tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16751150688442740872010-01-14T12:36:50.339Zplan your perfect wedding on a budget, practical advice from a top consultantTheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-11202486280711549662008-05-17T23:36:00.006+01:002008-06-12T23:29:02.483+01:00

Make lists of what you need to do but don't get carried away with bridal magazine time-frames and their recommendations. In my experience they create panic and are nearly always over detailed. The advice I've added to this site is based on a list I hand out to future brides & grooms. The feedback has always been excellent, but remember it's only a guideline. Every wedding is different, so make

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-29365333128966936852008-05-17T22:35:00.000+01:002008-05-19T20:41:36.649+01:00

Wedding dresses can be very expensive, but there are so many choices that it's really down to the individual. Just remember that you will be having that picture on your shelf for the rest of your life, so my advice is go for a classical look. As always, simple is beautiful and never goes out of fashion. Your dress should match the venue, I can't stress enough the simpler the more stunning. Look

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-2143700748390982422008-05-17T18:51:00.000+01:002008-05-18T01:38:52.532+01:00

I have always recommended that people use hotels as a venue, even way before I worked in one. There are 2 main reasons for this. The first being that the wedding packages that some hotels offer are very good value for money. The second is that they simplify the experience, taking out a lot of the hassle on the big day. All reputable hotels will have a dedicated host, more often than not it's the

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-17558874704039028082008-05-17T12:41:00.000+01:002008-05-18T01:39:26.879+01:00

This bit is crucial. Of course it's up to you, but I strongly recommend getting in a professional rather than a family member or friend. Often people opt for later to save on money, or because they know someone who has taken some good shots in the past. Remember this is a very special day, and hopefully you'll want to keep the album for a long time. If all goes wrong you'll regret not having

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-41926304292952887832008-05-16T20:42:00.003+01:002008-05-18T01:34:04.002+01:00

Nearly all jewellers sell wedding rings, so do shop around, even look at antique jewellers. The one place I recommend starting is HM Samuel where the prices are very reasonable and designs simple and elegant.

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-63804488388049900932008-05-16T20:41:00.012+01:002008-05-18T01:37:16.982+01:00

This is optional, but my advice is always get a professional in. As with wedding photography don't just rely on some-one you know who happens to be good. It does make a big difference, and you'll want to treasure it for a long time. Always ask to look at a portfolio before booking so you know the style you'll be getting, and don’t be afraid to ask for a reduction in price or even barter.

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-12061558874784538372008-05-16T20:40:00.028+01:002008-05-18T21:04:30.786+01:00

Once again there seems to be too many choices, and many cakes are over priced. It's easy to get carried away, but just remember that your cake (as wedding dress) should match the venue. Before you look at specialty cakes shops, try looking at Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and never under estimate Forfars the bakery, some of their cakes are amazing and come with fantastic prices. If you don't want to

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-90103646778102597052008-05-16T20:40:00.027+01:002008-05-18T01:36:39.576+01:00

There is always the traditional car hire, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, and I have even seen one bride turn up in a Porsche. If you want something more traditional, then how about a horse and carriage? Remember though in England we can't always guarantee the sun, so take this into account and consider alternatives. If you want to go less traditional, the how about a VW Camper van or a London taxi?

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-73078477446836029952008-05-16T20:39:00.004+01:002008-05-17T18:57:25.329+01:00

Bridal lingerie can be overpriced so do shop around. A good place to start is Debenhams. Remember that bridal lingerie doesn't have to be used only the once. Think about what style do you want? There are so many to choose from, but make sure the style you do choose works with your gown. You should know how low the gown hits your back and also think about cleavage. Do you want maximum lift or do

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-24059323550618334232008-05-16T20:37:00.004+01:002008-05-18T01:36:19.125+01:00

I don't have to tell you how crucial this bit is, make sure you try out the hair style & make-up first. One again simple is beautiful, and you don't necessary have to tell the hairdresser it's for a wedding. Some hairdressers will even put the price up, but it's always worth checking the bridal packages they offer. You could experiment at home with your friends first, and then when you decide

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-14552988563637037322008-05-16T20:36:00.006+01:002008-05-18T00:33:11.051+01:00

This is very personal and my only advice is to make sure you don't end up looking like a Barbie doll, unless this is your ideal look. A veil and a tiara can look lovely together as long as the veil is plain not patterned, otherwise it tends to look too much.

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-88190780113421458922008-05-16T20:36:00.005+01:002008-05-17T19:26:12.586+01:00

One thing I will say on the brides bouquet is that the bouquet should compliment the dress, but it should not take attention away from the bride or the dress. I saw one in particular where the trail coming from the bouquet was as long as the brides legs. It happens all too often and looks too much. Another option is a bracelet corsage. This can look very pretty but as with everything it's down

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-9243288272429542322008-05-16T20:35:00.009+01:002008-05-18T01:34:26.511+01:00

The trouble with Wedding Stationary is that there is too much choice, and it can get a little boring looking at every single sample. I recommend to all brides that they look in places like Marks & Spencer where the prices are very competitive, but also they seem to have a certain style and class that sets them apart from the rest. Also remember that if you are having a church service you will

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-75777207680384372692008-05-16T20:34:00.010+01:002008-05-18T01:36:00.757+01:00

This is not really a necessity especially if you are on a budget. It's more of a luxury, but it does make the whole room look lovely especially if you stick to the rule of simple is beautiful. For example plain cream chair covers with an organza bow.

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-77538830747196058702008-05-16T20:34:00.009+01:002008-05-18T01:35:46.361+01:00

Let's be honest most people that get married these days already live together, so you may already have most of the traditional wedding presents e.g. toaster, champagne glasses etc. If this is the case you could consider some alternatives to the traditional wedding list. Thomas Cook offer a honeymoon account which people can donate into, as do others like Trial Finders For more traditional

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-38913569316569564422008-05-16T20:33:00.005+01:002008-05-18T01:35:36.107+01:00

Favours can be very expensive, so my advice to you is to either buy the favour bags from somewhere like Tesco, and select the gift yourself which actually can be quite fun. One bride decided to put a lottery ticket in each favour, but once again its up to you. Another idea is to buy the favours boxes from a wedding fair like the main one at Earls court in London, and make them up yourself. This

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-31211425017623817672008-05-16T20:32:00.004+01:002008-05-19T19:54:22.065+01:00

One thing I've noticed about every wedding is that the simpler the look, the more beautiful it is, and this goes for everything from favours to brides dresses. Of course it's down to the individuals taste, but my advice is to use this as a guide. I remember one wedding in particular done on a a low budget, where she simply scattered light pink rose petals all around the table cloths, and then

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-42020256908435317722008-05-16T20:31:00.002+01:002008-05-18T01:34:39.410+01:00

Entertainment is purely down to individual taste, but nearly everyone expects a disco or even a live band in the evening. If you are having a disco always ask the venue to recommend one. Most hotels have a resident DJ at a very good price. Alternatively maybe you already know someone, in which case it's not usual to bring you own DJ to a venue.

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-14273907458157223872008-05-16T20:23:00.003+01:002008-05-19T19:52:21.811+01:00

My advice on flowers is as always, keep it simple. Maybe you want to have a flower display at the end of every pew, but this can look a little too much if the colours are not well chosen. The most stunning flower arrangement I saw in a church was 2 classical columns with simple white roses and lots of green foliage. It was done in a weeping willow way, hung over the columns. Although she had

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675115068844274087.post-41390345817645537502008-05-01T21:53:00.006+01:002008-06-12T22:30:58.319+01:00

My name is Isabel and I'm a wedding planner for a top hotel in Brighton. Organising a wedding can be daunting, especially if you are working to a budget. No one wants to start married life in debt, and it should be the happiest day of your life. Many people come to my hotel for advice on organising and planning their special day, so i have created this website to offer some free advice and tips

TheCodeKingnoreply@blogger.com