As we approach International Women’s Day, it’s time to honour the remarkable women who shape and innovate the wedding industry. From venues to planners, jewellers to designers, photographers to musicians, and more, women are often the driving force behind countless magical moments, comprising a staggering 80% of the wedding industry! So, this International Women’s Day, join us as we celebrate the achievements, share the inspiring stories, and glean expert advice from the fabulous women who bring dreams to life in the world of weddings.
Evie Arlott: The Wed Shed Decor & The Old Mill (Aldermaston)
For Evie Arlott, the wedding industry isn’t just a profession; it’s a family legacy deeply rooted in tradition and passion. As the fourth generation overseeingThe Old Mill, Aldermaston, a venue steeped in history and hospitality, Evie’s journey into the world of weddings was both personal and life-affirming. “Witnessing the legacy of hospitality and celebration at the mill,” she reflects, “fuelled my desire to continue this legacy.”
In 2019, Evie embarked on a new chapter, establishingThe Wed Shed, a wedding decor company aimed at transforming dream wedding settings into reality. With a keen eye for design and a dedication to preserving her family’s heritage, Evie found joy in curating luxurious wedding spaces that reflect her personal touch and attention to detail.
Her proudest achievement lies in the successful expansion ofThe Wed Shed beyondThe Old Mill venue. Having adorned over 300 weddings with their creations, Evie and her team have not only enhanced the venue’s appeal but also contributed to its enduring legacy. “Reaching the 90-year mark for The Old Mill,” she shares, “is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and tradition.”
In a competitive industry where vendors vie for attention, Evie finds inspiration in the increasing presence of women in key roles. “The empowerment of women in this field,” she observes, “has paved the way for greater diversity and creativity.”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Evie emphasises the importance of setting clear objectives and maintaining a positive mindset. “Obstacles are just temporary challenges,” she asserts, “and opportunities for growth.”
Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavours, Evie finds balance and inspiration as part of the Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew, enthusing that “travelling enables us to spend quality time together.”
Embracing diversity is at the core of Evie’s business ethos. Her brother’s upcoming wedding, marrying his long-term boyfriend, underscores their commitment to inclusivity. “We embrace diversity within our team,” Evie explains, “and aim to provide a more diverse range of options for our clients.”
In Evie Arlott, the wedding industry finds a visionary leader dedicated to preserving tradition, fostering creativity and championing inclusivity. Through her endeavours, she not only creates timeless wedding experiences but also shapes a more diverse and vibrant industry landscape.
Phoebe Stanaway: Elisabeth Shell Events, Bespoke Wedding Planning
Phoebe Stanaway’s journey into the world of wedding planning began with a desire for freedom – the freedom to work on her own terms, from wherever she pleased, and to pursue a career that brought her joy. Reflecting on her decision to found Elisabeth Shell Events, she shares, “I decided to start my own business to give myself the three big freedoms: time, financial and location.”
An innate people person, Phoebe thrives in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of wedding planning. With a background in hospitality, including managing a cocktail bar in the heart of the city and running restaurants in London, she found her true calling in orchestrating weddings. “Not one day is ever the same in my life and I love it,” she exclaims. “A wedding really does tick all my boxes and flexes the muscles I have of things I’m really good at!”
With over 400 weddings under her belt and a string of accolades to her name, including being a Regional Finalist for The Wedding Industry Awards 2023 and Highly Commended in 2022, Phoebe’s expertise is undeniable. Yet, she remains grounded, recognising the challenges that come with balancing work and personal life. “Balancing demanding work schedules with personal life can be challenging,” she admits. “It’s also very difficult to keep boundaries in place with clients sometimes, especially without coming across as too assertive as a woman.”
Despite the challenges, Phoebe finds motivation in the sheer enjoyment she derives from her work. “I’m fun, I’m friendly. I get stuck in,” she declares. Her job has seen her in some extraordinary situations, from securing a marquee in headland winds to running pizzas through a snowstorm for an entire wedding breakfast. “My job pretty much is overcoming obstacles,” she says. “I just remember to take a deep breath, think creatively and believe that there’s always a solution – I just need to find it.”
Phoebe is passionate about the representation of women in the wedding industry and the diversity of love that it encompasses. She believes that women are leading the way in redefining wedding customs and traditions, shining lights onto the LGBTQ+ scene and highlighting disability awareness. “That also encourages others to step outside the box and look at how they might be able to use a hobby, or love or craft etc around their family commitments, and contribute to such a vibrant industry,” she remarks.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, Phoebe emphasises the importance of self-care and wellness. “I’ve burnt out before,” she admits. “If no one is going to die, I can have a day off. Nothing is that dramatic. I just need to remind myself of that, often.”
As Elisabeth Shell Events continues to evolve, Phoebe is committed to inclusivity and representation. While acknowledging that there is room for improvement, she is proactive in her efforts to create a more inclusive environment. “I absolutely am committed to doing my best to do better!” she affirms.
Phoebe’s journey in the wedding industry is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to her values. As she looks towards the future, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of excellence and inclusivity, ensuring that every couple she works with feels seen, heard and celebrated.
Ruby McGonigle’s journey into the jewellery industry began with a sense of wonder and discovery amidst the vibrant gemstone markets of the Far East. Reflecting on those early days, she reminisces, “I still fondly remember my trips to Hong Kong at the very beginning and the incredible stones that surrounded me; carved, engraved, whittled into miniature sculptures, cut to enhance their natural flaws… I felt like a kid in a sweet shop.”
However, it was during these travels that she also confronted the darker realities of the trade. She recalls, “I bore witness to the dark side of the jewellery trade; the cheap prices, the offices filled to the brim with stacks upon stacks of farmed freshwater pearls, the child labour, the gemstones with murky histories circulating the market.” This experience sparked a deep commitment to ethical practices within the industry.
Armed with a passion for design and a commitment to ethics, Ruby pursued a Master’s degree in Design at Central Saint Martin’s, focusing her studies on the ethical implications within the jewellery industry. She shares, “When I met a Hatton Garden diamond dealer who told me nonchalantly, ‘When you work in this trade you sell your soul to the devil,’ I knew then that it didn’t need to be that way.”
Driven by a desire to challenge the status quo, Ruby founded Lebrusan Studio, a brand dedicated to sustainable luxury. “I didn’t set out to become a bridal jeweller,” she explains, “but I quickly recognised that engagement rings, wedding bands and commitment rings are some of the most meaningful jewels people will ever own.”
Over the past 12 years, Ruby’s impact has been profound. From championing Fairtrade Gold to delivering a TEDx talk on ethical jewellery, she has consistently pushed boundaries and garnered recognition for her efforts. Reflecting on her journey, she expresses, “I feel incredibly proud to reflect on all the ways my little homespun lifestyle brand has created a wave in the jewellery industry.”
Yet, amidst the accolades and achievements, Ruby remains focused on her mission to create meaningful, sustainable jewellery that resonates with her customers. “It’s crucial that jewels with such significance tell stories their wearers can feel proud of,” she insists.
Reflecting on the gender dynamics within the industry, Ruby highlights the importance of fostering a culture of compassion and collaboration. “Gender equality can only be achieved if we shape our industries around compassion and nurturing, sharing knowledge and supporting other women,” she asserts.
In the face of growing consumer demand for sustainability, Ruby acknowledges the need for greater transparency and education within the industry. She emphasises, “One of the biggest challenges we’re currently facing is the need to educate consumers; to equip them with the knowledge they need to navigate a heavily greenwashed market.”
For Ruby, inspiration comes not only from the exquisite craftsmanship of her colleagues but also from the diverse voices and perspectives that shape the wedding industry. “We are all valuable assets in a sturdy, interwoven net that uplifts me every day,” she reflects.
Ruby recognises the profound influence of the wedding industry, particularly on young girls. She remarks, “For so many little girls, the wedding realm is a source of aspiration, awe and inspiration from a young age; its influence on these impressionable brains is not to be underestimated.” She believes that seeing diverse representations in the industry is crucial for fostering feelings of self-worth and empowerment.
As she continues to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the jewellery industry, Ruby remains committed to authenticity and innovation. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “It’s crucial that you are authentic and unique… Once you’ve found what makes you unparalleled and you believe in it, you are unstoppable.”
In her quest for inclusivity, Ruby and Lebrusan Studio have actively worked to amplify LGBTQ+ voices within the bridal jewellery space. She shares, “We’re aware that LGBTQ+ visibility is insufficient within the bridal jewellery industry so we strive actively for better inclusivity within our own business.” From gender-neutral love rings to dedicated resources for LGBTQ+ couples, Ruby’s commitment to diversity and representation shines through in every facet of her business.
Kerri O’Brien: Francis + Louise, Contemporary Luxury Accessories
Celebrating its sixth year in operation, Francis + Louise is more than just a business for Kerri O’Brien; it’s a passion project born out of a love for design and a desire to create something truly unique. With a background in print design for the fashion industry, including collaborations with renowned brands like Calvin Klein and Anthropologie, Kerri transitioned into the world of weddings after designing her own bespoke print for her wedding. “Our wedding was featured on the wedding blog Love My Dress,” she recalls, “and from there, I got my first international order.”
From those humble beginnings, Francis + Louise has grown into a thriving venture, offering both ready-to-wear collections and bespoke print design services. What sets Kerri’s brand apart is not just its aesthetic appeal but also its commitment to sustainability and traceability. “I’m really proud that all my products are made, designed and printed in the UK,” she explains. “The traceability and sustainability of my products are something really important to me and are clearly important to my customers too.”
As a woman navigating the wedding industry, Kerri has found support and camaraderie among her peers. “Everyone is really supportive,” she says, “and I have made lots of amazing friends and been able to collaborate with other business owners, many of them female founders.”
However, running a business single-handedly comes with its challenges, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. “When you are managing all aspects of your business… it is impossible to not feel clouded, confused and overwhelmed at times,” Kerri admits. Yet, she finds solace in yoga, meditation, and connecting with fellow creatives. “Sometimes just talking to someone else in the same boat makes it so much better and problems are solved quicker,” she adds.
Kerri is deeply committed to challenging the entrenched gender roles that dominate the wedding industry. She reflects on the prevalent portrayal of women in traditional roles in films, literature and magazines, where brides are often depicted as being “given away” by their fathers and where virginal white remains the norm for wedding dresses. This pervasive imagery influences couples’ choices for their own weddings, perpetuating a narrow definition of what a wedding should look like.
However, Kerri sees her products as a refreshing departure from these conventions. “I love that my products often bring a strong influence of colour into a ceremony,” she says. Through her bespoke print designs, she offers couples the opportunity to break away from tradition and express their unique personalities and styles. Kerri finds that her design service particularly resonates with couples seeking a less traditional approach to their special day.
Attending events like the Un-Wedding Show, which celebrates modern and independent wedding suppliers, Kerri recognises the growing demand for alternative wedding experiences. Yet, she acknowledges that there is still a lack of representation of less-traditional female roles within the industry as a whole. By actively promoting inclusivity and diversity through her work, Kerri hopes to inspire a shift towards more progressive and inclusive weddings.
Despite the challenges, Kerri remains grateful for the opportunity to pursue her passion while balancing work and family life. “I feel very grateful I get to do something I love every day and am able to work it around my kids,” she says.
Looking ahead, Kerri is committed to empowering other women in business and encouraging them to value their worth. “I would encourage all female business owners to be more bold with their prices from the start,” she advises. “Price your worth and wealth of experience.”
Through her dedication to craftsmanship and inclusivity, Kerri O’Brien is not just creating beautiful prints; she’s crafting memories that will last a lifetime for couples around the world.
For Holly Miller, the allure of entrepreneurship lies in the freedom it offers – the flexibility to balance her thriving cake business with the joys of motherhood. “Running my own business enables me to be at home with my children when they need me,” she shares, relishing the autonomy of setting her own rules in the ever-evolving wedding industry.
Her passion for crafting exquisite confections has earned her prestigious accolades, including the title of TWIA National Wedding Cake Designer of the Year 2024. “Becoming the best in my field,” Holly reflects, “fuels my obsession to succeed.”
As a woman who is unapologetically outspoken and fiercely independent, Holly occasionally grapples with perceptions of being too forward. “I remind myself,” she asserts, “that I am a strong-minded, badass businesswoman.” For Holly, motivation is innate and intrinsic, stemming from her unwavering dedication to her craft. “My business is like my baby,” she admits, “and I live and breathe it.”
In an industry brimming with creativity, Holly finds inspiration in the success stories of fellow female entrepreneurs. “It truly shows women can do it all,” she declares, celebrating their achievements as key figures in fabulous brands and businesses.
Despite the demands of entrepreneurship, Holly prioritises downtime with her family, recognising the importance of unplugging from work. “Days out, board games, dog walks,” she lists, cherishing moments of respite away from the bustle of business.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs echoes her own journey – resilience, focus and an unwavering work ethic are the ingredients for success. “Just go for it!” she urges, a testament to her own remarkable ascent from baking cakes for her kids’ birthdays to becoming a nationally acclaimed cake designer.
Pollyanna Montagu: Pollyanna Harmsworth, Fine Stationers
For Pollyanna Montagu, founder of Pollyanna Harmsworth, Fine Stationers, the journey into entrepreneurship began with a childhood dream of independence and autonomy. “From a very young age, when all my friends wanted to be ballerinas, I wanted to be a businesswoman!” she reminisces, highlighting her early inclination towards forging her own path. Owning her own business serves as her sanctuary, a space where she can express herself freely and pursue her passion for fine stationery.
Celebrating 15 years of entrepreneurial success stands as Pollyanna’s most cherished achievement. Through the highs and lows, she remains steadfast in her dedication to her craft and the relationships she has cultivated along the way.
Navigating the printing industry poses its challenges, with misconceptions often clouding perceptions of her expertise. Yet, Pollyanna’s depth of knowledge and passion for her craft shines through, dispelling any doubts with her insightful contributions.
Supported by her family and a trusted mentor, Pollyanna finds strength in the encouragement of her loved ones and the guidance of a seasoned confidante. Their unwavering support fuels her determination to overcome obstacles and pursue her aspirations.
As a woman in business, Pollyanna recognises the importance of female representation in navigating delicate conversations and fostering inclusivity. Her tactful approach and sensitivity to others’ needs contribute to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and understood.
Balancing work commitments with family time remains a priority for Pollyanna, with a newfound determination to be fully present with her children, free from distractions. Despite the demands of entrepreneurship, she strives to honour her commitments to her family and be present for life’s precious moments.
Reflecting on her journey, Pollyanna offers a simple yet powerful message to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Go for it.” With unwavering determination and a passion for her craft, she encourages others to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
In Pollyanna’s world, weddings represent joyous celebrations of life and love, where diversity is embraced and every detail is crafted with elegance and care. Through her work, she creates timeless pieces that celebrate the unique love stories of each couple, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity and celebration.
For Genevieve Hawks, Queen Bea Photography, venturing into wedding photography stemmed from personal experiences. “I had a lot of negative experiences when planning my own wedding (to another woman),” she shares candidly, reflecting on the lack of diversity she encountered in the industry back in 2018. Determined to carve her own path, Genevieve discovered her passion for photography upon returning from her honeymoon – a decision she has never regretted.
With over 200 weddings under her belt, Genevieve’s journey has been both exhilarating and challenging. “All the misogyny,” she laments, recounting instances of unwarranted questioning and condescension from male wedding guests. Despite the frustrations, Genevieve remains steadfast in her love for photography and her commitment to creating an inclusive space for couples.
In an industry predominantly led by women, Genevieve finds solace in the camaraderie and support of her peers. “It’s a lovely community,” she remarks, highlighting the importance of representation and listening to the diverse voices of brides.
Balancing her passion with the demands of the job, Genevieve acknowledges the sacrifices involved. “I’m often working well into the evenings,” she admits, a testament to her dedication to her craft.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in the wedding industry is simple yet empowering: “Just believe in yourself and go for it!” Genevieve’s own journey serves as a testament to the power of self-belief and resilience.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, Genevieve is committed to visibility and inclusivity in her work. “I try to always show a mix of couples,” she explains, emphasising the importance of representation in her marketing and social media presence. Through her lens, Genevieve captures not just moments, but stories of love, resilience and authenticity, ensuring that every couple feels seen and celebrated.
Kate Dyer, co-founder of Kate and Kate Celebrants, has always relished the freedom of doing things her own way and avoiding the need to answer to others. For her, owning a business is more than just a venture – it’s a “calm, happy, safe space” where she finds peace and security.
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Kate shares her passion for creating bespoke wedding ceremonies. With fifteen years of experience as a wedding registrar, Kate and her colleague felt compelled to break free from the constraints of the system in 2016 and become Independent Celebrants.
“It was a leap of faith, driven by our determination to give couples the perfect ceremony to start their special day,” she explains. “We had solid relationships with reputable wedding venues, so we embarked on this journey with confidence.”
Kate’s dedication to delivering exceptional ceremonies has earned her a stellar reputation within the industry. “There’s no greater satisfaction than hearing guests declare it the best wedding ever!” she exclaims. Working independently alongside her best friend allows them the freedom to infuse each ceremony with creativity and flair.
“While the creative aspect of our work flourished, navigating the business side presented challenges,” Kate admits. “Business acumen wasn’t our forte, but with free advice and a steep learning curve, we honed our skills in areas like cash-flow forecasting, marketing and SEO.”
Having a supportive partner by her side has been instrumental in overcoming obstacles, especially during the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. “Our differences complement each other, and knowing we have each other’s backs keeps us resilient in the face of adversity,” she shares.
Kate emphasises the importance of female representation in the UK wedding industry. “By empowering women, the industry becomes more inclusive, diverse and empowering for all involved,” she notes.
Maintaining work-life balance is an ongoing challenge for Kate. “Setting boundaries, staying organised and effective time management are essential,” she explains. “Despite occasional mishaps, like forgetting to pick up my daughter from college, I strive to keep all the plates spinning while acknowledging my limitations.”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Kate offers this advice: “Seek as much free advice as possible, understand that building a business takes time, and find your tribe of like-minded colleagues for support and camaraderie. Embrace the journey and enjoy the ride!”
“At Kate and Kate Celebrants, love knows no bounds,” Kate concludes. “We celebrate diversity and inclusivity by offering a wide range of options to accommodate different cultures, backgrounds and preferences, ensuring every couple feels valued and respected on their wedding planning journey.”
Louise Quenby: Jackstar Weddings, Wedding DJ Services
For Louise Quenby, at Jackstar Weddings, the journey into entrepreneurship began with a shared passion for creating unforgettable wedding experiences. “Running my own business was something that I had thought about a lot,” she recalls, reflecting on her aspirations from college days. Together with her husband, Jack, whose background as a DJ ignited their path, they ventured into the world of weddings, starting with a white LED dance floor purchase in 2012. As they delved deeper into the wedding scene, attending their first wedding fair marked a significant turning point, propelling their business forward.
Louise’s journey continues to be one of remarkable achievements and ongoing growth. “There are so many [highlights], but the most recent,” she beams, “is that after winning The Wedding Industry Awards for 4 years in a row, I am now a judge. And to add to that, the ONLY female judge on the DJ panel.” Her accolades speak volumes about her expertise and dedication to her craft.
However, Louise acknowledges the challenges that come with balancing a demanding career with motherhood. “My challenge doesn’t link to working within the wedding industry, just working in general,” she reflects. Yet, she remains resilient, constantly striving to find the equilibrium between her professional and personal life.
Setting goals has been instrumental in Louise’s journey. “Each year I sit down and set new goals,” she shares. These goals serve as a guiding light, reminding her of the purpose behind her endeavours and motivating her to push through the tough times.
Despite being a thriving industry, Louise feels that wedding professionals often don’t receive the recognition they deserve. “I feel that the wedding industry is heavily represented in the wedding industry,” she notes wryly, highlighting the misconception that their work is merely a hobby rather than a profession.
For Louise, achieving balance means prioritising time with her family. “For me now though I ensure I take one day off during the week and try to have at least one day off at the weekend,” she explains. Her commitment to spending quality time with her children is unwavering, evident in the deliberate scheduling of holidays and breaks throughout the year.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Write down your dream.” Louise attributes much of her success to this practice, emphasising the importance of turning dreams into tangible goals and taking proactive steps towards realising them.
In her work with couples, Louise embraces diversity and inclusivity. “We have worked with same-sex couples providing their wedding entertainment, along with working with couples from different cultures,” she shares. Celebrating love in all its forms, Louise ensures that each wedding reflects the unique personalities and backgrounds of the couple, creating unforgettable experiences for all involved.
Joanne Dodds: CAVE (Composer, Arranger, Violinist and Educator)
Joanne Dodds, proud founder of CAVE, was a former Royal Navy Warfare Officer who found her true calling in the world of music. “When I left my job,” she recounts, “I wanted to return to my musical roots and started to compose and arrange music for weddings and special events, making couples’ special days even more unique and memorable.” For Joanne, music isn’t just a profession; it’s a passion that adds depth and emotion to life’s most significant moments.
Transitioning to complete self-employment marked a significant milestone in Joanne’s career. She celebrates “becoming completely self-employed and doing what I absolutely adore!” Her versatility as a violinist knows no bounds, as she effortlessly weaves together melodies ranging from AC/DC to Game of Thrones, Billie Eilish to Elvis, infusing each performance with her unique style and flair.
While the wedding industry may be predominantly female-owned, Joanne’s background in male-dominated workplaces has given her a different perspective. “I have always worked in male-dominated workplaces (Royal Navy, Football…),” she notes. However, as a soloist, gender dynamics take a back seat to her love for music and her commitment to providing exceptional service.
Joanne views her role in the music industry as a privilege, recognising the profound impact music has on people’s lives. “Music is a powerful backdrop to all aspects of life,” she reflects. Her calm demeanour and organisational skills, honed through years of experience, ensure smooth sailing even in the busiest of times.
In her experience, Joanne observes that brides often take the lead in booking musical services for their weddings. However, she’s delighted to see an increasing number of grooms surprising their partners with her performances, adding an extra layer of joy to the occasion.
Despite her hectic schedule, Joanne emphasises the importance of self-care. “It has taken me years to learn to slow down and take time for myself,” she admits. Yet, her genuine love for music fuels her passion, turning what could be just a job into a labour of love.
Her advice to aspiring musicians is straightforward: “Just go for it!” Joanne encourages others to pursue their dreams fearlessly, unencumbered by doubts or the safety net of traditional employment.
For Joanne, every wedding is a unique opportunity to showcase the versatility of the violin. “I like to prove that any genre or style of music can be played on the violin,” she asserts. Her commitment to making each wedding as special and personalised as possible reflects her belief that love knows no bounds when it comes to music.
Empowering voices to inspire us all
The voices of these remarkable women in the wedding industry echo themes of passion, resilience and empowerment. From creating bespoke wedding experiences to challenging traditional norms, each entrepreneur has forged her path with determination and creativity. Their stories inspire us to celebrate diversity, embrace inclusivity and pursue our own dreams with unwavering determination. As they continue to shape the landscape of weddings in the UK, their journeys serve as a testament to the transformative power of love, dedication and female leadership in the wedding industry.
If you’re looking for some top wedding planning tips, there’s nothing like the expertise from a real wedding professional. We spoke to Yasmin Downing, the passionate florist behind Yasmin Downing Floral Design, who specialises in combining modern elements with timeless tradition to create the perfect aesthetic. In her own words: “Since opening a dried flower business during the pandemic, I found my life’s passion in floristry. Having been mentored 1:1 by Master Florists, whilst building a portfolio working on real-life weddings, photoshoots, commercial projects and television, I have brought my skills and experience to a professional level.” Yasmin has also appeared on the BBC’s Ultimate Wedding Planner as one of eight aspiring contestants.
This can avoid awkward “I forgot Uncle Pete” moments and also covers you if you have a boisterous groom who breaks his buttonhole before your photos (Yasmin has actually had this happen!).
2. Have an “emergency” kit
Your wedding emergency kit should include all the things you won’t know you’ll need until you need them (check out our bridal SOS kit post for more information). Yasmin suggests:
White cotton
Chewing gum
Needle
Toothpick
Elastic bands
Flower pins
Floss
Hairband
Bobby pin
Painkillers
Nail glue
Lash glue
Tweezers
Plasters
3. Think about your shoes
If you’re going to be wearing high heels on your wedding day, and taking them off isn’t an option for you, Yasmin recommends taking a couple of paracetamol to pre-empt the pain.
4. Cover yourself in SPF
If you’re like the majority of couples who opt for a spring or summer wedding, be sure to cover yourself in SPF 50. This will make sure you don’t end up pink by 3 PM, Yasmin explains.
5. Protect your skin from clothing marks
Remember to protect your skin from anything that might mark your skin, Yasmin suggests. This includes any socks, bra or wrist hairbands that can dig into your skin.
6. Burn your ribbon ends
If you’ve having satin ribbon on your bouquets, Yasmin recommends burning the end of the ribbon to get a nice polished edge. This will prevent it from fraying throughout the day.
7. Opt for seasonal blooms
Choose flowers that are in season to keep your budget down. Out of season florals have to be imported, Yasmin explains, which can significantly bump up the cost.
8. Consider your dressing area
Ensure that where you get ready is big enough for your whole party. Get lots of mirrors ready as there will be a few of you trying to check yourselves out. Yasmin suggests you pick somewhere with easy parking and access. You don’t want to spend the morning directing people to your location!
9. Factor in a break
Yasmin recommends that you plan in a 20-minute “break” from the day so you and your new spouse can have a moment away from everyone to simply reflect and take it in.
10. Put you and your partner first
Remember that at the end of the day the only thing that truly matters is you and your partner. In Yasmin’s own words: ‘Don’t give a sh*t about ensuring your guests are happy all day. There’s booze and food, so they’ll be fine. Just make sure the two of you are having a great time.”
Want more expert advice and inspiration like this? Then sign up to Bridebook today. When it comes to joyful and stress-free wedding planning, we’ve got you covered.
Looking for some expert wedding planning advice from a real wedding professional? We spoke to Jack Quenby, a wedding DJ and host from Leicestershire, managing director of Jackstar Weddings. His team was proud to be recognised as one of the East Midlands’ best wedding DJs at the 2023 Wedding Industry Awards. Jack has also appeared on the BBC’s Ultimate Wedding Planner as one of eight aspiring contestants.
Jack’s top 5 wedding planning tips
Jack and Louise Quenby at the 2023 Wedding Industry Awards
1. Start early
Too often couples will get engaged and think there’s no rush to getting started with the planning. Even if you’re thinking about getting married in a couple of years, this isn’t very long in the wedding industry. The best suppliers and venues get booked up early and the sooner you start budgeting and putting plans in place the better chance you have of getting all the things you’re dreaming of.
2. Create a detailed timeline
Being organised ahead of the day is the best way to avoid stress and burn out. Work back from the big day and plan in when certain elements need to be finalised. When it comes to the day itself it really pays to have a strong timeline in place and to make sure your wedding team (bridesmaids and groomsmen) know who needs to do what and when. This will take some of the pressure off you on the day but will help to keep things on track if the timeline starts to slip.
3. Use the best suppliers
It goes without saying you should opt for the most experienced suppliers you can afford. Without a doubt your choice of suppliers will have the biggest impact on the day. Not only with how much you can relax, feeling confident in their abilities, but also how well your guests are looked after. If you don’t have a wedding planner the next best thing is an experienced wedding host who can help keep things on track and make sure you can enjoy every moment with your guests.
4. Think about your guests’ experience
Building on the last two points, when you’re putting together your timeline and selecting your suppliers think about the impact on the guests. I often hear from engaged couples who have been bored guests at weddings and hate the idea of that happening on their day. For each step in your timeline think about where the guests will be, what they’ll be doing and who will be there to look after them.
5. Take time for yourselves and don’t stress
So often this gets overlooked. Of course it’s your day and it’s all about you, but being the centre of attention for the whole day can be quite exhausting! It’s a great idea to plan in a few breaks where you and your partner can take five, recharge and savour those amazing feelings. If you’ve followed the previous tips hopefully you’ll be able to avoid getting too stressed on the day even if things don’t go exactly as planned. If you have everything organised and looked after by an experienced team there’s nothing you can’t overcome.
Plan your dream wedding on Bridebook
There you have the best wedding planning tips and tricks from someone who’s been there and done that. For more expert advice and inspiration, be sure to sign up to Bridebook today. We’ve got everything you need to make your wedding planning journey as joyful and stress-free as possible.
Want to know how much the average wedding costs this year? Introducing our UK Wedding Report 2023: our annual wedding industry study revealing year-on-year changes. This year, we surveyed almost 4,000 married and engaged couples, representing a mix of regions and demographics, to find out what couples like you are spending on. Time to start planning your own wedding budget…
Average Cost of a Wedding in the UK
2022 was the year of the Corona Comeback. The lifting of pandemic restrictions saw the highest wedding spend ever! Average wedding spend grew by 15% to an all-time high, rising by £2,500 year-on-year to £19,184 (£24,069 including the ring and honeymoon). It goes to show that couples are prioritising their marriage, and not letting the economic climate impact their wedding spending.
Average Wedding Costs by Supplier Category
Average wedding spend increased in almost every category between 2021 and 2022. The most significant increase was in venue cost (£7,944 average, an increase of 20% vs 2021). We’ve put together a wedding cost breakdown below! These are the average supplier costs for UK weddings:
Average cost of a wedding venue – £7,944
Average cost of catering – £5,103 (with an average of 88 guests)
Average cost of a photographer – £1,357
Average cost of a videographer – £1,354
Average cost of hair and makeup – £657
Average cost of a florist – £1,114
Average cost of a wedding cake – £376
Average cost of a wedding dress – £1,424
If you’re looking to save money on your suppliers, savvy wedding planning is a must! Our top tip is to enquire to several suppliers to do more price comparisons.
Total Wedding Costs by Region
Couples spent nearly £10K (or 50%) more to marry in London (£29,085) compared to the national average (£19,184). That’s even more than marrying outside the UK, where the average cost is £25,525. Yorkshire and the Humber is the region with the lowest cost (£16,103), making it the most budget-friendly option. So, if you’re looking to save money, the location of your wedding matters!
Weekend weddings are the most expensive, with Saturday weddings costing £20,141 on average. Tuesday is the least costly option (costing £16,804 on average). So, if you’re on a budget and looking for a cheaper alternative, consider a midweek wedding. This can make a huge difference!
Wedding costs tend to be higher in the from June through September, with June weddings costing the most (£21,287). Costs are lowest in the winter, with February being the cheapest month to get married (£15,826), which is ideal if you’re trying to save on your wedding spending.
It probably comes as no surprise that wedding spending is heavily influenced by the number of guests attending. The more guests you invite, the more your wedding will cost. Catering accounts for just over 1/5 of this. So, if you’re looking to cut costs, consider having fewer guests to feed!
We found that couples are most likely to splurge on their honeymoon, followed by the wedding dress, venue and photographer. With beach honeymoons remaining the most popular honeymoon style (47% of couples married in 2022 chose a beach honeymoon), this is hardly surprising. The honeymoon splurge is heavily linked to the post-pandemic wedding boom and the fact that travel is back on the map. 2/3 of couples married in 2022 planned a honeymoon abroad, which represents a significant jump from 2021, when only 1/4 planned to go abroad.
So, if you’re hoping to have a wedding in 2023, you’re looking at an average spend of £19,184, up £2,500 year-on-year. The average cost may be more or less depending on the region, day of the week, month of the year, and any optional splurges (for example, on a honeymoon overseas). For a more thorough category-by-category breakdown of the cost of UK wedding suppliers, check out our article on the ultimate wedding budget breakdown. And for a budget breakdown that’s tailored for you, look no further than Bridebook’s one-of-a-kind personalised wedding budget planner.
Couples are spending more on their weddings than ever, with destination weddings becoming increasingly popular. So it’s no surprise that couples are choosing to jet off to tie the knot in some of the most breathtaking and romantic settings across the world. If you’re planning an overseas wedding of your own, or looking for some travel ideas and inspiration for a honeymoon abroad, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at the top 10 destination wedding locations.
1. Santorini, Greece
With its beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, and stunning romantic sunsets, it’s no surprise that Santorini has become one of the top destinations for weddings. Whether you want an intimate elopement or an all-our grand celebration, you can exchange your vows amidst the rugged cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea or against the backdrop of the island’s iconic white-washed buildings. There are many dreamy venue options to choose from. Think cliff-side chapels, beachfront restaurants or luxury boutique hotels. Santorini is also known for its excellent dining scene and world-renowned wine. This makes it ideal for a cultural wedding.
Santorini also makes for a convenient island wedding. It’s easily accessible from all major European cities, and offers a variety of transportation options (like direct flights, ferries, and private transfers).
2. Bali, Indonesia
This exotic island paradise is perfect for couples looking for a tropical destination wedding. Bali offers a range of stunning beaches and luxurious resorts, while the island’s unique culture and traditions make for an unforgettable experience. The natural scenery includes lush jungles, tranquil rice paddies, and white-sand beaches. This can provide a picturesque backdrop for gorgeous wedding photos, not to mention a breathtaking setting for a wedding ceremony. At the same time, the island’s traditional architecture, vibrant music and rich, colourful ceremonies, make for a fun and unique wedding experience for both you and your guests.
There’s a diverse range of wedding venues to choose from, no matter your budget or style. Think beachfront resorts, jungle retreats, and luxury villas. Bali also boasts a thriving wedding industry, so you can easily find all the services you need. There are plenty of experienced wedding planners, photographers, florists, and other wedding suppliers to help you make your wedding perfect.
3. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is a romantic and enchanting wedding destination in the very heart of Italy. With rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval towns, its picturesque landscapes provide a dreamy backdrop for some truly stunning wedding photos. There are also plenty of amazing venues to choose from, including historic villas, rustic farmhouses, and luxury resorts. And while you’re there, take advantage of the region’s rich cultural heritage. Explore its historic cities, art museums, and iconic cultural landmarks, from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Uffizi Gallery.
A Tuscan destination wedding can also offer a gourmet dining experience like no other – think fresh pasta, succulent meats, and world-class wines. It’s also easily accessible from all major cities in Europe, with a variety of transportation options, from direct flights to high-speed trains.
4. Maui, Hawaii
This popular Hawaiian island in the Pacific Ocean is home to some truly mesmerising scenery, including white-sand beaches, cascading waterfalls, and lush rainforests, making it the perfect setting for a picture-perfect wedding ceremony. The island’s unique culture – from its rich history to its vibrant music and uplifting, colourful traditions, can also make for an interesting and unique wedding experience. Plus, if you’re a couple who enjoys adventure and recreation, you can make the most of a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, surfing and snorkeling.
When it comes to wedding venues, you can opt for a tropical beachfront resort, luxury villa, or charming garden estate. Maui is known for its warm and friendly hospitality, with a welcoming local community and experienced wedding suppliers who will make your big day unforgettable.
5. The French Riviera, France
The French Riviera is known for its glamorous lifestyle, charming towns, idyllic coastline, and elegant culture scene. This makes it a dreamy spot for a destination wedding. Its naturally romantic atmosphere can make for a truly memorable wedding experience. The French Riviera also enjoys a warm and sunny Mediterranean climate throughout the year, so it’s ideal if you’re looking to have a balmy outdoor wedding. And the wedding venues are unreal – think chateaus, historic villas and luxurious boutique hotels overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The French Riviera is also renowned for its regional and luxurious cuisine, so you and your guests can enjoy incredible food and drink before, during, and after your special day. Fresh seafood, locally-grown produce, and excellent fine wines – what’s not to love?
6. New York City, USA
For couples looking for a vibrant cosmopolitan experience, New York City is the perfect city destination for a wedding. The city boasts a range of stunning venues, including rooftop terraces, historic landmarks, and chic hotels. It’s also home to some of the world’s most iconic wedding locations, such as Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. This can provide an unforgettable backdrop for your special day.
As one of the most diverse cities in the world, you can draw on its rich cultural heritage (Jewish, Italian, Irish), and enjoy its bustling nightlife as pre- and post-wedding entertainment (Broadway shows, art galleries, restaurants, bars). And importantly, New York City boasts many world-class wedding suppliers, from caterers and photographers, to florists and dressmakers. This means you can easily find high-quality professionals to help make your big day perfect. If you’re inviting out-of-town guests too, the city’s extensive public transport and subway system is super convenient.
7. The Maldives
This island paradise isn’t just for a honeymoon abroad. It’s perfect if you want a luxurious yet secluded overseas wedding. As a remote and exotic location, the Maldives can offer a unique and intimate experience unlike most traditional wedding destinations. This is particularly great for couples who are looking for a little seclusion and privacy on their wedding day. It’s home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world. The pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical foliage make it a truly romantic and picturesque destination.
The world-class hospitality is also noteworthy. Luxurious resorts offer a range of amazing amenities and services to make your big day special. Many have private beaches, romantic overwater villas, and excellent dining options. And there are plenty of pre- and post-wedding activities for you and your guests, from snorkeling and diving, to water sports and spa treatments.
8. Cape Town, South Africa
This vibrant and diverse city offers a beautiful and dramatic backdrop for a wedding. Tie the knot overlooking the city’s iconic Table Mountain or enjoy a natural vineyard wedding in the nearby Cape Winelands. Cape Town also enjoys a balmy Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm yet dry summers. This way, you can plan an outdoor wedding with confidence! The city itself is a melting pot of cultures, which you can incorporate into your own wedding. From the traditional music and dance, to the world-class cuisine, there’s something for everyone.
Whatever your budget or style, there’s a wide range of venues to choose from – elegant wine estates, beautiful beaches, chic boutique hotels. Cape Town offers a variety of activities for both couples and guests as well – from hiking and surfing to shark cage diving.
9. Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean islands offer a range of beautiful locations for a tropical wedding full of joy and sunshine. You can choose from a variety of islands (including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Barbados) and enjoy the region’s stunning natural scenery and laid-back atmosphere. The fun and vibrant culture make for an exciting and celebratory wedding day, from the local music and dances, to the bold and flavourful cuisine. Plus, you can get married in some amazing venues, both high-end and affordable , from luxurious beach resorts to intimate guest houses.
The region’s year-round warm and sunny climate makes it ideal for a winter or outdoor wedding as well, or for couples who want to escape colder climates. The Caribbean islands are obviously a popular honeymoon destination too, so getting married there can provide a seamless transition into a romantic and relaxing honeymoon after the big day itself.
10. Reykjavik, Iceland
If you’re looking for a truly unique and unforgettable wedding, Iceland is the perfect destination. It is a land of breathtaking extremes and natural wonders, from magical ice caves and glaciers, to out-of-this-world geothermal hot springs and the famous Blue Lagoon spa. If you’re looking for a unique and unconventional wedding venue in a dramatic setting, then look no further. From hotels to churches, and concert halls to national parks, there’s something for every budget and taste. Iceland’s small population also means that weddings in Reykjavik are often small and intimate. This makes it a great option for couples who want a more low-key celebration.
If you’re adventurous types, you can also enjoy exciting outdoor activities such as hiking, glacier tours, and snowmobiling. Not to mention the Northern Lights…talk about a magical wedding night! Getting married in Iceland is simple and convenient, with minimal paperwork and legal requirements. And finally, unlike some other countries, same-sex marriage is welcome in Iceland – it’s in fact one of the top destinations in the world for gay weddings.
Destination weddings are an exciting and romantic way to tie the knot, and can be a great way to transition to your honeymoon. Whether it’s a beach wedding in Greece or Bali, a historic castle backdrop in Tuscany, an urban wedding in New York City, or a magical wedding in Iceland, there’s an idyllic destination for every budget and taste, whether you want a grand or intimate wedding.
Henrietta and Thomas had a Vintage, antique & stylish wedding at Howsham Hall in Yorkshire, it was a day filled with glamour and luxury.
Henrietta and Thomas wedding was held in early March. This wedding has lots to love! With a groom dressed in his military uniform, a bride with a two designer wedding dresses and their love of vintage, this was a great choice!
Howsham Hall offered the couple the perfect setting for their vintage wedding day, the couples choose colour theme of blue and golds was classic and elegant.
Catering: Dine Catering events Instagram @dine.co.uk, @dinevenues @howshamhall
Wedding Dress Designer: Day Dress – Rasha rashalondon.com/ Instagram @rashalondon
Rise Hall is a luxury exclusive use wedding venue, perfect for a wedding staycation! Nestled in the peaceful Yorkshire countryside, Rise Hall is your very own ‘stately home from home’.
We talked to Rebecca Barker, the Sales & Business Development Manager at Rise Hall to find out more this spectacular country house, that with modern and luxurious comforts.
Tell us about yourself!
I have been in the wedding industry for 17 years! I ran my own family business for 12 years, so enjoyed every aspect of the job, from wedding planning and looking after brides, to sales and more! I have two children, Florence age 6 and Benjamin, age 3, so it is a very busy household. In my free time, when I get it, I like to cook (my family love my chicken ham and leek pie) I also like spending time with the kids, going out to lovely places to eat and an afternoon tea when I can!
What drew you to the wedding world?
Well my story is a little different, many moons ago, my parents decided to renovate a holiday cottage on our land. From there, it became apparent that there was a market and with a country house also on the estate too, it became the perfect spot for guests to enjoy. One day, a lovely couple rang and asked if they could hire all of them for wedding. Having never done a wedding before or had any experience, we took the gamble and said yes!! That year we ended up doing 9 weddings and the next year we did 38 weddings. From then the business went from strength to strength, as did my passion for all things weddings! They do say, you sometimes find your calling in unusual places and I certainly found mine.
What do you think makes your venue unique?
Rise Hall is complete unique, as it is a true home from home feel, with the grandeur of a stately home. The service is personal and comforting for couples, with the added atmosphere of the homely touches, makes them feel at ease. Through in years of experience, super food and drink, the perfect match for the perfect couple. Our events team are famous for going above and beyond, helping out in every way they can! With their events boxes stocked with everything you couple possibly need and more, no problem will be too big!
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
It is really important for all the team to get to know our couples and from the moment they book, they are treated like VIPS. We send little gifts throughout the planning process, invite them to events and also are present at meetings. Been an ear to listen is the perfect way to become part of their family, as weddings are often a whole family affair.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
What makes the perfect wedding? The perfect timeline!! I have said it time and time again, nail that timeline and everything will be a smooth, well oiled machine. There isn’t time to ‘lets see how it goes’ you need the confidence to know the team are on it! When the timings run well, everyone is happy!
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Couples should book Rise Hall because they will be looked after from the moment they book, all throughout the planning process and beyond. We take great pride in our service and this isn’t just on the wedding day, but every minute of the planning too!
What do you love about Bridebook?
What do I love about Bridebook? EVERYTHING!! I think the fact that the app allows you to plan your whole wedding, makes for less stress and that is a massive bonus in my world!!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had?
We one had a wedding where the groom arrived on a camel!! A spectacular event and one that won’t be forgotten.
Couples should book Rise Hall because they will be looked after from the moment they book, all throughout the planning process and beyond. We take great pride in our service and this isn’t just on the wedding day, but every minute of the planning too!
Built in 1633 this venue is a four star family owned hotel, packed full of character and history. They have been hosting weddings for 60 years and know how to make your day perfect. You’ll find open fires, cosy lounges, fine antiques and tapestries that together create a sense of history, calm and comfort
We talked to Claire Nicholl, the Wedding and Events Manager at Holdsworth House Hotel & Restaurant to find out more this award winning restaurant and historic venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I’ve worked at Holdsworth House for almost 25 years, so in that time I’ve helped arrange probably 3000 weddings. We ‘re exclusive – we only allow one wedding per day, but we average around 120 weddings per year. I love dogs, so when I’m not working, I’m walking my dog.
What drew you to the wedding world?
25 years ago, I suppose the job really suited me. I’m a stickler for detail and people joke that I have a photographic memory, as I do tend to retain facts, figures, couples’ names and all their wedding details! Today, I can’t imagine doing anything else. After 25 years there’s very little that can catch met out or no problem that can’t be resolved. Weddings provide a very happy working environment: it’s a nice, feel-good job to be involved in. It’s not just an office job, I’m often on my feet too meeting people and walking them round the venue.
What do you think makes your venue unique?
The hotel sells itself from a physical standpoint: it’s a beautiful, historic building in three acres of well-kept gardens. But I don’t think you can put a price on experience. It’s not just me that’s been here a long time. Many of us in the wedding team have built a career at Holdsworth House. Tracy, our Master of Ceremonies, has been here over 30 years, our General Manager around 10 years. When you have such a consistent, experienced team the confidence rubs off on guests and couples; they can relax fully and enjoy their day knowing they’re in safe hands. I also believe that because Holdsworth House is independent (owned by the same family since 1962), there’s a level of care, love and attention that you feel compelled to give; you truly go out of your way because its personal. We really are a family at the hotel.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
We have an initial meeting, and we discuss lots of ideas. Essentially, we listen first. We need to understand the couple’s needs, expectations and their personal touches/requirements. We then invite them in for a series of meetings or wedding menu tastings. By the time the wedding comes, it’s like we’re close friends! I’m really proud that people open up to me but it’s important that I remain professional – in the run up to a wedding, many people want to be given clear, detailed advice, and they look to me as the provider of that assurance. In many cases I’m holding couples’ secrets too, whether that be a surprise element of the day or some deeply personal information that they don’t want to reveal to guests. I must always remain completely discreet and supportive. Throughout the lead-up to their big day, our coupes will meet all the team within Holdsworth House. When they come for their wedding tasting, they’ll get to know the award-winning kitchen and restaurant team. When they select their accommodation, they’ll bump into our fantastic housekeepers. And, of course, everyone is always warmly greeted by our reception staff who have incredible knowledge and a can-do attitude. By the day of the wedding, our operations team has already been fully briefed and is ready to spring into action – it’s like watching all the cogs of a well-oiled machine working together.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
For the couple it’s when you can completely let go and be in the moment. Inevitably things will change because people – like the weather – are unpredictable. But when you can truly trust the team around you to deliver, and you can look back on your wedding day with multiple ‘wow’ moments, then that’s when you’ve had the perfect wedding. It’s not about quantity, it’s 100% about quality.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Make sure you book your venue and registrar (if applicable) early. Once that’s in place everything else can follow on in due course.
What do you love about Bridebook?
We meet so many amazing couples through Bridebook. Each has a unique story and it’s a privilege to be part of such personal events. Bridebook is excellent for helping guide couples and help them plan, it’s very much in line with our ethos.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had?
I love it when couples bring their dogs to weddings to as ring-bearers. We also get Eric our resident cat photo-bombing some wedding pictures. Whilst most of our weddings are for 80 – 100 guests, we have some absolutely stunning small and intimate weddings. Our Stone Gazebo, in the hotel gardens, is the smallest licensed venue in England and only accommodates 10 people, so super-romantic ceremonies in here are just gorgeous. Most weddings here are traditional white weddings, but we also enjoy seeing the alternative events. From outdoor garden ceremonies to super-cosy winter weddings, vintage or Steam Punk dress codes to kilts and swords and military events – every wedding is different. In October 2021, we hosted the wedding of a couple who had met at a literary event we’d held at the hotel the previous year. There were so many poignant moments, you couldn’t help getting sucked into the fairy tale. Our couple had been inspired by the TV Show ‘Gentleman Jack’, which was filmed nearby in Halifax. Not only did the true story of Anne Lister inspire them, but they were able to track down suppliers that the TV show had used – like the jeweller who made the costume jewellery for the actors. They were an incredible, fun couple and they just celebrated what the essence of being married was all about – LOVE!!
Honestly? You can relax completely here. We’ve been hosting weddings for over 50 years, not many venues can say that and we’re not going anywhere; we’re a very robust business. We’re flexible, knowledgeable and great with people obviously! At the end of the day, as beautiful as a venue is it’s the people – the interaction between the guests and the team – that make the difference. The fact that we have stunning photo backdrops and gardens is of course a huge bonus! The other reason is that we make hosting your wedding so easy. Some venues are forever putting in barriers, saying what you can’t do. We say what you CAN do, and we’ll pull out the stops to make your dream wedding happen. We really do take care of everything, with genuine care and attention. The whole team is involved so you’re not rely on one person for everything – what if you can’t get hold of that one person?
There are lots of Insta-friendly spots at Holdsworth House. If you’ve got a dress with a train, then a photo going down the stairs is beautiful. Our restaurant and halls have been called a ‘photographer’s dream’ by a well-known Insta photographer (for its natural light and character). But my favourite spot is out the front of the hotel in the gardens with the historic facade behind you – it’s completely timeless.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The team, without a doubt and our honesty and integrity. We’re a friendly bunch and we do have a laugh. Everyone is very professional, truly cares and takes things personally.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
It really helped during the pandemic when couples were restricted on numbers of guests. We had live-stream weddings, which meant people who couldn’t be there in person could still witness the event. Technology has changed how some couples use suppliers, we see lots of people designing and printing their own stationery, people discussing their flower arrangements over Zoom or email, and looking for inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest.
Any final advice for a couple?
Food is a very important part of your day, so be sure your venue includes menu tastings. Ask your venue if it runs a ‘fresh banqueting service’ like we do at Holdsworth House i.e., do they cook your wedding breakfast fresh rather than plating and reheating? It’s surprising what a difference it can make to the taste and quality. If the last 50 years has taught us anything, it’s how to turn out the kind of food served in our fine-dining restaurant on a large scale.
Looking ahead to 2021 and beyond, a wedding boom is coming! It’s been a tough year for the wedding industry and the many postponing couples, but we can see a bright spot on the horizon as vaccine rollout expands and restrictions are lifted to allow weddings to take place safely.
We surveyed nearly 5,000 couples and felt the optimism and excitement they have looking forward to their upcoming weddings. While those who married in 2020 experienced drops in guest numbers and wedding spending, engaged couples’ plans haven’t been affected to the same scale.
Budgets are strong, and expectations are high among engaged couples for celebrations and vaccines. They look forward to celebrating on any day of the week that they can – and sometimes twice!
82% couples with 15 or less guests will celebrate twice
52% of guests believed to have received a COVID-19 jab by Sept ‘21
40% Engaged couples’ costs increased due to COVID-19, by nearly £2,000
17% postponed couples will marry on a Friday
As we’ve seen from weddings that took place in 2020, couples are happy to incorporate safety measures and technology into their weddings wherever necessary, and these restrictions are not a barrier to wed.
83% Weddings had social-distancing measures in place
64% Weddings didn’t allow dancing (46% had no music at all)
55% Weddings in Q4 2020 were live-streamed
17% Wedding couples wore masks at their wedding (73% of guests)
With so much of the nation’s time spent at home this year, we also see the prominent role that technology plays in the lives of today’s millennial couples during wedding planning. This generation of couples does everything on their phones, and wedding planning is no exception. They expect information instantly at their fingertips, they rely on social proof, and are incorporating technology into both the planning process and the actual weddings themselves. Going forward, we should prepare for more of planning to move digitally.
5 Hours per day looking at their phones
42.4 Venue reviews read by venue-seeking couples
63% Wedding planning is done via their phone
43% Married couples used a digital playlist at their wedding ceremony
23% Couples sent digital wedding invitations
Over the course of the next few months, we will start to see a new beginning for weddings. While these weddings will face restrictions in the near term and our industry will need to adjust to accommodate the ever-changing situation, we can take the lead from these positive-thinking couples and know that wedding celebrations WILL return and that recovery is near.
Bridebook is here to support the engaged couples who are working through their wedding checklists and looking for venues and professionals to make the day unforgettable. We’re also here to help married couples give back with reviews on the businesses that helped make their day a success. Finally, we’re here for the many businesses who have struggled this year, and need to connect with couples and industry members for business support and growth.
9th November 2020: Parliament debates Weddings – everything you need to know.
Last night, we saw MPs from across Britain discuss E-petition 329339, the petition relating to the number of guests permitted at weddings during the coronavirus pandemic. Below is a summary of the main highlights, the video recording and the full debate transcript.
Summary:
Overall, this was a brilliant debate that finally shone a light on the struggles we are facing and the urgent needs of our industry. Bridebook, the Association of British Wedding Businesses (ABWB), Wedding Venues and suppliers across the country have been looking for a platform to voice their opinions and this was that platform.
MPs in attendance were focused on 3 main arguments:
Increasing the guest numbers at venues to fall in line with venue capacity.
The need for a clear roadmap for reopening so that businesses can start to rebuild and plan for the future.
Financial support to assure that we are able to survive as an industry.
The debate highlights:
Elliot Colburn strongly opened the debate, clearly informed by the ABWB briefing note stating: “Weddings take months and even years of intricate planning. Myself and many others believe the maximum number of guests authorised at wedding ceremonies should be increased. The number of guests permitted at weddings should be calculated according to venue capacity.” He closed his opening by urging the government to “set out a clear road map for reopening so that businesses can begin to bounce back.” This was to set the tone for the rest of the debate.
MPs in attendance continued to stress the real need for a roadmap and clear guidelines & instructions to assure that the industry survives.
It was further explained that the wedding guest number should be based on venue capacity with social distancing being observed.
Also highlighted multiple times was the ripple effect stemming from venue capacity limits. Venues are the key to unlocking the industry as many suppliers rely on the venue’s business. The industry is an ecosystem with venues at the helm.
The unfairness of pubs & restaurants being able to hold receptions when wedding venues can’t was almost scoffed at. The Ministers explained that wedding venues and suppliers would do anything they can to assure they were COVID safe and that risk assessments were met.
MPs also plead for financial support, stating that the majority of grants, to date, have not reached or supported businesses within the wedding industry
January & February were highlighted as crucial months for the industry. In just two short months, venues are able to recover a substantial amount of lost revenue, as they market for future business, specifically for 2022 bookings.
MPs explained that there is no substantial evidence that suggests that weddings have a direct impact on COVID numbers. Specifically highlighted was that in NI, where weddings have been able to take place with higher numbers, that again there has been no direct evidence of weddings having an impact.
Death bed weddings – MP urged the minister to increase the restriction to allow for more family members to attend death bed weddings.
Sadly, the minister Paul Scully closed the session without giving any real clarity as to solutions, nor did he show any real urgency in providing further guidance or support. Scully explained that the hospitality industry has put a lot in place to assure covid-safe rules but that this would be more difficult with wedding venues as friends/family are within the given area for longer periods of time so social distancing rules would be challenged.
What’s next?
Scully, although lacking conviction, did state that he is working on measures to bring the industry together. He proposed to introduce a task force that would support encouraging the government to engage with the industry.
The ABWB will be writing an official response and will be reaching out to Paul Scully to gain clarity on the next steps.
Bridebook will be monitoring progress closely and will continue to share regular updates with our community.
The Law Commission held a public Q&A session to discuss their Consultation paper. Below is a summary of the main highlights and the Q&A.
Law Commission: Weddings – the home of all the information you need on the proposed reform of Wedding Law.
Provide your thoughts and feedback on the Law Commission’s proposal here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7R3TH65
Main highlights of the Law Commissions proposal
The Law Commission’s proposal recommends that weddings will be able to take place anywhere with a revised focus on dignity & existing health and safety legislation.
Rather than noting where the weddings take place. The new law would notify the officiant instead. In the case of registration officers, it may not be possible for a registrar to be identified and in this case, the location would then be listed. Once a schedule is listed, it will need to be signed and returned. Scheduled system to be introduced.
There will be 5 categories of officiants including independent officiants (celebrants)
Officiants will have to go through training in order for them to perform the legal requirements of marriage. Training has not yet been defined fully.
Questions asked with a summary of the Law Commission’s answers
Q: Registration Services have their own rooms, for example in the Town Halls where they’re based, to be able to conduct marriages in. Is it proposed that registrars still have exclusivity over their own venues? This isn’t clear in the consultation.
Yes they would. Those who own buildings can still control who has access to those buildings. Local authorities could say that only their registrars can hold weddings in town halls.
Q: I don’t have an issue with the concept but I think it is ill-timed. The industry needs to recover after COVID and does not need any more to deal with
We understand this. Our review is a general review. It was set up before COVID happened. And it is looking at wedding law and how weddings will happen in the future. We believe there is still a need to reform for the future.
What we have been able to do is look at what has happened during covid.
We know looking at other jurisdictions – outdoor weddings: outdoor weddings are less risky – future law much more resilient for future pandemics.
Also, we have been thinking about how emergency powers could help to support weddings to take place. E.g. enabling formalities – virtual weddings. We understand the impact that covid has had – we believe that this proposal will
Q: The wedding industry has been decimated by Covid-19, how on earth will existing wedding venues have the opportunity to recover if the new proposal will allow more venues to host weddings. The venues market is already overcrowded.
To remove the residency requirement – this will make it possible for couples coming from overseas to get married.
New revisions will make Eng & Wales more attractive – would lessen people going abroad – 73000 individuals go oversea to get married
The number of officiants – they had to turn business away because of the difficulty for registrars to book. Only one officiant would be needed.
Greater flexibility
Existing venues have an existing business – service they offer – not all of the weddings that take place – smaller/family weddings
Heard from existing venue owners – venues would be able to offer a wedding outside their buildings
Q: You’ve said by end 2021 that’s unfair
We will publish recommendations to the government in mid-2021. The legislation would have to go through parliament – changes wouldn’t be in place by end of next year.
Q: If a venue for marriage / civil partnership isn’t stated on the schedule, how will registration services know which marriages / civil partnerships are taking place in their district? Without knowing this, it’s difficult to ensure all are registered.
Rather than noting where the weddings take place. They would notify the officiant instead.
Registration officers may not be able to be identified – location would then be listed.
Once a schedule is listed, it will need to be signed and returned. Scheduled system to be introduced. Rather than listing the venues, it would be focused on the officiant.
Q: Has the proposal concerned the risks hosting weddings in venues/spaces that aren’t managed professionally eg wedding suppliers will not be vetted correctly, risk of poor service, food poisoning etc.
Discussed Venues in chapter 7 of the consultation paper. The marriage act – only governs where weddings take place. Already wedding law does not vet reception venues. Planning law, licence & health and safety laws – people providing services are governed under that law.
Safety & dignity would be the focus.
Officiant would be trained to address.
Q: You would not suddenly effectively deregulate the car industry without properly investigating the impact on the industry
We will do an impact assessment – chapter 13 and respond.
Q: I am in favour of most of the proposals. My query is how celebrants will be properly regulated – will some form of training and regulation fall on registrar services? What sort fo checks and balances are suggested?
Regulations will be focused on officiants – regulation will need to be met in order to officiate.
Chapter 5 – all officiants would have the same legal requirements – express consent and requirements are met and signed. They would have a responsibility for safety.
5 categories of officiants – independent officiants – independent celebrants: these individuals would be able to conduct ceremonies – more detailed requirements to show that they are fit and proper – completed training or that they have been approved.
Q: Have you noted this year how when wedding receptions are (often illegally) held in private houses/gardens, they tend to be more unsafe and unregulated, and that enabling people to get married at home could have similar health/safety concerns in the future?
Other underlying health and safety regulations all continue to apply.
It is not illegal to hold a wedding reception – what we anticipate is that the couple that owns the house – put concerns in the consultation response
Q: Would it still be a requirement to hold the ceremony under a cover/structure in order to keep the registers dry, or would anybody be able to get married literally anywhere?! This could be disastrous for already struggling venues if people are to be allowed to literally marry anywhere!
A wedding could take place at any place which is agreed between couples & officiant. Has to be safe.
If you are organising a wedding, you would need to take into account the weather conditions
Impact on existing venues, some of the venue owners we have spoken to are keen to use their outdoor space – marketing this.
That approach is not novel – it already happens in Scotland already.
The demand by couples – structures outdoors that are then licenced as approved premises
Issues – there are different applications across England and Wales and these decisions are made by local authorities. There are a lot of differences across local authorities – this is an issue that needs to be addressed in reformed law.
Q: Q from Ribble Valley Wedding Partnership Alcohol – clearly this is not currently permitted at or around the ceremony, what are your views regarding your proposals and if relaxed how will the dignity of the event be ensured. There doesn’t seem to be any mention in the consultation
We do in chapter 7 – currently, the only regulations relate to approved premises. Nothing currently to alcohol/decency.
Nothing to stop people before the wedding or in another part. Some local authorities dictate you can’t serve weddings before.
We focus on dignity and officiant to manage. Couples & officiant cannot be intoxicated.
Q: If a venue had a nominated responsible person (currentl required by the licence), could they also supply a celebrant to run a ceremony? Two separate people. Also could venues have control over who could run a ceremony – and have the freedom to decline particular celebrants or individuals?
Our schemes propose this – independent officiants – propose that there will be a rule
Q: Why has a report to reform the wedding law been commissioned?
We have a weddings law from 1836 that hasn’t been reviewed properly since.
The wedding law isn’t working for a lot of couples and proposes a number of restrictions
Out of date based on other countries
Asked to do scoping work by the government – immediate catalyst – focused on humanist
Current law doesn’t work for religious groups – recognised by religion but not by law.
Q: This seems to be an academic approach without any regard for the effects on a £10bn industry
Chapter in about impact – keen to collect thoughts. We will publish an impact piece.
We do try to take into account the opinions of those affected
Q: from Ribble Valley Wedding Partnership Could the new ‘Officiant’ be an employee of a venue, this would make everything easier
Conflict rules have suggested that we will not permit that
Q; what about the dignity and the legal seriousness of marriage. Naked Celebrant? People can be very strange so are we condoning that to an unlimited degree?
Officiant would be in control of this – proposal focuses on dignity.
Current law only relates to the dignity of approved premises
Q: What will the celebrant training look like?
We don’t prescribe this – we do talk about it in general terms – it would focus on the legal requirements – duties, consent & schedule signed.
The guidance given focused on forced marriage. We don’t prescribe but do ask you to share your thoughts on this.
Q: So basically all those unlucky couples who have had to postpone or cancel their weddings due to covid will now be able to sack off their original venue and potentially their associated suppliers and opt for a home-based wedding which will put so many venues and businesses out of work at the worst possible time! Why is this not now being stalled in order to give our industry a fighting chance?
We are not looking at those who supply services.
Nor is out consultation paper looking at existing couple contracts.
Looking at what wedding law will look like in the future.
Proposals are not going to provide a solution for changes to wedding plans this year
Q:Q from Ribble Valley Wedding Partnership The term ’guidance’ to officiants feels a little weak and open to interpretation, which is a concern, especially when it relates to health and safety, and accessibility. Is there not an argument for something more structured, maybe even qualified?
We welcome your views in the consultation response. The training that they would have to undertake will have to reflect that. If there are particular thoughts we would like to receive
Q: Is there any merit in proposing a “certification” standard or exam that all officiants should achieve, regardless of how they are appointed, to ensure consistency across celebrants?
The difficulty is that this already exists and it might not be prop0ortionate to influence or affect this if is it is working.
E.g. religious training exists. There would be concerns if priests have to take new training.
Q: I asked earlier about keeping the register dry – not sure you understood the question… I am asking whether if a couple choose to get married on a beach or a hilltop for example, do they have to be under a structure still (not a building, just a structure)
No, they would not. They would not need to be near a building.
Schedule system – authorised to go ahead. The registrars wouldn’t need to bring the registrar book to the wedding.
There will be one simple form for the record of marriages.
Q: Much of the decision re the setting safety seems to be suggested will now rest with the celebrant, but you’ve said anybody can be a celebrant. They will not be qualified to make that decision
There will be clear processes around officiants and the training that they will have.
We are not envisaging that officiants will be experts on health & safety or building experts. Officiants would look at other existing legal requirements.
Q: How would a venue check whether a celebrant was qualified and who is responsible if there is an incident? would there be a governing body for celebrants to call them to account?
All nominated officiants & independent officiants would be on a central database. There will be a means of checking.
Governing body – the general registry body with oversight
Nominated – by religious groups / non-religious belief – nominated
Q: A lot of room for profiteering re independent celebrants being paid to perform a legal marriage – trafficking/forced marriage
All marriages would need to be preceded by preliminaries.
Criminal activities – laws in place to support this.
Q: Giving a couple a meaningful ceremony in a place and form that has significance for them, led by someone who understands them and uses the words that they would like is a wonderful and beautiful aspiration. Has any thought been given to explicitly ruling out certain places, however – for example abattoirs, sewage works and so on? That may seem extreme, and certainly, those places may be special to some but there should be some exceptions?
Interested in consulting these views.
Q: We have spent a fortune ensuring disabled access and H&S – is that need out the window now if people can get married on top of a tree?
We do look at accessibility – existing rules on health & safety still apply independently of weddings law.
Q: I’d be interested in the timescale you expect for any changes to be implemented.
Publish in the second half of next years – we will be providing recommendations not draft legislation.
The government then to decide to accept/prepare legislation
The expectation that the government will give an initial response in the first 6 months and a full response within a year.
Q: is there any way that existing venues which are already licensed could automatically be ‘approved’ as a future venue, thereby making a pre-visit / inspection by an officiant unnecessary = saving cost
Good point. We do suggest that local authorities can keep their own list of venues that host weddings. This would prevent the need for officiants to go.
That is something that we are keen on considering.
Q: Are you prepared for say, 100,000 new celebrants and keeping a check on all of them?
I suspect that the number of celebrants will depend on demand.
I’m not sure there would be 100,00 and as we’ve highlighted, these are questions for the government to decide.
Q: What about giving notice? What would the rules be and who do they go and see?
Would be the same as they are now. With Anglican weddings – give notice to the registrar.
Q: To not consider the ancillary services of weddings demonstrates your lack of understanding of how weddings operate and are delivered.
We are looking at Weddings Law – looking at the weddings itself.
Q: would the general registrar office know whether they later got a criminal record for instance?
There would be an ability to withdraw their officiant authorisation withdrawn
Disclosure of disclosing criminal records. These rules will continue to apply.
Please put in your consultation responses to us!
Additional comments
“We manage outdoor venues and this is a huge growth industry. We’ve also been hugely affected by Covid-19. Couples hold an outdoor blessing and then a reception in a marquee of tipi. Our couples would love it if their outdoor ceremony, could also be the legal ceremony. I think existing venues with licences should be confident that couples would still choose their venue, for service, location, catering etc rather than trying to hold onto their competitive advantage and limiting choice for couples. Venues with licences do not comprise the full wedding industry.”
Is there any evidence at all that the demand for traditional (country house, hotel, church) weddings will decline? These types of weddings are hugely popular – people can already have a celebrant wedding in their back garden if they want to! people seem worried that the industry will collapse which is unfounded – there will be a huge surplus of couples in the coming years who haven’t been able to marry. it may be worth showing the evidence that ‘traditional’ venues will be just as needed – if not more now that they can use their gardens/outdoor spaces?!
I do not support your proposal to allow weddings to be hosted virtually anywhere. This idea is very ill-thought-out and will result in the closure of many dedicated wedding venues, as the market will become saturated with the number of venues.
Scotland has now restrictions for weddings but we do see that weddings are still taking place
One thing that I do agree with is that there should only be one registrar in attendance as this would vastly improve availability and costs
Tuesday 3rd November 2020
On Tuesday, I was asked to represent our industry and the Bridebook community in the latest Law Commission consultation. A small group of industry professionals met on Zoom to discuss the provisional proposals to Wedding Law Reform. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Friday’s public Law Commission Q&A event on weddings law reform.
The scenario
The Law Commission proposed that if the new law is passed, anybody will be able to apply to become an officiant.
Anyone looking to become an officiant will need to go through thorough training and will need to be approved by Registrars.
There will be a published list of official registrars and when couples give notice, they will have to list who the officiant will be.
Couples will be able to get married in any safe and dignified location agreed by the officiant.
As I see it, the benefits to wedding venues
With plentiful officiants, couples will be able to book dates and times of their marriages instantly with their venues.
This will speed up the venue booking process
There will be no more fees or red tape to be an approved premise
Multi-faith ceremonies can occur at your venue
The risks to wedding venues
There will be increased competition in venue market place. But, we must remember that couples who have religious ceremonies are already free to choose any venue for their reception. Couples already prefer and choose approved premises already, so I believe this is a low risk.
Benefits to couples
Increased choice on where they get married
Increased ease of securing a registrar
More personalised ceremony
Lower cost, as wider choice of officiants
Hugely beneficial to many faiths and religious weddings which are rather excluded by current law.
Risks to couples
Increased costs as officiants become a standalone professional supplier with increased demand during seasonality.
Officiants will require significant formal training to become an officiant, so it isn’t as easy as just asking your friend to host your ceremony.
I predict
Most likely this will cause an increase in the cost of weddings. Weddings will become even more personal or unique, and even a small registry office wedding will be replaced with become something much more personal, and likely more expensive. Eg Marrying on a boat or on the beach etc. Large weddings likely unaffected except for outdoor moments.
Conflict that officiants choose where is safe. Currently this is the responsibility of the approved venue, hence being approved. If the officiant says they are happy to host a wedding up a mountain, are they liable for the safety of all the guests?
Likely damaging impact to religious premises, where marriages are a vital revenue stream eg small village churches, and due to the convenience of ceremony and reception being in one location, many of these will lose out.
The industry will become even more creative as social media imagery of ceremonies occurring on boats, trains, outdoors, mountains, inspires couples to hyper-personalise even further, which often comes with added expense.
Law Commission Agenda:
We have invited a range of organisations to discuss our provisional proposals, particularly as they relate to wedding venues and other vendors. The purpose of the roundtable is to facilitate an open discussion among attendees about our provisional proposals for reform.
The proposed requirements governing the ceremony
Couples will have to give notice to the registration service before getting married.
We provisionally propose that all wedding ceremonies must be attended by an officiant.
Registration officers will officiate at civil weddings;
Anglican clergy will officiate at Anglican weddings;
Officiants nominated by religious organisation will officiate at all other religious weddings;
If authorised to conduct legal weddings, officiants nominated by non-religious belief organisations will officiate at non-religious belief weddings; and
If authorised to conduct legal weddings, independent officiants will also be able to officiate at civil weddings.
Every officiant will have duties to ensure the requirements of the ceremony are complied with, and to uphold the dignity and solemnity of marriage.
We propose that couples will be able to get married in any safe and dignified location agreed by the officiant. There will be no requirement for venues to be pre-approved by the state. Both civil and religious weddings will be permitted to take place in any type of location (but religious groups will be able to impose their own requirements about where their officiants will agree to officiate at weddings).
Couples will not have to say prescribed words during the ceremony, but will have to express their consent in the presence of the officiant, each other, and two witnesses. Religious content (such as religious readings, hymns or religious imagery) will be permitted at civil wedding ceremonies. Weddings will not have to take place with open doors.
At the end of the ceremony, the couple, officiant and witnesses will be required to sign the schedule.
Questions
Q. Is it your experience that couples want to have their wedding ceremonies in non-approved areas of approved premises (such as outdoors)? Or in venues and locations that are not approved (eg due to cost) or that cannot be approved (eg because they are outdoors or on moving vehicles, including on water)?
Q. Is it your experience that some couples having religious weddings want to be able to marry in secular or commercial venues?
Q. Will venues benefit from being able to offer these options to couples? Will any types of venue benefit in particular? Will any types of venue not benefit?
Q. Will venues benefit from not having to pay approval fees? From not having to meet the requirements for approval (and if so, which ones)?
Q. Are there reasons why the location of wedding ceremonies needs particular regulation, as compared to other types of events or gatherings?
Q. How do you think the officiant agreeing to officiate at a wedding in a given location, considering safety and dignity, would work in practice? How does it work in practice currently in relation to weddings that are not legally recognised taking place in locations that are not necessarily approved premises?
Q. Would an optional system for venues to be pre-approved be useful, or efficient?
Friday 1st November 2019
Last week I asked venues owners and managers across the UK to share their views on the Law Commission’s proposal on Wedding Law reform. Hundreds of you spoke up and as a result, Beth Wright and I were able to share representative opinions at the pre-consultation meeting on Monday.
Here’s what YOU had to say, and everything you need to know about Monday night’s meeting…
Your opinions on the proposed Wedding Law changes.
This report, along with other Bridebook couple and industry insights have been shared with the Law Commission for their use during this project.
UK wedding venues employ 50+ employees and work with 20+ local businesses on average.
Almost two-thirds of venues could not stay in business without weddings.
Half of the responding venues have not experienced any growth in the last 3 years due to economy, competition and couple preferences.
Venues’ Current Experience with Ceremonies
Ceremony space: The majority of venues host weddings ceremonies as well as receptions, and two thirds do not have an outdoor approved premise. Many express frustration related to not being able to host weddings outdoors, especially when planning permission prevents them from erecting an approved structure.
Regulations: While a third feel costs are too high and regulations too much, most are satisfied with current costs and regulations. They do mention that some regulations feel antiquated (e.g. room licenses) and sometimes restrictions limit business growth.
Registrar experience: While most report a good experience with registrars, many venues mention difficulty for couples to book registrar and overly strict registrar rules which can limit business growth.
Fees: Fees are inconsistent across venue and council and can range from +£100 to over £1,000.
Venue Preferences for Future
Location: Venues feel that approved premises should still be regulated, but that rules should be relaxed with regard to outdoor space and different room options at approved premises.
Celebrant: Venues feel that approved celebrants should be able to administer weddings, but that these celebrants should be regulated (e.g. not friends of the couple).
Other Ceremony Requirements: Venues are happy with regulations across many aspects of civil wedding ceremonies, and find that the current set of regulations are suitable for the formality and sanctity of marriage. However they do feel that some ceremony requirements could be relaxed.
What happened at the pre-consultation meeting on the Government Reform to Wedding Law.
What the Law Commission is doing: The Law Commission is focused solely on reviewing the law governing how and where people can marry in England and Wales.
Who are the Law Commission? The Law Commission are funded by the government but work independently in order to provide potential Law reform for the government. On average, 2/3 of the projects put forward by the Law Commission will be enacted and law will be amended.
The Facts:
The current laws date back from 1836 so are very dated in some places and not representative of today’s market and modern couple’s needs.
Based on government research 42.8% of legal marriages take place in hotels.
Jewish and Quakers wedding ceremonies can currently take place anywhere.
Currently:
There are different ways to give notice for different types of weddings.
Almost all wedding must take place in certain buildings
A wedding must be either civil or religious
The law is not clear as to the status of a wedding that was not celebrated in one of the legally authorised ways and some religious ceremonies have not been recognised
The law is complex and contains different rules about where a wedding can take place, depending on the type of ceremony.
Who attended the Commission meeting? 12 wedding venue professionals with differing backgrounds in the industry including local authority representatives, registrars, London wedding venue owners and managers, outdoor wedding company owners and industry community representatives.
What the Law Commission & Government reform will consider:
Whether everyone getting married should have to give notice to the register office.
Where couples should be able to marry such as: outside, in a private home, on board a ship, on trains – or even in Tescos!
Opinions for couples to express their commitment in a way that is more personal to them.
How the law might allow non-religious belief organisations and independent celebrants to conduct weddings.
What should be the minimum requirements for marriage to be recognised by law, such as: giving notice, the consent of each member of the couple, signing the paperwork etc.
How to eliminate unnecessary red tape.
What was discussed?
Venues’ experience with the approved premises regulations, including:
the costs and how they affect venues and couples;
problems that arise during the approval process, or during ceremonies; and
hosting religious weddings on approved premises;
Where couples want to get married;
Experiences of working with registrars, religious or belief celebrants, or independent celebrants;
Where civil weddings should be able to take place;
What rules or guidelines there should be about civil weddings venues; and
How a more permissive system might work.
Main discussion points and opinions raised:
Everyone agreed that the dignity and sanctity of marriage needs to be kept in mind.
There were many frustrations regarding the limitations the law has on allowing outdoor ceremonies and also ceremonies in specific rooms: why is it that only 4 out of the 5 rooms in my venue can host ceremonies? It is not clear.”
It was agreed that there is a higher demand in today’s couple market for a wider variety of wedding ceremony location options. Wedding venues can satisfy this demand by the Law allowing more flexibility in terms of outdoor and building regulations for weddings.
It was posed that hosting Religious ceremonies/blessings is one of the highest heard requests from couples and that there is confusion as to why it is not possible to have such religious blessings held at approved venues.
Safety regulations both in terms of the security that venues provide and the implications of safety on couples and guests in outdoor / at home weddings has to be taken into consideration.
The local authorities’ ‘free reign’ on approved premises regulations and on costs are seemingly subjective and can be restrictive for smaller venues. More clarity needed on the reasons why different authorities have such differing costs and regulations.
Registrar restrictions on conducting ceremonies based on ceremony timings, the weather and location impacts couples preferences and venue flexibility massively. Standardisation and clarity is necessary.
There were mixed opinions on who should be able to conduct a legal ceremony. Many agreed that celebrants should have legal rights however there are concerns regarding friends or family of couples.
It was also noted that no one in the room has ever seen or experienced a disruption during a wedding yet, if public access is granted to wedding ceremonies this could become more of an issue.
What’s next?
A public consultation will take place in Spring 2020. This is the industry’s opportunity to have their say on the proposed changes. Based on this consultation, the Law Commission will make their detailed recommendation to the Government, with any legal changes being implemented in 2021.
Bridebook will be continuing to work with the Law Commission and I will continue to share any updates I receive with our Venue Community. If you have any further thoughts or feedback please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Since March 2020, our industry has experienced the most challenging times in recent history. Amidst the hundreds of thousands of wedding cancellations and postponements, our industry has maintained its strength and resilience through unprecedented challenges. It has been wonderful to see business owners coming together virtually to support one another through the UK Venue Slack group, the ABWB, the #whataboutweddings campaign, our Bridebook government petition, industry letter-writing to MPs and more.
I’d like to share some key considerations based on my unique experience as not only the CEO of wedding planning app Bridebook, but also as a fellow wedding venue owner of Hedsor House. I also co-founded HelloFresh and was formerly an investment banker at UBS during the last financial crisis, so have had a varied career with some very relevant experiences. I’ve also been in direct communication with the CMA and a panel member of the Law Commission overseeing regulations for wedding venues, all of which enables me to gain insights into the current state of the industry from many sides.
Looking ahead, we unfortunately know that 2021 will be a challenging year too. However, we all have opportunities that we can leverage to position our businesses as best we can at this time. I encourage you to think about each of these key considerations.
Key Consideration 1: Prioritise Cash Flows
Key Consideration 2: Optimise Your Team
Key Consideration 3: Understand the Current Market
Key Consideration 4: Understand the Government Regulations
Key Consideration 1: Prioritise Cash Flows
Cash is vital. This can not be emphasised enough. Focus on cash. We know that weddings will be back at some point, we now need to secure enough cash to ensure that our businesses are around for that moment. Make sure you understand the implications of postponements and deposit amounts to your cash flows, and make adjustments accordingly.
A. Adjust deposit structure to frontload sales. Beware the underlying cash flow issues that postponements may have on your business. Take a close look at your cost to host a wedding, and compare that with to the deposit you charge clients. If your cost to host a wedding is >50% of the clients’ total fee, and you charge a 50% deposit, you may have an upcoming cash flow issue.
For example: Suppose you charge £10,000 for a package wedding, it costs you 70%/ £7,000 to host the wedding, and you take 50% deposit. Whilst receiving the first £5,000 deposit is useful and lucrative, beware being lulled into a false sense of security on the second payment. Though you will receive a second £5,000, you will have £7,000 outgoings so will actually have a net cash outflow. Postponements stack these outgoing up. If your hosting costs are less than your second deposit, then you don’t have this issue.
In a normal year, hosting weddings and selling weddings balances out, so you have positive cash flow. However, a year filled with hosting postponed weddings and selling weddings 2 years out may have a new cash impact for your business. Know your costs, know your cash flows, and make adjustments to your cost structure or deposit structure to ensure you stay cash flow positive. Frontloading sales early on is a key way to address this issue. The further out you can sell dates, the smoother your cash flow will be.
B. Give upgrades, not discounts. A discount hits your cash flow and net profit instantly, while an upgrade doesn’t. Think about the timing when your business is impacted from these types of incentives, and encourage your sales team to promote incentives that affect your bottom line as late as possible, with the least amount of impact to your cashflow.
For example, let’s consider £1,000 off venue hire versus £1,000 off champagne on the wedding day. The first option costs you instantly from net profit and cashflow now, while £1,000 champagne, likely only costs you £330-£500, and the cash flow impact is only at the wedding. Consider that actually £2,500 of free champagne might have the same net profit impact for you as £1,000 upfront discount, still has a later cash flow impact, and is likely much more persuasive to the couple!
Key Consideration 2: Optimise Your Team
Making sure your team is equipped to handle your upcoming business needs is vital. As we approach the biggest engagement season of the year, with 40% of the year’s engagements occurring between December and February, a huge opportunity awaits and a capable sales team should be in place to maximise results.
Be mindful of redundancies. Ensure your business is ready not only to host weddings like mad in 2021, but to sell like mad into 2022. You may be considering redundancies, but I urge you to think seriously about the repercussions. For most venues, the cashflow saving of a redundancy will be less than if that person sold one (1) additional wedding a month, or took administrative duties off a salesperson so that salesperson could sell an additional one. Beware of a vicious cycle, that if you cut costs too heavily, you may be unable to sell due to administrative overload on your sales team which can become increasingly unproductive.
A key consideration when considering the difficult decision to make someone redundant is their replaceability and the actual saving. For example, if you are making an employee redundant you may give them 2-months settlement. Hiring their replacement may cost a 20% recruitment fee, and training up the new colleague may take another 2 months. In this scenario, if you believe their role will be required within 6 months from November, then it would be a false economy to follow a redundancy route. A mutual agreement of reduced hours / sabbatical / temporary role reassignment may be a more optimal route for both parties and for morale.
Be prepared for engagement season enquiries. Be ready for another 100,000 engagements at Christmas, and have your team ready to secure business. Position your team wisely, and consider shifting roles to prioritise sales. If possible, get operational team members handling relations with existing couples and postponements, while your sales time focuses all their efforts on gaining new business. Think ahead how your entire team can work together to maximise time dedicated to new sales. Cross-training your team now will pay off later.
Key Consideration 3: Understand the Current Market
Beware increased competition. As with the last financial crisis, the competition for wedding business will increase significantly thanks to corporate business shifting to weddings. Corporate business will be affected by COVID much longer than weddings, so corporate venues will focus more on weddings in the absence of corporate events. In a recessionary environment, the first business expense cut is corporate events. Businesses have a responsibility for their employees’ health and safety so will feel very nervous about arranging large gatherings for a very long time. Just like personal travel will recover much quicker than business travel (eg Summer holidays bounced back rapidly this August, but business travel was still firmly on hold) corporate events will follow the same pattern. Ensure you are well positioned to capture and compete with this new competition for wedding business in the coming 6-12 months. We have seen this first hand, as we launched Hedsor House to focus on corporate business in 2008 until the financial crisis hit, which was when we pivoted to the stability of weddings. We already see many corporate businesses following this path.
Get timing and pricing right. Focus on late 2021 and 2022 wedding sales. Bridebook already has a backlog of over 100,000 2020 couples waiting to find their venue and we all need to be ready for this backlog to release. At this stage, venues should be booked around 40% of 2022. Across the country, 2022 is already getting booked due to postponed Covid weddings taking 2021. In fact, 57% of all Bridebook’s bookings in September were going into 2022, and 62% in October.
Filling 2022 key dates with new business, rather than postponements, is crucial for your future business viability. Selling these dates early is key to this.
Dynamic pricing for your business is incredibly important too. This will allow you to maximise sales by actively shifting couples into weekday rather than weekend bookings. If you need any guidance on dynamic pricing, do message your Bridebook venue consultant.
Key Consideration 4: Understand the Government Regulations
While our industry is impacted significantly by COVID-specific regulations, we are also experiencing impacts from changes stemming from the Law Commission as well as CMA guidance. Make sure you’re up-to-date on the impacts these governing bodies have on your business’s opportunities, competitors and contracts.
Easing of location and celebrant restrictions. On 3 Sept 2020 the Law Commission announced suggested changes to how and where couples can get married, that will ease the red tape experienced by couples and venues for approved legal weddings. I was on the commission panel during the consideration process, and feel that it is not only positive news that antiquated laws are being updated, but that new opportunities will arise for us amidst the easing of these restrictions.
The changes will likely allow weddings to take place outdoors, in a wider variety of buildings, with loosened restrictions on celebrants, ceremonies and notice-giving. While many within our industry may be wary of increased competition from non-traditional venues, we should not expect a rush to weddings in McDonalds. Couples will still want large groups of friends and family, in beautiful settings, where they can dine together in one room, and not be reliant on the weather, and that are run by experienced staff. This all leads back to the professional venues of today. We can also view the easing of these restrictions as opportunities for us to conduct wedding ceremonies more freely on our own premises and in our outdoor spaces, enabling us to enhance our current wedding offerings. Do note that celebrant weddings are already very popular, although not legal, and the vast majority of them take place at approved premise wedding venues anyway. The easing of these celebrant and ceremony restrictions benefit our venues by offering more freedom and flexibility to our clients while on our premises. We can expect further updates later in 2020.
Post-covid refund rules recommended by the CMA. On 7 Sept 2020, the CMA released guidance on wedding services affected by COVID-19, specifically on cancellation and refunds, alongside the CMA open letter to the wedding sector. Their guidance was clarified in regards to Covid and where Covid means a wedding cannot be hosted without substantial differences to the agreed contract.
Further details of a CMA action involving Bijou Weddings Group were released which concluded the fair and reasonable non-refundable amount to be 37.2% of the total cost of the wedding. On 9 Oct 2020, Bridebook issued an update to the CMA Guidance Summary, which includes an assessment of the decision with Bijou Weddings Group and continues to add updates to this page.
I know these last seven months have been difficult, and I applaud all your efforts to keep calm and carry on, despite the many adversities your business has faced. I know that we are all poised for a boom in bookings come engagement season, only two months away. I strongly urge you to take some time to seriously think about all of these key considerations and make sure your business is in the best shape possible for the next 6-12 months.
I see plenty of hope for our industry. From Bridebook data in September, we see newly engaged couples’ predicted budgets have remained unchanged versus 2019. Couples still want the large weddings we all know and love, and they are willing to wait for when it is possible. 2021 and 2022 will likely be the busiest years of weddings ever. We want to be sure you are there to work with them when that time comes.
I also urge venue owners and managers to get connected with your fellow industry colleagues on the UK Wedding Venues Slack group, a forum of thousands of wedding venues across the country, supporting each other and discussing relevant issues on a daily basis.
Now is also a great time to ensure that your digital presence is in tip-top shape, in preparation of the Christmas influx of prospective couples to your website, social media and Bridebook profile. Make sure all your photos, videos and details are up-to-date. Remember that couples love social proof, so chase any outstanding reviews from clients and fellow colleagues (share this simple link to collect reviews), and add testimonials to your Bridebook profile and website wherever possible.
Additionally, book a call with your Bridebook venue consultant to learn about ways to boost your presence among local couples, by heading to THIS PAGE or emailing business.bridebook.co.uk. If your business doesn’t have a Bridebook profile yet, create a free profile and our team will be happy to welcome you to our wonderful community of wedding professionals.
There are so many moving parts in our industry right now, and I truly want you to be the best equipped business you can be to navigate the difficulties and come out on the other side stronger than ever.
If I or the Bridebook team can help with anything, do get in touch.
This year has been an impossibly hard one for the wedding industry, but our industry is a resilient one. With 86% of 2020 wedding bookings now falling into 2021, Bridebook predicts that 2022 will be the biggest bumper year in wedding industry history. It is time for you to save your business, by focusing your marketing efforts on the future. Bridebook has developed a 4 step strategy to help you sell your business back to success and to make it through 2020.
STEP 1: Decide on a realistic timescale for a return of meaningful weddings.
The first step is for you, to decide when you think you’ll be able to sell ‘meaningful’ weddings again. By this, we mean weddings in a more ‘normal’ state: more guests, more flexibility and most importantly, more room for profit.
A survey in the UK Wedding Venues Slack Group showed that 60% of venues would suggest March 2021 as the very earliest for the return of meaningful weddings. You need to be considering what this means for your business in terms of potential loss and then get creative with your short term venue & marketing.
How can you support your business and bring in revenue now? Here are a few of our short term recommendations:
Host 30 person weddings, as long as there’s a return on investment (ROI): The Government update of 9th September limits social gatherings, indoors and outdoors, to 6 people only. Whilst this may feel like a step back, the good news is that this does not include weddings, which can go ahead with receptions of 30 people. Venues have been battling huge challenges of couples wanting refunds, only to go and host bigger receptions at home or in the pub. Couples who wanted refunds are already starting to request receptions for 30, now that their plans have been made ‘illegal’. Venues need to use this update to their maximum advantage, and market all availability for 30 person receptions to keep revenue, even if small ROI, coming in.
Got accommodation? Host families or small groups of friends as a B&B or holiday venue. A great example of this is how Hedsor House has flipped their marketing to being a ‘luxury country retreat’ and offering takeover of the venue to families, friends or couples.
Lights, camera, ACTION! Could your beautiful, unique, quirky venue be used for filming?! There are many location agencies (eg Lavish Locations & Shoot Factory) that promote venues to location agencies and then take a commission.
Get your chefs cooking up a storm – why not turn your venue into a temporary restaurant? Quantock Lakes have launched “Kitchen at Quantock Lakes” – allowing them to welcome new guests and most importantly, bring in new revenue.
Whilst we wait for meaningful weddings to return, we also highly recommend doing a cost-cutting exercise for your venue. Are there any ‘less necessary’ overheads you can forgo for the time being? Spending the time going back through your books and cutting even a few overheads (e.g. phone bills) could mean assuring keeping a team member, paying an electricity bill and saving your business.
STEP 2: Focus your attention 2022
The second step is to focus your mind on 2022 (and beyond). The lack of news from the Government is keeping our attention focused on the here and now. Not helped by the combination of the old and new CMA guidance, which is forcing venues into a myriad of legal issues. To avoid putting your head in the sand and digging yourself into a worse cash position, start focusing on 2022 and its revenue-generating potential.
Bridebook statistics prove that the future is much more secure and has the potential to save your business:
17,500 couples have signed up to Bridebook since the beginning of August (+15% YOY) clearly showing that the business for 2022 & beyond is readily available for you to secure.
Roughly 50% of these users are planning their wedding in 2022 or later.
For the users who have put 2021 as their wedding year, 60% are planning to have their wedding in the second half of the year.
57% of all enquiries sent since the beginning of August are for 2022 or later.
Couples are ready to pay deposits and secure their future wedding dates now. Deposits taken for future bookings gives you money in the bank and keeps your business tick over.
What actions can you take immediately to support 2020 revenue generation…?
STEP 3: Take action and turn 2022 into a bumper year for your business.
The third step to consider is how to start marketing your 2022 (and beyond) to ensure that it is your best year yet. 2022 is likely to be the year that saves the wedding industry – so how can you make the most of it?
Review your existing 2022 calendar – get a strong view on your availability – what dates, months, seasons are currently available for bookings? Use this knowledge to frame your marketing efforts. E.g. if you have a large amount of Autumn and Winter dates available, how can you use imagery to highlight these dates specifically?
Challenge yourself with the number of weddings you can host. Which days can you host weddings on – can you do more?
For example, if you usually only host 2 weddings per week, see if you can host 3, or even 4.
Stretch yourself to make the maximum amount of revenue during this undoubtedly busy year – this is your opportunity to recover your losses.
Set clear KPIs and goals for you and your team, to ensure you are motivated to hit sales targets for 2022 & beyond.
Focus on marketing your high value, priority dates first. Get the peak season dates sold first, as these deposits will do more to support your business in the short term.
Selling all your Saturdays in July and August for 2022 would give your venue security for that year, and also cash flow to get you through these hard times now.
If your venue only has a summer license – can you re-address this? Can you start doing events in the shoulder season, or winter, to increase your opportunity for revenue?
Local councils may be more flexible with licensing, so it is worth asking.
Don’t forget to push sales into your ‘off-days’, and use your pricing strategy to support you.
Similarly to above, you can use your dynamic pricing to push your mid-week dates, just as you can with your seasonal dates. E.g. “That Friday is booked, but the day before is free and is £XX less.”
Make the time to review your Pricing Strategy – pricing is your most powerful lever for revenue growth.
Ensure your prices are dynamic, so you can increase your volume of sales significantly, and achieve a higher marginal price on each of these additional weddings.
For example, you should have very different prices for your Saturday in August, than a Tuesday in February.
You can use your dynamic pricing to fill your remaining dates & support your sales tactics. E.g. “Our September dates are busy but we have space in October and they are £XX less.
Review and optimise your Terms & Conditions for future bookings, to support healthy cash flow in the short term.
Securing upfront deposits and booking fees for weddings in 2021/2 will be vastly easier than finding the equivalent cost savings in 2020.
We have seen one venue make very smart amendments to their T&Cs so that the couple is “purchasing an option to use the facilities at VENUE “exclusively” of any other guests”. This has protected them during COVID. Couples are able to change the date but not liable for a refund.
Instead of using discounts for future sales, use upgrades (only if you need to!).
Upgrades impact your cost of sales, whereas discounts directly hit your net profit. Giving a free late-night extension worth £1000 has a vastly smaller financial impact to a £1000 discount.
Get creative with your marketing: how can you stand out from the crowd? Every venue will be jumping aboard the 2022 sales push, so you need to go above & beyond. Here are some things to think about:
Open day appointments/wedding fairs: how can you host these safely? Or virtually?
Styled shoots: couples love to get inspiration for their own weddings through editorial pieces. Who can you partner with? Make sure to share it like mad after!
Winter weddings: can you use any weddings from this Christmas in your marketing, to support sales for the 2021/22 festive seasons?
Special Offers: how can you make booking far in advance irresistible to couples – what can you offer them?
Reach out to your Bridebook Venue Expert and become a VenuePro member today.
VenuePro is the most powerful marketing tool available in our industry, with three options available to suit your venue.
If you’d like a free consultation with one of our VenuePro Experts, please leave your details HERE.
STEP 4: Don’t forget 2023
We foresee 2022 as the bumper year to recover the wedding industry. Whilst you should be prioritising filling your 2022 calendar, we also highly recommend being prepared for the end of 2021 AND 2023 as they have the potential to be extremely busy as well.
You need to have your pricing strategy for 2023 in place sooner rather than later, so you do not lose out on potential business.
By putting Bridebook’s 4 Step strategy into action, you will be able to recover from 2020 and save your business. As our industry continues to go through such difficult times, remember that things will get better. Our industry is a resilient one, and people will never stop getting married – we just have to make it through the storm.
Bridebook are here to help our wonderful community as much as possible, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Our brilliant team of Venue Consultants would be delighted to chat with any venue wanting to learn how we can support you with our premium platform, VenuePro – just leave your details HERE.
We also highly encourage all venues to join the conversation. We have over 1000 venue professionals using the UK Wedding Venues Slack Group to communicate with each other every single day. Join for free now and make the most of valuable and supportive business advice and knowledge.
I (Hamish Shephard, CEO & Founder of Bridebook) would like to share a very important update on the CMA guidance on refunds for wedding venues and suppliers. Details of the CMA’s agreement with Bijou Weddings have been released and the outcome gives extremely valuable insight on what is deemed as fair and reasonable by the CMA. Here is the key information:
THE CMA concluded the fair and reasonable amount Bijou could retain was up to 37.2% from weddings affected by COVID from 24th March 2020:
The CMA allowed retained costs to include proportions of planning costs, staff costs, venue repair and renewal, and cleaning or gardening amongst others.
This gives much further clarity to the CMA’s most recent guidance of 7th September, which has been regularly misinterpreted as a directive for full refunds.
The CMA’s breakdown is explained here:
The CEO of the CMA, Andrea Coscelli, confirmed the CMA’s confidence in the Bijou settlement as a benchmark for the industry in September. “It is good news that Bijou has agreed to offer fairer levels of refunds to its customers, and we encourage other firms in the industry to follow suit“
Another key part of the Bijou agreement was that the CMA confirmed that “Bijou will not have to give refunds to people who have already received, or are going to receive, their money back through their insurance.” This again puts pressure on the insurers to honour and payout on their insurance contracts.
We know discussion on refunds has been an incredibly tense and challenging topic for wedding businesses and couples over recent months, and hope this insight aids in reaching fair and amicable outcomes for both parties.
At Bridebook, we strongly encourage that the optimal outcome for all parties is postponement, rather than cancellation, in the majority of cases. This allows couples and businesses to not forgo incurred costs, for businesses to retain this future business, and all parties to enjoy the celebration at a later date.
We believe this insight into the CMA’s opinion will help give ongoing business confidence to wedding companies, give existing couples increasing confidence in their venue and suppliers, and adds needed pressure on the insurers.
I know these times are incredibly tough. The rollercoaster seems to never end, and the end is not yet in sight. But stay strong. We will get there.
2021 and 2022 will be incredibly busy wedding years. The COVID backlog of weddings will ensure the rapid recovery of our industry, the reflourishing of our wonderful businesses and the joy of hundreds of thousands of couples. Bridebook and I are dedicated to ensuring everyone gets there. This week, I have been on BBC News live and BBC Radio 4 live fighting for our industry and will continue to do so.
If I or the Bridebook team can help you in any way or you’d like to discuss anything further, please email business@bridebook.co.uk.
The latest official guidance from the CMA can always be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cma-covid-19-response#updates-from-the-cma
Stay strong,
Hamish Shephard
7th September 2020: CMA News Update
Wedding professionals, particularly venues, have been one of the most hard hit and under supported groups of businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our industry, usually so full of joy and love, has been plagued by financial and emotional stress as weddings are postponed and cancelled. And sadly, the majority of venues are still sitting empty through our industry’s peak season
There will likely be an increase in requests for historic refunds / settlements from previous couples
The CMA want the venue to split the consumed costs with the couple, so be aware of this
We expect venues will be having even more difficult discussions with couples, as they have the CMA guidance on their side
As always, we recommend that venues remain firm and fair: do the absolute best for your couples whilst protecting your business. Also, do remember that whilst these guidelines are presented by the CMA to encourage reasonable and fair behaviour, the final determination of individual scenarios would only be given by a judge via a court escalation. For more information on this please read Explanation of CMA Guidance on Weddings & Refunds.
This guidance may not be what we wanted to read, but now more than ever, we must hold our heads high and continue to support each other. We must look to the brighter future to get through the ongoing difficult times we face.
How can you support influencing CMA advice, as a venue?
When the CMA first released their guidance on business refunds due to the pandemic, the Association of British Wedding Businesses’ Venues Committee members were impacted as venue owners, along with much of the wider industry with customer refund claims and threats of action from the CMA. They considered the guidance to be unbalanced and unfair, so formed the Wedding Venues Support Group (WVSG) to mount a legal challenge on the CMA. Over 170 venues have joined the Company and pledged over £60,000, used to instruct solicitors and deliver Target One, outlined in this flyer.
In light of the new CMA guidance, the WVSG are continuing their mission and are asking more venues to join this industry wide wedding venue initiative, as a united front. You can join as a member and pledge to support their fund HERE. New members will receive the full benefits of Target One legal advice and defences, and their subscriptions will be used to fund (for the benefit of all Members) Target Two, a Wedding Industry Standard Contract based on Counsel’s expert opinion, designed to be authoritative and CMA proof. If you have any questions, please email the team at info@wvsg.org.
Keep looking ahead – the future is brighter!
Keeping your head up and pushing to fill the diary with bookings for 2022 and beyond is the only way to keep afloat through these tricky times. The new CMA guidelines mean venues may need to issue a higher number of refunds, so continuing to bring in new revenue to support your cash flow is crucial. The end of 2021 and 2022 are going to be the busiest years for weddings in history, so now is the time to be securing that business as early as possible. After all, the pandemic has not stopped couples getting engaged; Bridebook has seen 17,500 new couples sign up since the beginning of August, which is up 15% YOY!
The Government update of 9th September limits social gatherings, indoors and outdoors, to 6 people only. Whilst this may feel like a step back, the good news is that this does not include weddings, which can go ahead with receptions of 30 people. Venues have been battling huge challenges of couples wanting refunds, only to go and host bigger receptions at home or in the pub. Couples who wanted refunds are already starting to request receptions for 30, now that their plans have been made ‘illegal’. Venues need to use this update to their maximum advantage, and market all availability for 30 person receptions to keep revenue coming in.
There are many ways to support your revenue stream to get through the storm. We highly recommend optimising your Terms & Conditions to promote a healthy cash flow. For example, securing upfront deposits & booking fees for future weddings will be much easier than trying to find the equivalent cost savings this year.
Secondly, make sure you take the time to review your Pricing Strategy. Pricing is your single biggest lever for revenue growth as a venue, so ensure you are being dynamic. For example, you should have very different prices for your Saturday in August, than a Tuesday in February – you need to be thinking how you can use your dynamic pricing to support your sales. Hamish Shephard, Bridebook CEO & Founder will be hosting a virtual Masterclass on creating a pricing strategy and using it to recover your business, so watch this space!
Finally, in order to be securing those new bookings, you need to get your venue in front of couples. This is not the time to drop your venue marketing – quite the opposite! Make sure you keep up your social media, website content and keep any online profiles up to date. If you are a VenuePro member, make sure you keep your Account Manager informed of any Special Offers you are promoting so we can push them to our community. If you are not a VenuePro member and would like to see how we can boost your marketing, please leave your details HERE. For advice on how to make the most of your social platforms, how to build content, the benefits of video tours and more, see our articles & videos here.
We are stronger together.
Our community is like no other; we are so lucky to be surrounded by genuinely caring, fun and resilient individuals in the wedding industry. Whilst coronavirus has caused terrible times for our industry, the one positive has been wedding venues coming closer together, which continues to be crucial during these turbulent times. The UK Wedding Venues Slack Group has been an incredible source of support for its 1000+ members, and we invite any venue who is not yet a member to join. A recent survey showed that 87% members would recommend the group to a friend, so what are you waiting for! We have been uplifted seeing venues coming together in all sorts of ways; whether it is to offer advice on a tricky situation, share personal experiences or just to jump on a video call with a glass of wine to de-stress.
Whilst the updated CMA guidelines are not what our industry was hoping for, we urge our venue community to not feel defeated. By working together, continuing to push for support from the Government and maintaining a view for the future, we will get through this.
Let’s talk wedding styles. Now, there are lots of different styles of weddings you could go for: classic, luxury, casual, modern… And the choice you make will act as a guide for all your other decisions, from your venue through to little details like your place cards. So think for a minute about what you want. How do you feel about something a little more laid back? Perhaps in the countryside? We’re thinking light-filled spaces, distressed wood, maybe even something outside… If that makes you giddy, a rustic wedding might be the one for you!
Now it’s time to get inspired with our top twelve rustic wedding ideas!
1. An Outdoor Ceremony
It’s a little risky with the British weather, but we love an outdoor ceremony. You might decide to have a truly enchanting ceremony in a forest or go super rustic and opt to get married in a field. You and your guests might even camp nearby afterwards!
2. A Barn Venue
It’s an oldie but a goodie! We’re sure you’ve seen lots of photographs of wedding ceremonies in gorgeous rustic barns – and with good reason! They’re trendy for a reason. Think high ceilings, big windows and gorgeous linens. It could be the perfect setting for your big day.
3. Lawn Games
Something we love about rustic weddings is their laid-back vibe! Playing a few lawn games is a great way to keep your guests in high spirits. They’ll bring out everyone’s playful side and act as a bit of icebreaker for any guests who don’t know each other so well.
4. Wooden Seating
Forget chair covers, bows and sashes if you’re after a rustic style for your wedding. Instead, think vintage wooden chairs, decorated with greenery and other foliage. If you and your partner are splitting your guests onto separate sides, why not add distressed signs to let them know where to sit?
5. A Folk Band
When it comes to entertainment, there’s nothing better than a folk band at a rustic wedding. Folk bands tend to play tunes that are welcoming, warm and full of heart, and their acoustic or “unplugged” music creates the perfect atmosphere, especially for an intimate ceremony.
6. Animals
Any animal lovers out there? If you’re getting married near a farm, why not see if you can add their livestock into your wedding photographs? It’ll make for some super unique memories! Or bring your pets along to the ceremony to really get the whole family involved.
7. Flower Crowns
Everyone loves a flower crown – and for good reason! They look gorgeous with any outfit. We especially love them paired with a boho wedding dress or an oversized suit.
8. Floral Wedding Arches
A rustic wedding arch is a great way to elevate your wedding. A floral arch makes for a gorgeous focal point – not to mention some fantastic photo ops!
9. Home Cooking
It’s not just about your decorations! Even your catering can have a rustic twist. One of our favourite rustic wedding ideas is serving your guests homemade cookies. You could even personalise them with your guests’ names!
10. Wooden Details
Consider using wooden logs for a rustic twist. They might come in handy as holders for place names or table numbers – or they can be used to display your wedding cake! Add some flowers and foliage to make it even more gorgeous. Try wooden table numbers to to keep everything on theme. You could even pop them into potted plants or watering cans filled with wildflowers to take things to the next level!
11. Sparklers
Make the most of the great outdoors and dazzle your guests with sparklers and fireworks! Not only will your guests be excited to get involved, but we bet you’ll get some great photographs too.
12. Jam Jars
One super cute – and budget friendly! – idea that never goes out of style is repurposing jam jars as flower vases. Fill them with wildflowers – or, if you’re green fingered, you might even try planting herbs in them!
There you have it – twelve gorgeous ideas for to help create your dream rustic wedding.
When you get married, you make a commitment to your partner to stay by their side through thick and thin. Of course, every marriage has its ups and downs, but the important thing is you ride it out thanks to the deep love you feel for that special someone in your life.
Whether it’s been one year since the two of you got married, a decade, or even 50 years, every wedding anniversary is special. And to mark such a wonderful occasion, you no doubt love to show your other half just how much that loyalty and adoration means to you.
Every couple is different. You may use your anniversary to offer a huge gesture of love like a meal at a fancy restaurant or a trip somewhere nice. You may give them a stunning bouquet of flowers and a card or have a romantic night in away from the rest of the world. Or, you might choose to give them a gift specifically linked to the number of years the two of you have been together.
But what should you give? If you’re stuck for ideas, every anniversary has a traditional gift you can give your partner, as well as an anniversary gemstone and traditional flower. These traditions go back more than a hundred years, and today, there are modern gifts too, which gives you plenty of choices. For example, for a first anniversary, the traditional gift is paper – so if you’re not sure a paper gift will quite cut it or you’re struggling for ideas, the modern equivalent is a clock. If all else fails, the anniversary gemstone (or in this case, precious metal) is gold and the traditional flower is the carnation. So if you like to give a gift with meaning that symbolises something important, you have plenty of options.
In this article, we’re going to explore everything to do with wedding anniversary gifts and traditions in the UK, including the traditional gifts given by couples to each other for a century, and the modern options for couples who want to give their symbolic gift-giving a 21st-century boost. We’ll also let you know the gemstones and flowers, and dive into the symbolic meaning everything has so you can put love and consideration into your gifts every year.
And if you’re in a rush, check out our handy infographics below: we’ve got one for the traditional and modern anniversary gifts, as well as the anniversary gemstones and flowers. Be sure to save them for future reference!
Your marriage was a monumental event in your life. It no doubt changed the way you live, think and behave. Your goals might have evolved, your priorities shifted, and your mindset altered. You may still be an I, but the day you got married you also became a we.
Because marriage is such a big commitment, it should be celebrated as often as it can be. So, whether you’ve been married one year, two years or five decades, why not use it as an excuse (though it’s not like you need one) to celebrate the love you and your partner share?
Of course, you and your other half might like to keep things on the low down. You might not like the fuss associated with an anniversary or you might not have the money to spare. And that’s okay too. So long as you and your partner are open and honest with each other from the start, there’s nothing wrong with choosing not to celebrate your anniversary. You do you.
Wedding anniversary gifts are like the gifts given to mark other significant moments of someone’s life, such as a birthday, Christmas, marriage or any other special occasion. In fact, you don’t even need it to be a special time to give someone a gift – but sometimes it’s nice to treat someone, especially if you’re marking something special.
This counts double for an anniversary, because you’re not the only one celebrating something – both you and your partner have reached an incredible milestone in your marriage, whether it’s one or one hundred years (well, there are no records of anyone reaching one hundred years of marriage, but hopefully you understand the sentiment).
Couples love to give each other gifts on their anniversary because it marks such an important time they share. It’s a symbolic gesture that shows your continued love and commitment to your partner and how much you appreciate them. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive and you shouldn’t feel pressured to give them a gift if your budget doesn’t allow it – it all depends on your personal preferences and circumstances.
Besides, it’s always lovely to receive a present from someone you love, isn’t it?
No, you don’t have to give your partner a gift on your anniversary. While many couples do choose to mark every anniversary with a card, gift or something else, it’s not for everyone. You might not be comfortable with giving or receiving gifts, or you may not have the budget to spare. And that’s okay. Just make sure you speak openly and honestly with your partner and don’t put yourself into financial difficulties.
There are plenty of other ways you can treat your partner on your anniversary that don’t involve giving a gift. Instead, why not put your phones away and spend a night cosying up to watch a film? Or take a romantic walk and enjoy a picnic at a lakeside? There are lots the two of you can do if you’re not in a position to give each other gifts.
Like with any part of a marriage, it’s all about communication. So be open and honest with your partner about what you’d like to do with your upcoming wedding anniversary.
What are traditional and modern anniversary gifts?
Wedding anniversary gift guide: a quick reference infographic
It’s thought that couples have been giving each other gifts to mark their wedding anniversaries for hundreds of years. Folklorist Hanns Bächtold-Stäubli wrote that couples in Germanic countries gave each other anniversary jewellery as far back as the 16th century.
During the Victorian era, the act of giving anniversary gifts grew in popularity, but at the time there were no ‘rules’ as such. It was only after the publication of Emily Post’s 1922 book, Etiquette: in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home, that the idea of traditional wedding anniversary gifts for specific milestones came to be. The list contains traditional gifts you can give to your partner for your 1st to your 15th anniversary, then every five years after that.
Less than 20 years after Emily Post’s book, the American National Retail Jeweler Association published a modern version in 1937. Since then, couples have used both lists as a source of inspiration for what to gift each other – and until a second even more modern version is created, couples will have to bend the rules if they want to give each other an iPad or PlayStation.
Should you give your partner a traditional or modern anniversary gift?
Whether you should give your partner a modern or traditional anniversary gift is entirely up to you – there’s no right or wrong answer. Speak to your partner about what you might like to do and if you want to have a theme for your anniversary gifts.
Different gifts have different symbolic meanings and might have a unique meaning or nostalgic element for the two of you. Some gifts might also have actual uses and a lot more flexibility about them. As you might expect, modern anniversary gifts are a little easier to work with, but even some of those are a little outdated by 21st-century standards.
If you stick to traditional anniversary gifts, for your first anniversary you’ll want to give your partner something associated with paper. Now, this could be a packet of tissues, or it could be a certificate showing how they’ve purchased an acre of land on the moon – you can be as creative with it as you like. But, for something a little easier to work out, you could get them the modern equivalent, which is a clock. This could be a lovely gold watch, a FitBit or Apple Watch, or a new bedside alarm clock. It could be whatever you think of that your partner would love.
Or, you could scrap the idea that year altogether and get them a bunch of flowers or an overnight stay in a romantic B&B somewhere. There are no official rules, just inspiration and ideas you can follow.
And you could mix it up. One year you could go traditional, one year you could go modern. It’s about whatever fits your budget, your preferences and how it aligns with your creativity and what you and your partner have discussed. And if your partner does want an acre of land on the moon, then go for it!
Do different countries around the world have different anniversary traditions?
Yes, depending on where you live, there may be different traditions and gifts associated with each wedding anniversary. There is a lot of crossover, but just because something is a tradition in one country doesn’t mean it applies to every country.
For example, in Korea it’s common for couples to celebrate their 100-day wedding anniversary as these are thought to be among the toughest they’ll experience as they settle into married life. To mark the occasion couples like to give each other a ring which might be engraved with a short phrase that means something special to them.
In this article, we’re going to focus on the traditional and modern anniversary milestones, traditions and gifts that couples in the UK might like to stick to. However, because there is so much crossover, many of these traditions are shared across the world. Couples in the UK, USA, Germany, Japan and beyond mark the 25th (silver) and 50th (gold) anniversaries with gifts, parties and other celebrations.
What are wedding anniversary gemstones?
Wedding anniversary gemstone guide: a quick reference infographic
Okay, so we’ve already covered that there are traditional and modern anniversary gifts you could give to your partner to mark specific milestones in your marriage. But, to make things super simple and give you even more options and ideas for what you could give them, there are also specific gemstones associated with every anniversary. So, if all else fails, a piece of jewellery that contains a gemstone is guaranteed to bring a smile to your other half’s face thanks to the symbolic meaning behind it.
Check out the below guide to see what wedding anniversary gemstones there are:
1st anniversary gemstone – Gold
2nd anniversary gemstone – Garnet
3rd anniversary gemstone – Pearl
4th anniversary gemstone – Topaz
5th anniversary gemstone – Sapphire
6th anniversary gemstone – Amethyst
7th anniversary gemstone – Onyx
8th anniversary gemstone – Tourmaline
9th anniversary gemstone – Lapis Lazuli
10th anniversary gemstone – Diamond
11th anniversary gemstone – Turquoise
12th anniversary gemstone – Jade
13th anniversary gemstone – Citrine
14th anniversary gemstone – Opal
15th anniversary gemstone – Ruby
16th anniversary gemstone – Peridot
17th anniversary gemstone – Carnelian
18th anniversary gemstone – Cat’s eye
19th anniversary gemstone – Aquamarine
20th anniversary gemstone – Emerald
21st anniversary gemstone – Iolite
22nd anniversary gemstone – Spinel
23rd anniversary gemstone – Topaz
24th anniversary gemstone – Tanzanite
25th anniversary gemstone – Silver
30th anniversary gemstone – Pearl
35th anniversary gemstone – Emerald
40th anniversary gemstone – Ruby
45th anniversary gemstone – Sapphire
50th anniversary gemstone – Gold
55th anniversary gemstone – Emerald
60th anniversary gemstone – Diamond
65th anniversary gemstone – Sapphire
As you can see, there are a few repeated gemstones in the list. Gold, ruby, sapphire, emerald, pearl and diamond all make two or three appearances. For example, gold is both the 1st and 50th anniversary, but each has a different meaning. For the 1st anniversary, the gold can symbolise prosperity and optimism for what the future could bring. For the 50th anniversary, the gold can represent perseverance and a symbolic bookend to the 1st anniversary half a century later.
What are wedding anniversary flowers?
Wedding anniversary flower guide: a quick reference infographic
Flowers are an international symbol of love, and many lovebirds love to give flowers to the person they love (that’s a lot of love). As well as traditional and modern gifts and anniversary gemstones, there are also wedding anniversary flowers. If you give your partner flowers to mark the occasion, choosing the appropriate flowers adds that extra bit of care and thoughtfulness.
Surprisingly, roses – the flower almost everyone associates with romance and love – only appear on the list once. Even though a lot of anniversaries have a traditional flower associated with them, it’s not something you need to stick to. After all, nothing makes a statement quite like a bunch of roses!
Here are the flowers traditionally given on each wedding anniversary:
1st anniversary flower – Carnation
2nd anniversary flower – Lily of the valley
3rd anniversary flower – Sunflower
4th anniversary flower – Hydrangea
5th anniversary flower – Daisy
6th anniversary flower – Calla lily
7th anniversary flower – Freesia
8th anniversary flower – Lilac
9th anniversary flower – Bird of paradise
10th anniversary flower – Daffodil
11th anniversary flower – Tulip
12th anniversary flower – Peony
13th anniversary flower – Chrysanthemum
14th anniversary flower – Orchid
15th anniversary flower – Rose
16th anniversary flower – Statice
17th anniversary flower – Red carnation
18th anniversary flower – Sunflower
19th anniversary flower – Chrysanthemum
20th anniversary flower – Aster
21st anniversary flower – Iris
22nd anniversary flower – There isn’t one
23rd anniversary flower – Nil
24th anniversary flower – Lavender
25th anniversary flower – Iris
30th anniversary flower – Lily
35th anniversary flower – Coral rose
40th anniversary flower – Nasturtium
45th anniversary flower – There isn’t one
50th anniversary flower – Violet
What are the major or most important wedding anniversary years?
You could argue that every wedding anniversary is important – it marks another year spent with the love of your life, after all. But, there are a few wedding anniversaries that are perhaps that little bit more special. Your 1st anniversary marks one whole year since the two of you had the most incredible day of your lives. Your 10th anniversary marks a whole decade! You might also like to mark the anniversaries every five years after that with a bit more oomph, like the 15th and 20th anniversaries.
After that, the 25th and 50th anniversaries are both huge occasions that should definitely be shouted about from the rooftops. They’re both such incredible achievements that you should have a huge celebration with friends and family, but also just the two of you because, at the end of the day, marriage is about you.
You might also want to mark every 5th anniversary that passes as something extra special. In the UK, the longest-known marriage is between Ron and Joyce Bond, who celebrated their 83rd wedding anniversary in January 2024! For their 80th anniversary, if Ron and Joyce followed traditions they’d have given each other oak gifts. How lovely!
What are the traditional and modern anniversary gifts for every year?
If you’d like to mark your next wedding anniversary with a symbolic and thoughtful gift, there are traditional and modern gifts you could give your partner. Which you choose is up to you – you might even decide not to go with either.
The creator of the traditional gifts, Emily Post, only wrote about the gifts couples should give each other for their 1st to 15th anniversaries, then every fifth anniversary after that. But thankfully, as with most traditions, they’ve evolved over time – so we’ve filled in the blanks to include new traditions couples have adopted.
So, if you’d like to give your other half something with symbolic meaning, here are a few ideas, including the anniversary gemstones and flowers as well.
The traditional and modern 1st wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Paper
Modern – Clocks
Gemstone – Gold
Flower – Carnation
The traditional gift couples give to each other to mark their very first wedding anniversary is paper. Now, paper might seem like a strange choice – what’s so special about that? But, it’s not like you’re limited to giving your partner a blank sheet of A4 so they can doodle or practice their origami. Paper is a symbolic gesture that represents a new start – a blank sheet of paper can be filled in with whatever you want, after all. It can also be helpful since weddings are expensive and paper’s cheap!
But, paper is super versatile and you can get creative. Why not give your other half a family crest to hang on the wall? Or commission an artist you admire to recreate your favourite wedding photo? And if all else fails, a voucher can have a million and one uses, from a romantic hot air balloon flight to a romantic meal for two.
If you’re thinking modern, a clock is a wonderful gift that marks the time you’ve spent together during your first year as a married couple. This could be a new alarm clock for the bedside table or an ornate cuckoo clock. You could even combine the modern gift with the traditional gemstone (which technically isn’t a gemstone), gold. And what could be nicer on your 1st anniversary than to gift your partner a nice gold watch?
The traditional flower to give on your 1st anniversary is the carnation, which are big, beautiful blooms that are delicate but absolutely bursting with colour. A perfect gift for the perfect occasion.
The traditional and modern 2nd wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Cotton
Modern – China
Gemstone – Garnet
Flower – Lily of the Valley
If you’re all about traditional 2nd wedding anniversary gifts, then you’ll want to give your partner a gift associated with cotton. On paper, it may be a gift just as confusing as paper (see what we did there?) but it actually has a lovely symbolic meaning. Cotton is a natural fibre that grows in fields, and is then processed so it becomes strong and durable, which represents your second year of marriage.
The most obvious choice of gift you might give is clothing. This could be a beautiful dress, a pair of matching robes, or the most comfortable slippers imaginable. You could even have a custom tea towel made that features the date of your wedding.
For a modern option, you might want to give your partner some china. How you interpret this is up to you – an obvious choice would be a lovely tea set. Or, you could even spoil your partner and whisk them away on a trip to Beijing!
The anniversary gemstone for two years of marriage is garnet, a stone that comes in a variety of beautiful colours and can vary hugely in cost. This gives you plenty of options if you’re keen to give your partner a gift that features garnet.
The traditional flower for a 2nd anniversary is lily of the valley, a super elegant flower with tiny white heads that look like little bells. Very dainty but also very beautiful.
The traditional and modern 3rd wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Leather
Modern – Glass or crystal
Gemstone – Pearl
Flower – Sunflower
The traditional 3rd anniversary wedding gift is leather, which is a super durable material that represents the strength of marriage. Leather is so hardy that a leather shoe was found that was thought to be 5,500 years old! There are so many things you could choose from, too, like a pair of boots, a jacket, a wallet, a purse… And the great thing is, there are also plenty of vegan leather products to choose from so everyone gets the option to give a traditional gift if they want to.
The modern 3rd anniversary gift is glass or crystal. This represents how fragile marriage can be, but also how beautiful it can be, which is why it should be looked after and treasured. You might want to give your partner a vase, some engraved champagne flutes, or even a set of shot glasses. Let your imagination run wild.
The 3rd anniversary gemstone is pearl, which is a hugely versatile gemstone that can be used in all kinds of jewellery. From rings and bracelets to necklaces and earrings, it’s a delicate stone that has a wide range of uses.
For flowers, the bold and eye-catching sunflower is traditionally given. Sunflowers are warming and welcoming and bring life to any room.
The traditional and modern 4th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Fruit or flowers
Modern – Appliances
Gemstone – Topaz
Flower – Hydrangea
For your 4th wedding anniversary, the traditional gift to give your other half is fruit or flowers. Okay, flowers we understand, they’ve been given as a romantic gesture for thousands of years, but fruit? Actually, fruit has a fabulous symbolic meaning too, in that it’s fresh, it grows from a small seed and it’s sweet. A bouquet of flowers is always a wonderful gift, but a basket of fresh fruit is such a unique and thoughtful way to mark an anniversary.
The modern gift is appliances. When modern gifts were established in the 1930s, there wasn’t quite the same range of choice as there is today, which can make your decision easier. It could be a coffee maker, an air frier, a new fridge freezer… you certainly won’t be stuck for ideas.
The 4th anniversary gemstone is topaz, a clear stone that comes in a lot of different colours. It’s also another stone that can vary in cost, with some types of topaz being very affordable. But, if you want to push the boat out it can also be incredibly expensive.
The hydrangea is the traditional flower given to mark a 4th anniversary, which are fabulously explosive blooms of vivid and varied colour.
The traditional and modern 5th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Wood
Modern – Silverware
Gemstone – Sapphire
Flower – Daisy
The traditional 5th wedding anniversary gift is wood. Wood is a tough, durable material that grows from a tiny seed into a magnificent tree that has deep and strong roots. This is why it’s perfect that it represents your fifth year of marriage. And the great thing is, wood can come in a huge variety of forms. You could give your other half a wooden carving, a sign to hang on the wall or a bench for sitting on in the back garden.
For something more modern, you could give them some silverware. Okay, so it might not be that modern, but some fancy new cutlery or an engraved spoon you can hang in the kitchen make for a lovely gesture.
The anniversary gemstone for five years is sapphire, which is a striking blue stone that looks amazing on rings, necklaces, earrings… in fact, it looks amazing on anything. It can be a little pricey, but it’s definitely worth the cost if your budget allows for it.
If you’d like to give your partner something floral, the daisy is the traditional flower for five years of marriage. Daisies might be small, but they’re the quintessential flower, with bright and open heads that scream of spring.
The traditional and modern 6th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Sugar
Modern – Iron
Gemstone – Amethyst
Flower – Calla lily
The traditional gift for a 6th wedding anniversary is sugar. Now, a bag of sugar might not hit the spot, but there are so many ways to interpret this. A box of chocolates, a delectable cake, some Turkish delights… or a trip to a chocolate factory! Yes, you might treat your partner to some chocolates throughout the year, but when it’s your 6th anniversary it has a lovely symbolic message. After all, sugar is sweet, and after six years together your relationship is only getting sweeter.
The modern 6th wedding anniversary gift is iron. Now, try to avoid the temptation of getting your partner an iron so they can iron your clothes… though this can make for a funny exchange on your anniversary! With a little creative thinking, you could come up with something unique and thoughtful, like an engraved padlock, a cast iron skillet or a sculpture that represents your love.
The 6th wedding anniversary gemstone is amethyst, which is as striking as it is elegant. They’re usually a stunning shade of purple, and they’re hardy so can come in a huge variety of shapes and decorative objects.
The flower to mark a 6th anniversary is calla lily, which are elegant flowers with cup-like heads. They might be beautiful, but just be aware that they produce tiny crystals that are super sharp, so it’s recommended that you don’t have them if you have pets or young children. There are plenty of other flowers out there though that aren’t toxic to pets, so your other half won’t have to go without.
The traditional and modern 7th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Wool or copper
Modern – Stationery or desk set
Gemstone – Onyx
Flower – Freesia
For your 7th wedding anniversary gift, there’s a huge selection of ideas for you to choose from, so you’re guaranteed to think of something your other half will love. The traditional gifts are wool or copper, which could include anything from a big, thick jumper to cufflinks made with 1p coins. Wood represents the warmth and cosiness of marriage, while copper represents wealth and prosperity.
For something more modern, you could give some stationery or a desk set. Neither sounds particularly romantic, but you could personalise some pens or give your partner a brand-new diary.
As for the 7th anniversary gemstone, onyx is an eye-catching stone that features shades of black and sometimes even white. Onyx can sometimes be expensive, but it’s incredibly unique and used in a lot of different types of jewellery.
The freesia is the traditional flower to mark a 7th anniversary. Freesias are colourful blooms which look hugely eye-catching and have surprisingly long stems.
The traditional and modern 8th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Bronze
Modern – Linen or lace
Gemstone – Tourmaline
Flower – Lilac
When they’re separate, copper and tin are two relatively weak metals. However, when melted down and combined, they become bronze, the traditional 8th wedding anniversary gift, which is incredibly strong. This is why humanity made such huge strides during the bronze age, with the ability to create strong tools from bronze. The art of mixing two things (you and your partner) so they become strong (your marriage) is a lovely, symbolic gesture. Many statues and figures are available in bronze and make for a thoughtful anniversary gift.
The modern 8th anniversary gift is linen or lace, which are both beautiful and delicate fabrics. This could be anything from bedsheets to special pyjamas – very romantic.
The 8th anniversary gemstone is tourmaline, which isn’t usually the first choice of stone for jewellery, but is super appealing thanks to the range of colours. Some stones also have a rainbow effect, which is a wonderful stone to choose for LGBTQ+ couples in particular.
For something floral, the traditional flower for an 8th anniversary is the lilac, dainty little flowers that come together to form large, cloud-like blooms. Lovely.
The traditional and modern 9th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Pottery or willow
Modern – Leather
Gemstone – Lapis Lazuli
Flower – Bird of paradise
Traditionally, you might give your partner a gift of pottery or willow when celebrating your 9th wedding anniversary. Pottery is a lovely symbolic gift because it’s something that’s been made by hand from a lump of clay and formed into something beautiful. A willow tree is fabulous and full of luscious life with a strong trunk and roots – just like the ninth year of marriage.
When it comes pottery, there are loads of ideas for you to choose from. Anything from a handcrafted vase to a plant pot. For willow, you could choose a carved ornament, a basket full of treats and other goodies, or even a cricket bat if your other half is that way inclined.
If you’re going modern, you could get them a leather gift. This has already appeared on the list as the traditional gift for a 3rd anniversary, so try to think back six years to work out if you’ve already got this covered. If not, there are plenty of gift options out there for you.
The anniversary gemstone for nine years of marriage is lapis lazuli, a beautifully textured blue stone that makes any piece of jewellery pop.
The bird of paradise is the traditional flower for a 9th anniversary and looks more like a flower from Avatar than it does anything from Earth. It’s unique and attention-grabbing, but also delicate and colourful.
The traditional and modern 10th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Tin or aluminium
Modern – Diamond
Gemstone – Diamond
Flower – Daffodil
When celebrating your anniversary, the traditional gift for reaching the 10-year mark is tin or aluminium. Okay, so neither is particularly glitzy or glamorous. But you can still get creative and have some fun with it, like a tin filled with chocolates, matching tin camping mugs, or a good ol’ tin of beans. If you choose the last one, it might be good to get a little extra something as well, just to be safe.
The modern 10th anniversary gift is, of course, diamond. It’s an extra special milestone in your marriage journey, after all. Diamond is also the 10th anniversary gemstone, so it’s a double-diamond type of celebration. It all depends on your budget as to what you might like to give your partner to commemorate your decade together, but diamond offers you plenty of choices to give something beautiful and memorable.
You might expect a 10th anniversary flower to be something like a rose, but it is in fact the humble daffodil. Daffodils might commonly grow throughout the spring, but they represent new beginnings, which is appropriate as you begin a new decade as a married couple.
The traditional and modern 11th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Steel
Modern – Jewellery
Gemstone – Turquoise
Flower – Tulip
To mark your 11th anniversary the traditional way, you might want to give your partner a gift linked to steel. Even we admit that this one’s hard, but with a little thought and research, it’s definitely possible to get your partner something showstopping. An engraved cutlery set, a dish to keep treasured jewellery, or tickets so you can both set sail on a cruise… cruise liners are made from steel, right?
For the modern alternative, you could give your other half some jewellery. Link it to the traditional gemstone for an 11th anniversary with turquoise, which is a striking bluey-green colour – perfect for while you’re on that cruise!
If you’d like to treat your partner to flowers to celebrate your 11th anniversary, the traditional flower is the tulip, which comes in a massive range of stunning colours.
The traditional and modern 12th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Silk
Modern – Pearl
Gemstone – Jade
Flower – Peony
Okay, when you get to 12th wedding anniversary gift-giving, you’ll have plenty of great themes to choose from. The traditional gift is silk, elegant and smooth, just like your marriage. It’s also a lovely choice as there are lots you can give your partner, from a posh scarf to the most comfortable pyjamas you can imagine.
The modern gift to give is pearl, which means there’s a whole world of jewellery options open to you. But, the 12th anniversary gemstone is jade, which comes in all different shades of green. This means if you want to go for jewellery, you’ll face a dilemma – pearl or jade? Both are a great choice, so why not choose the best of both worlds and go for a jade and pearl necklace? The greens and creams complement each other perfectly and it has a double meaning!
If giving flowers is more your thing, for your 12th anniversary you could give your partner the traditional peony, which comes in every colour except blue, and has big and fantastic blooms.
The traditional and modern 13th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Lace
Modern – Fur
Gemstone – Citrine
Flower – Chrysanthemum
Unlucky for some but definitely not for you, as you celebrate 13 incredible years together! The traditional gift is lace, which gives you the opportunity to get your partner something a little exciting if you know what we mean. And if not, some new shoes with laces will do just the trick too.
The modern 13th anniversary gift is fur, which sort of reflects how these modern gifts maybe aren’t quite as modern as we might think after all. Thankfully there are still options out there, as faux fur is super convincing and works for everyone.
The anniversary gemstone for 13 lucky years is citrine, and as the name suggests it’s a wonderful lemony or orangey colour, and is actually a variety of quartz.
For something a bit more floral, the traditional 13th anniversary flower is a chrysanthemum, a lovely, open bloom that’s bright and warming.
The traditional and modern 14th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Ivory
Modern – Gold jewellery
Gemstone – Opal
Flower – Orchid
A long time ago (and not even in a galaxy far, far away) the traditional 14th wedding anniversary gift was ivory. Of course, this is no longer the case as it comes with massive animal rights connotations. But, couples who still want to mark the traditional gift often give something associated with elephants instead. Perhaps a wooden carving of an elephant, or an elephant feeding experience at your nearest zoo, so you can admire these amazing animals in person.
The modern 14th anniversary gift is gold jewellery, and we don’t need to go into detail about the huge amount of options you’ll have with that. You could combine it with the 14th anniversary gemstone, opal, a stunning iridescent stone that bounces light around like a natural disco ball. Opal is also associated with hope and truth, which is perfect for marking an anniversary.
The traditional 14th anniversary flower is the orchid, which is tall, strong, delicate and beautiful. An orchid looks magnificent in any room.
15th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 15th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Crystal
Modern – Watches
Gemstone – Ruby
Flower – Rose
If you like sticking to traditions, your partner is in for a real treat for your 15th anniversary. The traditional gift is crystal, much like the modern option for a 3rd anniversary. You could go for anything from an ornate vase to an engraved whisky glass.
The modern gift for 15 years is a watch, which means you can treat your other half to anything from an expensive Rolex to one of those Casio watches with the little calculators on them that everyone had in the 90s.
The gemstone for a 15th anniversary is the ruby. Rubies are a dark red in colour, almost purple, like the two hearts that you gave to each other all those years ago. Rubies also look fantastic in all kinds of jewellery, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The traditional anniversary flower for 15 years is the rose. Finally, after 15 years, you can give your partner the flower most associated with love (if you’re sticking to the loose rules, of course – you’re free to give them what you like when you like). Roses are hardy and versatile, while also being elegant and beautiful. The ultimate symbol of love.
16th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 16th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Wax
Modern – Silver holloware
Gemstone – Peridot
Flower – Statice
What’s one of the things you’ll always crack out which is guaranteed to create a romantic atmosphere? That’s right, a candle! Which is perfect, because the traditional 16th wedding anniversary gift is wax. Wax might not be hardy, but it burns bright, which is a lovely symbolic meaning for your marriage so far.
The modern gift for a 16th anniversary is silver holloware, which is a fancy way of saying a bowl, pot or container that’s made of silver. This could be a teapot, gravy boat or tureen – basically, anything that you can keep something else inside of.
The gemstone for a 16th wedding anniversary is peridot, which is a fantastic green-coloured stone, and one of the few gemstones that’s only found in one colour. That makes it rather unique, and makes for a lovely choice of gift. It also represents compassion, which you’ll likely have in abundance after spending 16 years with your love.
If you’d like to treat your other half to flowers, the traditional flower for 16 years of marriage is the statice, a papery bloom that usually grows in hot Mediterranean climates. The Victorians used to give statices to let someone know they were thinking about them, which couldn’t be more perfect for an anniversary.
The traditional and modern 17th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Watches
Modern – Furniture
Gemstone – Carnelian
Flower – Red carnation
While Emily Post’s list of traditional gifts didn’t include the 17th anniversary, couples have taken to giving each other a watch, much like the modern option for a 15th anniversary. If this was you two years ago, you might prefer the modern gift option – furniture. While an IKEA Callax Unit or Billy Bookcase will possibly do the trick, have a good think about what will have symbolic meaning so the two of you can look back on it and remember your 17th anniversary.
The 17th anniversary gemstone is the carnelian, a rust-coloured semi-precious stone which represents creativity and self-esteem. It’s not the shiniest of stones out there, but it still looks great set in jewellery.
For a flowery touch, the red carnation is the traditional 17th anniversary flower. Its big blooms fill any space with an explosion of fantastic reds, and is a symbol of intense love.
18th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 18th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Porcelain
Modern – Porcelain
Gemstone – Cat’s eye
Flower – Sunflower
No one can quite agree on what counts as a traditional 18th anniversary gift, so most like to take inspiration from the modern equivalent, which is porcelain. Now, porcelain might famously be associated with toilets and sinks, but neither of those really has an air of romance about it. Unless you’re able to treat your other half to a brand-new bathroom, perhaps. Instead, you could go for a porcelain figurine, an engraved decorative plate, or a thimble that commemorates the date you got married.
If porcelain doesn’t inspire you, the anniversary gemstone for 18 years of marriage is cat’s eye. Cat’s eyes are super unique in that, as you might expect from the name, they look a little bit like a cat’s eye. They’re almost marble-like and are a wonderful centrepiece for any jewellery. And you’ll get double brownie points if your other half happens to love cats, too.
The traditional flower for an 18th anniversary is the sunflower, the same as for the 3rd anniversary. Sunflowers are big, beautiful and long-lasting… much like the marriage between you and your love.
19th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 19th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Bronze
Modern – Bronze
Gemstone – Emerald
Flower – Chrysanthemum
More than 10 years after its first appearance on the list of traditional and modern anniversary gifts, bronze once again becomes the modern (and technically traditional, since there is no traditional 19th anniversary gift) option. Sculptures, candlesticks, a picture frame, cufflinks… there’s a lot to choose from if you use your imagination.
The gemstone for 19 years of marriage is aquamarine, a fabulously bright and blue sky-coloured stone that symbolises youth and happiness. It’s not the most commonly used stone in jewellery, so would make for a unique gift to celebrate your special day.
For something floral, the traditional flower for 19 years is the chrysanthemum, which has already made an appearance on the list just six years before. But for good reason – it’s a lovely big bloom that comes in all kinds of colours. Plus, it symbolises happiness and a long life, which is apt as you near your 20th wedding anniversary.
20th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 20th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – China
Modern – Platinum
Gemstone – Emerald
Flower – Aster
After a four-year break, the traditional anniversary gifts are back as outlined in Emily Post’s book. The traditional gift to give your partner to celebrate two decades together is china, which is delicate, beautiful and painstakingly made – so perfect to represent the time you’ve spent as a married couple.
The modern gift for 20 years is platinum, which is a rather pricey precious metal that’s used to make all kinds of incredible jewellery, from rings to bracelets. You could combine this with the 20th wedding anniversary gemstone, which is emerald. Emeralds are a stunning, eye-catching shade of green and go well set in any type of jewellery. They also symbolise royalty, so there’s not a more perfect gift for the king or queen in your life.
The traditional flower for a 20th wedding anniversary is the aster, which is a dainty flower that looks a little bit like a purple daisy. They also grow in the UK and flower around the summer months, so if your anniversary falls during the hotter time of the year then asters should be in good supply.
21st wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 21st wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Brass or nickel
Modern – Brass or nickel
Gemstone – Iolite
Flower – Iris
To celebrate your marriage now being legally old enough to rent a car, we once again enter territory not covered by Emily Post’s list of traditional gifts. So, the modern gift, brass or nickel, covers both bases. Both represent strength, which is lovely after the amount of time you’ve spent together. This means you have a huge choice of gifts available, from trinkets and ornaments to personalised jewellery.
The 21st anniversary gemstone is iolite, a fabulously blue or purple stone which is actually fairly low priced. That means you can pick up jewellery with iolite relatively cheaply. And thanks to its incredible colour, it goes with almost everything, too, so you won’t struggle to find something your other half will love.
The traditional flower for 21 years of marriage is the iris, which is also purple but oh so delicate. You’ll also be spoilt for choice, as there are over 300 species of iris out there.
22nd wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 22nd wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Copper
Modern – Copper
Gemstone – Spinel
Flower – There isn’t one
There isn’t an official traditional wedding anniversary gift for 22 years, so it borrows from the modern option (which in turn borrows from the 7th anniversary gift), copper. Copper is a great rusty brown colour, and makes for a fantastic ornament or statue. Because it’s a fairly weak metal, it can be moulded into all kinds of shapes and engraved easily, so what you can get is only limited by your imagination.
For something a bit more sparkly, the 22nd anniversary gemstone is spinel. Spinel are a lovely ruby shade of red – in fact, they’re often confused for rubies. They vary in cost, but are always a beautiful addition to any piece of jewellery, so you really can’t go wrong with them.
Now for the bad news – there’s no official flower associated with 22 years of marriage! The good news is, you can go crazy with creativity! Why not have a bouquet designed by a local florist that contains 22 flowers? One from each of the traditional flowers of the past 21 years plus an extra – that’ll definitely show your other half just how much you mean to them.
23rd wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 23rd wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Silver plate
Modern – Silver plate
Gemstone – Topaz
Flower – Nil
The modern 23rd wedding anniversary gift is a silver plate, and because there isn’t a traditional gift, the silver plate unofficially falls into that category too. A silver plate is a fairly self-explanatory thing, but you can still have a lot of fun with personalisations and engravings so it’ll look amazing on the wall or when brought out for special occasions. You could even use it to announce a weekend away or get them a dish to keep their jewellery in.
The gemstone for 23 years together is topaz, which has already appeared on the list before as the gemstone for the 4th anniversary. But it’s a beautiful stone, so if you’ve already given your partner jewellery containing topaz that’s no bad thing. Another piece to complement it would be a wonderful gesture.
As for flowers, the traditional flower for a 23rd wedding anniversary is nil. If you’re not familiar with this name, it’s also known as Japanese morning glory, which may or may not be apt considering it’s your anniversary (steady on!). It’s quite a bushy plant, so it’s not really one you can give as part of a bouquet, but it does grow in the UK and usually flowers in the later summer months if you sow the seeds in the spring.
24th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 24th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Opal
Modern – Musical instrument
Gemstone – Tanzanite
Flower – Lavender
When you’re celebrating your 24th wedding anniversary, if you want to stick to the ‘rules’, you’ll have a wonderful selection to choose from. The traditional gift is opal, which was also the gemstone for 14 years of marriage. It’s a stunning iridescent stone that looks fabulous in all kinds of jewellery and symbolises hope. You could pair this with bluey-purple tanzanite, the traditional gemstone for 24 years. It’s believed it helps with intuition, which is lovely as you clearly have great intuition by celebrating your 24th anniversary with the love of your life!
The modern gift for a 24th wedding anniversary is a musical instrument. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to give your partner a gift that they’ve always wanted, but never got around to. Or they may be a keen guitarist or pianist and could do with an upgrade. And if they’re really not into playing an instrument, you can’t go wrong with the good ol’ trusty triangle!
The traditional 24th wedding anniversary flower is lavender, a beautiful bloom associated with the south of France, distinguished by its striking purple hue and soft calming fragrance. Lavender represents purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace and calmness – all great qualities to celebrate in a marriage.
25th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 25th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Silver
Modern – Silver
Gemstone – Silver
Flowers – Iris
Your 25th wedding anniversary is known as your silver anniversary for a reason. This is it, the big one. A quarter of a decade spent with the person you love the most. It’s an incredible milestone that should be shouted about from the rooftops. That’s why silver is considered the must-have gift for traditional and modern gifts, as well as the gemstone (though technically a precious metal, but we’ll let it slide).
There are so many amazing gifts you could give your partner that are silver. Jewellery, a keepsake box, a photo frame, silverware, an ornament… the list goes on. You’ll certainly be spoilt for choice.
The traditional flower to give for a 25th wedding anniversary is the iris, which also made an appearance just a few years ago for the 21st anniversary. It’s purple, pretty and delicate, but represents wisdom and trust – could there really be a better flower to symbolise 25 years together?
30th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 30th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Pearl
Modern – Diamond
Gemstone – Pearl
Flower – Lily
After spending 30 whole years together, you might want to celebrate by giving your partner the traditional gift, which is pearl. It represents becoming wise through experience, and there’s no doubt that you’re wise after spending such an amazing amount of time with your other half. Pearl is already associated with the 3rd and 12th wedding anniversaries, but it’s the traditional gift for 30 years for good reason. It’s also the traditional 30th anniversary gemstone, so you’d be covering two bases with this thoughtful and symbolic gift.
The modern gift for a 30th anniversary is diamond. Diamond is also associated with other anniversaries, but that doesn’t make it any less special. They’re the ultimate symbol of love, and are perfect when set in necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets… and any other type of jewellery your partner might love.
The traditional flower for 30 years of marriage is the lily. Lilies are stunning open-flower blooms that are available in all kinds of magnificent colours. Just remember that lilies are toxic to cats, so think twice if you have a furry little friend living with you at home.
35th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 35th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Coral
Modern – Jade
Gemstone – Emerald
Flower – Coral rose
Wow, 35 years. What a milestone! To mark your 35th wedding anniversary with a traditional gift, you can give your other half something related to coral. This is another traditional gift you could interpret in different ways. You could give an item of jewellery set with a coral stone, you could give them something that’s the colour coral, or if you have the budget, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef to view the incredible coral in person.
The modern gift for a 35th anniversary is jade, a fabulous stone which is a delicious shade of green. In the Far East, jade has a rich history as it symbolises immortality and represents the soul, which is great for celebrating a long and happy marriage. Plus, the gemstone to mark 35 years is emerald, an incredible precious stone which also happens to be green. Why not pair jade and emerald together in a piece of jewellery to give your partner something truly unique?
Sticking with the coral theme, the traditional flower for 35 years isn’t anything in particular, but many like to give their partners flowers that are coral-coloured. Bouquets that feature coral and other pastel shades are wonderful and autumnal.
40th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 40th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Ruby
Modern – Ruby
Gemstone – Ruby
Flower – Nasturtium
The fact that you’ve made it to 40 years together is incredible, and a real testament to your love and devotion to each other. To mark such a fabulous milestone, the traditional and modern gifts, as well as the anniversary gemstone, are ruby. For that reason, many like to treat their other half to something that contains this truly precious stone. Yes, rubies can be pricey, but for good reason – they’re drop-dead gorgeous and set well in almost every kind of jewellery. Ruby symbolises power and a thirst for life, and after 40 years of marriage, you’ll know a thing or two about living your life to the fullest.
The traditional flower for a 40th anniversary is nasturtium, a small orangey-red flower which, from a distance, you might mistake for poppies. They’re very small and delicate so it’s hard to include them in a bouquet, but they’re relatively easy to grow. If you sow the seeds in the garden in the spring they’ll flower in just a few months. They’re also perfect for celebrating your marriage, because nasturtiums symbolise victory through perseverance.
45th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 45th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Sapphire
Modern – Sapphire
Gemstone – Sapphire
Flower – There isn’t one
45 years is another stunning milestone which can only be marked by a stunning gift, which is why the traditional and modern gifts, as well as the gemstone, are all the same – the sapphire. Sapphires are precious stones which means they can be rather expensive, but wow are they worth it! They represent wisdom and strength, which are definitely qualities you’ll have adopted after all those years spent with the love of your life.
There is no traditional flower for a 45th anniversary, but many like to treat their partners to flowers that evoke sapphires, so blue flowers are a great choice. This might be hydrangea, iris, clematis, morning glory… there’s a lot out there that can make up a truly fabulous bouquet.
50th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 50th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Gold
Modern – Gold
Gemstone – Gold
Flower – There isn’t one
You’ve reached your 50th anniversary, that’s absolutely incredible! 50 years together is such a massive achievement and one that deserves to be celebrated with glitz and glamour. This is why the traditional and modern gifts, along with the anniversary gemstone (well, precious metal) is gold. Yes, your 50th wedding anniversary is your golden anniversary, so it’s the perfect opportunity to give your love something made from gold. This could be absolutely anything, from jewellery to a whisky glass adorned with gold.
There isn’t a traditional flower for a 50th anniversary, but you might want to give your partner flowers that evoke the gold theme. This could be yellowy-gold roses, sunflowers or chrysanthemums, which would look incredible and vibrant as part of a summery bouquet
55th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 55th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Emerald
Modern – Emerald
Gemstone – Emerald
Flower – There isn’t one
For your 55th anniversary, there’s an overarching theme of emerald, with this beautiful green precious stone being the traditional and modern gift, as well as the anniversary gemstone. Emerald has already been an anniversary stone for the 20th and 35th anniversaries, but it’s so beautiful that it deserves to make another appearance. It’s known as ‘the jewel of kings’ and symbolises truth and love, which you obviously have plenty of since you’ve made it to your 55th anniversary.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a traditional 55th anniversary flower, but flowers with green blooms will keep your celebrations on track with the emerald theme. Lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums, dahlias and orchids all come in wonderful shades of green.
60th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 60th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Diamond
Modern – Diamond
Gemstone – Diamond
Flower – There isn’t one
Being married to someone for 60 years is just jaw-dropping, so it’s more than worthy of being known as your diamond anniversary. So, the traditional and modern gifts, and the anniversary gemstone, are the glorious precious stone, the diamond. Diamonds are one of the most iconic symbols of love because they’re beautiful, hardy and – sometimes – priceless. They also symbolise faithfulness and commitment, which reaching 60 years of marriage demonstrates you have plenty of. Diamonds are also a fantastic stone to include in all types of jewellery, from necklaces to bracelets – and of course, rings.
There isn’t an anniversary flower for 60 years, but you could choose to give your partner flowers that evoke the feeling of diamonds. Diamonds let off a rainbow display of lights known as fire, when the light hits them just right. So, you could choose to have white flowers to represent the diamond and its sparkle, with other colours, like red, yellow and blue, to represent the fire.
65th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 65th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Sapphire
Modern – Sapphire
Gemstone – Sapphire
Flower – There isn’t one
65 years together – is there really an achievement quite like it? The traditional and modern gifts, as well as the anniversary gemstone for 65 years, is the sapphire. Much like the anniversary you celebrated 20 years ago, your 65th anniversary is celebrated in the traditional way by giving your other half something that evokes this fabulous precious stone.
There also isn’t a traditional flower associated with 65 years of marriage, but you might like to gift your partner sapphire-blue flowers. Blue flowers could include bluebells, orchids, asters – even roses can be blue. Blue flowers symbolise peace and tranquillity, which you definitely deserve after such a long time with your favourite person.
70th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 70th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Platinum
Modern – Platinum
Gemstone – Platinum
Flower – There isn’t one
A 70th wedding anniversary is an achievement that very few get to experience, and is a real testament to the incredible love and commitment you and your partner share. To celebrate such a huge moment in your lives, the traditional and modern gifts, and anniversary gemstone (though it’s a precious metal) is platinum. Platinum can be a pricey metal, but it looks fabulous in pretty much every type of jewellery. After all, platinum symbolises true love, so could there really be anything as perfect to give to your other half when celebrating 70 years together?
There isn’t a traditional flower for celebrating 70 years, but you could give someone flowers that evoke the quality and feeling of platinum. Lots of flowers come in various shades of silvery-white, like roses, tulips, dahlias, peonies and hydrangeas.
75th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 75th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Diamond
Modern – Diamond
Gemstone – Sapphire
Flower – There isn’t one
To be married to the person you love for 75 years is something most of us can’t comprehend. The level of love and devotion to another person is nothing short of stunning. The traditional and modern 75th anniversary gift is diamond, much like the 60th anniversary. In fact, the 75th anniversary was the original diamond anniversary, with the 60th added a little later. Diamonds represent commitment and faithfulness and are considered by many to be the precious stone to symbolise love. Thankfully, diamonds are versatile and can be used in so many different types of jewellery, so you should definitely be able to find something your other half will love.
You might also want to pair a diamond with sapphire, which is the anniversary gemstone for a 75th wedding anniversary. Any piece of jewellery that contains both diamonds and sapphires proves that it really is a match made in heaven – exactly the same as your marriage.
There isn’t a flower that’s traditionally given for 75 years, but if you’d like to give your other half a bouquet to commemorate the occasion, you could choose flowers that are white and blue. That way, you can continue the diamond and sapphire theme – plus it makes for an eye-catching combination.
80th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 80th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Oak
Modern – Oak
Gemstone – Ruby
Flower – There isn’t one
At 80 years and counting together, it’s obvious that your relationship is strong with deep, unshakable roots. That’s why the traditional and modern 80th wedding anniversary gift is oak. Oak trees stand tall and proud, and oak represents endurance, power and stability – which is why it’s perfect for such an incredible occasion. You might choose to give your other half an oak carving, or perhaps plant a tree in their name.
The anniversary gemstone for 80 years is ruby, which we’ve seen for two other anniversaries: the 15th and 40th. Rubies are synonymous with love, as well as health and wisdom, which you’ll no doubt have plenty of after spending 80 years with the love of your life.
There isn’t a flower that’s traditionally given to mark an 80th anniversary, but ruby-red roses and other big blooms would be fabulous. You might also like to include a few oak leaves just to tie it into the whole theme of such a brilliant day.
85th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 85th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Wine
Modern – Wine
Gemstone – Moonstone
Flower – There isn’t one
After spending 85 years with your partner, you might expect the traditional and modern gifts to be something rather extravagant and pricey, such as platinum or diamonds, like the anniversaries that came before it. However, it’s far more humble than that – wine. That being said, you might not want to give your partner a £5.99 bottle of Merlot from the local shop – but it is something open to interpretation. It could be a trip to a local vineyard, a wine-coloured photo frame or, of course, your favourite bottle of vino.
The 85th anniversary gemstone is moonstone, a stunningly iridescent stone that comes in various colours and all with unique patterns. Many moonstones have the appearance of tiny planets, which look incredible set in jewellery. Moonstones can also be relatively inexpensive, so you can give your partner a one-of-a-kind but affordable gift to mark your big day.
There isn’t a traditional flower for 85 years, but if you like to give flowers then you could give your partner a bouquet that features colours associated with wine and moonstone. Deep red hydrangeas, rosé-coloured roses, multicoloured tulips… you can have a lot of fun creating the perfect bouquet.
90th wedding anniversary gifts
The traditional and modern 90th wedding anniversary gifts
Traditional – Granite or diamond
Modern – Granite or diamond
Gemstone – Diamond
Flower – There isn’t one
Very few couples have been married for 90 years, but it can and does happen. In fact, a couple from Yemen celebrated their 90th wedding anniversary in 2021. And as we get older and people live longer, it’ll no doubt happen more and more. But what do you give someone you’ve been married to for nine whole decades? Well, because it happens so infrequently, there isn’t an official traditional or modern gift, but it’s common for couples to give each other gifts centred around diamond or granite. Diamond can also extend to being the gemstone to mark a 90th wedding anniversary, so you could give the best of both worlds.
When it comes to diamond gifts, the choices are obvious – diamond jewellery is always going to brighten someone’s day. Granite is a little trickier, but you can get jewellery, ornaments, coasters, bowls, plates… there’s a lot out there. Or, if you have the budget, a nice new kitchen with granite worktops would work, too.
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Excerpts and links to relevant guidelines for wedding venues – updated Tuesday 21st July 2020
Government update Friday 17th July: From 1 August, small wedding receptions will be able to take place – this means sit-down meals for no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidance.
Original article – published Thursday 16th July
On 23rd June, the Prime Minister announced that lockdown guidelines would be relaxed beginning on 4th July to enable weddings to restart at a restricted level. Further guidance was issued on 24th and June 29th June to provide additional clarity, and instructions for NHS Test & Trace support was issued on 2 July.
We are thrilled about the great news that our industry is finally able to host weddings again, and these guidelines represent a starting point from which we can begin working again. Below are a few links to Government guidance for your review. The guidelines are filled with recommendations on re-opening protocols and restrictions that will vary in relevance to each of our industries and individual businesses. We encourage you to read the Government guidelines thoroughly to identify how they apply to you.
See excerpts (and please read the full linked document):
Social distancing:“Where it is possible to keep 2 metres apart people should. But where it is not, we will advise people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’ meaning they should remain one metre apart, while taking mitigations to reduce the risk of transmission.”
Business risk reduction:“We are today publishing guidance on how businesses can reduce the risk by taking certain steps to protect workers and customers. These include, for instance avoiding face-to-face seating by changing office layouts, reducing the number of people in enclosed spaces, improving ventilation, using protective screens and face coverings, closing non-essential social spaces, providing hand sanitiser and changing shift patterns so that staff work in set teams.”
Gatherings:“We advise that from 4 July, two households of any size should be able to meet in any setting inside or out. We are not recommending meetings of multiple households indoors because of the risk of creating greater chains of transmission. Outside, the guidance remains that people from several households can meet in groups of up to six.”
Hospitality:“All hospitality indoors will be limited to table-service, and our guidance will encourage minimal staff and customer contact.”
Track & Trace:“We will ask businesses to help NHS Test and Trace respond to any local outbreaks by collecting contact details from customers.”
See excerpts (and please read the full linked document):
1.17 Can weddings go ahead?
Yes, from 4 July, weddings and civil partnerships will be allowed to take place. You should only invite close friends and family, up to a maximum of 30 people. The wedding exception is for wedding ceremonies only. Large wedding receptions or parties should of course not be taking place. Wedding celebrations can only happen when people follow the guidance of six people outdoors, support bubbles, or two households indoors or outdoors. It is critical for these guidelines to be observed to keep you and your family and friends as safe as possible.
1.25 Can I gather in larger groups for any reason?
You should only be gathering in groups of up to two households (including your support bubble). It is against the law to gather in groups of more than 30 people, except for the limited circumstances to be set out in law. You should observe the guidelines for meeting people wherever possible, and limit your social interaction to your own household or one other (or, outdoors, also a group of up to six people), to help to control the virus.
See excerpts (and please read the full linked document):
COVID-19 secure environment:“legally-valid ceremonies or formations are strongly advised to go ahead only where they can be done in a COVID-19 secure environment. It is also advised that the ceremonies are kept as short as reasonably possible and limited as far as reasonably possible to the parts of the ceremonies that are required in order for the marriage or civil partnership to be legally binding. No more than 30 people should attend a marriage or civil partnership, where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 secure venue.”
Receptions:“Any receptions that typically follow or accompany marriages or civil partnerships are strongly advised not to take place at this time. Small celebrations should only take place if following social distancing guidelines – i.e. in groups of up to two households indoors, or up to 6 people from different households outdoors.”
Venue decision-making:“Venue managers will have discretion over when they consider it safe to open, and the officiant should also be content that it is safe to proceed. The venue should decide to remain closed or not proceed with the marriage or civil partnership if they are not able to safely adhere to the guidelines outlined below. Where the legislation requires that a venue does not open at this time then it must remain closed.”
See excerpts (and please read the full linked document):
The following information should be collected by the venue, where possible:
Staff
the names of staff who work at the premises
a contact phone number for each member of staff
the dates and times that staff are at work
Customers and visitors
the name of the customer or visitor. If there is more than one person, then you can record the name of the ‘lead member’ of the group and the number of people in the group
a contact phone number for each customer or visitor, or for the lead member of a group of people
date of visit, arrival time and, where possible, departure time
if a customer will interact with only one member of staff (e.g. a hairdresser), the name of the assigned staff member should be recorded alongside the name of the customer
No additional data should be collected for this purpose.
To support NHS Test and Trace, you should hold records for 21 days.
For more business advice we’ve collated all of our COVID-19 resources for wedding professionals to help you easily find the support you need. If you have any questions at all or need any help then please do reach out to anyone in the Bridebook team.
At present, venues are still unable to host in-person show rounds. Creating and hosting virtual video tours should be your No.1 priority to continue generating revenue during COVID-19.
Bridebook’s amazing product team have built Video Tours to increase the exposure of your virtual tour capabilities. These tools are available exclusively for VenuePro members.
Get real-time video tour enquiries from prospective couples using Bridebook. Activate ‘Enable LIVE Video Tours‘ in your profile and we will let searching couples know that you’re ready (and raring) to host a live showround.
2. Help couples get the feel for your venue and team by adding a pre-recorded video to your profile. We have built a dedicated ‘Video Tours’ section on your profile, so couples can easily find it. Please note you may only upload in a Vimeo or Youtube format.
Over the last three weeks, Bridebook has seen an 8% YoY increase on engaged couples signing up to the app. There is new business is out there, waiting for you. Virtual tours are crucial for bringing your venue new business during lockdown.
Please note that as Bridebook introduces more & more high tech features such as these, we are unable to support old web browsers, most notably Internet Explorer 11. We always recommend using Google Chrome for the best experience with Bridebook Business.
We have said it once (or twice!), but we will say it again – every single wedding venue must be making use of video tours or LIVE virtual tours. By prioritising revenue generating marketing efforts, such as using video tours to get new business, you will support the future of your business and get through this challenging time.
At this moment, the Government continues to keep wedding venues closed. Wedding venues shouldnot be hosting in person show rounds, even with distancing measures. Luckily, virtual tours are an incredibly effective way of giving a prospective couple a real ‘feel’ for your venue, even if they can’t visit you. A Bridebook survey showed that 86% of venues who offer virtual tours have received at least one booking as a direct result.
If you are unsure whether virtual tours will be a fit for your venue, look at the huge host of venues already offering them and their success stories. The team at Hedsor House have been offering virtual tours for over 2 years, and have seen huge revenue generating success. Hedsor even has a room dedicated to virtual tours in a nearby outbuilding, as a way of hosting tours even if there is an event happening in the main house. They also find this a crucial way to convert couples from abroad!
Whether you decide to create a pre-recorded tour or offer LIVE virtual tours via Facetime / Zoom, you must market these to ensure couple interaction. Your first step should be to upload these to your Video Tours section of your Bridebook profile(please note, this feature is only available for VenuePro members*) and let us do the promotion for you! We’d also recommend advertising these on your own website and social media platforms.
We look forward to seeing all your wonderful videos on Bridebook soon. Keep in touch with us on the UK Wedding Venues Slack group – we’d love to hear your venue’s experience with virtual tours!
* VenuePro Lite memberships are available for FREE until the 6th July. Click here to upgrade – no payment details required.
At Bridebook, we feel very lucky to have such a collaborative and inspiring community of venues. It has been heartbreaking to see the devastating impact of coronavirus on businesses, in all aspects of our industry. We are determined to continue to be a pillar of support through these tough times. We aim to do so through both educational content and building innovative product features.
In just a few weeks, the world’s weddings have come to a halt. The COVID-19 global pandemic has led to widespread wedding business closures and the cancellation of thousands of weddings globally.
With isolation measures in place around the world, wedding businesses are now forced to navigate the uncertainties of moving peak season wedding date bookings into the future while still trying to reach new couples in order to stay afloat. Understanding what couples want and need during this time is essential to ensure each business is making the best strategic decisions.
Bridebook, the world’s #1 wedding planning app, has teamed up with Style Me Pretty, the world renowned top inspirational wedding resource, to deliver this free report to you.
This in-depth report presents 30+ pages of insights, from 6,000+ couples in over 85 countries, on how COVID-19 is affecting weddings in all stages of engagement. You’ll learn:
Wedding date preferences for postponing couples vs. new bookings
Expectations for postponement of weddings later in 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on wedding costs
Impact of COVID-19 on the wedding budget of newly engaged couples
Video tour preferences among newly engaged couples
..and more.
As a member of the global wedding community, Bridebook feels the heartbreak of both the couples whose wedidng days have been jeopardised, as well as the industry professionals whose livelihoods are now at risk. We know that venues and professionals around the world are giving up so much while postponing months worth of weddings, and we know that difficult times lie ahead for your businesses, even after restrictions are lifted.
On behalf of couples everywhere, thank you for being a part of one of life’s happiest moments, and for being generous and caring to the thousands of couples whose celebrations have been put ‘on hold’.
All of us at Bridebook look forward to providing as much guidance, insights and support that we can in order to keep this wonderful wedding industry strong and growing.
