Month: February 2021

Venue Showcase: Saltcote Place

Thinking about the wedding of your dreams? This magical venue has far reaching views, formal gardens, and exclusive use.

We talked to Paul, the Owner at Saltcote Place, to find out more about this unique venue.

Tell us about yourself!

We have over 10 years experience of planning both exceptional and intimate Celebrations. Weddings are an indulgent hobby we really enjoy. We choose to host enough Celebrations to keep the building well maintained and not so many that it loses the magic. We never do back to back and rarely do a wedding a week preferring to enjoy the engagement with our couples. It takes on average 18 months from initial enquiry to the big day, this gives us all time to enjoy pizzas and a few glasses of wine as we get to know each other as well as the inlaws and outlaws. The end result we often hear is “it’s like getting married at our mates place” that’s the objective, as a result we have made some wonderful friendships. In our private lives have other interests in property, commerce and software.

Saltcote Place

What drew you to the wedding world?

It’s amazing that anyone can have this much fun at your own home.

An archway that is part of the building serves as a place for the ceremony.

What do you think makes Saltcote Place unique?

It’s personal, we don’t pay sales people to be nice to our Guests, we take that pleasure ourselves.

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

Pizza, Pasta, meals out and the occasional glass of wine. It’s not a conference or a works party – a Wedding is a Celebration of two families seeing the ones they love step out on a magical journey. We make sure in-laws and out-laws also come and see the venue so they feel as comfortable as the couple. This approach ensures everyone feels comfortable, these feelings end up with all of the guests knowing they are not attending a faceless hotel, the owners are engaged and it’s personal with nothing too much trouble. This personal approach is reflected in our TripAdvisor reviews where we have been Number 1 in the UK, No3 in the World and Number 1 locally for 11 years.

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Respect, great communications, a detailed plan that’s shared and understood by all parties including suppliers with regard to setup and exit times.

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Relax – if you write down your plan in a shared space it will be perfect.

What do you love about Bridebook?

We recommend all of our couples use the app to simplify the planning process.

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Leez Priory?

A Princess from Ghana, the cultural differences, the colours and music and two wonderful families focussed on a magical celebration. Another equally magical celebration involved Aunty Vera who corralled the bridesmaids for a few days before the big day using prosecco and music to get the party started, from the after party brunch the day after and a few days staying locally made these Weddings memorable for the best possible reasons.

Why should a couple book Saltcote Place?

Bespoke Celebrations without a package in sight. Packages belong to the post office.

What’s the best photo spot at Saltcote Place?

At the end of the garden you can see the curve of the earth and see for about 30 unobstructed miles.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

The friendships we have as a result of Weddings.

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

Collaboration tools ensure there is only one Hymn sheet lead by the Couple guided by a partner and involving all suppliers.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Never lose sight of what brought you together, be prepared to be flexible and to roll over if needed. We have rolled one couple over since 2018 and hope to see them get married in 2021. We have not increased their price.

A huge thank you to Paul for answering our questions. Check out Saltcote Place on Bridebook!

Looking for more venues in East Sussex? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.

Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk

Venue Showcase: Thief Hall

Thief Hall is your perfect blank canvas wedding barn venue in North Yorkshire. Put your own unique stamp on your wedding day by choosing your caterers, entertainment, additional décor and anything you like with absolutely no restrictions.

You gain access to the venue the day before your wedding celebration from 10 am until the day after, offering you both the chance to relax with family, guests, and friends, making your three day wedding ceremony truly magical!

Jessica, the manager at Thief Hall, gives us a taste of what can be expected from this stunning wedding venue.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My husband and I renovated Thief Hall in 2007 and opened in 2009, we have two children, Clara and James and just love family holidays together.

What drew you to the wedding world?

We started Thief Hall with 4 holiday cottages and it just evolved from a marquee venue to barn now sleeping up to 60 guests.

What do you think makes Thief Hall unique?

The views outshine most places in the UK and our supporting staff with no rules ethos makes you and your guests feel so comfortable.

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

We are here 24/7 for all of our couples.

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Making the whole weekend so special and about the couple 100%.

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Thief Hall?

We had an amazing woodland wedding with Lucy and Matt including a marreeokee.

Why should a couple book Thief Hall?

No rules, no finish times, no noise restrictions and yet 100% support over your three days.

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Organise your timeline before booking your church or registrars

What’s the best photo spot at Thief Hall?

There are so many from woodlands to road and sunsets to beat most

What part of your business are you most proud of? 

How we strive to improve and grow

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

Virtual viewings and weddings fairs are really working for us

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Remember why you are getting married, love will win!!

What do you love about Bridebook?

The continued support, our account manager Kane is super!

 

A huge thank you to Jessica for answering our questions. Check out Theif Hall on Bridebook!

Looking for more venues in North Yorkshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.

Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk

The UK Wedding Report 2021 by Bridebook

Introducing the 5th annual 2021 UK Wedding Report by Bridebook. 

DOWNLOAD THE FREE 2021 UK WEDDING REPORT

Looking ahead to 2021 and beyond, a wedding boom is coming!  It’s been a tough year for the wedding industry and the many postponing couples, but we can see a bright spot on the horizon as vaccine rollout expands and restrictions are lifted to allow weddings to take place safely.

We surveyed nearly 5,000 couples and felt the optimism and excitement they have looking forward to their upcoming weddings.  While those who married in 2020 experienced drops in guest numbers and wedding spending, engaged couples’ plans haven’t been affected to the same scale.

Budgets are strong, and expectations are high among engaged couples for celebrations and vaccines. They look forward to celebrating on any day of the week that they can – and sometimes twice!  

  • 82% couples with 15 or less guests will celebrate twice
  • 52% of guests believed to have received a COVID-19 jab by Sept ‘21
  • 40% Engaged couples’ costs increased due to COVID-19, by nearly £2,000
  • 17% postponed couples will marry on a Friday

As we’ve seen from weddings that took place in 2020, couples are happy to incorporate safety measures and technology into their weddings wherever necessary, and these restrictions are not a barrier to wed.  

  • 83% Weddings had social-distancing measures in place
  • 64% Weddings didn’t allow dancing (46% had no music at all)
  • 55% Weddings in Q4 2020 were live-streamed
  • 17% Wedding couples wore masks at their wedding (73% of guests)

With so much of the nation’s time spent at home this year, we also see the prominent role that technology plays in the lives of today’s millennial couples during wedding planning.  This generation of couples does everything on their phones, and wedding planning is no exception.  They expect information instantly at their fingertips, they rely on social proof, and are incorporating technology into both the planning process and the actual weddings themselves.  Going forward, we should prepare for more of planning to move digitally.

  • 5 Hours per day looking at their phones
  • 42.4 Venue reviews read by venue-seeking couples
  • 63% Wedding planning is done via their phone
  • 43% Married couples used a digital playlist at their wedding ceremony
  • 23% Couples sent digital wedding invitations

Over the course of the next few months, we will start to see a new beginning for weddings. While these weddings will face restrictions in the near term and our industry will need to adjust to accommodate the ever-changing situation, we can take the lead from these positive-thinking couples and know that wedding celebrations WILL return and that recovery is near.

Bridebook is here to support the engaged couples who are working through their wedding checklists and looking for venues and professionals to make the day unforgettable.  We’re also here to help married couples give back with reviews on the businesses that helped make their day a success.  Finally, we’re here for the many businesses who have struggled this year, and need to connect with couples and industry members for business support and growth.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE 2021 UK WEDDING REPORT NOW

Bridebook is the heart of weddings, and we’re here for you.

Further reading for couples:

Further reading for businesses:

If you have any questions at all or need any help then please do reach out to anyone in the Bridebook team.

How can I plan my wedding during lockdown? 8 things you can do to ensure you have the smoothest wedding planning experience.

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments of your life, tears of joy won’t stop streaming, and you can’t stop gazing at your newly bejeweled finger. But once this initial excitement begins to wear off, a sudden rush of “what now!?” begins to kick in. Don’t worry – Bridebook are here to help. 

Wedding planning can be daunting even at the best of times, and the current government restrictions to curb the spread of Coronavirus may have you feeling you can’t get started with your planning. At Bridebook, we’d like to help you navigate this stressful time by discussing 8 things that you CAN do right now to ensure the smoothest wedding planning experience.

1. Designate a wedding planning day

Couple sitting in living room with laptop

It is time to get organised! Making decisions early is the best way to ensure the smoothest wedding planning process. Dedicating one day a week can be the perfect way to ensure that tasks get ticked off and other priorities (like Netflixin’ your favourite show!) do not get in the way.

Knowing where to begin with planning your big day can be overwhelming. Our personalised Wedding Planning Checklist is here to help guide you through the entire planning process. Based on your wedding date, your bespoke Checklist will let you know when to complete each task including pricing guides and suggestions along the way.

2. Reflection

It’s important to sit down with your partner and think about what you both want from your wedding. Will it be a small and intimate occasion or an extravagant party with hundreds of guests? Make sure you reflect and think hard about what is most important to the both of you, as a couple. 

Start researching and looking for inspiration. You can then add any picture or ideas, from perfect playlists, to funny speech ideas to your Bridebook Scrapbook.

3. Budget

Screenshot of Bridebook app Budget Tool

Once you have reflected on the kind of wedding you both want, you need to decide how much you are willing and able to spend. Let Bridebook do the hard work for you! With data from over 500,000 weddings, our super powerful Wedding Budget Tool helps you keep track right from the beginning. Simply enter your total budget and we will tell you how much you should spend on every expense from start to finish. 

4. Guest List

Making decisions on your guest list can be a complicated process, from deciding who to invite, to keeping note of guest information along the way.

Bridebook’s Wedding Guest List Tool allows you to easily keep track of your invites, RSVPs and total attending guests. Your Guest List is split into two – one for you and one for your partner – but you can also create as many custom lists as you like! For example, ‘work friends’ or ‘childhood friends’. Your Guest List is ready to help you track all the nitty gritty details: you can track plus ones, dietary requirements, addresses and more.

5. Booking Your Venue

Countryside Venue with glowing lanterns

Finding the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important tasks on your checklist, and one which may seem near impossible in the midst of a global pandemic. However, thanks to the power of technology and innovative wedding venue teams, this is completely possible!

Bridebook has thousands of exceptional wedding venues with many of them offering virtual tours and show rounds. Get comfortable, open a bottle of wine and explore the delights of stunning venues across the country from your very own living room. When you enquire with venues, make sure to ask if they can offer a virtual show round – some are even using Facetime! We’d also advise you to keep an eye out for venues listing 360 tours. 

6. Booking Suppliers

Again, this is something super fun which you can enjoy within the comfort of your own home. Keep reaching out to suppliers, as many are offering virtual services such as delivering tasting samples or pre-recorded videos – whilst unconventional, this can absolutely become a fun night-in with your partner.

Invite your friends and family to a Zoom call where you watch a number of wedding bands until you find your perfect match. How about ordering in some sample cake boxes for taste testing with your partner? Or even get creative and create your ideal wedding make-up, by following different tutorials available online.

7. The Little Things

Two hands holding a paper crafted heart

Make the most of these dark cold months by getting on top of all the small tasks which will make your wedding wonderful. There are so many little things that you will need for your big day and now is the time to start a list. This might be thinking about gifts for your bridesmaids and page boys or wedding favours for guests. You could even get into some DIY and make some crafts yourself such as name cards, signs or photo boards for the day itself.

8. Enjoy your Engagement!

Weddings are incredibly special. It is important to enjoy this experience, together. Take some well deserved time off before you are rushed back to the speed of ‘normality’. Go for long walks, cook some delicious food, read a few books and most of all embrace having the love of your life by your side!

Looking for some more wedding planning tips? Check out our other wedding articles below.

How to plan your wedding remotely

Post-quarantine wedding trends

Why having a weekday wedding can be the best decision you make

Top tips for having a 15 person wedding (or ceremini)

Amazing deals and discounts for couples

Happy Planning!

Wedding Traditional Speech Order: Who Says What & When

Wedding speeches are a cherished tradition at weddings, and an essential part of the wedding reception. They’re a way for the bride and groom, as well as their loved ones, to express their love and appreciation for each other on their big day, and can set the tone for a fun, emotional, and memorable evening.

But with so many speeches to include, it can be difficult to know the order to give them in. In this post, we’ll provide a guide to the traditional order of wedding speeches as well as possible adaptations, to help make your wedding day as unique as possible.

The origins of the traditional wedding speech order

Photo © Big Day Productions – UK WIDE Wedding Photo + Film | See their Bridebook profile

The traditional order of wedding speeches has evolved over time, reflecting changing societal norms and values. Historically, the speeches have centered around the groom and the bride’s father, with the best man offering a light-hearted conclusion. As gender roles and wedding customs have evolved, the traditional order has adapted to include more diverse perspectives, with maid of honour speeches now the norm, and sometimes also bride and mother of the bride speeches too. Understanding the roots of these customs can help you appreciate the significance of each speech and the order to give them in at your wedding.

Traditional wedding speech order: cheat sheet

Before we dive into the details, take a look at the cheat sheet below to see how the different speeches at a wedding all flow and fit together. First is the father of the bride’s speech, then the groom’s speech, then the best man and maid of honour, and finally, any other speakers from the wedding party. 

Wedding Traditional Speech Order Who Says What & When
Use this cheat sheet as a guide on the traditional order of speeches at a wedding

1. The father of the bride’s speech

Photo © Hawaiian Shirt Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Traditionally, the father of the bride is the first to give a speech. The father of the bride’s speech is typically a touching and emotional tribute to the bride, expressing the father’s love and pride for her, and wishing her happiness in her marriage. The father of the bride will usually welcome the guests, thank the groom for loving and caring for his daughter, and make a toast to the happy couple.

Check out our top father of the bride speech examples for inspiration and a complete breakdown on how to structure your speech. 

2. The groom’s speech

Photo © Capture House Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

The groom’s speech is next in the order and is a time for him to express his love and gratitude to his bride, as well as to thank the wedding party, guests, and parents of the bride and groom. The groom may also take this opportunity to tell a few anecdotes or share memories of his relationship with his bride. This speech is usually light-hearted and humorous, but it should also be sincere and heartfelt.

3. The best man’s speech

Photo © GaetanoDiGiacomo Media Production | See their Bridebook profile

The best man’s speech is one of the most anticipated speeches of the wedding reception. This is the best man’s chance to share some memories of the groom and offer some humorous anecdotes about him. The best man may also offer a toast to the happy couple and offer some words of advice for their future together. This speech should be light-hearted and entertaining, but it should also be respectful and appropriate.

Check out our top best man speech examples for inspiration and a complete breakdown on how to structure your speech. 

4. The maid of honour’s speech (if applicable)

Photo © M.I.N.E Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If the bride has chosen to have a maid of honour, she will typically give a speech next. The maid of honour’s speech is a time for her to express her love and appreciation for the bride, as well as to share some memories of their friendship. This speech should be heartfelt and emotional, and the maid of honor may also offer a toast to the happy couple.

5. Other speakers

Photo © Simon Dewey Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If there are any other speakers at the wedding, they may give their speeches after the best man and maid of honour. This may include the mother of the groom, close friends, or other members of the wedding party. These speeches should also be heartfelt and sincere, and the speakers may offer a toast to the happy couple.

Check out our wedding speech examples for inspiration and ideas on the kind of speeches you can give, including a joint speech given by the couple. 

How to write a successful wedding speech

Photo © Rebecca May Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Regardless of the order of speeches at a wedding, there are a few essential elements that can make a wedding speech memorable and engaging:

1. Speak from the heart: Genuine emotions and heartfelt expressions resonate deeply with the audience. Be sincere in your words and share your true feelings.

2. Keep it concise: Aim for a speech length of 5-7 minutes to maintain the audience’s attention and keep the reception on schedule.

3. Balance humour and sentiment: A well-rounded speech strikes a balance between humour and heartfelt sentiment. While humour can keep the audience entertained, sharing genuine emotions and personal stories can make the speech more meaningful.

4. Practice makes perfect: Rehearse your speech multiple times before the big day to ensure a smooth delivery and to calm any nerves.

Adapting the traditional order to a modern wedding

Photo © Libra Photographic | See their Bridebook profile

While the traditional order of wedding speeches provides a solid foundation, many couples choose to adapt the format to suit their preferences or to include additional speakers. Modern weddings may feature speeches from the bride, the mother of the bride or groom, the maid of honour, or even close friends and family members. The key is to find a balance between tradition and personalisation, ensuring that the speeches reflect the unique character and dynamics of the couple and their loved ones.

According to our 2023 UK Wedding Report, based on data gathered from almost 4,000  couples, almost 20% of couples married in 2022 featured alternative or non-traditional elements in their wedding planning.  Here are examples of speech ideas from real Bridebook couples surveyed as part of the report. Feel free to incorporate them into your own wedding speeches to make for a more unique and personalised speech structure. 

  • Joint couple speech (bride and groom)
  • No speech from either the groom or the bride
  • Gender-equal speeches (including bride and mother of the groom speeches)
  • Mother and father of the groom speeches
  • Sibling or children speeches (of both the bride and groom)
  • Bridesmaid and groomsmen speeches
  • A mob speech instead of the traditional father of the bride speech
  • Opening up the floor to whoever wants to speak
  • Alternative pre-recorded speech featuring multiple speakers
  • No speeches or vows in the traditional sense (pub quiz style instead)

Top tips for customising the traditional speech order

Photo © Tom Groves Wedding Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you choose to modify the traditional order of wedding speeches, consider the following tips:

  1. Keep the flow: When rearranging the speech order, ensure there is a smooth flow between speakers, transitioning from more formal and sentimental speeches to lighter, more humorous ones.

  2. Communicate with your speakers: Inform your speakers of any changes to the traditional order and provide clear guidance on their roles and expectations.

  3. Consider the audience: When adding new speakers or rearranging the order, be mindful of your guests’ attention span and strive to maintain engagement throughout the speeches.

  4. Embrace diversity and variety: Incorporating a variety of perspectives can enrich the wedding speeches, providing a more comprehensive reflection of the couple’s journey and relationships.

Start planning your wedding on Bridebook

For more wedding tips and tricks, sign up to Bridebook today. We’ve got a host of fantastic articles to help you with your wedding planning and celebrations. 

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Happy Planning!