How to Plan an Engagement Party: Top Tips and Ideas

Right now, you might be in the middle of planning the biggest party of your lives in the form of your wedding, which will be a brilliant way to celebrate your marriage with your loved ones. But, just because you’re focused on that, don’t forget it’s also important to celebrate your engagement. And you’ll no doubt have plenty of family and friends who’ll be excited to come together to enjoy some good food, a few drinks and play some games to mark such a fantastic milestone in your lives.

But, how do you plan an engagement party, who do you invite, and what theme should you choose? Do you tie it into the wedding or should it have its own theme? There are so many questions it can be tricky to work out what’s right for you.

In this post, we’re here to offer you plenty of tips and advice for planning the perfect engagement party. We’ll answer the most common questions, offer you some creative party ideas and give you a step-by-step guide for what to do when planning your engagement party.

When should you throw an engagement party?

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After your engagement, an engagement party probably isn’t right at the top of your list of priorities, but if it’s something you’re keen to do then you shouldn’t leave it too long. When you have your party you should still be riding the high of the engagement itself, and definitely not have it too close to the actual wedding. Anything between two and four months after your engagement is usually a great time to have a party. Any longer and you’ll probably be in the thick of wedding planning and the engagement will be slowly pushed to the back of your mind.

For more information, read our step-by-step guide to what you should do and when to do it after your engagement.

Who pays for an engagement party?

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Traditionally, anything to do with the engagement itself – including the engagement photos and engagement party – are paid for by the bride’s family. But, of course, there are plenty of reasons why you might not want to stick to traditions.

For more useful wedding payment-related insights, read our post on who traditionally pays for what at a wedding.

Who should you invite to an engagement party?

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Who you invite to your engagement party is entirely up to you. If you want a big, sprawling celebration, it’s absolutely fine to invite your family, friends, co-workers, neighbours and even your orthodontist if you wish. Or, you might want to keep things small and intimate, inviting close family and any future members of your wedding party. It all depends on you and your preferences.

But, one important thing to remember is that generally, whoever gets an invite to the engagement party will probably expect an invite to the actual wedding. So, if you don’t want your distant cousins at your wedding, you’re best off not inviting them to your engagement party.

How much does an engagement party cost?

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How much your engagement party costs depends entirely on your preferences and how many people you invite. Naturally, the grander your choices are, and the more people you ask to come, the more expensive it’ll be. It might be tempting to throw a huge and extravagant soirée, but remember you’ll soon spend thousands on a wedding. In the UK, the average amount couples spend on their big day is £19,184, so spending thousands or even hundreds on a second party might stretch your budget a little too thin.

If you’re happy to host your engagement party at home or at the home of one of your parents, you can throw a party for as little as a couple hundred pounds. If you’re looking to hire a venue, as well as a DJ and caterer, it might cost a few thousand.

The great thing about an engagement party is that no one goes to one with any kind of expectations. Your party can be as formal or as casual as you like, so whether you want a four-course meal in a fancy restaurant or a few drinks and games at home with pals, any option is absolutely fine.

How to plan the perfect engagement party

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So, you’ve decided to throw an engagement party to celebrate the engagement of you and your fiance before you get stuck right into the fun and thrills of planning. But, where do you start? How do you choose where to have it, when to have it and who to invite? Follow our step-by-step guide below to make sure you cover all bases when planning your big engagement bash.

Step 1: Set your budget

By this point, you’ve probably had a serious think about your finances and what you want to spend on your wedding. If not, make a start on this as soon as you can, such as by using our simple wedding budget planner. That way, you’ll know how much of your budget you can spare towards your engagement party and whether you can go all out or host a far more informal do.

Step 2: Think about the size of your party

Do you want a big party or a more intimate get-together with your very closest family and friends? Once you know how big you’d like to go, you can think about whether to have the party at home, at the home of one of your parents or at a venue like a restaurant, hotel or function space.

Step 3: Decide on a date

Next, choose the date you’d like to have your engagement party on, bearing in mind that if you want to have it in a week or two, many of your guests might already have plans. If you book it for in four or six weeks’ time, more guests should be available, plus you’ll find it easier to secure a venue if you’re not having your party at home.

Step 4: Secure your venue

If you’re hosting your party at home or at the home of a family member, you won’t have to worry about this step, but if you’re looking to have your party accommodate more guests, start your search as soon as possible. You’re more than likely going to want to have your engagement party on a Friday or Saturday night, which is when other people will want to use venues for parties of their own. If you’re lucky, you might be able to grab a bargain by booking a venue with a cancellation.

Browse our comprehensive range of venues to find a fantastic location to host your engagement party. There are also plenty of venues that offer much lower rates if you take advantage of a cancellation.

Step 5: Create your guest list

At this point, you’ll know roughly how many guests you’d like to invite to your engagement party. Is it less than 20, more than 80, somewhere in between or even more? 

Step 6: Pick your theme and style

Once you know where you’re hosting your party and how many guests you hope will be there, you can think about the type of party you want to throw. Will it be an afternoon barbecue in the garden, a pizza picnic in the park, or a huge blowout with drinks and dancing at a countryside hotel?

Step 7: Send invitations

Once you know the whos, wheres and whens, you can send out your invitations, remembering to give your guests at least a month’s notice. Invitations to your engagement party don’t always need to be quite as formal as the wedding itself – in all honesty, even a text might do if it’s super informal. Just make sure you keep a note of who you’ve asked and whether or not they’ve said they’ll come.

Step 8: Think about the food and drink

The food you offer will depend entirely on the style of your party, the number of guests and where it’s being hosted. If it’s at a restaurant, they can take care of the food. If it’s at home, are you going to hire a caterer or bust out your Costco card and do it yourself? Just make sure you think about all dietary requirements.

Of course, this is if you choose to offer food at all. If it’s only a get-together for drinks and games, just a few choice nibbles will do the trick.

If you’re not supplying alcoholic drinks, make sure your guests know to BYOB when you invite them. As it’s an engagement party, there will likely be a toast or two to mark the occasion – so you may want to keep a few bottles of fizz in the fridge so your guests can raise a glass to mark such a special occasion. But don’t forget a non-alcoholic version for the young ones and those who don’t drink.

Step 9: Think about the decor

You might not want to go all out with decorations, but it is a celebration after all, so a few balloons, flowers and bunting will remind your guests why they’re there. If you’ve already spoken to florists about your wedding flowers, see if they’ll do you a deal to put together a couple of custom arrangements to mark the occasion.

Step 10: Book your entertainment

Depending on your budget, preferences and venue, you might want to hire entertainment to get your guests in the party mood. This could be a DJ or live band if you’re partying through the night, or a kids’ entertainer or bouncy castle if you’re having it outdoors. Or, you might want to save some money and simply stick to a Spotify playlist.

Step 11: Pick your outfit

What you wear will be influenced by the style and formality of your party. If it’s a summery afternoon barbecue, a dress or polo shirt and shorts should be fine. If it’s a three-course sit-down meal, you might want to dress up a little. Make the call based on what you have planned – just remember to let your guests know in the invite if they should wear anything specific.

Step 12: Prepare to give a speech

As with other parts of your wedding, there are likely to be speeches at your engagement party. This could be anyone, such as the party host, your parents, siblings, friends or even you. You don’t have to say much – just thank your guests for being there to celebrate this special time with you.

Step 13: To hire a photographer or not to hire a photographer

Some couples love to document the various stages of their engagement, and you could arrange a package deal with your wedding photographer to take photos at your engagement party too. This depends on the scale and formality of your party – for example, you might not want a photographer if you’re having a movie night at home. But, if you’re going for something a little more extravagant, a photographer will capture many of the night’s great moments.

Step 14: Think about your favours

You may be planning favours for your wedding, but you might also want to give the guests attending your engagement party a token gift too. It certainly doesn’t need to be anything too big – a magnet, some sweets, or a hot chocolate kit are more than enough if you choose to give anything at all.

Step 15: Enjoy the party

After all that prep and build-up, the time has finally come for the party. You’ll no doubt focus on making sure your guests have a great time, but it’s also important to take some time to enjoy it yourself. Your guests are there to celebrate your good news, so make sure you have fun and soak up all the love.

Step 16: Thank your guests for coming

After the party, you could send out thank you cards to each of your guests to show your appreciation that they came. At the very least you’ll probably want to send thank you cards to any guests who gave you a gift. Not everyone who attends your engagement party will, but don’t be surprised if you receive a couple of gifts from one or two attendees.

75 ideas for the perfect engagement party

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Now you know how to plan an engagement party, how about some inspiration for what to do for themes, locations, food and more? Below are 75 engagement party ideas so you can throw the perfect celebratory bash.

Engagement party theme ideas

When it comes to a theme, the world’s your oyster. You could go smart and sophisticated, a garden barbecue, or tie it into the overall theme of your wedding. Here are 10 ideas for engagement party themes.

  1. Romantic garden party – Twinkling lights and gentle music while surrounded by beautiful gardens.
  2. Casino night – Crack out the cards, roll the dice and put it all on red. Casino games are fun, exciting and a great way to get your guests betting on your happiness.
  3. Fairground – What’s more fun than the fairground? You could have a carousel-themed cake and a hook-a-duck game where the prize is gummy fish in boozy jellies.
  4. Hollywood premiere – Roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood movie premiere theme full of glitz and glamour.
  5. Globetrotter – Fill your venue with maps and globes and serve a selection of dishes and nibbles from around the world. You can even tie it into the places the two of you have visited together.
  6. Beach blowout – Sandcastles, ice cream and volleyball are a fun and relaxing way to celebrate.
  7. Cheese and wine – For something a little classier, you could pick up a selection of wines from around the world and pair them with some delicious cheeses – the stinkier the better.
  8. Movie night – Put together a selection of your favourite movies, grab some popcorn and nachos, and settle down to watch some great flicks together.
  9. Fairytale – Everyone loves a good fairytale, with plenty of whimsical options for food, drink and decorations.
  10. Retro – Love an 80s disco or a bit of 50s rock and roll? Retro-themed parties never go out of fashion.

For more great party inspiration, read our post featuring creative engagement party ideas.

Engagement party venue ideas

Not quite sure about the best location for your engagement party? Where you choose depends on your budget and the number of guests you’d like to invite, but there’s a wide range of choices out there that are great for hosting parties. Here are just 10 location ideas for you to consider:

  1. At your home or the home of a close relative
  2. A back garden (with a plan B if the weather doesn’t behave)
  3. Beach or lakeside
  4. Gardens or park
  5. A restaurant or pub
  6. Hotel
  7. Rooftop bar
  8. Canal boat
  9. Rental property like an Airbnb (that allows parties)
  10. Golf club

Engagement party food ideas

If you’re providing your guests with food, what to serve them is often one of the most difficult choices. Do you serve a three- or four-course meal or put on a buffet and allow your guests to help themselves? Here are just a few mouthwatering ideas.

  1. Pizza party
  2. Mexican food
  3. Brunch
  4. Omelette station
  5. Build your own nachos and tacos
  6. Sandwiches, sausage rolls and other cold buffet items
  7. Sushi
  8. Salad bar
  9. Dessert table
  10. Food trucks

Engagement party cake ideas

You might want to save the cake for the wedding itself, but there’s nothing quite as crowd-pleasing as a beautiful cake. If you want to offer your guests a slice, here are a few ideas to get you started:

  1. Classic multi-tiered cake
  2. Naked cake
  3. Victoria sponge cake
  4. Selection of cupcakes
  5. Supermarket cake
  6. Retro cakes
  7. Floral decorated cake
  8. Piñata cake
  9. Novelty cake
  10. Dripping cake

Engagement party game ideas

Games are a great way to entertain your guests and get everyone talking and laughing. Here are 10 of the best engagement party games to lighten the mood:

  1. Couples quiz – Test each couple to see how much they really know each other.
  2. Pictionary – Play a game of Pictionary with all the answers being wedding-related.
  3. Trivia – Put together trivia questions related to the two of you and your journey to engagement.
  4. Guess the year – Put together an album of photos from your past and ask guests to guess the year they were taken.
  5. Karaoke – Once your guests have had a few drinks, why not crack out the karaoke and belt out a couple of numbers?
  6. Ring hunt – Hide some wedding rings around the venue and those who find them throughout the evening win a small prize.
  7. Ring toss – Throw some oversized wedding rings onto bottles and total up the score.
  8. Photo booth – Hire a photo booth, put together a selection of props and encourage your guests to get creative with a photo session.
  9. Two truths and a lie – Ask your guests to name two truths and a lie and guess which one is the lie.
  10. Cocktail making – Create a delicious (and not too boozy) cocktail to tempt those taste buds. See which guests can create the most delicious drink of the night.

Engagement party decor ideas

Throwing an engagement party might call for a few extra decorations to make sure your venue pops. Here are some suggestions for brilliant engagement party decorations:

  1. Floral arrangements
  2. Homemade bunting
  3. A photo collage of the two of you
  4. Balloons
  5. Fairy lights 
  6. Candles
  7. Themed table numbers and name cards
  8. A custom welcome sign
  9. A printout or canvas featuring your favourite photo from your engagement photoshoot
  10. Themed postbox for cards

Engagement party favour ideas

Gifting your guests a small party favour is a lovely and thoughtful way to let them know that you appreciate them attending your engagement party. Here are just a few ideas that will suit a variety of budgets:

  1. Retro sweets
  2. Hot chocolate kit
  3. Bubbles
  4. Marshmallows
  5. Personalised magnets
  6. Wildflower seeds
  7. Tote bags
  8. Homemade jam
  9. Mini bath bomb
  10. A charity donation

Simple engagement party ideas

Looking to keep your engagement party simple and not break the bank, but still conscious that you want people to have a great time? Keep things easy with these party ideas:

  1. Summer BBQ – Pick up a few burgers, sausages and veggie kebabs and light the barbecue to cook up a storm.
  2. Function space – Have a word with the landlord at your local to arrange to use a small function space so you and your loved ones can enjoy a few drinks.
  3. Brunch – You don’t need to party into the night, some salmon and scrambled eggs washed down with a Buck’s fizz will do the trick.
  4. Ice cream social – Why not hire an ice cream van or shop for a selection of ice cream flavours and toppings and let your guests go crazy?
  5. House party – Host a no-fuss, no-frills get-together and ask your guests to bring a bottle with them.

How to Plan an Engagement Party: Top Tips

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Before you sit down and start planning your party, consider the following tips to make sure your party goes down without a hitch.

  • Discuss what you both want from your engagement party and be open and realistic about your budget.
  • Always remember that within the next two years, you’re likely to have your wedding, which is the ultimate goal. Don’t have a blowout engagement party if it’ll impact how much you can spend on your wedding.
  • Try not to get hung up on the little details. Your guests will have a great time no matter what you choose to do.
  • Don’t worry too much about the entertainment. If you’re looking to save money, just a few CDs or Spotify playlists will do the trick.
  • Make sure you pay attention to any dietary requirements. For example, if you’re having a barbecue make sure there are more for the veggies and vegans than just a few salad leaves.
  • Make sure you include a guest book so your guests can send you well wishes for the busy wedding planning ahead.
  • Make sure you send your invitations out in plenty of time so as many people as possible can come.
  • Make sure you prepare yourselves to give a speech. It doesn’t need to be anything big, but make sure you thank your guests for coming.

Plan the party of a lifetime on Bridebook

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The Ultimate Guide to Engagement Photos

One of the most exciting parts of your engagement is undoubtedly the official photos you and your new fiance have taken together. It offers you the opportunity to mark the occasion and have a professional photographer take wonderfully composed shots that you can hang on the wall or put together in an album.

There might be a hundred questions in your head about engagement photos. Should you do them? How much do they cost? What should you wear? Will they look too cheesy?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Having engagement photos taken is a big deal, so it’s only natural to have a ton of questions during the build-up. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to ensure you’re fully prepared to go into your big engagement photoshoot.

Are engagement photos necessary?

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Whether or not you choose to have engagement photos is totally down to your preferences, how comfortable you are and whether or not you have the budget. For many couples, engagement photos are an important part of the process and make for a great accompaniment to save-the-dates and invitations, as well as for use on your wedding website if you have one. Not only that, but they’re a brilliant way to mark the occasion and make for a lovely keepsake and memory.

If you plan on having a short engagement, you may struggle to find the time to fit an engagement photoshoot in. Similarly, if you’re on a tight budget, it can be difficult to justify yet another expense. But, many couples feel that they’re a must-have part of getting engaged and planning a wedding.

Is it okay to not do engagement photos?

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If you’re in two minds about engagement photos or you’re not sure you have the budget to spare, then don’t feel pressured to do them. Of course, many couples consider them a fun must-do, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of something else. In the UK, the average cost of a wedding is £19,184, which is a huge amount of money for most couples, and engagement photos are yet another addition to an ever-increasing list of costs. If they’re important to you, add them to your wedding budget, but if they’re not high on your list of non-negotiables then feel free to dedicate that part of your budget to something else.

When should engagement photos be taken?

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You’ll want to choose a date for your engagement photos that’s much closer to your engagement than the big day itself. The sweet spot is while you’re still riding the high of your engagement and haven’t yet sent any save-the-dates or invitations.

You should consider it as a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera, as well as a way to get to know your chosen photographer and let them get to know you. By booking your wedding photographs and engagement photographs as a package deal, you might even secure yourself a cheeky discount.

For more information, read our guide on what to do after you get engaged so you don’t miss any important steps along the way.

How much should you spend on engagement photos?

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While you’re likely to hire your photographer to shoot pictures throughout the entire day of your wedding, your engagement photos won’t take nearly as long. For that reason, you’ll probably pay a much smaller rate. The average cost of a wedding photographer is £1,300 – £1,500, and you can usually book a package for around that amount which includes engagement photos as well.

If you’re purely looking for engagement photos, you’re likely to pay between £150 and £250 to hire the photographer for the session, some limited editing and a digital album. However, this can vary depending on the skill and experience of your photographer.

Who pays for engagement photos?

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Traditionally, the bride’s parents are the ones who pick up the bill for the engagement photos as they’re often included in the cost of a wedding photography package. However, it’s becoming increasingly more common for couples to pay for their own engagement snaps. It all depends on your budget and whether or not your family is in a position to lend a hand financially.

For more information, read our post on who traditionally pays for what at a wedding.

How long do engagement photos take?

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An engagement photoshoot doesn’t take as long as you might expect, and will usually take between 45 and 90 minutes. Of course, this can vary depending on your location, the conditions, the experience of your photographer and – ultimately – you. If you’re not comfortable in front of the camera it might take you a little time to get warmed up, but that’s one reason why engagement photos are so great – it gets you used to posing and smiling for longer than you might be used to.

How to take your own engagement photos

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If you’re keen on professional-looking engagement photos but don’t have the budget to spare, can you do the DIY approach and end up with photos that are elevated beyond the humble selfie? The good news is, yes you can! The bad news is that you’ll likely have to pick up a few pieces of equipment to make sure they have more of a professional finish.

Luckily, your smartphone can likely already take professional-quality photos. The tricky part is making them look natural when you’re the ones snapping the shots. To do this, you can pick up a tripod for less than £20, and a wireless shutter remote costs as little as £3 so you can snap away without having to set a timer or touch your phone.

To go the extra mile, you might consider a lighting setup, but a decent kit might set you back at least £50. To get around this, choose a well-lit space, or better yet somewhere outside, such as some gardens or a historical site.

Then, just have some fun, experiment and take as many photographs as you can manage. Use different settings on your phone to create different effects, and use the light to your advantage so your faces aren’t hidden in any shadows and you’re not squinting because of the sun. With some perseverance, you’ll definitely come out with some beautiful shots.

If you’re not so sure, browse our range of wonderful wedding photographers to find yourself the perfect photography package.

What should you wear in engagement photos?

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When the day of your engagement photoshoot arrives, what sort of clothes should you wear? Should you stick to what you’re comfortable with, or is it time to crack out the formal wear?

Thankfully, your engagement photos can be whatever you want them to be – and that includes the clothes you wear.

In the hopefully-not-too-distant future, you and your spouse-to-be will take part in another photoshoot on your wedding day itself, so why not take the opportunity to dress a little more comfortably? You may not want to rely on a t-shirt and jeans, but something light and summery should do the trick (unless it’s the depths of winter, of course – then you might want to throw on a jumper).

You might not want to match, but make sure the two of you discuss what you want to wear so you complement each other. It may look a little strange if one of you is wearing a flowery dress and the other is in a hoodie. It’s also important to make sure your colours go – if one of you wears red and the other wears green, it might look less like an engagement photo shoot and more like a Christmas card photo shoot.

You might also want to avoid anything particularly ‘trendy’ and go for a more classic look. You don’t want to look back on your engagement photos in 10 years and have a ‘What were we thinking?’ moment. So long as you’re seasonally appropriate, true to yourselves and complement each other, wear whatever makes you look and feel good.

Where to take engagement photos

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When it comes to the perfect location for engagement photos, you’re basically spoilt for choice. While the focus of your photos is 100% about you, the location you choose should be personal to you, full of character and allow for plenty of natural light.

Great locations for your engagement photos include:

  • Natural outdoor settings, such as the beach, some gardens or woodland
  • Urban locations, such as a city street or against a fabulous skyline
  • Historical sites, such as a stately home or castle
  • Cultural sites, like a theatre or museum
  • Personal locations, such as the spot where you met, had your first date or got engaged
  • Adventurous locations, like on a mountain or in a hot air balloon
  • At home where you feel most relaxed and comfortable

How long does it take to get engagement photos back?

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The amount of time it takes to get your engagement photos back from your photographer depends on their workload, the amount of photographs they took and how much post-production is needed. Generally, it’ll take between two and four weeks, but photographers can be accommodating if you’re on a tight deadline. Just make sure you let them know what you need and discuss your requirements with them before hiring them.

Should you share your engagement photos on social media?

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As long as you’re comfortable with it, of course! One of the best parts of engagement photos is that you can use them on your invitations, splash them on your wedding website and share them on social media. Definitely share your favourites, just make sure you don’t overdo it and keep a certain air of mystery about you before the big day!

10 tips for taking fabulous engagement photos

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Excited to take part in your very own engagement photoshoot but nervous about what to expect or what you should do? Here are 10 tips to help overcome your worries and have wonderful photographs you’ll be proud to show off.

  1. Be as open and honest as possible with your photographer. If you’d love to get a particular shot, tell them. Similarly, if you’re not comfortable with something, definitely tell them.
  2. Make sure your photos are super personal and relevant to you and your interests. You don’t want boring, generic photos. You want photos that scream YOU!
  3. Before the shoot, put together a mood board of the sort of shots you like and share them with your photographer. You don’t want to recreate other couples’ photos, but it can help communicate what you want.
  4. Choose a theme that tells a consistent story across all your photos.
  5. Don’t forget your ring! That means you need to time your engagement photos around getting the engagement ring resized (if it needs to be resized, that is).
  6. Don’t do something because you think that’s what engagement photos are supposed to be – be true to yourself throughout the entire process.
  7. Make sure the two of you communicate throughout and you choose colours and styles that complement each other.
  8. If your budget allows, consider hiring a professional hair and makeup artist. Read our post on how to save money on hair and makeup for a few cost-cutting ideas.
  9. Trust your photographer. You might have a vision for what you want your photos to look like, but they’re a pro so let them be your guide.
  10. Try to ignore anything going on around you, especially if you’re having your photos taken in a public space. It’s only natural that people will be curious, but if you just focus on each other (and your photographer of course) you’ll have photos that radiate happiness.

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How to Write a Funny Wedding Speech for a Sister’s Wedding

There’s no bond like the one you share with your sister. She’s been there for you at every step of your journey. She watched all your fashion faux pas, helped you mend your broken heart, and knows exactly how to deal with your quirky habits. She’d naturally want you to take centre stage on her big day by making a heartwarming speech.

But planning a funny wedding speech for your sister is no simple task. How do you strike the right balance between nostalgic memories and funny stories while still keeping your audience engaged? But don’t stress — we’ve got you! In this post, we explore how to write a funny wedding speech for your sister, including 5 top tips for nailing the delivery! 

What is a speech for a sister’s wedding?

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A wedding speech for a sister’s wedding is a speech made during your sister’s wedding reception. It can be a funny maid of honour speech, a brother to sister wedding speech, an entertaining sister-of-the-bride speech, or even a best man’s speech! 

As the sister of the bride or groom, you’re in the special position of having known the bride or groom your entire life. This means you’ll have a ton of unique stories, memories, and humorous anecdotes to share with the guests. Although non-traditional, crafting a light-hearted wedding speech for your sister will be a happy and memorable part of the wedding reception, so it’s important you get it right.

The speech should last anywhere between 5-7 minutes and be a balance of well-meaning humour, nostalgia, and well-wishes for the health and happiness of the newlyweds. 

How to write a funny speech for a sister’s wedding

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If you’re looking to write a funny sister of the bride or maid of honour speech, or a speech for a brother’s wedding from a sister, we’ve got you covered. Check out the below structure for some inspiration and guidance. 

Greet your audience

Open your speech by greeting the guests. Introduce yourself to friends, family, and the newlyweds. As the sister of the bride or groom, most people there will probably already know who you are. But a solid introduction is a great way to open the speech, add a sense of occasion, and immediately capture everyone’s attention.

Set the tone

It’s important to set the tone early with a wedding speech. Once you’ve made your introductions, open up with a joke, a short reading, quotes about love, or a light-hearted anecdote about your sister. Getting your jokes in early will not only warm up the audience but also make you feel more confident as you continue the rest of your speech. 

Funny stories and anecdotes

You should then share some fun stories and anecdotes about your sister. These can be hilarious, heartwarming, and even a little embarrassing if you feel it’s appropriate! Just be careful not to embarrass her too much. This is a wedding, not a comedy show. Be sure to keep all stories and jokes in good humour, and if you’re not sure, it’s always best to run the story by the couple before sharing it with the audience. 

Playful teasing

Incorporate good-natured teasing that brings smiles to people’s faces without crossing any boundaries. Focus on endearing quirks, harmless foibles, or memorable mishaps you have shared. For example, warning your sister’s new partner about their messy ways, terrible cooking, or how long they take to get ready are all standard and acceptable jests to share in front of guests. 

Relatable experiences

Most people in the audience will be able to relate to the experience of growing up with a sister (or sibling). They’ll remember the late-night conversations, midnight feasts, or navigating the challenges of big family Christmases! These shared memories and experiences will inspire laughter, understanding, and a sense of nostalgia that will connect everyone in the room. 

Well-wishes for the happy couple

Start wrapping up your speech by sharing how happy you are for the newlyweds, your wishes for their future, and how proud you are of your sister for taking this next step. Thank her new partner for all the love and support they’ve shown your sister over the years, and welcome them wholeheartedly into your family.

Wrap up with a toast

The final part of your speech should be a toast to the bride and groom. Wrap up by asking the guests to raise their glasses, share your final wishes for the new couple, and toast to their new shared name. Cheers!

Top tips for a funny sister’s wedding speech

Photo © Blue Lily Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

Take a step back

Once you’ve written your speech, take a moment to step back and review it with fresh eyes. You should set your speech aside for at least a day, if not longer. This way, you can come back to it with a fresh perspective and a clear mind. When you revisit your speech after a little break, you’ll be better able to spot any areas that might need refining, whether it’s the flow, wording, or even the overall tone.

Practice makes perfect

Practice, practice, practice your speech to make sure you feel confident and well-prepared. You can practice in front of the mirror, or even record yourself and watch it back. The benefit of doing this is that you’ll be able to see what the guests will see on the day and critique your delivery

Don’t overdo it

While sharing funny stories and happy memories during a wedding speech is important, be careful not to overdo it. Think of anecdotes and jokes as the spice in a delicious dish you’re cooking. You should flavour the speech with these tales, but not overwhelm it with any one spice. Make sense?

Take it for a test drive

Consider testing out your speech on a trusted friend or family member. This way, they’ll be able to give you constructive criticism in the moment to help you improve your speech. Plus, practicing in front of a person will give a flavour of what it’s like to present your speech to a live audience. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when the actual time comes.

Live feedback can be incredibly valuable, whether it’s a suggestion to tweak the pacing, a reminder to project your voice, or a gentle nudge to pause for laughter. Practicing in front of someone who can provide honest, constructive criticism lets you iron out any rough edges and refine your delivery.

Be mindful of body language

Be mindful of body language as you practice and deliver your speech. Non-verbal cues can enhance your message and help connect you with your audience. So, stand up straight, make eye contact with your audience, take prompts from your cue card (but don’t keep your eyes glued to them), and make facial expressions as you speak. These small changes to your delivery can help colour your speech and make it feel more animated. 

Ready to nail your funny sister’s wedding speech?

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

Writing a funny wedding speech for your sister’s wedding can be tricky. It’s all about finding the balance between funny stories, special memories, and just a hint of teasing! However, with the right guidance and plenty of love, you can craft a funny wedding speech that will make your sister’s special day all the more memorable. 

If you’re feeling nervous, following a structure like the one above can help you start writing your speech. Often, getting started is the hardest part, so once you’ve got your structure down, you can focus on filling it with stories of your childhood, personal memories, and jokes about how messy your sister can be!

So, stand up straight, with shoulders back, and smile! This speech will undoubtedly be a memorable and entertaining part of your sister’s big day. We know you’ll make her proud. If you’re still feeling nervous, let Bridebook be your guide – we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to craft the very best wedding speech. 

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How Long Should a Wedding Speech Be?

The wedding speeches are a traditional and much-anticipated part of any wedding reception. First comes the father of the bride, then the groom, then the best man, then… it all starts to get a little hazy. 

The thing is, there are a number of wedding speeches that need to be made on the big day. Guests can get bored and restless if they last too long. But if they’re not long enough, the speech-makers might feel like they haven’t done the bride or groom justice. So, how to strike the right balance while still captivating the guests?

Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers! Check out our comprehensive guide on how long each wedding speech should last, as well as some handy guidance on what each speech should include.  

What is a wedding speech?

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A wedding speech is a speech made by members of the wedding party during the wedding reception. There’s a traditional order of speeches that most people usually follow. However, it’s your big day, so you can absolutely shake it up if you want. 

Traditionally, wedding speeches are made after the main course but before the dessert during the wedding breakfast. This way, your guests will have been amply fed and watered and can take a short break before enjoying some sweet goodies. But you can of course have them after dessert if you’d prefer. 

Though you can make the speeches before food is served, this isn’t generally recommended. Your guests may be hungry after sitting through the ceremony!

How long should a general wedding speech be?

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Generally, wedding speeches should last between 5 and 7 minutes to make sure there’s plenty of time for everyone to make a speech. The ‘wedding speech’ portion of the reception as a a whole should last no more than 40 minutes (to prevent people from getting bored). However, it usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. 

You can shuffle around wedding speech lengths to ensure everyone has a fair chance to say their piece. For example, if you only intend to have two or three speeches, you can afford for these speeches to be a little longer. However, if you want to have many wedding party members making a speech, you should consider cutting down the length to make sure the speeches don’t run over. 

Pro tip: To keep things fair, divide the total time you’re hoping to spend on speeches by the number of people you’ve asked to make speeches. For example, if you’re hoping to spend 30 minutes on speeches, and there are five speeches to make, this would bring each speech up to a maximum of 5.5 minutes with a 30-second break in between. 

Wedding Speech Lengths: Quick Reference Guide

If you’re in a rush, check out the below quick reference guide to see how long your wedding speech should ideally be. Otherwise, read on for the full breakdown, and be sure to save this infographic for future use. 

Wedding Speech Lengths: Quick Reference Guide
Use this quick reference guide to work out your ideal speech length

How long should a father of the bride speech be?

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The father of the bride’s speech is traditionally the longest speech in the order of speeches. It’s usually the first speech made during the wedding reception and is a beloved and much-anticipated part of the bride’s big day. 

The father of the bride’s speech should last between 7 and 9 minutes (and ideally no more than 12, to prevent the order of speeches from becoming too lengthy.) These speeches generally include:

  • A thank you to everyone involved in putting together the big day (don’t forget the staff working at the reception)
  • An ode to your little girl and what makes her so special
  • Your words of wisdom on love and marriage 
  • You could round off with some quotes about love or a beautiful wedding reading

How long should a groom’s speech be?

Photo © Damien Vickers Photography | See their Bridebook profile

The groom’s speech can be a little longer than the best man’s speech. It should last between 6 and 8 minutes, but no longer than 10 for the guests’ sake. 

It’s usually second in the order of speeches and should be positioned as a thank-you note to all the people who have supported your relationship and wedding planning. As a basic structure, we recommend the following general structure:

  • Introduce yourself and your new bride (a guaranteed cheer!)
  • Thank the groomsmen, best man, bridesmaids, and maid of honour for their continued love and support throughout your wedding planning
  • Thank your parents and new parents-in-law
  • A recap of your wedding vows
  • Toast to your new spouse and your future together

How long should a best man speech be?

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The ideal length for a best man speech is around 5 minutes. However, it can be a little longer or a little shorter, depending on your personal preferences and the overall speech order.

The best man’s speech is usually the third in the order of speeches. It should include things such as:

  • A warm introduction to the reception
  • Compliments about the bride 
  • A playful roast of the groom
  • Well-wishes from the best man and groomsmen 
  • The Bride and Groom’s love story
  • A toast to their future

How long should a maid of honour speech be?

Photo © Memories & Milestones Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Although untraditional, the maid of honour speech can be a beautiful part of the wedding reception. It should be on the shorter side, like the best man’s speech, and last between 4 and 6 minutes. 

The beauty of a maid of honour speech is that there are no expectations, so it can take any structure you’d like! However, it’s a good idea to include:

  • The adventures you’ve shared with the bride
  • Anecdotes about wedding planning 
  • How the couple’s love story unfolded
  • Heartfelt advice on relationships
  • A toast to the happy couple

How long should a bridesmaid’s speech be?

Photo © Forever Studio | See their Bridebook profile

As with the maid of honour speech, a bridesmaid’s speech is untraditional, so there are no expectations on how long the speech should be or what it should include. We recommend keeping the speech to around 5 minutes long (less if you’d like multiple bridesmaids to make a speech). 

Having a bridesmaid’s speech after the maid of honour speech may be nice way to keep things flowing. We suggest that you consider the following structure:

  • Happy memories you share with the bride
  • Your thoughts on love and marriage
  • How beautiful the other bridesmaids look
  • Your well-wishes for the happy couple

How long should a mother of the groom speech be?

Photo © Vladimir Spirov | See their Bridebook profile

The mother of the groom speech is another untraditional wedding speech, but it’s a wonderful opportunity for a mother to express her love, support, and well-wishes for her son and his new partner. This speech should last between 3 and 5 minutes and, if you’re otherwise sticking to tradition, it will most likely be one of the last speeches made at the reception (though this isn’t a hard and fast rule).

A mother of the groom speech has no set structure. But we recommend including:

  • A welcome to the family for the new bride
  • Your happiness that the groom has found someone so special
  • Fond memories of the groom’s childhood 
  • Heartfelt advice
  • A final, celebratory toast

The bottom line on speech length 

Speeches are an important and traditional part of the wedding reception. They’re the perfect opportunity for the wedding party and other loved ones to share their thoughts and feelings with the newlyweds. 

As we’ve explored above, when it comes to speech length, the key is to stick to to between 5 and 7 minutes to ensure everyone has a fair chance to say their thank-yous and give their advice. This will also keep this part of the wedding fresh and interesting for your guests and help hold their attention. 

We’ve got plenty of great tips, tricks, and wedding speech structures to help you get started if you’re unsure about what to include. And, to see how long your wedding speech should be in practice, check out our wedding speech examples

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How to Announce Your Engagement: 20 Top Tips and Ideas

From the moment you get engaged, you’ll be just about ready to burst with excitement and tell everyone you know as quickly as you can. You’ll be so excited, you may even be tempted to scream it from the rooftops (don’t worry, that’s one idea that doesn’t feature on our list).

The easiest thing to do is start calling and texting everyone – and while everyone will no doubt be excited to hear your news, there are ways you can go about it to add a little pizzazz to your major bit of news. From roping in your pet to hiring a flash mob, there are loads of unique, creative and fun ways you can tell the world about your engagement.

So, in this post, we’re going to do exactly that. We’ll cover the best time to announce your engagement and offer you plenty of ideas for how you can go about the big reveal.

When’s the best time to announce your engagement?

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Once you’re engaged, you’ll be hit with dozens of things to do as you embark on the road towards your wedding. But, the first thing you and your new fiance should talk about after getting engaged is how you might want to reveal the news to your friends and family. Once you’ve figured that out, you can work on the when.

For example, if you can’t wait any longer and you have to tell them now, then a phone call is more than okay. But, if you’re into a bit of showmanship, you can hold onto the news for a few more days and plan something a little more unique.

Whatever you plan to do, we always recommend that your closest family should be among those you tell first. Then, wider family and friends, including those you want to be part of your wedding squad.

For more information, read our step-by-step guide to what you should do as soon as you get engaged.

20 creative ways to announce your engagement

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Sure, you could just pop around to your parents’ house and flash them your brand-new ring. You could send a casual announcement via emoji in the group chat. You could give your Nan a ring and tell her the great news.

But where’s the fun in that?

Okay, so there’s no wrong or bad way to tell your loved ones that you’re engaged. But how you decide to drop the news is entirely up to you. If you want to make your announcement one that people will remember forever, there are plenty of ways you can do that too.

So, here are 20 unique ways you can announce your engagement.

1. Arrange a photoshoot

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Many couples love to mark their engagement by organising a photoshoot. That may not be the most creative idea ever, but it’s what you do on the shoot that you can have fun with. Why not visit a castle or a fun fair or make pottery together like in Ghost? Your engagement photos are a great way to showcase your personalities and drop some hints about the theme of your future wedding.

2. Have your pet announce your engagement

Photo © Sam Chipman | See their Bridebook profile

For many of us, our pets are a huge part of our family, so including them in your engagement announcement helps keep them part of the celebrations. Whether it’s including them in a snap you upload to social media or asking them to bring your parents a note that says, ‘Mum and Dad are getting married’, there are plenty of ways you can rope in your pet. If you have a pet snake, why not let it model your engagement ring for some truly ssspecial photographs?

3. Get matching tattoos

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Many people get tattoos to mark special memories, interests and loves. Why not get the date you got engaged as matching tattoos, then casually show friends and family your new ink? Tattoos would also look great if you decided to get engagement photos taken, with a couple of close-up shots to show them off.

4. Involve your family

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Involving loved ones in your announcement can be a lot of fun. For example, why not ask your best man to come with you to tell your parents, but dressed in a smart suit so you can drop the news when someone asks why he’s overdressed? If the two of you already have kids, a t-shirt that says ‘future page boy’ or ‘future flower girl’ can be a cute way for the grandkids to reveal the news to Nan and Grandad.

5. Give family a personalised Christmas decoration

Photo © Michael Calders Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you got engaged around Christmas, why not give close family a personalised Christmas ornament that announces your engagement? That way, it’s a gift and a lovely piece of news all in one!

6. Share a video of the proposal itself

Photo © Queen Bea Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you got engaged in a public space, then chances are someone got the proposal on film. You may have even asked someone to record it ahead of time. Why not post the video to social media and watch the likes roll in?

You might even want to take some inspiration from celebrity proposals, with loads of big names sharing the moment they got down on one knee for the whole world to see. 

7. Share a photo of your ring finger

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We’ve all seen photos of hands proudly showing off a shiny new rock. Why not do the reverse of that and share a photo of your hand without the ring, with the caption ‘something is missing from this photo’. It’ll get people wondering what it is, then BOOM – post a follow-up picture saying FOUND IT, complete with the ring in full view.

8. Host a family quiz night

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If you and your family are fans of game nights, why not put together a personalised quiz? Make each of the questions about you and how you met, and have the answers spell out something like ‘WE’RE ENGAGED’ as the icing on the cake.

9. Wear matching outfits

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If you’re up for a cheesy announcement, why not get matching t-shirts or jumpers that say ‘she said yes’ and ‘I said yes’, or that simply say ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ on them? You could even get them as matching pyjamas for extra cosiness.

10. Keep things subtle

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Instead of outright telling your loved ones you’re engaged, why not drip-feed them information and drop hints so they can work it out for themselves? Share a snap of the two of you enjoying a coffee together – is that the sparkle of a ring next to the mug? No, it can’t be… it is! 

11. Immortalise yourself in artwork

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Instead of an engagement photoshoot, why not commission your favourite artist to draw or paint the two of you with the engagement ring taking centre stage? Not only can you use it as part of your announcement, but it’ll be a lovely piece you can hang up in your living room afterwards.

12. Throw a party

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Engagement parties are fairly common, but they’re traditionally thrown by the bride’s family. Why not ignore tradition and throw a bash so you can tell all your family and friends the great news together? Just imagine balloons and bunting hanging from the walls revealing, ‘she said yes’, or a cake with two sugarcraft figures on top, with one getting down on one knee to propose to the other. We guarantee you won’t have to buy your own drinks all night.

13. Create a scavenger hunt

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For something rather different, a scavenger hunt can be a lot of fun, with the final reveal being that SURPRISE! You’re engaged!

14. Video announcement

Photo © Mark Stinchon Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you have a smartphone, you have everything you need to create a cinematic announcement. You could piece shots together to create a trailer for a fake movie, which then ends with a wedding COMING SOON. You could even upload it to YouTube or TikTok, or if you’re feeling particularly brave, ask your local cinema to show it before a private film screening where you invite your family and friends.

15. A message in a bottle

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There’s nothing quite as romantic as announcing you’re engaged, and what better way to deliver that message than via one of the most romantic forms of communication? A lovely handwritten note will also make for a wonderful little keepsake for your loved ones.

16. Flash mob

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If you have a little budget to spare (which might not be likely with a wedding to plan) or you’re friends with some theatre types, an extravagant flash mob is a brilliant and energetic way to let people know you’re engaged.

17. Write a short story

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If you consider yourself a writer, why not get a head start on your love story and write a romantic tale about two people who met, fell in love and got engaged? Sites like Amazon KDP make it easy to self-publish a book. You could even create a unique cover and have cheap copies printed to hand out to family and friends.

18. Write a haiku

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If you don’t think your creative writing skills can stretch to a short story, why not have a go at writing a Haiku? A Haiku is a short-form poem with just three lines, where the first and last line have five syllables and the second has seven syllables. Something like this is all it takes (feel free to use this one if you’re struggling to write your own!):

I popped the question

I waited for her answer

Finally: a yes.

19. Take a selfie

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This one’s a classic, but a photo with the two of you and the ring on show will always go down well. It’s also one of the only times you can take a single photo and not have to caption it to tell a story. You can let the ring do all the talking as your friends and family go crazy the moment it hits social media or the group chat. 

For help taking the perfect picture, read our post on the rules of the engagement selfie.

20. Hire a billboard

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If you’re not one to shy away from getting yourself out there, there’s no better way to tell your family (and a large part of your local community) the news than by hiring an advertising billboard. For around £350, you could be the talk of the whole town by letting everyone know the two of you are getting married!

Start planning your wedding with Bridebook

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How Much Do Bridesmaid Dresses Cost?

Asking friends and family to be your bridesmaids is fun and exciting. They get to be a part of your big day and are close by as you get ready, cheering you on as the nerves set in.

If you’ve been asked to be a bridesmaid, it’s equally as exciting. Taking part in the wedding of a loved one is a brilliant honour. It also means there’s a shopping trip in your future so you and the other bridesmaids – as well as the bride herself, of course – can try on some beautiful dresses.

Hopefully, when the time comes to go dress shopping, you know who’s going to pay for what. Is the bride and her family picking up the bill, or have the bridesmaids been told they’ll need to pay for their dresses? Either is fine, but making sure everyone knows what’s expected of them early on is important.

And it’s important to remember that the cost of bridesmaid dresses can vary from relatively reasonable to super expensive. But, how much of your wedding budget do you need to set aside? In this post, we’re going to explore how much bridesmaid dresses cost, including the factors that sway the price, the cost of alterations and whether you can buy bridesmaid dresses on the high street.

To get some great inspo from top brands and designers, browse our fabulous collection of wedding and bridesmaid dresses

What’s the average cost of a bridesmaid dress?

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In the UK, bridesmaid dresses cost anything from £80 – £500, so it all depends on your overall budget. With the average cost of a wedding being a rather lofty £20,775, it might be hard to justify choosing dresses at the higher end of the scale, especially if you have four or five bridesmaids. Similarly, if you’re asking your bridesmaids to pay for their dresses, you might want to choose a style or design that has a modest price tag. Something around the £80 – £150 mark should strike a great balance between beauty and affordability.

Why are bridesmaid dresses so expensive?

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Bridesmaid dresses can be rather expensive, especially if you choose a well-known brand or designer, or choose to shop at a boutique wedding retailer. It is, of course, common for anything wedding-related to come with a premium price tag, as this is more likely to guarantee that your day is extra special. 

Bridesmaid dresses are usually made using quality materials and have intricate details. Beading and embroidery take time, as well as any customisations that might be needed to tie them into the bride’s dress.

For some helpful money-saving tips, read our guide to saving money on bridesmaid dresses.

What factors affect the cost of a bridesmaid dress?

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Many factors can affect how much you might pay for bridesmaid dresses, whether you shop at a high-street retailer or an independent boutique.

  • The fabrics you choose can have a huge influence, for example, silk and lace are far more expensive than cotton and polyester.
  • More elaborate and detailed designs will be pricier than simple designs.
  • The more well-known and established your chosen brands and designers are, the more expensive the dresses will be.
  • Customisations can be pricey, so you’ll have to pay more if you’re looking for lots of changes.
  • Retailers in London, particularly boutiques and independents, will generally be more expensive than those outside the capital.
  • If you use a seamstress, a more skilled and experienced professional will cost more than one at the start of their career.
  • If you buy four or five dresses it will, of course, cost more than if you were to buy one or two. But, you might find the cost per dress is less the more you buy.
  • Don’t be surprised if the cost is higher if you have a tight timescale, so make sure you don’t leave anything till the last minute.
  • Renting your bridesmaid dresses is often more affordable, but comes with more limitations and limited customisation options.

To learn more, read our introduction to bridesmaid dresses.

Who pays for bridesmaid dresses?

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Whether or not you choose to pay for your bridesmaid dresses depends entirely on you, your budget, your bridesmaid budgets and the style and cost of the dresses you have in mind.

If you’re setting ‘rules’, then you may want to ensure you have the budget to cover your bridesmaid dresses. If you’re not precious about what they wear, then it’s common to ask your bridesmaids to pay for their dresses themselves.

For more information on wedding etiquette, read our guide on what your bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for.

How much do bridesmaid dress alterations cost?

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Because bridesmaid dresses are usually less complex and intricate than a wedding dress, bridesmaid dress alterations costs are usually far more reasonable. Depending on the level of work required, you can probably expect to pay around £30 – £40 per dress. But, heavy alterations might cost double this or more. It all depends on what’s needed and the amount of time the alterations will take.

How much do bridesmaid accessories and shoes cost?

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Generally, even if the bride and her family are paying for the dresses, the bridesmaids will be expected to provide their own shoes and accessories. On saying that, the bride may give her bridesmaids a token gift as a thank you on the morning of the big day, which could be a small piece of jewellery to wear and keep.

Bridesmaid shoes don’t need to be expensive. Any type of flats or simple heels will do the trick. Just remember that everyone will spend a lot of time on their feet, so comfort is key. A nice pair of mid-heel dress sandals or ballet flats will cost around £30 – £60. For accessories and jewellery, you may want to buy something special for the occasion, but you’ll more than likely already have something that will fit with your new dress.

How much does bridesmaid hair and makeup cost?

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On your wedding day, you’ll likely hire a hair and makeup professional to make you look glamorous and take the pressure away from yourself. As part of that, you might want to bring your bridal party together so that those close to you can look just as stunning – especially your bridesmaids.

If you’re able to secure a package, hair and makeup per bridesmaid (including a trial) will cost around £85. If the artist you hire has an assistant, you may be able to get a lower rate if the assistant takes care of the bridesmaids while the artist takes care of you.

For more information, read our guide to the price of wedding beauty.

Can you buy bridesmaid dresses on the high street?

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If you have a strict budget, there are plenty of high-street retailers that offer a wonderful selection of bridesmaid dresses. For example, M&S has a range of bridesmaid dresses to suit all styles, tastes and budgets, but are still beautiful and elegant. You’re likely to find wonderful dresses for around £65, which is way below what you might pay from boutique retailers. It’s always worth browsing the high street – you never know what treasures you might find.

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6 Reasons to Choose a Smaller, More Local Wedding Venue

Your wedding day is one of the greatest moments in your life. It’s a celebration of love and commitment, and finding the perfect venue sets the tone for the entire event. While grand ballrooms and fancy destinations have their appeal, there’s something magical about choosing a smaller, more local wedding venue. In this post, we explore the benefits of choosing an intimate setting for your big day, from affordability to on-site accommodation.

1. Affordability 

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One of the biggest advantages of choosing a smaller, local wedding venue is the cost. These venues often offer competitive pricing compared to larger, grander venues. With a more modest guest capacity, you can trim down your guest list to include only your closest family and friends, which can save a considerable amount on catering, decor and other expenses.

2. Intimacy 

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Smaller wedding venues create an intimate and cosy atmosphere that larger venues can struggle to replicate. Imagine exchanging your vows surrounded by the people who mean the most to you, without the vastness of a cavernous hall. The closeness of your loved ones creates a warm and inviting ambiance, ensuring that every moment feels personal and special.

3. Personalised Attention

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Local venues often cater to fewer events at a time, allowing their staff to dedicate more time and attention to your big day. You’ll likely receive more personalised service and flexibility in tailoring the arrangements to suit your preferences. Smaller venues can accommodate specific requests that larger wedding venues may find more challenging to fulfil.

4. Amazing Outdoor Spaces

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Many smaller, local wedding venues are nestled in picturesque settings, boasting breathtaking outdoor spaces. From charming gardens to quaint courtyards, these venues offer natural backdrops that enhance the beauty of your ceremony and wedding photos.

5. On-Site Accommodation

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Opting for a smaller venue with on-site accommodation can hugely simplify your wedding day logistics. It provides a convenient solution for both you and your guests, removing the need for transportation to and from separate locations. Plus, it extends the celebration, allowing you to spend more quality time with your loved ones over the wedding weekend.

6. Supporting Local Businesses 

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By choosing a smaller, local wedding venue, you contribute to the community and support local businesses. These venues are often family-owned or run by passionate individuals dedicated to creating a memorable experience for couples tying the knot. Your wedding becomes an opportunity to give back to the neighbourhood and make a positive impact.

Find your dream venue on Bridebook 

Don’t underestimate the charm and advantages of smaller, local wedding venues. From cost savings to a more intimate and personalised experience, these venues offer unique perks that can make your special day even more memorable. Take your time to explore the options in your area, and you may just find a hidden gem that captures the spirit of your love story.

How to Write a Wedding Speech for a Best Friend

They’re your best friend; you’ve been through thick and thin, through hell and high water, and now they’re standing on the precipice of the rest of their life. You’ll obviously be by their side on the big day, but now they’ve asked you to make a speech! Feeling nervous? Don’t worry – it’s natural!

A best friend’s speech is quite traditional if it takes the form of a best man speech or maid of honour speech for best friend or sister. But you don’t have to be the best man or maid of honour to make this speech. All that matters is making the speech as unique and special as the bond you share. 

In this post, we look at how to write a killer best friend’s wedding speech that’s funny and engaging, but also heartfelt and loving overall. We cover what you should include in your best friend’s wedding speech, a best friend’s speech structure, and the most important things to consider when writing your speech. 

What is the best friend’s speech at a wedding?

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A best friend’s speech is a speech made by the best friend of the bride or groom during the wedding reception. It may be a funny maid of honour speech, a sincere best man’s speech, or even a sentimental tribute from a close friend who’s stood by the newlyweds throughout their relationship. Either way, the ‘best friend getting married’ speech is a beautiful and memorable part of any wedding reception. 

A traditional wedding speech is usually between 5-7 minutes long and includes your favourite memories of the bride or groom, your honest advice, and maybe even a few light-hearted jabs at the bride or groom. A best friend’s speech can fit anywhere into the order of wedding speeches. The maid of honour speech can similarly fit flexibly into the order of speeches as it’s untraditional. By contrast, a best man’s speech traditionally comes after the groom’s speech (though there’s no pressure to stick to this structure if you don’t want to).

What should you include in a best friend’s speech?

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  • Heartfelt advice. A best friend’s wedding speech is the perfect time to reflect on your own experiences and extend some tender advice to the newlyweds. You don’t need to be an expert in relationships or marriage to give them a few pointers on their new life together; you just need a heart full of love and advice on communication, compromise, and how the couple can grow together. 
  • Fun anecdotes about the bride or groom. The best friend’s speech is the perfect opportunity to give an insight into the bride or groom’s personality, quirks, and special skills. Whether it’s an anecdote about how you met or a funny story about the adventures you’ve shared over the years, these fun tales will add a personal touch to your speech and ensure the audience hangs on your every word. 
  • Your hopes for their future. Expressing your hopes and dreams for the couple’s future is a heartwarming and memorable part of any best friend’s speech. You can talk about how much you’ve enjoyed watching their love story unfold, how you envision their time together, and wish them a lifetime of love, joy, and adventures. 
  • A playful and celebratory toast. As you wrap up your speech, raise a toast to the happy couple. Don’t be afraid to make it fun, playful, and even cheeky! Incorporate a touch of humour by adding a memorable inside joke that resonates with the couple to the end of your toast.

Best friend’s speech structure 

Introduction

The first step of your speech should be introducing yourself to those who don’t know you. You should then explain your relationship to the bride or groom and express your gratitude for being asked to be part of their special day. 

Acknowledge your best friend

You should then specifically acknowledge your best friend. Tell them how much they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them by your side. You can then move on to let the guests know what makes your bestie so unique and how proud you are of them for taking the next step in life. 

Share a funny story

You should then move on to sharing a funny story or light-hearted anecdote about your friend over the years. Remember that their direct family, work colleagues, and neighbours may be in the audience, so make sure it’s a story that your best friend would be happy for them to hear! If you’re unsure, consider running it past them first. 

Loving advice

You can then offer your advice to the newlyweds as they begin their new journey together. Draw from your own experiences and share meaningful advice on love, commitment, and friendship. Reflect on the lessons you’ve learned in your friendships, relationships, and life in general. If you’re unsure what advice you could offer, you can always switch this out for some love quotes, a tender poem, or some examples of wedding vows.

Toast

You should then end your speech with a toast to the happy couple. Raise your glass high, invite the guests you join you in a toast, and greet the couple by their names. End with a big smile and take a seat. That’s it!  

Best friend’s speech template

To help you navigate the complete breakdown of your speech, it can be helpful to have a visual guide to refer to. Check out our handy infographic below:

Best Friend Speech Template
Use this best friend speech template to guide your writing

Top tips for delivering a killer best friend’s speech 

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Wedding speech order

It’s important to find out where the bride and groom would like you to fit into the overall wedding speech order. The best man’s speech typically happens after the groom’s speech, but it doesn’t have to! On the other hand, the maid of honour’s speech can fit however you’d like into the overall wedding speech order. Clarify with the bride and groom when they feel your speech should come.

Nail the delivery

Shoulders back, chin up, and speak directly to the audience. Presenting your best friend at the wedding can be nerve-wracking, but you need to remember that the audience all know and love the bride and groom, and ultimately you’re here to praise them! If you’re still nervous, check out our post on nailing your wedding speech delivery skills to help you feel more confident. 

Take inspiration

If you’re unsure how to begin your speech or what to include, don’t be afraid to take inspiration from wedding readings or love quotes. Often, the most challenging part of writing your speech is the beginning, and these short stories and poems can give you a jumping-off point for your own speech. 

Don’t panic

It can be scary to stand up in front of a big crowd and make your speech. The most important thing is not to panic. Make sure you practice beforehand, familiarise yourself with the overall speech order, and take a deep breath before you stand up to make your speech. Remember, even the most seasoned speakers experience jitters; it’s all part of the excitement that comes with being part of the big day.

Best friend’s speech examples

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If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our samples of great best friend speech examples. This includes best man speech examples  and maid of honour speech examples.

The bottom line on the best friend’s speech 

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Being asked to make a best friend’s wedding speech is an honour. It’s a true testament to you and your bestie’s bond, and as you stand before the happy couple, remember that you’re not just giving a speech – you’re a key part of the biggest celebration of their life! 

Your words will become a part of their journey that they’ll remember forever, and your only goal should be to do them justice on their big day. Balance light-hearted stories and jokes with kind and caring words about the special bond you share. 

So, embrace the nerves, channel your love, and speak from the heart to deliver a brilliant best friend’s wedding speech. For more expert advice and top tips on all things wedding-related, sign up to Bridebook today. 

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Wedding Planning Tips from Wedding Florist Yasmin Downing

If you’re looking for some top wedding planning tips, there’s nothing like the expertise from a real wedding professional. We spoke to Yasmin Downing, the passionate florist behind Yasmin Downing Floral Design, who specialises in combining modern elements with timeless tradition to create the perfect aesthetic. In her own words: “Since opening a dried flower business during the pandemic, I found my life’s passion in floristry. Having been mentored 1:1 by Master Florists, whilst building a portfolio working on real-life weddings, photoshoots, commercial projects and television, I have brought my skills and experience to a professional level.” Yasmin has also appeared on the BBC’s Ultimate Wedding Planner as one of eight aspiring contestants.

Yasmin’s top 10 wedding planning tips

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1. Order a spare buttonhole (or two)

This can avoid awkward “I forgot Uncle Pete” moments and also covers you if you have a boisterous groom who breaks his buttonhole before your photos (Yasmin has actually had this happen!).

2. Have an “emergency” kit

Your wedding emergency kit should include all the things you won’t know you’ll need until you need them (check out our bridal SOS kit post for more information). Yasmin suggests:

  • White cotton
  • Chewing gum
  • Needle
  • Toothpick
  • Elastic bands
  • Flower pins
  • Floss
  • Hairband
  • Bobby pin
  • Painkillers
  • Nail glue
  • Lash glue
  • Tweezers
  • Plasters

3. Think about your shoes

If you’re going to be wearing high heels on your wedding day, and taking them off isn’t an option for you, Yasmin recommends taking a couple of paracetamol to pre-empt the pain.

4. Cover yourself in SPF

If you’re like the majority of couples who opt for a spring or summer wedding, be sure to cover yourself in SPF 50. This will make sure you don’t end up pink by 3 PM, Yasmin explains.

5. Protect your skin from clothing marks

Remember to protect your skin from anything that might mark your skin, Yasmin suggests. This includes any socks, bra or wrist hairbands that can dig into your skin.

6. Burn your ribbon ends

If you’ve having satin ribbon on your bouquets, Yasmin recommends burning the end of the ribbon to get a nice polished edge. This will prevent it from fraying throughout the day.

7. Opt for seasonal blooms

Choose flowers that are in season to keep your budget down. Out of season florals have to be imported, Yasmin explains, which can significantly bump up the cost.

8. Consider your dressing area

Ensure that where you get ready is big enough for your whole party. Get lots of mirrors ready as there will be a few of you trying to check yourselves out. Yasmin suggests you pick somewhere with easy parking and access. You don’t want to spend the morning directing people to your location!

9. Factor in a break

Yasmin recommends that you plan in a 20-minute “break” from the day so you and your new spouse can have a moment away from everyone to simply reflect and take it in.

10. Put you and your partner first

Remember that at the end of the day the only thing that truly matters is you and your partner. In Yasmin’s own words: ‘Don’t give a sh*t about ensuring your guests are happy all day. There’s booze and food, so they’ll be fine. Just make sure the two of you are having a great time.”

Plan your dream wedding on Bridebook

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Want more expert advice and inspiration like this? Then sign up to Bridebook today. When it comes to joyful and stress-free wedding planning, we’ve got you covered.

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30 Unique Alternatives to Engagement Rings

Proposing to your partner is one of the biggest moments of your life, and the thing that might be on your mind is whether or not to propose with an engagement ring. Of course, an engagement ring is traditionally given when someone proposes; however, just like the way you propose, what you propose with can also be completely unique to you.

Whether your partner doesn’t wear rings, already wears a ring on every finger, or it simply doesn’t suit their style, what you present when you get down on one knee (if you do get down on one knee at all) is up to you. When the time comes for you to propose, you’ll probably have a solid idea as to what your soon-to-be-fiance would like.

So, if you’re looking for some inspiration for engagement ring alternatives, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to dive into why you shouldn’t feel obliged to propose with an engagement ring, and offer you 30 suggestions for ways you can propose if a diamond ring isn’t your partner’s thing. That way, you can propose in a way that’s unique and personal to the two of you.

Why has it become a tradition to propose with an engagement ring?

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Engagement rings have been a tradition since ancient Egyptian and Greek times, but it was the Romans who made giving an engagement ring a legal requirement and made it popular. Of course, an engagement ring is far from something you’re legally obliged to give in the 21st century, but the tradition of giving a ring to your partner when asking them to marry you has remained.

That being said, many traditions come and go, or a tradition may not fit with your tastes, style, beliefs or budget. If this is you, then it’s great news that you no longer have to buy an engagement ring for your future fiance!

How much do engagement rings cost?

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In the UK, the average amount spent on an engagement ring is £1,978. There are certain traditional amounts that some say you should spend on a ring – anything from one to three months’ salary are popular. But, this is very rarely the case and is something you shouldn’t feel the need to stick to if you’re proposing with an engagement ring.

Read our ultimate wedding budget breakdown for a complete guide to how much every part of your wedding might cost.

What engagement rings will never go out of style?

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Want to propose with an engagement ring but also ensure the ring you choose never goes out of style? Below are just a few timeless engagement rings that have been popular for decades, and are set to be placed on ring fingers for many more decades to come.

  • Solitaire diamond rings – The solitaire diamond ring (any ring with a single diamond) has long been the classic engagement ring. It draws complete focus to the big rock in the centre, with round-cut diamonds being the go-to (but most expensive) choice.
  • Diamond halo ring – A twist on the solitaire diamond ring, which still features a large diamond, but is surrounded by a halo of small stones to accentuate its beauty.
  • Trilogy ring – A trilogy ring features three stones, which could be three of the same stone (such as three diamonds) or two different stones (such as two diamonds on either side of a central sapphire).
  • Emerald cut diamond – Emerald cut diamonds have a striking rectangular shape, which always makes them popular. They’re also not as expensive as round-cut diamonds due to less of the diamond being wasted during cutting.
  • White gold and platinum rings – The popularity of yellow gold jewellery comes and goes, but white gold and platinum remain consistently popular.

Can you propose without an engagement ring?

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Yes, you can propose without an engagement ring. The most important thing you need to offer in a proposal is your love and commitment to your partner. However, make sure you’re confident that you know what your partner would like to receive when being proposed to. If their dream is to wear a diamond engagement ring, then popping the question without one may come as a bit of a shock.

What’s an alternative to an engagement ring?

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An alternative to an engagement ring is something you give to your partner other than the traditional engagement ring as a symbol of your love and commitment to them. It could be anything, from a different type of jewellery to a tattoo.

Why you might choose an alternative is a personal decision. It could be because the two of you aren’t interested in the usual traditions, your partner doesn’t like to wear rings, or your wedding budget can’t stretch to include an engagement ring.

Can anything be an engagement ring?

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Yes, absolutely anything can work as an alternative to a traditional diamond engagement ring. It could be another ring, a different piece of jewellery like a necklace, or anything your partner might love and appreciate. In season three of The Simpsons, Homer proposed to Marge using an onion ring! This obviously isn’t a long-term solution, but it shows just how creative you can be with your proposal.

30 alternatives to an engagement ring

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If you and your partner aren’t interested in the tradition of wearing an engagement ring, there are plenty of alternatives you can choose instead. Below are just 30 suggestions for what you can give your partner when you ask them to marry you.

10 rings that are great alternative engagement rings

  1. Birthstone ring – A ring that features the birthstone of your partner, or one that features both of your birthstones.
  2. A handmade ring – A ring made by a craftsperson and sold at a craft fair or online retailer such as Etsy.
  3. Lab-grown stones – Lab-grown stones are environmentally- and budget-friendly.
  4. Simple band – A precious metal band, much like a wedding ring, is a fantastic choice.
  5. Promise ring – A promise ring can be given before an engagement ring, which the two of you might choose together.
  6. Eternity ring – Traditionally given after a specific relationship milestone, but remember, traditions can definitely be broken.
  7. Family heirloom – A ring that’s been handed down from a relative could be a wonderful engagement ring alternative.
  8. A vintage ring – Vintage stores and charity shops can be a treasure trove for unique alternatives.
  9. Wooden ring – A rustic and eco-friendly choice.
  10. Engraved band – Super personal and thoughtful.

10 pieces of jewellery that are great alternative engagement rings

Instead of a ring, you could propose with a different piece of jewellery. It could be something personal to you, which you could customise further by choosing relevant birthstones, preferences or engravings.

  1. Necklace
  2. Bracelet
  3. Charm bracelet
  4. Brooch
  5. Earrings
  6. Watch
  7. Ankle bracelet
  8. Cufflinks
  9. Body jewellery
  10. Locket

10 alternative engagement ring ideas that aren’t jewellery

For something truly different, why not ditch jewellery altogether and go for something completely out of the box?

  1. Tattoos – If you’re into body art, an engagement tattoo combines your lives.
  2. Handfasting – Usually performed at a wedding ceremony, but can be a symbolic gesture the two of you could do at an engagement.
  3. Handwritten letter – A handwritten letter can help you communicate just how strongly you feel about your partner, which you can give to them during the proposal.
  4. Journal – Similar to a letter, a journal is something you write over time and shows how your love has grown. Another idea is a book of promises, which is a book filled with the promises you’re making to your loved one and how you intend to keep them.
  5. Wedding fund contribution – Instead of an engagement ring (which can be expensive), agree to put that money into the start of your wedding fund. Or, why not donate to your partner’s favourite charity?
  6. Custom artwork – This could be anything from a watercolour painting to a pencil drawing, either by yourself or an artist you both admire.
  7. Plant a tree – What better symbol to start your commitment together than by planting a tree the two of you can watch grow for decades to come?
  8. Keepsake box – Choose a box the two of you can fill with memories.
  9. Proposal video – A video of your memories that ends with you popping the question.
  10. Celebrity video – Websites such as Cameo allow you to ask celebrities to record a personalised video message, which makes for a unique and exciting way to involve your partner’s favourite actor or musician in your proposal.

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How Much Does a Church Wedding Cost? The 2024 Average Revealed

A church was once the traditional venue for couples in the UK to tie the knot. But, nowadays, it’s relatively uncommon. Less than one in five couples decide to get married in a church or religious setting, choosing alternative venues such as hotels, registry offices and even the great outdoors.

But, did you know that a church wedding is actually one of the most affordable venues you could choose? And it has the added benefit of being historical, full of character and meaning, and absolutely stunning.

Think about it: you’re in a building that could be as much as 1,500 years old. You’re surrounded by your friends and family, and you lock eyes with your spouse-to-be at the other end of the aisle, and a priest marries the two of you in a wonderful, personal ceremony. Doesn’t that sound perfect? The icing on the cake is the fact that it’s also far cheaper to get married in a church than in many other popular venues.

In this post, we’re going to dive into how much a church wedding costs, including the differences between Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, and the additional costs to be aware of before deciding whether or not a church wedding is for you.

What’s the average cost of a church wedding?

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In the UK, the average cost of a church wedding is £5,480, which makes it the second cheapest type of wedding venue behind getting married at a registry office, and even more affordable than choosing a restaurant as your wedding venue. But, getting married in a church is still 45%  cheaper than the average cost of a wedding venue in the UK, which is £9,877.

These figures include the ceremony itself, as well as the reception and breakfast, but not your attire, rings, transport, photographer and everything else to do with the wedding. You’ll also have to factor in costs related to the engagement ring and honeymoon.

But, depending on the type of church you get married in, this figure can vary dramatically. For more information on wedding costs, read our complete guide to the average cost of a wedding.

The cost of getting married in different churches

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In the UK, the cost of a church wedding will differ depending on whether you get married in an Anglican church or a Roman Catholic church. The one you choose will, of course, depend on your beliefs and preferences.

How much does it cost to get married in an Anglican church?

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If you’re getting married in an Anglican church in your local parish, the cost of a wedding (as of 2024) will be a maximum of £539. If you’re getting married in a church that isn’t local, the maximum cost will be £641.

Anglican churches, which include the Church of England and the Church in Wales, have the same beliefs but different governing bodies. Despite these differences, weddings in both will generally cost the same, but it’s always worth checking with your local vicar, especially if you’re getting married in a Welsh Anglican church.

The cost includes most of the bare bones things needed for the ceremony itself, including the vicar, the church, calling your banns, the banns certificate, heating and lighting, and any administration charges. However, it doesn’t include the cost of the marriage certificate, which you’ll need to pay for at a registry office at a later date.

How much does it cost to get married in a Roman Catholic church?

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There’s no cost to getting married in a Roman Catholic church, as marriage is said to be a gift from God. However, they will ask for a donation of around £150 to help with the general maintenance, running and upkeep of the church.

Before you run to book your Roman Catholic church wedding, there are a couple of stipulations. Firstly, at least one of you must be Roman Catholic in order for the two of you to get married in a Roman Catholic church. Secondly, you must give the church at least six months’ notice, which means you can’t use a Roman Catholic church if you’re hoping to get married quickly.

What extras do you have to be aware of with a church wedding?

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The ceremony the church provides as part of its offering doesn’t include extras, such as an organist, verger, extra heating and bell ringing, nor the costs of other vendors you might want to include as part of the ceremony, such as flowers, a photographer and/or videographer.

Speak to your priest about what extras they can provide and how much they cost, but below will give you a rough idea:

  • Organist – around £50
  • Bell ringing – around £40
  • Verger – around £40
  • Extra heating – around £65

You may also be asked about an additional donation to contribute towards the general costs associated with the church; however, this is a voluntary donation. Many churches can cost between £40,000 and £100,000 per year to run, so any amount you care to donate will be welcome.

Of course, none of these extras are mandatory, but you may choose to have them so you have music, the magic of ringing church bells and heating to warm your guests – particularly if you’re having a winter wedding. Churches can get pretty cold!

For dozens of ways to save money on all aspects of your wedding, read our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding.

What about the wedding breakfast and evening reception?

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While it will often cost you around £1,000 to get married in a church (or less if you choose not to donate) you also need to bear in mind the cost of the post-ceremony wedding breakfast and evening reception you may want to hold so you can celebrate your marriage with your loved ones.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to host your celebrations at the church itself – but there may be a neighbouring church hall or community hall you could use. Alternatively, a pub with a function room, local restaurant, or hotel are great venues for a breakfast and/or reception.

Depending on how and where you choose to celebrate, it will bump up the cost of your church wedding. But as we highlighted earlier, you’re still more likely to pay significantly less than the average UK wedding.

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Top 12 Bride Speech Examples

Your big day is approaching – the happiest day of your life! You’ve organised the wedding favours, your bridesmaids are suited and booted, and you’ve got your something old, new, borrowed, and blue. All the “i”s are dotted, and all the “t”s are crossed. Just one thing remains – are you going to make a speech?

While untraditional when compared to a father of the bride’s speech or the groom’s speech, the bride’s speech can be a real tear-jerker. It’s a moment of pure happiness when the bride gets to share her thoughts, gratitude, and love with everyone gathered to witness your special day.

In this post, we explore what the bride should include in their wedding speech, the structure of a great speech, and some top tips to help you nail your delivery. Listen up, future brides! This one’s for you. 

What is the bride’s speech?

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The bride’s speech is a heartfelt and personal speech made by the bride during their wedding reception. It’s the perfect opportunity to thank your bridal party, parents, and guests for their support leading up to the wedding and throughout your life. 

The bride’s speech is non-traditional, but future brides should seriously consider incorporating a bride’s speech into the wedding speech order. It’s a chance to not only express gratitude but also to share your own journey, hopes, and dreams with those who have gathered to celebrate your special day.

What should you include in the bride’s speech?

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When writing your bride’s speech, you might want to consider including the following key elements:

  • Acknowledge your partner. This is the perfect opportunity to address your new spouse. Let them know how happy you are to have them by your side, reflect on your journey together, and express excitement for the future ahead of you. 
  • The stresses of wedding planning. Although planning a wedding can be stressful, it’s all over now! Share a few funny anecdotes or stumbling blocks when wedding planning, or even tell the guests about any plans that went totally haywire! It all worked out in the end, so no harm done. 
  • A recap of your vows. Although you’ve just delivered them, consider giving a recap on your vows to remind your new spouse about your promises and dedications. Share your dreams for your shared future and remind them how loved they will be every day.
  • Thank your guests. Express your deep gratitude to all your friends, family, and loved ones for joining you on your special day. These people have watched your love story from the very start, and this day marks an important milestone in your journey. Their presence here is a testament to the love and support that surrounds you both as you step into this new chapter of your lives.

Bride’s speech structure

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The great thing about the bride’s speech is that it isn’t bound by tradition. There are no expectations or traditional framework, which means you can put your own special spin on the speech and create a heartfelt moment that reflects who you are as a person and as a couple. 

However, following a loose structure can help you feel more confident. Try using the below speech structure to help you get started:

Introduction

The first step of a speech is to greet all your guests with a warm welcome. Thank them all for attending your special day, for listening attentively to all the speeches, and for waiting so patiently for the wedding breakfast! 

Share your gratitude 

Take a moment to thank everyone who played a role in your journey – your family, friends, and of course your partner and the suppliers who made your big day possible. Share why each person is important to you and how they’ve contributed to your love story as well as the wedding itself.

Stories about wedding planning

Wedding planning is challenging – there’s no doubt about it. However, now that’s firmly in the rearview mirror, it’s the perfect time to share any funny stories or anecdotes you encountered while planning the big day. Share any hiccups with a pinch of irony and a big smile and thank your bridal party for their support through every twist and turn.

Thank your bridesmaids and maid of honour

This is the perfect segue into thanking your bridesmaids and maid of honour for their unwavering support during this process. Thank them for being your pillars of strength, for keeping you smiling, and sharing a laugh with you throughout the process. 

Acknowledge your work 

Don’t forget to acknowledge all the hard work you’ve done, too! Planning a wedding is a huge achievement, and you should be proud of yourself for all the hard work you’ve put in. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back, and take pride in the beautiful day you’ve created. 

Toast

Finally, it’s time for a toast! Ask your guests to raise their glasses to you and your new spouse. Here’s to health, love, and happiness. Cheers!

Bride’s speech template

To help you navigate the complete breakdown of your speech, it can be helpful to have a visual guide to refer to. Check out our handy infographic below:

Bride Speech Template
Use this bride speech template to guide your writing

Top tips for delivering the best bride’s speech  

Photo © Jennifer West Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Delivery style

Speak clearly, slowly, and confidently. Don’t rush through the speech due to nerves or skip over parts you’ve rehearsed. Instead, take a deep breath, look around the room as you speak, and give the audience time to absorb your words. 

Body language

Pay attention to your body language and gestures while delivering your speech. Stand up straight with your shoulders back, maintain eye contact, smile, and use hand gestures as you talk to emphasise your points and make you appear more confident.

Practice makes perfect

Rehearse your speech multiple times. Practice with trusted friends, in front of the mirror, or even record yourself to watch back if necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback to help you improve. 

Speech order

The best thing about a bride’s speech is that there’s no traditional wedding speech order to follow. Consider holding it after the father of the bride’s speech and groom’s speech, but before the mother of the bride’s speech

Everyone there knows you and loves you

As difficult as it may be to relax, remember – everyone there knows you and loves you. You’re in front of the best audience you possibly could be, so take a deep breath, savour the moment, and let your words flow naturally as you tell all your guests how much you’re enjoying your big day. You’ve got this!

Top 12 bride speech examples

Photo © The Snapper | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our top 12 examples of great bridal speech ideas! And remember that these are just examples. You can use them as templates for your own speech, but it’s important to speak from the heart, and add your own personal touch and unique family anecdotes.

Example 1: Classic bride speech 

Introduction: Friends, family, generally loved relatives I can never remember the names of… welcome. Welcome to our very special day! Who can believe it’s finally here? For those of you who can’t tell by the big white dress, my name is [Your name], and I’m the bride! What a journey it’s been to get here. 

Share your gratitude: I couldn’t be more grateful to all of you for making the effort to be here today. I know we all have busy lives, and many of you have travelled from near and far to be with us today, so I just want to say a huge thank you for making the time to celebrate with us. Truly, it wouldn’t have been the same without you. 

Stories about wedding planning: Or, indeed, without me! I love [Groom’s name] with all my heart, but I don’t think he had a clue about what he was getting into when we started planning this wedding! He’s been an absolute trooper through the whole process. From the endless to-dos, to the flower colour debates, and let’s not even mention the cake tastings (I may have gotten a bit carried away there). 

But really, seeing everything come together today, I know every little decision was worth it. And, if I’m being honest, I think even [Groom’s name] is starting to enjoy the planning by now… or at least he’s doing a good job at pretending!

Thank your wedding party: And to my girls, my gorgeous bridal party, thank you. Thank you for your endless love, support, and for topping up my lipgloss all day. Today wouldn’t have been half as fun or half as special without all of you, and I can’t thank you enough for all the support you’ve given me in the run up. 

Acknowledge your work: Finally, I’d like to thank myself [pause for laughter] for all the work I’ve put into today. [Groom’s name] was great, but sometimes you just need a woman’s touch, right? It’s been a much bigger task than I’ve ever imagined, but all the more worth it to see you all here today. 

Toast: And so, without further ado, that’s the end of the speeches, and the start of the rest of our lives. On behalf of me and my new husband, thank you. Cheers!

Example 2: Destination wedding bride speech 

Introduction: Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary friends—welcome. Welcome to our beautiful, tropical wedding day! I know I look more casual than the typical bride, but it’s 35 degrees out and I want to be comfortable!

Share your gratitude: It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway— I’m so unbelievably grateful to all of you for coming. I know it wasn’t easy, and I know it wasn’t cheap, especially when you consider the flights, hotels, and layers of suncream! But seriously, the fact that so many of you have made the journey to be with us here today means the absolute world. 

It’s not every day that we get to celebrate something as special as this, and the fact that we get to do it surrounded by people we love, in this beautiful corner of the world, is something we’ll never forget.

Stories about wedding planning: Don’t get me wrong, planning this beach wedding hasn’t been a walk in the park (or a swim in the sea?). Trying to work with vendors in a completely different time zone and with language barriers has been interesting, to say the least! There’s only so much you can communicate with emojis and Google Translate. And let’s not forget the challenges of deciding on what shade of white the flowers should be when I’m miles away from the venue! But somehow, we’ve made it all come together—with a lot of help, patience, and probably a few cocktails along the way. 

I honestly don’t think I could’ve pulled it off without [Groom’s name]’s steady hand. Genuinely, thank you. 

Thank your wedding party: And, of course, a huge thank you to my girls. You’ve been absolute legends throughout this whole process. From late-night brainstorming sessions to rescuing me from my own indecisiveness (seriously, I didn’t know choosing bridesmaids’ dresses could turn into a full-blown existential crisis), you’ve been my rocks. I couldn’t have done this without your love, support, and brutal honesty when I needed it most. 

Acknowledge your work: And finally, a quick bit of acknowledgement from me. I’ve had a lot of help planning this, but women don’t praise themselves enough, and do you know what—I did a flipping good job at planning this wedding! Isn’t it fab? I did my best for you all, and I truly hope you enjoy this lovely day. 

Toast: As a final note, please join me in toasting to the newly minted Mr & Mrs [Surname] I hope your hangover isn’t half as bad as the sunburns I’m seeing from up here!

Example 3: Adventure-loving bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, everyone. I know, I know—another speech, right? But don’t worry, I promise to keep it short and sweet. My name is [Your name] and I’m the blushing bride!

Share your gratitude: First off, let me just say how absolutely chuffed we are to have you all here. Whether you’ve travelled from just around the corner or from the other side of the globe, the fact that you’ve made the effort to be here, to celebrate with us, means the absolute world. Honestly, it’s not every day you get to gather your favourite people in one place, and seeing all your smiling faces makes all the late night table planning, vendor emails, and fabric swatches all worth it. 

Love for your partner: [Groom’s name], you are, without a doubt, my greatest adventure. I thought I’d seen the world, but you’ve shown me a whole new one. You’ve taught me that the best journeys aren’t necessarily to far-off places, but to the quiet moments, the everyday joys, and the places where love grows strongest. You are everything, and I’m the luckiest lady in the world. 

Thank your wedding party: And to my fabulous besties, where would I be without you? You’ve been there for every Bridezilla moment, every tearful meltdown over the perfect centrepieces, and every last-minute “Does this dress make me look alright?” panic. You’ve been my cheerleaders, my voice of reason, and the ones topping up my prosecco glass—which is obviously the most important job!

Acknowledge your work: I’d also like to take a minute to appreciate the work I’ve put in. This day has been two years in the making, but I’ve been dreaming of getting married since I was a little girl. In my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined a man as kind as [Groom’s name], and sharing this magical day with him has been the cherry on top of the cake. 

Toast: So, before I start crying, please join me in a toast to my new groom. [Groom’s name], you are my home. You’re the one I want to face every sunrise and every storm with. I know that no matter what the future holds we’ll tackle it together, hand in hand. To us!

Example 4: Wedding planning bride speech 

Introduction: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls— can you believe this day is finally here? I’ve dreamed of being a bride since I was a little girl, and now it’s finally here! My name is [Your name], just in case you don’t recognise me!

Share your gratitude: I couldn’t be more grateful to you for all being here today. I know I keep saying it, but this really is the best day of my life! To have so many people I love in one place, sharing in this incredible moment, is honestly more than I could have ever hoped for. Whether you’ve travelled from miles away or just popped down the road, your presence really means the more than you could know.

Stories about wedding planning: Wedding planning has been a lot tougher than I imagined. Turns out it takes a few hands and a lot of money to make a fairytale come true. But, in true British fashion, we muddled through with plenty of tea, biscuits, and the occasional glass of wine (or two). 

From agonising over flower arrangements to debating whether the cake really needed five tiers, it’s been a journey full of laughter, tears, and more to-dos than I ever thought possible. But seeing it all come together today, surrounded by so much love and happiness, makes every single moment worth it.

Thank your wedding party: To my wonderful girls, my bridesmaids and maid of honour—thank you. This day truly wouldn’t have been possible without you. I can’t thank you enough for your support. Whether we were toddling around primary school together, or whether you’re a questionable uni bond, you all mean so much to me. 

Acknowledge your work: Planning this wedding has given me a new-found appreciation for anyone who has ever planned a wedding. It’s absolutely no joke, and who knew something as innocuous as canapés could be so stressful? It truly has been a labour of love—but every late night, every decision, and every checklist box was worth it to create a day like today. And honestly, seeing all of your smiling faces makes every bit of the stress melt away.

Toast: Today, as I stand here, I’m overwhelmed with love, joy, and gratitude. This truly is the happiest day of my life. So, let’s raise a glass—to love, to laughter, and to all the wonderful moments yet to come. Thank you for making this day as unforgettable as it is. Cheers!

Example 5: Love through the years bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, welcome everyone. I’m so grateful to have you all here today. Not many people have the pleasure of meeting their soulmate so much later in life, but I, [Bride’s name] have that infinite and incredible pleasure. I met [Groom’s name] when I was 49, and today, I stand here as a 55-year-old first time bride, and I couldn’t be prouder. 

Share your gratitude: First off, let me just say how utterly chuffed I am to see all your lovely faces here today. It’s no small feat to gather everyone together in one place, and seeing so many people we care about under one roof (or marquee!) is truly magical. Thank you for being here to celebrate this moment with us—it wouldn’t be the same without you and it truly means the world to us to have you all here.

Stories about wedding planning: Now, I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d be standing here in a wedding dress at this stage of my life. I’d resigned myself to the idea that maybe love wasn’t in the cards for me, and that was okay. But then, out of nowhere, along came [Groom’s name]—a man with an infectious laugh, an enormous heart, and the kind of patience that has seen him sit through hours of me debating paint colours for the kitchen!

Falling in love later in life has been the most unexpected and beautiful experience. There’s a magic to it—knowing who you are, knowing what you want, and then finding someone who makes you feel like everything has finally fallen into place. It’s a kind of love that feels steady and joyful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Thank your wedding party: Thank you to my gorgeous nieces for being such special bridesmaids. I was so proud to have you by my side on my special day, and I hope you all grow up to find someone as special as my wonderful husband. 

Toast: So, here we are—proof that love truly knows no age, no timeline, and no rules. Let’s raise a glass—to love, to second chances, and to all the magic that comes with finding your person, no matter when they arrive. Thank you for sharing this day with us. Now, let’s enjoy every second of it—cheers!

Example 6: Childhood sweethearts bride speech 

Introduction: Thank you everyone for the wonderful speeches so far. I’m sure you all could have predicted that I was going to make a speech, couldn’t you? For those of you who don’t know me, my name is [Bride’s name], and in case you couldn’t tell by the big white dress or my name on the invitations—I’m the bride!

Share your gratitude: This day has been a long time in the planning, and I’m so grateful to you all for making the effort to be here. I know it takes a lot of organising, travelling, snagging babysitters, and figuring out what to wear to come to a wedding, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whether you’ve known us since we were kids or joined us later in life, having you here to celebrate with us means the absolute world.

Love for your partner: [Groom’s name] and I first met when we were just kids—awkward, wide-eyed, and with absolutely no clue that we’d one day be standing here as husband and wife. We grew up together, figuring out life one step at a time, sharing everything from playground laughs to teenage tantrums, and eventually discovering that what we had was something really special.

Growing up together has been a beautiful kind of journey. We’ve seen each other at our best, our worst, and every awkward phase in between. And yet, through it all, we’ve somehow managed to grow not just alongside each other, but closer together. [Groom’s name], you’re not just my husband—you’re my best friend, my partner in crime, and the person who knows me better than I know myself.

Thank your wedding party: And to my girls—thank you. You’ve been there every step of the way. Through every dodgy haircut, through every exam, through every moment of wedding madness—you’ve been my constants. You were even there for those awful two hours that [Groom’s name] and I thought it would be good to go on a break! Who’s idea was that (definitely not mine). 

In all seriousness, I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you. You’ve been my cheerleaders, my support system, and my sisters for as long as I can remember, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.

Acknowledge your work: I couldn’t have planned this day without all the people I’ve named today. It’s definitely been a journey, and it’s safe to say I’ve learned a few things along the way—like the fact that choosing a table plan is basically an extreme sport, and that no matter how many Pinterest boards you make, nothing ever quite prepares you for the sheer number of decisions! But truly, every late-night email, every checklist task, and every “Does this really matter?” moment was completely worth it to see all of your smiling faces here today.

Toast: So, please join me in raising a glass to my new husband. May our lives be filled with health, happiness, and endless love. To my us! Cheers!

Example 7: Chance encounter bride speech

Introduction: Well, well, well… who can believe we’re here, hey? From a chance encounter all those years ago to the biggest day of our lives. Who would have thought an innocent train journey would have led us here? For those of you who don’t know me, my name is [Bride’s name], and I’m the lucky-in-love, blushing bride. 

Share your gratitude: I couldn’t be more grateful to be standing here today. Not just because I get to marry the love of my life, but because we’re surrounded by all of you—our favourite people in the world. Whether you’ve travelled from miles away or just popped down the road, thank you for being here to celebrate with us. It means so much to us, and, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be much of a party without you lot, would it?

Love for your partner: They say love makes the world go around, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s the glue that holds us together, the spark that lights up our lives, and the force that reminds us what truly matters. Standing here today, looking at [Groom’s name], I feel so incredibly lucky to have found my perfect partner. He’s my best friend, my safe place, and the one who makes every day better just by being in it. Thank you, babe. I completely love you. 

Stories about wedding planning: Let me tell you, planning this wedding has been as organised as when I met [Groom’s name]. Do you know how we all met? I’m sure you do. We met on a train, got chatting, and bonded over our love of KitKats. Very normal right? Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston—if anyone’s interested. Well, at the end of the journey [Groom’s name] gave me his number on a piece of paper and asked me to text him. Also very normal. But, I lost the number. I guess he thought I hated him because I never texted him? I was gutted I lost his number, but sometimes, it’s fate.

Well, we met again, can you believe it? On the Bristol to Exeter. Both on the way to visit old uni friends. Strange, right? Anyway, I gave [Groom’s name] my number, and told him to text me. Never got a text. Payback, right?

Anyway, we both bumped into each other again on the Manchester Piccadilly to Holyhead. We were both going to get the ferry to Dublin. I asked why he didn’t text me, he said he lost my number (a likely story). We decided it was fate, cancelled our plans, and spent the whole weekend in Dublin together. And the rest is, as they say, history. 

Thank your wedding party: Now, onto my amazing wedding party. To my girls—what an absolute dream team you’ve been. From endless fittings to putting up with me changing the colour scheme… was it… 7 times in the end? You’ve all had the patience of saints. You were my first loves, the ones who have been there through thick and thin, and I honestly couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for being the best friends a girl could ask for.

Toast: Today is proof that fate, or a very determined universe, has a sense of humour. Three train journeys, one lost number, and a very spontaneous weekend in Dublin later, and here we are. Life has this incredible way of putting you exactly where you’re meant to be—even if it takes a few missed texts and chance meetings along the way.

So, let’s raise a glass—to chance encounters, to fate’s impeccable timing, and to never giving up on what’s meant to be. Cheers!

Example 8: Love’s symphony bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, everyone. I know you’ve heard a lot of speeches, but I promise mine is the last. For those of you I haven’t met, my name is [Bride’s name], and I’m the bride! Can you believe it?

Share your gratitude: What a magical day this has been so far. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to have all of you here with us. Whether you’ve travelled far or near, your presence has filled this day with so much joy and love. Seeing all your smiling faces has reminded me of just how lucky [Groom’s name] and I are to have such incredible people in our lives. Thank you for being here and for being part of our story.

Stories about wedding planning: Wedding planning was so much tougher than I imagined. I thought you just picked some flowers, picked some food, and it just magically all came together. Naive, right? I appreciate now how much work every wedding I’ve ever been to must have been. The care, the effort, and the money that goes into pulling it off is crazy. But, you’re all worth it. 

Thank your wedding party: To my girls, you’ve all been absolute superstars. From helping out with the decorations to calming me down when I was convinced everything was falling apart, you’ve been my lifeline through this entire process. You’ve put up with my endless “What do you think of this?” messages, my late-night panics about seating charts, and the odd Bridezilla moment. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

Toast: So, let’s raise a glass—to love in all its forms, to the people who make our lives brighter, and to the moments that make it all worthwhile. Thank you for celebrating with us and for making this day a dream come true. To love!

Example 9: Funny bride speech 

Introduction: Well, they’ve left the best ‘till last, haven’t they? Welcome, everyone. Welcome to our special day. For those of you I haven’t met… Please leave… I’m joking! My name is [Bride’s name] and the important thing is that I think I’m funny. 

Share your gratitude: Thank you all so much for being here today. I know it’s no small feat to get dressed up, travel, and sit through a whole day of speeches just for a bit of cake and a dance. But honestly, seeing all of you here means the absolute world to us.

Stories about wedding planning: I’ve actually loved the process of wedding planning. Although it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, it’s had its fair share of comedy moments. Like the time [Groom’s name] and I tried to write the guest list together—who knew it could turn into a full-blown negotiation? Or the time he insisted he’d be “hands-on” with the planning, only to realise that “hands-on” actually meant saying “Yes, love, that looks great” to every single decision I made.

Then there was the cake tasting. Now, that was something [Groom’s name] took very seriously. I’ve never seen a man so passionate about sponge flavours in my life. In the end, I had to draw the line so we didn’t end up with a four-tier chocolate monstrosity with a secret compartment for snacks!

Thank your wedding party: To my amazing bridesmaids—thank you. You’re the absolute best. From helping me choose the dress to dealing with my pre-wedding meltdowns, you’ve been my rocks. And let’s not forget your honesty when I was debating hairstyles or colour schemes—you didn’t hold back, and I love you for it.

Acknowledge your work: And finally, a little thank you to me. Pulling this day together wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it to have you all here with us and to marry my bestie. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the love and support shown to us this last month. It’s been a dream. 

Toast: So, will you please join me in a toast—here’s to love, laughter, and a lifetime of questionable decisions made together. Here’s to the friends and family who have laughed with us, supported us, and probably rolled their eyes at us a time or two. And here’s to [Groom’s name]—my partner in crime, my snack-tasting soulmate, and the only person who can make me laugh until my stomach hurts. Cheers!

Example 10: Happy bride speech

Introduction: Welcome, everyone. Welcome to what is undoubtedly the happiest day of my life. I’ve dreamed of this day since I was a little girl, wandering around with a pillowcase on my head and making my teddies watch me walk down the aisle. My name is [Bride’s name], and I’m so honoured to be here today. 

Share your gratitude: I know I’ve already said it, but this really is a dream come true. Having all of you here—our family, our friends, the people who have loved and supported us through every step of our lives—means the absolute world to me. Thank you for making the effort to be here, for your kind words, your laughter, and the love you’ve brought to this day. 

Stories about wedding planning:Wedding planning was everything I hoped it would be. Sure, it was stressful at times, but knowing it would all end with this wonderful day made it all worth it. Every tiny little decision felt so important at the time—like whether the napkins should be folded into fans or rectangles (spoiler: we went with rectangles because apparently fans were “too fancy”). 

But honestly, the funniest moment was when [Groom’s name] decided he wanted to help with the table decorations. He spent an afternoon convincing me that mini Lego centrepieces were the way forward. I love him dearly, but let’s just say his creative vision didn’t make the final cut.

Thank your wedding party: I’d like to take a moment to thank you girls—my bride squad, and the reason I’m standing here today still feeling half sane. Girls, you’ve been my absolute lifeline throughout this entire process. You’ve listened to my endless wedding ramblings, made me laugh when I needed it most, and reminded me to enjoy every single moment. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you, and I love you all to bits.

Toast:And finally, a toast— to me, my new husband, and all the wonderful people that made this day happen! Cheers. 

Example 11: Short bride speech

Introduction: Welcome, everyone! Welcome to our special day. Now, I’m not really one for long-winded speeches, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet. My name is [Bride’s name], and I’m the incredibly lucky bride!

Share your gratitude: I couldn’t be more grateful to be here today. And, in fact, I can’t believe it’s finally here! All those months of planning and organising, and now we’re here. I couldn’t be prouder or happier to celebrate this day surrounded by all of you—our family, friends, and loved ones. Thank you for taking the time to be here, for your unwavering support, and for bringing so much love and joy into our lives. It truly means the world to us.

Love for your partner: And, of course and above all, a huge thank you to [Groom’s name], my husband—how surreal and wonderful it is to say that! I’m so excited for this next chapter with you, and I know it’s going to be amazing because we’ll face it together.

Thank your wedding party: And finally, thank you to my dream team—my bridesmaids and maid of honour. Planning this wedding with you has been the most incredible experience, and I honestly couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for your love, your patience, and for making this journey so much fun.

Toast: So, let’s raise a glass—to love, to laughter, and to all of you. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and plenty more celebrations to come. Cheers!

Example 12: LGBTQ+ bride speech 

Introduction: Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary friends, welcome to our big day. I know that a bride’s speech isn’t the most traditional of wedding speeches, but in case you can’t tell by the fact we’re both in dresses, and neither of them white, this isn’t the most traditional wedding. My name is [Your name] and I have the incredible pleasure of being [Partner’s name]’s blushing bride. 

Share your gratitude: When I think about all the hurdles we’ve overcome to be here today, I couldn’t be prouder, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for being here, for standing by us, and for embracing us exactly as we are. Your love and kindness have made this day possible, and we’ll never forget that.

Stories about wedding planning: You’d think that being two brides, we’d both want to have a hand in the pie when it came to wedding planning, but oh no—[Partner’s name] made clear from the start they didn’t want anything to do with this process, and that they’d be happy with a registry office and a pub lunch afterwards. Now, while there’s nothing wrong with that (after all, who doesn’t like a beef and Guinness pie?), I did have a slightly different vision for the big day. Maybe you can plan the vow renewal, babe?

Thank your wedding party: It’s been a wild ride, and I certainly couldn’t have done it without my tribe of best men, bridesmaids, brides-theys, and flower boys. You’ve all been absolute legends, and this day wouldn’t have been possible without your love, patience, and unwavering support.

Toast: And so, as my final act in this speech, will you all please join me in a toast. To Mrs and Mrs [Surname]—to love, resilience, and a lifetime of being unapologetically ourselves. Cheers!

The bottom line on the bride’s speech 

Photo © Flowtography Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

Although unconventional, the bride’s speech can be a beautiful and tear-jerking part of your wedding day. They offer a wonderful opportunity for brides to share their thoughts, emotions, and gratitude with their loved ones.

The bride’s speech isn’t a traditional part of the order of speeches at a wedding. As a result, there are no expectations as to what you should include or the structure of your speech. It’s your time to shine and show your unique personality and beautiful love story. Whether you opt for a speech packed with jokes, sentimental stories, or a mix of both, the key is to speak from the heart and let everyone know how you feel about your new spouse.

So, take a deep breath, hold your partner’s hand, and step into the spotlight. Stand up straight, speak slowly and clearly, and practise, practise, practise, before your big day. Whether you focus on heartfelt thank-yous or personal stories, this speech will be a wonderful and memorable part of your big day. It’s a gift that will resonate long after the last toast, so make sure you give it the care and attention you’ve given every other part of your big day. 

But, if you’re still feeling nervous, Bridebook can be your guide in writing a cracking bride’s speech. Ditch the stresses and embrace the excitement of crafting a speech that truly reflects your love story. You’ve got this!

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Happy Planning!

How to Save Money on an Engagement Ring

If you’ve decided it’s time to pop the question to your partner, congratulations! The coming weeks are going to be filled with excitement and nerves as you figure out the whens, wheres and hows, to make sure it’s as romantic and special as it can be.

Another major consideration you may also have is how much you should spend on the engagement ring. Depending on who you ask, this could be anything from a couple of grand to almost ten grand. If either of these amounts makes you feel anxious or overwhelmed, then don’t worry – neither of these will necessarily be true for you. 

But at the same time, regardless of your budget, you’ll want to buy a ring that’s beautiful, elegant and something your partner will be proud to wear on their finger and show off to the world. So, can you buy a ring without worrying about getting breaking the bank?

Thankfully, yes you can. In this post, we’re going to explore the many ways you can save money on an engagement ring so you can get down on one knee and not have to worry about whether or not they’ll love the ring (because they definitely will).

What’s the average amount spent on an engagement ring?

Photo © Morgan James Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Here in the UK, the average engagement ring costs approximately £2,089. Before this figure makes you change your mind about buying a ring and proposing, remember this one important fact: an average does not need to be stuck to. Some people who buy an engagement ring will spend more than the average, but many, many people spend way less.

If you’re going to propose, then you’re possibly fairly serious about getting married to the person you love. If that’s the case, you’ll spend a lot of money on a wedding within the next few years – and with the average wedding costing £20,775, you might not want to spend too much on the engagement ring.

How much should you spend on an engagement ring?

Photo © Blue Lily Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

There are several opinions about what the traditional amount to spend on an engagement ring is, but it usually varies between one and three months’ salary. That means, based on the average UK salary of £29,669, you might expect to spend between £2,472 and £7,417.

As you can see, even the lowest amount is still higher than the average spend, so you shouldn’t feel obliged to spend this much. When deciding your budget, you shouldn’t base it on anything other than your own circumstances. Try your best to ignore what you think you have to spend or what others might have spent on rings in the past. You do you.

What if you only have a small budget for an engagement ring?

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If you only have a small budget to spend on an engagement ring, then don’t let that trouble you too much. Even if you can’t spend anything close to the UK average, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to buy a fabulous ring – far from it. There are plenty of amazing engagement rings out there which don’t cost close to the average. Besides, how much the ring you buy costs doesn’t matter all that much – what the ring represents is the important part. After all, it’s not like the amount you spend on a ring has any reflection on the amount of love you have for your future fiance.

However, if you have a small budget, or you’re conscious that you don’t want to spend too much, there are ways to save money on an engagement ring so you can have the perfect piece to present when you get down on one knee.

12 ways to save money on an engagement ring

Photo © Aden Priest Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Below are 12 ways you can save money on an engagement ring so you can avoid spending the average amount. Then, once you’ve received your YES, read our ultimate wedding cost-cutting guide for plenty more money-saving tips. Remember, a cheap engagement ring doesn’t have to look or feel cheap if you know what to do.

1. Set a budget and stick to it

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The first step is to carefully consider your finances and set a realistic budget. You might want to spend thousands and thousands on the biggest, shiniest ring you can find, but where will your finances be once the excitement has worn off and the reality of planning a wedding sets in?

When it comes time to start ring shopping, don’t get carried away – stick to your budget, as hard as it might be. The perfect ring for your budget is out there. If you can resist temptation, your bank account will thank you, we promise.

2. Choose the cut carefully

Photo © Chris Thornton Photography and Videography | See their Bridebook profile

The type of diamond cut you go for will have a big influence over the price you pay. The most expensive diamond cut is round brilliant. This is, in part, because so much diamond is wasted in the cutting process, which is often more than half – so that’s lost profit on the jewellery maker’s floor. Another reason is that round brilliant cut diamonds have 58 facets (the flat edges that come together to form the shape of the diamond), and 58 is the ideal number for creating the maximum amount of sparkle and fire.

The most affordable diamonds are pear shape, heart shape and princess cut, as they use more of the rough diamond. While these are still relatively expensive, they can be as much as 30% cheaper than a round brilliant cut diamond. So, why not choose a more affordable cut – you still get a fabulous diamond but could pay way less.

3. Choose a stone other than diamond

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

If you’re not precious about diamonds, or you want to present a ring to your partner with a stone that has a little more colour, why not pick a ring with something other than diamond? Some wonderful diamond alternatives include:

  • Ruby
  • Sapphire
  • Emerald
  • Aquamarine
  • Amethyst
  • Opal

If you really are keen on diamonds, another option is to choose a design which includes them, but they’re supported by other, less expensive stones. A trilogy or halo ring can feature smaller, more affordable diamonds around a different central stone, such as a sapphire or ruby. That way, you still get to propose with a diamond ring, but the cost isn’t quite as intimidating.

4. Choose a cheaper precious metal

Photo © Simon Dewey Photography | See their Bridebook profile

When it comes to the choice of precious metal for an engagement ring, you’re actually spoilt for choice. There are premium, super-high-quality metals you could choose from, such as platinum or 18-carat rose gold, or ultra-low budget options, such as steel or tungsten.

Even on a budget, you may not want to choose the cheapest metal, but something middle-of-the-road can strike a great balance between luxury, durability and affordability. 

9-carat yellow or white gold, or palladium, are both fantastic but cheaper choices that are still special enough to be worthy of being placed on your partner’s ring finger.

Before you commit to the metal, it’s important to think about which metal you might like your future wedding rings to be made from. It’s recommended that they’re made from the same metal so they don’t wear at different rates or damage each other. If you bear this in mind now, it could save you money in the future.

5. Larger diamonds can be cheaper than smaller ones

Photo © Evandro Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Just because a diamond is bigger doesn’t automatically make it more expensive. When it comes to diamonds, they’re graded based on the 4Cs:

  1. Carat 
  2. Cut
  3. Colour
  4. Clarity

Based on this, a small diamond that’s clear and white will usually be more expensive than a large diamond that’s cloudy and slightly yellow. The higher the quality, the more fire and sparkle a diamond will have, and these are the qualities that are highly regarded in diamonds. This is what makes them more expensive. But, if your partner isn’t particularly fussed about this, you could get a larger diamond for a lot less. Plus, many of the imperfections that lower the cost of a diamond can only be seen if you have access to specialist equipment, so no one will even know.

6. Browse online jewellers

Photo © Mark J. Hillyer Photography (True North Studio) | See their Bridebook profile

It can be useful to visit jewellers so you can see what’s available in person and get to study some rings that fit your budget. But, we also recommend browsing online jewellers, as this is a great way to grab a bargain. Online retailers offer a huge range of cheap engagement rings, so you’ll definitely find something that suits your taste and budget. Because they don’t have physical stores, they have fewer overheads, which means they can afford to charge less. Before you order, make sure you’re familiar with the site’s returns policy, just in case you change your mind once you see the ring in person for the first time.

At Bridebook, we also have a huge selection of jewellers across the UK, with many offering exclusive Bridebook discounts.

7. Avoid paying monthly if you can

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Some jewellers will try and attract you with offers like ‘0% interest-free credit’, which sounds perfect for spreading out the cost, but there may be a caveat, such as that it only applies if you pay in full within six months. If you don’t, the interest creeps up so you actually pay far more for your ring than you’d budgeted for. If possible, avoid doing it this way – or if you do, double-check the terms and conditions before signing on the dotted line.

8. Find out your partner’s ring size

Photo © Wendy Aldiss Photography | See their Bridebook profile

This one might be tricky, but why not visit a couple of jewellers with your partner and do your best to subtly measure their ring finger? If you can buy a ring that’s the right size, once they’ve said yes, you can slip the ring on their finger and you won’t need to send it off to be resized, which usually costs between £50 and £150 depending on the precious metal you go for.

9. Shop during the sales

Photo © Summers Photography | See their Bridebook profile

We get it, once you’ve decided it’s time to propose, you’ll want to start the search for the perfect engagement ring. But, if time is on your side, it’s always worth holding out for a sale. For example, after the chaos of Christmas, high-street jewellers usually have a sale in January. Take advantage of this and grab yourself a deal.

10. Be a confident haggler

Photo © Memories & Milestones Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Did you know you can haggle at a jewellers? Even in big-name high-street jewellers, you can barter with employees to get a discount to slash a few pounds off the price. Don’t expect to knock off half the price, but it’s fairly common to get 10% off what you see in the window – just be as confident as you can, be nice to the store assistant and don’t demand too much.

11. Browse charity and vintage shops

Photo © Ellen Forster Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Regularly checking in on your local charity and vintage shops is a fantastic way to secure a bargain. There’s nothing wrong with buying a second-hand ring – if anything, its history adds to its allure and charm. With persistence (and a little luck) you can find some real treasures, such as the engagement ring found in a charity shop that cost just £1. You might not always get that lucky, but it’s worth keeping a lookout whenever you pass your local charity shop. Plus, it supports a great cause!

12. Buy an alternative engagement ring

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To get engaged, no written rule states you have to give your partner a ring. If your partner doesn’t like to wear a ring, or you’d prefer something a little more unique, there are plenty of options out there to suit all budgets. Why not plant a tree together to symbolise your growing love? You could get matching tattoos or donate to their favourite charity. Use your imagination and make your proposal one-of-a-kind!

For more ideas and inspiration, check out our dedicated post on 30 unique alternatives to engagement rings

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Wedding Planning Tips from Wedding DJ and Host Jack Quenby

Looking for some expert wedding planning advice from a real wedding professional? We spoke to Jack Quenby, a wedding DJ and host from Leicestershire, managing director of Jackstar Weddings. His team was proud to be recognised as one of the East Midlands’ best wedding DJs at the 2023 Wedding Industry Awards. Jack has also appeared on the BBC’s Ultimate Wedding Planner as one of eight aspiring contestants.

Jack’s top 5 wedding planning tips

Award Winning DJs 2023
Jack and Louise Quenby at the 2023 Wedding Industry Awards

1. Start early

Too often couples will get engaged and think there’s no rush to getting started with the planning. Even if you’re thinking about getting married in a couple of years, this isn’t very long in the wedding industry. The best suppliers and venues get booked up early and the sooner you start budgeting and putting plans in place the better chance you have of getting all the things you’re dreaming of.

2. Create a detailed timeline

Being organised ahead of the day is the best way to avoid stress and burn out. Work back from the big day and plan in when certain elements need to be finalised. When it comes to the day itself it really pays to have a strong timeline in place and to make sure your wedding team (bridesmaids and groomsmen) know who needs to do what and when. This will take some of the pressure off you on the day but will help to keep things on track if the timeline starts to slip.

3. Use the best suppliers

It goes without saying you should opt for the most experienced suppliers you can afford. Without a doubt your choice of suppliers will have the biggest impact on the day. Not only with how much you can relax, feeling confident in their abilities, but also how well your guests are looked after. If you don’t have a wedding planner the next best thing is an experienced wedding host who can help keep things on track and make sure you can enjoy every moment with your guests.

4. Think about your guests’ experience

Building on the last two points, when you’re putting together your timeline and selecting your suppliers think about the impact on the guests. I often hear from engaged couples who have been bored guests at weddings and hate the idea of that happening on their day. For each step in your timeline think about where the guests will be, what they’ll be doing and who will be there to look after them.

5. Take time for yourselves and don’t stress

So often this gets overlooked. Of course it’s your day and it’s all about you, but being the centre of attention for the whole day can be quite exhausting! It’s a great idea to plan in a few breaks where you and your partner can take five, recharge and savour those amazing feelings. If you’ve followed the previous tips hopefully you’ll be able to avoid getting too stressed on the day even if things don’t go exactly as planned. If you have everything organised and looked after by an experienced team there’s nothing you can’t overcome.

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There you have the best wedding planning tips and tricks from someone who’s been there and done that. For more expert advice and inspiration, be sure to sign up to Bridebook today. We’ve got everything you need to make your wedding planning journey as joyful and stress-free as possible.

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How Much Does a Hotel Wedding Cost? The 2024 Average Revealed

Planning your wedding can be a fun, challenging and rewarding process. But as you put together everything you need, including your choice of venue, food, attire, cake, transport and more, it can also be an expensive process.

If you’re getting married on a budget, a hotel wedding is a fantastic option. Everything you need, from the ceremony to the reception, is right there in one place. Not only does this make a hotel wedding super appealing, but it has the added bonus of being far more affordable than weddings that take place in other venues.

In this post, we’re going to dive into how much a hotel wedding costs, including the average cost, what factors can affect that cost and why it might just be the right option for you for your special day.

Can you get married in a hotel?

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Yes, you can get married in a hotel. Many hotels have function rooms that make for a beautiful setting for a wedding, and also include many other facilities, such as catering and accommodation, to ensure you and your guests have a fabulous day.

What is a hotel wedding?

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A hotel wedding is a wedding that takes place entirely in a hotel. One half (or both halves) of the happy couple will wake up in the hotel, get ready, welcome guests, and have the ceremony, the photographs, the breakfast and the reception all without so much as stepping out of the hotel’s grounds.

Some hotels offer all-inclusive wedding packages, and may even have an event or wedding planner that will work with you to help plan your big day. Because they’re equipped to handle almost every part of your wedding, you might not need to rely on many additional vendors, which makes a hotel wedding one of the most affordable types of wedding out there.

What’s the average cost of a hotel wedding?

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You may be thinking, how much does a wedding cost in a hotel? It must be expensive, right? Well, in the UK, the average cost of a hotel wedding is £7,324, meaning it comes in cheaper than the average cost of a venue, which is £9,877. 

Hotel weddings are the most popular choice of venue in the UK, with almost a quarter (24%) of couples choosing one to host their big day. Hotels offer the perfect balance of luxury, elegance, capacity, convenience and affordability. If you’re looking for this combination but have a smaller budget, you could go for a registry office wedding or a church wedding, which are the two of the cheapest wedding venue types.

Of course, this is just an average cost and prices can vary, but it should give you a good indication of what you might expect to pay for a hotel wedding. For more information on wedding costs, read our complete guide to the average cost of UK weddings.

Why is a hotel wedding a great choice for your wedding?

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Thinking about a hotel wedding but not sure if it’s the right choice for you? Here are a few reasons why it should be high on your list of considerations:

  • It’s convenient having everything in one location, including accommodation, catering, the ceremony and the reception.
  • Many hotels offer packages, making the planning process simple.
  • The hotel staff are experts at ensuring guest satisfaction and will be on hand to make sure your day goes perfectly.
  • The chefs spend all day, every day cooking similar dishes to the ones on your chosen menu, so you can be confident the food will be delicious.
  • Many hotels, especially those out in the country, have beautiful outdoor spaces, which will be perfect for your photographs.
  • Your guests can just fall into bed at the end of the evening.
  • You don’t need to worry about the weather spoiling your plans.

Check out our huge selection of hotels to find the ideal venue for your big day, with many offering exclusive Bridebook discounts.

What factors can affect the cost of a hotel wedding?

Photo © Claridge’s Hotel | See their Bridebook profile

While the average cost of a hotel wedding might be £7,324, this cost can be higher or lower depending on many different factors. So, bear these in mind when planning your hotel wedding:

  • The size and star rating of the hotel – The larger and more luxurious the hotel is, the more they’re likely to charge.
  • The location – Where the hotel is will influence the cost. For example, London hotels will generally be more expensive than hotels located outside the capital.
  • The number of guests – Expect to pay more if you have a large guest list.
  • Season – You’ll pay more during busier seasons, such as during the summer or at Christmas.
  • Day of the week – Weddings that take place at the weekend are generally more expensive than midweek weddings.
  • Package – Hotels may offer a range of packages to suit various budgets.
  • Catering – You’ll pay more if you choose to have premium food and ingredients as part of your menu.
  • Accommodation – Even with a hotel wedding, relatively few couples pay for their guests’ hotel rooms. If you do choose to offer this, be prepared for your costs to skyrocket.
  • Music and entertainment – Depending on what type of music and entertainment you go for, such as a DJ or live band, costs can fluctuate wildly.

On top of this, there are also the costs associated with your wedding that the hotel may not be in a position to arrange. This includes your cake, transportation (if needed), flowers, attire, favours and more. It’s important to also bear these in mind when it comes to budgeting your wedding.

Use our handy wedding budgeting tool to get a simple and clear idea of what you might spend on your special day. And, read our guide to savings money on your wedding for dozens of cost-cutting tips.

What are the pros and cons of a hotel wedding?

Photo © The Dorchester Hotel | See their Bridebook profile

There are pros and cons to a hotel wedding, so if you’re still not sure if it’s right for you, consider these before making your decision.

The pros of a hotel wedding

Photo © Corinthia Hotel | See their Bridebook profile
  • It’s one of the most convenient ways to have a wedding – you probably won’t even need to go outside (except to snap a few shots with the photographer if it’s dry).
  • The hotel staff will be more than used to delivering top-class service.
  • Accommodation is right there for you and your guests. They may even offer a discount for you and your new spouse to spend your first night as a married couple in the honeymoon suite (if they don’t, ask for one).
  • The food at a hotel wedding will be expertly cooked, delicious and fresh.

The cons of a hotel wedding

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  • Some of the more desirable packages might be on the more expensive side.
  • Certain hotels might not be too happy with you hiring external vendors – especially when it comes to catering and drinks.
  • If it’s a larger hotel, there may be other, non-wedding party guests staying at the hotel that evening.
  • Inner city hotels may lack outdoor spaces.
  • Availability can go quickly, so make sure you secure your booking early.

How to choose the right hotel for your wedding

Photo © Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London | See their Bridebook profile

If you know that you’d love to have a hotel wedding but you’re not quite sure where or how to start looking, there are a few points to consider.

Firstly, is there a particular hotel where you and your partner have already made plenty of great memories? Maybe it’s somewhere you took your first trip together or you spend a long weekends there a couple of times a year? Choosing a hotel you’re familiar with gives you a head start and helps you feel confident about your choice.

If you haven’t stayed there before, why not book a cheeky night to scope the place out, try the food and have a nose into the space they use for weddings? If you like what you see, you can always speak to the manager or events team to get an idea of their rates and packages to see if they fit your budget.

You’ll want to make sure that the hotel can provide you with everything you need, or if not, whether they’re happy for you to hire outside vendors.

As soon as the two of you have decided it’s the perfect venue for your wedding, put your name down and pay the deposit to secure the booking so another couple can’t nab it from you. There’s nothing quite like the disappointment of psyching yourself up for a venue only for you to lose it.

Browse our huge selection of hotels to find the best venue for your hotel wedding.

Find your perfect venue on Bridebook

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How Much Does a Restaurant Wedding Cost? The 2024 Average Revealed

You and your spouse-to-be sit side by side in a beautiful and tasteful setting that’s intimate and cosy. You’re surrounded by your family and friends as you enjoy delicious, freshly-prepared food, then spend the evening dancing to a selection of cheesy tunes… there’s nothing quite like a restaurant wedding. It also has the added benefit of being one of the most affordable ways to tie the knot.

In this post, we’re going to explore how much a restaurant wedding costs, including the average cost, what to expect for your money and why a restaurant wedding might just be the best choice for your big day.

What is a restaurant wedding?

Photo © The Fable | See their Bridebook profile

A restaurant wedding is when you have your entire wedding – including the ceremony and proceeding reception – in a restaurant. This can also extend to a pub or a function room within a similar venue.

A restaurant wedding is perfect if you’re looking for a smaller, more intimate way to tie the knot. You can avoid the craziness that sometimes comes with a larger wedding, as well as help to keep costs down.

Restaurateurs are more than familiar with providing customers with a first-class experience. The same can be applied to your wedding. Of course, you’ll hire a registrar and perhaps a celebrant to oversee the ceremony, but the team at the restaurant can take care of the food and service as you celebrate with a post-ceremony meal, which can then become a reception in the evening if there’s space that allows for a dance floor.

With everything you need right there at the restaurant, including great decor, catering, drinks, staff and more, it’s a fantastic option for budget-conscious couples whothat want to have an intimate yet beautiful wedding.

What’s the average cost of a restaurant wedding?

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In the UK, the average cost of a restaurant wedding is £5,526, which makes it the third cheapest type of wedding venue you could have after a registry office wedding and a church wedding.

A restaurant wedding is brilliant for couples looking for a more budget-friendly option for their big day. The average cost of a wedding venue in the UK is £9,877, and a restaurant wedding costs almost 45% less than this amount. It’s worth noting that this amount covers only the cost of the venue and the food, which means you’ll still have to budget for your attire, transport, rings and everything else to do with your wedding. It’s also important that you discuss this with the restaurant manager to make sure you don’t have any unwelcome surprises, such as there being a minimum spend on drinks.

Because of their capacity, restaurant weddings are generally much smaller than weddings you might host at a hotel, country house or castle. So, rather than inviting 80+ guests, you might have closer to 30 or so. But, this is perfect if you’re looking to keep things smaller and only invite your closest family and friends.

So, if you’re looking to get married but don’t want to spend anything close to the average, why not speak to the manager of your favourite restaurant and see what they can do for you?

Here at Bridebook, we have hundreds of restaurants that are perfect for hosting wonderful restaurant weddings. We also have plenty more information on average wedding costs in our ultimate guide. 

Why is a restaurant wedding a brilliant option for your big day?

Photo © The Phene | See their Bridebook profile

As we’ve already highlighted, having your wedding at a restaurant is in the top three3 cheapest venues. Whether it’s your local pizza joint, your favourite curry house or the function room in a nearby pub, opting to have a restaurant wedding will likely save you thousands of pounds.

But, as well as the far more affordable cost, there are plenty more reasons why a restaurant wedding might just be the best choice for you:

  • Provides a familiar, relaxed and intimate setting.
  • Offers a cosy and welcoming ambience.
  • It’s unique and charming.
  • The food will be of the highest quality and in keeping with your chosen venue.
  • Service will be exemplary.
  • It’s a convenient and flexible way to have your ceremony, breakfast and reception in one location.
  • Because it’s a smaller venue, the cost of flowers and other decor will be low.
  • Lowers the cost of your transportation.
  • Keeps your guest list small.
  • Saves you from falling foul of the Great British weather.

What factors can affect the cost of a restaurant wedding?

Photo © Coach House at the Dog and Fox Hotel | See their Bridebook profile

While the average cost of a restaurant wedding is £5,526, there are certain factors that mean you might pay more or less than this. These include:

  • The size of the venue – The bigger the restaurant is, the more you’re likely to pay.
  • The location of the venue – A pub in the middle of the countryside will usually be much more affordable than a high-end restaurant in London.
  • The season – During busy seasons, such as summer and Christmas, you’ll have to pay more.
  • The day – Expect to pay more on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
  • The number of guests – The more guests you invite, the more expensive it will be.
  • The food – Letting guests order off the regular menu will be more expensive than serving everyone the same set menu.
  • Customisations – If you’re asking for a lot of customisations, the price will be higher.
  • Service charge – Ask the restaurant if there will be a service charge included on the final bill.
  • Minimum drinks spend – Check whether there’s a minimum drinks spend and if you’ll have to make up the difference if this isn’t reached.
  • Entertainment and music – Whether you choose a DJ or live music, the cost will fluctuate.

There are then the other costs that are associated with a wedding, such as your photographer and/or videographer, transport to the venue, rings, cake, and attire – these can all have varying costs depending on your style, tastes and preferences.

To discover ways to cut costs for your big day, read our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding.

What are the pros and cons of a restaurant wedding?

Photo © The Anthologist | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re seriously considering a restaurant wedding, you may want to weigh up the pros and cons to make sure it provides you with everything you want on your big day.

The pros of a restaurant wedding

Photo © The Dukes Head Putney | See their Bridebook profile
  • The cost is a huge pro. Remember, you may pay less 30% more than two-thirds less than the average cost of a wedding venue in the UK.
  • The food will be the star of the show, made by experienced chefs whothat cook similar food every day of the week.
  • The atmosphere will be intimate, with only your closest loved ones there with you. If you’re hosting in a pub, you can always invite more guests in the evening to party at the reception.
  • Logistically, a restaurant wedding is simple, with everything you could need right there.

The cons of a restaurant wedding

Photo © The County Arms | See their Bridebook profile
  • You’ll have to be quite ruthless with your guest list to make sure you’re not too cramped.
  • Your favourite restaurant might not be the best choice, especially if it doesn’t have an open floor plan.
  • Depending on the restaurant you choose, there might not be room for a dance floor.
  • You’ll likely have to choose the sort of cuisine that the restaurant specialises in, though they may have some options that are more in keeping with traditional wedding food.

How to choose the right restaurant for your wedding

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The first thing you should do is familiarise yourself with your top contenders. Book a table so you can get a feel for the atmosphere, the service and – most importantly – the food. If you like it, speak to the manager and let them know what you’re considering – they can tell you if it’s something they offer and what they can do to help make your wedding extra special.

We recommend choosing a restaurant that the two of you have a special connection with. Perhaps it’s somewhere you had your first date, or where you got engaged, or where you spent many Saturday nights enjoying a meal and a bottle of wine together.

You’ll also want to think about practicality. Is there space for you to walk down the aisle with your guests watching on? Is there room for all the guests you’d like to invite? If there’s no function space, can the tables be moved to fit a DJ and dance floor? Think about what you’d like for your wedding and whether the restaurant could accommodate everything.

Browse our huge selection of restaurants to find your ideal restaurant wedding venue.

Find your perfect venue on Bridebook

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Here at Bridebook, we have everything you could need to find your perfect venue, with plenty of exclusive offers and discounts only for our members. Sign up today to plan your dream wedding!

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Top 12 Maid of Honour Speech Examples

Are you gearing up to help your bestie walk down the aisle? Or maybe you’re a sister bestowed with the great honour of being the bride’s right-hand man? Well, first off, congratulations! Being chosen as the maid of honour to the bride is no small feat. It’s a role filled with joy, emotion, and, yes, a touch of nerves too. But fear not, because we’ve got your back!

Writing a wedding speech that resonates with both the bride and the audience can be tricky. It’s about finding the right balance of funny anecdotes, genuine love, and a sprinkle of nostalgic shared memories to write the best maid of honour speech. 

In this post, we explore what you should include in your wedding speech, some top tips to consider when writing a great speech, and our top 12 maid of honour speech examples. Let’s dive in!

What is a maid of honour speech?

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A maid of honour speech is a beautiful and heartfelt speech made by the maid of honour during a wedding reception. Traditionally, the maid of honour doesn’t make a speech during the wedding reception, just as there isn’t usually a bridesmaid speech. That means you have some flexibility as to where you fit into the overall wedding speech order

A maid of honour speech should last between 5-7 minutes and should focus on the relationship between you and the bride, how wonderful she is, and the lovely year running up to the wedding. 

What should you include in a maid of honour speech?

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When writing your maid of honour speech, you might want to consider including the following key elements:

  • Lots of love. The bride might be your sister, she might be your neighbour, but she’s definitely your best friend. This is the perfect opportunity to let everyone know exactly what makes her so special. You can tell everyone how funny she is, what a caring person she can be, and all about how you’ve supported each other through life. Let couple know how proud you are of the relationship they’ve built and how honoured you are to be there with them on their special day. 
  • Wedding planning foibles. It’s likely that you helped the bride with a good portion of the wedding planning. As such, you probably have lots of stories about the trials and tribulations of wedding planning. Share some funny maid of honour speech stories, like how stressed she was about finding the right shape of confetti, or how many samples you tried when trying to design the wedding cupcakes! Make sure any stories you tell are appropriate for her family and acquaintances to hear, and avoid referring to her as a ‘Bridezilla.’ Trust us; it’s not as funny as you think. 
  • Their love story. Being the bride’s bestie, you probably remember the day the bride met her new spouse. Consider sharing some happy stories from the early days of their relationship, when the bride told you they were the one, or when her partner told you they were going to propose. These stories are always a winner with the audience and bring a heartwarming touch to your speech.
  • Your unwavering support. Above anything else, let everyone know how much you love and support the bride’s new marriage and how you’ll continue to be there for her, just as you were before the wedding.

Maid of honour speech structure

Maid of Honour Speech Template
Use this maid of honour speech template to guide your writing

The good thing about the maid of honour speech is that it’s untraditional. This means there are no expectations, and you can include whatever you’d like!

However, this open-ended approach can be a little daunting. Try using the below structure to outline your maid of honour speech and help you feel more confident. 

Introduction

The first step of any great speech is to introduce yourself to the audience. Let them know who you are, how long you’ve known the bride, and how you met. Express your gratitude for being part of their special day and acknowledge how happy you are to be the maid of honour. 

Stories about the bride

You can then move on to some funny stories about your relationship with the bride. Share some light-hearted anecdotes, funny quotes, or special memories that you’ve shared with the bride over the years. This will not only capture the attention of the audience but will set the tone for your speech. 

The couple’s love story

You can then move on to some happy memories about how the bride and groom met. You can share their initial impressions of each other, a funny story from their first date, and how their relationship blossomed over the years. Be sure to include any funny or heartwarming anecdotes from the early days of their relationship or when the bride first told you her partner was the one!

The proposal

Telling everyone about the proposal is sure to be a winner. It’s the perfect chance to spill the beans about the ingenious proposal plans or when they finally got down on one knee. Share the part you played by picking out the ring, helping with the surprise, or sneakily standing in the background to take pictures. 

Heartfelt advice

Follow up with some heartfelt advice about love and commitment. Feel free to use some popular quotes about love, poetry, readings, or try writing a few vows of your own if you feel it’s appropriate. For example, “I will support you in married life just as I have through single life,” or “I promise to be the coolest auntie to your kids and tell them all about how wild their mum used to be!” 

Toast to the couple

The final step should be a toast to the happy couple. Raise your glass and invite your audience to do the same, and toast to the health, love, and happiness of the new couple. Be sure to introduce them by their new shared name and take a sip from the glass. Cheers!

Top tips for delivering the best maid of honour speech

Photo © Mark Elliott Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Be mindful of the audience

Remember, there will be lots of family and old friends in the audience, so it’s important to be mindful of the types of stories you tell. Err on the side of mildly embarrassing, and make sure any anecdotes are family-appropriate!

There are no expectations!

The best thing about a maid of honour speech is that there are no expectations; There’s no rigid script to follow. Instead, it’s your chance to let your personality shine, and your unique relationship with the bride take centre stage. This freedom means you can craft a speech that’s as genuine and heartwarming as your relationship with your bestie, so make it count.

Practice, practice, practice

Practice will perfect your timing, hone your speech delivery, and increase your confidence when making your speech. Stand before a mirror, share your speech with a close friend, or even record yourself to capture your progress. Embrace each rehearsal as an opportunity to smooth out any rough edges and enhance your storytelling. You’ll be glad you did when the big day rolls around.

Top 12 maid of honour speech examples

Photo © Philtography | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our top 12 examples of the best maid of honour speech ideas! Use them as templates for your own speech and personalise them with your own unique examples and anecdotes.

A lot of maid of honour speech examples will refer to a bride and groom, but you can simply change the references to your daughter’s partner and the appropriate pronouns if you’re attending an LGBTQ+ wedding.

Example 1: Lifelong friend maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the wedding of [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. You may have seen me earlier in the church—I was the one standing next to the bride bawling my eyes out. Yes, thank you. I’m glad you all saw it! My name is [your name], and I’m the very proud maid of honour. 

Stories about the bride: Now, I know a maid of honour speech isn’t very traditional, but our girl [Bride’s name] isn’t very traditional. I should know—we’ve been friends since we were 3! From the moment we met in nursery, bonding over crayons and our mutual love of ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’, I knew she was going to be a special person in my life. Little did I know she’d grow into one of the most special people I’ve ever met. But that’s [Bride’s name] all over—full of surprises!

[Bride’s name] has always had this way of making people feel at home, whether that’s in her childhood bedroom with those questionable boy band posters, or in her grown-up home where she’s perfected the art of a cuppa and a chat. She’s the friend who remembers the little things, who shows up no matter what, and who somehow makes even the most mundane moments—like a Tesco run—feel like an adventure.

The couple’s love story: And that’s why I know [Groom’s name] is the luckiest man in the world. Because he’s married someone who brings magic into the everyday. When [Bride’s name] met [Groom’s name], I could see something shift in her. Now, don’t get me wrong—she’s always been the life and soul of any room, but with [Groom’s name], it was different. There was this lightness about her, a twinkle in her eye that wasn’t just from one of our late-night prosecco-fuelled chats. It was the kind of sparkle that only comes from finding your person.

The proposal: And I’m very proud to say, I was able to play a part in the proposal! [Bride’s name] doesn’t know this, but I actually knew about the engagement 6 months before it happened. I’m the one who slipped [Groom’s name] the ring size, helped him plan the perfect moment, and decorated the house ready for them to come home to! And I managed to keep it a secret! I was this close to cracking so many times, but seeing the joy and surprise on her face when [Groom’s name] finally popped the question made it all worth it.

Heartfelt advice: Now, I’m not married, and I don’t pretend to know loads about love. But, what I do know is this—love is about finding someone who sees you for who you truly are, and loves you not despite your quirks, but because of them. Who still thinks you’re beautiful even when your hair is greasy and you’ve fallen asleep spooning your 3am kebab again. [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], somehow, you’ve found that in each other, and it’s such a joy to witness.

Toast to the couple: So, let’s raise a glass to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and being legally bound to your best mate forever! Cheers.

Example 2: Childhood friend maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Welcome to the wedding of the year—the marriage of [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. My name is [your name], and I’m the very proud, very excited maid of honour! 

Stories about the bride: It’s been such a blessing to be beside you during this exciting process. I know just how much this day has meant to you. Right from when we were little girls, you were wandering around, pillowcase on your head, pretending to be a bride while I was forced to be your flower girl, the vicar, or some other random supporting character in our never-ending make-believe wedding ceremonies. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I performed more weddings than the local vicar back then!

But look at us now: the day has finally arrived for you to don a real wedding dress—with no pillowcase in sight—and for me to stand by your side, just as we’ve always imagined.

The couple’s love story: [Groom’s name], I hope you know what you’ve got yourself into here. When you marry [Bride’s name], you’re essentially marrying the lot of us. If you think it’s just the two of you, oh, bless your heart! Our little troop is now your little troop. But I promise, we’re mostly harmless—especially once we’ve had our morning cuppa.

The proposal: But, of course, you know that from the proposal. We all had to be involved, right down to [Bride’s name]’s little dog! The look on [Bride’s name]’s face when she realised what was happening was absolutely priceless—equal parts shock, excitement, and a tiny bit of concern for what the dog might have swallowed. But [Groom’s name], you handled it like a champ, which tells me everything I need to know about how you’ll manage whatever adventures life throws at you two.

Heartfelt advice: So now that the ring’s firmly on [Bride’s name]’s finger (and not down the dog’s throat!), you’re embarking on the biggest adventure of all—marriage. Truth be told, no one knows what the future holds, but here’s what I do know: the best relationships are built on laughter, compromise, and knowing that whatever life throws at you, it’s going to be ok, because you have each other.

Toast to the couple: So, if everyone would kindly raise their glasses (or mugs—no judgement here!), I’d like to propose a toast to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]: may you continue to be the ultimate power couple, leaning on each other’s strengths, laughing off each other’s weaknesses, and always making space for one more in your ever-growing, slightly bonkers troop (me!).

Example 3: Adventurous maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Hello, everyone! Are you all having fun? My name is [your name] and I’m here to take the place of the traditional best man speech with a way more fun maid of honour speech!

Stories about the bride: Now, those of you who know [Bride’s name] know that she’s the ultimate travel buddy. Whether it’s roughing it in Australia or pure luxury in Palma, she’s a pro at planning the perfect trip that always fits the vibe. I remember when we decided on a last-minute trip to Barcelona—well, I say last-minute, but [Bride’s name] had it all mapped out on a colour-coded spreadsheet for about a month beforehand. Flights, accommodation, best tapas spots, and the cheeky rooftop bars—she’d sorted the lot before I’d even thought to book the time off work! But, that’s just who she is: the ultimate planner, making sure everything is perfect for everyone else. Is it any shock that this wedding is so beautiful?

The couple’s love story: [Groom’s name], you’re a lucky man. Not only have you found someone who’ll organise a trip down to the tiniest detail, but you’ve also snagged someone who’ll make every step of the journey feel like an adventure. And let’s be honest, there’s no one better to get lost with in a new city than [Bride’s name], because she’ll probably have three different maps and a back-up plan for the back-up plan tucked away in her handbag anyway!

Heartfelt advice: If you want my advice, go with it. Go with every crazy, wonderful plan she brings to the table. There will be days when plans change or situations don’t go the way you thought, but trust me, half the joy are the moments you never saw coming. Embrace every twist, every detour, and every spontaneous pit stop, because those are the moments that build a life filled with stories worth telling.

Toast to the couple: Now, if everyone would join me in raising a glass, let’s toast to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]: may your marriage be the greatest adventure of all. May you keep exploring, keep laughing, and keep leaning on each other—whether you’re halfway round the world or just snuggled up on the sofa. Here’s to a lifetime of perfectly ruined plans, exciting spontaneity, and the best travel companion anyone could ask for. Cheers!

Example 4: Nostalgic maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today. My name is [your name] and I’m the Bride’s bestie. Well, in fact, I’m more than that, I’m her childhood bestie. We’ve been glued at the hip since we were about 4, and I genuinely can’t recall a time in my life when she wasn’t right there, making everything brighter.

Stories about the bride: Growing up with [Bride’s name] was a never-ending series of sleepovers, secret handshakes, and endless giggles. If you needed a shoulder to cry on, a partner in crime for midnight snacks, or just someone to belt out cheesy pop songs with, she was your girl. I’ve lost count of the number of times we got into trouble for staying up way past our bedtime, plotting our futures and daydreaming about the amazing things we’d do one day.

The couple’s love story: I know one of [Bride’s name]’s dreams was always to get married. And now, standing here today, I just can’t believe that day has finally come. Here you both are, proving that dreams come true! I’m not at all surprised [Groom’s name] fell for you. Who wouldn’t fall for the girl who can light up a room just by walking into it, who cares so fiercely about the people she loves, and who always seems to know exactly when you need a good laugh or a comforting chat?

I’ve watched the two of you grow together from that very first ‘spark’ to now, and it’s been a privilege to witness. You balance each other so beautifully—[Groom’s name] bringing his calm and steady presence, and [Bride’s name] bringing her trademark sunshine and sparkle. It’s like you were made for each other, and I have no doubt that this is the start of a lifetime of shared dreams, cosy movie nights, and inside jokes only you two will ever understand.

Toast to the couple: So, to my best friend, my partner in crime since day one. Thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful journey. I couldn’t be more proud—or more emotional! And to [Groom’s name], thank you for loving her the way she truly deserves.

To Mr and Mrs [Surname]. Cheers!

Example 5: University pals maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Friends, family, people who claim to know the bride and groom but are really just here for the cake—welcome. Welcome to the happiest day of [Groom’s name]’s life, because he’s marrying the legend that is [Bride’s name]. 

Stories about the bride: Now, I met [Bride’s name] when we were both at Exeter. We met during freshers, initially during a foam party in Tiger Tiger where she let me borrow her eyebrow pencil, and then rekindled our friendship in the subsequent netball social the next night. After that, we were just completely inseparable. Whether it was being handcuffed together during a netball social (don’t ask) or bonding over our mutual love of cheesy chips at 2am, we’ve gone through the ups and downs of uni life side by side. 

And let’s be honest, we’ve all been there—dragging ourselves to lectures on three hours’ sleep because we got carried away at Revs the night before, or attempting to nurse a next-level hangover with a questionable bacon bap from the campus café. But throughout all of that, [Bride’s name] was the one person who could make the madness feel like the absolute best time of our lives.

The couple’s love story: Or so I thought. Until, of course, my darling girl proved me wrong by meeting [Groom’s name]. Turns out, there was a life beyond post-lecture pints and flailing attempts at student cooking. [Groom’s name] strolled in, armed with charm, a great sense of humour, and—crucially—the ability to keep up with [Bride’s name] on a big night out. Suddenly, our dear [Bride’s name] was no longer just conquering netball tournaments and last-minute essay deadlines—she was also head-over-heels, tagging you along on all our shenanigans. And to be fair, [Groom’s name], you slotted right in.

The proposal: I always knew you two were going to last. But, this really got real when [Groom’s name] told me he was going to propose. He confided in me, practically buzzing with nerves and excitement, and let me tell you, I couldn’t have been prouder. From the moment he told me, I was 100% behind this plan—because if anyone deserves that perfect rom-com proposal, it’s our [Bride’s name].

Heartfelt advice: And now, as you take this next step together, I’d like to offer a little bit of advice. I don’t pretend to be an expert in love ([Bride’s name] will attest to that!), but what I do know is that it’s not about what you say—but how you say it. It’s not about what you do—but why you do it. It’s about the small moments that often go unnoticed, and the intention behind every smile, every hug, and every little cup of tea you make each other in the morning. Sure, grand gestures are lovely—but it’s the quiet acts of kindness, patience, and understanding that will carry you through the good times and the bad.

Toast to the couple: So here we are, on the biggest day of your lives—no sticky dance floors in sight, but I’m sure we can re-create the mayhem if we try hard enough at the reception! To my uni pal, who’s now found her perfect match: thank you for all the unforgettable memories, the endless nights out, the hungover brunches, and the countless hours we spent laughing at absolutely nothing. I’m sure marriage will bring its own brand of chaos, but if anyone can handle it, it’s you two. To Mr and Mrs [Surname]!

Example 6: Soul sisters maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Hello, everyone. I know, I know—another speech! But I promise, I’ll keep it short. Not just for your benefit, but because I’m not convinced I’ll be able to get through this without crying. Because, you see, [Bride’s name] is so much more than just a friend to me. I know a lot of you know that I’ve struggled with my mental health, and [Bride’s name] has been the light at the end of my tunnel in so many situations. Today, I’d like to pay tribute to this angel, and pass the baton to [Groom’s name], the luckiest man in the world. 

Stories about the bride: [Bride’s name] is one of those rare souls who never stops believing in you, even when you can’t believe in yourself. She’s the friend who will show up in her pyjamas—arms full of chocolate, DVDs, and tissues—if you so much as hint at having a bad day. She’s the one who laughs with you at the most ridiculous things, and cries with you when life feels overwhelming. Our friendship has spanned dance parties in our pyjamas, late-night heart-to-hearts, and countless cups of tea (and some decidedly questionable cocktails back in the day). She’s been my anchor, my confidante, and my biggest cheerleader through it all.

That’s why seeing [Bride’s name] standing here today, looking radiant and bursting with love, makes my heart feel like it could burst too. 

The couple’s love story: [Groom’s name], you really are the luckiest man alive. From the moment we met, I knew there was something different about you. I know it’s natural to be suspicious of your friend’s boyfriends, but I never had that feeling with you. From the get-go, I just knew you were the real deal. You made [Bride’s name] laugh in that throw-her-head-back kind of way, listened to her ramblings about her day, and genuinely cherished every little quirk that makes her who she is. I saw that. I really saw it.

As I pass the baton of “official protector and cheerleader” from me to you, I do so knowing our girl is in the very best hands. You two bring out the best in each other, and I can’t wait to watch your story unfold, safe in the knowledge that your love is built on kindness, respect, and that unmistakable spark that makes you both beam every time you lock eyes.

Toast to the couple: And so, everyone, please raise your glasses with me. Here’s to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]: may your marriage be filled with endless moments of laughter, honest conversations, and an unwavering belief in each other—even when life gets tough. Thank you for letting me witness such a beautiful love story. I couldn’t be happier, or prouder. To Mr and Mrs [Surname]!

Example 7: Sister from another Mister maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome, welcome. Welcome to the best day of Mr and Mrs [Surname]’s life! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is [your name], and I’m the maid of honour!

Stories about the bride: Now, I know a lot of you already know this. But, [Bride’s name] and I have been friends since we were tiny babies, and that’s because our dads were best friends. We were raised basically as siblings, and I can’t imagine life without her. We’ve shared everything, from clothes to secrets and even chicken pox! Remember when we topped and tailed the same bed with big mittens on our hands so we couldn’t scratch? 

But that’s just how it’s always been with [Bride’s name] and me: sharing everything, from our biggest joys to our itchiest miseries. We were practically sisters then, and we still are now—only with fewer mittens and slightly fewer spots.

The couple’s love story: But, all good things must come to an end, and when one door closes, another opens. [Groom’s name], I couldn’t be happier to welcome you into our big, extended family. From the moment I met you, I knew you’d fit right in. You saw the silly side of her that I’d known for years, and you brought out this beautiful glow in her that I’d never seen before. It was like watching my best friend—my sister—find a missing piece she didn’t even know was gone. You two just work. You click. It’s like you’ve always known each other, and it makes my heart swell with joy (and maybe just a touch of healthy jealousy, I won’t lie!).

But truly, [Groom’s name], welcome to the madness. And let me tell you—now that you’re in, there’s no turning back!

The proposal: Thing is, I don’t need to tell you that. After you asked her dad for permission to propose, you then asked my dad, and then me, so I know you know the score! And if that doesn’t show your dedication, [Groom’s name], I don’t know what does! 

Toast to the couple: With that being said, if everyone would please raise a glass with me: here’s to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. May your marriage be filled with the warmth of family, the comfort of old memories, and the thrill of making new ones. And may your home be every bit as full of laughter, love, and slightly ridiculous stories, as ours has always been.

Cheers to you both—and welcome to the madness!

Example 8: Actual sisters maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Friends, family… people I’ve never met before, welcome. Welcome to the happiest day of my baby sister’s life. So rarely in life do you get the opportunity to be a maid of honour, and even less so do you get the chance to watch your little sister grow from a cheeky, wide-eyed toddler into this stunning, confident bride before our very eyes. Yet here we are—on the day she’s dreamt about since she was prancing around in Mum’s high heels, insisting that they fitted perfectly (they really didn’t!).

Stories about the bride: Growing up with [Bride’s name] was an adventure from day one. Whether we were sneaking downstairs at 6am to watch cartoons, sharing a room and fighting over who got the top bunk, or competing over who could devour the last chocolate biscuit (guilty!), she was always my built-in playmate, partner-in-crime, and best friend. She’s the one person who knows every embarrassing story from my teenage years and still wants to be seen with me in public. That’s true love, if you ask me!

The couple’s love story: Or, so I thought. Until I met [Grooms’ name], and then I saw what true love was. When I saw the way he looked at her—like she was the most important person in the world—I realised I’d been completely outdone in the ‘loving [Bride’s name]’ department. 

[Groom’s name], you slotted right into our bonkers family as though you’d always been part of it, and for that, we’ll be forever grateful. You embrace her quirks, celebrate her achievements (big or small), and you’ve even learned how to survive her occasional hangry moods. (Still need tips on how you do that).

The proposal: [Groom’s name] also really proved how well he knows [Bride’s name] with that proposal. He pulled out all the stops—got the timing right, picked the perfect spot, and even managed to incorporate her favourite flowers and special song. Honestly, I’m still in awe of how he pulled it all off without her cottoning on. It was like something straight out of a rom-com—only better, because it was real, it was them.

And now, here we all are, witnessing a moment that’s been in the making ever since my sister was toddling around the living room insisting she’d marry a prince one day. [Groom’s name] might not have a crown (yet), but he does have the heart of gold our girl deserves—and that’s more than good enough for me.

Toast to the couple: Now, if everyone would kindly raise their glasses with me. Here’s to the bride and groom: may your marriage be as full of laughter as our childhood was, as warm as the home we grew up in, and as boundless as the love that’s brought you together today.

[Groom’s name] I hope you enjoy growing old with her as much as I enjoyed growing up with her. Cheers!

Example 9: Dancing queens maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Goodness me, doesn’t time fly? It feels like only yesterday that [Bride’s name] and I were living it up in ballet class, learning all the skills that turned us into the dance floor terrors we are today. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is [your name], and I’ve known the bride since we were in our very first tutus!

Stories about the bride: Now, what can I tell you about [Bride’s name]? Well, she knows how to cut a rug, that’s for sure! Back when we were kiddies in the dance studio, I quickly learnt three things about [Bride’s name]: she’s got boundless energy, a laugh that can be heard from the back row, and a determined streak like no other. Seriously, that girl would practise her pirouettes until she was positively dizzy—though I’m convinced half the time she just liked spinning until she fell over. But, that’s my girl [Bride’s name], a determination that doesn’t quit. 

The couple’s love story: That’s why I knew that when she met [Groom’s name], it was all over for him. I think it’s safe to say that [Bride’s name] pursued [Groom’s name] the way a leopard pursues a wildebeest! He never stood a chance. But honestly, once you’ve been subjected to [Bride’s name]’s signature combination of charm, relentless dedication, and that million-watt smile, it’s impossible to run. Before we knew it, [Groom’s name] was twirling around the living room with her, fully embracing her impromptu dance parties. A dancing queen in training!

Heartfelt advice: If you want my advice, take her lead. [Bride’s name] has this magical way of turning the mundane into the marvellous—whether it’s a spontaneous Friday night kitchen dance party or a quick boogie down the aisles of Tesco, she’ll keep you dancing magically through life. 

Toast to the couple: Now, if everyone would kindly raise their glasses (or strike a pose if you’re feeling fancy): here’s to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. The new dancing King and Queen of [your town]!

Example 10: Partners in crime maid of honour speech  

Introduction: *Tap on the mic* Is this thing on? I’m joking, guys. I heard all your speeches! Welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone, to the best day of [Bride’s name]’s life and the open mic you wish you never attended. My name is [your name] and I have the absolute pleasure of being [Bride’s name]’s partner in crime. Well, I say that—it’s usually me tagging along while she drags me into another one of her brilliant ideas.

Stories about the bride: I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve ended up in ridiculous predicaments together, whether that’s getting hopelessly lost on a countryside walk (despite the very clear signage), or convincing ourselves that we should try that questionable pub karaoke at 1am. Yet here we are, still in one piece, and now she’s roped in [Groom’s name] to join the fun!

For those who don’t know [Bride’s name], let me give you a quick rundown: she’s the one who’ll tell you, “Oh, it’ll be fine, don’t overthink it,” right before you both climb through a random fence into what turns out to be private property. She’s also the person you want by your side when life gets tough—because no matter how sticky the situation, [Bride’s name] comes armed with laughter, loyalty, and a bag of snacks big enough to feed the entire crew. Seriously, this woman knows how to cheer you up and talk you into an adventure all in the same breath!

The couple’s love story: Then along came [Groom’s name]. I could tell right away that he was the real deal—he kept up with her shenanigans, and still decided to stick around. From sneaking out to watch the sunrise (and realising you’d parked in the wrong car park) to that spontaneous weekend away (where neither of you checked if the hotel had heating—whoops!), you two have formed a formidable team. And I must say, I’m a little jealous—after all these years of being [Bride’s name]’s accomplice, you just stroll in and sweep her off her feet!

The proposal: Having said that, you know how to plan a trick or two, don’t you [Groom’s name]? The proposal was nothing short of spectacular. And what’s more, yours truly got to be involved! I’m sure you’ve all heard the story, but proposing on the very spot where you first met, surrounded by your nearest and dearest, was an absolute stroke of genius. Of course, [Bride’s name] still managed to look gorgeous despite all the frantic flapping and hush-hush whispering going on behind her back. And when she finally realised what was happening—well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her speechless, but you managed it!

Toast to the couple: Now, if everyone would kindly raise a glass with me. To Mr and Mrs [Surname]. May your lives together be filled with as many spontaneous escapades, hilarious hiccups, and triumphant escapes as your relationship has been so far. And may you always find your way back, even when the signs are very clearly pointing in the opposite direction!

Cheers, my loves!

Example 11: Short and sweet maid of honour speech  

Introduction: Hi, everyone. My name is [your name], and I have the great honour of being the maid of honour today! I’m sure you’ll excuse me in keeping this short—I’m not usually one for speeches. But, when your bestie makes the biggest commitment of her life, you have to say a few words, right?

Stories about the bride: [Bride’s name] is my absolute rock, my partner-in-chaos, and the very reason I can’t stay quiet today. We met on the first day of year 7 in French class (seriously, who gives you French as your first lesson of year 7?). We sat next to each other, bonded, and have just been inseparable ever since. She’s the kind of friend who’ll give you her last Jaffa Cake without a second thought—and if you know her, you know that’s true devotion.

The couple’s love story: When she met [Groom’s name], I saw her face light up in a way it never had before. He matched her kindness, took her hand, and promised to make her laugh every single day. From that moment, I knew they were meant to be. [Groom’s name], I couldn’t ask for a better man for her. You’re kind, funny, devoted, and just a little mischievous—perfect for our girl. I couldn’t be prouder to be passing the baton on to you. 

Heartfelt advice: I don’t pretend to be an expert on love, but I am an expert on [Bride’s name], and if I can share something with you, it’s this: her favourite flowers are tulips (especially yellow ones); her one and only vice are jaffa cakes; her biggest fear is being alone in the dark; and, most importantly, she thrives on laughter. So, keep the jokes coming and the light switched on, and you’ll be golden!

Toast to the couple: Right, that’s enough out of me. Let’s raise our glasses to our lovely bride and groom. Cheers, you two legends! May this be the start of your greatest adventure yet.

Example 12: LGBTQ+ maid of honour speech 

Introduction: Welcome all! Welcome to the happiest day of my best friend’s life. I know, I know— a maid of honour speech isn’t very traditional, but (and I don’t know if you can tell by the rainbow flags) this wedding isn’t very traditional, so I’m sure you’ll excuse me in wanting to stand up here and tell you exactly why [Bride’s name] is so incredibly fabulous. 

Stories about the bride: We’ve been through all sorts together—she took me to my first Pride, has picked me up countless times when I couldn’t straighten my own crown, and hosted way too many late-night Netflix marathons when we should have been doing literally anything else. She’s the rainbow in your life when everything else feels grey, there to remind you that there is a place for you in this world, no matter who you love or how you identify. If that’s not proof of how amazing she is, I don’t know what is.

The couple’s love story: And then, along came [Partner’s name], and I knew they were a match made in heaven. They clicked instantly, bonding over a mutual love of Drag Race, bottomless brunches, and the superpower of making each other feel valued and loved, no matter what. Isn’t that the dream? And what made it all the more special was that [Partner’s name] not only embraced [Bride’s name], but loved all of us as part of their entourage too! I mean, how could you not? We are pretty great!

But, in the immortal words of the Spice Girls, “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends. Make it last forever, friendship never ends”! And that’s exactly what [Partner’s name] did—threw themselves wholeheartedly into this brilliant, bonkers, bedazzled family of friends. They took us all on, and did so with a smile, a sparkle, and the occasional sassy comeback (which, let’s be honest, is always appreciated).

Heartfelt advice: Now, if I may be so bold as to offer a bit of wisdom on love (and really, who better than a seasoned Netflix marathoner to dispense life advice?). Love is like a good Pride march—it can be loud, unapologetic, and occasionally leave you with a mild hangover. But it’s also about showing up for each other, being unafraid to hold hands in public, and celebrating the unique, colourful spark in each other that the world may not always see. You two have that in spades, and I couldn’t be prouder—or more envious of—the beautiful journey you’re embarking on.

Toast to the couple: So if everyone would kindly raise a glass—because, let’s be honest, we can’t have a wedding speech without a toast—here’s to [Bride’s name] and [Partner’s name]. May you continue to sing (sometimes off-key) in the shower, dance when no one’s watching, and remind the rest of us that real love is worth celebrating every single day.

The bottom line on maid of honour speeches

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The maid of honour speech is a beautiful and memorable part of your bestie’s big day. While crafting a great maid of honour speech can be tricky, with careful planning, a few funny stories, and plenty of love, you’ll write a beautiful and heartfelt speech. 

Be sure to share plenty of stories about the bride and groom, describe the proposal, and toast to the happy couple. Make sure you consider the audience when sharing any funny stories, let your personality shine through, and get plenty of practice in the run-up to the big day!

If you’re still feeling nervous, we’re here to help you. Sign up to Bridebook today, and let’s dive into the secrets of creating a speech that’s not only funny and beautiful but also straight from the heart. You’ve got this!

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Happy Planning!

Top 12 Mother of the Bride Speech Examples

Watching your little girl walk down the aisle is one of the best moments in a mother’s life. It’s a beautiful mix of nostalgia, pride, and joy set against the backdrop of the happiest day of your child’s life. What better way to express your love and happiness than through a heartwarming speech that tells everyone how proud you are?

However, writing the best mother of the bride speech can be tricky. It’s a delicate balance of heartwarming stories, genuine advice, special memories, and just a sprinkle of laughter. But don’t worry — whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or struggle with public speaking, we’ve got the advice to help you write a brilliant wedding speech.

In this post, we explain our top tips and guidance for writing the best mother of the bride speeches. We include some words of wisdom on how to structure your speech, some top tips for writing a great wedding speech, and our top 12 best mother of the bride speech examples.

What is a mother of the bride speech?

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A mother of the bride speech is a mother’s speech at a daughter’s wedding. It usually lasts between 5-7 minutes, and its main focus should be thanking your guests for joining you on this special day, and telling everyone how proud you are of your daughter. 

Typically, the mother of the bride’s speech is delivered after the father of the bride’s speech and before the groom’s speech. However, as a mother of the bride speech isn’t considered a traditional wedding speech, you can mix up the order of speeches however you want to include your heartfelt message.

What should you include in a mother of the bride speech?

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When writing your mother of the bride speech, you might want to consider including the following key elements:

  • What makes your daughter so special. This is the perfect opportunity to let everyone know exactly what makes your daughter so special. Tell everyone about her amazing qualities, how kind and caring she is, and how proud you are of her. This is also a good opportunity to playfully tease her — maybe by letting her new spouse know how untidy she is, any lighthearted or embarrassing anecdotes, or any of her other quirks. Remember, the point isn’t to embarrass her on her special day. Instead, the stories you pick should highlight the special bond you share and showcase the wonderful person she has grown into.
  • The bond you share. The relationship between a mother and her daughter is like no other. It’s a unique and beautiful connection that spans a lifetime, filled with love, understanding, and unbreakable support. This speech is the perfect opportunity to share that bond with your guests and let everyone know just how much your daughter means to you. Be sure to let the guests know that she gets it all from you!
  • Childhood memories. You had the unique privilege of helping raise your daughter, and this is the perfect opportunity to share any special memories that have shaped your journey together. Share with your guests how you felt when she took her first steps versus how it felt to watch her walk down the aisle. Tell them about watching her grow up, the first moment you felt her, or when you met her future spouse. All these stories will evoke feelings of love and nostalgia, making your speech special and memorable.
  • A toast to the happy couple. The perfect way to round off a mother of the bride speech is to raise a toast. Raise your glass, and invite your guests to toast to the health and happiness of the new couple. Cheers!

Mother of the bride speech structure

If you’re worried about writing your mother of the bride speech, following a clear and logical structure is a good place to start. Try using the following structure to help you feel more confident as you plan your speech. 

Introduction

Start off by introducing yourself to the guests and thanking everyone for attending. As the mother of the bride, it’s is likely you will already know most of the guests. However, it adds a nice sense of occasion to the speech and is always a strong starting point.

All about the bride

The second point in your speech should be talking about your wonderful daughter and the relationship that you share. Tell your guests how it feels to see your little girl all grown up, how proud you are of her, and what a beautiful bride she is. 

Share some happy memories

You can then move on to share some funny stories about your daughter’s childhood or the time you’ve shared together. These could be light-hearted or emotional, but should always reflect the unique and wonderful relationship you share with your daughter.

Welcome your daughter’s partner 

You should then turn your attention to your daughter’s partner and their parents. 

Reminisce about the first time you met, highlight their endearing qualities, and thank them for the happiness they brings your daughter. By incorporating your daughter’s partner into your speech, you demonstrate your wholehearted support for the relationship and nurture a strong bond between both families.

Offer guidance and wisdom

Now move on to sharing some pearls of wisdom with the newlyweds.

Feel free to speak from the heart about love, commitment, and their future together, as they embark on this beautiful journey as a married couple. Building a strong family is an essential aspect, and your insights will surely guide and inspire them.

To the happy couple!

Finally, invite your guests to raise their glasses in a toast to the happy couple. Congratulate them on their big day, drink to their health, and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness. 

Mother of the bride speech template

To help you navigate the complete breakdown of your speech, it can be helpful to have a visual guide to refer to. Check out our handy infographic below:

Mother of the Bride Speech Template
Use this mother of the bride speech template to guide your writing

Top tips for delivering the best mother of the bride speech  

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Practice makes perfect

It’s natural to feel nervous before you present your speech. However, practice makes perfect, and the more times you’re able to rehearse, the more confident you’ll feel. Try practicing in front of a mirror, to trusted friends, or recording yourself on your mobile phone to watch back. You’ll be grateful you did when the nerves kick in. If you’re still feeling anxious, check out our guidance on speech delivery skills.

Mother knows best

You know your daughter better than anyone, so you know what advice she’ll need to support her through married life. You know her dreams, her strengths, and her vulnerabilities, and that insight will continue to be invaluable as she navigates the journey of married life. Offer her your best pearls of wisdom during the speech: you were her guiding light during the early years of her life, and she looks up to you more than anyone — there’s no reason that should change now. 

Speak from the heart

In sharing your heartfelt words, remember that this is a moment of celebration and joy. Let your emotions to flow freely as you speak from the heart. Your sincerity and genuine love for your daughter and her new spouse will surely resonate with everyone present.

If you’re really stuck, consider presenting a nice wedding reading, poem, or famous quote about love. Often, poets and creatives can articulate how you’re feeling in a way your own words can’t. 

Think about your audience

Each person in attendance holds a special place in either your daughter’s or her new spouse’s life. The guests will likely include grandparents, work colleagues, old friends, neighbours, and more. That’s why it’s important that you consider the audience when writing your speech. Steer clear of any stories that are too embarrassing or paint the bride or groom in a bad light. Keep it positive,  upbeat, and warm.

Top 10 mother of the bride speech examples

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If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our top 12 examples of great wedding mother of the bride speech ideas, from the short and simple, to the funny and personal.  Use them as templates for your own speech and personalise them with your own unique examples and anecdotes.

A lot of mother of the bride speech examples will refer to a bride and groom, but you can simply change the references to your daughter’s partner and the appropriate pronouns if you’re attending an LGBTQ+ wedding.

Example 1: Heartfelt mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for being here today. For those of you who don’t know, my name is [your name], and I’m the very proud mother of the bride. 

All about the bride: I know it’s a little untraditional for the mother of the bride to make a speech. But, when your daughter is as beautiful and special as [Bride’s name], how could I not? I want to shout from the rooftops how wonderful she is. From the moment she came into the world, she’s been the light of my life. I still remember holding her for the first time, completely overwhelmed by this tiny, perfect little person. And now, here she is, all grown up and even more perfect, standing here in her wedding dress, ready to start this next chapter of her life. Honestly, it takes my breath away.

Share some happy memories: It only feels like yesterday I brought her home from the hospital, and I swear just a few minutes ago she was toddling around the kitchen or pushing her scooter around the garden. How time flies, hey? But in all those years, you know what hasn’t changed? Her kindness, her determination, and her ability to make people feel special.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: That’s how I know [Groom’s name] is the luckiest man in the world. Because he’s marrying someone truly extraordinary. But you know what? He’s pretty extraordinary too. From the moment I met [Groom’s name], it was clear how much he adored [Bride’s name]. The way he looks at her, the way he listens to her, the way he makes her laugh—it’s everything a parent could ever wish for their child. And as I’ve got to know him, I can honestly say he’s not just a perfect match for her, but also a wonderful and welcome addition to our family.

Some wisdom or guidance: I’ll tell you today what my mother told me on my wedding day—you need to choose each other. Every day. Life isn’t going to be sunshine and roses. Sometimes things will be hard, and you’ll feel like everything and everyone is against you. But, if you remember to choose each other, even on those tough days, you’ll get through anything. Marriage is about being a team. It’s about lifting each other up when one of you stumbles and celebrating each other’s wins, no matter how big or small. And don’t forget to laugh—especially when things go wrong. A sense of humour will get you through the trickiest of moments, trust me on that one!

To the happy couple: And with that, please join me in raising a glass to the new Mr and Mrs [Surname]. May your life together be filled with love, laughter, and a lifetime of happy memories. Cheers!

Example 2: Playful mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Hello my darlings! Don’t you all look fabulous? I’m sure you all know me by now, but for those of you who don’t—my name is [your name], and I’m the very proud mother of the bride!

All about the bride: Standing here today, in front of all the friends, family, and colleagues of my beautiful girl, I couldn’t be prouder of the life she’s built. [Bride’s name]’s father and I worked hard every day to give her the best of everything, and look at her now! She’s grown into the most incredible woman—kind, funny, smart, and absolutely gorgeous (though I can’t take all the credit for that, can I?). Honestly, [Bride’s name] has been a joy from the moment she arrived in our lives, even if she did come with a bit of a diva streak!

Share some happy memories: From insisting on wearing a tiara to school at age five—because “a princess always needs her crown”—to conquering every challenge life’s thrown at her with grace and determination, she’s always been my little superstar. And now, seeing her today, I’m completely in awe. You’re radiant, darling, and I don’t just mean the dress (though that’s absolutely stunning, by the way). You’re glowing with happiness, and that’s everything a mum could wish for.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: And then, along came [Groom’s name]. Now, I’ll admit, as her mum, I had high standards—some might even say impossibly high. But when I saw how [Groom’s name] looked at her, how he made her laugh that loud, snorty laugh she usually tries to hide, I knew he was the one. Over time, he’s proven himself to be kind, thoughtful, and the perfect match for my girl. And let’s be honest, he’s the only one who can handle her competitive streak in a board game, so he’s clearly a keeper!

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, a little advice from someone who’s been married a fair few years (and survived to tell the tale!). Marriage isn’t always a fairy tale—sometimes it’s burnt dinners, arguing over the corner spot on the sofa, or deciding who’s doing the washing up. But it’s also those little moments—sharing a takeaway on the sofa, laughing so hard you cry, and supporting each other through thick and thin.

[Bride’s name], try not to leave all the cupboard doors open (yes, I’ve noticed), and [Groom’s name], make sure you never eat the last biscuit without asking her first. Little things like that will save you a lot of trouble!

To the happy couple: So, let’s raise our glasses to my fabulous daughter and her new husband. [Bride’s name], you’ve always been my sunshine, and seeing you this happy makes my heart burst. And [Groom’s name], thank you for loving her as much as we do—and good luck, because she’s a handful (but worth every second).

Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and maybe a bit of chaos—because where’s the fun without it? To [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]—cheers!

Example 3: Supportive mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, everyone. Thank you for coming. I’m super proud to be making this speech, especially as it replaces the traditional ‘father of the bride’ speech. I hope I do you justice, my girl.

All about the bride: Now, a lot of you know I raised [Bride’s name] as a single parent. And let me tell you, it was the greatest privilege of my life. It was just the two of us against the world for so many years, and what a team we made. A real life Lorelai and Rory! 

From scraped knees to GCSE results, from late-night chats to early morning chaos, we’ve been through it all together. [Bride’s name], you weren’t just my daughter—you were my partner in crime, my biggest cheerleader, and my absolute best friend. 

Raising you taught me so much about strength, resilience, and unconditional love. You’ve always been my driving force, the reason I worked so hard, and the reason I’ve never stopped believing in the magic of a mother-daughter bond. And today, seeing you standing here, so radiant and happy, fills me with more pride than I could ever put into words.

Share some happy memories: Do you remember our little Friday night rituals? Just us, a pizza, a girly film, and your endless commentary on how unrealistic love stories are? Well, my darling, looking at you and [Groom’s name] today, I think you’ve found a love story that’s every bit as wonderful as the movies. Maybe even better—because it’s real, it’s yours, and it’s built on something solid and beautiful.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: Now, [Groom’s name], when you came into [Bride’s name]’s life, I’ll admit, I was watching you like a hawk. It wasn’t easy letting someone else be her protector and partner after so many years of it being my job. But you won me over—completely. You’ve shown her the love, respect, and care that I always hoped she’d find, and for that, I can’t thank you enough. You’re everything I could have wished for in a son-in-law, and seeing how happy you make her makes my heart so full.

Some wisdom or guidance: [Bride’s name], my love, you’ve always been my strong, independent girl, and I know you’ll bring that same fire into your marriage. But here’s the thing—marriage doesn’t mean losing yourself; it means finding someone who helps you grow even more into the incredible person you’re meant to be. And [Groom’s name], you’ve got a wife who knows her worth, so buckle up—it’s going to be a fantastic ride!

To the happy couple: So, here’s to my beautiful, brave, and brilliant daughter and her amazing new husband. [Bride’s name], you will always be my greatest achievement, my biggest joy, and my best friend. And [Groom’s name], thank you for giving her the love she deserves.

Let’s all raise a glass to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. I wish you a lifetime of love, health, and happiness.

Example 4: Best friend mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, welcome, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us here today. I couldn’t be prouder to be making this speech on my special girl’s special day. For those of you who don’t know, my name is [your name], and I’m the very lucky mother of the beautiful bride!

All about the bride: [Bride’s name], my special girl. There’s nothing I could say that would do you justice today. From the minute you were born, you were my absolute world. You’ve always had this incredible way of lighting up every room you walk into. Your kindness, your wit, and your fierce determination have always left me in awe. Whether it was the way you tackled school with grit and grace, or the way you’ve navigated life with that brilliant mix of strength and humour, you’ve always made me so, so proud. And today, looking at you in that stunning dress, I can hardly believe how lucky I am to call you my daughter—and my best friend.

Share some happy memories: I could stand here all day and tell stories about the mischief we’ve gotten up to over the years—our shopping trips where we spent more time laughing than actually shopping, the endless nights of tea, biscuits, and putting the world to rights, or that time we got caught in the rain and had to dance our way home because, well, what else could we do? Every one of those moments reminds me of how lucky I am to have you in my life.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: And then, along came [Groom’s name]. Obviously, as your best friend first, and your mum second, I’ll admit I had a few nerves about anyone stepping into the special little world we’d created. But [Groom’s name], from the moment I met you, it was clear how much you adored my girl—and just as importantly, how much she adored you.

You’ve brought so much happiness into her life, and seeing the two of you together makes my heart feel so full. You’ve got the patience of a saint, a great sense of humour (which you’ll definitely need), and most importantly, you treat her with the love and respect she deserves. So welcome to the family—you’ve made it even better.

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, [Bride’s name], I know you don’t need advice—you’ve always been wise beyond your years. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about love, it’s this: the best relationships are built on friendship, laughter, and a whole lot of forgiveness. Remember to keep choosing each other every day, even when life gets a bit messy. Be each other’s safe place, and don’t forget to keep having fun.

To the happy couple: So, let’s raise our glasses to my beautiful girl and her new husband. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and the kind of friendship that makes the tough days easier and the good days unforgettable. To [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]—cheers!

Example 5: Creative fun mother of the bride speech

Introduction: Hello, hello, hello, everyone. What a day it’s been so far. Are you all having a good time? [Wait for nods]. Ok, good, because it cost enough! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is [your name], and I’m the mother of the bride!

All about the bride: As I look back on my special girl’s life, it feels like flipping through the pages of the happiest fairytale you’ve ever seen. [Bride’s name], you have always been larger than life. From the moment you could talk, you’ve filled every room with your laughter, your ideas, and your endless energy. Honestly, keeping up with you has been like running a marathon in heels—exhausting, but completely worth it.

Share some happy memories: There was never a dull moment growing up with [Bride’s name]. I remember when she was about eight and decided she was going to be the next Coco Chanel. She raided the airing cupboard for old sheets and curtains, cutting and sewing away to create her “pieces”. I thought they were wonderful, her brother disagreed, and of course, the dog ended up modelling half of her designs, complete with a tutu and a very unimpressed look on his face. Poor thing!

But, it’s this creativity that gave her an incredible career in graphic design, and I couldn’t be prouder of the woman she’s become. I’ve watched her pour her heart and soul into everything she does, and her passion is truly infectious. Whether it was sewing in the living room or starting up her first business, she’s always been brave enough to follow her dreams—no matter how wild they seemed at the time. 

Welcome your daughter’s partner: [Groom’s name], thank you. Thank you for being everything my little girl needs, and more. You’ve brought so much love, stability, and laughter into her life, and as her mum, that’s all I could ever hope for. It’s been such a joy getting to know you—your sense of humour, your kindness, and the way you look at [Bride’s name] like she’s the most precious thing in the world. It’s clear to see how much you adore her, and honestly, I can’t blame you. You two are a perfect match. You balance each other out beautifully, and together, you’re an absolute power couple. KimYe, who?

To the happy couple: Everyone, please charge your glasses and toast to the newly minted Mr & Mrs [Surname]. Cheers!

Example 6: Proud mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: I’m going to do my best to get through this without crying, but I make no promises! For those of you who don’t know, my name is [your name], and I’m the very proud (if a little emotional) mother of the bride!

All about the bride: [Bride’s name], my angel! What a journey it’s been watching you grow into the incredible woman you are today. From the moment you arrived, you completely transformed my world. You were the most beautiful baby—big eyes and a cheeky little smile that made it impossible to stay cross with you for too long. You’ve been my pride and joy ever since, and I honestly feel like the luckiest mum in the world to have you as my daughter.

Share some happy memories: I still remember when you were about five and decided you wanted to run away because I said no to ice cream before dinner. You packed your little Peppa Pig backpack with a teddy, two crayons, and a biscuit, and announced dramatically that you were leaving. Of course, you didn’t make it past the front gate, but the determination on your little face was priceless. That determination hasn’t left you, and it’s one of the things I love most about you. You’ve always known what you wanted, and you’ve gone for it—whether it was getting your dream job, travelling the world, or building the life you wanted.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: And then along came [Groom’s name]. I’ll admit, as a mum, no one is ever going to feel quite good enough for your little girl. But the first time I saw the way [Groom’s name] looked at you, I knew he was something special. The love, respect, and admiration in his eyes were undeniable. And as I’ve got to know him, I’ve seen how he brings out the very best in you. You two are a perfect team, and I couldn’t be happier knowing that my girl has found someone who loves and cherishes her as much as I do.

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, marriage, as I’m sure you’ve heard a hundred times by now, isn’t always easy. But it’s also the most rewarding adventure you’ll ever go on together. My advice? Always remember to laugh—especially when things go wrong. Keep being each other’s biggest cheerleaders, and never stop appreciating the little moments. And don’t forget to say “I love you” every single day.

To the happy couple: So, let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. May your life together be filled with love, laughter, and enough patience to see you through the tricky bits. Here’s to the start of your next chapter, my darlings. Cheers!

Example 7: Poetic mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, everyone! Welcome to my sweet girl’s special day. As a mother, you always imagine what this day will be like. Who will your little girl grow up to become, who will she love, and most importantly— who will love her back just as fiercely? Well, all those questions have been answered on this most special day! 

All about the bride: [Bride’s name], my special girl. From the moment you came into my life, you changed it in the most beautiful way. You’ve always had this way about you—a light, a spark that draws people in—whether it was your endless curiosity as a child, always asking “but why?” at least ten times in a row, or your unshakable kindness, always the first to offer a hug or a helping hand. You’ve filled every chapter of your life with love, laughter, and that unmistakable touch of yours that makes everything brighter. And today, seeing you here, I couldn’t be prouder of the woman you’ve become.

Share some happy memories: There are so many memories I could share—so many little snapshots of a life filled with joy and adventure. Like the time you decided to host a “tea party” for the neighbours’ pets in the garden. I came outside to find half the street’s cats, a very confused little rabbit, and our dog all sat around a picnic blanket while you served them sandwiches made of grass and dandelions. It was chaos, but it was so very you—creative, loving, and completely unforgettable.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: And then, along came [Groom’s name]. An honorary guest to every tea party, forever. [Groom’s name], thank you. You’ve brought so much joy to her life, and I couldn’t have wished for a better partner for my little girl. Thank you for loving her as much as you do and for becoming a part of our family so effortlessly.

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s that love is both the softest and the strongest thing we have. It’s the quiet moments of holding hands, the shared glances across a room, and the laughter over burnt toast in the morning. But it’s also the anchor that keeps you steady when the seas are rough. My wish for you both is that you always hold onto that love, through all the seasons of life, and that you always remember this simple truth: the best marriages are built on friendship, patience, and a solid cup of tea!

To the happy couple: So, let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. May your life together be as bright as the stars, as beautiful as the memories you’ll create, and as enduring as the love that brought you here today. To the happy couple! Cheers!

Example 8: Lyrical mother of the bride speech

Introduction: Friends, family—welcome. Welcome, everyone to this lovely, special day. For those of you I haven’t had a moment to speak to, my name is [your name], and I’m the very proud mother of the bride.

All about the bride: [Bride’s name], what can I say? You’re everything I ever could have dreamed of and more. From the moment I first held you in my arms, you had me completely under your spell. You were this tiny bundle of magic, and somehow, over the years, you’ve only grown more radiant, more incredible, more you.

Share some happy memories: I remember when you were about six, and you insisted on becoming a “scientist” in the kitchen. You raided the cupboards for flour, food colouring, and who knows what else, mixing up concoctions that looked like something out of a mad professor’s lab. The mess was unbelievable—I’m talking flour in the toaster, blue streaks on the dog—but I couldn’t stop laughing because it was so you. Bold, creative, and endlessly curious about the world around you.

And now, here you are, not mixing potions anymore (thank goodness), but still creating magic in everything you do. Whether it’s in your career, your friendships, or the love you’ve found with [Groom’s name], you pour your heart into it all. And I couldn’t be prouder.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: And then there’s [Groom’s name]. Oh, [Groom’s name], what a blessing you are. From the moment I met you, it was clear how deeply you love my daughter. The way you look at her, like she’s the only person in the room, and the way you bring out her best, just by being by her side. You’re her partner in every sense of the word—her calm when she’s stormy, her laugh when she’s serious, her everything. Thank you for loving her the way she deserves to be loved.

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, as someone who’s been around the block a bit [pause for playful chuckles, a knowing wink], let me share a tiny piece of wisdom with you both. Marriage is a dance—a beautiful, complicated, messy dance. Sometimes you’ll glide together in perfect harmony, and sometimes one of you will step on the other’s toes (metaphorically, I hope). But what matters is that you keep holding on to each other, even when the music gets a bit tricky. Remember to be kind, to laugh often, and to say “I love you” every single day, even when you don’t feel like it.

To the happy couple: Please join me in raising a glass to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. May your life together be filled with joy, may your adventures be endless, and may your love grow stronger with each passing day. To the happy couple—cheers!

Example 9: Grateful mother of the bride speech  

Introduction: Hello, my loves. Welcome! Welcome to the most magical day of my girl’s life. Special days like today make me reminisce on my own wedding with [Bride’s father]. Weddings now are so much grander than they were in our day, but goodness—isn’t the love the same?

All about the bride: [Bride’s name], my beautiful girl. Your father and I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible woman you’ve become. From the moment you came into our lives, you brought with you this indescribable light—pure joy wrapped up in the tiniest little bundle. You’ve always had this amazing ability to make people feel loved and included, whether it was the way you shared your sweets as a child or the way you throw yourself wholeheartedly into the lives of the people you care about.

Share some happy memories: I still remember when you were about seven, and you decided you wanted to host a “family dinner party.” You spent the entire day setting the table with mismatched plates, folding napkins in your own unique way, and “cooking” us a meal of toast and jam because, as you said, “it’s fancy but easy!” You made each of us feel so special that night. It wasn’t about the food—it was about the love you poured into it. That’s you, my darling. You’ve always had a way of making even the simplest moments feel extraordinary.

Welcome your daughter’s partner:  And now, you’ve found someone who matches that extraordinary love. [Groom’s name], from the moment you came into our family, it was like you’d always been there. You didn’t just love [Bride’s name]—you embraced all of us, quirks and all. You’ve brought so much happiness to her life, and seeing the two of you together is everything a parent could hope for. You’ve built something beautiful together—something strong, something kind, something that will carry you through every season of life.

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, as you embark on this new chapter together, let me share one small piece of advice. Life won’t always be as picture-perfect as today, but love isn’t about perfection. It’s about being there for each other when things are messy, supporting each other through the hard times, and celebrating each and every little victory. It’s about finding joy in the everyday—whether it’s a quiet night in or a big adventure.

To the happy couple: Please, join me in a toast. [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], may your days be filled with laughter, your home with warmth, and your hearts with endless love. To the happy couple—cheers!

 Example 10: Happy mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Well, well, well… who can believe this day is actually here? The day my girl, my [Bride’s name], marries the love of her life. 

All about the bride: [Bride’s name], my girl—what a journey it’s been to get to this moment. You’ve always been full of surprises, and growing up with you was like starring in the best comedy show imaginable. From the moment you could walk, you were on the go—getting into mischief, asking a million questions, and keeping us all on our toes. And now, here you are, as stunning as ever, standing here ready to start this amazing new chapter.

Share some happy memories: Now, anyone who knows [Bride’s name] will know she’s always been a force of nature. I remember when she was about six and decided she wanted to make a “pond” in the garden. What that actually involved was sneaking into the kitchen, taking the washing-up bowl, and filling it with water, grass, and, for some reason, an entire loaf of bread. When I asked her why there was bread in the pond, she said, “Well, the ducks need snacks!” No ducks ever showed up, but the dog was thrilled.

And then there was her teenage phase—oh, my gosh, the outfits! She once went through a goth phase, complete with black eyeliner and fishnet gloves. That lasted a week before she decided she was going to be “edgy vintage” instead. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone wear pearls and Converse quite so confidently!

Welcome your daughter’s partner: And then along came [Groom’s name]. From the moment I met him, I knew he was different. First of all, he laughed at [Bride’s name]’s jokes, which was a good sign because, let’s face it, some of them are a bit questionable. But more than that, he just gets her. He matches her energy, balances out her chaos, and loves her for exactly who she is. [Groom’s name], you’ve not only won my daughter’s heart but ours as well. You’ve fit into this mad little family of ours so effortlessly, and we couldn’t be happier to have you.

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, I won’t pretend to be an expert on marriage—though your father and I did manage 30-odd years without too many arguments over who left the milk out! But if I’ve learnt anything, it’s that the best relationships are built on laughter, patience, and always having a good stash of snacks in the cupboard. Never underestimate the power of a shared joke, a cup of tea on a hard day, or just being each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

To the happy couple: So, let’s raise a glass to my beautiful daughter and her new husband. [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], may your life together be filled with laughter, adventure, and just the right amount of craziness to keep things interesting. Here’s to love, happiness, and a future that’s as bright as your smiles today. To the happy couple—cheers!

Example 11: Short and sweet mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Friends, family… people who’ve wandered in off the street, welcome! My name is [your name], and I’m the very proud mother of the bride. Now, I’m not really one for speeches, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet, but I just wanted to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has made the effort to be here today. 

All about the bride: Now, where do I start? [Bride’s name], my lovely girl. You’re the greatest gift I could have asked for. Watching you grow into the smart, kind, and beautiful woman you are today has been the biggest privilege of my life. And today, seeing you so radiant and happy on your special day, my heart is absolutely bursting.

Welcome your daughter’s partner: And you, [Groom’s name], you made it all possible. You love my girl the way she deserves to be loved—with kindness, patience, and all the laughter in the world. From the moment I met you, I knew you were something special. You’re a much loved and very welcome addition to the family. 

To the happy couple: So, let’s raise a glass to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]. May your life together be filled with love, laughter, and many happy memories. To the bride and groom!

Example 12: Gender-neutral mother of the bride speech 

Introduction: Hello everyone, are you all having a good time? My name is [your name], and I’m very proud to be standing here today as [Child’s name]’s mother. I know these speeches aren’t traditional, but anyone who knows me and [Child’s name] knows that we aren’t bound by tradition, or even gender norms! Right, [Child’s name]?

All about your child: [Child’s name], my love, you’ve always been one-of-a-kind. From the moment you could express yourself, you’ve done it with sparkle, sass, and a wardrobe that was at least 70% glitter. I still remember when you declared at age seven that you were going to marry someone “who knows how to dance and loves dogs.” They were your only criteria. Well, looking at [Partner’s name], I think you’ve nailed it.

Share some happy memories: Speaking of your flair for the fabulous, I’ll never forget the time you decided to put on your own “Pride Parade” in the garden. You must have learnt what “Pride” was at 7, and this was when you were…maybe, 8? You stole my feather boa, raided the recycling bin for “confetti,” and made your poor Nana wave a rainbow flag you’d coloured in with felt tips. I’ll never forget the dog looking traumatised in a tutu. That’s [Child’s name] for you—bringing the party everywhere she goes!

Welcome your child’s partner: And then along came [Partner’s name]. The moment I met you, I knew you were perfect for my child. First of all, you laughed at their jokes, which is no small feat. But more than that, the way you look at them—like they’re the most magical person in the world—it’s everything a mum could hope for. [Partner’s name], you’ve slotted into our family like you’ve always been there, and I can’t thank you enough for loving my child exactly as they are: loud, proud, and impossible to wake up before 10am.

Some wisdom or guidance: Now, I won’t give you a lecture on marriage—you’ve probably had enough of my lectures over the years, haven’t you, [Child’s name]? But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that love isn’t about being perfect. It’s about embracing each other’s quirks, laughing through the chaos, and never running out of snacks in the cupboard. Oh, and always have a playlist ready for spontaneous kitchen dancing. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

To the happy couple: So, everyone, let’s raise a glass to my child and their wonderful new spouse. [Child’s name] and [Partner’s name], may your life together be as bright, beautiful, and full of joy as you both are. Here’s to a future of love, laughter, and maybe even a few more feather boas along the way. Cheers to the happy couple!

 Plan your mother of the bride speech today!

Photo © Vladimir Spirov | See their Bridebook profile

The mother of the bride speech is a beautiful, but non-traditional, part of a wedding reception. As such, you have the freedom to make what you want of it without the pressures felt by more traditional speeches (such as the best man’s speech or the father of the bride’s speech

This is your chance to tell the world how amazing your little girl is and highlight how beautiful she looks on her big day. Speak from the heart, share your favourite childhood memories of your daughter, and offer your advice and guidance to the newlyweds on their happy day. 

If you’re still feeling nervous, we can support you in writing a brilliant mother of the bride speech here at Bridebook.  Sign up today and learn all about making your mother of the bride speech funny, beautiful, and from the heart. 

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Happy Planning!

5 Reasons to Choose a Unique Wedding Venue

There’s no time like your wedding day to throw the party of the century. It’s a celebration of love, unity and the beginning of a beautiful journey with your partner. When planning your dream wedding, one important decision is choosing the perfect venue. While traditional wedding venues have their charm, opting for a unique setting can elevate your special day to new heights, leaving a long-lasting impression on both you and your guests. In this post, we explore the benefits of choosing a unique wedding venue for an unforgettable celebration.

1. Amazing Memories

Photo © Roman Baths and Pump Room | See their Bridebook profile

Stepping away from the conventional ballroom or banquet hall, and choosing a one-of-a-kind venue, guarantees that your wedding won’t be a generic one your guests will forget. Imagine exchanging vows in a picturesque vineyard or an intimate beachfront setting. A unique backdrop can tell a story of its own and add a touch of magic to your big day.

2. Conversation Starter

Photo © Trevibban Mill Vineyard | See their Bridebook profile

Unique wedding venues provide a fantastic conversation starter for guests, breaking the ice and creating an atmosphere of excitement and curiosity. From historic landmarks to contemporary art galleries, these distinctive spaces spark interest and encourage guests to mingle, making your celebration more vibrant and engaging.

3. Personalised Experience

Photo © Crockstead Fields | See their Bridebook profile

Choosing an unconventional venue opens up a world of possibilities for personalisation. You can tailor every aspect of your wedding to fit the venue’s ambiance, creating a seamless fusion of your love story and the location’s charm. Whether it’s bespoke decorations or themed attire, a unique venue allows you to embrace your creativity and show off your own personalities. 

4. Intimate Ambiance

Photo © The Leeds Library | See their Bridebook profile

Unique wedding venues often offer a more intimate and cosy atmosphere, so you can more easily share all the special moments with your closest friends and family. Distinctive spaces can contribute to a warm and welcoming vibe, which can help you and your guests celebrate together and connect with each other more comfortably.

5. Photo Opportunities

Photo © Marshwood Manor | See their Bridebook profile

A unique wedding venue can serve as a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photos. Whether it’s a rustic barn, a lush garden, or an industrial loft, these distinct settings add an artistic touch to your pictures, ensuring every snapshot captures the essence of you and your partner’s love for each other and the beauty of the surroundings.If you’re ready to explore unique wedding venues that promise to give your celebration that real wow-factor, we have plenty of suggestions to inspire you.

Plan your dream wedding on Bridebook

If you’re ready to explore unique wedding venues that promise to give your celebration that real wow-factor, we have plenty of suggestions to inspire you. 

The Best Wedding Insurance to Consider – Bridebook x Wedinsure

Wedding insurance is the best way to protect yourself financially in case things don’t go to plan before or during your big day. Providing cover for weddings and civil partnerships up to £50,000, Wedinsure is our top option to consider if you’re looking to protect your wedding. 

Reasons to consider Wedinsure

Bride and groom embracing in the rain under an umbrella

Wedinsure is a great flexible wedding insurance provider. Cover ranges from £5,000 to £50,000, with prices starting from as little as a £43.99 one-off payment. Plus, there’s nil excess on certain sections of cover. That means you’ll receive 100% of the money you claim (up to the sum insured for those sections of cover). 

Wedinsure offers 10 different levels of cancellation protection. Key benefits include cover if you need to cancel or reschedule your wedding in the case of the following:

  • Any of your suppliers meet with financial failure
  • You or a close relative falls ill, dies or is injured 
  • The weather or a natural disaster means you or at least half of your guests can’t make it to your wedding
  • Any of your wedding must-haves are lost or damaged (attire, gifts, rings, flowers, cake)

There’s also cover for destination weddings and personal liability coverage, plus plenty of brilliant optional add-ons such as marquee cover, COVID-19 cover, public liability, excess waiver and even ceremonial swords!

 

Protect your wedding today with Wedinsure 

So, if you’re looking for the best way to protect your wedding investment, take a look at Wedinsure today. And to learn more, check out our ultimate guide to wedding insurance