June 2015 Brides

Anyway, enough about me lol. How's everyone else's planning going? :-)

Absolutely NOT enough about you!! This is the thread for being as self indulgent as we deserve, don't you think? Anyway, I am very aware that I witter on far too much on here, so it is lovely to see what everyone else is up to!!!

Nothing going on in my neck of the woods, wedding wise.....although I am going back to the dress shop on Friday lunchtime to try the shop sample dress with my veil etc, so that we can decide one way or the other what headpiece I am going to buy.....? (any excuse)

I've also been through the budgets again and have written envelopes out for those suppliers that are "extras" ie, not the main venue etc...but like the balance of the cake, cake topper, make up, hair, that sort of thing. I try and save money (and get a bit of extra exercise) by parking half an hour's walk away from work, rather than paying city centre car park fees. Of course, this is easy in the summer, but harder in the winter when it is cold, dark, and wet, and the temptation to park close to work is very hard to resist sometimes.

So, the cost of car park is £5.20....therefore, every time I am thinking about cheating and parking in the city, I will park on the outskirts, and as an incentive, put £5 into one of the envelopes, as a way of having something to show for not being so lazy in the mornings!! Equally, I can be in danger of spending silly money on lunches instead of buying a loaf of bread at the beginning of the week and making use of the office toaster.

Hopefully it will work well, and make the wedding budgets a little easier to work - like most of you, we've put the money away, and it does cover most things, but it is the little extras that weren't in the original budget, like hair and make up, and the cake that was going to be made by my daughter, but is now being done professionally, that I am going to try and cover this way.

Any surplus can go in the general honeymoon spending money. Once each cost has been covered, the envelope will be sealed and put into the safe that I have at work for important documents, so that I'm not tempted to dib into it.

So, first target is to be less than lazy for 6 days, which will pay for my make up to be done on the day.....if I can't get up 10 minutes earlier to get an out of town car park space and walk in with that as an incentive, it is a pretty poor show!!!

That's a fab idea Kimiu, putting the money away you save by not being lazy! I can't do that with my work so have no option but to drive all the way to the front door

I loved the headpiece you showed the other day and I wish I worked close enough to my bridal shop to pop in at lunchtime, I'd be there every week lol

I'm on a quest to get wedding car quotes today so just firing an email off to a friend who I found out recently works for a taxi company that cover weddings too! :-)

Thank you - the more I think about the headpiece, the more I am sure I will go for it - but it is another £150 (ish) that I hadn't expected to spend, having already spent £60 on the one that will do, so I really do want to make sure I am not being silly, or that I am just bored with having nothing "wedding" to do and am therefore looking for things that need changing, if that makes sense!! Plus, see above comments regarding the budgets being ever extended - that is a whole month of parking the car outside town and walking to work!!

Also, having not wanted a veil originally, with the plan that it would just be me and the dress and the bare minimum of fussy accessories, I am a little worried that I am going too far the other way - with a fussy hair do, veil, bigger headpiece blah blah blah. Thankfully, the shop is amazing, and have a reputation for being as helpful as they can be, and I have not had any reason to think otherwise as yet. Mind you, if I were in there every week rather than every few weeks, they may be less than happy! Also, I go in at lunchtime, midweek, which is generally quiet for them, compared with weekends, so I'm not taking time away from a bride trying to find her dress, for example, so its not so bad. And it's fun haha!!

Good luck with the car quotes - we are staying at the venue the night before so that's one thing we don't need. I think the cost of our two rooms is probably about the same as the cost of a wedding car, but this way we get a lay in and mega lovely breakfast provided too!!

Little bits and pieces are happening:

I ordered my memory charms for my bouquet this week - they should be ready in about 10 days, so looking forward to receiving those.

I've booked the appointment for H2B and I to meet in January with the florist to finalise venue flowers, and order buttonholes etc. Also an appointment in a couple of weeks to sort out my bouquet and the BMs' bouquets. Plus they have agreed to a last minute order for my MoH depending whether she wants a formal role or a casual one (she is due to give birth a month before the wedding!!).

Finally, I got home last night to a Royal Mail card saying there was something to pick up from the post office as it was too large for the letter box. Dispatched H2B to get it today as he is on a late, and I will miss the post office due to me working the same hours they do! He text me to say it looks like photos, could he open it......thinking it was the originals of the ones I sent for the memory charms, I said yes of course.

It's only bloomin well a card etc that I asked for aaaages ago from his football team (Leeds) for the wedding! I'd sent a reply paid envelope but put my daughter's name on it so that he wouldn't think anything of it (she gets masses of post, so nothing would be out of the ordinary), but they obviously ignored that and put it in another envelope addressed to me! So, he has seen the logo, and gone no further. Part of me is excited that he will have the anticipation of knowing there is *something*, but another part of me is gutted that he knows I've been up to tricks!!

Ah well, it's all good really I suppose!!!

Hi Everyone,

Nothing was really happening at our end until yesterday when we were advised by our venue that they couldn't keep to certain parts of the contract, nothing major but little things that they've gone back on which babe now made me and h2b not have any faith in them
So spent today phoning and looking at venues, viewed 2 which were both lovely ( 1 more lavish than the other) we hadn't viewed it to start with because it was well not of our budget but luckily they have an offer on their last remaining dates for 2015 and our date is one of those dates!!! Every cloud has a silver lining!!! Dragging h2b around 3 venues on Saturday (1being the lavish one) so fingers crossed ?

Oh gosh...what a stress to have! But thank goodness it all seems to be working out. Fingers crossed for you!!

I probably would have lost faith in them too and looked elsewhere. Sounds like you're on to it though so fingers crossed for Saturday!

I've just had a quote back for a wedding car to take us from the church to the venue. Cost more than I was expecting so might drive myself! lol ;-)

would anyone like to share the cost of theirs so I can compare please? :-)

So sorry to hear your news LuxuriousRedDiamonds, what a nightmare. Good luck with your new viewings tomorrow.

Afraid I cant help TheFutureMrsB, I'm not having a wedding car as staying at venue overnight.

Ours was £350 which is a lot but it is a 1950's blue and silver bently - that's for 4 hours hire.

We have cut down the cost of cars by using the bridesmaid white mercedes for them and will attach blue ribbon to it - her OH is driving them to the church. We did um and arr a bit when it came to the car as it is a big expensive for just a few hours but decided to go for it in the end.

We have had to add an extra £800 to the budget yesterday £400 for toilet block (was expecting £200) and £400 for table and chairs. Originally we were getting them for £100 but the guy the venue was getting them from has retired so not available - but bless them they are currently negogiating a discount with a supplier - they actually tell us to book direct as then we don't have to pay VAT twice!

Oh and the OH has now decided that he wants his suit made in Vietnam too - I suggested originally that we both went but he said he wanted to hire so will have less space in my suitcase on the way back especially as he wants 2 suits - one for the wedding and one for work! Although at $150 for a tailor made to your measurements suit I can't blame him for it!

We're not having cars, but I do know that when I was doing our initial budgets, the cost of wedding cars was way way more than I had anticipated, and it actually works out cheaper to book two rooms at the venue for the night before instead. I will get a standard taxi to collect my son and daughter on the morning of the wedding, but because they will be coming to the venue to get hair/makeup/ready there is no need for a "proper" wedding car, as at that point they will still be in their scruffs!

Do any of your guests have a nice shiny car that you can cadge a lift in to the venue? Tie the obligatory ribbons to the front, pay for them to have it valeted beforehand so you don't get dog hairs on your dress and jobs a good'un!

Scottish_Sarah, when are you off to Vietnam? I can't wait to see flashes of your purchases!

I am making my headpiece decision today - have an appt at lunchtime to try the shop sample of the dress, with my veil, shoes, jewelry etc, to decide whether to stick with my current tiara, or go for one of the others I like.

I really don't know how it will pan out - I thought I had pretty much decided, then last night, H2B was working really late, so I played dress up, did my make up, put my hair back, and put the original tiara on - was parading round the house for a while in it, and didn't once think it looked wrong (well, doing the ironing and unloading the dishwasher in full bridal make up with a sparkly tiara is slightly oddball, granted, but you know what I mean!). So....at this stage it is anyone's guess which way I will go, but I do think I need to decide and then stop thinking about it, otherwise I will end up worrying myself silly over it, and I have vowed not to DO stress for this wedding.....certainly not for a headpiece!!!

Judging by what you're paying Sarah my quote is extortionate and I will come up with a plan B!. Your car sounds lush though

Our journey is less than 10 miles, so about 20 minutes travel time in a S class merc........£160!! That's not even for me to go from my house to the church and them waiting til we come out

We fly out end of March back on the 7th of April - it works out as 10 days. So I have to be the size I want by that point - getting my dress, OH suit, 3 bridesmaid dresses and ties in Hoi An followed by rings in Hanoi. Seems bonkers to most but holiday and dresses for 1/3 of the price makes sense to me especially as all the material for a dress comes from Vietnam/Thailand anyway! We got enganged out there and got my ring there - they adjusted it to size within an hour so to say it's efficient is an understatement. I know it's going to be stressful but thats what the beach and pool are for after the daily fitting!

Kimiu you must be feeling a bit excited today to get to try everything on together. Fingers crossed you it's an easy decision to make for your headpiece :-)

Scottish_Sarah, I don't think it is bonkers at all. My Dad was an expat in the middle East when I was a teenager, and they used to get some beautiful fabrics made up for my Mum. I think that if you had no experience of that area, or their trading habits, then it would be somewhat stressful, but as you know your way around and know what to expect and what to ask for, I think it is a superb way of doing it.

A good incentive for the weight too!! I know that when I put the shop sample on today, it will spur me into making more of an effort (had a cough these last 2 weeks so not been to the gym, and it is amazing how quickly my body, urm, "relaxes" haha). The sample size is one size smaller than the one I have ordered - when I have tried it on before, it has done up, all the way, but is snug to say the least. I am guessing that today it may not do up.....but at least it is not *my* dress.....it will just prompt me to not eat the mince pie I have sat on my desk. Maybe!

But, yes, I am excited. And nervous for some silly reason. Maybe it is because I know we are getting closer and this is no longer just playing at dressing up, it is making decisions that will affect our big day!

Are you back yet Kimiu?? How did it go?

Just back.....

Firstly.....I GOT IN THE SAMPLE DRESS!!! I was quite worried that I'd put on weight - not that it would have mattered as it isn't my dress, and mine has been ordered in a size bigger anyway.....so I was very pleasantly surprised when I got it done up quite easily - and actually, there is a bit of a gap in the old boobage area that wasn't there before, which shows I must have changed shape, even if I haven't lost weight!!

So, put on the shoes, the veil, the sparkly bits and pieces, and then put on my original tiara. Not loving it, so definitely right to look again.

Then had a really hard time deciding between 2 that I had shortlisted earlier. Ended up going for the one that is NOT the one I flashed earlier in the week....I've got photos on my phone - will try and flash in a bit.

BUT I GOT IN THE SAMPLE DRESS!!! I CAN EAT A MINCE PIE!!!!!!!!!

The pictures don't do it remotely any justice. But it gives you an idea. Apologies for the gaping dress top....!!! I GOT IN THE SAMPLE DRESS!!!!! (sorry.....excited!)

YAY! go you! Have 2 mince pies as you've been so good Can't wait for a flash later :-)

You flashed while I was replying LOL

Looks beautiful! and you could eat a whole box of mince pies, you look fab!

Eeeek you look fab! And very slim in that dress, definitely have a mince pie! I love the dress and the tiara.

Thanks ladies. I am very chuffed (as you might have noticed) about the dress...Mind you, I was so starving by the time I got back to the office that I wolfed down a sarnie so quickly I have indigestion. Serves me right - like eating a sandwich before the dress trying would have made any difference anyway!

So, now I have to stay away from all things weddingy.....I have changed the BM dress, my shoes, got a veil I didn't set out to have and have changed my headpiece. Because of the change of colour scheme etc I've got an appt to change the flowers that I chose last summer. I really do need to say that's it. I am sticking with what we have. I love it all, so I must just trust it!

Aww hope you get things sorted, sounds pretty stressful but am sure it will all work out in the end! I was planning on getting married on a farm with around 80 guests but went to revisit venue and felt really unsure as things weren't progressing as we liked and the guy organising it seemed way too laidback and vague! Had a big heart to heart with my boyf and decided it wastn' for us, now decided to have a small wedding day with only 30 family and friends at a nice restaurant, go straight on honeymoon next morning and then have a big party a month later with all our other friends and family. Know this sounds rubbish to other people but I feel like such a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, felt so stressed out by the expense and planning. I'm in awe of all you guys that have everything sorted, you guys are amazing! Xxxx

Morning ladies! I have had quite an inspirational weddingy weekend :-)

Went shopping on Saturday with my MOH and it all went really well, things just seemed to piece together when we were walking round the shops. Found the adults bridesmaid dresses, hurrah! got an idea for the centrepieces and ideas for alternatives to a traditional wedding cake

Just need to find a flower girl dress and also one for an 8 year old which is similar to the adult dress

Only thing that didn't go to plan was getting my engagement ring sorted or trying on wedding rings yesterday (long story)

Feeling a little better and less stressed over the planning now!

So glad its all coming together! Don't forget to flash us your ideas when you are able!!

Nothing wedding related for me over the weekend other than a bit of a general chat about what we've got booked and when in terms of suppliers' meetings etc. Yesterday we were Christmas shopping instead....it will soon be here, and gone, and then it is our weddings all the way, ladies!!!

I'll try and give you a fairly good flash update later :-) I may only leave my dress pic up for a little while though, paranoid my H2B might come across it :/

we went christmas shopping yesterday too. Got main presents sorted for 3 kids, just need to sort the other 3 plus my 2 kids birthdays!

cant wait until Christmas is out of the way and its 2015! Our year

Kimiu you look stunning! Your dress is just beautiful and I love your hair piece! Great choice and I'm glad you decided on one. Another thing ticked off the list! I was hoping to see a little flash of blue peeping out from under your dress though! ?

Future Mrs B - glad you had a productive weekend! I love it when a plan comes together. Would love to see a flash of your BM dress too! What kind of cake are you thinking about?

I had my MOH visiting for the weekend and it was ACE! It wasn't for anything wedding related - just a visit as she's going through a few things that aren't fun and wanted a little break from it all. I was conscious of not banging on about the wedding all weekend and just hanging out like old times and we had so much fun! I think there may be a shortage of gin in my area for a while! ?

We did go and see a hair/make up artist on Sunday for a consultation though and we both really liked her so that was promising! Just have to wait for the quote now and see hope it's not gonna break the bank!

And over dinner last night we managed to sneak in a little conversation about my hen weekend! She's come up with a few lovely ideas already which I hadn't though of at all. She's gonna put a little plan together and email the other girls and see what their thoughts are so I can't wait to hear what they decide on! Exciting!!!

Also I had a few things to pick up from the post office that I'd missed whilst at work last week - beautiful lazer cut cupcake wrappers, little flags to put in the cakes with messages printed on and a 'just married' bunting to go on the large top cake for cutting. Although I've also just ordered cake toppers from Love on Top (kharv on here) so may have to find somewhere else to stick that. And the most exciting thing - our invitations arrived! I wasn't really that keen on them when we ordered them but in the flesh - I love them! It was soooooo exciting to hold them and see all our details. I was jumping about like a crazy person!!! Eeeeek!

I'm so impressed with you girls having started christmas shopping already - I haven't even given it a thought yet! Other than to wish it all over soon so it can be next year already!! Roll on 2015......

Oh my, Pipsy - you did have a very weddingy weekend - sounds really good fun, and just what she needed too! Fingers crossed for the hair and make up quote too! I didn't have that sort of thing budgeted for, but having found people who can do it, I have decided to book them and say what the heck. Their particular envelopes have been filled following my "walk to work and save pennies" campaign!

Talking of which, it was icy cold this morning, and I was tempted to park in town, but the thought of putting £5 in my "cake" envelope, which is the next one to be filled, made me put my trainers on and power walk in from the outskirts. I've got a balance of £240 to pay - 48 days of walking.....eek. I will try and shave some cash from elsewhere towards that one, otherwise it will be the end of January probably before it is able to be sealed.

We had to do our Christmas shopping yesterday - my daughter is off to the Alps to work for the winter in a couple of weeks, so we have to do Christmas mega early before she goes, plus a couple of small presents for her to take with her and open on the day. Also, my H2B works in retail, so a weekend day off between now and Christmas is an absolute rarity. He will get a day off during the week instead, of course, but as I am a Mon-Fri worker, that's no good to me! So, it was a case of grab the opportunity and get it done!

Pipsybus it sounds like you've had a well needed weekend with your MOH :-)

I haven't really thought about hair/make up artist yet although I would like one. Let me know how much it costs when you get your quote please as I'm intrigued

I'm getting excited for all of you. Can't wait until we're all married and more flashes of our weddings

I've really struggled to find someone who can do both for us. Most of the makeup artists I contacted were either booked already or had minimum numbers as it's peak wedding season. There are only two of us so I couldn't book them. I've finally found someone who does both hair and makeup and seems really nice. She got what I was aiming for and had a few suggestions so fingers crossed! Although at this point I don't really have any more options so I think whatever she's charging I'm going to have to just suck it up! I'm trying to think of ways to save a few extra pounds here and there like Kimiu and her 'walk to work and save' plan! Unfortunately that doesn't work for me but there must be something else I can cut back on - thinking caps on!!!