Relative Newbie! Any Devon brides out there?

Yes, I think I will give them a call. They took ages to send me a booking form too. Maybe give them a grilling!

We are getting married early April next year so don't want to send the invites out til after Christmas cos they may get lost amongst xmas cards! Is January too late or should I get out asap? oh decisions!

My manager got married mid-March and got her invitations out just after Christmas. I'm not sure what her timescales for confirming food was though. I'd have thought January for April would be perfectly fine.

Polarbex I was warned about Crystal Covers by a couple of venues - apparently they aren't the most reliable and some weddings weren't given the correct chair covers. Mind you that is only a couple and I think they are quite a well established company so you should be ok, just give them a call and chase them up on the details. I booked EventDecor8 in Exeter for decorating but like Superduff my chair covers are included in my venue price (provided by EventDecor8 also though!)

Nice one on getting a band! Thats a biggie off the list

i agree with Superduff on the timings, Jan for April sounds ok, with christmas going on and all that excitement i reckon if you sent out earlier you are right that they will get lost among the christmas cards!

Superduff I am hiring from Jonathan Hawkes in Exeter I think, the lady I met at Westpoint was lovely (and as MIL is coughing up for best man and groom suits we are having tails - boo!) Their prices seemed a bit more reasonable than other places I had looked at. We have our appt on Monday week, am going to have so much fun making OH parade around in a variety of clothes! We are having chocolate colour suits but not sure on accessories yet. I did look at PDA and was going to nick LeedsBride's idea (naughty) but the sample I got through wasn't the size I was looking for. Am still clinging on to the hope that my sister will be up for all my printing!

That's it - Jonathan Hawkes! I was racking my brains trying to think of the name of the company. Let me know how you get on, as we're thinking of going there too. I also spoke to the lady at the Westpoint fair, and though she was really lovely. They also seem to have a very flexible wedding package for the boys. I mentioned chocolate suits to Matt, and surprisingly he said yes, that could be a possibility if it looked nice on. I like the warm greys too, but we'll have to see what he looks like. Apparently Nan-in-law has said she'd pay for his suit, but we'll see!

I loved LeedsBride's invites, and would be looking for something similar. I just need to settle on colours as much as anything, but thankfully I do have plenty of time.

Thanks for the warning. I did phone Crystal Covers and spoke to womeone who didn't seem to know much about what was going on. She said they have used the venue a few times so I will phone the venue for their thoughts!

I have just bought our wedding rings.... squeeeee ?

And, they came in nearly £200 under budget!! Yay!!

Mine was easy (plain 18ct gold 2mm band), but Matt was a bit more difficult. Anyway, he's chosen and they're ordered!

Bouncy bouncy for Superduff!!! How exciting!! Thats great news (a big item off the list), where did you get them from? We are still trying to choose ours - proving very difficult to pin Dan down!

Ordered from Wedding Rings Direct. We'd got a ring sizer from them, and that gave us a code for £10 off any purchase too, which was good.

I always wanted a normal plain band, so it was just a case of hunting round for the right price for the right size. Matt was a bit more choosey. I just so happened that he saw one that he liked in their special offer section, so that was £40 off. I said I didn't mind spending more on his than mine as I have the ER, but he really liked that ring.

Yay all round! WRD have been good with communication too - had an email today to say that they're working on our order already.

Hi, am new to this site, am a Devon bride too, live in Paignton but my home town is dartmouth am getting married dartmouth castle at the little church there then back to Torquay to the imperial hotel.

Ooh, let us know how you get on. It's going to be a job and a half getting the man in town to find a suit. Not sure he'd last long enough for rings as well. Likely have to be mail order!

Welcome Mrs.T.Talbot! What date are you getting married? A friend of mine had her wedding at the Imperial and it was a lovely day all round (apart from the weather but what can you do!) Spill all - how you getting on with the planning etc?

Thanks Superduff am going to try WRD, they sound a lot more together than anyone else! And they seem pretty well priced! Flash once you have them (sorry cheeky I know!) Think I might get the suit thing out of the way, then try and con Dan into wedding ring shopping lol. Sneakily does it I think!

Been round to my friends house today and had another quick peek at my dress (well a long peek shall we say!) its all good, I still love it. I was worried because I kept seeing other fantastic dresses but got the same feeling about my dress when I saw it again so happy days! Also made sure my shoes went with it and they do. Just jewellery to sort now and thats me done (apart from hair and make-up) woohoo!!!!

Welcome Mrs T Talbot! I don't know Dartmouth too well, but been to dos at the Imperial, and it's always been very lovely!

I'll definitely flash when I have them. I am a bit worried that they'll come (asked them to send to work) when I'm off, but Matt is working, so he can bring them home. I have told him in no uncertain terms that he can't open them without me! ?

That's good you still like your dress. I have been in the same boat - I asked my sister to try it on so I could see what it looked like on, and I love it. I don't know what the hair and makeup people at WP are like - do you? They could be a good bet. Especially as they'll be on site.

Hi, we getting married 7th June 2014 still 19 months to go. Planning going good got most of big things just saving like made now

Hey!

Our vicar emailed us on Friday with the costs for getting married in a church next year - £624! ☹️

I'd budgeted a little bit less than that, so the amazing savings made on the WR has been mostly consumed by the church fees. I can see why some people get married in a registry office based on cost alone now! Ah well, it's gotta be paid.

Hoping to hear back from Lucy about the corkage costs this week too.

How's everyone else's planning gone this weekend?

Wotcha!

Wow I thought my registrar charges were expensive! I always thought getting married in a church was cheaper than a licensed venue (not so much a registry office I suppose) but my fees are about £200 less than yours, and thats to have the registrars come to the venue. But it will be worth it to get married in your lovely church. Thank goodness you did make the savings with the rings!

I emailed Lucy last week about possibly having rose wine in our package rather than all red and white, not many of my friends drink red so would be handy. If we can't then I think we may have to look at doing it ourselves - let me know what your corkage costs are because we were given £10 for a bottle of wine and £12 for a bottle of sparkling wine/champagne.

Haven't done much else this weekend re planning, have come to a bit of a standstill, don't know what else I can be doing until I have seen my sister about the invites. Waiting for confirmation on an trial with a MUA and am going to see the suit people on Monday (will flash if I get any pics and let you know how we get on!) also have an appt with a florist in Exmouth a week on Saturday so hopefully that will go better than the last one!

Yep, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I read the email! For more though, it is important to have the church element. Ah well!

I'll let you know what I get quoted through for the corkage. I'd have though it would be the same, but we can compare notes! I need to have a sort through of the stuff actually and see how much it will cost for their bottles. I'm sure it'll be cheaper to do the corkage route though.

Oooh which MUA are you going to? Some of the florists in Exmouth are really good (no idea of price though). OH's BM & wife had flowers from Elida for their wedding, and they looked beautiful.

I want my rings to arrive now!!!!!!! lol ?

Hiya,

Lucy came back and said same as what you've been quoted so £10 for vino.

I'm now looking at exchanging my TEsco clubcard points on their exchange thing so I can get free wine... Classy me! lol

Go for it! You should get quite a few bottles on the clubcard exchange thing - no one needs to know (unless you want to brag about how good a deal you got lol!)

We have decided we would figure it out nearer the time now but I have a feeling with my OH being as lazy as he is we are going to go down the drinks package route. Lucy did say that we can have Rose as part of the package which is a start! Haven't got Tesco Vouchers but I have loads of those get so much off a case etc on Virgin/Naked Wines which are useful - just have to register under a lot of different email addresses!

When are your rings due to arrive? Can't wait to see them. Have had a squizz myself on the website and they have some lovely ones, have fallen in love with quite a few so just need to persuade Dan thats what he wants

Have contacted a MUA in Torquay called Belush - just waiting for an appointment for a trial to see what she does and then go from there; the florist I am popping into see is the Floriade - apparently they supply the majority of WP flowers so fingers crossed they can do something with my ideas. haven't heard of Elida but may give them a go too!

I am a Plymouth 2013 bride. Where about's are you getting married. Congratulations. xxxx

Superduff I nearly dropped when the vicar gave me the church costs. Hadn't realised all the extras - cleaning, organist, bells etc! Like you say, it's the important part for us too so we'll just have to go with it!

I forgot about a MUA. I'll be getting ready in Brixham so any suggestions gratefully received!

I am going with Sophie Astridge for my flowers - she's a friend of a friend, but has a lovely vintagey style that I love.

We got a brilliant deal on bubbly at sainsburys - half price then 25% off every 6 bottles. Paying a bit more in corkage I think but at least we like it!

Still having a mare over chair covers. £50 extra for a company that can't do exactly what we want but are totally reliable versus a really good price but no one knows much about... oh so tired of all these decisions!!!

Oh Dartmouth Castle, what an amazing place to marry!

Hello Sammylou, congratuations! I am getting married on Dartmoor in April...not long and so much to do!

I know so lucky to be able to get married there is a lovely little church right next to the castle at the mouth of the river dart, I spend lots of my childhood play with my grandad in the woods there and my grandad ash are there at the church in the river, so big dream of mine to marry there still can't believe it's happening,

Hi Sammylou! Congrats to you, where in Plymouth are you getting married and when? I am getting married at Woodbury Park in Exeter on 14th Sept so little while to go yet.

Polarbex I have been to a really lovely lady in Brixham called Lisa Kimble - she does beauty stuff but not sure on make up. I know she has a website so didn't know if you wanted to check her out. I know loads of people go to her and she is a lovely, lovely lady.

Thankyou. I am getting married at the royal Corinthian Yatch club in Plymouth, on the 4th August so also a bit of time yet.

I am gunna have a look at that ladies website now, I am debating whether to do my own make up or get someone in. xxxx

On Dartmoor, outside? that is going to be so nice, the views will be amazing. It seems far away but It is coming around so quickly. xxxx

Before we decided to go abroad we had a look in elida, im not sure on average flower costs but the lady was so so helpful, while we were in there she had made centre pieces to show us different things she could do!

Obviously price depends on which flowers but her prices for orchids were, bride bouquet-£50-£70, bridesmaids - £35, matching buttonholes £8each, table centre pieces including hire of tall glass vase - £20 each. I didnt shop anywhere else because we then decided to go abroad but they were amazing, you should definately pop in while your there, they are only a couple of shops apart

x

Thanks Carter89 thats brilliant, didn't realise they were so close. Can kill two birds with one stone! Where abroad are you getting married?

Wow the Guildhall and Royal Corinthian both look lovely! We are lucky having some lush places in Devon to get married

I was going to say, there are some fab places in Devon! I'm not outside - Two Bridges, a pub in the middle of the moor! But yes, amazing views.

Thanks Curvygirl, will check her out.

I finalised my band today and had a lovely conversation - they love the same stuff we do, so good to know they are on the same wavelength. Just can't persuade them to play an extra 20mins!

Still got cars, the men and rings to sort out. Otherwise I think it's slowly coming together. Lacking on some fun stuff though. What exciting quirky things are you going to add in? I am planning an egg hunt for the kids as it's just after easter, but no other inspiration!

Hadn't thought of anything fun for people to do yet! Was thinking maybe some sort of table quiz/questions or mini games to play during/after dinner (boring but easy!) but nothing quirky; have got my two FGs the books that are 'my day as a bridesmaid' and some colouring stuff so hopefully that will keep them occupied, just need to find something to keep my (will be 21 month old) nephew entertained! Your egg hunt sounds dead cool, I would love to do something like that at a wedding! Just waiting for inspiration now........

Really wish we could have a band but just can't stretch to it, big families mean lots of guests and no room for fun for Claire! Still at least the DJ will play everything and anything we want. Glad you got yours sorted - its nice when people are on the same wavelength as you! Am sure you will get a bit of extra time out of them - just keep shouting 'more, more'!

Am at a standstill now, I know I am seeing florists and suit people and hopefully get the rings sorted soon (thanks for the tip on WRD Superduff!) but I can't get anything else done - and I am not a patient person! Oh got my menu finalised (early but was very keen).

For fun we having casino tables as we love Las Vegas that was our first hoilday together and chocolate foundation

for kids we got active packs. But for my nephew and h2b cousin who both 11 (usher and bridesmaid) we giving them a camera each with a list to picture they got to try and through out the day then going have them put in those photo book.

Exactly, may aswell do both at the same time! Your welcome!

Getting married in Zante, Greece in May Cant wait! xx