Choosing your Wedding Makeup Artist – 8 Questions to Ask

Booking your wedding makeup artist is a very similar process to choosing your wedding hairstylist. Check out our guide on booking your wedding hairstylist to find out how to determine the style you want to go for, find vendors who cater to that style and finally screen them to find the perfect stylist/makeup artist.

In this guide, we are going to outline the key questions that you should be asking potential makeup artists. This is the only part which differs slightly from booking a hairstylist:

1. Do you specialise in wedding makeup?

Make sure you go for a makeup artist who has worked on weddings before. A fashion makeup artist has different expertise and may not be as familiar with wedding make up.

2. Can you do bridesmaids/mother-of-bride makeup also?

If you have other guests from your wedding party getting ready with you on the morning of your wedding, ask if the makeup artist can do their makeup too?

3. Do you offer wedding hairstyling?

Many makeup artists also do wedding hair. You may not want to use the same person for both however as this can increase the time it takes to get ready. If you have bridesmaids getting ready with you too, 1 person doing both hair and makeup could be a challenge.

4. Do you work on location?

Before booking your wedding makeup artist or hairstylist, you need to decide where you will be getting ready on the morning of your wedding. This could be at home, at a hotel or at the wedding venue. Most makeup artists will be willing to travel to you on your wedding day(although some may not). Having your makeup done in the same place you are getting ready is much easier and less stressful as you don’t need to consider travel arrangements. Check if they charge travel costs as you may not have accounted for them. If you are getting ready at home, ask the makeup artist if they require a certain amount of space for their equipment so you can prepare for this in advance.

5. Do you offer a makeup trial?

This is a deal breaker. You need to get a makeup trial prior to your wedding. The great thing about the trial is that you can feedback areas of the makeup that you don’t like to the makeup artist to allow them to amend this on the wedding day.

6. How would you like me to prepare for the make-up trial?

Ask if they have any specific requirements of you for the makeup trial? They may want you to leave your hair un-styled or ask you to bring some accessories that you will be wearing on the wedding day.

7. What makeup brands do you use?

Do some research on the brands they use and make sure they are not going to irritate your skin on the day of your wedding!

This is especially important if you have sensitive skin. Ask them how they have dealt with previous clients who had sensitive skin.

8. What if you are unwell on the wedding day?

It’s a horrible question but what happens if they can’t make it on the day of your wedding? Check if they have a backup option. You don’t want to end up with no makeup artist on your wedding day.

Jimmy Choo – Author Bio

Jimmy Choo is a fashion house that specialises in luxurious shoes, accessories, handbags and fragrances.

Jimmy Choo are very well known in the fashion industry, and are regarded as experts in luxury shoes and shoe designs.

Jimmy Choo has achieved many awards for the products including the:

British Fashion Council Awards Designer Brand category in 2008
Accessories Council Brand of the Year award in 2008
Footwear News Brand of the Year award
Nordstrom Partners in Excellence award in 2009

Given their expertise in the fashion industry, Jimmy Choo wrote the ‘Jimmy Choo’s Guide to the Wonderful World of Wedding Shoes‘ on Bridebook, providing their expertise and advice on wedding shoes.

View Jimmy Choo’s full Bridebook profile.

Choosing Your Wedding Hairstylist – Questions to Ask

Wedding Hairstylist

One of the more personal vendor bookings you are likely to make. Your wedding hairstylist is one of the first people you will see on your wedding day, they will be up-close-and-personal and they are ultimately in charge of making your hair look good. That’s a big responsibility. This hair-do will last forever in photographs so they need to get it right.

We have set out the steps to take to make sure you choose the right person and the questions to ask to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Finding the right style

We’ve said it many times, but there is just no beating our Pinterest wedding planning technique. If you’re not on Pinterest, I suggest you make an account for your wedding as it can really help an immeasurable amount. Set it up now, thank me later. Once you’re in, you know what to do.

Search “[your hair length e.g. short/long][your theme] hairstyles”
Pin like crazy
Refine
You should now have your style

While you’re at it, might as well follow us at the same time(we’re nice, we’ll follow back)

Once you have your style, this should help you filter out hairstylists in the next step.

Finding a good stylist

Time to move onto Google. I don’t need to teach you how to use Google so do some searches for wedding hairstylists in your local area and start browsing the various sites(another good option is looking through wedding directories).

Filter out the “suitable” from the “unsuitable” by the following criteria:

Check their gallery. Do you like the hairstyles of their previous clients?
Is the price suitable for your budget?

After doing this for 20-30 mins, you should have a decent list to choose from. Time to email!

Send the following email

“Hi there,

I am contacting you to enquire whether you have any availability on the date of [your wedding date] to provide hair styling for my wedding day?

If you are available, I would love to discuss it further.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards”

And wait………………..

…….keeeeep waiting……..

Questions to ask

Leave it a couple of days. Once you have a few replies, you can follow up with some questions. Here are a few we suggest:

What would the cost be for [outline the service you require]?
Do you offer a trial-run before the wedding? If so, should I bring my veil and accessories?
Have you worked with my hair-type before?*There are many hair-types in the world. Make sure the stylist has worked on yours before.
Do you work on location?*only ask this if you don’t want to go the salon on the day of your wedding.
If you are ill on the day of my wedding, do you have a backup option?

It’s worth noting that some hairstylists also do makeup. It’s up to you if you want 1 person to do both(this can cut costs but can be more time consuming). It’s a good idea to ask your hairstylist if they know a good wedding make-up artist who they have worked with before.

Once you have decided on your Hairstylist, it’s time to get creative with them. Remember that Pinterest board we made???? Send them the link to give them a solid idea of what you are looking for. You could spend a long time trying to describe it over the phone or in an email. A picture is much easier to grasp for any stylist.

You’ve done it! The hard part is over, next you just need to look forward to your hair and makeup trial

If you need more guidance, the Knot have put together a great little guide on how to work with your Hairstylist which is definitely worth a quick read.

Next, you will be choosing your wedding makeup artist

Wedding Dress Shoes – Finding the Perfect Match

Wedding Dress Shoes

Ah the shoes! The delight and disgruntlement of many brides. With thousands of pairs to choose from, it seems almost impossible to find the perfect shoe that:

Matches your dress
Compliments your height
Is comfortable for an entire day
Allows a slow dance

Here is our guide to finding the perfect shoes to match your dress, your theme and your personality

1. Comfort is key

First things first. Before you go wild looking at sky-high heels, remember that you will be wearing them for a looooong time on your wedding day. You don’t want to spend your day thinking about your feet as they start to get sore so make sure you pick something that is comfortable enough to wear all day long. Think about it, you pretty much don’t get to sit down until you are having your meal. Comfy is key.

2. Can you walk in them?

High heels coupled with a long dress are not an easy catwalk combination. During your dress fitting, take your (potential) shoes and make sure you can walk easily while you have your dress on.

3. The shoes that give you the “feeling”

As important as comfort and strut logistics are…….the shoes must must MUST give you the “feeling”. You know what I’m talking about….it’s that feeling of elegance, grace and sheer #BrideBoss confidence.

If they don’t give you the “feeling”, just put them in the bin…..go, bin them now. No, don’t even try to sell them or keep them for another occasion. Bin them and keep looking. You deserve the “feeling”.

If you are struggling for inspiration, check out BHLDN who offer some unique styles.

4. Match the theme

Hopefully your dress compliments the theme. Matching your shoes to the dress should therefore, by default, also make them match the theme. You will still need to consider their appropriateness to the events in your wedding day however. Will you be spending a lot of time on grass? Heels could pose a problem here. Think style and surface.

5. What came first? The dress or the shoes?

You need to choose a dress before you can choose the shoes but you need to wear the shoes to the dress fitting in order to get the length of the dress measured(unless you’re wearing flats). So how do you manage this? Use your first visit to dress shops to find a dress you love. Once your settled on the dress, go hard on the shoe hunt. When you find a pair you are happy with, purchase them as soon as you can to make sure you have them for the first dress fitting.

6. Match your whites

White is not white. If both your dress and shoes are white, you will need to try to match the shade as closely as you can. There are many shades of white. They make look dazzlingly white on the shelf, but if your dress is a brilliant white, a slightly off-white pair of shoes will suddenly look dull by comparison.

7. Dancing shoes?

Are these the shoes you’re going to be dancing in? This is worth considering early as a high pair of shoes will suddenly render you un-danceable for anything more than a static-sway on your wedding night. Many brides choose to swap into a pair of flats for dancing which is a good idea if you’re planning on owning the dance floor. Just remember, that’s another pair of shoes you’ve got to find(don’t worry, flats are normally easier).

Finding the perfect match is no easy task but these tips should help you filter out the unsuitable from the show-stoppers. Remember to save yourself some blisters on your wedding day by starting to wear the shoes in a few weeks before the wedding.

For People on the Verge of “Wedding Planning Meltdown”

Wedding Planning Meltdown

I get it. Some people love every part of planning their wedding. But for others, it can be extremely stressful. The pressures of liaising with suppliers, co-ordinating guest accommodation and keeping everybody happy (not mentioning the looming task of paying for everything) can quickly become an overwhelming burden. So what can be done to combat pre-wedding meltdown? Here are our best tips:

1. Start planning early

Ideally, start planning as early as you can to reduce the risk of running out of time and having a mountain of tasks to complete in the last week before the wedding. If you are reading this however, there is a good chance that you have already left your planning to the last minute and you’re now thinking that you may not get everything done in time. If that is you, read on.

2. Stay calm

Ok, it’s easier said than done, I know. But try your best to keep your focus on the importance of the upcoming event(your wedding). Not the importance for your guests, but for you! This is one of the most special days of your life. Treat the planning in the same way. It’s very easy to start thinking of it like any other event planning, but it’s not. Even if everything doesn’t go “exactly” as you planned, it will still be one of the best days of your life. Don’t worry too much about the details if it’s stressing you out.

3. Write a to-do list

Often overlooked, the humble to-do list is a powerhouse stress-buster. Why? Because it gets all that “stuff” out of your head and onto paper. Once you write out your to-do list, you will see 2 immediate benefits. The first is that you can actually see what still needs to be done(rather than trying to mentally visualise it). The second benefit is that now that it’s down on paper, your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to keep it in your mind. There is some sort of mental release(genuinely) which makes you feel more relaxed. You can use that extra brain power to do something else(or just relax). Oh and now that you’ve written it down, there is less chance of forgetting anything(just don’t lose that paper!)

4. Get excited

This is similar to my second point. Try your best to get excited about your wedding day(if you’re not already). It’s easy to become so stressed that all your wedding excitement disappears. Your wedding day is an amazing day. Even if you’re not a “weddingy” person, you will love your wedding day. Too many people regret not having enjoyed the wedding planning period(even if they hated it at the time) because once it’s done….it’s done. There is no more wedding planning, no more late nights and no more countless emails. It sounds strange but you may just find that you actually miss it!

How to Choose Your Wedding Cake

Ever stood in a cafe, looking at all the cakes on offer, struggling to choose? We feel you – but we bet it doesn’t even come close to what you’re feeling right now. After all, this isn’t just any cake – it’s your wedding cake. Whether it’s the role it plays in your photographs, the ritual of cutting the first slice together or just how delicious it tastes… Your cake is a key part of your day. So here’s seven steps to choosing the right one.

1. Decide Your Must-Haves

Start off with a few key questions. Do you or any of your guests have specific dietary requirements to consider? Is there a flavour of cake you absolutely love… or absolutely hate? And how many guests are you expecting to serve?

2. Pick A Style

With the practicalities out the way, it’s onto the fun stuff. What do you want your cake to look like? Make a Pinterest board or an Instagram Collection and start scrolling. Think about your wedding theme and what might fit in well with that. If you’ve picked out specific wedding colours, could you tie these in? There’s a whole world of wedding cakes out there – so get inspired!

3. Find A Cakemaker

By this point, you should know what you’re looking for. Open up your Bridebook app and hop on over to the Supplier Search, where you can select “Cakemakers” from the dropdown menu. Scroll through the fabulous cakemakers in your location and add any which catch your eye to your Favourites. Next, get in touch! If you contact them via Bridebook, we’ll supply them with the key information about your wedding and all you’ll need to add is that list of requirements you made in step one.

4. Narrow It Down

Fantastic – the responses are flooding in! Once you’ve found a cakemaker you love who’s free on your wedding date, it’s time to talk budget. Can they do what you want for the amount you have to spend? If not, do they offer a cheaper option you’d also be interested in? Shop around until you’ve found two or three who are just right.

5. Eat Some Cake!

If you’re happy with the price, now it’s time for the fun part – tasting! Whether you’re going with traditional fruitcake or more contemporary options like vanilla and chocolate, make sure to try a few different options before you make your final decision.

6. Book It In

Even if you confirmed in person, make sure to get everything in writing as well. You’ll want to pin down all the cake details (number of tiers, flavour, etc.) and the cost, as well as practicalities like when the cake will be delivered.

7. Get Prepared

Contact your wedding venue and let them know all the key details too. Check whether someone from the venue will be available to collect the cake when it arrives and that they have somewhere to store it. You’ll also want to chat with your caterers so they know everything they need to be able to serve your cake correctly. They’ll most likely need to know:

Where the cake is being stored
Where and when you’d like it served
How you’d like it served
How many portions you’d like to cut
Any flavour information (eg. if there are different tiers)

And that’s your perfect wedding cake sorted! So what are you waiting for? Get inspired then head over to Bridebook’s Supplier Search to find the cakemaker of your dreams.

Wedding Catering : How to Book – The Checklist

Wedding Catering

Booking the wedding catering “should” be one of the easier tasks of the wedding. Depending on the venue you have booked, the catering may already be included, in which case you don’t need to worry about it at all. In any case, follow these guidelines and you should be able to hack this task off your to-do list in no time.

Before we dive into the checklist, let’s just go over a few venue-caterer relationship guidelines:

Your venue may already have an in-house caterer(this may restrict your culinary choices but eases the stress of having to book one yourself). Check if this is included in the price?
Your venue may have a list of preferred caterers. This gives you something to work with. These caterers have usually worked in the venue before which should help things go smoothly.
Your venue may have an agreement with a caterer and refuse to use anybody else(not always a bad thing depending on how good the caterer is). In this case the venue will probably organise this for you(make sure to get the caterers’ price list and check for any sneaky add-ons. You don’t want to get caught with a £60 orange juice bill…….I’m speaking from experience!)
If your venue is not a purpose built wedding venue, their catering facilities may be limited. What equipment do/don’t they have?

Before you waste any time researching caterers(when they may already be included), first contact your venue and check what their catering arrangements are. This will save any unnecessary hassle.

Ok…..so now we’ve cleared up the venue stuff, let’s get into the checklist.

Researching caterers

Look up caterers that are available in the area your venue is situated in(a Google search will suffice, otherwise check a wedding directory)
Ask your venue if they have worked with caterers that they would recommend. A recommendation is always better than booking a caterer blindly.

Questions to ask the caterer

Let them know your budget and see if they can work with this. Don’t waste any time asking the following questions if it’s a no-go to start with.
Ask what type of food they offer? Does it match your wedding theme? e.g. roast chicken with winter vegetables for a barn wedding. We have done a hack which helps you choose your wedding food quickly.
Are there any customisation options? Can you make changes or are the menus fixed?
Ask what other venues they have catered for? This gives you an idea of their reputation as well as styles and sizes of wedding they have previously provided services for.
Ask for a rough cost for the number of guests you are having(emphasis on “rough” as there many factors which can impact the cost). This is handy to add into your wedding planning spreadsheet.
How do they handle dietary requirements? E.g. vegetarian alternatives, gluten-free alternatives. If you have any guests that have these requirements, you will need to make sure the caterer provides an option for them….. otherwise they may be left chomping on an entire iceberg lettuce.
Do they offer children’s options? What are they?
Do they provide “full service”? This is often included in the price. Find out exactly what this covers as it will often include pre-ceremony drinks, canapés, waiting service, bar staff, cleanup etc. How many staff will they provide?
Will they provide plates, cutlery, water jugs, chairs etc?
Do they provide a fully-stocked bar or do you need to arrange your own alcohol?
Will they provide wine during the meal? What is the cost for this?
Ask about any add-on fees? Basically, anything not included in the basic price for providing the service. Like orange juice!
Are you able to attend a tasting? You would probably want to sample the menu before the wedding so check if this is something they can offer. Many caterers won’t charge for this(or will offer it at a highly reduced rate).
Are they licensed to serve alcohol?
Are they insured?

Will you require evening food?

Most of your guests should be fairly full by the time the dancing is taking place but you may still want to consider an additional little snack. If you are having a cake, most of your guests will have a piece of this which should keep them going(the caterer should hopefully provide tea and coffee for this). If you have guests who are solely coming in the evening, offering a small snack could be a good idea.

Once you’ve decided on the caterer

Check who will be overseeing the event on the day
What are the arrangements on the day. Do they need somebody to meet them? What time?(It’s good to find out this info so you can add it to your day-of-timeline and arrange somebody to meet them)

Ok, so I said this “should” be one of the easier tasks of the wedding. I bet you’re thinking that it doesn’t look that easy. Why do I need to ask them so many questions??? Don’t worry. You probably won’t need to do this multiple times…..hopefully just once. Most venues try to make this process as simple as possible for you, which is why they create relationships with caterers and build a “preferred caterers” list. It’s unlikely they would strike up a relationship with a company they don’t trust/like so it’s normally a fairly safe bet to book one of these caterers.

If you feel rude asking a caterer so many questions, just say that you “Googled the questions you need to ask and you’re going to read them off the list”. That normally does the trick.

Follow this checklist and you should end up with spectacular food on your wedding day, beautifully presented with no nasty bills in the weeks following……….even if you have a guest who drinks an entire barrel-full of orange juice………not that i’m holding a grudge……I’m over it………seriously.

Results are in from the Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Report 2017

We analysed survey results from nearly 4,000 couples across the UK and found that the average total wedding costs have reached a new high of £26,989. However, whilst supplier costs are increasing, today’s couples are continually finding new and different ways to save on their weddings.

This year, we’re seeing fewer couples going to the chapel as more couples are holding their ceremony at their venue…which is likely to be a Country/Manor House, the most popular venue type. When choosing a venue, couples are swayed by stunning views/grounds and friendly staff. Venue managers, take note – couples want beautiful backdrops for their photos!

Venue and catering top the list for supplier costs at £5,819 and £4,747 respectively. With wedding dress, photographer, videography and rings costing upwards of £1,000 each, the wedding budget can max out quickly. But does the average UK couple actually pay this much? The answer is…a reassuring “No!” (You can breath a sigh of relief now.)

From hiring lower-cost DJs to homemade cake, couples are finding ways to save in all aspects of their wedding. Interestingly, almost half of couples are booking weddings on a weekday other than Saturday which can lead to significant price reductions from various wedding day suppliers.

Considering these savings, today’s couple spends an average of £16,842. Want to save even more? Consider getting married in Scotland where the average wedding spend is only £13,683…and avoid expensive London where average wedding spend is £25,450, almost ten grand higher than the national average.

When it comes to wedding planning, mum’s opinion actually counts. While couples enjoy reading reviews (7.6 for each supplier) they lean on mum for her support with 42% couples reporting their mum to be heavily involved in planning. Awwww. (Or Yikes!) They also enjoy visiting wedding fairs, with more than half of couples attending fairs near their homes.

Couples identify the most difficult aspects of wedding planning as managing the guest list, managing the budget and knowing what to do next. Bridebook.co.uk to the rescue! With Bridebook.co.uk’s free Supplier Directory, Guestlist, Budget and Checklist tools, and the newly released iOS app, next year’s couples should find wedding planning a breeze.

For more detail of this year’s wedding trends and spending habits, view or download the the complete slideshow report.

Happy Planning!

How To Choose Your Wedding Dress

Deciding what to wear is hard enough – but deciding what to wear to your wedding? Now that’s a big decision. And while some of you will have been dreaming of your perfect wedding dress for years, we bet there are at least a few of you out there who have literally no idea where to start. So here’s three steps to choosing your dream dress.

1. Think About Your Theme

One thing that will help you with every decision you make throughout your wedding planning is picking a theme. Remember, your theme can be as simple as picking out a few favourite colours to unify your wedding’s aesthetic. But even if you don’t pick a theme, let’s talk vibe. Casual or formal? Indoor or outdoor? Summer or winter? This will help narrow your options when it comes to dresses and then it’s time to head to Pinterest. Just type in your theme or vibe along with the words “wedding dress” and see what comes up.

2. What Makes You Feel Good?

You’ll probably read a ton of articles telling you to pick a dress that suits your body shape – but in our opinion, none of that matters. You’re not an apple or a pear! You’re a person – so what makes you feel good? What do you love? Of course, if there’s something you particularly love about your body, go ahead and highlight it – but don’t feel like you have to wear what someone on the internet says is the most flattering.

3. Do You Love It?

At the end of the day, this is all that really counts. If you’re hosting a casual celebration but you want to wear a ballgown, go for it! And if you try on every dress under the sun but realise, you know what, you’re just not a dress person – well, dare to be different! Why not go for a trouser suit or jumpsuit instead? Don’t worry about what tradition says you should do – find what feels most you.

A Guide To Choosing Wedding Jewellery

After weeks of scouring wedding dress shops and hours of fitting room dramas, we know that ‘the dress’ is important. But choosing your wedding jewellery is just as crucial to give you the perfect look as you walk down the aisle. So before you start your search, be sure to consider these steps first, all from our expert insight here at Bridebook.co.uk

Complement Your Dress

First off, the colour of your jewellery needs to stay in theme with your dress. If you’ve gone for an ivory or champagne shade of gown, gold metal will really set off this style and make you glow. If you’ve chosen a bright white gown, platinum or silver jewellery will enhance your look – or try rose gold metal to complement a dress with soft pink or blush tones.

Find a Skin Match

The same goes for jewellery working with your skin colour. If you are dark-skinned or have an olive complexion, try and find a lighter hue of jewellery that will stand out, perhaps a silver metal. On the other hand, a pale colouring can be complemented by tones of warm golds – but remember to adjust this if you’re planning on getting a tan for your big day! Whilst we are on the topic of skin tones have a read of our article: Nu Bride’s Guide to Finding the Perfect Make-Up Artist for Your Skin Tone.

Hair Accessories

Remember what you’re putting in your hair before you choose what jewellery you’re going to wear on your big day. Think about whether you’re going to sport the veil look, a glitzy tiara, or just using a simple accessory to finish off your hair style. When jewellery shopping, take your hair items with you so you can match metals if need be.

Be Comfortable

On your wedding day, you still need to do ‘you’. So if you don’t normally wear extravagant necklaces and heavy earrings, why do it on the best day of your life? You need to feel confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing, so let it emulate your personality and be yourself!

Happy Planning !

Browse other similar articles:

Wedding Prices: Rings

Saving Tips: Wedding Accessories

Introduction: Your Wedding Accessories

Q&A With Royal Favourite Jewellery Designer Kiki McDonough

How to Throw an Engagement Party – 6 Steps

How to throw an engagement party

Are you planning to throw an engagement party? Some couples opt out and just celebrate quietly with their friends and family, while others go big and celebrate in style. If a party is on the cards for you, we’re going to outline the 6 steps on how to throw an engagement party properly. Most of this will be fairly self-explanatory so we’ll keep it fairly snappy. Planning the engagement party could even be used as a little practice for the wedding day itself(unless somebody else is organising the party).

So, let’s get started

1. Choose who is doing the planning

Decide whether you are going to host the party yourself or if you are going to usher in some help from bridesmaids and your wedding party. If it’s going to be a small party, you could probably do it yourself without adding too much stress(although if you have a particularly keen bridesmaid, feel free to give them the task…..if you think they’re up to it). If it’s going to be a larger party however, try to get some help. Your helpers don’t have to organise the entire party, but they could possibly lend a hand. Try delegating tasks to make things go smoother. E.g. 1 person could confirm attendance, another could book the restaurant and arrange table decoration etc. If you can, try to give people the tasks their good at.

2. Choose the date

The choice of date is completely up to you. Give yourselves enough time to enjoy being engaged without jumping into planning and parties galore. But also don’t wait too long, it is an “engagement” party after all.

3. Choose the theme

If you’ve been looking at wedding themes, you may feel like you have them coming out your ears. But don’t worry, this one is easy. Just go for the same theme you are planning to have at your wedding. If you don’t have a theme yet, go with something that makes you feel comfortable e.g. if you are a laid-back type of couple, maybe have afternoon tea at home. If you are more outgoing, you may prefer a formal meal at a restaurant

4. Choose the guests

Would you like a large or small party? The choice is yours. The tradition states that if you invite them to your engagement party, you should also invite them to your wedding. But these days, that’s not so important as our network of friends and family are so widely spread it is not always logistically possible.

5. Arrange invites

The invites don’t need to be as formal as your wedding. It could even just be an email or a phonecall(although it’s good to put it in writing). If you are planning something special, then a paper invitation can be a lovely touch although you may think that is too time consuming and you may not want to blow additional wedding budget on it. A good option is an e-vite. Try to send these out at least 1 month in advance.

6. Choose the food

If you’re not using a restaurant for the party, you will probably need to provide food yourself or hire a caterer. The food can be fairly simple. Small nibbles or canapés are perfectly fine. It’s probably a good idea to put this on the invitation though, so your guests don’t come with empty stomachs, expecting a slap-up meal. Say something like “join us for champagne and strawberries” rather than “you will be provided with a small bowl of fruit”

And that’s about it. If you want to add your own decoration, you can, but don’t over think it. Your engagement party is primarily an opportunity to celebrate and relax with loved ones before you dive head-first into wedding planning(you may not get many chances to relax after this). So make the most of it and just enjoy yourself.

You may also like our hack for engagement photoshoot ideas

6 Tips For Starting Your Guest List

Oh, the dreaded wedding guest list… Between long lost cousins three times removed and that actually kind of annoying friend you haven’t spoken to in months, even thinking about who to invite can be daunting.

Luckily for you, Bridebook has one of the simplest and most advanced Guest List Tools in the world – and it’s free! As soon as you’ve read these top tips, it’s time to get stuck in. Stressful guest list planning will be a thing of the past.

1. Keep an Eye on Your Budget

You might want everyone and their uncle to be invited to the celebration of the century (and we’re sure they’d want to come!), but you’ve got to think about your wedding budget. How many people can you actually afford? Remember, more guests means finding more space, more food, more favours… and more money. Stick to your budget. It’s as simple as this: if you know you can only afford to invite 100 people… Only invite 100 people!

2. Consider Your Wedding Location

When you choose where to get married, give some thought to your guest list. If your venue is located somewhere closer to home, then it’s more likely more people will be able to attend. If you’re thinking about getting married on the other side of the country (or in a different country altogether!), you’ll need to rethink who it’s realistic to expect at your big day. Will guests be able to afford to travel that far? Can they take the time off work? Will elderly family members still be able to make it? If you haven’t chosen your venue yet, this might be a factor in your decision. If you’re already set on a particular place, have a think about who will actually be able to make it before you invite the masses and potentially get let down.

3. Think About Capacity

After your budget, this is the next big one. At the end of the day, how many people will actually fit in your venue is a pretty hard and fast cap on the size of your guest list. If you’re still looking for your venue, you can use the filters on our Venue Search Tool to find venues that can house the capacity you want. When you visit potential venues and look round the space, double check what they say the capacity is – then reduce it. Remember, you won’t just have guests at your wedding. If the venue says you can fit up to 200 people in one space, consider what else you’ll require there. You might want space for a band, dining tables, etc. Take that into account when inviting guests. It’s all about finding a balance between a jam-packed crowd that can barely move and a half-empty venue that feels too big for a small number of guests.

4. Kids or No Kids?

It’s pretty likely that at least one of your friends or relatives will have children, so think carefully about whether you want to invite them or not. It’s absolutely fine if you don’t, but you do need to remember to politely mention it to the parents well in advance. It’s nothing to be nervous about – and they might even welcome the chance to have a proper night out! On the other hand, if you decide to have a child-friendly wedding, it does mean some extra work. Make sure to work out where children will sit (eg. do you want a kids’ table?) and whether there’ll be a separate kids’ menu. It’s always worth thinking about how you can keep them occupied throughout the day too. Keep them entertained and all will be well!

5. Make a Decision on Plus Ones

Oh, plus ones… The cause of endless headaches. After all, it’s obvious that if a close relative is part of the wedding party, their significant other will be welcome at the wedding. But what about that friend with a new partner you haven’t even met yet? When it comes to plus ones, our best advice is to decide your position and stick to it. For example, if a couple has been dating for over a year, the plus one is invited. No ifs, no buts, no exceptions – otherwise, you risk ending up in sticky situations when people realise they’ve been treated differently.

6. Assume Everyone Will Attend

We know, we know – the temptation to over-invite is real. But this isn’t a house party! There’s nothing worse than having too many people on your guest list and having to uninvite someone. By assuming everyone invited will attend, you leave it open for them to decide. You might not expect them to be able to attend (or they might never RSVP!) but they may actually be able to make it. If you’re still worried about numbers, why not create a backup guest list and order a separate set of invitations with a later RSVP date to send out if your numbers unexpectedly drop?

There you have it – our top tips for getting started with your guest list. Remember to head over to our Instagram, TikTok and YouTube channels for more tips, tricks and wedding inspiration. But for now, it’s time to sit down with your partner, figure out who to invite and start adding them to your Bridebook…

How To Choose A Wedding Florist

So it’s time to find your wedding florist. Now, we don’t know about you – but outside of wedding planning, we’d say most people’s experience with flowers is limited to buying the odd bouquet from the supermarket or flower shop. So with everything posies to pergolas to consider, how should you choose your wedding florist?

1. Find Out What You Like

It’s the first step to choosing any element of your wedding: create a Pinterest board or a Collection on Instagram and start saving images. Don’t think about it too much – just scroll and save.

2. Take Some Time To Reflect

Okay, so how’s it looking? Are there any common themes you can pick out? You might be gravitating towards pastels and delicate posies. On the other hand, you might realise you love big, bold blooms and extravagant floral installations.

3. Search Suppliers

Now we know what we’re looking for. Head to Bridebook’s Supplier Search, pick “Florists” from the drop-down menu, pop in your wedding location and hit “search”! Here are all the fab florists in your area. Click through to check out any that catch your eye then tap the heart in the corner to save them to your Favourites if you like what you see.

4. Contact Your Favourites

Don’t worry – no spreadsheets or emails necessary! All you need to do is hit the “request a brochure” button on your potential florist’s profile. If you’ve filled out your wedding details, we’ll send all this information straight to them automatically – so there’s no need to waste time writing out your wedding date, location and so on again and again.

5. Wait For Responses

Cross your fingers and wait for them to get back to you! In the meantime, why not start shopping around for other suppliers…

6. Have A Chat

Whatever element of your wedding your choosing, we always say to wait for “the feeling” – and you’ll know when it happens! Take some time to chat with your potential florists, reflect on how they communicate with you and the ideas they’ve come up with. You’ll almost certainly have a standout – and then it’s time to book them in!

And there you have it: six steps to finding your perfect wedding florist. That was easy!

Wedding Cars – Choosing the Perfect Car

Wedding cars

Choosing your wedding cars may or may not be high on your list of priorities. It’s one of the areas of your wedding planning that could get side-lined due to the relatively minor part it plays in your wedding day. Primarily, the car is a means of transport so you might not be getting too excited about it. But don’t overlook this. Your transport can add a lot of style, luxury or quirk(depending on your choice) that both you and your guests can enjoy.

What kind of car should I go for?

Here are some ideas that other couples go for(listed from most sensible to totally crazy):

Executive luxury car – this is the most popular option(Mercedes, Audi etc). Large, comfortable, looks good, easy to get in and out of, unlikely to breakdown(a solid choice)
Classic vintage car – A little more adventurous with a vintage style. Depending on your theme, this could be make your day a little more unique
Funky transport – VW Campervan, Back of a Vespa – If you’re going hard with a 60s/70s theme, these are for you.
Horse-drawn carriage – The princess approach
Stretched Hummer – Loud and Brash
Helicopter – One of the most expensive options and is dependent on your venue having a Helipad. Unlikely to go unnoticed
Atop an Elephant – Very slow. Least safe and least practical. Dependant on your venue being Elephant-friendly(don’t worry….most venues are)

Just to make clear that we are aware that an Elephant is not a type of car

What is more important to you? Comfort or uniqueness? Get the balance right and try to make a choice which suits your theme.

How many cars will you need?

Usually 1-3 cars is all that is needed. You need at least 1 for the bride and groom after the ceremony. In this case, the rest of the bridal party can either use taxis or the guest bus(if you are providing one).

The traditional setup for “who gets in each car” prior to the ceremony would be:

Car 1: Groom and best man
Car 2: Mother of the Bride and the Bridesmaids
Car 3: Bride and her father

This is also the order that the cars should traditionally arrive at the ceremony venue.

Tips for booking:

Check how many seats the cars have. This may not be such a problem with a modern executive car but if you opt for a classic sports car, there may only be 2 seats in the back and you may leave yourself a seat or two short. Do a mental head count before booking and clarify this with the transport company.
If you are booking 3 cars from the same company, ask if they offer a bulk booking discount? Many companies do.
Clarify times for picking up and arriving at venues. Add the times to your wedding day spreadsheet immediately so you don’t forget.

Priority To-Do’s Once You’re Engaged

Getting engaged can be an overwhelming feeling, and rightly so. You’re about to embark on the journey of a lifetime (let alone all the planning!). So to help you stay on track and stress free, Bridebook.co.uk, home of the UK’s #1 Wedding Planning App, is imparting our wedding planning insights to you to help you set off on the right foot.

Announce Your Engagement (of course)

Call your close family and friends, or gather them together to tell them the big news. You may want to host an engagement party, but just remember to tell the most important people first before they hear it from someone else! Have a look at some more creative ideas here: 6 Ways To Announce Your Engagement

Insure Your Engagement Ring

Believe it or not, insuring the ring is rarely thought about after an engagement with all the excitement of the proposal. It will be your most prized possession and is likely to be worth a lot, so take care of it and get it insured! Also remember to get it properly sized – you really don’t want to lose it!

Set a Potential Date

One of the most commonly asked questions people will ask you once you’re engaged is ‘When’s the wedding then?’ Talk to your new fiance about what season you’d like to get married in and work out how long it will take you to plan the wedding to decide what month and year your prospective date will be.

Location, Location, Location

You will need to pick where you’d like your big day to take place. Would you like it near your hometown, or will you choose a destination holiday? It is important to decide this now as lots of things will change depending on where you host your wedding. Luckily for you, Bridebook has the UK’s largest wedding venue and supplier directory so finding your perfect venue has never been easier.

Budget

Decide on a budget early on so you and your husband-to-be can work within it the whole time. Use Bridebook’s free wedding budget calculator to get a personalised break down of how much you should be spending on what, all depending on your overall goal budget. There is room for compromise though, so if you spend less money on one area, you could assign the spare cash to indulge on something else!

Start Daydreaming!

The fun part is dreaming up all the ideas of your perfect day. Have some fun with it, collect all your ideas so you can remember them, and you could even create a wedding blog to share your visions with others!

Book Your Priorities

The wedding venue is likely to be the first thing you book, but don’t forget about that band that you fell in love with and have to have play on your special day. Lots of wedding vendors are booked up well in advance, sometimes a couple of years ahead, so if there’s one or two things you know you can’t be without on the day, book them now! And no matter what you’re looking for, don’t forget to check out Bridebook’s easily searchable wedding supplier directory.

Keep Your Wedding Planning Simple

To reduce the stress of planning your day, try to be organised and enlist the help of your friends and family if need be. The easiest way of preparing is to use Bridebook.co.uk, our free wedding planning site that allows you to keep everything (vendors, budget, guestlist) in one place and personal to you. You can then focus on enjoying your engagement and dreaming up your special day!