Ebay Bridesmaid Dresses

DO NOT LIVE IN FEAR. Ordering bridesmaid dresses from china via ebay is generallyh a no no in the wedding world but there are few simple rules when buying these cheap wonders that can save your bacon! I bought my bridesmaid dresses from a Chinese company on ebay for £60 which were by no means the cheapest available and not only do they fit perfectly, are all the same colour (exact) and brilliant quality but are absolutely stunning! However...there are the inevitable horror stories of these dresses that litter the internet in abundance. So when you're ready to get bridesmaid dresses consider these things:

1. Look at the super expensive designer dresses that there's  no way you can afford. pick the exact colour and style of dress and then try to find as near a damn match as is possible!
2. Look at the feedback on ebay. If a company has less than 95% look at another. There are hundreds of these companies and don't be snared into the first you see.
3. Get an exact colour guarantee. My company had it as part of their ebay listing and feedback comments that they ensured 100% colour match (i.e. from same fabric spool) or a full refund.
4. Maintain constant communication. I sent maybe 6 or 7 emails to my company talking about the progress of the dresses the exact styles and the delivery schedule. Sometimes the language barrier can make for some interesting translations but don't be afraid to ask anything you need reassurance on.
5. If you can pick a dress with a corseted back rather than a zip, then even if there is the slightest variation from the sizings you provide it is ten times more likely to fit!
6. If you can get your dresses made to measure instead of generic sizes as sizes differ from country to country and even if it says UK14 that may not be what you get.
7. Be careful of your colour and material choice. Don't pick a colour or material that has a high potential of looking cheap. My dresses were royal blue satin with an organza overlay and look super expensive. If you want orange silk you might not get what you expect.
8. Be prepared to do alterations. The odd hem to shorten or even sew on extra bling yourself don't be afraid to do it yourself or worst case scenario find a good seamstress or talented family member or friend!
9. Look at the returns policy! Ensure that even if you have to pay the return postage for your dresses you can get a full refund if required. That way if it does go wrong you only have minimal costs.
10. Order well ahead of your wedding day to ensure delivery time, alteration time or worse case scenario time to find another dress.

Don't be afraid of the ebay dresses. For me my bridesmaid floor length evening gowns would have been at least £200 each and believed me I looked but be super careful and cover every eventuality and get yourself a beautiful bargain!

Wedding reception decoration: Photo FUN!

Utilize your bouquets! Why not ask the florist if you can visit their shop when they have your flowers in stock and take your camera. Taking some artistic snaps and editing in Picasa can create some lovely individuals. Blow up and print with a cheap printing firm like Vistaprint and you've got some lovely images to frame and place on tables or even to hang from ribbon in your reception venue. The choice is yours!

Table centerpiece DIY

Table centerpiece DIY alert!

For my wedding I've utilized these lovely silk flower country bouquets from good old Matalan at £7 a time. Using pull tie organza bows to cover the twine and diamond floristry pins and silver glitter in the roses (from ebay) I'v made them truly gorgeous. take inspiration....polish a stone to a diamond and make your centerpieces your own!

DIY Pew Ends

DIY Pew ends:
Search out a good florist for the flowers that mean the most...button holes, bouquets, especially if you're not confident handling DIY tasks. HOWEVER! Always consider the Compromise without compromise option and  think of making your own pew ends for the church:

How to make a Pew End for £2.70 each:

When I researched pew ends they were nearly £8 each for the cheapest and I thought why pay out when I could see something I made and worked on myself when I walk down the isle. Something that isn't just generic. For mine I:

• Either take a silk flower candle wreath (I sourced mine from The Range for just £2 each) or alternatively make your own by consulting craft websites or shops. They can anything you want to fit your theme, shells, wicker, flowers, pearls and any size you want depending on the pews/chairs you are using! Let your imagination go wild! I recommend  http://www.ehow.com/how_6562487_make-floral-candle-rings.html
• Once you have a circular base you can start to build up layers. I utilized organza pull bows which are sooooooo easy to use after a few practice goes :-) (These were £4 for a pack of 10 from my local craft shop) Tie your large bow around a small part of the wreath and secure with string/ribbon or super glue. Most pull bows come with integral ribbon to tie as standard. 
• Tie thick satin ribbon in your chosen colour, in a knot behind the large bow onto the wreath to form 2 long ribbon tails. Cut the ends of these at an angle to create a point. These can be as long or short as you want again depending on the pews you are using.
• Finally use a smaller thin ribbon or thread to tie behind the organza bow to form a long loop to hook over the pew ends. make sure you leave them long enough to get over the pew ends but short enough so they hang at the right height!
• I stopped here as my candle wreaths were quite intricate and I didn't want to go nuts! But depending on your theme you can add as much as you like. Why not sew sequins or small craft flowers onto the ribbon tails, tie extra beads to the wreath or highlight the bow by pinning a brooch (from a charity shop or ebay for pennies!) in the center. 
• Try and make your pew ends look as similar as possible as they'll look more professional. Take your time and if possible get people to help you form a production line. My mum and my fiance were expert bow pullers by the end of the day!

Things to think of when planning a wedding

Things to think of when planning a wedding:
How to plan a wedding in 30 steps

1. Church or registry office?
2. When?
3. Where?
4. BUDGET?
5. Remember the legal/religious bits! Ask vicar/registrar questions, remember banns or public announcements. 
6. Separate reception venue?
7. How many people do you want to come?
8. Bridesmaids and groomsman?
9. What styles do you like/ colour scheme?
10. Invitations
11. Sourcing! Always compare items against each other before buying. You will find a better deal!
12. Wedding dress
13. Bridesmaids dresses
14. Suits
15. Flowers
16. Wedding Cake
17. Wedding rings
18. Photographer/Videographer
19. Food and drink
20. Transport
21. Hen and stag nights
22. Church and reception decor
23. Accessories (hair, shoes ect)
24. Order of service/personalized vows
25. Details (favours, linen, glasses)
26. Music for church
27. Reception entertainment
28. Beauty regimes
29. Wedding day timetable including rehearsal
30. Delegation: give everyone involved in your wedding tasks...they'll be glad of it and so will you!

Budget Venues

Tip ONE: Venue:
9 times out of 1o this is the first thing that brides and grooms look at for their wedding day. You need to balance what you can afford with what you want and who you are. For me, my wedding is so much better knowing my venues are personal to me. The church I'm getting married in is where 3 generations of my family have married and where I was christened and my reception venue is where my aunt had her wedding reception. Whether it's a village hall, a pub, a hotel or a manor house don't rule anything out.

• Don't be afraid of being disappointed, some venues on paper will be amazing, but in reality...
• Look at unusual venues or quirky alternatives. A marquee in a family members garden, a summer party in a copse of woodland (approach farmers, they'll be happy to help) or even somewhere that seems like a rock that needs polishing into a diamond.
• Remember costs, will you need to hire tables, linen, dance floor ect. They add up faster than you'd think!
• NEVER EVER FORGET TO HAGGLE! There is always a deal to be done!

Worried you haven't thought of something when considering a venue: See my "Things to think of when planning a wedding" post.

Prioritizing what you want!

Prioritize and delegate. I wrapped up my wedding plans in a week but you can take as long as is right for you. When you first want to plan your wedding on a budget first things first: Make A LIST! The list is your friend. Write down everything you and you partner NEED for the wedding then what you and your partner WANT. Then start researching....do not get carried away! It's so easy to set off like a bull in a china shop when it comes to the excitement of planning a wedding. However, research, get an idea of the costs:

• How much do the necessities cost, these include church/registry office fees, venue fees and food option costs. (HINT buffets for the super tight purse strings.)
• How much do the basic things you WANT cost eg wedding dress, flowers, photographer.
• How much do the dream items cost? Cars, decor, accessories.

When you have an idea of the costs you'll see that when the word Wedding is associated with something businesses see pound signs! Crop what you know you won't be able to afford and determine what you definitely want. Begin to formulate a budget and start considering alternatives and compromises such a suit hire, venue options, a friend making the wedding cake. Do not let go of the things you really really want! As I've found from my wedding...you will find a way!

Welcome you of an engaged nature!

Brides and grooms to be...your engaged! But if like me when you first got engaged you realized the nature of the wedding as a "product" you'll promptly feel queasy at the thought of the cost of your big day. I decided to create this blog to share with you my (and others) approach to your wedding in a realistic way. I call it...
COMPROMISE WITHOUT COMPROMISE!
If you are on a budget it does not mean that you have to have a wedding that does not match your dreams. If anything in my case you can enjoy elements of it even more. Embrace DIY, search out the best secret deals and whatever, whenever you can HAGGLE!
Let us begin...