Wedding Advice needed

[helster]

Hi
My partner and I got engaged a couple of weeks ago and I'm already starting to panic about wedding preparations. Issues include: money (lack of), venues etc, etiquette etc.
Any tips? Thanks so much.
Hx

[ELVIS68]

Have you set a date yet?

[JOEYGREEN]

Hi helster. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be a big do! Just do exactly what you want to do. Could your parents help out a little? I would get it booked as soon as possible - how long until you get married?

[helster]

Hi,
Not set a date yet but hoping for summer 08.
hx

[MiniN]

Go abroad to a resort that caters for weddings. then it will not cost much more than a holiday.

[redcrx]

dont panic just yet, youve only just got engaged.

Firstly decide what sort of wedding youd like and then do some rough calculations on how much it would cost. Then once you know a cost you can then decide how you will finance it. If you need to save then set a realistic date for when you can afford what you want and start calling around the church/ registars and venues that you like the look of and see what dates are available.

[JOEYGREEN]

In that case you have plenty of time. Where would you like to get married? I would start saving now though. Put a bit away every month, as much as you can afford. MiniN is quite right, it is cheaper to go abroad but its just whether all your family and friends can also go away with you.

[helster]

Ooh, it sounds like there's so much to organise! I bought a book which, I'm hoping, will lead me through it.
I'm going away for 5 days so I'll start ringing round when I get back.
What's best to do first? reception venues?
Hx

[ELVIS68]

I disagree, you need to book as early as possible

if not you`ll end up having your reception in a tatty old scout hut

[redcrx]

ok so summer 08.

do some calling around. you must have an idea of what service you want, church or registrar. Do you want to marry at same place as reception or travel to a reception from church or registrars office? Some venues do everything in-house and have wedding coordinators who will advise and also help make sure everythings perfect on the day.

[JOEYGREEN]

Yes, sorry - I meant book it now but you've got plenty of time to save! You definitely need to book something now...or pretty soon.

[helster]

Hi
You lot are so efficient!!
We'd like to get married in a local church (last year there woere only 4 weddings there so I'm hoping we'll be fine in that sense)
I'd love to go away but I also want everyone there and that's more important to me really.
I'm very excited but starting to get nervous about all the planning too.
I wish I was rich and have a J-Lo like wedding planner. Ha ha, Some chance, eh?
Hx

[melons]

Redcrx's advice is spot on, i worried about the preperations as soon as i got engaged and dint really enjoy being engaged if you know what i mean!
Argos and Debenhams and places like that all do free wedding gift planners, go in and have a look around and see if you want stuff from there.
Then phone around get quotes and slowly plan then, talk it through and get a idea of the budgit, we had a major lack of money and ended up with a small wedding in a registery office that was lovely.
Getting married abroad is always lovely, when you say wedding people always want to get involved and offer their advice, so just listen to them all and then decide what you both want. I am sure you will come up with a lovely one and have a brilliant day. xx

[helster]

What do you think the chances are of getting something Summer 08? and where can I find out about what's available in the area?
x

[melons]

A wedding dress can take 3 months to organise aswell. So decide on your bridemaids, pageboys and have fun shopping!!!

[JOEYGREEN]

ha ha, if only. I am getting married in June (only 12 weeks!) and we had to book ours 18 months in advance. Please don't worry - it will all be worth it in the end. Don't let anyone take over either. It is your day so have it exactly how you want it...and believe me, they do try. Have a talk with your partner about what you want and just go for it.

[helster]

Thanks so much for all your advice so far!
I'll keep you posted!
Hx

[melons]

I decided in November that i wanted to get married in December and quite a few places were really helpful, even though they had Christmas partys. i think you still stand a good chance. How about asking your local advice centre. Or have a look in the yellow pages at hotels in your area.
Do you want a UK wedding or abroad? x

[redcrx]

you can still have a fairytale wedding on a budget.

Have a think of perhaps what relatives can do for the wedding to save money.
Bridesmaid dresses can be bought from places like debenhams or monsoon for much the same cost as hiring them. They also do some nice wedding dresses, and they even come up in the sales.
if you have a late afternoon wedding then you could have one early eve reception rather than a wedding breakfast and an evening reception.

write up a list of all the people youd like to invite and then see what sort of venue that might limit you to.

[Octavius]

Of course everything will depend upon the type of wedding you wish for, but your first consideration should be how much you want to spend on a) the day and b) the honeymoon. Weddings can cost anything from a few hundred pounds to hundreds of thousands so talk it over with the fianc�e and discuss whether a huge expense on the day is important, or whether you need to put money aside for a place together. You need to find out how much your preferred venue will cost, how many people you intend on inviting and when it is available (some places are cheaper on a Friday or a Sunday). I have a list somewhere for you to consider based on a full church & reception day � obviously you might not need them all but it is worth putting a budget against each item so that you can establish a cost. When I find it I will post it.

[redcrx]

and i managed to arrange a wedding in 7 months, had a posh car, a church wedding, sit down reception and an evening party with buffet at a large country hotel. I had a dress designed for me and yet i only spent �5000 when weddings averaged �10000 back then.
It can be done.
what area are you in? maybe we can do a bit of searching for you as to venues?