Wedding Tips start here...

Viz_2

deecy wrote:

hi, just wondering how expensive Gavin from reportage photography is?

Gavin's rates obviously depend on what style of album and how long you want him for, eg.. just ceremony, speeches, first dance, end of reception. The albums we looked at ranged from £1200 to £3000, definitely worth booking to see him as his work in his studio speaks for itself, his website only gives you a limited view.

Viz_2

Those of you who have big familes and want to share your wedding planning with them this site is great..

http://www.weddingpath.com/

We have done one and people love it, you can upload all your own pictures, keep people updated in planning and it has a message board too...

See for yourselves... Its great :j

[Deleted User]

I got married in July 2005 and made a previous post on this thread about my wedding day. I had a lot of contact through PM about people wanting more details as basically I Had 4 bridesmaids, 2 best men, 4 ushers, 3 page boys, BMW convertible car, Landrover Discovery, Calla Lily Brides Bouquet, 4x Matching Calla Lilly Bridesmaid Bouquets, 100 Handmade Invites, Professionally Decorated Hall, Church, Organ, Videotographer, Photographer, Professional Make Up, Professional Hair, Grooms Suits, 3 x Page Boys Suits, 4 Usher Suits, Tiara, Jewellery, 100 Handmade Favours, DJ for 8 hours, Village Hall, Hotel Suite, 3 Tier Wedding Cake, Seating Plan, Outside Bar, £450 Spent on Handmade Rings, Buffet and Canapes for 100. And lots more!!!

Total cost of my big white wedding was £2,000

Here’s Hints on Tips on what I did, they may not be what some people want but it worked for me!

FAVOURS -
I gave out Wedding Scrolls on cream paper see this site for the Scroll Text http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/wedding/favour-scroll-instructions.asp and this site for personalised Ribbons http://www.weddingservices4u.co.uk/shop/Personalised_Ribbons.htmThen I tied up the printed paper with the ribbons which I had printed with our names on and date of wedding which cost £14 for 100! Everyone said it was more personal then almonds or alcholic minitures!

CARS -
I didn't hire the car I had a distant relative who had a BMW convertible and offered me it for the day. The Landrover (the other wedding car) I got by putting a little note on a car I saw at Sainsbury's and said I love your car could you drive me to my wedding. The guy rung me on mobile and I gave him £20 for petrol and job done, he was really made up to be asked and said he would be privileged to do it. (I might have been lucky)

MAKE-UP & HAIR -
Make up and hair I got from a company at a wedding fair but I had all the costs cut as I arranged for other female guests to have their make up and hair done. There were 5 for hair and 10 for make up and I got a 30% discount and being a little cheeky I asked my bridesmaids to pay themselves they were more than happy too. The price I was quoted I divided equally between us all so Make Up was £10 and hair was £15 so I had my wedding hair and make up done for £25. All the female guests were more then happy to be included in the pre-wedding antics as well!

SUITS -
Men’s suits go to Burtons Hire department! The men’s suits were £49 for cravat, waist coat, jacket trousers and shirt plus if you order four or more suits for your wedding with them you get the grooms suit for free! My husband picked a different suit for £89 and didn't have to pay a penny!

CAKE -
My free tier stacked cake was made by my Nan! But my friend got her wedding cake by asking at a cake decorating college (held in cake shop) if they could decorated hers she brought the bases from Tescos and had them decorated for nothing!

BRIDESMAIDS & PAGEBOYS -
Bridesmaid outfits and page boy outfits get from BHS. If you don't have one near you email them and ask for the wedding catalogue and you can order straight out of that. Although I brought the dresses in February for £80 then middle of June they were reduced to £30 in a sale so depending on your wedding you could save some extra money!

PHOTOGRAPHER-
I contacted my local college where there are art courses and photography courses and asked if they had any HE (higher education) students who needed to develop their portfolio. I ended up with 3rd year media students doing my video and photography and I just had to pay for developing and the DVDs. The students enjoyed getting some experience and they were very willing to try new techniques and experiment with different photographic styles.

FLOWERS-
I went to a big wedding fair was given lots of leaflets on flower bouquets. I’m quite artistic and copied a style using fantastic fake designer flowers and all my 5 bouquets cost under £60. The fake flowers were designed by the guy that does the flowers on This Morning, I brought them at my local Garden Centre.

INVITES-
I made 100 invites quite simply using 100 cream refolded cards from the range, then I ripped similar sized rectangles out of Hand pressed burgundy coloured paper. I stuck these down on the front of each card placed on some relief stickers saying wedding and one in the shape of wedding rings. Total cost £30. Although there are plenty more designs you can easily do yourselves.

GET HELP -
My biggest tip is I said to people that I was trying to rein in the wedding and do it on a budget. Everyone who I told that to was more than willing to help in some way. For Example I know it was my wedding but I asked my bridesmaids, ushers and page boys to buy or hire their own suits and they were more than happy to as they still spent less money then having to buy a new outfit for the wedding if they weren't a key wedding party member.

FANTASTIC BOOK -
Its called The Complete Book of Wedding Crafts and includes invite designs, how to calligraphy, favours, table decorations, Gifts & goodies, reception décor. See it Online here http://www.weddingservices4u.co.uk/shop/Personalised_Ribbons.htm I got mine from the local library if its not stocked in your local library you can order it in for 55p!

Good Luck fellow wedding planners!

I hope the links work!

missimaxo

I am planning my wedding at the mo - and we have found a bargain wedding photographer on ebay!

Definately worth a look for those watching the pennies!

Becles

If anyone is getting married in Gretna, I can recommened Colin Wyper:
http://www.gretnaweddings.net/

He's a lovely bloke and I'm really pleased with our photos. He takes 2-3 pictures of each shot to make sure you get plenty of good ones.

We were married at 4pm on a Saturday, and had ordered a package that included 20 prints to go in an album. These were with us by 10am on the Sunday morning. Due to the timescale, he picks the best prints for the album, but I wasn't disappointed with his choice.

Also included is a CD-ROM of every photo he has taken. You can use this to print/publish photos from, or you can order professional reprints direct from Colin.

alison6692

http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1066635

Hope this helps someone xxx

lin473

M&S Iced fruit celebration cakes are 3-4-2 at the mo.
Four different sizes and they sell the pillars too.
Means you get the top tier free for a three tier cake!

EJ

Hi All,

I bought a load of white golfing umbrellas from https://www.newitts.co.uk and they were at 99p each plus p&p.

Not sure if any left or if offer still on but even at the full price (£3.50) they're a bargain. Really good quality - i'd recommend them.

Saw ppl selling same ones on ebay for £6.95 plus p&p!

Cheers

EJ

EJ

lin473 wrote:

M&S Iced fruit celebration cakes are 3-4-2 at the mo.
Four different sizes and they sell the pillars too.
Means you get the top tier free for a three tier cake!

Hi - which M&S is that in? I looked online and it doesnt seem to be on there.

Cheers

EJ

gaynor

hello everyone, do hope all your wedding plans are going well!! Hows this for a nightmare scenario? My son is getting married next saturday,20th may and the pub where we were holding the reception has closed down, as the manager has done a runner, leaving the pub empty of drinks and with debts of £100000s! I have managed to find someone to do the catering, only a cold buffet, but still wont know until tomorrow whether or not we can still use the function room!! Fingers crossed it will go ahead, but you can imagine how the poor bride to be is feeling! I feel guilty as I encouraged them to hold the reception there, as there was no charge for the room and the catering was very reasonable, as the bride and groom are on a very tight budget, it seemed ideal. I have managed to pencil in another pub room, but at a cost of £200 (which we can scarcely afford, but have no choice), but all the invites of course say the other pub venue, meaning hundreds of phone calls to guests. Help!! What a nightmare, I am desperately trying to hold it all together for everyones sake, but am rapidly reaching panic proportions! Please keep your fingers and toes crossed that tomorrow brings good news!! Regards,
Gaynor