Happy Wednesday All!

Today I bring you some discount vouchers to help you budget for a wedding you are going to or in preparation to your own!

A place or two to stay.
Hotels.com
Up to 40% Off in the Summer Sale Plus 10% Off Bookings
Click Here.

Travelodge
£15 Off Flexible Rate Rooms. Click Here.

Your outfits and/ or accessories.
Karen Millen
10% Off Orders. Click Here.

Get Bridal Bodied!
Fitness First
Free 5 Day Gym Pass. Click Here.

LA Fitness
Free 5 Day Gym Pass. Click Here.

A multitude of things you can find here!
I Want One of Those
10% Off Orders. Click Here.

Hope to have saved you some valuable pounds!

£££

Penny Pinching, Charlotte xx

Hello Tuesday!

So, as any of you who read our blog regularly will know, last weekend was my hen night!
And what a night it was! It was in fact, so darn fabulous that I am going to have to spit it up into different parts to write about it!

The whole day was a surprise, so I didn’t have a clue what was going on, only that the theme was vintage – and we could dress in any era from the 1920s – 1950s.

So, after staying at my MOH Alex’s house the night before and watching SATC DVDs with champagne, me, Alex and two of my other bridesmaids Cazza and Rachael had breakfast together and then got ready. Where upon I was told not to put any make up on.

Er…. come again? This is after all my big night? No make up – are you crazy?

I was assured it was all for a good reason, and I was taken off by Cazza for my first surprise of the day – a make over at MAC! Woooooh hoooo!

Now, when we walked into Morleys in Brixton all done up in our 1940s gear, the staff at MAC got very excited indeed – they all loved it and were all coming over giving advice on what look the make up artist should go for!

My make up artist was called Lesley and she was fabulous (as you can see from the pictures). She talked me through everything she was doing and showed me all the products. If you would like to book Lesley at MAC in Brixton call 0207 274 6246 or alternatively she is available on a free lance basis – if you would like a home visit (including bridal make up – drop us a line at info@electricwedding.co.uk and we will pass it on!

My make up session was a present from all my hens, but if you would like one, they are very reasonable and it is redeemable against product. I choose; MAC Lip Liner in Cherry, MAC false eyelashes (corner tips only) MAC Powder Blush in Desert Rose.

And ta-da! The finished result!

And I am wearing Dress – £35 Pearl Lowe for Peacocks, Hat £10  Traffic People, Pearls – my grandma’s

So my very fabulous make over was complete – I was suitabley 1940’s looking – and then Cazza and Alex took me to the next part of the day….

Hurrah – stay tuned to see what we did next!

Love

Emma

Groan.
Its my first day back at work after 2 weeks off.. ouch! But Happy Monday one & all! Hopefully you will find today’s post helpful. I haven’t been totally lazing around, unfortunately…

As you may know if you have been following us for a while, I am getting marreid in my Dad’s church in Dover! Its a fantastic extra touch to our Big Day! I’m so lucky to have my dad to give me away & perform the ceremony! Its an added bonus as it will help to keep us both calm… phew.
They have even been re-decortating the church. So many people have offered to help… Nick has offered his Hog Roast skills & Lindsay offered to arrange all the flowers. He certainly has a really nice congregation & I’m getting to know them all better during the preperations!!

I realise we don’t all get this helping hand. Lots of people ask me about getting married in a church…..
Well, here’s my guide to getting married in a a Church of England.
Please note this is a guide, each church is slightly different but I want you to have a rough guide of what to expect!

Where do I start?

Choose your church.
Most people know which churchthey would like to be married in but you can have alook around to see which one you like.
When you have the church, contact the vicar. They are always registered & most have the vicar’s details outside the church.
The vicar will ask you to come & meet him to discuss the ceremony further & to get to know you. He or she will guide you though their order of service & allow you to add your personal elements.
Most are refreshingly flexible!

Meeting the Vicar
At the meeting an Application Form will be completed with details of the Bridegroom and Bride.

Questions you will be asked are:
• Your full names
• Age at date of Marriage
• Have you been Baptised
• Have you previously been Married
• Your profession/occupation
• Your address
• How long have you lived there
• Contact Telephone number
• Name of your parish church
• Father’s Name
• Father’s occupation
A date will be registered for the Marriage.

The dates for the reading of the Banns of Marriage will be made.
A wedding rehearsal date will be agreed.

What are we paying for? How much and How do we pay?

Each Parish is different so you can ask the vicar all the questions but here is a guide to what you will be paying for…

The cost of a Church wedding will comprise of a number of charges, which are set by Archbishops’ Council and the Parish Church.

The charges are for the following:
• Reading the Banns of Marriage
• Banns Certificate
• The Marriage Service
• An Organist (you can provide your own if you know someone who is willing to play for you)
• A Verger to arranged the Church building for the wedding and is available on the day of the Wedding.
• There may be additional charges for heating if the wedding takes place during colder seasons

An estimate of the total cost will be given at the first contact with the vicar.

Hummm, quite a few things I hadn’t thought of!
I know people who have been quoted £400 in total excluding choirs, but it varies. I also know that you will be expected to make the full payment beforehand, but again the vicar with advise you on this. This shouldn’t be something you pay for on the day. Normally they take a deposit & the balance will be due before or at the rehersal. Again, they are flexible & very helpful so get down to your vicar asap & check it all out.

Also, its important to know that if you have a favourite/ family vicar, but want to get married in another church- with some negotiation, it can be done- quite easily normally! Fab.

I have also been looking into a few very cool & unusaul venues to share with you soon.

Heavenly…
Charlotte xx

If you have anything you would like to recommend- let me know!
Charlotte@electricwedding.co.uk

Big shout out to St Matin’s Church, Dover, their cool-as-cucumber vicar & their rocking congregation!!

Hello Friday!

Since we have started to blog all our ideas for our weddings, we have been lucky enough to meet some really nice people.

One of those people is Alex from Bijou Bride.

The Bijou Bride is a bride to be’s fairy godmother, who take all the stress out of your wedding planning and do all of the styling for you.  From dress to make up to accessories, they will help you out on all aspects of your look, starting with a champagne meet and greet while creating your personalised keepsake scrap book.

Makes me wish I had found her! As my dress search is – alas – over, we asked Alex to create a mood board for Charlotte. As festival season is upon us, we decided to embrace our inner Glasto vibe and base the theme on country bride.  Kate Moss eat your heart out…Check it out!

Alex says

‘I believe it all starts with ‘that dream’ – for one day you embody the real you whether it be ‘grecian goddess’ ‘bohemian babe’ or ‘fairytale princess’. For my Bijou brides we start with a discussion of what that dream is, their idols, favourite things etc and I create a ‘my inspiration’ page, that’s not only a great keepsake but our reference tool for dress fittings and accessory hunting’

The website also contains a magazine with loads of wedding style info on it, and also a shop where you can browse some very cool designs.

Get thee to it now – and see what wonders she can work!

Love

Emma xx

Happy Sunday wedding lovers!

Argh.
I have been trying to find out about ‘free’ glass hire for our wedding- what a kafuffle.
I can’t seem to get a simple answer anywhere- not even on the phone to customer services! I can only imagine many of you are having the same issues??
So, today, “My Name is Charlotte, Happy to Help”. Except, I really am!

I have checked out supermarkets & a wine store. I aim to keep this as simple as possible for you!!

Waitrose
* Wine glasses, pint & 1/2 pint glasses come in cases of 24
* Champagne glasses come in cases of 48
* Enquire & Order in-store
* No deposit required
* 48 hours of rental
* Book ASAP to avoid disappointment
* Collect glasses from your store & return clean
* No additional purchase required
* £1 payable per broken glass
(I asked in Welwyn Garden City- details may vary per store. Click here for the store finder)

Tesco
* Wine glasses, pint & 1/2 pint glasses
* Enquire & Order in-store
* No deposit required
* Book ASAP to avoid disappointment
* Collect glasses from your store & return clean. Click here for locator!
* No additional purchase required
* They do charge for breakages

Sainsbury’s
* Minimum of 48 hours notice required
* Loaned for upto 7 days (day 1 being your collection date)
* £20 deposit
* Sign contract in store
* £1 per breakage
* As in store as they all differ to how many they have available. Click here for the locator.

Morrison’s
* Wine glasses, pint & 1/2 pint glasses come in cases of 24
* Champagne glasses come in cases of 48
* Enquire & Order in-store (trust me, its better than on the phone with this place…)
* £20 Deposit required on booking
* 1 week’s rental, more can be discussed at time of booking
* Book ASAP to avoid disappointment
* Collect glasses from your store & return clean
* Additional purchases- depends on the store- one said its not required, another said £50-£60, another said “a few bottles” Erm….
* They do offer a sale or return, but it differs by store so you may have to ask a few of your local ones
* 50p payable per broken glass & deducted from the deposit
They didn’t seem too sure of the guidelines in Morrison’s, not in 3 stores & at Head Office so to be honest, I personally would steer clear!

Majestic
Again, this is store specific, so check with your local store manager
* Wine, champagne & pint glasses available
* Wine Coolers/ ice bins available to hire as an extra
* They offer sale or return on drinks
* You have to buy wine/ drinks form them on ordering the glasses
* No collection service on glasses but they do offer a free delivery service (T&Cs apply)
* Click here for more info & to find your local store

ODDBINS
also do free glass hire, but again, you need to contact your local store. More details on how to contact them if you click here!

Ok, so all in all its a great deal to get this free hire & with such a small fee for breakages. But the bad news is.. this is store dependant. The larger the store you visit, the more likely they are to be able to meet your quantities. You have visit or call the store customer services not by calling their Head Offices. As I visit the supermarkets regularly for work, I was able to gather a decent amount of info, but pleeeease don’t take this as gospel! it really is a ‘enquire within’ job I’m afraid!
What about water glasses? Seems we are on our own there. The good news is that you can buy plenty of very cheap & nice ones in supermarkets & pound stores! There we go then.

Chink plink
Charlotte xx

Happy Thursday!!

I’m glad the week is nearly over… I have been working hard! My wedding is now 4 WEEKS (oh my oh my) away and I am starting to get excited!

So today I wanted to write a little bit about our twitter account.  Before I started blogging, I only had a facebook page, and was never really into twitter at all.  However recently I have really got into ours, because I keep meeting loads of really nice people on there.  One of the people that I have met is the very lovely Sophie from Cards by Sophie.

My invites were handmade (designed by Matt’s mum, who did an amazing job, read about it here).  So when I got chatting to Sophie about her company, I really liked it because hers are all handmade too.  She also customises the designs to match your wedding colours.

I have added some pictures from her collection for you to have a sneaky peep at, but she has a much bigger range on her website.

As well as doing invitations, she does save the date cards, menu cards, order of services, table cards, table plans and lots more.

I love finding little companies like Sophie’s and giving them a shout – in the hope that someone might see them and think ‘oooh! I like that!’ I very much hope you like her designs I have shown today

If you would like to contact Sophie then you can via here.

Have a fab friday!

love

Emma xxx

I just wanted to say thank you to Charlotte today – we have had a fab time celebrating my birthday and I had a really fun weekend!   Charlotte made me the most amazing cupcake tower I have ever seen – unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures because I ate them before anyone had half a chance (I love cupcakes)… but I did have time to realise that Charlotte needs to do a post on her cupcakes because they are the bomb (she will be modest and say no but they are amazing – mine had glitter on and some said Emma)!

I also wanted to tell you all about a place we went last night called the Rootmaster.  The Rootmaster is a wicked Bustaurant! In other words a restaurant on a bus!  I am vegetarian and the food at rootmaster is all the most amazing vegan food (and if you are a meat eater it wouldn’t make a difference – all my mates loved it).

Anyway, its located just off Brick Lane in East London and I think it would be a fab place to go for a hen or stag party to start the night off. Its in a big courtyard with loads of bars around it so you can just sit outside and have drinks afterwards – and being in East London its near to loads of cool clubs you could go to afterwards to dance the night away.

Do have a look if you get the chance – we had a fab time!

love

emma xxxx

Today I am day-dreaming about my wedding reception. It really is a day-dream as I haven’t even decided on the venue….
In my day-dream i am sat at our table at the reception or as some call it, wedding breakfast. To my left is my lovely HUSBAND, he, he, he & all our family & friends are matching my grin.

Just in front our table (its in the centre of the others) I can see my friends from Australia, who have flown all that way, then I see my friend from Lieceter who I have an amazing history with since we met in Sydney.
On the table to my left are my Godparents, ahhh lovely & as I glance back to my table I see my sister. This is the point I start welling up.
All these people here for me to acknowledge & who is rambling on? The best man!
What about these loved ones? How do I tell my sister how amazing she is? The best man can’t do that, not even Rob can do her justice.
Oh.
I just don’t feel lots of drink & cake really emphasises my feelings for them all.

Then it comes to me. I can make a speech.
Genius.
But where do I start? How do I do this? Its not ‘traditional’ & I have never seen the bride do a speech before.
Anyhoo, here’s the plan.

* Write a list of those I want to thank
* Make sure it includes his family & Best man (Its polite)
* Give each person one comment
* Give 3 people an extra comment
* Let it be natural
* Only write down names, not a speech, just so you don’t forget them all
Test the speech, if you are like me, gush plenty- all very natural. How long did that take, oh, 10 mins? Eeek

* Keep it to 5 mins

I need to make a speech & thank these people. Its my day too & as Rob always tells me “do whatever makes you happy” and Emma says “All you need is Love”.. no, not that one… “Its YOUR DAY, there are NO rules”
I am so taken with this idea & will mentally practice everyday, well nearly, I am waiting another 16 months.

What do you think? Bride to make a speech or do you prefer to stick to just the traditional Groom’s speech?
Any tips for me?!
info@electricwedding.co.uk

Charlotte xx

Soooo many of you have been writing in to tell me that you are having recession-crippled wedding budgets & are dispairing at saving & not being able to treat yourselves.
You are all right, its for the greater good.
But, its now possible to take it easier on yourselves!

We don’t all like spending out on pampering ourselves, though we desperately want to & let’s face it, we need to feel prepped & glowing for The Day!
Now, I have something that will raise the eyebrow.

If you haven’t stumbled across this amazing website already, now you have.
My City Deals.

Both me & my man love this site & all the things we can now do to treat ourselves & each other! Daily.
I’m not telling you more. Just check it out.

But do bare in mind your hen & stag do’s….

Deal Time,
Charlotte xx

As I have previously explained to you all in Cross My Palm With Silver, I am a self proclaimed
spend-a-holic!
Sometimes I wonder if I bought a house just to get lots of great cushions?!
Now, like many of you, my spending has caught up with me, I have realised that I want money for my future with my husband-to-be, so I am mending my ways.

Whilst, I juggle my mortgage, debts & various recession-induced-increasing-out-goings, I am on a mission to have a dream wedding, at a reduced price.

Take some top tips, mix some creativity & sprinkle some savvy style… you have an Electric Top tip.

So in order to manage my expectations & maybe yours, I would love to share with you all, a Top Tip that I have found VERY useful…

Get a grip of your Guest List.

This top tip was given to me by my very good friend & soon to be a featured Electric Bride, Louise.
Its a very simple way to look at the affordability… work out what you plan to spend per head (I include the division of all the reception costs!)
Let’s say, for example if your reception comes to £5,000 for 80 guests, it comes to £62.50 per head… Simply ask yourselves.. “If we were going out for dinner with this couple/ these friends, would we pay £60 each for their meal?”
This way you can justify the cuts in your list & you will also have a guest list full of great friends & family.
I’m still working on mine, so potential guests, please don’t panic… I would spend £10 on each of you…. ha ha ha! I wish it was going to be that cheap!

Many of you lucky Brides will have family contribute to the costs, which is great, but if like me you & your man are doing it all yourselves, then you will need to be more ruthless with your list.

If you are paying for your own wedding, you are buying total control too, which, in my book, is a massive plus point! I confess, I get masses of pressure to invite the nice lady from round the back, not to mention Bob, who’s recently been somewhat ‘down’… oh my… and don’t get me started on all those who are buying hats somewhat prematurely!
But I can say no. Why? Because I’m paying for this circus!
I will have to say no. Its not always easy, but needs to be done. I simply refuse to get into debt over my wedding. Its not because I am better than anyone else.. I simply have enough debt as it is.

Whatever you do, don’t fret. You can have your dream wedding for a recession busting price!
I will have many many more excellent tips that will light up your Big Day!

If you have any examples of your own on these tips, please contact us or Ask Lola. I can add yours to my next update & give you an Electric Wedding Welcome!!
I’d also love to hear from anyone struggling with finance, you never know, we might be able to point you in the right direction. After all, I’m cured….

Your penny pincher,
Charlotte xxx