I thought today, on this rainy Friday afternoon (when I’m writing this) as I sit in my kitchen eating last night’s Mac & cheese (why does it taste even better the day after!?) that I’d start a little chat around our wedding plans.
I knew that I wanted to discuss the process in some way and as I love reading this kind of thing myself I thought that you might like to too?
The imagery won’t always match up to the topic of wedding planning but I don’t think that really matters do you?
My current feelings towards wedding planning is one of being extremely overwhelmed by it all. There seems to be so many little details, so many things I’ve never even heard of let alone thought of and the whole task at hand seems rather giant!
However, George and I make a great team, we’re both super organised and I just know we can do this, together!
Neither of us like the idea of hiring a wedding planner as we both feel that getting married is something that only happens once and you only get one opportunity (in theory) to plan your own special day, so we’d like to take on the challenge ourselves. So with that, if you have any tips and tricks, sources of inspiration etc then do send them our way, we would LOVE all the inspiration and advice right now.
So, let’s start at the beginning.
As soon as I said “Yes” George and I knew that we wanted to get married within the year and during the summer, so we had a rough idea of our dream date for the big day. We then started thinking about locations and from there venues in which we could see ourselves getting wed. Neither of us are particularly religious but I did like the thought of going down the traditional route of getting married in a church. We checked out a couple of churches and a couple of spectacular venues until we found the one… Well, I say that, but the first venue we looked at was 100% the one as soon as we stepped through the gates.
We took our parents and George’s Nanna and it was a really gorgeous couple of hours of discussing exactly what could be done and we all left feeling really sparkly and really, REALLY excited.
So thats the date and the venue locked down, George’s groomsmen asked over a couple of pints, his best men on board and my bridal party emotionally asked over a glass or two of prosseco and thats really where we’re at with it all.
SUNGLASSES- GUCCI, HAIR CLIP- MONKI, HOOP EARRINGS- c/o MISSOMA, SEMI CIRCLE NECKLACE- c/o MATTHEW CALVIN, CROSS NECKLACE- c/o MISSOMA, DRESS- c/o SECOND FEMALE, BAG- c/o SOPHIE HULME, BOOTS- ASOS
At this stage, with regards to colours and themes etc, we don't really want to be restricted by that kind of thing. You know me and my love for all kinds of colours, I have my favourite flowers but there isn't a single one I don't like and I'm not big on the idea of a theme, so we're completely up for playing it by ear until we've decided what we're going to wear and then what our bride and groom crew will wear.
We've briefed our dear friends who are going to design our invite and stationary etc and basically told them to go wild as we're both very relaxed and very open to what we want... I hope thats a good thing?
All we do know is that we want to throw a big party for everyone we love, we want a fun day filled with love, colour, great food and music and we want to do it in our own way. Traditions are wonderful but I don't love them all so we'll just be doing what feels right for us and winging it for the most part.
I’m currently in the planning stages of dress fittings but I’ve never really been the kind of girl who could imagine the dress I’d get married in so the task at hand currently is to find some form of inspiration for what the hell I’m going to wear on the day.
I either like everything or absolutely detest everything, there’s nothing in-between so I certainly need to go and have a good dress up session. I have a couple of brands in mind that I’d love to try such as Berta, Grace Loves Lace, Rue De Seine and Alice Temperley but if there are any other brands that spring to mind when you think of me getting married then please do leave them below because the world of bridal wear is really rather new to me indeed and I have no idea what’s what when it comes to designers.
And so that's where we’re up to so far with wedding planning and I’ll be sure to update you along the way with any other moves we make and of course if there are any set backs or learnings en route to the big day, which I'm sure there will be aplenty.
x M
I’ve been following your blog for years and I’m so happy for you and George and excited to see what you do with your wedding – I just know it will be so stylish and down-to-earth.
I have a few recommendations…
Odylyne The Ceremony do some amazing gothic/vintage style dresses which are so dreamy.
https://www.instagram.com/odylynetheceremony/?hl=en
I don’t know if you have a ring picked out yet but I also love Tessa Metcalfe’s bands as they’re a little bit different than the usual.
https://www.instagram.com/tessametcalfe/?hl=en
Best of luck with the wedmin and planning! xxx
Ellllllaaaa, that is so lovely of you to say 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you so much for the great recommendations too, means a lot, I’m going to have a good nosey this evening x
Currently in a Fashion Promotion lecture and I’m using your blog as an example of a bangin’ blog. I’ve loved your blog for years and years <3
Mais xx
Ohhhh thats so amazing to hear! Thanks babe x
Can’t wait to hear more about your big day plans! I’m like you, I’ve never been able to imagine what kind of dress I will wear when the day comes. Really looking forward to seeing what you choose. Such exciting times for you! xx
Ohh thanks Sarah and it’s good to hear I’m not the only one. Most people I’ve spoken to have their dream dress already planned… Not me, let the try on sessions commence. x
I think some of Jesus Peiro’s lace dresses are dreamy and can imagine you in one of them! He also have a lot of interesting cuts and models! https://www.jesuspeiro.com/en/coleccion/cala/lookbook/
Good luck with the wedding dress hunt!
Also, the heritage collection from Jesus Peiro has some beaut dresses!
Ahhh yes I love Jesus Peiro!!! My friend recently got married in one of their dresses so it’s on my radar big time.
Thank you darling xx
Made with love bridal is beaut as well
You babe thanks so so much x
Hey Meg!!
I am soooo excited for all the wedding content to come. I got married myself last year and I work in the wedding industry as a photographer/videographer with my husband, so I love all things weddings.
I have a ton of suppliers I could recommend, from florist’s to stylers, bars etc. Also so many Instagram accounts with inspiration. I could pop you over an email with links if you like.
Anyway super excited to hear more about your plans.
Congratulations!!! You have so much to look forward to… enjoy every moment or planning as it will all go too quick!
You NEED to look at Emma Beaumont Atelier. She is based in knutsford and will make you your dream dress… whatever that ends up being!! Xxx
Ohhh wow thank you so much Niamh thats so great! Thank you x
You’ll be overwhelmed with choices but you’ll know when it’s The One! Something lace and vintage would be right up your street….timeless x
This is soooo exciting! I’ve just started my wedding planning journey too. I’d definitely recommend keeping your eye out for vintage dresses, I’d never noticed how many places have them until i got engaged. I found my dress in a vintage shop whilst on holiday in San Francisco!
So excited to hear about your wedding plans as you go! I think my biggest wedding advice would be to work through everything in priority order, so put your effort and budget into the things you really care about (venue, guest list, photography, food, music.. ) and absolutely let go of stuff that you don’t care about. You don’t need to do anything you don’t see the point in – pick and choose the ‘traditions’ that you care about and even think about creating your own moments in the day rather than doing something because everyone else tends to do it. Don’t do anything that doesn’t feel ‘you’ and have a blast organising it all. Weddings are the best! Enjoy every moment of planning and the run up 💘
Don’t know if you’re getting married in Yorkshire or beyond (most suppliers travel so it’s worth asking despite where people are based) but some amazing suppliers I know are Beat Boutique (best EVER DJ.. and loves to orchestrate a dance off late in the night). Yorkshire Bartender – cool bar service, their set up looks cool and they do fab cocktails. Ginger Rose or The Wilde florists do ridiculously stunning flowers. I do wedding photography myself (Sally T Photography) and can also recommend some amazing (non corny and cool AF) wedding filmmakers too.
Good luck and happy planning!
I don’t have experience with wedding dresses (didn’t get married yet), but I love the idea of looking through my dresses (or even jumpsuits/suits?) and looking for that one shape that I just feel best in and gravitate to most when I just want to look and feel amazing. Then I would look for designers doing similar shapes or even get one tailored (I myself make clothes, so I would do it myself). I wouldn’t feel comfortable in a dress I wouldn’t wear otherwise, if that makes sense?! Anyways, that was just my first thought reading through this. I am sure you will look amazing in whatever dress you decide to wear, congratulations by the way 🙂
I think you would like the designer Charlie Brear ❤️
I second this!
Have a look at Otaduy bridal 😍 https://www.otaduy.co/en/coleccion/wedding-dresses-en/ or E&W Couture
https://www.eandwcouture.co.uk/dresses
Right up your street! Both incredible! Xx
Jenny Packham makes some beautiful wedding dresses.
Absolutely love your blog and know I will adore hearing about your wedding preparation 💕
So happy for you both, guys, you’re the best!
If you’re brave enough to order The dress from another country I’d suggest you take a look at Tatyana Kochnova’s dresses, especially the embroidered ones https://instagram.com/tatyanakochnova_wedding?igshid=5i9sxe1mqpz0
She’s from Russia, I had her dress for my wedding and felt like a princess in it)
For inspiration I really loved oncewed.com. Hope it’s useful!
My friend Abbie has her own business – based in the North Lakes – making personalised laser creations. You should check them out, they make beautiful wedding decor. Her business insta is @etchtwentyeight.
Looking forward to following yours and George journey!
x
So excited to see what you end up creating for your gorgeous day with George.
I have a very similar style and vibe to you so I will definitely be looking to you for inspiration when the time comes!
There’s a great wedding stylist up where I’m from (Aberdeenshire – way up in North East Scotland!) and their insta is @robinseggstyling. They have loads of amazing wedding inspo photos that you could spend hours pouring through! (They do customised bridal leather jackets – it just doesn’t get cooler than that!!) Xx
My brother got married in June and it was the most magical day! Although I don’t have any wedding planning tips I would definitely recommend having a moment to yourself with your immediate family in the getting ready time/before you go down the aisle. It’s such a busy morning but it’s truly lovely to take a moment to just take it all in! Weddings are just so exciting! X
1.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvCBCa_AVY1/?igshid=163eqai1fqbx4
2.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw3Iuo3AbPb/?igshid=rdxzgdfw8gyh
3.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtzdsSil54j/?igshid=1dsmgquygysgp
4.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpLNGILDeEr/?igshid=12ark8ya9gzpm
These jazzy numbers from Alexandria Greco (1.) or J andreatta (2.), Beaut veils (3.) from Harriette Gordon with star detailing, plus a wedding suit for the party (4.)
Or dream dress – THIS neckline! I feel it would be beaut on you
5. https://www.instagram.com/p/BquYsb4hZ4U/?igshid=j4erhm7ersgm
Have a spread sheet with the list of things you need to organise (I.e venue, photographer, flowers, dress, caterers, cake, alcohol, makeup, hair etc) and set a rough budget, real cost, how much deposit paid and when full amount needs to be paid by. This was the only way we could stay on top of everything! For wedding dresses love the White Closet in West Didsbury or Curious case of the bride in Sale for vintage/something a bit different xx
Congratulations! I got married this past March and my husband and I planned everything ourselves too! Advice other people gave us that I always pass along is hiring a month-of coordinator. They make sure everything is set up the way you want it on the actual day and also do the stressful logistical stuff the month leading up to the day. Like confirming needs and arrival times of vendors at your venue. That way the entire wedding is 100% your vision but it’s someone’s job to make sure it’s carried out. Takes care of so much last-minute stress. Other than that, just stick to whatever feels like you and don’t let anyone make you feel weird or guilty about it!
My mum found my wedding dress for me actually. She phoned me as the shop was trying to close up and my now husband had to drive me over in the midst of a KILLER hangover sporting last nights make up 🙈😂
It was a sample and I bought it there and then.
Definitely not a romantic fairytale story, but love thinking back on it now!
Might be worth having a look at the polish designer Anna Kara, she does slightly bohemian dresses. Mine had swallows embroidered all over it with a 70s daisy trim… and I remember seeing one last year that had lots of stars embroidered in the tulle!
Congratulations and enjoy the planning, such a magical time!! 💫
I think you have to wear a vintage dress.
But I think Galvan London has a very cool bridal line.
Somewhat more romantic and a different Vice is Kaviar Gauche – a german Brand known for their bridal line. Also beautiful.
Maybe this helps?!
All the best to you and George! Simone
Rime Arodaky is an amazing bridal make… quite rock ‘n roll and just gorgeous x
Pink Palms Events and My Lady Garden (flowers) have great inspiration on their Instagram and are the most amazing humans ever!! I have hired both for my wedding next August!
I’m thrilled about your engagement and look forward to seeing your wedding plans unfold, which I know will be epic! I think you and George are a fantastic couple, so original and refreshing to see. I went to a wedding this summer and the bride and groom popped into their invitation a request from each guest to choose a song for the reception and night do! Therefore everyone’s taste was catered for musically xx
Not about dresses but my husband and I made our own wedding rings. It was a fab day and part of the wedding prep. We went to Selina Campbell jewellery in Northern Quarter for this. It made it really special making our own rings.
I’m sure that you and George can plan your wedding together without any problems!
Hiring a wedding planner is a good idea, but then you won’t feel it’s that intimate and personal. It’s your wedding, so get involved as much as you can (without stressing out!) and have fun with it!
I’ve just got married and want to do it all over again!!! My dress was Kaviar Gauche and I saw that Simone also recommended it above! I loved traveling to Berlin for my experience and their recent collection they showed in Paris looked beautiful! I would also recommend Worm London for flowers – they were a dream to work with and totally exceeded my expectations! Looking forward to following your journey! X
I’ve just got married and want to do it all over again!!!
My dress was Kaviar Gauche and I saw that Simone also recommended it above! I loved traveling to Berlin for my experience and their recent collection which they showed in Paris looked beautiful!
I would also recommend Worm London for flowers – they were a dream to work with and totally exceeded my expectations! Looking forward to following your journey! X
I got married in a rue de Seine dress and grace loves lace veil so seeing you mention those brands made me so happy! Honestly they are wonderful quality and wonderful people, could not reccomend highly enough. My advice would be to go for something that feels timeless to you, or is a kind of style you’ve always liked. You don’t want to look back on your dress and hate it in 10 years. Trust your gut! But be bold with your accessories and shoes!
I’m so excited to see how you’ve styled your day – I can see you guys having such a wonderful and colourful party! I got married 4 weeks ago and we were similar to you guys, we didnt want a theme, just lots of colour, great food and a dance floor that was never empty 🙂
It can feel so overwhelming at first (ahh the amount of times we wanted to just scrap it all and elope when we first started haha), but doing it together makes it so much easier, as do excel spreadsheets! Our photographer/friend said to us “as long as you’re married at the end of the day, that’s a job well done”, and that really helped us to stay laidback and just have fun with it all.
Get your friends and family as involved as possible too if you can. Especially when setting up the night before, it makes everything feel all the more special
Lovers Society is another great designer for bohemian-style wedding dress, though I may be biased as I wore one of theirs 😉
Also if you’re wanting a little inspiration for your bridal party, I had my bridesmaids in dark navy then had wild, colourful flowers and it looked amazing together.
Sorry for the mega comment, I’m still in the just-married bubble! My main advice is to just have fun and treat it like one huge party. No one is going to worry or even notice if something goes wrong on the day, they’ll just be concentrating on celebrating you both 🙂
Hi Megan! I got married last Saturday in a Rollin’ In Roses dress which was handmade in York! Big up the northern lasses, they have lovely collections. I didn’t have too much of a theme either just loads of odd little bits of illustrations that’s our friend did for us, it’s so handy to have a bank of imagery which you can place all over anything and everything to keep things all tied in together! Good luck! I follow your blog and I know you will smash it! Can’t wait to see it all unfold best of luck, Amy xxx
I’m having my wedding journey right now too! Next March and we’ve done just as much as you! The white closet Didsbury is where I found the dress! They are lovely in there and the dresses are unreal 😍
My advice is be true to yourself as a couple. Me and my other half had a big wedding planned, but had to cancel after the venue changed and made loads of restrictions.
After a near death experience we decided the most important thing to us is just being married. So we’re now having a secret wedding with only immediate family (they don’t even know we’re getting married) and strangely we’re both much happier this time round.
I’ve had some of the brides I have photographed over the past year wear rolling in roses dresses- they are stunning !
Huge congrats, again! Super exciting stuff.
I’m currently planning my big day (booked for 2021) and am yet to try on any dresses, but one brand I’m pretty certain I’m going to go for is Emma Beaumont Atelier. A bespoke gown? Yes please!
I adore the brands you’ve mentioned, too, but very much want to create something that’s completely mine and I thought you may be of the same thought! Emma Beaumont are based in Cheshire, so not too far for you – a bit further for me in Newcastle!
Happy planning! (oh, also, may I suggest a TRELLO board for all the wedmin!)
xx
Hi Megan, congrats on the engagement! You TOTALLY have to check out this wedding dress designer : Puyan Saheb Djavaher, they make handmade gowns, there’s color and it’s really really beautiful and quite your style I believe.
here’s a link to their website
https://www.puyansahebdjavaher.de/
xx