So the wedding will be 1 year away tomorrow and I have decided to do one of these so that when it is all over I can look back and read through!
A bit about us: We met in August 2010 when I was 18 and Chris was 22 on a night out in our local town Bournemouth. We quickly booked a holiday to Corfu which saw us grow closer and we got our first flat together in January 2011. Time fast forwards to our two year anniversary when Chris took me to a romantic dinner at a hotel on one of our favorite local beaches. After dinner he took me down on to the sand and popped the question!
We decided early on that we did not want to be one of those couples that never gets round to getting married and ends up being engaged forever. So we decided Spring 2015 as it gave me enough time to graduate and for us to save up.
So then the wedding planning began....
CommentAuthorKatieA72
Venue:
We are very lucky to live near the new forest and one of the best beaches in the world (sandbanks)! Therefore we knew we had so many beautiful venues to look at. We looked at about 7/8 venues in total but what was important for us was to have somewhere different. I didn't want a venue where people have probably already been to a wedding there before.
When we went to the Orangery Suite in Merley we knew instantly it was what we wanted. It is a walled garden tucked up a country lane in the country and it totally beautiful. It has a recently renovated ceremony room and a marquee in the grounds. Tucked away behind the various garden areas are garden games. They include a beach volleyball net and mini golf!
So we signed on the dotted line and booked our venue with our wedding being almost 3 years away...
CommentAuthorKatieA72
Photographer:
The first thing that struck me about wedding photographers was the price tag. However it was area I did not want to compromise on. Therefore when we met Nigel (Affinity Wedding Photographer) we were so impressed by his professionalism and work that we were astonished a whole days coverage from getting ready to late in the evening was only £750. This includes all digital images in colour, black and white and high art.
We also added an optional extra of a photo booth for the evening at a cost of £75..
His work is really great and I am so excited to see the finished shots from our wedding.
CommentAuthorKatieA72
Car:
At a wedding show we saw a great deal for a 7 seater Beaumont for £300 so booked that at the wedding show. It will take me and the bridesmaids to the venue on the morning of the wedding..
CommentAuthorKatieA72
Caterer:
Food was a big thing for us and we knew from the beginning that we wanted a BBQ. We still wanted to keep it fairly formal but wanted a nice big spread for everybody to enjoy.
A family friend is doing the catering for us. We have a menu of lamb kebabs, pork chops, burger, sausages, jacket potatos, salads, king prawn skewers and lots of pudding.
He is also chilling all of our alcohol for us the night before (unlicensed venue means we provide all of our own!) and providing waiting staff etc
I saw the perfect dress in a local shop window and when I tried it on I knew it was perfect. However it was just short of £1400 which was over budget. We had a family holiday to Florida booked so I did some investigating. A store in Florida could get me the dress in for £800 and I could collect it when I was over there and bring it back in my hand luggage. Perfect !
So the dress is a Sophia Tolli fishtail with a sash belt. I have dusky pink wedding shoes from Faith and I am going to get the sash made to match the colour of the shoes..
CommentAuthorAprilS61
So exciting! We're wedding day twins,I can't wait to say to everyone tomorrow it's only a year haha! What a great find with your dress! Xx
