Your wedding ceremony is the culmination of months of planning, where your friends and loved ones gather to celebrate the love between you and your partner. It’s a beautiful and romantic time when you start a new chapter of your life with your soulmate.
Did you know that the length of a wedding ceremony can vary depending on a number of factors? Everything from your religion to your personal preferences can have a huge effect on how long your wedding ceremony will be.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at how long wedding ceremonies are, including the different reasons for longer and shorter ceremonies, and the length of different types of ceremonies across the UK.
Because there are so many different types of wedding ceremonies in the UK with so many different variables, it’s hard to put an exact figure on how long a wedding ceremony lasts. Some religious ceremonies can last an hour or more, while non-religious ceremonies, like registry office weddings, might only last 10 minutes.
What factors can impact the length of a wedding ceremony?
The length of a wedding ceremony is determined by many factors, from the number of traditions you want to include to your budget. Every wedding has to follow some of the same steps to ensure the marriage is legal, and unless you’re having a religious ceremony that follows a set structure, you’re free to personalise it however you like.
Below are some of the factors that can impact the length of a wedding ceremony:
Your religion and beliefs – Because there can be several traditions and rituals in religious wedding ceremonies that have to be included, they can sometimes be among the longest.
Your culture – Many cultures have traditions that are important, for example, there are many black wedding traditions that couples like to include to honour their heritage.
Your officiant or celebrant – Some officiants will want to engage your guests more than others, especially at a religious ceremony. Similarly, if you’ve hired a celebrant, their job is to add personalisation to your ceremony, which also means it’ll be on the longer side.
Your budget – If you’re working with a smaller budget, you’re more likely to have a shorter ceremony as it means fewer personalisations.
Your venue – Sometimes your chosen venue might have restrictions or limitations that mean you can’t include all of the personalisations you might like, or some aspects have to be shortened. This is especially true if you’re getting married outside and the weather isn’t on your side.
Your preferences – At the end of the day, your wedding ceremony is all about you, so include (or remove) whatever you like to make sure it’s perfect.
Your guests – The more guests you have, the longer your ceremony might take, especially if you have a large wedding party.
The type of wedding – Some ceremonies are naturally longer than others, for example, a traditional wedding ceremony is around three or four times longer than a registry office wedding.
Your wedding ceremony will be one of the most memorable times of your life. And yet it’ll be over in what feels like a flash! So why are wedding ceremonies often so short? Here are just a few reasons:
They’re a legal process – Some legal processes can be drawn out and laborious… but thankfully, getting married isn’t one of them. There are surprisingly few legal steps to take, which are mainly making declaratory and contracting vows and signing the register. Religious ceremonies take a little longer as you’re not only making a promise to each other (and your loved ones), but also to God.
They’re emotionally charged – Weddings are super emotional, with parents, grandparents and others crying lots of happy tears. Now just imagine how draining it would be if the ceremony went on for a long time!
They follow traditions – Throughout history, wedding ceremonies haven’t really changed all that much, and still include many of the same traditions and structures as they have for hundreds of years. Though you probably didn’t see as many photographers around at medieval weddings, so a few things might have changed a tad.
They suit your guests – Sitting still for a long time can be tough, especially for younger guests. Shorter ceremonies mean there’s little risk of some guests getting fidgety. Plus, the shorter a ceremony is, the quicker you can get to celebrating with your loved ones!
How long are different types of wedding ceremonies?
From traditional wedding ceremonies to Hindu wedding ceremonies, no two are ever exactly alike. Some might last a few minutes, while others could go on for well over an hour. Below, we’ll take a look at a variety of different wedding ceremonies and let you know approximately how long they last.
How long is a traditional wedding ceremony?
A traditional wedding ceremony is usually between 45 and 60 minutes, but this can vary slightly depending on your personal preferences. For example, if you choose to include readings or hymns, it will push your ceremony closer to 60 minutes.
Traditional ceremonies are among the most popular types of ceremonies in the UK. They can take place in a wide variety of venues, are highly customisable and couples of many faiths can have one. They include a lot of the most recognisable parts of a UK wedding ceremony, including the processional, the declaration, the first kiss and the signing of the register.
How long is a registry office wedding ceremony?
A registry office wedding is one of the shortest ceremonies you can have, with most taking around 10 to 15 minutes. They don’t include any references to religion and quickly get to the legal process without a lot of the pageantry that comes with traditional ceremonies.
Usually, after the officiant welcomes you and your guests, you’ll go straight to the vows. If you’ve chosen to have one, this may follow a reading before the rings are exchanged and you go on to sign the register.
How long is a Catholic wedding ceremony?
When you have a Catholic wedding, which always takes place in a church and is officiated by a priest, it often includes a communion and full mass. When it does, a ceremony will take around an hour, but if it doesn’t it’ll take around 45 minutes.
A Catholic wedding not only focuses on your commitment to each other, but also on the commitment you’re making to God, which is why it’s often longer than a traditional wedding ceremony.
How long is a Jewish wedding ceremony?
A Jewish wedding ceremony will often last around 30 to 45 minutes. The ceremony usually includes a lot of Jewish wedding ceremony traditions, such as the breaking of the glass and the circling of the fire.
How long is a Muslim wedding ceremony?
A Muslim wedding ceremony, known as a Nikah, typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. However, this doesn’t include the toble, which takes place before the ceremony itself. There are several traditions, such as the Nikah-Namah and Savaqah, which are included in most Muslim wedding traditions.
How long is a Hindu wedding ceremony?
A Hindu wedding ceremony, much like the overall celebrations, is one the longest around. Because there are so many traditions, a ceremony will usually take around 90 minutes. Some of the traditions include the milni, kanyadaan and jaimala exchange.
Following the ceremony, the celebrations and festivities can go on for days – sometimes for as long as five!
How long is a non-denominational wedding ceremony?
Most non-denominational weddings last between 30 and 45 minutes, but they can be longer or shorter. The great thing about a non-denominational wedding is that it’s super personalised, so can be as long or short as you want it to be.
Plan your perfect wedding with Bridebook
Now that you know how long many of the UK’s most popular wedding ceremonies last, you can start planning your own big day and make it as personal to you as you like. Sign up to Bridebook for all the handy tools, information and resources you need to plan the wedding of your dreams.
Your wedding ceremony is the biggest and most important moment of your entire wedding day. It’s the culmination of months or even years of planning, and you’ll be running on excitement and adrenaline as you tie the knot with the love of your life, as your family and friends gather to watch.
But what exactly happens at a wedding ceremony? Are they all the same? How do you know what to say and when, and how can you make sure it goes ahead perfectly?
Thankfully, throughout the ceremony, there are professionals to guide you through the process. That doesn’t mean you can’t find out how your ceremony might go down even before you’ve secured a date. So, in this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into different wedding ceremony orders, including those from various cultures, beliefs and religions commonly found across the UK.
No, not all wedding ceremonies follow the same order. Many ceremonies will contain a lot of the same elements, but they might be in a different order, be longer or shorter, or have different references to religions and traditions.
One of the only things that have to follow the same basic rules at every wedding ceremony in the UK are the declaratory words and contracting words – but even then, there may be some small differences.
Some of the things that can influence a wedding ceremony’s order of events include:
Cultural and religious traditions – For example, ceremonies at a place of worship will likely include references to God and have hymns, prayers and readings from religious texts.
The type of wedding – The type of wedding will play a huge part. For example, a traditional wedding will almost always have a longer order than a registry office wedding.
The celebrant – A celebrant brings a huge amount of personalisation to a wedding ceremony, telling stories to engage you and your guests. This means a ceremony with a celebrant tends to be longer than one without.
Your budget – If you have a smaller budget, you can opt for a shorter ceremony which means you’re likely to pay less than if you had a longer ceremony.
The venue – Certain venues may have limitations, or if you’re getting married outside it could influence the order – especially if it threatens to rain.
Personal preferences – Apart from the legal bit, you have complete control over what you include in your ceremony (especially if it’s a non-religious ceremony). So, if you’d like readings, songs and poetry, you can. Or, if you’d like a short ceremony, this is absolutely fine too.
The size of your wedding party – If you’re having a small and more intimate wedding, you may not want to include certain aspects of a traditional wedding, such as the processional or confetti shot.
The length of a wedding ceremony can differ massively. A traditional wedding ceremony will last around 45 minutes, while a religious ceremony will be around an hour or more. However, a registry office wedding ceremony is comparatively much shorter, and will usually last around 10 or 15 minutes.
The order at a wedding ceremony is the sequence in which everything happens, from the moment it begins to the moment it ends and you’re legally declared a married couple. As we’ve already highlighted, the order of service at a wedding differs depending on a lot of different factors, from religious beliefs to personal preferences. Below, we’ll take a look at different wedding ceremony orders across a variety of religions and cultures found throughout the UK.
This infographic illustrates the traditional wedding ceremony order
A traditional wedding ceremony is one of the most popular ways for couples to tie the knot in the UK. A traditional ceremony will last around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your personal preferences and what you’d like to be included, such as readings.
Here’s the order of events at a traditional wedding ceremony in the UK:
1. The processional
This is the moment when your excitement will be at its highest and your wedding ceremony begins. After your guests are seated and settled, the music you’ve chosen will play and the processional will start. The traditional order is:
Bride’s mum
Groom’s parents
Bride’s grandparents
Groom’s grandparents
Groom
Officiant
Bridesmaids
Maid of honour
Best man
Ring bearer or page boy
Flower girl
The bride and her father
Of course, this all depends on the size of your wedding and your own circumstances and preferences. This might be the traditional order, but even at a traditional wedding, you don’t need to stick to it. If you’re an LGBTQ+ couple, you may even choose to walk down the aisle together. Do whatever feels right and what makes the two of you happy on your big day.
2. The welcome
At the end of the procession, your family and friends will take their seats as you and your bridesmaids and groomsmen join you at the front (or altar if you’re having a church wedding ceremony). The officiant will then welcome everyone and thank them for being there on your special day. If you’ve hired a celebrant, they’ll introduce you using stories and humour and add an extra level of personalisation that draws everyone in.
3. A song or reading
Before the marriage ceremony commences, you may have chosen to have a song or reading. These are very common at religious ceremonies, but also something you can include in a non-religious or multi-faith ceremony. You could include your favourite hymn, or ask a loved one to do a reading that means something to you, such as a poem, song lyrics or an extract from a book or play.
4. Marriage ceremony
Next, the part you’ve been waiting for. The officiant will address you to tell you about the commitment you’re making to each other and how important the vows you’re about to exchange are. They’ll ask your guests whether anyone knows of any reason why you may not be married… and you’ll probably hold your breath, even though you know you don’t have anything to worry about!
Then it’s time for the two of you to exchange vows. Many couples choose to repeat short sentences fed to them by the officiant, but you may also want to write your own vows. There’s no right answer or choice here – it’s up to you and what you feel comfortable and happy with.
After the vows, you’ll get to say I do as you and your partner lock eyes. It’s at this stage when your loved ones will be well and truly crying with happiness.
5. Exchanging of the rings
It’s time for the two of you to exchange rings (or another symbolic exchange if you’ve chosen ring alternatives). If you have a best man, they may have been holding on to these for you, which they’ll hand to the officiant. You’ll then exchange some more words, this time about how the rings symbolise your love, as you slip them on each other’s fingers.
6. Declaration of marriage and first kiss
Next, the officiant will say the words you’ve been waiting for so long to hear: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife (or a variation of this for LGBTQ+ couples). They’ll also invite you to share your first kiss, and you’ll happily oblige as your friends and family celebrate and your photographer snaps some fantastic photos.
7. An optional song, reading or prayer
With a religious ceremony, there may be another song, reading or prayer here. This is something you may also want to include in a non-religious ceremony, and is a great way to involve another family member or friend in your ceremony.
8. The signing of the register
For your marriage to be legal, you and your new spouse will have to sign a marriage register in the company of two witnesses. This should only take around 10 minutes and music will play as your guests happily wait for you.
9. The end of the ceremony
Once you’ve signed the register, the officiant will thank your guests for attending and announce that you’d like them to join you at the breakfast or reception to celebrate.
10. The recessional
Music will play as the two of you leave the venue hand in hand, as a newly married couple. Outside, your guests will have lined up (under instruction from your photographer) so they can throw confetti over you as your photographer takes some wonderful pictures for your wedding album.
11. The photographs
Before heading on to the breakfast, your photographer will take a series of photographs with your family and friends, as well as plenty with just the two of you. These will be in and around the venue, and maybe elsewhere if you’ve asked for something specific.
12. On to the breakfast or reception
After the photographs, you and your new spouse will then make your way to the venue for your wedding breakfast or reception and an evening of celebrating with your loved ones.
Because the ceremony is so much shorter and can’t contain religious elements, there are far fewer elements than there are in a traditional ceremony. An example registry office wedding ceremony will follow an order similar to this:
1. Pre-ceremony meeting
Before the ceremony officially begins, you’ll meet with the registrar (either separately or together) just to check that all the details are correct. Once confirmed, the ceremony can begin.
2. The processional
Because registry office weddings are more intimate, the wedding party will be smaller than at a traditional wedding. However, you can still have bridesmaids, groomsmen, a page boy and flower girl if you like.
You can also choose the music you’d like to play, but it can’t be a hymn or religious piece of music.
3. The welcome
Once you’re both at the front and your guests are seated, the registrar welcomes everyone to the ceremony.
4. The legal declaration and contracting vows
The registrar will run through the words each of you has to repeat as part of the declaration and vows, which you can choose ahead of the ceremony.
5. The readings
If you choose to include readings, such as a poem or lyrics from a song, they’ll usually come after the vows. Like the music, they also can’t have any religious elements.
6. The exchanging of the rings
The registrar will then ask for the rings (which your best man may be holding on to) and you’ll give them to one another while saying personal vows. These can be fed to you by the registrar or you can write your own non-religious vows.
7. The declaration of marriage and first kiss
Now, the registrar will declare you married and invite you to share your first kiss as a married couple.
8. The signing of the register
The two of you, as well as your witnesses, will sign the register so your marriage is legally binding. You can also choose the music to play while your guests wait.
9. The photographs
The two of you can pose for photographs with your certificate, which may be family or friends or an official photographer if you choose to hire one.
10. The recessional
The registrar will end the ceremony and announce that you’d like your guests to join you if you’re moving on to a venue for a breakfast or reception. As you exit, you can have another piece of music of your choosing playing.
11. More photographs and the confetti shot
If you’ve hired a photographer, they’ll work with your guests to set up the perfect confetti shot. We recommend you speak to the venue ahead of time to make sure they’re happy with you using confetti (as there can sometimes be restrictions on this).
The photographer will then direct you and your guests so you can have photos taken for your wedding album.
12. On to the breakfast or reception
If you’ve chosen to have a breakfast or reception after the ceremony, you’ll make your way to the event to spend time celebrating your marriage with your loved ones.
This infographic illustrates a Catholic wedding ceremony order
A Catholic wedding ceremony is a highly religious ceremony, because the Church believes that marriage is not only a promise between a couple, but also to God. As a result, all Catholic wedding ceremonies take place in a church.
The order is similar to that of a traditional wedding ceremony, but with several noticeable differences. Below is what you might see as part of a Catholic wedding ceremony order, which doesn’t allow for as many personalisations as a traditional ceremony.
1. The processional
The processional begins with the priest first walking down the aisle to the altar, followed by the wedding party which follows the same order as a traditional ceremony, which is:
Bride’s mum
Groom’s parents
Bride’s grandparents
Groom’s grandparents
Groom
Officiant
Bridesmaids
Maid of honour
Best man
Ring bearer or page boy
Flower girl
The bride and her father
2. The entrance rites
The priest will welcome guests and begin with a prayer and rites. Because at least one side of the family has to be Catholic in order for the church to allow the ceremony to take place within the church, guests are expected to take part. A Catholic wedding isn’t always celebrated with a Mass, but they often are, especially if both families are Catholic.
3. The readings
Ahead of the ceremony, some of your guests will be asked to read passages from the Bible; one from the Old Testament and another from the New Testament. One of these readings will be about marriage, and your guests will repeat the Responsorial Psalm.
4. The gospel
Your guests will stand and the priest will read a passage from either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, which will most likely be linked to love or marriage.
5. The homily
The priest will give a speech or sermon known as a homily, which explains the meaning behind the gospel and how it relates to the commitment you’re about to make to each other.
6. The vows
Next, you will recite or read your vows, otherwise known as a rite of marriage. These are set vows and you can’t add any personalisations. However, instead, you may ask the priest to read the vows so you can respond with I do.
7. The ring ceremony
The priest will ask the best man (or whoever else is holding them) for the rings, which they will bless with a prayer and holy water. The priest will then ask you to recite some words as each of you place the rings on each other’s fingers.
8. The offertory
Ahead of the ceremony, you will have asked several guests to offer gifts during the ceremony, which they will do now. Meanwhile, your other guests will be given the opportunity to offer a monetary donation. The priest brings forward and blesses the bread and wine, known as the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
9. The Lord’s Prayer
The congregation will recite the Lord’s Prayer.
10. The sign of peace
The priest will encourage all guests to greet each other with a handshake as a way to symbolise neighbourly love.
11. Holy Communion
Like at Mass, guests will gather at the altar to be offered bread and wine, which signifies the body and blood of Jesus. It symbolises a new covenant that God gives to His followers.
12. The first kiss
The priest will encourage you to share your first kiss as a married couple. If the bride is wearing a veil, the groom will lift it first.
13. The nuptial blessing
The priest will bless your guests with a prayer, which will end with the line go in peace, which guests will respond to by saying thanks be to God.
14. The recessional
The wedding party will walk back down the aisle in reverse order and leave the church for the confetti shot and photographs. Then, everyone will make their way to the next venue for the wedding breakfast and reception.
This infographic illustrates a Jewish wedding ceremony order
A Jewish wedding ceremony will usually take place in a synagogue, which is the name of a Jewish place of worship. The bride’s family will sit on the right-hand side, while the groom’s family sit on the left. A Jewish wedding ceremony will follow an order similar to the below:
1. The ketubah
Before the ceremony begins, the two of you will sign the marriage contract, known as the ketubah.
2. The bedeken
The bedeken is the name given to the ritual where the groom veils the bride before the ceremony, so he can see her face and know who he’s marrying.
3. The processional
The rabbi will begin a Jewish wedding ceremony by walking down the aisle followed by the rest of the wedding party in the following order:
Bride’s grandparents
Groom’s grandparents
Groomsmen
Best man
The groom and both parents
Bridesmaids
Maid of honour
Ring bearer
Flower girl
The bride and both parents
4. The vows
You will stand together under the chuppah, a canopy supported by four poles at the front, which symbolises the new home being created, and you’ll recite your vows.
5. The hakafot
Traditionally, the bride walks around the groom seven times, which is a gesture that symbolises protection. Many modern Jewish weddings will switch this up slightly, with the bride and groom each circling one another.
6. The exchanging of the rings
The ketubah which was signed before the ceremony is read aloud as the groom gives the bride her ring. There may also be a prayer which is traditionally in Hebrew, but in modern Jewish weddings, it may be recited in English.
7. The seven blessings
The seven blessings, also known as Sheva Brachot, are chanted by the rabbi or another guest of your choosing. This may also be in Hebrew or English. The bride then gives the groom his ring.
8. The breaking of the glass
A glass is placed on the floor beneath a cloth or napkin, and the groom stamps on it to break it. This symbolises the fragility of marriage, and how it has to be looked after so it doesn’t break. This is usually followed by a reading from Psalms.
9. Mazel tov
Guests are then invited to shout mazel tov! which is Hebrew for congratulations.
10. The recessional
The wedding party leaves the synagogue, as guests clap and cheer, in the following order:
This infographic illustrates a Muslim wedding ceremony order
A Muslim wedding ceremony, otherwise known as a Nikah, usually takes place in a mosque, a Muslim place of worship. Guests are asked to remove their shoes before entering the mosque, and men and women often sit separately during the ceremony. The mosque prayer leader, known as an Imam, will usually be the officiant.
The ceremony itself is usually fairly short, and will be completed within around 30 minutes. It will usually follow an order similar to the below:
1. The toble
Before the ceremony, the groom will speak to the bride’s parents to ask their permission to marry their daughter, which is known as the toble. Once the groom has permission, everyone will say a prayer called Surah Fatiha.
2. The mehr
The mehr is a gift, a little bit like a traditional dowry, given to the bride by the groom. The engagement ring may be considered the mehr, but it could also include other gifts or money.
3. The consent
Without seeing each other, the bride and groom need to give their consent. To do this, they must say qubool hai three times to the officiant.
4. The Nikah-Namah
The Nikah-Namah is the name of the Muslim marriage contract that the two of you will sign. Beforehand, it’s read aloud in Arabic by the officiant so everyone can hear.
5. The readings
The officiant will read verses from the Quran as part of a short sermon, at which point you will officially become married.
6. Savaqah
The final part of the ceremony is known as Savaqah, which is when gifts are given to those in need. In the case of a wedding ceremony, money is thrown at the bride.
Following the ceremony, you are joined by your guests to celebrate your marriage at the reception, which is usually at a different venue, such as a hotel. This begins with the zaffe, which is when the bride’s father walks her to the groom accompanied by music.
This infographic illustrates a Hindu wedding ceremony order
Hindu wedding ceremonies are among the longest in the world, often lasting many days as you’re joined by your guests to mark the occasion. A Hindu wedding ceremony isn’t legally binding in the UK, so beforehand you need to marry at a registry office, and then have the religious ceremony and celebrations afterwards. The ceremony is usually officiated by a Brahmin priest.
Before the day of the ceremony will also be Mehndi, which is when the bride’s family organises for the couple to come together so they can paint delicate henna designs on their hands and feet. This is similar to Haldi, when older female members of the family make a paste from turmeric and paint it onto the bride and groom to symbolise cleansing.
The actual Hindu ceremony itself will last around 90 minutes, and the order will follow something similar to the below:
1. The baraat
The baraat is the name given to the groom’s arrival, which he will traditionally do while riding a white horse, but in many modern Hindu weddings, the groom may prefer to ride in a car, like a sports car or convertible.
2. The milni
The milni is a meeting between the groom and the bride’s parents and friends. He may be presented with a gift known as a shagun, which is supposed to bring him good luck.
3. The bride enters
The bride walks down the aisle being escorted by male family members. Traditionally it might be her brothers or uncles, but more brides are choosing to be accompanied by their fathers. The bride joins the groom, his parents, the bride’s mother and the priest at the front.
4. Kanyadaan
This is when the bride’s father gives away his daughter, which is a long-standing Hindu tradition. In kanyadaan, the bride’s father takes her right hand and places it in the groom’s right hand. He then asks him to treat her as his equal.
5. The jaimala exchange
The two of you exchange jaimala, which are garlands made from fresh flowers. It symbolises you accepting each other into your lives. The priest will then say a prayer in Sanskrit.
6. Havan
A sacred fire is lit to invite the deity Agni, the fire God, to rid you of darkness and bring you eternal light and knowledge. The bride gives an offering called homam, which can be rice and flowers.
7. Mangal Fera
Next, the groom leads the bride around the first three times, followed by the bride leading once. Each pass, known as a fera, represents one of life’s goals:
Dharma (morality)
Artha (prosperity)
Kama (positive energy)
Moksha (liberation)
As you complete the feras, the priest chants holy Mantras. Following this, you might race to take your seats, with tradition dictating that whoever sits first will be the head of the household. So you best make sure you wear some decent running shoes!
8. Saptapadi
To symbolise friendship, which is an important foundation for any Hindu marriage, you will take seven steps together, which may be around the holy fire. With each step you make a vow, and once all seven steps are complete you are officially married.
9. Sindhoor and Mangal Sutra
The groom puts sindhoor, an orange or red powder, in the bride’s hair. The groom then gives the bride a gold necklace, which is a symbol of love and respect, which, traditionally, she would only remove if her husband were to die.
10. The final blessings
The ceremony comes to an end as elders recite prayers and readings, and your guests offer their congratulations. Traditionally this is married women, who whisper good wishes into the bride’s right ear.
11. Talambralu
Talambralu is the end of the ceremony and is a happiness ritual, when you both bless one another by throwing rice, turmeric and saffron, which symbolises wealth and prosperity for your life ahead.
12. Ashirwad
To thank your guests for coming, you bow your heads to them as they offer blessings and well-wishes to you. Guests will also throw rice and flowers at you in celebration.
Following the ceremony, there’s likely to be several days of celebrating and festivities, with food, drink, music and games.
This infographic illustrates a non-denominational wedding ceremony order
A non-denominational wedding ceremony is generally a ceremony that doesn’t have a specific religious connection, and is relatively similar to a traditional wedding. It offers the couple the chance to have a personalised wedding and includes different traditions and rituals that aren’t tied to a specific religion.
Below is an example of what a non-denominational wedding ceremony order might look like:
1. The processional
The wedding party walks down the aisle, usually in the following order:
The officiant (anyone who has been ordained)
The groom
Best man
Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
Maid of honour
Ring bearer
Flower girl
The bride (with one or both parents)
Alternatively, the groom may want to stand at the altar before the processional starts, having entered from the side.
2. The welcome
The officiant welcomes everyone to the ceremony and will speak about you and the significance of marriage.
3. The readings
This is when a guest of your choosing will perform a reading, which might be a poem, song lyrics or a quote from a play or book. At a non-denominational wedding, readings can be from religious texts as well.
4. The unity candle
To symbolise unity, the pair of you lights a candle as the officiant gives a short sermon about commitment.
5. The unifying ritual
At this point in a non-denominational wedding ceremony, you will take part in a ritual that symbolises the two of you uniting as one. Because non-denominational ceremonies are so customisable, this could be religious or not. Popular unifying rituals include:
Releasing a lantern
Handfasting
Pouring sand
Circling
Jumping the broom
Planting a tree
Pouring tea or wine
6. The exchanging of vows
Next, you’ll exchange your vows, which you may have written yourselves (to either read or memorise) or have them fed to you by the officiant. You may also choose to say I do, one of the most exciting things to say over the whole wedding. Again, this is something you’re in control of, so do whatever makes you happy.
7. The exchanging of rings
You’ll then place wedding rings on each other’s fingers while reciting or repeating lines given to you by the officiant. If you’ve chosen not to wear rings, you may exchange another item of significance.
8. The declaration of marriage and first kiss
The officiant will declare you as married and invite you to share your first kiss in front of cheering family and friends.
9. The recessional
Finally, you walk back down the aisle, followed by the wedding party (in the opposite order to how everyone entered during the processional). Then it’s outside for the confetti shot and photographs before heading off to celebrate at your wedding breakfast and/or reception.
Plan your perfect wedding with Bridebook
Now that you know the order of many common wedding ceremonies in the UK, you can start planning your own big day. Sign up to Bridebook to discover all the tools, information and resources you need to make planning fun and simple.
So, it’s all over. All the months of planning, fitting, and crafting have come to an end. You’ve had your photographs back, your honeymoon was a dream, and you’ve made memories to last a lifetime. It can’t all be finished, surely?
Good news — it doesn’t have to be! There are still lovely wedding thank you cards to send. Wedding thank you cards are a great way to express your thanks and re-live the magic of your special day. But here’s the tricky part — who gets one?
In this post, we explore who you should send a thank you note to, whether you should send one to someone who didn’t attend the wedding, and look at some wedding card etiquette. Ready to start? Let’s jump in!
A wedding thank you card is a card given by the happy couple to their guests after the big day. It can be used to express gratitude for a wedding gift, for a cash gift, for their efforts in wedding planning, or simply for their attendance at the wedding.
Wedding thank you cards aren’t only a polite gesture but also a way to show how much the couple values the presence and contributions of their guests. These cards may include a personal message, a photo from the wedding, or other special touches to make the thank you more personal and memorable.
You should send wedding thank you cards to the following people:
Your wedding party members
Your wedding party members are anyone who played a significant role in your wedding day. For example, the maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. You should thank them for their efforts in wedding planning, their unwavering support, and the countless memorable moments they created throughout the journey.
If you’re stuck on what to say, try the following example:
We are so grateful to you for being part of our special day. We know how much work it’s been, and can’t thank you for standing by our side and supporting us on our special day. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Your parents
Your parents will no doubt have also played a big part in your wedding planning. If you’re lucky, they may have also paid a portion of the bill! It’s good manners to send them a card to acknowledge their efforts and support. Try using the following example:
Thank you so much for all your help in wedding planning and for all your guidance throughout our relationship. We couldn’t be more grateful for all your support.
We couldn’t have asked for better parents, and your love and support have meant the world to us, especially on our big day. Your involvement in our wedding planning and your generous contributions are much appreciated. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Wedding suppliers
It’s also nice to send a card to your wedding suppliers and wedding organisers. They hardly ever get thank you cards, and you couldn’t have put the big day together without them! Keep it short and sweet, but let them know how much you appreciate their professionalism and hard work on the big day. For example:
We wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for your hard work on our wedding day. Your expertise and dedication made our day run seamlessly, and we couldn’t have asked for better support.
Thank you so much for all your hard work on our special day. Our wedding was a dream come true, and your contribution played a significant part in that. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
People who bought a gift from your registry
It’s good manners to thank the people who bought a gift from your registry. Be sure to thank them specifically for the gift, and include a short anecdote about what you’ve done with the gift. For example:
Thank you so much for the beautiful vase. We’ve popped it on the coffee table where we can see it every day!
Thank you for the gorgeous soft towels. I’m looking forward to my next bath so I can snuggle up in their fluff!
People who gave you money
Money is always appreciated when you’re starting out as newlyweds, and those generous souls who gifted you with cash deserve a special mention in your thank you cards. Let them know how grateful you are for their gift and what you intend to put the money towards. For example:
We were blown away by your generosity in our wedding card. Thank you so much. We’ll be putting the money towards our honeymoon. We’ll be sure to send you lots of pictures!
Thank you for the generous gift on the big day. We’ll be putting it towards our house deposit so we can have a fresh start as a married couple.
People who gave you an unfamiliar wedding gift
Buying gifts that weren’t on the registry is becoming more and more common. Although unexpected, these gifts can add an extra layer of excitement to the gift-opening experience.
Make a special effort to thank those who went ‘off-book’ for their creativity and consideration when buying your gift. Don’t mention that you weren’t expecting it. Instead, just thank them for their generosity. For example:
Thank you so much for your beautiful wedding gift. We don’t have an air fryer, and we’ve heard a lot about them, so we’re really excited to try it out!
Thank you so much for the beautiful painting you made us. We’re so grateful you took so much time to make us this gift, and we know it’ll look beautiful in the living room!
People who shared in a group wedding gift
Shared wedding gifts are a great way to keep down the cost of large or extravagant gifts. When thanking someone for a shared wedding gift, you should acknowledge the part they played in selecting the gift and the effort that clearly went into organising its purchase. For example:
I was blown away when I opened the beautiful gift from you, Jamie, and Sophie. I can’t believe you all took the time to get together and buy this beautiful statue for us. Thank you so much for your efforts; we really appreciate it!
People who got you a gift you don’t love or will exchange
If someone has given you a gift that isn’t to your taste or that you might exchange, the best advice is to handle it with kindness and understanding. After all, gift-giving is all about spreading love and joy, and sometimes, personal tastes can be as unique as the gifts themselves.
So, first and foremost, take a moment to appreciate the thought and effort behind the gift. Remember — it’s the thought that counts. There’s no need to tell them it isn’t to your taste, or you’ll likely return it for credit. Instead, wholeheartedly share your plans for the gift. Emphasise where you’ll put it in the house or how it brightens up a room. If there’s nothing nice you can say about the item, explain that you’d never heard of that designer before, or playfully explain you’ve found a new favourite shop.
Either way, keep the card positive and focus on the connection and kindness behind the gift. For example:
Thank you so much for the fruit bowl. It’s such an unusual colour and really brightens up the living room!
We really appreciate how thoughtful you’ve been in picking those wine glasses. I was just saying to [spouse’s name] that we need to try and visit that shop more! Thank you for introducing us to our new favourite.
People who couldn’t attend but sent a gift
Guests can’t plan for last-minute emergencies, and those who didn’t attend the wedding but still sent a gift should also be recognised for their efforts. If you’re stuck on what to say, try:
We’re so sorry you weren’t able to be with us on our special day, but of course, we understand! We just wanted to send a note to say thank you for your beautiful gift, and that we hope all is well with you.
People who travelled to see you
People come from far and wide to attend weddings. However, special thanks should be given to anyone who travelled a great distance to attend your wedding or who came from abroad. For example:
We are so honoured that you travelled all the way from California to come to our little wedding. It was such a beautiful day, made all the more special with your attendance. I can’t thank you enough for the effort you made. Thank you again.
We are so grateful to you and Auntie for travelling all the way from Glasgow. It sounded like it was quite a tricky journey, so we can’t thank you enough for coming all that way.
People whom you don’t know well
It takes a lot of courage to attend a wedding where you don’t know many people, and anyone who made the effort to attend your wedding in spite of this should be thanked. If you’re stuck on what to say, try:
Thank you so much for coming to the big day. I really appreciate you coming and representing my school friends!
Thank you for your presence on our special day. It was made all the more special for you being there.
Anyone else with a significant role in your wedding
You should also send a card to anyone else who played a significant role in your wedding. This includes family and friends who went above and beyond to help make your day special.
While it may not be traditional, expressing your appreciation for their contributions is a lovely way to round off the wedding planning process. A short but heartfelt note, acknowledging their unique role and the joy they brought to your celebration, is the perfect way to say, ‘Thank you for being a part of our love story.’
Should I send a card to someone who didn’t attend the wedding?
It’s polite to still send a wedding card to anyone who:
Couldn’t attend the wedding, but still sent a gift
Couldn’t attend the wedding, but still gave you money
Couldn’t attend the wedding due to ill health, but would have otherwise
Couldn’t attend the wedding due to a bereavement, but would have otherwise
Sending a wedding card to someone unable to attend the wedding for these reasons is a kind and considerate gesture. It demonstrates your gratitude for their well-wishes, support, and understanding of their situation.
Be sure to send your thank you card within a week or two of your wedding. This will not only ensure your big day is fresh in your guests’ minds, but also make sure you don’t forget who sent what gift or any details about the big day!
Handwrite your cards
Wherever possible, you should handwrite your cards. Although this will take a little more time than typing them, the personal touch and effort put into each note are what make them truly special.
Include both parties
Be sure to address the cards to all the people who attended the wedding. By the same token, be sure to sign the cards off from both yourself and your new spouse. It’s a lovely way to show that you’re grateful for their support and love, both individually and as a united front, in this new chapter of your life together.
Keep it positive
Keep the content of your wedding card light and positive. Focus on expressing your gratitude, sharing cherished moments from your wedding day, or mentioning how their presence added to the joy and love in the atmosphere. Avoid discussing any issues from the big day or telling them you don’t like their gift!
Can you send email thank you cards?
You can absolutely send email thank you cards if it’s easier. However, hand-written is always best. They show that you’ve taken the time and effort to craft a unique message for each recipient, making your appreciation more meaningful.
Wedding thank you cards are a thoughtful and kind way to wrap up your wedding celebrations. Think of them as the final farewell or curtain down. Although they may seem small, these little notes carry immeasurable weight in gratitude. They’re not just a formality — your wedding thank you cards are the cherry on the cake of your special day.
Wedding thank you cards should be sent in good time and should be handwritten. Send a wedding thank you note to anyone who played a significant role in your wedding day, anyone who sent a gift or money, and anyone who would have attended but experienced a personal emergency. If you’re on the fence about whether you should send someone a wedding thank you card or not, our advice is just to send one. Remember — you’ll never regret being a kind person.
If you’re looking for wedding thank you card writing tips, check out our post on what to write in a wedding thank you card. It has great advice on card writing etiquette and some handy wedding card examples to use as inspiration!
When planning your perfect wedding day, you might not be sure where to start. You might know what your ideal ceremony, venue, food, cake and everything else looks like, but one of the biggest questions you may have is how exactly they all fit together.
Organising a wedding is a little bit like putting a jigsaw together, only you don’t have instructions so you have to do it the best you can. One of the key parts of this is creating a wedding day timeline so everyone knows where they have to be, what time they have to be there and what’s going to happen once they’re there.
In this post, we’re going to explore what the best wedding day timeline might look like, including what order everything happens throughout the typical wedding day, how long each part usually takes and the most popular time couples choose to have the ceremony.
No, not all weddings follow the same timeline. However, every wedding you go to will generally follow a timeline that is at the very least reminiscent of every other wedding you might have been to. Whether you choose to have a traditional wedding, religious wedding, registry office wedding, destination wedding or something else entirely, there will always be some similarities – especially at the ceremony itself, which has to follow certain legal processes.
Some of the major factors that can influence a wedding day timeline include:
Cultural and religious traditions – For example, many Indian weddings span over several days and there are a lot of black wedding traditions that also go beyond the big day.
The type of wedding – A traditional wedding will often last from late morning through until late at night, while a destination wedding might only last a couple of hours.
The time of the ceremony – Traditionally, couples get married around lunchtime, but twilight weddings are quickly becoming more popular and start much later in the day.
The formality – Less formal weddings will usually have a more relaxed structure as they’re often far more intimate.
The size of your guest list – The larger your guest list is, the more likely you’ll need to allow extra time for arrivals, transport, seating, photos and more.
The time of year – Believe it or not, the season your wedding takes place in can also have an effect, especially during the winter when you might need to account for icy or snowy conditions.
The location of your venues – The location of your venues (if your ceremony and breakfast/reception venue aren’t at the same place), specifically if they’re far apart from each other, can potentially slow things down.
Personal preferences – Finally, your own personal preferences can dictate your wedding day timeline. At the end of the day, it’s your big day, so do whatever makes you happy.
What time does a wedding ceremony usually take place?
In the UK, the majority of wedding ceremonies start between 11am and 2pm. However, depending on the type of wedding you have, this can vary. For example, many religious wedding ceremonies start in the late morning, while ceremonies at registry offices tend to start in the afternoon. Of course, if you’ve chosen to have a twilight wedding, it will start much later in the day, often as it starts to get dark, which can be at different times depending on the season you’re getting married in.
Generally, the longest part of your wedding day will be the evening reception, which will last around four or five hours (though this can be longer if you’ve invited a few party animals). This is usually a couple of hours longer than the next longest part of your big day, which is the wedding breakfast. The breakfast can last around two to three hours, including time for the speeches.
Believe it or not, despite months (or even years) of planning, the shortest part of a couple’s wedding day is often the ceremony itself. The ceremony takes approximately 45 minutes from the moment the procession starts, though it can sometimes be longer, such as with a religious ceremony where there might be hymns and readings.
A registry office wedding or civil ceremony can be as short as 10 minutes, but longer if you want to include extras like readings, or if you’ve hired a celebrant.
To give you an idea as to how long various parts of your wedding day will take, you can use the below times as an approximation when planning your big day.
Getting ready (including hair, makeup and getting dressed) – Approximately two hours. This may take longer if the artist you’ve hired is also doing the bridesmaids’ hair and makeup.
Pre-wedding photos (bridal party and groomsmen) – 30 to 45 minutes.
Ceremony – 45 to 60 minutes, but this can vary depending on whether it’s a religious ceremony or you have specific personal preferences. Registry office weddings can be as short and sweet as 10 minutes.
Photographs – Around one hour, but it can depend on the size of your wedding party and whether you have to travel to a specific location to take photos.
Reception drinks – Approximately an hour, which may start while you and your new spouse are having photos taken. It gives time for everyone to have a drink and unwind before the breakfast. You might want to add 10 or 15 minutes if you’re having a receiving line to welcome guests to the reception venue.
Wedding breakfast – Around two to two and a half hours, depending on the type of food you’re serving and the number of courses. This may be shorter if you have a great catering and serving team.
Speeches – This varies depending on who’s giving a speech, but there are usually at least three speeches; the father of the bride, the groom and the best man. Allow 10 minutes per speaker, so around 30 minutes in total, though this might be longer if others wish to say a few words as well.
Cutting of the cake – 5 to 10 minutes, but most of that is the time taken getting everyone together and allowing people to take photographs.
Evening reception – Once evening guests arrive, usually between 7pm and 8pm, the evening reception will go on for the rest of the night, which depends on you, your guests and the venue. The evening reception will usually last at least four hours and will often include food, such as a buffet, as well as drinks and music (and some dancing, of course).
What does a wedding timeline look like?
If you’re struggling to visualise what your wedding day timeline might look like when all of the elements come together, check out our handy quick reference infographic below. This provides a breakdown of the various parts of your wedding and their corresponding approximate times.
Follow this general timeline when planning your big day
Depending on the type of wedding you have, wedding timelines can have a few key differences. Below are some examples of how you might expect a wedding day to look based on some of the most popular types of weddings couples go for.
Example traditional wedding day timeline
As we highlighted above, traditional wedding ceremonies commonly start between 11am and 2pm. The below example of a traditional wedding day timeline is what your day might look like if your ceremony were to start at midday.
7am – Your alarm goes off and it’s time for a shower (speak to your hairstylist beforehand about whether or not you should wash your hair that morning or not).
7.30am – Breakfast. Don’t skip this step because you’ve got a long day ahead of you. You might want your bridesmaids/groomsmen to join you and start the celebrations early with a crafty Buck’s Fizz or mimosa.
8am – If you’ve hired a photographer, they’ll arrive to capture everyone getting ready. Your hair and makeup artist(s) will likely arrive around the same time.
8.15am – Hair and makeup starts on the bridal party (if they’re doing it for them).
9am – The flowers and bouquets are delivered and the vendors you’ve hired will arrive at the venue to start setting everything up.
9.30am – The bride’s hair and makeup start.
10.30am – The bride gets dressed. At the same time, the groom will head to the venue to begin greeting guests.
11am – Bridal party photos and the wedding transport arrives (if you need it).
11.30am – The bride sets off for the venue as your final guests arrive.
11.45am – Your guests are asked to take their seats.
11.55am – The bride arrives at the venue and everyone takes their place. The photographer will take some last-minute photos of the bride and whoever she is walking down the aisle with.
12pm – The ceremony starts.
12.45pm – The ceremony ends and the couple leaves the venue with the photographer for photographs, also joined by friends and family.
1pm – Guests head to the breakfast and reception venue (if elsewhere). Canapés and a welcome drink may be served.
1.30pm – The couple arrives at the venue.
1.45pm – Everyone takes a seat for the wedding breakfast.
2pm – The starters and main courses are served.
3.15pm – The wait staff start pouring flutes of fizz for the speeches.
8am to 10.30am – A leisurely morning, ensuring you have a good breakfast. If you have a small budget, this is a great time to visit a hairstylist and make-up artist, as going to them rather than them coming to you keeps costs down.
11am – Get ready with family and friends close by.
12.30pm – Set off for the registry office.
12.50pm – Arrive at the registry office and your guests take their seats. If you’ve hired a photographer they will begin taking photos.
1pm – The ceremony begins.
1.15pm – The ceremony ends.
1.30pm – A short photography session outside the registry office with the couple and friends and family.
2.15pm – A meal at a local restaurant or hotel, including the speeches.
6pm – The wedding party moves on to a different local venue, such as a pub or hotel, to host a party for wider family and friends. This will include the cutting of the cake, the first dance and a buffet. However, this all depends on your budget and preferences.
A twilight wedding starts much later in the day, which means there’s not as much time as with a traditional wedding. However, many of the same things are still included, just condensed, which makes it great for getting married on a budget.
8am to 2pm – A leisurely morning and lunchtime spent with family and friends. You may take the time to relax (a morning spa session with the rest of the bridal party goes down a treat) or visit your local beauty stylist to save money on hair and makeup.
3pm – You start to get ready as vendors arrive at the venue to prepare. If you’ve hired a professional stylist and photographer, they’ll also arrive around this time.
4.30pm – The groom arrives at the venue to welcome guests.
5pm – The bride gets dressed.
5.30pm – The bride leaves for the venue.
5.45pm – Guests take their seats.
5.55pm – The bride arrives at the venue and everyone gets into position.
6pm – The ceremony begins.
6.45pm – The ceremony ends.
7pm – The couple and their guests take photographs to take advantage of the setting sun.
8pm – Depending on what you’ve decided to do, the wedding breakfast or evening reception and buffet will begin. This will also include the speeches, cutting of the cake and first dance.
11.45pm – The couple leaves the venue.
12pm – The reception finishes and your guests leave the venue.
Plan your perfect wedding with Bridebook
Now that you know some rough timelines that wedding days often follow, you can start planning your own big day exactly as you like it. Sign up to Bridebook to get access to all the tools, information and resources you need so you can plan your perfect wedding.
Your wedding day will be filled with love, excitement and magic. Months or even years of planning will finally become reality as your family and friends gather to spend time with you as you and your partner come together as one. The entire day will be a whirlwind of emotions, but at no point will your emotions be quite as high as they are during your wedding ceremony – the moment when you and your partner exchange vows and tell the world about your commitment to one another.
With such an important moment not just on your wedding day, but potentially your entire life, you likely have a ton of questions bouncing around in your mind. What’s the traditional order? How do you give your loved ones a role in your wedding? How do you find the perfect venue, words to say, decorations, celebrant and more?
Yes, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to your wedding ceremony, but that doesn’t mean it has to be scary or overwhelming. All it takes is a little bit of research to make sure everything is checked off.
That’s where we come in. In this guide, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about a wedding ceremony, from the planning right up to the moment you’re stood at the altar and beyond. Then, to help with planning your very own wedding, sign up to Bridebook for all the resources and tools you could need to make it as simple as possible.
The wedding ceremony is the heart and soul of your wedding day. It’s the big moment you’ve been waiting for since the day you got engaged and promised to spend your life loving and caring for your partner. The wedding ceremony is the culmination of a long and chaotic wedding planning journey and is the moment the two of you start your marriage both from a spiritual and legal point of view.
It’s often what many couples consider to be the most nerve-wracking part of a wedding. It’s the one part you want to go perfectly, as you stand in front of your family and friends and exchange vows with the love of your life. Thankfully, with a little preparation and by choosing the right professionals and vendors, your wedding ceremony can be exactly like it is inside your head.
The morning of your wedding will be fast-paced and whizz past before you even realise it’s time to make your way to the venue. The excitement will build and you might feel jittery, but it’ll soon be time to start your wedding ceremony.
As you get ready and make your way to the venue, your guests will have slowly been arriving. Depending on what you’ve chosen, they might enjoy some welcome drinks and a few canapés while getting swept up in the excitement. Then, once it’s time, they’ll be shown to their seats by the ushers and the ceremony can start.
And it should look a little something like this:
1. The processional
The traditional order for walking into the venue and either taking their seats or standing at the altar is:
Bride’s mum
Groom’s parents
Bride’s grandparents
Groom’s grandparents
Groom
Officiant
Bridesmaids
Maid of honour
Best man
Ring bearer or page boy
Flower girl
The bride and her father
You’re likely to have music playing at the venue to welcome guests as they find their seats. This, of course, will change as the wedding is about to begin and the bride walks down the aisle. Depending on your preferences, the music might be prerecorded or played live by a musician. The music then fades out as the two of you meet.
With modern and same-sex weddings, new traditions are forming that are variations of the traditional processional in the UK. Both partners may choose to walk down the aisle together, or neither may want to do it like this. The best thing about your wedding is that it’s yours, so you’re free to arrive however you feel comfortable.
2. The welcome
Once the two of you are stood at the front, the officiant (or celebrant if you choose to have one) will welcome everyone to your big day. You may ask them to give a specific greeting, and they may use some humour if this is something you’re happy to include. If your wedding ceremony is religious, the welcome may have a set structure. This will introduce your guests to the day and help you feel at ease.
3. A song or reading
If you’re having a religious ceremony, following the welcome there would traditionally be a hymn. Even if you’re not religious, this is still something you can include, but it isn’t common. Instead, you might ask a friend or loved one to do a reading, which might be a poem, an extract from a story or play, or even lyrics from a song that’s personal to you and represents your journey as a couple.
4. The marriage ceremony
The officiant will remind the couple of their obligations to one another with the charge. This is when they explain what it means to be married and what the couple must do to ensure they’re upheld. This includes their responsibilities and the meaning of the vows they’re about to exchange.
Next, the officiant will ask a question that’s been the catalyst for many dramatic moments in rom-coms: Does anyone know of any reason in law why the couple should not be married? This, of course, is usually met with silence, much to the relief of the couple.
You and your partner will then exchange vows, which the officiant will run through with you slowly (so you don’t have to remember an entire Shakespearean soliloquy). If you’ve chosen to write your own vows, you will have given these to the officiant beforehand to make sure they comply with the relevant rules. Just remember there are specific words you have to say to make sure your marriage is legal.
It’s during this stage when the two of you will say another famous wedding ceremony staple, the I dos. Thankfully, this is one of the most exciting parts, as well as being one of the easiest to remember!
5. The exchanging of the rings
If the two of you have chosen to wear wedding rings, this is when you’ll exchange them. If you don’t want to exchange rings, you will have spoken to your officiant beforehand to discuss an alternative (for some inspiration, read our post on ring alternatives).
If you are exchanging rings, it’s usually the best man’s job to hold on to these, or they could be brought to you by a young ring bearer if someone in your family or friend circle would suit the role. When the officiant asks for them, the best man will hand them over. The two of you, under the direction of the officiant, will then place the rings on each other’s ring fingers while reciting a phrase also guided by the officiant.
6. The declaration of marriage and first kiss
Phew, the scary part is over! Now, the officiant will say the words that proclaim the two of you are bound by marriage, saying something such as: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife (or a variation of this for LGBTQ+ couples).
Then, the officiant will encourage the two of you to kiss and you’ll have your first embrace as a happily married couple as all your friends and family applaud and cheer. There might also be one or two tears, too.
7. An additional song, reading or prayer
If you’re having a religious ceremony, this is when there’s an opportunity for a reading from scripture, a hymn or a prayer. Even in non-religious ceremonies, you may ask another loved one to perform another reading.
8. The signing of the register
The officiant will then invite you and your new spouse to sign the marriage license, which will also need to be signed by two witnesses whom you will have asked ahead of the big day (make sure you don’t spring this surprise on anyone that morning).
This usually takes around ten minutes and music will play to entertain your guests as they wait for you to finish.
9. The end of your service
After the two of you and your witnesses are done signing the register, the officiant will thank everyone for attending and invite them, on your behalf, to celebrate at your chosen venue where the breakfast and reception will take place.
10. The recessional
The two of you will now leave the venue accompanied by music as you make your way out. As you step outside, your guests will be waiting to shower you with confetti as your photographer snaps some fantastic photographs.
11. The photographs
You’ll then be joined by loved ones as your wedding photographer guides you all through the official photography process. There will also be many photos taken of just the two of you in and around the venue.
12. On to the breakfast and/or reception
Depending on whether your breakfast and reception are happening elsewhere, you may hop into your wedding transport to be whisked off to your next venue. If your ceremony and reception are taking place in the same venue, you’ll then either move on to another room or step out while the venue staff make changes to get ready for your breakfast. Then, all you have to do is enjoy yourself!
Wedding ceremony traditional order cheat sheet
If all of the above was a lot to take in, don’t panic! We’ve created a handy quick reference sheet sheet to illustrate the traditional wedding ceremony order, which you can save or event print out to return to whenever you need.
This infographic illustrates the traditional wedding ceremony order
While the traditional ceremony order is often followed for weddings in the UK, this can differ depending on the type of ceremony you have, your religious beliefs, the size of your wedding or simply your own preferences. For example, a Jewish wedding ceremony can be different from a Hindu ceremony or a non-denominational wedding ceremony. Every wedding, regardless of culture or background, will follow a recognisable structure to ensure the marriage is legal. But, the order might vary to some degree.
When planning your wedding, you’ll spend a lot of time and effort thinking about the venue, food, entertainment, favours and your cake, but it’s just as important to dedicate time to planning the ceremony itself, too.
So, here’s everything you should think about to make sure you plan your perfect wedding ceremony.
Understanding the budget for your wedding ceremony
Your wedding budget will likely include everything you need to have the wedding of your dreams. When putting your budget together, you should think beyond the breakfast and reception – which are the biggest expenses you’ll face – and ensure you also have enough to dedicate towards the ceremony itself. After all, it’s the main event!
You can use our wedding budget tool to work out exactly what you need so you can have the perfect venue, decorations, music, celebrant and more that will come together to become the wedding you’ve always dreamed about. Prioritise the must-haves and separate them from the nice-to-haves. With the average UK wedding costing £19,184, it’s important to be realistic when understanding your budget.
Choose the perfect venue for your wedding ceremony
When the time comes to choose your wedding venue, you’ll have a lot to think about. What type of venue suits your budget? Do you want a venue where you can have the ceremony, breakfast and reception all in one location? Do you want to get married in a church or place of worship?
When choosing the venue for your ceremony, there are plenty of options out there, so consider the following to ensure you have everything you need from your ceremony venue.
Make sure you discuss what you want from your venue with your partner. The ceremony may just be an hour of your overall day, but it’s something that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives, so you want it to be something worth remembering.
Don’t be tempted to go over budget, even if it’s a stunning venue. If you overspend on one thing, you’ll have to compromise on something else.
Think about the space and whether it will comfortably fit all the guests you’d like to invite.
Pay close attention to the lighting. This includes whether it allows a lot of natural light in, and if not, is there room for additional lighting?
Try to visit your favourite venues more than once to make sure you get that feeling, so you know you’ve found the one.
Decorating your ceremony venue is more than just about the flowers. You might have a welcome sign, a seating plan, bunting, chair sashes, lighting, pew ends, aisle decor and more.
Make sure the decor you choose fits the overall theme of your wedding, but also ties into the natural aesthetic and beauty of your venue. If you’ve chosen a venue with a lot of natural beauty, such as a country house or place of worship, you might not need to enhance it by much. But if you’re getting married in a hotel or golf club, a little extra decor might just help bring your theme out a little bit more.
Choose your officiants and celebrants
If you’re having a religious ceremony, then it’s possible that your wedding will be officiated by a senior member of your local place of worship. If not, and you’re having a non-religious or multi-faith ceremony, then you may wish to choose your officiants and celebrants, as well as the registrar who will ensure your marriage is legal.
A celebrant is a great way to bring character and charm to your ceremony. You’ll meet with a celebrant a couple of times before the big day so they can create a highly personalised ceremony order and the words the two of you will share. We’d recommend speaking to a few celebrants to find one that fits with your exact vision.
This is possibly something you’ve been thinking about forever, but now’s the time to set in stone how you’d like your friends and family to be involved in your wedding ceremony. This includes choosing a best man and maid of honour if you’re having one, as well as bridesmaids, ushers, page boy, ring bearer and flower girl.
Traditionally, the father of the bride gives his daughter away after walking her down the aisle, but in many modern weddings, couples might flip this, so that both parents walk the bride down the aisle, just the bride’s mum, or you and your partner might choose to walk down the aisle together.
Whoever you ask to play a role in your wedding, just make sure you’re understanding and accommodating, and show your appreciation to everyone involved.
Choose the perfect seating plan
Traditionally, the seating plan at the wedding ceremony is relatively straightforward: the groom’s family and friends sit on one side of the aisle and the bride’s family and friends sit on the other. However, this all depends on whether the two of you have a relatively equal number of guests each. If not, the seating plan at the ceremony can feel a little lopsided.
Much like the seating plan at the breakfast, you can seat your guests wherever you like, with maybe the exception of parents, grandparents, kids and other close relatives. Or, you can let them choose. Whatever works for you.
Choose your wedding vows
When it comes to your vows, you have two options: either use traditional vows (which might be determined by your faith if you have a religious wedding) or write your own. Writing your own might sound scary, but it’s something many couples opt for with modern weddings. It helps personalise your wedding and tell your partner – in front of your family and friends – exactly how you feel about them.
Discuss with your partner whether you’re brave enough to write your own vows, or if you’d prefer to go with something a little more traditional. It’s a super emotional thing to do, and some people can struggle to express how they feel using words.
For many couples, hiring a photographer (and even a videographer) is a major non-negotiable. It’s the best way to capture your wedding so you can look back on it forever.
When you hire a photographer for your wedding, you can choose to hire them just for the ceremony, which also includes the family shots straight afterwards, or a package that includes the ceremony, the breakfast and the evening reception (and maybe even an engagement photoshoot as well). They’ll even capture the exciting build-up to the wedding as you get ready with your loved ones.
Decide what wedding ceremony traditions you might like to uphold
When it comes to weddings, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of traditions. Some of them go back hundreds of years but are still included in weddings to this day.
For example, many brides like to include something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue as part of their wedding outfit. It’s also common for couples not to see each other on the morning of the wedding until their eyes meet as the wedding ceremony begins.
When it comes to the music you have at your wedding ceremony, you actually have a wider choice available to you (depending on your budget) than you might realise. There’s a huge choice of music to suit a range of tastes, preferences, budgets, traditions and styles. When it comes to your music, think about the following:
Do you want live music or pre-recorded?
What kind of music do you want to play as your guests take their seats?
What mood do you want to set?
Do you want to be traditional or have something a little more modern?
What music do you want during the procession?
What music do you want as you walk down the aisle?
What music do you want to play as your sign the register?
What music would you like to walk out of the ceremony to?
See what we mean? Music plays a key role throughout your wedding day, from the moment you arrive at the ceremony to the moment you leave the reception at the end of the night. Take your time and think about the music you want at your ceremony, including the mood it sets and the meaning behind it.
Decide if you want any readings
Whether you have a religious ceremony or not, you may choose to have readings at your wedding. Readings are a great way to include loved ones in your ceremony who might otherwise not have a role, and help add a touch of personalisation and style. A reading can be anything, from a poem to your favourite song lyrics. They can also be a verse or two from a religious text. Whoever does them and whatever they read, just make sure they’re in keeping with the tone, theme and style of your wedding. For example, a funny reading might not work if you’re going for a more traditional vibe.
Have a plan B (especially if your wedding ceremony is taking place outside)
Since the law in the UK changed in 2022 to allow for weddings to take place outside, couples have seized the opportunity to get married in a wider variety of venues and locations. From gardens and parks to castles and manors, there are now a lot more places you and your love can exchange vows.
The only downside is, the weather in the UK doesn’t always behave itself. Yes, your wedding might be booked during July when there’s every chance we’re in the midst of a heatwave, but it’s never guaranteed. In the event the heavens open or there are 75mph winds, make sure you discuss a backup plan with your chosen venue just in case.
Decide if you want a rehearsal
Few would argue that the ceremony is the single biggest and most important aspect of your wedding day. If something doesn’t quite go to plan at the breakfast or reception, there’s so much going on that it doesn’t really matter if there’s a minor hiccup or two. However, at the ceremony, when all eyes are on you, you probably want everything to be perfect.
That’s why many couples choose to have a rehearsal. In the US, wedding rehearsals are fairly common, but in the UK, unless you’re having a religious ceremony, they’re far less so. But, if you have the budget available, a rehearsal is never a bad thing to have to ensure everyone knows exactly what they’re doing on the big day.
What do you need to remember for the morning of the wedding?
During your last few hours of single life, there will likely be a million and one thoughts whirling around your mind. Everything from worrying about your outfit fitting just right to whether or not the flowers will turn up on time will bounce around your head. Even tiny, insignificant things will feel huge as the excitement and nerves build. That’s why it can be easy to forget key things during the build-up to the ceremony. With that in mind, here are just a few things you should remember on the morning of the wedding:
Remember to pack some wedding day essentials you might need throughout the ceremony, such as lip balm, tissues (definitely tissues), deodorant and your phone. You can keep these in your pocket, a clutch or leave them with someone you trust so you don’t have to worry about carting things around all day.
Make sure you eat a decent breakfast. Your wedding day is a long one, and after getting ready, the ceremony, the photos and welcoming everyone to the breakfast, it’ll be two or three o’clock before you even know it – and your stomach will be growling. A good breakfast will keep you fuelled so you don’t need to keep thinking about what time you get to sit down for your first meal as a married couple.
As well as getting ready for your big day, make sure you stick to some of your usual routines. Mainly, your skincare routine, because disrupting the status quo might upset your skin during a time when you might already be a little stressed. Don’t try something new at the last minute just in case your skin doesn’t like it.
From the moment you step out of your home or hotel room before the ceremony, you’ll probably be wearing a dress, suit or other type of outfit that might be a little tight in places or dig in here or there. So, until that time comes, wear the comfiest, snuggliest thing you can get your hands on.
Don’t leave anything to the last minute and give yourself plenty of time to get ready. Your guests and members of the wedding party will probably have a ton of questions for you about this and that, and allowing for enough time to get ready will prevent unnecessary stress.
Try to establish a calm atmosphere in and around where you’re getting ready, so keep chilled-out people close by and listen to some of your favourite music.
Your wedding ceremony will go by so fast that before you know it you’ll be sat eating the starter at your breakfast. Try to take everything in and enjoy every single moment.
What happens when the time comes to walk down the aisle?
As the moment arrives for your wedding ceremony to start, there’ll be so much excitement from your guests as they take their seats on either side of the aisle. There’ll also be a few nerves, mainly from yourself, but they’ll soon go when you see your partner and all feels right with the world. But what happens when the time comes to walk down the aisle and become a married couple?
Let’s say your ceremony begins at 12pm. One of the happy couple, usually the groom, will be at the venue to welcome guests who will have been filtering in for the last hour or so, and who will start to take their seats around 15 – 20 minutes before the ceremony starts. Your planner or someone at the venue will keep a lookout for the arrival of the bride to alert the rest of the team and guests that the ceremony is imminent.
Once everyone at the wedding is seated and the bridal party is ready in a room outside the ceremony room, everyone lines up. When it’s time for the processional to start, the music will change to the song you’ll have chosen ahead of time.
Depending on who is in the bridal party, the order will go a little like this:
Officiant
Bridesmaids
Maid of honour and best man
Ring bearer or page boy
Flower girl
The bride and her father or parents
As you meet your partner at the front, your loved ones watching on, the officiant will guide you and your guests through the ceremony. At a same-sex ceremony, it’s entirely up to you whether you follow a similar order to this, walk down the aisle together, or do something else entirely. It’s your wedding, so you’re free to do it however you like!
The vows you’ll have at your wedding will be determined both by your personal preferences and whether or not you’re having a religious ceremony. You may choose to write your own vows, but many couples still opt to use traditional vows.
Remember, a certain portion of your vows have to follow the legal process to ensure your marriage is binding, so while you’re free to personalise them, you do still need to follow the rules. The legal declaration and contracting words will usually be along these lines:
Declaratory words
“I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, [YOUR FULL NAME], may not be joined in matrimony to [YOUR PARTNER’S FULL NAME].”
Contracting words
“I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, [YOUR FULL NAME], do take thee, (YOUR PARTNER’S FULL NAME) to be my lawful wedded [WIFE/HUSBAND/SPOUSE/PARTNER IN MARRIAGE]. I promise to care for you, to give you my love and friendship, and to respect you and cherish you throughout the rest of our lives together.”
How to get the perfect wedding ceremony shots for your wedding album
If you’ve hired a professional wedding photographer, they’ll spend a lot of time before, during and after your ceremony making sure you have wonderful photographs that you can hold on to forever. During the run-up to and during the ceremony, your photographer should take a lot of candid, natural photographs, meaning you’re free to get ready and enjoy your ceremony. That means it’s one less thing to worry about, so don’t look out for your photographer, and if you see them try to resist striking a pose unless they ask.
There may be a few mini photo sessions, such as the bride with her parents before the ceremony, but the main photo shoot will follow the ceremony, when the two of you will take plenty of pictures, as well as those involving your family and friends. One of the big ones is the traditional confetti shot, which involves you walking between two rows of guests as they shower you with colourful confetti. A skilled photographer will know exactly what to do to make sure everyone’s in the right position to get the best possible shots.
It may not be in your nature to pose for photographs but try to embrace the moment and enjoy it. To help calm the nerves that may come with your wedding photos, consider a wedding photographer package that includes an engagement photoshoot, which can make you feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
After the ceremony is over and you’ve signed the register, the two of you are declared as legally married. Phew! You can now enjoy the rest of your wedding day, starting with the obligatory photoshoot if you’ve hired a professional photographer.
Following the photos, what happens next depends on what you’ve chosen for the remainder of your big day. Traditionally, if your ceremony was around lunchtime, you and your guests will move on to the breakfast (which may or may not be at the same venue as the ceremony), which includes a meal and toasts. Then, during the afternoon and into the early evening, the venue may get ready for the evening reception, where there might be more food, drinks and dancing.
Traditional wedding ceremonies can be beautiful, whether intimate or grand. However, if you’re not particularly fond of the idea of following tradition, you can choose to do something completely different. That way, your wedding ceremony can be in keeping with what you have in mind for the rest of your big day and fit perfectly with your personalities. So, here are five alternate wedding ceremony ideas you might want to think about.
Twilight wedding ceremony: A twilight wedding is a wedding that takes place during the latter part of the day, so you can take advantage of the magic and beauty that comes once it starts to get dark. With a twilight wedding there are tons of opportunities to get creative with lighting.
Destination ceremony: Just think about how blissful it would be to get married on a white sandy beach, surrounded by acres of woodland or on a rooftop overlooking New York City. With a destination wedding, the world is literally your oyster.
Themed ceremony: With some carefully sourced and made props and decorations, you can put together an immersive, themed ceremony that’s personalised and unique. Steampunk, vintage, Hollywood premiere, botanical… there are so many themed ceremony ideas to choose from.
Adventurous ceremony: If you love the great outdoors, why not swap your suits and dresses for hiking gear, a wet suit or snow shoes and have a wedding ceremony somewhere adventurous?
Surprise ceremony: Give your guests a surprise they’ll never forget by inviting them to what they think is just an ordinary party. Except, suddenly the doors open and they’re invited to take a seat to watch you get married. Imagine how excited everyone would be!
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The big day has been and gone. The vows have been read, the presents were opened, and the honeymoon has come to an end. However, there’s still a little more wedding joy to spread — the thank you cards!
Thank you cards are a great way to express your heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for all the love and support you received on your special day. You can use them to thank guests for wedding gifts, for their efforts in wedding planning, or even just for being part of your special day.
In this article, we cover what to write in a wedding thank you card, examples of wedding thank you card wording, and some top tips for writing wedding thank you messages.
A wedding thank you card is a card given by the newlyweds to their wedding guests. They’re usually given a few weeks after the wedding ceremony to thank the guests for attending, for any gifts they may have received, and to thank the wedding party for their support in organising the wedding.
Wedding thank you cards are a small but significant gesture to express gratitude to your close friends and family. They usually take a few hours to write but will leave a lasting impression on your guests. You don’t have to write wedding thank you cards. However, if you have time, they’re a lovely way to round off the big day and the months leading up to it.
While you don’t have to, it’s polite to still send a wedding card to anyone who:
Couldn’t attend the wedding, but sent a gift
Couldn’t attend the wedding, but gave you money
Couldn’t attend the wedding due to ill health, but would have otherwise
Couldn’t attend the wedding due to a bereavement, but would have otherwise
Sending a wedding card to someone who couldn’t attend the wedding for these reasons is a thoughtful and considerate gesture. It shows your appreciation for their wedding wishes, support, and understanding of their circumstances.
Wedding thank you cards don’t need to be long or detailed. All that matters is that you write from the heart. We recommend including:
A friendly greeting
Start with a friendly greeting. This can be something simple like:
Dear [Names]
To [Names]
But you could also try something a little more fun and creative:
To our favourite [your relationship to the guest or guests. For example, ‘To our favourite cousins’]
Dear [your surname] wedding survivors
Your choice of greeting sets the tone for your thank you card and can reflect your personality as a couple. So, feel free to be creative or stick to the classics, as long as it feels genuine to you.
A generic thank you message
You should then move on to thanking your guests for attending your wedding and giving you a gift (if they did).
The thank you message can be generic. For example:
Thank you so much for attending our big day
Thank you for making the effort to come to the wedding, and for your thoughtful gift
It’s important to thank guests properly if they give you a gift or money. Just be careful not to accidentally thank someone for a gift if they didn’t give one!
Top tip: As you’re opening your wedding presents, keep a list of who gave you each gift or if a card contained money or vouchers. This way, you can properly thank your guests in your cards.
A specific memory or acknowledgment
The next part of your wedding card should be personalised to the recipient of your card. It could be a special moment you shared on the wedding day, a personalised thank you for the gift they gave you, or even an anecdote from before the wedding.
For example, you could try something like:
It was lovely to have you at the wedding ceremony. Thank you especially for your help when my veil got caught on the chair!
Thank you so much for your generous gift. We’re really looking forward to using the new air fryer now that we’re back from our honeymoon.
I can’t thank you enough for all your support running up to the wedding day. It was a really stressful time and you were an absolute lifesaver.
A simple sign-off
Once you’ve finished the body of your card, you should sign off with a warm closing and your and your new spouse’s name. For example:
Again, thank you so much. Love, [Your names]
We really appreciate your support. Thanks again, [Your names]
Wedding thank you card message structure
Follow this general structure when composing your thank you message
We’re so grateful you came to celebrate our special day with us. We’ve known each other since school, so it wouldn’t have been the same without you. Plus, I can’t believe you travelled all the way from Scotland for us! I hope the drive back wasn’t too tiring.
Again, thank you. We really appreciate it. Love,
[Your names]
What to write in a thank you card to family
To [Names],
Thank you so much for coming to our special day and for bringing the little cousins along. It can’t be easy to look after three kids all day, but it meant the world to us for everyone to be there.
Thank you again for your lovely gift. The towels are beautiful, and we just love the light blue colour.
From,
[Your names]
What to write in a maid of honour’s thank you card
Dear [maid of honour’s name],
You’ve been my rock throughout this process. From the minute I told you I was engaged, you were right by my side and supported all my crazy ideas. Thank you for being the guardian of my special day. Your love and support mean everything to me.
Thank you again. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Love,
[Your name]
What to write in a bridesmaid’s thank you card
Dear [bridesmaid’s name],
You stood by my side as I took the biggest step of my life, and I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for all your help running up to the big day — I honestly couldn’t have done it without you.
With all my love,
[Your name]
What to write in a best man’s thank you card
Dear [best man‘s name],
Thank you for standing by my side on the most important day of my life, and for not telling anyone how much I cried. You’re my best friend, my partner in crime, and I couldn’t have done it without you.
Thank you again for the generous gift you left in the wedding card. It’ll go a long way towards the honeymoon, so thank you!
Hoping I can return the favour one day! From,
[Your name]
What to write in a groomsman’s thank you card
Dear [groomsman’s name],
What a night! Thank you so much for ushering the guests to their seats, for keeping my crazy auntie away from my uncle, and for all the free shots! It wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Handwritten cards have a personal touch that your guests are sure to appreciate. If your handwriting is difficult to read, simply take your time and write neatly.
Be timely
Send out your thank you cards within a few weeks of the wedding to show your appreciation. If you leave it any longer than this, you may struggle to remember specific details of the wedding or who gave you which gifts!
Enlist a helper
Writing thank you cards can take a few hours. However, if you have a helper, like your new spouse, you can get done in half the time.
Make a list
Keep a list of which cards you’ve written and sent and which ones you still need to complete. This will help you stay organised and on top of the task.
Knowing what to say in wedding thank you cards can be tricky. Plus, with so many people to thank, coming up with a personalised experience for each guest can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry — we’re here to help.
The easiest thing to do when writing a wedding card is to make it easy for yourself. Enlist a helper, personalise one or two lines to the guests’ experience, and keep a list of which cards you’ve sent and which you haven’t.
If you’re a guest looking for wedding card writing tips, check out our post on what to write in a wedding card. It includes top tips and a guide on writing etiquette, along with some great wedding card message examples.
Excitement for the new year is building, drinks are flowing freely and fireworks paint the night sky. Love is in the air and you and your partner couldn’t be happier together.
Sounds like a pretty ideal time for you to get down on one knee and ask them an important and monumental four-word question, don’t you think?
Asking your other half to marry you on New Year’s Eve is wonderfully symbolic, allowing you and your new fiance to tackle the new year as partners in crime. Not only that, but you’ll also have a brilliant time planning your wedding throughout the new year!
But, with your mind made up that you’re going to pop the question on New Year’s Eve, how should you go about it? What do you need to think about and what should you do during the build-up to the big night?
In this post, we’ll explore how to propose on New Year’s Eve, including why it’s such a great idea, what you should do to prepare and how you could tackle the night itself so your proposal goes down as perfectly as you imagined.
6 reasons why New Year’s Eve is a great day for a proposal
If you’re on the fence about proposing on New Year’s Eve and need a little convincing that it’s a great choice, then these six reasons should tip you in the right direction (that direction being down on one knee).
1. It has a huge symbolic meaning
New Year, new me is a popular saying and is all about making positive changes in your life. A new beginning can be perfectly represented by starting the year as an engaged couple and embarking on your journey towards marriage.
2. You’re already suited and booted
If you’re out for the evening, either at a party, a fireworks display or you’re enjoying a romantic meal, the two of you may already be dressed up nice and feeling good. That means you won’t raise any suspicions by booking somewhere nice and suggesting you and your partner should dress up and be extra fancy for the evening.
3. There are already fireworks set up and ready to go
After you’ve proposed and received your YES! you’ll be excited to celebrate into the night with your new fiance. The best thing about midnight on New Year’s Eve is that there are already plenty of fireworks displays set up around the country, whether they’re professional or private displays. So, take advantage of the impending fireworks and use them to enhance your proposal.
4. Share the moment with loved ones
New Year’s Eve is a popular time to spend time with loved ones, whether it’s family, friends or a combination of the two. If this is you, then ask your loved ones to lend a hand with the proposal. This could include spelling WILL YOU MARRY ME? out in sparklers and a timelapse camera, or making sure everyone’s ready to capture your amazing moment on film.
5. The drinks are on standby
What better way to celebrate your engagement than with a glass of bubbly? With a New Year’s Eve proposal, there’s a good chance there are already a few chilled bottles just waiting for the corks to pop.
6. It’s not as cliché as other days
It may be popular to get engaged on New Year’s Eve, but it’s by no means a cliché. That means you can enjoy getting down on one knee on a day that you’ll never forget, without it being as clichéd as the more traditionally romantic days of the year.
Yes, to make sure your New Year’s Eve proposal is every bit as magical as you could hope for, we recommend that you take a bit of time to plan exactly how you want to do it. There are a lot of moving parts around the end of the year, and unless you plan on being impulsive and proposing when the moment feels right, you’ll need to have all your ducks in a row first.
Because you’ve decided to propose on New Year’s Eve, you might also want to make sure you use this special time of year to your advantage. There might be parties, drinks, laughter, celebrations, fireworks, friends and family all at your disposal, so think about how you might want to include them in your big moment. There’s plenty going on over New Year’s, so think carefully about how you can fit all the puzzle pieces together to make sure you propose in the most memorable and romantic way possible.
What should you consider before proposing on New Year’s Eve?
We’ve already covered how memorable a New Year’s Eve proposal can be. But, before you get down on one knee and change you and your partner’s lives forever, there are a few things to consider.
Have you found an engagement ring your partner will love? Or, if you know they don’t want a ring, have you chosen an engagement ring alternative that’s personal to them?
Are you confident that your partner would love a New Year’s Eve proposal? It’s already a special time of year, so make sure you know that your partner is happy to share such a special date.
Have you already got New Year’s Eve plans and thought about how your dream proposal fits into that? If not, how will your partner feel if you try to change your plans?
Do you want to have a private and intimate proposal with just the two of you, or are you going to include your family and friends?
The New Year can already be a hectic and stressful time, so ensure your plans include time to relax and recharge after what is sure to be an emotionally charged moment.
If you’re planning on having a snowy proposal, just bear in mind that British weather is often unpredictable (and rather drizzly). Make sure you have a plan B in place to make sure your proposal isn’t rained off.
How to propose on New Year’s Eve: our foolproof step-by-step guide
New Year’s Eve is one of the most romantic and magical times of the year to ask your partner to marry you. As the seconds get closer to midnight and everyone gets ready to sing Auld Lang Syne, your proposal plan is about to come to fruition. So, to help you plan a New Year’s Eve proposal that gets you your YES, we’ve put together this guide.
Here are 10 steps you can follow so you have your New Year’s Eve YES and start the next year as one half of an engaged couple.
Step 1: Start planning in plenty of time
To make sure you have everything in place for the moment you get down on one knee, it’s important to start planning your proposal early. So, depending on how you’d like to pop the question, we’d recommend setting the wheels in motion in early December or November. Or, if you’d like to propose while on a trip, potentially even sooner.
As part of this, if you’re going to stick to traditions then you might want to talk to your partner’s parents to ask their permission. It might be a slightly outdated tradition these days, but many parents appreciate the gesture anyway. If you have a good relationship with them you’ll more than likely get a positive response and will make sure you continue building your relationship with your future in-laws.
Step 2: Choose your engagement ring (or alternative)
One of the most exciting parts of a proposal is when you finally surprise your partner by asking them the most incredible question. But, this can only work if you’re good at keeping secrets and don’t give the game away. That includes knowing who you can trust to keep it a secret as well, so only tell who you absolutely have to. If you propose around other people, half the fun is seeing their surprise reactions as well.
Step 4: Choose the ideal time
When it comes to proposing on New Year’s Eve, one of the hardest decisions you’ll make is at what time of day you should propose. Of course, you could propose in the morning or afternoon so you can share your amazing news throughout the day. But, most people who propose on New Year’s Eve wait until the evening, with many popping the question as the clocks strike midnight and the new year arrives. Of course, this all depends on your plans and where you’ll be at certain times throughout the day.
Step 5: Make sure you include elements of New Year’s Eve
Because you’re proposing on New Year’s Eve, make sure you make the most of it and include elements synonymous with such a special day. That could include champagne, fireworks, a party or using the countdown itself.
When it comes to proposing, do what you can to make it as unique and personal to you and your partner as possible. If you take an idea for a proposal, put your own spin on it or use what you know about your partner to make it as personal to them as you can.
Part of this includes thinking about what you’ll say once the moment to ask the question arrives. You might end up being so nervous you get tongue-tied, so it’s always worth thinking about what you want to say ahead of time. You might even want to write it down to help you get your thoughts out, then semi-commit them to memory.
Step 7: Make sure you have a plan B
As much as you might have planned your proposal, even the best-laid plans can go awry. So, if something happens that means your plans can’t go ahead, make sure you have a backup plan in place. That way, your New Year’s Eve engagement can still move forward so you can start the new year with a fiance. This step is extra important if your proposal idea counts on the weather behaving itself!
Step 8: Immortalise the moment
If your proposal plans mean you’re likely to be around people, why not give one or two of them (if you trust them not to give anything away) a heads-up so they can film your proposal and snap some pictures? Then you’ll have some wonderful memories and photos you can use when you announce your amazing news.
Step 9: Tell everyone
Thankfully, many of us still have a day or two off work after New Year’s Eve, so don’t always have to rush straight back to work. That means you can visit friends and family and tell them about how you’re now a happily engaged couple.
Step 10: Take some time to enjoy your new relationship status
After the chaos of Christmas and New Year’s, it’s important to take some time for just the two of you to bask in your newly engaged status. Enjoy your time together and celebrate. If you can, take a trip. Then, you can jump into the wild world of wedding planning with energy and enthusiasm!
The above guide should put you in a good place for nailing your New Year’s Eve proposal. But, to help steady those nerves and make sure everything goes exactly as you want it to, here are eight proposal tips to bear in mind.
Don’t just wing it – make sure you have a plan.
Try to theme your New Year’s Eve proposal around the big night itself so it’s not just something that could work on any other night of the year.
Make sure you talk to your partner so you fully understand that they’re happy to get engaged on a special day in the calendar like New Year’s Eve.
If you’re proposing at a party, use those around you to act as unofficial photographers and videographers so you can hold on to that moment forever.
Use the magic of New Year’s Eve to enhance your proposal, like fireworks and your Christmas decorations and lights.
The weather is unpredictable at the best of times, but doubly so on the last day of the year, so have a contingency plan if your proposal involves being outside.
If you’re planning a trip away, book it in plenty of time because hotels can soon fill up.
Spend the rest of your time off before heading back to work enjoying your new-found engaged status. Use the last couple of days before work resumes to tell friends and family the amazing news.
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When you start the New Year with your new fiance, it’ll soon be time to start planning your dream wedding. Sign up to Bridebook and access a wonderful range of tools and resources to make your wedding planning process fun and easy.
You and your partner are at a New Year’s Eve party. You’re riding the high at the end of a fantastic festive season and as the clock nears midnight you feel in your pocket to make sure the ring’s still there. You’ve had a couple of drinks to steady your nerves as the big moment approaches.
The countdown begins… 10… 9… 8…7…
You get the ring out of your pocket.
6… 5… 4… 3…
You get down on one knee. Your partner is shocked, people around you gasp as the countdown reaches zero and everyone exclaims HAPPY NEW YEAR, but as you and your partner lock eyes, it’s like the two of you are the only ones in the room.
Will you marry me?
Then as you get your YES, incredible fireworks paint the sky with a flurry of wonderful colours and sounds.
What a stunning way to ask the love of your life to marry you and kick off the new year in the most incredible way imaginable. But, a New Year’s Eve party proposal is just one of the ways you can ask them to spend the rest of their life with you. There are plenty more memorable ways to make this New Year’s Eve one you’ll remember forever.
In this post, we’ll explore the many ways you can ask your partner to marry you on New Year’s Eve, and why the last day of the year makes for the perfect day to pop the question to your partner.
Yes, New Year’s Eve is one of the most popular days for couples to get engaged. With the start of the new year just hours away, it’s already a magical time for a celebration, with people getting together, drinks flowing and fireworks lighting up the sky. For many, it makes for the perfect backdrop to ask one of the biggest questions of all.
Our annual Wedding Report found that in the UK, more than a quarter (26%) of all proposals happen in December, and 31st December is one of the top 10 dates for someone to get down on one knee. The good news is, while it is popular, it’s not seen as a cliché like other dates, such as Valentine’s Day or 29th February. So, if you want to pop the question this New Year’s Eve, we think you should go for it!
Whether or not you should propose on New Year’s Eve is a decision only you can make. But, if you’re considering it, then there’s nothing quite like a New Year’s Eve proposal.
The start of a new year is a chance for a new beginning. If you’re keen for that new beginning to include a fiance standing at your side, then there’s no better time for it.
It’s worth making sure that your partner would be comfortable sharing such a special moment with a date that’s already significant in many peoples’ lives. If you’ve made the decision to propose, you’ve probably had conversations about a proposal with your partner, so you should have a good idea about what they’d like from one. If that includes a New Year’s Eve proposal, then great!
There’s also a potential stumbling block in the form of the cost of a proposal at that time of year. In the UK, the average cost of an engagement ring is £1,978, and with the costs of Christmas (as well as there being a long wait until January’s payday) these extra costs can be a dealbreaker. But, if you’ve saved for an engagement ring or you know your partner doesn’t want to wear one, then what’s stopping you?
For more information, read our guide to how to propose on New Year’s Eve so you can plan the most wonderful end-of-year proposal.
New Year’s Eve is a wonderful day to propose to your partner. Here are just some of the reasons why you should consider it if you’re still not quite sure it’s right for you:
New Year’s Eve is all about new beginnings, which can be beautifully realised with an engagement.
You’re likely to already be nicely dressed, which means asking your partner to get dressed up for a big night won’t be suspicious.
There will be plenty of fireworks at midnight.
It’s not a cliché like other romantic days of the year.
The drinks will be flowing.
You might be surrounded by loved ones who can share the moment with you.
Excited to pop the question to your partner and give them a New Year’s Eve the two of you will never forget? Below are 12 ideas for a magical New Year’s Eve proposal so you can get your YES and start the new year riding that engagement high.
1. Ask on a New Year’s Eve trip
While Christmas is often considered a holiday for spending time with family, New Year’s Eve can be whatever you want it to be. Just because Christmas is over it doesn’t mean you can’t have one more sneaky surprise up your sleeve in the form of a night or two away. That in itself is a wonderful way to welcome the new year, but throw in a proposal and you’ve got the makings of a night the two of you will treasure forever.
2. Use your Christmas tree
If you put up a Christmas tree and still have it up into the new year, why not include it in your proposal? After all, it’s beautiful and magical, so it would be a shame to waste it.
You could hide the engagement ring within the branches as a surprise New Year’s Eve gift, or rearrange the lights to spell out WILL YOU MARRY ME? You could even disguise the engagement ring as a Christmas decoration and have it hiding in plain sight throughout the whole festive period, right until the perfect moment in the last few hours of the year.
Or, finding one last gift below the tree is always guaranteed to shock and delight your partner.
For more Christmassy inspiration, read our post featuring 12 Christmas Day proposal ideas which share a lot of similarities with New Year’s Eve.
3. As the clock strikes midnight
A New Year’s countdown is always exciting as people eagerly await to bring in the New Year. It’s also a popular time for couples to tell each other how they feel and welcome in the new year with a kiss. Use this moment of romance to ask your partner to marry you and start the new year with the greatest feeling ever.
4. Create a photo album of the last year
Because it’s so easy to take digital photographs these days, the art of the physical photo album is fast becoming lost. But, why not put together an album featuring your memories over the past 12 months? Then, on the final page and secured there with delicate ribbon, a beautiful engagement ring.
Not only is it loving and thoughtful, but an engagement photo album is also poetic, as it means one of the first and last things you’ll do across your wedding journey is look through a photo album together.
5. Have a New Year’s Eve bash with loved ones
A New Year’s Eve party is a great way to celebrate with friends and family. Plus, if you ask your partner to marry you, it can quickly turn into an engagement party as the clock strikes midnight and you crack open a few bottles of fizz. If you give one or two party guests a heads up (just make sure they can keep a secret!) you’re also guaranteed to get the whole thing captured from multiple angles – perfect for announcing to wider family, friends and co-workers.
If you plan on proposing at a friend’s party, think about giving them a heads-up first. You don’t want to steal their thunder or interrupt something they had planned. Not that they’re likely to mind having this incredible moment at their party!
6. Recreate your first date
Since the two of you had your first date, you’ve more than likely looked back on that moment and thought about just how lucky you are to have come this far. To bookend this part of your relationship, why not recreate your very first date and retrace your steps? Then, the icing on the cake will be to get down on one knee and ask for their hand in marriage.
7. Crack out a customised bottle of champagne
There are many moments when a bottle of fizz always goes down a treat – and two of them just so happen to be during a New Year’s Eve celebration and the moment two people in love get engaged. So, why not use that to your advantage, and present your partner with a bottle of champagne that features a custom-printed label that simply says, WILL YOU MARRY ME? Then, once you’ve had your YES, crack that bad boy open and enjoy!
8. Share your New Year’s resolutions
Welcoming the new year is a time when many people make promises to themselves and others that they’ll make a change. You could find an intimate and warm setting, and ask your partner to share their resolutions with you. When it’s your turn to share your own, explain how you want to dedicate your life to making them happy – then, pop the question and wait for their response!
9. Find a rooftop location
Rooftop bars, locations and other venues offer stunning views over city skylines. This can be fabulous at any time of year, but on New Year’s Eve when the atmosphere’s electric and the sky is sprinkled with distant fireworks, it’s even better. It makes for a memorable place to pop the question.
10. Say it with snow
Okay, thanks to the unpredictability of British weather, this one might be a long shot. But, if the weather cooperates and there’s a flurry of last-minute snow, make the most of it and use it in your proposal.
There’s plenty you could do to have a wonderfully wintry proposal. You could build a snowman and hang the ring off the end of its carrot nose. You could write WILL YOU MARRY ME? in giant letters in the garden and casually ask your fiance to look out the window while you get down on one knee. Or, you could simply take a snowy walk to your favourite spot and propose surrounded by picture-perfect scenery.
11. Ask using a balloon
One thing that’s synonymous with celebrating is the good ol’ balloon, so using one to propose can make a huge statement. You might want to have a custom balloon made that asks your partner to be your partner in crime forever, or 15 balloons that feature one letter each lined up across the room to ask, WILL YOU MARRY ME? (don’t forget the question mark).
Another option is to tie the engagement ring to a piece of string hanging underneath the balloon. It’s cute and eye-catching, and the moment your partner spots the balloon they’ll know something special is about to happen.
12. Make the most of the fireworks
New Year’s Eve is a popular time for fireworks, so make the most of them by using them in your proposal. Once the clock strikes midnight, fireworks will light up the sky all around in a magical display of colour. This sounds like the perfect moment for a proposal to us.
Or, if you’re at a party and can rope in some guests to help, grab some sparklers and someone to take a timelapse photo, and spell out WILL YOU MARRY ME? Then, when your partner looks at the photo, they’ll see something that will make their jaw hit the floor.
Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook
After you get your New Year’s Eve YES and bring in the new year with your new fiance, you might want to dive right into planning your big day. Sign up to Bridebook and get access to everything you need to plan your perfect wedding.
With lights adorning the tree, flames gently crackling in the fireplace and the smell of cinnamon and sweet treats in the air, Christmas is without doubt a magical time of year. It’s also a time for generosity and giving, which is why so many people propose to their partners on Christmas Day.
But, how should you propose on Christmas Day to make sure it’s as romantic, intimate and memorable as possible? What do you need to think about to make sure your festive proposal is as perfect as it can be?
In this post, we’ll share all the tips and considerations to think about for a Christmas Day proposal, including everything you need to prepare and what you should do on the day so it all goes to plan and you get the best gift of all this Christmas – a fiance!
In the UK, Christmas Day is by far the most popular day to get engaged. Our UK Wedding Report uncovered that a quarter (26%) of couples get engaged in December, and out of all the couples who married in 2022, the top four most popular dates they got engaged was Christmas Day.
Christmas has the romance and magic of Valentine’s Day but with less cliché. It’s a time when kindness and generosity are everywhere, and people spend a lot of time with their loved ones. Christmas also has a lot of emotional significance and traditions surrounding it, which a proposal can heighten to a whole new level.
If you love the festive season and want to create lasting memories that make it an even more special and magical time of year, a Christmas Day proposal is a wonderful way to ask your partner to spend the rest of your lives together.
Yes, just like with any proposal, you should take time to plan your Christmas Day proposal to make sure it’s extra special. Of course, you might want to be impulsive and make the call about how and when you’ll do it on the day itself, but that comes with more risk.
Think about your partner’s preferences and what they might appreciate. Because you’ve chosen to do a Christmas proposal, you should consider taking advantage of this special day to make it extra memorable, so try to incorporate Christmas additions into your plans. If your proposal would go down in exactly the same way if you did it on any other day, then why do it on Christmas? Use the festivities to your advantage to make it memorable and magical.
What to think about before proposing on Christmas Day
As highlighted above, Christmas is already a time of year that many people love for a variety of reasons. When planning your Christmas Day proposal, think about the following points to ensure everything goes down even better than you’d hope for:
Have you picked the perfect ring or engagement ring alternative if your partner isn’t into jewellery or wearing rings?
Would your partner appreciate a Christmas Day proposal and be happy to share this incredible moment in their life with a day that’s already so special?
What will be the best time of day for your proposal? Will a morning proposal work before you see wider family, or sometime in the evening when it gets all cosy and warm?
Do you want to involve family and friends in your proposal or do you want to keep things intimate between the two of you?
Christmas can be a stressful time of year, so make sure your plans include downtime before you ask the question so you and your partner can savour the moment.
Don’t rely too heavily on the weather as part of your proposal plans. As incredible as it would be to propose on a snowy hilltop, the unpredictable weather in the UK means there might be rain or heavy winds instead. Have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t play ball.
How to propose on Christmas Day: a step-by-step guide
As we’ve already covered, Christmas Day is a wonderful time to propose to your other half. But, to make sure everything goes as expected, it’s important to put a plan together. You don’t need to write things down, create a spreadsheet or sketch out a map – but you should make sure you’re on top of everything so nothing’s overlooked or forgotten.
Below are 10 steps to follow so you can have the most incredible Christmas Day engagement.
Step 1: Plan ahead
Start your Christmas Day proposal prep in plenty of time. If you decide just a few days ahead of Christmas that you want to ask your partner to marry you on Christmas morning, you might not have time to sort everything out. If possible, start to get things ready in early December, or even November if possible, just to account for any hiccups along the way.
If you’re the traditional type, you might also want to speak to your partner’s parents before you pop the question. Asking permission is an old tradition now, but one that many parents still appreciate nevertheless. You more than likely won’t get any type of resistance, but the gesture will go a long way towards solidifying your relationship with your future in-laws.
Step 2: Choose what you’re going to propose with
If you and your partner have talked about what they’d want from a proposal, they probably also told you about what they want from a ring (or even if they want a ring at all). If they want a ring, make sure you try to find out their ring size before you head to the jewellers.
Step 3: Try to keep it a surprise
You may well have had countless discussions with your partner about getting engaged, so they may have an idea about what’s to come. This will be especially true if you’ve specifically talked about getting engaged at Christmas. But, do what you can to keep everything as close to your chest as possible so your proposal can be a big, welcome surprise.
Step 4: Decide the right time to propose
Christmas is a busy time, so it’s important to nail down when you think the right time to propose would be. If you do it in the morning, you’ll then have the whole of Christmas Day as an engaged couple. If you do it at night, it’ll be cosy and romantic. You also need to think about whether or not you want a public or private proposal, and if you want friends or family to be there the moment you get down on one knee.
Step 5: Think about the location
You know your partner best; where do you think they’d love for you to pop the question? At home as you’re opening presents from beneath the tree? At the dinner table before you tuck into your delicious Christmas lunch? Or might it be outside on a wintry walk, or at a family member’s house? Because a lot of places are closed on Christmas Day you won’t have quite as much choice as the rest of the year, but try to choose somewhere that has plenty of festive charm and an emotional connection.
Step 6: Make it extra Christmassy
One of the best things about getting engaged at Christmas is how fabulous and magical everything looks, from our carefully decorated trees at home to towns and cities awash with lights and colour. Make sure you use the beauty and fun of Christmas so your proposal stands out.
You don’t want an ‘off-the-shelf’ idea when it comes to proposing. Use what you know about your soon-to-be fiance, such as what they love and want from a proposal, and use as much as you can to personalise how you ask them. For example, if they love to crochet, why not present the ring in a small, crocheted Christmas stocking? Or include your pet in the proposal by looping the ring around its collar?
Think about what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it. You might want to write down a few things you want to say and commit them to memory. Or, you could just say whatever feels right in at the moment. Whatever you do, make sure it’s personal, from the heart and true to yourself.
Step 8: Have a backup plan
As much as you’ve meticulously planned your Christmas Day proposal, there’s always the chance that something gets in the way. If that happens, make sure you have a plan B in place so you can still have your Christmas engagement. This is doubly important if you plan on proposing outside!
Step 9: Capture the moment
When the time comes for you to ask the biggest question you might ever ask someone, make sure you capture the moment so you can share it with your friends and family. Thankfully, smartphones have great cameras and microphones, so all it takes is for you to prop it somewhere discreet, hit record, and then wait for exactly the right moment to get down on one knee.
If you’re proposing in public or surrounded by loved ones, you could ask someone to record the moment or take pictures, which makes for a fantastic way to look back on your big moment.
Step 10: Share the news
One of the great things about getting engaged at Christmas is there’s a good chance that you’ve already organised to spend time with family and friends, so you have a ready-made opportunity to tell them your amazing news.
We’ve already covered how amazing it can be to get engaged at Christmas. If you’re planning to pop the question this festive season, below are 10 tips to consider so your engagement is magical and memorable.
Make sure you’re confident that your partner is happy to share their engagement day with something as widely celebrated as Christmas.
Consider a private, personal and intimate proposal to make it extra special and romantic.
Use the natural beauty of Christmas time to your advantage.
Include Christmas in your proposal somehow, such as by asking carollers to sing your partner’s favourite Christmas carol as you pop the question.
Don’t pin all your hopes on the weather behaving itself. The last time the UK had a widespread white Christmas was in 2010, so the chances of waking up to a blanket of snow are small.
Don’t propose at Christmas just because. Make sure it’s something both you and your partner want to happen.
Plan, plan, plan.
Plan a plan B.
Set your phone to record, ask a friend or family member to take photos, or even hire an official photographer to capture the moment (although this might be rather expensive, especially on Christmas Day).
Enjoy the Christmas period and bask in the feeling of having a fiance! Soon, you’ll be so deep in wedding planning that your engagement will feel like a distant memory.
Get started on your wedding planning with Bridebook
After you get your YES on Christmas Day and you’ve shared the news with your loved ones, when January arrives you’ll probably want to start planning your big day. Sign up to Bridebook and get access to everything you could need to plan your perfect wedding.
Love is in the air for your favourite co-worker, and you’ve been invited to the big day. Whether you’ve shared an office space for years or you’ve just begun to forge a professional bond, being invited to celebrate this momentous occasion cements your friendship and deepens the connection you share.
But what’s the etiquette when it comes to writing a wedding message to a colleague? Do you keep it light and fun like you would for a friend, or more formal in tone like you would for a family member? It can be tricky to strike a balance between fun and professional when writing to a work colleague.
But, don’t stress— we’re here to help! Read on to learn all about how to write a wedding card message for a colleague, including some example wedding quotes you could include, and top tips for writing wedding card wishes.
A wedding card message is a simple but effective way to convey your congratulations to the happy couple on their big day. You can also express your gratitude at having been invited, and share happy memories from the time you’ve known them.
It’s best to follow a simple format. For example, a simple introduction, a wedding congratulations message, and a polite sign-off. This way, your wedding card remains professional and respectful.
It’s best to keep it simple when writing a wedding card to a colleague. Try using the following format:
A simple greeting
Although you can end up becoming very close to your work colleagues, to avoid any awkwardness in the office, it’s best to keep wedding cards friendly but professional. As a result, a simple greeting is your best bet when writing a wedding card to a work colleague.
Try something short and sweet like:
To [COUPLE’S NAMES]
Dear [TITLES AND SURNAMES]
If you’re not sure what titles to use, we have a handy section on wedding card writing etiquette in our post on what to write in a wedding card.
Wedding wishes or congratulations
Your wedding wishes and congratulations can be a little more creative, but it’s still best to err on the side of caution and keep any messages respectful and kind. Feel free to add a personal touch to your wishes, share anecdotes, and express your genuine happiness for the couple.
If you’re stuck on what to write, try using:
What an incredible journey you’re both starting on. Thank you for inviting me to be part of your special day.
What a beautiful day you’ve both shared. I wish you a lifetime of love, health, and happiness together.
Or, if you’re feeling a little cheeky, you could try:
Thank you for the party of a lifetime. Monday is going to be such a comedown after this!
Congratulations on a beautiful day! May your love be as everlasting as the office coffee supply and your happiness as endless as a Friday afternoon.
A heartfelt sign-off
The last part of your wedding card should include a sign-off from you and your plus one (if you had one!)
As with your greeting, keep it simple. Try using the following sign-offs:
Thank you again for inviting me/us. From, [NAMES]
All the best, [NAMES]
Be mindful of tone
It’s best to keep a formal tone in a wedding card to a colleague. Even if you’re close with your colleague, you don’t want a bad joke or an informal message to offend them accidentally and make Monday awkward!
Instead, a message of sincere congratulations and best wishes is the safest and most considerate choice in a professional setting.
Wedding card message structure
Check out the infographic below to help guide your writing:
Follow this general structure when composing your message
If you’re struggling with what to say and what to write, you can’t go wrong with someone else’s words! Try using a wedding or love quote from a poem or song. The beauty of this method is that you can tailor the quote to the couple’s personal interests.
Try using the below examples to get you started:
Wedding quotes from songs
“All you need is love.” – The Beatles
“Two hearts in love need no words.” – Marceline Desbordes-Valmore
“Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage.” – Frank Sinatra, “Love and Marriage”
“Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you (TWO!)” – The Beatles, “Because”
Wedding quotes from poems
“Love is an endless act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.” – Maya Angelou
“Two souls with but a single thought; two hearts that beat as one.” – John Keats
“Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.” – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
“Love is most nearly itself when here and now cease to matter.” – T.S. Eliot
Wedding quotes from films
“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” – The Notebook
“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life… to strengthen each other… to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.” – The Notebook
“When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” – When Harry Met Sally
“Love, it never dies. It never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it.” – Moulin Rouge
Wedding pop culture quotes
“To infinity and beyond!” – Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story
“We are all a little weird, and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” – Dr. Seuss
“True love stories never have endings.” – Richard Bach
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin
It’s easy to tell when a card was written at the last minute, or worse in the car on the way there! Sit down a few days before the wedding with a cup of tea and write your wedding card.
Don’t overthink it
Remember the cup of tea we mentioned earlier? It couldn’t take longer to write your card than it takes to drink a tea. Don’t overthink what you’re writing in your card. Keep it short and speak from the heart.
Think about your relationship
Although some work colleagues start to feel like family, you may not always work together. You want to leave a positive impression on your work colleague by leaving a positive message in their wedding card. Don’t overstep the mark and try to be too friendly, or include unprofessional inside jokes. Instead, keep it simple, friendly, and chilled.
Say thank you
Congratulate your colleague on their special day and thank them for inviting you at the same time. It’s fast, efficient, and saves you from needing to send two cards!
A wedding card to a colleague is a great way to express your gratitude for having been invited, your warmth, and your best wishes for their special day. The tone should be more formal than in a card to a family member or friend. However, you could include a fun quote about love from their favourite song, film, or pop-culture moment if you’re feeling creative.
The best advice is to write the card a few days beforehand, not to overthink it, and to say thank you! However, if you’re still feeling stuck, check out our post on what to include in a wedding card. We have some handy wedding card examples and top tips on card writing.
A family member’s wedding is an extra special occasion. Not only are you there to celebrate your sister, brother, parent, or cousin’s big day, but you’re actually welcoming a new person into your extended family!
A wedding card is a great way to express your support, love, and wedding congratulations on this special day. Plus, you can express your gratitude for being invited, share any wedding wishes you have, and properly welcome your new family member to the fold.
If you’re unsure what to include when wedding card writing, we break it down for you below. We’ve included guidance on how to write a wedding card message, ideas of things to write in a wedding card, and top tips for wedding card writing.
A wedding card for a family member is a wedding card given to the newlyweds on their big day. It can be given in replacement of a gift or alongside a registry gift. There’s no need to give money in a wedding card. However, a token of £20-£30 is okay if the couple are comfortable accepting cash gifts.
The card should be more formal in tone than a wedding card to a friend. It should contain a formal greeting, a ‘congratulations on your wedding day’ message, and then a formal sign-off. However, if you have a close relationship with your family member, try including a happy memory from your childhood or an inside joke you share.
How to write a wedding card message for a family member
If you’re stuck with where to begin with writing your wedding card, try following our advice below.
A formal greeting
A wedding card to a family member will usually be more formal in tone than a wedding card to a friend. However, if you are close to your family member or have a more casual relationship, you can certainly add a more personal touch to your greeting.
A formal greeting might look like:
Dear [COUPLE’S NAMES]
To [COUPLE’S NAMES] on your special day
A congratulations message
Your congratulations message can be as simple as “Congratulations on your wedding day” or as heartfelt as “I’m so proud of you both for taking this next step in life.”
Either way, your congratulations message should be short, sweet, and to the point. Avoid any long declarations of pride or in-depth observations about the wedding day. Although these comments might come from a good place, the right time to share your thoughts isn’t in a wedding card.
Your pearls of wisdom
You should then move on to sharing some advice or guidance with the newlyweds. This could be your advice on love, friendship, compromise, or even the importance of communication. Remember, you don’t need to be married or have a wealth of experience to give advice. Instead, share your personal perspective on these important aspects of a successful marriage.
For example, you could try:
Love is not just a feeling — it’s a choice you make every day. Choose to love each other, even when the going gets tough.
Take the time to communicate with each other as you decompress from work. It can seem small, but taking 20 minutes to have a cup of tea and chat about your day will keep communication open and positive.
A friendly sign-off
Sign your card off with a friendly conclusion and your name. This can be simple, something like:
All my love, [YOUR NAME]
Thank you again for inviting me. From, [YOUR NAME]
Wedding card message structure
Check out the infographic below to help guide your writing:
Follow this general structure when composing your message
You don’t have to give a wedding card. However, it’s a nice gesture and is often better than showing up empty-handed. Cards can be given alone, with money, or with a gift depending on your personal choice and the couple’s preferences.
If you’re unsure what to include, a wedding quote, line from a reading, or poem about love is a great place to start. Check out our guide to wedding readings and love quotes to gain some inspiration.
Handwrite your message
Where possible, you should try to handwrite your message. Although a typed message keeps the card tidy, a handwritten message adds a personal touch. Taking the time to handwrite your message will add a feeling of intimacy and thoughtfulness.
Keep the tone light and friendly
Keep the tone of your wedding card light and friendly. If you’re offering advice or sharing an anecdote, make sure it’s warm, positive, and optimistic. Remember, the happy couple will likely look back on their wedding cards for years to come, so leave them with words that bring a smile to their face.
Be genuine
Your family members will know you through and through, so they’ll be able to tell if you aren’t being genuine. Let your authentic feelings shine through in your card with a positive and loving message.
A good tip is to write as if you were speaking. Think of what you’d say to them in person on their wedding day, and express that in your card.
The bottom line on a wedding card for a family member
A wedding card to a family member is a great but simple way to express your gratitude for being invited, to share happy wedding wishes, and to convey your love and support to the newlyweds.
Your wedding card doesn’t need to be extravagant or an over-the-top declaration of support to the couple. Instead, a wedding card is a happy keepsake that conveys your genuine care towards a family member on their big day. Plus, wedding cards can be given in place of, or alongside a wedding gift.
If you’re struggling with getting started on wedding card writing, check out our post on what to include in a wedding card. We’ve got great examples of wedding card writing, as well as top tips for writing etiquette and how to be mindful of tone.
A wedding card is more than just a kind gesture. A well-written and thoughtful wedding card acts as a treasured keepsake from the big day and can help you express your well-wishes for the happy couple.
However, knowing what to write on a wedding card can be difficult. How do you condense the big feelings of your bestie’s special day into a tiny little card? Wishing them a long and happy marriage is standard, but how do you strike the balance between heartfelt and loving without being cringey? If you’re looking for guidance, we’re here to help. We know exactly what to write in a wedding card, and we’re here to make the process easier for you.
In this article, we explore how to write a thoughtful wedding card message to your friend, some top tips for what to include, and some guidance on how much money to put in a wedding card.
A wedding card for a friend is a card gifted to the happy couple on their big day. A standard A4-sized wedding card is perfectly acceptable for a friend’s wedding card.
The card should include a semi-formal greeting, well-wishes for the newlyweds, a funny memory or anecdote, and then sign off with a congratulations message or special wish for their long and happy future.
The message in your wedding card can be as unique as your relationship to the happy couple. However, if you’re stuck with where to start, try following the below advice:
A friendly greeting
A warm greeting is always a great place to start. Greet the couple by first names or titles and surnames. This is especially exciting if the couple has decided to change their names, as it’ll likely be one of the first times they see it written down!
Traditionally, you should address the card to ‘Mr. and Mrs. [NAME]’. However, for non-traditional, same-sex, or non-binary couples, you can mix up the names and titles however you’d like. For example:
“To the newlyweds; Dear love birds; To the happy couple”
“To Mr and Mrs [NAME]; Dear Mr and Mr [NAME]; To Mx and Dr [NAME]”
“Dear Jenny & Jane; To Michael and Adam; Dear John and Sophie”
Heartfelt congratulations
This day is the start of the couple’s happy married life, and a wedding congratulations card is a beautiful token they can look back on for years to come. Try sharing your wedding wishes for the couple’s long and happy future, how excited you are for them, and your gratitude to be part of the big day.
Funny story or memory
In a wedding card to a friend or close family member, you don’t need to include formal wedding wishes. Instead, try including a funny story about how you met, happy memories from your friendship, or even an anecdote about wedding planning.
If nothing springs to mind, try thanking them for the free booze, apologising in advance for your terrible dancing, or even sending your best wishes for the honeymoon!
Advice and guidance
You can then move on to sharing any wedding wishes, marriage advice, or guidance you’ve picked up along the way. If you’re married, you could share something you’ve learned from your special day. But, if you aren’t, don’t let that deter you!
Instead, share a thought about lasting love, tips on compromise, the importance of teamwork, or even re-visit your earlier congratulations. You could also highlight that this is just the beginning of their beautiful love story, and explain how excited you are to see them grow in their love as a married couple.
Warmest wishes
Sign off your card with the warmest wishes and kindest regards. Be sure to include your name so the couple can identify who sent this lovely card.
Wedding card message structure
Check out the infographic below to help guide your writing:
Follow this general structure when composing your message
How much money do you put in a wedding card for a friend?
A cash gift of between £20 and £30 is usually sufficient for a wedding card.
Money can be a tricky subject at a wedding, as everyone’s financial situation is different. The best tip is to give what you can afford — a true friend wouldn’t want you to go into debt for the sake of giving them a gift.
Whether you give a wedding card and a wedding gift depends on what the newlyweds have asked for. Some couples prefer to have a casual wedding day, and are strongly against receiving gifts. A card with a well-written message can be a happy medium in these instances.
As a general rule, if you’re giving a gift, you don’t need to bring a card. However, you can do both if you want to.
But, if you aren’t giving a wedding gift for whatever reason, it’s better to give a wedding card so you don’t show up empty-handed.
Pro tip: If the happy couple are strongly opposed to receiving gifts, it’s best to check whether they’re accepting cash before you slip a £20 into their card.
Remember that the newlyweds will likely keep and look back on these cards for years to come. They might even share the cards with their family and friends. Ensure that any stories, special memories, or anecdotes you share are tasteful and appropriate for these audiences.
There’s no such thing as the perfect wedding message
Try not to get too overwhelmed at crafting the ‘perfect wedding card.’ The reality is that the perfect message or wedding card wording doesn’t exist. Instead, trust that any message you write to the happy couple will be perfect in its own way.
Don’t be cringe
It’s easy to get caught up in the sentimentality of writing a wedding card. However, a good friend will be able to see through any disingenuous messages. Keep your message short but sweet, and be sure your card conveys a personal and thoughtful message to the happy couple.
Include your name
It’s easy to forget to include your name when you’re focused on what to include in your wedding card. Try signing your name at the beginning to avoid this common mistake!
The bottom line on wedding card messages for a friend
Writing a sweet wedding card message to a friend is a lovely and sentimental way to share your congratulations and well-wishes on their special day. It’s also a great way to thank them for inviting you and to remind them of any special memories you’ve shared in your friendship.
Wedding cards to a friend don’t need to include formal wedding messages or any elaborate prose. Speak from the heart, write casually, and wish them a fun-filled future full of happiness and love. Tell them what a joy it is to be included in their big day, and if appropriate, include a little financial help.
If you’re still stuck on what to include, we have a great post on what to include in a wedding card. This includes some brilliant examples of wedding card messages and some top tips on personalising a wedding card.
Weddings are full to the brim with traditions and customs that couples may choose to include in their special day to celebrate their love and commitment to each other. In the UK, traditions include the couple not seeing each other the morning of the wedding, the bride wearing white and the couple cutting the wedding cake together.
But, many black communities have introduced new traditions to UK weddings, which many love to include in their wedding as a mark of respect and honour and to honour their heritage. Including traditions is a wonderful way to add depth and meaning to a wedding while keeping parts of a family’s culture alive.
In this post, and to celebrate Black History Month, we’re going to explore black wedding traditions and what you can do to honour your heritage at your wedding, including some from the Caribbean and several African countries, such as Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda.
Weddings are all about celebrating the love between you and your spouse-to-be as you start this wonderful new chapter in your lives. As part of this, using traditions can be a touching and thoughtful way not only to mark your family’s history, but also to instil your personality and culture into your big day.
If you and your partner are from different backgrounds, honouring traditions is also a great way to bring two cultures together and pay tribute to your families.
That being said, whatever you choose to do for your wedding is entirely up to you – it’s your day, after all. You may choose to ignore traditions, or you may wish to include as many traditions related to your heritage as you can. And let’s be honest, our families love a good tradition, so it would definitely be appreciated.
There are many ways you can honour your heritage at your wedding, which can be as big or small as your style, preferences and budget allow. Just some of the ways you can honour your heritage can be done through the:
Ceremony
Rituals
Vows
Venue
Attire
Food and drink
Wedding favours
Music
You might decide to go all-out and have a wedding heavily influenced by traditions and culture. Or, you might choose to honour your heritage in a few smaller ways.
60 black wedding traditions and how you can honour them
It might be important to you that your heritage influences your wedding day, but what traditions are there and which should you choose? Below are 60 black wedding traditions from around the world that make for wonderful ways to mark your family’s history and culture.
Place a dime in the bride’s shoe to bring a life filled with wealth and prosperity.
The bride is given away by both her mother and father.
The Sunday after the ceremony and reception, the wedding guests are invited to the bride’s home after church, which is known as Tun T’anks Sunday.
To symbolise purity and modesty, and in some cases hide from unpleasant spirits, the bride wears a veil until the end of the ceremony.
Instead of throwing the bouquet over her head, the bride throws it straight at one of her dearest family members or friends. Some believe that if no one catches it and the bouquet lands on the floor, it’ll lead to infidelity.
Wedding ceremonies are often held in a marquee in the back garden (though in the UK, not many of us have gardens that are nearly big enough).
To honour family members they’ve lost and ensure they can take part in the celebrations, white rum is poured outside before the ceremony.
If they hope to start a family, a slice of wedding cake is kept under the pillow, which is thought to help with fertility.
Brides ask their bridesmaids to also dress in white, which is thought to confuse any evil spirits who might try to meddle with the big day.
Instead of tin cans, shoes are tied to the back of the wedding car at the end of the night, which symbolises that the father of the bride is no longer financially responsible for her.
Traditional Caribbean wedding cake is known as ‘black rum cake’, which takes six months to make as the fruit is soaked in rum.
Traditional Caribbean wedding food and drink include:
Before the wedding there is a knocking ceremony, when the groom’s family approaches the bride’s family to tell them their son intends to marry their daughter.
The bride’s brothers are offered money as a gesture of appreciation for protecting her, known as Akonta Sekan.
The groom offers a drink, known as Tiri Nsa, to the bride’s father, which is often wine or schnapps, which acts as a dowry.
The groom offers the bride’s family gifts known as ‘Aye-do-dee’, which can include meat, tobacco, schnapps and yams.
Wedding attire is made from kente cloth (handwoven cotton and silk) which is brightly coloured with gold and jewels. This helps the couple feel like royalty for the day.
Colours play an important role and represent different things:
Pink represents calm
Gold represents wealth
Maroon wards off spirits
Blue represents peace
Traditionally, the wedding ceremony will take place at the bride’s home.
Music from ‘Adowa’ groups will usually be played before the ceremony.
As the guests take their seats before the ceremony, the bride’s family are usually seated first so they can welcome the groom’s family, who offer gifts.
The bride gives consent three times to show that she is truly happy to become her fiance’s wife.
During the first dance, guests are invited to throw money at the couple at the end of the song to help them start their new life together.
Traditional Ghanaian wedding food and drinks include:
One partner writes a letter to their intended fiance’s family asking for permission to marry their child, which is often read aloud.
Traditionally, guest lists aren’t put together, as everyone from the community is welcome to attend.
Before the wedding, the bride’s family gives the groom’s family a dowry list, which they must adhere to if they want the wedding to go ahead.
Kola nuts that have been blessed are broken apart and are used as a way to welcome the guests – the more parts the nut breaks into, the more luck the couple will have.
One colour is chosen for the bride and another for the groom, and each family is asked to wear clothing of that colour depending on whether they know the bride or groom.
Weddings are traditionally officiated by an Alaga, who heckles the groom and his groomsmen as a form of wedding entertainment.
Brides wear a headpiece known as a Gele and grooms wear a Fila, with both usually being custom-made.
The groom and sometimes the groomsmen will lie face down on the floor at the feet of the bride’s family to show that he will respect his future wife.
The cake is usually cut during the ceremony itself, rather than at the evening reception.
Traditional Nigerian wedding food and drinks include:
A dowry is offered by the groom to the bride’s family, which can be a large and expensive gesture, or something smaller and more of a token gift.
There are often two ceremonies, the first being an introduction known as Kwanjula, and the second similar to Western wedding ceremonies.
Brides traditionally wear a long silk or cotton dress, known as a gomesi, which is tied around the waist. This may be one of many dresses the bride chooses to wear throughout the course of the day.
Traditionally, weddings are organised by older members of the family.
Weddings are big and loud celebrations – so much so, that even strangers are invited to attend.
Grooms wear a tunic or kanzu, which is often white or cream and floor-length, along with a round, flat cap called a kofia.
Guests will frequently wear suuka, which women wear around their waist or shoulders, while men wear a kanzu and jacket.
At the reception, guests often enter while dancing, at which point the couple will offer them a token gift.
Traditionally, the Okunabbya omugole ritual must be completed by the groom’s mother, which involves the couple being washed in herb-infused water beneath a tree.
Traditional Ugandan wedding food and drink include:
The bride wears a kanga or kitenge dress, which is a colourful dress with a head wrap. They’ll also wear lots of fabulous jewellery.
The groom wears a kanzu, a floor-length white tunic, or a suit, with a kofia – a flat, round cap.
The two families greet each other outside the venue to introduce themselves to one another before entering together.
A sand-pouring ritual symbolises the two families coming together.
The couple jump over a broom which is placed on the floor to symbolise sweeping away any bad luck.
The bride and groom feed each other wine or honey, which represents the sweetness the two have in marriage. They may also wash each other’s feet as a display of humility.
Benga or Taarab music is often played at the ceremony.
Guests are usually invited to sing alongside the band, with anyone welcome to take part.
On top of wedding favours, the couple traditionally give guests additional gifts, such as jewellery.
Traditionally Kenyan wedding food and drink include:
The Kupe is a traditional wedding dance, where guests stand and dance within a circle.
Brides may wear a white, full-length dress with a veil or colourful Shweshwe. Grooms may wear a suit or a boubou.
The Imbeleko ritual involves making an offering to ancestors in the form of exchanging cows.
The men from the bride’s and groom’s families meet in each others’ homes to talk and drink, which is known as Dherela Amadoda. This is similar to the Umabo Ceremony, which is a traditional Zulu blessing.
The bride is washed by her mother and other close female relatives in warm water which symbolises washing away bad luck.
A couple of days before the wedding, the two families come together to share prayer and food.
Zulu dancing and Marabi music are traditionally included in the celebrations.
Traditional South African wedding food and drink include:
Charmaine and Chris tied the knot on 3 July 2021 at Mitcham Methodist Church and celebrated their love with a beautiful traditional Ghanaian wedding. They followed many of the traditions explained above, most notably:
The traditional knocking ceremony
Exchange of gifts from the groom’s family to the bride
The groom dancing in with his friends and family
The bride dancing in with her friends and sisters hiding her face until she got to the front
The bride being asked three times by her father if this was the man she wanted to marry
Christina and Leslie tied the knot on 29 July 2023 at Sacred Heart Church in Wimbledon. Christina is Charmaine’s sister, and just like Charmaine, chose to honour her heritage with a traditional Ghanaian wedding, incorporating all the same traditions into her own big day.
Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook
If you’re planning your wedding and looking to honour some of your heritage, there are plenty of ways you can do it, whether big or small. Here at Bridebook, we have all the tools and tips you could need to plan a wedding that’s truly unique and meaningful to you.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It’s full of joy, generosity and love, and it’s when we come together with our families to give gifts and enjoy each other’s company.
And when you’re sat in front of a crackling fire, surrounded by hundreds of twinkling lights and all cuddled up watching Christmas movies, it’s also a super romantic time of year. That’s why it’s a hugely popular time for couples to get engaged. So, if you’re considering asking your partner to marry you this Christmas Day, go for it!
But, what’s the best way to propose on Christmas Day? How can you use the festive period to your advantage to pop the question in the most memorable and romantic way?
In this post, we’re going to give you 12 Christmas Day proposal ideas so you can ask your beloved to marry you and have a festive season you’ll never forget.
Yes, Christmas Day is an exceptionally popular month for couples to get engaged. Our annual UK Wedding Report found that in 2021, more than a quarter (26%) of all engagements took place in December. Out of all the couples who got married in 2022, the top four most popular dates those couples got engaged on was 25th December in 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
This might sound surprising, especially when you think about how Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve have romantic and mystical connections. But, there’s just something about the magic and warmth of Christmas, as well as the feelings of love and generosity at that time of year, that draw those looking to pop the question to this one special day. As the song goes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Just because Christmas Day is the most popular day for a proposal doesn’t mean it’s something to steer clear of. Clearly, there’s something special about getting engaged at Christmas that makes it so appealing.
Whether or not you choose to propose on Christmas Day depends on you, your preferences, your plans for the day and your budget. Christmas is notoriously an expensive time of year, and with the average cost of an engagement ring being £1,978, you might not have the funds to spare for a festive proposal.
Proposals are usually romantic and intimate, and the hustle and bustle of a family Christmas can sometimes get in the way of one-on-one time. If you know you’re going to have your aunt and uncle around with their six kids, a proposal might not be quite as romantic as it would be if there weren’t excitable little ones running around.
It also depends on how you and your partner feel about Christmas. If you love Christmas, you might not want to share the date you got engaged with something as widely celebrated as Christmas. Or, perhaps that’s what makes it so special for you.
Whatever you choose to do, just make sure it’s right for you and your soon-to-be fiance.
For more information, read our post on how to propose on Christmas Day so you can make sure your magical proposal goes down without a hitch.
Why is Christmas Day such a great day for a proposal?
If you’re on the fence about proposing on Christmas Day, there are a bunch of reasons why it makes for such a brilliant day to ask one of the biggest questions of your life. Just some of the reasons why Christmas Day is a great day to propose on are:
It’s a magical time of year when people get together and give each other gifts. Why not make one of those gifts a sparkly ring, and the recipient the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Despite being the most popular date to get engaged on, it’s often not seen as cliché like Valentine’s Day or 29th February.
A lot of people have time off around Christmas, which gives you time to make sure everything’s perfect.
You might spend a lot of time around family and friends, which gives you a great opportunity to tell everyone your amazing news in person.
Christmas is hugely romantic with plenty of cosy nights in, amazing food and a drink or two to set the scene.
Is there anything more suitable for a proposal than a wintry walk across a snowy landscape? The weather might not always do what we want it to, but just imagine the photos if it did!
12 romantic Christmas Day proposal ideas
Get inspired by our top 12 Christmas Day proposal ideas
1. Pull a one-of-a-kind cracker
A popular Christmas tradition happens around the dinner table up and down the UK, in the form of pulling crackers to reveal a cheesy joke, a paper hat and a BANG! Except, why not ensure your entire Christmas goes with a bang by concealing an engagement ring inside your partner’s cracker? A few little cuts to weaken your side of the cracker will make sure your partner wins, then when they dig their hand inside to find the toy, they’ll receive a lot more than they were expecting.
2. Customise your partner’s advent calendar
If your partner has an advent calendar and loves tucking into a chocolate or little treat every day throughout December, why not customise your advent calendar this year so the 25th door has something extra special inside, in the form of a beautiful engagement ring? You could even build up to the big reveal and hide something personal or romantic behind every door throughout the month.
3. A Christmas pudding surprise
Traditionally, a sixpence used to be hidden inside a Christmas pudding, and whoever found it would have luck and happiness for the next year. Why not put a spin on this festive tradition and, instead of a sixpence, craftily conceal an engagement ring inside your partner’s pud instead? Just make sure it’s not too well hidden, because they might crack a tooth on a diamond if they don’t realise it’s there.
If your partner isn’t a fan of Christmas puds, a ring can just as easily be hidden in a mince pie, chocolate log or sherry trifle instead! Just make sure you have a cloth so you can give the ring a bit of a wipe before they put it on, or better yet hide the ring in a small, clear bag.
4. Get down on one knee in the snow
Christmas morning is a brilliant time for a walk. You’ve opened a few gifts, the potatoes are roasting in the oven and there’s a crisp layer of frost clinging to the leaves outside. Sounds like the perfect time to head out to your favourite spot to propose.
5. Use a custom Christmas card
You and your partner might exchange cards that have soppy messages inside and lots of hearts, but why not reserve another card to give to them on Christmas Day? Imagine their shock when they open the card and on the front it says, ‘Will you marry me?’ Then, they look up at you and you’re getting down on one knee with a ring in your hands. Bliss.
6. Use mistletoe to your advantage
Using mistletoe to grab a cheeky kiss with your partner is not exactly unheard of. But, you could ramp things up and, instead of just an ordinary kiss, you could use it as an opportunity to pop the question. They’ll never see it coming!
7. Hide an engagement ring inside a bauble
When the time comes to put up your Christmas tree, why not hide your engagement ring in plain sight inside a bauble? That way, your partner will spend weeks with the ring right there, but with no clue what you’re about to do. Then, when the moment’s just right, hand it over to them and change both your lives forever.
8. A present inside a present inside a present…
This one is really annoying, but if the two of you have a playful relationship it can be a lot of fun. Wrap the ring box in boxes that get progressively bigger, so to get to the centre they have to unwrap present after present. It’s funny and frustrating, but once they get to the ring that’ll all be forgotten and it’ll definitely be worth it.
9. Ask them with Christmas lights
You could wake up early on Christmas morning and sneak downstairs in true Father Christmas style so you can make use of some spare fairy lights. If you tape or pin them carefully to the wall, you can spell out WILL YOU MARRY ME? in beautiful, twinkling lettering. Think of it a bit light Stranger Things, but a lot more romantic.
10. Get kids or pets to help
If you have kids or pets, recruit them as Santa’s little helpers and include them in your proposal. You could slip a baby grow onto a little one that says something like. ‘Mummy, will you marry Daddy?’ or loop a ring around a bow that’s tied around your beloved dog’s collar.
11. Spell it out with Christmas cookies or cake
There’s nothing quite like Christmas cake, cookies or gingerbread men at Christmas. With some extra icing and a talent for decoration, you could ask your partner to marry you spelled out on a festive treat.
12. Christmas morning breakfast in bed
A surprise breakfast in bed is a lovely way to wake up on Christmas morning, but you know what can make pastries, fresh fruit and orange juice even nicer before opening some gifts? A lovely engagement ring sitting right there on the napkins.
Alternatively, many couples gift each other a stocking at Christmas, which is a lovely way to give each other smaller presents that they may open in bed. As part of this, include the engagement ring at the bottom of your partner’s stocking to give them an unforgettable start to Christmas.
If you propose early, you can then spend the whole of Christmas day as an engaged couple!
Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook
After your Christmas Day engagement, you’ll be ready to start planning your wedding. Sign up to Bridebook and use our helpful tools and resources to plan your perfect big day.
