May 2012 Brides (and Grooms) + Diary of a 2012 Bride

ruthybabs

Another busy week of wedding planning seems to be coming along, been reading up!

Hi repetsir, hope things work out for you with your inlaws although sounds like they have their own problems and whilst it's difficult you should both try not to let it influence or spoil your day. Nice to see another man on here, think we have a few now.

We've been away to a caravan-not exciting and very wet but trying to be MSE! Haven't therefore been able to do anything weddingy which has been a bit sad. Came home to my save the dates though and was thrilled at how nice they were until I looked more closely-our names are on the front in a curly font but it looks as though h2b is called Paut and not Paul as the final L is crossed and not at all similar to the L in my name. Checked the proof and there are no spelling mistakes, so it is down to the printing. Have emailed them and will see what they say.

Slowly raising the issue of children with family to point out that they probably won't be invited apart from ours and siblings. It's really not that we dislike them, (we have 4 and are considering more,) it's just that with our children and nieces and nephews alone we are upto 15 children, if we include cousins children or godchildren that jumps up to 30+ & we can only have 70 people to the wedding and don't want it to be a children's party! Would be happy for people to bring them to the reception if they really couldn't bear to leave them behind, but can't see what would happen to them during the ceremony as people concerned are coming from away. Anyway, have broached the subject and hope people will understand and actively choose to come and enjoy a childfree day....watch this space as SIL2B is predicting massive problems from his side and suggested I am unfair. Guess I can't please everybody!

Trying to get some ideas together for tables and things I can get making and boxed away this week I think, but H2B away again and summer holidays have started so may not manage anything!

Have a good week ladies and gents xxx

ruthybabs

Hi all
Bit quiet on here-maybe we're all super organised lol! Feels as though we're letting the side down a bit though. Had a bit of a rant on the bridezilla post last night and feel much better although I probably (no definitely) sounded a bit of a tit! Anyway had a good think about things today and not going to let any of it stress me out. H2B is away again, which is impossible, especially as summer hols and kids miss him so much. We have just found out we have to move house in september-meaning a possible move of school for 2 youngest, but will all work out!

On the plus side, have kept dds off facebook all day planning wedding stuff! Have fallen for a dress very similar to yrs Msshopper-may even be a copy by a different company-would you mind very much?? (Feels weird asking someone I've never met who would never see it, but it has held me back from ordering it as don't want to cause offence.)

Have had a rethink on colours too as the french navy thing was mostly down to the boat idea and now that's out of the window it kind of doesn't feel right. DD1&2 have found another dress they both like (miracles!) but it's black-will try to add pic later. So thinking on a black and ivory theme with some sort of bright accent. Liked fuschia/teal/red but h2b likes pink (think it's living in a house of women_ and can't have red because it's Sunderland's colour apparently (delicate subject here in Newcastle!) Sunflowers jumped out at me before in the garden, so that might be the accent and think they might work really well and pretty cheap as table centres etc.

Have also decided I want chair covers now as want to create a big wow in the social club we've booked. (How do we get sucked into these things? And where is this warehouse that every social club in the land buys its chairs, tables, carpets etc from???) it's a silly thing, but as we can set up the day before I have this image now of how the room will look and I want to do it tomorrow!

We have booked a photoboooth for H2B as a surprise and can't wait to see how it works out. He is so wild when he gets going and has a lot of his old army mates on the guest list so whilst I know it's something he'd never justify the expense of, I know he'll absolutely love when it just turns up. There will be bare bottoms involved inevitably-it's an army thing apparently, but at least they might be limited to the booth and save the room at whole! The kids are excited about it too and we get a printed copy of every picture in a (hopefully) signed guest book as well as guests getting their copy and we also get everything on disc. A good investment all in I think and hopefully good entertainment on the night.

ruthybabs

Had a flash of inspiration (sorry you must be thinking I'm some sort of mad stalker) what do you think about yellow plastic castle buckets and spades as table centres? We are getting married at the seaside and the club is on the beachfront. I was thinking of asking the venue to add ice and we could put the toast wines in them rather than leaving them on the tables next to a vase with a sunflower? Got to be cheap too-could maybe even do £1 shop if I'm canny or will it just look pants?

MsShopper

Ooh, ruthybabs, you've had some lovely ideas! I like the buckets and spades - very cute. And the sunflowers would add a lovely summery splash of colour as well.

I was thinking how you could carry the seaside theme in other elements, such as the invites, menus etc. I did a quick Google search and found this - might be good for stationery inspiration! https://www.flickr.com/photos/pentacor/sets/72157624331200105/

Love the fact you're having a photobooth. I am so tempted, but it would bust our budget completely. So I think it'll be a DIY one, which I can hopefully make look pretty/vintage-y.

As for the dress, of course I don't mind. It's a compliment! And also reassuring that I've picked something that someone else likes apart from me. Would love to see a pic/link if you have one?

PS Your Bridezilla post made me chuckle. (You did not sound like a tit!) I've had some semi-Bridezilla moments, but am saving up a post for when I really let rip. Probably the closest I've come so far is banning my gorgeous, blonde, size 8, 21-year-old sister and BM from wearing her hair extensions. It's going to be hard enough to compete for attention as it is! :rotfl:

ruthybabs

Hi Ms Shopper

I woke up this morning and wondered whether I'd dreamed the bucket and spade thing or whether I's said it out loud (well you know what I mean!) I love the idea of it but DD2 has turned round and said why do you want that when you wanted everything grown up and elegant? hmmmm think a balance will be good, don't think we could have candles-venue restrictions and too many children, so plastic buckets have got to be cheaper and more unusual than glass fishbowls etc.

Will think on it some more! Have to go and find the beach bag and see if a couple of bottles of wine would fit in one of ours! Pouring with rain today too-no wonder the kids think I'm losing it!

Was thinking about painted pebbles as placenames as something easy to do that kids could help with and if we collected the pebbles ourselves on one of our many beach trips would only cost the paint/pens. Could also collect shells as table confetti, chuck in a few crystally things for sparkles.

Also had some sort of idea about sandcastle flags, but not sure how to sort them yet-am I the only one dreaming about table decorations??
Think it's because H2B's away, I never sleep so well

Thanks for those fonts, you are so clever! I will definitely find a way of incorporating something similar somewhere, although there will be little notices, table numbers and things-you are fab!
Also have found these as a surprise for H2B

thought they might be cute-everyone else is getting their fish and chips in the box! (purely to annoy my mother who will consider it common! But from a practical point of view, it does save me hiring plates.) This company are very dear, but there is a ceramic studio in town where you buy the piece and decorate it yourself and then they glaze them and he has them for £12. Can take kids down for a day out and they can maybe do one each for me and him. (My dad and his mum would love them as Christmas presents too, but will have to wait until next year ha ha!) H2B does so much for us and is so thoughtful and wants to be involved in every little detail, that I'm trying to add little surprises into the day for him.

The photobooth I have agonised over, but I know it will be a massive hit so will find the money. I have been paying a credit card bill off weekly and it is now finished and he doesn't realise as I was able to make a few extra payments so I have £50 week that went out to that and I will pay the photo company instead. I have a really good deal so can pay it in less than 2 months hopefully. I have also done a few extra days work while he's away so there's a tiny bit extra in the pot.

By not having cars, (hoping someone will offer one but if not will use taxis or whatever), having fish and chips instead of a buffet or meal, asking an uncle to do photos, and DIYing as much as possible (cake, flowers, hair/makeup, stationery, decor) things aren't costing as much as they easily could but everything still seems to be adding up!

A DIY photobooth sounds great though and I did consider it, it was just because of the surprise element that I'm doing it this way.

Had a think about the numbers thing too and decided I don't care! We're at 102 where registry office says 70. Going to send out invitations anyway and see what happens. Lots of people say they want to come but live in Spain and when the time comes may not be quite so eager! Several friends are teachers and my not be able to make a Friday in termtime. Also the families are large (and unreliable) so rather than upsetting them and causing WW3 by not inviting their children, We'll invite everyone and see what happens-half of them probably can't be bothered to turn up as not being chauffeur driven and provided with free accommodation anyway and if they do, H2B can have a word and suggest one of them misses the ceremony to watch the kids for half an hour. It will all work out! Can't spend the next 9 months worrying about it!

Have also decided that welcome drinks in the smaller downstairs room will work better than staying there all afternoon, so we can have a drink then go upstairs into my dressed big room for food, speeches and the rest of the day. H2B agrees and as I'm hoping we can slope off for half an hour after the ceremony for photos on the beach and by the castle (weather permitting) and probably the only 30 minutes we'll spend together all day, at least everyone can get a drink.

See, lots of plans made at 3am!

MsShopper

Love the painted pebble idea - and they could double as favours if you wanted. I'd probably take mine home as a memento anyway!

I think you're right about the numbers - we're also over-inviting (mainly to keep the peace with extended family) and hoping around 20 or so can't make it!

And it sounds like you've earned that photobooth. I still haven't ruled a proper one out completely, mainly cos I'd love for guests to be able to print their pics out on the night. Which company are you going for?

Also, I did a quick Google image search for alternatives to your bucket and spade idea (though I still like it!):





PS Would still love to see your dress, unless you'd rather not reveal!

ruthybabs

You are a love! Your search skills are legendary! I love those little sandcastle candles-they are soo cute!

Candles are out unfortunately though as too many small children and potential arsonists invited! I love those shells too, but think we will be limited to whatever I can scavenge from the north sea! Benefit of small children is that they will happily spend many hours on the beach collecting shells! DD3 and DS could well become my new best friends in next few weeks!

Can't find that dress I liked, company seems to have disappeared-not a good sign and DD cleared history to hide a chat she was having (Bloody teenagers!) I may make some enquiries with that company you're using though as they are at least UK based. Kids are away next week so i will go into town and have a good look round and make sure I know exactly what I want.

Have rooted the buckets and spades out and will only fit 1 bottle of wine in, but had a second flash of inspiration that I could instead use them to carry salt & vinegar, ketchup, tartare sauce etc for each table.
(DDs are convinced that I am actually losing it now, but I'm beyond caring! Wait until my mother sees the ideas!)

I have managed to add a link to the fish and chip plate for H2B as the picture wasn't showing (how do you do it?) I do think they're cute.

Spotted some tall thin and very cheap vases in morrisons at the weekend, would be perfect for a single stem sunflower in centre of table with the other bits and pieces and some fabulously yellow napkins on a party shop on ebay so think that's the plan properly decided! Can pick up bunches of sunflowers in supermarkets for £5 so will be very cheap. Want to mock up a table now I'm very excited (or completely sad if you ask sulking and grounded DDs!)

Photobooth company i'm using is pictureblast http://www.pictureblast.co.uk Their website, customer attention and general attitude has been far and away better than any other company i've dealt with. They instant print 2 copies of each pic-one for guest and one for guest book, put it all on a dvd including video messages and send it all out. They have only charged me £100 for travelling up here-local companies were charging more to start with- and are throwing in free leather guest book. All in all comes to £595 and is fully staffed etc so no need for anyone to supervise it, or remind others about guestbook and hopefully having an attendant will ensure I get pictures of more than just the ex squaddies backsides (it's a strange phenomenon but they all seem to strip as soon as they get together!)

So now don't need table cameras or guest book-am saving money again and should get pictures of all the guests. It's something I think the kids will enjoy too.

MsShopper

Such a shame you can't find that dress. I'd definitely recommend MKM Bridal from what I've experienced so far. They've answered tons of questions, sent me fabric samples, sent pics of the different beading they're using, agreed to swap out the sequins for Swarovski crystals (for cost price) and generally been very patient and helpful. And their prices are fantastic - assuming the dress lives up to the pics! (I'm optimistic - I contacted some past buyers and they were very happy with the quality of their dress.)

Another UK company to try is Estilo Moda - they do bespoke and replica designs. I contacted them about copying this dress from a US designer but with a smaller train and less shiny material. The quoted £475, which I thought was reasonable. (But decided I wanted the beaded lace one instead.)

Love the fish and chip plate, by the way! Such a cute touch. (You add pics by clicking on the 'mountain' icon and pasting the image URL in there. You can get the URL easily via Google Images if you click on 'Full-size image'. Or if you find the pic on a normal web page, right click on the image and (on a Mac anyway) select Copy image location, and paste that.)

ruthybabs

Will see what i come up with after a dress shopping trip next week. The girls have stopped arguing long enough to agree on this dress instead now we've abandoned the navy
Hard to get them to agree on anything as they hate anything the other likes on principle! Maybe it was threatening them with the little girls dress like their 5 yr old sister!

Going to hope the sun's out tomorrow and get the kids down the beach shell seeking and looking for perfect pebbles!

What can I help you look for?

MsShopper

Aw, that dress is really pretty, ruthybabs! And so great that all your girls like it.

I made the mistake of giving my BMs a choice of style from a range of Alfred Sung dresses. Two of the three have picked the same style! Ideally, I wanted them in different styles but the same colour/fabric. And I can't have them all in the same style either, as my MoH wants a long dress and the other two want short ones. I should've just picked the styles for them!

Hmmm... help with finding stuff... Well, if you've spotted any nice handbags on your travels, that would be good! I'd like a beaded (or part-beaded) one, ideally, but haven't found one under £50. Actually closer to £20 would be better! Not sure of the colour yet, either. I was planning to order my dress in ivory, but just found out they offer it in light champagne as well, so I've asked for some samples before I confirm the colour. Decisions, decisions...