So much to take in!!

sunshine_shell

we've been talking about getting married and i was looking for a ball park figure for a small wedding then a big do/party afterwards. Everything is sooooooo expensive!!! We're in Nottingham, we would get married at one of the registery offices but put the word wedding into everything and i swear the price doubles!! grrrr

Really puts me off now

bigmomma051204

Nooo - don't give up! There are ways around things.....like if you choose not to mention that its a wedding party to venues.....ie "family party" (not a LIE as such!

Tell us what you envisaged and we might be able to help you!

frannyann

Welcome to the board, first thing you will be told by all of us, is never pay the first price mentioned!! We are doing our whole wedding for £3750! That includes three course sit down meal and big evening party! Tell us what you still have to do and let us help!

sunshine_shell

i've done nothing, it won't be for a long while we want to clear all our debts and save some cash up because we'll pay for it ourselves!! I just wanted a ball park figure so we had something to aim for maybe 4k??

frannyann

sunshine_shell wrote: »

i've done nothing, it won't be for a long while we want to clear all our debts and save some cash up because we'll pay for it ourselves!! I just wanted a ball park figure so we had something to aim for maybe 4k??

People have done whole wedding for 1K on here, so aiming for 4K will give plently to get what you want! This is MSE after all :money: We are quite good at finding bargains

sunshine_shell

Right so i've finally got a time scale!! End of July/begining of August 2011 so i need as much help/advice as possible. What do i need to do??

bubbles0169

there is a bit to do, even for a small wedding but please dont be put off
this is an 18 month timescale so dont panic and HAVE FUN
set the date
maybe set up a wedding bank account(look at martins suggestions)
draw up the guest list so you have a number
book the registry office
look at then book the venue
organise wedding insurance
choose your best man/bridesmaids
in a couple of months start thinking about if you want a photographer or not
get written confirmation from EVERYTHING!
think about your entertainment on the day and then book what you want
does the venue have catering? if not book that too
start looking for 'the dress'
with about 9 months to go have a dress fitting and sort out your grooms/mail outfits and bridesmaids
who will do your hair and make up? book them if needs be
book cars
order a cake if you want a [STRIKE]dear[/STRIKE]special one if not you can leave this til much later and buy one from the supermarket and get a good icerer to make it more personal
with three months to go send out the invites
buy your wedding rings
choose what flowers you want
book your first night accomodation and maybe look at it for guests too
do the seating plan
with two months to go confirm the registrar, catering
one month to go, getting close
write your vows
have hen/stag parties
have final dress fitting
two weeks to go break in your wedding shoes lol
make a list of any photos you need and pass on to photographer/snapper!
buy the gifts for mother of bride/bridesmaids and so on, if you wish
make sure the grooms/mens suits are ok
one week to go :eek: lol
confirm the time and place with the photog,caterer,florist, cars and entertainment
have a rehearsal
arrange for the cake to get to the venue
the day before help decorate the venue and have an early night
the big day
HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME
remember to always haggle where you can with 'i love your work/venue/car/stationary/anything!, but to be honest i could get it cheaper elsewhere'
you will always get it cheaper even if you DIY so you arent lying and have nothing to lose as theres a wealth of knowledge on here to help with every detail x

sunshine_shell

OH MY GOSH!!! Thanks so much, i have a feeling i will be organising most of this on my own due to the fact that my OH works away ALOT! However i've already told him this morning that now we have a time to get married we need to sort out a bank account to save into and he needs to propose! Two things added to my list!!

bubbles0169

as i said though youve got awhile, ive heard of peops doing it in 6 weeks all that and more!! nutters lol
let us know how you get on and of course ask us anything else
good luck and congratulations on nearly getting engaged lol x

sunshine_shell

Nearly getting engaged!! lol that sounds so bad! My other half doesn't seem to think that there isn't much planning to do and doesn't like making decisions so i know i will have a battle on my hands he doesn't even like booking holidays! I think i will need to sit him down and show him the list you put on here.

bubbles0169

ooo good luck!
ive been looking at savings to and this ones seems(martin says so) the best
im going to open one
ETA im prob going to organise most of it too, ill just tell OH what to do and when lol