*November 2011 Brides and Grooms* Time to Chat!

Lucyh81

Hello everyone, long time no speak!

I've been so busy with wedding things but just not made the time to post any updates.

Welcome Zimm190 and scorpiokitten :beer:

Enchantica - your invites and flowers are lovely. Well done for making them. I started out with the best intentions but then realised I'm too lazy and not really creative enough!

Losing Patience - your honeymoon destination looks amazing. We've decided on a Virgin giftcard at Debenhams so will then book a honeymoon for 2012 I think.

It looks like everyone is getting on well with their plans.

We've got our rings now. Can't recommend Betts Metals enough - if you sign up for a hobbyist account you get trade prices and the customer service is fantastic.

Also sorted where we're getting the mens suits from and I've had an initial chat with the florist. They quoted way over our budget for roses so I've had a rethink and going to get a quote for gerberas. I love them so not sure why I went for roses in the 1st place!

My bridesmaids have started organising the hen do. It's 1st/2nd October and we're off to London for a canal boat ride, comedy evening and then something energetic on the Sunday (hopefully not with too big a hangover!)

What is everyone else doing for hen celebrations?

We have the invites and have given out a few family ones. Will wait a few more weeks before sending the majority but have given them to people as we've seen them in some cases. No point paying for stamps unless we have to!

Anyway, I'd best move from the sofa. Have reached wedding planning overload and need a break!

TTFN

Bluespirit

Scorpiokitten - your dress is lovely! I just love all the Maggie dresses to be honest.

Enchantica - your invites and flowers are beautiful, and I love your wintery colour scheme. Were they difficult to do the flowers? I never thought about doing them myself as I'm not the most artistic person in the world! I'm looking for jobs just now, but not finding anything unfortunately . The good thing is that OH earns enough for us not to eat into my payout, so its not a massive problem yet. It would be nice to get something soon though so that I don't feel bad about taking most of November off on holiday! My flat is getting valued on Thursday, and then should hopefully go on the market soon. Fingers crossed for a quick sale!

Our stationary meeting went really well last week. The lady is doing some samples for us, that I should get pictures of later today, but her work was really nice and not too expensive so hopefully that's that sorted. We've worked out exact numbers now too. We're not sending invites out until August, as people have had STDs with the wedding details on already and we don't want people to think they have ages to RSVP and not tell us! We're doing the day ones a few weeks before evenings so can bump up some people from the evening if we get some no's (which we're expecting as OH has been forced into inviting relatives he's not seen for years to keep family happy but they never go to these things!)

Zimm - your wedding ideas sound lovely, especially the mulled wine. Would be perfect on a cold day!

Lucy - that's good you've got your rings. We have OHs but not mine. We were going to get it, but I've been dieting and have weirdly lost weight off my already tiny fingers, as my engagement ring no longer fits! As I'm still dieting I'm worried in case I lose more there, so my ring will be a last minute thing and I'll need to get my engagement one resized!

We have booked a lodge cabin in Dunkeld in Perthshire for my hen doo. It sleeps 8 of us and we're going for 3 nights. There are board games and a wii at the place so on the Friday night going to have a chill out night with a buffet and wine and games. The place has a swimming pool and lots of walks, so that's the Saturday plan depending on the weather, plus one of my sisters has done beauty at college and is going to do everyone's nails or manicures, etc. before we go out for dinner on the Saturday evening. A few people are leaving on the Sunday so that'll probably be really chilled out and get a takeaway at night. I can't wait, as its my perfect hen do - just friends chilling out and no stress!

Chrissy1981

Hi everyone, sorry it's been ages since I've posted.

I'm so glad everyone's doing well with all their plans, and welcome to scorpio as well!

I held my Shoe Party for my BM's and my mum came as well. I made a beaded curtain-type thing with white string covered in 100 shoes cut from card which looked really impressive. I served Singapore Slingbacks which went down really well and there was a good atmosphere. My sister chose her shoes really easily but MOH's feet are really wide and they weren't wide enough for her, even the wide fit ones! My other BM chose a pair that fit when she put gel pads in as she has really narrow feet. Sent all the others back and got my refunds, was pleased I did the party, mainly cos my mum enjoyed it so much!

Went shopping with my mum and MIL2B a couple of weeks ago and they both got their outfits which was a huge relief.

I've FINALLY confirmed the wording and layout of the invites and I can't wait to get them back but I won't be sending them til 1st August.

My flat has been on the market for 10 weeks now with not much interest so i dropped the price yesterday and have since had 5 viewings booked in! Am keeping my fingers crossed we'll get a good offer and we may be moved by the time we get married... Really want a new home for us in time for the wedding.

I got a call last week saying the BM dresses are ready to collect so I'm going to pick them up tomorrow, am really excited to see what they look like as the sample they tried on in the shop was in a different colour.

I haven't really been doing anything else wedding-y but am thinking about ringing all my suppliers and double-checking them. I go on holiday in a couple of weeks so thought I should do that before I go so I don't have to think about it while I'm away. But would I sound silly?? "Hello, yes do you remember I booked you for 11th November a few months ago, am I still booked in??" Is anyone else doing this?

Sorry I haven't commented on everyone's posts but I've left it so long and you've all been doing loads of stuff, it all sounds really good xx

Bluespirit

My dress has arrived in the bridal shop - just got a text this morning! I'm very excited to see it again, but a bit nervous in case it doesn't fit :eek: It was 2 sizes smaller than I was at the time, and I'd definitely 1 size smaller just now and have lost 16.5lbs, plus I obviously have time before the wedding to lose more if it doesn't fit now, but I'm still scared! Think I'll leave it a couple of weeks then go try it, as really do want to see it again.

Losingpatience - your tiara looks great. I'm hopefully using my sister's as my something borrowed, so will take it to try on with my dress to see how they go together.

Chrissy - glad your shoe party went well. It sounds really good fun too. Good luck with the property selling - I'm getting pictures taken of my flat tomorrow, so should be on the market soon, fingers crossed. OHs house is already on but not getting much interest. I don't think its silly to double check with suppliers, but if you feel uncomfortable can you ask them other questions, e.g. I've been speaking to our chair cover lady about colours just so that I know everything's still ok, and going to speak to the car people about timings, again so there's a practical reason - not just my paranoia!

Bluespirit

Oooh its quiet on here! How is everyone getting on? It's 4 months to the day for me today, so really feel the countdown is now on! Just been emailing our car place with pick up places and times! Trying my dress on Saturday 30th, so quite excited about that too.

katie1234

hi all!

didnt realise there was a thread! can i join? im gettin married on 3rd november. cant wait now!

bit of background on my wedding. non-traditional wedding, getting married in las vegas, but having a party over here when we get back so have all that to organise.

been with OH 8years and engaged for over 4 so its taken me a while to get this far. planning is not my thing so this suits me best.
have my hen weekend on 9th september in liverpool.
havent read back in the thread so will do that now!

Enchantica

scorpiokitten - did you get your tiara? What's it like? Thanks for the advice about the mickey and minnie ears, will see if I can find some on ebay.

Zimm190 - aw your theme sounds lovely! Autumn and rustic just sounds so gorgeous. Fireworks, pine cones, mulled wine... wow I can see it all now. What a great idea. The honeymoon in spring will be something to look forward to and less chance of flights being cancelled due to weather How is your planning going?

Lucyh81 - that's great that you have got your rings, what are they like? It sounds like you are getting on well with all your planning, well done you! Your hen do sounds exciting, jetting off to London! Fab.

Bluespirit - the wooden roses were quite easy to do. I split them all into even bunches, then bunched them together nicely the way I wanted them, then wrapped one stem around the others to hold them in place. I then wrapped the electric blue florist ribbon (from ebay) around and put some double sided tape at the top to hold the ribbon together, and the bottom. Also cut the stems before putting the ribbon on. It's
quite easy to do, you might want to give it a try How are the invites going? Your hen do sounds great, Dunkeld is lovely. I've not been but my friend raves about it. How exciting that you are trying on your dress in just over a week!! You will need to let us know how it is.

losingpatience - aw I'm glad you had a good time in Barcelona and are nice and rested Awesome that you have sent your invites! How did the meeting with the florist go? The tiara is gorgeous btw! Totally love it.

Chrissy1981 - your Shoe Party sounds like it was a right success! Fab idea. Fingers crossed for your flat viewings, have you had much more interest? Doesn't sound silly at all to double check all your suppliers, better to check than for a problem to happen close to the wedding. Sounds like you are doing well with your planning as well.

katie1234 - big welcome to you! Wow a Las Vegas wedding, awesome! What are you doing for your hen do when you go to Liverpool? Partying? Pampering? What kind of wedding dress are you going for?

Sorry I've not been around lately, I've been right into the planning again! All the invites are out and we have already received some replies. I got too excited with them lying on the couch all in their envelopes so decided to send them out a couple of weeks ago. Yeah I get impatient lol. We are meeting our new celebrant on Tuesday 26th July, got the ceremony pretty much done. Yeah I've been a busy bunny! I have a lot of free time so this has been quite good to fill it. And I loooove planning. And lists haha. OH got his outfit bought, he's wearing a traditional kilt outfit! So happy about that. He looks so handsome. Bought our Cancer Research favours and have received them and put the pin badges on the cards for them. Printed my name cards at work as well

Really happy because OH's brother and fiance offered to pay for our wedding night at a spa hotel, and my brother and his partner are paying for the second night we are spending there, as wedding presents. So touched that they have done that for us. OH's brother and fiance are getting married in 2013 so we will probably return the favour and pay for their wedding night.

I have filled in the legal wedding forms about 6 times and keep making stupid mistakes. OH jokes that I must not want to get married Think I have finally got them right now!

I'm away back to see my parents in Oban in August and then going on holiday to Turkey at end of August with one of my friends (my maid of honour, not a hen holiday or anything, just a girly holiday). We got a cheap deal So if I'm not around too much you know why.

OMG 3 MONTHS 21 DAYS 16 HOURS 37 MINUTES AND 14 SECONDS TIL THE WEDDING. Yes I have an app for that! What a saddo lol.

Chrissy1981

Hi everyone! I'm back from my holiday (gorgeous tan - check! Shame it won't last til Nov although I'll give it a good try...) and I've accepted an offer on my flat so I need to get moving with the wedding again!

OMG Just re-read my last post and said I wanted to post out our invites on 1st August, which is NEXT MONDAY. And I haven't got the "directions" wording to my designer guy yet. Which means it won't all be printed in time for 1st August... Aarrrgghhhh! I didn't even WANT to put directions on -- everyone has SatNav these days! Blimmin OH needs to pull his finger out on the directions! That is a bit Bridezilla-y isn't it...

Speaking of Bridezilla moments, while we were away, once of my OH's cousin's got engaged, and I'm so happy cos they're a lovely couple. But all I can think of is, they can't get married before us!!! And their wedding can't be better than ours!!! I know it's stupid and unreasonable and probably quite unachievable (arrange a wedding in 3 and half months) but it's still a thought that flashes through my mind!

Which brings me to the next thing -- 3 and half months people!!!!

My wedding dress is in the shop! I re-joined Weight Watchers Sunday night as I've put on 8lbs since I was measured for my dress. I'm going to make the appointment for the first fitting for the end of August as I think I can realistically lose 8lbs in a month. It's a very good incentive and I work much better to tight deadlines!

Hen Nights. How's everyone's going? Mine is turning into a nightmare. My sister's arranging one for her, my BM's, the mum's, aunties and even my nan! So that one's going to be lovely and I completely trust my sister. She sent out Save the Dates for this in April!!! My main one has been so tricky as my MOH didn't want me to be involved until it was sorted. I said I wanted to go away for 2 nights, poss do spa treatments, meal out and a club. I gave her the guest list and left her and my other 2 BM's to it. And she came back to me with a night up London??? I live in London!! I wanted to go away! Put my foot down, said Premier Inn (cheap) in Bournemouth (not too far, lots of nightlife) please, 2 nights. The first night can be a cheapy night in one of the rooms with DVD, wine, nibbles face pack. The second night being the big night out so if people can only afford one night, that's the night to come. She got all stroppy with me saying, I should have said that's what I wanted in the first place. Err, I wasn't allowed to get involved!! So now I've got lots of people asking me what's going on and I haven't a clue. I think she's provisionally booked the hotel rooms but that's it! Not asked anyone for money or confirmed dates or train times or anything! I'm seeing her tomorrow night so I'm definitely going to tackle this thorny issue with her...

Looking forward to hearing everyone else's updates xx

Enchantica

Hi Chrissy1981, I hope you had a lovely holiday. Yay for a tan!!! That's great that you have got your flat sold as well, something else to check off the list.

Aw don't worry, you will get your invites done And you still have plenty of time. It will be exciting when they do go out and waiting for all the replies back. And btw I totally know what you mean about other people getting engaged and you don't want their wedding to be before yours or better than yours! Weddings get so competitive don't they. Just make sure you have everything you want and that you don't let anyone push you into anything you don't want. You will have the perfect day.

How exciting that your dress is in the shop. I'm sure you will fit into it fine and look lovely. Regarding the hen night, it's very difficult for you not to have been involved and them going ahead with something you didn't want. I hope it gets sorted out! I can see why you are frustrated about it. You want something specific but then told that no, you have no choice lol. Hopefully talking to MOH will get it sorted.

I have had some RSVPs and menu choices back but not as many as I had hoped. I know it wasn't too long ago that I sent them out but I had visions of coming in to mountains of them through the letter box! I have a feeling I will be chasing quite a few. Won't be chasing until September though, have said the deadline to get them to me is 12th September. Since I won't be in my flat for about 3 weeks I hope OH will have a big pile of replies for me to come back to. You know when you just want them all in NOW so you can sort out your spreadsheet... what a bridezilla I am becoming. Ach well, it's allowed!

Eeep 3 and a half months! Just wait til we are saying 'eeep 3 and a half weeks'!

losingpatience

Morning all!

I FINALLY have someone sorted for my flowers. Had a couple of disaster meetings to be honest, and some people seriously seemed like they were doing me a favour just by even talking to me! The person I have decided to go with has only recently started up and is a friend of a friend. I was really impressed as when she came to my house to do the consultation she had researched into things I might like so came with suggestions and types of flowers I might like. I'm having a mix of deep red grand prix roses, dahlia, Leucandendron, Skimmia and Hypercum berries. As my bridesmaids are wearing burgundy dresses their bouquets are going to be made ofVendela Roses, Hypericum Berries and Skimmia. The buttonholes are going to be the grand prix roses with my mam and H2B's mam having more elaborate corsage type buttonholes. So for my bouquet, 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 7 buttonholes, 2 ladies buttonholes and a flower headband for my flowergirl it's come to £201.50 which I think is very reasonable. She can do my centrepieces for £20 each which will be a pillar candle with a ring of flowers which will be made of a mix of the flowers used in the bouquets so will probably get her to do those too.

Had a couple of RSVP's back but still not many. Haven't sent the evening invitations out yet, has anyone else? I think I might get them sorted this weekend if I have time. Still waiting for the phone call to say my dress is in too.

I've also decided to book into the hotel me and H2B are staying in on the wedding night on the Friday before too ( just me and my sister though ). I think it'll be a nicer setting for photos of me getting ready and it's closer to the venue too. The only thing is I now need to think of what I'm going to do transport wise to get to the wedding as originally I was going to get dressed at the venue so didn't need a car.

We got our first wedding gift last week too from H2B's aunt. It was quite sad really, she's not been in good health lately so wanted to give it to us incase she doesn't make it to the wedding, it was all quite upsetting to be honest. I was shocked when I opened the envelope and saw she had given us £200, I didn't want to accept that much but she insisted so we said that we'd use it on our honeymoon which I think she liked the idea of.

So flowers were the last big thing I was stressing about getting sorted, now it's just all the finalising to do! Is anyone else getting nervous yet?? When someone says it's only a couple of months away, I start feeling a bit sick!