For most couples, getting engaged provokes a whirlwind of excitement; of celebrations, congratulations, general happiness and revelry. It's only after the dust begins to settle and the bride-to-be manages to tear herself away from the sparkly new bit of bling on her finger, that the angst begins.
For many, planning a wedding is fraught with stress; the term bridezilla was coined for a reason, after all. For those after the full shebang, there's an overwhelming amount to sort out: venues to find, invitations to send, flowers to choose, dresses to fall in (and out and back in) love with again, first dances to fret over, speeches to veto. The list goes on. And on. Just when you think you've got everything sorted comes the horrid realisation that the caterer's being serious, they haven't just added on a couple of noughts on to the price of the cake for a laugh.
While Kate Middleton may not have to worry about the budget, she's surely destined to have a few nights of fitful sleep before marrying Prince William on April 29. The (gilded) invitations to the royal wedding have been sent out and almost 1,900 people will watch her walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. Among them will be some 50 members of the royal family, leaders from Australia, New Zealand and Canada and 200 or so politicians. Six hundred of these guests will join the newly married couple for a lunchtime reception at Buckingham Palace, while an evening meal (which has been billed as intimate) will be attended by 300 friends and family.
On reflection and given those kinds of numbers, my current bridal trauma of trying to co-ordinate a seating plan for 150 guests doesn't seem so bad after all.
