Planning your dream wedding involves not only finding the perfect venue, but also securing the best deals. Wedding venue special offers provide a super opportunity to book your dream venue at a discounted rate, giving you more flexibility with your budget. From exclusive Bridebook offers to seasonal discounts and last-minute availability deals, these offers can help you make significant savings without compromising on quality.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of upcoming wedding venue special offers for 2024, which we recommend you check out before they’re gone! You can also filter for special offers directly in Bridebook, when you’re in venue search.
Exclusive Bridebook Couple Discount: Enjoy an exclusive bottle of Prosecco when booking and paying your deposit.
20% off on last-minute 2025 weddings: Celebrate your wedding with us before April 2025 for a 20% discount. Enquire directly with the team for further details.
Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting and thrilling times of your life. You’ll get to choose from so many different things that all come together to form the most perfect wedding day so you and your partner can celebrate your marriage in style surrounded by your family and friends.
But, while it might be a fun and rewarding process, planning a wedding isn’t exactly quick or simple – mainly because there are so many things to remember. If just one thing is forgotten, delayed or booked a little too late, it can throw everything else off. And trust us, the last thing you want when planning your big day is for you not to secure your first-choice florist or venue.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to let you know exactly when you need to start planning every part of your wedding, from the huge to the tiny. That way, you’ll have everything covered so you can keep your stress levels to a minimum and not worry about what you might have forgotten.
In this post, we’ve outlined the ultimate wedding planning checklist. We’ll go into detail about what to think about and when, so you can make sure everything’s in place at exactly the right time. That leaves you to get on with the one most important thing – have the wedding of your dreams and get married to the love of your life.
As we’ve already highlighted, planning a wedding involves thinking and making a decision about every single thing to do with your big day. From the shoes you’ll wear to the colour of the napkins at the wedding breakfast, you’ll have hundreds – if not thousands – of decisions to make. Most of these will fall under the following categories:
Wedding budget
Guest list
Venue
Officiants
Vendors
Attire
Stationery
Decor
Ceremony
Catering
Reception
Rings
Marriage license
Guest accommodation
Gifts and favours
Hair and beauty
Timeline
Honeymoon
See what we mean? That’s already a fairly long list, and it doesn’t even begin to cover the subcategories that fall under each. For example, under vendors you have florists, transportation, entertainers, musicians, photographers, cakemakers, wedding planner and more.
Ideally, you should start planning your wedding as soon as possible. But, we understand that, in reality, this can be a difficult question to answer. It all depends on how far into the future you’d like your wedding to be.
If you’re not looking to get married on a specific date or in any kind of rush to tie the knot, you might not need to dive into the wedding planning deep end. Instead, you might only need to take off your socks and dip your does into the wedding-planning pool. You can start to think about themes, dates and venues at a leisurely pace without worrying too much about whether or not you should throw down a deposit and secure something before someone else does.
On the other hand, if you want to get married relatively quickly – like within a year or less – then you definitely should slip on that bathing costume and dive right into the deep end. Such a short timeframe means you risk not getting your venues and vendors of choice, which risks you not having your dream wedding.
So, putting the tenuous swimming-related metaphors to one side, simply put, we recommend you get things in motion as soon as you can.
The decision about whether or not to hire a wedding planner can be a difficult one. On the one hand, wedding planners can take a lot of the more difficult and lengthy planning-related tasks off your hands, leaving you to do fun stuff like making decisions and spending money.
On the other hand, they’re not exactly cheap. The average cost of a wedding planner is £1,891, which is around 10% of the average overall wedding budget. When you’re spending as much money on a wedding as you are, it can be a rather large chunk of change that many couples can’t afford to spare. However, a good wedding planner will know where to get the best deals, who to speak to and what to say – so in the end, they might save you as much or if not more than their fee. It’s a difficult decision that only you can make, which you should make based on your budget, excitement and free time.
Putting together your own wedding checklist can be a challenge. As we’ve already mentioned, there are so many things to think about that it can be easy for one or two to be overlooked.
Thankfully, there are tools in place that mean you don’t need to plan your own checklist – you can use our wedding checklist tool right here at Bridebook. It’s a fast, easy and comprehensive tool that includes everything you need to think about, which you can check off as and when it’s taken care of. It’s also available in the handy Bridebook app, so you can take it with you as you visit venues and sample cakes. It definitely beats having to do mountains of research and put together a complicated spreadsheet.
Wedding planning checklist: quick reference guide
A lot of planning goes into creating the perfect wedding – below is a quick reference guide to make sure you tick off everything you need. Be sure to save and print out our step-by-step infographics for whenever you might need them.
You can also use Bridebook’s comprehensive and easy-to-use wedding checklist tool to organise your month-by-month to-dos straight from your mobile.
Wedding Planning Checklist : 2 years to 7 months before
2 years before your wedding
Work out your budget
Speak to your parents to ask about helping pay for your wedding
Think about your date
Book any popular venues and vendors
Insure your engagement ring
Hire a wedding planner (if you want one)
Invest in wedding insurance
18 months before your wedding
Choose your wedding venue
Organise an engagement photoshoot
Throw an engagement party
Create your guest list
Make a call on the theme, style, formality and colour scheme
Choose your wedding caterer
Send out you save-the-dates
12 months before your wedding
Hire the rest of your vendors
11 months before your wedding
Organise your guests’ accommodation
10 months before your wedding
Get serious about wedding dress shopping
Design your wedding website
9 months before your wedding
Buy your wedding dress
8 months before your wedding
Create a gift register
Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses
Meet with local florists to talk flowers
Make a start on DIY decorations
7 months before your wedding
Book the venue for your rehearsal dinner
Start suit shopping/browsing
Put in your order for things you want to hire
Hire an officiant, registrar or celebrant
Meet with local cakemakers
Design your wedding invitations
Wedding Planning Checklist : 6 months to 1 month before
6 months before your wedding
Finalise your wedding menu
Hire your hair and makeup artist
5 months before your wedding
Book additional transportation if necessary
Print and send your invitations
Book your honeymoon
Consider premarital counselling
4 months before your wedding
Buy your wedding rings
Choose the right shoes
Work out the groomsmen, page boy and flower girl’s attire
Plan your stag do/hen party
3 months before your wedding
Do your hair and makeup trial
Plan your wedding favours
Choose your hymns and/or readings
Finalise rehearsal dinner plans
2 months before your wedding
Write your wedding vows
Go to your first dress fitting
Choose your wedding accessories
Buy gifts for your wedding party
Finalise the details with your florist
Choose your wedding music
Make sure you have all the decor and stationery
1 month before your wedding
Finish your wedding favours
Pay your final invoices
Create your seating plan
Create your name cards
Chase any outstanding RSVPs
Meet with your wedding planner to go through everything
Wedding Planning Checklist : the final two weeks
2 weeks before your wedding
Have your final wedding dress fitting
Wear your wedding shoes to break them in
Double-check your wedding checklist
Print any final items of stationery or decor
Enjoy your stag do/hen party
Finalise your plan B
1 week before your wedding
Finish writing your vows
Share your itinerary with your wedding party
Pack for your honeymoon
3 days before your wedding
Take a little time for yourself
Practise reciting your vows
Enjoy a spa session
Get your nails done
Pay a visit to the barber
2 days before your wedding
Get your things together
Clean your wedding rings
Write your partner a special note
1 day before your wedding
Collect anything you’re hiring
Take key items to the venue (if possible)
Have an early night
Wedding planning checklist: all the details
If you’re about to start your wedding planning journey, or you’re neck deep in it already and worried you’re going to miss something, don’t worry – our complete wedding planning checklist below includes every single thing you need to think about.
So, follow our step-by-step journey so you know exactly what to do and when, and nothing gets missed, ignored, forgotten or overlooked. Or, use our handy wedding checklist tool every step of the way while planning your big day.
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 2 years before
Work out your budget
Before getting too excited about planning your wedding – and especially before throwing down money for a deposit anywhere – you need to work out your budget. Look at your own savings, your income and what you might be able to save over the coming months and years. Weddings are expensive – the average amount couples spend on their wedding in the UK is £19,184. You don’t want to start your married life in debt, so make sure you don’t overstretch yourself.
Use our intuitive budget tool to help understand the sort of money you’ll have to play with. Many couples also ask for help paying for their wedding, which you might want to include during your initial planning. Once you know your budget, you’ll then have a better idea about what kind of venues and vendors you can consider – that’s when the real fun begins.
Don’t forget, if your budget’s looking a little smaller than you’d like, there are plenty of ways you can save money. Read our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding for a little inspiration.
Speak to your parents to ask about helping pay for your wedding
Our 2023 Wedding Report found that a third of engaged couples ask their parents for financial help when planning a wedding. If this is you, and you’re asking for a little help to pay for things for your big day, you’re not alone. But, you’ll need to broach the subject with your parents sooner rather than later so you can gauge exactly how much you’ll have to spend.
The topic of money can be a difficult one to raise, especially when it comes to asking for help. For some guidance on how you can discuss finances with your parents, read our dedicated post on how to ask your parents for help paying for your wedding.
Think about your date
From the moment you got engaged, you’ve probably had to answer the same question from all angles: have you set a date yet? Without setting a date, it can be hard to plan everything else, so it should be one of the very first things you consider. Is there a specific date you want to get married on, such as the anniversary of your first date, or a Saturday during the summer when there’s a higher chance of guests being free? Not to mention some good weather. Once you’ve chosen your ideal date, you can start to think about everything else.
Book any popular venues and vendors
If you’re blessed with the gift of time and have a couple of years until your wedding, it’s important not to get too blasé. Many affordable and popular venues can get booked up two or more years in advance, especially if you want to get married on a Saturday. So, it can’t hurt to start browsing and visiting venues to get a head start on other couples. The worst thing you can do is delay making a booking for the venue, only for it to be snapped up by someone else. Believe us when we say that really does sting.
The same applies to other wedding vendors who have great reputations or reasonable rates. They’ll soon run out of availability, so if there’s someone you know you just have to have for your wedding, book them as soon as you’ve confirmed your date.
Insure your engagement ring
After the proposal, one of the first things you should do is insure the engagement ring. You’re not likely to lose or damage it, but imagine what if? Your home insurance policy may cover your engagement ring, but even if it does there’s likely to be a limit on the value. Check with your insurer if your ring is covered, and if not make sure you take out an adequate policy as soon as possible.
Hire a wedding planner (if you want one)
If you’re thinking about hiring a wedding planner to help make your dream wedding a reality, you should do this before you make a single booking. That’s because wedding planners are relatively pricey (they cost an average of £1,891) and you want to get the most value from them you can. Plus, with so many connections, years of experience and plenty of skill, a great wedding planner can save you some serious cash along the way.
Invest in wedding insurance
Once you’ve set the date for your wedding, if it’s within the next two years then make sure you secure wedding insurance. Because you’re dropping so much money on your wedding, why risk losing it all should something unexpected happen? It’s unlikely, of course, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Just don’t jump the gun on this – most wedding insurance providers only offer policies valid for 24 months.
18 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 18 months before
Choose your wedding venue
If you haven’t done it already, it’s time to get a wiggle on and secure your venue. If you have your sights set on a particular venue, pay your deposit as soon as you can, because there are likely to be other couples (as well as those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, or even corporate parties) looking for exactly the same type of event space. If you have your budget worked out and a date agreed, find the perfect venue and get your name on the booking sheet. The venue is probably going to be the single biggest expense at your wedding, so once you have that you’re in a great position to build everything else around it.
Once you’ve secured your venue, you can start dropping a few hints about a date, too!
Organise an engagement photoshoot
To mark such a momentous moment in your lives, why not take part in an engagement photography session so you can hold on to those memories forever? This is also a great way to get used to being in front of a camera if it’s not really your thing. If you speak to your chosen photographer about packages, you also might be able to bag a bargain and have them shoot photos at your wedding for a discounted rate.
Throw an engagement party
Engagement parties are a great way to celebrate your engagement and get everyone excited about your future wedding. Ideally, you should throw your engagement party between two and four months after you get engaged, because any longer and it risks being too close to the wedding itself. You don’t have to throw an engagement party (it is another expense after all), but it can be a lot of fun before you get busy with wedding planning.
Once you know your budget and venue, you can start to create your guest list, as they’ll both determine how many guests you can invite. If you have a large budget and venue, you might be in a position to invite 150 guests or more. If you have a smaller budget and venue, you might have room for 75 guests or fewer, which means you might have to be a little less frivolous with the +1s. This means making some hard decisions and complex family-focused negotiations, which hopefully won’t result in too many guest list-related arguments.
One important thing to note here is that if you do decide to throw an engagement party, anyone who gets an invite to that will probably expect an invite to the wedding itself. So, if you don’t want someone in particular to be there on the big day, don’t ask them to be there to celebrate your engagement.
Make a call on the theme, style, formality and colour scheme
Since the moment you got engaged, you’ve probably started following wedding influencers on social media, flicking through wedding magazines, reading blogs, browsing Etsy and Pinterest and everything else you can think of for wedding inspiration. Now it’s time to make the call and decide the theme, style, formality and colour scheme of your wedding so you can hire the appropriate vendors and decorations, and plan your stationery.
Choose your wedding caterer
While, of course, your guests will attend your wedding to watch you and your partner get married, they’ll also secretly be excited about all the food and drink they’ll get to enjoy too. Choosing a wedding caterer can be a tough decision, but it’s also a lot of fun, and allows you the chance to try some amazing foods while nodding thoughtfully.
And the best thing about wedding catering is that the possibilities are limitless. Whether you want a fancy three-course meal, a huge buffet spread, or a lineup of international food trucks, you can go with whatever fits your theme and preference (and budget, of course).
Send out your save-the-dates
After figuring out your theme, you’re finally in a position to start work on your wedding stationery. As part of this, you can design (or brief a designer you might choose to hire) your save-the-dates. These could be cards, magnets, keyrings, tiny jigsaws, stickers… anything you can think of. It just reminds your guests to keep that date free ahead of sending out the formal invitations. The sooner you can get your save-the-dates out the better, especially if your wedding’s taking place during the summer months, in the middle of the school holidays or on a Saturday, all of which can quickly fill up.
12 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 12 months before
Hire the rest of your vendors
Remember how tough it was to decide on the right venue? Right, well now multiply that process by five, because you have a bunch more big decisions to make. This includes sorting your music and/or entertainment, and hiring a videographer and photographer if you didn’t buy a package when you had engagement photos taken.
These kinds of vendors, especially if they come with a good reputation, are likely to be booked up if you leave it too close to your wedding, so if there’s someone you have in mind we’d recommend securing them early before it’s too late.
If your wedding’s taking part at different venues, don’t forget to book transportation, too. And with such a wide variety of options available, from a horse and carriage to a stretch limousine, it might be a tough decision.
11 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 11 months before
Organise your guests’ accommodation
If you’re getting married somewhere that offers on-site accommodation, like a hotel, you’ll want to make sure your guests have easy access to a room (and ideally offer a preferential rate). Speak to the venue about blocking out rooms, which also helps prevent the venue from having too many unfamiliar faces staying and feeling a little less exclusive. If it’s a smaller hotel, they may automatically block out every room for you, but it’s worth checking with them to make sure.
10 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 10 months before
Get serious about wedding dress shopping
What you wear on your wedding day is going to play on your mind right up until the morning of your wedding when you put everything on (and realise all that preparation paid off). So, you’ve probably been looking into what you’re going to wear waaay before now. But, now’s the time to get serious. Try to go for a proper dress fitting so you can find the style of dress that suits your tastes, budget and figure perfectly. Then, it’s up to you whether you choose a dress from that store, look elsewhere, or wait to grab a bargain (there are plenty of thrifty ways to save money on a wedding dress out there).
Finding your wedding dress can be a bit of a mission, but with your wedding squad in tow, you can have a lot of fun at the same time.
Design your wedding website
A wedding website is a useful resource to which you can direct you guests to give them information about your wedding. You probably don’t want to overload your invitations with huge paragraphs or unwieldy maps detailing the location of the venue – instead, a wedding website can do that for you. It’s also a great way to create an interactive gift register.
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 9 months before
Buy your wedding dress
It’s time to pull the trigger on a dress, especially if it’s bespoke or has a complex or intricate design. Bespoke, handmade dresses can take up to six months to make, so get in there with plenty of time so you’re not spending the final few weeks ahead of your wedding sweating about whether or not it’ll be ready on time.
8 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 8 months before
Create a gift register
You might not ask for or expect your guests to give you a wedding gift, but it’s likely that many of them will want to give you something to mark such a special occasion. So, to make sure you get things you want and will use (and to avoid guests doubling up on gifts), a gift register is recommended. This is especially important if you and your other half already live together and you have a lot of the homely stuff wedding guests like to give.
You can publish a gift register if you have a wedding website, or put one together using a dedicated service. View our list of the top nine wedding gift list ideas for a little inspiration.
Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses
Now that you have your dress chosen, you can start planning what the bridal party will wear to complement you. Not only should their outfits tie closely to your own attire, they should also link to your chosen theme and colour scheme.
Before you head out dress shopping, make sure your bridesmaids know if they’re expected to pay for their own dresses. Whether or not you choose to do this is down to you and your circumstances. For more information on this, read our article on what your bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for.
Meet with local florists to talk wedding flowers
Your wedding is probably going to be when you spend the most amount of money on flowers at any one time. For that reason, you’ll want to meet with a few local florists to see what they can do for you. Choose a florist who understands the vision you have for your wedding, but also allow them to use their experience, expertise and creativity to create beautiful, show-stopping flower arrangements.
Once you’ve found a florist you connect with that fits within your budget, pay a deposit to secure them for your big day. For more tips, read our post on how to choose a wedding florist.
Make a start on DIY decorations
One of the simplest ways to save money on your wedding is by hand-making a lot of your decorations yourself. This includes DIY invites, table numbers, place cards, bunting, signage, table centrepieces, paper flowers, and guestbook. With so much to do when planning a wedding, you might not have much time to spare, so save yourself unnecessary worry by starting early. There’s a ton of inspiration available online, and blogs and YouTube tutorials can help you with crafting techniques if you’re not sure where to start.
7 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 7 months before
Book the venue for your rehearsal dinner
In the UK, it’s not common for there to be a rehearsal dinner before the wedding – after all, it’s yet another thing to pay for and organise. However, they are starting to become more popular, so if it’s something you’re keen to include, you’ll want to book something with plenty of time to spare so you secure a venue big enough for your entire guest list.
Start suit shopping/browsing
It’s time to start the search for the ideal suit or tuxedo, so take the time to try on a variety of different outfits and combinations until you find something that you’re comfortable with, complements the dresses, fits with the colour scheme and is within your budget. It’s a challenging balancing act, which is why you shouldn’t leave it too late.
Put in your order for things you want to hire
Hiring things for your wedding is a brilliant way to save money. With so many items available to hire, you should start browsing and making bookings so it’s one less thing to worry about. Things you could consider hiring for your wedding include:
Dress
Suits
Chairs
Marquee
Tableware
Decor
Lighting
Photobooth
Hire an officiant, registrar or celebrant
If you’re having a religious wedding, the head of your place of worship will often officiate your wedding. However, if you’re having a traditional wedding ceremony, you’ll have a lot more flexibility about who takes on this role.
If you’ve chosen to hire a celebrant to add further personalisation to your ceremony, you’ll want to speak with several to find one you click with. You’ll meet with your chosen celebrant a couple of times ahead of your wedding as they ask you questions and really get to know you. That way, they can make your ceremony as custom and personal as possible.
If you have a particularly confident friend or family member whom you’d love to include in your wedding, you could even ask them to be your celebrant. A celebrant can’t legally marry you, so it’s worth bearing in mind that you will also need a registrar to make sure everything goes by the book.
Meet with local cakemakers
By now you’ll have a picture of your perfect wedding cake in your mind. You might prefer a towering and elegant three-tiered cake or an eye-catching novelty cake. You could even go with a Colin the Caterpillar if that’s how you roll (get it?). Whatever type of cake you want to go with, research local cake makers who make wedding cakes of a similar style. Arrange to meet a couple so you can talk through your vision and taste a few samples (bonus!). Once you’ve found your perfect match, pay your deposit and let them know when and where they need to deliver it (unless you choose to collect it to save a little money).
Design your wedding invitations
With everything coming together, you can start to design your official invitations. Whether you’re designing these yourself or hiring a professional to do them for you, make sure they fit your style and theme, and include everything related to the who, what, where and when of your wedding. You’ll also need to let recipients know how to RSVP (and by when), whether it’s returning a postcard to you, using your wedding website, or contacting you via an email address. If you’re offering a choice of food options, make sure to make this clear as well.
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 6 months before
Finalise your wedding menu
Speak to your caterers about your final menu choices, which might mean squeezing in one last tasting session. Remember to offer options for vegetarians and vegans, as well as those with allergies or intolerances. This includes choosing the food for the breakfast, evening buffet, canapés, wine, fizz and desserts.
Hire your hair and makeup artist
With just six months to go before your wedding, you’ll need to start thinking about hair and makeup. If you’d like a professional to do if for you, which we recommend if it suits your budget, then book them for your wedding and a trial session if possible with about six months to go.
5 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 5 months before
Book additional transportation if necessary
If your wedding takes place across various venues, you may choose to put on transportation for your guests to help with the overall logistics of the day. It also prevents guests from stressing about where to go and when, and whether or not they’ll find a parking space. Coach hire is simple to arrange, and if it’s something you’re organising make sure to note it in your invitations so guests know exactly what’s happening on the day.
Print and send your invitations
With your food choices set in stone, you can finish your invitations. You may choose to print these so they look perfectly uniform, write them by hand for that personal touch, or hire a calligrapher for an elegant and professional finish.
Once you have your invites and you’re happy, you can get them in the post. Just be prepared to lick a lot of envelopes (or invest in a good glue stick)!
Book your honeymoon
For many couples, a honeymoon is a non-negotiable. Not only is it a great way for the two of you to spend time alone and celebrate your marriage, but you’ll also need a break after a couple of busy years planning your wedding.
If your budget allows, book your honeymoon at least five months before your wedding. However, if you’re looking to go somewhere popular during peak travel season, you may want to do it sooner. The only thing is, if you book it too early and end up with unexpected wedding expenses, you don’t want to be faced with the disappointment of scaling back your honeymoon, or worse, cancelling it altogether. Booking with around five months to go before your wedding should give you a good idea as to how much budget you have to dedicate towards your well-deserved break.
Consider premarital counselling
This isn’t for everyone, but counselling doesn’t have to be limited to couples who are struggling. Counselling helps you communicate and prevents issues from developing. Marriage is a big change and counselling can help you with this transition. If it’s not something you feel is needed, then don’t feel pressured to, but if you are considering premarital counselling then you’ll want to start it with several months to go.
4 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 4 months before
Buy your wedding rings
If you and your partner have chosen to exchange and wear wedding rings, now’s the time to get your ring fingers measured and choose your perfect wedding bands. The rings may need to be resized, so it’s important not to leave it too late. There are also a lot of different styles, designs and metals to choose from, which can fit a wide variety of budgets.
Choose the right shoes
From walking down the aisle at the ceremony to dancing the night away at the reception, you’ll spend a large portion of your wedding day on your feet. Finding shoes that are both stylish and comfortable is vital to avoid blisters and aching feet.
Work out the groomsmen, page boy and flower girl’s attire
There are just a few outfits left to decide now, so coordinate what the groomsmen, page boy and flower girl (if you’re having them) will wear so they fit the style and colour scheme of your wedding.
Plan your stag do/hen party
Before your big day, the two of you might be keen on having a stag and/or hen night so you can have a bit of fun before settling into married life. This could be anything from a night out to a weekend away. The grander your plans are, the longer it’ll take to plan (and pay for), so bear this in mind. Talk to your best man and/maid of honour to discuss options and make bookings where necessary.
3 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 3 months before
Do your hair and makeup trial
If you’re hiring a professional hair and makeup artist, it’s worth doing a trial session (you could even include your gal pals if they’re doing your bridesmaids’ hair and makeup too). That way, you can nail the look you want ahead of time so it’s not a case of trial and error on the morning of the big day. This is your opportunity to discuss exactly what you’re going for so you can achieve that look as close as possible.
Plan your wedding favours
If you’re planning on giving favours to your guests as a token of appreciation for them being at your wedding, you should think about what you want to do and how you want to do it. If you’re having something bespoke created or going down the DIY route, these things take time.
Choose your hymns and/or readings
Speak to your officiant or celebrant about whether you’d like to have hymns or readings at your wedding ceremony. If you’d like a friend or family member to perform a reading, such as a poem or extract, you should approach them to let them know what you’d like them to do. You might also want to give them a copy of the reading ahead of time in case they’d like a few practice runs.
Finalise rehearsal dinner plans
If you’ve decided to go down the rehearsal dinner route, you’ll need to make sure everything’s ready. This includes the food, seating plan, attire and whether you’d like anyone to say a few words. Rehearsal dinners are far more relaxed than your actual wedding, but there’s still a loose structure that you may wish to stick to, which does require a little attention.
You may want to invite your officiant and celebrant to the rehearsal, so make sure they know about it in plenty of time if so.
You may also want to send formal invitations to the rehearsal dinner, or include these in your wedding invitations. Because they’re far more relaxed, a text message can also do the trick.
2 months before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 2 months before
Write your wedding vows
By now, you’ll have discussed with each other (as well as with your officiant and/or celebrant) whether you’re writing your own vows or using something a little more traditional. There’s no right or wrong answer to this – only what’s right for you.
If you’ve chosen to write your own vows, we implore you not to leave it too late – and especially don’t try to wing it on the day. Writing your own vows is a highly-personal and sometimes challenging task. Getting exactly how you feel in your head and heart down on paper can be more challenging than you might assume. With an early start you can make changes to them over time. Refine, tweak, cut, add. It’ll likely be a work in progress right up until the last moment.
Go to your first dress fitting
There’s only around eight weeks to go now, so things will start to feel very real. No more so will it hit you than when you go to your first dress fitting. This allows the seamstress to make changes and alterations to make sure your dress fits you perfectly on the big day.
Choose your wedding accessories
To complement your wedding attire, you’ll want to think about what accessories you’ll wear too. For the bride, this might be a clutch, bracelet, necklace, tiara and veil. You’ll also need to choose your wedding day underwear – especially a bra that fits comfortably and suits the style of your dress.
For the groom, you can wear a tie, pocket square, watch, cufflinks, socks and belt. These should all be co-ordinated to fit the style and colour scheme of your wedding.
Buy gifts for your wedding party
As a token of gratitude, you may want to give members of your wedding party a small gift to thank them for their love and support. It doesn’t need to be something big: some flowers or a bottle of wine is often more than enough (or a toy or game if they’re on the younger side). It’s common for couples to give a gift to the:
Groom’s mum
Bride’s mum
Groom’s dad
Bride’s dad
Maid of honour
Best man
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Flower girls
Page boy
Finalise the details with your florist
With just a couple of months to go, speak to your florist about the final details, including when and where to deliver and set up the flowers. If you have the budget, you might also want to arrange for mock-ups so you can see your design in person and make any tweaks. But, this does cost, so isn’t something many couples choose to do.
Choose your wedding music
Music plays a huge role in your wedding, from the music you walk down the aisle to, to the tunes you throw shapes to throughout the evening. Whether you’ve chosen to hire a DJ, band, harpist, solo musician or something else, you should make your final decisions and let the vendor know. The music you should think about includes:
Welcome music at the venue
Bride’s entrance music
Processional music
Music while you sign the register
Recessional music
Wedding breakfast music
Evening reception music/playlist
Check you have all the decor and stationery
Having already organised so many huge things for your wedding, it’s important that you don’t overlook the smaller things too. Everything from cake toppers to table numbers should be bought, rented, borrowed or dug out of the loft and kept safely together so you have everything ready to take to the venue. The key items to think about include:
Table numbers
Place names
Centrepieces
Guestbook
Cake stand
Cake topper
Welcome sign
Card or gift bag/box
Pillow for the page boy
Basket and petals for the flower girls
1 month before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 1 month before
Okay, time for the hard part. You paid your deposits more than a year ago, but now it’s time to pay those invoices in full (unless the agreements specified otherwise). Don’t assume every vendor is the same, as they’re all likely to have different payment terms. The last thing you want is to lose out on a vendor because you didn’t read their payment terms, so make sure you pay in full and on time. It’s going to suck paying out so much money around a similar time, but it’ll definitely be worth it when your wedding is everything you dreamed it would be.
Create your seating plan
By now, you should have (hopefully) 98% of your RSVPs through, so you’ll have a great idea as to who is and isn’t coming to your wedding. You also probably already have thoughts about who should sit with whom and where you’d like them to be. Get those thoughts down on paper and work out the seating plan so it’s ready for the final tweaks once your last couple of RSVPs come through. Then, it’s ready to be printed (or sent to a designer if you’re hiring someone to do it for you).
Create your name cards
Along with the seating plan, you can create a list of names to either send to the printers or a calligrapher, or you can make them yourselves. If you’re having a go at calligraphy, it’s a skill that can take years to master, but with plenty of practice and a few YouTube tutorials, you might be able to create some lovely name cards.
Chase any outstanding RSVPs
You more than likely asked your guests to RSVP to your invitations way before now, but unfortunately, there will still be a few stragglers who either forgot, weren’t sure whether they could make it, or their responses got lost in the post. A gentle reminder is usually enough to give potential guests a nudge to respond and get you a complete list of who can make it to your wedding.
Meet with your wedding planner to go through everything
If you’ve hired a wedding planner, now’s the time to meet with them again and go through everything to ensure your must-haves and nice-to-haves are all in place. If you’re lucky and your planning’s gone smoothly, there shouldn’t be any dramas, but don’t be surprised if there are one or two things to sort out.
If you don’t have a wedding planner, you might want to meet with the events coordinator at your venue to check everything. With the wedding now just a few weeks away, if nothing else, meeting with the venue team can help steady your nerves and reassure you that everything’s hunky dory.
2 weeks before your wedding
Have your final wedding dress fitting
It’s all starting to get very real now, so it’s time to get everything else finalised – starting with your dress. There might be one or two more very small alterations just to make sure your dress is perfect and you look as drop-dead gorgeous as possible.
If you can, ask your bridesmaids and maid of honour to go with you, not only for a bit of moral support and to share in your excitement, but also to learn how to bustle your dress if needed.
Wear your wedding shoes to break them in
Remember how we mentioned you’ll spend a lot of your wedding day on your feet so it’s important to have comfortable footwear? Well, part of that is breaking your shoes in. Wear them around the house for a couple of hours so they’re comfortable on the day, while avoiding the risk of scuffing or dirtying them before you’ve even had a chance to show them off.
Double-check your wedding checklist
Things are probably going well. You might feel super confident and like you’re on top of this whole wedding-planning malarkey. That’s great, but don’t get complacent – you still have time to sort things out if there’s something that’s
slipped your mind. Comb through your checklist, which is easy if you use a wedding checklist tool, to double-check that everything is exactly where it needs to be. If it’s not, then get a move on and sort it while there’s still time!
Print any final items of stationery or decor
Make sure any final items of stationery or decor are at the printers and that they’ll be delivered in plenty of time. This includes a welcome sign, place cards, personalised balloons and your seating plan.
Enjoy your stag do/hen party
If you and your partner are having a final blowout before the big day, make sure you push wedding planning out of your mind for just a little while to enjoy your stag do and/or hen night. Depending on what you have planned, it can be a good idea to have it a little earlier than this, but we recommend avoiding the week before and definitely the night before – the last thing you want on your wedding day is to nurse a hangover.
Finalise your plan B
Sometimes, things might not always go according to plan. If any part of your wedding day plans are risky or take part outside, make sure you know exactly what can and should happen should the worst outcome occur. Chances are you won’t need to rely on a contingency plan, but having one and not using it is way better than needing one and not having it.
1 week before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 1 week before
Finish writing your vows
If you made a start on writing your vows a couple of months ago, you should be almost there. It’s simply a case of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s so you can get something down that’s personal to you and your feelings. When you’re writing your vows, the officiant will usually want to see them beforehand to make sure they don’t include anything you’re not supposed to.
Share your itinerary with your wedding party
With a matter of days remaining, members of your wedding party will start to ask questions about what’s expected of them. Share a copy of the wedding day itinerary with them so they know where they need to be and when. That way, everyone’s on the same page and no one’s asking last-minute questions.
Pack for your honeymoon
If you’re jetting off on your honeymoon not long after your wedding day, do as much packing as you can before the wedding excitement gets too much and you end up forgetting important stuff you need with you on holiday, like sun cream or your passport.
3 days before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 3 days before
Take a little time for yourself
You have just days left of single life, so if you have the time (and annual leave) to spare, take a couple of days off to chill out and unwind. It’ll also be a good opportunity to finish off any last-minute bits you’ve been putting off.
If taking time away from work isn’t doable (which is possible if you have your honeymoon after the wedding) then at least speak to your boss and ask them to keep your workload light. Taking on stressful or time-consuming projects might cause a few pre-wedding headaches which you’ll want to do your best to avoid.
Practise reciting your vows
If you’ve written your own vows, once your officiant has given you the thumbs up, you should practise saying them out loud. This keeps things a lot more natural and loose, and helps you identify if there are some tongue-twisters or lines you’re likely to trip up on.
Enjoy a spa session
This one is definitely a nice-to-have rather than a must-have, but a trip to the spa for a massage and some relaxing treatments can do wonders to spoil the mind, body and soul before your big day. Not only will it help you feel good, but it can also do wonders for your skin and complexion.
Get your nails done
We beg you, don’t leave your nails until the day of the wedding. Book an appointment with your favourite manicurist for at least the day before and talk through what you’d like. If you’re wearing open-toed shoes, you might also want to have a pedicure done at the same time.
Pay a visit to the barber
The groom shouldn’t leave it too late to visit the barber, unless it’s to get a professional wet shave on the morning of the wedding. A haircut a few days before the wedding should be more than fine.
2 days before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 2 days before
Get your things together
With just 48 hours to go, it’s time to put together everything you’ll need for the ceremony, breakfast and evening reception. Pack them carefully into boxes or bags so you can take them to the venue the day before the wedding (if you can).
You should also pack an overnight bag that includes everything for the morning of the wedding (including your wedding attire, of course) as well as clothes for the following day if you’re spending your wedding night in a hotel. Don’t forget your toothbrush!
Clean your wedding rings
You’ll soon have your wedding rings on your fingers and they’ll never look quite as flawless ever again (though they’ll never be any less loved). So, crack out your jewellery-cleaning kit and make sure your rings are shiny and fingerprint free.
Write your partner a special note
How are you feeling about your impending wedding day? It’ll probably be a combination of excitement, adrenaline and nerves. It’s also highly likely that your partner’s feeling exactly the same as you are.
If you’re sticking to traditions, you won’t see your partner on the morning of the wedding, so they’ll no doubt wonder what’s going through your mind – and vice versa. Let them know how much they’re loved and help calm their nerves with a note that tells them exactly that. You don’t need to write them something long-winded – just a short note that lets them know how excited you are to see them at the other end of the aisle before you spend the rest of your lives together.
1 day before your wedding
Wedding Planning Checklist : what to do 1 day before
Collect anything you’re hiring
With just one day to go, it’s time to do those last-minute jobs – the first one being to collect anything you might be hiring, whether it’s a dress, a suit, decor or anything else. If it’s something big, like a marquee, you shouldn’t have to worry about it as the vendor will sort out delivery and set up/take down.
When collecting, make sure you’re 100% clear on the return agreement, so you’re not accidentally returning an item late (which can lead to hefty fees).
Take key items to the venue (if possible)
If your venue’s hosting an event the day before your wedding, this might not be possible, but if it is, you should be able to take items such as decor to the venue the day before so it’s one less thing to worry about. Speak to the venue’s events coordinator ahead of time to see what they can do.
Have an early night
Tomorrow’s going to be a BIG day, so give your partner a big kiss and a cuddle, then remind them about how much you’re going to miss them and how excited you are for the next day. With so much excitement (and a few nerves) it might be a challenge, but try to get an early night so you’re as fresh-faced as possible for the big day.
And that’s it, it’s time to get ready for your wedding and have the most incredible celebration of your life! All those many weeks and months of planning will finally come together and you’ll have a day filled with love and incredible memories. Just remember to enjoy it – it’ll go by as quick as a flash!
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Choosing wedding flowers can be tricky. If you are struggling to choose your flowers, it may be worth considering what the blooms mean.
To help you decide, we’ve picked out some popular wedding flowers and explained their meaning.
Rose
The rose is a traditional wedding flower, so it couldn’t be left off this list!
Roses symbolise love, yet depending on their colour, other meanings come in too. Red roses symbolise love and desire, whereas white roses are purity and innocence.
Calla Lily
Calla lilies came from Africa and are usually in season for spring or summer weddings.
Calla lilies have a mild fragrance and represent beauty. Bouquets made of only calla lilies are stunning, but they can be a sturdy support for other bouquets too.
Tulip
Tulips are in season in spring, and so find their way into bouquets and venue décor up and down the country.
Like roses, tulips come in bold and beautiful colours, each with a different meaning. Red tulips symbolise a declaration of love that is perfect for your altar décor, and yellow mean sunshine.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas have large clusters of delicate petals and are a great way to add bulk to a bouquet.
The hydrangea can express gratitude, and so is ideal for bridesmaid bouquets.
Sweet Peas
The sweet pea has a homey vibe, thanks to its rich scent and a range of tones to match with any wedding colour scheme.
This flower is a firm favourite and will be right at home in the bouquet of a bride planning a country wedding.
Peony
Legend has it that Paeon, the Greek physician of the Gods, used a peony root to heal Pluto. Jealousy led to an attempt on Paeon’s life, and to save him, Pluto transformed him into a peony. This legend has led to the peony having a meaning of compassion.
Carnation
Carnations fell out of favour, but they are making a comeback again in the bouquets of brides.
The humble carnation symbolises both love and pride. But avoid striped carnations as they can mean refusal!
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums represent optimism, joy, and a long life. These very meanings are what makes it a great addition to a bridal bouquet!
An added benefit of the chrysanthemum is that they are affordable and in great supply all year round.
Anemone
The anemone is one of those flowers that can fit into a range of colour schemes. These flowers come in a range of shades, including purples, pinks, reds, and ivory.
Anemone comes from the Greek word for “windflower” and symbolises anticipation.
Daffodil
Daffodils are vibrant and tell a tale of the coming of spring.
Beyond this, daffodils symbolise chivalry. A single daffodil means unrequited love, making it a great buttonhole for the groom.
Baby’s Breath
The cloud-like petals of baby’s breath mean this bloom is a popular filler for bouquets and decor. The tiny white flowers can be used on their own in delicate flower crowns for your flower girls.
Baby’s breath symbolises innocence, and they are inexpensive all year round.
Delphinium
Delphinium comes from the Greek word “delphis”, translating as dolphin. If you pluck a single flower from the tallest part of the plant, it looks like a dolphin leaping out.
These blooms have a subtle scent, and the purple colour looks at home in summer centrepieces.
Heather
Heather flowers symbolise good luck and protection. Queen Victoria popularised the heather as meaning good luck in England. As a result, it is common to include a sprig of white heather in a bride’s bouquet for luck.
Anthurium
Anthuriums symbolise hospitality, abundance, and happiness, which are perfect for your wedding day! Their delicate heart shape will fit right in with your bouquet.
These flowers come in vibrant shades, or, for a more subtle approach, you can opt for a delicate green bloom.
Cornflower
Cornflowers symbolise prosperity and friendship. Cornflowers usually have a gorgeous blue hue, but they are also available in white or pink.
The subtle tones make them a great addition to bridal or bridesmaid bouquets.
Dahlia
Dahlias are a perfect wedding flower. These blooms mean commitment and an ever-lasting bond, and their bold bloom is elegant too.
When they are in season, you cannot go wrong with adding dahlias to your bouquet.
Magnolia
In Chinese culture, the magnolia tree symbolises purity and nobility. The blooms have been used for healing and are thought to have been around for 20 million years!
Today, the flower symbolises perseverance, dignity, and a love of nature.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are a big, bold, and vibrant choice often used as a focal flower in a summer bouquet. The sunflower represents purity, adoration, and dedicated love.
The sunflower looks even better when paired with the delicate blooms of baby’s breath or daisies.
Freesia
The delicate freesia represents innocence and thoughtfulness.
The freesia can add a dash of colour to a bouquet, both for brides and bridesmaids. The delicate blooms are available in yellow, ivory, purple, and a stunning burnt orange.
Daisy
Daisies mean innocence and purity. We all remember playing outside when we were young and making daisy chains. The happy memories make them a great addition to a bouquet!
Gerbera
The gerbera is a member of the daisy family, but it tends to be much bolder and brighter than its more delicate cousin.
The gerbera has rows of overlapping petals and are often found in bold and beautiful colours. Their colours and a name that means cheerfulness make this is a popular bouquet choice.
Lilac
If your partner is your childhood sweetheart, lilac could be a great to your bridal bouquet. The delicate blooms of lilac come in purple and white, and they symbolise first love.
Local lilacs can be found in spring, but brides can usually get access to imported lilacs all year round.
Orchid
The exotic beauty of the orchid makes it an in-demand addition to a bouquet. But, unless you are careful with your seasons, it can end up being quite expensive.
The orchid represents thoughtfulness and charm, adding a dramatic touch to your bouquet.
Zinnia
Gardeners love the zinnia because it attracts butterflies. For couples, the gorgeous colours, and meaning of lasting affection is enough to seal the deal.
Opt for a bold touch by adding a bright orange steam to a centrepiece or add a statement bloom to a bouquet.
Happy planning!
Check out some of our other top tips to help you plan your wedding stress-free.
The greatest gift of all is love….however why shouldn’t you have some lovely new things for your home to go with all that happiness?!
Our friends at The Wedding Shop share their tried and tested tips to help you create your dream gift list.
FUTURE PROOF YOUR LIST
“When looking around your home it can be hard to see the need for a twelve piece dinner set or additional glassware. However, it’s good to remember that your gifts are bought by your loved ones to mark the start of your new married life together and will build the foundation for your future home. So, pick gifts that are going to stand the test of time and that you will cherish in years to come. You won’t regret it, even if your other half does grumble about storage space!” – Jade
ADD MORE THAN YOU THINK
“You will be so surprised at how generous your guests are, so make sure you have added enough so that your guests don’t run out of options to choose from. It is also good to pick gifts at different price points so that everyone can buy you something you’ll love, regardless of their budget.” – Alice
EMBRACE GROUP GIFTING
“Don’t be afraid to add something that you absolutely love but that comes with a large price tag, such as furniture or a piece of art. Group gifting lets your guests contribute as much as they wish towards a statement piece and if it doesn’t get fully purchased you can move your funds to make up the remaining cost.” – Lara
MAKE IT PERSONAL
“Guests like to know they are contributing to something special and personal to you. So the most important thing is to have fun choosing gifts that you absolutely love. Don’t feel you need to choose just practical gifts or gifts you think your guests want to buy. Your quirky picks are what makes your gift list completely unique to you.” – Melissa
COVER ALL BASES
“Even if you only really want cash, we suggest adding physical gifts to your list too. Guests always prefer the choice of both. Your list is the perfect opportunity to update and upgrade your tired home essentials, so there will always be something that you need. When it comes to creating your cash funds, be specific. Guest like to know exactly what their contributions are going towards and what you have planned for the cash.” – Ryma
The Wedding Shop is the UK’s longest established independent wedding gift list service with over 450 brands and over 27 years in the industry.
The gift list rules are changing. Gone are the days of heavy Mother-of-the-Bride involvement and overly bride-centred list. Your gift list should be seen as an amazing opportunity for you both to choose things that you will enjoy and treasure using together.
The Wedding Shop has pulled together the ultimate modern-day His ‘n’ Hers gift list just for Bridebook. See Bridebook’s complete gift list comparison right here for even more options.
Think of it like this – your gift list is essentially shopping without opening your own wallet! The Wedding Shop have over 350 great brands to choose from as well as the option to create personalised cash funds with no hidden fees. Plus if you can’t find what you’re looking for, they will source it for you.
There really is something to suit every couple!
The Entertainers
Add all the right ingredients to your gift list to make you the hosts with the most, taking your post-work drinks, Saturday night dinner parties or even a big family gathering to the next level. You will be the envy of all your friends with all the right tools to become the ultimate at-home bartenders.
The Outdoor Explorers
If you relish every moment to go and explore the great outdoors, make sure your list is packed with outdoor essentials such as the perfect picnic set or even his ‘n’ hers matching bikes.
Plus, regardless of its’ shape or size, make the most of your outdoor space all year round by investing in good quality garden furniture and a top notch BBQ that you will actually want to venture outdoors to enjoy.
The Lazy Weekenders
If your perfect weekend starts with an indulgent lie-in, make sure you do it right, starting with the most romantic breakfast in bed with all the trimmings and by that we don’t mean bacon but beautiful china, luxurious cushions and soft bedding.
The Tech Lovers
If it’s new technology that you both love, treat yourselves to the latest home gadgets or quality sound system to ramp up the fun factor in your home. There is also never a better time to invest in a quality camera or camcorder to make sure you capture all the amazing moments you will share together in the years to come.
The Adrenaline Junkies
Always wanted to do a tandem skydive together or go on that once in a life time road trip? Pick from hundreds for out of this world experiences or create personalised cash funds that your guests can contribute knowing they are helping you make memories that are going to last a lifetime.
Voted Best Gift List Provider 2017, The Wedding Shop is the UK’s longest established independent gift list service with over 27 years in the industry. Our service is designed for couples who want unrivalled choice, flexibility and exceptional service all in one place. Create your dream gift list that is entirely unique to you, with absolutely no hidden fees.
Chose from over 350 brands and combine products you love with honeymoon contributions, personalised cash funds, memorable experience days, annual subscriptions or even a charity fund that is close to your heart. Visit one of our four beautiful showrooms or build your list entirely online, your very own personal Gift List Advisor is on hand to offer any advice or guidance you may need. Plus you can build your list on the go with The Wedding Shop App. The handy barcode scanner means you can add products to your list while you out and about.
As well as unlimited choice, you will receive full financial guarantee, free UK delivery, and a lifetime discount of 10%.
You’re at that stage of wedding planning… choosing a room full of presents for just the two of you! Yup it’s pretty much our favourite bit – who doesn’t love presents?! You’ve spent months choosing what your lovely guests are going to eat, drink and dance to and now it’s time for them to say thank you. For some couples the gift list can be a breeze, especially if they know where they want to register and exactly what they want. Understandably, other couples take a little longer to decide – what if you want everything?! So let’s help you pull together the ultimate gift list.
Traditionally, wedding gifts made up a couple’s first home, so anything from comfy pillows to frying pans, to vacuum cleaners. Now, as lots of couples live together before they tie the knot, you may just be topping up things you have AND choosing things you love but definitely don’t need – why not?! As well as considering your needs, you should think about your style as a couple; if you are not into fancy dinner parties, but love camping, then choose an epic tent, not the punch bowl you will never use! Remember, as your guests browse your gift list, their reaction should be “wow, this is so them!”.
2. What are your options?
Gift list
The beauty of a gift list is that it can be set up in a number of stores and you can choose plenty of different pressies – yay! Stores like John Lewis and online gift lists like The Wedding Shop are absolutely perfect, as they stock a variety of brands and lots of goodies, like household items, clothes and anything else you can think of! Tip: always choose twice as many gifts as wedding invitations that you send! This will give your guests plenty of choice and make sure you do this for price options too. In our experience cheaper gifts will range from £20-40, £40-100 is fairly standard, £100-200 is more on the expensive side and £200+ are the luxury items.
Honeyfund
This option is perfect for a couple who have all the home comforts they need and would prefer going on an amazing and unforgettable honeymoon. There are two ways in which you can do this: one is to collect cash and spend it on your honeymoon of choice. Or you can personalise the experience for your guests – give them the option of contributing to a candlelit dinner, first class travel, or VIP accommodation, all of which will make their cash donations more special, both to them and to you.
Charity Donation
If you are a philanthropist couple, charity donations are another great alternative, especially if you have a cause that is close to your heart. Whether your guests donate to a specific project, or to the charity as a whole, you can let them know what their donations have achieved in your Thank You notes, which will make them feel pretty good about themselves – good deed for the day and wedding present sorted!
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
Cash
This option can be a bit tricky for a lot of couples, especially as they don’t necessarily know how to ask for cash. But don’t worry, cash gifts are perfectly acceptable and even traditional in a lot of cultures. Just make sure to spread the word to your family and bridal party, who will in turn notify the guests.
Personalised gifts
If you aren’t keen on any of the above options and really don’t want to ask for cash, you can ask your family and friends to get you personalised gifts, which can become awesome family heirlooms in years to come! One of our favourite ideas is a beautifully drawn map, where you can pin the destinations you’ve been to, destinations you want to go to and display it all in your living room, as a gorgeous piece of art. If collecting art and creating your own travel diary isn’t your bag, you can always go for collecting wine and filling up your wine cellar, with a special bottle set aside for your first anniversary and the christening of your firstborn.
3. Etiquette
We hear a lot of couples say that they have decided on their registry/charity/fund, but they don’t know how to let their guests know, especially as etiquette says that you shouldn’t put gift information on your invitations. You don’t need to worry, as there are plenty of ways around this. The first and most traditional is to ask your parents and Maid of Honour/Best Man to gently spread the word amongst your guests about your decision regarding gifts. The second, is to include it on your information sheet or on a subtle card (John Lewis provide these) with the gift list information on, so that you can slip one into your invitation envelope. Another option is to direct your guests to your wedding website and let them know the gift options there. Problem solved!
Long gone are the days when the MOBs had to wear washed out pastels or, horror of horrors, varying shades of the beige suit when their daughters got married. Now bright colours, amazing designs and stunning patterns are available to mums as they watch their daughters walk down the aisle (thank goodness!). Worry not about the amount of choice available! Our guide will make sure you look like an image of sophistication on your daughter’s special day.
When you start the hunt for the perfect outfit for your child’s wedding, let the bride lead the way. She has spent a significant amount of time setting the tone for the event, so will be able to tell you how formally or casually you should be dressed. She might even have a set idea of what she would like you to wear. So sit down with a glass of bubbly, grab some inspiration and talk through both of your ideas.
By Anna Clarke Photography
2. Which colour?
One question we get asked a lot is, “What colour should the Mother of the Bride’s outfit be?” It’s confusing without a strict guideline available. Some mums prefer to coordinate with the bridesmaids, but not match! But we do suggest you complement each other, so if they are in orange, you could wear a rich blue and look fantastic in the photos. We also suggest that MOBs should shy away from black, which can look mournful, red, which can be a bit racy, or white, which is the colour of the bride. Having said that, if done tastefully, all of the above can look fantastic. Choose a colour (or pattern) that doesn’t clash with the overall colour scheme and you will look absolutely fabulous.
The wedding venue and the season can be useful when you are deciding on your outfit. If your daughter is going for a beach wedding, then a relaxed dress will be perfect with some comfortable and pretty sandals, but if it’s a chic evening affair, then tailoring and heels are the way to go. The season will also guide you in terms of accessories: you might want a shawl or a blazer to keep warm with and they can be a perfect addition to any outfit. We would suggest you stay away from sky-high stilettos, not only will you have a fairly long day, but you will immediately start sinking in grass or in the sand – not a good look!
By Stephen Casey Photography
4. Mother of the Groom
Traditionally, as the MOB, you should choose your dress first and then notify the MOG of your decision. While you don’t need to follow this tradition, it is a nice gesture. After all, you will be in a LOT of photos together so you want to make sure you complement each other in your elegance. This does not mean that you should match, only that your outfits shouldn’t clash with one another. Note to self: start looking for the perfect attire six months before the wedding, leaving enough time for the MOG to find something she likes and for all the altering to be completed in time.
Demure and elegant are the main words when it comes to choosing your outfit! This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t inject a bit of personality through your accessories. Your daughter’s wedding is the perfect opportunity to wear a stunning hat or an elegant fascinator. If you don’t feel comfortable with either of those, then shawls, scarves and jewellery are a great way of adding some drama to your outfit. Bit of advice: don’t overdo it on jewellery and go with one statement piece. Our favourite look is a cuff bracelet or some statement earrings, with the neck left bear and feminine.
You also shouldn’t forget to take care of your hair and make-up! It is your daughter’s big day, but you shouldn’t leave your own beautification to the last minute. It’s a special day for you – you’re the Mother of the Bride!
By John Lennie
6. Undergarments
Even if you have found the perfect outfit, it won’t feel right until you have the right underwear to go with it. Choosing good hosiery will make you feel comfortable throughout the day and it will flatter your shape, making you look your best in the outfit that you choose! Try taking your dress to the shop so they can help you pick out the best items for you to lift and hold wherever you might need!
Listen up Best Men – this one’s for you. Your most important duty is to organise… THE MOST EPIC STAG DO KNOWN TO MANKIND (said in raised voice)! The pressure is ON, but worry not; just follow our guide and the boys will be chanting your name for years to come.
Make sure you have a stellar guest list. Start by having a chat with the stag and find out who he wants there – are his colleagues, Dad/future-Dad-in-law, cousins all invited? Make sure you have their emails too, so that you can keep everyone in the loop. We strongly advise you don’t invite EVERYONE the groom knows, as a group that big can get out of control (and not in a good way)!
2. Date
A Stag party the night before the wedding is now universally considered to be a terrible idea (thank goodness) – you don’t want a stonking hangover on your big day. The latest you should have the Stag Do is two weeks before the wedding, because let’s be honest, you will all need your recovery time. We suggest you choose your date by first: asking the groom when he is available, and second, by letting the others know the options. Doodle is a great online programme for working out dates with big groups – it does all the hard work for you – and it’s free! Once you’ve heard from everyone you can select the best date (and don’t worry you won’t be able to please everyone, just make sure the groom and the VIPs are available).
3. Budgets
Before you start planning any of the activities, discuss the potential budget with all the guests. Not everyone will be able to spend hundreds of pounds on a weekend in Vegas and you don’t want to leave people out because of their budgets (you can always bring Vegas to them!). Come up with a few options and prices and ask what everyone else thinks about them (best to do this individually rather than pick people out in a group). Also let people know whether there will be one payment or if there will be extra things that people need to cough up for. We do strongly advise you delegate the budget-keeping to someone who is responsible and good with money, as there will be late-payers who will need to be chased.
Start thinking about where you want to go and for how long. Abroad for a weekend? Or just a night out in the UK? Whichever option you choose, we strongly advise you book everything in advance! Last minute deals may sound great, but you don’t want to travel separately from the rest of the guests and have to stay at separate locations. Even if you are not travelling far, getting in touch with venues in advance is a smart move when it comes to Stag Dos. A lot of clubs will not allow big groups of guys in and they might have restrictions on the awesome fancy dress idea that you came up with. So instead of being disappointed, organise everything ahead of time and let everyone know the plan!
5. What to do?
It goes without saying that this night is about the groom and you should (obviously) cater to his tastes. If he loves mountain climbing, action packed activities and sports, or if he is all about the partying and the debauchery, you should arrange that. Just remember not to go too far, you are the Best Man because you know the groom best, so don’t do anything he won’t enjoy or anything that will get him in trouble with his significant other. We suggest a mixture between a fun, group-bonding activity, a meal, followed by drinking/clubbing/gentleman’s clubs, or whatever form of fun you prefer. Just make sure everyone knows the plan and any dress code/rules that you need to abide by. Add a few surprises and drinking games into the mix and everyone will have an epic time.
6. On the day
Make sure you keep a kitty, so that no one has to overpay and you don’t end up having budget chats in front of the groom – awkward!
Silly as it sounds, don’t forget to factor food into the schedule – your liver will thank you.
Don’t shy away from being authoritative, you planned this, so you know where everyone should be and when. Get bossy.
Lastly, look after the groom. He is your responsibility and you should make sure he gets back to his fiancé in one piece – best to avoid any permanent damage – physical or emotional!
Hello Chief Bridesmaid. This is something we’ve written just for YOU. You have the honour of supporting your closest friend in the run up to her wedding day. Aside from time spent chin-wagging over colour palettes and wedding gowns you get to organise one very important thing…. THE HEN PARTY. Oh yes. Hen Parties have evolved in the last couple of decades, with loads of different shenanigans taking place. At Bridebook, we think it is essential to give you a helping hand with the planning.
What does the bride want? A night of dancing and boozing surrounded by her mates? Or something small and quiet? See what she thinks and then get planning – you know her better than anyone! Note to self: make sure she gets home on the night, AT ALL COSTS.
The bride will chose the list of people to invite. Who and how many people are coming will set the tone a lot so highlight this to her. If mums are coming, something more relaxed may be on the cards. If she wants 20 people to come, get yourself ready for a lot of admin and herding!
Let’s just breeze over the boring but essential bit… budget. Choose a budget, make sure your guests are happy with it and then stick to it. People like to know if there will be extras – will they pay an amount to include all or will they pay for their own drinks on the night. People like to know what they are in for so just be open from the start. Remember not everyone will be earning the same amounts; so consider this before you book an extravagant weekend abroad.
Don’t bombard the girls with emails – three emails can be enough and always BCC the invited guests so that people don’t start sending hundreds back and forth.
– The first email should give some date options.
– The next one should confirm people are happy with the amount owed – and for you to set up when these instalments need to be paid by.
– Finally there should be an email closer to the time to finalise what people need to bring and where they need to be.
Stick to three and people won’t hate you by the time the party starts!
This is the fun bit. You know the bride best, so work out a plan that is very her – don’t take her shopping if she hates clothes and prefers to be in the countryside. You get the gist. So work out a game plan that involves an activity she will love and the food and drink around that.
A few little tips from us:
-Keep it simple, running around multiple locations will guarantee someone gets lost. A big group of girls also needs some downtime so avoid over planning.
-Do not book venues/events late, as availability may be limited. Be sure to double-check your bookings, to minimise your stress levels.
-If you are having fancy dress, check it’s allowed at the venue you’re partying at!
-Bring some flats! With all the walking and dancing that you will be doing, it’s a great idea to give your feet a rest.
There are so many things out there to make the hen party even more special. Pull together the Mr and Mrs Smith game (DETAILS HERE), get everyone to bring a pair of underwear and the bride has to guess who gave which, or put together a scrap book and everyone has a page to fill. On top of that there are badges, hats, balloons and tiny details you can go crazy with – there is a world of inspiration so get googling – but remember to keep an eye on your budget.
Please, please, please make sure you leave time BEFORE the actual wedding to have the Hen Party. Best to avoid re-enacting ‘The Hangover’ – no one wants a hungover bridal party, mum or bride! Obviously your party should be equally mind-blowing, just make sure it’s a while before the big day.
The decorations you have at your wedding bring your venue and theme together and tie in the personalities of you and your spouse-to-be. The beautiful thing about wedding decor is that it can be as grand or as subtle as you like. You can choose anything from huge lettering that spells out your new shared surname, or something small like fairy lights around doorframes or découpage table numbers.
But, if you don’t have this much budget to dedicate towards decor, that’s ok – it doesn’t mean you’ll have to settle for the bare minimum, or worse , no decorations at all. There are plenty of ways you can cut costs while still having a fabulously decorated wedding venue. In this post, we’re going to explore the many ways you can save money on wedding decor so you stay on-budget.
No, you don’t need to spend a lot on wedding decor, especially if having an extravagantly-decorated wedding isn’t a priority for you and you’re on a budget. The average amount spent by couples in the UK may be almost £1,500, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend that much. Every wedding is different, from the venue to the theme, so you might not need or want to spend much on decor.
As we’ve already highlighted, you don’t need to spend a lot to have a beautifully- decorated wedding venue if you can’t or don’t want to. Below are 10 tips and tricks for how to save money on wedding decor and still wow your guests.
When choosing your wedding venue, you should consider the style and theme you want to go for and how easy it’ll be to make sure they align. If you want a modern theme but hire a rustic venue, you’ll likely have to spend a lot on decor to make that happen. Choosing a venue that’s already in line with the look you want to go for will help cut costs when it comes to decor.
2. Choose a venue that doesn’t need additional decor
Some venues already ooze class and beauty, which means yours might not need additional decor at all – it might already have stunning floral displays. It might also have the perfect lighting or decor and be practically wedding-ready as it is. Choosing a venue that has plenty of natural beauty is one way to achieve this, such as a park, garden, beach or historical house.
Alternatively, search Bridebook’s comprehensive wedding venue directory for ‘blank space’ venues. They’re literally a blank canvas for you to work with, which means you won’t need to spend any extra money hiding features you don’t like, or battling against a pre-existing style. You’ll instead have all the freedom to bring in your own elements and design, and create a wedding that’s truly unique and personal to you and your partner.
Keeping your wedding decor minimalistic is a great way to have a simple yet modern style, and will also keep costs down. Keep your tables simple and elegant by leaving them free of clutter, and double up by using your wedding favours as decorations. A lovely jar of homemade jam or specially-wrapped cookies with a simple label can also be an affordable and small – yet eye-catching – name card.
Creative use of wedding colours is also a simple way to keep costs down but still make decor pop. Whether it’s flowers or ribbons, a brighter colour will always grab your guests’ attention, so you won’t need to spend a lot on decorations. A bright colour against a muted background will create a very bold look.
As part of our ultimate wedding budget breakdown, flowers and decorations aren’t included in the same category, which means you’ll have to budget separately for each. But, the good news is, there are ways you can make the most of your wedding flowers so that they have double the use.
Why not use the bridal bouquets as decorations? As soon as everyone sits down at the breakfast and all the photos are taken, the bouquets get forgotten, so strategically place them as table centrepieces. You may even want to let your florist know your plans beforehand – that way they can work with you to create bouquets that you can later reuse. Most of your guests will be none the wiser!
Your guests will spend a few hours sitting at their table as they enjoy some drinks, food and the speeches. That means they’ll spend a good portion of their day facing the centre of their table. So, you could focus your decorating efforts on picking the perfect centrepieces to make a lasting impression.
While flowers are a popular choice of centrepiece, you could also consider glowing lanterns, unique terrariums or towering candelabras.
Just because your wedding venue is big enough for 80 guests doesn’t mean you should feel pressured to fill every single inch of space. It can be easy to get carried away, but try to look at your venue from the perspective of a guest – they won’t be expecting a multi-sensory theme park-level experience, after all.
Think about the important spaces and where guests will spend most of their time. Less is often more, so don’t feel the need to cram in as many decorations as you can.
If you start early enough, you’ll be able to save hundreds by designing your own personalised wedding decorations. You could ask around to see if any family or friends have some old craft supplies hanging around, which means you’ll save even more money. With some ribbon and a few pieces of fabric, you’ll be able to create one-of-a-kind bunting. Or with some coloured paper and glue, you can turn cardboard numbers into bright and cheery découpage table numbers.
Paper decorations are particularly cost-effective, not to mention versatile. Think homemade paper chains, origami cranes, streamers, confetti, bunting, tablecloths. Consider making some of your flowers from paper too, perhaps with pages from your favourite books or music scores from your wedding playlist.
Instead of buying or renting chair covers, which can be expensive, and become messy once everyone has sat on them, use wide ribbons instead. Wrap these in a big bow on the back of each chair and voila. This will be much cheaper and add an elegant touch at the same time.
DIY decorations aren’t just an affordable option, but also a very popular one. According to our 2024 UK Wedding Report, 63% of couples married in 2023 opted for DIY decorations, so you won’t be alone if you go down the DIY route! You can’t necessarily expect to get the same quality of design and attention to detail as professionally-sourced decor (after all, you get what you pay for!), but if you’re on a budget and keeping costs down is your top priority, it can be a great choice.
Bespoke decorations are naturally among the most expensive, as they have to be carefully designed and crafted by a professional, which can take time, and also require specialist luxury materials and equipment. So, if you want to save money, and are happy to forgo the personalisation, why not choose an existing design that fits in with the venue and your colour scheme? Off-the-shelf decor won’t be as personal to you, but it’s much cheaper. As a bonus, you could also sell it after the wedding and make some of your money back.
Buy your decor second-hand. Lots of new husbands and wives will be selling their decor on auctioning and repurposing sites for lower prices: take advantage of this. Similarly, utilise second-hand fairs and junk sales – as they say, one couple’s rubbish is another couple’s treasure. These are especially good if you’re going for a slightly eclectic look where you don’t need 10 matching items, but just enough items under an umbrella theme.
You could even take it one further and repurpose items you would ordinarily throw out. For example, instead of throwing out empty jars, why not soak them in water to remove the label, then fill them with cheap, battery-powered fairy lights? It’ll cost you very little but look beautiful as the evening sets in.
Try renting instead of buying whatever wedding decorations you need to save as much money as possible (and also reduce waste). Lots of styling and prop suppliers are able to sort everything out for you with a professional vision. There’s also every chance your wedding venue may also have some available.
Alternatively, you could ask friends and family to dig out their old decorations or have a look at what they have buried at the back of their garage or deep within the loft. There may just be something hidden away that you’ll be able to make great use of as a unique piece of decor.
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Everyone knows that there are four must-haves for your wedding: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Traditionally, these have been carried by the bride (along with a silver sixpence in her shoe!) but we love seeing anybody take up this tradition. The something old represents the past, while the something new symbolises the couple’s bright future together. The something borrowed should be from a happily married friend or relative, in the hope that their good fortune will rub off on this couple! Finally, the something blue is connected to ideas of fidelity and love.
This tradition originated in Ancient Rome, where brides used their wedding veil to hide from evil spirits who envied and wanted to steal her newly wedded bliss. Scary stuff! (For help choosing your veil – whether you’re fearful of spirits or not! – check out this article.)
3. A Rainy Wedding
Rain, rain, go away? Not at all! Rain on a wedding day is believed to symbolise fertility. According to Hinduism, it’s also good luck. Plus, it makes for fab photos – so get your wellies on!
4. The Threshold
The tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold originated in Medieval Europe. It was believed that the bride was extra vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet! Not hard to believe if she’d spent the whole day in heels… Nowadays, we love this super cute tradition for any couple, not just ones made up of a bride and groom.
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
5. Tears of Joy
Feeling teary on your wedding day? Don’t worry – it’s a good thing! If a bride cries on her wedding day, it’s believed that she will have used up all her tears for years to come, meaning she’s looking forward to a very happy marriage. We reckon this goes for anyone getting married, not just the brides! So our advice? If you’re wearing mascara, make it waterproof…
6. The Garter Toss
Believe it or not, there’s actually a meaning to the garter toss. In France, it used to be believed that the bride’s dress carried good luck. Unfortunately, this meant everyone wanted a piece of it! To stop the crowd rushing towards the bride to rip off pieces of her dress, some bright spark decided to distract them by throwing a garter. It worked a treat – and it’s stuck around since!
Did you know the honeymoon wasn’t always a fancy holiday? The idea of the honeymoon actually originated from the (thankfully!) long-abandoned practice of grooms abducting their brides. Over the decades, this turned into a tradition where the newlyweds would hide away for thirty (yes, thirty!) days. That’s one month or the length of the lunar cycle – so that’s where we get the “moon”! On each day, a close relation would bring them honeyed wine – and that’s where “honey” comes from. Anyone still up for a honeymoon like that?!
8. Decorating the Wedding Car
Does tying cans to your wedding car seem like a silly idea to you? Well, it didn’t to French gentlemen a few centuries ago! They punished the groom for taking a single girl “off the market” by waking him up in the middle of the night and demanding he repay them with a feast.
Ever wondered why we wear wedding rings? And why do we wear them on the fourth finger of our left hands in the UK? Well, this tradition comes from the romantic Romans. They believed that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart – and the ring’s circle symbolises eternal love!
Believe it or not, the best man has been around for a while – even if they weren’t quite the speech giver they are today! This tradition originated in Anglo-Saxon times. Back then, the groom abducted his bride – so to defend himself from the bride’s family, he took his closest (and strongest) friend as a partner in crime!
The wedding rings you and your partner wear are a symbol of your love and commitment to one another. Not only do they have to be personal to you and your partner, but they need to complement each other and any engagement rings either of you might wear.
The money you might spend on your wedding rings will depend entirely on your taste, the level of customisation you’re after and – ultimately – your budget.
In this post, we’re going to explore everything related to the cost of wedding rings, including the average cost, how much you should spend on wedding rings and why some cost more than others.
In the UK, the average amount of money couples spend on wedding rings is £1,000. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t include the money spent on the engagement ring and any other jewellery you may buy to wear on your wedding day.
In our ultimate wedding budget breakdown, we reveal that couples spend around £4,000 in total when it comes to wedding bling. However, that’s not to say that you have to stick to that amount – far from it. While some couples do spend this much – and more – you can still buy beautiful wedding rings even if you’re on a far tighter budget.
When it comes to choosing your wedding bands, there are plenty of options available that can affect the price.
While there may be a tradition that states you should spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring (which, by the way, you don’t need to stick to), there aren’t any similar traditions when it comes to your wedding rings.
How much you should spend on your wedding rings is a completely personal choice. If you have a smaller budget, and only want to spend a couple hundred pounds, then that’s totally fine – what the rings represent is far more important, anyway. Similarly, if you have a larger budget to play with, then spending thousands is totally okay too – what you spend doesn’t affect the amount of love you have for your spouse-to-be. You should never feel pressured to spend a certain amount of money on your wedding rings.
That being said, there is one exception to this ‘rule’. It’s advised that the metal used in your wedding rings is the same as the metal used in the engagement ring. This is because some metals are more durable than others, and harder metals can damage softer metals. They can also discolour at different rates, leading to them looking mismatched.
This means if your engagement ring is made out of 18-carat yellow gold, your wedding rings should be made from metal with similar durability – ideally 18-carat yellow gold. So, if your engagement ring is made from an expensive metal, your wedding rings should be – if budget allows – as well.
Your wedding ring is one of the rare pieces of jewellery that you’ll wear all day, every day, for decades. Whatever you’re doing, wherever you’re going, it’ll be with you. For that reason, many couples opt to wear wedding rings that are made from hard and durable – and therefore more expensive – metals.
So, while you may be able to pick up a pair of silver wedding bands for less than £150, because silver is so soft it’s prone to scratches and dents, and can even become misshapen over time.
Meanwhile, stronger metals, such as platinum or palladium, may cost three or four times this amount but are far less likely to become damaged.
Ruby from Lebrusan Studio explains why luxury ethical wedding bands in particular can cost so much, but are definitely worth it if you have the budget:
“In this instance, we may only speak on behalf of our own wedding bands, whose prices we believe to be a fair reflection of the time and skill that goes into making them. Along with ethical sourcing, quality of craftsmanship is one of our top priorities. Committing exclusively to fine materials with sound ethical credentials and 100% local and independent manufacture does not enable us to compete with high street jewellers in terms of price. What we can promise, however, is that our wedding bands are designed and crafted with the utmost care and attention, brought into fruition with the purpose of serving as long-standing heirloom jewels to be passed down from one generation to the next.”
How does the metal type affect the cost of a wedding ring?
The type of metal you pick for your wedding bands will dramatically alter the price you’ll pay. Choosing the right wedding ring takes thought and consideration. The price of precious metals fluctuates, but below is a rough idea of what you might pay for a few popular choices.
Gold
A plain 9ct white gold wedding ring will cost between £150 for a 0.5 cm band to £400 for a 0.7 cm band. The variation in price is due to the amount of gold used to create the ring, as well as the strength of the gold, with 9ct or 18ct rings being the most popular and durable option.
Platinum
Platinum is the most durable metal and won’t show any sign of wear (even if you go rock-climbing in it every weekend), which is why it is also the most expensive option. You can buy a 0.2 cm platinum ring for a minimum of £350 or a 0.5 cm ring for £1,100 from a high street retailer.
Titanium
Titanium is a newbie on the wedding ring market and is a darker colour than other precious metals. It is very light and scratch resistant and can cost as little as £50.
Silver
As we’ve already highlighted, silver is a softer metal, which means it’s more likely to get damaged. However, it’s also a more budget-friendly option for couples keen on a precious metal band but not a lot of budget to play with. The cost of a silver wedding band starts from around £70.
What is the most expensive type of metal for a wedding ring?
Ruby from Lebrusan Studio shares her expert insights and explains about the cost of different types of metal in more detail:
“The greater the pure gold content in a gold alloy, the higher the caratage. In other words, whilst 18ct gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metal, 9ct gold consists of 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% other metals. The higher the carat weight, the greater the price, with 18ct gold generally tending to cost around twice as much as 9ct gold.
Here at Lebrusan Studio, we offer three types of gold with different provenance stories. Our recycled gold affords our clients the opportunity to minimise their environmental impact by utilising material already above-ground. Priced the same as ‘industry standard’ gold, it’s our cheapest option. Meanwhile, our Fairtrade Gold is a little more expensive because it can be traced right back to its artisanal source, with a proportion of the money we pay for it ensuring safe working conditions, financial security and educational, medical and environmental investment in the miners and their communities. Similarly, our Fairmined Ecological Gold – our most expensive gold option – fulfils the same purpose of championing and supporting artisanal miners, but is extra special because it’s extracted without the use of any mercury or cyanide whatsoever.
In spite of a historic dip in recent years, platinum just about remains a more expensive option than gold. This can be attributed to its relative rarity and its density, as precious metals are often priced by weight. Although white gold, which is almost identical to platinum in appearance, is cheaper, platinum comparatively requires very little maintenance over the years, so is arguably a reliable investment.”
What other factors can affect the cost of a wedding ring?
Just like when it comes to choosing any other piece of jewellery, there are many factors that will affect exactly how much your wedding rings cost.
Design – Many couples choose a simple band, but this isn’t a requirement for your wedding rings. The more intricate the design, the more it’s likely to cost.
Size – The thicker the band, the more metal it requires and therefore the pricier it will be.
Brand/retailer – Rings from high-end brands and retailers, such as Tiffany&Co., will cost more than most online or high street retailers.
Season – During periods of high demand, such as the spring and early summer, costs can fluctuate.
Customisation – Many couples choose to personalise their wedding bands with a meaningful engraving, or the fingerprint of their beloved on the inside. Due to the time and expertise required, this will increase the cost.
Stones – It has become an increasingly popular option for brides and grooms to go for diamond set rings, as they can add a bit of sparkle to a simple band. These are priced similarly to engagement rings, depending on the metal that you choose and the cut, carat and clarity of the diamonds you wish to include. To give you an indication of prices, an 18ct white gold ring with a half band of 0.15ct diamonds will cost in the region of £625.
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When you’re getting married, a lot of focus is on the bride, but remember, it’s also the groom’s time to shine. Just because the bride gets lots of attention it doesn’t mean the groom has to take a back seat – in fact, it’s exactly the opposite. When a groom is standing next to their partner at the altar, they want to look good, to help them feel good – and a sharp suit or tuxedo helps with exactly that.
The fact that you’re shopping for a suit hopefully means you’re fairly close to the big day itself, meaning your comprehensive Bridebook wedding checklist must be nearly complete…but it also means that your wedding budget might be looking a little more restrictive than it once was.
No fear – there are ways and means to make sure you look like James Bond without an MI5 agent’s salary and still have money left over for a Martini, shaken not stirred. In this post, we’re going to look at how you can save money on a wedding suit while making sure you stand proud while exchanging your vows.
Do you need to buy an expensive suit for your wedding?
No, you don’t need to buy an expensive suit for your wedding. In fact, you might not need to buy a suit at all – renting or wearing a suit you already own are both great options too. Just because a bride might spend an average of £1,300 on a wedding dressdoesn’t mean a groom has to spend the equivalent.
You’ll want your big day to go exactly as planned and be as luxurious and special as it can be – this includes the groom’s wedding attire. Below are 15 ways you can save money on a wedding suit and still look and feel fabulous. For more cost-cutting tips, check out our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding.
Before you decide to go and buy or rent a tux, first think about the style of your wedding and your chosen venue. A smart suit or tux isn’t always appropriate for a beach or rustic wedding. Discuss the atmosphere you’re going for with your beloved and choose your attire accordingly. For more information, check out our introduction to the groom’s and ushers’ wedding attire.
If you’re contemplating smart attire, then consider buying a sharp, tailored suit instead of a tuxedo. They can look just as good but will be far kinder to your budget, as the only real difference between a tux and a suit is the satin feel. Plus, you’ll feel more comfortable and be able to wear your suit again in the future.
Many grooms don’t realise that you can even rent a suit, let alone consider it for something as important as your wedding day. But, not only will renting a suit save you money – as much as £250, to be exact – but it’ll also open you up to a much wider selection of styles. What might be way out of your budget ordinarily will be far more affordable if you rent rather than buy. Many vendors will offer rental fees for as little as £50, so it should be high on your list of considerations.
While renting is usually a hugely affordable option, it’s always advisable to compare costs between buying and renting. For example, say rental costs are £50 a day: if you have a destination wedding, those costs could be £350 if you’re away for a week, which could be way more expensive than buying a suit off the rack. With buying, there’s also always the option to sell your suit after the wedding using a website like Vinted to make some of your money back.
You must have heard of the phrase, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get.’ Well, the same applies to getting a deal on a wedding suit. While you might not be able to haggle on price or get a custom deal at a high-street retailer, an independent business or tailor may be able to offer you a deal. This is especially true if other men in the wedding party use the same vendor – you may even be able to get your suit for free or at least discounted in some cases.
It can be tempting to splash the cash when you’re getting married and treat yourself to a new watch or some extra bling, but you might be better off using that budget elsewhere. There’s no reason why you can’t use your own cufflinks, ties or shoes if you’re willing to compromise a little. Just make sure they look dashing and fit in with your overall look and the theme of your wedding.
Chances are, you have a suit or two knocking around in your wardrobe, so consider wearing one of those and save yourself hundreds. You could freshen up the look with a few new accessories, which you could then coordinate with the rest of the wedding party. Just be aware that going down this route will be a compromise of sorts. You might not be able to get the dream ensemble you would be able to get by going to a designer store or boutique, where everything is custom-made and tailored to fit you perfectly on your big day.
If you’re renting a suit, make sure you know the exact details of the return policy. You don’t want to be fined because you return your suit a day late. That’s going to be the last thing on your mind during such a hectic time.
9. Ask groomsmen and ushers to buy their own suits
While matching suits will look smashing in the photos, there aren’t many other advantages to syncing up suits. Follow the popular bridesmaids’ trend and give your ushers a colour scheme which they can dress for. That means you won’t have to buy their suits, they can save money by not having to fork out for a new suit, and everyone will still look amazing in the photos.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to bring cohesion to your wedding party. A little creativity is all you need, such as with matching accessories. Try coloured socks, suspenders, vests or bow ties and have fun with them.
Shop around. Just like a bride will look in a few stores before she buys a gown, so should the groom. The prices of men’s formal attire can vary greatly, so make sure you get the best deal, both in terms of quality and finances. A bespoke suit or tux might look sharp, but many high-street retailers offer a wide selection of fantastic outfits to suit all styles, tastes and budgets if you’re tight on cash.
Believe it or not, browsing charity shops can lead to the discovery of hidden treasures – including a suit to wear at your wedding. It will probably take persistence, but with a little luck, you might just find a wonderful suit hanging on the rack in a charity shop. The only thing to bear in mind is finding your exact size is unlikely, so you may have to take it to be altered, which of course will cost.
Something borrowed doesn’t only have to apply to the bride. Borrowing a suit from a family member or friend will save you plenty, so long as you’re the same size. Again, bear in mind that if you go down this route, you will likely have to compromise, and might not get the exact suit you originally had in mind.
If you have time on your side, then simply keep a close eye on sales and offers. High-street retailers have sales periodically throughout the year, as do independent stores. By biding your time you could save as much as 50%, or even higher if some suits are end of the line.
This is a slightly risky option, as getting the right size can be tricky, but if you know your exact measurements, you could save a bundle by shopping online. Second-hand stores such as Vinted or auction sites like eBay have plenty of bargains, but there are also plenty of online clothing retailers which have more competitive prices than those on the high street.
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While it’s true that most of the focus will go on what the bride’s wearing, just as many eyes will fall on the groom during your wedding. That means, whatever you’re wearing will need to make you look and feel good so you have the confidence to stand in front of your loved ones and say, ‘I do!’
However, when it comes to the right suit, just like a bride’s dress there are plenty of variations to choose from. You could go for a three-piece suit, evening tailcoat, a tuxedo, or one of the various other options which means it probably won’t be a straightforward decision.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at everything related to the cost of a wedding suit, including the average cost, your options and any hidden costs you should look out for.
The average cost of a wedding suit in the UK is around £700-£900, however, this can vary depending on your budget, the formality of your wedding, and the style you’re going for.
As revealed in our ultimate wedding budget breakdown, the average amount spent by couples on the groom, best man and usher’s attire is £764. However, whether you pay for their suits is your decision – unless you want the best man and ushers to wear matching suits then you’re not likely to be expected to pay on their behalf.
While £764 might be the average spent on the groom’s wedding attire, it’s by no means a figure that you have to stick to. Many grooms will spend way less than this, while others will spend ten times this amount. The most important thing to remember is that the groom’s suit matches and complements what their partner is wearing, so communication is key.
When choosing the right suit for your wedding, you have plenty of options, such as:
Morning suit – A formal option that includes a tailcoat, striped trousers, a vest, a collared shirt and a cravat or ascot. Costs start from around £200.
Three-piece suit – Named because it consists of three pieces: a vest, trousers and a jacket. It’s a versatile option for formal and semi-formal weddings. Costs start from around £150.
Business suit – A great choice for a less formal wedding, and can be single or double-breasted. Costs start from around £150.
Black dinner suit – A smart formal option that will make it hard for you not to catch yourself in the mirror and see James Bond looking back. Costs start from around £200.
Evening tailcoat – Generally reserved for very formal weddings and is a fabulous choice that screams elegance. It includes a tailcoat, trousers and a waistcoat. Costs start from around £300.
Tuxedo – Another choice for a formal wedding and the epitome of luxury. A tuxedo can also be paired with a tophat and a walking stick if you want to add that extra touch of class. Costs start from around £300.
Kilt – While traditionally worn by Scottish grooms, there are no strict rules when it comes to wearing a kilt. However, the cost of a kilt can add up as they require multiple accessories. A kilt alone can cost around £100 and go up from there.
Once you know the type of attire you’re looking for, you then need to decide where to start looking for that perfect suit. Where you start your search will also depend on the budget you have and how specialist you want to go.
Bespoke
If you have a larger budget to dedicate to your suit, then something bespoke is a great option. You’ll be able to choose the materials and the exact design, and the suit will fit you perfectly. If you want to go to one of the Savile Row tailors, prepare to spend around £2,000.
Made to measure
A made-to-measure suit is a more budget-friendly alternative to a bespoke suit. You won’t be able to dictate the cut and design, but a ready-made suit chosen by you will be altered to your measurements. For this option, you would need around £400 – £600.
High street retailer
If you have a smaller budget, you can pick up a fantastic suit from a high street retailer like Marks and Spencer or Moss Bros. This will require trying on a number of suits before you find one that fits you perfectly and you might have to take it for alterations at a local tailor. Costs at the average high street store will start at around £150 but can go much higher depending on what you go for.
Hire
If you’re interested in a formal style but not prepared to pay a formal cost, then hiring a suit, tuxedo or morning suit is a much more budget-friendly solution. The cost to hire a wedding suit can start as low as £50, but it’s important you’re 100% happy with your choice and you know the exact return policy.
Charity shop
A charity shop is a great way to secure a lovely suit at a bargain price – however, you need to be patient and be prepared to shop around until you find the suit you’re after. It can also be difficult to find a suit with your exact measurements, so you may need to take it for alterations. If you’re persistent and lucky you may find a great suit for as little as £35.
Are there any additional costs involved with wedding suits?
Once you’ve chosen the suit you’re going to wear at your wedding there are additional costs to be aware of, so make sure you factor these into your overall budget.
Alterations – If you’re having a bespoke suit made then alterations are likely included in the cost, but suits bought from a retailer may need to be altered slightly. Last-minute alterations will also cost more, so make sure they’re arranged with plenty of time to go.
Dry cleaning – You may want to have your suit dry cleaned before and after your wedding.
Shipping – If you’re buying your suit online there may be shipping costs, which could include custom fees if being imported from overseas.
Accessories – You may want to complete your outfit with accessories such as cufflinks, a pocket square and a watch. Check out our post on the cost of wedding accessories to find out how to factor these into your budget.
Material – The material you choose will affect the cost of your suit, with more premium materials costing more. For example, when it comes to wool suits, which tend to be made with ‘worsted’ thread, the higher the thickness of the thread, the higher the overall price of the material will be.
Rental fees – There will be fees for returning a rented suit late or damaged.
Here at Bridebook, we have a range of menswear supplies so you can find the perfect outfit for your wedding, so why not sign up today and take the stress out of planning?
And if you’re looking for ways to save money on your wedding suits, we’ve got plenty of tips and tricks to help you stretch your budget further.
Met Bridezilla? Crazed eyes, wiry hair, face a scary red colour? Well watch out! There’s another monster in town and it’s a hell of a lot bigger. Say hello to Groomzilla. A rare species, that has been growing rapidly in numbers since the birth of David Beckham, has been spotted in various hotspots around the globe. Hairy feet and roaring noises are not the only signs – here’s a list of things that might suggest you’re dealing with one, or you are one!
By Stanbury Photography
‘Woah, woah, woah where’s my man-gagement ring?’ Grab your bags and RUN.
Is the phrase “groom’s day, groom’s way” being thrown around the house? Be advised to grab a bucket of water and throw it all over their head.
Is he getting worked up about EVERYTHING – budget? Or the guest list? Or flowers? Or parking? Or just every single second of the entire day?! This one has obviously reached the next level of Groomzillaness and needs to be locked in a dark room… for a very long time.
Is the beast suddenly fussing over the wedding photography and shouting, “BUT THEY WILL APPEAR ON WEDDING BLOGS… THE WORLD IS WAITING TO SEE THEM”? Ok. It’s time to call in the professionals. There is nothing else you can do to help him.
Any of those sound familiar? A Groomzilla has been spotted and needs to be contained! You have been warned.
We spend a lot of time talking about how the bride should look her best on her wedding day. Obviously, the same goes for the groom… you’re going to want to look hot! You should feel comfortable, handsome and confident when you say “I Do” to your beloved. We know it can be difficult to decide on what you should wear on W-Day, so let us help you choose the perfect attire.
By Raw Silk Photography
1. Communication
The first step to choosing your attire is communicating with your bride to be. While you don’t have to tell each other exactly what you are planning on wearing, you should co-ordinate in your styles. If you are going for a formal and majestic event, then wearing casual beach wear will not work. Equally, for a relaxed, rustic wedding, a tux will look out of place.
Even if you aren’t big on fashion, you should still spend some time researching your preferred colours, styles and textiles. This will make sure that you are prepared for your fittings and that you will be able to tell the consultants exactly what you are looking for. Besides, you want your suit to show off your personality! To help you along the way, here are some options:
Morning Suit
A morning suit is a very smart option, involving a long coat with tails, trousers, a waistcoat, and optional top hat…
Black Tie
A black tie instantly denotes James Bond in a tux. This is a great option for a smarter wedding. However, bear in mind that “Black Tie” doesn’t always mean tux, it can also be a smart black suit. The difference is that a tux will have a satin feel to it, with buttons and lapels covered with the material.
Three Piece Suit
This is another smart option, involving a jacket, waistcoat and trousers. A lot of grooms are choosing to inject some personality into this by choosing different colours and textures, ranging from deep burgundy to tweed and adding fun accessories, like pocket watches.
Two Piece Suit
This is a very flexible option, as it can be dressed up or dressed down. Similarly, it is great because it can be worn again and again.
Casual Attire
This can really mean anything, from jeans dressed up with a blazer, to Bahama shorts and a smart shirt. Casual attire allows you the most flexibility, but make sure that it is appropriate for the style of your wedding.
Accessories
You can accessorise your suit with a bow tie, a cravat, or a long tie, or no neckwear at all! If you are going for the no neckwear option, make sure you still look dapper with an upright collar, kept in position with a nifty pair of magnets, like those at stiffies.co.uk (you get 20% off if you use the code ‘bridebook’ too!) It is also becoming increasingly more popular for grooms and ushers to play around with colour pocket handkerchiefs, socks and braces, which can be used to tie the bridal party and the ushers together for a more cohesive look.
First of all, make sure you choose the right shop! Not all places are the same when it comes to choice, tailoring and quality. Some of the best shops will have a huge range of suits and tuxes to choose from and they will stock the latest fashions, which will include accessories. Make sure that when you are going to buy, you go to someone who knows exactly what they are doing.
Secondly, don’t assume that all suits/tuxes/ties look the same. Instead, you should listen to the professionals who will help you choose something that flatters your shape. Whether it is a different lapel, a wider tie, or the number of buttons on your jacket, make sure you try a variety of styles before settling on the one that you feel best in. Don’t ignore the quality of the materials either, especially if you are buying. Cheap materials will look cheap in photos and won’t stand the test of time.
Lastly, if you are renting, make sure you read the small print. You will want to know all the details regarding the timings for the returns and cleanings, so that you aren’t faced with any unexpected charges or admin during your honeymoon!
Don’t forget about your budget! A cheaply priced suit does not always mean a bargain, as the quality could be poor and it could be almost impossible to alter. Similarly, while we encourage you to invest in a good quality suit when it comes to your wedding day, only invest in something that will be timeless and something that you will be able to wear again, otherwise the suit will simply hang at the back of your wardrobe. Second hand or rentals are fantastic options if you are looking to save some pennies.
By Ten Twenty One
5. Fitting
Definitely leave yourself enough time for any fittings and adjustments so that you look your sharpest. While we can’t tailor the suit for you, we have some great tips that you can easily apply yourself when trying on different suits (definitely share these with the ushers too):
The width of your tie should match the width of the lapel.
Your jacket should fit comfortably around the neck and shoulders and it should be easy to fasten.
Your shirt should be comfortable around the waist, neck and shoulders. For a formal look, it should be half to a quarter inch longer than the sleeve of your jacket.
If you are wearing a waistcoat, it should line up with your jacket at the front and the bottom should just overlap with the waistband of your trousers.
The hem of your trousers should be on level with the tops of your shoes and they should feel comfortable when you sit down.
You should always try on your bow tie before you buy it! It should feel comfortable and snug around your neck.
When looking for shoes, always make sure that they fit you comfortably. If they are new, get your best man to rub a bit of sandpaper on the soles so you don’t go sliding about.
Try on your formal wear two days before the wedding. This way, you can make sure that everything still fits properly and any last-minute adjustments can be made. We recommend you advise your ushers to do the same!
Your ushers will be by your side, helping you throughout your wedding day, so you want to make sure they look their best too! While all of the above tips can be applied to them, there are a few separate things you should know.
First of all, they don’t all have to match you or even each other! Just like bridesmaids can sport different shades and patterns, so can your ushers. So long as they stand out amongst the wedding guests and they look like a cohesive part of the wedding party, you are fairly unlimited in deciding what they should wear.
Secondly, it is no longer custom for the groom to pay for the ushers’ outfits, they can buy their own or choose something that they already own, providing it fits with your general look. However, if you can afford to and want all of you to match, then it’s a nice treat to offer to pay otherwise a matching tie and button holes can do the trick!
