Small wedding - advice needed -NW London / Harrow area

[Busybee222]

Hello everyone,

I’m a long time reader, first time poster hoping for some advice and recommendations please 😊

Myself and my DP decided to get married after 14 years of being together when I found out I was pregnant. We kept putting it for years but it feels like now it’s a good time except that it is providing to be stressful.. We always wanted a small, intimate affair (appx 20 ppl) and now because of COVID it seems like a perfect excuse to have it this way. We decided on a date in mid Sep, mid week for minimal fuss. The ceremony will be in church which is now booked. But we are struggling to organise the rest...

Venue -We would like to have it in our home/garden but that takes a lot of organising like catering, marquee, tables & chars rental etc, all the stress of getting stuff ready and the cleaning after and we are now reconsidering this. So can anyone recommend a small public venue in NW London or outside of London that they have used and/or could recommend for this type of party? We like period properties so something like an old manor hotel would be lovely.

Invites - most places do min order of 50. We only need 20. I found online offer for a template only so could either email them or print myself. Has anyone done that or got other ideas?

Dress - I saw a few nice maternity dresses (I will be 25 weeks pregnant) on website like ASOS, Seraphine and Tiffany rose. However, I will need a seamstress in case it needs adjusting. Where do I find one I can trust with my dress?

Hairdresser and make up artist - any recommendations?
Florist - nothing too extravagant but nice, seasonal and on budget.

Alternatively can someone recommend a wedding planner who would be willing to take this on so late in the day?

I think we have the catering, cake and photographer sorted..
We have just finished a renovation of our house so are almost broke and we are looking to spend no more than 4K all in all.
We are aware that there is not much time left but hoping that it being a mid week date we will manage to book all we need. 🙏

Thank you for reading! 😊

Google is your friend here.

The venue is quite specific. I'd begin ringing around.

Thanks PatricksRum. That’s what I’ve been doing but not getting much luck. What we organised so far was via recommendations.
If anyone who had a small wedding could recommend a wedding planner they have used or what they did for invites, would be particularly helpful. Thank you 😊

Small wedding here! Both married before

I've booked a meal at a place we both really like for us all after ceremony, then we might stay on for a few drinks or guests can come back to ours for drinks in the garden - we are happy to go with the flow.

I ordered 20 invites from a website called Optimalprint
www.optimalprint.co.uk/wedding-collections?voucher=CARDSUK

Flowers - found a lovely local florist and have seen online a bouquet they do which is right up my street so will order one a day or so before.

Chichi do wedding dresses I believe? I got mine from JJhouse online, was a bit skeptical but fits perfectly - just needs taking up a little.

I think once you know your venue, the other bits will fall into place a little easier - sorry I can't help with that as I'm up norf

thecavendish.org/
The cavendish in Eastcote might be able to cater something for you. Or the grange in Northwood Hills

My friend a few years back had a registry office wedding and then hired the upstairs function room of a pub on the River Thames in Weighbridge. There was approximately 30 guests in total and they hired a boat to take us for a half hour trip along the river.

It was a fabulous wedding and cost in total @ £5,000.

Thank you MuthaHubbard! The website looks brilliant and prices are so reasonable! Good luck with your wedding, I like your stress-free attitude! :)

Thank you Grumpydwarf. I will give them a call! We were also thinking of Old Orchards in Harefield which has beautiful views but food is a bit hit and miss there…

Many thanks Butterfly, sounds like you had a great time.