The Wedding Wiki by GetWedUK.com - Recently Updated Pages

Flowers

Pixienixie — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:11:14 CST

This is a stub: it really needs adding to.

Choosing your wedding flowers

Choosing your flowers is often a very exciting part of wedding planning as most of us girls adore flowers and you want your wedding flowers to be perfect. After all, many of your wedding photos will have at least your bouquet in, so you want them to be just how you imagine.

Most people hire a florist to take care of the wedding flowers; it is possible to do it yourself but isn't something that should be taken on lightly as it takes a lot of time and skill to get professional looking arrangements.

Once you've got a few florists' names (from friends' recommendations, directories, wedding fairs etc), it's best to give them a call and discuss your ideas, and find out what sort of prices they charge. Like everything, you will find that quotes vary greatly so it's a good idea to find out what their typical charges are for bouquets, buttonholes etc. You can even visit the shops to look at examples of their work, before making a decision.

Popular florists may be booked over a year in advance so it's a good idea to get a firm booking made sooner rather than later if you want a particular florist to do your flowers or if your choice of florists is limited.

If you've got at least a year before your wedding, check out what flowers are in season at the time of year that you'll be getting married. Seasonal flowers are usually cheaper than out of season blooms as they shouldn't need to be imported.

Visiting your florist

Before your first visit, prepare some ideas so you can give the florist some idea of the 'look' you're aiming for. Photographs of arrangements you've seen in magazines or at other weddings are very useful. If you've got yours and your bridesmaids' dresses organised, you can take a swatch of the fabric so the florist knows what colours she is working with.

Alternatively, if you haven't got a mental picture of what flowers you'd like, your florist should be able to give you inspiration with photos of different weddings they have worked on, and ideas of arrangements to suit all budgets.

A florist should also be able to recommend a suitable style of bouquet for all shapes and styles of wedding dress as well as colours and types of flowers to suit you.

Other points to consider are:

Will they deliver the flowers to where you're staying, or will you need to pick them up on the morning?
Are you going to leave the final choice of flowers in the arrangements to your florist's discretion or do you want to know the exact combination of flowers beforehand? You can be as precise or vague as you like, as long as you trust your florist! You can give them a photograph to copy, or just brief them with ideas of colours and flower types.
Are the flowers of your choice suitable for the purpose that you want them for? For example, some flowers will wilt faster than others which is something to consider if you are getting married on a hot day.
Who is in charge of the church flowers? You may find that there is a church flower arranger who can adjust their weekly flowers to suit your colour scheme. Also consider if there are any other couples getting married at your church on the same day: you may be able to split the cost of church flowers between you.

Your florist should cover all the above points but it's worth making a list of questions in case you forget something important on your visit.

Budgeting and how to save money
Hand-tied posies cost around £45, whereas wired 'teardrop' shape bouquets can cost£100+.

Can you do it yourself?
What arrangements to have (church, buttonholes, bouquets, presents, table decorations etc)?
Choosing your bouquet
Symbolic meaning of flowers here and here
What the different colours mean here

Photography

Pixienixie — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:31:37 CST

Ideas to think about

Before you start looking for a photographer, it's a good idea to have a think about what your expectations are, and what the things that matter to you are.

How traditional do you want your shots to be? Many photographers these days shoot reportage style photographs, as well as the traditional family and posed shots that many couples still want.

Do you want your photos to document the whole day? Decide whether you really want/need to have your photographer there from when you're getting ready at home, through to the end of the night. You can save a lot of money if you only want your photographer's services for part of the day.

Do you want all colour shots, or to include a selection of black and white, sepia and photographs with effects added?

Are there are particular shots that you want your photographer to capture? It's always a good idea to make a list of the photos that are important to you (e.g certain group photos, confetti shots, details of the flowers, dress etc). Don't assume that these will all happen, you need to specify them to your photographer and don't leave anything to chance!

Stuck for inspiration? Try looking through some of our GW girls' photos for ideas. Click here

Questions To Ask

When choosing a photographer, you will probably end up meeting a few different ones to assess their work and gain quotes. When you meet your prospective photographers, it's a good idea to have a few key questions in your head and ideas of what to look for in their work.

Most importantly, do you like the style of their work? All photographers have different styles and it's essential to book a photographer who shares the same vision of your day that you do. If there's a particular style of photo that you want to recreate, bring it along to show your photographer so they understand your ideas too.

Are the photographs well composed? Are the group shots set up well and are there any distracting objects in the background? On the day you want to be sure that your photographer is choosing the best locations for your shots as you won't have time to be thinking about this!

Does the photographer show you a selection of photographs from different weddings or are they only from one or two? It is preferable to view work from a selection of weddings to check that your photographer has experience covering many occasions.

Do the people in the pictures look natural and happy? Many brides worry that they 'don't photograph well' but a good photographer should be able to get lots and lots of pictures of you looking happy and relaxed without you even noticing he's there.

Some photographers like to meet a couple of times before the wedding to take a few 'pre wedding' shots especially if it's a location they haven't photographed at before, so check to see if this is a service that's offered. This can be very valuable as it's a good excuse to get to know each other better so you'll feel relaxed on the big day and your photographer should know how to get the best photos out of you and your setting.

It's a good idea to check that the photographer you are meeting is the one who you will actually be booking for your wedding day - some firms have many photographers working for them, so make sure you know who you are getting and what arrangement are in place if he is unwell and unable to attend on your wedding day.

Check whether your photographer has professional indemnity insurance to protect you if anything goes wrong on the day and you need to have your photos retaken. Wedding insurance should also cover you for this so it's worth checking your policy.

Ask what your photographer would do if poor weather prevents any outdoor photographs on the day. An experienced photographer should have plenty of ideas of how to work around problems such as this.

Booking Your Photographer

Once you've been to see a few photographers, you'll probably have found the one who you want to cover your wedding. Make sure when you see each photographer that you get a quote for the same job each time, therefore it's a good idea to have made your mind up about what sort of package you want.

Prices vary considerably depending on the area of the country you're in (you may find that local photographers are cheaper than those that cover the whole country), how long you want him there for on the day, and of course, your photo package.

Photography packages vary considerably, from a photographer who will take the pictures and then give you all the copies to make your own albums and enlargements, to those who include pre-wedding shoots and multiple luxury albums in their prices.

One of the most important things to do, is to get a thorough breakdown of what your quote includes. For example, do you have to pay extra for the album itself? How many enlargements do you get for your money and how do you get extra copies? These sorts of questions are key to understanding what you're getting for your money. An important point to consider are the copyright issues. Some photographers may give you a CD of your photos for you to do your own copies and enlargements, but many retain their copyright of the images of your wedding and all additional photos that aren't included in your quoted package (for example, pictures for relatives) will have to be purchased through your photographer.

Once you've decided on the one you want, book him quickly for your day as popular photographers get booked up a long way in advance and generally won't keep a date free in their diary unless you confirm your booking.

Start looking through our helpful Links and Contacts board to find tried and tested photographers in your area.

Additional Photos

Something else to consider is whether you'd like your guests' photographic skills and provide disposable cameras at the reception. Many couples buy disposable cameras for each table (which can be ordered to coordinate with your colour scheme if you wish!) with the hope of getting a few candid shots that the photographer missed.

Another alternative to consider is to provide blank CDs for your guests to take home and burn copies of their photos which are then sent back to the bride and groom. Obviously this relies on your guests having digitial cameras but it can be very successful as most people attend a wedding with a camera. It also narrows down the chances of ending up with hundreds of photos of people eating the wedding breakfast which is an occupational hazard with disposable cameras being available during the meal!

Bridal Makeup

getweduk — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:44:10 CST

Start thinking about what you want for your wedding day. Do you want a professional or are you happy to do it yourself. Even if you never wear make-up, most people want something on this special day.

If you are going to do it yourself, start investing in some good quality products that will be up to the job. It's also a good idea to arm yourself with a list of websites to go to for advice if you get stuck or perhaps need help choosing from the huge array of masacaras available!

Your first port of call is GetWedUK's own Health & Beauty board. Many of our girls are makeup addicts and will jump at the chance to help you out. Aside from that, here is a selection of other advice sites we like:

Makeup Diva

Email your makeup troubles to the diva herself or read her responses to previously asked questions. We love her no-nonsense style!

Ultimate Cosmetics' Discussion Forum

Similar to GetWedUK but makeup orientated. It looks to be quite busy so your questions should get answered fairly quickly. Varied posts and the members are a good mix of professionals and novices.

Makeup Advice Forum

As above but UK-based and a little quieter.

www.makeup-care.info

Magazine style and packed full of useful advice. The writer is quite thorough and has a friendly style.

Free Makeup Tips

The page specifically on makeup tips is really useful but other information is a bit limited. It's possible to send in your own questions though, so this might be a useful feature.

MAQ.com

Beautifully designed site with a good archive of previously asked questions. The collection of videos demonstrating different application techniques is especially useful.

Makeup Help

This site looks like it is in the process of being overhauled but it promises to be gorgeous once it's finished. You can still access the Q&A section so definitely worth a look. Friendly responses and do-able descriptions.

Traditions

PaulaBear — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:20:51 CST

Traditions

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe."Originating in Victorian times, this rhyme stands for good luck for the newly married couple.

"Something old" may signify the couple's friends who will be there, supporting them in their new life. Or, this may signify the bride's link to her family and their love for her, and she may wear jewellery or an item of clothing (a veil?) that has passed down to her.
"Something new" is for the wish for health, success and happiness and the couple's new life together. This may be symbolised by new jewllery worn on the wedding day, or even your new wedding shoes!
"Something borrowed" Tradition suggests that a happily married woman may lend the bride her garter or other item, to ensure the bride also has a happy marriage. Any borrowed item would be suitable, as it can also suggest the bride's link to family and friends that she can depend on.
"Something blue" represents love, purity and fidelity. Originating in Biblical times, when blue stood for purity. Today brides may have a blue garter, or a blure flower tucked in their bouquet, or even toenails painted blue, or a blue wedding gown!
"And a silver sixpence in her shoe" stands for financial security. If you are unable to get hold of a silver sixpence, a modern day penny will do. And if you think you will be uncomfortale with a coin in your shoe or the length of the ceremony, try sticking it to the bottom on you shoe. (Note, this will only work on heels, so the coin can be stuck under the arch of the shoe, and not make a tapping sound everytime you put your foot down!)

The White Wedding Dress is a fairly modern tradition. Up until around the late 1800s, brides would just wear their 'best dress'.

But when Queen Victoria posed with Prince Albert, wearing a white wedding dress (a photo taken after they were married, possibly to re-enct the wedding for that new invention- cameras!), it became popular. With the Industrial Revolution, and the arrival of department stores, more and more women could afford to have a 'new' dress to be married in. Popularity waned during the World Wars and depression due to scarcity of material, themes of thift and 'make-do-and-mend', and the fact that often war-time engagements were so short, there was just not enough time to find a new dress. Post-WW2 prosperity, and marriges such as that of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier of Monaco, made dream weddings, and dream dresses, seem possible again. This traditional rhyme warned a bride about her choice of colours,

Married in white, you have chosen alright.
Married in green, ashamed to be seen.
Married in red, You will wish yourself dead.
Married in blue, you will always be true
Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow.
Married in black, you will wish yourself back.
Married in pink, of you he'll think.

Nowadays, just about any colour will do! Not everyone looks good in white, and red is a popular colour for winter-time weddings.

Customs: Traditions and Superstitions

PaulaBear — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:20:21 CST

Something old, something new.......

There are many customs and traditions surrounding weddings. These pages will cover some traditions and superstitions associated with western weddings. Remember, take the superstitions with a pinch of salt, and only worry about the traditions if you want!

The Ceremony

PaulaBear — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:18:53 CST

Civil or church? Abroad or at home?

Finding a civil ceremony venue

Your county council website will have a list of all the licenced venues in your area so this is the first place to look as you may find a perfect venue that you may not otherwise hear about. Remember your budget and amount of guests will influence your choice of venue.

Hotel

Town Hall or council-owned building

Getting married?

getweduk — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:44:39 CST

Are you planning your wedding? There's every possibility that this will be the most exciting and expensive event you'll ever plan. You might have little or no planning experience and could do with some advice. You're in the right place.

The first thing you should do is wander our Wiki and read some of the most useful wedding advice on the web. Whether you're looking for the perfect dress or wondering what to buy your bridesmaids, you'll find it all here.

The second thing is pay a visit to our community: www.getweduk.com
Come and post your planning pictures; we're waiting to say hi!

Most of the pages on the Wedding Wiki are editable and you are welcome to add to, edit or create new pages. We use the same copyright definitions and licensing conditions as Wikipedia; you can read about them here. A simplified version is here.

Existing GW Girls - please remember: you can copy and paste from your own GW posts onto pages in our Wiki. It couldn't be easier!

What goes in with the invitations?

getweduk — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:37:28 CST

This list has been complied with the help of the GW Girls. It could go on forever but you don't need to include everything.

RSVP card (including menu choices and special dietry requirements)

Information sheet or AtoZ

Gift list info

Stationery

getweduk — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:17:02 CST

This is a stub: it really needs adding to.

Make or buy?
What do you need? Invites, order of service, table plan, name places etc
Should you bother with RSVP cards?

We made our Save the Day cards a year before the wedding, and we had every intention of making our Order of the Day cards, Place Cards and Invitations, but our workloads changed and we made the choice to get a company to do it for us.
When you're looking at your invites it should set the tone for how you want your wedding to be, but if you're going to DIY make sure you allow plenty of time!

What goes in the envelope with the invitations?

Hair and Beauty

getweduk — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:23:41 CST

Looking for help with your wedding makeup?

All you need to know from starting a skincare regime to creating the perfect look for your Big Day.

Beauty

It's important to get into a regular beauty routine early so that your skin can look it best on the day. Many brides enhance their regular routine in preparation, and of course it will depend what you do already! Lots of advice and information on tried and tested products can be found here

For the face
Cleanse, Tone and Moisturise twice a day
Use a mask and exfoliator each week
If you can afford it, have a facial once a month
Drink lots of water

For the body
Exfoliate
Dry body brush
Moisturise
Have regular manicures, or start taking care of your nails at home. Use cuticle oil, file,your nails, push back cuticles, use a nail strengthener and apply handcream.
Follow a regular exercise program - whatever works for you

Perfume

Fake Tan

Pre-wedding Beauty
For many brides their wedding day is the perfect excuse to spend some time at the salon. Which treatments do you want to get booked in for in the countdown to your wedding?

Hair removal - waxing/laser
Tanning
Facial
Manicure/Pedicure
Massage
Nails - acrylic/gel

Hair

Start thinking early on what you want to do with your hair. A regular trim will keep it in good condition. Do you get it coloured or highlighted?

Bridesmaids

PaulaBear — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:00:23 CST

Where to shop for dresses for your bridesmaids
Most wedding dress shops will have dresses suitable for your bridesmaids, but don't worry if they don't, or if these are too expensive. Department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams will stock dresses that may be suitable, along with shops such as Monsoon, Coast and Next. As with your wedding dress, it will depend on budget, and what styles suit. If you try to force a bridesmaid to wear something that does not suit her shape or that she is uncomfortable in, she will not be much help to you, and may resent her role.

How to choose bridesmaids
Your bridesmaids, the older ones at least, should be people you trust to support you on the run-up to your wedding, and on the day its-self. Don't feel you have to bow to pressure to choose family members, or return the favour of a friend who chose you as a bridesmaid at her wedding. Your wedding budget may limit your number of bridesmaids if you are planning to pay for their entire outfit. A good bridesmaid will help you with organising your wedding, give an honest opinion when needed, be the voice of reason to your worst 'bridezilla' moments, and be a source of calm, practical help on the day.

Thank you gifts for bridesmaids
Jewellery that can be worn on the day is suitable, but it is you may wish to buy something else, a small gift that can be presented during the thank-you speeches.

Bridesmaids' duties
Helping to organise the wedding.
Attending dress fittings.
Planning the Hen-Night if the bride wants one.

A poem to pop into a thank you card might help express how much your bridesmaid means to you.

our flower girl

How lucky we are to have a flower girl
who's so cute in every way.
Someone who knows how to walk down an aisle
and steal everyone's heart away.
So thank you for being our flower girl,
dropping petals to lead the way.
But thank you most of all for helping
to make ours a perfect wedding day.

My Bridesmaid
And My Friend

Today I wed the one I love,
And life won't be the same.
But still I know you're there for me
If I should call your name.

You've been the best friend you could be
And always shown you cared.
And I will treasure evermore
Adventures we have shared.

I'm thankful I can count on you,
For all the things you do.
And I'm so glad that I can say,
I have a friend like you.

We know not what the future holds,
And we may have to part.
But you will always be with me,
Forever in my heart.

Special Thanks To:
Our little bridesmaid

A little lady carries flowers
and brings a small bouquet.
She helps us as we celebrate
a joyful wedding day.

She is a princess in her gown,
a picture come to life.
She brings such joy in helping us
become a man and wife.

We're glad that she can stand with us,
so graceful and so tall,
and help to make this special time
the very best of all!

The Dress

MrsVH — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:39:12 CST

This is a stub: it really needs adding to.

What are the main types of dress available?

Halterneck
A-line
Ballgown

How much is the average spend on the most important dress of your life?

What can your expect when you go dress shopping?

Be prepared to have to make appointments to try on dresses especially if you are going on a Saturday. You will usually be looked after by one assistant andshe will have to accompany you into the dressing room to get you in and out of the dresses. The first couple of times this happens can be embarassing but you'll soon get used to it and she wont actually see that much of you as she'll usually be up to her eye-balls in wedding dress as she puts it on or takes it off you.
Most wedding dress shops only tend to stock white/ivory dresses, although this is improving, but many do come in other colours so don't be afraid to ask.
Wedding dresses can be surprisingly heavy and can make you very emotional, so don't make too many appointments for the same day as you'll be exhausted.

What should you take with you?

An open mind!
strapless bra (even if you don't think you'll have a strapless dress)
bottle of water
spray deodorant
camera (But bear in mind that some shops won't allow you to take photos until you've at least paid a deposit.)
A friend or family member who you trust to give you an honest opinion

How do you decide on just one?!

Look at lots of different styles on the internet and in magazines, so you have an idea of those you want to try. But do try on some styles you've dismissed, you may be ignoring a gown that is perfect for you. You won't know until you try!

Take someone with you.

Someone that you trust to give you an honest opinion. That person must know you and your taste well. You might want a sexy little number and your mum might have the full on fairy tale in her mind. If you try on both dresses you'll need your chosen trusted person to be at least 99% honest (well we don't always want to know the full truth!) and to voice it.

How do you find your perfect dress?
By Staceyemma

As a bride-to-be having a long engagement I've had plenty of time to look for a dress. I scoured through websites and magazines looking for the first year and half. I didn't want to start trying dresses on straight away as I wanted to keep some of the excitement for nearer the time.
There were lots of dresses that I liked but only two which I fell in love with, I'm a bride-to-be who knows what I want so it was kind of easy for me to choose.

The first dress I fell in love with was at the very early stages of my planning and I knew that it probably wouldn't be around when I finally went shopping.

The second dress I fell in love with is, well in the shop waiting for my first fitting!! :)

I tried on several different styles of dresses and I went with an open mind. It's true what they say: a dress on the peg is different when you're wearing it. It really is worth trying on the different styles, it means you can get a feel for what you like on and what suits you.

Having said that, I didn't try my actual dress on before I bought it, I knew it was the one. I'd tried a similar one on and loved it, so thought what the hell. I'd loved it for ages and it really was me! I could have ordered the sample but it was huge and the wrong colour so I went with my heart!

I guess I wasn't the normal bride as I knew what I wanted but go with your heart, it worked for me :o)

Parents

MrsVH — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:31:04 CST

You'd might like to pop a poem into a card for your parents, letting them know how much they mean to you.
My Treasure (For Mum)
Kit McCallum

I look back on these years
To see how far I've come and grown,
I take a trip down memory lane,
And what I see has shown ...

That every step I've taken,
You have been there by my side ...
From infancy to adulthood,
We've stood the test of time.

You cradled me and nurtured me,
through all these many years;
you held me and did comfort me,
through happiness and tears.

You'd pick me up when I would fall,
you'd dust me off and then,
encourage me to get back on
that bike and ride again.

Your constant care and loving,
And your warm inviting heart,
has always been a treasure
that I knew would never depart.

If I could be "just half" the person
You have been to me ...
Then you have taught me well dear mum,
For in my heart I see ...

A woman whose most gentle soul,
Embraces me each day ...
A woman whom I dearly love,
Much more than words can say

A poem for Mum

Tomorrow is the day, I've dreamed of all my life.
I will then be marrying, becoming Jon's wife.
I want to let you know, how special you are to me.
You have made me what I am, and am ready to be.

Tonight I will sleep, with dreams of bygone days,
my loving, carefree childhood, and of my childish ways.
Then I will awake, with dreams of things to come,
what my life will be, and who I will become.

With the morning I will have, emotions flowing free,
I just want you to know, I'll need you there with me
Your strength and love will guide me, as I become the bride,
As I start this precious journey, I need you by my side.

I'll always be your daughter, and your love I'll always need,
though we're starting a new chapter, planting a new seed.
Jon is my love and means a lot to me,
and he will be beside me, as we tackle what will be.

So on the eve of my wedding day, I say these words to you,
Hoping that you realise, you're in everything I do.
Tomorrow I will pledge to him, my heart and my soul,
you have helped to mould me, and he will make me whole. Mum As I walk down the aisle,
don’t think it's the end;
you're not losing a child but gaining a friend.
As I'm saying my vows
There's a tear in your eye,
But happiness blinds me,
And I don't see you cry.
I want you to know,
though my new life's begun,
that you still have your Daughter,
And now, a new Son."

Readings for Civil Ceremonies

MrsVH — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:28:07 CST

Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Louis de Bernieres
Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness,
it is not excitement,
it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love" which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love, have roots that grow towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches,
they find that they are one tree and not two.

True Love
author unknown
True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.

On Your Wedding Day
Author Unknown
Today is a day you will always remember
The greatest in anyone's life
You'll start off the day just two people in love
And end it as Husband and Wife
It's a brand new beginning the start of a journey
With moments to cherish and treasure
And although there'll be times when you both disagree
These will surely be outweighed by pleasure
You'll have heard many words of advice in the past
When the secrets of marriage were spoken
But you know that the answers lie hidden inside
Where the bond of true love lies unbroken
So live happy forever as lovers and friends
It's the dawn of a new life for you
As you stand there together with love in your eyes
From the moment you whisper 'I do'
And with luck, all your hopes, and your dreams can be real
May success find it's way to your hearts
Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys
But today is the day it all starts.

How to keep the cost down

snowdropstar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 06:36:57 CDT

This is a stub: it really needs adding to.

Weddings are expensive but there are easy ways of stopping the cost of your wedding day from spiralling out ot control.

Don't be afraid to ask family and friends for help! Do you know a talanted hair-dresser or cake-maker? Someone crafty to make your invitations? You may be suprised at how willing people are use their skills to make yours a day to remember.

Find out which flowers are in season at the time of your wedding and stick with those. Imported blooms cost a lot more.

Shop around - the internet is your friend! Post on Wedded Bliss if you're looking for something specific.

Plan ahead. If you're getting married in the summer and you want fairy lights, buy them in January when they're at their cheapest. They're surprisingly hard to get hold of throughout the rest of the year!

Use local suppliers. Go to local wedding fayres and ask around. We found our caterer by asking a cake maker if she knew someone. The best suppliers are not necessarily the most expensive.

Only invite the people you really want there to the wedding and reception. It may seem harsh initially but do you really want to have to spend upwards of £30 a head on a meal for relatives you haven't seen in 20 years?

Prioritise your spending - which things are the most important to you? Which things do you want, but are happy to do cheaply? For example the cake can cost less than 100 from M&S, or upwards of 300, How important is it for you? Spending priorities are personal to each couple, so discuss it and decide yours.

Consider having your wedding on a weekday, you may find the things you want are cheaper and available!!

Superstitions

PaulaBear — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:58:58 CDT

Superstitions

Bridesmaids were originally dressed up to look similar to the bride to confuse evil spirits who may wish to harm her.

Nowadays the position of 'bridesmaid' is seen as an honour, a chance for the bride to involve close friends and family in her day.

Surnames Superstition says it is bad luck for a woman to marry a man who's last name begins with the same letter as her own.

To change the name and not the letter,

Is to change for the worse and not the better.

Likewise, it is tempting fate for the bride-to-be to practise signing her new name before she is actually married.

Chimney-Sweep It is supposed to be good luck for a bride to see a Chimney Sweep on her way to the ceremony.

Other good luck omens to see on this journey were lambs, toads, spiders, black cats and rainbows. If you so wish, it is still possible to hire a Chimney-Sweep to be somewhere on your route to the wedding.

Hymns and Music

MrsHarr — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:49:53 CDT

CHURCH WEDDING:
If you are not a regular church go-er your vicar will be able to help you choose appropriate hymns. There are many sites online where you can listen to hymns. Try to choose hymns that your guests will know - there is nothing worse that everyone mumbling along because they don't know the tune! It is also well worth considering using the church choir.

CIVIL WEDDING:
You may choose almost any song or piece of music that you feel is appropriate to your wedding, as long as it has no religious connotations. As with the readings, all music will need to be approved by your Registrar.

Your Accessories

MrsHarr — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:29:00 CDT

Shoes

Tiara

Veil
Veils in bridal stores seem to be very expensive. There are many suppliers on the internet that can make you a veil at a fraction of the price you will pay in store. Check out Links and Contacts for some recommendations.

Jewellery

Underwear
The style of your dress will determine the type of underwear you need. Many dresses have a boned bodice, which makes wearing a basque uncomfortable and unnecessary. When you have your first fitting you will be advised about suitable underwear, so it may be wise to wait before purchasing the stunning lingerie you have your eye on!

After the wedding

MrsHarr — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:20:57 CDT

Now you're happily married and although the planning and organising are over there are still things you need to do. You may want to delegate some of the tasks to the bridal party, especially if you are going on honeymoon immediately after the wedding.

Days after the wedding

Collect together the table decorations, pedestals etc... from the venue
Return the men's suits, if hired
Get any disposable cameras processed
Return cake stand, if hired
Write your wedding report on GetWed!

Weeks after the wedding

Send thank-you cards
Have your dress cleaned
Select photos for your album
If you are changing your name you will need to contact a lot of people. Obviously who you need to contact depends on your circumstances and you not everything on the list below will be relevant to you. You will need lots of copies of your marriage certificate and many places will require these to be certified copies. Some places will only accept the original. Have a letter typed up so you only have to change the addressee and print it out.

Name change list

Passport
DVLA
Work
Pension company
Doctor
Dentist
Bank(s)
Mortgage company
Credit card company
Mobile phone company

Utilities if they are in your name:

BT
Local council (council tax)
Water company
Electricty company
Gas company
Satellite/cable company
Internet provider

Insurance:
Car
Home
Pet
Travel

Sample letter

Insert your address
Insert company address
14th September 2007

Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Change of name

I am writing to inform you that following my recent wedding I have changed my name. I attach a copy of my marriage certificate as evidence of the name change from _ to _ . I would be grateful if you could update my details.

Yours faithfully

Insert name

To Do Lists

MrsHarr — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:06:45 CDT

This is a stub: it really needs adding to.

So much to do, so little time!

Obviously the length of your engagement has some bearing on when you start organising but hopefully the following list will give you an idea of what you need to do and when.

One Year

Decide wedding date and preferred time
Decide on your budget. Not very romantic but essential!
Civil ceremony - register the wedding with the relevant registrar
Agree the approximate number of guests for the ceremony and reception
Choose the venue for ceremony and reception
Chose best man and bridesmaids
Start looking for your dress
Buy wedding insurance
Send out save the date cards if you're having them

Eight Months

Draft the guest list
Arrange your photographer, and videographer if you are having one
Buy your shoes
If you're having one, buy your tiara
Agree what the groom, best man and Dads are going to wear

Six Months

Choose music for the ceremony
Choose readings and ask someone to do them

Four Months

Finalise guest list

Three Months

Select items for your wedding list
Send out invitations
Decide on favours

Eight Weeks

Decide on first dance song

Six Weeks

Order flowers from florist
Discuss readings and music with your officiant
Have first dress fitting
Arrange a meeting with your venue(s) to confirm arrangements
Buy gifts for wedding party

Four Weeks

Have your final dress fitting
Chase any outstanding RSVPs
Prepare seating plan
Prepare Order of Service/Order of the Day
Have your hair trial
Order currency for honeymoon
Confirm arrangements with your suppliers, pay any balances owing

Two Week

Let reception venue have your final numbers
Write place cards

Seven Days

Have your hair coloured/cut
Prepare a contact list with number of all your suppliers. Have copies ready for Bridesmaids/Best Man on the day
Collect/purchase any last minute items
Start packing for your honeymoon
Wedding Rehearsal, if you are having as church service

The Wedding Wiki by GetWedUK.com - Recently Updated Pages

Flowers

Choosing your wedding flowers

Photography

Bridal Makeup

Traditions

Customs: Traditions and Superstitions

The Ceremony

Finding a civil ceremony venue

Getting married?

What goes in with the invitations?

Stationery

Hair and Beauty

Beauty

Hair

Bridesmaids

The Dress

What are the main types of dress available?

How much is the average spend on the most important dress of your life?

What can your expect when you go dress shopping?

What should you take with you?

How do you decide on just one?!

Parents

A poem for Mum

Readings for Civil Ceremonies

How to keep the cost down

Superstitions

Hymns and Music

Your Accessories

After the wedding

Days after the wedding

Weeks after the wedding

To Do Lists

So much to do, so little time!

One Year

Eight Months

Six Months

Four Months

Three Months

Eight Weeks

Decide on first dance song

Six Weeks

Four Weeks

Two Week

Seven Days

Forty-Eight Hours

Twenty-Four Hours

Your Wedding Morning

After the wedding