All of your wedding stationery questions are answered by the wonderful Papeterie Eugénie in this wonderful piece. Read on to cover all the ins and outs you need to know before picking your stationery and be inspired by Papeterie Eugénie’s beautiful designs!
Go Bold: Metallic foils look great on darker card especially with an intricate design. By Papeterie Eugénie
Your wedding stationery is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your choice of style. It normally provides the first impression of your special day and a taster of what’s to come. It’s the perfect way to link different ideas and communicate with your guests.
3D Stationery: Why not! By Papeterie Eugénie
With so many options available, it may feel hard to know where to start. Firstly, take a little time to think about what you might like and what you might need. Secondly, read my essential advice below, written especially for the launch of Bridebook.
Glamorous Vintage: The antique gold lace and black sash imitated the brides’ designer wedding dress. By Papeterie Eugénie
Gathered from years of experience as a bespoke wedding stationery consultant and designer – my top 10 pointers will guide you through your paper trail…
1. Your stationery starting point
I normally advise couples to confirm their venue, dress and floristry before making wedding stationery decisions. These features provide the backdrop to your day and often steer your choice of stationery styling.
Personalised Bunting: A pretty but unfussy design often pleases the groom! By Papeterie Eugénie
2. Defining your wedding style
Grand or informal, elegantly understated, contemporary or vintage? The list is endless, so agree on something you love and showcase this style, even loosely throughout. Carefully chosen stationery will successfully link all elements of your special day.
Tell a Visual Story: ‘He proposed under a tree’. By Papeterie Eugénie
3. Choosing your colour palette
Less is more and a limited palette creates an elegant finish. Select white or cream as your cornerstone, then choose one or two colours to reflect the tones of your day. If going bold, then gold or silver looks stunning on darker card.
Naturally Autumnal: A seasonal theme can work harmoniously with your flowers. By Papeterie Eugénie
4. Creating an impression
Do you want to communicate an elegant event, inject a little fun, or get people talking? Wording can be used to reflect your personalities too. Never underestimate the impact of stationery to set the tone, finish tables and say a personal thank you at the end.
Narrative Invitation: A quirky and individual way to connect with your guests. By Papeterie Eugénie
5. The guest list
Would older guests cope with an app or prefer a traditional style RSVP method? Do visitors from abroad need earlier notice or advice on accommodation? This may influence your invitation design and timing, so it is worth considering.
Modern yet Elegant: A design built on words offers a contemporary twist. By Papeterie Eugénie
6. Making the most of your budget
Recent trends show desire for heritage techniques such as letterpress or engraved invitations. While these are expensive, some modern variations enable similar effects for less. Make special finishes like embossing, foiling or laser-cutting more cost-effective by using the same motif throughout. Printed invitations are most reasonable, so make these stand out with a unique illustration or personal design. A little hand-finishing can add a special touch.
Modern yet Elegant: A design built on words offers a contemporary twist. By Papeterie Eugénie
7. Pruning back
It may be possible to trim certain corners, such as skipping save the dates or providing smaller evening invitations. However, never scrimp on envelopes, matching information or a stylish seating plan – scrappy alternatives will undermine all your efforts.
Rustic Bundle: Co-ordinate your items and wrap your Invitation, Information and RSVP Card in a cute hand-crafted bundle. By Papeterie Eugénie
8. Finishing touches count
Keep fonts, colours, motifs and styling consistent. If going for an eclectic mix, make sure every item is quirky, but respect your colour palette throughout. Good attention to detail gives a polished result.
By Papeterie Eugenie
9. When to send
Traditional etiquette dictates that invitations should arrive six-eight weeks prior to your wedding, with evening invitations at the same time. Modern lifestyles make this risky without a save the date, so often couples send day invites six months before, with evening invitations nearer the time.
Paper and Cord: Not a fan of elaborate decoration? Understated embellishment can still add that special touch. By Papeterie Eugénie
10. From start to finish
Always meet your potential wedding stationer and/or request samples. Quality varies enormously and your stationer will be with you throughout. A good relationship means that they will coordinate the finer details with your other suppliers-and help you with that last-minute Seating Plan change!
Commission an Illustration: Include it throughout your stationery then ask guests to sign the framed original in place of a guest book. By Papeterie Eugénie
In Summary:
Couples often tell me that wedding stationery becomes their favourite part of their planning. Of course! It is something you can enjoy together, a marrying of your personalities, a feature that can be truly unique to you both.
By Papeterie Eugénie
As well as making the first impression, wedding stationery forms keepsakes for you and your guests. My seating plans are often framed as lifelong mementos, a picturesque reminder of your special day; whilst signed illustrations or guest books provide emotional reportage from everyone who was there.
Pocket-fold Presentation: Present your wedding arrangements in a handy pocketfold. Perfect if you have lots to communicate! By Papeterie Eugénie
So, whilst every wedding is individual, your stationery always counts- please don’t forget to make it special!
Happy Planning!
Inspired by Papeterie Eugénie’s beautiful designs and helpful tips? Be sure to check out their Bridebook profile profile and website!
Award winning dress designer Louise Selby shares her expertise with the Bridebook team less than a month after winning the prestigious National Wedding Dress Designer of the year from The Wedding Industry Awards – and we are so glad she has! Read on for some quality insight and tips only an award winner could provide.
Louise Selby’s Delphinium Dress By Yasmin Afshar
Could you walk us through your typical process with a bride?
All of my dresses are bespoke, and having a bespoke dress means the dress is made to fit your measurements exactly and includes a toile fitting, which is a cotton mock-up of the dress so that the bride can see exactly the design and fit of the dress before seeing it in the fabrics of her choice. There is flexibility on the details of the dress and the fabrics she chooses, so a bride can make it her own.
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of having a bespoke dress?
The most challenging aspect is that the bride needs a certain amount of vision, while understanding that there are some limitations to fabrics and designs one should always keep in mind.
What is your #1 tip to brides preparing for a bespoke fitting?
My number 1 tip is to wear the correct underwear for all the fittings. To have the correct underwear is so important, nude works best and seamless preferably. A good bra is vital under many of my designs, the Delphinium dress for example needs a backless bra, and luckily these are so readily available now. Marks and Spencer do a brilliant one, the Foxglove dress needs a bra with a transparent back, Boux.co.uk do an excellent one.
What is your favourite wedding dress style and what are your favourite wedding dress details?
At the moment, my favourite design is my Delphinium dress which is new for 2016 and is very Grecian and simple but exquisitely cut in a beautiful heavy crepe.
Louise Selby’s Delphinium Dress By Yasmin Afshar
Could you describe the most challenging assignment you have ever taken on?
Some brides are more challenging than others, but we endeavour to ensure that they are all happy on the day!
What fabrics do you recommend a bride consider for each season?
Heavier fabrics such as zibeline and mikado work well for winter and autumn weddings, whereas softer satins and crepes are more suited to spring and summer. The chantilly laces are so pretty in the warmer months, beach weddings or gardens with that festival vibe, and the guipures are perfect for those golden autumn weddings (our Mimosa gown illustrates this perfectly). A little bit of fur is fabulous in the winter, we have some exquisite rabbit trims.
Louise Selby’s Mimosa Dress By Yasmin Afshar
Which cuts do you recommend for the bohemiam, modern, whimsical, and classic bride respectively?
Princess lines work perfectly for the classic bride, the fuller skirt, maybe with pleats in a fine mikado for that Grace Kelly look, such as the Orchid gown. Finer silks such as a light weight zibeline work well as a sheath shape for an elegant Jean Shrimpton look, maybe with a grosgrain bow or waist detail, the Sunflower dress is the perfect example of this.
The bohemian bride suits the lighter Amalfi satin or crepe with a fine chantilly lace, look no further than the Primrose dress, below, with its pretty capped sleeve and low back detail.
Louise Selby’s Primrose Dress By Yasmin Afshar
The modern bride suits a dress like the Foxglove, a streamlined crepe and georgette gown with a boat neck and a low lace back. Alternatively, for that Chelsea Registry Office look, early sixties vibe, chose the iconic Snapdragon zibeline coat with little strapless lace dress underneath, below. Accessorise with black and white Kate Spade vintage bag and black shoes.
Louise Selby’s Snapdragon Coat By Yasmin Afshar
If you could have designed anyone’s wedding dress – past, present or future – who would it be and why?
The lovely Lily James, currently playing Natasha in War & Peace, would look gorgeous in one of my designs, maybe Primrose or Amaryllis or Foxglove.
What type of dress did you wear on your wedding?
I absolutely love the dress I made for my own wedding 24 years ago, an oyster shantung sheath, dress with Calais lace, slightly off the shoulder, and a lovely slightly ruched back detail.
Louise Selby herself in her self-designed wedding dress
What was your favourite moment/memory?
Arriving at the church with my little attendants and seeing my future husband for the first time, waiting for me by the altar.
What is your #1 planning tip for brides today?
The devils in the detail; but chose the details carefully. Some things are really not that important, don’t worry about the things you can’t control, such as the weather, concentrate on looking after your guests, making them feel part of a really special celebration that they will remember.
Happy Planning!
Want to see more of Louise’s gorgeous wedding dresses? Of course you do! Be sure to check out her Bridebook profile and website for some more swoon worthy designs.
Are you trying to decide whether to wear your hair up or down on your wedding day? Brides often face this dilemma, but fear not, today we give you some of the best advice from one of our dearest wedding experts: Rose Magnall.
If you want to cut to the chase, these are the questions you should be asking yourself in order to make a decision:
How do you usually wear your hair?
Are you more comfortable with it up or down?
What kind of dress are you wearing?
Keep reading to explore these questions in more detail with our wedding expert, and by the end of this article, you should be on a good path to making your decision!
Rose Magnall is a freelance hair and make-up artist who also works closely with the Liz Earle Beauty brand, celebrities and international bridal clients. Rose is based in London, but travels far and wide and knows how to get you walking down the aisle looking like an absolute goddess:
Rose Magnall’s own wedding up-do
I find the decision between hair up or hair down is one of the most common difficulties many brides face in the run-up to their wedding. Hair, after all, is a woman’s crowning glory, and we as a gender can be pretty obsessed with our locks. This obsession tends to be magnified on our wedding day, as many things are!
There can be many pressures about how your hair ‘should’ look – from worries about the weather causing havoc if your hair is down, to agonizing over the many style options of an up-do, not to mention the endless ‘hairspiration’ photos to be found online and thinking, which of these is right for me?
My advice in helping any bride to make the decision would be to focus on two main questions: first, what suits the dress? And secondly, (and I think most importantly) what are you most comfortable with? Let’s focus for now on the latter.
Personally, for me, when it came to making the decision for my own wedding last year, I took a step back (many years back) and remembered how it felt to be a young girl, imagining myself as a grown-up woman getting married. Although I have long and generally well-behaved hair, I always imagined that I would wear my blonde hair up in a chignon – it was a clear vision that never wavered.
Perhaps the main reason I knew I wanted my hair up, is that I’ve always felt comfortable with it tied back, I’ve enjoyed wearing up-dos and having my hair styled off my face. I’ve also always found it easier – once it’s up, its up, and there’s no maintenance required.
However, for every girl who loves wearing their hair up, there’s another who prefers it down. And, in most cases, they always will have. I have worked with many brides with the most beautiful thick hair, who want nothing more than to show it off at its best on their wedding day.
And rightly so. Bridal hair down styles are exquisite, and girls who love to wear their hair down will feel nothing less than perfect if they decide to go down this route for their wedding. The thing is, brides who choose to wear their hair down tend to be girls who always wear their hair down – bottom line, they feel the most comfortable, beautiful and confident with their hair down. It’s the same reasoning for brides who choose to wear their hair up – it just feels ‘right’ for them.
Hair down on Helen Wild
So, amidst the stresses and endless to-do lists involved in planning your wedding, take a step back and think about what it is that you really want – not what fashion and trends and family members want, or think you should do.
Think back to memories or occasions (a good opportunity to look through old photos) in your life when you felt the most beautiful and confident – was your hair down? If so, then maybe down is the way to go for your wedding day.
There are always ‘half-up’ options too, which can be a lovely way to show off your hair while keeping it directly off your face. This is quite a popular route for brides who are torn between up or down. Some brides begin the day with their hair up, then have their hair stylist transform the style into hair down for the evening (if you have the time and the budget this can be really special and a lovely surprise for your groom).
Half-up do on Catherine Moyer
The dress also plays a part in deciding how your hair should be worn – if you want to show off back-detail or shoulders then that can help you to make a decision. Bridal boutiques can offer great advice during wedding dress fittings – and you’ll get a feel for what looks better with certain dresses as you try on various styles.
You want to look back on your wedding day as the most wonderful experience, knowing that everything was perfect for you. So, follow your heart and trust your own sense of style, and on the day you’ll feel the happiest you’ve ever felt.
Happy Planning!
Inspired by Rose’s amazing hairdos and gorgeous makeup? Be sure to check out her Bridebook profile and website to book her for your own wedding!
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As the head of one of the UK’s most revered and popular floral decorating teams, Simon J Lycett‘s Q&A has everything a bride could possibly want – from ingenious inspiration to no-nonsense wedding budget guidance this is one piece you definitely won’t want to miss.
The legend, Simon Lycett himself
How should a bride begin identifying her style?
The diverse range of tastes and styles of our clients and their chosen wedding settings provide a real “kick start” to ideas for décor and design for the individual event. It’s all in the detail and and I adore getting carried away so that the thoughts and dreams of the bride and groom are manifested in their special day with little touches in the decorations to reflect their lives which are now entwined.
Simple or grand is not important, quality is my motivating force in all things. And whatever your style, presentation is EVERYTHING! From the simplest stem of garden rose within an antique French confiture jar to a vast stone urn of orchids, keep the finish and the execution immaculate – although it may look casual and spontaneous, to achieve perfection, everything needs to be planned, practised and polished!
What are your recommendations for a bride choosing her colour scheme?
When choosing your colour palette discount NOTHING and enjoy everything, surprising combinations work really well. Never be shy of mixing colour and if someone tells you that certain colours do not work together, tell them to look to nature for inspiration, the wings of a butterfly or the plumage of a humming bird and then see what does or doesn’t work together!
Where do you think is the best place for a bride to find inspiration?
The incredible seasonal raw materials that we work with – namely the foliage, flowers, plants and fruits available to us provide endless inspiration and food for thought.
What’s your top tip for making a flower budget go further?
Celebrate with seasonal flowers which are more reasonably priced and always resonate within a setting so well. Sometimes less is more, but often masses is best! I like the flowers at a wedding to always give you a “floral cuddle” and minimal just never manages to do so! Broad brush-strokes are what make impact so go with one large decoration rather than three small ones and you’ll still achieve the Wow! factor!
Enjoy exploring the textures and tones of fruits and vegetables. A few architectural artichokes arranged within a bowl of roses give masses of style and substance and makes a clever statement without adding fortunes to the budget! Buttermilk and yellow spray roses, vibrant green alchemilla mollis and blousy cream peonies, when arranged within glass vases filled with fresh Amalfi lemons suddenly become a cool and contemporary statement, giving a fresh citrusy “pop” of colour.
Whatever your budget, plant material must be the best available in perfect condition. Damaged flowers look sad to the naked eye but within a photographer’s lens each imperfection will shout!
Courtesy of Simon Lycett
What should brides consider when selecting their bouquet?
Be aware that many images within Bridal magazines have had colours tweaked in photoshop! So trust your florist when they say that certain coloured flowers are or are not available! And bear in mind that many photoshoot bridal flowers are a whimsical bit of fun which while looking good for a 10 minute photo-shoot, will not really last as a bouquet for an actual wedding because they will wilt and deteriorate quickly.
Bear in mind that a traditional, wired bouquet will take much longer to create than a tied bouquet, so will be considerably more expensive, however with no natural stems, there is no fear of marking a pale coloured dress!
As I hand over their bouquet on the morning of the wedding I always tell brides to carry their bouquet low, with relaxed arms, as it makes Brides look taller. And to walk slowly!
How important is scent when considering your wedding flowers?
The scent of herbs should never be overlooked when planning a wedding, especially in the bouquets and buttonholes. Few commercially grown flowers have a great deal of fragrance these days so add in some subtle scent with sprigs of rosemary and lavender, leaves of bay and sprigs of thyme. Or conjure some romance with charming scented narcissi and hyacinths, tulips, hellebores and muscari.
Courtesy of Simon Lycett
Happy Planning!
Love Simon’s tips? Check out his amazing work and book him for your own wedding through his Bridebook profile!
Here at Bridebook we were oh so lucky to have a chance to pick the brains of one of the most impressive and renowned wedding hairstylists in the UK. As the man behind Kate Middleton’s wedding hair, he is most definitely very deserving of the title! You can’t miss Richard Ward‘s top tips for pre-wedding hair care and especially his day-of hair tips – you’ll be thanking us later.
Richard Ward
How can a bride begin to choose the best hairstyle for her dress?
Wedding hair is notoriously hard to decide on – it has to work with your dress, accessories, face shape and make you feel totally comfortable at the same time! Take into account the dress neckline and go for a hairstyle that complements it; for example if you have a detailed, high neckline, an updo or keeping hair behind the shoulders will ensure it’s visible. Try out as many different styles as possible with your hairdresser until you find your perfect look.
How should a bride decide on which hair accessories to wear on her wedding day?
Whether you choose accessories or a veil depends on the neckline of your dress and what hairstyle you have chosen. A beautiful, intricate updo can be hidden or weighed down by a veil, and is better shown off with delicate accessories; wearing the hair in a more loose, flowing style can be complemented by a beautiful veil. Bring your veil or accessories to your hair trial and make sure they work perfectly with the look you have chosen for maximum impact on the day.
Hair by Richard Ward
Richard’s Pre-Wedding Top Tips:
Start prepping your hair with deep conditioning treatments – both in-salon and at home – at least 6 months before the wedding so it’s in tip-top condition for the big day.
Take inspiration from everywhere – magazines, Pinterest, catwalks – and make a collage of your favourite looks so you have a variety to choose from.
Try out lots of different styles at your hair trial and take photos so you can look back and choose your favourites.
If you want to create the illusion of longer, thicker hair, use clip-in hair pieces – they’re really versatile and easy to use, and you don’t have to wait months for your hair to grow!
Remember your hair has to work with your dress neckline – bring a photo of your dress to your hair trial so your hairdresser knows what type of style they are working with.
Complement an intricate up-do with beautiful delicate accessories or a tiara rather than a veil, as this could hide or weigh it down.
Bring any hair pieces, veils or accessories to your hair trial to make sure they work perfectly with the look you have chosen for maximum impact on the day.
Don’t have any major colour appointments too close to the wedding – have your last full appointment about 4 weeks in advance, and touch up with a semi-permanent gloss or vegetable colour in-salon just before the big day to really refresh your look.
Hair by Richard Ward
Richard’s On The Day Tips:
If you’ve chosen an updo or structured curls, wash your hair the day before to give it more grip – freshly washed locks can be harder to style and keep in place, and can drop more easily.
After a long day of dancing and photos, hair can go a bit flat – spritz a little dry shampoo into the roots halfway through the day or during the reception for extra volume and texture.
L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni. Art Super Dust is also a great product for volume – it’s a tiny bottle so is the perfect size to pop in a bag and whip out when your hair needs a quick boost.
If your hairdresser isn’t there all day, keep a small bottle of hairspray and a comb on hand with your chief bridesmaid in case of any last minute touch-ups to ensure your hair stays looking perfect for photos all day and night.
Hair by Richard Ward
Richard’s top product recommendations:
The Chelsea Collection Argan Hairspray, £5.99
The Chelsea Collection Argan Elixir, £5.99
L’Oreal Professionnel tecni.art Super Dust, £13
The Chelsea Collection Argan 10-in-1 Styling Spritz, £5.99
Stephen Jones OBE is one of the most iconic and influential milliners of all time. Based in London designing hats for A listers, Stephen’s achievements are endless, including curating the world famous ‘Hats’ exhibition at the V&A in 2009. Bridebook was fortunate enough to speak to Stephen Jones about two things we love: hats and weddings (of course!)
The legendary milliner Stephen Jones and some of his creations
Do you think hats are a must-do for all wedding guests?
No it shouldn’t be compulsory to wear a hat, people have freedom of expression, but maybe those who are not really hat wearers should have a go because they’ll realise they’ll have so much fun wearing one, especially on such a special occasion.
Are there any rules when choosing a hat as a wedding guest? (Etiquette, style, occasion type etc.)
Ideally it should not be white as white is the colour of the bride. It should not be too big because if you’re in a Church or a Synagogue you don’t want to obscure the view of the person behind. On the other hand, however, if you’re known as an eccentric dresser you don’t want to let down your audience.
Do you have any tips for choosing the best hat shape for you?
A hat needs to suit your face more than it has to suit your fashion. So if you have a long face don’t wear a tall crowned hat. If you wear glasses, wear a hat with a turned up brim at the front so as not to crowd your face. If you have a broad face, wear a broader brimmed hat or a hat with statement pieces such as flowers. If you have a square face, wear something asymmetric to soften it. You can do all that, but I also think matching is a nice touch. It’s a big enough statement that you’re wearing a hat so you don’t need it to contrast your colours, or have it in any unusual colour. Also keep in mind that whatever colour your hat is gets cast across your face, so beware lime green hats! Sunshine cast through a blue hat tends to add a nice, gentle hue to your skin.
Where did you get married and what was your favourite part of your wedding?
The Chelsea Town Hall in London, a truly lovely venue. My favourite part was seeing a whole line of my guests walking two by two down the road at 9am on Monday morning, on the first day of London Fashion Week, dressed to the nines going to our wedding breakfast.
Globally renowned Daniel Galvin OBE, famous for giving Twiggy the blonde hair that she is known and loved for (as well as styling and colouring the hair of an endless list of celebrities), speaks to Bridebook about wedding hair and how to make sure your hair looks its absolute best on your big day.
Daniel Galvin
How far in advance of your wedding should you be thinking about a regime?
I always recommend that you should have your highlights / colour done 1-2 weeks before your wedding day to give the colour plenty of chance to settle.
What can you do to ensure your hair is at its best the day of the wedding?
The best thing to do is keep hair in amazing condition by using good treatments a few times a week, at least 3-6 months before your wedding. This will ensure your hair is shiny, healthy and beautiful looking on the day.
What else other than products can effect the health of your hair?
Blow-drying, tongs, straighteners, swimming and everyday wear and tear will affect the condition of the hair and should be avoided as much as possible in the run up to your wedding.
Is there anything else that is important to keep in mind?
Maintaining the colour of your hair, using Daniel Galvin detox to clean the colour and get rid of impurities, and Daniel Galvin clear gloss to make it shine for at least a year before the wedding is important so that it looks amazing on the day.
Where did you get married and what was your favourite part of your wedding?
In Muswell Hill, London. My favourite moment was undoubtedly seeing my beautiful fiancée coming down the aisle looking ever more radiant, but the whole ceremony and reception were equally as special. Finally driving to Fronton On Sea for our honeymoon also makes the top of this list.
This rustic barn wedding has so many handmade and personal touches from the bunting sewn together by the bride’s grandmother, to the flowers arranged by the bride’s mother, to the table chutneys and sides prepared by both of the couple’s fathers! Steph and Greg had family and fun in mind with their outdoor lawn games as well. Enjoy perusing this relaxed, lovely barn wedding at the Corn Barn in Cullompton.
Devon | South West | Cullompton | Summer | DIY | Rustic | Pink | Barn
The Corn Barn was bursting with local flowers arranged by Steph’s Mum and friends, and looked wonderful with a twinkling fairy light canopy overhead. A huge amount of work had gone into this wedding, mostly carried out by family and friends, and Steph and Greg themselves. They had a range of village fete style games outside for everyone to play, keeping adults and children equally happily entertained! The wedding breakfast was a grand ploughman’s lunch, with picnic hampers on all the tables filled with ham, cheese and homemade chutneys. Even the bunting was a compilation of pieces made by all the guests, and patiently sewn together by Steph’s grandmother.
The whole day was really wonderful to be part of and just bursting with emotion. Greg and Steph were glowing with happiness all day long, and Greg’s emotional speech pretty much had the entire room in tears.
Congratulations Steph & Greg and thank you Helen Lisk Photography for letting us share these beautiful photographs to help remember a very special day!
Well, here’s something you don’t see every day! Newlyweds Alex and Stef organised a personalised red double-decker bus to take their guests to Kirtlington Park, a gorgeous country house in Oxfordshire – and we absolutely love it.
The stylish Saloon was the perfect location to celebrate with a champagne toast, while at their outdoor cocktail reception, Alex, Stef and their guests enjoyed views of the beautiful Chiltern Hills – and had some fun playing lawn games too!
Congratulations, Alex and Stef! And thank you, Guy Hearn Photography, for letting us share these beautiful photographs.
Every single one of Kendall and John’s photographs is absolutely breathtaking! The natural scenery of Glasgow created a stunning backdrop as the couple meandered along the coastline and through the town for their wedding photos. Kendall’s red lips and heels and John’s burgundy velvet jacket and socks added a touch of personality and colour to the day contrasting beautifully with the natural landscape. Don’t be surprised if Glasgow’s tourism increases as a result of these photos!
Season: Autumn | Styles: Coastal, Outdoor | Colours: Purple, Red
Words from the photographer:
“I was fortunate enough to meet John and Kendall at their friends wedding (that I was photographing) in France. They mentioned that they had just got married in Australia, however with John being from Scotland they were headed to celebrate round two with his close friends and family there. They kindly invited me to join them for this adventure. We had such a special afternoon together of spectacular sight seeing all over Glasgow, wandering through historic castles, along old paths and piers and admiring the breathtakingly beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains and of course the loch…I must say my favourite view of all was just these guys though!”
Congratulations Kendall & John and thank you Hajley Photography for letting us share these beautiful photographs.
The creative personal touches were everywhere at Katy and Steven’s wedding from the cross-stitched table names (of bands they’d seen together) to the nautical heart symbol, and K&S heart décor strewn across the tables. Take note of the delicious looking cheese cake (not cheesecake) made of stacked wheels of savoury cheese. Yum!
“Steven and Katy were the second couple to get married in the newly renovated Tithe Barn, at Symondsbury in Dorset. The barn looked wonderful – I absolutely loved the flowers, from The Real Cut Flower Garden, all in beautiful shades of blue and white. Katy had spent a lot of hours carefully cross-stitching the table names (bands they had watched together) – there could not have been a more perfect way to display these, I loved it! It was a fabulous day to be a part of, especially as the expected rain held off and never quite reached us. Katy and Steven are such a great couple and I really enjoyed photographing their wedding day”
Congratulations Katy & Steven and thank you Helen Lisk Photography for letting us share these gorgeous photographs.
You can practically smell the lavender coming through the computer screen in this beautifully coordinated country-style Welsh wedding! The couple even found a perfectly-painted deep purple Volkswagen van to coordinate with their chosen wedding colour – how’s that for matching?
Venue: Glangrwyney Court, a country house in Powys, Wales
“From the moment we met Steve we knew we had made the right choice in wedding photographer. Steve makes you feel relaxed and takes amazing natural photos. The comments we have received about our photos have been amazing and we absolutely love them. One of our photos even won wedding photo of the week on yourperfectweddingphotographer.co.uk!”
Love was the in the air and on the dance floor at this beautiful wedding! We loved the vibrant blue and orange running throughout from the groom’s suits to the table decorations. Such a creative couple!
Season: Spring | Styles: Classic, DIY | Colours: Blue, Orange
Words from the couple:
“Our wedding day was on the 18th April at Holdsworth House, a beautiful Jacobean Manor House in Halifax. We chose the venue because it had a great reputation for food and the setting and the grounds were really pretty. We had everything crossed in the run up to the big day for sunshine, luckily it turned out to be one of the warmest days of the year so we were able to have our drinks reception outside and our guests played croquet on the lawn whilst we had out photos taken.
We knew that photography and our choice of photographer would be one of the most important decisions we had to make, Andy and I both work in the the creative industry and had a very strong idea of the photography style we wanted, James and Lianne’s relaxed style matched what we were looking for perfectly and the photos were more amazing than we could have asked for.
After trying on what felt like 1000 dresses-but was actually more like 30-I finally found ‘the one’-Francesca by Maggie Sottero. The lovely ladies at Angel Brides persuaded me to try it on. Initially I wasn’t sure about it because it wasn’t what I pictured in my head, how wrong I was! Before the dress was fastened properly I knew that I couldn’t get married in any other dress it was so beautiful! I accessorised with a Richard Designs headdress and wrist cuff, Kurt Geiger heels for the day and in the evening I changed into my customised Converse trainers. My hair and makeup on the day was done by Kathyrn Hurl. I knew that I wanted a relaxed loose bun so that I could have my hair up off my back to show off my dress but without feeling too ‘done’-Kathryn knew exactly what I wanted and also managed to hide the fact that I had about 3 hours sleep the night before!
Andy tends to wear jeans and trainers to work so he really wanted a tailored suit with some unique design touches, but something he could still wear again. We went to Michelsberg Tailoring in the Leeds Victoria Quarter and James truly delivered on Andy’s brief, the suit was beautifully made and fitted with all the individual touches that Andy wanted. He wore it with Oliver Sweeney shoes and a Paul Smith pocket square.
Our adult bridesmaids wore coral gowns from the Dessy collection and the men wore suits from Next in a matching colour material to Andy’s suit. Our flowergirl wore a dress from BHS and out page boy had a suite from Matalan and a Ted Baker tie- they absolutely stole the show!
A lot of our decorations were home-made. Andy is a graphic designer so he designed all of our stationery and organised the printing. We made our table plan and photoboards from old picture frames, a friend made the bunting and I spent weeks decorating jam jars and luggage tags for our tables, it was a lot of hard work but it was totally worth it to have a day that really felt like our own. Lynne from Stem Designs filled my jam jars with beautiful white blooms and created relaxed hand-tied bouquets for me and the bridesmaids. We say Typical Type’s Big Love at a wedding fayre very early in the planning stages and I fell in love with it and decided there and then that whatever our wedding looked like, that would be a big part of it. In the end we built our wedding around it and it looked great both during the ceremony and at the evening reception!
The whole day was everything that we’d wanted it to be and more-planning it together meant that we had a day that reflected both of our personalities- I still look at the photos at least once a week and wish we could go back and do it all again!”
Congratulations Gemma & Andy and thank you James & Lianne Photography for letting us share these beautiful photographs to help remember their wedding l day!
You’re engaged, congratulations! You’re about to embark on one of the most amazing journeys of your life – and you’ve got your soulmate by your side. You’re on this rollercoaster together, and we promise it’s going to be full of love, surprises and celebration. So enjoy the ride!
As the realisation of what’s to come sets in, you might be wondering what happens next. Where do you start? Who do you tell first? How do you tell them? When should you start planning your wedding? How do you start?
Because there are so many things to do, things can get overwhelming quite quickly. But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you in the right direction and help make the next couple of weeks a lot easier, with a checklist for making sure you have everything covered.
So, in this post, we’re going to outline a step-by-step guide for everything you should do after you get engaged, from the order you should tell your family and friends to when the right time is to start making those bookings.
Now that you’re engaged, it’s time to start planning your dream wedding, but where to start? In this video, Bridebook founder (and qualified wedding planner!) Hamish Shephard breaks down your wedding organisation into 5 easy steps so you can plan stress-free and kickstart your wedding to-do list.
Our 20-step guide for what you should do after getting engaged
When you get engaged, everything is so exciting and feels like it goes so fast that it can be easy to get carried away. Did you do this? Did you do that? Before you know it, you’re not sure what you’ve done and what’s left to do. That’s where we come in. Below are 20 steps you can follow to make sure you remember everything after getting engaged.
It can be tempting to run to see your parents or pick up the phone and start yelling about your brand-new engagement. But before you do that, think about if you want to do something a little more creative, or figure out a way to get both of your families together in one room and blow them all away with the news.
Once you’ve figured out how you’re going to do it, you can get to the exciting part. You’re engaged to the love of your life – and it’s time to let your family and besties know! Just be prepared for lots of squeals, some hugs and maybe even a few tears – happy ones, of course.
Have you ever worn anything so precious… or expensive? So thoughtful, so sentimental, so valuable… Get your ring insured. ASAP. The average cost of an engagement ring is £1,978, which is an amount that very few can afford to lose. It’s unlikely that anything will happen to it, but you never know. Then you can stop worrying and start showing it off. And trust us, you’re going to want to show off that amazing new ring a lot.
4. Tell wider friends and family, starting with the A team
After telling your immediate family, it’s time to start sharing the news with your mates and colleagues. We bet some of the first people you tell will end up being key players in your wedding party. They might be your maid of honour or your best man, if you have one. Make an event of it and ask them to be by your side at your wedding over a drink or a meal out. Then start thinking about who else you want involved. Our number one piece of advice is to choose the people you love – not the people you feel obligated to have. Don’t worry about upsetting anyone – it’s your special day. You should be surrounded by your favourite people in the world.
With such a beautiful new ring to show off, you may want to do this sooner, but it’s especially important to make sure your nails are on point before you have your engagement photos done or you share the news on social media. There are going to be lots of close-ups of your ring finger, so having clean, shaped and polished nails will help those photos pop. Trust us.
It’s not for everyone, and it’s a little old-fashioned by today’s standards, but you might want to follow tradition by announcing your engagement in the local (or even national) newspaper. It’ll make your parents’ and grandparents’ days, as historically, engagement announcements included lots of details about the couple’s backgrounds, families and so on. Nowadays, though, it’s up to you what you include. If nothing else, it’ll make for a brilliant keepsake.
Now comes the time to scream your news from the 21st-century equivalent of the rooftops. If there was ever a time to share something on social media, it’s now. Whether you post a cute engagement selfie with your partner to your Instagram, update your Facebook relationship status or even make a cheeky TikTok, savour this moment and watch the likes roll in.
From the moment you got engaged, you no doubt mentally went into planning mode, thinking about venues, catering, wedding rings, the song you’ll have your first dance to… but, as hard as it might be, don’t feel the need to rush straight into it. Take a step back, breathe and enjoy the moment. Why not take a little trip away, just the two of you, and enjoy some time as an engaged couple? You’re about to embark on a busy year or more of hectic wedding planning, and taking time to enjoy your engagement is definitely worth it.
It’s party time! Get a date in the diary to celebrate with everyone that matters. Just remember that anyone who’s invited to your engagement party is likely to expect an invitation to the wedding too… But that’s only according to tradition, which of course can be ignored. So, if you want a blow-out bash, go for it. Plus, if you anticipate having to fill your guest list with second cousins at your parents’ request, now’s the time to leave them off the list and party on down with your nearest and dearest.
We’re sure you’ll want to remember this period in your lives forever so make sure to document it with an engagement photoshoot. It’s a great opportunity to get to know your photographer and get used to being in front of the camera. Think of it as a test run before your wedding – so get your smiles ready and be prepared for the jaw ache.
Unless your partner got your ring size spot on, you may need to get your engagement ring resized so it fits nice and snug. You may choose to get it done much sooner if it’s particularly loose, but it’s a balancing act between wanting to wear it to show it off, having it for the engagement photos and announcements, and making sure it doesn’t slip off and get lost forever.
Depending on the jewellers you go to, it might take up to four weeks to get your ring resized. But, if you’re willing to pay a little more, you could get it done in as little as a couple of days.
By now you’ve probably had plenty of thoughts about what you want from your wedding. So, start researching and making notes about what the perfect wedding is for you.
Here at Bridebook, we have a wide selection of tools and resources to help you plan your big day. From our budget planning tool to our easy-to-use app, we have everything you might need throughout your entire planning journey. Plus, we have loads of exclusive discounts from thousands of popular vendors that you won’t find anywhere else.
One of the best ways to get excited is by visiting wedding shows and fairs around the country. It offers you the opportunity to meet vendors, get some ideas and see what’s out there so you can get inspired and start making some decisions. One of our favourite shows is The National Wedding Show, but there are dozens throughout the year up and down the UK. Make sure you also check out local shows, which are a great way to meet vendors close to you.
You’ll likely have a ton of ideas bouncing around inside your head, which will all come together to form your ideal wedding. Don’t forget, your partner will also be doing the same. Remember to communicate all the time, so share your ideas, worries, thoughts, concerns, excitements and everything else. If you’re always open and honest with each other you’ll nail every step of your busy planning process.
This step and the step afterwards may be interchangeable, so it’s whatever works for you. Think about whether you want a big wedding where you might invite more than 100 guests, or would be happier with an intimate ceremony that’s not quite as grandiose. You may want to put together a rough guest list (which you can do right here on Bridebook) and then think about your budget, or it might be easier to do it the other way around. Whatever works for you. But, now’s the time to think about whether you really want your second cousin once removed to be there, or if you’d rather keep things a little smaller and more affordable.
In the UK, the average cost of a wedding is £19,184, which is enough for you to put on one heck of a party. But, that doesn’t mean your wedding will cost that much – depending on your guest list, venue, catering, attire and more, it could be much lower. Or even much higher.
The best way to work out how much your perfect wedding might cost is by using a budget calculator, which allows you to input all of your wedding-related costs to show you how much they’re likely to set you back. If it’s below what you were hoping for, great! If it’s higher, you can start thinking of some alternate choices or where you can make a few savings.
Once you’ve worked out your budget you’re in a position to see how it aligns with your finances. But what if it doesn’t, does that mean the wedding’s off? Absolutely not! One option is to make changes to your plans – for example, a registry office wedding is the cheapest you can have. Another option is to save money across the entire wedding – read our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding for more information.
Another option is to ask your family for a little extra support. Only one-third of couples pay for their wedding themselves, which means two-thirds get help from family. There are unofficial rules about who traditionally pays for what, but you’ll no doubt be grateful for help in whatever way your family can.
Before you make any proper decisions about your wedding date, start by figuring out what’s going to work for your nearest and dearest. Are there any other weddings happening that year? Does anyone have a big holiday booked? You don’t want to commit to a date, only to find out your best friend can’t make it. If you already know where you want to get married, think about when it’ll look its best. Will it really shine in summer or is it the perfect location for a winter wedding?
Choosing the right date for your wedding can also be a huge money-saver. If you want to get married on a Saturday, like half of all couples did last year, it’ll cost you way more than if you were to get married midweek.
There are more than likely a fair few people in your life who have planned a wedding, so ask them for advice on how they went about it. Ask them for recommended vendors, what they loved, what they wished they’d done differently… use them, their experience and their knowledge and make some notes. Also, getting referred to a specific vendor, like a DJ or wedding car hire company, is a great way to secure a cheeky discount.
Here at Bridebook, we also have plenty of expert guides, tips, tricks and real-life stories to help answer your questions, calm your concerns and help you throughout your planning journey.
Before you make any bookings or get a quote from a single vendor, think about whether or not it would be beneficial for you to hire a wedding planner. Generally, a wedding planner will cost about 10% of your overall budget, but they can save you a lot of time, money and stress by doing a lot of the negotiating and legwork for you. But, to get the best value for money, you should hire a planner at the very start of your planning process. Decide if this is something you’d like to do early on, as tempting as it might be to dive right in and start securing bookings.
So… what comes next?
So, these are the first 20 steps you should take after getting engaged. After that, you might want to take another step back and enjoy a few weeks as an engaged couple. Or, more likely, the excitement of your future wedding will be too much to resist, and you’ll want to get stuck right in with the planning.
Enjoy what comes next – it’s going to be long, exciting and rewarding, and most likely a little expensive as well. But, you’ll have a wonderful wedding day at the end of it.
Start planning your wedding with Bridebook
Here at Bridebook, we have everything you could need to plan your perfect wedding. Sign up and start planning your big day today!
You’ve spent the past year, months, days being showered in bubbly, presents and celebrations! The wedding is over, you’re back from your honeymoon and your tan is starting to fade. Before settling straight into married life, there’s one thing left to do – thank you letters. While they may seem a bit overwhelming, it’s actually a really special process – you get to go through all the people (and wedding presents!) that made your day so amazing. You might have to write a fair few of these so here are our tips to make the final wedmin task a bit easier.
Let’s go back to the beginning. You probably gathered everyone’s emails and addresses to invite them to your wedding – use this list! Simply catalogue each gift next to the name of the giver and your task will be easy peasy.
Want to be a super-couple? Start writing the Thank You’s as the gifts arrive, this way, you won’t be overwhelmed with the 200 notes you have to write post W-Day.
The traditional rule is to have your Thank You’s sent a maximum of two months after your wedding day. Try and stick to this and make your guests feel loved!
You’re going to need an area of inspiration. Think special writing area, with comfy chair and music. No writers block here!
Prepare your stationery. You may have ordered your Thank You notes with the rest of your wedding stationery, which is great thinking! Otherwise, get some thick paper notecards and just start writing. Use a nice pen, one that will not blotch the paper and one that is pleasant to write with – it’s going to be with you for the long haul.
Don’t force yourself to write them all at once, unless you only have twenty or so to do in total. It is a big task and you will get frustrated if you have to do it in one sitting. Really take your time on each letter and enjoy remembering all the wedding day details!
As you start cataloguing the gifts, write a little description next to each one. Otherwise, you might not remember the exact throw or vase that you received when it comes to writing the notes, trust us!
If you received money, do NOT mention any sums! Instead, say what you are planning to do with the money. Much more polite.
If the gift was a donation to a charity in your name, then mention how important the charity is to you and the great work that they do.
If you received a group gift, you should still send individual Thank You notes, but acknowledge that the giver was part of the group, by saying “you guys ROCK!”
If you don’t like/want to exchange the gifts (awkward!), don’t mention the situation. Just make a positive comment about the gift and thank them for their thought and for attending your wedding. Then sneak to the shop to swap it. Shhhhh!
Make sure you send a special Thank You to anyone who was a part of your wedding party. This could be the bridesmaids, the ushers and of course, your parents. They probably did a lot to help so take your time writing these ones and really get across how much you love them!
At Bridebook, we get that your W-Day can be a bit full on – with all the excitement, the adrenaline, the nerves and all the people around you. But it’s the biggest party of your life so enjoy it! Things might take longer than you planned, delays might occur but take deep breaths and don’t stress out. Here are our top tips to make sure you don’t lose your cool on your big day:
1) Hire professionals
This is especially true for wedding hair and make-up. You don’t want to do your own make-up with shaking fingers. We suggest you choose a spacious room, with plenty of natural light and not too many people in it, to sit back, relax and feel pampered. Grooms, this means you too! Avoid trying to shave with nervous hands and giving yourself a cut, splurge on a wet shave instead. It shouldn’t just be the girls pampering themselves.
2) Prepare in advance
Pack everything you will need on the morning of your wedding, in advance. Follow our list, that way you are guaranteed not to forget anything. We also suggest you take all the packaging off any recent purchases, because shopping bags can clutter the space and create a sense of chaos, especially as things you need tend to disappear inside them. Get everything ready, make it look pretty and enjoy the calm!
Yes, you probably won’t feel hungry, but trust us, eating something is a must. You don’t want to faint down the aisle or be drunk for your reception! Secret tip: we recommend you have some eggs. They won’t make you bloat and you will feel full for hours.
4) Get dressed
Leave time to get into your wedding dress. It will take your mum and bridesmaids longer to lace and button than it took the professional at the final fitting. Aim to get dressed half an hour before you are due to leave. Then you can enjoy spending time with your family and get used to twirling around in the dress.
Just in case the driver doesn’t know where to go, give him the exact wedding location. If you happen to break down – don’t panic – make sure someone with you has a taxi number to hand. Drama diverted!
6) Picture perfect
Make sure you get all the photos you want on your wedding day! Prepare an order sheet of the shots you need and make sure that everyone knows where they are supposed to be for the pictures. Then you can follow your list without having to think about anything and just have fun!
If any has to be done on the day itself, enlist helpers. Your brain will be in party mode!
8) Relax and enjoy!
Try to relax. Everything is sorted and ready to go, so just enjoy it! Everyone is there to help you. You’re going to look amazing and you’re marrying the love of your life – dreamy!
People probably won’t be calling you on your wedding day, but if they do, pass your phone to the MOH or the BM and they can answer any questions.
10) Drinks
If you decide to have a little drink before the ceremony, don’t over-do it. Grooms, try a half-pint, instead of a full one – you don’t want to be saying your vows and secretly dying for the bathroom!
Your wedding day has arrived! POP open the champagne because today is going to be the best day of your life! To make sure you have everything you need, here are some bits and bobs you might want to whip together – get your Maid of Honour, AKA the superhero, to hang onto them so you don’t have to.
Basic:
Band-Aids
Cash
Comb
Clear nail varnish (goodbye laddered tights or buttons that are about to fall off)
Extra earring backs
Hair Pins (try bringing brown and black, so you can work with a variety of hair colours)
Hairspray
Makeup – cover up, lipstick and anything else you might want to touch up
Lighter (if a hem is showing a bit of loose thread or if any candles need re-lighting)
Mints (fresh breath is always a good idea, especially if you had your favourite garlic bread for lunch)
Mobile phone
Nail file
Paracetamol
Perfume
Q Tips
Safety Pins
A small sewing kit
Small phone charger
Stain remover
Straws (especially if you are sporting your signature lipstick and don’t want it to smudge!)
Pack travel-sized versions of everything and it won’t seem like that much. Summer or winter wedding? Here are some more ideas depending on when you choose to celebrate.
Spring/Summer:
Baby powder. A bit of baby powder will stop your arms chafing against your dress. You’ll be chafe free when rocking the dance floor later too.
Important for an outdoor wedding, and an indoor one, if photos are outside – opt for scent-free. Then it’s already packed for the honeymoon.
Bug spray. Depending on the location – but around dusk, bugs can become incredibly active and protection becomes necessary (again opt for scent-free).
By Ten Twenty One
Autumn/Winter:
Lip Balm is a major necessity, especially in the winter months, when lips start chapping.
Hand Cream. Cold air dries the skin on your hands. So if you’re not wearing gloves, get those babies moisturised.
Anti-static spray. If you are changing in and out of warmer clothes, the spray will stop the static.
As your W-Day draws closer and closer, you might start checking the weather forecast. But WHO CARES… your wedding day is the best day of your life whatever the weather. So let’s just make sure you’re excited and prepared for any wind, rain, snow – because all of them can make your wedding day even better than you could possibly imagine. So enjoy!
By Ross Harvey
1) Consider your venue
The simplest rule is to always make sure you have a marquee or venue big enough to fit everyone inside. So long as guests are warm and dry, they will have an awesome time so simply plan for that. For marquees, make sure it has sides that can be pulled down if it is a little windy, so you can really get that party started. Sorted!
By Cinzia Bruschini
2) Brollies and Wellies
“Every cloud has a silver lining.” If rain is expected, embrace it! Why not get guests to bring a pair of wellies? Or if you have a little budget to spare, give them multi-coloured wellies as favours (you can find cheap ones online) – you could even ask their shoe size on the invite. Or have your names and the wedding date drawn on brightly coloured brollies for people to take away with them, et voila! Imagine your whole guest list in wellies and brollies – the pictures will look amazing! Oh and ladies, keep yourselves (and your stunning shoes) from sinking into the wet ground with heelstoppers!
By Chris Giles Photography
3) Dark skies are superb for photographers
Photographers LOVE a stormy sky. It makes for amazing lighting, so enjoy creative and unique wedding photos! A little wind will make the billowing veil look incredible, snow will make everything much more intimate and cosy, while raindrops look amazing in photos. Go outside, dance around, laugh and stay happy, you’ve just married your best friend!
By Allister Freeman
4) Cross fingers for snow
If you are lucky enough to have a winter wedding AND it happens to snow then definitely embrace it! Think of all the possibilities: you could wear a stunning fur coat, you can cosy up to your beloved in the middle of a snowy field… And think about the photos; your wedding will look like a fairy tale!
By David Pullum Photography
5) Hot or Cold?
Your wedding day is set to be scorcher – picture the sun shining and drinks flowing. Just make sure there’s lots of water kicking about and maybe turn your wedding programme into a fan – just so you’re looking out for those guys in morning suits and elderly relatives. Everyone will be happy so you can get back to your party in the beautiful sunshine.
If the temperature is looking a little cold for your big day, you can easily rent an extra heater even a week to go before the wedding so there’s nothing to worry about. Everyone is going to be so hot from dancing they won’t notice anyway. It just means people will party harder!
By Richard Skins Photography
6) Ask the ushers for help
That’s what they are there for! Get the ushers to shelter you with an umbrella as you go into and leave the ceremony. And if you arrange for them to have towels, they can even give the aisle a quick wipe down ready for your entrance = flawless dress. Bonus.
By Ross Harvey
7) Now go and have fun!
Final tip: don’t worry about the beautiful white dress and the smart suit – they can always be cleaned. This is the biggest party of your life so go and have fun; your guests are definitely going to – rain, snow, wind or shine!
Wedding photos are an essential part of your big day. Let’s make sure they are epic but finished in the shortest amount of time, so you can get back to the bubbly.
Here’s our well rehearsed list of traditional group shots – arranged so the elderly aren’t waiting too long, you have your alone time and everyone gets their time to party. You don’t have to take all of these or any of these, but a few of the traditional shots are always much appreciated by the families. Tip: send the order to all people involved so they know when they are expected – and don’t forget to share with your photographer!
Whether it’s you as a couple or one of your parents hosting your wedding, you have a lot of people to say hello to and thank! How on earth are you going to get that done and get married AND party your socks off? Well traditionally there’s a receiving line – where you line up (with your loved one and parents and anyone else you want) and say hello and thank you to every single guest – yup that’s right! But there are plenty of alternatives as well, so let’s run through them so you can decide:
Do you need to have a receiving line? If you have less than fifty guests attending, it is not considered a necessity. However, if it is more, then etiquette dictates you have to have some way of greeting all of your guests in turn – how else are you going to make sure you party with everyone!?
The Order
There is no longer a set order of people who should be in the receiving line. You can have the hosting parents leading the line, followed by you as the married couple, and then the other set of parents as well as the bridal party. Alternatively, you can just stand and greet your guests together, while the parents and the bridal party entertain those who are waiting. Either way, your options are endless! However, the shorter your line, the faster the guests will move.
By Ross Harvey
Where?
We highly recommend checking if there is enough space to hold a receiving line at your ceremony/reception venue! You don’t want guests to get on top of each other, or start getting stroppy because they are too hot or too cold. Similarly, we suggest that you host your receiving line in an area where drinks and nibbles are available, so people aren’t left hungry and thirsty while they wait.
What do you say?
A receiving line is not the moment to catch up with your guests; otherwise you will be there for hours – so hold the chitter chatter! You should simply introduce the guests to the VIP’s in your line that they don’t know, accept their congratulations and offer your thanks. Done!
An alternative to a receiving line is to visit each table in turn during the meal. One lovely idea we heard about was each table having two empty seats for the married couple, so that they could sit down at each table, chat to the guests and keep eating!
We also really like the Chinese tradition, by which the married couple have a toast with each table. This is guaranteed to be quicker than sitting down to eat and, you will get to hear some lovely wishes!
Whichever option you choose, your guests will still race over to you after the ceremony with hugs and congrats, so just make sure you enjoy the moment and thank everyone!
