Wedding Update - 2 months to go
Posted on February 4, 2008 in the General Wedding Plans category
I can’t believe its only 2 months away till I get hitched. There are still alot of things that we haven’t done yet, heres our wedding status so far………
Wedding Checklist
Registrar - Booked
Give Notice of marriage - Done
Pay Registrar Fees - Due 8th feb
Wedding Venue - Paid deposit
Restaurant - Paid deposit
Wedding Dress - Done
Bridesmaid Dress - Waiting for bridesmaids dresses to be altered
Shoes - Done
Accessories - Done
Flowers - Not done. Found cheapest florist
Suits - Not done
Invitations/lai see - Ordered
Honeymoon - Not done. Found the cheapest Deal
Hotel - Not done
After party - Not done
Photographers - Paid deposit
Videographer - Paid deposit
Transport - Not done. Found the cheapest Deal
Rings - Not done. Found our style
Hair & make up - Booked trial
Guestlist - 95%
Drinks for Garden room - Not done, got prices
Drinks for Restaurant - Not done
Wedding cake- Not done
I have moaned at Dave about getting a move on with the wedding plans so the sooner we get things done the sooner we can relax. He just came back from a trip to Austria and he has work to catch up on so I guess his business comes first. The wedding if left to me again, which isn’t so bad if I had his credit card or cheque book to use so then I wouldn’t have to confirm anything with him. LOL. I think this wedding has been 90% of my hard work and 10% of Dave’s. I have done all the research, found the cheapest quotes on most things. I can’t believe I started planning our wedding back in May 2007, that was just doing online research but we still haven’t finished planning everything. Weddings are hard work, if anyone says its easy they are lying. I’m not getting stressed though as I am confident we can get everything done in time.
I know Dave has got a lot of work on his plate at the moment with his business so everytime I moan at him about the wedding, I feel guilty. Plus he said to me the other day that now he’s back from Austria, he will get a move on with the work for our new house i.e getting quotes for kitchens/bathrooms etc. I think its abit foolish of us to buy a house and plan a wedding at more or less the same time but the house was too good to lose. So far we have applied for planning permission for an extension on our kitchen with a terrace/balcony on the top, we have to wait for that to get approved before we start looking for builders. Which means next month we will get the decision and then Dave will start looking for quotes. I think the month before the wedding will be the most hectic so I think I will ask him to hold off a little while. Its going to be a stressful few months………
Random Wedding pictures
Posted on February 3, 2008 in the Real Weddings category
Some pictures I found on flickr
I love the colors in this photo, so pretty and girly.
I’m looking forward to taking some fun pics with my bridesmaids and Dave’s best men
I wonder if I can do a jumping pic in my wedding gown………..
Wedding hair
Posted on January 30, 2008 in the The Wedding Look category
Trouble is in the air or should I say hair…………
As we are having a super early start at our wedding - 7am start. I am having trouble with finding a hairdresser that will come out to my house at 6am to do my hair. I must have rang 4 hairdresser and most of them said that they either only do it in salon or 6am is way too early for them. I was starting to get worried, but I rang up Diva Hair & Beauty and they said that they might be able to do it but as it would be the manager/salon owner who would come out to my house, I would have to come in for a consultation on Friday first.
I also managed to find a hairdresser that is based in Birmingham, who would be willing to come to Worcester at 6am. I found her online when searching for mobile hairdressers in Midlands. Her website is make-upandhairbygemma. She also does wedding make up. Prices are reasonable - Brides hair (including 1 trial) = £100, Brides make - up (including 1 trial) = £125
I’m not sure if I want someone to do my make up as I have been practising doing my own, also my sister is like a professional make-up artist so I will ask her to do a trial look.
I have been looking on Flickr and other wedding sites for hairstyles. I have decided to go for an up-do as I will be having the same hairstyle the whole way through the wedding.
2nd Florist - Getting Quotes for Flowers
Posted on January 29, 2008 in the The Wedding Look, Tips/Reviews category
I think I should post the names of the florists who I have visited for quotes as it may help someone from Worcester. I have just come back from visiting Passion Flowers in Worcester. I had my phone ready to show them pictures of bouquets that I like. They gave me a quote for this bouquet
Around £60 for this bouquet and its extra if I want pearls or diamante in the centre or other detailing.
For the bridesmaids bouquet, I told them I only want little ones so that mine stands out alot more. They quoted £25 for a rose bouquet.
For the buttonholes - Its £5 each for A* roses. If I want a cheaper rose its £3 each.
When getting quotes, its a good idea to tell them what your budget is. Ours is £350 max for flowers. She said its a shame that most of our budget will be spent on buttonholes cos I said we wanted around 50. Of course I asked for a discount as I was getting so many. She got the price down to £4 each for the big rose buttonhole.
I need to look at the numbers for the buttonholes again. I think £60 for my bouquet and £25 for bridesmaids is reasonable. Then again, I suppose the 1st florist I went to could have done the same price for bouquets if I told her how much I actually wanted to pay. I think with florists you can always get a better deal on the price but only if you ask.
I also went to Floral & Hardy’s and Bumble Bees Flowers but they were both closed. If I had to pick out of the 2 florists, I would pick Passion Flowers as their roses look alot nicer and bigger. Plus I think I can get her to do me a better deal on the buttonholes.
Note :: Dave has gone to Austria for 1 week with his mates on a snowboarding holiday so its just me, myself and I doing the wedding planning this week =(
A Tip for Brides to be
Posted on January 27, 2008 in the General Wedding Plans, Tips/Reviews category
Instead of buying wedding magazines for pictures of flowers or hairstyles, why not research pictures online and transfer the image to your mobile phone. Thats what I have done so that when I visit the florist/hairdressers I can show them the pictures on my phone. Great huh??
I have been looking for more pictures of bouquets so that I can show the florists on Monday. Hopefully, I can get cheaper quotes. My budget, I mean his budget lol is around £300 for the flowers, £350 max. If I can get my bouquet around £60-70 and bridesmaids about £25 then thats great. My sister told me that they can always give you a good deal on buttonholes so I will have to put my bartering skills to practise.
I love this style but maybe less of the green leaves.
This one or the one below
This one is so simple, its the look that I’m trying to go for. Simple, classic and elegant.
By the way if you’re looking for pictures on hair/flowers, use flickr.com its amazing, so many inspirations and ideas from other people’s pictures
For the bridesmaids, they will be having smaller bouquets of either ivory and yellow roses or ivory roses with yellow freesias. They will be quite a small bouquet, similar to the ones my sister chose for her bridesmaids and if the bouquet is smaller, the price will also be smaller.
There were 7 roses in each bouquet. Cute huh?
Considering having a bridesmaid contract???
Posted on January 25, 2008 in the Tips/Reviews, Real Weddings category
No this is not a joke, I was reading my wedding magazine which Dave thoughfully bought me. There was an article about a recent American bride who made all her bridesmaid sign a contract. I found a similar contract online and I have to share it with you cos its so funny…
*Bridesmaid’s Contract*
Hello my beautiful bridesmaids! Let me just say again how happy I am that you are going to be a part of my special day! Below are just a few guidelines for the wedding that I’d like you to review, please initial by each point, sign at the end and send back to me. Just want to make sure they’re aren’t any surprises! The planning bride is a happy bride! Thanks a bunch! Love ya! -Katie
______ My hair will remain at the length it is now or longer.
______ I will not change my hair color without first consulting Katie and providing a sample photo or hair swatch for consideration.
______ I will use Sally Hansen’s “Maximum Growth-Daily Nail Growth program” every day for the 4 months before the wedding day.
______ I will not gain more than 4lbs from the weight I was when I was asked to be a bridesmaid.
______ I swear to attend all showers, (lingerie, bridal & bachelorette) to arrive in a timely manner and do everything in my power to support and “be there” for the bride.
______ I will purchase the David’s Bridal style # 81123 dress below in Latte/Champagne within 3 weeks of today.
______ I will NOT knowingly get pregnant without notifying Katie at least 4 months prior to the wedding so a suitable alternate can be found. I will also give my purchased bridesmaid dress to said alternate.
I do hereby swear that I will adhere to all of the above & other understood bridesmaid duties for the wedding on September 21, 2007
X_________________________
(sign, print and date)
Yes, this is the real deal. Not something made up, there are brides out there who actually do this.
I think that is quite OTT and I would never consider making my bridesmaids sign one. I did however say to them in person that they should either a. lose weight or b. keep the same weight as they are now, which I think its totally reasonable.
Do you think its abit ‘bridezilla’ that I’m considering asking all our female guests to not wear black, red or white to our wedding. I mean a little black, red or white is ok just don’t wear all black (its not a funeral) all red (are you trying to out do me) or all white (ahem only the bride wears white). Is that abit outrageous??? Or is it something all women know about when attending a wedding?? Then again I have been to some weddings and I don’t think this is common knowledge. Hopefully some of our guests will read my website and pass it round to the other ladies or come April the 8th I will not be happy. LOL
Wedding Flowers - 1st visit to a florist
Posted on January 21, 2008 in the The Wedding Look, Tips/Reviews category
Today I went to a florist here in Worcester called Floral Services. I wanted to ask about prices just so I had a rough idea of what to expect. The lady was very helpful, she asked me what kind of flowers I was thinking of for myself and the bridesmaids. I was 50/50 on either a posy bouquet or a shower bouquet.
Posy Bouquet
Shower Bouquet
I’m now leaning more towards the posy bouquet. As the lady explained how if my dress had detailing then the shower bouquet would cover some of it up, also I might want to consider having a simple looking bouquet so that my fish tail style wedding dress stands out more.
I really like the compact bouquets which are more expensive than a normal posy because you have to have alot of roses to get that look. I would like either white or ivory roses but the lady said the ivory ones are nicer.
I also want either pearls or diamante in the bouquet
For my 4 bridemaids I would like them to have a small posy of roses but the lady advised me not to have the same flowers as I was having in my bouquet as I’m meant to stand out more. She suggested that they have a small bouquet of ivory and yellow freesias.
Prices for my bouquet are from £80.00
Bridesmaids are £45.00
Rose Buttonholes are £3.50
I know from experience to never go for the first price so I will be shopping around and see which florist is the cheapest. I also have to buy some bridal magazines to get some inspiration and take the pictures/clippings from magazines with my to the florists. Can you believe I have never bought a bridal magazine, all my research has been internet based but I should buy a magazine just for the sake of it.
My Wedding Favors - Discount Code
Posted on January 19, 2008 in the Discount-Vouchers category
My Wedding Favours have an amazing Winter Promotion - Get 5% OFF your order with code FREEZE5 at checkout.
I only just found the site but My Wedding Favors are a US based site and have a really impressive catalogue of wedding favors, something to suit all tastes it would seem. I really like the Miniature Silver Chair Favor Boxes
Its a place card holder and favour box. You can also have a monogram, like the picture but would I chose D or S???
I also think these are very cute
These are different as they are useable as a coaster, placecard or photo frames, you could even write a message of thanks inside them.
If you are looking for unique wedding favors you should definitely look on this site. There are so many plus with the discount you could save some $$$ for you and your hubby to be. You should be quick as the promotion only last till the end of Feb 2008
2 months and 21 days till our wedding
Posted on January 17, 2008 in the General Wedding Plans category
Me and Dave have been using google docs to share our wedding spreadsheet which I think is amazing and very helpful. I certainly recommend it for couples who live quite far from each other as sharing info via google docs is much quicker and more efficient.
We have finally chosen and booked our photographer. Its a Nottingham City based company called Life Photographic who have given us a great price for 2 photographers. We have paid the deposit, so thats another thing that we can tick off on our checklist.
We’ve given our Marriage Authority to Basford Registry Office so the legal bit is done. I was a little worried as my name was represented differently on the papers. On mine it said I my name is Sally Ta (otherwise known as Le Nga Ta) but on Dave’s was the other way round - Le Nga Ta (otherwise Sally Ta). The lady at the registry office said it was ok, as I can still choose which name I would like to use in the ceremony on the wedding day. Yay!!! We made an appointment to see the registrar who will be performing the ceremony to discuss what we want in our ceremony i.e reading, personal vows, music etc. So now I am looking online for wedding songs.
I have to find songs for
I have got a few songs that I like……
Canon in D - Pachelbel - I have always wanted to have this played at my wedding even though some people may think its a little too over used. I still think its a great piece.
Arioso - Bach - probably for when the guest are waiting
Air on the G string - Bach
Kamdo Wedding Invitations HK
Posted on January 16, 2008 in the General Wedding Plans, Tips/Reviews category
We have finally managed to order our wedding invitations but it was turning out to be a nightmare problem at one point.
We had already picked and provisionally ordered our wedding invites online. We chose CD0138 (see previous post) and all Dave’s mom had to do was go there and pay the lady for our wedding invites. When Dave called her monday afternoon to see if she had paid, Dave’s mom told us that she saw CD0138 and said it was not nice. She went and ordered another style CD0013 without consulting us first. Me and Dave were not happy about this because it was exactly the same ones that my friends Wai - ling & Sang used for their wedding.
I didn’t want to use the same invites even though they are really cute so I tried to get them Kamdo to change it to another style seeing as Mrs So (Dave’s mom) didn’t like the original ones I chose.
I picked out CD0125
Now all we had to do was try and get Kamdo to change our order. I emailed them on Tuesday explaining the situation. They replied back saying that the order had already been sent to their printing factory and that if I cancelled I wouldn’t make the deadline for the finished date Jan 31st. I emailed Kamdo again saying that “they must change it as I didn’t chose those invitations. Please try your best to help. I want invites CD0125, I don’t believe it takes so long to print”
Kamdo sent a reply back
Dear Sally
That okay, I can change your invitations to CD125 but that will have the charge HK$100on top for draft the new layout.
for CD125 the price is HK$11 each and that will have the extra HK$150
also, for your order will be add the “Urgent Charge” for push the order, if we can got your confirmed layout on before Jan 17 the charge is HK$200on topPlease reply to us is it okay, I will send the new layout to you confirm it shortly, Thanks^^
After reading this email Dave decided to call them. He explained that he doesn’t mind paying HK$100 for a new draft layout or the extra HK$150 for the new invites but he wouldn’t be paying the HK$200 for the urgent charge because its only been 1 day more and that shouldn’t really matter so we shouldn’t have to pay more.
Claire at Kamdo said that if we confirm the layout today then the charge of HK$200 would be waived and that printing will start as soon as we approved it. So we received a copy of the draft layout and checked it over. Everything was correct and we said it was ok to start printing.
I’m glad that the wedding invitations are over and done with. If Claire at Kamdo didn’t let me change my invites, I don’t know what I might have done. Its not that bad to have the same invites as another friend but I would prefer to have a ones that our friends haven’t used. Dave on the other hand was ok about it all but he made sure his fiancee got want she wanted in the end =D
« newer posts — older posts »