****2016 Brides**** 326 brides (and 3 grooms!) so far!

I think i'd be a bit upset if my dad didn't want to spend a little time with me before hand, but i do think i would be being unreasonable as he lives close by.
What if there is traffic on the roads or an unseen delay? I think for logistics it makes more sense for him to come the day before, but could it be because of accommodation costs?

Well, we're going back to our food supplier today, but with my dad this time to show him around and see what he thinks.
Plus the manager will actually be in today so we can get some questions answered properly (can we have alcohol, desserts etc)

also - I AM DESPERATE TO DO A FULL FLASH, but know i should probably wait

Do it Hellandglory-im dying to see what other people have got sorted so far xxxxxx

Seconded! And I feel like yours is going to be a good one...

Hi I definitely think flashes are good fun, go for it ? I'm curious to what people have got arranged. I'm itching to get started on all the DIY bits I have planned but people think I'm bonkers and its too early. x

Helland Glory this dress is beautiful - absolutely stunning! Would you mind sharing the designer and name? I need to try some short dresses on and wouldn't mind seeing if I have a local stockist! :o)

Flash away ? I flashed all the stuff we have ages ago, and looking back at it, there has been so much more added since then. In case anyone wants to see....

https://www.hitched.co.uk/chat/forums/t/443423.aspx

(you may need to copy and paste the link)

Looks amazing Jen! Love the dress!

...and since then this is what we have done a lot, got to say, you don't realise how much you have done until you put it all together, so here goes WEDNESDAY MEGA FLASH ?

My car to get me to the ceremony

the champagne bus (outside and inside) my OH is using this has his transport in the morning and we are all going on it together to the venue after the ceremony.

We got out wedding rings,

mine

mine with my ER

My OH's

...the flowers..

for the ushers

for the groom and best man and dads

For the mums

Flower girl wand

for the bridesmaids

for my hair

my bouquet

PHEW, almost there, I found this picture of our venue at night and I love it, and had to share

Im also excited as a while ago i inquired about getting a custom piece of jewelry made for the wedding and it's finally ready and I can pick it up on Saturday. When I get it I will let you know and flash it, Ive kept it a secret from my OH so would like some opinions on it.

Sorry if any of the photos are huge, but any one else want to flash???

It all looks great! I love the flowers, they look beautiful!

That champagne bus looks like fun too! Transport is on my to do list

Looks amazing Jen!!

I just sent an enquiry about costs for wedding bands, uh oh.

We've got a dj that we can afford and is happy to do it, but we really wanted a band. We're really restricted with how many band members we can have (no more than 4) and it's looking like it'll cost us WELL over a grand!

Thanks everyone. I just adore the flowers, it was the one thing I would happily go Bridezilla over, but luckily my OH just said if you want them get them (his groomzilla moment would have been for the champagne bus so we are square on that one! ha) They worked out less than £230, which is a bargain and they will last too. This the company I used if anyone is interested https://www.artisandriedflowers.co.uk/.

@Calella, a 4 piece band for over £1,000 wow, that's a lot, would not have thought it would have cost that much, but will admit it has been a number of years since I was in musical circles and wouldnt have a clue what it would cost now. How long would they play for for that price?

The champagne bus was a bargain, it is costing us less than 2 typical wedding cars and that is for 2 pick ups on the way to the ceremony, waiting round and doing 2 trips to the reception. I did find finding the other cars a bit of a headache though, but i guess it depends what you are looking for,

They've said from 8pm til midnight. The costs include travel etc. The one I really liked the look of was a 3 piece and was over £1200! No way I can justify that kind of money. It would be great to have a band, but if having a DJ is going to save us that much, then that's what we'll do!

With bands you have to take in to account rehearsal times, set up etc etc. I dont think they make a lot out of the 1200 quid but yea they'll be super expensive xx

I suppose I don't really understand how a 6/7 piece band are charging less than a 3 piece that haven't been together as long? I used to be in bands, I know how hard it is.

But I think the cost was just way more than I'd anticipated. I was thinking in the region of 6-800. Wishful thinking I suppose!

I have had to change my date to 4th June xx

Church deposit down! Just got a couple of 'kinks' to iron out in the reception venue contract and it's time to get excited!

I then have the next important questions - do I make my best friend who I hardly ever see anymore (because we're an hour apart and she has a busy social life), but know could do a good job with hair, make up AND bossing people around to be my matron of honour? Hmmmm

Oh and contact the TOG and ring people... that too...

I'll do a flash on here on Friday, tomorrow's my birthday so I won't be on, but I'll get all my photos ready to have a big a flash as possible haha

Ohh cant wait to see it and happy birthday for tomorrow

Happy Birthday hellandglory!

H2B and I had a chat about some wedding stuff over a coffee at the weekend, and agreed that with just over 18 months to go, it's time to start getting organised! We're going to have a brainstorming/research session next weekend, try and get some things decided and then booked. He mentioned that he'd quite like a band, but I'm not sure we can stretch to the £1200 that was mentioned above!

I'm also looking at make-up artists at the moment, finding that so many require you to have make-up for you plus two members of the bridal party... Have you ladies found that too?

We still need to pay our deposit on our casino table hire, but I begrudge paying anymore deposits until we've sorted our relationship problems!

Hi fellow 2016 brides

This is my first post. My partner (still not got used to calling him my fiance!) and I are planning to get married on 29th March 2016.

I've looked a few venues already and have pretty much found the one but finding it a hard to get in contact with a Manchester registrar to check their availability as all you get is an automated message when you ring up, or automated email when you email! So am feeling more stressed than excited at this point in time as I don't like to be uncertain about things! I hope as the time goes on I'll enjoy the experience a bit more, as event planning and having to manage family expectations is not my forte!

Thanks ladies and now...FLASH TIME!

This is our ceremony venue, plus aisle and chair decoration:

This is our food venue, its most definitely a fish and chip shop but it totally matches in with our colours - only we will be adding yellow gingham table cloths with little jars of flowers on and sauces/knifes and fork will be presented in little metal buckets.

Our evening reception venue:

:and this is the view from inside:

You guys have seen my dress, but what the hell i'll flash that plus my shoes!

I currently don't have any hair as i shaved it off for charity, but i'm hoping to be able to do this:

Bridesmaid dress inspiration:

bouquet idea:

rings:

We plan on having a mix of these two cakes, with these ice cream cupcake as well

after the ceremony OH and i are going to get tattooed whilst everyone has a break, and this is that kind of thing we're getting:

for favours we're making cd's as a soundtrack to the day:

Let me know if you'd like any other details haha

I've got a few photos of little decorationy bits and pieces.....but i'll save them for a little while haha

Firstly, that all looks amazing hellandglory! I'm starting to organise bits and bobs out now and trying to get crafty (or at least testing things out) so it's all exciting!

Calella - bands are really expensive. Like you said it's the travel and rehersal time you pay for as well. My OH is a musician who plays with various wedding bands and I didn't realise how much they charge but when you break it down you can see why. We have booked a band for our wedding and it's going to be £1k - managed a good rate because the OH plays with them every now and again but I completely understand shock in the expense!

That looks amazing hellandglory! Oh, and happy birthday!

Feeling pretty excited today, as it's exactly 18 months to the big day! ? Another great little milestone to hit!

Ive got just over 17 months but its going soo slow. hope it hurrys up.

im dying to do a flash but might leave mine for a bit

Hi everyone..

Very new to using forums, especially wedding ones. Glad to be a 2016 bride with you all... Our wedding is booked for 28th August 2016. Can't wait to hear/share lots of lovely tips and ideas.

N xx

NRB1986 - congrats and welcome. where is your venue

Please excuse me everyone but I get so excited over silly things .... But !!!

My adult bridesmaids shoes have arrived and I think they're gorgeous.