The wedding is approaching fast and the tasks are piling up! It could be tempting to postpone your haircut to the last few days before the wedding to keep it looking as fresh as possible….but this is a mistake! Your hair takes time to settle into a new style, making a last-minute haircut a bad choice. Most hairstylists would advise you to get your hair trimmed and coloured around 2 weeks before your wedding (tweet us if you disagree). Any earlier than this and your hair would have the opportunity to grow too much before the wedding, potentially ruining the style. Any later than 2 weeks before and your hair may not fully settle into the style. The other advantage of getting a trim 2 weeks before is that if the stylist makes any mistakes, you have time to try and rectify it.
Once your hair is trimmed, try experimenting with the style you plan to do on your wedding day to see how it looks. If you feel that something doesn’t look right, look for small changes you can make to improve it. You may want to go over this with your hairstylist.
Read more about working with your wedding hairstylist
‘I had prepared an excellent speech for you today, but unfortunately, now that I’m married … I’ve been told to read this one instead.’
‘I have been told that this is usually one of the only times in a married man’s life when he can speak without being interrupted … I may be here sometime.’
‘I didn’t actually receive an invitation to the wedding, so I hope I haven’t just eaten somebody else’s meal.’
‘When I asked [bride’s] father if I could marry his daughter, he wanted to know if I would be able to support the family. The answer was no! I was only planning to support his daughter. The rest of them would have to look after themselves.’
‘A lot of people believe that girls marry men who remind them of their fathers, which explains why [bride’s] mother crying so much during the ceremony.’
‘I was a bit nervous about giving a wedding speech so I had a look online for some tips. The best advice came from Franklin D Roosevelt who said “Be sincere; be brief; be seated”. So…..thanks very much for coming!’
‘[bride] says that I never listen….or something like that’
Those who want to get married near their home town
Those who want to get married(a little further away) in a different city
Those who want to get married in a different country
In this hack, we are going to talk about the latter. This hack is for those adventurous couples who take their entire wedding overseas to create the ultimate dream wedding. This is the destination wedding!
Choosing the location
This is the hardest part. Where do you begin? Well, as always, a good place to start is your wedding theme. Do you already have a theme in mind for your wedding? If so, try to choose a location that suits your theme. Consider if you want an outdoor or indoor wedding and scope out areas that you think would be well suited. Keep in mind that the best weather usually occurs during the tourist season which could mean that your dream location ends up being really busy (a beach full of spectators probably wasn’t on your wish-list). If you already have a location which is important to you and your fiancé or that has some sentimental value, these locations bring an added touch to your wedding which can make it even more special. Of course, always keep an eye on the price to check if it’s in your budget. There are some additional costs needed for a destination wedding which we will discuss in more detail below.
Money-saving tips
If you plan to get married outdoors, use the natural beauty of the location to save on decorations. Likewise, try decorating indoor areas with local goods, adding an authentic feel. This could include plants, produce, crates etc. Be creative.
Look for non-city locations with cheaper flights, venues and accommodation. Just make sure that it is easy enough to travel there and that there are enough hotels to house all your guests.
Block-book hotels
As mentioned above, depending on when you book, it could be tourist season and there may not be enough accommodation available to cover all your guests. To avoid this, block-book hotels or self-catering accommodation in advance. The quicker you can finalise your guest list the better, as this will give you a more accurate idea of the total number of guests you need to book rooms for. You can then ask your guests to pay you directly to allow you to settle the bill with the hotel. For more complex bookings (e.g. if you are arranging self-catering or room-sharing), a Facebook messenger group can be incredibly useful.
Visit first yourself
Oh what a burden! It is highly recommended that you visit the location/venue yourself at least once before you get married. Ideally, you would want to visit before booking your venue and visit a few possible venues to make sure you are completely happy with it. If you are going to go to the effort of getting married abroad, you need to make sure it’s right. If possible, try visiting 2 or 3 times. This is something else to add into the budget.
Vendor issues
Do you plan to hire a local vendor for your destination wedding or are you bringing a vendor with you? If they are a local vendor, you would probably want to meet them first, prior to booking them. If they don’t speak English, you may want to consider hiring a local English-speaking wedding planner to liaise with all vendors on your behalf (it’s an added expense but could save a lot of hassle). If, on the other hand, you are bringing a vendor with you, there will probably be a requirement to pay for their travel and accommodation costs. If you need to do this for multiple vendors, costs will quickly skyrocket.
Local marriage requirements
This is a biggie! It is essential that you check the legal requirements of getting married in whatever country you choose. Many countries have a residency requirement which means that you must reside in the country for a certain period before your wedding ceremony. The duration of this period differs between countries although some countries are quite lengthy e.g. France is 40 days!
Warn your wedding party in plenty of time
It’s important to stay aware of the financial responsibilities you are placing on guests by getting married abroad. Unless you plan to pay for all your guests’ flights and accommodation, give your guests as much notice as you can so they can prepare accordingly. This is especially true for your wedding party and guests who you are really close with as you want to ensure that they are able to attend.
Can all your guests travel?
It’s also good to consider if all your guests are able to travel? For example, any friends who will be in the late stages of pregnancy around your wedding date may not be able to make it.
Weather and Outfits
Unfortunately, getting married abroad still does not guarantee good weather and you should prepare a backup plan if the weather takes a turn for the worse. As well as rain, wind can cause a serious issue for outdoor weddings. We have outlined some wind/rain busting solution in our beach wedding hack.
Your outfits should also be weather appropriate. Make sure to choose lighter fabrics that you won’t overheat in. Unless you are having a destination wedding in Greenland, in which case the opposite is true!
If you are considering a destination wedding, the above points are your key considerations to whether you think it will be achievable. If planned well, a destination wedding can actually work out cheaper if you choose the right location(although that’s not the best reason to opt for a destination wedding). Keep in mind that the difficulties of wedding planning are immediately doubled when you are planning the wedding overseas so you need to decide if it’s worth the extra effort. But don’t let me put you off! A destination wedding can be one of the most spectacular weddings imaginable……and if it’s what you want, who cares how difficult it is…..just do it!
Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, but it brings with it an unusual cocktail of emotions. Joy, nerves, excitement, panic…to name a few. The combination of extreme fear and extreme excitement at the same time is a very strange feeling. Of course, nerves and fear are totally expected. Getting married is a big deal and the thought of exhibiting the event in front of 100+ guests can make it all-the-more daunting. Let’s face it! You’re not going to be able to get rid of all the nerves, but a few quick tips can make all the difference between anxiety and bliss.
1. Do what you can to relax in the morning
The morning of your wedding is where the real nerves start. Here are a few tips:
Start the day with a bath
You may not feel like eating, but going out for breakfast can also be a nice start to the day
A good way to keep yourself calm is to get some company. Ideally, you want to have somebody with a calming personality with you as you start to get ready. Parents, friends or other members of the wedding party are a good place to start. If you’re getting ready on your own, your mind is free to race and that’s when panic can set in. Get distracted, get some company.
2. Remember what it’s all about
There are many things that you may be feeling anxious about…..the ceremony, speeches, first dance etc. Whatever it is, try to remember that these things are only moments in time, they will be finished as soon as they start. Your marriage however is going to last forever. As pleasant as these individual parts of your wedding are, they are only components of the overall celebration of your marriage. Focus on the reason for the day, your love for one another and you will find yourself hopelessly distracted from everything else.
3. Remember that nobody wants you to mess up
If you are nervous about the audience that will be watching you getting married, don’t be! Remember that everyone you have invited is there because they love you and want to share this day with you. Nobody is hoping you mess up (if they are then don’t invite them!). If anything goes wrong, nobody is going to mock, it just becomes a humorous moment that you will be sharing at dinner tables for years to come.
4. Take it all in
If you are too busy panicking, you may forget to take in the events of the day. It’s so easy to get distracted by your nerves, so instead, just focus on the beautiful little moments that occur during the day. Soak in every conversation, embrace every hug and every handshake. It flies by! And regardless of how nervous you were at the start of the day, you will most likely go to bed saying it was one of the greatest days of your life. Live in the moment. Take it all in.
Are you looking for some quotes from famous individuals for your wedding speech? Here is a short list to get you started:
“I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.” – Groucho Marx
“The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” – Allan K. Chalmers
“The man who says his wife can’t take a joke forgets that she took him.” – Oscar Wilde
“A man is incomplete until he’s married. After that, he’s finished.” – Zsa Zsa Gabor
“Some women pick men to marry, and others pick men to pieces.” – Mae West
“There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day, knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.” – Ronald Reagan
“The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman’s heart.” – Timothy Titcomb, J. G. Holland
“It’s not as great a day for the bride as she thinks. She’s not marrying the best man.” – Anonymous
“It’s a funny thing that when a man hasn’t anything on earth to worry about, he goes off and gets married.” – Robert Frost
“Any fool can have a trophy wife. It takes a real man to have a trophy marriage.” – Diane Sollee
“You know you are in love when you see the world in her eyes, and her eyes everywhere in the world.” – David Levesque
Crafting the perfect wedding playlist is a skill in itself. Your task is to take your guests on a musical journey that tells them a story or guides them in a certain flow of emotions.
The ceremony music is a bit more self-explanatory so we won’t discuss that in this hack. Instead, we’ll discuss playlist structure for the other 2 key (musical) points of the day.
Backing music for the meal
The dancing
Music is such a personal thing. There will be songs that remind you of certain moments in your life and instantly transport you back to that time. There will also be songs that are a shared memory for both you and your fiancé. These songs are often a great starting point for building your playlist if you are willing to share them with your guests. You can then work around them with songs of a similar style.
You may wish to place the songs in chronological order of their meaning to your relationship….. i.e. from when you met until the present day. This can be a nice touch and will be very special for you(even if it means nothing to your guests). Whether you tell your guests the significance of the songs is up to you.
The other option is to use songs that you feel match the tone of your wedding and you believe your guests will enjoy. For the meal, don’t use anything too lively. Some unfamiliar relaxing backing music is a good choice as your guests probably won’t know the words(you want your guests to talk to one another…..not sing throughout the meal). Listen to the words, not just the sound of the song! I heard about one couple who chose “Still haven’t found what I’m looking for” by U2 for their first dance! Cringe!
The evening playlist is a bit different because you don’t want all the songs to have the same tone. The best way to structure the evening playlist is like this:
Lively(get your guests up and dancing and working up a sweat)
Quiet(let your guests relax, grab a drink and have a slow dance)
Lively again(Once your guests have got some energy back, finish your night in style)
This is a good balance of lively and quiet. Your guests won’t be too exhausted but have had the opportunity to dance as much as they wanted to.
Booking your wedding music is one of the most fun tasks in your wedding planning. It is the soundtrack of your wedding and the backing music to your first dance! A big deal! So it’s important to get this right. Here is a quick 4-step guide to power through this task quickly and happily, whether you are booking a band or DJ.
1. Think about the style
The best place to start with all vendor bookings is your wedding theme. The same is true for booking your wedding music. If you don’t have a wedding theme yet, we would suggest coming up with one as soon as you can as it makes your life a whole lot easier. Once you have decided on your theme, try to base your music around this. Certain themes are naturally suited to certain genres. E.g. a 70s themed wedding would be well suited to a disco/funk band, whereas a rock n’ roll wedding would be best suited to a……erm……90s pop band(obviously). Of course, it’s important to make sure you like the genre yourself. Looking at your theme will at least give you a starting point.
2. Do the research
The next step is the research phase. The best place to begin your search is on wedding directories such as Little Book for Brides or music-specific-directories such as Hireaband. An alternative approach is to use a site like Soundcloud. Most bands/artists on Soundcloud won’t promote themselves as a wedding band but you can still reach out to them and ask if they would be interested. This is a good choice if you want something a little bit more unusual.
3. Initial enquiry
Depending on how tight a deadline you have, you can either contact bands individually based on your preference or you can build a small list of potential bands and contact them all at once. Reach out with a simple email to check their availability on your wedding date, how much they charge and what their service includes(this is a good point to ask if you have any specific requests e.g. can they play a certain song). This is a casual enquiry so don’t feel obliged to book after this first email.
4. Book
Once you have found a band/artist/DJ that you are happy with(you should be happy with the music and the people), it’s time to confirm the booking. Confirm in writing, ask for any contracts that they provide and pay the initial deposit to confirm the booking. You have just booked your wedding music. Nice!
We know, we know – you don’t even want to think about it! And trust us, we’d much rather focus on the fun stuff too. But it’s got to be done – so let’s talk clear-up.
Who’s Going To Clear Up?
In an ideal world, you and your partner will be involved as little as possible in the clear-up – and if you can, we say delegate! If you’ve booked your wedding as a package (ie. including catering, decorations, etc.), the day after your wedding is likely to be a lot more straightforward as your venue may well take care of almost everything for you. You can also ask your suppliers what they offer in terms of clear-up – florists, for example, will likely come to collect any reusable elements from their displays. But if you’ve gone the DIY route, it’ll be on you. In that case, get your wedding party to take care of as much as possible so you and your partner can enjoy your first days as newlyweds… instead of spending them litter-picking.
How Are They Going To Clear Up?
Once you’ve confirmed who’ll be taking care of the clear-up, make sure they have everything they need. This includes things like bin bags and boxes – but it also includes transport. You’ll almost certainly want to make sure they have access to a car so that anything that needs to be stored elsewhere can be easily removed.
What Needs Clearing Up?
A few days in advance of your wedding, make a list of everything that will need to be cleared up – especially if you’re handing over responsibility for the clear-up to someone else. Start off by thinking about your decor, including decorations, signage, floral arrangements and table decorations. Equipment also falls into this category – sound systems, lighting and so on. Next, if you’ve rented any of your clothing, you’ll want to make sure you know when and where it needs to be returned, and whether it needs to be dry-cleaned in advance. Finally, work out what you’ll do with leftover food and drink.
Where Are You Going To Put It?
Start off by splitting everything into four categories: keep, collect, recycle/donate, bin. If you’ve arranged for your wedding party to take care of the clear-up, make sure to communicate to them what falls into each category. You don’t want keepsakes thrown in the bin – but you also don’t want to come back from your minimoon to find you have to recycle a hundred table settings. If you’d rather do it yourself, a good alternative is to arrange for everything to be temporarily stored somewhere until you have time to deal with it.
If wedding venue hunting isn’t up your street, a beach wedding could be the perfect alternative. Feel the sand on your feet and the wind in your hair as you wal…..ok, ok, let’s not get carried away!
A beach wedding is a beautiful thing….we can’t deny that. But it does come with some logistical issues…..sorry to be so un-romantic. If this is your dream however, don’t let anything stop you from going for it. We’re going to walk you through everything(well…not everything…..but almost) you need to consider when planning your beach wedding. Here’s a pre-warning…..it’s not going to be pretty….but it is practical. Let’s start with……
Tides
Make sure the beach will actually be there at the time of your wedding otherwise you may end up with a “sea wedding”. Check tide clocks for the date and time of your wedding to make sure the tide is out for the entire duration of the time you plan to spend on the beach.
Bride outfit
As you can imagine, various elements of the bride’s outfit become a lot trickier when you’re getting married on a beach. Consider the following:
Dress length
While a long dress can bring a floating elegance to your wedding outfit on a non-sand surface…..all this changes when you are on a beach. A long dress will be more difficult to walk in, will get dirty quickly and will probably look out of place. If you have already decided to wear a long dress, make sure it can bustle (and you know how to do it) to make things easier on the day.
Dress weight
Depending on the weather on your wedding day, a traditional heavy dress may not be the best option. Instead think about lighter fabrics. Remember that beaches can be windy so make sure the dress is long enough that it’s not going to blow up revealing your underwear!
Consider skipping the veil
Speaking of wind! The veil will be an even greater victim. With such light lace, the veil is going to be blown all over the place. This will cause a distraction during the ceremony and will be a real annoyance for you. Look at other options for hair decoration such as hair clips or flowers.
Go for flats
Heels and beaches are a no-go. There is nothing graceful about walking on sand with high-heels. Instead, go for flats or sandals(they will go better with a lightweight dress anyway). If you have your heart set on high heels, you would need to come up with some sort of aisle walkway to make things easier.
Groom outfit
If you are getting married in a hot country, a 3-piece suit may be an unwelcome burden on the wedding day while you are marinating in your own sweat(sorry to be so graphic!). If you are happy to go a little less formal, consider wearing linen trousers and a less formal shirt. If you are getting married in a cooler country, the traditional suit should be fine. If the weather heats up, you can wear a waistcoat instead of the suit jacket to keep things looking a little more formal.
Hair
Remember that wind we spoke about?! It can cause big problems with your hairstyles. You may be happy for your hair to be blown around if you are going for the natural, wind-swept look. If you want things to be a bit more tailored however, you will need to think about hairstyles that can easily be controlled. This is easier for grooms(with short hair) as a strong wax or gel will do the trick. Brides on the other hand have a bigger challenge. Look at up-dos or pleats and discuss this with your wedding hairstylist to find a style that they think would work. Invest in hair spray!
Makeup
If the weather looks to be hot on your wedding day, you may not want to be coated in a thick layer of makeup. Chat this over with your wedding makeup artist to find out a look that they think would be suitable. If you are going for a more natural look with your dress and shoes, lighter makeup may be a suitable compliment.
Weather
Depending on where you are in the world, the weather could differ greatly. Beach weddings are more weather reliant than an indoor wedding(as you would imagine) so it’s even more important to keep an eye on the weather forecast in the weeks and months leading up to the wedding. Make sure to dress suitably and consider your hair and makeup as already mentioned. It’s also important to think about your backup options if the weather takes a turn for the worse. E.g. if there is a light shower, you may still be able to go ahead with a beach ceremony but would need to think about keeping the guest seating dry and potentially a canopy for the bride and groom. If the weather was worse than that e.g. torrential rain and gale-force winds, you will need to abort and take the wedding inside. Make sure you have arranged a backup location indoors. If, on the other hand, the sun is beaming down, remember to wear sun-tan lotion. This would be easy to forget as we don’t imagine needing sun-tan lotion on your wedding day. But just imagine how you would feel if you ended up with wedding day sun burn!
Don’t forget about the wind! It’s not only your dress and hair that is affected by the wind. Any decorations(particularly paper) are at threat of being blown away if there is a mild wind. Avoid using:
Paper signage
Paper place names
Balloons
Fabric decorations
Loose flowers
Anything else lightweight
Tie anything down which you are able to.
The backup venue
You obviously don’t want to spend money booking a venue that will never be used. For your backup option, try the following options:
Are you having an indoor meal/reception? Would this venue allow you to use their premises for the ceremony if the weather was to change suddenly?
Is there a local church hall that you could make an agreement with? A small token payment could be made for your gratitude if the venue is used.
Just make sure that you can legally get married in the location. The laws are different depending on which country you are in.
Flowers/Decoration
One major benefit of getting married on the beach is the costs saved on decorations. You can’t get much prettier than the beauty of a beach. There is no need to go overboard with flowers and decorations. Keep it simple and natural and let the surroundings speak for themselves.
The legal bits
Laws are different worldwide so make sure to check your local laws for where you can/can’t get married. There may be additional documentation needed for a beach wedding so make sure you check this thoroughly.
Choosing your beach
You may have seen a beach online that looks beautiful but it’s important that you visit it before committing. Visit the beach on the same day of the week that you plan to get married and at the same time. This is to check how busy it would be at this time. Obviously there are other factors which contribute to the busyness of a beach(such as weather) but at least this gives you an idea. You probably don’t want hundreds of spectators at your wedding ceremony so it’s important to check how busy it is. A beach with hidden quiet spots is a good option to give you a little more privacy. Take a walk along the beach and find the perfect spot that balances good views and privacy. Not all beaches are a good choice for weddings.
Guests
Make sure to provide all the important information on the wedding invitations so your guests are adequately prepared. You may want your ushers to hand out some necessities as your guests arrive(e.g. bottles of water, sunglasses). Here are the things you may wish to suggest that your guests prepare for:
If you have any guests who struggle to walk, the beach may cause some problems. Make sure you plan a solution for this in advance and have somewhere comfortable they can sit(ideally with some shade).
Photos
There are lots of great photo opportunities at beach weddings. Think about this in advance and discuss it with your photographer. Look at Pinterest for some inspiration.
Choose canapés and drinks to suit
Choose refreshing options such as plain iced water with fresh lime and mint or a zesty-lemonade. Go for light canapés such as filo pastry(nothing that will melt into mush).
Sound system
Beaches can be noisy with the sound of wind and waves. You may need to set up a sound system with clip-on mics for the officiant, bride and groom, as well as handheld mics for the readers. Check with a local sound-hire company what their solution for this is. They will also need to provide some sort of power supply.
Toilets
If you are just having the ceremony on the beach, you may not need to think about this but it’s worth finding out where the nearest toilets are anyway. If you are also having the reception on the beach you will need to make sure there is a toilet available nearby. A local restaurant probably won’t be happy with all your guests using their toilets, so check if there are any public toilets. If there aren’t, you may need to hire a portable toilet.
Reception on the beach?
If you plan to have your reception on the beach too, you will need to make some additional arrangements such as hiring tables. Check that your caterer is happy to provide their service for an outdoor wedding and check what equipment they are able to bring. They may need you to hire a marquee for their preparation space. Once again, it’s important to think about the weather for the table setup. Keep it simple and avoid anything that can be blown over. Avoid Excessive fabrics, tall vases and unnecessary paper. If you have place cards and menus on the table, use something heavy to weigh them down(you could use your favours as weights). Alternatively use a large chalkboard as your menu that everybody can see and write place names on slate with chalk. To keep bugs away you could use citron candles. Put them in glasses with wide bases and sides that rise above the flame, this is to prevent them for being blown over or out!
If you are thinking about having a beach wedding and you weren’t put off by this hack(we’re sorry if you were), share this with your fiancé and wedding party to help you start making the necessary arrangements for creating the perfect beach wedding.
Searching tirelessly for the perfect wedding venue near Greater Manchester? Bridebook.co.uk has compiled a list of the top 25 venues in and around the city to help you out! Take a look at these incredible places, or hunt for yourself by viewing all our wedding venues in Manchester.
In the centre of Manchester sits Halle St Peter’s, an incredible grade II listed church that has been recently reformed. High ceilings and original features will impress your guests as they enter this venue – a stunning backdrop for your wedding day.
Wonderful grounds and a chic interior welcome you Ashfield House Hotel. This exclusive venue is the canvas for you to put your own spin on your wedding day, making your biggest dreams become reality!
Dating back to 1421, Chetham’s is made up of medieval buildings with heaps of character. As you say your vows among oak-panelled walls and take photos in the breath-taking library, your wedding day will be immersed in history and charm at this venue.
Fun, quirky and magical are the three words often used to describe this venue. Complete with bails of hay, authentic farm items and llamas and donkeys to pose with during your photos, The Wellbeing Farm has it all.
Amazing Art Nouveau architecture brings class and style to your wedding day in the form of Belle Epoque. Only a short journey away from Manchester, the stunning interiors and Italian glass mosaic floors of this venue are the perfect surroundings for your wedding.
This stunningly epic grade II listed building is completely one of a kind. The Great Nave within The Monastery is filled with history and offers spectacularly majestic surroundings for you and your guests to enjoy.
The Ashes boasts a stone courtyard, 50 acres of lush grounds and original interior brickwork. It’s easy to forget you’re just outside of Manchester when you see the picturesque pond and stunning surroundings of this venue.
Nestled away behind Didsbury Park, this Victorian villa is full of charm. The relaxing atmosphere of it’s gardens will be the perfect setting for you wedding day.
Set in the Peak District just outside of Manchester, Upper House stands tall over tranquil gardens and magnificent woodlands. Steeped in history and with a medieval banqueting hall ready to wow your guests, your wedding will be a success with this hidden gem.
This family-run beauty is nestled within Styal Golf Course and provides the blank canvas for you to work upon with your wedding theme. Styal Lodge uses gorgeous wood panelling and natural light to breathe fresh air into your wedding.
The incredible 15th Century Manor House of Mitton Hall combines historical features and a contemporary feel. Oak panelled rooms make the interior cosy, while adding a touch of class to your wedding.
Step into the limelight in this fabulously unique venue. The art deco glamour of The Plaza auditorium will transform your wedding into an unforgettable event, and you even get your own private film screening with popcorn provided!
Magnificent high ceilings and stunning architecture make Whitworth Hall a truly incredible place to tie the knot. In the heart of Manchester, the gothic grandeur of this building is all you need to stun your guests.
This rustic barn is a charming backdrop for your wedding day. Beautiful beams and natural light give The Oak Tree of Peover a magical and contemporary touch to the Cheshire countryside.
This stately home is truly magnificent venue that shows off beautiful architecture inside and out. The Adlington Hall & Gardens is set within the countryside close to Manchester and boasts incredible interior design. Wow!
The Saddleworth Hotel is a venue full of chic interiors and luxurious features. Based a short drive away from the centre of Manchester, the perfectly preened gardens and spectacular views are the ideal wedding backdrop.
A Medieval-inspired period barn and striking exteriors belong to Sandhole Oak Barn, set in the rolling Cheshire countryside. Say ‘I Do’ in the Oak Clock Tower, and then party the night away in the impressive grounds.
One of the most quirky ideas near Manchester is a wedding day trip with Canal Boat Cruises. The wedding boat ‘Romance’ is transformed into a venue for your special day, and you and your guests can even help to open and close the locks on your journey!
Heaton House Farm is a former dairy farm with sandstone barns and a rustic exterior. As you step inside, style and contemporary chic make a glorious backdrop for your very special day.
A truly unique wedding day can happen in front of your very eyes within The Manchester Museum. You and your guests can walk among the dinosaurs during your wedding for the ultimate step back in time.
The classic and historic decor of Capesthorne Hall will give your wedding day an edge of class. With breath-taking views across the countryside and grand interiors, this venue is the ideal setting when becoming Mr and Mrs!
Owen House Wedding Barn is a bespoke wedding venue dedicated to give you a truly unique wedding experience. The converted barn still has original features and plenty of rustic charm to offer for your photo opportunities!
This spectacular venue is surrounded by acres of woodland and lush greenery to enjoy on your big day. Sparth House Hotel is equipped with luxurious features and a personalised service to help you relax on your wedding day!
If you’re still undecided about your wedding venue or you’re looking elsewhere in the UK, use Bridebook.co.uk’s Wedding Venue Search and type in your preferred location.
Feeling stressed about the plans for your big day? Bridebook.co.uk can help you out and make the planning process much easier. Fill in your guest list, budget and use our wedding checklist to make sure you don’t forget a thing in the lead up to your special day!
Cutting down your wedding guest list can feel like you’re Hercules battling the Hydra – cut one person, and two more grow back in their place! But it has to be done, whether it’s because you need to save a few bucks or because they just! won’t! fit! in your venue. Remember, a bigger guest list means a bigger budget… or choosing between a champagne reception and serving your uncle’s homebrew!
The moment when you and your partner combine lists and discover the number is bigger than you ever imagined is always a dark day. To avoid disappointment for either of you – and the ruthless cull that has to follow – try using our Guest List Tool. It’ll do all the adding up, sorting and tracking, meaning you both stay on top of numbers.
Sadly, as brilliant as our Guest List Tool is, it can’t fight your battles for you. (Not yet, anyway. We wish!) So if you think your other half is being unreasonable (or maybe you just need to get something off your chest!), we’ve got some tips to help you navigate the tricky terrain of the wedding guest list.
“Your parents have a longer list… But they’re not paying as much as mine!”
Straight in at the deep end! We can almost guarantee that both sets of parents will want to invite a long list of their friends, regardless of whether or not you like them…or whether they can pay towards the extra cost. As a rule of thumb, we’d say that if they’re not immediate family or your other half hasn’t seen them in the past ten years, you have a right to question them.
“I don’t want children!” (*pause* “At the wedding, not with you!”)
Now, this is a decision that lots of couples struggle to make personally, never mind between the two of them. But if a child-free wedding is what you want, you should be reassured that you’re not a bad person for requesting this. You’re also not the only one – lots of couples do. Not only is it an easy way to cut costs and numbers (and, dare we say, stress levels), but it might even be more welcome among your guests than you’d expect! After all, it gives parents a proper night off to enjoy themselves.
“You don’t even like your work friends!”
Work friends are tricky. The key question to start with is whether they’re friends your partner happened to make through work…or if they really are work friends. Either way, it’s worth considering that not only can a blanket ban rub your fiancé up the wrong way, it might well make for an awkward office atmosphere for them post-honeymoon. Why not compromise and invite a handful of them to the drinks and dancing, if not the ceremony? That way, everyone’s happy… But you’re still not paying full whack!
“Why are you inviting your ex?”
We’d never want to make assumptions but this can be a ticking time bomb. Now, if you’re one of those lucky few who’s genuinely on good terms with their ex (and importantly, whose partner is on good terms with them too!), more power to you. Invite away! But there are no prizes for inviting an ex out of awkwardness or some kind of weird obligation – so if you don’t have a good reason to (e.g. you’re actually still close friends), we’d give it a miss. Remember, you’ll also be risking a fair few awkward conversations: “So, how do you know the happy couple?” “Oh, erm…” Our advice? Only invite exes in exceptional circumstances.
“It doesn’t feel like our wedding anymore!”
Managing a wedding can feel like a balancing act. Yes, you want the details to be perfect and to keep everyone happy… But you still need to think about the big picture (and vice versa!). This is never more apparent than when you’re putting together your guest list. Sure, maybe those extra six guests from Mum and Dad’s timeshare won’t actually feel like such a big deal on your big day… But if it’s overwhelming you right now, you need to let your parents know.
“Shall we just bloody elope?”
Every couple will have this moment… And you know what, some of you might decide you should! But take a minute and pour another glass of wine before making any hasty decisions. We promise that nine-and-a-half times out of ten, it’ll be worth it in the end!
“We’ll have to not invite some of your family.”
Chances are, one of you will have a significantly larger family than the other. To deal with this, try to assign rough portions of your guest list to each one of you early on so that you both know what you’re working with. You might do this equally and split the list into quarters: one for each of your families and one for each of your extras. Or you might decide to reflect on the size of your respective families: if your partner has a much bigger family than you (but is still close to them!), you could decide to give them a third for their relatives and yourself a quarter. Either way, your boundaries will be a bit more obvious – and so will overstepping them!
“We can’t not invite them – they’ve just got engaged.”
This is where you need to be firm with your decision. Lay down the law and stick to it – avoid any grey areas or sneaky exceptions. For example, many couples have a “No Ring, No Bling” policy, meaning a guest can only bring a plus one if they’re married or engaged. That said, given that many people choose not to marry nowadays, another way to keep your guest list a little leaner is by making decisions based on how long a couple have been together.
“Well, they invited us to their wedding…”
Look. Weddings aren’t tit for tat, and you should never feel obligated to invite someone to yours, just because they invited you to theirs. Planning a wedding is too hard (and too expensive!) for that. This is the bottom line: invite the people you want to spend the best day of your life with… And ideally, no one else!
“We’re treating our friends like they’re numbers!”
Maybe you are, but the reality is that this is what all couples have to do eventually. At one stage or another, you’ll start to feel like all your wedding guests have a pound sign hanging above their heads. Planning a wedding is a balancing act. Inevitably, you start to think about how one less guest means getting back their equivalent in booze, flowers or cake. But before you make any hasty decisions, think about how much that person means to you. This feeling won’t last forever – you’ll forget it as soon as they’re there at your big day. We promise, they’re worth every penny… But if you really don’t feel like they are, then it might be time to make a cut!
“It’s still! Too! Big!”
If you feel like you’ve done everything you can and your guest list is still just too big, it’s time to get pragmatic. Sit down with your partner and split your guest list into the A List and the B List. Sound cruel? Not at all! Many couples even plan ahead and print two sets of RSVP cards with different dates: an earlier date for the A List and a later date for the B List (to be sent out after the A List have said they can’t make it). A word of warning though: try not to let the B List know they’re the B List. Cher might get away with it in ‘Clueless’… But there’s no guarantee that you will too!
Got another guest list dilemma you want solved? Check out our Instagram, TikTok and YouTube channels. We might have already answered your question – and if not, drop us a line in the comments. But we reckon once you’ve sorted out these ones, you’ll be pretty much good to go. Send those invitations out – and once your RSVPs come flooding in, keep track of them with our state-of-the-art Guest List Tool. Then it’s onto budget blow-outs…
Most people think of a wedding as a lavish party with friends and family, centred around a couple in love. For an introvert, however, being the centre of attention can be scary – even on their special day. If you’re an introvert (or marrying one), we’ve put together a few easy tips to follow to ease your stress as you plan your wedding.
Low-Key is Lovely
Some people want loud music, heartfelt speeches, and lots of guests at their wedding. But if you don’t, that is completely ok! A small, intimate event with the most important people in your life is more than fine.
Remember, this is your day. Plan your wedding around your priorities. If you want a small guestlist, go for it! If you want a casual backyard BBQ, fire up the grill. Your happiness (and your spouse’s) is what matters most.
Know Your Strengths (and Weaknesses)
Introverts often feel overwhelmed in social settings, which can make planning a wedding (one big social event) very stressful. But you have innate strengths that can make planning easier than you might have realised.
For example, many introverts are great at making plans and organising. This skill is a godsend when you’re planning a wedding – armed with our wedding planning tools, you can take over the world. With so many elements to keep tabs on, an organised mind can keep everything running smoothly from day one, which everyone will appreciate.
However, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to other people if they aren’t your cup of tea. Do you hate negotiating? Send your future spouse or a member of the main wedding party to book vendors for you. Not only will this take some stress off you, but playing to the strengths of your family and friends will help your wedding be even better.
Don’t Let Facebook Freak You Out
From the minute you post that engagement ring pic, your social media feed will be flooded with well-wishes, advice, and questions about the day. Seeing the notifications stack up can be overwhelming, but take a breath and you’ll be fine. Remember, you don’t have to reply to every single message. Thank the people who congratulate you, but don’t worry about all the questions and suggestions. They can wait! Also, ask a family member or member of your party to handle your social media on the big day, so you can live in the moment. There’s a time and place for social media, and your wedding day doesn’t need to be it!
Do a First Look
Some brides feel particularly anxious as they walk down the aisle. It doesn’t matter that they’re in a gorgeous dress, heading towards the love of their life. The fact remains that – gulp – all eyes are on them.
One way to alleviate that stress is to have a “first look” with your spouse before the ceremony begins. This private moment between the couple (and occasionally the photographer) can remind both partners what that day is all about: each other. With that in mind, even the most introverted bride can walk down the aisle a little more care-free.
Make Sure There’s “Me Time”
There is no doubt that planning a wedding is stressful. From the day you say “yes” to the day you say “I do”, you’ll be busy with seating charts, invitations, decorations, and a whole lot more. You’ll also be celebrating a lot; bridal showers, engagement parties, and hen dos are all par for the course for a wife-to-be. Somewhat raucous stags are expected for the husbands-to-be, too.
All of this can leave an introvert exhausted. That’s why it is very important that you schedule time to recharge throughout the wedding planning process. In fact, you should even carve out some “me time” on your wedding day, to help calm your nerves and make the day much more enjoyable.
And Remember…
Not every wedding needs to be a huge event. Even the most quiet introverts can have a beautiful, memorable ceremony that they will remember forever – as long as they plan accordingly. If you stick to your guns and plan the wedding that you know will make you happy, you’ll find that everyone else will be happy with you.
Whether you have 2 parental figures at the wedding or 8, all of them will likely have certain expectations and some firm opinions on your big day, and will want to play a part in it. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of planning your wedding, as juggling the desires of so many people you hold so dearly can be really tough. It is natural to be strongly affected by it, especially if you are relying on their support (both emotionally and financially) to make the wedding happen. When your W-Day is looking set to be more like D-Day, it takes some of the fun away from the process – so here are our 5 Tips for Managing Your Parents’ Expectations.
Plan with your partner first before anyone else
First and foremost, remember that it’s your day, so it’s imperative that you and your partner talk about what the most important (and realistic) aspects of your wedding are from the outset, and then keep tracking of them with our wedding planning tools. All the way through, keep why you’re doing it in mind, and why it’s all worth it.
Involve your parents in the planning
Traditionally, the bride’s parents paid for and hosted the wedding, whilst the groom’s did a lot of prep and liaison, but times are changing and many couples would rather do it themselves. However, parents would still love to be involved somehow, and it can be done suitably: by visibly taking their considerations on board (though not necessarily putting them into action), and taking the time to understand one another and explain the decision you come to. Try and discuss this with your partner first to predict what your parents may be keen on.
Take accountability for your parents
When relationships get really strained, it usually helps to manage your own parent’s expectations, and let your partner deal with theirs. This allows conversations to be held with much more honesty and authenticity, rather than the veiled politeness you may feel you owe your partner’s parents. Also, remember that every relationship is different: your partner’s relationship with their parents is likely to be different to your relationships with yours, so one solution may not fit all. Be supportive of your partner throughout, and they’ll be supportive of you too.
Prepare for telling them how you feel
Relatedly, steel yourself for the potential for some tough love if needed. You may be an adult, but in your parent’s eyes you’ll always be seen as their baby – especially in the run-up to a wedding! However, this doesn’t mean they can take over the planning, and you should prepare yourself to have to tell them that. It’s not necessarily a comfortable conversation to have, but at this point, your parents will hopefully remember you’re a fabulous full-grown human in your own right (thanks to them, mostly) and can make decisions for yourself.
Remember they have your best interest at heart
Although the key thing is that you both get your dream day, it’s good to remember that that’s all your parents are aiming for too, albeit in a considerably different way sometimes! A nice way of publicly showing you realise how much they care is in the speeches – if you’ve had a rough time dealing with parents’ expectations in the lead up, then acknowledging how grateful you are for everything they’ve done in the reception speech can be a lovely way to draw a line under it. Alternatively, make a joke out of it if you think it will go down well!
Ultimately they want you to have the most amazing day of your life, but if they can have a great day too….well, that would also be lovely. Weddings are crazy, heady, emotional times for everyone, but at the root of it all, it’s all about celebrating you two and your life together – sometimes those involved just need a nudge in remembering that. Now for the fun bits – the cake tasting and the champagne drinking…
Bridebook.co.uk, the UK’s leading wedding planning website and app, has broken down the final costs of Pippa Middleton’s wedding. Whilst the average UK wedding costs £16,842 in 2017, Pippa Middleton’s wedding cost almost 44 times as much at £736,706 ($946,961 USD, €844,780 EUR)
The high price tag of the 17-hour spectacular was due to having one glass palace, two venues, two receptions, two dresses, three wedding cars, two photographers, two videographers, three florists, but fortunately the couple have two multi-millionaire sets of parents who could help cover the cost.
The porta-palace glass marquee is believed to be the most expensive marquee available in Europe, costing £250,000, with the air-conditioning estimated to have cost £50,000 and the blossom trees to decorate it costing £31,500 on top.
Bridebook.co.uk, who work with over 70,000 businesses in British wedding industry, and have over 40,000 couples planning their weddings on the Bridebook wedding planning app, have broken down the costs:
Being hosted at the Middleton’s family home and with over 350 guests expected, a super-sized luxury marquee was needed. Whilst a luxury 350-person marquee will start at £25,000, Pippa’s porta-palace was a completely different league and the most expensive marquee option you can hire. The marquee required a huge reinforced structure for it to sit upon, plus two additional supersized marquees, and road tracking. On top of this, from talking to leading specialists, the glass marquee would have required huge generators to power extensive air-conditioners to stop the glass house overheating and this is expected to have cost £50,000 on the air conditioning alone. This marquee is only available from Belgian company PBI, whose team would have transported the marquee from Belgium, adding significantly to the cost. The effect of Brexit will have meant the weak pound will have likely added £30,000 to the marquee bill alone.
Bucklebury Manor – Free
The evening reception was held at Bucklebury Manor – the stunning home of Pippa’s parents, overlooking rolling fields and British countryside, so fortunately had no charge, but will likely need some time for their croquet lawn to recover.
Luxury Toilets – £4,000
The highest quality mobile toilets from top providers will cost £4000 to cater for 350 guests.
Church – £456
Pippa and James will have paid the church their marriage fees, but whilst this is the most important part of the marriage, it had the smallest price tag of all.
Englefield House – £20,000
To hire a luxury country house will cost around £20,000 for two-days over a summer weekend, including Friday night accommodation, where Pippa stayed, plus an evening dinner, plus the Saturday wedding reception.
Ceremony Catering – £14,000
During the 2-hour wedding reception, the 150 guests would be expected to eat 5-canapes hour per hour. These 1500 luxury canapes alone would cost around £6000 , but with serving staff, linen, crockery, chefs and decoration on top, the likely cost was £14,000.
Ceremony Drinks – £6,750
Guests would be expected to drink 2-glasses of champagne per hour. This equates to 50 magnums of Ruinart Blanc de Blanc at £120 per magnum, which was the champagne of choice, so £6,000, plus some soft cocktails on top.
Evening Catering – £80,000
The luxury caterers Top Table, would charge over £170 per guest for catering including all food, chefs and staffing, glassware and crockery hire, and linen hire. With it being a marquee wedding, an extra level of staffing would have been required to look after the 350 guests ,than at a venue, so it will likely be around £200 per guest. The evening food stations of hand carved serrano hams and parmesan, would be add an additional cost on top.
Evening Drinks – £31,475
Around 233 bottle of champagne will have been drunk by the guests during the evening drinks reception and speeches. Nyetimber 2010 Blanc de Noir Millington was said to be served, at £75 per bottle, costing around £17,475. On top of which fine wines for the dinner (around 200 bottles), and cocktails until 4am to be added.
Dress – £38,000
Giles Deacon designed Pippa’s bespoke designer dress. Giles previously designed Abby Clancy’s stunning wedding dress for her marriage to England footballer Peter Crouch which cost £10,000. Top London couture designers estimate the dress would have cost £38,000.
Church Floristry – £5,000
With the overflowing flower arch of the church, the huge displays at the church entrance, and every pillar and pew bursting with flowers within the church, luxury florist Lavender Green Flowers’ bill for this will likely have hit the £10,000 mark.
Engelfield House Floristry – £5,000
Lavender Green Flowers also decorated Engelfield House for the reception. The likelihood of the church flowers ‘look’ being carried through is high, so this will likely have added on another £6,000.
Marquee Floristry – £32,000
Pippa’s second luxury florist of the day, Djordje Varda was flown in from St Barths to work with yet another celebrity florist, Rob Van Helden, to bring the 350ft glass palace to life.
The Middleton family paid for the wedding and ceremony whilst the Matthews family paid for the evening reception, hence the different florists and teams. Each of the 35 table centres were filled with perfect blooms as was the rest of the marquee, Bridebook.co.uk luxury suppliers expect £32,000 would have been spent on the marquee floristry by these top florists, not including the blossom trees….
Blossom Tree Hire – £31,500
The focal feature of Pippa’s stunning evening reception was her blossom trees filling the height of the marquee. Most likely hired from London-based luxury greenery hire company Palmbrokers, each 5-metre blossom tree costs £900 to hire. With 35 tables, on trees alone that is £31,500
Photography – £9,000
Dorset-based Millie Pilkington was the wedding photographer as Bridebook.co.uk was first to predict. Millie was the private wedding photographer for the William and Kate’s wedding also. Just like Pippa had two venues, she also had two photographers with luxury wedding photographer Matt Porteus also shooting the day. A top wedding photographer, including a gorgeous album, will cost around £3,500, but with additional photographers to cover 350 guests and two venues and very long day, it could likely be even more.
Videography – £10,000
Just like Pippa has two photographers, Bridebook.co.uk can reveal she also had two videographers, James O’Garra of Jim & Tonic Films and an award-winning German filmmaker and director Patrick Gather. Keep your eyes peeled in this years Oscars for this high-budget production.
Cake – £2,600
A stunningly-decorated cake from a top cake maker will start from £2,600 and need to be six-tiers to give a slice to each of the 350 guests. The cakemaker is thought to London-based Domino Purchas.
Stationery – £5,125
From Save-the-dates, to the full invitation, to the Order of Service, to menus, and don’t forget the stamps! Stationery from a top stationer will cost around £11 per invitation alone, such as Mount Street Printers who are rumoured to be the chosen wedding stationer. Luckily they saved on design costs as a drawing by the Duchess of Cambridge was used on the Order of Service.
Music – £8,750
From bells ringers and the organist, to Jazz trio for the ceremony reception at Englefield House, to acoustic musicians for the evening reception, to the wedding band, to DJ and saxophonist for the party, Pippa has it all. A top London 5-piece wedding band will cost over £3,000 with everyone else on top.
Veil – £2,000
Celebrity milliner Stephen Jones designed Pippa’s stunning bespoke veil which likely cost £2,000.
Tiara – £4,000
Pippa wore her earrings from being Maid of Honour at Kate’s wedding, and accessorised with a diamond Maidenhair fern tiara by Robinson Pelham estimated at £4,000
Hair and Makeup – £1,700
Pippa had a top team on hand to ensure she was looking absolutely radiant. Celebrity hair stylist Pol Garcia did her hair. Hannah Martin of Bobbi Brown, who also did Kate’s wedding makeup for the Royal Wedding, is rumoured to have done her makeup.
Wedding shoes – £2,000
Pippa wore a Manolo Blahnik pump, in an ivory satin with bespoke pearl detailing which cost £2,000.
Wedding Rings – £1,600
Their wedding rings are said to be from Robinson Pelham. Both James and Pippa opted for simple gold bands, more understated than expected, but following suit of the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge, which will have costed around £800 each.
Page Boys Outfits – £2,400
With Prince George was centre stage in his Pepa&Co bespoke outfit along with his 3 fellow page boys. The catalogue items are £350 each, so for fully bespoke they were likely £600 each.
Bridesmaids Outfits – £2,400
The average number of bridesmaids a bride has is 3.4 in the UK, so Pippa’s three mini-bridesmaids, including Princess Charlotte, were perfect. The Pepa&Co catalogue items are £520 each, so for fully bespoke they were likely £800 each.
Groomswear – £9,050
Dashing James Matthews wore a bespoke tailor made tailcoat, waistcoat and trousers. A bespoke tailcoat from a top tailor will cost around £4400 alone. His Edward Green shoes were £900. A new tailored dinner jacket and trousers for the black-tie evening reception would have cost another £3000 from a top tailor.
Second Dress – £6,000
With two venues, two photographers, two videographers and two wedding cars, of course Pippa had to have two dresses. Believed to have also been a Giles Deacon creation estimated at £6,000.
Wedding Favours – Free
Pippa’s brother James came to the rescue with 350 custom marshmallows from his company Boomf. We hope he didn’t charge for them.
Church & Reception Production – £6,000
With screens and speakers in the church, as well as production for Englefield House, including a platform built for Michael Middleton’s father of the bride speech, production would have likely be £6,000 between both.
Evening Production – £20,000
The Matthew’s family flew in their production team from St Barths along with London experts Starlight, whose incredible lighting and production could be seen miles away across the valley.
Wedding Transport – £7,400
With a vintage Jaguar for the bride to arrive with her father, and another for the pageboys and bridesmaids, each would cost around £1200. The Jaguar E-type, which is the oldest surviving of its type, would have likely cost £5,000 for such an incredibly rare car.
Entertainment – £11,500
From a spitfire flyby (£4000), projections mapped of the the happy couple on top the family home (£5000), a photobooth (£1500) and table tennis (£1000), the guests had plenty to amuse themselves with.
Guest transport – £45,000
Guests were transported in 50 Range Rovers. A full-day hire with security vetted chaffeurs will have cost around £900 each.
Private Security – £30,000
With royal guests, Hollywood stars, and sporting legends, security at the event was extremely tight. Whilst much of the security would have been provided by the police at no charge due to the Royal guests, an additional £30,000 of private security is estimated to have been on hand.
Total: £736,706 ($946,961 USD, €844,780 EUR)
Hamish Shephard, founder of Bridebook.co.uk, says:
“Weddings have become increasingly lavish over recent years mainly due to couples getting married when they are older, and hence being able to spend more, and social media raising everyone’s expectations of a wedding. Couples don’t need to spend hundreds of thousands to have an incredible day, today’s savvy couples find ways to save on average £10,147 on their big day so get very happily married without breaking the bank. With the month of May being outside the expensive peak summer wedding months, even Pippa and James will have likely had some discounts from their suppliers. ”
“Traditionally the bride’s parents would pay for the whole wedding, however this is only the case in 23% of weddings now, so it is likely both the couple themselves and the groom’s parents are contributing, so Carole and Michael Middleton likely won’t have been lumped with the whole bill.”
“If you are fortunate to have a large budget, what better way to spend it than celebrating finding the love of your life with your closest friends and family around you.”
“Endless inspiration and ubiquitous luxury have caused expectations to rise and made aspirations increasingly obtainable, which all lead to weddings becoming increasingly expensive. Whether you dream of an Italian silk dress from a top designer, or a ginormous glass marquee, if you can dream it, you can now have it, but sadly you (or your generous parents) will have to pay for it too.”
“It’s not only the couple who spent a lot, the guests likely spent a total of £67,485 to attend too. According to our latest Bridebook.co.uk survey, the average cost of a couple attending a wedding this summer is £385.63 (including gifts, accommodation, transport and fashion) and with Royal guests it was likely far higher for this wedding too.”
Although the Middleton wedding exceeds six figures, the other 4333 brides tying the knot that same day are likely to be spending substantially less. In comparison, the Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Report 2017 found the average costs for a UK wedding to be as follows:
Bridebook.co.uk is the UK’s leading wedding planning platform with over 40,000 couples currently planning their weddings on the website and app.
Launched in 2016, Bridebook.co.uk‘s state-of-the-art wedding planning toolkit with personalised Wedding Checklist, Wedding Budgeter and Wedding Guestlist Manager, enables couples to plan their entire wedding from any device, anytime, anywhere, all in one place…for free. With over 70,000 wedding venues and suppliers in its directory, Bridebook.co.uk increases the digital presence of industry professionals and connects them directly with local couples. Bridebook.co.uk has also partnered with leading experts such as Mary Berry, Bobbi Brown and Jimmy Choo to provide genuine expert advice and inspiration to its couples. Bridebook.co.uk was founded by Hamish Shephard, an industry professional and recently married groom who used Bridebook.co.uk to plan his own May 2016 wedding. Visit Bridebook.co.uk online and the Bridebook.co.uk App on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.
Are you dreaming of a beautiful barn wedding in South West England? Then go no further! Barns are spacious, versatile and offer heaps of character and charm to your special day. There are so many incredible barn wedding venues across the whole of the UK, but here are our top 29 barns based in Devon, Somerset, Dorset and even more that we’ve fallen in love with!
If you’re after a stunning barn to tie the knot in your area, use Bridebook.co.uk’s Wedding Venue Search, and choose ‘Barn’ in the filters. Happy planning!
Trenderway Farm is a Grade II listed farmhouse and restored barns based in the lush countryside of Cornwall. With beautiful oak beams and an original stone interior, this venue has lots of character to add to your magical day.
Within rural countryside sits Cripps Barn, a real gem of the Cotswolds. High stone walls and classic features such as the open fireplace and flagstone floors give this venue an incredibly romantic feeling for your special moment.
Offering a quaint Barn and stunning country views, The Barn at Cott Farm is a perfect spot to host your wedding. This spacious country wedding venue even gives you the option of having your ceremony outdoors! How perfect.
The Tithe Barn within the Symondsbury Estate is a 14th Century English barn in a tranquil village in Dorset. Glass entrances, stone floors and exposed oak beams give the venue interior a really elegant vibe for when you tie the knot!
Somerset’s no.1 wedding venue comes in the form of Quantock Lakes. With 200 acres of grounds and picturesque waterside views, the location of the newly-built Quantock Barn couldn’t get any better. Natural light and exposed wood beams make this barn a stunner!
The Great Tythe Barn, with its highly versatile space and lush lawns right outside, makes the ideal backdrop for any barn wedding. For a quaint ceremony or a lively reception party, this venue can handle it all!
Nestled in the Cotswolds, Hyde House & Barn offers a blank canvas for you to draw upon your creativity. The sleek-looking interior and elegant exterior of this venue allows you to put your own stamp on your wedding day.
The airy feel of Winkworth Farm makes it stand out from other barn venues. Natural light floods in, restored stone walls surround the space, and you can focus on having the party of a lifetime. What’s more, your guests can spill out onto the gardens and many acres of farmland.
Including an original farmhouse, threshing barn and organic farmland of 65 acres, River Cottage HQ totally suits a barn or country theme! Let your guests explore the land and relax in the yurt, while you host a celebration to remember!
The Dorset countryside wherein The Victorian Barn stands is the idyllic location for the best day of your life. The high ceilings and brick doorways give this venue just enough character for your wedding day without stealing the limelight from the Bride and Groom!
37 acres of countryside just south of Bath lies the 16th Century Barns at Wick Farm. Based on a farm with livestock and a duck pond, these 2 adjoining barns offer gorgeous stone walls and wooden beams that will set the most romantic tone to your wedding.
Nestled in the heart of Somerset and 200 acres of countryside, Huntstile Organic Farm is a 15th Century farmhouse with attached dining marquee. With a choice of ceremony rooms and even pet pigs on site, this unique farm is what dreams are made of!
Within Dartmoor National Park, Monks Withecombe brings sunny courtyards, stunning gardens, and several rooms to host your wedding celebrations. From intimate ceremony spaces to the meadows that can be filled with a marquee and hundreds of guests. Time for a barn dance!
Acres of lush countryside surrounds The Barn at Barons Hill Farm, where spectacular views can be seen. Rustic on the outside, yet contemporary on the inside, this venue is ideal for making your dreams come true.
This superbly unique and eco-friendly venue oozes rustic charm from every inch. Eggbeer Farm is a versatile space, perfect for holding weddings, and the barn is a stunning area for your themed celebrations!
Based right on the edge of a picturesque Devonshire lake, the barn of Duvale Priory offers a spectacular place to host your wedding celebrations. With lush green surroundings and idyllic views, no fairytale wedding would be complete without this location!
400 acres of land and a stunning thatched exterior welcome you to Middle Coombe Farm. The high-ceilings and magical vibe of the Cider Barn interior is sure to make your celebration special, while the exclusive use of the woodlands would be an incredible backdrop for your wedding photos!
As a distinctive 17th Century boutique building, The Manor Barn is undoubtedly breathtaking. It’s a traditional brick and flint stone barn with vintage gardens and is restored with a contemporary feel. Sat right on the doorstep of Stonehenge Heritage site, this venue is a real rustic retreat.
With iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and farm tools covering the stone walls, this venue is incredibly memorable. Kingston Country Courtyard has tons of character, ample outdoor space, and even it’s own wishing well. Let the party begin!
The elegance of the Georgian house and the country charm of the Mill barn come together to create the ultimate wedding venue, Launcells Barton. Original features shine through on the interior and exterior of this wonderful site, and views of the Cornish countryside give you all you need for your barn wedding.
Set on a farm amid the rolling countryside of the Cotswolds,Oxleaze Barnis a classic venue with lots of rustic charm to build your own bespoke wedding theme. The barn has been beautifully restored to reflect the earthy goodness and beauty of its surroundings, with exposed beams and stonework, an open fireplace and wide doorway that opens onto a private courtyard and garden.
Sat in a beautiful valley just down the road from Exeter, The Great Barn is a simply stunning wedding venue inside and out. Known as the “thatched cathedral”, the high ceilings and restored beams of this building offer plenty of space and inspiration for your barn wedding.
Nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside, Cripps Stone Barn is a gem of South West England. Gorgeous stone work will surround you and your guests as you celebrate your big day, while the rustic metal exterior makes a brilliant backdrop for photo opportunities. What more could you want?
400 acres of Wiltshire countryside is home to a working farm and the relaxed feel of Rye Hill Barn. Plenty of natural light and exposed wooden beams will make you feel at home in this lovely barn setting.
The spacious feel to Lower Stockbridge Barn in the Dorset countryside makes this venue truly unique. Everything from the magnificent exterior to the exposed wooden panelling inside set it apart from other barns and will add a very special backdrop to your wedding day.
Only a few miles from the Cornish coast, this barn is based on a working farm. With original wood features and a contemporary restoration inside, the world is your oyster at Nancarrow Farm!
Nestled within the Devonshire countryside, Forginwell Vineyard is an idyllic wedding setting. With plenty of outdoor spaces to entertain guests and distinctive vintage items around the site, your barn wedding will be unforgettable.
In the heart of Devon lies The Corn Barn, a wonderfully converted barn ideal for a wedding. Following through the building is a theme of tasteful exposed brickwork, and wooden beams give a rustic edge to this venue.
With a 6000-year history and having been built on the site of an Iron Age stone circle, Crasken Eco Centre is a mysterious and enchanting backdrop for your wedding. Surrounded by wonderful courtyards and green gardens, this barn is definitely not one to forget!
If you’re still struggling to find the perfect venue near you, try our Wedding Venue Search – and you may just stumble across the one. Bridebook.co.uk can also help you with all your other planning worries, such as suppliers, your personalised wedding checklist, and that all important budget!
Still looking for wedding venues in the UK? Here’s some inspiration to get you started:
Deciding what you’re wearing on your wedding day is hard enough – let alone deciding what everyone else will wear! But even though we can’t promise it’ll be totally smooth sailing, these three questions will get you and your bridesmaids well on your way to your dream dresses.
1. What Colour Will Fit With My Wedding Theme?
If you’ve already decided on a wedding theme (and we highly recommend you do), you’ll have a much easier time of it when it comes to picking out your bridesmaids dresses. Even picking out two or three colours will help narrow down your options – or knowing whether you’re going for something more casual or formal. On the other hand, you could start off by thinking about the time of year. If you’re having a winter wedding, for example, you’ll probably be discounting anything that gives you “sundress” vibes. On the other hand, you’re unlikely to want to go for dresses using velvets or furs in the height of summer.
2. What Suits My Bridesmaids?
Okay, so colour’s sorted – now what kind of style? This is when you’ll want to spend some time thinking about your bridesmaids and what suits them. The same dress is unlikely to look as good on your tallest friend as on your shortest. In our opinion, the easiest thing to do is to let your bridesmaids pick out their own dresses – with guidelines, of course! That way, your 5’10 sister can stun in a silk slip dress – but your pint-sized bestie still looks super cute in their A-line minidress. If you definitely want all your bridesmaids to wear the same dress, look for a “compromise dress” that looks just about okay on everyone. What you want to avoid at all costs is choosing a dress that looks spectacular on one of your bridesmaids – but terrible on everyone else.
3. Do Your Bridesmaids Like It?
At the end of the day, it’s your wedding – but your bridesmaids are some of the most important people in your life, so you want to be sure they’re happy wearing whatever you’ve picked out. Ideally, make a day of it and take all your bridesmaids on a shopping trip. At the very least, though, send them a link to the dress you’ve chosen before you commit to buying it. After all, you want everyone smiling in the photos!
It felt like the whole world was watching Pippa’s big day, with brides-to-be in particular keeping their eyes peeled for any extra inspiration. Thankfully, Bridebook.co.uk, the UK’s leading wedding planning app and website, has done all the leg work and compiled all of the new trends Pippa has set into motion in the wedding world with her big do. Whatever your budget or wedding style, you might just find something you’d like to re-create for your own big day.
The main trend from Pippa’s wedding is the embracing of traditions. From the choice of flowers and church location, to the outfits of the pageboys and bridesmaids and the wedding transport, to the design of her own dress and bouquet, Pippa’s wedding will have likely started a renaissance for tradition in weddings.
Wedding Dress Trends:
Tradition is the trend here. Gone are the days of strapless dresses and nude mesh cutouts. Instead, we’re seeing a shift to embracing the history and tradition of styles that are timelessly classical such as Pippa’s high neck, cap sleeves, chapel length train, and heavy embroidery. Want to re-create the look? Discover wedding designers and boutiques near you.
Mini-bridesmaids:
Pippa opted to have just children in her bridal party for the Church ceremony, as opposed to her adult friends. This is sure to become a more popular trend especially for brides who have too many close friends to choose from or would like to avoid the politics and save money by not paying for bridesmaids dresses and makeup. Plus, they look positively adorable!
Glass Marquees
The infamous glass marquee, costing a whopping £110,000, is going to set the trend of glass marquees like wildfire. You’ll be seeing couples leaving behind the boxy and restricting canvas marquee feel, and instead opt for the glamorous ‘greenhouse effect’. Track down your UK glass marquee today!
“Unplugged” Weddings
Just as we saw a spike in ‘plugged in’ weddings complete with wedding hashtags and live Instagram feed displays, we are sure to see couples return to the more authentic experience, including social media bans and no photos allowed, as was sure to be the case throughout Pippa’s day.
Wedding Flower Trends
Another ‘back to tradition’ trend here. Floral trends have been leaning heavily on bright, diverse and exotic combinations of flowers in the recent years, however Pippa’s choice of going traditional with a focus on pale pink English roses is an indication of a shift in preference for organic and natural flower choices. Pick your wedding florist from the best of Britain on Bridebook!
Two Venue Weddings
Pippa chose to split her big day into a two tier event, the more formal and traditional morning ceremony followed by the big bang of a party in the evening. As couples get married later in life and struggle juggling the expectations of the older generations with the party expectations of their friends, this is a structure that is sure to become more and more popular. Plus who doesn’t love browsing gorgeous wedding venues?
Black-tie Receptions
Usually associated with big American weddings, the black-tie evening event is experiencing a resurgence, just like we saw for Pippa’s evening event in the glass marquee. A great way to add that extra dose of celebration to your evening.
Two Dresses
Just like two part weddings are becoming a trend, so are two dresses! A formal more traditional gown for the morning ceremony, and then a more relaxed cut in the evening. Not only is this practical (no trains or big skirts to deal with during the dancing), it also adds that extra level of theatrical oomph as the bride reveals her second outfit.
Unique Entertainment
Whilst everyone loves a good magician, expect to see couples trying to get more creative and unique with their wedding entertainment (even if it’s not quite a Spitfire flyby).
May Weddings
Summer months have long reigned supreme for weddings, but we’re glad to see the appreciation for spring months increasing. While you may have to risk wet weather, the advantages are boundless. From fewer conflicting occasions, the gorgeous colours of British springtime, and the exciting energy that comes with the run up to summer, we’re happy to see May getting the attention it deserves.
Transport
Vintage is back in style! Pippa’s vintage Jaguar was a showstopper in itself, and much more classical looking than the newer luxury white sedans that have been popular as of late. Besides, when else would you have the excuse to ride in a gorgeous vintage car?
Exotic Guest Hats
Previously reserved for Ascot, expect guests to go big on hats! Not only does it make the congregation look fabulous as the Church is filled with different colours and shapes, it’s also an extra bit of excitement and fun for the guests. We’re hoping to see some more feathers in particularly, as one of Pippa’s guests so perfectly demonstrated.
Heirlooms
Pippa wore the same earrings on her wedding day as she did when she was Kate’s bridesmaid in 2011. We all know the ‘something old’ requirement, but tying in objects that have familial meaning and that can be passed on to your children on their wedding day adds that special touch.
Mix-matched Groomsmen Wear
Whilst the Middleton and Matthews men stayed very traditional with their tails, tie pins, and double breasted waist coats, they injected it with what is sure to become a popular trend. Balancing the traditional morning suits with pops of contrasting colours such as orange ties and baby blue satin waistcoats, with different groomsmen wearing different colours.
Family Involvement
More and more couples are embracing multi-generational family involvement in their big days. While there is a draw to involve your uni friends, there is a traditional and loving quality of opting to build your wedding party from family alone. Whether it’s your sister as Maid of Honour, or your adorable 5 year old second cousin, it’s good to keep it in the family!
Planning your wedding?
While all these trends are undoubtedly wonderful and very welcome, it can be easy to assume it would be too pricey or stressful to try and re-create for yourself. But fear not! Bridebook.co.uk, the UK’s #1 wedding planning app and website, have all of the wedding planning tools you need to ensure you can plan your wedding without the stress, and without the price tag!
Searching for that perfect venue ideal for your summer wedding? Bridebook.co.uk have done the hard work for you by listing the top 100 best wedding venues for the summer! These are the best of the best – and they suit sunny weddings down to the T.
If you want to look more locally for your dream venue, there’s always our huge Wedding Venue Search, with every venue you could possibly think of. You’re welcome!
The stunning manor house of Fennes set in the countryside of Essex is home to breath-taking gardens, perfect for hosting a summer ceremony. The bridge over the lake makes for incredible photo opportunities!
The shabby-chic style of East Quay Venue is perfect for a summer seaside theme. With a shingle beach and beach huts right on its doorstep, this makes it one of the best wedding venues in the UK!
The Granary Estates offer two incredible barns with a central private courtyard, this is one of the best wedding venues on the list, and it’s ideal for hosting a summer outdoor wedding reception.
As a former dairy farm, Heaton House Farm is home to rustic sandstone barns and infinite rural views, making it a brilliant setting for an outdoor ceremony. If a farm sounds like the perfect place to get married, check out 20 farm wedding venues we’ve put together for you!
Hengrave Hall is a stunning Tudor mansion in the Suffolk countryside and is a gem of the area’s medieval history. If you dream of a castle wedding on a summer night, this is the venue for you.
An outdoor wedding ceremony wouldn’t be complete without the backdrop of Tudor venue Leez Priory. 40 acres of parkland will ensure you have stunning surroundings on your special day.
While we’re on the theme of castles, this one is hidden in an enchanted forest. If you’ve always had the idea of a summer fairytale venue, check out these UK castle wedding venues!
This grand castle is fit for a King and Queen, with spectacular views across the Kent countryside. Feel on top of the world with a sunny wedding at Lympne Castle!
Heaps of character, history and warmth come with award-winning venue Iscoyd Park. The beautiful grounds are ideal for summer games and outdoor entertainment to charm your loved ones. Certainly one of the best wedding venues in the UK.
This white Palladian mansion boasts a 19th Century chapel and 40 acres of grassy surroundings, making Beaumont Estate perfect for your summer celebrations.
Set on 6 acres of meadows, High House showcases itself to be a striking summer wedding venue. With a Monet-inspired bridge over the pond, your wedding photos will look impressive!
The 750-year-old Elmore Court overlooks the Cotswolds and the River Severn, making it a great location to host a grand wedding. Elemore Court is a Grade 2 listed mansion house Elmore Court is a place of fun and maximum celebration. With an estate which is now rewilding and a wild swimming lake you could stretch your celebration over a weekend of festivities. Your summer wedding could take place in the walled garden, on the lawn, in the beautiful house or church nearby. Then let the party continue late into the night in the sound proof ‘future rustic’ Gillyflower, finishing round the fire pit in the meadow and back to the house for a night cap and a beautiful bed.
The beautiful country house comes complete with exquisite decor and high ceilings to make your special day feel like a dream. With Warwick House, you can dream away!
Flagstone floors, an open fireplace and heaps of character encompass Cripps Barn. With fire pits and sunny gardens, this is the ideal venue for the ultimate summer wedding.
Kilminorth Cottages is a beautiful wedding venue completely surrounded by countryside. So romantic! If you can picture yourself getting married in a setting like this, check out these 20 beautiful barn wedding venues!
A stunning red brick Tudor courtyard is the grand entrance to Fulham Place, a beautiful country house with lovely surroundings. You’ll forget you’re in London if you host your summer wedding here!
Dodmoor House is an award-winning grade II listed barn venue with four acres of grounds and a rustic courtyard, perfect for a breezy wedding celebration.
As a restored stone barn, the light and airy space of Winkworth Farm offers an ideal location for a wedding in the summer months – not to mention the 200 acres of organic pastureland!
On the edge of The New Forest National Park, The Old Vicarage is a country house and versatile outdoor space, which would be the ultimate venue for wedding garden games.
With a boutique interior and Georgian features, Nonsuch Mansion is excellent for an outdoor wedding – and you’d half expect to see something similar in a Disney movie!
Woodhill Hall is a truly unique venue full of character. With quirky outdoor features and stylish bedrooms, this location is perfect for a totally bespoke wedding.
If you’re after a venue that’s rich in glamour and luxury, The Kings Oak Hotel may just be the one. Set in Epping Forest, the gorgeous building and outdoor pool are perfect for partying on a summer night.
The 17th Century Queen Anne style Mansion House of Highfield Park stands elegantly among 35 acres of countryside and stunningly polished gardens. A perfect venue for a regal outdoor wedding.
Stunning grounds surround the immensely grand Clevedon Hall. With lake views and rural landscapes, this venue makes a great choice for a wedding in the summer months.
The wonderfully rustic yet romantic feel of Stratton Court Barn is ideal for your bespoke wedding theme. Party into the night with plenty of space on the barn grounds!
The 17th Century manor house Greenwoods Hotel & Spa is set in dazzling extensive grounds, ideal for a picture perfect wedding day. Choose to get married in the summer under the pretty gazebo and you’ll create a memory that will never be forgotten!
The 400-year-old barn of Lyde Court is a beautifully preserved venue. With a quirky interior and versatile outdoor space, this is a unique location to help your dreams to come true.
In the rolling Cheshire countryside sits Sandhole Oak Barn. With it’s lakeside location and decked outdoor space, it is an idyllic venue for a wedding in warm weather!
A sweeping driveway and incredible gardens are just the beginning of what Pembroke Lodge has to offer. This Georgian mansion also has remarkable views to enjoy on your special day.
The red brick 18th Century buildings of Shustoke Farm Barns are striking on the outside and inside. The gorgeous courtyards are ideal for celebrating with your loved ones in the summer months.
An amazingly restored 18th Century barn is set on stunning grounds and provides heaps of character and charm for your wedding day. This venue is The Garden Barn!
The award-winning Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa is home to countryside backdrops, an Asian Sensory Garden, and a gorgeous lake. What more could you possibly want from a venue?
The grounds of Wotton House have stone pillars, water fountains, and a rather grand building to match. Where else would you want to host your summer wedding?
The Jacobean Manor of Holdsworth House Hotel has enticing gardens, rooms full of character and 3 acres of stunning grounds. Wake up and smell the flowers – quite literally!
China Fleet Country Club exudes tranquillity and romance for your big day. Sitting on the banks of the River Tamar, you also get magnificent views wherever you roam.
Complete with regal features and 30 acres of spectacular land, the Victorian manor house of De Vere Tortworth Estate is fit for the finest King and Queen!
A gravel driveway and elegant grounds lead you to the spectacular Brampton Grange Estate, where you’ll enjoy finding great spots for your wedding photos!
Compromising a classic house with a contemporary barn, Hyde House & Barn is definitely one of the best wedding venues on this list! Imagine your summer night party going ahead here.
Oozing tons of grandeur and luxury, Wood Hall Hotel & Spa really delivers for a summer wedding day – but why stop there? Make it a wedding weekend and take full advantage of the spa.
Offering 2 wedding venues and 500 acres of private parkland, Orchardleigh House & Estate is an elegant stately home that can cater for the ultimate summer wedding.
A 65-acre organic farm is where River Cottage HQ resides. With plenty of versatile indoor and outdoor space, this is a great venue to host the wedding bash of the season.
Traditional stone farm buildings and a wonderful sheltered courtyard belong to Healey Barn, an ideal setting for the most romantic of summer celebrations!
The pretty stone exterior of Crockwell Farm radiates rustic beauty, while the gardens give you the perfect location to celebrate with loved ones and enjoy the sun.
The elegant manor house of Dumbleton Hall Hotel is situated alongside the lake and backs on to extensive gardens with views of the Cotswolds. A perfect summer venue!
This 16th Century country house offers traditional charm with a contemporary twist. Your summer wedding at Swancar Farm Country House is sure to be one of romance and elegance!
The 200-year-old Threshing Barn and original rustic features, along with a modern vibe of the outdoor Collecting Yard, give you all you need to host the perfect summer night celebration at Southend Barns.
The long, grand driveway invites you in to the Grade I listed Hintlesham Hall. It has a charming interior and is nestled in the serene Suffolk countryside – brilliant for a tranquil wedding experience.
This spectacular purpose-built marquee sits within Painshill’s private gardens and has a glamorous feel inside. Not forgetting The Conservatory‘s fabulous outdoor space to entertain your guests!
Surrounded by the Staffordshire countryside, and with a fishing lake right on it’s doorstep, Blakelands Country House is a one-of-a-kind venue that will make your wedding day truly unforgettable.
The grand country house of Moor Hall is set on lush lawns and beautiful landscapes, perfect for enjoying your special day in the summer months. The unique sunken garden is a great photo opportunity!
Within Wales’ Brecon Beacons lies the magical wonderland that is Peterstone Court Hotel. Overlooking the Pen Y Fan mountain range, you can spend your summer wedding day enjoying the breath-taking country landscape.
Just off the North coast of Wales, Chateau Rhianfa and it’s architectural beauty stand tall over beautiful gardens and sea views. Let your dream come alive with a summer wedding here!
The stylish country mansion of Prested Hall is surrounded by stunning parkland and tranquil waters. Spend your wedding day here in the summer and you’ll have the most magical backdrop for your celebrations.
The Venue at Kersey Mill is set in the Suffolk countryside and offers many versatile spaces to make your wedding bespoke. Beams and original brickwork are displayed, and the Kiln Room is the perfect space for an intimate and romantic ceremony.
Perfectly-preened lakeside gardens could be the setting to your summer ceremony. The 16th Century Rookery Manor Hotel not only brings beauty and class, but plenty of luxury too – in the form of a spa!
The spectacular Birtsmorton Court has it’s own moat, so while you’re getting stunning photos taken, your guests can enjoy drinks in the sun and picturesque views from the court.
The Victorian country building and it’s lush gardens belong to Trunkwell House, which offers a luxury marquee for all of your guests and a truly unforgettable outdoor ceremony set up.
The Georgian Friern Manor boasts perfectly manicured lawns and exquisite menus to celebrate your first day as Mr and Mrs!
So, that’s our top 100 summer wedding venues to take into account when planning your celebrations within the summer months, wherever you are. Make sure you check out the rest of our wedding planning tools too – we’ve got a really powerful budget tool, an awesome guestlist function, and a directory overflowing with amazing suppliers to give you the day of your dreams.
If you liked what you saw here, check out some more wedding venue inspiration articles we’ve put together for you:
After months of anticipation, the Royal Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry is only a couple of days away! There will be parties all over the UK, with pubs extending their hours and miles of bunting stretched across the country, but the most important celebration is happening at Windsor Castle, where Harry and Meghan will get married.
Bridebook.co.uk – the UK’s most popular wedding planning app, – has broken down the Royal Wedding by its costs, numbers, and planning details… So whether you are sitting on the couch, watching from the pub, or sharing the moment with your family, below is our guide for May 19th!
Here’s a timeline of the day:
Hamish Shephard – Bridebook’s CEO, – will be LIVE on E! News all day on Saturday to talk about the wedding industry, royal traditions and to comment on the events! Be sure to tune in!
WATCH NOW: Hamish Shephard on BBC Business News Worldwide!
OMG. If you’re reading this article, your wedding day must be close… How exciting! But that also means it’s time to make sure absolutely everything is in place. Now, every wedding is unique so we can’t guarantee that this list is exhaustive – but with these key tasks ticked off, you’ll definitely be in a great position.
1. Give Your Guest List A Once Over
Do one last guest list check. Are all your RSVPs in? Did you catch all the +1s and dietary requirements? Do you need to make any last-minute changes to the seating plan? If so, now’s the time to make those changes and send a completely up-to-date guest list to your venue.
2. Wardrobe Checks
If you’ve purchased your outfits, it’s dress rehearsal time. Get the wedding party together (including you and your partner) and make sure everyone’s outfits are just right. If you’re renting any aspect of your wedding outfit, make sure to finalise the date and time for pickup and collection. Now’s also the time for any last hair appointments, beauty treatments and so on. Don’t forget to put your shoes through their paces to make sure they’re broken in before your big day. And always pack an extra shirt!
3. Pin Down The Details
Contact all your suppliers to confirm all the details, including timings and locations. Now’s the time to give them clear directions to your wedding venue too – you don’t want to be fielding calls on your big day! Make sure you tick off the following:
Officiant – arrival time, details of any personalised vows
Photographer – arrival time, shot list
Videographer – arrival time, shot list
Cakemaker – arrival time (likely the day before), storage arrangements
Caterer – arrival time, menu, serving times
Transport – pickup and dropoff times, locations
Entertainment – arrival time, timings
Band or DJ – arrival time, timings, first dance song, set list
Hair and makeup – arrival time
Once you’ve confirmed with all your suppliers, make one last call to your venue to make sure they know everything that’s going on too.
4. Speech, Speech!
Give your vows and speeches one last read through and make sure you’re 100% happy with them. Give yourself a day or two to get familiar with any edits you make – and set aside some time to do a practice run in the bathroom mirror!
5. In Case Of Emergencies…
A few days in advance of your wedding, put together an emergency kit of wedding-day must-haves. This will be personal to you and your partner but might include items like deodorant, safety pins, plasters, a hairbrush or comb, wet wipes, a travel sewing kit… It might seem like overkill but we can guarantee you’ll be glad to have it on the day!
Now don’t get us wrong – you may well have a lot more to do than that! There are decorations to organise, rehearsal dinners to host, place settings to write… But make sure you’ve covered this in the week or two leading up to your wedding and it’ll be much smoother sailing.
