Wedding Tips start here...

bizliz27

wishfire wrote: »

Hi everyone

I'm really sorry if this has been discussed already lately, but i've been reading the thread for days and i'm still only half way through! :embarasse

I'm getting married in around 7 weeks and I'm trying to sort out some centrepieces. We've bought some cheap vases from Ikea and are looking for pillar/church candles to go in them.
I need white candles, 5cm diameter....any idea where to look to get them cheap(ish)?

Thank you

Hey Wishfire!
Welcome to the thread, it took me AGEs to get through it so I know what you're feeling!

Congratulations on the forthcoming wedding!
'IKEA' is always good for candles.
'The Range' isnt bad either if you have a local one?

hope that helps...

xx

wishfire

Thank you, bizliz27

ikea didn't have any white ones in the size i need, but I'm off to check out "the range" now, thanks for the tip!

Smanderson

Hi everyone,

My long time BF proposed in February this year (finally LOL…I think Beyonce finally got through - Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh) and I have been obsessively reading this thread ever since!! Like wishfire I haven’t managed to finish reading it all….but I intend to!! There are so many great tips, I cant stop telling people about it… Our ceremony is in June this year as we don’t want to wait any longer but means we have to be savvy with expense with so little time and also we have just bought our first home so have used all spare funds. We have decided to keep it small with just close family attending.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for bridal makeup…I found Clinique are offering a 5 day trial of foundation when you attend a counter at Boots and I also found they are giving a lip gloss free in cosmopolitan. I am keen to find out if there are any other tips out there …..?

I read somewhere you should use a different perfume for the wedding so the scent reminds you of the day but im not keen on spending a lot on this so was thinking maybe sample? But im not sure where I could get something like this as the stores seem to be a bit funny about giving samples these days….??

Also, im intending to use the bridesmaids bouquets for table decorations and was wondering if there are any tips for cheap but nice vases?

Thanks and sorry for waffling
)

Brightside

I got offered a free facial by Molton Brown and a free make-up session with Benefit while out shopping on saturday.

As for perfume, I was thinking of having a bouquet with freesias in so the scent always reminds me of the wedding day. They also remind me of my grandma who died several years ago so it will be a reminder of her on the day.

Smanderson

oohh thank you Brightside, I will check out Molton Brown and Benefit ASAP...

I used the Clinique foundation today to test run and it is really good, i'm impressed so far but will need to see how it shows up on photos as its quite a thick foundation (stayed on for 14 hours so far)....

I love the idea of scented flowers in bouquet...any ideas for scented flowers to go with a rose bouquet? I LOVE lavender...do you think i could get away with Rose and Lavender??

violagirl

Take a look at this website for fab music at v reasonable rates,NWEngland
elysiastringquartet

db21111

My tip is to never short change yourself on the wedding photography. Go for the best you can afford AND go for someone who will not detract from the day, ie will get on with people when necessary and won't annoy the guests. I am a wedding photographer as some on here know as I've met and shot you and so I see so many nightmare stories, brides calling me up for help after having bad experiences with the 'cheap option guy'

It's an amazing day and doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg but the photography is one thing that will last for a very very long time. After the cake is eaten, the hall is cleared out and the dress has worn away...

Not just saying it because I'm completely into my job as my hobby and love too but just so you all avoid disappointment.

Smanderson

Hi again,

Just under 4 weeks to go till the big day!! I had to update as so much has happened since my last post. I have found the perfect florist in Canterbury who is really well priced..... Memories Florist Louise is so lovely she has helped so much i cant wait to see the wonderful flowers she creates.

I also ordered a pashmina on ebay as weather is still bad may not be so hot on the day. £2.50 including delivery!! Its really nice as well, shocking when you think the big stores want £20 to 30 for the same thing.

We got all the bridesmaids outfits in BHS which seems to have permanent 30% off at the mo which was uber bargain. Also hair accessories are even more off as they are left over from last year so it cost £2.00 for hair bands instead of the usual £7-10. It worked out about £250 for 2 adult bridesmaids and 2 flower girls...including hair accessories, bolero's and shoes...not too bad and certainly money saving. :j

i have decided to go with a tip i saw on here and use bridesmaids flowers for table decorations too so i ordered vases in next sale - £12. I will probably put my bouquet in the back of the car on the way there and to the reception. We are using my dads car as we cant justify the costs of cars ....£250 to £500 per car.

My dress was from the best shop ever gillianroberts bridal in Eltham , it wa £340 down from £700 as it was an end of line dress - they have a whole room of sale dresses upstairs and they are so lovely there. They have dresses for all budgets and really look after you regardless of budget. I even saw one for £100. :T

Shoes from girls of elegance website £25 down from £75 in the sale.

We made our invitations but this worked out more expensive in the end...live and learn i guess.

Hair by mobile hairdresser holly kathleen who is really well priced £30 for trial and £40 for the day so £70 total which is the cheapest i have found. She also does makeup and i am having a trial to see if i like it as thats £40.

I looked for bargains on rings for weeks and still couldnt find any...they cost what they cost. Even Argos charges the same so we just went with what we liked given the lack of deals and will be worn every day.

Lastly the cake....I have been told at a Tesco store they no longer do the cakes, I can only find medium on ASDA website so we will be ordering from M&S unless anyone has any suggestions??

bifi

Hello, I'm a moneysaving newbie and I love this thread! It's given me loads of ideas already for our summer wedding.
Just thought I'd share a few money saving tips I've found so far.
Poundland have a wedding range including table confetti, bubbles, car decorations, etc all for a pound! I've got stocked up early.
Also Matalan and Asda both have sets of underwear which would be suitable for a bride on a budget - cream / ivory in colour and cheap!
Bhs and Next seem to be the cheapest for shoes - I'm still waiting for my dress to turn up so I can try shoes on with it.
We're making origami flowers for the bouquets - they look great so far and it should work out cheap.
We made our own wedding invites and e-mailed them out to save on costs.
I would also advise getting friends and family involved - people have been so generous with helping out so far.
For decorating tables we're looking at tealight holders and tealights from Ikea, some table confetti and helium balloons. You can get helium tanks from Asda for £20 and balloons cheap online.
I hope some of these ideas help others out. I look forward to hearing some more tricks of the trade!

minipenny_2

Hello,

I'm new to these here parts. I'm getting married in March 2013.

I plan In November to order some suits from Next and drag oh to Debs, m&s and house of frasier to try more suits on. Then I'm going to keep a note and go at 6am on Boxing day to get his and our little boys suits. Hopefully I'll save some money on that.

We're getting our invitations from Vistaprint. I've seen some plain cupcakes on Waitrose's site for quite cheap so I'm just going to pop a Sugar flower on each.

I'm going to check out poundland thanks to poster above for bubbles etc.

Our venue is free as its on a Sunday and as we have a few budding photographers in our familys we wont have to pay for that either. I'm going to negotiate with the venue about food and drinks.

I'm hoping we can get the rings in Christmas sales too.

Off to try on dresses n a couple of weeks but I have a strict low budget so will be sale rack only.