Dove give-away

Last week we were pretty excited to get an email from Dove asking whether they could team up with us to do a give-away to our blog readers. Not wanting to turn down a chance to give free good things out to all of you, we said yes - and hopefully one of our faithful readers will be benefiting from it it in a week's time!

Here's what we (and Dove) want to offer you (and any friends you tell - you get points for sharing!): a year's supply (2 each) of the Dove Anti-perspirant roll-on, the Original Anti-perspirant, the Dove Original Anti-perspirant compressed and the Dove Original Anti-perspirant stick. They’re also throwing in a luxury towel set! Whether you're a bride or a well-dressed wedding guest, this give-away should keep you feeling your best.

Dove says that their deodorants will transform irritated an damaged underarm skin into beautiful underarms in just seven days. That's a pretty steep promise, but if this editor's past experience is anything to go by, their products deliver - which is the only way we'd be comfortable offering this competition to you.

Use the box below to enter to win. The competition closes next Thursday at midnight, so make sure you get your entries in by then! We'll announce the winner on the blog next Friday.

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And the winner is...

We hope you have enjoyed our recent series on how to plan a wedding without breaking the bank! Over the past several weeks we've heard from three different brides who planned gorgeous and fun weddings without having the world to spend. Hopefully their stories have inspired you believe that with a little creativity, nothing - even a budget - can stand between you and the special day you want!

If you haven't caught up this series, here are links to each part:
Teacups & Bunting: Ruth's Story (Part 1)
An English Summer Wedding: Sarah's Story (Part 2)
Top Trumps & Candy Jars: Anneka's Story (Part 3)

To accompany our frugal theme, we've also been running a giveaway of 'A Priceless Wedding' as part of our series. We are happy to announce that after 31 total entries, our winner is Gianina B! If you entered but didn't win, don't give up! Watch this space - we never miss a chance for a giveaway.

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Planning a Wedding Without Breaking the Bank (Part 3) - Anneka's Story

Today we wrap up our series with Anneka’s story. Anneka and Tom got married only last month and it just so happens that it was photographed by none other than Yours Truly (me!).

Having spoken with Tom and Anneka I knew that they didn’t have the world to spend on their wedding, so I was interested to see how they went about planning. On their wedding day I was so floored by how gorgeous, well-planned and all-around FUN the day was that I couldn’t help but ask a few nosey questions to find out how they did it. While I was inspired by many weddings and many brides, it was actually Anneka’s wedding that really sparked this series!

Also, there are only three days left to enter to win your copy of ‘A Priceless Wedding’! Scroll to the bottom of Anneka’s story to enter.

(Click here for Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.)

Top Trumps & Candy Jars: Anneka’s Story

© Kate Hacker Photography

1.       Tell us a little bit about you, your wedding, and your wedding budget:

My name is Anneka and I got married to Tom in February of this year. We had just 4 1/2 months to organise our wedding. I work in a school so we had to plan around school holidays in order to have a honeymoon after. It was definitely a very busy few months. It helped that I worked part time and was able to do a lot in my spare time. Our budget was £7,500. 

2.       What elements of a wedding took top priority for you in your planning?

We were both flexible about how we wanting things to be. Neither of us had specific ideas and this made decisions easier. The one thing that was very important to us was that the day would be laid back and enjoyable for everyone.

3.       What was your experience of working on a budget, and what would you tell a bride who is worried that she needs to go into debt (or wait 10 years) to afford the wedding she wants?

It was very useful to have a budget and keep track of what we were spending. Before we wrote our budget we asked some friends about theirs. We didn't keep to it strictly but in the end we found that we were only £250 over. We asked friends and family to help us. We saved money by making lots of things, such as the invitations, orders of service and table decorations, and also we arranged the flowers ourselves.

© Kate Hacker Photography

4.       What did you end up spending the least amount of money on? Why did you spend less on this, and how did you manage to keep the cost down?

We tried to keep things simple. Instead of individual favours we had Top Trumps games and jars of sweets, which we had decorated, on each table. We also saved money by the men wearing their own suits but we hired matching shirts, waistcoats and cravats.

© Kate Hacker Photography

5.       What did you end up spending the most on, and why? What made this particular thing a spending priority for you?

We spent the most on providing food and drink for our guests - about £2,500. We wanted to celebrate with lots of our family and friends, so with nearly 200 guests we couldn't avoid this. We bought the drink ourselves when the supermarkets had offers on. We also decided to hire crockery that could be sent back dirty which cost more.

6.       What would you give as your top ‘insider tip’ for throwing a wedding without millions of pounds to spare?

Organising a wedding on a budget doesn't mean that you can't make it what you want. Decide what is important to you and be willing to compromise on some things. You can save lots by asking others to help you.

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Share your top tip for planning a wedding on a budget in the comments section below for a chance to win our giveaway of 'A Priceless Wedding'

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Planning a Wedding Without Breaking the Bank (Part 2) - Sarah's Story

After a week-long break we return with our second instalment of ‘How to Plan a Wedding Without Breaking the Bank’! This week we’re featuring a story from Sarah, who got married two years ago in her parents’ back garden. Read on to hear how she and her fiancé pulled off a lovely outdoor wedding on a budget.

(Also - don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post for a chance to enter our amazing giveaway of 'A Priceless Wedding' - your one-stop-shop for ideas on planning a beautiful, memorable day.)

An English Summer Wedding: Sarah’s story

Photo Credit: Sarah O'Driscoll

1.       Tell us a little bit about you, your wedding, and your wedding budget:

My name is Sarah and I got married on August 7th 2010 in my hometown of Chichester in West Sussex. We had a fun, country style summer wedding (with only a small amount of rain!).  My husband James proposed to me in December 2009 and we planned our wedding in 8 months. One of the challenges of planning our wedding was that we have a lovely large family and wanted everyone to be included. After discussing with both sets of parents we agreed a joint budget that fell within the £5,000-£10,000 range.

2.       What elements of a wedding took top priority for you in your planning?

It was really important to us to have as many of our family and friends to celebrate the day with us as we could. We drew up our ideal guest list and it came to around 250 people! We were able to do this because we realised we could fit a marquee just large enough in my parents back garden. It was also really special that it was at home and everyone could be involved in the planning and preparation of the day. Another thing that was high on my priority list was having pretty flowers - I just love flowers!

3.       What was your experience of working on a budget, and what would you tell a bride who is worried that she needs to go into debt (or wait 10 years) to afford the wedding she wants?

Working on a budget can be a challenge. For us we had to look at all the elements we wanted and decide where we could and where we wanted to cut the costs and where we couldn't. Everyone will have their own expectations or hopes for their wedding day. If you don't want your budget to delay you getting married or push you into debt we found that there are many different ways to celebrate a wedding and have a great party. One of the most important things is to be realistic about what you can afford, think creatively, and enjoy it - it can end up being a lot of fun planning a wedding on a budget.

4.       What did you end up spending the least amount of money on? Why did you spend less on this, and how did you manage to keep the cost down?

One of the things we spent the least on proportionally for the wedding was the food and the flowers. We are so blessed in knowing many talented people who were able to help us out and make this possible.  For the food, we went for a local farmer who did free range hog roasts. He came and cooked the meat which cost around £600 for two hogs. Some of our lovely friends self-catered the rest of the food, simple salmon starters and Pimms; salads and accompanying dishes for the meat; and home-made brownies and strawberries from a local farm for pudding.

We spent around £200 for all the flowers by going to the local wholesaler and ordering them in advance. Our friends helped with the church flowers and decoration and my Mum and Grandma then put the bridal bouquets and button holes together the day before the wedding. I loved my bouquet as it was made of sweet peas which my mum had grown in her garden - they smelt so lovely!

5.       What did you end up spending the most on, and why? What made this particular thing a spending priority for you?

I think we ended up spending the most money on the marquee and all that was included (tables, plastic chairs, cutlery, and posh porta-loos – we used one called the ‘Royal Flush’!). 

We spent the most on this partly because of our guest numbers, but having this venue and the marquee allowed us to be much more flexible and save money in many other areas which other venues may not have allowed.

6.       What would you give as your top ‘insider tip’ for throwing a wedding without millions of pounds to spare?

I think my top tip for throwing a wedding on a budget would be to be creative, enjoy planning and ‘think DIY’.

Photo Credit: Sarah O'Driscoll

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Planning a Wedding (without) Breaking the Bank (Part 1) – Ruth’s story

We are excited to introduce a new blog series here at West Weddings. Over the next three weeks we’ll be sharing the stories of real brides who planned gorgeous weddings – on a budget.

Yes, we know. The word 'budget' is oh-so-taboo in the world of weddings, but the reality is that brides are beginning to realise that they don't have to break the bank to have a beautiful, personalised wedding that they love! 

We want these stories to provide inspiration - whether you have a sizeable savings for your wedding, or you’re a bride despairing over what seems like an impossibly small budget.

Before we jump into Ruth’s story, we also want to introduce a GIVEAWAY! In keeping with our theme, we will be giving away a copy of ‘A Priceless Wedding’ – a must-have wedding planning guide by popular blogger Sara Cotner. This book covers all the must-haves when planning a wedding, from ceremony to reception and everything in between. Sara will guide you through planning your wedding day while making it meaningful, memorable and affordable. Scroll to the end of Ruth’s story to enter yourself in the giveaway drawing.

Win a pair of tickets to the National Wedding Show!

Don't say we don't treat you well here at West Weddings. If you're planning your wedding at the moment then you're in the right place, as we have a pair of tickets to give away to the National Wedding Show, the UK’s largest wedding event.

Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional fairytale wedding, seeking more of a cutting edge and contemporary affair, or even planning a destination wedding, The National Wedding Show is the ultimate shopping destination. With over 250 wedding experts offering everything from stunning wedding gowns to show stopping flowers, charming photography to bespoke accessories and delicious cakes to dream honeymoons, you are sure to find everything you need to plan your big day. 

The spectacular Catwalk Show showcases the latest trends from the hottest designers, boutiques and high street brands including Suzanne Neville; Ian Stuart; Jenny Packham; Lusan Mandongus; Jesus Peiro; Justin Alexander, Ronald Joyce; Berketex Brides;  Butterfly Vintage Brides; My Eden & Debenhams, to name but a few. As well as bridalwear, the catwalk also features the latest bridesmaid dresses, grooms wear, flower girl, page boy and mother of the bride outfit’s, making it a must–see experience for the entire wedding party.

Cannes dress by Amy Hamilton

Once you have chosen your dream dress on the catwalk, head to the Boutique Area, Designer Area or Bridal Zone to try it on. Featuring the UK’s largest collection of wedding gowns under one roof, there is something to suit every style, shape and budget.

The show’s exciting live features are a must see for all, offering advice from a host of industry experts. Make sure to attend our live Inspiration Sessions for top tips on hair, beauty and style, as well as practical advice to help you get the most out of your day.

Where better to round off an exciting day than in The Champagne Bar? With a glass of bubbly in hand, you can kick back, relax and raise a toast to your future happiness.

West Weddings has teamed up with The National Wedding Show to offer one lucky reader and their ‘plus one’ the chance to attend the year’s most prestigious wedding event, absolutely free! There are two events in 2013, London Olympia on 22nd - 24th February and Birmingham NEC on 1st - 3rd March. To be in with a chance of winning these fabulous tickets, email westweddings@venue.co.uk your name, address and which venue you wish and if you are picked you will receive a FREE pair of tickets.

But there's more! Even if you don't win our competition, there's still a chance to get discounted tickets for the show. West Weddings is offering readers a special offer of 2 tickets for £25. All you need to do is enter the code 'Westwed' when you book, either online at www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 581 1404. Happy planning!

The small print:

Competition: Entries close on Monday 17th December at 5pm and the winner will be notified by Friday 21st December. Tickets are valid on Friday or Sunday only and are limited to one pair per winner.

Ticket offer: the offer is only valid on purchases of 2 tickets and will expire on 25th December 2012. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or promotion. No refunds will be offered on tickets already purchased.

Win your dream wedding...

 

Win your dream wedding and honeymoon while raising money for a fantastic cause as well!

Wedding planner Snapdragon Weddings is offering one lucky couple a wedding at Bailbrook House in Bath on the 17th of June 2012, with a value of over £20,000.  All you need to do is buy a £5 ticket for their charity raffle. All proceeds will pay for equipment at the new Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit for premature babies at Bath Royal United Hospital. Top wedding suppliers from the area have kindly donated their products and services for free.

West Weddings giveaway! Win a pair of stylish Rollasoles

Ever been on one of those nights out when your heels, no matter how good they look, start to become unbearably painful? You used to have two options: struggle home with chafing feet or risk going barefoot. But with the arrival on the scene of Rollasoles those days are long gone!

 

Bristol-based Rollasole provides funky flats that roll up into a small ball. Put them into your bag or pocket at the start of the night, and then as soon as the heels start to grate, slip on the Rollasoles instead!

When it comes to weddings, Rollasoles are a complete lifesaver. After all the Champagne, dancing, photographs and general merriment, change into a pair of Rollasoles to make sure your heels don’t cramp your style. Rollasoles would also make a fabulous gift for your bridesmaids – buy them all a pair to make sure they can keep on partying alongside you! And with celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Hayden Panettiere snapped wearing theirs, you'll be in good company!

Rollasoles are available in a range of colours including gold, silver and the newest addition, leopard print, meaning you can match them to your outfit. Each pair comes with a free bag that you can roll up around the Rollasoles when you’re not using them. You can also use it to put your heels in when you change.

So, where do I get these wondrous shoes I hear you cry? As well as being sold online at www.rollasole.com, Miss Selfridge is also pleased to announce it has become an exclusive stockist, both in store and online at www.missselfridge.com.

Now here at West Weddings we like to treat you well, and today is no exception. We have a pair of gold Rollasoles to give away to one lucky reader. They are in medium size which fits feet sized 5-6.

In order to enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below by midday Friday 26th August, saying hello and why you read the West Weddings blog. The winner will be picked at random from these entries. (Sorry, UK entries only.) Good luck!