Real Wedding: Ellie & Mark

Planning your wedding on a budget? Worried that it won't be as good as an all-singing, all-dancing, mega-budget affair? Well stop your worrying, because this wedding is cheap and chic. Ellie and Mark didn't want to blow the budget on their wedding, so they chose a wedding package from a hotel. It's often the best way to go about planning your big day, because there are no hidden costs, and they throw in a few extras for free. Ellie also had help from her stepmother, who designed the stationery, and she kept the cost of flowers down by picking in-season gladioli for her blooms. She also flew to New York to buy her dress for half-price, and shop-bought the cakes for the desert buffet. For more tips on being a budget bride, check out her answers to the questionaire below - I've been taking notes for my own wedding. Many thanks to the lovely team at Modern Photographic for these gorgeous pictures, stunning as ever!

The Before the Big Day Bridal Q&A - Ellie was kind enough to fill in our questionnaire, aimed at helping other brides with their planning process. Feast your eyes on her answers for helpful hints and tips from someone on the other side of her big day!

Where and when did you get married?
At the Harte and Garter Hotel in Windsor on 4th September 2010.

What was your thinking behind choosing the venue and the decoration of the reception?
We wanted somewhere close to where we live in London and near to an airport for guests flying in from abroad, and so we settled on Windsor. The venue was the first one we visited and we knew straight away it would be perfect. We were also on a strict budget and the hotel did a great all-inclusive package. As the hotel was so striking it needed very little decoration, which suited us, as we wanted a simple decorations, nothing too over powering.

Did you have a theme, colour or motif in mind?
We went for white gladioli as the reception was in the ballroom that had very high ceilings and needed something tall on the tables. Anything short would have been lost. The table decorations (tea lights / menus / table numbers etc) were white with hints of light pink and green so as to not make it look too washed out. My stepmother is a graphic designer and she created a series of heart motifs that were featured on the stationary.

Who made your wedding outfit (dress, veil, shoes and accessories), and how did you come to that decision?
My wedding dress was bought from a shop in New York called RK Bridal. As I am a personal trainer I found that all the traditional dresses in the UK were very restrictive compared to what I wear day to day for work and I really wanted something to feel comfortable. Plus I wasn't enjoying the process of booking appointments and having an asisstant follow you around picking out dresses! I had heard about a store in NY that stocked hundreds of dresses and you could turn up, wander around on your own, pick out ones you wanted then try them one. By chance I was going there with two of my bridesmaids for a holiday so dropped in and found the perfect Venus dress at half the price it would have been in the UK (£450 incuding veil).

What about your husband’s outfit? Where was it from?
My husbands suit was from TM Lewin as we wanted to get something that he could use after for work and that wouldn't break the bank! We also go the best man a matching suit and they both had pale pink ties.

And how about your bridesmaids' outfits?
Bridesmaid dresses were again from the USA this time from an online store called Go Jane and only £40 each! They were plain prom style dresses with multiway straps that we had as halternecks. Again we got pale green to match in with the ties.

What type of cake did you go for, and how did you come to that decision?
My husband and I are not a fan of wedding cake or the traditional wedding cake cutting photos so we opted for a selection of cakes on tea stands that were bought out during the evening reception. There were cupcakes, whoopie pies and slices of lemon, chocolate and sponge cake all bought from Marks & Spencers the day before.

Who was your florist, what flowers did you choose, and how did you come to that decision?
As part of the hotel package we got £25 worth of flowers per table from their florist so we used that to get the vases of gladioli. To keep the budget down, my bouquet and the bridesmaids' bunches were made by my stepmother from roses that we had bought from New Covent Garden Fower Market the day before. This meant I could have a huge bouquet of pale pink and cream and the bridesmaid had plain cream ones.

What entertainment did you choose?
The hotel package came with a DJ who was amazing and kept everyone dancing the whole night. We had given them some songs that we like and they used that list, plus others suggested by our guests. There was also a magician called James Pritchard during the photos and drinks reception to keep everyone entertained.

Who was your photographer and how did you choose them?
Our photographer were the wonderful Julia and Ian West of Modern Photographic. I have known Julia for a while and she has taken some amazing shots of friends weddings and christenings, plus as neither me or my husband are particularly comfortable in front of the camera it was great to have someone that made us feel more relaxed. We also got a pre-wedding shoot done which helped us get more used to having our photos taken!

Did you enjoy planning your wedding? What advice do you have for brides planning their big day?
I loved planning the wedding! My advice is don't let it take over your life, try and remain stress free, as it is just one day. Also you can have a wedding on a budget without it looking cheap or feeling that you haven't had a special day. No one could believe how much we had saved by shopping around and doing somethings ourselves as you couldn't tell on the day.

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Unique Wedding Stationery

Your wedding stationery should reflect the style and mood of your wedding, hinting to your guests what they can expect on the big day itself. So if you're planning a unique wedding, you'll want something more than the standard black swirly type on white card. Azulsahara designers' studio and boutique offers unique and memorable stationery which you can personalise in every which way. All  the designs are carefully selected, and printed in fantastic quality, with gorgeous finishing touches, like crystals and ribbons. I'm loving the 'something blue' blossom design below, and the stunning jewelled band in the bottom picture. Don't miss their website for plenty more styles and information.

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Wedding Love Letters

This is why I love Etsy, it's just full of gorgeous, original wedding ideas. Just check out this vintage love letter, discovered on one of my rambles through the online boutiques. The letter is handtyped on high quality white paper with a matching handtyped envelope, and you can personalise it for your love. Simply send your message of under 100 hundred words, and Sepia Smiles will type it out on their 1930's typewriter. Whimsical, romantic, and totally old-fashioned - I love it! Based in Northampton, Sepia Smiles have plenty more wedding inspiration on their website and blog, and if you sign up for their newsletter, you get 15% off till the end of January. {P.S. I just got in touch with Sepia Smiles to tell them about the posting, and Roseanna is offering 20% off if you mention Before the Big Day!}

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Real Wedding: Neil & Holly

It's a bit of a grey day in London town, but nothing we can't liven up with a gorgeous summer wedding. Neil and Holly chose yellow and orange to theme their wedding, and it call came off beautifully, thanks to wedding coordinator Kim, from Wedding Concepts. This wedding was set in South Africa, but that doesn't mean us British brides can't steal their best ideas! I'm loving the use of fruit {chic and cheap}, and Holly's gorgeous arum lily bouquet. Arum lilies are just the most elegant of wedding flowers. Other stealworthy spots include the chapstick favours, white lanterns and posing signs - perfect to add a bit of fun to your wedding photographs. They also included a quick game of boules in their wedding reception, an idea I'm definitely going to copy for my own Provencial wedding. Gorgeous photographs as ever, from the fantastic team at We Love Pictures.

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Before the Big Day Black Book

To welcome in the New Year, I'm starting a brand new project, namely the Before the Big Day Black Book. This Black Book will contain all the contacts you need for a great British wedding, and every supplier will come with the Before the Big Day stamp of approval. Check out the lists, and keep a look out for the stamp. Plus, if you've got a supplier to recommend, get in touch!

Looking Good

With my wedding in May, I'm looking to start the New Year with a brand new health plan, which makes me one of more than 70% of brides-to-be want to svelte-up ahead of saying their vows. If you find dieting on your own difficult, check out nkd diet. They're my secret weapon in the battle against the bulge! They take all the hassle out of dieting by providing all your meals for a month, for only £199. They count the calories and deliver to your door, and on average women lose 2-3 lbs a week. Check them out! ** nkd diet are offering 5% off all 28 day plans to Before the Big Day readers - just add the code bigday at the checkout **

Slinky Wedding Dresses

If you're looking for a slinky wedding dress rather than a pufffy Princess number, then you can't do better than Belle & Bunty. Recently discovered via fantastic The Ebury Collection, every gown is gorgeous. Pick your favourite design, and Alice (Belle) and Hannah (Bunty) will make it to order in whatever colour you choose. Incidentally, do check out The Ebury Collection, they're a brilliant resource of wedding services and suppliers. P.S. If you're one of my friends, no buying, because I'm going to get one!!

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Something Blue

Is it wrong to want more than one engagement ring? I dearly love my diamond solitaire, but when I spotted this gorgeous sapphire ring, I fell in love. Maybe it could be my something blue? Designed by Eidel in Toronto, the delicate setting is called "cat's claw", because the four claws are almost invisible. Simply stunning!



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