I can't believe I've missed this thread so far...
Firstly - congratulations Steph!!!!
I got married in June 2005, in a church with a proper wedding breakfast for 60 after, then an evening reception for 150 with food and a disco, then the next day off on an AI honeymoon to Cyprus. All together (if I exclude the honeymoon) the day cost about £8000 - ish! I know this sounds mega expensive, but I did save money on loads of things. If I had paid full price for everything, it would have been double!!!!
It sounds daft, but Ebay can be your best friend. Here goes with my list of bargains.
My engagement ring - I wanted to choose it myself as I've got to wear it for the rest of my life. I found a platinum and 1/2 carat diamond ring. Found it on Ebay from a company in Canada that makes one-offs. Brand new. I've had it valued for insurance purposes and it is £1850. I got it for £775 and paid £56 customs charge.
Wedding rings - Solid Platinum for both. Mine is 3mm, DH's is 6mm. Together, they are valued at over £2500, but cost £800 from a company on Ebay. And they are also brand new.
My dress - Again Ebay. There are loads of dresses on Ebay from the Far East. You choose the design, bid for it, then send them your measurements and they make it from scratch and send it to you within 4 weeks. Mine cost me £39 postage, and the actual dress was £19!!!!! And the detail on it is fabulous.
Flowers - I bought artificial bouquets for myself and my daughter from Ebay, and she emailed me and asked how many buttonholes I wanted, and they were thrown in!! £60 for the lot. And I have my bouquet for ever!
Cake - MIL is a cook so she made it. It was a beautiful 3 tier one, although we still have 2 tiers left. It is such a waste........ How about having the bottom tier as cake to cut, and then the top 2 false?
Balloons on tables - Bought a complete kit from Ebay of 60 balloons and helium tank for £28. It gave DH and the best man something to do on the morning of the wedding!!
Wedding favours - Made them myself. I bought 60 drawstring net bags from Ebay and also 2 boxes of sugared almonds. I bought a pack of pretty blank business cards and printed my own placecards which were holepunched and attached to the bags. The kids got rolls of Just Married Lovehearts in their bags. And I also gave the kids bottles of bubbles that looked like wedding cakes!
Disposable Cameras - I spent £60 on these and wouldn't recommend them. Not one of the photos was any good.
Photographer - I spent £475 on a photographer (and that was cheap), and his photos were awful. The photos we have in frames are from my dad and brother. I would ask all friends and family to get an extra set of photos for you. A photographer is a waste of money.
Disco - I was lucky that it was a friend and he did it for the cost of paying his roadies (the reception was on the 5th floor!!)
Things I learnt. Only have basic food in the evening. We had a 4 course meal at about 4.30, and then the evening reception started at 7.30. I had only catered for 75% of the guests in the evening, but still over half of it was left at the end of the night, and we weren't allowed to take any of it off the premises at the end.
Only have sparkling wine for the toast. We had real champagne and not one person noticed.
Go for a local mobile beautician for your makeup. I found a lovely lady. She did a test on me the week before to see what I like. She came round the night before and did a manicure, pedicure and facial. And then came to my mums on the morning of the wedding, and did my makeup and my 12 year old daughters- the lot for £60!!
Wedding gifts - I too had everything. So, as we were going to Cyprus, we asked people for Cypreat Pounds to spend.
Church - if you want a church wedding, ask around. I live 3 miles outside the city centre in a large village with 3 churches. If I wanted to get married in one of these it would have cost £800 as I was divorced. But I found a beautiful church in the city centre (recommended by a friend). Very old church with 2 aisles. The lady vicar was so eccentric she made everyone laugh during the service. I've never heard a vicar mention the word erotic during a marriage ceremony before!!! As she only had a very small congregation, once we had booked the day, that whole day was ours. She had no other weddings booked on the day. So on the Thursday before, she rang me and asked what colour flowers we wanted for the large displays on the alter. They changed the flowers on a friday, so she said she might as well have them matching my colour scheme!! And it only cost £150.
Blimey - I've waffled!!!!! I'd better go and get some work done!! If I remember anything else Steph, I'll let you know.
And above all - enjoy your day!!!!!!
mine will be FREE!
