I remember when James and I announced we were engaged, a friend of mine exclaimed “You will become Charlotte O’Shea! That sounds just like an author’s name!”

It does?!

Obviously I didn’t think I would ever write an actual book. And if I did the last possible topic I could imagine writing an entire book about was weddings – what with being England’s most last minute and often uninspired bride.

It was 2008 when I became engaged, there was no Pinterest and no Instagram. And unless you count those whose audience resided across the pond, no UK specific wedding blogs either.

But then Rock My Wedding happened. And an intelligent, creative, supportive and generous community was born.

Without Rock My Wedding there would certainly be no Rock My Style or Rock My Family, our foundations in the wedding industry has enabled Adam and I to grow and manage a successful business of amazingly strong and talented team members where no two days are ever the same.

From today you can officially pre-order my book “Your Day Your Way on Amazon. The release launch is the 9th February and we are as ever, eternally grateful for your contributions and support of the Rock My brand.

So what was it like writing my first book? Well, it was certainly an adventure. You know me, always trying to juggle fifty nine projects all in one go, moving house, running a business, being a Mum, agreeing to create a coffee table-worthy hard back for the world’s biggest publisher…I’m only happy when there is zero chance of being bored. I’ll be honest though, there were times when I thought I had bitten off significantly more than I could chew.

There were also times when I just needed to shut myself in a dark room with gin and a box of Milk Tray.

As well as the prose I also wanted the vast majority of associated imagery to be art directed by us, the book really needed to be representative of our aesthetic and ethos and Ebury were brilliant in understanding and respecting our wishes. And for the most part, letting us get on with it. We organised various photoshoots and studio sessions to produce unique content that we hope readers will find inspiring and useful – the book has as much planning advice and useful tips as it does ideas for decor and your bridal party fashion. The fancy and the fluff is fun, but it’s the practical facts that will hopefully, save you time and money – which will essentially enable you to really enjoy the former.

I always always work better under pressure. I wish this wasn’t the case but I’m resigned to the fact it most certainly is. It wasn’t until the deadlines drew nearer that I truly discovered my “voice” and the overall direction of the book. I wanted it to have a beginning, a middle and an end. I also wanted it to look pretty and be opened up at any chapter – to be dipped in and out of as required.

Creating a book such as ours is easier and more enjoyable if you are as organised as possible, that you feel you have full support from friends, family and of course your publisher. I wasn’t afraid to ask for help when I needed it, and I wasn’t afraid to say when I thought something didn’t quite work. There are of course certain processes that in hindsight I would endeavour to make more efficient but I wouldn’t change the end result.

I am extremely proud of what we’ve achieved, our publishers seem super happy with the end result and you can’t ask for more than that. Well, apart from the fact we hope folks actually want to buy it of course.

Ahem, did I mention you can now pre-order your very own copy on Amazon?

Do feel free to ask me any questions you want to about running a business, writing a book or just about your wedding in general – it’s lovely to be able to reminisce about such a memorable and special occasion.

My personal favourite part of the O’Shea Big Day? Practically all of our guests following us around the venue in the sunshine for our portrait shots. Hilarious, and so wonderful to have all of the people we loved the most in one place.

Big Love All x

P.S You can read Dedicating My Book To My Daughter over on Rock My Family.