*November 2011 Brides and Grooms* Time to Chat!

danielley

Hello there,

You all sound so organised, I feel like such a slacker!


Wedding Plans so far

Registrar
Booked and deposit paid.

Venue for meal after wedding
Booked and deposit paid.

Evening Venue
Booked and deposit paid.

DJ
Booked.

Order and Send Invites
Done, just a few final ones to send

Photographer
OH parents know someone (not a professional but a keen amateur); they are asking her and they are covering the cost!

Transport on the Day
To be arranged – might drive myself, I am so renegade J

Cake
To be arranged, but really want a cup cake tower!!!!

Outfits
Found a dress last night (from high street), have bought it, but not 100% sure, will keep looking!

Flowers
To be arranged, but friends Mum will do them, which should be cheaper

Honeymoon
Booked and paid!!!!!

First nights accommodation
Booked and paid

Wedding Rings
Done!

Arrange Hair & Make Up
To be arranged – Definitely want this done though after getting it when I was a birdesmaid, the make up stays on much better than when I do it!

Problem Areas

Dress

As mentioned above, I have got a dress but I am not ultra happy with it, so I will have to keep looking....

Hen Party
If you have seen any of my previous post, we are only having a small wedding, to keep costs down and also because I feel more comfortable with that. My OH and I discussed Stag/Hen parties and I thought we had agreed we'd keep these equally low key, however once his mates heard about a stag do, it's turned into a 2 night extravaganza! So my friends now also want a 2 night thing! I would be perfectly happy with a night out! This is going to be finalised this weekend when we get final numbers, but its looking like a night in York with a few people staying for 2 nights.

Family!
We are having a registry office ceremony with Parents and Siblings and then a meal together for just the 12 of us after, and then onto to a night do for about 100. However I am very close to one of my aunts and I wanted her there, as my parents are seperated so it was also a suuport for my Mum. However this Aunt does not get along with my Dad and she has told my Mum that she does not want to stay after the ceremony if Dad is going to be there.... I was really upset, but I am not supposed to know this as she told my mum that she wants to tell me herself, so I will wait and see what she decides when she tells me.

Good Luck to everyone, its 6 weeks today for me!

x

Enchantica

Bluespirit - I'm glad the bridesmaids are all sorted with their dresses, another tick off your list Did your OH enjoy his stag do? I hope your hen night went off ok (or is it still to happen?) It's hard when there is some drama going on but you can't get in to sort it out! Hopefully everything panned out ok in the end. Your presents for your OH sound great, some fab ideas there. I haven't got anything for mine... I don't know if I will get him anything or not. He would probably want an xbox 360 game and then end up not making it to the wedding haha. That's great that you are happy with your make up trial.

Zimm190 - Your veil sounds gorgeous, you must have a very talented MIL! It sounds like you are getting very organised. You have got loads done lately. Well done! When are you having your hen do? For bridesmaids, they can wear jackets on the way to the venue and inside the venue should be nice and warm so I don't think they will get cold. Perhaps you could give your cold bridesmaid a shrug or bolero to wear and she can take it off just before the ceremony?

Chrissy1981 - That's good that your dress fitting went well, I know what you mean about wanting to have the dress in your house so you can try it on when you like, I didn't want to take mine off when I tried it all on! Glad you had a great time on your hen night and that your MOH was discreet about the pregnancy announcing. Hope your OH had a good time on his stag!

losingpatience - the jewellery you got your bridesmaids is really pretty, they will love it. And the pocket watches for the ushers are really cool. With the gift giving, I think you are fine to give them the jewellery in the morning. That's what one of my friends did, gave us some nice jewellery to wear during the wedding and gave ushers etc their presents at the meal. I didn't mind at all. And btw I am totally not thinking about christmas until I get back from honeymoon on 24th Nov. I won't be thinking about it til the start of Dec, I am usually thinking about it right now but can't wait all the wedding stuff going on!

danielley - you are getting very organised, well done you! Fab. Is your hen night sorted now then? Even when you want low key, they often don't end up that way! Folk always want to give you a good send off. It sounds like you are going to have a great time. That's a shame about your aunt, can't she put her dislike for your dad aside for your big day? Maybe have a chat with her and say you would really like to have her there all day.

Well, last weekend I had my hen night and it was AWESOME. My friends took on board the things I didn't want to do and created a really good night for me. I had no idea what we would be doing so it was all a mystery! 2 of my friends got ready with me at my flat (one was an honourary hen, one of my guy friends) and they took me in a taxi to a place called The Filling Station which is a really nice restaurant in Edinburgh. 14 of us were there in total. Then we went on a ghost tour (private tour so it was just the hen party) down into some of the haunted vaults and that was lots of fun, right up my street. The guide who did it was really funny and telling us lots of spooky stories. Then we went to one of our usual pubs for one drink, then onto a place called Frankensteins for a couple of hours. One of the floors was hired especially for us. Then the MOH got the Dare Cards out lol, I did a few! Then we went onto my favourite club called Studio 24 which plays metal music. We all got quite drunk and had a great time. There was a dare card 'Get a piggy back off a guy' which was funny, we chose 2 unsuspecting guys who gave us piggy backs lol. Made for some funny photos! So yeah, had a great time.

Planning is going well, STILL sorting the music. Getting it all downloaded to my ipod. Taking ages to sort out though. Will get there. My 'to do' list is gradually getting smaller and smaller. I can't believe it's 7 WEEKS TODAY. And then we will be trying for a baby not long after... life is changing eeep!!!

Enchantica

Me and my honourary hen getting whipped by the guide lol


I'm the one in the turquoise corset


Me and mates at the club

littlecat29

Hello fellow November brides

Weve had our final meeting with the registrar and she has okayed our poems and music, weve chosen to have the poem 'The One' read by one of our witnesses and then my future SI has written us a poem to read at the end.
We've gone for some Einauldi music as the guest arrive and are seated, then Canon D Pachebel for my entrance followed by more Einauldi piano music for the signing of the registrar. I really wanted stevie wonder signed sealed delivered for walking out to but the words to the song aren't really very nice in my opinion when i looked them up! talks of the time i went away and said goodbye!
Weve also had our next meeting at our venue, got to decide on a few things like seating plan for the ceremony which is 38 guests and who sits in the front row - think it will be best man, bridesmaid and parents with siblings and partners sat behind and then friends behind that.
Our wedding co-ordinator has also suggested that when we move on to our evening reception in a different room we opt for just 8 tables of 10 people instead of 10 tables as otherwise people could stay rooted to their seats all evening. We're doing speeches on the evening and cutting the cake too so more of our guests can be apart of the day etc so was a bit worried about her suggestion but not all guests will arrive for 7pm so i suppose it does make sence.
We do want to give our evening guests a drink for the toast in the speeches (those that get there for 7 i suppose) and not sure how to sort that as if we greeted at the door and offered a drink of fizz would they neck it before the speeches start? probably!! Perhaps they arrive, we greet them, they get a drink at the bar or whatever and then maybe 7.15 a member of staff go's around with a tray of glasses of fizz and then the speeches start? does that sound reasonable?
Got my second dress fitting a week on Tuesday, they wouldve taken the hem up this time so cant wait to try again!!
Need to speak to the photographer this week and check thats all okay, check how the cake maker is getting on too. Got hair trial in 2 weeks, friend has offered to do my make up so pleased about that!
Booking next Friday off work and put my favours together - things feel like theyre coming together now! - 7 weeks Friday !!

Chrissy1981

Sounds like we're all really gunning for it now! I got my quiet weekend while OH was away on his stag, but not in the way I intended -- I got gastric flu! Am feeling lots better today and hope to be back at work tomorrow. I lost 7lbs! I'm sure I'll put most of it back on, but I'm a bit worried in case my dress is too big. Have got my fitting next Tuesday, so a week to stabilise myself.

OH's stag do sounded harmless -- 3 days of drinking/clubbing! He says he had a good time and is glad it's out the way so we can get on with things.

I bit the bullet and emailed over the menu, order of service, reading, table names and name place settings to my stationer guy. It means it's all really happening! I finally got round to ordering a guest book today as well with a nice sparkly pen. I'd been debating whether to have one or not cos I never know what to write in them, but hopefully it'll be nice to look at afterwards, and surely it's better to have something than not have it and regret it?

Bluespirit -- Glad your hair and make up went well! And your gifts look lovely. I don't think it's a problem not having anything to give the BM's at the speeches, but maybe you could have cards to give them at this point instead? And yes I'm worrying about Xmas. There is just 3 weeks til xmas when we get back from honeymoon -- eek. Was planning to have everything bought and wrapped before we go but I'm just not in the Xmassy mood yet??? Have thought of a couple of ideas for people so maybe I should just get on with it then I won't be worrying too much when I get back!

Danielley -- Hope you're sorting your family issues out, can't be easy.

Enchantica -- Love the sound of your hen night, love the pics!! Hee hee we've jumped the gun on the baby-making and I came off my pill at the beginning of August. Totally not expecting anything to happen for a little while what with everything going on but it's nice to know I'm getting the pill out of my system. According to my diary, I *shouldn't* be on for the wedding/honeymoon but it's a close one! So I've kept a packet just in case!!!

Littlecat -- You sound like you're right into the details now! I'm walking into Canon in D as well. My dad suggested it and when I heard it, it brought tears to my eyes. As for your drinks dilemma, personally I'm starting to get a bit "they can do what they like" (is that actually called laissez-faire?!) so I'd just give them the one drink and hopefully they'd realise it's for the toast. And if they drink it, well they can get themselves another one from the bar for the speeches. I don't know how feasible it would be to greet everyone as you're gonna be swamped! Let us know how you get on with it.

Still on my to-do list: Order favours (can't do til next week), book taxi to take us to hotel (had problem with this cos they want me to have my credit card to present to the taxi driver. Hello, it's my wedding day??!), table plans (eek), book registrar meeting, get engagement ring re-polished (week before), make photo list for photographer (where to start), book mani/pedi/waxing, create job list for ushers (oh yes, they're going to earn their cufflinks), get music CD to venue, sort out Moss Bros. Had problem with them charging me twice then crediting me twice. That is not going to be hard to sort out at all??

Oh most important one -- book me a massage and facial! xxx

Bluespirit

Chrissy - do you need to do the buttons up on your dress? My sister had a similar sounding back to her wedding dress and said it took her hubby about 2 hours to drunkenly undo them all! When I said I didn't want that in dress shops they said a lot of brides don't do them up as they still look fine, and you have the zip to keep your dress on!

Losing Patience - my bridesmaids are getting jewellery for on the day too. We're just giving the mums presents during the ceremony, and everyone else is getting things beforehand. I have actually started thinking about Christmas. Bought OH a weekend away in the Lake District in February, and thinking about a few other things. I like to get things sorted early, so not being back from honeymoon till start December scares me!

Danielley - you sound like most things are nicely organised. What a nightmare with the family issue, I hope you get it sorted out.

Enchantica - your hen doo picks look fab - I know most of the places you're talking about so it sounds like it would have been a brilliant night! I love the Filling Station too.

Littlecat - I think a tray of fizz just before the speaches might be the easiest idea, then it should be obvious its for the toast. Good luck with your dress fitting too.

I'm just feeling stressed with all the details now! Last night we met the church florist, and discussed what flowers are going in there. It's a massive church, and takes a lot of flowers, so just having a couple of displays wasn't going to look right. The problem was cost, but luckily OH's mum has offered to pay some of it, and the church lady said that as well as the roses (which will be used by our proper florist in bouquets, etc.) she will use more greenery and maybe some similar coloured carnations to bulk out the displays. We've also just got our order of service signed off by the church another tick off! The evening invites have started going out, though we're still waiting on quite a few day guests replying so can't get on with favours/place cards yet which is a bit frustrating.

Last weekend we organised all the kilts for the men in the bridal party, which was fine except for my brother-in-law who is one of the ushers, who threw a fit about the jacket we wanted everyone to wear and refused to wear it saying that if we insisted he just wouldn't be an usher! Tempting - but we'd already spent money on personalised gifts, so in the end had to let him get his own way, and make the other usher the same as him. My mum is picking up my dress tonight, very exciting! The lady across the road from her works in a bridal shop, so we've asked her to come over on the morning of the wedding so she can do up the lacing on the back of my dress. We're going to get her over for a trial run soon, so I get to put my pretty dress on again!!

Hen weekend starts Friday. I can't wait!

littlecat29

What are you doing for your hen weekend Bluespirit?? Mines in 2 weeks - got a cottage in Bath for 2 nights for 11 of us ranging from 21 (OH's daughter) to 50 (OH sister) - OH daughter is one of my bridesmaid so has been very instrumental in arranging me hen doo!!! - should be interesting as im 38 and im sure we are poles apart with idea's!! - Feel very apprehensive abt mine but thats another story for another time!

danielley

Can I ask a quick question?

What are you all doing for wedding flowers?

I need some inspiration

Chrissy1981

Hi Danielley,

What are your colours and favourite flowers? My bridesmaids are in cornflower blue and I googled "blue flowers" but my florist was brilliant, as I don't really know much about flowers!

She suggested blue hydrangeas interspersed with white roses and freesias which I love as the petals of the hydrangeas look a bit like butterflies, and the freesias will smell lovely. Also, my mum had freesias in her bouquet when she got married. I wanted diamontes put in and it'll be tied with a silver ribbon. The bridesmaids will be having smaller versions of my bouquet but no freesias, and they'll have ivory ribbon.

The florist is doing our centrepieces as well, and again they'll be blue hydrangeas with white roses in mirror bowls.

Hope this helps.

Enchantica

danielley wrote: »

Can I ask a quick question?

What are you all doing for wedding flowers?

I need some inspiration

Hi danielley

I am using 200 wooden roses, which I have split into 6 bouquets. One each for my 5 bridesmaids and 1 bigger one for me. We aren't having any other flowers as we thought they were too expensive We have lots of candles instead.

Others may be able to give you better ideas for flower arrangments and things.

Here's the link to the wooden roses if you are interested, I paid £26 incl delivery for 200 of them: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHOLESALE-GIFT-FLOWERS-100-WOODEN-ROSES-BLUE-SET-4-/150668362973?pt=UK_WSJL_Wholesale_GL&hash=item231488c4dd

Here are some pics of my finished bouquets: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2732285 you will need to scroll down a bit to see them.