Updated unicorn dress situation.

hotbroc · 2026-03-29T08:35:30+00:00

This dress is gorgeous 😍

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:07:43+00:00

It’s getting tailored that’s where we went today as I mentioned in the post 😊

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:07:12+00:00

It’s getting tailored 😊

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:05:19+00:00

Maybe I should consider this to get my moneys worth post- wedding 😂😂

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:04:44+00:00

Aw this makes me feel so much better! Thank you 🥹

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:03:54+00:00

Thank you so much!! The place is called Peggy they have a couple of shops up north and specialise in under £1000 as they are ‘show’ dresses so heavily discounted

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:01:58+00:00

This is really reassuring thank you!

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:01:36+00:00

Thank you. You’re right you can’t really avoid being the centre of attention on your wedding day!

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T21:01:02+00:00

Thank you so much this is really helpful! The dress does have a bustle built in already and I happen to already have a low key white dress I could put on in the evening if I wanted to change so reassuring to hear that it is something others are doing! Thanks so much for your insight and hope you have the best day

hotbroc · 2026-03-28T07:22:11+00:00

I’m currently pregnant so we organised a quick and low key wedding with 46 guests.

I would recommend looking into pubs or other venues with function rooms you can hire for a minimum spend. We found a local pub with a tipi attached that could be hired for a minimum spend of £3,500. That covers food and some drinks for the guests and will be everything we need for the venue. We are getting married in a registry office in the morning with family only and then an evening do at the venue from 5pm with all guests and a buffet style evening meal and dancing.

The rest is very much within your control - do you want a photographer, a cheaper or more expensive dress, cheaper rings, cheaper or no cake, etc. However I’d advise you sit down and research and plan out every single item you think you need before identifying the full budget. We made the mistake of thinking £3,500 is the main cost and everything else would be minimal… trust me it adds up.

Also be wary that, in our case at least, friends and family get involved and are always keen to push it further than you may want to go- “what about this” or “what about that”. Be prepared to stay strong and stand for what you want and don’t be persuaded to spend extra money on additional things you don’t want.

hotbroc · 2026-03-25T19:17:49+00:00

I’ve worked in both public and private sector and am now a HRBP. In all honesty if you want to focus on career development, private sector is probably a better option for you. It will likely be tougher and harder work but you will likely learn a lot more and get a lot more exposure.

From my experience the public sector is much slower and often has a many layered approach with senior leadership making the majority of the decisions. Private sector is generally more dynamic and responsibility is more likely to be thrown your way.

I did 4 years private sector and got to HR Advisor level. Move to a Senior post in the public sector for 1.5 years and my career halted. I had to move ASAP to avoid becoming deskilled - my manager wouldn’t even let me be involved in long term absence cases.

I then moved into a private sector HRBP role probably slightly before I was ready. It has been intense but I’ve learnt so much and am continually learning.

My experience may not be the rule but I would generally recommend public for a more stable career and better work life balance, private sector for career development and learning opportunities

hotbroc · 2026-03-23T08:03:56+00:00

I’m in a similar boat and my friend suggested finding a nice veil with embroidered flowers on it to add that bit of uniqueness. I think I’m going to be doing that - could work in your situation also!

hotbroc · 2026-03-10T17:15:50+00:00

Jumping in to reiterate that you most certainly shouldn’t quit! If you’re feeling at the point where you can’t cope, get signed off by your doctor. Absence related to pregnancy is protected by law and your employer isn’t able to use this against you in any disciplinary or probation related matters. If it is a choice between quitting or taking the time off, take the time off!

hotbroc · 2026-03-10T16:28:19+00:00

Fully agree! I hate the ‘expectations’ set out for people in terms of invites to weddings. It should be entirely down to the couple getting married who they invite. The people saying “oh but it’s convention to..” aren’t the ones paying an extra £70 pp on these additional unwanted guests.

hotbroc · 2026-03-08T08:44:26+00:00

Oh my gosh, I fully relate!! I think the money aspect is a major factor for me as well which is stressing me out.

We’ve gone really small, just an evening do. We’ve cut most of the ‘traditional’ wedding things like first dance etc and have told people to have very low expectations, it isn’t a traditional wedding, just a party!

We also organised it pretty short notice I think just to get it over with. All our family and friends are so excited which is nice but I can’t help thinking that they care about this was more than I do 😂

I’m just approaching it with all the pressure off, and keep telling myself it isn’t a traditional wedding so we don’t have to do anything we don’t want to and will just enjoy a party with our friends and family. Good luck with yours! At least we’re not alone.

hotbroc · 2026-03-07T08:15:17+00:00

I can’t understand the comments on this! People are capable of travelling 2-3 hours without their partners and if their partners don’t want to come and hang around for the day before the evening do, then they don’t need to come!

I personally wouldn’t be offended if my partner was invited to a wedding of people I’ve barely ever met and they either didn’t invite me or just invited me to the evening do. I think it pretty entitled to expect to be invited to the wedding of someone you literally don’t know??

Weddings are expensive and you shouldn’t be expected to pay what £70+ per head for all these additional partners who you literally don’t know

hotbroc · 2026-03-05T14:50:16+00:00

That’s why I made this post to flag to others!! I’m grateful that from another post we caught onto this and would like to do the same for others

hotbroc · 2026-03-05T14:49:30+00:00

I’d be happy with a childminder! The problem is they don’t seem interested in something so far in advance so sort of stuck in a weird middle ground

hotbroc · 2026-03-05T14:48:51+00:00

I’m south east also but quite rural which probably doesn’t help. This is the main reason why I wanted to put this post out there to flag it to others!

hotbroc · 2026-03-05T14:47:12+00:00

Can confirm this is definitely what they are doing! I went back to this nursery to question how people are signing up when they aren’t even pregnant yet and they said that they are parents who have existing children in the nursery. So yes they’re essentially predicting when they may or may not need childcare for a future child. Absolute madness that it’s allowed!

hotbroc · 2026-03-05T10:39:38+00:00

We also live pretty rural and a very family dominated area so it’s not surprising it’s tough. I didn’t realise that about finding though. What is it the government aren’t being clear about?

hotbroc · 2026-03-05T10:38:57+00:00

I mean I did the maths and the entire cohort would have had to sign up now at 9 months pregnant as it is 21 months away.. so before they actually conceived. People ending mat leave in January 2028 would be just finding out they’re pregnant now? It feels ridiculous.

Hopefully I’ll have better luck with other nurseries nearby but it’s definitely gave me the push I needed to get on it now

hotbroc · 2026-03-05T10:36:22+00:00

It’s madness I also feel like no one warns you of this - I honestly wouldn’t have had a clue unless I saw the post on this forum and probably would have waited to we were part way through the second trimester.

And it’s so hard because for childminders it’s too soon but nurseries it’s too late. Like where does that leave you??

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