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Reports of recent gatherings

Midlands Gathering
Held on Sunday 16th September 2001 at the Walkabout Australian Bar, Broad Street, Birmingham

From left to right: Nikki, Rachel, Caralyn, Ellen, Kerry

After trying for ages to get a date when more than 2 of us were free, and allowing for a couple of people who had unexpected problems (or unexpected
hangovers - Kate!!!) Five of us finally met up in Birmingham, coming from Coventry, Leicester and Redditch as well as Brum itself. Poor Kerry and Rachel probably thought they'd been stood up, since I sort of underestimated the time it would take to get from New Street to the bar - sorry!

The only large table free already had 2 guys on it, but they were happy to share - or so they first thought... pity the poor lads when we all laid wedding mags on the table and started girly wedding chatter! I think they were quite relieved when we moved on a bit later! A few other small groups of men seemed fairly interested in a large group of women together - little did they know that in less than a year we will all be happily married!

We managed to establish a "midlands concensus" that fancy attendants pressies, favours, floral chair backs and cash bars really aren't at all necessary, and that if we had everything we were "meant" to have (according to magazines etc), we would all be bankrupt by now! What a relief! And, well-rounded women that we are (!) we even managed to talk about non-wedding subjects!

We didn't stay too late, since we all either had work the next day, children to look after, or a fiancé needing advice on shoes! (did he get them Rachel?), but it was great to put faces to names and we all agreed it was a good afternoon. I hope to organise another gathering in the next 3-4 months as requested, and maybe any of you who couldn't make it this time can come along!

Finally, good luck to Rachel and Nikki who are getting married very, very soon - can't wait to see the piccies at the next gathering!

Cara x

London Gathering
Held on Friday 1st June 2001 at Maxwell's, Covent Garden.

Photos to follow

Although a few people dropped out along the way, there were still nine of us
who managed to get to Maxwell's on Friday night. We spent all day emailing
details of what we looked like and what we were wearing to each other, but I
forgot to take the emails with me so was left sitting alone in the
restaurant, clutching a copy of Your and Your Wedding for easy
identification, trying to remember what everyone had said. Sarah was easy to
remember because she was wearing a zebra print top that stuck in my mind,
but several people had said they were blonde and wearing lilac.....arrrghh!

When a couple struggled in carrying boxes, I knew that had to be Wendy and
Richard who had just received their invitations for their August 4th wedding
(EEEEK!). They were followed by Taz, Weddingguide Sarah, Emily and Annabel
and we got stuck into the cocktails and the wedding chat. Sorry to gloat
but we got goodies too! Sarah brought us freebie samples from a new
catalogue, with packets of confetti and streamers...and lots of sweets! We
burst confetti packets all over the table, struggled with the streamers and
used the disposable camera to capture our radiant beauty for display on
here. It was really good to hear about everyone's plans and I was only a
little jealous that all the others are getting married soon and I'm not!

After we'd eaten and drunk well, Wendy and Richard had to leave to get their
250 invitations written and Taz headed off to her dad's, avoiding her H2B's
stag night taking place at their home, but Ruby and Rob arrived to take
their place, nicely timed to catch the end of happy hour. Chat flowed really
easily and it was quite amazing how quickly it felt like we knew each other.
In fact someone thought that Ruby and I had met before, we got talking so
quickly (but only after she'd d told me off for being in the loo when she
arrived and spent ages looking for the woman in the red dress).

Definitely an experience to repeat, hopefully after Taz comes back from
honeymoon so we can hear all about her big day!

SarahB

Edinburgh Gathering
Held on Saturday 9th June 2001 at Acanthus in Edinburgh

From L to R June, Joanne, Serenella and Nikki

Well, it started off with a total of about 12 people but in the end, three B2B's and this 'old hand' met up at Acanthus in Edinburgh to talk weddings!! A good night was had by all; I took the opportunity to actually pick up my wedding album from the photographer (after nearly 2 years of marriage!) so the girls were the first to see them, as well as the vow renewal photos!

Serenella, Joanne and June get married this summer and we all had fun discussing each other's plans while I gave tips and advice! A good meal, some drink, typical bit of hassle from drunks tried to ruin the night but did not succeed. We fancy doing it again; anyone else fancy joining us?

Nikki McLeod, Glasgow