Clare & Tim’s wedding included a unique bridal entrance via river boat to an intimate outdoors gazebo ceremony with a rustic flower theme and handmade touches. Hosted at Island Hall, Huntingdon.
Photographer: @chrisbolandweddings
Florist: Heather Adland | Catering: Chef Steven Kitchen @StevenKitchen1| Music: @pinklampweddings| Entertainment: Children’s entertainer – Benjamin Hasker | Cake Provider: @sarahseaman2504
Colours: Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, White & Neutral| Styles: Outdoor, Rustic, Vintage, Whimsical, Casual, Country & Natural
Already imagining yourself at Island Hall on your wedding day? Click here to find out more!
Have a look at some more beautiful real weddings here:
A beautiful, classic and elegant wedding in a modern and quirky Manor House venue! Charlton Hall was the perfect setting for Alexa and Andrews gorgeous wedding set in the heart of Northumberland.
Florist: Floral Quarter | Videographer: Inspired Wedding Imagery | Wedding Dress Designer: YAP Bridal | Bridesmaid Dress Provider: Motee Maids|Cake Maker: Sweet Things Cakery | Decoration/Hire Provider: Great British Bash
Kate and Sam James’s stunningly romantic Spring wedding at Notley Abbey was simple yet unique. What makes this wedding special? We love the boho styling and romance that is shown so clearly in the photos.
Photographer: Samuel Docker
Florist: Daisy Ellen | Catering: Harper Weddings | Wedding Dress Designer: Jenny Packham | Bridesmaid Dress Provider: ASOS | Music: Guitarist – Park Life
Botleys Mansion hosted Harriet and Jon’s stunning pastel wedding. This Stately Home was the perfect fit for a classically glamorous couple. The decorations, flowers and dresses at this wedding oozed such style and elegance, we just had to share!
Naomi and James had a beautifully rustic Spring wedding at Cain Manor. A firm favourite with the team who loved the rustic details and simple, but breathtaking style of photography at this wedding.
Florist: Allora Creations and Daisy Chain | Catering: Harper Weddings | Wedding Dress Designer: Stella York | Hairdresser: Charlotte Elizabeth | Music: Guitarist – John James Newman & Evening – Harper DJ| Entertainment: Magician – Rob James
Searching for a dream wedding venue? Look no further! Take advantage of what this stunning historic venue has to offer, from beautiful views to a magnificent sweeping staircase.
We talked to Natalie, the Events Marketing Manager at Ashridge House, to find out more about this magical venue.
Tell us about yourself!
I am a mum to two boys (my main job!), I have worked in the wedding business for five years and in my free time I like to be creative and bake brownies. I have started writing a children’s book, and am going to try and illustrate it when the story is finished. If it’s terrible I will put it in a drawer and never show anyone!
What drew you to the wedding world?
It happened by accident! I was working in the events industry with corporate clients and when I joined the Ashridge House team, weddings are a key part of the Ashridge DNA. The whole team loves the wedding industry and it is easy to see why, it’s wonderful to work with our lovely couples and create a bespoke day filled with forever memories. It truly is an honour to be part of such a special moment at the beginning of our couples married life.
What do you think makes Ashridge House unique?
Ashridge House is very special, the site dates back to 1283 and Ashridge was a former royal residence to King Henry VIII and home to his daughter Princess Elizabeth. However what makes Ashridge House truly special is the dedicated team here and our ethos to welcome our couples and make them feel comfortable so they feel Ashridge House is their home away from home. The beautiful gardens and grounds at Ashridge House are the jewel of the estate and gives our couples a sense of serenity (we have 190 acres of private gardens for our couples to explore!), and no matter what the season, the grounds always look spectacular thanks to our dedicated gardens team. We have a fantastic food and beverage team who work closely with our couples to ensure they have the perfect wedding breakfast with their family and loved ones to enjoy, the team here also love a challenge and will find a solution for any requests. Every wedding is different and the team here love to be as creative as possible to deliver the most beautiful and bespoke day for our couples.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
After the initial show arounds, we invite our couples to visit Ashridge House to meet their wedding coordinator and start planning their day. Couples will also meet their suppliers onsite and have their menu tasting here so ideally they will have visited Ashridge House many times before their big day, and will feel at home and relaxed before their wedding day.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
When everyone is smiling and your couple are lost in the moment together.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Try and make the planning fun and part of your wedding journey, get your girlfriends involved and make your planning days a celebration, and enjoy some fizz afterwards!
What do you love about Bridebook?
I love their personal service, J’uanita has helped Ashridge House navigate through these challenging times and is a font of all knowledge!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Ashridge House?
Every wedding is memorable and each couple becomes part of our history and DNA. We had a beautiful Russian ballerina bride and she arranged for ballet dancers to perform on the staircase in the Grand Hall during the ceremony, that was magical and breath-taking!
Why should a couple book Ashridge House?
The weddings and events team at Ashridge House go above and beyond to help our couples achieve the wedding of their dreams. We work together with our couples and build trust so that on the day, they can relax and enjoy one of the most important days of their life.
What’s the best photo spot at Ashridge House?
That’s a difficult question as all the grounds are lovely, I love Laburnum Walk, Rhododendron Walk and The Rosary!
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I am really proud of the events team and how they have adapted over the last 12 months, for example we now have personalised virtual showarounds and are hosting a virtual wedding showcase on Sunday 21st March 2021. The team have adapted and pivoted in response to the ever changing times.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Technology has been vital to the weddings industry especially over the pandemic, we have been able to stay in touch with all our couples over Zoom and reassure them we are still here and will help them move their date if needed.
Natalie featured second left with the Events Team at Ashridge House
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Share moments of joy. And even in the hard times, try and find reasons to laugh together. Love wins always!
A huge thank you to Natalie for answering our questions. Check out Ashridge House on Bridebook! They have an exciting Virtual Wedding Fair coming up soon click ‘here‘ to find out more.
Looking for more venues in Hertfordshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here. Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Let’s talk wedding stationery – the perfect way to set the tone of your special day, get creative and, most importantly, let your loved ones know that your wedding is soon approaching!
Bridebook is excited to announce we have partnered with Papier, one of the leading wedding stationery brands in the industry, to help our couples design their perfect stationery.
Papier is unique as they collaborate with talented artists and illustrators to bring our couples all the designs they will need for their big (or little) day – from save the dates & invitations to menus, guest books, thank you cards & more.
Sophie Agar, Brand Director at Papier comments, “At Papier, we believe that stationery is a very special part of your wedding story. We’re so excited to be working with Bridebook to share our collections with you all.”
Wedding stationery can be personalised at Papier and is expertly printed on sustainably sourced paper in England. Choose from different paper thicknesses, finishes such as gold or silver foiling, and order samples to see how your designs look and feel. Papier’s friendly experts are on hand to help with any questions.
Browse Papier’s wedding stationery options:
Save the Dates
Set the tone for your wedding with Papier’s save the dates. Illustrated, foiled and photo designs can be paired with matching invitations and are available with or without envelopes. Prefer to send a digital save the date? Papier can help with that too.
Wedding Invitations
Calligraphy, floral, classic, modern – Papier has invitations to suit every couple’s style. All sets come with optional matching info cards, RSVP cards, pre-addressed RSVP envelopes & you can also get all your guests’ addresses printed on the envelopes to save you valuable time!
On the Day Designs
Add the finishing touches with orders of service, table plans, guest books, menus and place names. They’ll tie the details of your day together and give your guests little keepsakes to hold onto after the event.
Happy Planning!
Ready to order your wedding stationery for your big day? Send your request to Papier ‘Wedding stationery‘
If you’d like more advice on wedding stationery, below are some useful articles:
Thinking about the wedding of your dreams? This magical venue has far reaching views, formal gardens, and exclusive use.
We talked to Paul, the Owner at Saltcote Place, to find out more about this unique venue.
Tell us about yourself!
We have over 10 years experience of planning both exceptional and intimate Celebrations. Weddings are an indulgent hobby we really enjoy. We choose to host enough Celebrations to keep the building well maintained and not so many that it loses the magic. We never do back to back and rarely do a wedding a week preferring to enjoy the engagement with our couples. It takes on average 18 months from initial enquiry to the big day, this gives us all time to enjoy pizzas and a few glasses of wine as we get to know each other as well as the inlaws and outlaws. The end result we often hear is “it’s like getting married at our mates place” that’s the objective, as a result we have made some wonderful friendships. In our private lives have other interests in property, commerce and software.
What drew you to the wedding world?
It’s amazing that anyone can have this much fun at your own home.
What do you think makes Saltcote Place unique?
It’s personal, we don’t pay sales people to be nice to our Guests, we take that pleasure ourselves.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
Pizza, Pasta, meals out and the occasional glass of wine. It’s not a conference or a works party – a Wedding is a Celebration of two families seeing the ones they love step out on a magical journey. We make sure in-laws and out-laws also come and see the venue so they feel as comfortable as the couple. This approach ensures everyone feels comfortable, these feelings end up with all of the guests knowing they are not attending a faceless hotel, the owners are engaged and it’s personal with nothing too much trouble. This personal approach is reflected in our TripAdvisor reviews where we have been Number 1 in the UK, No3 in the World and Number 1 locally for 11 years.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Respect, great communications, a detailed plan that’s shared and understood by all parties including suppliers with regard to setup and exit times.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Relax – if you write down your plan in a shared space it will be perfect.
What do you love about Bridebook?
We recommend all of our couples use the app to simplify the planning process.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Leez Priory?
A Princess from Ghana, the cultural differences, the colours and music and two wonderful families focussed on a magical celebration. Another equally magical celebration involved Aunty Vera who corralled the bridesmaids for a few days before the big day using prosecco and music to get the party started, from the after party brunch the day after and a few days staying locally made these Weddings memorable for the best possible reasons.
Why should a couple book Saltcote Place?
Bespoke Celebrations without a package in sight. Packages belong to the post office.
What’s the best photo spot at Saltcote Place?
At the end of the garden you can see the curve of the earth and see for about 30 unobstructed miles.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The friendships we have as a result of Weddings.
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Collaboration tools ensure there is only one Hymn sheet lead by the Couple guided by a partner and involving all suppliers.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Never lose sight of what brought you together, be prepared to be flexible and to roll over if needed. We have rolled one couple over since 2018 and hope to see them get married in 2021. We have not increased their price.
A huge thank you to Paul for answering our questions. Check out Saltcote Place on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in East Sussex? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Thief Hall is your perfect blank canvas wedding barn venue in North Yorkshire. Put your own unique stamp on your wedding day by choosing your caterers, entertainment, additional décor and anything you like with absolutely no restrictions.
You gain access to the venue the day before your wedding celebration from 10 am until the day after, offering you both the chance to relax with family, guests, and friends, making your three day wedding ceremony truly magical!
Jessica, the manager at Thief Hall, gives us a taste of what can be expected from this stunning wedding venue.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
My husband and I renovated Thief Hall in 2007 and opened in 2009, we have two children, Clara and James and just love family holidays together.
What drew you to the wedding world?
We started Thief Hall with 4 holiday cottages and it just evolved from a marquee venue to barn now sleeping up to 60 guests.
What do you think makes Thief Hall unique?
The views outshine most places in the UK and our supporting staff with no rules ethos makes you and your guests feel so comfortable.
How do you get to know your couples before the big day?
We are here 24/7 for all of our couples.
What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?
Making the whole weekend so special and about the couple 100%.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Thief Hall?
We had an amazing woodland wedding with Lucy and Matt including a marreeokee.
Why should a couple book Thief Hall?
No rules, no finish times, no noise restrictions and yet 100% support over your three days.
What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Organise your timeline before booking your church or registrars
What’s the best photo spot at Thief Hall?
There are so many from woodlands to road and sunsets to beat most
What part of your business are you most proud of?
How we strive to improve and grow
How do you feel technology is changing the industry?
Virtual viewings and weddings fairs are really working for us
What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?
Remember why you are getting married, love will win!!
What do you love about Bridebook?
The continued support, our account manager Kane is super!
A huge thank you to Jessica for answering our questions. Check out Theif Hall on Bridebook!
Looking for more venues in North Yorkshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.
Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at business@bridebook.co.uk
Getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments of your life, tears of joy won’t stop streaming, and you can’t stop gazing at your newly bejeweled finger. But once this initial excitement begins to wear off, a sudden rush of “what now!?” begins to kick in. Don’t worry – Bridebook are here to help.
Wedding planning can be daunting even at the best of times, and the current government restrictions to curb the spread of Coronavirus may have you feeling you can’t get started with your planning. At Bridebook, we’d like to help you navigate this stressful time by discussing 8 things that you CAN do right now to ensure the smoothest wedding planning experience.
1.Designate a wedding planning day
It is time to get organised! Making decisions early is the best way to ensure the smoothest wedding planning process. Dedicating one day a week can be the perfect way to ensure that tasks get ticked off and other priorities (like Netflixin’ your favourite show!) do not get in the way.
Knowing where to begin with planning your big day can be overwhelming. Our personalised Wedding Planning Checklist is here to help guide you through the entire planning process. Based on your wedding date, your bespoke Checklist will let you know when to complete each task including pricing guides and suggestions along the way.
2.Reflection
It’s important to sit down with your partner and think about what you both want from your wedding. Will it be a small and intimate occasion or an extravagant party with hundreds of guests? Make sure you reflect and think hard about what is most important to the both of you, as a couple.
Start researching and looking for inspiration. You can then add any picture or ideas, from perfect playlists, to funny speech ideas to your Bridebook Scrapbook.
3.Budget
Once you have reflected on the kind of wedding you both want, you need to decide how much you are willing and able to spend. Let Bridebook do the hard work for you! With data from over 500,000 weddings, our super powerful Wedding Budget Tool helps you keep track right from the beginning. Simply enter your total budget and we will tell you how much you should spend on every expense from start to finish.
4.Guest List
Making decisions on your guest list can be a complicated process, from deciding who to invite, to keeping note of guest information along the way.
Bridebook’s Wedding Guest List Tool allows you to easily keep track of your invites, RSVPs and total attending guests. Your Guest List is split into two – one for you and one for your partner – but you can also create as many custom lists as you like! For example, ‘work friends’ or ‘childhood friends’. Your Guest List is ready to help you track all the nitty gritty details: you can track plus ones, dietary requirements, addresses and more.
5.Booking Your Venue
Finding the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important tasks on your checklist, and one which may seem near impossible in the midst of a global pandemic. However, thanks to the power of technology and innovative wedding venue teams, this is completely possible!
Bridebook has thousands of exceptional wedding venues with many of them offering virtual tours and show rounds. Get comfortable, open a bottle of wine and explore the delights of stunning venues across the country from your very own living room. When you enquire with venues, make sure to ask if they can offer a virtual show round – some are even using Facetime! We’d also advise you to keep an eye out for venues listing 360 tours.
6.Booking Suppliers
Again, this is something super fun which you can enjoy within the comfort of your own home. Keep reaching out to suppliers, as many are offering virtual services such as delivering tasting samples or pre-recorded videos – whilst unconventional, this can absolutely become a fun night-in with your partner.
Invite your friends and family to a Zoom call where you watch a number of wedding bands until you find your perfect match. How about ordering in some sample cake boxes for taste testing with your partner? Or even get creative and create your ideal wedding make-up, by following different tutorials available online.
7.The Little Things
Make the most of these dark cold months by getting on top of all the small tasks which will make your wedding wonderful. There are so many little things that you will need for your big day and now is the time to start a list. This might be thinking about gifts for your bridesmaids and page boys or wedding favours for guests. You could even get into some DIY and make some crafts yourself such as name cards, signs or photo boards for the day itself.
8.Enjoy your Engagement!
Weddings are incredibly special. It is important to enjoy this experience, together. Take some well deserved time off before you are rushed back to the speed of ‘normality’. Go for long walks, cook some delicious food, read a few books and most of all embrace having the love of your life by your side!
Looking for some more wedding planning tips? Check out our other wedding articles below.
Virtual tours are so simple! And you can view them right from Bridebook. You can do as many virtual tours as it takes to visit one venue in person. This means you can take a look around a few more to find the one that’s perfect for you.
No need to agree on a shortlist of five venues that you’ll visit in one weekend. Check out 10 in one afternoon. All from the comfort of your sofa!
Wrapped up warm with a big mug of hot chocolate. Now that’s how we like to plan weddings. ☕
2. Save money
Weddings can be expensive. So it’s fantastic when you find the little shortcuts that save you some money. Check out our article on saving tips here.
Well, virtual tours can be a money saver too! Try virtual tours and save the money you would have spent on petrol or public transport. Then you can splash out on those little extras on your special day, guilt free. Sounds like a win-win to us!
3. Get excited
We know things are tough at the moment. Like, really tough. And sometimes, we just need to think ahead and get excited about what life will be like once this pandemic is over.
A bit of escapism is good for everyone and what better way than planning the best party of your life! Get your partner, grab a glass of wine and block out an evening. It’s time for fantasising about your dream venue. 🏰
For more day-to-day escapism, follow us on Instagram, where it’s positive vibes only from us.
4. Get ahead
Lockdowns have been hard. But when this is all over, people are going to be in serious need of a party.
We’re going to have more weddings than ever before. People have been postponing their big day for over a year now and some of the most popular dates are filling up fast.
By taking a virtual tour, you can feel more confident about putting down a deposit to secure a date. A lot of venues are being more flexible with deposits in the current circumstances, so do ask and see what they can do for you!
By securing your date, you can put your feet up and rest easy, while others scramble to get their preferred date once the unlocking starts.
5. Get inspired
Doing a virtual tour can help you picture your own wedding more easily. Often, this can generate ideas for couples about how they want their day to run and what else they might need to plan.
Looking at the lawn area might inspire you to have a cocktail hour before dinner to make the most of the location. Or perhaps that old school dancefloor might just tip the balance in favour of that DJ you’d been checking out.
Planning a wedding is hard. There are just so many options! Doing a virtual venue tour is the perfect way to picture you and your partner on your big day.
Haven’t found your dream wedding venue yet? Browse some incredible wedding venues all over the country:
Bridebook are excited to announce the launch of our partnership with Searcys, which is in residence at some of UK’s most iconic venues including Blenheim Palace, The Pump Room in Bath, The Gherkin, St Pancras International and many more.
Rodney Payne, Searcys Regional Director comments, “Searcys started out as a weddings and events caterer back in 1847, and we are proud to have been serving our customers with finesse and personality since then. We are honoured to have been trusted with over 340 weddings over the past three years, including hosting micro-weddings during an incredibly challenging 2020. We look forward to welcoming our beautiful couples back into our iconic venues, when safe to do so. Our team is delighted to offer them additional support through the incredible tools from Bridebook – to plan, budget and organise their special day without a glitch.”
As a business we are aware that the last 12 months have been exceptionally difficult for the industry, therefore it has been incredible to see brands like Searcys innovate and adapt to offer solutions to recently engaged couples. During the start of our partnership with Searcys they have adapted to offer beautifully designed micro weddings at their venues, as well as recipes and useful tips for couples staying in to mark occasions through their ‘Staying in with Searcys’. Their most recent exclusive offer for our couples was free cases of Champagne for all future confirmed bookings.
2020 has been a challenging time for couples planning their weddings and with the holidays coming up, Bridebook has proudly partnered with a range of different companies to offer some amazing deals and discounts to our couples.
Check out all the great deals and discounts below…
1. e-there – 25% off self-stream packages
We know that planning your wedding this year has been harder than ever, especially when it comes to knowing how many loved ones will be able to join you.
So we’ve teamed up with award-winning streaming platform, E-There. Enabling you to live stream and record your special day, you can share your happiest memories with those who matter most, no matter what.
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Virgin Wines to offer our couples a generous HALF PRICE saving on 12 luxurious wines from around the world.
Boasting silky-smooth Gran Reserva, crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, fruit-filled Malbec and more, these wines are normally worth up to £11.99 a bottle, but are yours for just £5.49 each – complete with free express delivery direct to your door!
This offer also acts as the perfect introduction to Virgin Wines’ WineBank service, which allows you to earn 20% interest on the money you save, giving you big discounts on the wines you want… and all with free express delivery as standard.
12 Bottle Luxury Selection – Just £65.88 (was £131.88) – Plus free express delivery
Terms and conditions: Also available as an all-red or all-white wine selection. New customers only. UK Delivery only. You must be 18 years of age or over to buy alcohol. Full terms and conditions.
3. Stillwhite – 10% Discount to selling your wedding dress
Is your wedding dress collecting dust in the back of your closet? Then it might be time to give it another life!
Stillwhite are the world’s largest online wedding dress marketplace, and they’re helping brides to sell their wedding dresses.
There are no ongoing fees, and there’s zero commission on the sale. Simply pay a one-time listing fee (£17 Standard or £27 Premium) to list your dress until it’s sold. Our Bridebook brides get a 10% discount on their one-time listing fee!
Are you yet to find your dream wedding dress? Well Stillwhite can help here too, they’re helping future brides to buy their special dress at a fraction of the retail price.
By choosing Stillwhite, not only are you saving money but you’re also doing your part for the planet by opting for sustainable, second-hand fashion!
Papier are one of UK’s largest stationery retailers and offer incredible and unique wedding stationery packages, perfect for you!
Papier collaborate with amazing artists, illustrators and calligraphers to bring you unique wedding stationery collections that you won’t find anywhere else.
If you got married recently and are still considering changing your name, we’d love to introduce you to our friends over at NameSwitch. They make the whole process super quick and smooth, and have some amazing packages available.
We’ve got you covered with these 10% off discount codes:
We have also partnered with some incredible companies, offering some amazing services that we know you’ll love just as much as us. Below are some of our favourite partners…
Marriage Gift List – Unlimited Choice Wedding Gift List Service
We know how exciting but stressful organising a wedding can be, so Marriage Gift List are here to offer a helping hand and make things that little bit easier. They are the perfect wedding gift list, giving you easy access to pick and choose gifts from any online store.
The choice is yours and it’s free to use! At Marriage Gift List, you get exactly what you ask for, at the price that you find, and with no additional fees.
Patchwork is a global platform that lets friends contribute cash, time and skills towards a group gift or event. For engaged couples, Patchwork offer 2 incredible services:
1. Wedding Gift Registry
Patchwork allows couples to create an alternative wedding gift registry, allowing your guests to collectively fund and chip in towards that one amazing gift you really want. Whether it’s a weekend in Paris, or a beautiful piece of art, with Patchwork wedding guests come together to fund one big gift – piece by piece.
Patchwork allows couples to show wedding guests their dream honeymoon as a collection of images. So family and friends can choose exactly which part of the trip to treat them to – £200 for a night in a stunning hotel, £50 for dinner or £10 for cocktails on the beach.
Organising a wedding can be both exciting and stressful, so Marriage Gift List are here to make things that little bit easier by offering a helping hand. They give you easy access to pick and choose gifts from any online store.
The choice is yours and it’s free to use! At Marriage Gift List, you are getting exactly what you ask for, at the price that you find, with no additional fees.
How does it work?
Register – Sign up for free to start your personalised gift list.
Create your gift list – Add gifts from any online store you’d like to create your dream wedding gift list.
Share with guests – Share your unique gift list link with your guests
Receive your gifts – Have your gifts delivered or receive them on your big day!
Below are 2 quick tutorial videos to show you how simple and easy it is to use Marriage Gift List, ensuring the whole experience is stress-free for both you and your guests..
When Cameron Runcie, Marriage Gift List’s founder was planning his wedding with his partner, they tried multiple gift lists, but there wasn’t one that could offer the flexibility to pick exactly what they wanted at a fair price.
Some gift lists forced guests to pay up to twice as much, and others just didn’t have the gifts that they wanted.
So they built Marriage Gift List, where you are getting exactly what you ask for at the price that you find, with no additional fees.”
So how does Marriage Gift List make money?
Marriage Gift List earn commissions on purchases made via their website links and these commission payments help them increase the functionality of the website and keep it free to use for couples and guests.
Marriage Gift List are a unique wedding gift list, offering unlimited choice of any gift from any online retailer for free!
“The gift list innovators, Patchwork removes the stigma of asking for cash.” ELLE.
Who are Patchwork?
Patchwork is a global platform that lets friends contribute cash, time and skills towards a group gift or event. You can use Patchwork to organise all sorts of celebratory occasions from weddings and baby showers to surprise birthday parties.
You can use the platform to collectively fund all kinds of unique gifts and experiences, from honeymoons to handbags, campervans to cookery classes and bikes to beehives.
Common ways to use the Patchwork platform:
As a Wedding Gift Registry:
Patchwork allows couples to create an alternative wedding gift registry to allow your guests to collectively fund and chip in towards that one gift you really want. Whether it’s a piece of art or a weekend in Paris, with Patchwork wedding guests come together to fund one big gift – piece by piece.
Patchwork enables couples to show wedding guests their dream honeymoon as a collection of images. So friends and family can choose which part of the trip to treat them to – £200 for a night in a hotel, £50 for dinner or £5 for beers on the beach.
Patchwork is used by thousands of couples planning DIY weddings:
The organiser sets up a Patchwork to show all the things they need help to fund, make or do (from buying beer to making cakes, doing the decorations or promising to DJ)
Then everyone chooses whether to contribute cash, time or skills to help make it happen.
Why use Patchwork?
With customisable templates and gorgeous image gallery, it’s easy to set up your Patchwork gift page and the Pinterest-style layout and mobile friendly shopping experience makes it easy and fun for friends to contribute too.
100,000 people (and counting) already love and trust Patchwork. Here’s why:
Your friends can give you money (or contribute their time, or their skills) and feel great about doing it.
We don’t try to sell you anything. You can spend the money you receive when, where and how you like.
You can collect funds in any currency from friends and family wherever they are in the world.
Why Patchwork is so unique?
Fund, make, do
Patchwork is the only gift list in the world that lets people register not just things they want friends and family to fund but also things people can make and do.
For example, a couple using Patchwork as a honeymoon fund can ask friends and family to treat them to a night in an Airbnb for £100 or pay for a coconut on the beach for £1. But they can also ask people to make them a travel playlist as a present, lend them a rucksack, teach them some Spanish or drive them to the airport.
Collect gift money direct
Patchwork is independent of all retailers and so it’s entirely flexible. Patchwork also doesn’t hold customer funds. Instead the creator of a patchwork receives cash gifts (in their chosen currency) directly via PayPal or Stripe so they can pay for gift items or experiences when, where and how they like.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Clare and Natalie were still able to plan the wedding of their dreams. Their special day was a romantic elopement at Berwick Lodge in Bristol, a year after their engagement:
“We always dreamed that our wedding day would be intimate and cosy… Covid gave us a great excuse to achieve that by eloping!”
While the couple eloped just a year after their engagement, they met for the first time many years before:
“Clare was actually the one to propose, even though we’d openly chatted about it. THe day started with a mystery trip out, during which we visited various places we’d lived together… With the final stop being outside the school gates where we’d first met!”
“We wanted a venue with plenty of character, beautiful gardens and scrummy food… A quick search on Google for “elopement weddings” during lockdown found us this gem of a place!
“The simplicity of eloping was so appealing to us and the elopement package at Berwick Lodge included everything we wanted, making it stress-free!”
Finding dresses to suit the natural, elegant style they were after didn’t mean breaking the bank either. Instead of going bespoke, Clare and Natalie hit the highstreet — and ended up looking absolutely fantastic!
“We always knew we weren’t going to go for traditional white wedding dresses so hitting the high street was perfect for us. As it turns out, we were spoilt for choice so we would definitely recommend doing the same to others!”
Holding beautiful bouquets of white flowers picked from Berwick Lodge‘s very own gardens, the newly married couple walked out with beaming smiles.
Clare and Natalie were thrilled with Berwick Lodge, which “provided such a beautiful backdrop for [their] photographs.” They gave special thanks to their hair and makeup artist, Maria Lucas MUA, and their photographer, Christy Blanch Photography: “We absolutely love the photos by Christy! We’re so pleased with them – they’re amazing!”
So what advice do Clare and Natalie have for couples planning a wedding during a pandemic?
“Remind yourselves that it’s all about just the two of you. We found it easiest to focus solely on us and to choose the things that were important to us. Local suppliers were great as it was easy and quicker to make decisions.”
There’s one more thing Clare and Natalie would recommend to any couples in the South West (pandemic or no pandemic!):
“One big tip – choose an elopement package at Berwick Lodge!”
From photographers to caterers, to wedding dress designers, the UK is lucky enough to be home to some of the most gifted Black wedding suppliers in the world. The creativity and passion of these artisans and experts are sure to make your day one that you will treasure forever.
At Bridebook we are creating long term action strategies, both internal and external to improve inclusion and diversity within our industry but we know there is a long, long way to go. This list is just our starting off point, which we will be constantly and consistently adding to. In the meantime, we couldn’t recommend the Noire Wedding Edit by Ofe of Studio Oudizo more, for inspiration and an incredibly detailed list of suppliers.
If you’re after relaxed, informal wedding photography that is going to be as creative, quirky and fun as you are, then keep reading! Marni is all about authentic moments; tears of joy, stolen kisses, crazy dancefloor moves and everything in between. She’ll be wherever the action is, getting to know the people you love, so she never misses a moment. If you want a photographer that will feel more like an extra guest then she’s got you covered.
Leesha specialises in emotive and creative wedding photography for quirky couples in love. Her photography style definitely reflects her love for all things artsy and romantic, as well as being incredibly detail-oriented. Leesha sees the beauty not only in the big moments but the little things too, that really tell the story of your special day!
Joséphine’s love for photography stems from her love of connecting with people and showcasing their genuine emotion. Both of these are key elements of candid wedding photography, and they’re the reason she specialises in laid back wedding photography for fun and creative couples. That means that there’ll be no awkward moments or cheesy poses – she’ll be snapping all the crucial little moments of connection and emotion, and she’ll do it as part of the flow of the day.
Bubble Bar Caravan is a unique and beautifully converted caravan bar, perfect for intimate weddings. They serve a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, from IPA’s, Lager and Ciders on draught to bespoke Gin & Tonics, Prosecco and cocktails. They pride themselves on their friendly, energetic service that you and your guests are sure to love, as well as being an incredible backdrop for photos.
The Little Cake Garden specialises in creating bespoke wedding cakes and other sweet treats. They create some of the most stunning and whimsical cakes we’ve ever seen, as well as incredible dessert tables. Being hopeless romantics, they deliver designs that truly capture and reflect your desires. They are dedicated to quality and tailor-made creations, with all of their products made from scratch, using only the very highest quality ingredients.
The Indulgent Sugar Plum is a concept bakery & lifestyle store that produces luxurious handcrafted cakes and confectionery. They are not afraid to cross boundaries and have even been featured on Channel 4’s ‘Extreme Cake Makers! From the first moment you receive your cake, until the moment you eat it – they aim for their goods to ‘inspire your conversations’. Through the creation process the draw on inspiration from your visuals, colour scheme & themes to create a cake that’s uniquely for you and your partner.
With over 13 years of baking experience, M+H Cakes are delicious and handmade with love from their kitchen in London from start to finish. Their attention to detail is second to none, and they’ll ensure that you get your dream wedding cake. Each cake is bespoke, handmade and a true work of art.
Naomi Deru Bridal creates dresses for the contemporary bride with a modern take on style and silhouettes. Every single piece bearing the Naomi Deru Bridal label is handcrafted from scratch in Kent, with every gown being impeccably tailored, perfectly executed and with beautiful detail. Naomi makes sure that each dress is a carefully thought through collaboration with the bride, making sure the bride’s unique style and personality is reflected.
Kahmune’s aim was to redefine the word ‘nude’ and they have certainly succeeded. Just as ‘nude’ plasters are not a one size fits all, neither are shoes! Brides and bridesmaids should be able to find shoes that blend seamlessly with their skin tone, and Kahmune has delivered on their promise, blending style and comfort, with flats and heels in 10 beautiful skin shades.
Queen of Hearts Floral Design is a London based luxury floral studio in the heart of North London. Founder Bilen Zeremariam has been an Interior Designer for the past twelve years and brings forth an extensive knowledge in colour, texture, shape and interior styling. Bilen decided to pursue her passion for flowers after creating her own wedding arrangements, which led her to learn the art of floristry. Today, Bilen takes pride in creating opulent, memorable and dramatic floral displays that transform weddings & events in London, throughout the UK and abroad.
Hazel is a passionate floral artist and designer with a varied and rich background in the creative arts. Her style is free with an enriching take on colour, form and texture. After a childhood surrounded by nature in south-east England, Hazel has had a lifelong appreciation for the natural world, which is a clear inspiration in her work. Training at world-class florist McQueens, Hazel continually translates the world, taking inspiration from art, fashion and architecture. Her work is a love letter to nature with creative choices and combinations creating her fresh and unexpected designs.
While we know how frustrating some of the rules and guidelines are, the rule book has been torn up, so you’ve effectively got carte blanche! If you want to choose an outlandish theme or a controversial setting for your wedding, go for it.
Gone is the pressure to make it the classic wedding you always thought you might have. Everything about getting married right now is different, so embrace that and make it your own.
Personalise it with loads of photos of your relationship, write special vows, or ditch the typical wedding cake for a deluxe box of Krispy Kremes. Do whatever will make you happy.
2. Treat yourself
Use the savings you would have spent on guests to splurge on things that you’ll remember forever.
Whether it’s a 10 course blow-out meal or a beautiful piece of jewellery, treat yourselves with the money you are saving.
3. Bring pets
Pets don’t count in your 15 guests, so go crazy and bring all of your four-legged friends to the service.
Be creative with it and find ways to incorporate them, from your dog bringing your rings to goldfish bowls as the centerpiece.
Do make sure to check with your venue that this is OK with them first though!
4. Find ways to incorporate your virtual guests
Sadly, there will be people who won’t be able to attend your wedding. Whether it’s friends and family abroad, vulnerable people shielding, or people who just don’t make your 15 VIPs.
Find ways to include those who can’t attend. iPads at the dinner table can be great to allow people to join via Zoom, while many venues are offering live streaming for the service itself. Look at incorporating family heirlooms to make it more personal. Use your Grandparents’ tableware to serve the meal or decorate the table with framed photos.
5. Prepare for a bigger party when this is all over
We know how gutting it is for these restrictions to have come in just as you were planning to make do with a 30-person wedding.
But remember, there’s no reason you can’t have a big blowout party once all this is over. People are going to be looking to celebrate and party with their nearest and dearest. So why not think about how your ceremany could be the social event of the year in 2021?!
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After weeks of being inside, forced apart from our nearest and dearest, weddings seem like a lifetime away. And yet, the day will come when life will be full of loved ones, laughter and celebration once more. We can expect some significant effects on weddings to come later this year and into 2021.
The 2021 wedding season will not be without its challenges. With 64% of 2020 weddings expected to be pushed-back, 2021 is set to be a busy one. Couples will have to make quick decisions on dates, to get first dibs on the date they want. Guests can expect many more clashes, and midweek weddings than ever, making things a little more challenging. On the bright side, we’ll have a way to use up all of those saved holiday days…
Post-coronavirus, we can expect that weddings will be bigger, bolder, and even more full of meaning. Everyone is longing for the days of confetti, cake, and bubbly, and we have the scoop on the trends you can expect to see post-lockdown.
Digital Guests:
One thing that has come from this period of change and online socialising is the normalisation of online meeting services, such as zoom. Travel restrictions may persist for some time, and we expect two-thirds of weddings post-lockdown to have at least some guests attending virtually. For elderly relatives, as well as friends and family living in far-flung destinations, digital access will be a great way for them to still be able to attend these special moments, even if just remotely.
Courageous Fashion Choices:
After what feels like months of wearing the same pair of leggings and jumpers, everyone will be jumping at the chance to dress up and look their best. We can expect adventurous guest fashion, with brighter, more fashion-forward dresses and bolder jewellery choices.
It won’t just be guests making bold statements; we are seeing a 50% increase in the popularity of statement veils (probably thanks to Mrs. Bieber). We can expect to see many more brides making this trend their own, embroidering their veils with meaningful quotes or even initials. Alongside an increase in statement veils, we are also seeing a rise in catwalk-inspired statement sleeves and pearl-embellished dresses, seen at the likes of Dior and Chanel.
Classic Blue was announced as the Pantone colour of the year, so expect a great revival in the something blue, something borrowed tradition, featuring this beautiful shade. Think blue in newly trending hair barrettes, jewelry and even the bases of high heels!
Post-credit-crunch, boho brides were on the rise, and this trend is set to explode once more. Many 2021 brides will be going for the ethereal look, with wearable florals, and bridal crowns taking center stage.
Creative Wedding Decor:
If you thought wedding creativity had reached its peak, just you wait. With more time than ever to d think about wedding details, we can expect a move away from some more traditional elements to more creative and modern takes on decor. Some creative couples will be changing up the traditional seating charts, instead painting table lists on flower-filled glass boxes. Floral hoops have also been growing in popularity, with growing in popularity by 80% this year, alongside hanging floral decorations and flower-filled aisles.
Post quarantine, there will be a revival of the Do-it-yourself Bride and Groom. Around three-quarters of weddings will include some DIY elements, as couples cut costs where they can (and have more time on their hands!), with DIY-couples saving a combined £20million. We are looking forward to personalised table settings, wedding favours, and decor, such as photo displays.
Wedding Food Trends:
With so many couples caring more than ever about sustainability and the environment, it is no wonder that there has been a shift to a focus on menu seasonality, as well as plastic and waste reduction. With many couples aiming to create as little environmental impact as possible, the increase in zero-plastic and reduced-waste weddings could save more than 15,000 tonnes of wedding waste from ending up in landfills (that’s 100 blue whales!). From invitations made of recycled paper, vegan menus and leftover composting, we can safely assume that the sustainable wedding trend is here to stay and will explode in 2021. We imagine many couples will be donating leftover flowers to local hospitals and hospices, which hopefully will be a trend that will stick.
As for the sweet stuff, we predict a shift away from the traditional and pricy wedding cakes that often remain uneaten, to more exciting offerings. Unique grab and go dessert displays, such as doughnut walls will come into their own (there are almost 100,000 posts under the hashtag #donutwall on Instagram!).
Weddings are all about individuality and celebrating who the couple truly is. We are expecting food and drink that pay homage to the backgrounds of the couple, whether that is custom messages in fortune cookies or cocktails made with a type of Slovakian cherry liquor. More and more couples will be selecting super-personal menus, such as family favourite desserts, or cocktails named after people and places that mean something to the couple and their families.
Party Central:
After the storm of COVID, when weddings begin again, they are set to go on till the early hours. Where there is partying, there is midnight feasting. Guests can expect to be sustained with anything from sweet treat grazing tables, to late-night pasta pots to keep them dancing the night away.
Missing happy hour has become a national tragedy, and it’s coming back in a big way – think serve-yourself prosecco taps, experimental cocktails, and boozy popsicles like frozen rose, mimosas, and mojitos making their way onto a dancefloor near you.
It’s only natural that with happy hour, comes confidence in dance ability. Learning a Tiktok dance became a quarantine right of passage, and newly married couples will be eager to show off their new fancy footwork. Be prepared for some seriously questionable, but hilarious first dances.
Registry Remix:
Many couples feel that this period has put things into perspective, as well as made many questioning what gifts they can live without. Cutlery and crystal bowls are a nice memento, but lots of couples are forgoing the regular registry list, asking for experiences, not things. More will be asking for starter funds for a new home, a pet, or for their honeymoons. Charity registries will also become the norm, with more and more couples wanting to donate to a cause they feel passionate about.
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We love weddings. Like, really love them. (Can you tell?) But even we have to admit that they can be pretty wasteful affairs. Planning a sustainable wedding might sound daunting, but we promise it’s not as tricky as you might expect – so have a think about whether or not you can find a place for something green (and something borrowed!) alongside your something blue. Here are our top tips to get you started.
Resell your wedding dress or suit
Of all the items of clothing you own, we bet that whatever you wear on your wedding day will have the most sentimental value. But if you can bear to part with it, consider selling it on or handing it down to someone else. It’s an easy way to make a little cash back while reducing your wedding’s impact.
Want 10% off when you sell your wedding dress? Head over to Stillwhite, the world’s largest second-hand wedding dress marketplace.
Opt for online invitations
Your wedding stationery is one aspect of your wedding you just can’t cut. At the end of the day, your guests need to know where to go! But there are loads of eco-friendly alternatives that don’t end up with piles of wasted paper. For example, there’s no reason that e-invites can’t be just as gorgeous as traditional stationery! Why not email your guests a link to a personalised video of you and your other half or set up an awesome wedding website?
Choose a venue close to home
Having an eco-friendly wedding doesn’t necessarily mean getting married on a farm or in a field! Travel can be one of the most significant contributors to a wedding’s carbon footprint so if you want to go green, try to pick a venue that’s within easy reach of you and your guests. You might want to think about choosing somewhere that’s accessible by public transport too.
Organise a wedding coach for your guests
If lots of your guests are coming to your venue from the same place, you could organise a wedding coach to take them all there and back in one go. It’s an easy way to make sure everyone turns up on time too!
Set up carpooling
Encourage your guests to travel together where possible and help them sort out carpooling arrangements. Ask your guests to let you know if they’ll have a free spot in their car when they RSVP, then match them up with another guest in need of a lift. It’ll likely save your guests a little on fuel costs too!
Buy any clothing second-hand
Remember, it’s not just you and your other half who will be buying an outfit for the wedding. Everyone in the wedding party from the best man to the flower girl will most likely be wearing something special. A great way to be a little greener – and to save a few pennies! – is to opt for pre-loved items from a vintage boutique or charity shop. Another alternative is to explore hiring any dresses or suits needed for the wedding party. After all, they’ll probably only wear them once!
Avoid single-use items
Like your wedding invitations, little details like place cards and table numbers can quickly end up meaning mountains of paper, card and plastic left over after your big day. One easy option is to look for recyclable or biodegradable materials when choosing your designs. If you have a little more cash to spare, another idea we love is doubling up your place cards with your wedding favours so that your guests have a keepsake to take away with them, rather than something to be thrown away.
But our favourite idea? Edible place cards. Order cookies with your guests’ names written on them in icing. We can guarantee there’ll be nothing left at the end of your big day!
Make conscious jewellery choices
We know, we know – it’s hardly the most romantic thing to think about, but it’s important to be conscious of the impact your wedding and engagement rings can have on the planet and its people. Diamonds and other gems are often sourced unsustainably and unethically, as are many precious metals. To avoid participating in a potentially problematic trade, make sure to look for conflict-free materials, investigate vintage or recycled options or look into lab-grown options.
Celebrate by candlelight
Your electricity bill might be the last thing on your mind on your wedding day – and rightly so, in our opinion! – but considering energy-saving strategies is an easy way to make your big day a little more sustainable. Try turning off unnecessary lights and lighting your venue with candles instead. On top of being eco-friendly, it’ll create a gorgeous, romantic atmosphere! Just make sure you check that your venue’s happy with open flames.
Use sustainable makeup
Why not switch out some of your products for cruelty-free, zero-waste or locally produced alternatives? We’d never recommend trying something new for the first time on your wedding day so this is definitely one you’ll want to plan ahead. If you’re having your makeup done professionally, ask your makeup artist whether they use any sustainable products or quiz any makeup-loving friends on their cruelty-free recommendations.
Stay seasonal
Flowers play a big role in almost every wedding and aren’t something we’d ever recommend skipping out on! But they can have an undeniable impact on your wedding’s carbon footprint, whether that’s because of how they’re disposed of or how they’re imported. Our top tip is to prioritise flowers that are a) local and b) seasonal where possible. It’s a often fab way to save some pennies too as your flowers have less far to travel.
Go veggie (or vegan!)
Whether you go completely vegan or just opt to reduce the number of meat dishes on offer, exploring eco-friendly options for your catering is an easy way to go green. And don’t worry – it’s not 2003! Going veggie doesn’t mean limiting yourself to mediocre mushroom risottos and sad stuffed peppers. Nowadays, there are loads of caterers offering fabulous vegan and veggie options. If you do still want to serve meat, try to prioritise local and organic produce where possible to decrease your wedding’s environmental impact.
Avoid flower foam
An easy eco win is to check if your florist uses flower foam in their designs. This foam is much like single-use plastic and can be harmful to humans and animals through prolonged contact, especially if it seeps into water supplies. Our advice would be to avoid flower foam where possible and look for eco-friendly alternatives.
Buy biodegradable
Buying decorations made out of biodegradable materials is an easy way to lower the environmental impact of your wedding. This is especially important when it comes to wedding staples like confetti, as well as balloons and lanterns.
Confetti is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to the environmental impact of weddings. Fortunately, there’s loads of biodegradable options out there, as well as more traditional eco-friendly options like rose petals or rice. For extra green points, you could even gather flowers from your own garden (or a friend’s) and dry the petals yourself.
And, as much as we love them, balloons and lanterns are potentially very harmful to the environment if not disposed of correctly. If you do want a lantern display, be careful to look for biodegradable materials and be careful of where you release them.
Hire what you can
Not only are wedding decorations often un-environmental, they’re also expensive! Why not hire your decorations? You can be sure they’ll be reused time and time again while also saving some cash yourself. Plus, hiring your decorations often means being able to afford higher quality pieces, adding a little luxury to your day!
Go for gifts that keep giving!
While we always love a wedding favour, they’re not at all a necessity! Being invited to your wedding is gift enough for your guests! So why not think about making a charity donation with the money you save? If you really do want to buy favours, you could explore options that let your guests make a positive impact on the environment themselves. For example, you might gift them with a packet of seeds to grow their own flowers.
There you have it – some amazing green wedding ideas for a gorgeous, environmentally-friendly wedding!
