put us first. We are not that traditional bride and groom, we've lived together for a good few years now and although I would love a John Lewis wedding list it's just not needed. We have abolished several traditional things from the list of wedding day musts for example we are going for a top table of our friends as that's what we want. Our families have been amazing; they have appreciated and understood that this is our day. They have helped and supported and spent hours making things and listening to us go on and on about our wedding and for that we are truly grateful.

10 Days To Go... Don't Panic!

So how do I feel as a bride to be with 10 days to go? I get asked this question several times a day at work; honestly I'm a little nervous, anxious and excited. Yes we have both woken up in the night with dreams about wedding day issues, mine that the tables aren't laid our correctly (get a grip, I'm such a control freak) Paul that someone has taken his cue cards for his speech, yes he has spent a vast amount of time prepping this speech and that just makes me even more proud that I am marrying this man.

I honestly cannot wait to become Mrs Curtis. I love Paul with all my heart and 100% know he is the man I want to spend my life with, he loves me, he makes me laugh and he always puts me and us first. If the wedding favours aren't exactly in the right place or I trip a bit as I walk down the aisle, sod it who cares, at the end of the day I just want to marry Paul and commit to our relationship in front of our nearest and dearest, ok, so maybe I am crying a wee little right now!

Rock My Wedding what can I say, it's been emotional. I've loved sharing my experiences with you all and thank your all for listening to me bang on and on and for being so supportive. The other RMW Real Brides, girls you are absolute legends and I feel lucky to have virtually met you all. Us 6 started a private Facebook group and talk on a daily basis, without these 5 girls I don't know where I would be, I just wish we all lived closer, seriously who knew our year would be the world wide RMW Real Brides crew, girls I salute you, thank you for always being there!

It's time for me to shut up and get a tissue. RMW, see you on the other side, Jackie Brown is out of here, I'll be back as Mrs Curtis someday soon to show you how this story ends, or actually, how our new story begins as Mr and Mrs Curtis. Wish me luck!

Lots of love