10 Weeks and Counting: The Wedding Countdown

My goodness, how are we now ten weeks out from the wedding? I’m now officially excited and nervous and not quite sure how I’m not racing around and panicking. I like to think it’s because I have experience of creating fashion collections in less time, but maybe I’m deluding myself?

If you’re new around here, the wedding is on 28th August in the UK, which means when this post goes live we are ten weeks from the big day. I currently live in the Netherlands, and am doing all of the planning and creating from here. Wish me luck!

So, let’s start with a look at what needs to happen between now and then?

The Outfits

I am making quite a few outfits for the wedding. I did note them all in my post about the ‘biggest sewing project of my life‘ but let me take you through in a little more detail.

The Bride’s Outfits

Starting with me, the bride. I plan to have a separates situation of a corset and two skirts. One for the ceremony and meal, the second for the party. I don’t think I can handle full length for the full day, and this is my way of accommodating my needs while still looking and feeling ‘the part’.

The second reason for going the separates route is so that I can reuse the pieces that I do make. The skirts can easily be used again or remade into something new, depending on the fabric I use, while the corset can be adapted to look less bridal. Maybe.

Where I’m At: At this point I have made two corset toiles in calico, have the coutil, spiral steel boning and busk, grosgrain ribbon and lining for the final corset, and have found a perfect silk for the skirt and embellished lace for the corset overlay. The problem I have – there is only 1.8m of the silk that I love. It was deadstock fabric.

The lace is stunning and I’m waiting to see if I have enough – it’s been ordered from a UK company and D will be brining it back from the UK when he heads this way next week.

I’ve also ordered a non-silk fabric in a matching colour for the evening skirt. I have a vision in my head, but I’m not sure I have the supplies for it yet.

Still To Do: There are still plenty of things to do for this so I’ll be creating a list for each of these sections!

Finalise my corset design as a sketch when the lace arrives.
Decide the design of the ceremony skirt using the silk.
Finalise the design of the evening skirt using the second fabric option.

If you want, read this to see what the original corset toile was like.

Bridesmaid & Maid of Honour Dresses

I have two bridesmaids (Sarah and Sophie) and my maid of honour Clio – the latter lives in the US – and I am making all three dresses, using the Magnolia pattern from Deer & Doe.

Where I’m At: I have traced the pattern for the bridesmaids dresses, sewn and then fitted toiles for them both during a visit to the UK last week, and gathered together fabric samples from a. variety of sources into my design sketchbook.

Still To Do:

Make the necessary pattern adjustments from the two bridesmaid fittings to each pattern
Trace off the pattern for my MOH when her measurements come through
Research fabric options that work for budget and dress style
Order fabric
Order additional items: 3x zippers, elastic, bias tape?
Prewash the fabric?
Sew Sophie dress
Sew Sarah dress
Sew Clio dress

Groom & Best Man Waistcoats

This wasn’t the original plan, but David (groom) couldn’t find a waistcoat that went with the suit he bought for the wedding, and the one he did see at the fancy bespoke suit shop was hundreds. In the end I said I could make him one, which naturally then extended to the best man too.

Where I’m At: I have drafted a pattern for David’s waistcoat, researched fabrics and received samples, have the lining fabric in hand, and am now awaiting the final exterior fashion fabric arriving from the UK.

Still To Do:

Cut the waistcoat in calico and sew the toile to test the fit.
Make any changes needed.
Chase measurements for best man.
Grade the drafted pattern up or down for best man.
Source buttons and back sliders for the waistcoats.
Prewash and iron the lining fabric (I won’t be pre-washing the outer as it is dry clean only).
Cut and sew David waistcoat.
Cut and sew James waistcoat.

The Ties

As well as the waistcoats, I will be making ties for the men, assuming we have enough fabric and time after the bridesmaid and maid of honour dresses are completed.

We need five ties (3x ushers, 2x dads) and two cravats, one each for the groom and best man.

Where I’m At: I have created a pattern using an old vintage tie of my dad’s, and located a cravat tie that can be used.

Still To Do:

Source the fabric – I’ll likely be using the same as the bridesmaids dresses unless I go with linen.
Stock up on interfacing for five ties.
Sew five ties.
Sew two cravats.

Usher Outfits

We have three ushers, two of David’s nephews and one of mine.

Where I’m At: Two of the three ushers have suits in hand.

Still To Do: I need to organise the third usher (my 16 year old nephew) with a suit. All three of their ties were listed above.

The People Styling

I haven’t thought much about the styling other than working on getting my hair in order for the big day. I’ve been very relaxed about what the bridesmaids and maid of honour want as my main concern is everyone feeling comfortable and at ease on the day.

Where I’m At: I’ve had my hair cut and coloured once (in late March) to help me look a bit more put together for the big day, and I’ve researched flower options for bouquets and booked in a florist.

Still To Do:

Continue appointments with stylist for cut and colour.
Decide how I want my hair to be styled on the day and whether it’s DIY-able: up, down or half and half?
Chat with Clio, Sarah and Sophie on how they want their hair styled.
Decide on my final ‘make up’ look – and whether I can do it myself.
And again, the same for the girls’ makeup.
Find suitable shoes for me – I’m a size 9.5UK which makes things tricky – and Sophie, who hasn’t worn anything other than trainers and school shoes.
Find cravat rings for the groom and best man.
Finalise flowers needs with florist: 7 buttonholes, 1 bride bouquet, 3x bouquet or wrists for Clio, Sarah and Sophie.

The Wedding Ceremony

As we’re getting married in the UK as non-resident Brits, we have to do some additional things to get married in a church there.

Where I’m At: Had extensive meeting with the Rev. about the ceremony, applied for the special license, decided on the hymns, entrance / exit music and the readers.

Still To Do:

Decide flowers for the church.
Confirm date and time for the rehearsal.
Create an order of service?
Get the order of service printed?
Update the wedding website with current parking information.

The Reception & Decor

Where I’m At: Had the six month meeting with the venue in April, have done the menu tasting and almost confirmed final headcount. I’ve also been gathering decor elements for the tables and the cakes have been made too – they’re traditional fruit cakes and my dad is feeding them each week to preserve them.

Still To Do:

Confirm the final daytime guest numbers.
Update the daytime menu options with guest dietary notes.
Discuss the daytime table options with venue: U or rounds?
Design & print the wedding menu cards
Finalise the evening menu with venue.
Create the seating plan.
Create the place names.
Create table numbers: frames? Numbered glass vases?
Decide table decorations: twinkle lights? gorgeous bottles with ribbon trim? dried flower posies in glass jars?
Create the welcome sign.
Finalise the table decorations set up: photo to the venue and drop off the decor.
Decide the music with music company.
Create the wedding moments book?
Marzipan and ice the cakes.

The Other Bits

Where I’m At:

Rooms have been booked for best man and maid of honour at the venue the evening of the wedding.
Transport has been booked for me to get to the UK.
Wedding website created with all the information for guests.

Still To Do:

David to book his transport to the UK.
Locate and decide on a photographer for the ceremony.
Rings.
A locket: a gift from my MIL to be, and intended so I can have a photo of my Ma with me on my special day.
Accommodation for night before wedding?
Finalise church costs and pay.
Transport to the church.
Transport to the reception venue.

Oh my goodness. I think that is everything on my current ‘to do’ list, but it’s quite possible I have forgotten or missed something, as this is my first time planning a wedding. So please do share what I may’ve missed in the comments!

And I’ll be following up each week with a reduced list – and probably more granular as the big day gets closer – of what still needs to be done, what I may have added or removed, the reasons why and how the stress levels are feeling!

Have a wonderful weekend!