A few questions

We have taken the view that it is very much our day, but at the same time being mindful of our guests needs and wishes. You can have anyone you like give you away, there's no legal restrictions on it, or indeed you can opt not to have someone give you away its entirely your choice. I think the idea of your dads mum giving you away is a lovely one, if you are that close to her im sure she would love to do it, and it will make her feel very much involved.

Our bridesmaid and I spent an entire day in London looking for a BM dress to no avail eventually we found the perfect dress in a very small boutique type wedding dress and prom dress shop about 10 minutes from her house! The owner was so nice and helpful, had exactly what my BM wanted to wear in the colour I wanted. If you're Essex based ill happily give you the details What im really saying is, often its the little places that people overlook that have just what you are looing for.

Our BM got married a couple of years ago, and I was BM for her so we simply did the same for eachother, ive bought the dress and was going to buy her shoes but she has some indoors that she wanted to wear so that was that. She having her hair however she likes, ive arranged the MUA but shes paying for it. This is the way she worked it for us as BMs so it seems right to do the same.

Our top table is going to be us and our parents, we didn't want to start separating couples, nor did we want a top table the size of the room so we decided that it would just be the 6 of us and our best man, bridesmaid, brother sister and all their partners will be on other tables. If you're worried about who is and isn't on the top table maybe consider a sweetheart table?

Hope some of this helps, remember that it really is your day and so as long as you are considerate to your guests needs you really should have things exactly the way you want them. Best of luck with your planning x

If you're worried about causing arguments, you could have a sweetheart table (just the two of you) or maybe bridal party only. Traditionally I believe it's both sets of parents, MOH and best man, and this is what we're doing. But both of our parents are together, so it's different.

- my dad passed away just over 2 years ago. I can't decide whether to have my grandma (dad's mum) to give me away, or my mum. I've heard both can do it. Is that true?

You can have whoever you want and as many people as you want.

- Where did you get your bridesmaids dresses from? I have a budget of £100 is for the dress each. Having 2 bridesmaids.

Mine is from bhs in the sale £60, there's lots of dresses on the high street that would be suitable. Try Debenhams, Jane Norman & Quiz.

- what did you pay for for your bridesmaids? Hair, makeup, dress or complete outfit, room for the night?

My bridesmaid has very short hair so she's not having anything done with it and she's not fussed on makeup so is doing her own. The room for the night is at the same hotel we're getting married at and is £100 for me, my mum and my bridesmaid. I've spent about £50 on a present for her as she's been quite cheap so far!

- neither mine nor fiancé's parents are together (obviously mine aren't). Who exactly sits at top table?

Whoever you like. Some poeple don't even have a top table and have parents hosting a table each. It's totally up to you.

Congratulations! Wow, you are so organised, so much done in 1 month!

- Where did you get your bridesmaids dresses from? I have a budget of £100 is for the dress each. Having 2 bridesmaids.

I got my bridesmaids dresses from David's Bridal in Stratford Westfield. I got my wedding dress there and as the prices were competitive, it made sense to get the BM dresses there too especially as a specialist bridal store, they offer a choice of colours. High Street is fine too though you may be limited to whatever colour is in fashion (Monsoon are good, so are Coast). The sales are probably underway so you may be able to bag yourself a bargain for use next May.

- what did you pay for for your bridesmaids? Hair, makeup, dress or complete outfit, room for the night?

This is up to you. For budget-stretched brides, I have heard of the BM paying for their own dresses. I am paying for the dress and hair and make-up. I am not fussed about jewellery or shoes; I have asked them to use any existing shoes in X palette or jewellery which is this colour or style. That way, there is some consistency to the look but my BM can still retain some individuality, rather than looking like clones.

HTH.

Congratultions on your engagement!

My goodness you are organised

Feels good right?!

I'm sorry you lost your dad. but he will be there with you, in your heart!

you can have whoever you want walk with you. its your choice there is no right or wrong way.

I am getting mine from a lady on ebay - the seller is little pride bride. great quality dresses. she is based in the uk so comunicaton is easy and very reasonably priced.

In regards to what im paying for and again this is upto you and your budget, but I am getting there dresses, shoes, jewlery and paying for there hair.

Top table is who ever you want. of course there is traditions but honesly i think most of them are outdated!

I am having myself and husband, MOH BM My mum and step dad, Real dad a dn step mum and H2B parents - A far cry from Tradition as my parents both Remarried when i was very young so now I am blessed to have 4 parents.

I would sit down witgh your H2B and discuss what you both want. at the end of the day it is only about you both - so be happy with your choices

congratulations on your engagement, happy wedding planning.

- my dad passed away just over 2 years ago. I can't decide whether to have my grandma (dad's mum) to give me away, or my mum. I've heard both can do it. Is that true?

my FIL2b is walking me down the isle

- Where did you get your bridesmaids dresses from? I have a budget of £100 is for the dress each. Having 2 bridesmaids.

my BM dresses we're from dorothy perkins, knee legnth lace Navy dresses, but their shoes were £75 as they wanted the same as me but dyed to match their dresses

- what did you pay for for your bridesmaids? Hair, makeup, dress or complete outfit, room for the night?

my MOH is staying in the room with me, I'm paying for it, my other BM is meeting us there in the morning.

They paid for their own outfits and we are all doing our own hair and make up

- neither mine nor fiancé's parents are together (obviously mine aren't). Who exactly sits at top table?

cant help with this one as we're having one table with us all on it.

Congratulations and welcome to Hitched!

- my dad passed away just over 2 years ago. I can't decide whether to have my grandma (dad's mum) to give me away, or my mum. I've heard both can do it. Is that true?

I'm so sorry to hear this. ☹️ As far as I am aware you can have whoever you want, if you want two then have two.

- Where did you get your bridesmaids dresses from? I have a budget of £100 is for the dress each. Having 2 bridesmaids.

Mine are from Debenhams but there are plenty of places you can go, there’s coast, BHS, Quiz. Plenty of high street stores do such lovely dresses now that you can have them as bridesmaid dresses.

- what did you pay for for your bridesmaids? Hair, makeup, dress or complete outfit, room for the night?

I’ve sorted everything but their shoes and their petticoats. My MOH is getting married next year and having Petticoats so she said she would order them as she will need them afterwards. They have brought their own shoes mainly because my colour scheme is black and white so they would need black shoes which they can wear again. Someone is doing their hair and they are doing their own make up. They are staying with me at my parents the night before but the night of they have booked and paid for their own hotel rooms.

- neither mine nor fiancé's parents are together (obviously mine aren't). Who exactly sits at top table?

My OH parents are not together, we still opted to have people at the top table so we are having one parent from each either side. However you don’t want that you can just have a top table for the two of you and the parents have a table each other you can do. Again this is however you would like the table to be..

Hi,

i get married on 7th May next year too! Sorry to hear about your dad

i was just going to say BHS have a sale on for bridesmaids dresses, mine were £95 down to £74 with an extra £20 from the total as I'd spent over £100

xx

Thank you all x

Yes I am rather organised but I have a horse so wanted to get the big bits sorted so I wasn't neglecting him I feel quite relaxed now and can look at pinterest, eBay etc at my leisure rather than with necessity.

Sooo excited I really can't wait! Especially as H2B said he didn't want to get married. Leading me up the garden path ha ha.

Just thinking of my bridesmaid who I haven't asked yet. Would you as the bride be offended if she didn't stay at the hotel on the night of the wedding?

We are thinking of saying no children to the Wedding Breakfast. Agreed bm offered her hubby to stay home with the kids so I didn't need to worry about that. They are more than welcome to the evening reception. But bm who I haven't asked yet has a 4 year old so need to broach subject carefully.

Ooh Kelly, how's your planning going? X

I think I must be around about where you are with planning Venue, photographer/videographer and band are all booked and deposits paid. My bridesmaid dresses are ordered, one is here still waiting on 2. I still need to get my dress, I've made an appointment 4th July. So exciting but the months just seem to be flying by!! xx