Help I'm Getting Hitched! - Diary of a Bride to Be

By Billie King.

So recently I got engaged, and while yes it was probably the best day of my life to date, when the initial excitement and surprise had died down I sat back and thought, wow!  What to I do now? Where do I start? I know next to nothing about planning a wedding;  attending, eating, celebrating and having a good drink and dance, yes I know all about that, but planning, now that is a whole other area of 'the unknown'.

I have agreed to write a blog for WeddingXtras, talking through the different stages of planning a wedding and hopefully helping other brides to be, as I find out just how to do this.

Firstly I will tell you how my man dropped down on one knee and proposed to me.

After 2 years of being friends and me being stubborn, I finally agreed, after much persuasion, to let Max (that’s my fiancée) to take me out on a date, what he had in mind wasn’t exactly my idea of a ordinary first date, but knowing Max as well as I did, I knew that it would be something out of the ordinary, that’s the type of guy he is.

Slightly apprehensive and nervous I climbed into the dirty Land Rover he owned which, might I add was covered in dog hair and although I had jumped in there many times before, in the back of my mind I was thinking he could have cleaned up a bit. Still he was playing my favorite Oasis song, ‘Wonderwall’ so I let him off as he gave me a cheeky grin.

Next thing I know we are at an airfield and he’s telling me we are going sky diving, I was petrified but went along as the gesture was so nice; I had told him once that when I was a little girl I always wished I could fly!

I had an amazing time and 4 years on we are still together and happier than ever and most importantly head over heels in love.

The proposal, you wonder was it as out-going and crazy as our first date? Well, no, but never the less it was a beautiful romantic moment.

I was sitting in my house on a lazy Saturday, I had nothing planned other than to spend the evening in my pjs eating rubbish and watching trash TV, perfect! However Max, always one to be spur of the moment, decided to pop round and inform me I had 10 minuets to get dressed and come with him. Slightly annoyed I obliged and followed him into the dog hair ridden Landy.

20 minuets later we pulled up at the same air field as our first date however this time it was night time and I told Max there was no way in hell I was jumping out of a plane in the pitch black. As I jumped out of the Land Rover I realised that Max had planned a romantic candle lit meal for two in one of the old plane hangers. As I got closer I realised that there was something spelt out in candles it said 'will you?' as I looked at Max to ask him will I what? He dropped to one knee and said 'marry me?' Like the big girl that I am I burst into tears and cried my heart out until I finally managed to say yes!

It was such a lovely, romantic way of asking me as it was at the scene of our first date, however with Max he could have proposed in a fast food car park and I would have said yes.

So there that’s my starting story and over the next few weeks I will go step-by-step on how I am planning my wedding and hopefully this blog will help you as well.

Keep reading best wishes Billie

TOP BRIDE TIPS FOR EACH SEASON

Top bride tips FOR EACH season

Here at weddingxtras.co.uk we like to go the extra mile to ensure every bride knows some top tips for when you have chosen your wedding date.  No matter what season you have picked.

Summer

• Marrying in the summer could save you pounds. Lightweight gowns are slightly cheaper as they come in light material.
• Want to save pounds on your flowers, pick fresh flowers from your garden that are in bloom.  You could even put a flower in your hair for a bohemian chick feel.
• Summer is the perfect time to use bright and bold colours.

Autumn

• Use the autumn falls to your advantage and make centre pieces using acorns, nuts and leaves
• Autumn is best for golds, oranges, browns, beiges and cream colours for bridemaids dresses.
• Want a fancy dress wedding why not use Halloween as an excuse.

Winter

• To be savvy with your money ensure you buy accessories which you are likely to wear again.
• If you are going for a vintage look the must have accessory is elbow-length gloves.
• Are you wanting an easy winder theme on a budget, choose all white colour and add touches of sparkle for your accessories and table décor.

Spring

• Spring weddings look best in pastel colours with little accessories.
• If you use flowers that are in season, it will save you pounds.
• Check your venue prices as Spring is classed “out of season” so therefore you may get a cheaper quote.

Aboard

• To save on luggage costs take your dress in your hand luggage.
• Want to get rid of the creases hang your dress in a humid bathroom.
• The must style for aboard weddings are halterneck, empire line and one shoulder gowns.

We hope you find our blogs useful or interesting, if so please visit our website to view our great range of gifts for the bride, the groom the bride and grooms wedding day attendants.

HAIR STYLING

Hair Styling

Are you having trouble deciding what would look best on the day?  Here at weddingxtras.co.uk we would like to let you know what trends are in for glamorous bridal hair…

Are you going for a vintage theme for your wedding then the must hair do has to be wearing your hair down and giving yourself a low side parting with feminine retro waves.

If you are after hair which looks similar to your day-to-day look then the must hair do is to have a strong centre parting and with plenty of volume and wavy blown dry.

Is your wedding theme based on the 60’s then the must hair do has to be the beehive, with a wide width alice band.

Are you after a simply but elegant hair do you cannot go wrong with a plait.  There are so many styles of plaits available now…. French plait, fish tail plait or even the milkmaid plait.

Is your wedding theme romantic then the best hair has to be a soft, loose chignon.

All professional hairdressers will know what is meant by these style names.

The last thing we must suggest is no matter your hair must maintain its style throughout the day and night so its best to invest in professional products.

If you find our blogs useful or interesting please visit our website and take a look at our range of thank you gifts for Bridesmaids and attendants.

COUNTDOWN CHECK LIST

Countdown check list

We at weddingxtras.co.uk have put a countdown check list together for you so you can have the added reassurance that everything is falling into place for your special day…

Things to do now

      Tell relatives and close friends of your plans

      Arrange your first meeting with your minister, priest or rabbi to set a date

      Decide the number of guests and draw up a list with both sets of parents

      Set a budget

      Decide who will do what (delegate)

      Visit venues – if it is a busy place, book it you cannot afford to wait if it is your ideal place

6-9 months to go

      If you haven’t already done so book your venue

      Make all your bookings for the reception (ie, flower arrangements, centre pieces, music, etc)

      Book your photographer

      Book your car

      Buy Wedding Insurance

      Start looking for your dress

3 months to go

      Arrange a second meeting with your minister, priest or rabbi and agree a date for publication of the banns.  Also choose your hymns and music for the service.

      Order/make your wedding cake

      Check both passports are in date

      Discuss your bridal hairstyle ideas with your hairdresser

      Arrange fittings for your wedding dress

      Order/make your wedding stationery

      Go shopping for your wedding rings

      Send out your invitations

2 months to go

      Finalise your order of service and place your order

      Reconfirm all your bookings (car hire, florists, hairdresser, venue, etc)

      Go shopping for your accessories

      Check and buy the Groom and best man have their wedding suits

1 month to go

      Start your beauty regime

      Write up a list of all must-take photos and give to your photographer

      Draw up your seating plan and pass to the reception venue

2 weeks to go

      Try on your wedding dress and practice walking around in your lovely wedding shoes

      Confirm your number of guests to the caterer

1 week to go

      Check and call all reception arrangements

      If needed have a rehearsal at the venue

      Confirm photographer, florist and transport again

      Start packing for your honeymoon and order travellers cheques.

1 day before

      Treat yourself to a manicure

      Send your overnight bag to your venue

      Have a long bath and if you can an early night

On the special day

      Relax – ensure you have plenty of time to get ready

      Have the bouquets, buttonholes and corsages delivered

      Ensure your mother or bridesmaids have the emergency first aid bag with them

      Ensure your mother and bridesmaids leave the house first

If you enjoy our blogs and find them useful please follow us, tell your friends and visit our website to see our great range of personalised wedding gifts.

10 pieces of advice from recent brides

We’ve spoken to some recent brides and they have been so kind as to share their top tips for making the most your big day.

1)     Always check whether there will be any big Sporting Fixtures due on your special day.  The last thing you want is all the men huddling around a TV on your wedding day (including your husband).

2)     Give yourself a day of rest after the wedding day, there is nothing worse than having to get up early to catch your flight.

3)     Ensure you all your parents and bridesmaids around you in the morning of your wedding day, as they will pamper for your ever need and be there to dry your eyes when things get emotional in the lead up.

4)     Don’t assume your guests will approach you they are most proberly thinking you have a lot on your plate.  Be the first to make the conversation.

5)     Smile all day and even when you are crying.  There is nothing worse than getting upset on your walk down the aisle as your photos will look terrible.

6)     Be prepared for the morning of your wedding day.  Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready and have time to relax by yourself.

7)     Take your time when walking up/down the aisle, take every moment in.

8)     Ask for what you want.  Don’t be afraid to say to your beautician/hair dresser how you want your makeup/hair done, you need to feel happy with what they have done.

9)     Ensure you choose your first dance carefully and practice will always make it perfect.

10) Make a list of photos you would like your photographer to take and ensure they are taken, because you cannot turn back the clock.

If you find our blogs interesting please visit our website to view our great range of gifts for your wedding attendants, including some great personalised Bridesmaid gifts.

DO YOU FANCY A UNIQUE WEDDING CEREMONY

 Do you and your partner fancy a unique ceremony? One of a kind? Something different? Something out of the ordinary?  Then why not pick one of our suggestions mentioned below:

Penthouse

You could hire the tallest hotel in New York, with Panasonic views of central park or the downtown skyline.

Las Vegas

You could get married at the Little Chapel of Flowers by the King, Elvis.  Then you could get a helicopter to take to you the Grand Canyon where you could have your first lunch as Mr and Mrs in the great outdoors.

Big Wheel

You could tie the knot in Austria’s equivalent of the London Eye, 65-metre Ferris wheel. 

Cliff Edge

Do you fancy getting married on a cliff edge looking out across the Mediterranean.  Then Italy is the place to go with views across Florence on Amalfi Coast.

Safari

Ever fancied saying I do overlooking views of a safari park in South Africa.

Iconic Architecture Building

Fancy getting married on a roof top of the most iconic building with the most vertiginous pool on the rooftop, then you need to head to Melbourne in Australia.

Tree-House

Are you one with nature?  South Africa has a romantic chapel in the forest and you can then spend your first night as Mr and Mrs in one of their Tsala Treetop Lodges.

If you find our blogs interesting or useful please follow us and take a look at our great range of thank you gifts for the wedding party, including some stylish wedding cufflinks for the Ushers.

Work Up the Heat

We at weddingxtras.co.uk have been speaking to personal trainers and they have suggested that working along side your partner not only heats up your pheromone levels it helps build a shared interest and support for each other.  So we have listed some top tips as to why you should give it a go…

1. Firstly try a sport that neither of you have done before, this will start you on an equal balance and less intimidating.  Here our some of our suggestions: tennis, biking, rollerskating, basketball, netball, rounders, etc

2. Keep the exercise as a date and not a chore.  If you can both set a day/time as to when you are both free you can make the workout “extra time you’re together”.  Once you’ve managed it as part of your routine you will find that you actually see and speak to each other more than sitting at home side by side watching the TV in silence.

3. If there are two of you going through this journey you will always have someone there to support you through the lows and encourage you to find the motivation than if you were to be doing it by yourself.

4. During a workout and immediately after you pheromone levels reach new heights.  This means your partners attraction towards you will go through the roof and vice versa.

5. However you must remember that when working out together you must not take on the role of a personal trainer and start barking orders.  You need to remember you are on the same team and working together will help you to become stronger partners.

If you like our blogs, please follow us and take a look at our website where you will find inspirational ideas for thank you gifts for your wedding party members, including a great range of wedding cufflinks for all the men.