So, I have 11 months and some days left till my wedding and I have absolutely nothing. No venue, no dress, no rings... nothing. I don't even have any savings to put towards any of it because there is ALWAYS something that needs to be paid for first.
My fiance and I are trying to make things as cheap as possible by doing things like making our own invitations, buying my dress online instead of in a shop, having minimal decorations in the venue and on the tables etc.
The more I think about it, the more I freak out about it. What should I do?
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery but today is a
gift. That's why it's called the present!
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
Have you got stuff you can sell that you no longer need to make some more money?
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorOfficially Mrs M
music magpie is good for dvds n stuff if you have loads
8th September 2012 I married my best friend
1st September 2014 our little family grew by one
Women are made to be loved, not understood. - Oscar Wilde
CommentAuthorButtonAndBoo
edited
First of all breath and have a sit back.
Make a list of the things you NEED to get. Not want but NEED. Then have a rumage through all your stuff, be ruthless if there is anything you can sell, sell it. If there is anything you can recycle and use for the wedding, do it.
Make a list of all your incomeings and outgoings, see where you can cut back and put money into thw wedding.
Get as much as you can online or DIY it.
Haggle like made with people.
Have you sent out your invites? How many people know about your date? If worse comes to worst just give yourself more time, make it a year later.
Hope this helps a little.
X
CommentAuthorlala "mod" bunni
have you considered postponing ? also why not have a regular amount put into a savings account that you cant just take money out of
hmmm you should look up on tinterweb...free room hire. Theres lots round here. And look on "sticky"tree for free photographers and stuff....ive been trying to find some but theres none in my area...seems to be loads in other places tho.
Ive got same amount of time to go and tbh i havent really done anything. I have venue and church and a bridesmaid dress and some toys for the kids.
xx
CommentAuthorButtonAndBoo
Have you considered using collage or uni students for hair and make-up or photography?
X
CommentAuthorDonda
First off don't panic, there is plenty of time, like buttonandboo said make a list of what you need. My H2B asked me to marry him in Nov last year and we didn't start planning until Jan. We done all our own stationary, decorations and hiring of photographer etc. Use charity shops, bay of e and £ shops to get your decorations, favours etc. We are on a small budget and are only having 18 people to our wedding, our close family and a few close friends. We are getting married away in gretna green. So no huge party with disco or large buffet. I have just bought something each week, a few pounds for large wine glasses from a charity shop for my centre pieces, candles and glass stones from B & Ms, things like that.
Met on 7th April 2008
Got engaged on 14th November 2011
Getting married on 12th December 2012
Looking forward to the rest of my life with the man I love
CommentAuthorTori
Ok you need to stop panicking. You have nearly a year to go so you can easily get things together. You can do things very cheap if you need to. Charity shop dresses home made invitations and decor and even go for evening do only x
CommentAuthorJackieFC
A year is loads of time :) As button said contact the local college and see if you can get photographer, make up and hair done by them, the students will be pleased to have additional work for their portfolio
Decorations you can make yourself :) have you thought about themes etc?
CommentAuthorRavenwithbite
Thank you everyone! Those are some brilliant ideas and this has calmed me down quite a bit. I shall make use of all the advice you have all given me and I'll start browsing and researching this very day!
My theme is ivory and red. A fairly common theme really but I've always wanted a red wedding dress so... there you go.
I'd still appreciate any other ideas that anyone has and hopefully I'll be able to give you advise on anything you have problems with.
You have my unconditional respect ladies!
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery but today is a
gift. That's why it's called the present!
CommentAuthorJackieFC
It's good having a common theme because it means there will be plenty of stuff around :) X
CommentAuthorMrsC
Maybe you could look at prom dresses for your red dress.
Get a notebook and write all ideas, print pictures, sketches etc, prices and quote (once you get them) and whatever else you can think of. Check out online venues and send of for any brochures and information you can get from the ones you like. Go to wedding fayres, good for seeing things IRL rather than on the net.
Dont freak though hun, we've got about 6 and a half months left and all thats organised is the ceremony and then the church blessing, everthing else is in pencil but one man is trying to make me get bridezilla on him but hanging around with the one yes we need to start the rest in definite motion.
Proud to be a Wife and Mum
Married 4th May 2013
CommentAuthorAmyP7
I wouldn't worry we didn't decide on a venue till about 7 months to go and only started planning with 5 months to go. You have loads of time x x
CommentAuthorJackieFC
The first thing I would do is make sure the church or ceremony location and the venue is booked :) that way everything else will come together You'll know exactly what decorations you'll need Make a list of who you have coming, so you can work out a budget for food, favours, stationery etc :) x
CommentAuthorbridalmiss
My brother is having a restaurant meal after the wedding, so no room hire, just 8 tables booked (chinese banquet). Or you could have a picnic party with the guests bringing stuff for a buffet, or if you know someone with a house big enough, borrow it for a get together then all head off to a pub for drinks and a free disco! :-)
CommentAuthorlizzylou
You've got plenty of time but you still probably need to sit down and look through your finances to work out exactly what you can afford. You don't want to end up getting in a pickle! Have a look at your monthly out goings as well - work out ways you can make a few savings - even if it's just a couple of pounds here and there. x
Lizzy. x
CommentAuthorDawnK21
edited
Make your own cake. Supermarket packet mixes of Devils food cake (it's a dense chocolate cake) covered in shop bought white icing. Go to a haberdashery and buy some ribbon to match your scheme and tie it round the edge of the cake, and those haberdasherys often do mini silk roses in various colours you can put on the cake for a pretty decoration. It's simple, but very elegant. And if making one is too scary, buy a plain white iced cake and do it yourself. You can even buy your own figurines online very cheap. Then you can totally brag about your amazing cake skills and what great wife material you are. Also don't stress about expensive rings. If you want them but can't afford them, go for a cheaper version for now. Then on a future anniversary, when finances are better, you can upgrade and maybe even renew vows at the same time. You can always keep the cheaper original rings in boxes as keep sakes.
CommentAuthorDawnK21
I'm on a role. Cheap favour idea: get a box of quality street or celebrations (or whatever favoured mini choc) and go to a material shop for small sections of organza, or similar material. Then cut the material in circles, put your chocs in and tie up with ribbon or raffia. Cute little favour that tastes yum!
CommentAuthorRavenwithbite
DawnK21, you make me laugh! And those are brilliant ideas! I think I might have to steal that favour idea! It's blooming MARVELLOUS!
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery but today is a
gift. That's why it's called the present!
CommentAuthorbeanies girl
Ivory and red are great colours for this time of year. Im getting married in june but i have still been able to buy the stuff to make my centre pieces as there are loada of xmas stuff in the shops so plenty of sparkly things. Just thinking, all of the ivory and red stuff for xmas will be in the sale in jan so you should be able to pick up some right bargins. For your dream red dress, you should be able to save money here by buying a bridesmaid/prom dress. They are a lot less than bridal ones and can look amazing. To save money we have made our own invites, centre pieces and my mum is doing our cake.
There are loada of ways to diy and save money hun and its quite fun to do too
xxx
CommentAuthorVictoriaE35
You will be fine. With all dawns fab ideas you will smash it. My hb2 and I only decided toset a date in september/october and our date is in 60 days, we have done evrything nothing left and all for less than £3k, and thats food, dress, rings, 3 childrens out fits, room hire, cakes, favours, decorations, disc and band plus anything else that comes with a wedding. 3 course sit down meal the lot
Good luck, you can find deals you just need to be willing to spend time looking.
