Wedding Planning

I imagine everyone is feeling the pinch this year, I'm no exception, so when my partner of 5 years finally proposed, aswell as feeling delighted, there was definately a niggle about the finances and whether we could aford to get married. Therefore, we both decided to keep the budget to a minimum where ever possible, starting with trying to do a lot of the details ourselves.

It is my belief that a wedding does not have to cost the earth, but that's no reason why it can't look like it! On this page I plan to offer hints and tips to anyone who needs help planning their own wedding.

Certain expenses cannot be avoided such as the cost of registering the marriage, the venue hire, catering, church costs, rings etc, but a lot of money can be saved on the stationary, favours for guests, cake and in my case the bride and bridesmaid's dresses. I will be very honest and say that it really helps if you have talented relatives/friends who can help you; in my case my Aunty is making my dress from a pattern that we have tweaked together (images will follow after the wedding as I can't risk him seeing!) and a Great Aunty has kindly taken responsibility for making the stationary again based on some designs we discussed. I've even ropped in my future mother-in-law to help me make the cake which will be decorated at home nearer to the time.

I'm not claiming to be an expert and I cannot offer my services to make you a wedding dress (dressmaking was never a strong point) however I can help you get that personalised touch to your day without the stress of doing it yourself! Below are some examples of what I've done for my own wedding day. If you've an idea for your own day but need some help co-ordintating or making any of the elements (invites, order or services, thank you cards, favours, boxes... dress designs?), please feel free to get in touch, I'd be happy to help you.

Images to follow...