Tag: Catering

Explore the world of wedding catering, from menu ideas to serving styles that suit your taste and budget.

How to Plan a Forest Wedding Ceremony

Forest weddings are whimsical and beautiful. There’s nowhere better to declare your everlasting love than in an enchanting forest surrounded by birdsong and the beauty of nature.

But hold on tight, because planning a forest wedding isn’t just about picking a location and calling it a day! You need to balance the practical details like finding a venue, choosing a photographer, and inviting your beloved guests to your beautiful, nature-inspired backdrop.

So, whether you’re planning an intimate, elven ceremony tucked away under a canopy of trees, or a fabulous flower-strewn soirée, this article will be your go-to guide for turning your dreams into a magical reality.

Ready to learn how to have a wedding in a forest? Let’s dive in!

What is a forest wedding? 

Photo © Two Woods Estate | See their Bridebook profile

A forest wedding is either a full wedding ceremony and reception in a forest, or simply a wedding reception hosted in a forest. It’s a beautiful and unique way to celebrate your union amongst the sights and sounds of nature. 

Forest weddings offer endless possibilities for personalisation and creativity. Whether you’d like delicate, natural-inspired decor or a full-blown alternative wedding or eco-warrior wedding, you’ll have full control with a forest wedding.

⭐Did You Know: If you want to be legally married at your beautiful venue, double-check that the location of the wedding venue is an Approved Premises under the Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005. If not, you may need to have the ceremony elsewhere and move to the forest for the reception. 

How popular are forest weddings?

Photo © Applewood Weddings Ltd | See their Bridebook profile

Forest weddings have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many couples are drawn to the natural beauty, tranquility, and enchanting atmosphere that forests offer as a wedding backdrop. 

In fact, according to our 2023 UK Wedding Report, over ¼ of wedding ceremonies took place outside. This includes the nearly one-in-five couples married in 2022 who opted for a “unique location or venue”, such as a boathouse, forest, or scenic loch. 

But while outdoor, alternative, and forest weddings are growing in popularity, they certainly won’t feel overdone. The peaceful vibe and privacy of a forest wedding are second to none, and with thoughtful planning, you can create a memorable and enchanting experience for you, your partner and your guests amidst the beauty of nature. 

Planning your dream forest wedding 

Photo © Wilderness Wedding Venue | See their Bridebook profile

Let’s check out some of the key steps you need to take and elements to consider when planning your forest wedding:

1. Pick your dream venue

Picking a venue is likely one of the first things you’ll do. It will be the backdrop of all your photographs and determine the size of your wedding. Make sure you visit lots of venues, chat with in-house wedding planners and discuss budgets before committing to a location. 

With our wedding venue search tool, you can filter by venue types such as ‘Outdoor’ and styles such as ‘Rustic’ to see exactly what’s out there. This tool will also give you an approximate price, number of bedrooms and how many guests the location can hold. These approximations can help structure the rest of your planning and help you decide where to have an enchanting forest wedding.

We’ve also hand-picked our favourite forest and woodland wedding venues in the UK, so that you can find the perfect one for your special day. 

Note that it may be difficult for external suppliers to make it to a wedding in a forest. So be prepared to factor in additional transport costs or pay for wedding insurance add-ons in case their stock is damaged.

2. Embrace nature-inspired decor & styling

Wedding decor can include anything from flowers and bouquets to tablescapes and fun photo booths. Incorporate wildflowers, ferns, moss and rustic wooden accents to create a whimsical and organic ambiance. 

Twine, dried flowers, moss, burlap and other natural elements from the forest are often free or low-cost and look beautiful. You could also use eco-friendly paper options or consider seed paper that guests can plant afterwards! Leave a little note with the seed paper explaining the symbolic gesture of your growth as a couple and your connection to nature.

The cost of this decor will depend on your vision and how much you’re willing to do yourself. The great thing about forest weddings is that you can often use natural elements like foliage, dried flowers and rustic elements in your decorations. This decor is easy to DIY, and there are tons of tutorials online. Doing it yourself can help reduce costs, while hiring a professional wedding stylist or florist can increase expenses.

To keep costs down even further, you could create your own invitations using dried flowers, cardstock and twine. This will contribute to the rustic theme and add a personal touch to your big day. If the task feels like too much to do on your own or you aren’t very handy, ask a trusted friend (with nice handwriting) to join you in a craft evening. Then, spend some time creating your wedding invites – you’ll be surprised how much fun you have!  

3. Don’t forget the essentials

This includes chairs, tables, lighting, sound systems and any necessary permits or license fees. Check with your venue whether they offer a package that includes these essentials to minimise costs.

If they don’t, look out for companies that offer plastic or polished wood furniture. These will be easier to clean and will contribute to the fresh, woodland theme.

4. Craft a woodland-inspired menu 

When hosting a forest wedding, try incorporating nature-inspired elements into your food offerings to create a memorable and cohesive experience for your guests. 

For example, try hosting a vegan buffet with farm-to-table ingredients. Alternatively, host a barbecue or rent food vans. These interactive catering experiences will contribute to the laid-back environment of a forest wedding and allow guests with different dietary requirements to manage their plate. Plus, you won’t need to print place cards reminding everyone what they ordered! 

5. Capture the magical moments

After putting so much work into your big day, capturing the special moments of your forest wedding is essential. 

Holding a forest wedding will allow for truly breathtaking wedding photography. With an ample supply of natural light and a beautiful backdrop, your wedding photos will be something to behold. Ask your photographer if they offer:

  • Wide-angle lenses. To capture as much of the beautiful forest as possible.
  • An indoor set-up in case of weather changes. Mother nature can be unpredictable, so opt for an experienced photographer who will be prepared for every eventuality. 
  • A candid photoshoot session. Candid moments convey genuine emotions and create a more authentic story of the wedding day. 
  • Retouching at the standard price. Although a forest backdrop makes for beautiful photos, the untameable foliage is likely to produce a few outof-place leaves or twigs. A talented photographer should be able to edit these out using software. However, you should check that this won’t come at extra cost. 

Not sure where to start? Check out our guide on expert tips for choosing your wedding photographer, and some key questions to ask before booking them for your special day.

🧠Pro Tip: Check out the photographer’s social media accounts as well as their portfolio when considering your options. Often, photographers will include behind-the-scenes information, their editing process and their favourite angles to use on their social media accounts. This will help you understand whether they’re the right fit for your wedding or not. 

6. Combine practicality with style

When considering what to wear to a forest wedding, it’s important to consider the landscape. For example, if you live in an area that has a lot of rainfall, you might want to choose a shorter dress to ensure no mud catches on your hems.

If you really want to lean into the floral, boho theme, look for materials that have flower appliques or lace fabrics. In addition, breathable, flowing fabrics will keep you comfortable all day. Oh, and maybe leave the heels at home!

7. Don’t forget the rings

Wedding rings are one of the most important details of your wedding and an investment piece you’ll wear for the rest of your life. Be sure to pick wedding rings you love and ensure someone reliable has them on the big day.

If you’re looking for something bespoke, there are jewellers who can combine natural elements into your wedding bands. For example, sand from a beach, flower petals, or clay from the forest floor. This material is usually sealed in resin to create an unusual contrast with the metal of the ring. Or, consider having hand-crafted wedding bands – we particularly love Eco Wood Rings, lovingly made from sustainably sourced or salvaged wood and recycled precious metals. 

How much does a forest wedding cost?

Photo © Royal Forest Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

The cost of a forest wedding can vary greatly depending on several factors. This includes your location, head count, wedding attire, the decor and your personal preferences. 

Did you know that the average cost of a wedding in 2023 is £19,184, or £24,069 including the rings  honeymoon? Average wedding spending has increased in almost every category since 2021!

If that figure makes your eyes water, the good news about a forest wedding is that a lot of the decor and styling is DIY-friendly. It’s easy to make a forest wedding either budget-friendly or extravagant. It totally depends on your preference and priorities.  

Top tips for planning your forest wedding

Photo © Cheshire Woodland Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

Here are our top tips to help you plan your forest wedding:

  • Location, location, location: Research and visit potential forest venues to find the perfect location for your wedding. Although aesthetic appeal is important, consider factors such as accessibility, capacity and available facilities. Look for a venue that aligns with your vision and offers the necessary amenities for your wedding day. In addition, ensure that there is an accessible route for caterers, entertainers and other suppliers to help with set-up. A solid track leading into the forest can make all the difference for small wheels and big carts!
  • Consider the weather: If you opt for a forest wedding, the weather will make a big difference. Try to steer clear of cold and rainy seasons. However, if this can’t be avoided, cover all bases and rent a marquee to protect your guests from a potential downpour.
  • Dress to impress: You want to look your best on your special day. Unfortunately, looking your best can come at a price. The cost of your wedding outfit will include the price of a dress, shoes, veil, hair and makeup. For budget-conscious or eco-friendly couples, consider renting your wedding attire. This will reduce costs significantly and ensure your dress isn’t single-use.
  • Consider the lighting: Although a forest wedding will have ample natural lighting, that beautiful sun won’t last all day! If you intend to party into the wee hours to celebrate your love, consider adorning the trees with some lanterns or fairy lights to tie in with the whimsical theme. 

The bottom line on planning a forest wedding

Photo © Stourton Woods | See their Bridebook profile

Although it might feel overwhelming at first, planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life, and planning a forest wedding is an opportunity to create a particularly magical and unforgettable celebration. 

There may be a lot of logistical concerns when planning a wedding surrounded by nature’s beauty.  However, with careful planning and budgeting, you can design a one-of-a-kind experience for your and your guests.

Embrace the magic, infuse your personal touch and plan ahead to ensure a truly enchanting celebration that will be cherished for a lifetime.

There you have our guide on planning a magical forest wedding ceremony! Get started on Bridebook to discover plenty more inspiration and expert advice.

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Happy Planning!

Supplier Showcase: Brilliant Female-Owned Wedding Businesses

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on the achievements of female wedding business owners. Women have long played a prominent role in the wedding industry. From wedding planners and coordinators to wedding designers, photographers, florists, cakemakers, caterers, and more, women make up 80% of the wedding industry! Read the success stories, achievements and advice of some of Bridebook’s top female business owners below.

Mercedes | 4YaParty Weddings and Events

About Mercedes: Mercedes (she/her) is a qualified venue stylist and prides herself on having great customer service and high attention to detail. She owns and manages 4YaParty Weddings & Events, specialising in providing eco-friendly and sustainable wedding and event decor, upcycled wedding decor, prop hire, and sweet treats. She says no to balloons and no to single-use plastic. Plus, for every booking she makes, she’ll have a tree planted in your honour!

Proudest achievement to date: “Becoming an accredited member of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, making weddings eco-friendly by being carbon neutral for 2 years!”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Being a black, queer, disabled, female business owner comes with many challenges! But the biggest challenge I have is believing in myself and knowing my worth! Believing in the value that my service brings to the wedding industry. But I have an epic support network in family, friends, the SWA and wedding suppliers, who have become friends!”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Meeting lovely couples from all walks of life and hearing their love stories, watching their personality as a couple unfold in their wedding decor!”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “My biggest advice for any woman who wants to start their own business is to make sure you’re passionate about whatever you choose! Running your own business is not a get rich quick route at all! It’s a very slow burner lol so if you don’t truly love it, then when it gets hard, it will be too easy to give up!”

Gemma | The Isla Gladstone Conservatory

About Gemma: Gemma is a leading entrepreneur and businesswoman in the hospitality industry with a number of nationally recognised restaurants, hospitality venues, catering companies and social enterprises under her guiding hand. She began her career in her teens, when she famously became the youngest licensee in the country. Over the last two decades she has developed a wide portfolio across the UK, successfully building iconic venues that are rooted in their communities. ****She opened The Isla Gladstone Conservatory in 2014 in the heart of Stanley Garden.

Proudest achievement to date: “They all said it couldn’t be done…A glass house in Liverpool…We have gone from strength to strength each year and have an all-women management team!”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “COVID…To see your hard work and dream stopped with nothing you could do about it. Having to break bride’s and groom’s hearts postponing their date time and time again, when we didn’t know when we could open again. It was truly the hardest time ever.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “It’s a happy place to be. Guests arrive happy, venue looks beautiful, and we get to be one of the happiest memories for brides and grooms.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Believe in what you do…Look for support…Employ the best people to be around you…And enjoy!!!”

Stacey | The Venue Experts

About Stacey: Stacey, a.k.a. the “turbocharged wedding booking superstar”, is founder and CEO of The Venue Experts. She comes with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. From managing wedding venues and developing businesses in the hospitality sector to hosting large-scale events at some of the East Midlands’ best-known events companies, she is ready to take on any challenge. Stacey has extensive knowledge of managing venues in-house, having had business development and sales consultant roles at properties including Belvoir Castle and Hodsock Priory.

Proudest achievement to date: “I was recognised as one of the top 100 Female Entrepreneurs to watch by The Telegraph and NatWest.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Starting a business in the pandemic.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Making a difference in the industry and being considered as one of the leading experts.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Believe in yourself, know your worth, and remember that it is worth the risk.”

Natalie | Velvet Moon Ceremonies

About Natalie: Natalie is an independent celebrant and proud founder of Velvet Moon Ceremonies. She loves crafting bespoke, personal ceremonies that reflect each couple as individuals and their story together so far. This includes matching both the tone (be it fun and laidback, or sentimental and romantic) and theme (traditional or alternative), and learning what’s most important to the couple. She weaves all this together into their script, to create a truly unique ceremony.

Proudest achievement to date: “I’m proud that within my first proper year of weddings I already got to do one of my dream ceremonies – one themed around the video game series Final Fantasy! I love being able to write meaningful, special ceremonies for couples that reflect who they are and what they enjoy whilst they celebrate their love for each other.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Having 2020 as what should have been my first wedding season! Obviously everything got pushed back and it’s been slow going, but I’m proud of what I achieved last year and I couldn’t have asked for better couples to work with.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Being part of someone’s wedding day, surrounded by so many talented women who are amazing at their work! There’s so much build up, and being a 2023 bride myself I know how much work goes into the planning and the trust you have to have for every supplier involved to understand what you want and bring it together on the day.

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Network – there are so many other amazing women in this business who have been through what you have or struggled in similar ways. They can provide support and advice on any issue you’re facing as well as cheer you on and celebrate your wins.”

Jemma | Charlesworth Classics Ltd

About Jemma: Jemma is the proud owner and director of Charlesworth Classics Ltd. She works with couples from start to finish to choose and arrange the perfect transport for their special day. From vintage and classic London taxis to iconic Rolls Royces, there’s something for everyone. She hand-picks all the drivers herself, and prides herself on the service she provides.

Proudest achievement to date: “Breaking through the wedding car industry! I am not aware of another female director in this field local to me currently. This is still a very male dominated role, and there is still a very strong “boys’ club” mentality, which I hope will change in years to come. I have been very fortunate to have the support of my husband (which has made interactions with other wedding car companies a little easier), and to have been included with a select few individuals with whom I work very closely and experience no prejudice.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “I think my biggest challenge/lesson has been to follow my instincts. Prior to starting my company I was a stay-at-home wife. I had no experience what-so-ever. I just knew this was something I wanted. When COVID came, I refused to jump on the panic bandwagon. I made the most of the down-time and grew my business and feel I was in a good position to move forward once normality was restored.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “My couples! I love hearing the stories behind why my couples want to book my cars, whether it’s because we have been recommended by friends or family, or they simply just love our cars. There is always a story there and I love hearing them. Looking back at photos and receiving a review, reading the appreciation of the service my team and I have provided, there really is no better feeling!”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Believe and achieve! Mindset is one of the most important parts of owning your own business. Find other women with your mindset and work together, pick each other up. Owning your own business can be very lonely. You spend a lot of time alone so a good support network is very beneficial – you don’t even need to work in the same field.”

Nyssa | Edinburgh School of Food & Wine

About Nyssa: Nyssa is the owner and manager of the Edinburgh School of Food & Wine. She prides herself on delivering a first-class service, having a dedicated wedding team to ensure each couple’s day runs perfectly from beginning to end. She organises and manages everything from wedding catering, bar services, room set up, lighting options, and prop selection. Couples can also choose from stag and hen do packages at the cook school, ranging from cocktail masterclasses to champagne, whisky or wine tasting, to BBQ cookery and food masterclasses.

Proudest achievement to date: “Finalist for 3 wedding awards as caterer of the year.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Taking over the business mid-COVID and making it a success whilst also being mum to three young kids.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Making specials for our clients, the delight of delicious food and great service!”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Take the leap! It is so fulfilling to run your own business. It is hard work but worth every minute.”

Lily | Lily Kerbey Musician

About Lily: Lily is a passionate professional singer-guitarist who has been performing in and around Yorkshire at wedding and other private milestone celebrations for the last 10 years. A true expert in her field, she has played at all types of weddings, from cliff tops in Portugal to a DIY woodland wedding. She strives to make every couple’s day special, from singing as you walk down the aisle, to entertaining guests during the photos, and can create custom playlists of wedding songs.

Proudest achievement to date: “Singing at my first wedding abroad was very special! Also the fact I managed to get so many bookings that I could leave my full-time teaching job, which made me so stressed I got ill. I’m now happy and thriving and working at 10% of the capacity I was before.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Making the move from part-time to full-time. The instability of self-employed work is so scary, but now I’m in it I could never go back!

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Getting to be involved in the best day of people’s lives. Everyone is happy at a wedding, and that happiness spreads.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Find something that doesn’t feel like work. And enjoy every moment! When you genuinely love your job, everything else in your life fits into place. Take every opportunity you can but also look after yourself and put aside time for yourself!”

Sarah | The Purple Pumpkin Cake Company

About Sarah: Sarah is an award-winning professional cake artist and proud owner of The Purple Pumpkin Cake Company. After a career in retail management, she made the inspiring decision to turn her hobby into her profession. She creates bespoke wedding cakes and fresh designs for every couple, to make your cake individual and unique to you. Having inherited baking from her mum, and now with four children of her own, family is everything to her.

Proudest achievement to date: “I’ve won two business awards alongside cake awards. Being awarded for my business skills was amazing!

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Apart from COVID you mean? Being a mother of four, then taking on the custody of my six-month old grandson, while caring for my dying mum, while running a successful business, off the back of COVID, and still smiling always!”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “I get to meet loads of excited, varied and different couples, and be part of their stories! I also love working alongside other fantastic suppliers.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “People buy from people, so be more you. Don’t look at others and try to copy them. Be yourself, and you’ll be successful. If you’re always comparing yourself to others you’ll never get there!”

Emily | Emily’s Moments Photography

About Emily: Emily is empathetic and quirky Belgian-born photographer with a passion for being who we are unashamedly. Her commitment is pure and simple – to tell each couple’s unique story sensitively and with humanity. Based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, but working across the UK, she produces images and photo albums that you will treasure for decades to come. She has been lovingly described as “approachable, upfront, honest, hopeful, curious, quirky.”

Proudest achievement to date: “Being back at square 1 in a brand new career aged 37 and building a sustainable business from scratch.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Managing my own expectations of what can be achieved. Owning a business is a few full-time jobs in one with a huge variety of skillsets to be acquired over time. I have to accept that I can’t acquire them all at once. I have to be patient.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Being totally independent when making my own decisions to grow my own business. My daily successes are mine and mine alone to celebrate.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Don’t ever believe any unsupportive voices…whether they come from others or from yourself. Us women have a tendency to have in-built doubt in what we are capable of. We have to fight that inner voice. We can achieve whatever we set our mind to in our own way, using our own strengths and our own uniqueness.”

Jade | Hushabye Films

About Jade: Jade is an experienced film maker, videographer and owner of Hushabye Films. She spent over 15 years in broadcast television, working as a shooting producer/director, with experience across channels such as the BBC, ITV, MTV, E4, C4, Sky and various other satellite channels, with credits on high-profile programmes including the BAFTAs, Big Brother, T4, Comic Relief and V Festival. She has also created hours of online, YouTube and corporate content. She takes a cool, calm and personalised approach to shooting wedding films.

Proudest achievement to date: “When I decided to shoot weddings, I knew straight away I was going to do things differently! I took everything I had learnt from my 10+ years working as a TV producer and used it to make wedding films that people actually wanted to watch! When I started there were no “fun” wedding videographers. There was a HUGE gap in the market and I grabbed it with both hands! I’ve now shot over 200 weddings.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “COVID!!! We were NOT prepared for that!!! But somehow I managed to shoot some small weddings and make promotional films to earn some income and spend hours everyday moving dates and making sure I could still film all the weddings the following year whilst also shooting all the new ones!”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Working with the clients you want to work with and being creative everyday. I love the wedding industry and all the talented supplier friends I’ve made.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Don’t worry about what other people are doing with their businesses. Do what’s right for you and recognise that everyone is at a different stage of their own journey. Don’t carbon copy a business because it looks like it’s successful. Take inspiration if you have to but always put your own spin on it so you can be proud of your achievements.”

Harriet | Harriet Alice Fox Designs

About Harriet: Harriet is a Sheffield-based illustrator and graphic designer who specialises in creating hand-drawn bespoke wedding stationery. Working on a friend’s wedding stationery made her fall in love with the creative process. Since then, she has gone on to showcase her work at wedding fairs and attract a whole host of couples wanting something special for their wedding stationery. Harriet is passionate about creating unique designs that celebrate the wedding venue, reflect the couple’s interests, or even feature a beloved furry friend who can’t attend the big day.

Proudest achievement to date: “I’m most proud of my portrait seating plans! I’m so excited whenever couples want to work with me on them. The amount of work put into drawing every guest individual portraits and piecing it together is massive but so rewarding, and such a fabulous keepsake for the couples themselves.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Realising that your product/style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s a good thing. Because it makes what you do so much more unique and custom.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Delivering all the stationery goodies! There’s so much excitement from the couples, and I’m very grateful to be part of the buildup.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Believe in yourself and your product. If you’re giving it 100% then your passion will shine through.”

H | Lawley Fine Jewellers

About H: As well as looking after the marketing and social media side of Lawley Fine Jewellers, H is a passionate jeweller and specialist in handmade engagement and wedding rings. She loves being at the bench and mastering the technical skills required to make beautiful pieces.

Proudest achievement to date: “Our biggest achievement is definitely the popularity and feedback of our Make Your Own Wedding Rings experiences. This year was our busiest yet!”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Definitely the pandemic, which really hit the industry hard. We consider ourselves fortunate in that we were able to keep going. It was a stressful time both for couples organising their big days and for all the suppliers serving them.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Being involved in a small way in each couple’s plans – especially with their wedding rings, which will be worn and cherished every day – is something amazing and we feel honoured. Also, making such great friends with other local talented wedding suppliers has been a wonderful surprise, as it’s something we didn’t expect. Being able to support each other and recommend trusted suppliers to our couples is fantastic.”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Follow your own path and be authentic. Have each other’s backs and support each other, be it to share and recommend or offer friendly advice.”

Amy | Beewildblooms

About Amy: Amy is the founder and owner Beewildblooms, a family-run floristry business in Scotland. She specialises in unique wedding flowers and decor, as well as floral masterclasses and 1:1 classes. She is proud to have been featured in both Rock N Roll Bride Magazine and Rock My Wedding. Her style is rustic, wild, romantic, and most certainly one-of-a-kind!

Proudest achievement to date: “Starting our family floristry business during lockdown with no clients – selling £16 arrangements to doorsteps and now becoming a finalist for best wedding florist [for the Scottish Confetti Wedding Awards 2023] and being fully booked for 2023.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “Having zero funding or savings after redundancy and building my business whilst also being a full-time mum at home.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Delivering a bespoke and personalised service to our lovely couples – we keep numbers small to deliver big joy!”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Be authentic – YOU are your own super power! Keep trying different things until you find something that makes you happy and fills your cup. You are running your own business for a reason, because you can and you want to – so never forget your why! Don’t compare to others as everyone is at a different stage in business!”

Becky | Lavelle Bridal Couture

About Becky: At Lavelle Bridal Couture, it’s just Becky, all the way. From booking your very first private bridal appointment to the big day, she’s with you every step of the way. Having learnt to sew at the age of 10, she pursued a career in fashion and textiles, working for various design houses and retailers before opening her own bridal boutique right in the heart Warwick. Before opening her shop, she first studied wedding dress design at the London College of Fashion, so knows exactly what’s involved in the construction and how to advise on dress customisations and alterations.

Proudest achievement to date: “My biggest achievement happens every day in my small business… The majority of women feel super nervous when it comes to wedding dress shopping, and I always feel so proud when a bride leaves my boutique with the biggest smile on her face, having had the most amazing wedding dress shopping experience with me. I pride myself on helping brides feel comfortable and confident in their own skin so they feel gorgeous in their dream wedding dress.”

Biggest challenge to overcome: “COVID was a huge challenge for any business, but also supporting brides through such tough times was very challenging at times. The uncertainty of weddings was tough to navigate but I’m very proud to say that I’ve come through it and thrived.”

Best part about owning a wedding business: “Feeling honoured to be chosen by my brides to take a part in their special day and the emotions that brides feel and experience when they find the perfect dress. It’s such a special moment and I love that I can be a part of that!”

Advice to aspiring female business owners: “Collaboration over competition, every day. I always think there is no competition as no-one can be you. Just be yourself and you’ll find the people who love what you do. If you support one another it will always pay you back at some point and then you’ll make great friends across a variety of industries who can support you through your journey.”

The wedding industry owes a great debt to the countless female business owners who have dedicated themselves to making couples’ special days truly unforgettable through their creativity and hard work. We hope that the inspiring stories and insights shared by the female business owners featured here will encourage more women to follow in their footsteps and continue to make a mark on the wedding industry for many years to come.

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Happy Planning!

Supplier Showcase: Veganuary Edition

Sustainable and ethical weddings are on the rise. Back in the day, very few venues and suppliers would cater for such requirements, or when they did, would do so with little creativity (cue sad stuffed mushroom and limp lettuce leaf). But now, there’s a demand amongst today’s couples for more locally sourced, ethical menus, as well as vegan and cruelty-free wedding choices. And so, celebrate the month of Veganuary, we’re showcasing our favourite vegan venues and suppliers.

1. The Wellbeing Farm

Photo © The Wellbeing Farm | See their Bridebook profile

The Wellbeing Farm is one of our favourite sustainable wedding venues…period. It offers a fun, unique farm-based barn experience, is the first B Corp certified venue in the UK, and has just become members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (which you can’t enter if you haven’t got sufficient vegan and other dietary credentials). Their general ethos is around wellbeing, and minimising stress for its couples. And ensuring every single one of your guests has a creative and tasty meal – whether they’re vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free – is a huge part of that. Their innovative Head Chef sources natural, local produce to create vegetarian and vegan menus that are big in both quality and taste, and even went on a course specialising in vegan desserts (so no more lonely fresh fruit salads!). A lot of venues may offer a single vegan option, but this vegan-friendly venue prides itself on offering a range – a range of starters, a range of mains, a range of desserts. So you’ll be spoilt for choice! For the meat lovers out there, they use Meatless Farm and Beyond Burger as meal substitutes, so you’ll hardly notice the difference.

2. Wilderness Weddings

Photo © Wilderness Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

Stylish and sustainable, relaxed and boho, there’s so much to love about Wilderness Weddings. Set in a protected nature reserve, it features woodlands, giant tipi tents, and a lakeside boathouse. Their seven accredited caterers provide a wealth of dining options, catering for all tastes and budgets. For vegetarians and vegans in particular, choose Scott Anderson catering, who pride themselves on designing bespoke menus around each couple’s requirements. Look no further for creative canapés, scrumptious sharing wedding breakfasts, and exquisite evening platters!

3. Lettice Events

Photo © Lettice Events | See their Bridebook profile

Lettice Events is one of the country’s leading names in luxury catering, known for its innovative and creative food design, cutting-edge presentation and stylish service. Their team of talented chefs can cater to specific dietary restrictions, including a completely vegan menu. From vegan cream cheese and smoked carrot ribbons on light rye wafers, to roast pumpkin skewers, you and your guests are sure to be delighted. With pre-event tastings available, you can effortlessly sample different flavours and select your favourite dishes ahead of your big day.

4. The Hogless Roast

Photo © The Hogless Roast | See their Bridebook profile

Two veggies unable to stomach another bean burger, Matt and Ross, a.k.a. The Hogless Roast, have reimagined the traditional hog roast for a new generation, whether you’re a vegan or simply trying to reduce your meat consumption. Their smoky BBQ vegan burgers use the best plant protein out there – lathered in apple sauce, topped with homemade stuffing, and loaded into a toasted vegan brioche bun. They’re packed with protein and fibre, gluten-free, and, most importantly, keep pigs off plates! Plus, they only use eco-friendly packaging, and are members of the NCASS.

We’ve taken the best plant based protein out there, infused it with smoky BBQ flavours, lathered it in apple sauce, topped it with homemade stuffing and packed it into a toasted vegan brioche bun. Then we’ve thrown in some naughty vegan crackling for good measure!

5. Bee Vegan Bakery

Photo © Bee Vegan Bakery | See their Bridebook profile

For bespoke wedding cakes made vegan, look no further than Bee Vegan Bakery – whether you’re vegan yourself, want a more inclusive option for all of your guests, or have allergies or dietary requirements. There are also plenty of other sweet and savoury vegan treats available, from meatless carrot ‘bacon’ and almond ‘feta’ canapés, and bitesize vegan pastries.

6. Bakehouse Revolution

Photo ©Bakehouse Revolution | See their Bridebook profile

From cute cupcake favours to magnificent multi-tiered showstoppers, Bakehouse Revolution works with you to personally design, bake and create stunning wedding cakes for your special day. Everything is 100% vegan, and will leave a smile on everyone’s faces, whether vegan or not.

7. Tanya Westley Vegan Hair & Makeup Artist

Photo ©Tanya Westley Vegan Hair & Makeup Artist | See their Bridebook profile

Tanya Westley is a vegan wedding hair & makeup specialist based in Oxfordshire. Her kit consists of a carefully curated list of cruelty-free, vegan products, from brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Cover FX, Face Atelier and Illamasqua, to Kenra, Paul Mitchell, Moroccan Oil, Living Proof and more.

8. Becx Beauty – Makeup Artist & Beautician

Photo ©Becx Beauty – Makeup Artist & Beautician | See their Bridebook profile

Becx Beauty offers a bespoke makeup service for your special day, to ensure you look incredible while everyone looks on in awe. She is fully qualified, insured and accredited by BABTAC (The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology), and also Barbicide certified. All of the products are vegan and cruelty-free. As a makeup artist, she has built up a strong reputation and portfolio, becoming one of the most sought after vegan and cruelty-Free MUA in the North East.

9. Lauren Marie Studio

Photo © Lauren Marie Studio | See their Bridebook profile

Lauren Marie Studio creates hand-painted, bespoke, eco-friendly wedding stationery that tells your own unique love story, with lots of detail. She is passionate about providing conscious and sustainable stationery, and uses a gorgeous range of eco-friendly papers, sourcing ethical, vegan-friendly materials wherever possible in her exquisite designs.

10. Vegan Wedding Photography

Photo © Vegan Wedding Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re a vegan, and keen to choose a wedding photographer whose personal values and lifestyle align with your own, be sure to check out Vegan Wedding Photography. Denis is passionate about the environment, nature and sustainability and follows a vegan lifestyle.

Whether you’re a vegan yourself, want to create a more inclusive wedding for your guests, or simply want to reduce the impact of your wedding, the vegan-friendly venues and suppliers above are a great place to start . If any caught your eye, be sure to check out their Bridebook profiles!

How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost? The 2024 Average Revealed

When it comes to hosting a memorable wedding, food and drink are a huge contributing factor. Including canapés and arrival drinks, a three or four-course wedding breakfast and a spread for the evening buffet, your guests will spend a large portion of their time at your wedding enjoying some delicious food and drink.

But how much does wedding catering cost, so you know exactly how much of your budget you need to dedicate toward keeping your guests fed, watered (or wined!) and – ultimately – happy?

In this post we’re going to take a look at the average cost of catering a wedding and what can affect that cost – including the alcohol.

How does the pricing work?

Photo © Pure Indulgence Catering | See their Bridebook profile

The first thing you need to know is that, depending on the venue, catering can often be done in-house. But, if the venue doesn’t offer catering that suits your taste, you can hire caterers to come to your venue separately. Venues that include catering are usually priced per head, meaning there will be a set price for every guest which will include food (a buffet or sit-down meal), the venue rental and sometimes half a bottle of wine per person for the meal and some bubbly for the toasts.

If a venue is priced at a lump sum, it usually means that catering is not included and what you are paying goes towards securing the venue. For more information check out our post on the cost of a wedding venue.

What is the average cost of catering a wedding?

Photo © The Wedding Kitchen | See their Bridebook profile

How much your wedding catering costs depends entirely on how many people you’re looking to invite. The more people you invite the more hungry mouths there will be, and of course the higher the cost will be.

In our ultimate guide to budgeting a wedding, we outlined that to cater an 80- to 90-guest wedding you can expect to spend an average of £5,700 overall. This may initially sound like a lot, but it actually equates to just over £65 per person, which is quite reasonable when you consider it’s their food for the entire day. However, it’s also enough to make you think twice when liberally handing out those +1s.

Of course, if your wedding is more intimate than that – or more grandiose – it can drastically change that figure. Based on this, to cater a 40-guest wedding the average cost will be around £2,600, and a 160-guest wedding will cost around £10,400.

This is of course based on the average, and depending on your budget there’s a range of options available:

  • Affordable – £20 – £40 per head
  • Moderate – £40 – £60 per head
  • Luxury – £60 – £80 per head
  • Super luxury – £80+ per head

Is it cheaper per head the more guests there are?

Photo © Create | See their Bridebook profile

You may expect the price per head to reduce depending on the greater the number of guests there are, but this isn’t always the case when it comes to catering a wedding. It will usually depend on several factors, including the venue, the number of kitchen and wait staff required, and the dining style.

For example, the price per head will be cheaper if you provide buffet-style food or food trucks than it would with a four-course meal, regardless of how many guests are attending.

How much does a wedding breakfast cost?

Photo © Lettice Events | See their Bridebook profile

The wedding breakfast will generally be one of the most expensive parts of your wedding reception. They’re usually multi-course sit-down meals that are meticulously run from a busy kitchen like a well-oiled machine – and that kind of operation comes at a cost.

The average cost of a wedding breakfast will be around £30-40 per head, but certain venues and vendors can charge more than three times this amount.

To make sure you get all the information you need, check out our post on what questions you should ask your wedding caterer.

How much does an evening buffet cost?

Photo © Dine | See their Bridebook profile

Your evening buffet is a far more relaxed meal, which offers a greater choice of food and the need for fewer servers. It also offers you the chance to fill the bellies of your guests who could only come to the evening reception.

The average cost of a buffet is usually around £20-30 per head, however, this can also vary depending on the selection of dishes on offer and the type of cuisine. For example, chicken and chips will be far more affordable than hand-made sushi!

What else can affect the cost of catering a wedding?

Photo © Le Mange Tout | See their Bridebook profile

The above costs are all averages, and you’ll make plenty of choices that will make that cost go either down or way (WAY) up. These include:

  • Style of service: the cost of a buffet, sit-down meal, or food truck can vary hugely. For example, for a sit-down meal, you would have to factor in the wages of the waiters (it’s recommended to have 1 per 11 guests) and a buffet would have a wider selection of food options. There are thousands of caterers offering a wide variety of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
  • Menu choice: The more options you offer your guests outside of the standard meat, fish or vegetarian/vegan, the more you’re likely to pay.
  • The venue: Does it have its own catering team? If you’re hiring a catering team separate from the venue, you may also need to factor in the cost of hiring a marquee and portable kitchen. These costs can quickly add up, adding several thousand to the cost of your catering. Some venues have a list of preferred caterers, so make sure you ask your chosen wedding venue if there are limitations.
  • The food: Some food is cheaper to make than others. If you’re keen to offer oysters and caviar, don’t be surprised if it’s more expensive than if you were to offer sandwiches and vol-au-vents.
  • The ingredients: Some caterers may offer premium ingredients, and if imported or organic produce is important to you then expect to pay a little extra.
  • The number of courses: Are you happy with a three-course meal, or would you like to offer hors d’oeuvres, a fish course, palate-cleansing sorbets, and mignardise? The more courses there are (and the more complex they are to make) the pricier it will be.
  • The date: you can expect to pay higher rates during peak times, such as during the summer and at weekends.

What about the alcohol?

Photo © Caper & Berry | See their Bridebook profile

While it can be tempting to offer an open bar, a wedding is one of those rare occasions when people tend to let their hair down. As a result, many of your guests will want to partake in a drink or two (or five or six). The cost of an open bar can quickly become eye-wateringly expensive, which is why many couples opt instead for a bottle or two of wine per table, plus a glass of bubbles on arrival and for the toasts. Then, if guests would like any other drinks, they’re free to choose what they like from a cash bar.

Remember, if you choose to supply your own fizz or bottles of wine, the venue may charge a corkage fee, which can be around £5-11 per bottle.

For more information check out our ultimate guide to wedding alcohol.

Ready to plan your big day?

Need a hand (or two) with wedding planning? Join Bridebook and get all the tools you need to plan your big day from start to finish. Plan your wedding budget, find your wedding venues and suppliers, organise your guest list and more.

And if you’re looking for ways to save money on your wedding catering, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to help you keep costs down. 

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Happy Planning!

How To Design Your Perfect Wedding Menu

Whether you’ve already booked your wedding caterer or are still considering options, you’re probably starting to think about what’s going to be on the menu. But half the time, it’s hard enough to decide what to eat for dinner on Tuesday night – let alone what to serve at your wedding! So here’s our five step guide to designing the perfect wedding menu.

1. What’s Your Theme?

If you have a theme (and we recommend you do!), use this to guide your decisions when it comes to your wedding menu. A hog roast, for example, is perfect for an informal, outdoor celebration – but not so good for a black tie wedding, where you’re more likely to want to serve elegant canapés and petit fours.

2. Do (Most) People Like It?

Well, there’s a reason chicken is such a wedding staple! More adventurous options like veal, venison, lamb and lobster can be more divisive and may result in some of your guests forcing down food they’d rather avoid. So you have two options: stick with something safe (and of course, what this is depends on the cuisine you and your guests are used to) or offer a few different options to make sure there’s something for everyone.

3. Do You Like It?

It’s your wedding – so what do you want to eat to celebrate marrying the love of your life? Remember, you’ll almost certainly need to accommodate the dietary requirements of at least a few guests – so if you can, serve what you want but offer alternatives for those who may not share your taste.

4. Will It Keep You Full?

You don’t want to end up in a food coma before the speeches – but we’d always avoid light bites in favour of something with at least a bit of substance. Remember, weddings can stretch on well into the night – and the last thing you want is your guests nipping out to McDonalds for a late night snack! Plus, we’re sure any guests who are drinking will appreciate the opportunity to line their stomachs…

5. Is It Low Risk For Allergies?

If you can, stay away from well-known allergens like peanuts, shellfish and soy – especially if you know one of your guests is at risk. Even if you can provide them with an alternative, avoiding allergens altogether will put your mind at rest.

Ask yourself these five questions and you’ll be well on your way to designing your dream menu. And if you’re still on the hunt for your perfect wedding caterer, why not check out our fabulous directory here?

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How reviews help wedding food suppliers generate bookings

Food glorious food…what’s a wedding without a caterer or cake?

Food is usually at the centre of any social occasion and nowadays we all choose places to eat based on recommendations from friends and family or based on online reviews and star ratings.

We cannot emphasise enough how important reviews are in helping wedding caterers and wedding cake makers generate bookings.

Couples simply cannot choose between the thousands of foodies – good, bad and ugly – without a little guidance. And the best guidance comes in the form of real reviews and recommendations from the couples you’ve cooked, baked and served food for in recent weddings.

In the spirit of letting others do the hard work for us, here are two award winning Bridebook wedding suppliers to explain how important reviews are for wedding food suppliers.

Cakes by Nina – Bridebook’s Wedding Cake Maker of the Year

Nina, how does it feel to win this award!?

Thank you so very much – I’m truly over the moon! I’ve already seen some benefits of winning as I’ve had a few consultations with couples who were on the fence but when they saw that I’d won, they visited my website and Bridebook profile page, read my reviews and decided to go with me.

Amazing! So winning has proved how important reviews are for you.

Absolutely. Clients often comment that they have read my reviews before deciding to come and see me. Reviews are really important as it is a nerve wracking decision deciding who is going to do the best job making your wedding cake.

What are the top 3 benefits to having reviews in your personal experience?

  1. It gives you a stronger brand presence and supports potential clients in their decision making process.
  2. It helps put people’s mind at ease in this competitive market when you cannot be too sure of what you might be getting.
  3. It gives people the chance to read what real customers think of your service as well as see your product so helps you develop as a business and generate bookings

Circa Events – Bridebook’s Wedding Caterer of the Year

Olivia, congratulations on becoming Bridebook’s Wedding Caterer of the Year.

May we ask, what are the top 3 benefits to having reviews in your personal experience?

  1. Potential clients can see real-time, honest reviews from real couples!
  2. It drives traffic to our website
  3. It boosts our reputation with other suppliers and venues which in turn gives us more business opportunities

When you post reviews, do you do so on multiple platforms?

Dependent on the review and the wedding venue, we might post reviews on Facebook, our website and Bridebook. Where we post usually depends on where the client referral has come from in the first place.

——————————————————————————

That’s certainly given us food for thought (excuse the pun) with regards to just how impactful reviews and recommendations are for wedding food suppliers.

Do you have any comments to add about your experience of the power of reviews as a UK wedding food supplier?

For more information and interviews with award winning UK wedding suppliers, check out our Review Series.

7 trends wedding suppliers need to know about Millennial couples in 2018

The UK wedding market is jam-packed full of Millennials. Fact.

 

In fact, out of the 250,000 weddings per year in the UK the vast majority of couples are aged between 25-39 (aka Millennials). Source: The UK Wedding Report 2018 by Bridebook.co.uk.

And those digitally devoted information absorbers are now demanding a different approach from wedding suppliers. They’re looking for an altogether more open wedding market. They want you to overshare examples of weddings you’ve worked on – but don’t hound them or they’ll swipe left.

They might not have tons of time for you but they sure as hell want you to lay all of your cards on their perfectly designed wedding breakfast table.

#itscomplicated

So here’s the rundown of exactly what engaged and soon-to-be-wed couples of today expect from their wedding entourage for the approximate 20 months that they’ll be engaged and working with you…

1.Be online when your couples are

 

Unsurprisingly, the most popular time of the week for wedding planning is after work, with 63% of couples stating that evenings were the time they were most likely to be online.

Bridebook has discovered that the majority of enquiries are sent between 7pm-9pm so as a wedding supplier, you need to be active at these times. And of course the faster you are able to respond and interact with these enquiries the higher your conversion rate will be.

Where possible, keep an eye on your inbox over the weekend as Saturday (40%) and Sunday (37%) also show higher than average wedding planning activity.

 

2.Contact couples in the right way

For yet another year running, email is the preferred method of communication for initial enquiries (85%) and ongoing contact (88%) between couples and suppliers.

Interestingly though, half of couples also want in-person contact with the suppliers they’re working with.

However, you choose to answer your initial enquiry, remember to ask your couples how they would like to be contacted from there on and ask when is best for them in case evenings and weekends don’t suit.

 

3.Never underestimate the importance of reviews and recommendations

For yet another year running, couples have rated reviews and recommendations from friends and family (71%) as the most valuable source of information when booking wedding suppliers.

It is now more important than ever that you showcase your past work and triumphs wherever and whenever possible because 76% of couples read 8 or more reviews before booking a wedding supplier.

More specifically, 59% of couples said that they wanted to read online reviews from couples you’ve worked with in the past before making a decision on whether to contact you.

4.Understand how couples are choosing to spend their wedding budget

Did you know that the national average wedding spend in the UK in 2017 was £17,913 – excluding honeymoon? In London, this figure rises to £31,837.

So what are these big spending Millennial’s actually doing with their wedding budget?

The good news is that the money being spent on suppliers has increased by an average of 12% year on year. Consider this when reviewing your prices and ensure that you’re still pricing competitively and are not underselling your services by pricing too low.

Marquee hire (24%) food and drink (23%) and venue dressing (22%) are areas of spending that grew the most year on year.

5.Couples need interaction

The wedding industry is an unknown for most couples when they first dip their toe in our world and as such, we should be willing to guide them through the process.

 

This is the most important day of their lives and they are spending a lot of money so you have to prove your worth and show them that your business is worth investing in from the get go.

Be their friend and their partner throughout the wedding planning process. By communicating in the right way and offering the right kind of advice without being pushy you’ll ensure that couples have confidence in you and trust your expertise.

 

6.Couples depend on your photos

It is so important that you show couples what you do and what you offer with real, visual examples.

Keep your website and Bridebook profile up to date with the latest and greatest photos from weddings you’re most proud of.

Wedding venues – make sure that you’re showcasing great quality external and internal photos. If you aren’t blessed with acres of glorious grounds take photographs of other assets that surround you – whether rolling countryside or big city hotspots.

Makeup artists, wedding stylists, florists – photograph your work yourself and ask photographers and videographers for permission to use a couple of their photos or stills from the day (remembering to credit them).

Try to evoke a “that could be us” feeling with every visual you share.

 

7.Diversity is important to Millennial couples

Diversity is a problem that we are facing in the industry and we as suppliers should be tackling it head-on.

We live in one of the most diverse countries in the world and to ignore that is to ignore and potentially offend your potential customers.

As a start, be gender inclusive and try not to use phrases such as ‘normally a bride and groom have this or do that’. Consider your use of ‘bride and groom’ in the content you write and speak, using the term ‘partner’ or ‘couple’ instead.

We should be making every couple feel confident, comfortable and unique.

Wedding suppliers; ask yourselves…

…are you working with millennials or against them?  

Are you interacting with them at the time and in the ways that they want you to?

Are you showcasing your business at it’s best – including reviews and beautiful images to really sell how great you are?

Bridebook can help you adjust to what Millennial couples want and need. Set up your own Bridebook page now to start promoting your business in a quick, easy and effortless way.

 

Looking for more wedding industry trends and couple insights? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub, the home of wedding industry knowledge. 

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Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Awards 2017 Winners!

We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce the Winners and Highly Commended suppliers of the Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Awards 2017!

With so many incredible and talented suppliers across our Bridebook family, picking the final winners was difficult to say the least. So we’d like to extend our sincerest warm wishes and thanks for all of those who participated – the wedding industry wouldn’t be where it is today without you!

Now, without further ado – the 2017 winners! Huge congratulations to all! (And if you’re an engaged couple, there’s no better place to start your wedding supplier search than with this fabulous list of award winners!)

Wedding Beauty Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Amazing Face Bridal Hair & Make-Up

Winner: Amazing Face Bridal Hair & Makeup

Highly Commended: Make Up By Jenni

Highly Commended: Rachael Divers Makeup Artistry

Wedding Cake Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Yolk

Winner: Yolk

Highly Commended: Blossom and Crumb 

Wedding Caterer of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Sojo Kitchen

Winner: Sojo Kitchen

Highly Commended: Appetite Direct 

Wedding Decoration Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Qube Events and Productions

Winner: Qube Events and Productions

Highly Commended: Twilight Trees

 

Wedding Dress and Accessories Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Heart a Flutter

Winner: Heart A Flutter

Highly Commended: FairyGothmother

Wedding Entertainment Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Pyromania Fireworks

Winner: Pyromania Fireworks

Highly Commended: Chris Cook Magic 

Wedding Florist of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
The Flower Room

Winner: The Flower Room 

Highly Commended: Hiding In The City Flowers

Wedding Jewellery Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Hey Jules

Winner: Hey Jules

Highly Commended: Form Bespoke Jewellers

Wedding Videographer of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
James Riley Videos

Winner: James Riley Videos

Highly Commended: Scott Graham 

Wedding Transport Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Fiat 500 Hire

Winner:  Fiat 500 Hire 

Highly Commended: Vintage VWs 4 Hire 

Wedding Stationery of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Wonderland Invites and Design Studio

Winner: Wonderland Invites & Design Studio

Highly Commended: Paper Tree Design 

Wedding Planner, Celebrant or Toastmaster of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Pamella Dunn Events

Winner:  Pamella Dunn Events

Highly Commended: One Stylish Day

Wedding Photographer of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners

Winner:  Kristida Photography

Highly Commended: Tub of Jelly and Chris Giles Photography

Wedding Music Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Down For The Count

Winner: Down For The Count

Highly Commended: Wedding Smashers 

Wedding Menswear Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017

Winner: Roberto Revilla London

Highly Commended: DAPPER Formalwear for Men

Wedding Marquee Supplier of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Big Chief Tipis

Winner: Big Chief Tipis 

Highly Commended:  Florida Marquees

Wedding Venue of the Year

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Iscoyd Park

National Winner: Iscoyd Park

 

North East

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Newton Hall

Winner:  Newton Hall 

Highly Commended: Healey Barn 

North West

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Siren, Liverpool

Winner: Siren Liverpool

Highly Commended: Sandhole Oak Barn 

Yorkshire 

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Camp Kutur

Winner:  Camp Katur

Highly Commended: Woodhall Hotel and Spa 

West Midlands

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Compton Verney House

Winner:  Compton Verney House

Highly Commended: The Ashes

East Midlands 

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
The Old Vicarage Boutique Wedding Venue

Winner: The Old Vicarage Boutique Wedding Venue

Highly Commended: Ringwood Hall Hotel 

South East

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
East Quay Venue

Winner:  East Quay Venue

Highly Commended: Yoghurt Rooms

East of England

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Fennes

Winner: Fennes 

Highly commended: The Barns Hotel 

 

London

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Spitalfields

Winner: Spitalfields

Highly Commended: Pembroke Lodge 

South West

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Riverside Sopley Mill

Winner: Riverside Sopley Mill 

Highly commended: Elmore Court

Wales

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Porthmawr Country House

Winner: Porthmawr Country House 

Scotland

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA 2017 Winners
Assynt House

Winner: Assynt House

Highly commended: Kilrie Granary 

Northern Ireland

Bridebook.co.uk BBWA Winners 2017
Ballyscullion Park

Winner: Ballyscullion Park 

Highly commended: Breckenhill 

Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended! If you’re an engaged couple, there truly is no better place to start than with this fabulous list of Bridebook suppliers. Be sure to check out their profiles to book these award winners for your own wedding!

Moët & Chandon’s Guide To Champagne Celebrations

Bridebook.co.uk Monroe cheering with a glass of champagne

 

Weddings are one of the most emotive and memorable moments – the ultimate champagne celebration. With exquisite taste, a rich heritage and a spirit of glamorous spontaneity champagne promises one stylish celebration… let your champagne choice reflect your personality with Moët & Chandon’s bridal guide to champagne. 

The Classic Bride

Bridebook.co.uk moet champagne on marble with leaves

With a classic style your celebration is traditional without being stale. Drawing inspiration from icons including Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton you want your guests to raise a toast at your wedding reception that conveys quality.
 
Your aim is to celebrate in style with a wedding reception filled with glamourous guests sipping champagne out of coupes and dancing the night away to romantic tunes. For a sophisticated touch of glamour à la Marilyn Monroe serve the iconic Moët Impérial perfectly chilled at 8-9°C.
 
Founded in 1743 and a favourite of Madame Pompadour, Moët & Chandon quickly became an icon of elegance and quality – grapes are still handpicked to this date, yeast carefully selected for fermentation and the wine gracefully aged in the House’s legendary cellars. Granted the Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria 1893 and again by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 Moët & Chandon will subtly convey your taste for quality and celebration.

 

The Princess Bride

 

Bridebook.co.uk moet princess bride champagne in pink

 
A true romantic at heart you want a fairy tale wedding! You’re madly in love and you want the world to know it. Drawing inspiration from heroines such as Snow White and Belle, you dream of floating down an aisle of pink and white petals. Ready to enchant your guests with twinkling lights and a majestic ceremony arch you envision a bold celebration.
 
Rosé is the champagne for you – osé actually means daring in French and the style is associated with extravagant expressions of sentiment. Moët Rosé Impérial is a spontaneous and radiant expression of the Moët & Chandon style.
 
Distinguished by its bright fruitiness, enticing palate and elegant maturity the Moët Rosé Impérial is aged for a minimum of 24 months in the cellars resulting in an intense and supple finish. Dating back to the days of Napoleon who ordered 100 bottles of the House’s ‘Roze’ the tradition pink celebration continues to this day and your guests will be left with a rose tinted memory of your big day.

The Vintage Bride

 

Bridebook.co.uk vintage moet champagne bottle

 
Pearls, lace and vintage chic bridesmaid dresses are on your Pinterest Wedding board! What’s old is new again with this romantic wedding style. Gliding down the aisle in a lace dress exuding vintage glamour and sophistication in spades you want your guests to experience a taste of the past – a contemporary classic!
 
The ultimate expression of the Moët & Chandon style is the Grand Vintage. Masterfully crafted by winemaker Benoit Gouez the wine has aged for a minimum of 3 years and is only produced in years when conditions are ideal. Moët & Chandon is about to release the Grand Vintage Rosé 2008 carrying complex ripe berry fruit aromas with a long, silky finish that carry the flavours at each taste. The long cellar aging and miniscule bubbles are a hallmark of the supreme quality of the champagne.
 
Every detail of your wedding has been planned to perfection – the flowers, the table décor not to mention the invitation list. Having hand-picked your closest family and friends your guests are in for a real treat.

 

The Boho Bride

Bridebook.co.uk pink moet et chandon glass

 
You don’t follow trends – you set them! You have no nostalgia for the past and want your wedding to be in the NOW. For a sleek and stylish celebration you draw inspiration from travels, art and your style icons of choice including reveller Kate Moss.
 
First to spot a trend your perfect champagne is the Moët Ice Imperial also available in rosé. Evoking the spirit of the French Riviera you envision a stylish celebration with spontaneous fun and a refreshing culinary discovery for your guests. Inspired by the Piscine cocktail (famously from the French Riviera) Moët Ice Imperial and Moët Ice Imperial Rosé have a heavier composition. 3 ice cubes perfectly dilute the champagne to bring out a vibrant flavour which stays fresh for longer.
 
For a spontaneous twist add strawberry or mint to the mix for a champagne cocktail that matches your adventurous personality. A fun loving and carefree bride you want celebrations to last well into the night before you sail away with your beau sipping leaving your guests to describe your wedding as the coolest party ever.

 

 

 

Bonus! Top Tips From Moet & Chandon

 
  • Play with bottle sizes! The Moët range is available in several formats including Mini (20cl), Magnum (3L) and Jeroboam (6L).
  • Select the right glassware. Coupes are enjoying a comeback but bubbles will be lost quicker compared to a flute. A new trend is the tulip glass that slows down the loss of CO2 but also looks stylishly modern.

 

Happy Planning!

Ready to find the perfect suppliers for your dream wedding? Search through all of the U.K’s best venues and suppliers by what matters most to you on Bridebook today! Just check out our state-of-the-art supplier search tool.

 

River Cottage’s Top Tips on Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Menu

Written by River Cottage

River Cottage was founded by TV chef High Fearnley-Whittingstall and are considered experts in the food industry, with a range of food TV series, cookery courses, restaurants and food events.

Bridebook.co.uk river cottage wedding menu tips collage

River Cottage has given millions of TV viewers a taste for great cooking since 1998, when Hugh first brought his famous food ethos to Channel 4. Our hard-hitting campaigns have changed the eating habits of a nation and improved the welfare and sustainability of animals and fish.

River Cottage HQ, found on the Devon and Dorset border, is home to everything we do and is the base for our Cookery and Chefs’ School, unique dining experiences and wedding celebrations.

Bridebook.co.uk summer fruits wedding cake

We aim to teach and inspire people to grow, source and cook food in ways that enhance their lives, increase their well-being, and connect them more closely to natural, sustainable and ethical sources of food.

Head Chef, Gelf Alderson runs the busy kitchens and Cookery School at River Cottage HQ. Here are his top tips to help you choose your perfect wedding menu:

Bridebook.co.uk wedding table

Your Favourite Foods

Don’t try and please other people too much! Never forget that it’s your special day and no one else’s. Make sure your favourite foods are featured, at River Cottage we design each wedding menu with the couple and when they can’t agree on a certain item we just put both on the menu.

Bridebook.co.uk perfect meat platter for a casual country wedding

Add Some Theatre

Have some sharing plates or a little theatre involved in your menu. We have lovely outdoor cooking areas on the farm including our wood fired pizza oven which guest can gather around and design their own pizzas with the chefs. It helps raise the atmosphere and connect the guests with their location, and having lots of dishes down the table to share gives your guest who don’t know each other a convenient ice breaker creating a lovely buzz at the table.

Bridebook.co.uk freshly baked pizza for wedding guests

Include Something Different

Put a good amount of trust in the chef designing the menu with you but also don’t be afraid to ask for the unusual! At River Cottage we have an incredibly talented brigade of chefs with a multitude of experience. Although we specialise in local organic food, if you fancy something more unusual they can recreate more exotic food with ingredients from our own gardens, British food is a lot more versatile and exiting than people sometimes think.

Bridebook.co.uk pear and meringue desserts for a wedding

A Good Start

The food on arrival is essential not only are people starting to get hungry after the ceremony but it really sets the mood. Although traditional canapes can fit the day sometimes it’s nice to break the mould by getting the BBQs fired up or having a more refined afternoon tea, giving everyone plenty of energy for the wellie wanging and afternoon games!

Bridebook.co.uk homemade dips and bread for wedding snacks

Late Night Feasts

Don’t forget to have something planned for the evening, it doesn’t need to be too involved but your guests will need something to keep them going. From wood fired pizzas to a slow cooked hog roast with soft organic rolls you can have a really memorable end to your special day. 

Bridebook.co.uk freshly baked scones go down a treat

Want some of this gorgeous food at your own wedding? River Cottage is fully licensed to hold weddings and is (if you ask us) one of the most perfect venues for a beautiful country wedding! 

River Cottage HQ – Your Perfect Country Wedding Venue

Tie the knot and celebrate one of the best days of your life at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s iconic River Cottage HQ, based in 65 acres of organic farmland and just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Jurassic Coast. River Cottage is a unique wedding venue where the bride and groom share centre stage with the food. Couples design their menu with the River Cottage chefs, using the finest home grown, local and seasonal ingredients to wow their guests.

Bridebook.co.uk chefs in action prepping the wedding meal

Fully licensed to conduct civil ceremonies and partnerships, couples can get hitched in Hugh’s famous farmhouse, beautifully refurbished barn with breath-taking views across the Axe Valley or walled garden.

Bridebook.co.uk wedding lawn games

The barn is a glorious space any time of the year and can seat 70 people across two long banquet tables. During the summer months a further 30 can dine on the adjoining covered decking area. In the evening with tables cleared the maximum capacity is 120 with plenty of room to dance the night away.

Bridebook.co.uk gorgeous barn wedding in Devon

The walled garden is a gorgeous, tranquil environment for a blessing which takes place underneath a hazel arch woven in climbing sweet peas whilst guests sit on benches and straw bales to watch the happy couple. 

Bridebook.co.uk gorgeous summer garden wedding

Have you fallen in love with the gorgeous River Cottage as much as we have? Be sure to check out their Bridebook profile and enquire today!

Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!

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All Your Wedding Wine Questions Answered, by The Ritz

Brides and grooms to be can be forgiven for getting a little carried away focusing on their wedding breakfast menu and forgetting about the all important wine.  And rightly so! If you’re not already a wine buff, it can be awfully confusing and there is just so much to choose from meaning you don’t even know where to start. But luckily for us, our wonderful partners at The Ritz London, one of the most beautiful wedding venues in London, has shared with us their sommelier, Giovanni Ferlito’s expertise to help us navigate the incredible world of wines. Read this Q&A to get every question you have about picking your wedding wine answered!

Bridebook.co.uk wedding champagne being served

Q: Choosing wine can seem daunting, how do you recommend a couple prepares for the selection process? And how far in advance of their wedding should a couple begin their wine selection?

Selecting the wines for the wedding should be an enjoyable moment of the preparations.

The best thing to do is to ask the sommelier of your venue (if it has one) for recommendations and to taste the wines in advance, possibly during the menu tasting to test if the pairings work well.

There is no need to be too fussy and for the wine choices to be too complicated, try rather to think about a wine that can be easily enjoyed by everyone during the wedding.

I would recommend to choose the wines when the menu is already decided in order to select wines that could easily match the menu without overpowering the dishes or being too light.

Normally I would choose a white wine to start and a red wine for the main course and if there is also a middle course why not to try an orange wine or an oloroso sherry to spice up the selection!

Q: What is the usual process when helping couples select their wedding wine? 

First of all I will ask the couple if they know what their guests would normally like to drink to start to have an idea of what could be a good recommendation.

Then I will look at the menu and discuss it with the couple to find together a few options that could work. During the menu tasting I will let them sample the pre-selected wines and decide together the final choice as the balance of the wine pairing is, for me the most important factor.

Finally, it is important to respect the wedding budget and normally (unless there are a lot of wine lovers amongst the guests) I wouldn’t suggest to go crazy with selecting very fine wines. I would rather focus on picking the right wine and trying to please everyone.

Q: What should a couple consider when choosing a wine/champagne for the toast?

Prosecco is always a smart choice considering the price and it is a good option thanks to its freshness and fruity character. Why not to twist it with some Aperol, ice cubes, soda water and an orange slice to serve it as a Spritz, the Classic Italian aperitif!

English sparkling wines are doing extremely well and my favourites are Nyetimber for a crisp, elegant style and Gusbourne for a more rich, round style. I have just this month introduced them on The Ritz wine list for the first time in the 110 year history of the hotel.

And of course champagne is a classic and still my favourite!
Choose a non-vintage for crispness and fresh fruit notes or a vintage for more length, complexity and nutty finish.

Finally have you ever considered a Demi Sec Champagne? It’s slightly sweet on the finish, perfect perhaps to be served with the cake. A true treat fitting for the occasion.

Q: Could you guide couples on the essential factors in choosing wines to pair with their menu?

One of the most important factors to consider is the richness of the dish as we want the dish and the wine to have the same weight. It is very important to find the right balance as the wine could overpower the dish or be too flat. For example a light and delicate dish needs a light wine with a subtle taste while a rich and intense dish needs a full body wine with a strong backbone.

It is also important that the ingredients of the dish also match the aroma and flavours of the wine and just as with any food pairing, it helps to think of either complementary or contrasting flavors.

Personally I am a big fan of red wine with fish. I think it is a very interesting pairing as long as the red is delicate, light and with very soft tannins. If served slightly cooler, even better.

The perfect one would be a German or Alsatian Pinot Noir.

Just be careful with spicy food… my recommendation is to balance the spiciness up with an aromatic and slightly sweet Riesling or Gewurztraminer.

Q: Do you have any creative ideas for making your wine selection special and not just about taste?

A wine pairing for me is the best way to travel around the fascinating world of wine. The wine selection should be an interesting wine discovery with wines made from different grapes from different country.

Try also to explore less known styles or wine regions, such as orange wines from Georgia, Palo Cortado Sherry or crisp white wines from Portugal.

To make the experience even more interesting I would use different format and also glasses with all different shapes obviously according to the wine.

All in all, the wine pairing is a wonderful opportunity to give your meal a little personality! If one of you is from a wine region, including one of those wines in the meal can be a very nice touch.

Q: What are the best wines to go with cheese or dessert?

Sweet wines!

The savoury and cream character of some soft or blue cheese works perfectly well with a dessert wine as the residual sugar will balance the saltiness while the acidity will cut through the creaminess.

Q: How should couples alter their wine taste and choice according to the season of their wedding?

Seasonality is very important and this is another reason why it is better to choose the wine after you’ve decided on your wedding  menu  as it should also reflect the season.

Q: Could you explain any considerations a bride and groom should have on the timing of the wine serving?

I would always recommend to start from white wine and then move to red wine and also in crescendo from a lighter to a stronger style. Between white and red I could possibly suggest a rose or an orange wine. Once on a red wine, I wouldn’t recommend to go back to a white wine. After the red I would either serve a sweet dessert wine of a fortified wine such as a Port.

Q: Which wines does your dream wedding wine list consist of?

All of these wines are not only delicious and versatile, but also provide enough variety to keep things interesting.

Purity Billecart-Salmon Rose NV – Vallée de la Marne, Champagne

Freshness Riesling Kabinett Sharzhofberger, Egon Müller 2012 – Mosel, Germany

Complexity Tsitska, Lagvinari 2013 – Imereti, Georgia

Elegance Gevrey-Chambertin, Philippe Pacalet 2011 – Burgundy, France

Delicacy Passito di Pantelleria “Ben Ryé” 2013, Donnafugata – Sicily, Italy

Q: What has been your favourite wedding experience?

At my wedding when I opened a bottle of Champagne with the classic Sabrage!

Sabrage is a technique for opening a champagne bottle with a saber used for ceremonial occasions. This became popular in France after the spectacular victories across all Europe the cavalry of Napoleon which gave them plenty of reason to celebrate.

Q: If you were a wine which would you be?

I would be a seductive Pinot Noir from Côte de Nuit, Burgundy.

Pure, elegant, fresh, with raspberry and cherry notes and a vibrant rose petal and spice finish…

bridebook.co.uk ritz sommelier smelling red wine

Happy Planning!

Ready to find the perfect suppliers for your dream wedding? Search through all of the U.K’s best venues and suppliers by what matters most to you on Bridebook today! Just check out our state-of-the-art supplier search tool.

Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!

Shortlist and book all of your favourite suppliers in one place

Stay on track with our live checklist

Keep your wallet happy with our state of the art budgeting tool

Add your nearest and dearest to your guestlist

Pol Roger’s 3 Step Guide to Serving Champagne at Your Wedding

Written by Pol Roger

Pol Roger is regarded as an expert in the champagne industry, having been a champagne producer for over 150 years and currently producing over 110,000 cases of champagne annually.

No one put champagne better than the late Sir Winston Churchill: “In defeat I need it, in victory I deserve it.” – and we are sure that Churchill would agree with us that when you’re planning your wedding you always deserve it!

As much as you will enjoy guzzling the bubbly throughout your engagement, we have asked the esteemed Champagne Pol Roger to guide us through some of the ins and outs of incorporating champagne in your nuptials.

Having been producing exceptional champagne for over 165 years, holding an unrivalled reputation for quality, and being the champagne of choice for the royal wedding – it is needless to say that Pol Roger knows what they’re talking about!

bridebook.co.uk-pol-roger-bottle-and-glasses
Courtesy of Pol Roger

The Proposal

The proposal is the ideal moment to splurge on that flawless glass of bubbly, as you celebrate the journey the two of you have just embarked on. To emulate our greatest exponent, Sir Winston Churchill, the Vintage Champagne is the right choice for this ‘victory’.

Vintage champagnes, such as Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2006, are produced only when all the necessary components of climate, grape quality and ripeness at harvest come together for the winemaker to produce a wine of optimum intensity, structure and balance which will carry the distinctive character of the year.

It’s a classic and with a beautiful glass of bubbly in your hand, that private moment between you and your fiancee becomes extra special.

bridebook.co.uk-pol-roger-on-engagement-champagne-on-beach
Courtesy of Pol Roger

The Reception

Following the emotionally charged ceremony, a glass of cold, refreshing champagne is perfect for a reception. As this is when the canapes will be served, be sure to choose a champagne that has a freshness to it, but with sufficient backbone to be drunk with an array of foods.

Non-vintages, such Pol Roger Brut Reserve, are the perfect choice for the reception. Our apéritif champagne is the definitive house-style, composed from 30 still base wines drawn from at least two vintages, and the three varieties of Champagne, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier blended in equal portions.

The champagne is dominated by notes of stone fruits, rich nuttiness and a hint of honey supporting the freshness of the acidity.

bridebook.co.uk-pol-roger-wedding-reception-champagne-being-served
Courtesy of Pol Roger

The Toast

All too often the same champagne is served for the toast, as is used for the reception. However we recommend serving a champagne that has a slightly higher dosage, stands out to reflect this special moment in your wedding, and complements your cake perfectly.

You should look for champagnes such as the Pol Roger Rich, a demi-sec, that has a gentle sweetness of the wine, but is tempered by a refreshing acidity that cuts through to leave the palate cleansed – thus making it the perfect toast to serve with your sweet wedding cake.

bridebook.co.uk-pol-roger-in-ice-bucket-at-wedding
Courtesy of Pol Roger

The Excellence of Champagne Pol Roger

Maison Pol Roger owns 91 hectares of vineyards on prime sites in the Champagne region of France. The cellars run for 7km and are on three levels, the deepest known as the ‘cave de prise de mousse’ at 34m below street level.

As the name suggests this is where the wine undergoes its secondary fermentation in bottle. The fact that this deep cellar is at 9°C or less, rather than a normal cellar temperature of 11-12°C, prolongs this fermentation and contributes to the quality and particular style of the wines and their famously fine bubbles.

 

Happy Planning! 

Other articles you may be interested in: 

Wedding Cake Tips By Mary Berry

Written by Mary Berry

Mary Berry is an English chef, baker, food writer and TV presenter famously known for being a judge on The Great British Bake Off. She is regarded as an expert in baking.

Bridebook.co.uk- Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood
By The Great British Bake Off

Bridebook was fortunate enough to interview Mary Berry herself, that’s right, The Queen of Cakes! Read our interview with her below:

How do you choose the right cake for your wedding day?

Choose a wedding cake that shows your personality and one that you think that everyone will enjoy. To be classic, a rich fruit iced cake in tiers.

If you like to be on the lighter side choose one of the tiers to be a different flavour such as a lemon genoise or chocolate cake. Remember if you are giving away pieces of cake as presents in boxes, the cake should be a rich fruit one because it keeps best and travels well.

Do you have any tips for a DIY wedding cake?

When choosing a totally different style of cake such as cupcakes on a tiered cake stand, or croquembouche, or meringue pyramid, make sure that the icings or fillings are not affected by heat. Also they need to be very freshly made. Avoid spun sugar, it doesn’t last more than three hours. 

How do you make an impression with your wedding cake?

To add that WOW factor to your cake it needn’t be complicated. The decoration could be your joint interests and should be bold and look good close up as well as from a distance.

Do you have any quick tips?

Remember to give instructions regarding the top tier of the cake if you are keeping it for the Christening. Only a rich fruited cake is suitable and can be frozen.

What’s the latest trend?

I gather the latest trend is to have a cake made completely out of cheeses, served with port.

Bridebook.co.uk- cheese tower
By Allister Freeman

Happy Planning!

Browse other similar articles:

Rachel Khoo On Getting Creative With Your Wedding Menu

Written by Rachel Khoo

Rachel Khoo is a British cook, broadcaster and writer with her own food television cooking series, and regarded as an all round food expert.

bridebook.co.uk collage of rachel khoo's food
Photos by David Loftus, Laura Edwards and Keiko Oikawa

The Bridebook team definitely had a fan girl moment (or two!) when we heard the inspiring Rachel Khoo would share with us her wedding food tips. The brains behind the online lifestyle magazine Khoollect and multiple critically acclaimed cookbooks including The Little Paris Kitchen, Rachel is a tour de force in the foodie world to be reckoned with.

Pair that with on trend culture and style tips to the plenty and we officially have a major girl crush. Read on to get some awesome tips on how to get creative with your wedding breakfast that will make even the most traditional bride rethink her menu…

Ready to start booking your catering? Make sure you check out Bridebook’s catering price guide before you do! 

bridebook.co.uk-rachel khoo portrait
By Lara Messer

With so many delicious canapé options and ideas out there, what are your recommendations to couples in deciding what they serve on their wedding day?

My philosophy on catering is ‘always keep things simple’ and stay true to your own ideas (rather than trying to please each individual guest). You’ll never manage to please everyone’s palates and tastes, but if you choose a broad selection of dishes or options to pick from then no-one will go hungry.

I also think it’s super important to stay in tune with your surroundings and pick food to suit your overall theme. For example, if you’re getting married in Italy, then plan a rustic family-style dinner at a long table, with Italian fare to match.

If you want to keep things casual, then why not go for a barbecue in the backyard – that way, you don’t even have to think about canapes. It’ll just be salads, delicious barbecued meats, and fresh fruit popsicles.

bridebook.co.uk pork belly dish by rachel khoo
By David Loftus
  • Always bare in mind what’s in season. Using seasonal produce will make it easy to source ingredients, keep the price down, and also make for a better tasting end result.
  • Simple is best. With any kind of entertaining I always say focus on getting the best produce possible and it’ll do the work for you.
bridebook.co.uk lentil salad by rachel khoo
By David Loftus
  • Pick foods that represent you and your husband. You don’t have to be fancy for the sake of it. This will make the menu more personal. I love the fact that Kate Winslet did bangers and mash at her wedding.
  • Remember: the food isn’t the most important part of the wedding, you and your guests are. So if everything doesn’t go your way, don’t stress – your guests honestly don’t care too much. They’re there to celebrate your special day and not to get a slap up meal.
bridebook.co.uk chicken roast dinner by rachel khoo
By David Loftus

What are some ways couples can get creative with their wedding day food to avoid the traditional and sometimes boring fillet and salmon dishes?

Some people love those boring fillet and salmon dishes, but I think most are far more adventurous in their eating these days and see weddings as an opportunity to sample new and exciting dishes.

Find a really great catering company, or venue with a brilliant kitchen, and allow them to be creative on your behalf (with your own input of course). Seek out your own inspiration – via food magazines, Pinterest, blogs, and your own heritage and traditions – and bring your ideas to the table. Make sure you incorporate local ingredients in your menu.

It’ll make your wedding unique rather than following a cookie cutter formula. You could use a local product for your wedding favours (e.g. a locally made candy), or serve fish caught by the local fisherman.

bridebook.co.uk egg dish with tomatoes by rachel khoo
By David Loftus

With your patisserie expertise, what are some good ideas for wedding cake alternatives that are perfect for a wedding celebration but still practically feasible?

Sometimes I think brides get a little carried away with their wedding cake, when infact, it’s often the most high-stress but often overlooked part of the wedding. So many times I’ve seen the dance floor full of guests, with a sad lonely cake left in the corner with barely a bite out of it.

My suggestion is to keep your cake simple and low-stress OR opt for smaller, delicate hand-held sweet items instead.

bridebook.co.uk strawberry sponge and cheesecake by rachel khoo
By Lara Messer

Here’s some nice alternatives that you and your friends can either make yourself, or can easily be assembled by your caterers:

  • Cream puffs or filled choux pastries (and no, you don’t need to stick these together with sugar syrup to create an elaborate croquembousch).
  • Mini cakes or cupcakes.
  • A tower of cheese (explained more below)
  • A pile of macarons (these keep for ages if stored correctly) A tiered cheesecake, or small cheesecakes.
  • A beautiful pyramid or pile of fresh fruit.
bridebook.co.uk tied ice cream sandwiches by rachel khoo
By Keiko Oikawa

What are some tips you can give to a bride who wants to make her own wedding cake?

  • Plan the flavour and style of cake you want to make well ahead of the big day.
  • Practice making the cake once or twice before you commit to making the ‘wedding’ cake. This also gives you the opportunity to perfect your decorating and icing.
  • Find a recipe that freezes really well – that way, you can bake it days or a couple of weeks ahead of the event, then simply thaw and decorate just before the big day.
  • If you’re not so hot on the decorating side of things, then enlist a friend to help. OR just bake the cake and pay a talented cake decorator to do the rest. You could also keep it naked and dress it up with flowers from your bouquet. A home-made victoria sponge with jam and cream can be just as stunning as a fondant covered traditional cake…and probably tastes better.
bridebook.co.uk pistachio and pomegranate cake by rachel khoo
By David Loftus
  • Choose flavours and textures that have universal appeal. Wedding guests range in ages and tastes, so it’s important to offer flavours that don’t just suit you.
  • Make sure your cake has a sturdy crumb to it and will stay fresh for at least a couple of days. There’s no point making something like a sponge cake that’s best eaten within hours of baking, or a crumbly number that will fall apart in your guests’ hands.

What is the most creative way you have seen food incorporated into or served at a wedding or event?

I’m a huge fan of cheese, so always get excited when I see a simple wedding cake that involve a few large rounds of the stuff piled on top of each other.

bridebook.co.uk cheese tower with white flowers
By The Cheese Shed

Want even more trendy inspo? Be sure to check out Rachel’s online lifestyle magazine Khoollect for everything from city tips, to produce growing guides, to irresistible recipes for the modern gal. 

Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!

Shortlist and book all of your favourite suppliers in one place

Stay on track with our live checklist

Keep your wallet happy with our state of the art budgeting tool

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How to Save Money on Wedding Alcohol

Weddings don’t come along very often, but when they do they’re a cause for a celebration. And one of the ways a lot of wedding guests like to let their hair down is by having a drink or two (or three or four).

Raising a glass of bubbles is also a great way for your guests to toast you and your new spouse, and celebrate your marriage. But as well as the fizz, your guests will enjoy a variety of alcoholic drinks, from wines and beers to cocktails and spirits.

In the UK, the average amount spent by couples on their wedding is £20,775, with more than a quarter of that going towards catering alone. Part of that catering is the drinks you provide your guests, so the more thirsty guests you invite, the more you’re likely to spend.

So, how can you save money on wedding alcohol? In this post, we’re going to dive into the ways you can reduce how much you spend on booze so you can get more out of your wedding budget.

What kind of alcohol is usually served at a wedding?

Photo © Savva Bars & Catering Co | See their Bridebook profile

It’s common for a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to be served at weddings. If a full-service bar is provided, the possibilities are endless, but the alcoholic drinks offered generally include:

  • Beer
  • Cider
  • Red wine
  • White wine
  • Sparkling wine or Champagne
  • Spirits
  • Cocktails

Often, couples will provide their guests with a limited number of drinks, such as an arrival drink, a bottle of red and white for each table at the breakfast and a glass of bubbles for the toast. A third of couples opt to offer an open bar,  but this can be a rather expensive option – especially if you’re inviting a lot of guests.

For more information check out our ultimate guide to wedding alcohol.

Should you offer an open bar?

Photo © Sip ‘n’ Swig | See their Bridebook profile

Whether or not you choose to offer an open bar at your wedding is entirely your choice – there’s no right or wrong answer. Just because a third of couples choose to offer an open bar doesn’t mean you need to – that still leaves two-thirds of all couples who decide not to.

In fact, if you decide to have a paid bar at your wedding you could save more than £2,100. Plus, your guests are unlikely to think anything of it or mind paying for their drinks. 

10 ways to save money on wedding alcohol

Photo © Lettice Events | See their Bridebook profile

Offering a paid bar is just one of the ways you can save money on alcohol at your wedding. For more tips and cost-cutting ideas, read our guide to how to save money on your wedding. 

Below are 10 more ways you can save while still making sure your guests can enjoy a few drinks on your big day.

1. Buy your alcohol just after Christmas 

Photo © Party Ingredients | See their Bridebook profile

Alcohol may be one of the most expensive items on your wedding list, but remember – it doesn’t go off! So regardless of your wedding date, we recommend buying any alcohol you need either after Christmas or New Year or around the big summer bank holidays. That’s when supermarkets slash their prices and have huge sales on alcohol. You can save up to £1,500 buying Champagne in the sales just after Christmas compared to in the run-up to your wedding. 

2. Ask about ‘sale or return’

Photo © Foray Catering | See their Bridebook profile

Believe it or not, if you do offer your guests a couple of free drinks, then there’s every chance it won’t be finished, particularly if you’ve provided bottles of wine. Not everyone drinks wine – even when it’s free – so what do you do if you end up with six bottles of unopened wine at the end of the reception?

Ask the venue or vendor about sale or return, which is a policy that allows you to return unopened and undamaged bottles of alcohol for a refund or credit off your final bill. It might not save you loads, but even a little saving is better than none when you’re spending so much.

3. Switch the expensive stuff for the not-so-expensive

Photo © Daisy Duke Bar and Catering | See their Bridebook profile

Your wedding is a fabulous celebration and it can be tempting to bring out the big guns and pop open a few bottles of Champagne, particularly for arrival drinks and raising a glass during the speeches. But, Champagne is expensive and some cheaper alternatives are actually more popular anyway.

Instead of pricey Champers, consider more affordable options like Cava and Prosecco, which plenty of people prefer, and many won’t even realise are different.

To put it into perspective, a decent bottle of Champagne will cost around £40, whereas a nice bottle of Prosecco will cost around £10. So, if you need 25 bottles, by switching from Champagne to Prosecco, you could save £750.

4. Introduce a DIY cocktail bar

Photo © Liquid Mobile Bar | See their Bridebook profile

A great way to get your guests in good spirits (get it?) and save some money is with a DIY cocktail bar. All you need are half a dozen bottles of spirits, a few mixers and a recipe guide, and your guests can get to work creating their own delicious drinks. It also doubles as a unique form of wedding entertainment and gets your guests chatting and interacting with each other.

For a little extra personalisation, you could create some custom cocktail recipes that are themed around you and your spouse-to-be, and name some drinks after significant moments, places and people in your lives.

5. Bring your own alcohol

Photo © Fabulous Fizz Bar | See their Bridebook profile

When you think about it, a wedding is just one big party – and it’s not unheard of to ask party guests to bring their own drinks. It might not be the most comfortable option, but asking your guests to come armed with a bottle or two will potentially save you thousands.

If this is something you’re considering, make sure to check with the venue that it’s something they allow – if you’re getting married in a hotel or similar, then it might be written into your agreement that it’s prohibited. But, many venue types will allow it, particularly if you haven’t gone for an all-inclusive package.

If you go down this route, just remember to add BYOB to your wedding invitations!

6. Hire an external vendor

Photo © Mambo Mobile Bars | See their Bridebook profile

Another way to lessen costs is by hiring an outside vendor, such as a mobile bar, to provide all the drinks at your wedding. This also opens up more options for personalisation if your wedding has a specific theme.

This is again something you’ll need to check with your chosen venue – they may not allow mobile bars. You’ll also want to make sure your chosen vendor has a license to sell alcohol, because if they don’t, it could land you in hot water.

7. Bypass the arrival drinks

Photo © Dine | See their Bridebook profile

Before the ceremony, when your guests slowly begin to arrive, it’s common for couples to offer their guests an arrival drink to help them get into the mood. If you offer each of your guests a drink, it can quickly get expensive.

But, a drink on arrival isn’t something your guests will expect – it’s simply a nice surprise, similar to canapés and wedding favours. So, to save a little money, why not bypass the arrival drinks altogether? Or, simply switch them out for a non-alcoholic drink so you can offer the gesture while cutting back on the cost.

8. Scale back how much you offer your guests

Photo © Paisley Flour Catering | See their Bridebook profile

An open bar might not suit your budget, but you could still thank your guests for coming by providing them with a drink or two. Many couples opt to include a couple of bottles of wine for each table – one red and one white – but for a little extra selection, why not extend that to include beer, too?

If you’re keen on providing your guests with a glass of wine at the wedding breakfast or a flute of bubbles during the toasts, one money-saving tip is to simply ask the venue to be a little more reserved with their pouring than they might usually be. Whereas a bottle of Champagne will generally fill six glasses, a slightly less generous pour might stretch this to 10. If a bottle can serve more guests, you won’t need to open as many. And if you don’t need to open as many bottles, you won’t need to pay for as many. 

9. Brew your own booze

Photo © The Copper Top Bar | See their Bridebook profile

If you plan far enough in advance, why not have a go at brewing your own alcohol? After all, brewing wine, beer and even spirits at home is becoming an increasingly popular hobby. Not only is supplying your own handmade drinks a great way to save money on wedding alcohol, but it also personalises your reception.

10. Forgo the toasts

Photo © Filly & Foal Mobile Bar Hire | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re not one for traditions, consider forgoing the speeches completely, which then also forgoes the need to supply your guests with a glass of fizz and to provide bottles of wine on each of the tables. With the increase in the popularity of twilight weddings, it’s becoming more common for couples to bypass wedding breakfasts and go straight from the ceremony to the evening reception. 

Plan your wedding stress-free with Bridebook

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How to Save Money on Wedding Catering

Depending on the duration of your wedding, your guests are served food and drinks at different intervals throughout the day. This can include arrival drinks and canapés, a three or four-course breakfast and a glorious buffet in the evening. But, how much does it cost to keep your guests wined and dined?

Wedding catering is one of the biggest expenses in most wedding budgets, second only to the cost of a wedding venue. According to our ultimate guide to budgeting a wedding, the average cost of wedding catering for 80 – 90 guests is £5,700. 

We understand that this is a huge expense, and one obvious way to save money on wedding food is by cutting the number of guests. However, we also understand that this might not always be possible. If this is the case for you, fear not – there are still plenty of ways you can save money. 

In this post, we’re going to take a look at the many ways you can save money on wedding catering while still keeping your guests full and happy.

What type of food is the cheapest at a wedding?

Photo © Touchays Wedding Caterer | See their Bridebook profile

Food that is easy to cook in bulk and requires little prep time will be among the cheapest food you can serve at your wedding. This includes the food served at both your wedding breakfast and the evening buffet.

At the reception, simple food cooked well will keep the costs down. An example of an affordable three-course wedding breakfast meal could include:

Starter – Soup

Main course – Roast chicken, potatoes and seasonal vegetables

Dessert – New York cheesecake

In the evening, the same applies to the buffet. Simple, tasty food that your guests can eat with their hands will make sure everyone is more than satisfied. Examples of cheap and easy wedding buffet food include pizza, pasta, salad, chips, chicken, wraps, tacos and more. You could even have a theme for your evening buffet, such as American, Asian, Mexican or barbeque.

12 ways to save money on wedding food 

Photo © Blame Frank | See their Bridebook profile

Now that you know what factors can increase the cost of wedding food, let’s look at 12 ways to do cheap wedding food.

1. Compare venue catering to outsourcing wedding catering

Photo © Taverna Catering | See their Bridebook profile

If your chosen venue has an all-inclusive package, this likely includes food. While it can be more affordable to hire other vendors, an all-inclusive option is usually your best bet. According to our 2024 Wedding Report, couples save over £1,000 when the venue cost includes catering versus external catering costs.

If you do want to hire external caterers, though, do plenty of research before you book your wedding venue. Make sure your chosen venue is flexible, as this will open up your choices and allow you to hire other caterers. So, if you want a fancy countryside venue but also want to serve woodfired pizzas in the evening, ask the venue whether they would allow this first.

It’s best to research wedding caterers and venues at the same time so you can see which option is the most suitable for your budget. During your research, make sure you’re looking at not just the cost, but also the services they provide, their location and recent reviews to make sure they provide exactly what you want.

2. Choose local caterers

Photo © Strawberry Shortcake | See their Bridebook profile

Once you’ve decided on a location for your wedding and you’ve found your perfect venue, try to choose local caterers if you’re outsourcing them. If your wedding is on the outskirts of Birmingham but the caterer you’ve chosen is based in London, they’ll charge you an additional fee to travel all that way, which could be a flat rate or a cost per mile outside of their usual catchment area.

By choosing a local vendor it will keep costs as low as possible. It’s also possible that they’ve already provided catering for an event at your chosen venue, so may also have a professional relationship that will help things go smoother on the day. An additional bonus is that you’ll be supporting local businesses.

Bridebook has a fabulous selection of wedding caterers, so regardless of where you’re getting married, you’ll find the perfect food options for your wedding.

3. Go for a buffet 

Photo © Bristol Event Catering | See their Bridebook profile

Who doesn’t love a buffet? Your guests are free to choose whatever food tickles their fancy and can load their plates up with as much or as little food as they like. Not only are buffets versatile, but they’re also major crowd-pleasers – not to mention they’re generally cheaper than a traditional wedding breakfast.

With full table service, you get to be treated like royalty on your special day (which is obviously amazing), but this service does come at a cost. Typically, you’ll need one member of wait staff per 10 guests at a table service wedding breakfast. That means, if you have 100 guests, you’ll need 10 wait staff – and this is before you even take into consideration the kitchen and bar staff.

Even though buffets offer a wider variety of food than a three- or four-course table-service meal, a far smaller team is needed to prepare and serve the food. Whereas a breakfast might cost £30 – £40 per head, a buffet will cost around half of this. While a buffet isn’t quite as luxurious as a table service meal, your guests likely won’t mind so long as they get something to eat.

4. Cut your guest list

Photo © Pro Roasts Events | See their Bridebook profile

The number of guests you invite to your wedding directly affects the total cost of catering, because the more mouths to feed, the more food you need. 

With the cost of food per head averaging £62, costs can quickly add up. Suppose you’ve invited 100 guests – 100 x £62 = £6,200 for the food alone. If you’re in a position to, cutting just 10% of your guest list will save you around £620, and this doesn’t even include other savings you can make, such as decor, stationery, favours and the ability to choose a smaller, more affordable venue.

It might be tough, but very few couples can invite everyone. A little bravery could potentially save you thousands, without you having to forgo the food you want. 

5. Take peak dates and times into account

Photo © Caper & Berry | See their Bridebook profile

A huge number of couples want to tie the knot during peak wedding season, when the weather is more likely to behave itself, flowers are blooming and you have more options for beautiful outdoor photographs.

However, with so much competition during the most popular weeks and months, vendors have to raise their prices, and this includes caterers. So, you could save a lot of money by setting your date on a common-or-garden weekday between October and March, when caterers’ rates are generally lower.

So, instead of booking your wedding for a Saturday in August, why not consider a Tuesday in February? This will slash the cost of catering, as well as other wedding costs such as your venue and entertainment.

6. Craft your menu

Photo © Crafted Events | See their Bridebook profile

Your first instinct might be to get one of everything when you see the menu options, as that way, you can cater to everyone – from meat eaters to vegetarians – while knocking out any allergy-causing options too. 

But, to keep costs down, don’t offer your guests a wide variety of options at the wedding breakfast. It’s usually far more cost-effective to offer a limited number of choices, as the catering team will be able to focus on making sure every plate is perfect. So, one meat and one vegetarian or vegan option is usually more than enough to meet the needs of the majority of your guests.

The type of food you go for will also influence the cost. Instead of choosing fancy or time-consuming dishes like lobster, sushi or beef Wellington, opt for more affordable options such as chicken, potatoes and vegetables. A skilled catering team can make even the most affordable ingredients look and taste fabulous.

It’s even better to go for in-season and locally-grown ingredients. This will be much cheaper while also allowing you to support local businesses. Have a chat with your catering team to see what they can do to get the most out of your budget. Fancy food doesn’t automatically have to mean expensive.

While it’s vital to make sure dietary requirements are fulfilled, the more bespoke dishes the team has to cater for, the pricier it will be. So, it’s important to provide food for special requirements, but you should try to avoid making changes purely because your cousin is a fussy eater and will only eat chicken nuggets.

Remember, whenever in doubt, speak to your wedding caterer. If you want to know what to ask, read our guide on questions to ask your wedding caterer.

7. Consider your bar options carefully

Photo © Mambo Mobile Bars | See their Bridebook profile

A fully stocked bar with all kinds of drinks, or a mixologist putting on a fancy show, might be a must-have for some couples, but this will add to the cost. This is especially true if you choose to offer an open bar, which will potentially add thousands to your final bill. You’ll save more than £2,000 by asking your guests to pay for their own drinks (with the exception of a bottle of wine at the table and a glass of fizz for the toasts). Plus, weddings with an open bar are in the minority, so it’s not something your guests will expect.

When it comes to the fizz, Champagne is a luxurious option, but your guests will be just as happy with a cheaper alternative such as prosecco or Cava. This is often more affordable than supplying your own bubbles, as most venues will charge a corkage fee, which can be as high as £35 per bottle.

Another option is a mobile bar service that will handle all your drinking needs. Some of the best options Bridebook has to offer are Mambo Mobile Bars, Louisiana’s Mobile Bars, and The Mobile Bar Company.

For more information, see our post on how to save money on wedding alcohol.

8. Ask for smaller plates

Photo © Create | See their Bridebook profile

You read that right – ask your vendor for smaller plates during the evening buffet. This will limit the amount of food your guests can pile up. Instead of taking mountains of food, most guests will take considerably less, which will reduce the amount of waste too. And don’t worry – if someone wants to go for multiple rounds, they can! No one will go home hungry.

9. Consider a food truck 

Photo © Feast It | See their Bridebook profile

Renting a food truck to provide freshly-cooked plates is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding, and will help keep your catering budget down.

Think about it – food trucks are used to cooking and serving delicious, crowd-pleasing dishes at busy, fast-paced events. The same can be done for your wedding – just tell them your budget and they’ll handle the rest. This is great way to keep costs manageable while offering your guests some unique and mouth-watering food. Plus, with food trucks being one of the hottest wedding trends of 2024, this kind of catering is all the rage right now. 

10. Go for special promotions 

Photo © Squisito Italian Celebrations | See their Bridebook profile

Keep a look out for wedding fairs, where a selection of vendors come together to showcase their offerings and encourage you to have a taste. This is a great way to see what options are available and try food from a wide selection of local caterers. During events, a lot of caterers will offer exclusive discounts and promotions, which could save you a nice chunk of change. Not only will you leave the event with a full stomach, but your budget will also thank you for it.

For more information, see our ultimate guide for saving money on your wedding.

11. Have a twilight wedding

Photo © Dine | See their Bridebook profile

A twilight wedding is a wedding which starts much later in the day, usually around the time the sun starts to set. This means, after the reception and photographs, you’ll likely want to bypass the wedding breakfast and dive straight into the evening buffet – a far more cost-effective option. Because you’re only feeding your guests once, you’ll drastically reduce the amount of money you spend on catering, as well as various other parts of your wedding.

12. Limit or cut the canapés and arrival drinks

Photo © Jacaranda Catering | See their Bridebook profile

Canapés and arrival drinks add a touch of class and elegance to your wedding, but they can be costly. To save a little money, consider only offering a single canapé option or even cutting it completely, together with the arrival drinks.

Find your dream caterer on Bridebook 

Here at Bridebook, we have a wide range of wedding caterers to suit all styles, tastes and budgets. You can also check out our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding for more cost-cutting tips ahead of your big day.

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Happy Planning!

22 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Caterer

Bridebook.co.uk- Wedding menu propped up on some flowers
By Weddings Vintage

The catering may be the most costly part of your wedding reception, so let’s get this right. We’ve put together everything you might want to ask, so you can sit back and enjoy that spring roll, and that piece of beef. Oh and that chocolate pudding and that treacle tart. So print out these questions and enjoy!

Bridebook.co.uk- menu placed on a plate
By Especially Amy

1) Is there a specific cuisine that you specialise in?

As obvious as this might sound, if you and your beloved are lovers of French food, there is little point in meeting someone whose speciality is Mexican cuisine!

2) Do you provide the silverware/ linens/chairs?

If your caterer does provide these items, make sure you see photos of the available options to check that they work well with your wedding theme and colours.

3) How many other weddings will you be catering for on my chosen date?

Ideally, you will want their undivided attention!

Bridebook.co.uk- bride and groom having canapes
  By Allister Freeman

4) What does your price include? Does it depend on the menu or do you have a flat rate? Does it include VAT, gratuity, rentals, silverware, tea and coffee for the guests?

We recommend you get this part in writing so you can rest assured it’s taken care of.

5) Will you be present on the day or will it be someone else? Will you take on the role of coordinator, deciding when to serve the food and cut the cake?

Your wedding caterer is a huge part of your wedding day and they need to be organised and reliable. So if the person that you are meeting isn’t the one who will be present on the day itself, make sure you get an introduction ahead of time.

6) How many waiters will you provide? What will they wear/can I provide outfits? Will they be responsible for laying the tables, placing favours and place settings?

Ideally, you would need one waiter for eleven people  for a sit-down meal and you will want them to look professional and if possible, their uniforms should compliment your wedding colours.

7) Do you provide a set menu or can I customise my own? What if I have a special family dish I want to include? Can you cater kosher/ halal/ any other dietary requirements?

If there is a particular starter and pudding that you just have to have, then it is important to ensure you hire a caterer who allows you to do this!

Bridebook.co.uk- vegetables in little pots at wedding reception
By Chris Giles Photography

8) Do you work with fresh or frozen food?

This is an essential question if your caterer will require specialist equipment to store or cook the food and if you will be in charge of sourcing this, as that can add unexpected amounts to your budget.

9) Can you provide children’s and vendors’ meals? How much will they cost? Are they included in the price above?

Normally, children’s meals will be cheaper than the adult ones, as would the vendor ones, as they don’t need to be as lavish as the others.

10) How will you handle last-minute requests?

In case someone who didn’t RSVP decides to attend at the last minute, it happens more often than you’d think!

11) Do you make wedding cakes? Will you charge a cake-cutting fee?

A cake-cutting fee is charged by either the caterer or venue for serving a cake made by someone not affiliated with them. If this is the case, you will want to know about this ahead of time, to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Bridebook.co.uk- wedding breakfast lit up with candles
By Especially Amy

12) How long will you need for setting up and cleaning up?

Make sure to get clarification on the cleaning up process, as your venue will hold you responsible for clearing away all unwanted food, etc.

13) Do you have a food license?

This might seem obvious, but it’s always best to be sure.

14) Is there an extra charge for menu tastings? When can I book my tastings?

Before committing to a 3 hour long menu tasting, make sure you know whether or not you will be paying for it!

15) Is there an overtime fee, in case the event runs late?

If your wedding overruns, normally the waiters will be paid double charge for any extra hour that they stay.

16) Can I get references from couples you catered for?

If a couple loved their wedding food, they will be sure to want to tell you about it, so definitely get a few references before making a final decision!

17) When should I give you the final guest numbers?

The majority of caterers will need to know the total number of guests by a certain date so that they can order the right amount of food. If this changes at all after this date, you may be charged!

Bridebook.co.uk- wedding breakfast menu next to water jug
By Chris Giles Photography

More often than not a caterer will also provide your wedding booze. Here are some questions so you can get tasting. Oh hello more bubbles!

18) Do you provide alcohol? Can you accommodate specialist cocktails?

Espresso Martinis for desert? Yes please! Just make sure you ask if your caterer can do this.

19) What brands of alcohol will you serve?

If you have any must-haves, like your Dad’s favourite whisky you want to make sure it is included, or that you can swap a bottle on their menu for the one of your choice!

20) Can we use our own alcohol and your bartenders? Is there a corkage fee for this? What is the service charge?

Sometimes caterers allow you to use your own alcohol, whilst still using their staff. This may be a good option if you have a unique taste in alcohol which you would like to serve!

21) Is the champagne toast included in the overall price?

Many caterers and/or venues will be happy to accommodate a free glass of champagne for the toasts, so make sure to ask!

22) Will we be charged for bottles ordered, or just those that are opened?

The most economical choice by far is to be charged for the bottles opened, as couples tend to buy more alcohol than gets drunk anyway!

Bridebook.co.uk- flag props for ordering at the bar
By Weddings Vintage

Happy Planning!

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The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Alcohol

Bridebook.co.uk- eat drink and be married sign on table
By Weddings Vintage

You’re marrying your best friend – and as far as we’re concerned, that merits the celebration of the century. For many couples (and their guests!), that means one thing: alcohol. And lots of it.

But the world of wedding alcohol can feel overwhelming. Should you have an open bar or a cash bar? What drinks will you serve? And how much alcohol do you even need?

Hang on a minute! Don’t decide it’s easier to just ask your guests to BYOB just yet (although we won’t judge you if you do). Here’s everything you need to know about wedding alcohol.

Should You Have An Open Bar Or A Cash Bar At Your Wedding?

Of all your options, an open bar is the most expensive – so it comes down to how much you have to spend. But an open bar doesn’t necessarily mean putting on the works, so consider different types of limited open bars before you ask your guests to pay. For day- and lunchtime weddings, for example, a wine and beer bar tends to be more than enough.

On the other hand, if you are on a tighter budget, a cash bar could be a great option. Your guests will be able to drink exactly what they want – and you won’t need to worry about footing the bill! One thing we will say is that if you can, it’s always a nice touch to still make sure you’ve got in some champagne for the speeches.

What Drinks Should You Serve At Your Wedding

If you can, aim to provide the following alcoholic drinks:

  • White wine
  • Red wine
  • Sparkling wine
  • Light beer
  • Dark beer
  • Spirits

On top of this, you should also provide at least one soft drink option, as well as plenty of water.

A limited drinks selection is an easy way to cut costs – and speed up service.We’d recommend spirits be the first to go. Spirits (especially shots) can push prices – as well as your guests! – over the limit, so ditch them in favour of a premixed cocktail. A signature cocktail is always a great touch to any wedding drinks menu, whether that’s a bespoke drink created just for you or a classic cocktail that has a special meaning for you and your party. You could even rename the drink after yourselves!

For a more limited drinks selection, you might want to offer the following:

  • One red wine
  • One white wine
  • One light beer
  • One dark beer
  • One signature cocktail

Again, you should always provide at least one soft drink option and water on top of this.

How Much Alcohol Should You Buy For Your Wedding?

You should generally allow for two drinks per hour per guest during your drinks reception, and one drink per hour per guest from then on. You might think that these quantities sound smaller than expected – but remember that for every colleague that loves a martini, there’s a great aunt who’ll sip a small glass of champagne. On top of that, you’ll have guests who won’t drink at all. We tend to budget for soft drinks and mixers for 25% of guests.

As for the remaining 75%, you probably know best! As a general rule, wine tends to be the most popular option at weddings, followed by beer, and finally spirits. But always consider your audience! At an Irish wedding, Guinness might be the go to – while if you or your partner are from the West Country, cider could be the drink of the day. The other thing we would recommend is keeping your wedding date in mind. In the summer, it’s unlikely that many people will go for red wine, instead opting for white wine, champagne or light beers. In the winter, on the other hand, we’d expect to see more people drinking red wine or darker beers.

Once you’ve got an idea of what your guests will be drinking, break your alcohol down into measures:

  • A bottle of liquor contains 30 single shots or 15 double shots
  • A bottle of wine contains five glasses
  • A key of beer contains 124 pints or 165 can-sized servings

Here’s an easy formula to get you started:

(number of guests x length of drinks reception x 2 x 0.75) + (number of guests x length of afterparty x 0.75)

You should always order 10-15% on top of that – so that no matter what, you don’t run out of alcohol! If you can, buy your booze on a “sale or return if unopened” basis. But if you can’t, don’t worry – alcohol doesn’t go off, so you can always keep the party going with a post-honeymoon celebration.

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Introduction: Your Wedding Breakfast

Bridebook.co.uk- wedding breakfast buffet
By Millie Benbow Photography

When else do you get to scoff your favourite food ALL day? On your wedding day of course! Not only do you get to eat it, but you get to choose it, taste it AND share it with all your friends and family. On top of that it’s your first meal as a married person – hurray! It’s also an amazing moment to pause and relax after all the excitement of getting married and before the party kicks off. So let’s work out how to make it rock!

Bridebook.co.uk- wedding venue set up for reception
By Richard Skins Photography

Let’s talk budget

Prepare to fork out some cash on your catering – it’s one of the more expensive (and yummiest) parts of the big day, with prices ranging from as little as £25 per head, to the averages sitting around £50 per head and the higher end being in the hundreds (and more!). The pricing predominantly depends on your chef (Michelin star chefs will charge accordingly) and how many options your guests can choose from, but spending money on this part is worth every penny.

Bridebook.co.uk- wedding menu on a chopping board
By Anna Clarke Photography

How to serve

First consider how you would like to serve your food. Let’s break it down into three options: canapés only, a buffet meal or a sit-down, waiter-served meal. We find that canapés or a buffet usually work for a more relaxed wedding, whereas a three-course meal will provide a greater sense of occasion. Your mode of service can depend on your budget, as a buffet meal will normally be cheaper than a sit-down and waiter-serviced dinner. Although if you go with a buffet, we will need to run through the logistics on making it run smoothly – you don’t want your guests crowding over one station do you? Or go for a happy medium – get each table to carve and tuck into the food themselves; this is a great way to ensure all your guests interact and have fun!

Bridebook.co.uk- guests carving their own food
By Allister Freeman

Choosing what to eat

Now it’s time to choose the mouth-watering goodness! We find that simple, seasonal and local foods are the best answer, as they tend to be freshest, tastiest and easiest to prepare. Your own preferences are a great place to start when deciding on a menu: choose the foods that both of you like and (obviously) avoid the foods that you are allergic to. Ideally, you should be able to cater to a variety of tastes, always considering dietary and religious requirements where necessary.

Bridebook.co.uk- cupcake tower at wedding breakfast
By Pippa Mackenzie

Booze Talk

Make sure you broach the subject of booze with your caterer or venue as they might require you to buy through them. Ask them whether they’ll charge you a corkage fee if you’re planning on buying your own alcohol, and find out whether you need to buy from them before you make your decision.

Bridebook.co.uk- mini burger canapes
By Chris Giles Photography

Canapés

Never forget the canapés (we are never not thinking about canapés)! When you’re being papped by the wedding photographer your guests will be catching up with each other and having drinks, so make sure you leave them with some snacks too! We advise around 5 canapés per person, per each hour of the reception drinks. You should provide a variety of meat and vegetarian choices, which should always be served on separate trays.

Bridebook.co.uk- love sign in front of desert table
By Anna Clarke Photography

Ask around

Get as many recommendations from friends and family as possible. Wedding guests never forget good or bad food and will not be shy in telling you what they did and didn’t like. As soon as you have decided on your preferences and collected a number of reviews, start booking in some yummy tastings – our favourite bit!

Happy Planning!

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13 Questions To Ask Your Marquee Company

Bridebook.co.uk Marquee Summer Wedding White Drapes

Booking the marquee makes everything seem real – you are actually getting married! And this will be the place where the party kicks off! A marquee is a fantastic way to display your individuality as a couple, as it is pretty much a blank canvas, so start thinking of ideas to decorate, arrange and spice up the dance floor. Before you  move on to that, though, we want to support you through some of  the more practical questions.  Before you decide which company to book your marquee with, here are some questions to ask your vendor, to make sure you pick the one right for you:

1. Can we get in touch with other couples that have hired your marquees?

Other couples will be able to tell you if they received good service, if there were any difficulties or any extra information that you might find incredibly useful (like where they hired their portable heaters, for example!)

2. Is it possible to see one of your marquees while it is erect?

Seeing a marquee standing up will give you a clearer idea of what you want it to look like on your wedding day, as well as how it will look in the photos!

3. What size marquee should we have for our number of guests?

Don’t forget that in addition to fitting in the tables, you will also need to think about space for the dance floor. For example, 110 guests would need a 20×60 ft marquee (including the dance floor).

4.Can you visit our suggested location and see if it is suitable for a marquee?

A professional should not only be willing but should want to assess the ground beforehand and if they don’t, seek someone who will!

5. Can you talk us through the different shapes, sizes and arrangements that could fit in our space for our number of people?

Whether you want square or round tables, or if you want to include a lounge area for your guests, your marquee provider should give you specifications and choices for whatever it is you want.

6. When will you assemble and dismantle the marquee?

Normally the process will take a few days, so make sure you know exactly how long each stage will take and when you can start decorating the marquee to suit your theme.

7. Do you supply any of the furniture, like tables and chairs? Can we see the items, or pictures at least?

If you choose some of the providers’ furniture, make sure to get this in writing to avoid any surprises come W-Day.

8. Can your marquee be opened up if it’s hot? Can the marquee be closed up and storm-proofed if there is bad weather outside? And will you provide heaters?

We strongly advise you to prepare for any weather to make sure your guests are comfortable and having fun, you won’t want them escaping the dance floor for some air or huddling for heat!

9. Will we need an electrical generator? Can you provide this or recommend a provider?

You might need a generator for your band and/or DJ and any other electrical supplies, like ovens/freezers for your caterers.

10. How will the marquee be lit? Can candles be used?

If you want a romantic candlelit reception, make sure the marquee you choose allows open flames inside!

11. Do you provide the bathrooms?

Ideally, you would also want a separate bathroom for the bride, so that she isn’t left queueing!

12. Will there be lasting damage to the ground or underground cables?

Marquees can sometimes be damaging to certain surfaces, be careful you’re not left footing the bill!

13. Do you have insurance?

This is important to ask in case the marquee you have selected does end up damaging something! You don’t want to be liable!

 

Happy Planning!