Lights.....Cameras....UPLOAD!!

After considering wedding details, we decided we didn't want any strangers at the wedding, so we're not having a professional photographer.

Lucia and Anna are taking some specific photos of us and there will also be some disposable cameras lying around for youse to have fun with during the reception.

There may be some of you who are bringing a digital camera along, so we would like to ask you to upload your photos of the day on our flickr site . The login name is lisathefog and the password is triplesod. It would be great to come back from honeymoon and be able to look through other people's versions of the day. We'll be using your favourites to make up a wedding album.

Thank you very much in advance!!

My cousins!

So this picture was taken at my Nanna and Grandad's house the last time we were home in Barrow for Christmas. On the far left is my sister Sarah, then there's my cousin Tracy who was pregnant with her son Aidan in this picture, next to me is my youngest cousin Samantha, her big brother Danny and my oldest cousin, Lee.

Unfortunately, our Karl was a bit worse for wear when this photo was taken, so you'll have to wait until the wedding to meet him!

Guru and Boudewijn

And here's the lovely picture you get when opposites attract! Guru likes to chill and talk things out whilst Boudewijn's running up trees trying to get rid of his excess energy!

Guru loves to cook and juggles two jobs involving community projects in Amsterdam. Boudewijn is a computer science teacher and shares Ewoud's passion for gaming.

Last year Guru accompanied Ewoud to Venezuela for Marcel and Jairam's wedding and we're both really pleased they're coming over to help us celebrate ours!

Anna and Ijsbrunt!

Here's our good friends Anna and Ijsbrunt, this classic picture was taken at my 30th last August.

They're both teachers over here and they also try and help me with my Dutch conversation - one day it will pay off!

Ijsbrunt can pick up just about any instrument and play a song on it and loves to learn...everything! Whilst Anna is very creative and a talented illustrator. She has also kindly agreed to take some pictures at the wedding service. We count ourselves as very lucky to have so many talented friends around us!

Alexia

Here's Alexia, girlfriend of Ewoud's best man Ramiro! Alexia works at one of the most popular music venues in Amsterdam, the Melkweg and is studying music management.

Alexia's allergic to small desserts, has a house full of cool and random stuff (he-man models, DIY volcano kits??) and is currently on a mission to get a ticket to see Faith No More..(we need to go to Paris!)

We're looking forward to showing her around Barrow's boutique shops where she can add to her fine collection of kitsch!

Rogier and Farnoosh

Here we have Rogier and Farnoosh, long time friends of Ewoud and now mine too! Rogier is a yoga instructor and Farnoosh can speak numerous languages and is a freelance translator.

They're busy people with a lust for life and more recently they've been setting up their Brazillian yoga retreat. Their door is always open for friends and its amazing just how many people can fit into their flat! In fact, their flat was the setting for mine and Ewoud's first kiss.

Next month they'll be celebrating 10 years together....congratulations to you both!

Danny boy....

This is one of my oldest friends Dan, we've known each other for about 15 years, since college when I used to go to his house, drink loads of tea and listen to the Pixies, Lemonheads and Dinosaur Junior!

He does a mean version of 'Losing My Religion' on the karaoke and loves the great outdoors. We've had some fine adventures, one of which involved a waterfall and a tree and has left me scarred for life. Cheers Critch!!

Dan's now an excellent carpenter with his own business in bespoke furniture. He's the boyfriend of my bridesmaid Liz and together they're brilliant parents to Harvey and Ella...and their third child who we'll be welcoming in September!

Leon and Lula

Here's my best friend Leon and his girlfriend Lula! Leon is also the brother of my bridesmaid Mel and my late friend Andy. We've known each other for 12 years now and shared mental times living in Brighton and Amsterdam.

We really wanted Leon in the wedding but couldn't fit another bridesmaid in. He's one of the most articulate people I know and sometimes its hard to get a word in, so we thought he'd be the perfect person to do the reading at our wedding service!

Lula's a brilliant stylist and owns the Toni & Guy branch in Amsterdam and I'm well happy to say she's very kindly doing my hair and make-up! X

More Greats!!

No family party would be complete without my Uncle Mike and Auntie Dee (pictured in the middle and the far right of this photo with my mum and dad)!

Again, I've not seen them for a few years and they now live in Spain (I feel a holiday coming....) so we're really chuffed they've booked to come over for the wedding and can't wait to catch up with them.

I also owe them a massive hangover after the last boozy do we had together, which saw me missing out on nearly 2 days of my life after partying with the crooners of Barrow!

Uncle Stephen

Here's my dad's younger brother, my Uncle Stephen. Every time me and Ewoud go back to Barrow, we have tea round his house and watch a bit of National Geographic!

Steve became a grandad himself last year, when his daughter Tracey gave birth to little Aidan and she's also getting married in August!

Uncle Billy and Auntie Carol

Booo.....I don't have a picture of Billy and Carol
together on my computer.

Carol is in the Christmas spirit with my mam on the left and Billy is in the middle of this photo next to my dad.

Me and Ewoud had a lovely christmas at their house a couple of years ago and hope we can put on as good a party in July as they did! Billy has an unsurpassed knowledge of the Godfather movies whilst Carol sings a mean Sugababes on the Wii!

Auntie Hels

Here's my mum's younger sister, my auntie Helen! She was only about 10 when I was born, so she made quite a fuss of me as a baby. I, in turn, wouldn't leave her alone when she was practicing piano.

Sharing my grandad's passion for music, Helen went off to music college and became my inspiration for living away from Barrow and trying new things. She's now a professional freelance musician and lives in Yorkshire with her beautiful daughter Sophie. She has yet to find her perfect outfit for the wedding, but I have hope that it is out there!

Uncle Stephen and Auntie Andrea

Here is my mum's brother Stephen and his wife Andrea. They've lived away from Barrow for years now and enjoy life in sunny Preston with their 2 handsome sons, Nathan and Jordan.

Its been a long time since we all saw each other so I'm really looking forward to catching up!!

Grandad Jack and Jill!

Meet my mum's dad, grandad Jack and his partner Jill! My nanna and grandad enjoyed a 46-year marriage and raised a son and two daughters and have been loving and supportive grandparents to 5 grandchildren.

My nanna Pat sadly passed away in 2002 and I will greatly miss her presence on our special day, but she will be honoured and remembered with love.

Jill is my grandad's lovely partner and together they have been travelling the world, enjoying new adventures and setting a fine example of how to make the most of retirement!

My grandad is one of the directors of the local brass band, after playing the tuba for them for years. I have a lot of childhood memories of going to village concerts and having to be kept quiet with plenty of sweets while we watched him play!

Nanna and Grandad White!

Here's my dad's parents, my Nanna Margaret and Grandad Don! Over 55 years ago my nanna borrowed her sister's suit, hopped on the local bus with the workmen and took herself to the registry office to meet my grandad and get married.

Since then, they've raised 3 sons, been loving and supportive grandparents to 7 grandchildren and last year became great grandparents to my cousin's son, Aidan.

I've spent many hours sat drinking tea and eating homemade cakes, listening to stories from the past and talking about my future plans with them. I'm really happy they're going to be watching us get married too! And also pleased I've been able to get some good advice from them to start our married life.