Shoe-String Wedding

pendragon_arther

Why don't wedding dress shops hire them out because they're only used once per person?

sarahmtly

Thanks all for replys

I love the idea of using a skills swap shop never thought of that.

As for the dress its reassuring that some people have had them from China and are happy with them with a few alterations.

I did already try Gumtree and Ebay but anything local to me is all wrong sizes as I am plus size. Its amazing how many size 12 brides there are lol.

Thanks again for all your help

haras_nosirrah

If you are a plus size bride don't get a Chinese dress off eBay. You want to feel amazing on your day and the pictures they use look amazing because they are pictures of the designers original dresses not the cheap copies you get. They will not have any of the boning or support you need and will not be returnable if it looks awful as made to measure items are exempt. You can't try it on so have no idea if it will look good or not before it arrives.

I understand your dilemma as I was a shoe string bride myself and was a size 20 bride. I found a dress in a wedding dress shop I loved. It pulled me in and looked gorgeous. Alfred Angelo dress. I couldn't afford the £1200 price tag so I bought a second hand one off eBay for £300 but at least I knew what I was getting. After my wedding I cleaned it and sold it on eBay... For £300. Only cost me postage and fees. Mine wasn't local to me but as I had tried the dress in the shop I knew it would fit.

Personally I wouldn't risk the Chinese knock off. Either rent or go second hand so you can try it on first

jackyann

Definitely use charity shops rather than buying off ebay.
But I would also consider asking if anyone in your circle can dress make. People get worried about the perfection of a wedding dress, but actually, unless you want fitted bodice etc (which you won't manage to perfection in one bought off-the-peg) then it'a not a problem.
Loads of tips on sewing forums, but here's mine:
choose something flowing so exact fit isn't an issue
make 2 practice pieces: one from old sheeting, and one from cheap fabric (fabricland website)

If that won't work, consider getting married in a nice outfit - all of the older wedding photo in my family show brides in a "best dress" - my mother was the first to wear a what we would now think of as a wedding dress.

A compromise I have seen, that looked lovely: cream flowing summery skirt, shell type top, both bought cheaply in the High St. Topped with a home-made flowing crepe silk jacket (much more forgiving to make than a dress) cost under £100.

As for your husband's suit: M&S if he wants something to keep, charity shop if he's very very lucky indeed, or hire.

One wedding I helped at, I made cravats and hankies for the groom's party: cheap material from the market, pattern off the internet; used the same fabric for big flower brooches for the bridesmaids. All looked very co-ordinated for less than £10!

haras_nosirrah

One thing I did which worked quite well was not to get centre pieces for the tables. Instead I got some nice vases from the range for about £10 each. Put some coloured glass beads in the bottom and had silk posy bouquets for the bridesmaids. After the wedding the bridesmaids handed their bouquets in to the hotel at the wedding breakfast while we were doing the meet and greet who put the bouquets into the vases on the tables. Bouquets also became centre pieces and gave the mothers and grandmothers the vases and bouquets afterwards for keepsakes. Had 4 bridesmaids and 4 guest tables so worked well

mellymoo74

Ours cost under £1500
Dress eBay from a wedding dress outlet £150
Boots eBay £50
Headdress £120 (got 2 still have them they are silver with a moonstone in one and polished blues stone same as stonehenge in the other)
OH suit £160
Shoes £50 (he still wears these all the time 11 years on)
£250 buffet
£50 flowers

74jax

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3811691

I know the amount is more than yours but this link shows some ideas at finding lots of things free. I also did foam roses for flowers, I didn't have any but my bridesmaids did, and the link has food ideas etc.

Have a look on the wedding forum, it was invaluable for me.

kingfisherblue

Put an ad on Freecycle - it's worth a try. Also, I often see requests for China teacups or glass vases and jars that people want for making table decorations for weddings.

Good luck, and have a wonderful wedding with none of the debt.

paddy's_mum

Buy your flowers from supermarket, split the bouquets into little hand-held posies and plonk into glass tumblers - voila - table flowers done!

Google images 'wedding table flowers in a glass' for some really clever ideas.

selloptape

This depends on your personal taste but if there are any shops near you that sell vintage reproduction dresses they could be worth a try. There's a fab shop in Notts that makes 50s style prom dresses and they tailor to fit your measurements. They also do slinky wiggle dress type shapes too. Lots of lovely brides on their FB page and very reasonable prices.

(didn't want to post the link as not sure about spam ettiquette but Pm me if you'd like it )