James and Rox got engaged in January 2010. He’s a 6ft 3in Brummie, and she’s a Yorkshire lass who tops out at 5ft 2in on a good day. They were together for seven whole years before James proposed, so either Rox has the patience of a saint, or he was well worth the wait. Sadly, it’s the former. James will be representing the boys every week up until the big day in August.

So here it is – my last ever blog as an unmarried man. If I was the type of guy who says OMG, I think now would be an appropriate time. This is my 41st blog. Has it really been that long? Is it really all coming to an end? And has anyone other than me really been reading these blogs?!

The giddiness that I’m feeling towards my wedding this weekend is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before. I’m like Jedward – way too much energy and making no sense at all. But as I near the end of my wedding preparations, I can’t help feeling a strange sense of loss. I’ve genuinely loved this whole experience, and I’m sad that I’ll never get to do it again. Further evidence that I’m too in touch with my feminine side.

I’ve just looked back at my first ever blog, and the countdown to W Day said 291 days. It’s difficult to comprehend the speed with which those 291 days have evaporated. I can only view this as a positive sign though. If it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun, then this last 12 months must have been the time of my life.

Four days to go and there is literally nothing left to do now, expect check the weather forecast every five minutes and pray for sunshine. Rox and I are treating ourselves to a spa day on Thursday (I promise I’m not gay!), and then I’ll be practising my speech endlessly until I can get through it without choking up.

A few long-overdue thank yous: I will be forever grateful to Helen, Sam and the team at Y&YW Online for giving me the opportunity to ramble on about my experiences. You took a big gamble by giving me a platform, and I hope I didn’t let you down.

I also need to give a special mention to my Auntie Dianne. She hasn’t missed a single blog, and although I’m appreciative of the support, it perhaps indicates that she needs to get out more! Love ya loads Auntie D. And to my parents (aka the most patient people in the world), thank you for enduring non-stop wedding chat for the last 12 months. I’m sure Mum will miss it, I know Dad won’t.

I’ll end by paying tribute to my incredible wife-to-be, Roxanna. I must have been a saint in a former life, because Rox is everything I’d ever hoped for in a partner, and far more than I deserve. Fortunately for me, she has exquisite taste in men! Neither of us is keen on public proclamations of our undying love for each other, so this will be making her toes curl. We know how we feel. We show each other everyday in the way that we are and the things that we do, and we’ll continue to do this for the rest of our lives.

If this was an Oscar speech, the band would’ve started playing by now to usher me off stage, so I’ll wrap it up. In my very first Y&YW blog way back in October last year, my final sentence was strangely prophetic. So I’ll end in the same way that I began, “If we get it right, we’ll end up with the most wonderful day to remember for the rest of our lives. But surely half the fun is getting there, so why not make the journey together?” Apparently I’m not as daft as I look.

W Day: four days and counting

Catch up on James’ 40th week of wedding planning (and links to earlier weeks) here

Coming soon: read James' real wedding and honeymoon report next month!