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February 2002 Role on May! by Gill Cheshire ...    Well, what a busy month January is turning out to be. So much for a lull! Things have finally started to hot up after months of little or no activity.    We visited Leeds Castle, we received the invitations from the printers and we have touched base and met with the harpist.    Firstly, Leeds Castle. My parents were keen to visit Leeds, they had never been and my father wanted to know what was so special about it that was worth the money and the long journey. So off we toddled to meet up with the Wedding Co-ordinator, Natalie. She took us over to the castle and we walked and talked through our "big day". Upon arrival, our guests will be asked to gather in the library - a room of leather bound books from floor to ceiling, window seats and exquisite flooring.    Just before our ceremony, the guests will be shown into the Castle Dining Room where they will be seated in a semi-circle, overlooking the large windows into the countryside beyond. Whilst they wait for us, a harpist will play classical music in keeping with the surroundings of the castle. Once the ceremony has taken place they will be shown back into the library for a Champagne reception and then afterwards photographs will be taken. Our guests will also be invited on a tour of the castle whilst Andy and I have a few more photographs taken. Guests will then be led into the Henry VIII Banqueting Hall where the wedding breakfast will be served. During this time the harpist, now accompanied by the flutist, will play. After dinner, drinks and coffees will be served in the two drawing rooms, which are full of antiques and original paintings normally roped off to day visitors but removed for our wedding so that guests can fully appreciate their surroundings.    Although the castle is not a hotel we, along with other guests, will be staying at the castle so we were shown around the bedrooms. Five rooms have massive four poster beds in them with the largest collection of original paintings I have ever seen and beds that you need a ladder to get on. Andy and I will be arriving early on in the day, so that we can relax in our suite, enjoy some glasses of Champagne whilst my hairdresser and my make up lady supply the finishing touches ready for our ceremony at 5pm.    My father did admit that he could see our attraction to the Castle and considering the spectacular surroundings worth every penny. He even volunteered to pay the alcohol bill - what a result!    Having taken us through the day we then sat down with Natalie and discussed our menu choices, wine list, special diets etc. We came away from the castle really impressed and very excited - I really cannot wait for May to come round.    Well, the invitations have finally arrived. They are very appropriate for the castle and will tie in beautifully with the surroundings. Although the wedding isn't until May we want to get the invites out sooner rather than later, so that we know our numbers and we don't have to chase people up at the last minute. Although I can do calligraphy, a friend is going to write all our invitations (Andy thought it would be less pressure on me if he asked a friend of his), so our friend Yentee has given us some samples of her writing for our approval.    Andy and I have also spent a very enjoyable Sunday at the Park Lane Hotel in London. Our harpist plays there regularly during afternoon tea. She knew we were coming and therefore ensured that the music she played was appropriate for our wedding day. Whilst we partook of sandwiches, fancy French pastries, scones, clotted cream and jam and not forgetting the Earl Grey tea (all at an outrageous price) we listened to well recognised classical tunes.    During her break we sat with her and discussed what music we wanted to walk into, what music we wanted her to play during the signing of the register and what music we wished to walk out to. She then performed our choices.    It has been a great few weeks and in such a small space of time we have managed to get a lot more of the wedding sorted. Next time I mention a lull... someone please remind me that there's no such thing.    Role on May!