Welcome lovelies to another dose of planning advice and ideas. This time the lovely Lauren from Florence Blue fills us in on how to have the W-day of your dreams without necessarily having an endless pot of cash. Repeating our mantra and what we always say to you gorgeous lot ( hopefully in a helpful advice type of way and not reminiscent of a nagging aunt…) the most important ingredient is always ALWAYS the L.O.V.E.
Ok?
Excellent 
Over to Lauren…
For 2011 couples, money seems to be the focus. .. or lack of rather! Following on from the homemade vibe of 2010, this really is the year to embrace in DIY heaven and get creative. The majority of couples have always been budget conscious when planning a wedding and of course this is a good thing. Stress seems to emerge when couples buy into things which they feel they should be purchasing, rather than the things they love. Tightening the purse strings allows you to think about what really matters to you. It often forces you to think outside the box and come up with far better ideas than if money were no object. We have put together a list of helpful hints and clever suggestions to make sure your 2011 doesn’t break the bank.
The Perfect Place
Securing the right venue is a massive money saver. Choosing a country estate or swanky hotel often comes with heaps of hidden costs including food bills and corkage. Instead, try thinking of less obvious options. Contact your local council and enquire about areas of land which can be hired. Similarly, hunt out local community centres, town halls and schools. While basic, these can be decorated beautifully and your own suppliers can be brought in. Because 2011 is tough for everyone, many businesses are looking to expand into new areas. Contact your local farming association and try submitting an advert for their monthly newsletter. A lovely farmer may just be willing to loan you a patch of land for you erect a marquee. They may also be able to supply the produce and take care of the catering for you. This gives you masses of flexibility in terms of suppliers. You could arrange a fabulous organic buffet and even ask guests to ‘bring a bottle’ as opposed to a traditional gift list and stack beers in iced buckets and old wheelbarrows.
Photographers are also extremely helpful when it comes to venue hunting. After all, they’ve visited more than most. Get in touch and ask their opinions, they are usually extremely flattered that after years of blending into the background, someone actually wants to know their opinion! Many brides lose their focus when they start concentrating on how they imagine a wedding should be. I urge couples to re-think the rule book. Think about what you want, and how you can create an original and fun day that simply celebrates your marriage.
Guests have the best time when the bride and groom are happy and relaxed in the surroundings. A number of Florence Blue couples are re-thinking the traditional wedding structure. Late weddings are big for 2011. A 4pm ceremony followed by a drinks reception in a favourite restaurant, with stacks of bowl food and hefty canapés are extremely popular. Consider booking a lovely bar or club for the dancing since this will avoid the costs of a band, dance floor, PA system etc. Obviously exclusive hire would be necessary!
Some newlyweds are even reverting back to old school ways and jetting off to honeymoon on the eve of their wedding and leaving guests to party on without them. Always leave them wanting more…!
Dressing to Impress
Brides-to-be should scour vintage shops for second hand bargains. So much can be found in antique markets and online. Many Florence Blue brides are buying second hand gowns on websites just like Rock My Wedding’s very own UNDRESS and accessorising with vintage brooches and jewels. Others are tracking down a style they love and having the dress made elsewhere at half the cost. Those who fall in love with a pricey dress can always consider selling it after the wedding.
Bridesmaids wants to feel great on the wedding day too. After all, you’re their best friend and they want to look fabulous for you. Consider letting them wear exactly what they want. Identify them as bridesmaids with matching headpieces, fabulous shoes, or adorable posies. Alternatively, if you’re sticking with a colour theme, asos.com makes narrowing down colour selections super easy. Simply use their tick boxes at the side of the screen to see exactly what you can get in your preferred colour, style and budget. All delivered to your door. Get the girls over and have a night in photographing the various options.
Grooms can also look incredibly stylish on a tight budget. Although it might seem too commercial, Moss Bros really are good. They stock a huge collection and have branches throughout the UK. 2011 grooms are keen on the black tuxedo look, which looks super cool in contrast with the laid back feel of the day. The Mad Men obsession also continues to grow with gents opting for an immaculate Don Draper vibe. Think tailored three piece suits with pocket handkerchief and cufflinks.
Ushers don’t have to match the groom. They can simply wear their own suits and be given a selection of fabulous accessories to identify them as the wedding party. Treat them all to colourful socks, retro bow ties or funky pin holes to tie everything together.
Beautiful Blooms
Those close to you really do love to have a ‘role’ in the wedding. It might seem a lot to ask, but try allocating bigger jobs to family and friends. If you like the natural flower look then these can easily be sourced from local supermarkets and arranged the night before. Ask other helpers to hunt out unusual vases from boot sales, collect their jam jars and save old soup tins. Each of these can be inexpensive ways to display your flowers, plus they can be sold after your big day.
It may be worth having a florist on board for your bouquet, but there are so many wonderful alternatives for pin holes. Search on etsy.com for lots of inspiration. Most pin holes look fairly ropey by 5pm anyway so something made of paper or felt will last forever. If you do decide to do your own flowers then why not book onto an afternoon course with your eager assistant. It could make for a really lovely afternoon together. Try Judith Blacklock for DIY flower courses.
Snap Happy
In my opinion some of the best photographs from 2010 came from Polaroid cameras and photo booths. The relaxed style and freedom allow your friends to relax and be themselves. Why not supply a couple of ushers with cameras and ask them to document the day for you. It is also simple to set up any standard digital camera and create your own photo booth. You’ll need to buy a tripod and remote control device which allows guests to use the camera without using the timer setting.
That’s Entertainment!
Try to avoid agencies and search out local bands yourself. There are stacks of fabulous entertainers out there but most don’t have the revenue to pour into self marketing. Contact local pubs and clubs and ask for their recommendations. Alternatively, scour the yellow pages or put adverts on gumtree and facebook.
Asking guests to make an iPod playlist is another fun way to include guests. Award prizes for the best playlist and get your MC to play host. Give details of the competition on your invites to get guests thinking. A few Florence Blue couples are also opting for a silent disco in 2011. This is fast becoming a new trend and ticks all the boxes. Individual headphones are dropped off for each guests and tuned to a main control panel. A selection of songs are played which can only be heard once guests choose to put on their headphones. Despite initial concerns, people of all ages love a silent disco. It leaves you with the option of sitting and chatting, or joining in and dancing along with everyone else. They are extremely cheap to arrange and venues are often more flexible on their closing time without the worry of upsetting local residents. For more information try SilentDisco Weddings.
It’s all in the Detail
No matter how much you choose to spend on your wedding, the best days are full of personal touches. They show off your personalities and keep guests entertained throughout the day. Scour interior books, arts and craft stores and magazines for ideas that you love. Many of the extra details at weddings can be sourced and created yourself on a tight budget. Confetti, paper goods and decoration can each have huge impact if you are willing to put in a little time and effort. Revisit the idea of sending formal invitations and instead notify younger guests with a humorous YouTube message. Encourage guests to reply with a video message of their own. These can then be transferred to a disk at a later date for a wonderful keepsake.
Also try contacting local furniture shops and enquire about loaning a few items for the day for an agreed amount. Many independent stores are extremely willing. This saves you spending money on extras such as tablecloths, vases and bunting.
So remember….. for 2011, for a super wonderful wedding, all you need is love, not money.
With thanks to Lauren from Florence Blue for sharing.
Big ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE love
Charlotte xxx
We had a beautiful DIY budget wedding at a school and it was perfect. Do it!!
We hired a field on a farm and put up a marquee in the middle of winter – total DIY just with lots of heaters and a very large fire pit outside. We used candles and foliage instead of flowers at the both the church and reception and it saved us loads of cash. Wouldn’t have had it any other way – it was our wedding and totally our style and we loved every second xxx
P.S – people should warn you more about the post wedding blues. We are thinking about booking another holiday to get over them! x
Aw wow, loads of lovely ideas there thank you thank you thank you!!
Toying with the idea of doing our own flowers for decorating and then professional for bouquets etc, seen a really highly recommended flower book about arranging for weddings that I want to get.
I love planning week so much, I cant wait for my day off tomorrow to sit and note down all the usefull tips and websites and get planning for our special day!
Totally agree about the love being at the forefront of the day though!
Lovely words and pics,
thank you!
I got married in June and we used jam jars for both flowers and tealights. I made all the favours myself, which inspired me to set up my own business and sell favours etc. Check it out! http://www.nordictouch.co.uk/products.php?Category=16
Elin
We’re going for the late afternoon wedding for 15 followed by a drinks reception/evening do for 120 – by cutting out a wedding breakfast we could push up the evening guestlist and luckily we found an amazing venue who are totally happy for us to just give them all a light buffet rather than a 3 course meal for 50.
We checked out all our Parish Halls etc but actually ended up with an ex-resturant that now does event hire, so my tip would be if you’re willing to go for an alternative event schedule for the day, don’t assume all ‘wedding’ places will say no – ask around, especially if you can do a Friday or Sunday, or a Winter wedding – times are tough for the vendors too, and some will be willing to do things your way to be sure of a booking in this hard year!
Oh, and my dress is from a sample sale. Seriously, if your dream dress is way out of budget, google it with sample sale or try Undressed, ebay etc and you can get some amazing dresses in a great price bracket!
Ahhh the marquee wedding in a field. This was top of my list for so long. So so so long (as well documented), When we looked at marquee costs it was coming out at £6,000-£8000 BASIC with food costs on top of that plus the payment of a civil venue. In the end we found (I found with the help of many brides) a venue that would let us have a marquee AND be flexible. They were open to negotiation but their caterers were cheaper than any we could find anyway. Perfect.
I’m also doing a substantial amount of my own flowers and we’re having polaroids too. I like how none of these trends today are “new” or “unique” they’re just about doing your day your way.
As much as I would have loved to find a dress in a sample sale or on undress (I tried some on). I have a 32FF chest (I know, they KEEP getting BIGGER and its really pissing me off) and a size eight waist. So I’m finding expensive, well corseted dresses which are couture is the only way forward for me. It doesn’t mean I don’t drool over them CONSTANTLY (that Jesus Piero one today is lush with a capital L.U.S and H) but its also giving me an idea of cost which I really value.
P.S. My venue think I am nuts because I asked them how far it was to the nearest cornfield.
This advice is sooo good.
We got married on a moderate budget in 2010, as did my sis/bro in-law. They had a late wedding: it works so well because you can have a warm, summer-evening drinks reception which everyone loves (indeed may prefer if they are travelling some distance) with finger-food. Many hotels do evening packages now.
We wanted a hotel for our reception (we married in church), and what we found was independent boutique hotels and small ‘gastro-pub-hotels’ (ie nice country or city inns, not a travelodge on the side of a footie pub LOL
) are not only economical but more flexible than big places like your big-hitter-4/5*-chains (you know, the big wedding-every-saturday big hitters with initials like RJ, H and T). Literally go and visit nice local hotels and pubs 9often in more ‘period’ buildings than chains) and have a drink and a chat: much nicer than a receptionist posting you the brochure AND you get a feel/look at the place. We had wood pannelling, a roaring fire and great food for the price of a conveyer-belt-package (which just wasn’t us) at a large ‘weddings every weekend’ 4* chain hotel.
PS. To clarify last sentence we had that in our Inn-hotel RATHER than a bit brash hotel. It was a lovely Youngs pub with a hotel (there are several like this round the UK that do weddings, but independent family hotels will often be very flexible… I went to a surfy wedding BBQ at a cool B&B this summer, it was excellent!).
Thanks Lauren, very wise words and excellent advice!
I loved that Liberty print wedding! Such prettiness.
Rebecca, 3 things…
1. Where are you sourcing your flowers to do them yourself?
2. Where did you get a polaroid camera from and more importantly the film?
3. Was the cornfield question to your venue so you could have photos in one?
I asked my venue if we could go on the walking trail from the farm the barn is on that their website suggests for activities in the local area and they said they have a lovely garden for photographs. I don’t think my photos in a field point quite got across, must try again.
Planning week is awesome RMW! Can you make it planning month please?
xXx
Oh and we had a silent disco for our graduation ball at uni a few years back, it was so frickin awesome and hilarious! It totally rocked!
Hey all
Dont post very often but felt I needed to today. I love Rock my Wedding and it is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment (work not wedding stress!) Have said from the beginning that our wedding was going to be about us – and it will be. Pie and peas from Sheffield, my mother in law to be doing the flowers and shes not a florist, all our friends there, a friend playing Sax. I want it to just be about everyone having a good time. And dress was a bargain £300! So excited… roll on august! XXX
So great to hear about all of your plans and money-saving tips lovelies, past AND present.
Really glad planning week has been a hit so far, lots more to come!
Charlotte xxx
Oh my goodness – I love your engagement ring! Do you mind saying where it was from? I’m already married (with an engagement ring) but I’m seriously drooling over you that setting! Your day looked gorgeous too, congratulations!
Doh! Just realised this isn’t just one wedding….in which case does anyone know where that engagement ring is from?!!!
Alex84 – what is this wonderful flower book of which you speak?!
Rebecca – following Jenny’s question overload…. where aaare you getting your flowers from?!
xoxo
Hi Girls
my wedding was on a small budget but with us doing it all ourselves with help from friends and family it looked like we had spent three times as much! I also shopped around a lot on quotes and got the best prices
I did all the flowers at my weddding and ordered them online from http://www.trianglenursery.co.uk/ they are so helpful and a really good price the best bit is that they delivered straight to our door without me having to get up at some terrible hour in the morning to go and buy them from the flower market.
my dress was a sample benjamin roberts dress so half the price.
we had a lovely marquee and after thousands of quotes got it for half the price including furniture and linen hire http://www.countymarquees.com they were so helpful.
a friend of ours did the djing which we picked the music for it was rocking all night!
its not all about how much money you spend and in fact if we had been given loads of money to spend on our wedding we wouldnt have done it any different it was perfect and we all enjoyed it which is what it is all about
great post xxx
Wow! What a fab post! We are having a budget wedding and it has been awesome to plan. My mum and I are making lace bunting, a friend is djing, my mum and aunty are doing the food (a Mediterranean style buffet) and we are using old tins, jars etc for tables. I found a beautiful dress that was way over budget and so I ended up being an Ebay obsessive until I finally got the exact dress for less than half the price. I don’t even mind that it has been worn, I think it adds to the love!
I’d love to see more of these articles, RMW has been my wedding planning bible!!
xxx
I think flowers can really help make weddings just spectacular!!
Oh goodness, how lovely.
Glad you enjoyed the article! Let me know if you have any other questions and perhaps I can pass on further advice and planning tips.
Happy weekend everyone
Love, Lauren xx
Such a great post with so many tips!
I am at the start of my planning for our our wedding in 2012! A great band who will come to rural Wales is next on the list!
xxxx
Great story with loads of fab tips for bargain lovers like myself! It’s so easy for costs to spiral out of control and any way to keep the budget down is great. It’s not about how much money you spend on the day, but on celebrating your marriage and having a fun day! Lx
Really great article – thanks Lauren! I’m getting married next year and the thought of spending all that money terrifies me! Will definitely be taking you up on some of those handy tips! Hope to find more on here again soon! x
You can also try http://www.bridalflowersdirect.com. They have a really good name for wedding flowers and offer some great advice.
Hi all..question..is it a terrible idea to have a civil marriage at 4pm and then have guests from about 6 but serve only canapes till midnight (there will of course be cake and cheese)??? I have found a lovely simple, chic venue that we can get married in and continue straight into the reception, but they can only provide canapes. I’m worried it won’t be enough. My partner and I just wanted something simple and fun..we love the place but are now stressing about little things like this. I should stress, we only got engaged 3 weeks ago and are planning to marry June 19! x
Claire, I think that sounds lovely.
Stick with what you can afford. I am so over stressing about all the small things and worrying about what will make everyone else happy.
This is your day and if you’re happy everyone else will be!. I have filled up on canapes on numerous occasions
If you let your guest know that it’s just canapes they’ll know to have a big meal during the day.
Hope you have a lovely day.
xx
Hi,
This is a great post and there’s some lovely ideas in here.
Does anyone know where the venue is that is pictured? I’m guessing it some Tipi’s that have been hired. I’ve started the hunt for a simple venue that can be decorated so if anyone has any ideas then please share.
x