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Original poster

Help needed with last minute wedding

48 replies

Lastminutebride · 04/11/2022 06:21

So after 15 years engaged we’ve just gone and booked our wedding for 1 months time!

We’re doing a register office with immediate family only and then no reception as we’re going g away straight after. Will possibly have a party with friends and family next year.

I’ve got absolutely nothing and don’t even know what I need so any help would be appreciated!

my biggest concern is that I need a dress. We’re do I get one that will be ready in 4 weeks? Bridal shops seem to have to order them in and if it needs alterations I don’t think I’ll have time.

Bouquet, photographer needed. Anything else? It’s an extremely low key wedding.

OP posts:
Persephonegoddess · 04/11/2022 06:25

Dress from monsoon, bouquet from fave florist. Hire a car so you both don't have to drive or deal with taxi. Chill a lovely vintage champagne for after x

Rainbowqueeen · 04/11/2022 06:26

Congratulations!!
No chance at a dress from a bridal shop. Have a look at Monsoon. Other posters will be along soon with ideas.

Do you want rings? Hair and makeup?

hope you have a wonderful day

SiobhanSharpe · 04/11/2022 06:37

Ghost?
www.ghost.co.uk/wedding-dresses

cravingmilkshake · 04/11/2022 06:45

Wed2b for your dress . There are a few around the country. I had 2 years to plan my wedding and still didn't get the dress until 3 weeks before! Buy off the rail and take home !

JustCheckingItsFree · 04/11/2022 06:46

ASOS sell dresses and lots on sale right now

Beamur · 04/11/2022 06:49

I got a dress from Phase 8 for my wedding and it was perfect.
All you need really is a nice outfit, I did my own hair and makeup too.
We had a party later though and just had informal photos.
Hope you have a great day.

MargotMoon · 04/11/2022 06:53

onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/bridal

boozebarge · 04/11/2022 06:54

I planned my wedding in about 1.5 months. Most of the buying/sorting stuff was on one day! Flowers from your favourite florist - I gave them my favourite flowers and let them get to work, which they were thrilled about as most brides have had their bouquet planned since before they met their groom! I also ordered table flowers and buttonholes from them. Dress was from Hobbs, shoes too. The cake was slightly trickier as I wanted to try samples so that had to be organised in advance. I didn’t book a photographer (which I now regret tbh). Invitations I did myself at home, but we only had a ceremony and then a meal for close friends & family. My DH wore a suit and shirt he already owned. We had a meal in a pub which was easy to book. Hair and makeup were the only thing I was worried about booking in time, but I was lucky! Trying to remember anything else…

romdowa · 04/11/2022 06:58

Asos do very reasonable wedding dresses. I got mine in a charity shop, brand new with tags. Might be worth having a look in your local one. Also some charities have dedicated bridal charity shops as well.

nonstoprenovation · 04/11/2022 06:59

Have a look at rental as well or borrowing a dress.

Original poster
Lastminutebride · 04/11/2022 07:09

Thanks everyone.

I thought about rental dresses but can’t see where you can rent them from?
im planning to go to wed2be this weekend and will check out asos and other places in line

were not planning on having a cake.

any idea if it’s easy enough to make your own bouquet?

and I’ve got a few details of photographers and also amateur photographers.

OP posts:
ChimChimeny · 04/11/2022 07:16

Charity shop for a dress? A big one near us had a whole section over summer.

for a bouquet why don't you just get a hand tied from a local florist? Just choose.some flowers you like and have them make it. Don't say it's for a wedding in case they bump the price up 😁

Bananalanacake · 04/11/2022 07:18

I had a registry office wedding, 15 minutes before we set off I looked in my wardrobe and chose a dress, a nice summery pink one from Principles. DH bought me a bouquet the day before, nice idea as I wasn't sure I wanted one. I got FIL to take photos on my smartphone. We were having lots of work on our house and I preferred to spend money on that.

Allsnotwell · 04/11/2022 07:21

You can buy the stem and oasis from a florist and then do your own flowers.

Or have a look at some of the beaded options instead.

Laurdo · 04/11/2022 15:34

We just picked our rings at the weekend and they're taking 3-4 weeks to come. So if you're having wedding rings you'll probably need to order them soon. I'm sure some jewellers will have quicker turnaround times but I wouldn't leave it too last minute

BasiliskStare · 04/11/2022 16:01

V easy to make your own bouquet - there must be you tube things which show you but essentially just get the flowers you want and hold a few in one hand keep going round in a spiral holding the stems in that one hand with the other hand putting the next flower in as you keep rotating it and then once happy with it secure the stems with eg an elastic band or two to keep the thing in place and then cover up the elastic bands or whatever with ribbon. I have probably explained that very badly but it does work.
If happy with one sort of flower just buy that and then do the band / ribbon thing and shove a few leaves / ivy / in it to taste 😀

Also - some evening dresses work well as wedding dresses ( but depends on your style. )

When I got married many years ago - as soon as you mentioned wedding the price seemed to go up. So I just shopped for a dress ( not in specialist wedding shops

Anyway hope it works out well for you

Slightlystressedwife · 04/11/2022 17:00

What sort of dress do you want, what's your budget and where in the country are you?

One month's notice, no reception and your description of "low key" suggests not really traditional big white dress which doesn't really align with Wed2be?

Rentals - google - depends where you are. In London there are plenty but much is online so tricky if you want to try on but aren't near. This might be a start:
www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/bridalwear-articles/wedding-dress-hire-where-to-rent-a-dress/

Slightlystressedwife · 04/11/2022 17:03

Laurdo · 04/11/2022 15:34

We just picked our rings at the weekend and they're taking 3-4 weeks to come. So if you're having wedding rings you'll probably need to order them soon. I'm sure some jewellers will have quicker turnaround times but I wouldn't leave it too last minute

This is true if you want new and a specific type. We got our rings the weekend before our wedding - both second hand from Hatton Garden. Plenty of jewellers sell off the shelf - but I agree the made to measure wedding ring seems to be the default, which surprised me. If you go to a High St jeweller it will be made to order, generally.

Original poster
Lastminutebride · 04/11/2022 18:53

We’ll notice of marriage has been completed now and I’ve ordered my wedding ring today, should be here in a week.
although I’m having a very low key wedding I’m open to the traditional white wedding dress. Planning to check out wed2b and monsoon and have a couple of second hand options li Ed up once I’ve narrowed down style.

thanks the the ideas about bouquets, that’s next in my list.

OP posts:
Pinkcadillac · 04/11/2022 18:59

Don't forget Whistles, Asos and Needle& Thread!

Alarae · 04/11/2022 19:32

Check Oxfam for wedding dresses online, plus I think they have a store somewhere. I believe they even get some new stock direct from the designers along with samples/used.

Slightlystressedwife · 04/11/2022 19:56

OP I'd also suggest online as you can try at home then return.
What's your budget? The outnet have a lovely range for example.

PritiPatelsMaker · 04/11/2022 20:12

Some charities have bridal shops, often selling unused or unsold dresses.

Toddlerteaplease · 04/11/2022 21:31

Little wings factory so lovely dresses.