December 2011 Wedding Planning thread :)

Dekazer

Aw, thanks Zoe. I've been on holiday and not thought about the wedding at all, and now I'm back I'm planning on spending this evening doing some wedding bits and pieces.

We've now given notice (what a grim process that was) and booked the registrar. We've paid a deposit for the evening venue. This Friday we're going for dinner at our hopeful restaurant for the meal, and hopefully going to make a provisional booking!

I've been getting Vistaprint offers for months now, so once everything's booked we can send something out at least. It's the guest list that really needs to be refined first!

How's everyone else getting along?

xx

zoeisababe

Aww lovely to know its coming together!

Although I don't get married till next Christmas I have bought:
Place setting holders
place cards
snow angel dresses
fut shrugs
scatter crystals
guest book

ermm think thats it! LOL

We have viewed 2 venues, first was just a massive dissappointment. the second we love and looking at another on 22nd and hoping to have it booked by 1st June!

Let us know how your meal tasting goes!

Dekazer

Oh wow, Zoe you're doing well already! I must admit I'm rather relying on things not being as busy in winter, but you've spurred me on to really boost the effort this weekend!

zoeisababe

How did you get on Dek....?

Beakatron

Can I join please!?

We're getting married on Friday 9th December 2011. So far I have the following sorted:

- Reception venue booked and £50 deposit paid.
- Giving notice this Thursday £33.50 x 2 to pay.
- Save the date cards done (will be sent out by end of next week). I ordered these from vistaprint - got 25 save the date magnets and then I think it was 250 save the date cards (business size cards). Also ordered a banner from them to put up at the reception.
- Wedding dress have got (have borrowed from a friend, it's lovely although I need to slim down a bit first! The in-laws practically re-coiled in horror when they heard I was borrowing a dress but I have no problem with it, I really don't see the point of wasting loads of money on a dress that will be worn for a matter of hours. If at worst I can't fit into the dress then my friend knows a shop where they sell discontinued dresses really cheap so that's my back up plan lol).
- My mum is making the wedding cake - it will be lots of cup cakes on a stand with a sandwich cake at the top. My mum is brilliant at cupcakes so I'm sure it will look fantastic.

I've been messing about with a few ideas for invitations on Vistaprint but I'm still undecided, what's everyone else doing about invitations?? We're on a tight budget so are getting married at 3.30pm at the registry office then onto the reception venue with the day guests for a hot buffet and speeches etc then the evening guests will arrive about 7.30pm where there will be a disco and a late cold buffet.

How's everyones plans going??

Dekazer

Hi Beakatron And Cheers Zoe, all was lovely on Friday night. We ended up staying really late and not actually asking them if we could make a booking! Had a lvoely meal though, haha. I'm going to phone to ask when would be a good time to visit to discuss a booking.. They do say they cater weddings but they don't have a website or anything so I've no idea yet what sort of deals they'll offer. We love the menu though!

We are beginning to think we need to get on with invites soon. I don't think we're going to bother with save the dates, mainly to save the cost of the postage. I was thinking, instead, to try to follow up invites by phone/email (to chase up rsvps) and then only send info packs to people who are coming... I reckon as soon as we've booked the final venue we'll get them done.

I wish life wasn't so busy though! We don't have a free weekend until July now, which is making the planning seem a bit burdensome. Maybe on Sunday morning we'll manage to get a bit more done.

Oh! I did manage to find someone to decorate our cakes for us though, and for free! She's a friend who has just started a new job at a bakers, decorating cakes! She showed me some photos and she's ever so good already, and she's really excited about it, and won't hear of taking payment. (I'm sure I can force a gift on her though...) I think we'll get M&S cakes and then our friend can go to town with ribbons and whatnot, and she even makes tiny bride&groom toppers

Next task is the guest list I think...

zoeisababe

Aww sounds like itsa coming together just really slowly.
Did you get round to asking the restaurant?

we have falled in love with a venue...which is out of the price range
Knew I shouldnt have looked but thought they would negotiate on a midweek winter wedding but NOPE!

So viewing another this Sunday in Derbyshire..looking forward to that!

then I will send save the date cards out! LOL
YES I AM STILL A 2012 BRIDE lol

Dekazer

I'm quite envious of you Zoe - not only do you have ages to plan everything, but you have longer to enjoy the anticipation

We went to the restaurant again last night, having phoned last week, and we plucked up the courage to talk to them about it. It went brilliantly! We chatted over and agreed a draft menu (all things we like, and plenty of veggie and variety). We also agreed on a buffet, which now we've thought about it makes more sense. I managed to haggle about £1.75 per head off the price - a total saving of £140, which will make a big difference to us

Then, while we had our complimentary drinks after our meal, the manager came and chatted and told us the marriage traditions in nepal, where he's from, and gave us his sage advice about having a long and happy marriage! Brilliant chap.

I hope everyone enjoys having a Nepalese curry as a break from all the Christmas dinners they'll be having in December!

Now for the Save the Dates, which is this weekend's task.

How's everyone else getting on? Anyone started thinking about dresses yet?? doodlexyz - did you get your invites out?

zoeisababe

Excellent news Dek!!

Another tick on the list then hey!

MMMM Curry...dunno why but didn't expect that!!...great idea and a fab saving too!!!

Just wish I could decide on a venue, then I will feel a bit better about stuff...I know I have ages, but I can't really do anything else until the venue is booked.

My aunt is already trying to sort my hen do! ha ha...crazy lady.

I've seen some beautiful Maggie Sottero dresses, and a stockist with all 3 in, which I am going to book a day trip to go and visit and try all 3 on followed by lunch....looking forward to that.

And I've decided on hot pink shoes under my dress (after ceremony) even though it will clash with my bridesmaid LOL

tiny_courageous

Have found a dress! Am very excited, going to pay for it next week. It's flattering so I don't need to worry if I don't lose any weight, and if I do, there's a good alterations place near me.

Still haven't given notice but OH works such weird shifts it's hard to find a day when we're both off to go and do all the formalities. My aim is to get it done in the next three weeks. Then it's back to see the priest again.