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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be upset about my wedding venue?

996 replies

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 13/10/2013 16:16

Name changed
Basically have a tiny budget. We were going to cut our guest list but we don't want to. We love everyone on it.
Have been offered The British Legion as a venue for free. Best man works evenings there.
We have decided to take it so we can afford to give everyone a nice time. Its bloody ugly inside. Has lovely big field though/n pretty outside etc.
I know I chose this, and I am not wanting to save up for few years as I just want to marry dp and have all our friends and family there. And would be stupid to not accept such a generous offer.
Just venting I guess... and wondering what to do about the fading carpet, chipped paint, arcade machine...

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IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 06:39

beancounting sweet pea is a nice idea.;
Thank you for your offer, just I'd be freaking out all night about them getting ruined. Thanks

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SecondStarToTheRight · 25/10/2013 06:46

Had an idea about your dress. Why not see if monsoon / debenhams / Bhs have anything you like and order it around Christmas. Then, if it goes in the January sale, take yours back (with receipt), and exchange it for one at the sale price. You can literally give yours back, then buy the exact same dress back without them putting it on the shelf.

Best do it when the shop is quiet though.

One of my friends did this with her bridesmaids dresses and got them half price!

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 10:33

That's a clever idea. I'm too much of a wimp to do that though! Hmm

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IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 11:58

I have my 1st bits of decoration now, to pretty the Legion up with. Smile It's Ivy and I think it'll look lovely trailing down the wall somewhere.

We're going up to the Legion tomorrow, to take photos, so will put them up when done. Also have an appointment to see the Reverend at 11am so that's hopefully sorted.

So pleased. Smile

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ancientbuchanan · 25/10/2013 13:19

Good luck with the vicar. S/he should be nice...

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 13:21

Thank you anchient

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Lj8893 · 25/10/2013 13:23

I have been following this whole thread, what amazing ideas you have been given!!!

Just wanted to say that you and everyone else on here have inspired me to say to hell with a fancy "posh" wedding, and go for the same format you are doing. I'm so excited, it just seems so much more personal and memorable.

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 13:29

Lj8893 That's great! Wine Congratulations to you!

I'm excited about it all too! The posters on here have been fab & a real help to me.

Did you have a big wedding planned then? When are you getting married?

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Lj8893 · 25/10/2013 13:36

We haven't actually started planning anything, just know we will be married by 2015! Our first baby is due on Sunday so a little bit preoccupied with that Grin

We wouldn't have ever had a massive budget anyway, but now it means we really don't have to stretch ourselves trying to pay for something that actually really isn't either of our personalities!

Tinlegs · 25/10/2013 13:41

We had a very cheap wedding (years and years ago..). A few things we did to save money. We got married in London, so booked a black cab for to the church and to go away in at the end. It cost £30 in total. Today it would probably be about £100 but much, much cheaper than hiring a car and it also means that you have a classic car (the London taxi is a classic) without the cost. Also, loads of space for dress, bouquet etc in the back. Try to get a black one as you don't want to be advertising Easyjet (unless your colour scheme is orange).

We found someone to do the flowers who was "training" and gave him £50 for statement flowers, the rest he liberated (ivy, twigs, branches etc). This was more expensive than it might have been due to me being a Yorkshire lass and having to carry white roses.

Our cakes came from M&S. They do a plain, white iced fruit cake. We had one decorated (with more flowers) by my Mum. The others never saw the light of day, just got cut up in the kitchens and served. Cost at the time - £16 for enough cake for 200.

My sister also had a cheap wedding and she used a bakery but ordered a large chocolate cake and DID NOT SAY IT WAS FOR A WEDDING as this apparently inflates prices enormously. We ended up with a huge cake (sponge and butter icing) which was served with strawberries and cream...Yummy. So it became pudding.

Wine - go to France. Eurotunnel day returns with a car used to be v cheap if you left early in the morning and came back before lunchtime. We did this. We tasted a few bottles of plonk in our local Tesco and then went and bought the same stuff in France.

I will post again if I can remember anything else. The prices are 15 years out of date by the way....

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 14:50

Tinlegs Your wedding sounds great! We want a chocolate cake too! Might pinch your sisters idea & have a look in a bakers.

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SecondStarToTheRight · 25/10/2013 14:57

Perhaps trying on dresses in advance anyway then you can check on the sales knowing what style you want.

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 15:04

SecondStar Yes I will. We have a TK max near us. Is that worth a look for dresses?

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SecondStarToTheRight · 25/10/2013 15:08

M&S cakes are fab. My sister had one covered in white chocolate icing from them and it was gorgeous.

SecondStarToTheRight · 25/10/2013 15:11

Worth a look. Personally I would look at monsoon & debenhams as their sales are great for dresses which you could use as wedding ones.

Monsoon have an outlet website with wedding dresses at reasonable prices

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 15:14

White chocolate sounds delicious. Will google monsoon

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IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 15:20

Oh Monsoon does have some beautiful dresses. Sadly, even though they are a bargain price, they are too expensive still.

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Lj8893 · 25/10/2013 16:00

I know its far away for you but there used to be a monsoon outlet at clarks village in street, somerset. Its always full of wedding dresses at bargain prices!!

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 16:03

Oh it is too far.. It's because I need shoes & veil as well. I don't wear heels often, & I don't have anything suitable. If I wasn't so short compared to DP I'd just wear flats!

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SecondStarToTheRight · 25/10/2013 16:08

What about this:
m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_61252+264944_-1

SecondStarToTheRight · 25/10/2013 16:10

What size shoe are you?

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 16:12

Secondstar That's a nice dress. However I don't think I could wear it in a church. Blush

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IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 25/10/2013 16:12

Size 5 shoe

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CMOTDibbler · 25/10/2013 16:23

Go and try dresses on, decide what you want, then stalk ebay. I just looked, and there are loads of dresses at incredibly low prices.

SecondStarToTheRight · 25/10/2013 16:42

m.bhs.co.uk/mt/www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/wedding-1020484/adult-bridesmaids-1020513/eve-champagne-satin-bridesmaid-dress-1073227?bi=1&ps=40

[[http://m.bhs.co.uk/mt/www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/wedding-1020484/adult-bridesmaids-1020513/cassandra-champagne-lace-bridesmaid-dress-1081661?bi=1&ps=40]

m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/mint-velvet-sequin-bandeau-dress/p499051?colour=Neutral&un_jtt_v_pdp=yes&un_jtt_v_from_product=un_product_16

Sorry - having too much fun shopping for you!