London Wedding - Liz and Catherine
Just because you're getting married in one of the World's most expensive cities, doesn't mean you need to shell out a fortune....Liz and Catherine's Wedding shows that it is possible to have a stylish London Wedding without breaking your budget
Liz and Catherine's springtime pink wedding took place in Chandos House in central London in April 2007. By asking their friends and family to get involved and securing "mates rates", they were able to cut the costs of their civil partnership considerably.
The Wedding Dresses
Liz saved hundreds of pounds on her stunning ivory bias-cut wedding gown by buying it in an end of season Bridal sale in September. New Wedding dress collections tend to come out in January, so unless you think your weight will fluctuate too much, buy it early – this also gives plenty of time for alterations and personal touches (like lowering the back or adding detail).
Catherine chose a beautiful yet untraditional aquamarine wedding dress. By wearing an evening dress rather than a "bridal" one, she was able to avoid the unspoken "wedding tax" that many wedding suppliers feel appropriate to slap on at the mention of the "W" word! White doesn't suit everyone, and by wearing blue, Cath was able to bring out the searing blue of her eyes.
The Bridal Look .jpg)
The brides were able to set off their outfits with beautiful earrings made by Liz's mum which had been especially designed to match their tiaras. Liz's mum also helped to cut wedding costs by making the invites and order of services.
The brides' friend Michael, who’s a professional hairdresser, kindly agreed to do their hair as a wedding present.
The wedding look savings were completed by off-the-peg bridesmaid dresses from House of Fraser for the children.
The Wedding Reception
The brides' friend Lucy loves to DJ and so she volunteered to take charge of the disco. The girls wisely asked their friend Russell who’s an electrician to negotiate a cheap deal on hiring lights and decks. By asking a friend who's an expert, the girls could ensure that they weren't being taken advantage of.
The Wedding Cake
Liz's Mum made the fabulous wedding cake - a move which in itself may have saved them 500-odd-pounds off the cost of a professionally-made one.
The Wedding Flowers
The florist was a family friend who put together their wedding flower arrangements at a cheaper rate on the basis that she could then use photos of their wedding in her porfolio. The girls then made their wedding flower budget go even further by mixing single stem gerbias with pretty tea lights and floating candles. With such a beautiful location, the girls could keep it simple and yet still create a stunning, stylish feel to their Wedding Day.
The Wedding Photographs
Finally, Savvy brides Liz and Catherine secured cheaper rates again by asking a family friend to take their Wedding photographs. They secured a discounted rate on their photographs on the basis that the photographer could then use Liz and Cath's civil partnership shots in his porfolio.
