For all those brides-to-be, I bet the one and only thing in mind is - ""Must research on Pinterest and put a scrap book together for all things wedding by Jan 10th''...
I only started my wedding research, (met with disapproval by many others) 4 weeks out from our big day.
For me, an ideal wedding makes my beloved one happy and make all our guests feel comfortable with everything on the day. It shouldn't make them feel that they're there to stick around for 4 hours of mandatory fun.
Below is my list & tips (unsurprisingly compact) for budget wedding planning in London. They will hopefully be handy for those, who don't want to break their bank nor get sucked into the wealth of web-wedding-information-sites.
Tip 1) - Blog: THE ONLY blog & styling inspirations site I read is London Bride. http://london-bride.com/
As my wedding day hit 4 weeks and counting, I've realised that Californian weddings automatically will look good because of the weather; you don't really need styling that much. But with our beloved London weather, it's another story.
This site is local, truly British, and with loads of wedding services links, filed under categories so you won't lose the plot.
My very own tips for the Big Day itself:
Tip 2)- Venue: Wandsworth Town Hall (ceremony)
The Wandsworth Town Hall is a real hidden gem for those living in and around London. It's a Grade II listed old Victorian town hall with beautiful and unique space, which is hard to find in London.
We also had the webcam services for a small additional fee. This allowed our family and friends access to a URL to watch us exchanging our vows around the world in real time! Digital government services these days, eh?
To find out more: http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200067/marriages_and_civil_partnerships/182/ceremony_venues/2
Brewer's Inn, Wandsworth
We used the Moroccan summer room for our pre-reception drink ( All part of the package!) and the spacious yet cosy dining room, which holds 40-60 people + a dance floor: What more do you need for a lovely reception?
Their staff are uber helpful and the food was acclaimed as the best wedding food most of our guests had tasted. We had a taster menu 2 weeks before the wedding, and literally ate our hearts out! We later went home feeling relieved thinking our wedding will be awesome in two weeks.
They also have a small number of fantastic layout guest rooms with a full breakfast provided next day after your wedding. Bliss!
Ask for Julian and his wife Joanne ( the landlords of the Inn) to tailor your wedding reception from there!
http://www.brewersinn.co.uk/
Tip 3)- Photography
I highly recommend a chilled and relaxed Swede (they all are, aren't they?), who doesn't order you how to pout or pose in the shoots. At the end of the day, you are already stressed enough about many other things, so being scolded at or forced to pose unnaturally shouldn't be one of them.
We loved that he was basically one of the guests; he had fun and captured the most natural moments of the happiest day of our lives. Not only the two of us, the grins and happiness on our guests' face are one of the best gifts for us.
Check him our here: http://www.markusljungberg.com
Tip 4)- Flowers
I only had to give florist, Catherine Russell two keywords - 'White & Sparkly'; then she managed to put together the stunning bouquet, which didn't drown my petite frame, nor overshadow my beloved dress (and new husband, of course!) She also crafted beautiful matching button holes for the groom and best man, which the two blokes were very happy about. ( It doesn't happen very often, mind you!)
For the reception arrangement, they are very classy, shabby chic vintage inspired buds, that fits right in to the dining room of the Brewer's Inn cosy environment. Not pretentious, just warm & classy.
For enquiries: http://www.daisydotflowers.co.uk
Most important Tip 5)- Dress:
My very talented designer bestie, Sami & Sita from Australia, hand-sewed the French lace specially for me on a dress from her latest collection. It's elegant, classy and relaxed. It's so versatile I imagine I could wear it again, with a different colour silk sash and rock up to a 1920-themed party.
Check out her step by step DIY guide or get in touch if you want yours to be uniquely tailor made.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.450215805010268.104439.133395900025595&type=1
Shop online and get a special courier to UK: http://www.samiandsita.com/
Tip 6) - Jewellery:
Israeli Designer Illona on ETSY (http://www.etsy.com/shop/iloniti) sells all thing shabby chic and vintage.
I fancied some little gems and gold to add spark to my vintage lace classy dress, stumbled across this shop on ETSY and with their lovely vintage chic design, I decided to look no further.
Her helpfulness and speedy courier service made the 4 weeks count-down to wedding day life much easier.
For alternative Jewellery selections for UK online shopping chicks for bridal jewellery, check out
Gail's Vintage latest vintage-inspired bridal collection https://marketplace.asos.com/boutique/gails-vintage
Due to launch on 7th Jan 2013.
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