Relative Newbie! Any Devon brides out there?

Oh, I like the camera idea and list of things to photo - permission to borrow please!

Greece sounds lovely! Thinking of heading that way for our honeymoon, have never been. In fact, must get that sorted too!

By all means you can use that idea, I read it in a wedding magazine and through it be an great idea for something the older kids to do.

We went there on holiday last year, walking along the beach and caught a glimpse of a wedding, so thats where we are getting married! Booked flights and hotel last night so cant wait now!!

Greece seems to be pretty good price wise and only a 3 1/2 hour flight and so many different resorts there! x

EFK and Sammilou im a plymouth bride to.

just starting to go dress shopping

sammilou our xmas party is at royal corinthian. its a lovely venue..fab location!

EFK never heard of the guildhall..just googled it and its stunning!!

Well that's OH, BM and FOB sorted for suits! Went to see a lovely lady today at Jonathan Hawkes in Exeter (can highly recommend her!) and after a few decisions made by OH (yep thats right!) we have a final outfit for them all. The chocolate tie will be worn by OH, the lighter tie will be worn by BM and FOB. Unfortunately the brown tails are the most expensive - but FMIL is paying for two so figured we could splash lol! Always knew I had expensive taste! Please excuse the face, I have yet to find a photo where Dan is actually looking relaxed!

How is everyone else doing? Any major developments or just cruising and waiting for Christmas to get out of the way!? I am just waiting for my MU trial now, have discussed invites with my sister who is confident she can do what I want and seeing florist on saturday. Then I think I will leave it lol.....for a few days anyway

Oooh love the suit! That looks lovely, and the chocolate is quite nice too - I am working on Matt for that colour choice.

Glad to hear about Jonathan Hawkes too - I think we may well end up going there rather than Moss Bros.

Did you take OH, FOB and Best Man with you? I am just trying to get into my head how we'll coordinate that!

I haven't done anything else recently. I have hit a bit of a standstill with everything really, as I don't think there is much more I can do now. I'm itching for our wedding rings to arrive! I was hoping they might have been sent by now, but it appears not.

Well done on the suit fittings! And good luck with the MUA! Who have you gone for a trial with?

Hi Devon Brides

I am getting married at Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe in March 2013 and I'm looking for recomendations for hair & MAU, and also for a band for the evening (due to limited space we can only really have a duo or trio).

I've found loads online but would really prefer to go for someone recomended so if any of you guys can share any suggestions that would be great.

Thanks in advance, happy planning all

Only took Dan with me today, asked about when the others need to come in and the lady said that they like to have everyone fitted at least 12 weeks before the wedding. You don't need to go in together, they can go in when they want. As long as the lady knows what you want them to have then she will make sure they behave! So if you can't coordinate lol then as long as you trust them to get there you should be ok! The price for the suit hire (waistcoat, trousers, shirt, jacket and tie) is £147. The lady did say that it was going to be more expensive than the usual black or grey but it wasn't as expensive as we were thinking.

Have gone for a girl called Estelle at Belush - based in Torquay but does a lot of work in Exeter. She seemed really nice and is really busy so trying to organise an appointment is a bit of a task - think its going to be in Jan now (suppose its something to look forward to!)

We got our ring gauge thing last week so now that we have measurements we are going to have a look at WRD, even Dan was in agreement. How long did they say yours would take?

I know there isn't a lot more I can do at the moment but I appear to be mildly addicted to wedding planning and i am getting very frustrated at not being able to do more! Will just have to give it a rest and throw my all into Christmas instead

Hi Nic78! Have heard so many good things about Tunnels Beach - is that local to you or somewhere you fell in love with?

Unfortunately I can't really help on bands or MUA - we are only having a DJ and I haven't sorted my MUA yet. I have a lovely hairdresser booked but she only works with present clients so not much use there either (not helpful at all really sorry!) I am sure that others on here can help though.

What is your colour scheme? I assume you have your dress - what style have you gone for? Tell all so that we can revel in (and pinch!) your ideas!

Polarbex did you find a MUA? The lady I was talking about in Brixham is having an open day on Saturday from 1-4 if you wanted to pop along. Also anyone else who is getting ready in the Torbay area!

I don't know if you Devon ladies have seen but there is a wedding fair in Exmouth at the Devoncourt hotel on 19th January 11.30-4. Just in case anyone missed it on FB!

Thanks, yes mum & I will go and have a look on saturday. Feel like I really need to get going now, though tempted to leave it til after christmas!

Tried to take h2b ring shopping on sunday but failed miserably. Only one place was open and he turned his nose up at all the rings! We did make some progress at the travel agents though - need to double our holiday fund if we want sun during the easter hols! I want to go somewhere different but it's only for a week so not too far but cos it's Easter, prices are stupid!

Which wedding rings direct shop are you all using? I have found a couple!

I have decided to go with Crystal covers. Finally got hold of the lady & she apologised that they have been so busy recently. I think it is just two of them so will give them a chance...

Oh, and made progress with a car, though can't belive the prices they charge! Is £350 about average for trip to church then on to venue???

Your suits look very smart. Never heard of Jonathan Hawkes, but will have to visit.

That's good - that's less than I would have thought too. If you use WRD then you do get a £10 off code if you buy rings from them. I think mine are meant to appear this week, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Yay for the MUA! I have heard of them before, but can't remember where.

Polarbex - I think there is only one WRD - www.weddingrings-direct.co.uk. That's where I am getting mine from. They have loads to choose from.

I have heard (and seen some lovely photos of) Tunnels - they were in Wed magazine around this time last year. If it wasn't so far away, we probably would have looked round. A wuick google for recommended hair/MU came up with http://www.goldshair.co.uk/prices_beauty.html. I think one of the hitchers who got married this year might have used them by the looks of it (it came up on an older hitched thread). Alos, Shine (hair) and Jo Kitt (freelance MUA) seem to be recommended.

Curvygirl77: unfortunatley we are up in the midlands but fell in love with the tunnels as soon as we saw the website so organising the different suppliers is proving a little difficult - its more not having personal recomendations really.

We only booked in Sept for a March 2013 wedding so lots to do and not much time to do it, lots done already tho (at least I feel like that until I look at the list and then start panicking again), just need to book a band for the evening, and hair & MAU. Almost everything else is either done or on track.

I have brought my dress (Amanda Wyatt 'Olga') but am in the process of finding a seamstress to make a few alterations. We're going for a black and ivory theme with a little red thrown in for good measure. Its all very exciting but the date is coming around much faster than I thought it would!!!!

Superduff: thanks for the info - I'll do some digging on those later and let you know how I get on.

How is it all going for you guys - are your big days fast approaching too?

Love the sound of black, ivory and red! That will look lovely!

Sadly my big day feels an age away (November next year). I have most of it sorted now, just twiddling my thumbs and looking for inspiration on here!

Oooh... a chance look on the Real Weddings tab threw out this - https://www.hitched.co.uk/real-weddings/rosa-ryan_223/ which was shot by our TOG! Yay!

Also, big squees are due this evening, as I am told that our wedding rings have been delivered to work (I'm off this week). So Matt will be bringing them home. I have reminded him that it is a criminal offence to open someone else's post (they've been delivered to me) so he mustn't open them before he gets home! ?

Oooh exciting!!! After our disastrous ring shopping trip I think internet will be the way to go!

I saw those photos, they look lovely. Good to see your tog in action. Mine has been a little quiet lately and not updated with any more weddings!

Made another big desicison...decided on Cape Verde for the honeymoon. Just deciding on which island! Am not good at decisions!

I guess it's not really wedding season now. Our TOGs actually disappear to warmer climes over winter and do commercial photography. We're their last wedding of the year next year I think.

Yay for Cape Verde! Our Finance Director went there for his summer holiday this year and really enjoyed it. I can't remember exactly where he said he went though.

I am hoping Matt gets home soon - I wanna see the riiiiiiiiiiings! Wedding Rings Direct have been good, and friends have their rings from there too, but will report back to let you know the quality of ours before recommending!

Am so excited for you Superduff! Can't wait till you let us know how they are I have got Dan looking at the website today as he is off, and have told him not to move from it until he has at least 4 choices!

Its great seeing TOGs in action isnt' it, it puts the whole seal on the fact that you have definitely made the right choice lol

Yay for Polarbex! Cape Verde is an amazing choice - a friends parents went last year (can't remember where though) and they had a lovely relaxing time.

Just over 9 and a half months for me now - and christmas is only 5 weeks away lol! Where is the time going????!!!

So what are the rings like???

The man has actutally chosen a ring from the site and says he's happy for me to sort, hurrah!!! Still not sure about buying online, but I buy everything else online!

Hiya,

Rings are fab! they're really nice. I have posted a pic of them on the 2013 HOF page. I'm really pleased with them and would definitely recommend them. Best man and his wife's rings are from there too, and they had a good experience as well.

I'm itching to do something weddingy today, but I can't think of what. I had a quick look in John Lewis yesterday at BM dresses, and plan to go back next week with my sister so she can try some on. I am hoping they might been in the January sale, as the ones I like are a bit above budget.

What have you all been up to?

Have just seen your rings, they are lush! So you have both gone for different metals? Dan wants a yellow gold ring and I want white gold so was thinking it might look weird, but having seen yours they look fine together!Dan has chosen his but I just can't get up the will to look at the moment

So what style of dresses are you looking at? I got 2 of mine from John Lewis but not in the sale lol. I find if I feel weddingy but don't know what to do I kind of randomly google wedding things like flowers or centrepieces!

Haven't done anything since deciding on the suits, I think I have totally lost my wedding mojo and just can't be bothered. Think its the weather......! Have been concentrating on christmas presents instead

Sorry, being dim - what is HOF and where do I find it?!

I had a bit of a heated discussion with mum this weekend cos dad apparently feels left out and wants to be given some task like choosing the wine. I probably said something to upset as I usually do, but am a bit cross with it all.

Otheriwise, I have found some lovely fur collar shrug things for my flower girls, and decided to sit down and work out our budget - seem to be booking loads but not yet worked out how to pay for it all!!!

Oh, and minor detail...booked our honeymoon!!! Off to Cape Verde for a week and cannot wait!

On another note, are your groom wearing the same colour tie/cravat as the best man? And are father of bride & father in law included in the colour co ordination or do they wear their own stuff?

Dan is wearing the chocolate ruched tie and my dad and the best man are wearing a lighter colour brown to go with the BM dresses. Bit of an issue over my FFIL as I don't want to pay for tails for him as he doesn't have a huge part to play in the wedding, but he needs to be in the same colour suit so he fits in (all very convoluted tbh!). However trying to find a normal chocolate suit the same colour as the rest is very difficult and I have a feeling he is going to end up in tail (grrr!)

Because my dad will be walking me down the aisle I said he needed to fit in with Dan and his best man hence the tails.

Can sympathise with the budget thing! But I am employing the 'head in the sand' tactic and hoping that it all comes good towards the end. Nice one on the honeymoon, wish we could book ours now but we are waiting until March 2014 and hopefully our coffers will be slightly healthier by then!

HOF is 'Hitched on Facebook' - 2013 Brides group. I thought you were already a member? If not then hop on to FB and search for us, its a nice group and a little cosier than here

Not dim at all - It's Hitchers on Facebook. If you search for 2013 Brides - HOF you should find it. It is a closed group though.

I didn't realise that Dads really got involved in the wedding planning, and you could have knocked me over with a feather when Dad said he'd come to the Westpoint fair! I have tasked him with sorting the music (it's his band playing anyway, but need to have more than just them).

Yay for honeymoon! That's so exciting! How soon are you going after you get married?

I haven't really thought about what Dad and Matt will be wearing in terms of colours. I'd have thought that they would wear different colours. Having just looked at a friend's wedding photos, his brother is wearing the same colours as him, and his wife's family are wearing the same colour as each other. In another friend's, the groom is wearing a different waistcoat to the FOB, Bm and ushers, and the FOB is wearing a different waistcoat to the others in the party. But their cravats are all the same colour. I'm probably even more confused now than before! lol!

Cool, thanks, have requested to join the group!

I think my dad feels a bit left out, especially as he is financing the meal part.

It seems that anything goes these days. I thought the grrom had to be in a different colour tie to differentiate, but as Neil said, if people don't know which he is then they shouln't be there! Good to be free to choose, but I do like a bit of tradition.

Honeymoon is booked in my married name cos my passport runs out 4 days before the wedding, so no going back now! We get married on the friday and leave tues pm, overnight in Birmingham then fly out early weds. Not too long a gap and time to get ourselves organised before we go and see the kids!

Lol your OH does have a point about the tie colour! And it'll be fairly obvious, as he'll be the one waiting up front!

I might be being totally stupid, but how are you getting your new passport in your married name before you get married? That's a nice gap to have too between the day and going away. I wish we could go sooner, but we couldn't afford it so soon.

Sounds odd doesn't it, but apparently there are forms I can get the vicar to sign to send off the the passport people & they reissue my passport in my new name. I won't be able to leave the country until the big day, but that shouldn't be a problem! I hope it works out or there won't be a honeymoon!!!

That's cool! I'd never heard of that being done before, but it definitely makes sense to be able to do that.

When we marry, I will be slap bang in the middle of my passport life, so I'm debating whether to change it or not. I need to look into how much it costs really.

We're off to Cape Verde too. Boa Vista. Can't wait

We're off to Cape Verde too. Boa Vista. Can't wait

While we're on the subject of honeymoons, I thought I'd flash a pic of where we'll be going

We'll be off to the H10 Gran Tinerfe in Tenerife. We went this year and loved it enough to go back again.

I'm just going through the "Hepburn" list of things to do, and realised I have done quite a bit really.

Also, while I'm here, I have been thinking about this dress for BM dress:

Ignore the rank shoes on the pic. What do you think? I think it actually looks nicer in real life. Sister and I are going to John Lewis this weekend for a mooch around. THe other one is this:

I think I prefer this one, but guess I'll have a better idea at the weekend when we go shopping.

Quick question, would you wear a tiara AND veil? I honestly can't remember what friends have done in the past, and I keep forgetting to ask!

Annie k - good choice! When do you do go?

Ooh tenerife looks nice too!

As for bridesmaids dress, love the second dress.

I am wearing a side hairband and a veil... I think! But yes, have seen people wearing both. I think it's up to you and whatever you think goes best. At some point you will take off the veil anyway. Actually when do you take the veil off?