Here To Help With Weddings

kzgirl

hi, have not read all of the thread as im a bit drunk trying out moet for the wedding but i got my dress from https://www.elegantbride.co.uk as i would have paied £700 in a shop round the corner but i got it ofr £400. they do mori lee and other dresses and well worth a look.

katglasgow

Hi KZ hope the Moet was up to scrath - best have another glass just to make sure - ha ha!

Just to update freebie and Mrs Thruft I have now confirmed my deposit on the Mori Lee dress it is definiately the one for me! I am paying £199 for the dress and £50 for al the alterations - done over 5 fittings!!! Accessories will be bought from Debenhams most oikely and my mum is keen for me to wear her veil. Heres the rest of my budget:

Total Wedding Savings 1,400

Wedding Budget
Stationery £30 – making myself using DTP at work, local printer/stationery supplies and handmade artwork by me
Postage £12
Rings £250 – bride 18ct 4mm, groom 9ct 7mm plain gold bands with ini6tila and date engraved on inside. This was a quote from Goldsmiths, any advice on a cheaper supplier?
Licence £95
Church Donation £100
Organist fees £50 – guess, actuall fee tbc
Bride Outfit £300 – includes shoes, tiara etc… I am getting gift vouchers for Chirstmas to put towards some nice underwear.
Hairdresser £50 – bride, bridesmaid
Flowers £75 – 2 bouquets, 1 church display. I would love to reduce this by DIY but don’t know the first thing about flowers!
Kilthire £200 – groom + dad, bestman, our son
Cake £10 – use existing M+S gift vouchers for cake, cost is for family friend to decorate
Favours £10 – material, ribbon and sugarded almonds.
Balloons £35
Cars £160 – local firm, 1 merc + 1 saloon
Groom accom fri £60

Total Costs £1,412

Bride parents: reception costs (meal, drink, buffet + band)
Groom’s parents: photographer

Any suggestions welcome - particualry if you think IO can get the rings or flowers costs down at all!

Thanks! xx

Jess_7477

Hi

I am getting married in January we also have a small budget. A couple of things we have done are: Asked a family friend with a posh car to take me and my Dad to the venue (we are getting married at the hotel) and another friend with a people carrier will take the bridesmaids and my Mum.

I managed to get a Saturday job at a florist for the last year and they have saved the money I would have been paid to pay for my flowers, I know this isn't an option for you. Pick cheaper flowers, for example red roses are always very expensive. Ask the florist how much flowers are by the stem.

Also there are classes at college in floresty if you wanted to do it yourself or ring the college to see if they could ask anyone taking the classes if they would like to do them??

Freebie_Hunter_2

Hi Kat!
I'm really pleased about your progress!
In reference to the rings, try some high street jewellers such as H. Samuel and Hinds.
I paid £90 for my 18ct 4mm and the gents 9ct gold 7mm band was quoted at £69 and these were both court fit (rounded on the inside - much more comfy than the D shaped as court fit doesn't cut into your finger!)
My hubby opted for a nice buffed white gold ring at £99 as white gold is more expensive.

I THINK that was from Samuels and both our rings are very good quality, not the flimsy rubbish you get from Argos!

As for the flowers, in all honesty you could look at a cheaper flower but you have to purchase the flowers from the flower shop so you wouldn't really save anything. Not only that but a florist would arrange them properly and I think that's important, otherwise it'll look like you're holding flowers picked from your neighbours garden by your child / niece / nephew!!

The quote for your flowers sounds very reasonable - I paid £264 for my flowers but I had 3 different orchids and lots of them!!
I had my bouquet, 2 mums corsages, 1 grooms buttonhole to match my flowers, 3 cake toppers (and the flowers which WERE going into my chief bridesmaids corsage, but she let me down so they went on the cake as well - much nicer!!) and 6 buttonholes for the bridal party.

I would see if you can shop around for the mens hire as I am sure you can get that cheaper.

Also, with your church flowers, see if there is anyone getting married at the same church either the same day, the day before or the day after. They may well share the costs for the flowers if they like the same arrangement.
I was lucky enough to get a few stands anyway as there was a wedding the day before and one that day at 3pm. They'd normally cost £75 each!

Looks like you have made good savings altogether and you are already doing what I would have suggested. Try E-Bay for any accessories - lots for sale but not many people buying so you'll get something nice and cheap!


Good luck and please do keep us posted on your progress ;D

sally_pearson

My local green grocer is doing my flowers. My sister in law to be got hers there and they were wonderful and half the price of other flower shops. She took the risk and now I am reaping the rewards.