help!!!

• Decide on the budget
• decide on a date (weekdays and Sundays are cheaper)
• sort the guest list ( we worked on if you went out for a meal would you pay £60 for that person)
• bridal party (high-street stores have some lovely bridesmaid dresses & wedding dresses)
• contact venues you like (speak to them face 2 face & don't be scared to ask them for a cheaper package. Hotels and Manor houses are cheaper than known wedding venues)
• invitations (vistaprint is cheap something like £6 for 10 including envelopes.)
• entertainment ( we are using the housed and saving around £300)
• photographer & videographer ( photos book the dvd package then you can print albums from Kodak or boots for half the price & cath at CPD film is £500 wherever you are in the country she will travel for that price.)
  
  
  I cant think off the rest off the top of my head right now hope that gives you a little starter.
  Research as much as you can Happy planning.

So very sorry to hear about your dad, I would say plan it to be as soon as possible so he can be at his best for it.

My work colleagues son did his in 4 weeks, so can be done. 1st thing is venue so if a church you may have to have week day at this stage, Registry office book it asap.

Try a venue that you usually wouldnt expect, he used the Hard Rock cafe. You could have a barbecue at home.

Try bridal shops for sample dresses, high street stores for BMs, Ebay for loads of things just check that your seller is in the UK not China for posting times

M&S for cakes.

Lots of stationers like WHSmiths do packs of invites and other stationery that you can just buy and fill in the details yourselves

Good luck and come back for as much help as you need

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry to hear this.

I would see if there is any date you can have for the registry office/church and a village hall or something similar, that will be cheap plus you can then do the american style 'bring a dish' so people can bring puddings, you provide food of some kind and with others contributing cake and pudding it will keep the costs down while feeling like a good family event as everyone will have helped.

You could buy foam flowers on ebay or try bunching your own real flowers.

There are lots of white dresses in high street shops or wedding dresses on preloved and other sites.

Good luck with it all, just rope in anyone you can, and the effort everyone has made, including yourselves, will ensure the day feels great. I would say contact lots of TOGs to see if anyone is available, you really will want some great pictures to capture your memories.

Where abouts are you? check out late availability packages as you can get some great deals. Opt for a small day time and have a big evening party.

xxx

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this - My advice would be to contact your local vicar who will be of enormous help i am sure, if you have a village hall or something similar then you would prob be able to get it a) at very short notice and B) very cheaply. This way you can keep the costs down and pull in friends and family to help with decorating and providing food etc.

My thoughts are with you at this time x

So sorry to hear your news, hopefully you can have a fantastic day together and make wonderful memories.

Here are a couple of things I thought of:

1, My friend saved 50% on a very nice venue by booking last minute and having it on a Friday so don't be frightened to ask if they have any late deals. I'm sure filling a weekday on a short notice would be very attractive to a venue.

2, We've saved by putting the reception together ourselves rather than have a package. You could make a pretty, rustic reception with a village hall and hire in a Hog Roast / BBQ / Afternoon Tea rather than having a multi-course sit down meal. Homeware shops and eBay are brilliant for details to decorate the venue and the tables. You could even ask guests to contribute to a dessert table which could also double up as your wedding 'cake'.

3, As others have said, just have a small number for the daytime part and then have a larger number for a party in the evening OR have a late ceremony so you only have to provide one meal or buffet in the evening.

4, Rope friends and family in to find out their skills to help make things by hand, although as others have said you can actually get things like invitations quite reasonably now.

Quite a lot of the websites associated with the wedding magazines have features on how to save money so have a look online for more ideas.

Good luck!

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. Your post has really touched me and we would love to offer some genuine help if we can (we're a wedding videography company).

Please feel free to contact me ****@*****************.***

Kate x

Church wedding followed by aftrenoon reception at small but nice hotel for your best friends and closest family. Then lazy chatting and drinks on the evening rather than a full-on disco, unless you have loads of people you really need to invite. That would be the simplest option.

if your budget is really tight then move from the church to the church hall: bunting, gingham cloths, buffet platters from sainsbury's or m+s, tea and cakes. This involves more input on the day when you may all have enough on your plate if your Dad is unwell, but you can accomodate more people cheaply and is a more 'fun' option.

Whatever you decide, don't worry about anything except the ceremony, dress, suiits, a photographer, food and being with the people you love. All the other stuff that we brides fill our time with and use our energies on are nice-to-haves, but aren't what make the day.

I'm so sorry for your sad news.

Hello and I hope we can help you in some little way during this awfully difficult time for you. Where abouts are you located? Perhaps anyone local on here could give you some direct contacts...

As others have suggested, I would definitely try to keep costs down by having a weekday ceremony, providing your most important guests would be able to attend. Plus, do explain your circumstances to potential suppliers as they may be able to make allowances, practically and financially for you.

I bought our invitations from The Card Factory. They are sweet, fit our theme perfectly and were just £1.69 for ten, plus they have various designs to choose from. I also bought beautiful favour boxes from there, 99p for 6.

Ebay, home bargains, dunelm and B&M have been great places to buy lovely decorative items for very little money.

Have a look at Matalan and Tesco as well as Debenhams and BHS for bridalwear, suits and bridesmaids dresses. My adult sons suit from Tesco was just £65 and is lovely quality, whereas my Dad swears by Matalan suits.

For things like flowers, beauty and hair and photography, contact your local college as you may find their final year students can offer fabulous quality services at a massively reduced cost.

And definitely rope in help from family and friends where possible- you will be surprised how many people have hidden talents and will be more than willing to help out..... perhaps you could draw up a things needed list and get people to choose something they could do, rather than a usual gift list?

I know we have saved a fortune by calling on family and friends to provide services.... Some mates rates, some freebies in place of a gift.

Just remember, if you don't ask you don't get..... :0)

Wishing you a very special day and a wonderful last few months together. Much love.

Xx

I agree with Kate. I'd like to help too. Contact me via my website. Link is in my signature.

Thank you so much. i really cant believe your kindness. I live in glasgow and will be in touch. thank you again. Roseanna.