The Best of Bridebook 2023 winners have been announced! This list showcases UK photographers with the most 5-star reviews from 2022. Take a look at this talented bunch:
“The UK’s greatest wedding businesses have been chosen! We are so proud of the 450+ winners, especially after a difficult few years for the industry. We are excited to recommend the best wedding services. Huge congratulations to this year’s winners”. – Hamish Shephard, CEO & Founder, Bridebook.
The Best of Bridebook 2023 winners have been announced! This list showcases UK venues with the most 5-star reviews from 2022. Have a peek at the venues in your area below:
“The UK’s greatest wedding businesses have been chosen! We are so proud of the 450+ winners, especially after a difficult few years for the industry. We are excited to recommend the best wedding services. Huge congratulations to this year’s winners”. – Hamish Shephard, CEO & Founder, Bridebook.
Rise Hall is a luxury exclusive use wedding venue, perfect for a wedding staycation! Nestled in the peaceful Yorkshire countryside, Rise Hall is your very own ‘stately home from home’.
We talked to Rebecca Barker, the Sales & Business Development Manager at Rise Hall to find out more this spectacular country house, that with modern and luxurious comforts.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the wedding industry for 17 years! I ran my own family business for 12 years, so enjoyed every aspect of the job, from wedding planning and looking after brides, to sales and more! I have two children, Florence age 6 and Benjamin, age 3, so it is a very busy household. In my free time, when I get it, I like to cook (my family love my chicken ham and leek pie) I also like spending time with the kids, going out to lovely places to eat and an afternoon tea when I can!
What drew you to the wedding world?
Well my story is a little different, many moons ago, my parents decided to renovate a holiday cottage on our land. From there, it became apparent that there was a market and with a country house also on the estate too, it became the perfect spot for guests to enjoy. One day, a lovely couple rang and asked if they could hire all of them for wedding. Having never done a wedding before or had any experience, we took the gamble and said yes!! That year we ended up doing 9 weddings and the next year we did 38 weddings. From then the business went from strength to strength, as did my passion for all things weddings! They do say, you sometimes find your calling in unusual places and I certainly found mine.
What do you think makes your venue unique?
Rise Hall is complete unique, as it is a true home from home feel, with the grandeur of a stately home. The service is personal and comforting for couples, with the added atmosphere of the homely touches, makes them feel at ease. Through in years of experience, super food and drink, the perfect match for the perfect couple. Our events team are famous for going above and beyond, helping out in every way they can! With their events boxes stocked with everything you couple possibly need and more, no problem will be too big!
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
It is really important for all the team to get to know our couples and from the moment they book, they are treated like VIPS. We send little gifts throughout the planning process, invite them to events and also are present at meetings. Been an ear to listen is the perfect way to become part of their family, as weddings are often a whole family affair.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
What makes the perfect wedding? The perfect timeline!! I have said it time and time again, nail that timeline and everything will be a smooth, well oiled machine. There isn’t time to ‘lets see how it goes’ you need the confidence to know the team are on it! When the timings run well, everyone is happy!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Couples should book Rise Hall because they will be looked after from the moment they book, all throughout the planning process and beyond. We take great pride in our service and this isn’t just on the wedding day, but every minute of the planning too!
What do you love about Bridebook?
What do I love about Bridebook? EVERYTHING!! I think the fact that the app allows you to plan your whole wedding, makes for less stress and that is a massive bonus in my world!!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had?
We one had a wedding where the groom arrived on a camel!! A spectacular event and one that won’t be forgotten.
Couples should book Rise Hall because they will be looked after from the moment they book, all throughout the planning process and beyond. We take great pride in our service and this isn’t just on the wedding day, but every minute of the planning too!
Built in 1633 this venue is a four star family owned hotel, packed full of character and history. They have been hosting weddings for 60 years and know how to make your day perfect. You’ll find open fires, cosy lounges, fine antiques and tapestries that together create a sense of history, calm and comfort
We talked to Claire Nicholl, the Wedding and Events Manager at Holdsworth House Hotel & Restaurant to find out more this award winning restaurant and historic venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I’ve worked at Holdsworth House for almost 25 years, so in that time I’ve helped arrange probably 3000 weddings. We ‘re exclusive – we only allow one wedding per day, but we average around 120 weddings per year. I love dogs, so when I’m not working, I’m walking my dog.
What drew you to the wedding world?
25 years ago, I suppose the job really suited me. I’m a stickler for detail and people joke that I have a photographic memory, as I do tend to retain facts, figures, couples’ names and all their wedding details! Today, I can’t imagine doing anything else. After 25 years there’s very little that can catch met out or no problem that can’t be resolved. Weddings provide a very happy working environment: it’s a nice, feel-good job to be involved in. It’s not just an office job, I’m often on my feet too meeting people and walking them round the venue.
What do you think makes your venue unique?
The hotel sells itself from a physical standpoint: it’s a beautiful, historic building in three acres of well-kept gardens. But I don’t think you can put a price on experience. It’s not just me that’s been here a long time. Many of us in the wedding team have built a career at Holdsworth House. Tracy, our Master of Ceremonies, has been here over 30 years, our General Manager around 10 years. When you have such a consistent, experienced team the confidence rubs off on guests and couples; they can relax fully and enjoy their day knowing they’re in safe hands. I also believe that because Holdsworth House is independent (owned by the same family since 1962), there’s a level of care, love and attention that you feel compelled to give; you truly go out of your way because its personal. We really are a family at the hotel.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
We have an initial meeting, and we discuss lots of ideas. Essentially, we listen first. We need to understand the couple’s needs, expectations and their personal touches/requirements. We then invite them in for a series of meetings or wedding menu tastings. By the time the wedding comes, it’s like we’re close friends! I’m really proud that people open up to me but it’s important that I remain professional – in the run up to a wedding, many people want to be given clear, detailed advice, and they look to me as the provider of that assurance. In many cases I’m holding couples’ secrets too, whether that be a surprise element of the day or some deeply personal information that they don’t want to reveal to guests. I must always remain completely discreet and supportive. Throughout the lead-up to their big day, our coupes will meet all the team within Holdsworth House. When they come for their wedding tasting, they’ll get to know the award-winning kitchen and restaurant team. When they select their accommodation, they’ll bump into our fantastic housekeepers. And, of course, everyone is always warmly greeted by our reception staff who have incredible knowledge and a can-do attitude. By the day of the wedding, our operations team has already been fully briefed and is ready to spring into action – it’s like watching all the cogs of a well-oiled machine working together.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
For the couple it’s when you can completely let go and be in the moment. Inevitably things will change because people – like the weather – are unpredictable. But when you can truly trust the team around you to deliver, and you can look back on your wedding day with multiple ‘wow’ moments, then that’s when you’ve had the perfect wedding. It’s not about quantity, it’s 100% about quality.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Make sure you book your venue and registrar (if applicable) early. Once that’s in place everything else can follow on in due course.
What do you love about Bridebook?
We meet so many amazing couples through Bridebook. Each has a unique story and it’s a privilege to be part of such personal events. Bridebook is excellent for helping guide couples and help them plan, it’s very much in line with our ethos.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had?
I love it when couples bring their dogs to weddings to as ring-bearers. We also get Eric our resident cat photo-bombing some wedding pictures. Whilst most of our weddings are for 80 – 100 guests, we have some absolutely stunning small and intimate weddings. Our Stone Gazebo, in the hotel gardens, is the smallest licensed venue in England and only accommodates 10 people, so super-romantic ceremonies in here are just gorgeous. Most weddings here are traditional white weddings, but we also enjoy seeing the alternative events. From outdoor garden ceremonies to super-cosy winter weddings, vintage or Steam Punk dress codes to kilts and swords and military events – every wedding is different. In October 2021, we hosted the wedding of a couple who had met at a literary event we’d held at the hotel the previous year. There were so many poignant moments, you couldn’t help getting sucked into the fairy tale. Our couple had been inspired by the TV Show ‘Gentleman Jack’, which was filmed nearby in Halifax. Not only did the true story of Anne Lister inspire them, but they were able to track down suppliers that the TV show had used – like the jeweller who made the costume jewellery for the actors. They were an incredible, fun couple and they just celebrated what the essence of being married was all about – LOVE!!
Honestly? You can relax completely here. We’ve been hosting weddings for over 50 years, not many venues can say that and we’re not going anywhere; we’re a very robust business. We’re flexible, knowledgeable and great with people obviously! At the end of the day, as beautiful as a venue is it’s the people – the interaction between the guests and the team – that make the difference. The fact that we have stunning photo backdrops and gardens is of course a huge bonus! The other reason is that we make hosting your wedding so easy. Some venues are forever putting in barriers, saying what you can’t do. We say what you CAN do, and we’ll pull out the stops to make your dream wedding happen. We really do take care of everything, with genuine care and attention. The whole team is involved so you’re not rely on one person for everything – what if you can’t get hold of that one person?
There are lots of Insta-friendly spots at Holdsworth House. If you’ve got a dress with a train, then a photo going down the stairs is beautiful. Our restaurant and halls have been called a ‘photographer’s dream’ by a well-known Insta photographer (for its natural light and character). But my favourite spot is out the front of the hotel in the gardens with the historic facade behind you – it’s completely timeless.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The team, without a doubt and our honesty and integrity. We’re a friendly bunch and we do have a laugh. Everyone is very professional, truly cares and takes things personally.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
It really helped during the pandemic when couples were restricted on numbers of guests. We had live-stream weddings, which meant people who couldn’t be there in person could still witness the event. Technology has changed how some couples use suppliers, we see lots of people designing and printing their own stationery, people discussing their flower arrangements over Zoom or email, and looking for inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest.
Any final advice for a couple?
Food is a very important part of your day, so be sure your venue includes menu tastings. Ask your venue if it runs a ‘fresh banqueting service’ like we do at Holdsworth House i.e., do they cook your wedding breakfast fresh rather than plating and reheating? It’s surprising what a difference it can make to the taste and quality. If the last 50 years has taught us anything, it’s how to turn out the kind of food served in our fine-dining restaurant on a large scale.
Daisy and Keith’s stunning, Parisian-style wedding at The Castle Westenhanger is up there with our favourite springtime weddings. Daisy and Keith were one of the first couples to marry after lockdown restrictions began to be lifted in early 2021, with their April 2021 wedding a simple yet beautiful celebration.
Congratulations, Daisy and Keith, on your beautiful wedding!
Pennyhill Park is a 19th century Mansion House that is surrounded by lily ponds, landscaped gardens and plenty of greenery whereas the inside of the hotel also provides stunning architecture.
We talked to Jodey Hatch, Wedding Manager at Pennyhill Park to find out more about this stunning venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the wedding industry for 9 years, pretty much my whole career. I love spending time with friends and family as much as I can, going out for meals, travelling and exploring anything new. I have one gorgeous black cat but if I had my way I would have many more and dogs too!
What drew you to the wedding world?
After leaving school I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do, I thought some customer service experience would be a good start so I got a job waitressing at a hotel which included working at weddings. After a while I began running them operationally and knew I loved them and had to continue this as my career. I finally got a role as a wedding coordinator and it has just snowballed from there.
Pennyhill Park is unique in many ways; however I do feel the people that work here is what stands us out from the crowd. We take time to get to know our couples, we understand this is the biggest day of our couple’s lives and when they spend months or even years planning this they expect the best. We welcome our guests on that first showaround with a glass of bubbles and personalised sweet treats just to get started!
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Every couple is unique, which is one thing that makes me love my job so much! I find it’s important to listen to each couples needs and get to know them as an individual. They then get the chance to build trust with their dedicated event coordinator; this might be done with many visits to our bar over a cup of coffee or even when it comes to meeting the head chef to discuss their menus.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
For me I think that a wedding that shows the couples personality have been the most perfect. Ultimately this day is about the two of you, so to put on little touches that represent you, are the perfect Weddings. You’re guests will absolutely love this as they are here to share this special day with you.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Try and keep it fun, it’s easy to feel stressed about the planning but this really should be the most enjoyable part! When it’s all over you will want to do it all over again and wish you had enjoyed it more.
What do you love about Bridebook?
It’s a really good tool to help us know what our couples are looking for before they have even come to see us. It’s also a great platform to let couples know about us as a venue and really showcase ourselves.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Pennyhill Park?
One bride at Pennyhill Park did trust me with planning a very special surprise for the Groom; it was a group of storm troopers that were going to walk don the aisle! The Groom of course was a massive star wars fan and this was a complete surprise to him and all the guests. Everyone loved it and it was so memorable even all the team here wanted to come out and watch as when do you ever have a wedding with storm troopers walking down the aisle! All the guest were there waiting for photos with them, star wars fans or not it was a great talking point for the guests for the rest of the day.
Why should a couple book Pennyhill Park?
We have something for everyone, if it being fantastic food you are looking for then come meet our Michelin star chef and discuss your menus with our amazing team at the Latymer restaurant. If its luxury accommodation we have 124 individually designed bedrooms that will give all your guests that wow factor. Not to mention our stunning 120 acres of Parkland with ample photo opportunities for our couples to remember and look back on for years to come.
This is hard as there are so many good ones! But I have to say our secret garden is just wonderful photo opportunity for our couples. With its a running waterfall and wild flowers surrounding, it makes it feel like a bit of fairytale, which I think is what most couples are looking for on their big day.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Another tough one, but we have an amazing team here who all strive on wanting the same thing of creating happiness in an amazing place. I honestly feel this is what our couples comment on most after their wedding day is how well they felt looked after, from the very first step through the door by our reception team, to meeting the chef at their menu tasting and to the fantastic team who personally look after their big day for them.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
I think the last 18 months have defiantly taught us a lot, opening us up to Zoom show rounds in times when we couldn’t see each other in person has been so beneficial for businesses and couples. It meant that wedding planning could still go ahead; giving couples something to look forward too. I do find mainly we all much prefer to see each other in person, but this has given us the chance to even plan a few destination weddings now we are all up to speed with different technology tools available to us.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Keep going, I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for couples but just keep planning. Keep in touch with your suppliers so they know your concerns so they know how to help you.
A huge thank you to Jodey Hatch for answering our questions. Check out Pennyhill Park on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Surrey? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]
Fanhams Hall is a luxury and unique wedding venue with outstanding warming open fires in winter, tumbling waterfalls in summer and beautiful private rooms. With stunning features of the original Grade II listed Jacobean manor house all year round.
We talked to Symphonie Wolzak, Wedding Manager/ Executive at Fanhams Hall to find out more about this stunning venue.
Tell us about yourself!
Fun fact: I was named after the Hershey’s Chocolate candy bar- hehe! I was born in San Antonio, Texas so am in love with and super proud of my Tex-Mex culture (Texas-Mexican). I consider myself to make the best homemade tortillas in England, as have yet to come across a Mexican restaurant where they are as good as mine! I love to cook, if you haven’t guessed already and my favourite cuisine is my home-land original Tex-Mex of course…very different from Cali-Mex! I’m super blessed my husband loves his spicy food, because to be honest I really don’t know how to not have a bit of chilli in any of my dishes.
What drew you to the wedding world?
The wedding world found me! A friend of mine was working in events and I just graduated university. Lost, confused, and no work family to tag onto in the big city (NYC), she rung me and said, “Hey come try this!”. My first day helping run a wedding with her, I was sold! The excitement and love in the air was so addicting, like sweet cotton candy; you couldn’t leave the room in fear you’d miss out. The adrenaline you get when something goes wrong last minute like the father of bride is running late, or the zip of one of the bridesmaid’s dresses broke just minutes before announcing them into the room! I love having to think in seconds on how to fix it or stall the wedding without the couple finding out or having enough time to worry; these are the moments I live for! Knowing you fixed it and helped make the couples day absolutely perfect without them realising the storm the team went through to get there. What a buzz!
Our team honestly. We all genuinely want the best day for our couples and understand that every wedding is unique, so we really do our best to be flexible and deliver any of their special requests they may have.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Once booked with us, we usually know a bit about our couples already. We like to “Sit and Love” with our couples when they first come to meet with us and see the venue, before they even book with us. Listening to the couple about what is important to them and connecting through their excitement and anticipation of one of the most important days of their lives. We believe that a connection before booking with your couple is so important, because it really helps set up the trust relationship between us and the couple, so they have the best planning experience with us. We also do little check ins with our couples to see if they want a coffee catch up to discuss any questions or a zoom call if they can’t make it all the way back to us (like my fellow American couples!).
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Hmmm…perfect wedding? I’m a cheese ball…I have to say the couple themselves. They are what make the day perfect because they are starting an amazing journey together that is a life changer. I mean what’s more perfect then marrying your best friend? If I have to be choose a materialistic idea…having everything in one place to help make it easier for you and your guests. Accommodation, ceremony, reception, things like this, even the rehearsal dinner if you can. It just make it less complicated in planning, because then you know that the venue you are with (who you choose in the first place!) will be doing their best to make sure you have the perfect wedding celebration whilst there!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
When looking for your venue, be sure either to visit it on a rainy day or at least envision the venue in the rain…because if you love it when it’s raining, you’ll love it even more when the suns out and not be too disappointed if it does rain. Let’s be honest we live in England, so better to prepare from the beginning! Oh, and also clear umbrellas. …these are the best for photos on our grounds or wherever you end up choosing. It will still get you outside for gorgeous photos on our grounds and capture the beauty surrounded by you.
What do you love about Bridebook?
How easy it is to use for both couples and us as a venue! Love the little blogs they write and tips they give out. So easy for couples to organise themselves using their nifty tools from guest lists to gift lists, hehe!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Fanhams Hall?
Being a hairdresser for the little flower girls, minutes before they walked down the aisle. This involved me taking out my own hair and using hair pins on them, because the bride totally forgot about their hair and was running out of time! Also, another time was sewing up the bridesmaid in her dress (I might have mentioned this before!). Her dress split just before we were to announce them into the reception, and here I am with another colleague just sewing her in completely. I think I even ended up using a stapler at one point, because I didn’t have enough thread! Oh and another time was me having to go under the brides dress to adjust her because she felt something rip…it was minutes before she had to walk down the aisle, so had to go under and quickly see what ripped…was just a simple button that needed re-buttoning. Done it and she was off! There’s more of course, but too many to share. Ahhh… just love the whole thrill of being able to help make their day absolutely perfect!
Why should a couple book Fanhams Hall?
A couple should choose Fanhams Hall because not only are we a beautiful 17th Century Jacobean mansion with gorgeous unique Japanese style gardens and an authentic Japanese Tea house! What wedding venue in England can say they have authentic Japanese style gardens?! Another reason why couples should book us is that we love weddings! We love weddings so much we really try to meet our couples unique requirement to make their day that more special. We’ve been flexible from our menus (Asian- English infusion anyone?) to creating a couple’s signature cocktail for the day for their guests to order from the bar. We love being apart of our couples special day from beginning to end, and genuinely want to help make it a day they wont forget, so the little unique requests we can do, we will!
Ohhhhh there are so many!!!! I have to say two if that’s okay?! First one is in the main grounds outside our formal gardens with Fanhams Hall in the background. Second one is in the fields near the main entrance, surprising I know! Lots of people think I would have said our Wisteria walk or near the rose garden, which are both really beautiful, but I do love the fields in August and September where the grass is over grown and you get these really beautiful rustic and dreamy photos…you could be anywhere in the world, but it’s so gorgeous!!! Makes me want to put on my wedding dress and take photos there! Haha!
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Fanhams Hall, which is part of the Exclusive Collection Group, has become the first ever hospitality business to receive a B-Corp accreditation. This means being recognised as a sustainable business. B-Corp will improve the value we create for our customers through the service we give, and help improve our impact on the planet by learning how to practise environmental stewardship. It really is a fantastic accomplishment and am super proud to be apart of this milestone.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
For couples, technology allows people to shop in the comfort of their own homes! It’s easy access for them. It really give them the chance to really search what they are looking for and not waste time visiting venues face to face, or having in person meetings with loads of different suppliers trying to decide what is right for them. Social media especially helps them “stalk-shop”- Instagram is great for this! For us as suppliers, it helps us reach more potential couples looking for support on their wedding. We can have all of our information readily available for them to see and even experience for themselves. We can reach a whole other country even, like America or South Africa! We currently have American couples getting married here who have found us online and loved our photos and videos on our Instagram page. Technology has helped us get them to see the venue, book and plan their wedding with us here at Fanhams Hall. We are not just focusing on one country; we are able to reach the whole world this way, which is really amazing!
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Talk to each other. Communication is so important, you may both find you two are feeling the exact same way about things. If you are both are struggling, then find a professional to talk to together to help you both overcome this struggle together. It’s not a bad thing to find a un-bias mind out there to help guide you through these trying times, because fact is, this is not normal and its okay to struggle with it all. Find peace and reassurance in the fact that if you two can get through this together, you two can make it through anything. Keep each other positive about the wedding. If one of you starts feeling upset or down about the wedding plans, pick each other up. Have a fun distraction like date night, or start making the wedding favours together and imagining how the day will go.
What is your favourite part of the wedding day?
If you haven’t guessed already, we love weddings! My favourite part of a wedding day is when I get to fluff the brides dress before she walks down the aisle. Goosebumps every time watching them take those final steps to marry their best friend!
A huge thank you to Symphonie Wolzak for answering our questions. Check out Fanhams Hall on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Hertfordshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]
Featuring one of the only lavender fields in the North East with panoramic views of the Beamish Valley countryside. The Black Horse Beamish and Orchard Marquee is set in 37 acres on Red Row Estate, featuring stunning lavender fields, woodland, filled with wildlife and farmyard antiques.
We talked to Grace Fountain, the Venue Manager at Black Horse Beamish (Red Row Estate) to find out more this unique and contemporary venue.
Tell us about yourself!
We are a family owned business and have been proudly welcoming our guests for over 20 years. Although the original 300 year old pub has been in my family for over 20 years and I’ve grown up listening to conversations about it around the dinner table, I officially started working for the company 10 years ago. Since then the business and building have undergone an extensive refurbishment, expansion and development programme. In my free time I love to walk my dog around our glorious 40 acre sprawl, the stunning lavender field is one of the only in the North East, we have woodland riddled with wildlife and lots of farmyard antiques!
What drew you to the wedding world?
I always had a passion for hospitality and once I completed my degree there was no question where I was going to work. I’ve had the privilege of working in numerous different roles including wedding coordinator and have been able to grow as the business has grown, which I think has been a fantastic and unique experience. Red Row Estate is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful areas of the North East so being able to market that and convert ideas into a reality is something I love.
What do you think makes your venue unique?
My colleagues are undoubtedly what makes our venue so special, we are a small close-knit team. The key to our success is planning, planning, planning! You have to be extremely organised, passionate, and have a keen attention to detail. One of the most important skills, which isn’t often taught in this industry, is to be an unofficial therapist, councillor and shoulder to cry on when needed. Weddings can be very emotional and stressful, and I pride myself on doing my upmost to put everyone’s mind at ease. Every wedding and special occasion is unique, and therefore every client relationship deserves as much time, attention and passion as possible so we can work together to make the big day perfect.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Our coordinators have their own mobile and are on hand to call/text/whatsapp/email at anytime during your wedding journey with us, we feel this gives a lot of comfort to couples. By the end of the wedding journey we really feel like we have made lasting relationships with our brides and grooms. We seem to have the most wonderful couples that come back to visit time and time again.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Amazing food, an open bar tab, memorable entertainment and of course a beautiful ceremony where you are surrounded by your family, friends and loved ones.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
It’s your day, so don’t be afraid to be a bit selfish when it comes to the guestlist, things like your menu choices, drink selection and seating plans.
What do you love about Bridebook?
I love how easy it is to navigate, shortlist and contact suppliers and venues. It really is like your own little black book!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had?
Our first wedding was in July 2012 and since then enquiries have never stopped rolling in! Every wedding has its own special moment so it’s difficult to single out a particular wedding. Most recently being a part my sisters wedding in The Orchard Marquee was very special. It was lovely to be a guest for the day and it’s safe to say she went all out making good use of our extensive list of local supplier contacts.
As a unique venue with extensive grounds and panoramic views over our peaceful valley, the setting could hardly be more idyllic. We provide an unforgettable setting for all styles of celebration, grand or intimate, indoors or out…it will be a unique and memorable celebration.
Definitely the beautiful lavender fields in full bloom.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Our customer service to couples and guests. We pride ourselves in investing in our team to make sure we have only the best set of people to look after you on your journey with us. Our wedding team have a wealth of experience hosting weddings meaning you’re in very capable hands.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Technology has transformed how we now work and we have had to fully embrace new technology during the past 18 months of Covid. It has been an essential part of improving and streamlining our customer journey from the initial enquiry to ease of booking venue viewings. Zoom calls and facetime have enabled us to continue showing couples our beautiful venue and even resulted in couples booking from as far field as Dubai after only viewing on facetime.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Have faith, your dream day will happen despite all the setbacks and remember why you are getting married.
A huge thank you to Grace Fountain for answering our questions. Check out Red Row Estate on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in County Durham? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]
In the heart of stylish Marylebone, 41 Portland Place is beautiful Grade II* listed Georgian Townhouse. The perfect setting for an intimate and exclusive Central London wedding. The fantastic location, sophisticated rooms, excellent food, and dedicated event management team will ensure you leave with treasured, everlasting memories.
We talked to Olivia Parrott, Sales & Marketing Manager at 41 Portland Place to find out more this grand and elegant venue, set at in the heart of London.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the weddings world for over 5 years! In my spare time I love to binge watch my favourite series on Netflix (I may or may not be able to re-enact every episode of friends… oooops!) I love socializing with friends & family, hitting the best brunch spots and exploring new places.
What drew you to the wedding world?
How personal it is! The feeling of making couples dream wedding days a reality is what sold it. Seeing the look on a couple’s face when they walk into the venue will never ever get old.
What do you think makes 41 Portland Place unique?
Our approach is to adaptable and flexible, we know each and every couple is different which means our approach is different. 41 Portland Place is one of London’s finest exclusive Georgian Townhouses. It is surrounded by elegant grandeur and in the heart of Marylebone, the Grade II* listed Georgian Townhouse is the ideal setting for a stylish, exclusive and chic London wedding. We are with our couples every step of the way and the relationship doesn’t end after their wedding day at RSA, we have created real amazing friendship with alot of our couples
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
We get to know them as people! Regular drink catch ups, video calls, venue visits, supplier visits! Getting to know the family is also a big thing for us too!
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Personality! Having seen more marvellous weddings than we can mention, the team here at 41 Portland Place know a thing or two about personalizing weddings so if you’re looking to put your own stamp on your big day, you’re sure to find some inspiration, or a little extra confidence to do your own thing, right here!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Trust your venue and your suppliers, they are experts and will go above and beyond to create the most incredible day for you!
What do you love about Bridebook?
The support from the incredible team, they are always so lovely and will go above and beyond always!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at 41 Portland Place?
This is a hard one as we have seen so many memorable weddings! I remember a summer wedding which was hosted on the tranquil terrace which just oozes sophistication and is the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing summer cocktail with friends & family shaded from the sun by gorgeous olive and eucalyptus trees. By night, the space transforms into a fairy light lit oasis in the city. The client opted with a relaxed family feasting BBQ style menu followed by an interactive dessert station, a chef’s favourite!
Why should a couple book 41 Portland Place?
For this, I would say actions speak louder than words and have a look at testimonials! However, knowing their wedding contributes to the Academy of Medical Sciences charity which is funded research to improve health which is more important now than ever, is an incredible thing to know. Booking 41 Portland Place means you are in for a fun and memorable time planning the most incredible day of your lives and that we promise.
Our incredible behind the scene team, the people who make dreams a reality and it wouldn’t be possible without every single one of the team
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
In an amazing way! Virtual tours, Instagram, wedding videos and galleries of images allow couples to imagine their day even more
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
If your wedding cannot go ahead postpone do not cancel, we are all in this together and talk to your loved ones. We will get through this and your wedding celebrations will be more amazing than ever before!
A huge thank you to Olivia Parrott for answering our questions. Check out 41 Portland Place on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in London? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]
Plas Dinam Country House is a truly beautiful historic mansion set in the hills of Wales. Exclusive use, DIY, with amazing glass roof Stables for your evening party and exclusively yours for at least 2 days.
We talked to Louise Edmunds, the Wedding Coordinator at Plas Dinam Country House to find out more this unique and amazing venue, set at the foot of glorious Welsh hills with spectacular views
Tell us about yourself!
I am relatively new to the Wedding Industry but my previous experience was working in Hospitality in the UK and France. I have had a great summer with Plas Dinam as wedding coordinator, loved every minute of it, and can’t wait for next year. I am a big outdoor lover and when possible will be out running, mountain biking or trying new wild swimming spots. During the winter I try to fit in a ski trip, and get back out in the snow. A few years ago I also joined the Army Reserves, so throughout the year I spend a few weekends training with them. I am expecting my first child in a few weeks, so trying to get ready for the next life adventure!
What drew you to the wedding world?
I absolutely love the creativity of the wedding world, and I was lucky enough to find a job at a venue that is unique in what it offers to couples as well as being a beautiful place to work. It is great to work with couples from day 1, from when we show them around to their wedding day. It is such an exciting time for them and all the positive energy is in abundant on the day, you can’t not be happy doing this job. I love to the see the flower creations, the food menu choices and especially the chosen wedding dress and outfits. Every wedding is different.
It is a family business and we want every couple to make it their own. We encourage them to use all the grounds and space at Plas Dinam, from the beautiful glass roof stables to the tennis courts and the secret lake for wild swimming. It is like renting a big home for a family holiday as well as getting married at the same time. We have fire pits, a pizza oven and BBQ, to croquet on the lawn. There is plenty of space for the couples and guests to explore and really settle into the house for a few days. From Day 1 of showing the couples around our venue I work with them to help with the planning of their day. I am there on the day to make sure it all goes smoothly, they don’t have to think about anything, and just enjoy it.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
I love getting to know the couples and their families, and we love to show them around as much as possible. I am always on hand via emails and zoom calls. We will do a planning meeting at Plas Dinam a few months prior to their wedding day so they get to look around a final time before coming back to get married. This can normally be combined with their food tastings which happens in the Stables, and is a great time for them to really feel like their wedding is happening.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Having all your friends and family together to celebrate.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Wedding planning is fun, please don’t stress over it. It will all come together on the day with our support.
What do you love about Bridebook?
Bridebook have been great throughout covid-19, thinking of new ways to advertise and help us, with monthly phone calls and assistance looking at our listing to make it couple friendly. Bridebook are a great way to start the planning process for your day.
The couples getting married make it memorable. Their personalities and their ideas that they put into the day really make it for me. Our first wedding in June this year was very memorable, they had postponed 3 times due to covid and we were so excited for them to be getting married. They were such a fun couple, they had great friends and family with good chat, and all loved to party.
So the couples can spend a few days with their friends and family staying in a large Country House, relaxing, eating, drinking and getting married. They have the whole grounds exclusively to themselves and a beautiful glass roof stables to hold their wedding meal and party. They can arrive and completely make it their own. No pressure from anyone, it is their day and they can have it how they want.
All of it, we have a great team that work super hard to make sure everything is perfect.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
We have seen the increase of virtual tours since covid-19, but it is a positive- being able to offer a tour over zoom from the couples comfort of their lounge has been wonderful. We have been able to give them a real view of the venue and grounds, they can ask all the questions and still come away wanting to book with us.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
It is super tough having to postpone or not know if it will go ahead, but we are on hand to support you. We can help with any suppliers, and assist in finding new dates. It is still your wedding day so we want it to be special, and being able to spend it with family and friends is so important. Do not take too much stress on, relax, and it will happen.
A huge thank you to Louise Edmunds for answering our questions. Check out Plas Dinam Country House on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Wales? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]
Tudor Barn Eltham is Set in acres of beautiful Instagrammable parkland and gardens, and dating back to 1525, the Tudor Barn is the perfect place for special celebrations. We’re ready to host your wedding.
We talked to Jade Hayward at Tudor Barn Eltham the to find out more about this hidden gem of a venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the wedding industry since I was 17 years old! Approaching 8 years now. I have a beautiful little girl who gave birth to during the pandemic and in my free time I love to design posters, birthday cards, photobooks as well as photography.
What drew you to the wedding world?
Simply by chance! I worked in central london for 2 years and could no longer deal with the constant bad energy and the need to get everywhere 100 miles an hour! A friend of mine actually asked me to do some photography for her sons holy communion at Tudor Barn Eltham and I fell in love with the building. Such a beautiful little gem right around the corner from where I live.
What do you think makes Tudor Barn Eltham unique?
I find some venues are like a conveyer belt whereby they just want 7 weddings a week sometimes more than 1 a day and that is just simply not what we are about. Tudor Barn Eltham is a family run business and each and every wedding is unique and becomes a part of history as Tudor Barn Eltham is the last remaining Tudor Barn in London dating back to 1525. We want to be a part of our couple’s planning process, we want to help them decide which table plans will work best, which colour schemes work beautifully with the barn and all the little bits in between. We have found this approach not only puts our couples minds at ease but makes what can be a very difficult planning process so much easier and dare I say it… lot’s of fun!! We want them to not only remember the big day but remember just how exciting it was to plan with our team.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Our events team offer 4 meetings with our clients, on the viewing we are able to understand who they are and what they want which really helps us begin our planning process, after they are invited to a tasting which again helps us understand what type of food and drinks they like and offer our advice to what we think could work for their big day. We then offer a planning meeting where the clients have access to their function sheet and it’s almost a step by step checklist of what they need to do, this allows us to understand exactly what they want from their big day in terms of decor, entertainment, timings etc and again we can focus in on these areas. Finally, at the final meeting we can look at all the tiny little details which we know our client’s would love to have as we have built a relationship with them for on average 9 – 18 months! On the day of the wedding we will know everything we need to know about our couples to ensure their day is perfect.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
I think everyone’s idea of perfect is unique and that’s what makes a wedding perfect, your own very unique, different ideas coming together to create a day that truly represents you and your partner.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Be prepared for anything to happen! Sometimes the best things can come from it
What do you love about Bridebook?
How we can show off our venue as the unique wedding venue as it is with ease!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at The Petersham Hotel?
We held a wedding a few years ago and the groom was a firefighter who actually attended the grenfell tower tragedy – he was a real life hero! Seeing him and his colleagues in their dress uniform’s it was truly something special.
Why should a couple book Tudor Barn Eltham?
To become a part of history in a beautiful unique 16th century barn
What’s the best photo spot at Tudor Barn Eltham?
Within the stunning gardens by the Moat Bridge
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The staff
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
I feel that everything is becoming more digital! We totally expected this change and we are moving with it and taking it all in our stride! We will continue to have a personal 1 to 1 approach for some parts of the planning as we believe this is really important.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Love conquers all! You will have your perfect day and your family will be so excited to be able to celebrate an amazing milestone in your life with you.
A huge thank you to Jade for answering our questions. Check out Tudor Barn Eltham on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in Kent? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]
Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the run-up to your big day. They’ll make your memories last forever – so you’ll want to make sure you find the person who’s going to capture your day perfectly. But with so many photographers, styles and packages out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve called in the experts to give you their advice on finding your perfect match!
Where should couples look for wedding photographers?
“Sites like Bridebook, where you can find loads of photographers under one roof, are really helpful. But try Google or Pinterest too. Search for terms your dream photographer might be using, such as ‘light and airy wedding photographer in London’ and see who pops up.”
“Search Google for “wedding photographers” and you’ll be shown more than ninety million results… so that’s probably not much use! Post on Facebook and ask, “Anyone recommend a wedding photographer?” It’ll probably be the most popular post you’ve ever made! Again, this isn’t much use – there’ll be hundreds of photographers to choose from. Instead, use the wedding industry itself, such as wedding shows, venue recommendations and online wedding industry leaders like Bridebook.”
What can help couples make a decision between different wedding photographers?
“Look for a full day of wedding shots by your potential photographer. It’s easy to be impressed by one or two ‘wow shots’ – but if the rest of the day isn’t consistent, you may be disappointed. Always ask to see galleries of the full day, ideally with a wedding similar to yours: a winter wedding or a barn wedding, for example. Another major point to consider is their experience. Particularly if it’s a winter wedding or a rainy day, finding a photographer with experience and knowledge of darker locations is very beneficial. You shouldn’t have to miss out on anything because of the weather!”
“If you prefer to meet people in person, go to a big wedding fair. You can suss out a photographer’s vibe and check out physical copies of their work. They’re also a lot of fun!”
What should couples avoid when booking a wedding photographer?
“Try not to penny-pinch when it comes to your photography budget as you always get what you pay for. The average price of an experienced wedding photographer is £1500. If you can’t afford the photographer you like, ask what this includes. You could ask to have fewer hours or to have digital images only. This will likely bring the price down and you still get to have a professional, well experienced photographer.”
How can couples make sure they get every shot they want?
“A pre-wedding meeting is a must – approximately six to eight weeks before the wedding date. A good wedding photographer knows what the most important moments are, but this is your chance to mention anything you’re particularly after. There’s no way to specify every single image you’d like throughout the day, but most photographers love getting a list of family photos you’d like to have (including specific pairings of people).”
“Preparation! Don’t wait until the wedding day – or worse, afterwards! – to realise there was a key shot missed. Do your research and work with your photographer to create a group photo list and a list of any must-have shots. If there’s a special ring tied to the bouquet, tell your photographer! And ask your photographer if there’s enough time for all your requests – you don’t want to be rushing on your wedding day.”
“We encourage our clients to create a Pinterest board of wedding photos they love. This way, we can see what style of image resonates with our couples and what’s important to them.”
How can camera-shy couples feel more comfortable being photographed?
“Have a pre-wedding shoot. On top of receiving a great set of images, a pre-wedding shoot is a great way to build trust and friendship between the couple and the photographer. The couple gets to experience what it’s like to be photographed together and become more comfortable being photographed. In turn, the photographer is also able to see the couple’s personalities and how they react to the camera. I really can’t recommend a pre-wedding shoot enough.”
“The engagement shoot is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer – which makes getting your photo taken far easier if you’re at all camera shy! – and it’s also a good time to walk about the venue together and discuss ideas.”
Do you have any other top tips for couples looking for a wedding photographer?
“Consider two photographers. Having a second shooter is getting more and more common in wedding photography. It’s takes a considerable amount of effort to photograph an entire wedding solo, so you might want to ask your favoured photographer if they can offer a second photographer too. The price of an additional photographer at your wedding will have a great return on investment as it allows your main photographer to really focus on quality while the second shooter can concentrate on grabbing candid shots.”
“Book the style of photography you want – not what’s trendy, what the photographer wants, what all your friends used or what your dad or auntie think you should have. If you want something less traditional, with more colour and fun, go for it! At the end of the day, it’s your wedding – and a day you don’t get to repeat. Don’t have any regrets!”
N.B. The following applies to weddings in England only. We are expecting official confirmation from the government tomorrow which will be updated here.
Finally, we can give you the news that we’ve all been waiting for – big weddings are back! The government has announced today that while other restrictions will remain in place, weddings with more than 30 guests will be able to go ahead in England from 21st June! Your patience and resilience through all of this have been incredible and we are so excited to watch you celebrate, even if there will still be some more restrictions in place than we had hoped for.
We know it can be tricky to work out exactly what these restrictions are and what is just guidance, but hopefully, we can help. Below are the latest rules, as reported by the Deputy Political Editor at The Telegraph. This should give some additional clarity about what is and isn’t allowed from 21st June.
From June 21st:
Allowed:
Unlimited attendees at wedding ceremonies and receptions, so long as they can be accommodated in a COVID-secure way
Musical entertainment, with a group of up to six performers allowed inside, and up to 30 performers allowed outdoors
The wedding couple’s first dance
Speeches, with the Government guidance urging that these take place outdoors or in a well-ventilated area where possible. Public address systems, such as microphones are preferable to raised voices.
Cutting of the cake
Guestbooks and camera stations are allowed, however, contact should be minimised, with hand sanitisation stations encouraged before and after use
Not Allowed:
Indoor dancing
Stand up drinks receptions at outdoor or indoor wedding venues
Advised Against:
Dancing outdoors
Communal singing, which includes hymns
Reusable service booklets and devotional materials. Single-use alternatives that can be binned should be used instead
Cash donations, with alternative online giving encouraged instead
Obligatory:
Facemasks must be worn indoors during wedding ceremonies and receptions, except for when eating and drinking
Table service for food and drink, with no more than six guests per table
Risk assessments are mandatory for all wedding venues, as well as guests celebrating on private land if more than 30 people are attending
Make sure you download the Bridebook app and update your wedding location and date. This will ensure you get breaking news that is relevant to your wedding, whenever it is announced. To get the latest updates follow #whataboutweddings and The UK Wedding Taskforce on Instagram.
If you’ve decided you’re keen for a videographer, then let’s make sure you find one that is perfect for you. Like your photographer, they are going to be working in close proximity to you on one of the most important days of your life, so you want to make sure you like their style and them! Catching your wedding day on film is an amazing memento and one you will get teary over for years to come! Before you hire one, let’s make sure you ask the right questions and find the best one for you…
You will want to make sure that the person you hire is experienced enough to convey the atmosphere and emotions of the day on film – creating something Oscar worthy!
2) How would you describe your style?
Styles primarily divide into documentary (filming as the day unfolds) or cinematic (weaving the episodes of your wedding into a story). Both are absolutely great to look at, so choose whichever style you like best! Also discuss whether your video will be music based or dispersed with speech and wooping from guests – again this is completely your preference!
3) Have you worked with our photographer before?
Would you be open to meeting with them if not? The photographer and videographer work very closely on the wedding day and therefore need to get along and know how the other operates.
4) Have you worked at our reception venue before? If not, would you be up for visiting it with us – would this cost extra?
If your videographer is familiar with your wedding venue, they will know the best angles to film from and the best lighting opportunities.
This may seem like a silly question if you don’t know a lot about cameras, however, this will give you an idea about how large the video equipment is, how the microphones will work and what sort of lighting the videographer intends to use.
6) How long do we have to wait to see the final result?
While you can get the raw footage, or the highlights video fairly soon after the wedding, the full film may take up to six months in editing, so make sure you’re happy with this.
7) What will the final result be?
One 10 minute video? Or a feature length with all of the full length speeches?
8) Can I choose the music for the film?
Many videographers are more than happy to do that, so have a discussion with them and have a list of favourite tunes at the ready. If they can’t use your exact song selection they might come up with great alternatives along the same vibe.
9) Who will own the copyright?
This is important as any additional copy will have to be paid for separately.
10) How many copies of the film do I get? And how much does it cost if we want to buy extras?
If you want to distribute the video to all your relatives abroad, you may want to find out how much an extra video costs before you make any promises!
Update: The Times has reported that the government will (finally!) lift the 30-person limit on weddings, even if the easing of other lockdown restrictions is delayed beyond June 21.
We will be keeping you all up to date if there are any changes to the rollout of weddings, so you’ll never miss the latest news. Download the Bridebook app today so that you are first to hear of any changes to policy that may affect your wedding.
Whilst restrictions are set to end on the 21st of June, weddings are still likely to be a little different for the next couple of years. The “new normal” will probably still affect a few things at your wedding. And while there may be no major fixed rules, we want to give you some tips on how to navigate through the early days after restrictions end.
Below are our top tips for planning a post-COVID wedding.
1. Keep up to date with latest government restrictions
Firstly, make sure that you know the particular COVID rules in your given area. Remember that there are often slight differences in policy between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Keep up to date with everything here.
Also, while the government has said that there won’t be different rules for different regions, this policy may change. Particularly, if pockets of the countries see mini-outbreaks. Again, make sure you know the rules for your wedding location and your hometown. This way you won’t get caught out with any last-minute changes.
2. Make contingency plans for guests coming from abroad
One thing that definitely won’t be back to normal straightaway on 21st June is international travel. With new variants and differing vaccination rates, some restrictions on travel are sure to remain for a while.
As a result, we recommend making some contingency plans for any guests who are planning to come from abroad. Keep up to date with which countries are on which lists (red, amber, green). This will ensure you know which guests may need to quarantine and who may need to order tests for early release from quarantine.
Travel rules are likely to remain in flux for some time yet, so do think about how you will mitigate this. Will you still go ahead with some live streaming options? A lot of venues now have this capability so do ask ahead of time. Similarly, we have seen some couples use computer tablets at tables for guests who are abroad and can’t make it to the ceremony.
Have a chat with your partner and work out what will work for you and your day.
3. Check your honeymoon destination
Since travel restrictions are likely to continue, you will also need to keep an eye on the rules for your honeymoon destination. Again, keep up to date with the latest for your particular country at the government-specific site.
Know what the quarantine rules are so that you can book the required time off and make sure you have your tests done well in advance.
Remember to do the same if you are having your hen do or stag do abroad, particularly if your bridesmaids or groomsmen aren’t quite as on-the-ball as you.
4. Keep your guests feeling safe
Even when restrictions end, some guests may still be nervous. It has been a really tough 18 months and some people want to take things a bit more cautiously than others. And that’s fine.
Make sure you know which of your guests might need a little more reassurance in advance. You can then provide badges for people who want to signal to others that they would like to keep their distance a bit more.
You could seat them nearer to open doors or windows to get more ventilation. Simply increasing the number of sanitisation stations around the venue can put some people at ease.
Similarly, if you are a bit nervous about having your wedding straight after restrictions end, let your guests know what you expect from them. This way there won’t be any surprises on the day.
5. Talk to your venue about their safety measures
The staff at wedding venues want you and your guests to feel as safe as possible on your big day.
Many venues now have protocols for making a venue more COVID-secure. This can include greater distancing at tables, one-way systems around the property, and increased ventilation. As we mentioned above, many also have the ability to livestream parts of the event.
Chat to your venue to let them know what things you need on your particular day and they are likely to be very accommodating.
6. Download the Bridebook app
The Bridebook app is where you can get the latest and most up to date news for weddings. If things change, this is where you’ll find out first.
Update your date and let us know where you’ve booked your venue. Then we can provide you with the most relevant information for your specific wedding date and location.
7. Have fun!
Restrictions are due to end on 21st June, so there should be no major rules at your wedding outside of travel restrictions. Instead, it will be up to you to find the right balance for you and your guests. But remember, it has been an incredibly tough 18 months and one that we know people can’t wait to put behind them. People have never been in bigger need of a great party. Your wedding will be a celebration that will live long in the memory. So be safe, but enjoy it! You deserve the best day of your life.
Let’s talk wedding stationery – the perfect way to set the tone of your special day, get creative and, most importantly, let your loved ones know that your wedding is soon approaching!
Bridebook is excited to announce we have partnered with Papier, one of the leading wedding stationery brands in the industry, to help our couples design their perfect stationery.
Papier is unique as they collaborate with talented artists and illustrators to bring our couples all the designs they will need for their big (or little) day – from save the dates & invitations to menus, guest books, thank you cards & more.
Sophie Agar, Brand Director at Papier comments, “At Papier, we believe that stationery is a very special part of your wedding story. We’re so excited to be working with Bridebook to share our collections with you all.”
Wedding stationery can be personalised at Papier and is expertly printed on sustainably sourced paper in England. Choose from different paper thicknesses, finishes such as gold or silver foiling, and order samples to see how your designs look and feel. Papier’s friendly experts are on hand to help with any questions.
Browse Papier’s wedding stationery options:
Save the Dates
Set the tone for your wedding with Papier’s save the dates. Illustrated, foiled and photo designs can be paired with matching invitations and are available with or without envelopes. Prefer to send a digital save the date? Papier can help with that too.
Wedding Invitations
Calligraphy, floral, classic, modern – Papier has invitations to suit every couple’s style. All sets come with optional matching info cards, RSVP cards, pre-addressed RSVP envelopes & you can also get all your guests’ addresses printed on the envelopes to save you valuable time!
On the Day Designs
Add the finishing touches with orders of service, table plans, guest books, menus and place names. They’ll tie the details of your day together and give your guests little keepsakes to hold onto after the event.
Happy Planning!
Ready to order your wedding stationery for your big day? Send your request to Papier ‘Wedding stationery‘
If you’d like more advice on wedding stationery, below are some useful articles:
We love weddings. Like, really love them. (Can you tell?) But even we have to admit that they can be pretty wasteful affairs. Planning a sustainable wedding might sound daunting, but we promise it’s not as tricky as you might expect – so have a think about whether or not you can find a place for something green (and something borrowed!) alongside your something blue. Here are our top tips to get you started.
Resell your wedding dress or suit
Of all the items of clothing you own, we bet that whatever you wear on your wedding day will have the most sentimental value. But if you can bear to part with it, consider selling it on or handing it down to someone else. It’s an easy way to make a little cash back while reducing your wedding’s impact.
Want 10% off when you sell your wedding dress? Head over to Stillwhite, the world’s largest second-hand wedding dress marketplace.
Opt for online invitations
Your wedding stationery is one aspect of your wedding you just can’t cut. At the end of the day, your guests need to know where to go! But there are loads of eco-friendly alternatives that don’t end up with piles of wasted paper. For example, there’s no reason that e-invites can’t be just as gorgeous as traditional stationery! Why not email your guests a link to a personalised video of you and your other half or set up an awesome wedding website?
Choose a venue close to home
Having an eco-friendly wedding doesn’t necessarily mean getting married on a farm or in a field! Travel can be one of the most significant contributors to a wedding’s carbon footprint so if you want to go green, try to pick a venue that’s within easy reach of you and your guests. You might want to think about choosing somewhere that’s accessible by public transport too.
Organise a wedding coach for your guests
If lots of your guests are coming to your venue from the same place, you could organise a wedding coach to take them all there and back in one go. It’s an easy way to make sure everyone turns up on time too!
Set up carpooling
Encourage your guests to travel together where possible and help them sort out carpooling arrangements. Ask your guests to let you know if they’ll have a free spot in their car when they RSVP, then match them up with another guest in need of a lift. It’ll likely save your guests a little on fuel costs too!
Buy any clothing second-hand
Remember, it’s not just you and your other half who will be buying an outfit for the wedding. Everyone in the wedding party from the best man to the flower girl will most likely be wearing something special. A great way to be a little greener – and to save a few pennies! – is to opt for pre-loved items from a vintage boutique or charity shop. Another alternative is to explore hiring any dresses or suits needed for the wedding party. After all, they’ll probably only wear them once!
Avoid single-use items
Like your wedding invitations, little details like place cards and table numbers can quickly end up meaning mountains of paper, card and plastic left over after your big day. One easy option is to look for recyclable or biodegradable materials when choosing your designs. If you have a little more cash to spare, another idea we love is doubling up your place cards with your wedding favours so that your guests have a keepsake to take away with them, rather than something to be thrown away.
But our favourite idea? Edible place cards. Order cookies with your guests’ names written on them in icing. We can guarantee there’ll be nothing left at the end of your big day!
Make conscious jewellery choices
We know, we know – it’s hardly the most romantic thing to think about, but it’s important to be conscious of the impact your wedding and engagement rings can have on the planet and its people. Diamonds and other gems are often sourced unsustainably and unethically, as are many precious metals. To avoid participating in a potentially problematic trade, make sure to look for conflict-free materials, investigate vintage or recycled options or look into lab-grown options.
Celebrate by candlelight
Your electricity bill might be the last thing on your mind on your wedding day – and rightly so, in our opinion! – but considering energy-saving strategies is an easy way to make your big day a little more sustainable. Try turning off unnecessary lights and lighting your venue with candles instead. On top of being eco-friendly, it’ll create a gorgeous, romantic atmosphere! Just make sure you check that your venue’s happy with open flames.
Use sustainable makeup
Why not switch out some of your products for cruelty-free, zero-waste or locally produced alternatives? We’d never recommend trying something new for the first time on your wedding day so this is definitely one you’ll want to plan ahead. If you’re having your makeup done professionally, ask your makeup artist whether they use any sustainable products or quiz any makeup-loving friends on their cruelty-free recommendations.
Stay seasonal
Flowers play a big role in almost every wedding and aren’t something we’d ever recommend skipping out on! But they can have an undeniable impact on your wedding’s carbon footprint, whether that’s because of how they’re disposed of or how they’re imported. Our top tip is to prioritise flowers that are a) local and b) seasonal where possible. It’s a often fab way to save some pennies too as your flowers have less far to travel.
Go veggie (or vegan!)
Whether you go completely vegan or just opt to reduce the number of meat dishes on offer, exploring eco-friendly options for your catering is an easy way to go green. And don’t worry – it’s not 2003! Going veggie doesn’t mean limiting yourself to mediocre mushroom risottos and sad stuffed peppers. Nowadays, there are loads of caterers offering fabulous vegan and veggie options. If you do still want to serve meat, try to prioritise local and organic produce where possible to decrease your wedding’s environmental impact.
Avoid flower foam
An easy eco win is to check if your florist uses flower foam in their designs. This foam is much like single-use plastic and can be harmful to humans and animals through prolonged contact, especially if it seeps into water supplies. Our advice would be to avoid flower foam where possible and look for eco-friendly alternatives.
Buy biodegradable
Buying decorations made out of biodegradable materials is an easy way to lower the environmental impact of your wedding. This is especially important when it comes to wedding staples like confetti, as well as balloons and lanterns.
Confetti is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to the environmental impact of weddings. Fortunately, there’s loads of biodegradable options out there, as well as more traditional eco-friendly options like rose petals or rice. For extra green points, you could even gather flowers from your own garden (or a friend’s) and dry the petals yourself.
And, as much as we love them, balloons and lanterns are potentially very harmful to the environment if not disposed of correctly. If you do want a lantern display, be careful to look for biodegradable materials and be careful of where you release them.
Hire what you can
Not only are wedding decorations often un-environmental, they’re also expensive! Why not hire your decorations? You can be sure they’ll be reused time and time again while also saving some cash yourself. Plus, hiring your decorations often means being able to afford higher quality pieces, adding a little luxury to your day!
Go for gifts that keep giving!
While we always love a wedding favour, they’re not at all a necessity! Being invited to your wedding is gift enough for your guests! So why not think about making a charity donation with the money you save? If you really do want to buy favours, you could explore options that let your guests make a positive impact on the environment themselves. For example, you might gift them with a packet of seeds to grow their own flowers.
There you have it – some amazing green wedding ideas for a gorgeous, environmentally-friendly wedding!
Many of you might be thinking of hiring a wedding planner to plan your wedding and get your wedding venue decorated. But Wait! There’s another fantastic way in which you can get a stylish wedding touch on your own.
Yes, you’ve read it correctly, you can do it on your own, and that’s why we’re here with the best DIY wedding decoration ideas that will truly amaze your guests.
So, if you both fall under the umbrella of budget-friendly or décor-savvy couples who want to tackle the decoration process independently, then prepare to be the best temporary wedding planner your wedding ceremony will ever see!
From Bride & Groom Bucket List to Photo Family Tree, the 16 best DIY Wedding Ideas mentioned below will genuinely embrace your wedding ceremony’s beauty.
1. Use Bridebook’s Free Wedding Planning App
Become your own wedding planner with the Bridebook app. Search for wedding venues, and all the wedding suppliers you need like caterers, photographers, florists and so much more!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up and download the free Bridebook Wedding Planning App now!
2. Bride & Groom Bucket List
Similar to the guestbook, another popular and unique idea is the Bride & Groom Bucket List. It is super fun and also relatively easy to create. In this list, you can add all the things that you and your partner can do together to strengthen your love and bond.
This will be a fun and creative idea for you and your partner and will surely give you some fantastic ideas for activities to do during your wedding.
3. Ribbon Tied Chairs
Another unique way to add style to your wedding is by making the chairs look more impressive – tie beautiful ribbons around the back of the chairs.
Chair décor is one of the most overlooked details at the wedding, and the right embellishments or the wedding chair décor ideas will genuinely create a dramatic look for your special day.
4. Blackboard Wedding Program
While planning a wedding, it is vital to have a program so that the guests can have an idea of what will be happening in the entire wedding ceremony. For this, you can be creative enough by using a blackboard or a chalkboard to chalk out the complete wedding program.
5. Paper Lanterns
Paper lanterns are beautiful enough that they will truly embrace your wedding décor.
The paper made lanterns will spark the inspiration to create your own one of a kind environment for your wedding day without breaking the bank. Paper lanterns are easy to make, which will combine lighting with table décor.
6.Self Portrait Guest Book
Ditch the photo guest book and just ask your artistic guests and relatives to draw self-portraits. You can allow space to your guests to fill it in with their amazing artwork and signatures, and the coloured Sharpies add to the fun.
7.Hanging Flowers
The hanging flowers or the flower chandeliers work amazingly to add beauty to your wedding. Wedding trends may come and go, but the trend of hanging flowers will remain the same.
Hanging flowers of different colors or the flower chandeliers will surely give your wedding a garden-fresh feel that your guests will truly love.
8. Pineapple Vase Centrepieces
With so many ideas of centrepieces, you can ditch all of them and give a try to the most trendy Pineapple Vase Centrepiece.
Hallowed pineapples will make a perfect and eye-catching Whimsical Pineapple vase that will truly capture your guests’ interest. The Pineapple Vase Centrepieces will look the best with the tropical flower blends.
9. Custom Balloons
The colorful custom balloons will liven up your wedding event and will surely give a fantastic look to your wedding.
The various sizes, shapes, and colors of custom balloons are available easily online. You can get customized according to your need with cute pictures or cheeky slogans.
10. Bow Tie Napkins
Bow Tie Napkins are truly loved by all, and they give a cute and unique touch to the wedding décor ideas.
Instead of placing the napkins generally on the table, you can create a bow-tie shape of the napkins that will embrace the beauty of the table and will indeed prove to be a great tablescape at your wedding.
11. Flower Walls
Floral Floral on the wall, they are the prettiest of them all! Flowers are a crucial part of the wedding, and right from the dainty wedding elements to the boisterous decorations, the presence of flowers embraces the entire wedding look.
A plethora of colorful flowers bunched together into a wall will look surreal and will take your wedding pictures to the next level.
12. Giant Paper Flowers
The giant paper flowers look amazing when they are part of a backdrop installation. Make a lot of giant paper flowers of different colors, and then combine all of them to be a part of the backdrop installation. This will give an eye-popping look to your wedding decoration.
13.Woodland Floral Centrepieces
As said earlier that flowers are an essential part without which the wedding décor is incomplete. So here we are with another flower décor idea that involves Woodland Inspired Floral Centrepieces.
If you plan a rustic themed wedding, you can ditch the flower vases and display flowers in old tree logs that will give a unique touch of earthy vibes to your wedding.
14. Blanket Wedding Aisle
Your grand entrance right down the aisle is one of the most unique and special moments during your wedding.
There are amazing aisle runners out there, but you can be creative enough by using colourful blankets as an innovative alternative to aisle runners. It will surely fit perfectly in any of the wedding themes.
15. Customised Lawn Games
To add some kind of fun and spark to your wedding, you can arrange some customised lawn games for your guests to keep your guests engaged. With the best wedding lawn games, you can keep guests of all ages entertained at an outdoor wedding.
So, if you have a large lawn to work with, then it may be fun to set up multiple games so that everyone who wants to play can get a chance.
16. Photo Family Tree
Last but not least, a photo family tree is a great way to enhance the look of your wedding décor.
For this, you just need pictures of your family and your couple’s photos, some decoration elements like ribbons, lights, and maybe even a tree. And then you can decorate the tree and hang the pictures on it with ribbon. This will look pretty amazing.
So, how did you find these fantastic DIY Wedding Decoration Ideas? Aren’t they amazing? These DIY wedding ideas are budget-friendly, and they will let you create a whole new stylish look at your wedding without costing you much.
So what are you waiting for? Just grab the required items that you will need and start preparing for creating an excellent DIY wedding decoration.
Looking for some more wedding inspiration? Why not check out some of our other wedding articles:
After the build up to your big day and a night of celebrating with your loved ones, it is important to relax and let it all soak in! What better way to do that than a trip to the spa? Moddershall Oaks is not only a fantastic wedding venue, but also an incredible spa, in a beautiful location: a perfect way to wind down after months of planning and preparations – you deserve it!
Emma, Events Reservation Manager, takes us through the details of what makes their venue special!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I have worked at Moddershall Oaks for nearly three years and have loved every second! Before this, I worked at a venue dressing company, so I have experience on both the venue and supplier side of the wedding industry! I’m lucky to live very close to Moddershall and enjoy walking the beautiful Staffordshire countryside with my partner Joe and dog Perry!
What drew you to the wedding world?
That’s easy! What’s not to love about the wedding world? The dress, the flowers, the décor! I have a very creative, crafty side so I enjoy seeing all those elements come together. But I’m also very meticulous and organised and I love a spreadsheet, so that also helps with planning and making sure everything runs smoothly. Being part of a wedding and helping to bring the day together is very special and something I am very honoured to be trusted with. Seeing the couples faces when they walk back up the aisle is the best part of the job!
What do you think makes Moddershall Oaks unique?
I think as a venue we are lucky to have some really unique aspects, including our boutique spa (perfect for your after wedding relaxation!) and the fact that we can offer outdoor ceremonies by our lake – the most beautiful, peaceful, romantic place for your ceremony! But what really makes Moddershall Oaks different, is most definitely those we choose to be part of our team. Our company aim is to ‘be the best at everything we do by employing great people who make Moddershall Oaks a special place to be’ and that means our team members are passionate about their jobs, and will go above and beyond to make our customers’ experiences with us memorable.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Getting to know our couples really just comes naturally, from the initial show round, to discussing ideas at Open Days, the food tasting, the final planning meeting and all of the email and phone calls in between – by the time the wedding date comes around we’re like part of the family! And that makes our job that much more special.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
I think the perfect wedding for me is simple. Good food, good company and good entertainment, with a few personal touches thrown in. Plus, an experienced venue team who will make sure the day goes without a hitch!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Moddershall Oaks?
We once had a couple who loved their winter sports and used that as the theme for their day. Their stationery had little mountains on it, their cake depicted a mountain with little skiers zooming down the side, but best of all, they had a snowboard simulator set up in the garden! What a way to make your wedding memorable!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
To take it easy and don’t stress about all the things you have to do to plan a wedding. Have an action plan or a checklist that you can work through step by step. It can be overwhelming to begin with, but when it’s broken down you can enjoy the process and build up so much more!
Why should a couple book Moddershall Oaks?
Because we’re all about you! Whatever your idea, we are flexible to make it happen. Whether you want a big wedding or an intimate wedding, that’s fine by us. Maybe you want an amazing bespoke Italian themed menu? Then our chefs will create one for you. You want some weird and wonderful entertainment? Owls to fly down the aisle and deliver your rings? Go for it. We don’t like rules, so we don’t make many. But what we will do is our utmost to ensure your day and the time leading up to it is as enjoyable as possible and something you will treasure for the rest of your lives!
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The colleagues I work with and seeing them work together to create and deliver something special to our couples. The Moddershall Oaks family is something I am very proud to be part of.
What’s the best photo spot at Moddershall Oaks?
Tricky one! The jetty on the lake is the most obvious choice, but I think I would choose the little benches nestled in the woodland. They look like something you would find in a secret garden, and because the woodland is rarely used it’s so raw and natural. The photos I see of couples here always look so enchanting and magical.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Technology is a great thing and it means researching venues and suppliers got a whole lot easier over the past few years. But don’t underestimate the power and reliability of word of mouth. There is nothing more reassuring you are making the right decision than the recommendation from a friend or relative!
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Firstly, I am sorry that your special day has been affected by Covid-19. It’s a really tough and scary time for the wedding industry as a whole. All we can really do right now is our best to work together to find the best solution for all parties. We all have to be patient with one another and understand that each and every couple/supplier/venue have their own unique circumstances and all will be making compromises to try and get through this. Know that even if your date has been postponed, it will still be the most magical day, albeit a little later than planned!
The tools on the Bridebook app are so handy and really guide you step by step with your wedding planning, for example the checklist tool! This is the perfect way to manage all the ideas in your head and tick things off, stress free!
So you’re looking at Cheshire wedding venues, for something unique… something a little quirky and different. A barn wedding venue can offer an abundance of space for your big day. We think that barns make great wedding venues because they’re a blank canvas for creative couples.
We’ve found some awesome Barn wedding venues in Cheshire for you to take a look at. These rustic and charming, elegant and inspired spaces are the perfect place to begin a future with the person you love.
For your special day, nothing could be more idyllic than saying ‘I do’ in this stunning oak barn beside a tranquil lake. Sandhole Oak Barn’s wedding venue is set in 400 acres of rolling Cheshire countryside and offers a magnificent setting for your wedding day.
Nestled on the hillside of a working farm and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Cheshire and Staffordshire, the gorgeous setting for this incredible wedding venue awaits. This Family-run establishment will help you with something big and extravagant, or quaint and intimate.
One of the most beautiful Barn wedding venues in the UK and set on a working farm that is family run and offers a truly unique wedding experience. Situated in a stunning location you wouldn’t want to leave, allows for holding your ceremony and celebration at the same venue!
The Plough Inn is licensed to hold Civil Ceremony Weddings and offers the perfect setting for your special day. The historic Barn is ideally situated for formal or informal ceremonies and promises to make your wedding distinctive and unique with delightful gardens making the perfect setting for wedding photography.
Oak Tree of Peover is a unique contemporary venue is set in the heart of Cheshire surrounded by stunning countryside views. Oak beams and lots of natural light makes this venue fresh and bright whilst subtle lighting in the evening gives it a magical, romantic feel.
Set within beautiful farmland situated on the edge of Tatton Park in Cheshire, one of the prettiest Farm wedding venues in the UK, Stock Farm wedding & Events Barn offers the perfect setting for your special day in an exclusive location with idyllic countryside views giving you and your guests complete privacy.
One of our Barn wedding venues in Cheshire is a real hidden gem, The Holford estate secluded idyllic setting, is steeped in history, alongside stunning formal gardens and a state of the art contemporary wedding Barn.
A family run venue in the beautiful National Trust Village of Styal, in the grounds of Styal Golf Club. Built in 2009 a beautiful Lodge filled with natural light, a blank canvas & private gardens.
Of all the UK Country wedding venues, this stunning location boasts unrivalled views over the Cheshire plains towards the Welsh hills and gives you complete exclusivity on your special day. The Barn is an airy indoor space with a fabulous terrace, perfect for the drinks reception or evening soirée.
Duddon Mill Farm is a wedding and events venue situated near Tarporley in the heart of rural Cheshire. With mature apple orchards, pond, barns and a stream running right through the middle of the estate, there are endless photo opportunities for lovers of the outdoors.
Wow, we don’t envy you! There is just so much to choose from. Remember, your wedding can be as extravagant, or as intimate as your imagination allows. Choosing your wedding venue will be a big decision you’ll make as a couple, and it’s good to think of your options straight away.
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