****2017 Brides****Currently 166 Brides and 1 Groom****

I had a dream last night that I found the perfect shoes for my dress. I'm now super disappointed that it was just a dream haha!

We need to order our orders of service and invitations this month but I seem to have lost my motivation again. We're having a wedding admin day at the weekend so hopefully I'll find it then!

Everyone else's sounds like it's coming along nicely! It's so exciting!

We're having the same sort of style of photography, so I might make a list of 10-15 groups I'd like to capture & hope for the best!

We spoke to our photographer about this and she's asked us to give her a list of group shots we would like and let her know any particular details that need to be captured.

She's documentary style so she doesn't do much of the posed type photos, but will do the usual Bride and Groom with half the family ones

X

MrsQtobe, our photographer is also doing more reportage photos but has said if we would like some posed ones other than the obvious bride/groom ones then he would suggest 8-10 so I am just doing the basic, us with parents, us with our children, grandparents etc. I don't want the photos to take ages.

Wow, everyone is so busy and I feel like I am doing nothing, trying to separate my time off between wedding planning and finishing my diploma!

I found my dress last week and since then I have been much more excited about planning, on Monday I met the florist for a chat, decided to book her

Tuesday, we went to a cake tasting, the lady was lovely but I am not sure the cake warranted £360! I am seriously considering buying a cake from m&s and then sticking a ribbon around it, anyone else doing this?

Absolutely no problem with buying an M&S cake, but remember to take into account collecting it and setting it up at your Wedding. The £360 you have been quoted will include transportation to the venue and set up.

You'll also get much better quality ingredients from your cake maker and a fresher cake.

(I am biased though, I do make cakes but not as a living)

All good points and why I am so torn about it :/ I think maybe I will go and sample some other cakes as it may just be that I didn't love the cake enough.

Sorry if I came across a bit harsh there Bobbys_girl, I didn't mean to be so blunt!

Trying other cakes is definitely worth a go - where in the country are you?

X

I completely get the being torn between having a cake made and buying from M&S- we had a similar dilemma! Financially M&S seemed a good option but then there was the transport and set up headache... and the fact that I fell in love with a design by a pro at a wedding fair that can be completely personalised to us! In the end it came down to 'we can afford it so we will' because I really liked the lady, the taste and the design!

It is definitely worth trying other cake makers tho- we sampled two or three (at wedding fairs which made it easier!) and I have to say if the others had quoted us the price we are paying, even if it had looked just as good, we wouldn't have paid it- their cakes just weren't the 'wow' mind blowingly gorgeous tasting creations we imagined.... the one we are having is!!

Like others have said our photographer is more documentary style as we didn't really want a lot of posed photos. i suspect we will probably have a couple of family ones though - I'm assuming nearer the time when we check in with our photographer he will ask us this...

I would definitely try other cakes Bobbys_girl (any excuse lol). We have a taster tomorrow with someone who was recommended by a friend through facebook. I have been discussing ideas with a baker recommended by the venue, whose designs have looked amazing - but I tasted some of hers the other night as my venue had an open night and was really disappointed :-(. Her prices started at £500 for a 3 tier (i am Bucks based)

Having said that have you seen M&S are doing bride & groom versions of Colin and Connie the caterpillar cakes - love them!! ❤️

Need some advice, or maybe just a space a to be a bit selfish? My dad doesn't want to make a speech. He's not a demonstrative person or big on public stuff. He tells me fairly often that he loves me and that he's proud of me so I have no doubts about that. And really, I'm not someone who deals well with compliments anyway. But part of me is a bit sad that I won't have that experience. If I talked to him I could probably push him into doing it . . . .but I want him to want to? The thing as well is that if my Mum were here she would definitely have pushed him into a speech. But she's not, and I think thats another reason why he doesn't want to do it. There is no solution here, and actually in the grand order of things it doesn't really matter . . in fact logistically it's better as both the groom and the best man revel in public speaking so will be able to really go for it. I just wanted a little bit of a whine I think.

I think if he doesn't want to give a speech you shouldn't force him. I'm not an openly emotive person and tell OH how I feel all the time. But having to stand up in front of people and not only give a speech but give a sheech involving my actual feelings would be my worst nightmare and probably would just elope if I was expected to do one so I could avoid it.

If he's the kind of dad who tells you he loves you then I'm sure he'll take the time on the day. You could also look at creating another memory of you and your dad like capturing his face as he sees you for the first time all dressed up. I've seen some lovely photos like this. Or could you have a father daughter dance which he might be happier with than the speech.

I've got my cake meeting in March and I'm so excited. I was a bit shocked by the price but thought if I went to a coffee shop for a slice of cake I'd be paying nearly £5, times that by the number of people at my wedding and it's pretty much the asking price for my cake. I can't wait to taste my actual flavours, but I've not decided yet.

I had my hair and make trial today and I'm really happy although I can just tell OH thinks I'm wearing too much make up. We're about to go out and get his suits and I'm a bit embarrassed that I'm going out all dolled up with my big bouffant and full face of slap but I didn't want to wipe it all off as soon as it was done. I want to get my money's worth!

This was ages ago but I am wondering if by any chance you have a picture of the dress on your bms? I am most likely going to get these in the next week or so but would really love to see them on a real person prior to ordering!

This was ages ago but I am wondering if by any chance you have a picture of the dress on your bms? I am most likely going to get these in the next week or so but would really love to see them on a real person prior to ordering!

Thanks for the tip about Bio-Oil- have been using it for a few days now instead of moisturiser and it's amazing the difference it's made already! So far no breakouts either!! Have also bought some o based cleanser today to replace my trusty micellar water... having read Stephisaur's post I realised that my skin was actually feeling a bit rough in places... or maybe I was just being paranoid... either way, the bio oil has definitely made it softer already ?

So pleased it's working for you! Try and get the aloe Vera juice too, you can pick it up quite cheaply in Holland and Barrett's! You just drink a capful a day and it replenishes the moisture in your skin! xxx

Aww, thanks Slink. the thought of my dad dancing made me laugh so hard I'm over myself now.

Can someone add me to the list please

14th September 2017

I had my hen do at the weekend. IT. WAS. EPIC!!! (Warning: Loooooooong report!)

I got a video call from 4 of the girls at lunchtime on Friday. They were on a train and ringing to let me know that I was being picked up by two of the others at 3pm. When the others arrived, we got another video call to tell me that we were going to...Liverpool! A long drive later (M6 + rush hour ☹️ ), we pulled up in a hotel on the outskirts of Liverpool. The girls showed me into the room I'd be sharing with the 2 girls I'd driven up with. They'd decorated it all out with confetti, balloons, banners, party poppers etc. They'd bought me an engraved champagne glass and left us a large bottle of prosecco to drink while we got ready for the evening.

At about 8ish, we headed out to a mystery destination and arrived at the Liverpool Bierkeller. If you're ever in Liverpool, I highly recommend it! The cocktails are a little overpriced for the amount of alcohol you get in them, but the beer's good and the Bavarian band are brilliant. Everyone was up and dancing on the benches. After the Bierkeller closed, we headed down to another club until that very abruptly shut about half an hour later (seriously, they cut the music and brought the lights up mid-song!). We got back to the hotel just after 1, and sat in one of the hotel rooms chatting until we finally went to bed at about 2:30.

Once we'd all got up and ready in the morning, we headed to a nearby beer and burrito shack for an all-day breakfast, which was delicious! Then it was chill times just hanging out and watching tv until we had to get ready to go out. I was told the theme for the night was 1920s. The girls had got a gorgeous gold flapper dress for me, and they were all wearing black. We all got ready together in the one room and then 4 of them headed out to get the first venue ready. At about 5pm, the rest of us headed out to another mystery destination. This time, it was a private karaoke room in a Chinese restaurant! We were there singing, eating, and drinking until 8pm, when I was shepherded downstairs to venue 2: a party limo! The girls had packed it full of champagne and prosecco, which we drank while being driven around Liverpool for an hour. At one point, we discovered one of the bottles had a "beer bottle" style cap, so our limo driver got out of the limo (in traffic!) to crack it open on a nearby fence - legend!

The limo eventually pulled up a short walk away from venue 3: the legendary Cavern Club. We only had an hour to spend in there, but it really was fantastic. A little claustrophobic (to be expected, for such a famous venue), but there was a great live band and amazing atmosphere.

Finally, we headed over to PopWorld. There, the girls had arranged a VIP package for us including a decorated booth, and a box of 2 bottles of Grey Goose vodka and two bottles of rosé wine! We spent the rest of the night until 4am dancing and drinking away. We were right next to the door for the bar staff to get in and out from behind the bar, so everytime they came out with boxes of test-tube shots, we'd buy most of the box! Whoops! ? One thing we learned: Liverpool don't want No Scrubs! The TLC hit seemed to follow us around all weekend, being played in the Bierkeller and nightclub on Friday and about 3 times in PopWorld! By the time we'd got back to the hotel, had some snacks and water to sober up a bit, and got ready for bed it was about 6am! ?

I and the two girls I was sharing with were up by 10am, so we got checked out and went for breakfast at a nearby cafe. When we got back to the hotel, the rest of the girls were up so we spent a couple of hours in the hotel lounge laughing over the weekend's exploits before they left for their train and we got in the car back home.

I'm suffering now - I wasn't too hungover, but walking around in the cold seems to have brought on the 'flu that I've been fighting off for a few weeks. It was worth it, though. I can't believe the efforts the girls all went to - it must have cost them a fortune. I am so lucky to have such good friends. ?

I don't think you sounded harsh at all

I am in Plymouth. Will try and see what my other options are, I have been recommended someone by a family member who got married last year so going to message them tomorrow.

Will catch up on recent posts tomorrow, heading to bed now, night everyone! x

MadamRed.... I think I have alcohol poisoning just from reading your hen report! Sounds like an amazing weekend.... but good grief! HOW much booze?!! I'd be hungover for a week!! (But then, I am probably 20years or so older than you and out of practice!!) Sounds like you had a cracking time!!

MadamRed that sounds epic. You're making my head hurt just thinking of all that booze haha

Sounds like you had a brilliant night though! I have my Hen this weekend, I wonder what they have in store for me... eep!

X

MadamRed your hen sounds awesome! well done to your ladies who organised and attended it - they did a fab job x

Great hen do report! All these 2017 brides going on their hen do's now - eeek! Have a good one Stephisaur!

MadamRed that sounds amazing! I'm glad you had such a fantastic time!

So - wedding cakes.... we have let our two daughters choose ours! Scary! We don't want anything to do with it, know what it looks like, tastes like etc. although we did give them some pointers as to what we didn't want!

They have (finally!) found someone who they like and they feel they can trust and work with although it's been a long slog!

They had to pay £30.00 for the cake tasting, (the previous two they'd had were free) - but both girls said it tasted fresh and gorgeous and much nicer than anything they'd tried before. We get this knocked off the final bill (around £550-£600) though although I'm led to believe it is an unusual practise.

We're quite excited now as to what we're going to end up with! LOL!

Also, didn't know you all hung out around here - I'm going to have to do some catch up reading!

Til later...

Mr_P

All of that booze was between 7 of us. Each bottle of wine did us about 1 glass each, so it wasn't quite as much as it sounds. I was too busy dancing in PopWorld to have much of the vodka and shots, so I remember pretty much all of the weekend. Some of the other girls were quite exceptionally hungover, though.

Mr P - nice to see you here! Surprise cake sounds brilliant ?

Yay MrsQtobe - lovely scan photo! Congratulations, pleased your scan went well!

Yay MrsQtobe! That's a good scan you've got

Will let you all know how the Hen goes. Will probably drink more than MadamRed so that I can get through it without killing my Mother

x

We are having our first real stress at the minute!

Our photographer (who we got at an excellent price of 650 for digital only, they done my cousins wedding about 5 years ago so I knew they came recommended) came as a husband and wife team so two shooters. We got a letter saying the wife is pregnant and wont be doing any wedding in the second half of the year. They are letting us have our money back since it isn't what we signed up for if we wish.

I am so torn, now looking at whats available at this seemingly short notice! We have found one really good one but pretty much double the price for the same package.

I am just worried if our initial photog will be as good on his own since they usually work as a two? Do we pay the extra for someone who always works on his own so is confident with it? Am I ok with starving until the wedding to pay for the extra for another photog? ☹️

Stressful!

If I'm quite honest, £650 sounded far too cheap in the first place, especially for two shooters.

I would get your money back from the current photographers and look at someone who is used to shooting on their own. They may also be able to add a second shooter for a small fee.

Is there anywhere else you could cut costs to make it work?

X

Second shooter wasn't really a big deal for us, we spoke with them just because I knew how much my cousin loved them at their wedding but it did feel too good of an offer so wouldn't be looking to spend extra on one.

Possibly not, at this stage everything is booked and priced would just have to look at getting it between now and then somehow else, by sticking extra money away or dare I throw the extra on a credit card ️?️ hopefully going to meet the other photog next week some time before I make any decisions.