Getting engaged can be an overwhelming feeling, and rightly so. You’re about to embark on the journey of a lifetime (let alone all the planning!). So to help you stay on track and stress free, Bridebook.co.uk, home of the UK’s #1 Wedding Planning App, is imparting our wedding planning insights to you to help you set off on the right foot.
Announce Your Engagement (of course)
Call your close family and friends, or gather them together to tell them the big news. You may want to host an engagement party, but just remember to tell the most important people first before they hear it from someone else! Have a look at some more creative ideas here: 6 Ways To Announce Your Engagement
Insure Your Engagement Ring
Believe it or not, insuring the ring is rarely thought about after an engagement with all the excitement of the proposal. It will be your most prized possession and is likely to be worth a lot, so take care of it and get it insured! Also remember to get it properly sized – you really don’t want to lose it!
Set a Potential Date
One of the most commonly asked questions people will ask you once you’re engaged is ‘When’s the wedding then?’ Talk to your new fiance about what season you’d like to get married in and work out how long it will take you to plan the wedding to decide what month and year your prospective date will be.
Location, Location, Location
You will need to pick where you’d like your big day to take place. Would you like it near your hometown, or will you choose a destination holiday? It is important to decide this now as lots of things will change depending on where you host your wedding. Luckily for you, Bridebook has the UK’s largest wedding venue and supplier directory so finding your perfect venue has never been easier.
Budget
Decide on a budget early on so you and your husband-to-be can work within it the whole time. Use Bridebook’s free wedding budget calculator to get a personalised break down of how much you should be spending on what, all depending on your overall goal budget. There is room for compromise though, so if you spend less money on one area, you could assign the spare cash to indulge on something else!
Start Daydreaming!
The fun part is dreaming up all the ideas of your perfect day. Have some fun with it, collect all your ideas so you can remember them, and you could even create a wedding blog to share your visions with others!
Book Your Priorities
The wedding venue is likely to be the first thing you book, but don’t forget about that band that you fell in love with and have to have play on your special day. Lots of wedding vendors are booked up well in advance, sometimes a couple of years ahead, so if there’s one or two things you know you can’t be without on the day, book them now! And no matter what you’re looking for, don’t forget to check out Bridebook’s easily searchable wedding supplier directory.
Keep Your Wedding Planning Simple
To reduce the stress of planning your day, try to be organised and enlist the help of your friends and family if need be. The easiest way of preparing is to use Bridebook.co.uk, our free wedding planning site that allows you to keep everything (vendors, budget, guestlist) in one place and personal to you. You can then focus on enjoying your engagement and dreaming up your special day!
We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce the Winners and Highly Commended suppliers of the Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Awards 2017!
With so many incredible and talented suppliers across our Bridebook family, picking the final winners was difficult to say the least. So we’d like to extend our sincerest warm wishes and thanks for all of those who participated – the wedding industry wouldn’t be where it is today without you!
Now, without further ado – the 2017 winners! Huge congratulations to all! (And if you’re an engaged couple, there’s no better place to start your wedding supplier search than with this fabulous list of award winners!)
Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended! If you’re an engaged couple, there truly is no better place to start than with this fabulous list of Bridebook suppliers. Be sure to check out their profiles to book these award winners for your own wedding!
We won’t lie to you – choosing your wedding party can be a daunting task. How do you pick the right people – the people you actually want to pick – without offending others who thought they’d make the cut? You don’t want to end up with twenty bridesmaids, half of whom you don’t even know or like… But you also don’t want to insult your guests. We’re in tricky terrain – and navigating it requires the utmost tact and consideration. So let’s make it a little simpler for you. Here’s our guide to how to choose your wedding party – and how to let others down gently.
Put Yourself First!
The first thing to do is remember that your wedding day is about you and your fiancé – not your wedding party! Of course, you should want to keep your guests happy – but ultimately, who’s in your wedding party is up to you. Your wedding day only happens once, so you don’t want to regret having not chosen the people you really wanted. Make sure you and your partner are both happy with your choices as your wedding day is a memory you’ll cherish forever.
So our first piece of advice is to never choose someone for your wedding party purely out of obligation. At the same time, don’t be too harsh. Ruthlessly cutting people out is a sure way to lose friends, so give your decision the care and attention they deserve.
Family or Friends?
The next big decision is choosing between your family and your friends. It’s entirely possible that you’re closer to many of your friends than to your siblings – so you might find yourself wanting to fill your wedding party with friends rather than family. That’s absolutely fine! There’s no “right answer” to this question and the choice is completely up to you.
Our advice would be to do what feels right. It’s totally acceptable to only ask your friends – and many people do! But even if you’re not super close to your family, involving them can make your wedding day even more special. It also prevents you regretting not having asked them later down the line – especially if you’re not asking your sister right now because you had a minor tiff last Tuesday! For many people, their wedding is a celebration of two families coming together and of a new family being formed, so keeping the focus on family may well feel very natural.
Who Has Your Best Interests at Heart?
It’s super important to choose people who will truly be sharing your happiness on your wedding day. They should be happy you’re getting married, with no objections to your choice of fiancé. They also shouldn’t be jealous of you or have any negativity towards your big day in any way.
Now, it’s unfortunate but true that there are some people out there who might have these negative thoughts about your wedding. In some cases, you might still feel it’s important to have them in your wedding party. That’s okay! Just ask them with your best intentions and be led by what feels right to you throughout. Our advice here is just that – advice, not hard-and-fast instructions! When it comes to choosing your wedding party, the most important thing of all is this: follow your heart.
Even if you’re unable to choose the “perfect” wedding party, don’t worry about it too much or let it stress you out. We promise your wedding party isn’t what makes your wedding day the best day of your life – it’s just another ingredient in the recipe! Remember, no one bakes because they love the ingredients… They bake because they love the cake! You’re getting married to the love of your life – that’s what’s really important.
How to Let People Down Gently
Inevitably, there will be some people who expected to be part of your wedding party that won’t make the cut – and that means some potentially awkward conversations. Telling someone they didn’t make it into the final line up is never fun. If you do need to have those conversations, here’s a few tips on how to let them down gently:
Remind them that you could only choose a small number of people. That meant making difficult decisions.
Have your reasons ready for why you chose somebody else before them. You might have known them longer, gone through something important together, and so on. That said, while this can be appropriate or even necessary, our advice is to avoid giving reasons if at all possible.
The easiest way to soften the blow is to invite them to be involved in your wedding in another way. They might not be at the top table with you and your new spouse but you can still make them feel appreciated. Consider seating them at table one or inviting them to your dress fitting with you.
Be nice! This a situation that demands care and consideration – and a little kindness goes a long way.
At the end of the day, the number one thing to remember is that your wedding day is about you. At the same time, your wedding party isn’t the be-all and end-all of the day so the people in it don’t necessarily need to be your first choices. It’s about finding a balance between making yourself happy and not offending your friends and family. So the best advice we can give? Go with your heart.
Find your zen and take a few moments at the end of your day to leave your busy mind behind. Sit comfortably with a straight spine and your eyes closed to allow your body to relax. Practise breathing in for 5 and out for 5 while you imagine a calming scene, perhaps a beach or a sunny field. You’ll be amazed how deep breathing and visualisation can work wonders for your mind and body.
Switch Off Your Tech
By turning off your phone or laptop a good amount of time before bed, you’re letting your brain switch off too. Your device’s screen produces a certain type of blue light that keeps you awake and throws your body clock out of sync. Unplug extra early to get a good night’s sleep (or if you just can’t keep away, you can download an app that filters the blue light from your screen!)
Speaking Of Body Clock…
…you will find it helpful to balance your circadian rhythms. To do this, get yourself into a routine by waking up and going to bed at the same time every day – without fail! You will soon build up enough momentum to settle into your own internal timezone without feeling overly tired.
Cut The Caffeine
Avoid drinking coffee, strong teas and other products containing caffeine. It is a stimulant and will do you no favours when trying to get to sleep, so switch to decaf from mid-afternoon onwards. Also, remember be sensible with the amount of alcoholic drinks you consume too – if anything will make you feel lousy throughout the night and into the morning, it will be that!
Write Down Your Troubles
If you’ve got hundreds of to-do’s racing around your head, note them down before bed. You’ll be surprised how effective this can be – by transferring your worries onto paper, you’ll still remember them tomorrow but will allow you to regain some peace in your head once again.
Get Physical
Exercising in the evening is a very effective way of getting your body ready for rest. Try doing some stretching or light yoga poses before you go to bed, perhaps with some soothing music to calm your state of mind. You’ll be snoozing before you know it! (Plus, you could get your partner involved – the rest is up to you!)
As the whole world eagerly awaits the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Bridebook.co.uk, the number one wedding planning app in the UK, has compiled the Royal Wedding by numbers. With millennials already reinventing the way they plan their wedding, millennial royal couple Meghan and Harry will be throwing a celebration unlike any other.
The party of over 4,000 guests will be treated to 28,000 canapés and billions of champagne bubbles, but they won’t be the only ones celebrating the wedding. Thousands of tourists will be travelling to London to see the newlyweds, and thousands more will be partying in their honour. The celebration of the century will require millions of flower petals, miles and miles of bunting, and enough cucumber sandwiches to feed the entire British population.
With 3 billion global viewers and an expected £280 million boost to the British economy, this is the Royal Wedding by the numbers!
16,000 glasses of champagne
With 4,040 guests, each expected to have at least 4 glasses of champagne throughout the day and evening, that will be at least 16,000 glasses filled with 250 billion bubbles!
8 million flower petals to make 1 million handfuls of confetti
There will be 1 million handfuls of confetti in Windsor on the big day, eagerly awaiting to throw 8 million flower petals in the air to celebrate the newlyweds.
3 million kettles boiling after the service
The National Grid will see a staggeringly high demand for power following the wedding service, as the Brits go straight for the kettle for a relaxing cup of tea. 3 million kettles are expected to be boiled to celebrate the newlywed couple!
Meghan is getting 42% more search traffic than Brexit
Meghan Markle is currently getting 12 times more search traffic than British Prime Minister Theresa May, and on peak days has received 42% more searches than “Brexit”… and 32% more than “Jesus”.
£90,000 for trumpets
20 silver-plated fanfare trumpets stamped with the Royal Coat of Arms have already been requested, and they each come between £3,000 and £6,000 a piece/toot! That will be £90,000 for trumpets!
500,000 people at Windsor
500,000 people are expected to visit Windsor for the Royal Wedding. They will get to witness the most Disney moment of the day: the Royal Carriage procession!
£26,000 for sausage rolls
With 2,600 members of the public attending the wedding, we are hoping they each get a cup of tea and a sausage roll while they cheer on the happy couple.
200,000 flowers and 60 florists
With a budget of £110,000 on flowers, from larger stems to buttonholes and delicate bouquets, more than 200,000 flowers will be styled by around 60 florists across all three venues for the big day.
A banquet hall 10 times the size of the average British home
At 5381 square feet, the size of St George’s Hall will ensure no guests are stepping on each other’s toes during the reception. The hall is 10 times the size of the average British home!
28,000 canapés
28,000 canapés will be needed to keep the Royal Wedding guests happy throughout the day and evening events.
£35,000 for luxury toilets
If this wedding lives up to Pippa Middleton’s, there will be luxury mobile toilets for the guests at the 3 different events. With a guest list this big, it comes down to at least 40 super luxury mobile units with a likely price tag of £35,000.
1,000 waiters and staff for the day
Alongside the 500 people team who work at Windsor Castle on a daily basis, another additional 500 are likely to be on duty on the day. From waiters to chefs to porters to florists, a Royal army will be ensuring the day runs like clockwork. Plus the 5,000 police which will be on duty.
28,000 wedding photos
Although most won’t be revealed, Meghan and Harry’s wedding photographer, and the team to support him will make their flashes go off at least 28,000 times throughout the day and evening!
16,000 engaged couples signing up to British wedding planning app Bridebook
Since US media claimed Harry and Meghan have been using UK wedding planning app Bridebook.co.uk under a secret account, more than 16,000 couples have signed up to plan their wedding on the app!
3 Royal stag do’s
Harry has been rumoured to have enjoyed 3 stag do’s (bachelor parties) with different groups of friends. Including a skiing trip, a classic Scotland stag-do with his closest mates, and to celebrity hotspot Hedsor House, near Windsor.
52,750 British pubs with extended opening hours
Pubs all over the UK will extend their curfew to 1 AM for the Royal Wedding celebrations! That’s two more hours of toasting to Harry and Meghan, and an extra 10.5 million each drink served!
8,000 street parties in the UK
After 5,500 street parties were thrown for William and Kate on a Thursday in April, there are expected to be a lot more for Harry and Meghan. Councils will be busy managing the requests to allow over 8,000 street parties all over the UK.
London is where the most street parties will be planned
London is the council with the most street party requests, with over 900 submissions.
More than 100 million drinks in celebration in the UK
With at least 24 million people expected to watch the Royal Wedding in the UK, plus the FA Cup Final and extended pub opening hours, the whole of the UK is going to be toasting Harry and Meghan!
1.4 million cucumber sandwiches (and other fillings) at UK street parties
Start cutting off those crusts, as the UK public will likely munch through over 1.4 million sandwiches at their street parties alone! M&S are already stocking up.
330 miles of bunting
With 8,000 street parties along with endless garden parties, there will be a British bunting bonanza, stretching 330 miles of bunting across the UK. (In 2011, Tesco alone sold 120 miles of bunting for William and Kate’s wedding).
More than 200,000 bin bags of rubbish, weighing 2,500 tons
More than 200,000 bin bags of rubbish, weighing 2,500 tons, are expected as a result of royal wedding street parties and family get-togethers which will happen all over the UK.
8,500 journalists
8,500 journalists were in London alone to cover William and Kate’s big day, and the same number will be back to cover the momentous occasion of Harry and Meghan.
5,000 police on duty
From grenadier guards to armed police to snipers and undercover officers, 5,000 officers are expected to be on duty on the day to keep everyone safe.
£100,000 to rent a view
American tourists are hiring out homes that overlook the Royal Wedding route for six-figure values so that they can get the perfect view.
£268 million boost to the British economy
After 350,000 tourists came to the UK for William and Kate’s wedding, we are now expecting 450,000 flying over to see the beloved Meghan get married to Prince Harry. The average national spend of a tourist in the UK is £596 per visit, that is a tidy quarter of a billion boost to the British economy.
From lifestyle blogs about Meghan’s wedding dress to online betting sites predicting the odds of rain on May 19th – there are already over 3.3 million pages online about the Royal Wedding!
The hashtag #RoyalWedding has been used 730,000 times
Since their engagement was announced, the hashtag #RoyalWedding has been used 730,000 times on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Twitter takes the cake with the most discussions, with an average of 1,200 tweets using the hashtag every day.
460 Royal Wedding dedicated Instagram hashtags
Instagram has over 460 Royal Wedding hashtags. However, not everyone has the #RoyalWeddingFever, with some couples tagging their photos as #HarryandMeghanStoleMyDate.
3 billion global viewers
After more than 2 billion people watched William and Kate’s wedding, and the global rise of the smartphone and social media since then, more than 3 billion people are expected to watch this Royal Wedding, which is expected to be the most viewed event in history.
1.5 billion tissues to mop up global teary eyes
With a total audience of 3 billion viewers, and half expected to shed a tear, that is a distance of tissue almost enough to get you to the moon! 300,000 kilometres of tissue to be precise, or a mere 7.5 times around the Earth.
Half a million bets on the wedding
The Royal Wedding is going to be one of the most significant non-sporting events of 2018 for betting sites. With over half a million bets expected on the Royal Wedding.
17 leading dress designers
More than 17 dress designers are in the running for designing Meghan’s dress, with leading odds on Ralph and Russo, Erdem, and British bridal-designer Philippa Lepley!
More than 5,000 baby Meghans to be born next year
If the name Meghan is as predicted expected to become the top baby name of 2018, we can expect more than five thousand baby Meghan’s to be born in the next year in the UK, knocking “Olivia” off the top spot.
£1 million in donations
Continuing the tradition started by Kate and William, Meghan and Harry have asked guests to donate to their chosen charities. If they are as successful at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the newlyweds should get at least £1 million in donations.
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We calculated the above numbers following an analysis of over 170,000 weddings via Bridebook.co.uk‘s wedding planning tools and budget calculator, and a review of more than 70,000 wedding industry suppliers listed on Bridebook.co.uk’s wedding venue and supplier directory. Over 100,000 UK couples are using Bridebook.co.uk to plan their wedding, and therefore we have an unparalleled understanding of the wedding planning process, as well as relationships with brides and grooms and wedding industry suppliers across the country.
For further information, please contact Harriet Hunt Communications: [email protected] T: 0208 871 2246 M: 07886 96908
Hamish Shephard, the founder of Bridebook.co.uk, the UK’s no. 1 wedding planning app, says:
“Meghan’s dress will undoubtedly be the most well-kept secret leading up the Royal Wedding. Once Meghan’s dress is revealed it will inspire brides for generations to come!”
“People from the UK and all over the world are eager to witness what will be the most iconic Royal Wedding of the century. Half a million members of the public will be in the streets of Windsor to celebrate and greet the newlyweds.”
“Meghan and Harry’s wedding is expected to be the largest social media event of all time. With “Meghan Markle” already getting more search traffic in the UK than “Brexit”, global interest is going to be stratospheric.”
“It’s no secret that British people love to party, and this is the Royal Wedding is the perfect occasion to bring out the barbeques and throw roaring neighbourhood parties!”
“With 8,000 street parties planned all over the UK, the amount of bunting alone will be enough to cover 330 miles!”
“Meghan and Harry’s wedding will be more spectacular and iconic than any Royal Wedding we have ever seen. The millennial couple are already defying and giving way to new Royal Family traditions!”
Notes To Editor:
Bridebook.co.uk is the UK’s no. 1 wedding planning app, currently being used by 1 in 3 UK couples to help plan their wedding.
Launched in 2016, Bridebook.co.uk‘s leading wedding planning toolkit, with fully personalised Wedding Checklist, Wedding Budgeter and Wedding Guestlist Manager, gives engaged couples the power to plan their entire wedding from any device, anywhere, anytime, all in one place, for free. With over 70,000 wedding venues and suppliers in its directory, Bridebook.co.uk stretches the digital presence of wedding industry professionals and connects them directly with engaged couples. Bridebook.co.uk has also partnered with leading industry experts such as Bobbi Brown, Marry Berry and Jimmy Choo, to provide reliable expert advice and inspiration to 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 wedding back in 2016. Visit Bridebook.co.uk online and the Bridebook.co.uk App on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.
Bridebook.co.uk is the UK’s number one free wedding planning app, with over 16,000 registered wedding businesses and more than 100K couples planning their wedding with us.
Are you are an engaged couple looking for your wedding team?
Here at Bridebook we were lucky enough to meet with travel experts, ‘The Luxury Travel Book‘, who gave us an insight in to their top 10 favourite places in the world to get hitched.
Exclusive Bridebook Offer: The Luxury Travel Book are offering a special 10% discount for Bridebook users. Mention Bridebook to claim.
Hidden away in a stunning scenic position on the Caldera at Megalochori, this wonderful villa combines spectacular views with a very special ambience and high level of service. There is an outdoor dining area with barbecue facilities for sumptuous barbecues, prepared by the estate’s executive chef, making this a perfect venue for a wedding venue.
Situated in the south of Mykonos, with sea views stretching to the islands of Paros and Naxos, and between the beaches of Paradise and Paraga, this luxury property to rent comprises two superb attached villas and two swimming pools. The vast outdoor spaces, and the close proximity of a church, also make this property very suitable for weddings.
This stunning luxury villa is a gorgeous historic residence built in 1741, and overlooks the beautiful Positano Bay. Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, is one of Italy’s most romantic destinations. The picturesque town is built vertically on the face of a cliff, making for stunning views of the sea. The town is filled with romantic restaurants offering fantastic seafood and sea views.
The impressive Villa Borgo Bernardini, dates back to before the 1700s, and was originally the hunting lodge retreat of Count Cosimo Bernardini of Lucca. It is situated on a family run estate, ten kilometres south of Lucca, with magnificent views over hill terraced olive groves. Within the Italian gardens (2000m2) with gazebo, there is a large salt water swimming pool (16 x 8m) which is floodlit at night. Indoors, there is a Banquet hall, card and billiard room, and wine tasting room with a private selection of Tuscan wines.
This absolutely stunning villa, sits within its own parkland on the western shore of Lake Como in Italy, directly across from the famous town of Bellagio. One of the legendary properties on Lake Como, it offers excellence at all levels. The infinity overflow pool overlooks the lake and there is a spa and a gym in separate buildings. The spectacular lakeside terrace is perfect for parties.
This exceptional beachside villa, is situated on the Bassin d’Arcachon, just 45 minutes from Bordeaux. Its prestigious location, luxurious accommodation and level of service, together with its beautiful surroundings including expansive gardens and a lap pool, make it ideal for a wedding or other special event.
This new luxury villa, offers not only a stunning location and exceptional accommodation, but also the bespoke services of a 5* hotel! It is situated on a 250-acre estate in the countryside just outside Sant Climent, with breath-taking 180° sea views. Outdoor amenities include a 26-metre outdoor heated pool set in the exquisitely landscaped gardens, as well as a beautiful event space, catering for up to 200 guests.
Puglia is famous for its olive groves, castles and Romanesque cathedrals, Alberobello’s trulli, Lecce’s Baroque churches, Castel del Monte’s eight superb towers and miles of coastline and beaches. In the midst of all this is Masseria Pettolecchia, the jewel of the region’s fortified masserias. With its large outdoor spaces, large pool and high level of service, it is eminently suitable for weddings and other events.
This exceptional villa, over 300 years old, is located in the best area of Ibiza, in the countryside of Cala Jondal. It is just 5 minutes drive from both the famous Blue Marlin Beach and the village of San Josep. Within the beautiful grounds, there is a swimming pool with large furnished terrace, a tennis court, a well equipped gym, sauna and hydromassage Jacuzzi, a massage and yoga space.
Situated near the three main golf courses in the Marrakech area, and just a few minutes away from the city, this wonderful l villa sits in the middle of a splendid Andalusian garden with heated swimming pool. There are wonderful views to the snow-covered peaks of the Atlas Mountains. The property is also highly recommended for special events for 100 – 200 people in total.
Have you fallen in love with the idea of a destination wedding? We don’t blame you! Mention ‘Bridebook’ to receive 10% off when booking through The Luxury Travel Book.
When you picture an “intimate wedding”, you might think of celebrations with under thirty guests or so. And, of course, the shorter the guest list, the easier it is for a wedding to feel intimate – but that doesn’t mean big weddings can’t too! With a bit of forward planning, any wedding can. Read on to find out our top tips for making a big wedding feel intimate and personal.
1. Host A Pre-Wedding Dinner
If you’ve got a long guest list, it’s likely that there are discrete groups within it. So why not host a “get to know you dinner” a few days or weeks before your wedding? It’ll give your guests a chance to mingle and get to know each other in advance.
2. Create Small Spaces
Divide your venue into smaller spaces so your guests never feel lost in the crowd. Floral installations, drapes and decorations can all be used to create alcoves and hideaways where smaller groups can mingle and chat.
3. Let’s Talk Tables
It might sound counterintuitive but consider opting for fewer, long, rectangular tables instead of lots of smaller round ones. It creates a more relaxed atmosphere and people will be able to chat more easily with a wider range of people.
4. Get The Light Right
Soft, subtle lighting creates a cosy atmosphere that instantly makes any location feel more intimate. Think flickering candles and romantic fairylights.
5. Consider Colour
Choosing a wedding theme based around darker colours is an easy way to make a large space feel cosy and intimate.
6. Circle Around
Even if you have a truly astronomical number of guests, arranging them in a circle will make the back row feel much less far back.
7. Make An Effort
Great all your guests personally and make it a priority to speak with as many people as possible over the course of the day. Even if it’s only a few minutes, they’ll appreciate you taking the time to make them feel welcome.
8. Get Personal
If you have a particularly extensive guest list, talking to everyone might not be possible – and that’s when adding personal touches really comes into its own. Consider writing each guest a handwritten note or gifting them a handmade wedding favour. That way, even if you haven’t managed to speak to them, they’ll still know you cared they came.
9. Consider Staffing
If you have plenty of guests, make sure you have plenty of staff to match! If you can’t make it round everybody, you can at least know they’re being attended to and feeling well looked after.
So there you have it: nine ways to make a big wedding feel intimate. Now, with all those guests to look after, why not add them to your Bridebook’s Guest List? Or if you’re still on the hunt for your dream venue, check out our Venue Search Tool to browse the UK’s biggest (and best!) wedding venue directory.
Why not let the groom have his special moment too? Change it up and let your man walk down the aisle first, followed by the bridal party. This will work particularly well with same-sex couples as you can both have your limelight without the other feeling left out.
Meet In The Middle
Get rid of the traditional aisle walk idea and have you and your partner walk from separate sides during the ceremony and meet together at the altar. It will surprise your guests, and what a unique way it will be to start the rest of your life together!
Have Two Aisles
Why only have one aisle in your ceremony? This is the most important day of your life! Be spectacular by creating a bride aisle and a groom aisle. You could also mix up where your guests sit so that the two families can be united as one.
Go Solo
If your family is complicated and you can’t decide on who to walk you down the aisle…do it alone! Not only will it be a statement move to start your wedding, but it will be something everyone talks about for weeks to come!
Take The Trip Together
Why not let your spouse be the one who gets to walk you down the aisle? It will be one of the most precious moments of your lives and something to talk about when the wedding photos come out on your anniversary!
360° Ceremony
Eradicate the tradition altogether and sit your guests in a circular fashion around the action. You and your husband-to-be can walk through the crowd from different sides and meet in the centre, ready for your vows. Not only will it be a memorable experience for all involved, but your guests won’t have to peer above 10 rows of heads to see the newlyweds!
There’s a fine line between looking pasty against your white dress and sporting the fake-baked look on your wedding day. Always try out a tanning salon well in advance of your wedding and know what shade of tan you like. That way, you won’t be looking overly bronze unexpectedly on the eve of your big day!
Skin
See a dermatologist several months before your wedding to find a recommended skincare routine suited to you. If acne is a problem, see your doctor to get your skin on track well in advance and get you glowing again. For a pre-wedding treat, you could also have a soothing facial on the week leading up to your special day to make you look and feel vibrant!
Nails
Get a manicure 1-2 days before your wedding so your nails look perfect in your ring shots! Don’t leave it too late though, otherwise there’ll be no time to rectify mistakes if there’s a problem. Remember that all important pedicure too!
Cut & Colour
Start early with hair appointments as you will want to maintain strength throughout your length! Get your tresses trimmed regularly to stop split-ends and weakened locks, and make sure you share your vision of hair colour with your colourist.
Hair Stylist
The important question – up or down? Again, make an appointment with your stylist well in advance so you can try out a few different options and choose your favourite. Make sure you bring along any accessories that you’re planning to wear in your hair, like a tiara or veil, so your stylist can incorporate it into your finished look.
Teeth
Booking an appointment with your dentist is an essential one. Getting your teeth deep-cleaned will ensure you have a sparkling smile to show-off on your big day. Also consider teeth-whitening, and also Invisalign (an invisible alternative to braces) if you want to correct any wonky teeth.
Make-up
Be open to ideas and try out lots of different looks in your make-up trials, as you may really like a style that you hadn’t previously thought would suit you! Really listen to your make-up artist as they will know what colours go with your skin to compliment your complete look. It will take time to get this right, so don’t leave it until the last few weeks!
Laser Hair Removal
If you think you’ve had enough of shaving, laser hair removal will do the trick for long-lasting smooth skin. However, you will have to prepare for it in advance as it can take up to 6 treatments to take full effect. In the end though, you’ll feel great knowing you won’t have to worry about stray hairs on your honeymoon!
Are you suffering from wedding planning stress? Struggling to motivate yourself to just… get on with it? We’ve all been there. There’s just too much to do – and you don’t want to do any of it! Or you do, but you just… kind of… can’t? Well, never fear. Here’s our guide to getting back on track.
The Two-Minute Rule
The two-minute rule is a productivity technique used by high-flyers everywhere. To put it simply: if it’ll take less than two minutes, do it now!
A big reason you might be procrastinating your wedding planning is because you’re overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the task at hand. And we get it! But the two-minute rule means you start with the easiest tasks first – and once you’ve gotten them out the way, it’ll be easier to continue. An object in motion stays in motion unless something stops it, according to Isaac Newton. So does a wedding planner! So once you’ve started, it’ll be easier to continue.
But enough physics. Let’s get back to weddings. Choose an easy task like responding to an email from a photographer or sending an enquiry to a venue (hint: it’s as easy as clicking a button on your Bridebook!) and get that done. Feel the rush of ticking a task off your to-do list… then do another one!
Don’t Wait For Motivation
Waiting for motivation to strike is a risky game to play. We often hear people (*cough* ourselves *cough*) say, “I just don’t feel motivated to – .” But do you think an athlete jumps out of bed every morning, delighted to lace up their running shoes at 5am? Are they beaming as they step out into the cold, knowing everyone else is still tucked up in bed? We’re pretty sure the answer is, “Absolutely not.” Some people are naturally more driven than others but nobody is motivated all the time.
So what’s the athlete’s secret? It’s not that they have motivation – it’s that they have a goal. They know what they need to do – and they do it, regardless of how they feel. No waiting for motivation to strike.
The same goes for you and your wedding planning. Think about your wedding day as the goal. You don’t need to wait for motivation – you’ve got a wedding to plan! These tasks need to be done and no one else is going to do them. In fact, you’re going to do them so well that if those tasks could look at themselves in the mirror, they’d feel foolish because of how well you’re going to do them! You’re going to boss them! You’re going to smash it! Those tasks won’t even know what hit them!
… You get the picture. We might have gotten a little carried away there. Motivation struck.
Little But Often
What’s that? You’re sitting down once a week to face down a forty-task-long to-do list, three pots of coffee and an entire Victoria sponge in hand? Okay, now we get why you don’t want to plan your wedding. But we’ve got a simple solution. Set aside thirty minutes each night. Just thirty minutes. That’s just one rerun of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ worth of planning. Now turn the TV off, get focused and dedicate yourself to your planning. Doesn’t that feel better?
Breaking your planning down into small chunks of time makes it much less daunting than trying to do it all in one mega planning session. Plus, doing it little and often makes it easier to stay on top of everything as you can remember what you did the day before, instead of having to cast your mind back a week or two. Get into a routine and stick to it. Once you see how much progress you’re making, you’ll be on a roll!
So there you have it: three easy ways to beat the wedding planning blues! We’re sure you’ll have blitzed through your to-do list in no time. And remember – you can always stay on track with your Bridebook checklist. It shows you exactly what you need to do and when you need to do it to have your dream day planned quicker than you can say, “I do!”
Do you need a wedding theme? In our opinion, the answer is absolutely, “Yes, you do!” So here’s why we recommend couples choose a wedding theme – and how to get started picking yours.
1. A Wedding Theme Gives Your Planning Clarity
Look, we get it! Wedding planning is a stressful business. After all, it can feel like there are a million different things to sort: venues, flowers, table decorations, clothes, catering… Taking a little bit of time at the very start to pick a wedding theme will instantly streamline your planning by giving you a clear vision of what you want your big day to be like. Plus, when you search for venues and suppliers on Bridebook, you can filter by theme, reducing the number of suppliers you need to contact.
2. A Wedding Theme Will (Probably!) Make Your Wedding Look Better
If you don’t have at least some sort of theme, it’s incredibly difficult to make everything cohesive and you’ll probably end up with a complete mishmash of styles. Now, if “mishmash” is what you’re going for, go ahead… But isn’t that a theme? Remember, your theme can be as simple as choosing two or three wedding colours to help guide your choices. Sure, you might decide on an underwater pirate theme (and if you do, we’d love to see the photos!) – but you might also go for a sage-green wedding theme, adding pops of colour throughout your soft furnishings, stationery and floristry.
3. A Wedding Theme Helps Create Atmosphere
Your wedding theme is about more than just what your wedding looks like – it’s about how it feels, the sort of atmosphere you create. So think about the mood you want your guests to be in. Do you want them to feel a sense of glamour and luxury? Then maybe a black tie theme is for you. Or are you hoping for a more relaxed celebration where everyone can let loose? In that case, you might want to consider a more casual theme – say, something boho or rustic. Whatever you decide, it’s a huge part of what will make your wedding unique in your guests’ memories – so choose wisely!
Valentines Day is just around the corner and for those of you that have been a couple for a few years and are at a certain stage in their life… this could be the day your partner pops the question! If you’re cringing at the thought, turn away now! But if you are planning to propose on or around this special day…here are some common mistakes to avoid.
Try to ignore this cliche proposal if you can, and if you really can’t resist …make sure to have some distance between the ring and the food. Not sure about you, but I see no appeal in picking my engagement ring out of a lemon mousse.
Flash mobs are a no, no!
For the average bride-to-be, having a bunch strangers dancing around for you in a public place sounds more like a nightmare than a romantic gesture. Be sure to stay away from this unless you know for sure thats what she would want.
The go to bunch of red roses
If your partner loves red roses then by all means! We find that a thought through bouquet with her favourite flowers will go down a lot better than the go-to bouquet of red roses.
Don’t just think about what you want
Don’t get too carried away with planning the proposal around only what you like! Remember this act is for the both of you! So if you’re considering proposing at a rugby match or dinner at your favourite pub, make sure it’s just as special for her as it is for you.
Try not to over-plan the proposal.
We understand that nowadays there is an awful lot of pressure on making sure your proposal is “insta-worthy”. But don’t let that bother you, sometimes even the simplest of proposals can mean far more than a planned-to-the-tee affair.
Don’t put her off the scent (too much!)
Don’t be one of those proposers was so preoccupied with keeping it a surprise that they go overboard and end up just p***ing off their partner! A subtle nice romantic dinner and a movie is far less suspicious and far less likely to get you into trouble.
You’re engaged – massive congratulations! Soon enough you’ll be strutting down that aisle looking incredible. Before we start talking weddings though, you want to tell people about your fab news. We’ve compiled a few ways you can let people know what’s happened to sound excited but not rub-it-in-your-face-y. (And just because you’re not talking weddings publicly yet, doesn’t mean you can’t start planning! We’ve got the UK’s #1 Wedding Planning App and a whole host of super useful and free wedding planning tools to help. Let the planning commence!)
Word-Of-Mouth
The best way to announce the news to your loved ones is by telling them in person. You don’t want the news spreading elsewhere before you’ve told the most important people! They will pick up on your excitement and feel included in the moment.
Publish It
Go old skool and get your engagement published in your local newspaper. Not only will your whole town get to hear about the big news, but your older relatives will be impressed!
Take To Social Media
Post on Facebook, Instagram or other social media sites to get the word out! Don’t forget a cute proposal photo showing off your ring, and of course, make it official by changing your relationship status to ‘engaged’!
Capture The Moment
If you managed to get photos or videos of your proposal, why not upload them? It will give an intimate edge to your engagement and allow your friends and relative to feel almost like they were there to witness your special moment in time.
Get Creative
Write your news in the sand, create a timeline of your relationship, or even get your pet involved! No-one will be able to resist their ‘aww’s when they spot your pooch bearing a message of engagement on behalf of it’s humans!
Host an Engagement Party
Put pen to paper and formally invite your family and close friends to an engagement do. Add the finishing touch to your news with music, champers and making an entrance with your new fiancé!
We are thrilled to announce The Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Awards 2017 Shortlist! With over 180,000 votes cast by thousands of clients and Bridebook.co.uk couples, this amazing list is packed with some of the UK’s very best wedding suppliers and venues – truly the cream of the crop!
These shortlisted suppliers will go through to the next and final round where our Finalists, Highly Commended and Winners will be picked by top Bridebook.co.uk and wedding industry experts. So stay tuned as these will all be announced the 1st of March!
We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to all suppliers who participated but did not make it through to the Shortlist. All votes will count towards boosting your Bridebook.co.uk search ranking, and we are already planning on an even bigger and better 2018 awards!
In the process of dress shopping for your wonderful winter wedding, don’t forget the climate or it might spoil your day. Hunt for a warm fur shrug or a statement bridal cape to compliment your dress and keep you from feeling the cold on your big day. Don’t forget about your bridesmaids too!
Festive Food
Your guests will be amazed if you can offer traditional food and drink to add to the festive feel. Include hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies to make your loved ones feel warm and content inside.
Cosy Decor
Think candles, throws, and scatter cushions if you want to turn your reception into a warm and inviting atmosphere in the height of winter. Your guests will be rushing to take their seat!
Get Insured
With the chance of torrential weather on your wedding day, be prepared. Be it rain, hail, snow or ice, having wedding insurance will be a safety net in case anything should happen. It will take the pressure off you and allow you to enjoy the moment.
Be Colourful
Just because you’re getting married in winter doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have a white wedding. Don’t be afraid to experiment with bright, bold colours when choosing your theme – stand out and be unique!
Photo by Ten Twenty One
Sensible shoes
You may have dreamt about walking down the aisle in glittery 6-inch stilettos, however if you’re potentially contending with snow and ice you may want to reconsider. There’s nothing worse than a bride slipping and sliding her way to the altar, so make sure you’re wearing sensible footwear to walk (you can change back into the stilettos later!)
Don’t Overheat
Just because it’s reached sub-zero temperatures outside doesn’t mean it will be the same inside. Once everyone’s on the dancefloor, the sweat will start, so make sure you ask the venue to keep it to a comfortable heat. (Also, sweat patches ruin photos!)
Festive Favours
Give something to your guests that will wow them. Whether it’s a holiday-themed personalised gift, or a winter wonderland-inspired keepsake, make sure everyone takes something home that they won’t stop talking about for weeks!
As promised, we bring you part 1 of our That Girl’s bridal workout series. This workout is based on moves to help define and tone your legs and butt whilst getting your heart rate up . Each week we will bring you extracts from www.thatgirllondon.com, a fun intelligently designed workout series to help you feel better , look better and perform better.
Hot Tip! Receive 20% off your That Girl membership with discount code : bridebook20
How to do this routine: There are four moves in this workout , each 60 seconds long with 20 secs rest between each exercise . Aim to repeat the circuit 3 times through with 1 min – 2mins rest between circuits
TRAVELLING BOOTY SQUATS
Why she does it: For a strong butt, great legs and the hip mobility you need to squat. We ass a little co-ordination challenge in this one too. Repeat 6 in one direction and then travel back the way you came
Position: Feet are flat on the floor and a little wider than hip width with toes slightly turned outwards. Your arms are by your sides.
How she does it: With a straight spine, hinge at your hips to sit your butt back and downwards until your hips lower just below your knees and swing your arms forwards. Pulse in the squat for 2 counts and as you return to standing take a half turn to face the other direction . Repeat 6 in one direction and then travel back the way you came.
Hot tip: As you squat you really want to root down through your heels to send the work into your butt.
SQUAT KICKS
Why she does it: This one maybe low impact but it will still get your heart rate up, whilst working your butt, legs and abdominals.
Position: Feet are flat on the floor and a little wider than hip width with toes slightly turned outwards. Your hands are clasped in front of your chest.
How she does it: With a straight spine hinge at your hips to sit your butt back and downwards until your hips lower just below your knees, your weight is in your heels. Immediately return to standing kicking the right leg out to the side, a little above hip level if you can. Repeat on the left side.
Top Tip: I like to keep my hands clasped so I really work on balance and focus on my legs.
SINGLE LEG SIT-DOWNS
Why she does it: This unilateral movement challenges the difference between both legs. You will work on balance, co-ordination and strength
Position: You will need a study chair or bench. Standing tall, right heel close to the prop whilst your left leg is held out low and straight in front of you with the toes gently pointed. Both arms are stretched out at shoulder level.
How she does it: Hinge your hips backwards to lower your sit bones to touch the prop without actually sitting down. To return really focus on rooting down through the right heel as you come back to standing. Split your 60 secs into 30 secs each leg.
Hot tip: The right knee should track inline with your toes rather than caving inwards or buckling outwards.
SQUAT JUMPS
REPEAT 15-20
Why she does it: Great cardio boost to rev up your leg workout up whilst still maintaining muscle tone.
Position: Feet are a little wider than hip width with toes slightly turned outwards. Your hands are together in front of your chest. Gaze is forwards.
How she does it: Keeping your spine in neutral hinge your hips backwards as if to sit on a chair keeping your hands clasped in front of your chest. From your lowest point root down through your heels to return yourself back to the start position using your arms to assist the movement.
Repeat the squat but this time from your lowest point explosively jump up vertically as high as you can. Land back into the squat position to complete one rep.
Hot tip: Be mindful to use your whole foot to jump and not just your toes.
With an ever growing selection of creative individuals designing and hand crafting wedding pieces – Etsy is the go to place for all your wedding needs. Whether you’re looking for last minute touches, wedding favours or even your wedding dress, Etsy is sure to get those creative juices flowing. Here at Bridebook.co.uk we have pulled together a list of our favourite Etsy suppliers to help you add a personalised touch to your wedding day. Enjoy!
A must have for all you book lovers out there. Your very own personalised Penguin book of your Order of Service. Completely personalised to include your readings, pictures and quotes.
Treat your wedding guests with these gorgeous packets of wildflower seeds for them to take home. Each packet can be personalised with your name and wedding date.
Add that finishing touch to your wedding cake with these made to order cake toppers by Miss Sarah Cake. Choose from a selection of different colours to suit any colour scheme.
Save money on your wedding stationery by using these beautiful clay heart tags as unique place settings which also double up as wedding favours. Win, win!
UK based wedding dress designers, This Modern Love Bridal make truly gorgeous wedding gowns to suit any budget. Bespoke and made to order dresses are available as well as fittings at their studio in Brighton.
If you’re looking for an eye-catching wedding band then look no further than this beautiful 9ct rose gold, rugged bark like textured ring. Suitable for both men and women.
Custom made cufflinks made of vintage world maps creates a very personalised gift for your groomsmen. Let people remember your special day for ever. Everyone smiles when they see a map of a place thats close to their heart.
Celebrate your wedding day by presenting this frame to your loved one, or bring another smile to the newlyweds face and present it as the perfect wedding gift.
Depending on the style you’re going for, chances are there’ll be a vast array of different flower arrangements at your wedding. The list includes bouquets, centrepieces, boutonnières, welcome arrangements, altar arrangements, bridesmaids’ bouquets, wedding cake flowers… and the list goes on. There’s nothing quite as lovely as wedding flowers and the joy and spectacle they bring.
Some couples won’t have a budget anywhere near the national average or want to spend over a grand on flowers, but still want to have beautiful blooms at their wedding. If this is you, there are still plenty of options out there for you.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at all the ways you can save money on wedding flowers while still making sure your venue is full of gorgeous florals.
A wedding is a fabulous occasion, and like many celebrations, flowers are the go-to decorative item for adding colour, luxury and elegance. Flowers are also a popular symbol of love, which is why they’re so perfect for a wedding.
As a result, many couples love to use flowers throughout their big day, from the moment their guests arrive at the ceremony to the moment they leave the reception. And because they play such a prominent role, the price of wedding flowers can be somewhat on the high side.
But why exactly are they so expensive? There are plenty of reasons why you may pay a premium for wedding flowers, most notably:
Volume – From bouquets to boutonnières, many different flower arrangements feature in a wedding
Quality – When it comes to weddings, florists often use the crème de la crème of flowers
Service – Bespoke florals will involve a personalised design process and conceptualisation to bring your vision to life
Details – It’s not just about the flowers – think vases, vessels, ribbons, even props – everything you need to create a gorgeous display
Availability – Most flowers are seasonal, particularly in the UK, so it can be expensive to import certain flowers
Expertise – Florists use their skill and experience designing show-stopping arrangements
Time – Wedding flowers often take a lot of time to design and arrange
Delivery – Your florist will need to deliver and set up your flowers at the venue
Whether or not you have flowers at your wedding is entirely your decision. It all depends on your budget, your style and – ultimately – your preference. While there’s nothing written in stone that says you need to have flowers at your wedding, your guests will likely notice if you choose not to have them.
Flowers are one of the biggest wedding traditions there is, and the pure presence of flowers denotes elegance and love. That said, there could be several reasons for not wanting to have flowers at your wedding, for example, due to allergies, or you simply aren’t interested in anything floral.
Wedding flowers are a big expense, but they’re a non-negotiable for many couples. If you do choose to have flowers at your wedding, but don’t want to spend an amount even close to the UK average, then there are ways around it. Below are 15 ways you can save money on wedding flowers.
Choose flowers with big heads where possible. Not only do they look stunning, but the bigger the flowerhead, the fewer stems you need to fill out an arrangement, which means you’ll also generally spend less money.
For example, for every peony or hydrangea you have in an arrangement, you would need two or three roses to fill up the same amount of space. The bigger the flowers, the less you’ll spend in the long run.
Flowers like roses, carnations and tulips symbolise love, which makes them popular choices for floral arrangements. That means they can also be quite pricey, as demand is high. Instead, why not consider flowers which are both beautiful but which aren’t commonly seen at weddings, such as chrysanthemums, daisies and Peruvian lilies?
Be a trendsetting bride and instead of full bouquets, give your bridesmaids corsages to wear on their wrists or boutonnières to fix onto a neckline or waistband. It will leave their hands free (to fluff out your dress if need be) and provide the perfect accessory for their outfits. Not to mention it will save you a lot of money, especially if you have four or five bridesmaids.
Use flowers as your focal points. Positioning some at the bar and on the central table will draw the eye and let you get away with much smaller pieces on the other tables. This will make the room seem full to the brim with floral decoration, whereas actually, you’ve just been clever with how you use them. The key is to position them in a way that works for them and the space.
We may have already mentioned that bigger blooms can be more cost-effective, but if you’re going for a minimalist and sophisticated theme, then that can also be a great way to save some money. Instead of having big bunches of flowers on every table, try putting single stems in tall elegant vases as eye-catching centrepieces. Because of the impressive height, the room will still look decorated throughout, but this way you’ll use fewer stems and your guests will be able to truly appreciate the flowers you’ve hand-selected.
Roses are fabulous flowers which work well like this, but speak to your florist about which flowers will fit best within your specific budget.
Did you know you can still have flowers even if you don’t want real ones? Switching real flowers for faux or paper-made flowers works a treat and can cost less than the real deal. For example, at Paper Bouquets here on Bridebook, prices start from as low as £8! As an added bonus, you’ll have gorgeous floral paper creations to treasure long after the big day itself. For an extra touch of personalisation, you can also tie it to your wedding theme by making flowers from pages out of your favourite book or sheet music from your wedding playlist.
To save even more cash, you might want to consider making some paper flowers yourself. It’s not like they’ll wilt over time, so if you start early enough you should be able to make plenty. There are loads of paper flower tutorial videos on YouTube to get you started. Though these are unlikely to rival the masterful creations of a professional, if cheap flowers are your no. 1 priority, then the DIY approach can be both cost-effective and fun!
After the wedding ceremony, your bridesmaids will probably have little use for their bouquets, so why not make them work extra hard and reuse them at the reception? Place them at certain focal points, or even use them as centrepieces on some of the tables. It’s unlikely that your guests will even notice!
The time of year at which you’re getting married can have a big influence over the cost of your flowers, particularly if there are specific flowers you have in mind, because seasonality plays a huge part in cost. For example, peonies, when not in season, can be four times more expensive than roses. This includes cabbage roses, which look almost exactly the same.
To keep costs down, choose flowers that are in bloom during the time of year when your wedding is taking place, for example:
You might not have to as much much money on flowers if you choose a venue that has plenty of floral beauty of its own. An inner-city hotel might need a little extra help in the flower department, whereas a countryside manor will likely have landscaped gardens, wonderful artwork and stunning decor which means you won’t need to rely on having many flowers to add any additional beauty.
Depending on the number of groomsmen and bridesmaids you and your partner will have, one thing that bumps up the cost is the number of boutonnières and corsages you’ll need. Two ways to reduce costs is by cutting them altogether or getting creative to bring those costs down. Why not design your own with faux or paper flowers? Or you could pick them up for less than £2 each by using a website like TEMU or Wish. Just make sure you know what you’re willing to compromise on (obviously cheap alternatives to professionally-crafted florals are unlikely to match the quality and design of the real deal).
While flowers are beautiful and vibrant, and can make for some truly breathtaking displays, the more you have in an arrangement, the more you’ll have to pay. So, why not fill some of that space with a little greenery, instead? More greenery, like ruscus and baby’s breath, can bring new textures and shapes to an arrangement and accentuate the flowers so that they pop even more. Not to mention it will help keep the costs of your flowers down. Win win!
Dried bouquets are versatile and unique, and work whether you’re going for a vintage or more modern style at your wedding. They’re also more affordable due to the fact they last far longer than fresh flowers. Not only that, but you’ll be able to take them home afterwards and they’ll last for months, or even years. Dried florals works particularly well if you’re going with a rustic venue.
Fancy yourself as something of a gardener with particularly well-attended flower beds at home? If so, you might consider putting together some arrangements of your own? Or, if you’re not quite that adventurous, you could take just a few single stems, such as from a rose bush, to use in tall vases that would work as simple, yet elegant and highly personal, centrepieces on each table.
As always with the DIY approach, remember that there’s always a risk. Growing and then designing your own bouquets will be no mean feat, and won’t come with the same level of service and quality as working with a professional florist. Your flowers might not turn out exactly as you wanted them or your bouquets might not come together as you’d envisaged them, and they might get damaged on the day, either in transit or at the venue itself. So, carefully weigh up whether saving money is your no. 1 priority, or if you’d rather go for a more hands-off and stress-free approach (which will of course come at a cost).
When searching for a florist to design your flower arrangements for your wedding, make sure you choose one that is local to you. If you choose one based on price alone, you may be in for an unwelcome surprise when it comes to the cost of delivery and setup. Make sure you double-check the catchment area of the florist you hire so you don’t pay any additional delivery costs.
The only exception to this rule is if your wedding is taking place in London. Hiring a London-based florist is often more expensive than hiring one from outside the capital. So, if sticking to a tight budget is important to you, we recommend comparing prices to see if it’s worth hiring one that has to travel a little further, as it could save you money. Just remember to get plenty of quotes and weigh up which offers the best value for money.
Almost all of the big-name supermarkets sell decent flowers, and if you (or someone you trust with the job) get there early enough on the day, you’ll have a reasonable selection to choose from. You might not want a bunch of supermarket flowers as your bouquet or centrepieces, but they can work well as welcome flowers or accents, and are considerably cheaper than the flowers you’d get from a florist. Though they won’t match the quality or complexity of design of a bespoke creation, they’re a valid choice if you’re on a tight budget.
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Whether you’ve dreamed of yourself in a beautiful, flowing white dress since you were five-years-old, or you’ve only started to even consider it post-ring, the bridal dress is often a major component of a wedding. There are so many styles available that searching for and trying on dresses can be a long, fun and exciting journey for both the bride and the entire bridal party.
Many wedding dresses are made with premium materials and involve complex and intricate designs. As a result, the perfect dress naturally comes with a corresponding premium price tag. In the UK, the average amount spent on a wedding dress is £1,300, though it can often be double or even triple this. When you consider that the average cost of a wedding is £20,775, this may sound like a lot, but it’s proportionate with the cost of many other professional wedding services, including photographers and videographers.
However, there are plenty of ways to save money on a wedding dress. In this post, we’re going to explore the tips and tricks you can use to help you stick to your budget while still getting to wear a gorgeous gown on your big day.
Wedding dresses come with a premium price tag for several reasons:
They’re made using very high-quality materials
They can come with complex and intricate adornments
They’re often handmade by a highly skilled and experienced dressmaker
They’re highly customised both in terms of style and fit
It’s tempting to choose a well-known, high-end designer to mark the occasion
They usually involve tailored service and consultations to get it just right
As well as these, wedding dresses have great sentimental value and are massively important to many brides. As a result, many brides-to-be are willing to pay premium prices to get the dress of their dreams. After all, this isn’t any old day. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, which deserves an outfit like no other.
Do you need to wear a bridal dress on your wedding day?
While a white dress is traditionally worn by a bride in western countries specifically, you by no means have to wear one on your own wedding day. What you wear at your wedding is down to you, the style and theme of your wedding, and any religious traditions you may wish to stick to.
A white dress may be what many brides choose to wear, but there are plenty who don’t and opt for an alternative instead. Examples of these include:
A non-traditional dress, which may feature colours or be black
Religious or cultural attire, such as a saree, kimono or hanbok
Trouser suits or jumpsuits, which are stylish and modern but still elegant
A two-piece ensemble, such as a skirt and top
Many non-bridal dresses can also be expensive, but are often far more affordable than traditional dresses worn by brides in the West.
If you’re keen to wear a traditional dress on your big day, there are plenty of ways to save money if you’re willing to compromise a little. Below are 12 ways you can make a saving when buying your wedding dress. And for more tips, check out our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding.
Have you always wanted a stunning Vera Wang gown to get married in but aren’t sure your budget can stretch that far? Well, did you know that most wedding dress designers have a cheaper line available at bargain prices? That means you can go to your favourite designer and not have to break the bank to buy a dress. And for reference, for Vera Wang, it’s the White collection.
2. Look out for sample sales
When it comes to gorgeous designer gowns, boutiques and designers themselves will host sample sales at the end of seasons. You can find some absolute gems hidden among the endless racks; so as long as you’re willing to forego the typical bridal boutique shopping experience and service, they’re definitely worth it. Contrary to what some believe, the dresses are rarely permanently damaged – although they sometimes come with minor easily repairable flaws. In sample sales, all sales are final, which means no returns – so inspect your potential dress carefully for any imperfections before you buy.
Why not consider a preloved gown from a local charity shop? Remember, most brides will only wear their dress once and only for half a day, so the majority of the dresses you’ll find in a charity shop will be as good as new. It’s also a lovely sentiment to wear a dress that’s previously given so much joy to a happy couple. The only thing to bear in mind is that it’s unlikely you’ll find a dress that fits you perfectly, so you’ll have to take it for alterations and be prepared to compromise.
A great tip to save some pennies is to buy a dress that’s made ready to wear. It may need a little bit of tweaking, which can ramp up the cost, but the price of an off-the-hanger dress will generally be much lower than that of a made-to-measure gown. This approach can also save time, as it doesn’t require many months of creation and fittings. That said, if the creation and fitting experience is important to you, and you want a bespoke gown, you can’t expect to pay cheap off-the-rack prices. That level of service, and quality, is naturally going to cost. So it’s important to weigh up what’s most important to you when shopping around.
If you’re having a vintage-themed wedding, vintage shops are great places to find stunning dresses in a great variety of styles. In fact, you might not even buy a dress that was intended for a wedding at all. White Gatsby-esque evening dresses can look just as impressive as a specially made gown. When browsing, make sure to check the dresses for signs of wear and tear (especially on the hem and the armpits) and think of any potential alterations you might want to make ahead of buying. Then, you can put your bridesmaids in dresses of a complementary style.
This one might be a bit of a stretch, but if you happen to know a fantastic seamstress or dressmaker, you’re one lucky bride. It’s sometimes cheaper to have a dress made by a seamstress (especially if they’re not that experienced), and even more so if you ask for mates’ rates.
Many high-street retailers, like John Lewis and Next, have a beautiful range of bridal dresses that are fabulous, elegant and – most importantly, if you’re on a budget – affordable. Dresses from popular high-street brands can cost as low as £60, but make sure you shop early in case you need to take it for minor alterations. And again, weigh up your priorities, and manage your expectations. A high-street dress is unlikely to rival a bespoke custom-made designer dress, but if you’re on a budget, may be the best option for you personally.
It might not be something you immediately think of as an option, but did you know that, along with wedding suits, you can also rent wedding dresses? If you’re excited to wear a gorgeous, flowing dress but can’t stretch your budget enough to cover the cost, renting can get you into that perfect bridal gown. The only downside is that you’ll have to give it back, so won’t be able to hold on to it for sentimental reasons. Plus, just make sure you’re aware of the return policy, because if you return it late, the fees can sting.
As we’ve already covered, one of the reasons wedding dresses can be so expensive is because of the high-quality materials and craftsmanship that go into creating them. So, one great way to lower the cost is by choosing a dress with a simple or minimalist design. The fewer intricate details there are, the less work it will generally take, which can help keep costs down.
Sometimes it can be more affordable to hire a seamstress – particularly if it’s a seamstress with less experience. Of course, a seamstress with decades of experience will produce a fantastic dress, but it will come at a price. By using a less-experienced and local seamstress, you’ll get a beautiful bespoke dress but not have to pay as much. Also, if they’re local (and outside of London) you won’t have to pay for shipping or as many travel costs.
Online retailers, such as ASOS, can have a wide range of dresses to suit a selection of tastes, styles and budgets. The cost of a dress will often start around £100, but if you keep your eye out for a sale you might be able to pick up a stunning dress for as much as half this amount. The main risk is that you might not like it as much in person as you did when you saw the images, so make sure you know the returns policy before purchasing.
And again, the quality is not going to match a custom-made ensemble, in the same way that the experience of browsing online will be vastly different to trying on dresses in an independent boutique with your bridal party. Part of the service involved in choosing a bridal boutique is getting fitted by a professional with years of experience and benefiting from their expert advice through tailored, one-on-one consultations. But if a finding a cheap and serviceable dress is your only priority, this is of course a perfectly reasonable option.
Know you absolutely want to wear a certain dress, which means that renting, borrowing or buying online are out of the question? You can still splurge and buy an extravagant dress, because there’s always the option of selling your dress once you’re done. Unless you’re particularly sentimental or want to pass it on as an heirloom, sites such as Vinted, Stillwhite or even Facebook Marketplace are great. You more than likely won’t get your money back, but you could still get a huge chunk of it, which you could then reinvest into your honeymoon.
The Expected Timeline of Pippa Middleton’s Wedding Day
The TWO-venue extravaganza is expected to last over 22 hours!
Bridebook.co.uk, the UK’s leading wedding planning app, has helped thousands of couples plan their wedding day to perfection. Here is how we believe Pippa’s big day will run like clockwork:
6.00am – Hair and makeup
Pippa and her bridesmaids will be up early to start their beauty regimes with a team of 2 stylists to work on Pippa’s hair and makeup, and an additional 2 or so team members for the mothers of the bride and groom, and the bridal party.
9.00am – Usher’s breakfast
James and his groomsmen gather in their tails for the Usher’s breakfast. Likely to be in a local pub or at one of their hotels. A Scottish whiskey shot at the end to send them on their way.
9.30am – Flowergirls and pageboys arrive
The flowergirls and pageboys, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte, arrive at Englefield House, the house where the Bridal party will be staying to get ready.
10.30am – Guests begin to arrive
Ushers need to be at the ready for the arrival of the guests and co-ordinating the seating. James will likely be outside greeting guests on arrival to keep any nerves at bay.
11.30am – The bride arrives and marriage service begins
Pippa travels the short distance from the spectacular Englefield house in their wedding transport with her parents, and bridal party . The doors to the Church will be closed before Pippa enters ready to walk down the aisle with her father, everyone catching the first glimpse of the glorious bride and dress before the ceremony begins. Only 150 of the closest family and friends will be present for a traditional wedding service led by the Rev Nick Wynne-Jones.
12.45pm – They’re married!
Pippa and James walk down the aisle as the new Mr and Mrs Matthews! There may be some formal lineup photos at the church whilst guests wait outside.
1.00pm – Church Departure
Guests will be set up for a picture perfect confetti throw. Key friends and family positioned close to the entrance of the church, a flower arch around the entrance, and biodegradable flower petal confetti.
1.30pm – Guests arrive for drinks reception at Englefield House
Pippa, James and guests will walk to nearby Englefield House (with umbrellas at the ready) for the first and more intimate drinks reception at the home of a ceremony guest and close family friend, Conservative MP Richard Benyon.
1.45pm- The Englefield House drinks reception
The first drinks reception will run with champagne and light canapes. Music will be provided, potentially a bagpipe performance as a nod to James’ Scottish heritage. This is the opportunity for Pippa and James to personally greet and chat with their closest guests.
2.15pm – Father of the Bride speech
Michael Middleton will welcome the guests and deliver his Father of the Bride speech to this more intimate gathering, on a stage built especially for speech delivery. It is likely James will deliver his main speech then too or wait to do it in the evening with the other speeches.
3pm – All guests depart
The time provided for guests to return home to change into specially-requested second outfits and prepare for the festivities ahead at the Middleton family home.
3pm-5pm – Photos and Outfit change
Pippa and James will have this time to take private photos with their photographer in the grounds of the Englefield house, relax and spend quality time together alone. They will then both change into their evening’s outfits, with Pippa having her makeup redone and her hair style changed for the evening.
5pm – Evening Reception at the Middleton Family Home
The ceremony guests head to the Middleton family home joined by 200 additional evening guests. It is likely some elderly ceremony guests may not join for the evening. A champagne drinks reception will happen throughout the gorgeous Middleton garden, or within the spectacular glass marquee if the weather is not ideal.
5.30pm – Mr & Mrs Matthews’ Grand Arrival
Having travelled from Englefield house in a fleet of Bentleys, Pippa and James will be joining the guests with a dramatic entrance as Pippa reveals her second dress of the evening.
6.15PM – Spitfire flyby
A flyby of two vintage WW2 Spitfires are expected to wow the guests out on the lawn. Clear umbrellas will likely be provided for all the guests, so that regardless of wet weather they can still enjoy the flyby.
6.30pm – Guests called through for dinner
The Master of Ceremony will call everyone through into the incredible glass marquee to find their tables and be seated for dinner, with the wedding party taking their seats at the top table.
7pm – Dinner begins
An extravagant four-course dinner by top caterers The Admirable Crichton is served which is expected to have predominant Scottish themes throughout. The 15-chefs and up to 70 staff will be streaming out of the huge connected catering marquee to ensure everything is perfect.
The rest of the wedding speeches, including Best Man and Groom speeches, will take place between the 3rd and 4th course, and before the cutting of the cake.
9.45pm – Cutting of the cake and First Dance
Mr and Mrs Matthews stand to do the ceremonial cake cutting, potentially with a saber for ceremonial gravitas. Guests will gather around the dance floor for the couple’s first dance.
10.00pm – Party begins with 1st band
Bars will open by the dance floor serving champagne and signature cocktails. Begin playing as guests continue drinking and socialising as the party heats up.
10.30pm – Cake and Cheese available for guests
The caterers will have laid out the cut up wedding cake and platters of luxury cheese in a separate space for guests to eat as and when they like.
12.00am– DJ and Late Night Food
The entertainment shifts to a DJ for the late night partiers. The caterers will also provide late night food and midnight treats to help keep the guests going. These midnight treats are likely to be scottish and british-themed comfort food.
1am to 4am – Carriages
Some guests will be leaving as soon as 1am, with others likely to stay until the early morning hours.
For further information, interviews and images please contact
Harriet or Sarah-Jane at Harriet Hunt Communications
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.
