*November 2011 Brides and Grooms* Time to Chat!

littlecat29

Thought i'd write an update as to where i am now with planning!! only 3 and a bit months to go!!!

Bought each of my 2 Bridesmaid's a Thomas Sabo pearl bracelet with a wedding style type high heeled shoe charm, im also wearing a Thomas Sabo pearl bracelet that my OH bought me for my birthday last week but he is going to buy me a new wedding charm as my something new!
Sister has given me her blue garter for my something blue and lent me her pearl earings from when she got married for my something borrowed and MIL has given me a beatiful watch that her late husband bought her when they got engaged 60 years ago as my something old :-)

Bought Best man a pair of pearl and silver cuff links today and OH got his too.

More excitingly had my first dress fitting on Wednesday!!! took SIL with me who was in tears and text me that night to say her brother will be blown away on the day so a definate good reaction!!!
Im now searching for a headband with the detail on the side... saw one but at £250 was out of my budget!!
Ive upped my exercise this week as after trying my dress my hips do need to shrink a bit more so have cycled twice and ran twice this week :-)

Had lots of rsvp's back - only 1 none attender so far - was a bit miffed that it was just the card that was sent back with the 'will be' crossed out and no note added to say they were away on holiday or working or whatever - i thought it was a little odd as i know when i haven't been able to attend a wedding i wrote a small note to explain...

When are you all having hair and make up trials done?? If you're having hair and make up done that is.. My regular hairdresser is doing my hair but ive got a couple of numbers for make up artists to try, not sure when to plan that for tho..

Hope everyone's plans are all going well and to plan - time is going so fast isnt it!!!

xx

Bluespirit

Hi everyone - sorry I've not been about much recently. I've just started a new job, and finding it really tiring as I have a lot to learn! We've also got the flat on the market, so having to make sure it's tidy and nice all the time too.

The big news for me is that I tried my dress on last Saturday, and it fitted! It was at the biggest the corset could go, which is really ideal as it means I can still lose more weight and it should still fit fine. I've lost 19.5lbs so far! I tried it on with my shoes, tiara and jewellery and picked my veil, so that's my outfit just about sorted!

The bridesmaid dresses are in too, and they're getting tried on on the 3rd September. Can't wait to see them all in it. There has been lots of bridesmaid drama though - some of you might remember my sister getting pregnant, which would have meant she'd be 7 months at wedding, and wouldn't fit the size 8 BM dress. She's taken this badly and won't speak to me now. Think she's living in denial that she'll have a bump at 7 months, despite having one now... So that's been really stressful, but just getting on with things without her. She's refusing to do our make up on the day now (she's been to beauty college so had been trained in it all), we've offered for her to do a reading in the church but she's having none of it, and basically being really awkward. My mum had even offered to buy her another dress to wear as a guest, and to pay for her to have her hair done in the morning - but sis refused this too! Make-up wise I've got someone else that's also trained, although it means paying for it now, but I'd rather get it done properly and not have to stress about it on the day.

We've got our invites - going to start writing them next weekend to get them out by the end of the month. We've also got a meeting with the priest's helper at the church on Tuesday to discuss our Order of Service, so that's all moving on.

It sounds like everyone is getting on well with invitations going out and dresses being ready. This is the exciting time now - just over 3 months for me! We have to pay our honeymoon balance on Tuesday!!

Swinstie73

Hi all,

Sorry been AWOL for a looooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg time but have had loads going on. Got the keys to our new house on Friday so after some decorating, we move in two weeks time. Wedding wise, have only just started making the day invites (only 30 during the day), so only 15 invites to make. Have designed them (with a little help from the net) myself and my sister will write the names as she does calligraphy. Maximum of 150 for the evening so really only 120 can be invited which is hard considering I have a tonne of relatives. OH has less rellies but loads of work-mates and regular mates. We're going to invite 120 and hope that between 100 - 120 come. Don't want to look like Billy No-Mates. Bit worried about the RSVP dates you all have, ours was 21st Oct for day and 28th for evening, should I make it earlier??

Everything else is pretty much sorted, apart from seeing the registry office, making the evening invites, transport which we won't know about til get evening replies, and can't think of anything else that needs doing just now.

Enchantica

Wow it's busy here

losingpatience - it sounds like you got a good deal on your flowers, that's great! The person doing them sounds like she wants to give you what you want since she researched things beforehand. She could do well in business if word gets around and she treats all her clients that way I know what you mean about some places thinking they are doing you a favour just by meeting with you. Wedding related businesses can be right snobby at times. The woman who is doing our cakes is quite posh sounding but she's really nice and didn't bat an eyelid when me and OH turned up on the motorbike and looking all metal. She just wanted to give us some nice cake ideas. That's a good idea about booking into the hotel with your sister the night before, will be a nice setting for the photos. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt, what a generous gift she gave you. Good luck with trying the dress on by the way!

littlecat29 - the bracelets for your bridesmaids sound lovely. I still haven't sorted my old, new, borrowed, blue things. That's awesome that you had your dress fitting and that you SIL loved it, what a reaction! I bet you looked stunning. Good luck with the headband search Well done on your exercise as well. Wish I had your drive for that! Hmmm normally folk right on the RSVP why the aren't attending or enclose a note. Ah some people probably don't think of these things. My boss has paid for me to get my hair put up by her daughter-in-law who is a hairdresser so well chuffed with that And I'm doing my own make up.

Bluespirit - I hope all is going well with the new job and the flat being on the market. That's great that you got to try on your dress and it fitted, corsets are great aren't they? Means your weight can fluctuate a bit. Well done on your weight loss! That's really good. That's such a shame about your sister not speaking to you anymore, I would have thought she would understand. But maybe it's pregnancy hormones sending her a bit mad?! I hope she does go to your wedding in the end.

Swinstie73 - awesome that you got the keys to your new place. I hope the moving isn't too stressful! For the date for RSVPs to be in we had to make it 12th September because the venue wants final numbers one month before the wedding which would be 12th October. That way I have a month to finalise everything and sort it all out before sending venue final numbers. That's the only reason we have quite an early RSVP date. If your venue aren't needing them early then you will be fine.

Enchantica

So it's hotting up in here then! Must be because we are verging on the 3 month mark for us all just about. Can't believe it's come round so quickly, really doesn't seem long since I was saying "only a year to go"! I'm starting to get a little bit stressed with things but I think it's because I've got so much on just now. Come October I hope to be just about there. I'm away in Oban from tomorrow night for 10 days to see family and friends, then back for a weekend to spend with OH and then away for a week in Turkey with my friend. Then when I get back I'm getting my eyebrows done with semi-permanent make up (kind of like tattooing) and a few days later getting a tattoo started on my left arm, then a week later getting the tattoo finished. It will fill the top half of my left arm. My right arm is already filled at the top. I wanted to balance myself out before we get married because afterwards we are going to be trying for a family and I figured tattoos and pregnancy probably don't go well together. Will post pics up of my tat when it's done for those who are interested I'm wearing a lacy bolero at the ceremony and meal to cover up a bit and then whipping it off for the reception haha. Getting my tats out. Yeah I said it like that

Have had some RSVPs back but not as many as I had hoped. OH's work colleagues are letting the side down! They all say they are coming and have started making plans for accommodation etc but only one has given the RSVP back. OH pointed out that 'well only one person from work is coming so far!' So that will get them into gear I hope. We want them all back by 12th September because the venue wants numbers by 12th October and I want enough time to collate and sort them all out.

Not got too much left to sort. Still working on the music for our ipod for reception. That's taking a while but just about there with it. We at least have the playlist almost in order. Met up with the new celebrant who was really nice and more bubbly than the other one, she seems like a better fit for us actually. A few details to finalise on that like our personal vows.

When I go home I will be trying my outfit on again, I may need to have a wee photoshoot with my parents dog as he won't be at the wedding. If I do one then I will put the photos up.

I may be in and out of here when I'm back in Oban but if I'm not then see you all again in 3 weeks and will see how you are all doing.

Enchantica

Sneak preview of the outfit minus tiara which I left home in Edinburgh by mistake:



Yeah got my chebs out in this one haha:

Zimm190

Enchantica, you look gorgeous! Love the bolero and it's definitely a good idea for a November wedding!

I can't believe it's now only three months to go, 12 weeks tomorrow for me in fact. I had a mini panic last weekend that I still had so much to do and time is running out. However, this week I've

booked my dress in for alterations
contacted a hair-and-makeup lady about the wedding day and a trial
bought, collected, and started to wear in my shoes
collected OH's wedding ring; mine is currently being engraved and my engagement ring is being replated and spruced up
made the veil with MIL - she's now taken it away to sew on all the lace (by hand - she's a star!)
made a good start on making the venue decorations
ordered the bridesmaids' presents and my mum's present from Etsy - two have arrived so far
bought matching socks for groomsmen (in Coventry City sky blue!)
booked engagement shoot with photographer for September
had dates for banns reading from vicars (where we live and where we're getting married)
arranged hen do - afternoon tea and crafting in my mum's garden
collected OH and FIL's suits from shop
OH bought a horrendous tie, which is going straight back!

So that's quite a lot of worries out of the way and I'm feeling better. Unfortunately I realised this morning that the RSVP date on the evening invites is September 5th and they've not even gone out yet so may have to reprint them!

How is everyone else getting on? It's very scary now that we can think of it in terms of only weeks away!!

scorpiokitten

Enchantica - oh WOW! you look bloomin stunning missy! (And your doggie is lovely too)

Losingpatience - Huge congrats on your weight loss, you've done so well. My dress is a US 6 (UK 8 in Maggie Sottero's) and even I may have to have that taken in as due to my new gym/zumba workouts, i'm toning up to be more of a size 6.

Well i have been a busy little bee recently, the biggest thing was a change in my Maggie Sottero gown - I changed my mind on my last one (Megan) have bought another one! (Sabelle)


I ADORE this dress, it's just SO gorg on!

(pics to follow)

This one is waaay more 'princessy' than the other where i was thinking back then more about the weight to carry over to the States, this one weighs a ton, but will just pay for extra luggage as its in a box, and it's so worth it!

Don't need to send out invites thankfully as there is only 10 of us going over for the wedding including us, and i know they are all coming cos they have paid Virgin holidays! lol.

We have a venue and DJ booked for our UK reception in December for those who can't make it over to Orlando, and i have my side tiara, gorgeous veil, shoes and jewelry already done. Have booked my bridal hair and make up for the morning at the hotel through our US Virgin Wedding co-ordinater, really does take a load off knowing that she is over there and will be sorting out our flowers, seating, hair & make up etc. So I guess I have gotten off lightly for that

Also States-wise: we have sorted out the V lounge @ Manchester airport to start off our weddingmoon in style, and bought all our park tickets and our US dollars too. So think that side of things are sorted now..

Here are some pics of my shoes and jewelry:



The necklace is cut cubic zirconia and catches the light beautifully, also have the matching drop earrings with the necklace too, as well as a bracelet. I bided my time, and all jewelry items and shoes were half price or less in the sales too

We have got the grooms, best man's and my fathers stunning 3 piece suits too. We struck up a great deal with the manager there as we were buying a few, they even all came with leather shoes included too! These were from our local Greenwoods shop, and i highly recommend them. I've also bought all the cravats, matching hankys, cufflinks, wing collared shirts and tiepins off ebay - all are fabulous, and very well priced...

On the whole, 90% of what we've bought have either been an ebay bargain or in the sales. Even my dress was a bargain! Yay

Not too much left to sort now, Congrats everyone, less than 3 months to go!

Will try and take some pics of the veil and the tiara and put them up soon.

Bluespirit

Hi everyone - sounds like you're all busy busy busy!

Enchantica - you look beautiful! I know what you mean about the RSVPs - we've only had replies from 5 people so far. People say they're coming but haven't let us know. We've even got a wedsite that you can RSVP on in about 2 minutes so no excuses really!

Losing Patience - well done on the weight loss! I went 2 sizes smaller on my dress too, and would have been terrified of going 3 down! Just use the dress now fitting as an excuse to eat more cakes before the wedding!!

ScorpioKitten - your new dress looks amazing, as does your shoes and necklace. You'll be a gorgeous bride. That's great about the airport lounge! When we get back from our honeymoon, we're having an extra night in a nice Manchester hotel and I've arranged for a bottle of prosecco to be in our room as a surprise for OH.

Things are going along ok here. Bridesmaids try on their dresses on Saturday, and then afterwards, we're having a ladies and kids afternoon - the mums, bridesmaids and kids involved are all going for a game of bowls and a late lunch, so it's kind of like my first hen doo (the one I have to behave at!). It's OH's stag the following Saturday, so thinking he'll be a bit messy. My psycho sister is still not talking to me but is now coming to the wedding!

Our day invites went out a few weeks ago, but it was a bit of a nightmare. We sent them all out with a second class stamp as they were under the normal weight, but a few people told us they had to collect them from the postoffice and pay extra postage on them. We've since discovered that the tiny rose on the front apparently makes it too thick as it doesn't drop through they're size guide easily - it goes through but you have to push it! It's up to individual posties what they do in these cases, so most invites were fine, but we've obviously ahd a few 'jobsworth' posties that were evil. We're just hoping that the people we've not heard from got them ok!

OH and I started doing our gift list in John Lewis yesterday - that was fun but tiring, but we got through a lot of stuff, and have hopefully selected plenty options for people if they want to get us something.

I'm just working on our order of service just now so that can be completed, and we've also started our dance lessons for our first dance too, which is quite exciting!

Chrissy1981

Hi everyone, sorry I've been rubbish at updating.

It is my first dress fitting tomorrow! I had put on 8lbs since I was measured and lost nearly all of it since I got back from holiday a month ago (got on the scales this morning) but am still terrified it won't fit me. Am taking my mum and MIL2B and am very excited. I think I'm more excited about wearing my wedding shoes actually!

Our invites went out at the beginning of August (minus the directions!!) and we've had lots of RSVP's back which has been very exciting (my mum has been giving me regular updates!) but it's still annoying about others that haven't RSVP'd yet even though I know they're coming. I'm "joking" that if they don't RSVP they don't get a dinner. That should have them running to the post box!

Have had huge stresses with my MOH -- she's pregnant! I'm absolutely over the moon and couldn't be happier for her but her dress fits her perfectly now, so it won't by the time of the wedding when she's 17 weeks gone. Rang the shop and they're doing a special 8 week delivery on a new dress for her and giving me 20% discount on the new dress. But obviously they won't refund/exchange the current dress and my MOH hasn't offered me a penny towards the new one -- not even the 25 quid for the special express delivery. She's also moaning about how much stress organising my hen night has caused her. And she's thinking of announcing her pregnancy on my hen night. Am Rising Above It for now but I don't know for how much longer...

Despite that, I am excited about my hen night, it's a week on Saturday. We were all (12 of us) meant to be getting the train down to Bournemouth but now 5 of them are going in the car... So we'll meet them there at lunchtime, have some lunch, get a fish pedi, then back to the hotel to get ready. Dinner, drinks then club, then train home the next day. Am looking forward to it, especially cos I got a new dress for it on Saturday!

My sister is arranging a more sedate hen night at the beginning of October that will include the mums, aunties, my boss at work, even my nan (!) plus BM's, MOH and one friend who couldn't make Bournemouth. Looking forward to that cos I'm sure my sister has planned lots of silly games, and I've seen a box of Asti in my old bedroom at my mum's! And I have another new dress for that!!

In other news, my OH doesn't like ANY of the readings I picked out so I've given him that task with a deadline of the end of September, knowing full well he won't bother so it'll be back to my choice of readings!

Bluespirit -- we're going shopping for our wedding list at John Lewis next weekend! I'm looking forward to it but also worrying about people thinking, who on earth would buy them that?? Going to make a list of things before we go so we have a bit of structure, but I'm expecting to be there most of Sunday! We're moving from a one-bed flat to a 2-bed house so there are lots of things we need.

Losingpatience -- I need to make all those phone calls too -- confirm car times, cake flavours, hair trial. It's all the little things that keep me awake at night!

Ooh the other thing I did was get all the bridal presents done. I wanted to do a little pressie for everyone on the morning of the wedding, just from me. For my mum, BM's and MOH's, I got personalised champagne glasses from a lady on ebay which were blimmin fantastic -- hair, dress, shoes -- all personalised! I got my dad and the best man socks and cufflinks and I card I personalised from Funky Pigeon saying "Dad, Calm Down and Walk me up the Aisle" and "Nickname, Calm Down it's only a Best Man's Speech". They're only postcard sized and on a union jack background and I love them! I've started on a goody bag for OH. So far got posh pants (Calvin Klein, ooh!), a little book called "Stuff Husbands Should Know", personalised socks, cufflinks that say "see you at" on one and "3.30pm" on the other, aftershave (D&G - The One, thought it appropriately named and it smells nice of course!) and I've started on my own groom journal. I pinched a load of the questions then have bought a brown notebook from Paperchase with brown paper inside, very manly (!) and gold and white pens to write in it. Am pleased with all the little pressies!

Wrapped up all the official presents today as well, except for the BM's jewellery boxes. I'd got them engraved with their name, the word "Bridesmaid" and the date then noticed today that only one i in bridesmaid has been dotted! Very annoying for an OCD-type like me! So I've got to take them back.

I met up with my florist again last week, I love her so much. I just know the flowers are going to be fantastic, I have no fears about them whatsoever.

I think that's all of my updates for now and I'm sorry to have typed so much! I really should update little and often!