Planning My Own Wedding

As many of you know I got married myself on the 9th July this year to my wonderful husband Paul. Some say that I did the "become a wedding planner/get married business" the wrong way round as most wedding planners start their business out the experience and love of planning their own wedding, trust me to try and be different! However, I feel that I was in a very unique place compared to most brides, I already had 4 years of experience of planning all different types of weddings and I already knew a lot of the suppliers in the industry, taking out most of the initial stress of who, what, where etc.

Although, I must stress that just because I'm a wedding planner doesn't mean that I sailed through the planning process, there was a very big negative that being a wedding planner, planning your own wedding brings that I was not at all prepared for....the expectations and pressure! I knew my wedding would be exactly how Paul and I wanted it but I had no idea what everyone else would expect when I regularly received the comment "oh your wedding will be amazing, you're a wedding planner" eeeekk!! A comment that would fill me with panic (I never usually panic about anything!) Luckily, to us, it was an amazing day, minus the weather (I can't plan that - as much as I would like to!)

To end my waffling, I would like to share with you all the fabulous suppliers I worked with along the way who each played an important part in making my own wedding so special. I hope that this list may help someone find their perfect supplier.....

BRIDAL ATTIRE

The Dress: Blue Bridal Wear at Eleganza Sposa
Veil: Manuel Mota for Pronovias at Eleganza Sposa
Underwear: Lejaby at Eleganza Sposa
Shoes: Belle at Perfect Bridal Rooms
Tiara: My mum's
Garter: Aye Do
Jewellery: Tiffany & Co

BRIDESMAIDS

Dresses: Alfred Angelo at Perfect Bridal Rooms
Shoes: Next (fab range)
Jewellery: John Lewis
Hair Comb: Accessorize

GROOM & MALE ATTENDANTS

Kilt Hire: McCalls

CEREMONY

Church: Dunnottar Church, Stonehaven

RECEPTION

Venue: Inglis Memorial Hall, Edzell
Caterer: Colliston Castle, Arbroath
Furniture: John Brown Cater Hire
Linen: 88 Events Company

ESSENTIALS

Photography: Life in Frame Photography
Videography: Mackenzie Wedding Films
Flowers: Lavender Blue Glasgow Ltd
Stationery: Me :)
Cake: Sucre Coeur Wedding Boutique
Cars: Dunedin Bridal Cars
Band: The Jiggers
Pianist: Dennis Douglas
Decor: RBWD (me)
Favours: Made by me (filling from Cadbury Gifts Direct - Cream Eggs)


LITTLE EXTRAS

Picture Frames: M&S
Guest Book & Pens: Oh So Cherished

I think that covers the majority. When I get the photos back from the photographers I promise to put some up and point out a few decor things and where to get them :)

Rebecca xx

Wedding Planner Turned Bride - THE dress!!

Finally I have found the one - my wedding dress! To all you brides who were lucky enough to find it in the first shop you went to you well done, I was not one of those brides....

The dress hunt started in February and after a total of 8 dfferent shops and trying on at least 60 different dresses and obviously loads of fun I was losing all hope that I would ever get the feeling that every other bride was telling me about, the feeling where you just know!

Well, yesterday morning at the beautiful Eleganza Sposa on Bath Street, Glasgow with my Mum, I finally found it. I had a good feeling as soon as I walked in (loved the gorgeous corner sofa in the waiting area and there was loads of natural light pouring in from the huge georgian windows). Michelle who served me was just lovely and spent time getting to know what I liked, a few minutes later I was whisked through to the changing area (another gorgeous room) where all the dresses I had described where hanging waiting. It was the first one she put me in and knew it was the one and my Mum's reaction confirmed I was right, I didn't want to take it off! After that no other dress compared - I had finally found it!

Unfortunately I can't give away too many details for obvious reasons but be sure to check back in July next year to see the pictures! :)

Happy hunting for your dress if you haven't found it yet, trust me you will!

Rebecca xx

Wedding Planner Turned Bride - Venue Hunt Over!

After compiling my own venue wish list at last Paul and I have found a venue that ticks all the boxes! With me being a wedding planner it was a very difficult decision as I wanted somewhere that I was able to decorate and set up myself, obviously I can't do this on the morning of the wedding so needed somewhere that I could have guaranteed access to the day before. With that we started looking at venues that we could hire for a few days, which instantly ruled out quite a few places. We then wanted somewhere that was local to us and that architecturally was beautiful before we even start decorating it and so we decided on...The Inglis Memorial Hall in the picturesque village of Edzell.



The main hall inside has the most beautiful stained glass windows, as does the smaller hall next to it.



It really is like it has been built for the sole purpose of weddings as the layout couldn't be more perfect. It also has lovely gardens where hopefully we will be able to sip champagne if the weather is nice enough.

Getting very excited!!!

Rebecca xx

Wedding Planner turned Bride: Engagement Party

Well I am thoroughly enjoying being engaged, I still keep staring goo goo eyed at my ring, I guess I'll get used to it.

Paul and I had an engagement party at the end of January, we wanted a relatively low key affair and so decided to have a champagne afternoon tea (my favourite) at our house, just for immediate family and close friends. Although we didn't opt for an extravagant party I still wanted it to be special and not just a standard house party so set about turning our dining room into a pretty tea room...



With all the horrible winter weather we've been having I thought it would be nice to bring some Spring into every one's lives hence the choice of white tulips, hyacinths and guelder roses which I got from my local florist, Flowers by Puppetden. I bought vases from Marks & Spencer and ribbon from Hobbycraft and created a few simple displays...



We had hired lime washed chivari chairs and 88 Events beautiful Natural collection linen with cream taffeta seat ties...



We served finger sandwiches and other savoury nibbles with champagne and tea and of course a selection of cakes and tray bakes including red velvet cupcakes, my Grandma's amazing meringues and my Mum's heavenly scones. Everyone loved it and I was so sad to have to take it all apart the day after.

Next post in the Wedding Planner turned Bride will be all about our venue hunt.

Rebecca xx

Wedding Planner turned Bride

Happy New Year to everyone, it has certainly been a hectic one over the last month and a half but lots of fun!

To those of you who don't know I have recently become engaged, Paul proposed at the wonderful Waldorf Astoria in New York while we were on holiday there at the beginning of December.

I am so excited and now begin the task of planning my own wedding, a daunting task given the expectations that have been placed apon me because of my job!

Anyway, I hope to keep you updated over the coming months on my progress in my new line of posts "Wedding Planner Turned Bride"

Rebecca xx