Meghan and Joseph’s stunning romantic and intimate wedding at Oldwalls Gower was simple, clean and Classic. What makes this wedding special? Oldwalls has such a special and wonderful look. The standard that everything is done to, from the rooms to their the Rustic Retreat cottages, there is such attention to detail. You really feel the luxury.
Videographer: Break every chain productions
Florist: Ruth Milton Jones|Catering: Oldwalls Weddings|Wedding Dress Designer: Eddy K and Riki Dalal (two dresses from Eva Ashley bridal)|Wedding Cake: Bella cakes|Stationery Provider: Brogan Evans|Hairdresser: Kristin Davis|Make-up artist: Louise Williams|Menswear Provider:Moss Bros
Situated in the quaint village of Banham, one of Norfolk’s best-kept secrets Applewood Hall offers an undeniably unique wedding venue for your special day.
Once the grounds of the Grove Farm orchard, Applewood Hall served as the store during the harvest season. Now an elegantly decorated entertaining space, it offers a licensed bar, dance floor, stage and seating for up to 200 guests. Applewood Hall is a harmonious combination of rustic charm and contemporary style.
We talked to Kiera Goymour , Wedding Executive atApplewood Hall
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Hello I’m Kiera… I’m a lover of gin and our unofficial wedding cake taster. I always enjoy a piece of cake with my morning coffee the day after a wedding! I’m also the owner of resident hound and team mascot, Frankie Sausage. You’ll usually find me dashing about in flats, there’s a reason I wear a step counter! And one thing you might not know, I have locked myself in the wedding garden at least 5 times (just this year!), which has meant having to climb over a very tall gate to get out!
Credit to @jackboskett
What drew you to the wedding world?
Having worked in the corporate events world in London for 10 years, I felt the pull to return to Norfolk where I grew up. I missed the drive and challenge of being involved in the family business. Due to my events background, my Dad asked me to take on the management of Applewood Hall and its sister business, Applewood Countryside Park (family camping and glamping). Four years on and I haven’t quite found the work/ life balance I was hoping for but I wouldn’t change it. Helping couples plan the wedding day of their dreams and seeing it all come together is so rewarding. There’s no job quite like it!
What do you think makes Applewood Hall unique?
Applewood Hall is located right next to the award-winning family attraction Banham Zoo. So if couples fancy something a little bit different, whether it’s a giraffe feeding experience, private Bird of Prey display, a ceremony within the zoo grounds or photos with some of the stunning animals – anything is possible!
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
When couples make a booking with us, we start with a planning meeting as it really helps us get to know our couples; along with their style, how they picture their perfect day and what we can do to make it happen. This process really helps to pinpoint the small things that will make their day feel extra special and unique to them. For example, we have recently introduced bespoke cocktails and mocktails, offering couples the opportunity to choose seasonal flavours, favourite ingredients and personalise the cocktail names so they tie into their theme or tell a story!
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Fun, laughter and a tipple or two. It’s that simple!
Applewood Hall is a proudly family run business, offering a personal and friendly service. Our aim is to ensure that every couple is able to bring to life the day of their dreams no matter their budget. We achieve this by going above and beyond, getting creative with ideas, ingredients and scale to ensure we can give each couple a unique experience.
Styling by @ido_photography_norwich
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
It’s YOUR day, so don’t be afraid to be a bit selfish when it comes to things like your menu choices, drink selection and seating plans. Prefer to have canapés during your drinks reception rather than a starter, why not! If you want an indulgent, gooey chocolate dessert, go for it! If you’d prefer to have a classic G&T rather than bubbles for the toast, do it! If you want the seating to be more informal with no seating plan, be bold! These small things will help your day feel special and unique to you.
Our wedding garden! This beautifully landscaped space features a stunning gazebo, contemporary outdoor furniture, lots of lush greenery, fire pit tables and festoon lighting. The perfect backdrop for wedding photos and alfresco drinks in the sunshine!
Photography credit @dblakephotography111
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Our team! We have a small, dedicated team, which means our couples experience a friendly, hands-on approach from their initial enquiry and showround appointment to their menu tasting, planning meetings and of course, the big day itself.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Couples are planning their weddings online more than ever before. We have been making use of Facebook Live to host virtual tours and hosting monthly #wedminwednesday sessions to help couples along their wedding planning journey.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
We are in this together and and we will all get through this together. If you’ve had to postpone, it must be heartbreaking to move from your original date and to have to wait a bit longer for your wedding, but it will be so worth it. We want your day to be a day of celebration, love and special memories; focused on you (not coronavirus, that’s had enough attention!).
What do you love about Bridebook?
It’s great to be able to showcase everything we offer all in one place; from pricing and photos to reviews and offers. Tracking enquiries and following our analytics is super simple too.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk. Also, if you enjoyed this article, see more here.
Nestled within Castle Combe village in the wooded Bybrook Valley lies the 14th century Manor House and there is no more idyllic or romantic a setting in which to celebrate your marriage.
We have both worked in weddings for a couple of years now but have been in the hospitality industry our whole careers. In our free time, we love to read, go for walks and bake sweet treats!
What drew you to the wedding world?
There is something incredibly rewarding about making someone’s big day go smoothly. Seeing the happiness on the couples faces on the day when all of the planning comes together, knowing we contributed to that, it’s a great feeling.
What do you think make The Manor House unique?
We are so blessed to have the beautiful hotel and grounds that we do, but what makes us unique is our people. From housekeeping preparing the bedrooms to our chefs creating the perfect wedding breakfast, the whole team has a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences. Our couples will not only be provided with the highest level of service and great attention to detail, but character, passion and laughter along the way.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
We make sure we always take time to get to know our couples from the very beginning of their enquiry. It’s all about them. Taking the time to sit, have a coffee and a chat and learn about their story is so important. It also makes it so much more enjoyable along the way- it’s as if we are helping friends plan their wedding!
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
A beautiful location, with delicious food in a room filled with great company, love and laughter.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
It’s all about you! Make sure that every decision you make is what you both want, try not to think about other people’s opinions too much. Enjoy the experience building up to the big day! It can pass by you in a flash so enjoy every single moment including all the planning.
What do you love about Bridebook?
All of it! It’s incredibly handy and easy to use. It helps us communicate effectively with all enquiries and helps the couples keep on track with their planning!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at The Manor House?
A summer wedding had a family fun day including dodgems and a carousel on our lawns – it was amazing!
Why should a couple book The Manor House?
Why not?! We have the most stunning location, amazing food and exceptional service so it really will be the best day of their lives.
What’s the best photo spot at The Manor House?
We have so many beautiful spots but our favourite is our entrance bridge over the Bybrook river that has a gorgeous shot of the whole of the Manor in the background.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Definitely the people, we are like one big family. Everyone works incredibly hard and always supports each other.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
In terms of wedding planning, it is a game changer! There are so many apps, websites and companies that can help you now, it’s great! It takes away a lot of the stress.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Firstly, I hope you are ok! We have seen first hand how the pandemic has affected couples, and made what should be a really enjoyable time, really stressful. Please just know we will be here to support you the whole way, and do whatever we can to help make it easier and as special as it can be.
A huge thank you to Jennifer and Cassie for answering our questions. Check out The Manor House on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Wiltshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Lainston House is a 17th-Century luxury hotel. Set in 63 acres of gorgeous Hampshire countryside, five-star Lainston House could be the perfect setting for the wedding of your dreams.
We talked to Sophie Mitchell-Bird, Wedding Executive at Lainston House.
Tell us about yourself!
I’ve been very lucky to have worked in the wedding world for almost 3 years and have enjoyed every second. I have a miniature dachshund called Rolo and a cat named Tabitha. I’m a massive foodie so enjoy going out for dinner and trying new places… I’m a sucker for a good cocktail too!
What drew you to the wedding world?
Honestly, I think the wedding world found me! My background has always been theatre and this is what I graduated from uni in, so I’d always expected to go straight into something related to this instead. After university, I worked as a comedy producer, organising monthly charity stand-up comedy nights. That was great fun and where my love for events planning begun — and shortly after, I found my passion… Weddings!
What do you think makes your venue unique?
For a start, the grounds of Lainston House are breathtaking… The photo opportunities are endless! The venue is rich with history too, with so many interesting facts and stories. What makes our space even more unique is the people. The team is made up of the most hardworking, dedicated and passionate individuals I’ve met… We’re like one big family!
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
I will be in touch regularly, either by phone or email, and I love it when my couples do the same. I love to hear all about what you’ve both been up too, your holidays, you name it! It’s also great to see my couples in person and enjoy a cup of coffee together in the lead up to the wedding.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Picking things you both like, not just what you think others will like! After all, it’s your special day and you only do it once!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Begin thinking about your table plan early as this can sometimes be the hardest part to figure out, so this will take pressure off you… But most importantly, enjoy it!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had?
We recently had a stunning tipi on our South Lawn which was breathtaking… The South Lawn is perfect for it! We’ve had a few singing waiters over the summer which are also so fun and a real surprise to all your guests.
Why should a couple book Lainston House?
We’re a beautiful, luxury, five-star manor house where dream days happen. By hiring out the venue exclusively, you can feel like royalty for the day, with your nearest and dearest around you. Local produce is super important to us so the majority of our suppliers will be local to either Winchester or Hampshire, with our onsite Kitchen Garden also growing our own produce. With 63 acres, the photo opportunities are endless — adding that “wow” factor for your guests and creating memories to cherish forever!
What is the best photo spot at Lainston House?
This is a tricky one as there are so many stunning photo spots… But outside on the terrace with the beautiful avenue of lime trees is a must!
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I couldn’t pick just one part as I’m proud of all departments at Lainston House who all help achieve dream wedding days!
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Technology is making it easier for couples to plan, especially wonderful platforms like Bridebook where you can plan your whole day. Wedding websites where your guests can RSVP and let you know dietaries and you can to give information quickly… What a great idea!
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Everything will come together in the end. After all, nothing can stop love! If you’re struggling at the moment, please do reach out to your venue or suppliers so they can help. You’re not alone.
A huge thank you to Sophie Mitchell-Bird for answering our questions. Check out Lainston House on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Hampshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Pennyhill Park is a 19th century Mansion House that is surrounded by lily ponds, landscaped gardens and plenty of greenery whereas the inside of the hotel also provides stunning architecture.
We talked to Jodey Hatch, Wedding Manager at Pennyhill Park to find out more about this stunning venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the wedding industry for 9 years, pretty much my whole career. I love spending time with friends and family as much as I can, going out for meals, travelling and exploring anything new. I have one gorgeous black cat but if I had my way I would have many more and dogs too!
What drew you to the wedding world?
After leaving school I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do, I thought some customer service experience would be a good start so I got a job waitressing at a hotel which included working at weddings. After a while I began running them operationally and knew I loved them and had to continue this as my career. I finally got a role as a wedding coordinator and it has just snowballed from there.
Pennyhill Park is unique in many ways; however I do feel the people that work here is what stands us out from the crowd. We take time to get to know our couples, we understand this is the biggest day of our couple’s lives and when they spend months or even years planning this they expect the best. We welcome our guests on that first showaround with a glass of bubbles and personalised sweet treats just to get started!
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Every couple is unique, which is one thing that makes me love my job so much! I find it’s important to listen to each couples needs and get to know them as an individual. They then get the chance to build trust with their dedicated event coordinator; this might be done with many visits to our bar over a cup of coffee or even when it comes to meeting the head chef to discuss their menus.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
For me I think that a wedding that shows the couples personality have been the most perfect. Ultimately this day is about the two of you, so to put on little touches that represent you, are the perfect Weddings. You’re guests will absolutely love this as they are here to share this special day with you.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Try and keep it fun, it’s easy to feel stressed about the planning but this really should be the most enjoyable part! When it’s all over you will want to do it all over again and wish you had enjoyed it more.
What do you love about Bridebook?
It’s a really good tool to help us know what our couples are looking for before they have even come to see us. It’s also a great platform to let couples know about us as a venue and really showcase ourselves.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Pennyhill Park?
One bride at Pennyhill Park did trust me with planning a very special surprise for the Groom; it was a group of storm troopers that were going to walk don the aisle! The Groom of course was a massive star wars fan and this was a complete surprise to him and all the guests. Everyone loved it and it was so memorable even all the team here wanted to come out and watch as when do you ever have a wedding with storm troopers walking down the aisle! All the guest were there waiting for photos with them, star wars fans or not it was a great talking point for the guests for the rest of the day.
Why should a couple book Pennyhill Park?
We have something for everyone, if it being fantastic food you are looking for then come meet our Michelin star chef and discuss your menus with our amazing team at the Latymer restaurant. If its luxury accommodation we have 124 individually designed bedrooms that will give all your guests that wow factor. Not to mention our stunning 120 acres of Parkland with ample photo opportunities for our couples to remember and look back on for years to come.
This is hard as there are so many good ones! But I have to say our secret garden is just wonderful photo opportunity for our couples. With its a running waterfall and wild flowers surrounding, it makes it feel like a bit of fairytale, which I think is what most couples are looking for on their big day.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Another tough one, but we have an amazing team here who all strive on wanting the same thing of creating happiness in an amazing place. I honestly feel this is what our couples comment on most after their wedding day is how well they felt looked after, from the very first step through the door by our reception team, to meeting the chef at their menu tasting and to the fantastic team who personally look after their big day for them.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
I think the last 18 months have defiantly taught us a lot, opening us up to Zoom show rounds in times when we couldn’t see each other in person has been so beneficial for businesses and couples. It meant that wedding planning could still go ahead; giving couples something to look forward too. I do find mainly we all much prefer to see each other in person, but this has given us the chance to even plan a few destination weddings now we are all up to speed with different technology tools available to us.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Keep going, I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for couples but just keep planning. Keep in touch with your suppliers so they know your concerns so they know how to help you.
A huge thank you to Jodey Hatch for answering our questions. Check out Pennyhill Park on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Surrey? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Fanhams Hall is a luxury and unique wedding venue with outstanding warming open fires in winter, tumbling waterfalls in summer and beautiful private rooms. With stunning features of the original Grade II listed Jacobean manor house all year round.
We talked to Symphonie Wolzak, Wedding Manager/ Executive at Fanhams Hall to find out more about this stunning venue.
Tell us about yourself!
Fun fact: I was named after the Hershey’s Chocolate candy bar- hehe! I was born in San Antonio, Texas so am in love with and super proud of my Tex-Mex culture (Texas-Mexican). I consider myself to make the best homemade tortillas in England, as have yet to come across a Mexican restaurant where they are as good as mine! I love to cook, if you haven’t guessed already and my favourite cuisine is my home-land original Tex-Mex of course…very different from Cali-Mex! I’m super blessed my husband loves his spicy food, because to be honest I really don’t know how to not have a bit of chilli in any of my dishes.
What drew you to the wedding world?
The wedding world found me! A friend of mine was working in events and I just graduated university. Lost, confused, and no work family to tag onto in the big city (NYC), she rung me and said, “Hey come try this!”. My first day helping run a wedding with her, I was sold! The excitement and love in the air was so addicting, like sweet cotton candy; you couldn’t leave the room in fear you’d miss out. The adrenaline you get when something goes wrong last minute like the father of bride is running late, or the zip of one of the bridesmaid’s dresses broke just minutes before announcing them into the room! I love having to think in seconds on how to fix it or stall the wedding without the couple finding out or having enough time to worry; these are the moments I live for! Knowing you fixed it and helped make the couples day absolutely perfect without them realising the storm the team went through to get there. What a buzz!
Our team honestly. We all genuinely want the best day for our couples and understand that every wedding is unique, so we really do our best to be flexible and deliver any of their special requests they may have.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Once booked with us, we usually know a bit about our couples already. We like to “Sit and Love” with our couples when they first come to meet with us and see the venue, before they even book with us. Listening to the couple about what is important to them and connecting through their excitement and anticipation of one of the most important days of their lives. We believe that a connection before booking with your couple is so important, because it really helps set up the trust relationship between us and the couple, so they have the best planning experience with us. We also do little check ins with our couples to see if they want a coffee catch up to discuss any questions or a zoom call if they can’t make it all the way back to us (like my fellow American couples!).
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Hmmm…perfect wedding? I’m a cheese ball…I have to say the couple themselves. They are what make the day perfect because they are starting an amazing journey together that is a life changer. I mean what’s more perfect then marrying your best friend? If I have to be choose a materialistic idea…having everything in one place to help make it easier for you and your guests. Accommodation, ceremony, reception, things like this, even the rehearsal dinner if you can. It just make it less complicated in planning, because then you know that the venue you are with (who you choose in the first place!) will be doing their best to make sure you have the perfect wedding celebration whilst there!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
When looking for your venue, be sure either to visit it on a rainy day or at least envision the venue in the rain…because if you love it when it’s raining, you’ll love it even more when the suns out and not be too disappointed if it does rain. Let’s be honest we live in England, so better to prepare from the beginning! Oh, and also clear umbrellas. …these are the best for photos on our grounds or wherever you end up choosing. It will still get you outside for gorgeous photos on our grounds and capture the beauty surrounded by you.
What do you love about Bridebook?
How easy it is to use for both couples and us as a venue! Love the little blogs they write and tips they give out. So easy for couples to organise themselves using their nifty tools from guest lists to gift lists, hehe!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Fanhams Hall?
Being a hairdresser for the little flower girls, minutes before they walked down the aisle. This involved me taking out my own hair and using hair pins on them, because the bride totally forgot about their hair and was running out of time! Also, another time was sewing up the bridesmaid in her dress (I might have mentioned this before!). Her dress split just before we were to announce them into the reception, and here I am with another colleague just sewing her in completely. I think I even ended up using a stapler at one point, because I didn’t have enough thread! Oh and another time was me having to go under the brides dress to adjust her because she felt something rip…it was minutes before she had to walk down the aisle, so had to go under and quickly see what ripped…was just a simple button that needed re-buttoning. Done it and she was off! There’s more of course, but too many to share. Ahhh… just love the whole thrill of being able to help make their day absolutely perfect!
Why should a couple book Fanhams Hall?
A couple should choose Fanhams Hall because not only are we a beautiful 17th Century Jacobean mansion with gorgeous unique Japanese style gardens and an authentic Japanese Tea house! What wedding venue in England can say they have authentic Japanese style gardens?! Another reason why couples should book us is that we love weddings! We love weddings so much we really try to meet our couples unique requirement to make their day that more special. We’ve been flexible from our menus (Asian- English infusion anyone?) to creating a couple’s signature cocktail for the day for their guests to order from the bar. We love being apart of our couples special day from beginning to end, and genuinely want to help make it a day they wont forget, so the little unique requests we can do, we will!
Ohhhhh there are so many!!!! I have to say two if that’s okay?! First one is in the main grounds outside our formal gardens with Fanhams Hall in the background. Second one is in the fields near the main entrance, surprising I know! Lots of people think I would have said our Wisteria walk or near the rose garden, which are both really beautiful, but I do love the fields in August and September where the grass is over grown and you get these really beautiful rustic and dreamy photos…you could be anywhere in the world, but it’s so gorgeous!!! Makes me want to put on my wedding dress and take photos there! Haha!
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Fanhams Hall, which is part of the Exclusive Collection Group, has become the first ever hospitality business to receive a B-Corp accreditation. This means being recognised as a sustainable business. B-Corp will improve the value we create for our customers through the service we give, and help improve our impact on the planet by learning how to practise environmental stewardship. It really is a fantastic accomplishment and am super proud to be apart of this milestone.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
For couples, technology allows people to shop in the comfort of their own homes! It’s easy access for them. It really give them the chance to really search what they are looking for and not waste time visiting venues face to face, or having in person meetings with loads of different suppliers trying to decide what is right for them. Social media especially helps them “stalk-shop”- Instagram is great for this! For us as suppliers, it helps us reach more potential couples looking for support on their wedding. We can have all of our information readily available for them to see and even experience for themselves. We can reach a whole other country even, like America or South Africa! We currently have American couples getting married here who have found us online and loved our photos and videos on our Instagram page. Technology has helped us get them to see the venue, book and plan their wedding with us here at Fanhams Hall. We are not just focusing on one country; we are able to reach the whole world this way, which is really amazing!
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Talk to each other. Communication is so important, you may both find you two are feeling the exact same way about things. If you are both are struggling, then find a professional to talk to together to help you both overcome this struggle together. It’s not a bad thing to find a un-bias mind out there to help guide you through these trying times, because fact is, this is not normal and its okay to struggle with it all. Find peace and reassurance in the fact that if you two can get through this together, you two can make it through anything. Keep each other positive about the wedding. If one of you starts feeling upset or down about the wedding plans, pick each other up. Have a fun distraction like date night, or start making the wedding favours together and imagining how the day will go.
What is your favourite part of the wedding day?
If you haven’t guessed already, we love weddings! My favourite part of a wedding day is when I get to fluff the brides dress before she walks down the aisle. Goosebumps every time watching them take those final steps to marry their best friend!
A huge thank you to Symphonie Wolzak for answering our questions. Check out Fanhams Hall on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Hertfordshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Featuring one of the only lavender fields in the North East with panoramic views of the Beamish Valley countryside. The Black Horse Beamish and Orchard Marquee is set in 37 acres on Red Row Estate, featuring stunning lavender fields, woodland, filled with wildlife and farmyard antiques.
We talked to Grace Fountain, the Venue Manager at Black Horse Beamish (Red Row Estate) to find out more this unique and contemporary venue.
Tell us about yourself!
We are a family owned business and have been proudly welcoming our guests for over 20 years. Although the original 300 year old pub has been in my family for over 20 years and I’ve grown up listening to conversations about it around the dinner table, I officially started working for the company 10 years ago. Since then the business and building have undergone an extensive refurbishment, expansion and development programme. In my free time I love to walk my dog around our glorious 40 acre sprawl, the stunning lavender field is one of the only in the North East, we have woodland riddled with wildlife and lots of farmyard antiques!
What drew you to the wedding world?
I always had a passion for hospitality and once I completed my degree there was no question where I was going to work. I’ve had the privilege of working in numerous different roles including wedding coordinator and have been able to grow as the business has grown, which I think has been a fantastic and unique experience. Red Row Estate is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful areas of the North East so being able to market that and convert ideas into a reality is something I love.
What do you think makes your venue unique?
My colleagues are undoubtedly what makes our venue so special, we are a small close-knit team. The key to our success is planning, planning, planning! You have to be extremely organised, passionate, and have a keen attention to detail. One of the most important skills, which isn’t often taught in this industry, is to be an unofficial therapist, councillor and shoulder to cry on when needed. Weddings can be very emotional and stressful, and I pride myself on doing my upmost to put everyone’s mind at ease. Every wedding and special occasion is unique, and therefore every client relationship deserves as much time, attention and passion as possible so we can work together to make the big day perfect.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Our coordinators have their own mobile and are on hand to call/text/whatsapp/email at anytime during your wedding journey with us, we feel this gives a lot of comfort to couples. By the end of the wedding journey we really feel like we have made lasting relationships with our brides and grooms. We seem to have the most wonderful couples that come back to visit time and time again.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Amazing food, an open bar tab, memorable entertainment and of course a beautiful ceremony where you are surrounded by your family, friends and loved ones.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
It’s your day, so don’t be afraid to be a bit selfish when it comes to the guestlist, things like your menu choices, drink selection and seating plans.
What do you love about Bridebook?
I love how easy it is to navigate, shortlist and contact suppliers and venues. It really is like your own little black book!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had?
Our first wedding was in July 2012 and since then enquiries have never stopped rolling in! Every wedding has its own special moment so it’s difficult to single out a particular wedding. Most recently being a part my sisters wedding in The Orchard Marquee was very special. It was lovely to be a guest for the day and it’s safe to say she went all out making good use of our extensive list of local supplier contacts.
As a unique venue with extensive grounds and panoramic views over our peaceful valley, the setting could hardly be more idyllic. We provide an unforgettable setting for all styles of celebration, grand or intimate, indoors or out…it will be a unique and memorable celebration.
Definitely the beautiful lavender fields in full bloom.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Our customer service to couples and guests. We pride ourselves in investing in our team to make sure we have only the best set of people to look after you on your journey with us. Our wedding team have a wealth of experience hosting weddings meaning you’re in very capable hands.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Technology has transformed how we now work and we have had to fully embrace new technology during the past 18 months of Covid. It has been an essential part of improving and streamlining our customer journey from the initial enquiry to ease of booking venue viewings. Zoom calls and facetime have enabled us to continue showing couples our beautiful venue and even resulted in couples booking from as far field as Dubai after only viewing on facetime.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Have faith, your dream day will happen despite all the setbacks and remember why you are getting married.
A huge thank you to Grace Fountain for answering our questions. Check out Red Row Estate on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in County Durham? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
In the heart of stylish Marylebone, 41 Portland Place is beautiful Grade II* listed Georgian Townhouse. The perfect setting for an intimate and exclusive Central London wedding. The fantastic location, sophisticated rooms, excellent food, and dedicated event management team will ensure you leave with treasured, everlasting memories.
We talked to Olivia Parrott, Sales & Marketing Manager at 41 Portland Place to find out more this grand and elegant venue, set at in the heart of London.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the weddings world for over 5 years! In my spare time I love to binge watch my favourite series on Netflix (I may or may not be able to re-enact every episode of friends… oooops!) I love socializing with friends & family, hitting the best brunch spots and exploring new places.
What drew you to the wedding world?
How personal it is! The feeling of making couples dream wedding days a reality is what sold it. Seeing the look on a couple’s face when they walk into the venue will never ever get old.
What do you think makes 41 Portland Place unique?
Our approach is to adaptable and flexible, we know each and every couple is different which means our approach is different. 41 Portland Place is one of London’s finest exclusive Georgian Townhouses. It is surrounded by elegant grandeur and in the heart of Marylebone, the Grade II* listed Georgian Townhouse is the ideal setting for a stylish, exclusive and chic London wedding. We are with our couples every step of the way and the relationship doesn’t end after their wedding day at RSA, we have created real amazing friendship with alot of our couples
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
We get to know them as people! Regular drink catch ups, video calls, venue visits, supplier visits! Getting to know the family is also a big thing for us too!
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Personality! Having seen more marvellous weddings than we can mention, the team here at 41 Portland Place know a thing or two about personalizing weddings so if you’re looking to put your own stamp on your big day, you’re sure to find some inspiration, or a little extra confidence to do your own thing, right here!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Trust your venue and your suppliers, they are experts and will go above and beyond to create the most incredible day for you!
What do you love about Bridebook?
The support from the incredible team, they are always so lovely and will go above and beyond always!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at 41 Portland Place?
This is a hard one as we have seen so many memorable weddings! I remember a summer wedding which was hosted on the tranquil terrace which just oozes sophistication and is the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing summer cocktail with friends & family shaded from the sun by gorgeous olive and eucalyptus trees. By night, the space transforms into a fairy light lit oasis in the city. The client opted with a relaxed family feasting BBQ style menu followed by an interactive dessert station, a chef’s favourite!
Why should a couple book 41 Portland Place?
For this, I would say actions speak louder than words and have a look at testimonials! However, knowing their wedding contributes to the Academy of Medical Sciences charity which is funded research to improve health which is more important now than ever, is an incredible thing to know. Booking 41 Portland Place means you are in for a fun and memorable time planning the most incredible day of your lives and that we promise.
Our incredible behind the scene team, the people who make dreams a reality and it wouldn’t be possible without every single one of the team
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
In an amazing way! Virtual tours, Instagram, wedding videos and galleries of images allow couples to imagine their day even more
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
If your wedding cannot go ahead postpone do not cancel, we are all in this together and talk to your loved ones. We will get through this and your wedding celebrations will be more amazing than ever before!
A huge thank you to Olivia Parrott for answering our questions. Check out 41 Portland Place on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in London? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Plas Dinam Country House is a truly beautiful historic mansion set in the hills of Wales. Exclusive use, DIY, with amazing glass roof Stables for your evening party and exclusively yours for at least 2 days.
We talked to Louise Edmunds, the Wedding Coordinator at Plas Dinam Country House to find out more this unique and amazing venue, set at the foot of glorious Welsh hills with spectacular views
Tell us about yourself!
I am relatively new to the Wedding Industry but my previous experience was working in Hospitality in the UK and France. I have had a great summer with Plas Dinam as wedding coordinator, loved every minute of it, and can’t wait for next year. I am a big outdoor lover and when possible will be out running, mountain biking or trying new wild swimming spots. During the winter I try to fit in a ski trip, and get back out in the snow. A few years ago I also joined the Army Reserves, so throughout the year I spend a few weekends training with them. I am expecting my first child in a few weeks, so trying to get ready for the next life adventure!
What drew you to the wedding world?
I absolutely love the creativity of the wedding world, and I was lucky enough to find a job at a venue that is unique in what it offers to couples as well as being a beautiful place to work. It is great to work with couples from day 1, from when we show them around to their wedding day. It is such an exciting time for them and all the positive energy is in abundant on the day, you can’t not be happy doing this job. I love to the see the flower creations, the food menu choices and especially the chosen wedding dress and outfits. Every wedding is different.
It is a family business and we want every couple to make it their own. We encourage them to use all the grounds and space at Plas Dinam, from the beautiful glass roof stables to the tennis courts and the secret lake for wild swimming. It is like renting a big home for a family holiday as well as getting married at the same time. We have fire pits, a pizza oven and BBQ, to croquet on the lawn. There is plenty of space for the couples and guests to explore and really settle into the house for a few days. From Day 1 of showing the couples around our venue I work with them to help with the planning of their day. I am there on the day to make sure it all goes smoothly, they don’t have to think about anything, and just enjoy it.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
I love getting to know the couples and their families, and we love to show them around as much as possible. I am always on hand via emails and zoom calls. We will do a planning meeting at Plas Dinam a few months prior to their wedding day so they get to look around a final time before coming back to get married. This can normally be combined with their food tastings which happens in the Stables, and is a great time for them to really feel like their wedding is happening.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Having all your friends and family together to celebrate.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Wedding planning is fun, please don’t stress over it. It will all come together on the day with our support.
What do you love about Bridebook?
Bridebook have been great throughout covid-19, thinking of new ways to advertise and help us, with monthly phone calls and assistance looking at our listing to make it couple friendly. Bridebook are a great way to start the planning process for your day.
The couples getting married make it memorable. Their personalities and their ideas that they put into the day really make it for me. Our first wedding in June this year was very memorable, they had postponed 3 times due to covid and we were so excited for them to be getting married. They were such a fun couple, they had great friends and family with good chat, and all loved to party.
So the couples can spend a few days with their friends and family staying in a large Country House, relaxing, eating, drinking and getting married. They have the whole grounds exclusively to themselves and a beautiful glass roof stables to hold their wedding meal and party. They can arrive and completely make it their own. No pressure from anyone, it is their day and they can have it how they want.
All of it, we have a great team that work super hard to make sure everything is perfect.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
We have seen the increase of virtual tours since covid-19, but it is a positive- being able to offer a tour over zoom from the couples comfort of their lounge has been wonderful. We have been able to give them a real view of the venue and grounds, they can ask all the questions and still come away wanting to book with us.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
It is super tough having to postpone or not know if it will go ahead, but we are on hand to support you. We can help with any suppliers, and assist in finding new dates. It is still your wedding day so we want it to be special, and being able to spend it with family and friends is so important. Do not take too much stress on, relax, and it will happen.
A huge thank you to Louise Edmunds for answering our questions. Check out Plas Dinam Country House on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Wales? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Tudor Barn Eltham is Set in acres of beautiful Instagrammable parkland and gardens, and dating back to 1525, the Tudor Barn is the perfect place for special celebrations. We’re ready to host your wedding.
We talked to Jade Hayward at Tudor Barn Eltham the to find out more about this hidden gem of a venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the wedding industry since I was 17 years old! Approaching 8 years now. I have a beautiful little girl who gave birth to during the pandemic and in my free time I love to design posters, birthday cards, photobooks as well as photography.
What drew you to the wedding world?
Simply by chance! I worked in central london for 2 years and could no longer deal with the constant bad energy and the need to get everywhere 100 miles an hour! A friend of mine actually asked me to do some photography for her sons holy communion at Tudor Barn Eltham and I fell in love with the building. Such a beautiful little gem right around the corner from where I live.
What do you think makes Tudor Barn Eltham unique?
I find some venues are like a conveyer belt whereby they just want 7 weddings a week sometimes more than 1 a day and that is just simply not what we are about. Tudor Barn Eltham is a family run business and each and every wedding is unique and becomes a part of history as Tudor Barn Eltham is the last remaining Tudor Barn in London dating back to 1525. We want to be a part of our couple’s planning process, we want to help them decide which table plans will work best, which colour schemes work beautifully with the barn and all the little bits in between. We have found this approach not only puts our couples minds at ease but makes what can be a very difficult planning process so much easier and dare I say it… lot’s of fun!! We want them to not only remember the big day but remember just how exciting it was to plan with our team.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Our events team offer 4 meetings with our clients, on the viewing we are able to understand who they are and what they want which really helps us begin our planning process, after they are invited to a tasting which again helps us understand what type of food and drinks they like and offer our advice to what we think could work for their big day. We then offer a planning meeting where the clients have access to their function sheet and it’s almost a step by step checklist of what they need to do, this allows us to understand exactly what they want from their big day in terms of decor, entertainment, timings etc and again we can focus in on these areas. Finally, at the final meeting we can look at all the tiny little details which we know our client’s would love to have as we have built a relationship with them for on average 9 – 18 months! On the day of the wedding we will know everything we need to know about our couples to ensure their day is perfect.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
I think everyone’s idea of perfect is unique and that’s what makes a wedding perfect, your own very unique, different ideas coming together to create a day that truly represents you and your partner.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Be prepared for anything to happen! Sometimes the best things can come from it
What do you love about Bridebook?
How we can show off our venue as the unique wedding venue as it is with ease!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at The Petersham Hotel?
We held a wedding a few years ago and the groom was a firefighter who actually attended the grenfell tower tragedy – he was a real life hero! Seeing him and his colleagues in their dress uniform’s it was truly something special.
Why should a couple book Tudor Barn Eltham?
To become a part of history in a beautiful unique 16th century barn
What’s the best photo spot at Tudor Barn Eltham?
Within the stunning gardens by the Moat Bridge
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The staff
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
I feel that everything is becoming more digital! We totally expected this change and we are moving with it and taking it all in our stride! We will continue to have a personal 1 to 1 approach for some parts of the planning as we believe this is really important.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Love conquers all! You will have your perfect day and your family will be so excited to be able to celebrate an amazing milestone in your life with you.
A huge thank you to Jade for answering our questions. Check out Tudor Barn Eltham on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Kent? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Wedding favours provide some added beauty or fun to your tables, while also letting your guests know that you’re grateful to have them with you on your special day.
While for centuries, favours were limited to almonds, there are many more options nowadays. Depending on your wedding theme, you can have anything from cake pops and chocolate moustaches to succulents and wooden hearts.
Whatever your theme and budget, we’ve got plenty of ideas that your guests will love.
What are wedding favours?
Wedding favours are small gifts from you and your partner for your wedding guests to thank them for coming. The favours tend to be placed next to each guest’s placemat at the wedding reception. Traditionally – and for many years – wedding favours were almonds. Nowadays, these lovely little gifts can take on a variety of forms.
How much do wedding favours cost?
Favours for weddings can vary widely in price. Generally speaking, you’d expect to spend £2 to £5 on each favour, but this can vary widely depending on what you have in mind. When deciding on an appropriate amount to spend, consider the size of your guest list and your overall wedding budget.
Does everyone have wedding favours?
You don’t have to give favours – they are not compulsory, and most guests will be thrilled to be invited to your wedding without receiving gifts. However, favours are traditional and widely used, particularly for larger weddings. They’re a lovely touch for your guests, and they can also double up as table decorations!
30 great ideas for wedding favours
1.Pressed flower tealight holder
Glass tealight holders will look beautiful on your reception tables while also acting as wonderful keepsakes for your wedding guests. As you can buy tealight holders with so many different flower options, you’re sure to find something to fit your theme.
Price: £10
2.Fortune cookie
If you want wedding treats that are affordable but fun, fortune cookies could be the perfect choice. Your guests will love reading their fortunes out to one another.
Price: £0.80
3.Personalised champagne bottle
If you have a slightly higher budget, a personalised mini champagne bottle for each guest can be a fun way to start off the wedding toasts.
Price: £20.00
4.Wildflower seeds for charity
Wildflowers are in – they’re natural, pretty, and beneficial for the bees. You can purchase wildflower seed packets from charities, so not only are the favours thoughtful, they’re also doing plenty of good.
Price: £1.20
5.Personalised apothecary candle
Scented candles are popular with most people and will add some extra pizazz to your table décor.
Price: £16
6.Festival wristband
If you’re planning a wedding with a festival theme, why not gift your guests with keepsake ‘wedfest’ wristbands from the big day?
Price: £1.10
7.Personalised glass bottles
Attractive personalised glass bottles make great favours. You can even fill them with a signature cocktail and start the party with a bang.
Price: £2
8.Flip-flops
If your wedding is likely to involve dancing into the early hours, your guests will love a pair of comfy flip-flops to change into when they get their groove on. Flip-flops are also perfect for a beach or tropical themed day.
Price: £1.50
9.Chocolate moustache
If you’re planning a photo booth for your evening do, chocolate moustache favours will keep your guests guessing.
Price: £1.30
10.Sweetie bag
For a fun and sugary favour, place a pink-striped paper bag in each guest’s place. Then let them choose their favourite treats from a pick ‘n’ mix buffet.
Price: £2 (including sweets)
11.Charity donations
Perhaps you’d like your favours to benefit a charity that means something to you. For each guest, you could donate to a charity – some organisations offer printed place cards with details of the donation (or you can of course make your own). Your guests will love knowing that their presence at your wedding has helped others.
Price: variable
12.Truffles
You can either make the truffles yourself or – if you’re short on time or willing – buy them in bulk. Chocolate truffles are a classic, indulgent gift that your guests will love.
Price: £1.20
13.Cake pops
Custom cake pops are on trend, and they come in so many flavours and colours that you’re sure to find some that work with your wedding theme.
Price: £2
14.A recipe
If you’re fond of cooking or come from a family of foodies, why not pass on some secret recipes to your guests? You could have them printed in a handwritten font for your guests to discover when they sit down to eat.
Price: £0.50
15.A beanstalk
If you’d like a fairytale feel (or maybe even a whole theme!), you can treat your guests to some ‘magic beans’ with their names on.
£5
16.Gourmet Coffee
A small hessian bag of gourmet Brazilian coffee will give your guests a much-needed pick-me-up for the day after the wedding celebrations, ensuring your guests are wide awake the following day.
17.Temporary tattoos
Temporary tattoos will provide plenty of hilarity around your wedding tables. You can buy sheets of tattoos with your names and wedding date, or even your faces!
Price: £19 (per A4 sheet of tattoos)
18.Succulents
Succulents are in style, cheap and easy to care for. They’ll look so stylish on your tables and the guests will love having their own little plant to take home at the end of the night.
Price: £1.50
19.Love Hearts
Love hearts are a well-known wedding favour, and quite rightly so. They’re fun, romantic, and inexpensive. You can even personalise the labels!
Price: £0.30
20.Watering cans
Miniature watering cans make wonderful favours. You can use them to house your guests’ napkins and cutlery, or fill them with flowers to match your wedding theme.
Price: £2.20
21.Bubbles
Give each guest a stylish bottle of bubbles and a wand. Ask everyone to get their lungs working for some great photo opportunities.
Price: £1.50
22.Golf balls
If your wedding is at a large hotel or country club, personalised golf balls make for fun, unusual favours. They’re especially good if you’ve built in some time for guests to play golf and try them out over the weekend.
Price: £3.50
23.Fortune teller fish
Do you remember those little red plastic fish that you used to put on your hand to read your fortune? They’re still around! They’re also still cheap and fun, and are sure to get your guests talking and laughing together.
Price: £0.15
24.Glass charms
Personalised wine charms are a lovely touch to your guests’ wine glasses at the table. At the end of the night they can take them home and be forever reminded of your special day.
Price: £4
25.Second-hand book
In the lead up to your wedding, collect secondhand books from car boot sales and charity shops. Then gift each guest with a book on your big day. To make sure that they haven’t already read them, maybe give them books that are different to their usual choices.
Price: £0.50
26.Wedding soundtrack
Your guests will be constantly transported back to your wedding day with a USB containing all the music from the day. These come in cute little personalised boxes.
Price: £6.00
27.Soap
A smart, personalised pack of artisan soap will let your guests know you’re grateful for them. You can choose out of many scents and ingredients, including vegan and organic options.
Price: £1.10
28.Sparklers
Sparklers are fun for people of all ages. Gather everyone outside and light their sparklers on a count of three – get the cameras ready!
29.Hearts
On your wedding day, why not give each of your guests a heart? Made from wood or slate, they will add to your wedding style. They can even be personalised with your guests’ names and used as place cards.
Price: £1.00
There are so many options for wedding favours, and we’ve only listed a few! Most importantly, select gifts that you feel fit your budget and the tone that you want to convey to your guests. Have a great wedding!
A wedding speech, or wedding message, should always be written from the heart and in your own words. However, if you’re struggling for some inspiration or your words are playing hard-to-get, there’s nothing wrong with taking a few snippets of genius from someone else. You can do this by infusing your speech or message with love quotes or wedding day quotes.
Love and marriage quotes give profound insights into the beauty and complexities of relationships. They add a touch of timeless wisdom and eloquence to your speech or message, acting as the cherry on top of the cake.
Ready for some inspiration? Check out this post of 110 love quotes for your wedding day. Whether you’re looking for some general love quotes, a heartwarming Disney quote, a quote from a song, or one from a specific book or film — we’ve got you covered.
What makes a good love quote?
A good love quote is anything that touches your heart. If it resonates with your love story, has a specific significance to you and your partner, or simply summarises how you feel perfectly, then it’s a good love quote.
Our advice is to read lots of different love quotes from different sources. There will be one or two that fill your heart with love or just capture your feelings perfectly. You’ll know them when you read them, and they’re the ones you should pick.
How can I incorporate quotes about love in my speech or message?
We recommend that you pepper love quotes into your wedding speech, vows, or readings. Due to the short nature of most quotes, they’re not suitable to take the place of wedding vows or readings like love poems can. However, you can sprinkle them throughout a pre-written wedding speech or vows.
Try opening or closing your wedding message with a quote for maximum impact. For example, you could end with something like: “Thank you for listening to my speech today. I’d like to sum everything up with the immortal words of Nicholas Sparks, ‘I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had’. Thank you.”
General love quotes
“Love is friendship that has caught on fire” — Ann Lander
“Love is a force more formidable than any other” — Barbara de Angelis
“Love is bigger than a tsunami, stronger than any fear” — Bethany Hamilto
“Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze” — Elinor Glyn
“You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back” — Barbara de Angelis
“To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven” — Karen Sunde
“I love you” begins by I, but it ends up by you — Charles de Leusse
“To lose balance sometimes for love is part of living a balanced life” — Elizabeth Gilbert
“For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love” — Carl Sagan
“Our love cannot be measured, it just is” — John Paul Stevens
Inspirational love quotes
“Where there is love there is life” — Mahatma Gandhi
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope” — Maya Angelou
“Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet” — Plato
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies” — Aristotle
“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart” — Helen Keller
“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction” -— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend” — Martin Luther King Jr.
“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other” — Audrey Hepburn
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive” — Dalai Lama
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage” — Lao Tzu
Love quotes by famous people
“I would rather spend one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone” — J.R.R. Tolkien
“The real lover is a man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space” — Marilyn Monroe
“You know it’s love when all you want is that person to be happy, even if you’re not part of their happiness” — Julia Roberts
“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other” — Audrey Hepburn
“My blind eyes are desperately waiting for the sight of you” — Richard Burton, in a letter to Elizabeth Taylor
“I would find you in any lifetime” — Kanye West
“My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me” — Winston Churchill
“I think the perfection of love is that it’s not perfect.” — Emma Stone
“Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear” — John Lennon
“Love is a verb. It’s an action requiring your involvement and your active participation” — John Legend
Love quotes from Disney films
“I’d rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you” — John Smith, Pocahontas
“It’s there, I know it is, because when I look at you, I can feel it. And I look at you, and I’m home” — Dory, Finding Nemo
“Some people are worth melting for” — Olaf, Frozen
“All at once everything looks different, now that I see you” — Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Tangled
“People do crazy things when they’re in love.” — Meg, Hercules
“You are my greatest adventure.” — Mr. Incredible, The Incredibles
“To infinity and beyond!” — Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story
“Love is not an emotion, it’s a choice” — Maui, Moana
“I wouldn’t have nothing if I didn’t have you.” — Mike Wazowski, Monsters, Inc.
“My dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it” – Princess Tiana, The Princess and the Frog
Love quotes from songs
“Love is old, love is new. Love is all, love is you” — The Beatles, Because
“With our love, we could save the world, if they only knew” — The Beatles, Within You Without You
“I could make you happy, make your dreams come true. Nothing that I wouldn’t do. Go to the ends of the Earth for you” — Adele, Make You Feel My Love
“You’re still the one I run to, the one that I belong to, you’re still the one I want for life” — Shania Twain, You’re Still The One
“Cause all you need is love, love. Love is all you need” — The Beatles, Love Is All You Need
“I belong with you, you belong with me, you’re my sweetheart” — The Lumineers, Ho Hey
“You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be, and I don’t wanna go home right now.” — Goo Goo Dolls, Iris
“Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can’t help falling in love with you” — Elvis Presley, Can’t Help Falling in Love
“You’re my end and my beginning, even when I lose, I’m winning” — John Legend, All of Me
“And isn’t it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?” — Taylor Swift, Invisible String
Love quotes from plays, theatre shows, and musicals
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none” — William Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well
“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind” — William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you need me with you, here beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go too” — The Phantom (Erik), The Phantom of the Opera
“She loves me and to my amazement, I love it, knowing that she loves me” — Georg Nowack, She Loves Me
“Tonight, tonight, I’ll see my love tonight. And for us, stars will stop where they are” — Tony, West Side Story
“Love will stand when all else falls” — Moses, The Prince of Egypt
“Love is like oxygen. Love is a many-splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong” — Christian, Moulin Rouge
“I saw you and the world went away” — Tony, West Side Story
“When someone needs you, you love them so” — Nancy, Oliver!
“Can it be us and only us? And what came before won’t count anymore or matter” — Evan Hansen, Dear Evan Hansen
Love quotes from books
“I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul” — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you” — A. A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh
“I know I am in love with you because my reality is finally better than my dreams” — Dr. Seuss
“You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not” — Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper
“I love her, and that’s the beginning and end of everything” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once” — John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
“I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had” — Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same” — Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
“You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought” — Arthur Conan Doyle, The White Company
“Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone” — Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie
Love quotes from poetry
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides” — David Viscott
“Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired” — Robert Frost
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning
“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride” — Pablo Neruda
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever” — Alfred Lord Tennyson
“Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it” — Rabindranath Tagore
“You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars” — E.E. Cummings
“If my lover were a comet hung in air, I would braid my leaping body in his hair” — Djuna Barnes
“Love is not consolation. It is light” — Friedrich Nietzsche
“Love is the only reality and it is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation” — Rabindranath Tagore
Love quotes from films
“You had me at ‘hello'” — Dorothy Boyd, Jerry Maguire
“Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide, but I love you until the end of time” — Christian, Moulin Rouge
“What I’m trying to say, very inarticulately, is that, um, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I like you, very much. Just as you are” — Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones’s Diary
“To me, you are perfect” — Mark, Love Actually
“I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is” — Forrest Gump, Forrest Gump
“I think I’d miss you even if we never met” — Kat Ellis, The Wedding Date
“A marriage is a promise. With the ceremony and ring, you’re saying to one another, ‘Every experience I am going to have, I want to experience with you'” — Diane Keaton, The Big Wedding
“You’re my air” — Dre, Brown Sugar
“So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard, and we’re gonna have to work at this every day. But I wanna do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever. You and me. Every day” — Noah Calhoun, The Notebook
Love quotes from TV shows
“It’s you. It’s always been you” — Fitz Grant, Scandal
“You make me happier than I ever thought I could be, and if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way” — Chandler Bing, Friends
“You’re my one in five billion” — Fox Mulder, The X-Files
“Some love stories aren’t epic novels. Some are short stories, but that doesn’t make them any less filled with love” — Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City
“I love our story. Sure, it’s messy, but it’s the story that got us here” — Ted Mosby, How I Met Your Mother
“I love you, in a really, really big pretend-to-like-your-taste-in-music, let-you-eat-the-last-piece-of-cheesecake, hold-a-radio-over-my-head-outside-your-window, unfortunate way that makes me hate you, love you” -— Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy
“I love you and I like you” — Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation
“I love you more than words, and I am a big fan of words” — Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
“You are the love of my life. Everything I have and everything I am is yours” — Chuck Bass, Gossip Girl
“I love you even when you’re sick and look disgusting” — Jim Halpert, The Office
Love quotes from the Bible
“We love because He first loved us” — 1 John 4:19
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves” — Romans 12:10
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Let all that you do be done in love” — 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” — 1 Peter 4:8
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” — 1 John 4:16-18
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” — John 15:9-10
“Do everything in love” — 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly” — Colossians 3:14
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves” — Romans 12:9-10
The bottom line on wedding love quotes
Love quotes are a timeless way to express your feelings and show your partner what your big day means to you. Or, if you’re a guest, they’re a lovely way to share well-wishes with the couple and inspire them about their marriage.
Don’t think you’re being un-original or cliché by using these quotes. Instead, use them to inspire your wedding speech or message and connect your personal vows to a broader, shared understanding of love. Everyone loves hearing familiar quotes in a speech, and you could even use it as an inside joke with your new spouse or guests. For example, using a quote from your favourite book, film, or TV show will no doubt put a smile on their face.
So, feel free to use love and marriage quotes in your wedding speech or message. Embrace the timeless nature of the phrases and pepper them throughout your speech or message like the seasoning in a good dish.
Choosing wedding flowers can be tricky. If you are struggling to choose your flowers, it may be worth considering what the blooms mean.
To help you decide, we’ve picked out some popular wedding flowers and explained their meaning.
Rose
The rose is a traditional wedding flower, so it couldn’t be left off this list!
Roses symbolise love, yet depending on their colour, other meanings come in too. Red roses symbolise love and desire, whereas white roses are purity and innocence.
Calla Lily
Calla lilies came from Africa and are usually in season for spring or summer weddings.
Calla lilies have a mild fragrance and represent beauty. Bouquets made of only calla lilies are stunning, but they can be a sturdy support for other bouquets too.
Tulip
Tulips are in season in spring, and so find their way into bouquets and venue décor up and down the country.
Like roses, tulips come in bold and beautiful colours, each with a different meaning. Red tulips symbolise a declaration of love that is perfect for your altar décor, and yellow mean sunshine.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas have large clusters of delicate petals and are a great way to add bulk to a bouquet.
The hydrangea can express gratitude, and so is ideal for bridesmaid bouquets.
Sweet Peas
The sweet pea has a homey vibe, thanks to its rich scent and a range of tones to match with any wedding colour scheme.
This flower is a firm favourite and will be right at home in the bouquet of a bride planning a country wedding.
Peony
Legend has it that Paeon, the Greek physician of the Gods, used a peony root to heal Pluto. Jealousy led to an attempt on Paeon’s life, and to save him, Pluto transformed him into a peony. This legend has led to the peony having a meaning of compassion.
Carnation
Carnations fell out of favour, but they are making a comeback again in the bouquets of brides.
The humble carnation symbolises both love and pride. But avoid striped carnations as they can mean refusal!
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums represent optimism, joy, and a long life. These very meanings are what makes it a great addition to a bridal bouquet!
An added benefit of the chrysanthemum is that they are affordable and in great supply all year round.
Anemone
The anemone is one of those flowers that can fit into a range of colour schemes. These flowers come in a range of shades, including purples, pinks, reds, and ivory.
Anemone comes from the Greek word for “windflower” and symbolises anticipation.
Daffodil
Daffodils are vibrant and tell a tale of the coming of spring.
Beyond this, daffodils symbolise chivalry. A single daffodil means unrequited love, making it a great buttonhole for the groom.
Baby’s Breath
The cloud-like petals of baby’s breath mean this bloom is a popular filler for bouquets and decor. The tiny white flowers can be used on their own in delicate flower crowns for your flower girls.
Baby’s breath symbolises innocence, and they are inexpensive all year round.
Delphinium
Delphinium comes from the Greek word “delphis”, translating as dolphin. If you pluck a single flower from the tallest part of the plant, it looks like a dolphin leaping out.
These blooms have a subtle scent, and the purple colour looks at home in summer centrepieces.
Heather
Heather flowers symbolise good luck and protection. Queen Victoria popularised the heather as meaning good luck in England. As a result, it is common to include a sprig of white heather in a bride’s bouquet for luck.
Anthurium
Anthuriums symbolise hospitality, abundance, and happiness, which are perfect for your wedding day! Their delicate heart shape will fit right in with your bouquet.
These flowers come in vibrant shades, or, for a more subtle approach, you can opt for a delicate green bloom.
Cornflower
Cornflowers symbolise prosperity and friendship. Cornflowers usually have a gorgeous blue hue, but they are also available in white or pink.
The subtle tones make them a great addition to bridal or bridesmaid bouquets.
Dahlia
Dahlias are a perfect wedding flower. These blooms mean commitment and an ever-lasting bond, and their bold bloom is elegant too.
When they are in season, you cannot go wrong with adding dahlias to your bouquet.
Magnolia
In Chinese culture, the magnolia tree symbolises purity and nobility. The blooms have been used for healing and are thought to have been around for 20 million years!
Today, the flower symbolises perseverance, dignity, and a love of nature.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are a big, bold, and vibrant choice often used as a focal flower in a summer bouquet. The sunflower represents purity, adoration, and dedicated love.
The sunflower looks even better when paired with the delicate blooms of baby’s breath or daisies.
Freesia
The delicate freesia represents innocence and thoughtfulness.
The freesia can add a dash of colour to a bouquet, both for brides and bridesmaids. The delicate blooms are available in yellow, ivory, purple, and a stunning burnt orange.
Daisy
Daisies mean innocence and purity. We all remember playing outside when we were young and making daisy chains. The happy memories make them a great addition to a bouquet!
Gerbera
The gerbera is a member of the daisy family, but it tends to be much bolder and brighter than its more delicate cousin.
The gerbera has rows of overlapping petals and are often found in bold and beautiful colours. Their colours and a name that means cheerfulness make this is a popular bouquet choice.
Lilac
If your partner is your childhood sweetheart, lilac could be a great to your bridal bouquet. The delicate blooms of lilac come in purple and white, and they symbolise first love.
Local lilacs can be found in spring, but brides can usually get access to imported lilacs all year round.
Orchid
The exotic beauty of the orchid makes it an in-demand addition to a bouquet. But, unless you are careful with your seasons, it can end up being quite expensive.
The orchid represents thoughtfulness and charm, adding a dramatic touch to your bouquet.
Zinnia
Gardeners love the zinnia because it attracts butterflies. For couples, the gorgeous colours, and meaning of lasting affection is enough to seal the deal.
Opt for a bold touch by adding a bright orange steam to a centrepiece or add a statement bloom to a bouquet.
Happy planning!
Check out some of our other top tips to help you plan your wedding stress-free.
Woodlands Park is a magnificent mansion, set in beautiful landscaped grounds provides the perfect venue for your wedding reception. Frequented at the turn of the century by the then Prince of Wales and the famous actress Lillie Langtry, Woodlands Park continues to radiate a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
We talked to Cheyenne Crombie the Events Manager at Woodlands Park to find out more about this stunning venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I have worked at Woodlands for about 3 years now. I do not have any human children but I do have a fur baby called Duchess who is a cat and my best friend, I am a bit of a crazy cat lady. I enjoy travelling, I lived in Australia for a year on the Gold Coast and I also volunteered in South Africa at and elephant reserve which was incredible, highly recommend.
What drew you to the wedding world?
I have always loved customer service and weddings take that to a whole new level. There is nothing more exciting than planning a wedding day, it’s the best event to plan because the client is always excited and you can get excited with them and I love that. As weddings take a while to plan, I get a longer period of time to build a relationship with my couples so then it’s so rewarding to see the final event on the day.
What do you think makes Woodlands Park special?
I think the people we have here at Woodlands Park make our venue unique, they really care about delivering a flawless day for our couples so everyone’s attentiveness is amazing. Not to toot my own horn but I am a bit of a perfectionist and I think that is really important for couples as they know they will have someone who is going to ensure all the finer details are correct. I have to mention the building itself – the first sight of Woodlands Park is always a ‘wow’ moment. The venue is beautiful both inside and outside with extensive gardens and grounds. The history of the building is also something which our couples love to hear about, it dates back to 1885. Lastly, we do operate on a one bride policy because we believe that full attention should be solely on that wedding. Our focus for the day is to deliver a completely personal experience from the get go.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Nothing beats meeting people in person, it’s always nice to put a face to a name. With weddings I get to meet with my couples regularly but there are also lots and lots of emails and phone calls that go back and forth. I just try to make them a bit more relaxed as opposed to formal emails but it all depends on how my couples want to communicate. The first stage is upon enquiry from the couple, my response always mirrors their initial enquiry which is usually via email. At this point I will encourage couples to book an appointment straight away so I get to chat with them as early as possible. At the first appointment I run through all the most important information and show the couple around the wedding spaces. We will talk about package inclusions that are available or discuss a more bespoke package if that is what the couple prefer. Once we have agreed on all the details we will get everything signed off and provide the couple with their wedding handbook. I love this document as it details the timeline for planning and helps couples when thinking of things they need to do before the big day. It becomes their wedding bible! I will also invite my couples to visit their venue as much as possible by attending showcase events. This is so couples can come and see the rooms set up for inspiration. We post all of our showcase dates on Facebook. When it starts to get close to the date of the wedding the couple will attend their menu tasting and meet with the Chef to ensure everything is perfect for their wedding meal. Couples really enjoy this part as it’s a little preview of part of their day and they can even make a night of it by staying with us too.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
I think a lot of people forget that a wedding isn’t just about the partying, it is ultimately about the couple getting married and as long as you are able to do that surrounded by the people you love, you’ll have the best day! My best advice would be to make your day as personal as you want to – it’s a day all about you and it is a day where all the people you both love are celebrating you. The best weddings are the ones where everyone enjoys themselves so I tell my couples to try to keep things relaxed and not to over-plan and aim for a day that flows, even with the photos, moments captured are often the nicest.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Most importantly, remember that it is your wedding day so choose the things that you like and which are important to you. And create a couple’s email address just for the wedding!! It will help you keep track of everything and allow you to keep your wedding planning in one place.
What do you love about Bridebook?
Many of our wedding couples find us via Bridebook. I think it’s great that this platform gives couples so much relevant information in a clear way but for me I think the reviews are really important. For us as venue it’s lovely to read such happy words from newlyweds and for potential couples I think it builds real excitement about their own day.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Woodlands Park?
This is a very hard question to answer as every wedding is completely different and they are all memorable in their own way. It’s not always the biggest weddings with lots of embellishments which are the most memorable – intimate and really special ceremonies can be very emotional, in a good way! One wedding that we are fond of was an Exclusive use wedding at Christmas time. The couple had a gingerbread house which was actually a replica of Woodlands Park and it almost filled a 5ft table! The wedding was a winter wonderland theme so this focal piece was a spectacular addition.
Why should a couple book Woodlands Park?
There are plenty of reasons why Woodlands Park is an amazing wedding venue. We offer exclusive use which means you can take the whole hotel, the grounds, the bedrooms, the restaurant – everything – as your own for the duration of your wedding. We also offer non-exclusive options too so we are flexible to give couples the day they are dreaming of. We have a one wedding policy which means no other wedding will take place at the same time so couples can be sure they have our undivided attention on the day. The feedback we regularly receive from our wedding couples and their guests is that they experienced brilliant service from all staff. We pride ourselves on being a team of people who are professional and friendly which will make all the difference to your day. Plus we have great relationships with recommended suppliers which all our couples have access to. Not only that, the extensive ground and gardens provide an amazing backdrop for wedding photos during all seasons. Woodlands Park is located in Surrey so the surrounding countryside is spectacular. The venue is close to the M25 and airports which means guests who are travelling can reach the venue easily. All your guests are welcome to stay with us during the period of your wedding, whether that is the night before to be prepared for an early start or the night of your wedding.
What’s the best photo spot at Woodlands Park?
I will have to give an indoor and outdoor spot in order to cater for all seasons… The love seat swing in the garden which hangs from one of the large oak trees is beautiful for an intimate picture of the newlyweds. Inside, the Grand Hall balcony has our stained glass ceiling in the background and this is truly special to capture.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I’m really proud to be a part of the Woodlands Park team and I believe the service we deliver as a team is impeccable. We all have a vital part to play in every wedding that takes place here and without everyone doing their bit it just would not be the same. Being part of a team of people who all love what they do and who are experts in their roles makes me proud.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
I think the wedding industry has adapted alongside technology however I feel every venue or wedding professional experiences it differently. For our venue we find that couples still choose to visit the venue in person as they want to spend as much time here as possible. Virtual appointments are available and are key at certain times but nothing beats seeing something or someone in real life. We don’t currently instant message with our couples are we practice a more personal approach. Obviously technology has had the biggest impact online as couples are now able to search far and wide for venues in a really short space of time and watch online tours, read reviews and look through pictures on Instagram or Pinterest to make their own opinion on whether the venue is what they are looking for before even making an enquiry.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Continue to plan your wedding! Don’t get disenchanted and push things to the sidelines if your date has been postponed. Time flies by and the last thing you want to do is rush when you get closer to the day. The process of planning a wedding can be stressful but it should be enjoyable and even though your wedding day may not be happening when you thought it would be you should still make the most of the process and focus on the good things that come with it.
A huge thank you to Cheyenne Crombie for answering our questions. Check out Woodlands Park on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Surrey? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
However, with all of the focus on the big day, it can be easy to forget about the bridal shower. Deciding on activities can sometimes seem a little overwhelming. But fear not! We have some dazzling ideas that will suit your bridal shower, whatever the style of event you are planning.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look at some of the top bridal shower games and ideas.
Take It Outside
With recent world events, safety is on everyone’s mind. So why not take your bridal shower outside and enjoy some fresh air? This could be as simple as erecting a small gazebo outside and decorating it to match your theme. Think fairy lights, outside games and dancing to get everyone in the party spirit – along with some nibbles and your favourite tipple of course!
Let’s get quizzical
Grab your besties and get quizzical! Disney nerd? Happy couple trivia? The options are endless with this bridal shower game and is one for guaranteed laughs. Simply appoint your quiz master beforehand, and watch out for everyone’s competitive streak. Our tip? Ask your guests to compile a few questions each for some extra fun. Make sure to stock up on prizes for the lucky winners, oh, and don’t forget a boobie prize!
Photo booth props
Everyone loves a photo shoot. Grab some props, a camera, your gal pals and snap the night away! You could theme your outfit choices for some great group shots or even add in some fun photo challenges, such as recreating famous portraits (we’ve tried this one and trust us, it can get wild!).
Provide old school disposable cameras or a Polaroid for guests to get snap happy with. A wonderful bonus of this type of bridal shower is the vast array of picture memories you’ll have to look back on after the event.
Create a date jar
Gather your guests and give them the chance to come up with their very own date ideas for your first year of marriage. A jar of any sort, paper and pens is all that’s needed to start this fun idea. After the wedding, you can enjoy some entertaining (and maybe a few risqué) date nights courtesy of your best pals.
Over or under game
A classic bridal shower game! Find out how well the guests know the Bride in the lead up to the wedding. Use statements like, ‘The couple met 5 years ago’ and decide if the correct answer is higher or lower. You might be surprised by some of the answers.
DIY cocktail bar
Of course you could have a cocktail making session in your local bar, but why not bring the fun back to yours? Get guests talking by devising all sorts of wild and wacky concoctions all in the name of you! Incorporate some friendly competition with games, such as a blind tasting contest or ‘bride’s favourite cocktail’.
If you want to encourage some more sensible activities, you could work together to come up with a great tasting signature cocktail to be served on the wedding day itself. Don’t drink alcohol? Not a problem! Mocktails can be just as fun for the whole squad.
Whose memory game
This is a fun one and a fabulous icebreaker to use at the beginning of any bridal shower, particularly if you have guests coming that may not know each other. Get everyone to write down a memory they have of the Bride. After picking them from a jar, the bride reads them out to the group and guests can take turns guessing whose memory it is. Get ready for some funny and cringe worthy stories from the past!
Make a balloon arch
If you want a modern day team building experience, invite over the girls and get ready for a night of balloon arch making. You would be surprised how easy and satisfying it is to create some spectacular creations from balloons in your own home that can then be used as a superb photo backdrop.
For added bridal shower fun once the Prosecco starts to flow, you could try your hand a bit of balloon modelling too. Balloon dog anyone?!
Tea party theme
Add some sophistication to your bridal shower by taking on a delightful tea party theme. Think tea and cake, finger sandwiches and scones served alongside beautiful china and rustic country style bunting.
Make flower crowns
A beautifully creative way to spend your bridal shower is by making your own flower crowns. Bring in an expert to coach you through the how tos or invest in some real or artificial flowers and wire and get crafting. We have even seen brides who are planning a festival style wedding create their own headpieces to wear for the special day itself.
Take a class
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to sew, or get funky by learning a new dance routine. You could even spend your shower learning the art of life drawing (gulp!) whatever you decide on, taking a class surrounded by your friends is always a sure fire hit.
He said she said
Another bridal shower classic! Find out who said ‘I love you’ first or who is the better driver by getting your party to guess which half of the couple it is. Get the maid of honour to come up with the questions so the bride has to answer along with the guests too.
Karaoke queens
Sing the night away next to your nearest and dearest with a spot of karaoke. This bridal shower idea is the ultimate girls’ night and is guaranteed to have everyone singing along by the end of the night.
DIY origami decorations
Get together and create some beautiful decorations to be used on your special day. You could use techniques like origami, calligraphy or needlework to create some super special decorations, favours and place cards. Not only will you save time and money by creating your own, your wedding day will be filled with even more reminders of the lead up to your wedding.
Happy planning!
While it’s easy to see how planning a bridal shower can be a little overwhelming at the start of your planning journey, these ideas make it easy to see how fun, budget friendly and inclusive your bridal shower can be with a little forward planning.
Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the run-up to your big day. They’ll make your memories last forever – so you’ll want to make sure you find the person who’s going to capture your day perfectly. But with so many photographers, styles and packages out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve called in the experts to give you their advice on finding your perfect match!
Where should couples look for wedding photographers?
“Sites like Bridebook, where you can find loads of photographers under one roof, are really helpful. But try Google or Pinterest too. Search for terms your dream photographer might be using, such as ‘light and airy wedding photographer in London’ and see who pops up.”
“Search Google for “wedding photographers” and you’ll be shown more than ninety million results… so that’s probably not much use! Post on Facebook and ask, “Anyone recommend a wedding photographer?” It’ll probably be the most popular post you’ve ever made! Again, this isn’t much use – there’ll be hundreds of photographers to choose from. Instead, use the wedding industry itself, such as wedding shows, venue recommendations and online wedding industry leaders like Bridebook.”
What can help couples make a decision between different wedding photographers?
“Look for a full day of wedding shots by your potential photographer. It’s easy to be impressed by one or two ‘wow shots’ – but if the rest of the day isn’t consistent, you may be disappointed. Always ask to see galleries of the full day, ideally with a wedding similar to yours: a winter wedding or a barn wedding, for example. Another major point to consider is their experience. Particularly if it’s a winter wedding or a rainy day, finding a photographer with experience and knowledge of darker locations is very beneficial. You shouldn’t have to miss out on anything because of the weather!”
“If you prefer to meet people in person, go to a big wedding fair. You can suss out a photographer’s vibe and check out physical copies of their work. They’re also a lot of fun!”
What should couples avoid when booking a wedding photographer?
“Try not to penny-pinch when it comes to your photography budget as you always get what you pay for. The average price of an experienced wedding photographer is £1500. If you can’t afford the photographer you like, ask what this includes. You could ask to have fewer hours or to have digital images only. This will likely bring the price down and you still get to have a professional, well experienced photographer.”
How can couples make sure they get every shot they want?
“A pre-wedding meeting is a must – approximately six to eight weeks before the wedding date. A good wedding photographer knows what the most important moments are, but this is your chance to mention anything you’re particularly after. There’s no way to specify every single image you’d like throughout the day, but most photographers love getting a list of family photos you’d like to have (including specific pairings of people).”
“Preparation! Don’t wait until the wedding day – or worse, afterwards! – to realise there was a key shot missed. Do your research and work with your photographer to create a group photo list and a list of any must-have shots. If there’s a special ring tied to the bouquet, tell your photographer! And ask your photographer if there’s enough time for all your requests – you don’t want to be rushing on your wedding day.”
“We encourage our clients to create a Pinterest board of wedding photos they love. This way, we can see what style of image resonates with our couples and what’s important to them.”
How can camera-shy couples feel more comfortable being photographed?
“Have a pre-wedding shoot. On top of receiving a great set of images, a pre-wedding shoot is a great way to build trust and friendship between the couple and the photographer. The couple gets to experience what it’s like to be photographed together and become more comfortable being photographed. In turn, the photographer is also able to see the couple’s personalities and how they react to the camera. I really can’t recommend a pre-wedding shoot enough.”
“The engagement shoot is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer – which makes getting your photo taken far easier if you’re at all camera shy! – and it’s also a good time to walk about the venue together and discuss ideas.”
Do you have any other top tips for couples looking for a wedding photographer?
“Consider two photographers. Having a second shooter is getting more and more common in wedding photography. It’s takes a considerable amount of effort to photograph an entire wedding solo, so you might want to ask your favoured photographer if they can offer a second photographer too. The price of an additional photographer at your wedding will have a great return on investment as it allows your main photographer to really focus on quality while the second shooter can concentrate on grabbing candid shots.”
“Book the style of photography you want – not what’s trendy, what the photographer wants, what all your friends used or what your dad or auntie think you should have. If you want something less traditional, with more colour and fun, go for it! At the end of the day, it’s your wedding – and a day you don’t get to repeat. Don’t have any regrets!”
N.B. The following applies to weddings in England only. We are expecting official confirmation from the government tomorrow which will be updated here.
Finally, we can give you the news that we’ve all been waiting for – big weddings are back! The government has announced today that while other restrictions will remain in place, weddings with more than 30 guests will be able to go ahead in England from 21st June! Your patience and resilience through all of this have been incredible and we are so excited to watch you celebrate, even if there will still be some more restrictions in place than we had hoped for.
We know it can be tricky to work out exactly what these restrictions are and what is just guidance, but hopefully, we can help. Below are the latest rules, as reported by the Deputy Political Editor at The Telegraph. This should give some additional clarity about what is and isn’t allowed from 21st June.
From June 21st:
Allowed:
Unlimited attendees at wedding ceremonies and receptions, so long as they can be accommodated in a COVID-secure way
Musical entertainment, with a group of up to six performers allowed inside, and up to 30 performers allowed outdoors
The wedding couple’s first dance
Speeches, with the Government guidance urging that these take place outdoors or in a well-ventilated area where possible. Public address systems, such as microphones are preferable to raised voices.
Cutting of the cake
Guestbooks and camera stations are allowed, however, contact should be minimised, with hand sanitisation stations encouraged before and after use
Not Allowed:
Indoor dancing
Stand up drinks receptions at outdoor or indoor wedding venues
Advised Against:
Dancing outdoors
Communal singing, which includes hymns
Reusable service booklets and devotional materials. Single-use alternatives that can be binned should be used instead
Cash donations, with alternative online giving encouraged instead
Obligatory:
Facemasks must be worn indoors during wedding ceremonies and receptions, except for when eating and drinking
Table service for food and drink, with no more than six guests per table
Risk assessments are mandatory for all wedding venues, as well as guests celebrating on private land if more than 30 people are attending
Make sure you download the Bridebook app and update your wedding location and date. This will ensure you get breaking news that is relevant to your wedding, whenever it is announced. To get the latest updates follow #whataboutweddings and The UK Wedding Taskforce on Instagram.
Elusive Locations presents Kirtlington Polo Club, an affordable all-inclusive wedding in a unique and breathtaking location with spectacular views over the Palladium Mansion, Oxford & Leckhampstead Forest, set in a serene ancient oak forest. It’s truly the perfect solution for couples wanting a peaceful, private wedding experience.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’ve been working in events – I say the term loosely as it’s been mostly commercial events and festivals – for the past four years or so, and weddings the past 18 months. Elusive Locations is a venture that we’ve taken on in addition to a long standing luxury wedding company called Marble Private, which has been featured in Vogue for its stunning weddings (I know, epic right!). I’m currently a world-class plate spinner working for both of these wonderful wedding companies – but don’t worry, I’m not yet ‘wedding-ed’ out.
A bit more about me, I’m 23 living and working in London, and when I’m not at the office in Notting Hill or working from home, you can find me painting or reading in a park somewhere, or heading back home to the Cotswolds countryside to be with my family. My role at Elusive Locations is mostly marketing focused, but I will also be your first point of contact when you enquire with us, so do drop me a line and say hello!
What drew you to the wedding world?
Weddings have always fascinated me, and I absolutely love how fast-paced and exciting the industry is. There’s a real passion amongst the wedding planners and suppliers I have had the pleasure of working with, and of course it’s one of the most rewarding jobs out there! Seeing happy couples say ‘I do’ is a true joy – especially now when so many have been postponed two or even three times. The first ‘wedding related’ job I ever did was actually as an assistant Wedding Florist – it was about 3 years ago – and it was my responsibility to hand the bride her bouquet. She literally burst into a flood of tears and the make up artist had only just finished her lashes! I remember thinking ‘this is such a cool job. I want to do more of this’
What do you think makes Elusive Locations unique?
Elusive Locations was born in a time where venue hunting has become a challenging and exhausting job, so we’re attempting to cut through the noise with not just an affordable option, but an exclusive and undiscovered option. Our two venues – Kirtlington Polo Club in Oxfordshire, and Leckhampstead Forest in Buckinghamshire – are in previously unused spaces, hidden away in deep forests, and it’s there amongst the trees that you’ll find our enchanting wedding spaces. As I said earlier, our company has its roots in the wedding industry and our directors have won awards for their 15 years of experience, so these spaces are beautifully designed. Every little detail is meticulously thought out, and because both our venues are completely outdoors, there is a magical feel to them. Think of it like this: disco balls line the trees, festoon guides you to your huge private tent, and when you step inside there’s a stunning dancefloor, beautifully decorated tables, a bar filled with only the fizziest of champagne, and the smell of seasonal flowers fills the air. We love the festival feel of an outdoor celebration, and we’ve brought this to both our venues with an elegant, luxurious spin.
Added to this, we build special relationships with our clients by making sure the first step in our enquiry process is a phone call. We want to hear your vision, get to know you, and then personalise our venues to suit your needs. We know that no two clients are the same, and so we make sure to listen to your every need to personalise your day – for example at our Kirtlington venue, you can actually watch a game of Polo during your drinks reception, and the two teams can wear uniforms that are personalised to your couples names!
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
As mentioned, the first step in any consultation with us is a phone call. This is important because we want to get to know our couples personally and curate every wedding to suit them. Everything from the flower arrangements, tablescapes, firework displays, and cocktail choices can be completely personalised to represent our wonderful, unique clients. As part of our service offering, we provide a wedding planner on site for 5 days, making sure that the details are absolutely perfect for our couples, and we also make sure our caterers are in direct conversation with our couples so that the food and drink is exactly what they’re looking for. We’re currently running Open Days because we really want to get to know our clients personally, and we’re encouraging them to bring images, tell us their ideas, and get excited with us about their upcoming celebration!
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Details! The devil is truly in the details, and we’ve only learned this after 15 years of working in the wedding industry. Whether it’s as simple as providing polaroid cameras for guests to take pictures, which are then used as name places on tables, or whether its selecting seasonal and sustainable flowers that are handpicked by our floral team, there are endless opportunities to make the wedding unique and memorable for our couple. Both our venues have the catering tents, dancefloors and glamping rigged and ready to go all season, so what we do exceptionally well is add in the special extras to set the wheels in motion.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Elusive Locations?
Part of our extensive service offering is music and booking curation, so on one occasion we had a client who absolutely loved pop star Mika – and what did we do? Secretly booked him in for a 2 hour set, and he did a sound test whilst the guests were eating in the adjacent tent, only to burst into song as desserts were being polished off! On another occasion, we used a field next to the venue to build a secret rave in the forest, where we led guests by Samba band to a dancefloor amongst the woods. They literally partied till 5am!
Why should a couple book Elusive Locations?
We’ve hand selected our stunning venues in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire because of their enchanted and undiscovered feel. We know that stately homes and manor houses can be a charming place for a wedding, but hundreds of couples have walked through that threshold and got married before you. What we offer is a venue set in a unique location on the periphery of London; romantic and peaceful, and perfect for a couple who wants to fall in love with their surroundings as they say their special ‘I do’.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Try to incorporate your personality into your wedding to give your guests – and you! – the most memorable experience. This day is all about your love for each other after all, and there are so many fun ways to bring that into your day. Our favourite example of this was a ‘food tour’ with all the places our couple had had a special moment – starting with pints of Guinness and oyster shucking, to wood fired pizza and wine tasting, and then a limoncello gift for guests before they depart.
What’s the best photo spot at Elusive Locations?
At Kirtlington, the best spot is undoubtedly at the top of the hill, looking out over the Palladium Mansion in Oxford on one side, and on the other the grounds designed by Capability Brown. It’s absolutely always a winner for our clients!
At Leckhampstead, it’s got to be in amongst the trees when they are lit up with disco balls, fibre optic lighting and candle orbs.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I think what we’re all the most proud of is our collaborative approach. We all work together to create the most stunning experience for our clients, and with our suppliers and partners as well. We’ve handpicked local recommended suppliers – from florists, photographers, caterers and tech teams – and these wonderful people are truly some of the best in the business!
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Zoom weddings were certainly an interesting thing to come out of the pandemic… whilst we love this adaptability and creativity, we’re thrilled that physical weddings and events can take place again in the coming months. We’re always putting human connection at the very centre of how we work, and this is most important at a wedding! Some of the technology we’d love to see prevail though is paperless invites – it’s an opportunity for our industry to become more eco-friendly and reduce waste.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
It sounds cliche, but take it one step at a time. Wedding planning can be super exhaustive at times, but this is what we’re here for! The whole idea is we’ll take the stress out of your day whilst keeping the fun and romance. Try not to get overwhelmed by an endless list of tasks and to-do’s, and instead allocate an hour a day to achieve one simple task. Stay organised, stay positive, and most importantly keep a really open line of communication with your suppliers and planners.
What do you love about Bridebook?
Right from the get go we’ve had amazing support from the Bridebook team, Kane especially. They’re always on the other end of emails to give a helping hand, and that’s been invaluable for us starting a business literally in the middle of a pandemic.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk. Also, if you enjoyed this article, see more here.
If you’ve decided you’re keen for a videographer, then let’s make sure you find one that is perfect for you. Like your photographer, they are going to be working in close proximity to you on one of the most important days of your life, so you want to make sure you like their style and them! Catching your wedding day on film is an amazing memento and one you will get teary over for years to come! Before you hire one, let’s make sure you ask the right questions and find the best one for you…
You will want to make sure that the person you hire is experienced enough to convey the atmosphere and emotions of the day on film – creating something Oscar worthy!
2) How would you describe your style?
Styles primarily divide into documentary (filming as the day unfolds) or cinematic (weaving the episodes of your wedding into a story). Both are absolutely great to look at, so choose whichever style you like best! Also discuss whether your video will be music based or dispersed with speech and wooping from guests – again this is completely your preference!
3) Have you worked with our photographer before?
Would you be open to meeting with them if not? The photographer and videographer work very closely on the wedding day and therefore need to get along and know how the other operates.
4) Have you worked at our reception venue before? If not, would you be up for visiting it with us – would this cost extra?
If your videographer is familiar with your wedding venue, they will know the best angles to film from and the best lighting opportunities.
This may seem like a silly question if you don’t know a lot about cameras, however, this will give you an idea about how large the video equipment is, how the microphones will work and what sort of lighting the videographer intends to use.
6) How long do we have to wait to see the final result?
While you can get the raw footage, or the highlights video fairly soon after the wedding, the full film may take up to six months in editing, so make sure you’re happy with this.
7) What will the final result be?
One 10 minute video? Or a feature length with all of the full length speeches?
8) Can I choose the music for the film?
Many videographers are more than happy to do that, so have a discussion with them and have a list of favourite tunes at the ready. If they can’t use your exact song selection they might come up with great alternatives along the same vibe.
9) Who will own the copyright?
This is important as any additional copy will have to be paid for separately.
10) How many copies of the film do I get? And how much does it cost if we want to buy extras?
If you want to distribute the video to all your relatives abroad, you may want to find out how much an extra video costs before you make any promises!
Update: The Times has reported that the government will (finally!) lift the 30-person limit on weddings, even if the easing of other lockdown restrictions is delayed beyond June 21.
We will be keeping you all up to date if there are any changes to the rollout of weddings, so you’ll never miss the latest news. Download the Bridebook app today so that you are first to hear of any changes to policy that may affect your wedding.
Whilst restrictions are set to end on the 21st of June, weddings are still likely to be a little different for the next couple of years. The “new normal” will probably still affect a few things at your wedding. And while there may be no major fixed rules, we want to give you some tips on how to navigate through the early days after restrictions end.
Below are our top tips for planning a post-COVID wedding.
1. Keep up to date with latest government restrictions
Firstly, make sure that you know the particular COVID rules in your given area. Remember that there are often slight differences in policy between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Keep up to date with everything here.
Also, while the government has said that there won’t be different rules for different regions, this policy may change. Particularly, if pockets of the countries see mini-outbreaks. Again, make sure you know the rules for your wedding location and your hometown. This way you won’t get caught out with any last-minute changes.
2. Make contingency plans for guests coming from abroad
One thing that definitely won’t be back to normal straightaway on 21st June is international travel. With new variants and differing vaccination rates, some restrictions on travel are sure to remain for a while.
As a result, we recommend making some contingency plans for any guests who are planning to come from abroad. Keep up to date with which countries are on which lists (red, amber, green). This will ensure you know which guests may need to quarantine and who may need to order tests for early release from quarantine.
Travel rules are likely to remain in flux for some time yet, so do think about how you will mitigate this. Will you still go ahead with some live streaming options? A lot of venues now have this capability so do ask ahead of time. Similarly, we have seen some couples use computer tablets at tables for guests who are abroad and can’t make it to the ceremony.
Have a chat with your partner and work out what will work for you and your day.
3. Check your honeymoon destination
Since travel restrictions are likely to continue, you will also need to keep an eye on the rules for your honeymoon destination. Again, keep up to date with the latest for your particular country at the government-specific site.
Know what the quarantine rules are so that you can book the required time off and make sure you have your tests done well in advance.
Remember to do the same if you are having your hen do or stag do abroad, particularly if your bridesmaids or groomsmen aren’t quite as on-the-ball as you.
4. Keep your guests feeling safe
Even when restrictions end, some guests may still be nervous. It has been a really tough 18 months and some people want to take things a bit more cautiously than others. And that’s fine.
Make sure you know which of your guests might need a little more reassurance in advance. You can then provide badges for people who want to signal to others that they would like to keep their distance a bit more.
You could seat them nearer to open doors or windows to get more ventilation. Simply increasing the number of sanitisation stations around the venue can put some people at ease.
Similarly, if you are a bit nervous about having your wedding straight after restrictions end, let your guests know what you expect from them. This way there won’t be any surprises on the day.
5. Talk to your venue about their safety measures
The staff at wedding venues want you and your guests to feel as safe as possible on your big day.
Many venues now have protocols for making a venue more COVID-secure. This can include greater distancing at tables, one-way systems around the property, and increased ventilation. As we mentioned above, many also have the ability to livestream parts of the event.
Chat to your venue to let them know what things you need on your particular day and they are likely to be very accommodating.
6. Download the Bridebook app
The Bridebook app is where you can get the latest and most up to date news for weddings. If things change, this is where you’ll find out first.
Update your date and let us know where you’ve booked your venue. Then we can provide you with the most relevant information for your specific wedding date and location.
7. Have fun!
Restrictions are due to end on 21st June, so there should be no major rules at your wedding outside of travel restrictions. Instead, it will be up to you to find the right balance for you and your guests. But remember, it has been an incredibly tough 18 months and one that we know people can’t wait to put behind them. People have never been in bigger need of a great party. Your wedding will be a celebration that will live long in the memory. So be safe, but enjoy it! You deserve the best day of your life.
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