Yesterday we offered an alternative to wedding flowers… today here’s the alternative to traditional wedding cakes.

And no it’s not cupcakes…. it’s cheese!

I love the idea albeit a rather strange one. There’s some great suppliers in the UK that are worth a look:

www.houseofcheese.co.uk
www.norbitoncheese.co.uk
www.wedding-cakes.co.uk
www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk
www.cheese-factor.co.uk

If you’re a sufferer then the prospect of having a big bunch of roses in your hand on your wedding day might not feel you with joy.

There is a really nice alternative is Crystal bouquets.

There are lots of different suppliers out there but we really like Angels Weddings in Hampshire.

The big difference with crystal bouquets, unlike fresh flowers, you can keep them forever, without the extra expense of having them preserved!

You might not want to throw them around though….!

About 40% of couple’s these days make their own wedding invitations as it’s a great way to save a little cash. It does also put a slightly more personal touch to your whole wedding too.

Here are some great places to get some ideas:

www.weddingcrafter.co.uk – Inspiration and advice plus assemble kits and free templates.

www.craftcreations.com – Online shop for creative papers, stickers and accessories.

www.kookykards.com – Everything you’ll need from card blanks to Swarovski Crystals.

www.mandalayweddinginvitations.co.uk – By choosing our DIY wedding invitations, you get the wedding stationery half the normal price.

www.wedding-crafts.co.uk – Template downloads, invitation kits and lots more.

It’s to be safe than sorry! Rainfall in August 2009 was the above normal for the UK and it was the wettest August on record in western Scotland, and Dumfries and Galloway.

Fail to plan and you plan to fail as the saying goes so why not head over to www.brolliesgalore.co.uk and pick up a couple of Birdcage PVC see-through umbrellas.

Even in the rain they’re great for photos!

Wedding vendors websites can often reveal a lot more about themselves and their business. It’s not always true that a cheap and poorly created website equals a cheap and poor service but sometimes it makes you wonder.

yvettesbridalformal.com

(This website scares the hell out of me).

It seems an almost ridiculous thing to say but sometimes it’s very easy to get whisked away in vendors enthusiasm for their products. It’s also very easy for the same thing to happen with friends and families ‘ideas’.

The best thing to do from the start is to make a list of what is going to be most important. Then make a second list of the least important things. If you find yourself spending more on things in the second list than in the first then take a step back.

Before you meet with ANYONE properly research every area you’ve listed in ‘Most Important’. Know what you’ll expect to pay for the best and everything else in-between.

You might find that those most important things soon become less important but is it something you’re really happy about sacrificing?

Probably the easiest way to save money on your wedding day to get married in January, February March or November.

But another way if you’re determined to try for a summer wedding is to consider a Friday or Sunday wedding. Many venues charge nearly 50% less for these days!

You’re also more likely to book the vendors you really want if you haven’t enquired far enough in advance.

You’ve booked your venue, you know what dress you want the only problem now is that you have a guest list of 500 people and your venue only seats 120!

This is normally where most wedding planning drama begins. So how do you shorten your wedding guest list?

1. Cutting children out is sometimes the quickest way but I love kids at weddings! This can be hard to do if you have close friends and family with young children. But sometimes you have to hard, after all you’re on a budget!
2. Co-workers are normally the first to go. Sometimes it’s better to invite none of them rather than just some of them.
3. Old friends. Did they invite you to their wedding? Have you actually seen or spoken to them in the last year? If both answers are no then that’s an easy one to cross out.
4. No ‘plus one’ on the invite. There’s no unwritten rule that you have to put plus one on the invites, people understand. If they don’t, then you could possible cross those ones off too!
5. Mutual friends are easier to include than others.
6. Who will actually come? Don’t waste time inviting someone from the other side of the world if you know they won’t be able to make it.

]]> http://whatwherewhoweddings.com/editing-your-wedding-guest-list/feed 0 http://whatwherewhoweddings.com/wedding-dinner-buffet-ideas http://whatwherewhoweddings.com/wedding-dinner-buffet-ideas#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:00:26 +0000 Michael Shilling http://whatwherewhoweddings.com/?p=245

After your 7 course wedding breakfast extravaganza is it really necessary to lay on a whole massive buffet spread for the evening? Chances are this is what you’ll be keeping the freezer till you next host a party!

Why not go for something a little different? Bacon sandwiches, fish and chips or even a starter platter from your favourite local curry house!

That’s not to say that I don’t love a good hog roast though!

This is something that a lot of brides struggle with! It’s always a good idea that your bridesmaids know exactly how your dress ties up!

Why not have a girls night in and not only practice putting on the dress but it’s also a great time to practice make-up and hair!