Where, what, where how? How could I have my wedding this summer while at the same time getting a venue I like that doesn’t cost the earth? The first impression you get when you get engaged is that all the good venues book up years in advance. As I sat looking through a foot high pile of wedding magazines I could feel the panic rising in my throat. It all so much to think about!
So I took myself off and had a word with myself. The most important thing to remember is that wherever you have your wedding it will be fantastic because all your friends and family will be there, and they will be there for you! Happy in the knowledge that I could hold it at my local recycling depo and it would still be fun, I started to simplify things and start with the basics.
First off, what type of ceremony do I want?
Matts family go to church every week which I think is lovely. Matt is a confirmed Catholic, and it seemed to me that while I am not a Catholic, it would be lovely to have a ceremony that actually means something to his family (and therefore to me). I was also very excited about finding out more about Catholicism! So when the subject of where came up, I was happy to get married in Matt’s home town of Norwich in his local church. My family were cool with it, although they did look slightly surprised when I told them that the church his family happen to go to every week is in fact a err….Cathedral! My sisters reaction was the best ‘What are you Princess Di or something? Bl**dy hell Emma!’
This lovely picture of St John’s comes courtesy of Alexandra Bone. For more of Alexandra’s lovely photographs, you can visit her website by clicking here.
We then turned to the subject of where to hold the reception. This was much much harder. Mainly because all venues are so expensive! Now, because of what happened next, I am not an expert in venue costs, however Charlotte definitely is so she will be able to discuss this matter further in her diary! But needless to say, if you look hard enough YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY SILLY ROOM HIRE FEES.
My original ‘vision’ was a BBQ in a field with a band. This simplistic dream is actually a lot harder than it looks, as I found out when I found myself thinking about electricity, water, lights, toilets, parking, a marquee if it rains, catering space – the list was endless! Good grief. I could have been trying to organise Glastonbury and it would have seemed easier!
So then I looked into places to hire out. I couldn’t quite believe that some venues are £17k to hire! Arghhh!
I set about finding a solution and researched ways of bringing down the cost. Our solution was in the end staring us in the face. The Cathedral has recently renovated a beautiful room that is a bit like a church hall, but they have put glass doors down the side. We can have the room and bring in our own catering and wine (more of which later) and booze. It £500 to hire. Bargain!
So I will say it again:
YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY SILLY ROOM HIRE FEES
Get down your local church hall, school or community centre and give it a make over your guests wont forget!
So now, I have a big blank room to decorate – and ladies, I’m going to have some fun with this! My ‘vision’ is officially called ‘Bohemia meets 1940s English Country Village Fete’…(ha) or in simpler terms a more large scale version of this party I had for my birthday last year, the imaginatively called ‘Brixton Summer Festival Luau’..
Send your ideas in now for my big-boho-paper-lantern-multi-coloured extravaganza! The more colourful the better!
GET DOWN YOUR OLD CHURCH HALL….
Love
Emma
