Long time reader, First time poster - Wedding Forum

Thela · #1 (**permalink**) 22-09-2005, 12:33 PM

Hi All,

I originally came across this forum just before I ordered my engagement ring. I designed my own and then the jeweller only told my FH when it would be ready. We thought this way he could still have the task of planning a proposal without the worry of what to do about the ring.

Fastforward two months (present day) and now we are officially engaged. Happened last week, got home from work to find a bunch of flowers (this was quite hard for him to organise since we work for the same company), he took me out to a Chinese Restaurant cause I introduced him to more adventurous food and over the green tea he proposed

Then to finish the night off he had booked tickets to see Pride & Prejudice for one of the preview sittings. P&P is my fav book and I've been going on about seeing the film for ages, I had thought it strange that he wouldn't let me order tickets

Anyone got any recommendations for Hampshire suppliers for EVERYTHING... I just haven't a clue where to go.

rachelp · #2 (**permalink**) 22-09-2005, 02:22 PM

Hello

and welcome (officially) to Groovy.

Can't help with Hampshire suppliers but wanted to say hi. Your proposal sounds ideal to me!! Romantic with the perfect ring as well.

Ang · #3 (**permalink**) 22-09-2005, 02:47 PM

Hello

to Groovy

KM · #4 (**permalink**) 22-09-2005, 02:49 PM

to Groovy.

Congratulations on your engagement! Lovely proposal

Sorry I cant help with suppliers etc, but good luck and enjoy planning your wedding.

Speak soon, Karen x

Laurie · #5 (**permalink**) 22-09-2005, 03:25 PM

Thela,

Congratulations on your 'official' engagement

Whereabouts in Hampshire are you? I used to live in the New Forest/Southampton and there are loads of other Southern Groovers.

Festibride · #6 (**permalink**) 22-09-2005, 04:50 PM

Congrats and welcome to groovy!

He really thought the proposal through didn´t he? Sounds sweet! You set a date yet?

Thela · #7 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 04:50 AM

I live in Romsey, but I'm hoping to have my wedding in the New Forest. Spend most shopping weekends around Southampton and Winchester.

The proposal was great, so much more than I expected. I was just hoping for a lovely meal, but the flowers and P&P where an added bonus. I'm hoping to get the soundtrack to the film as I think it would be really nice to have some of the music playing at some point during our day.

Haven't set a date yet. We are thinking about Sept 2006 or April 2007. Really depends on how much we can save / need to save. April means we could definitely could do it, but both FH and I would really like it to be within a year of our engagement.

Festibride · #8 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 05:31 AM

I suppose it would depend on venue, church, etc and when they are free - hope the day go perfectly for you both

Copperhead · #9 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 05:37 AM

Laurie · #10 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 06:08 AM

Ooooh, I like Romsey, there's loads of lovely buildings and what-nots.

Are you hoping for a church or civil wedding? A church wedding is usually in your own parish which could narrow your reception venues down as you won't want to travel too far.

My friends are getting married at Elmers Court and having the whole kaboom there. My sis had her wedding reception at Beaulieu in the Domus and that was great. Other forest venues I've seen and loved are Rhinefield House (in Brock, but pricey), Montague Arms in Beaulieu or closer to you is the Bartley Lodge at Cadnam. (I've worked in two of those) Do Broadlands do private functions?

There's a great wedding hairdresser in Beaulieu High Street but I can't remember her name, she has a little shop by the tea-rooms though.

I used a florist based in Fawley because I worked for Esso and got a discount. Do you work for a big employer that may have arranged discounts locally?

My DJ last time was very good and he's only in Calmore, I still have his details somewhere I think.

I can recommend Brides of Southampton for dresses but there's also a fairly new one in Dibden Purlieu that has a sale on at the mo.

I did my own stationery getting most of my things from Hobbycraft over in So'ton. Wedding lists were with John Lewis and Debenhams.

Um... what have I missed??

Thela · #11 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 08:05 AM

Wow Laurie, That loads of info and tips. Thanks

We are planning on a civil wedding, so venue choices are wide open.

I'll have a look at the venues you've mentioned. Sadly the Bartley Lodge is out for me, since we have our work Xmas dos there.

I haven't checked my work discounts don't normally have any use for them, but I'll check them over in case there is anything useful.

We aren't going to have a DJ, thought it would be a good place to save money. Just going to create a playlist on iPods and burn it to CD or something. FH and I aren't great fans of dancing and haven't made a final decision on an evening reception anyway.

Local Photographer recommendations?

Laurie · #12 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 08:09 AM

Woodside Photography in Marchwood were very good, I used them as did my sister's best mate when she got married. It's a lovely husband and wife team and he does weddings for a hobby. I think he's under Photography in the Yellow Pages rather than Wedding Photography.

Laurie · #13 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 08:11 AM

Oh, and friends of mine got married at the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst recently too and that was nice.

When I last got married, we had it at the Fountain Court Hotel in Hythe as it was cheap and cheerful but still very nice.

Thela · #14 (**permalink**) 23-09-2005, 09:10 AM

Thanks again Laurie,

I'll look up the photographer and those venues too.

I will keep you all updated on our plans, I'm sure theres loads of stuff I'll need advice with that hasn't even entered by head yet

xx