Maybe we could all add to this list of good finds, bargains and ideas.. And maybe things you would forget and need to remember

[MarmiteAndCheeseRolls]

I don't get married until next year.
We have booked venue and reception for 150 people... Lots kids tho about 25! Trying to do as cheap as possible..

Looking for ideas for maybe gift bags to entertain kids.
Making my own centerpieces.. Tea lights with the lace round a jar..

Sat writing a list so I can get bits as and when.. Not as in the outfits. More the odds and sods.

What have u all got on your lists. And Where's a good find for your bargains.

. I completely forgot about the need of a Ring cushion for the ring bearer.

Where's good for things like sweets bags for sweet table..?
Table coverings (it's just a pub with buffet so nothing special)
How would you make the tables look nice. Other than the centerpieces

You don't need a cushion for the ring bearer unless you're going to have a little kid carry it up the aisle like some sort of religious offering. Totally fine to be in a bag in the best man's pocket.

Congratulations! And good luck with everything.

For kids party bags i’d suggest nothing chocolate (melts quickly so likely to make a mess). Something like a mystery Lego bag for older kids, colouring & crayons (print some pictures from internet or just pull part a cheap colouring book and staple a few pages together. Nothing noisy. Packs of 20 glow sticks from pound shop are great fun for kids as it gets darker.

I had giant helium balloons for decoration in our venue and after the meal my kids had great fun letting some go and dancing around with them. I brought balloons online and hired in helium canister to save money (I had over 35 balloons at 1m round each).

Cheap way to do a posh cake is to do fake tiers - I brought polystyrene fake cakes from hobbycraft and covered them. Got my cake topper from Poundshop and brought real cake from Waitrose (£20 for a simple iced nice cake which had 25 servings) which the venue cut up and served with our evening food.

Sainsbury's has some lovely wedding stuff reduced..table planners etc, very nice quality and cheap.

I’m not planning for a wedding, but a super special party that I want to be English country garden themed.

I have brightly coloured vases from Tiger, they’re huge, remind me of old milk urns but glass - £4 each and perfect for what I want to do with them.

The range is also good for bits and pieces - I got small packs of three round single bud vases, in pinks, greens and blues for £1.99.

Jam Jars with flowers in - they look beautiful with peonies in when I’ve done them before but depends on the time of year!

Tea lights - Ikea! Also really love HomeSense if you have one near you for bits and pieces. Scented candles especially, I attended a wedding once with eucalyptus scented candles and it was so wonderful to sit down to.

Tablecloths are more tricky - the range do oil cloth by the metre which is good for kids tables. Linen - if it’s a table against a wall, look at spandex/Lycra cloths, they look a bit more sleek, are easier to wash after and generally don’t need ironing or boxing off.

Sweets - I’d look at wholesalers, but then I can get to them. Though I think you can now order from makro online without a makro card.

Mostly I just pick up bits when I see them and like them. They’re not all super cheap - I’m a sucker for talking tables decorations, but mixed with other things it works and isn’t too expensive.

Slightly off what you are asking but my sister had loads of kids at her wedding and hired in help. They sat at a separate table and had pizza and the childminder/babysitter people looked after and entertained them.

@cravingcake thank you! Just looked into helium hire now... didn't think!

Some great tips here ... watching till can post something helpful myself - just at the browsing point atm

Great thread. I have nothing to post yet as no bargains!

I'm trying to find cheapish silk flowers for my bridesmaids. Getting married abroad, no point in paying out for real flowers for them as won't be able to bring them home. Mine are included in my package.

It's hard to know whether they're going to look like their pictures, as unfortunately a lot don't seem to!

Please don't do helium balloons if there's the faintest chance of them escaping. I work outside in the countryside and we find the tattered remnants so often, tangled in trees or hedges. And they're just the sort of plastic that we're meant to be trying not to allow into rivers and seas too.

Ilovefluffysheep Me too! I found some brilliant bouquets in a shop in Newton Stewart. Realistic, great size and not too "set" -£8.50!
Unfortunately when I got them home against the dresses the dark red roses were too dark so back they went.
However it's very annoying when I can only find single stems at £8.50 and bouquets at £25 each.

I spent £150 on a soft play set up hired from a company who make sure it is cleaned and disinfected between hires. I had the set up all day and night in a room just off the main reception room. We never saw the kids all day and it was the best £150 I spent! The kids got some colouring books and an Easter Egg (it was Easter Saturday) during the speeches but were welcome to go in the soft play if it kept them entertained and their parents able to enjoy the speeches. Was worth every single penny!

Watching!

I am going to get a steamer to deal with any last-minute creases in the wedding dress or bridesmaid's dresses.