Tag: advice

Venue Showcase: Oaks Farm

An oasis of tranquility, this barn venue is a beautiful spot for couples to tie the knot in.

We spoke to Katie, the Manager at Oaks Farm, to know a little more about this rustic and charming family run venue.

Tell us about yourself!

My parents own Oaks Farm and I have worked here since 2003. I love having family time and long dog walks. Most of my social life revolves around my 3 children – they definitely go to more parties than I do!

What drew you to the wedding world?

Several people sitting outside in the garden.

I love working in weddings. It is such a happy thing to be involved in! So uplifting!

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

The bride and father of the bride walk down the aisle.

The most important thing about a wedding is that you can share it with all the most important people in your life. It may be the only time you have so many friends and family all in the same place and all wishing you the very best at the same time. The venue adds a beautiful environment to create the perfect ambiance for your favorite people to enjoy. We hope that Oaks Farm can provide a wonderful backdrop for the magical memories of your wedding day.

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

We love for couples to come and see us as much as they want before their big day. We are always happy to chat to them on the phone and via email to make their day as wonderful as they want it to be.

What do you think makes your venue unique?

Several tables decorated inside the barn.

Our venue is unique because it is friendly and welcoming – we aim to make it feel like a home away from home. We maintain everything to the best of our ability so it is a special and beautiful place.

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Oaks Farm?

Selfishly, the most memorable wedding at Oaks Farm for me is my own! The best memory is all the smiling faces (especially my husbands!) in the beautiful garden, bathed in early Autumn sunlight. I have such amazing memories of my own that I hope to reciprocate for all our brides and grooms!

Why should a couple book Oaks Farm?

several tables inside a white tent are set for a wedding.

We would love you to book Oaks Farm because we believe we can help couples create a fantastic day which they will treasure forever. We are here to remove any worries and to help them enjoy the build up to their big day.

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

I would say the best tip is preparation. If you plan things well in advance then you will feel calmer and will enjoy the build up to the day without any stress.

Bridebok’s checklist tool is perfect for preparing in advance!

What’s the best photo spot at Oaks Farm?

the fountain in the garden surrounded by greenery.

I think the best photo spot is by our pretty pond and water fountain.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

several people standing and talking outside the barn.

I am most proud of our carefully maintained ceremony room, barn and orangery, our beautiful garden and our friendly team.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

It is such a difficult time for couples and I am so disappointed for our brides and grooms that they have all this worry. I think it is a completely personal choice, but if you think the risks are too great for your wedding to go ahead then talk to your venue about the possibility of moving dates.

What do you love about Bridebook?

I love the interaction Bridebook offers for venues and for couples as well.

Check out Oaks Farm on Bridebook!

Venue Showcase: Guildford Manor

If you’re looking for a place where you can have the wedding of your dreams while still enjoying all the perks of a relaxing spa day, look no further than this retreat!

Doug, the events manager at Guildford Manor Hotel & Spa, tells us everything we need to know about this beautiful venue.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

Man in suit smiling into camera.

I work in my family business, here at Guildford Manor. I’ve only been in the industry for a couple of years, but due to the exposure I’ve had during this time and working under some very experienced mentors, I feel like I’ve been organizing & promoting weddings for 10 years!

My first job was actually corporate finance, until I decided to join the family business – quite a career switch. Despite this, I’ve found that working in finance and organizing weddings actually have quite a lot in common – the importance of an eye for detail and trust building to name two!

What drew you to the wedding world?

Close up picture of a chandelier.

I really enjoy working with people and the human interaction element of the job. Also, working in a beautiful spa hotel in the Surrey Hills isn’t so bad, really!

What do you think makes Guildford Manor unique?

A bright room is shown with several tables.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the flexibility we offer our couples in organizing their dream day and the warm welcome we guarantee to all of their guests. Being a family business affords us that little bit of extra malleability, thus helping couples make our hotel feel like home for their special weekend.

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

bride standing at the altar.

Typically, when we take a booking, this involves several viewings. It’s not just about impressing the couple. You can be sure that if they like it, they’ll be back the next day with their bridesmaids & mum! Viewings are peoples’ first impression of the venue and, more importantly, the team.

Subsequently, menu tasting & in-person planning sessions allow me to build on my relationship with our couples. I’m also on call on my mobile at all times and very happy to answer strange questions at strange times of the day!

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

For me, the food. Simple as that!

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Guildford Manor?

The swimming pool for the manor.

The most memorable wedding we’ve had, by quite some distance, was when the post code we are situated in had a power cut during the evening reception!

Obviously there are some things which you just cannot plan for! That said, I am so proud of the professionalism our team showed in thinking on their feet and resolving the issue. The venue was flooded with candles, the bar stayed open and we were able to keep the dancing going by using some portable speakers. The couple thanked us for going above and beyond and averting a real disaster. What’s that saying about when life gives you lemons?

Why should a couple book Guildford Manor?

A bedroom with a queen sized bed.

We feel that the venue really sells itself. But if that’s not enough for you, I would say that one of our USP’s is that our package is reasonably priced and doesn’t require the couple to spend money on extras such as decorators. We have our own ornate lanterns to put down the aisle, we have 8 blossom trees that you can use for free, we have draping and fairy lights on the ceiling and lots lots more.

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Attend as many Wedding Fairs as you can! They are a superb source of inspiration, both to see a venue looking its best and to meet suppliers who help you make your day extra special.

What’s the best photo spot at your venue?

A peacock in the garden.

There are a few contenders here, but our outdoor Pavilion under the fairy lights lends itself perfectly to those natural and romantic wedding photos that we all love. Perfect for those golden hour shots!

What part of your business are you most proud of?

The amount of bookings we’ve had since our refurbishment completed in December 2018 – we are well and truly back on the map!

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

As a venue, the biggest way technology is affecting us is by elevating the importance of our digital appearance – be it on our social media account, on our website or on sites like Bridebook where we advertise. More often than not, the first time a couple sees the venue is on a computer or phone screen. Online reviews are also more important than ever and this is something that we really welcome.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Open a dialogue with your venue and suppliers and talk to them about your concerns. They are probably perfectly legitimate concerns that many other couples  in your position are fretting about – however, that is not to say that they cannot be resolved.

What do you love about Bridebook?

Their mobile app – this is really easy to use and gives us an amazing virtual shop window to show ourselves off!

Check out Guildford Manor on Bridebook!

Venue Showcase: Allerton Castle

If you’re dreaming of a fairy tale wedding, a castle as your venue seems like a no-brainer! What if we told you we found just the place, and it also happens to be charity-run?!

Libby, the Wedding & Events Planner at Allerton Castle, tells us more about this breathtaking, 19th century venue.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Brunette woman with glasses smiling into camera.

I have been in the wedding industry for five years, working over 250 weddings. My experience has come from different venues; I have worked at hotels and museums, but Allerton Castle is unlike anything else! I work as a Wedding and Events Planner, assisting couples in making their dream come true. I also study part time to complete my Event Management Masters. I have just become a bride-to-be myself with my wedding due to happen in November 2020, so it is exciting to get to understand the other side of the business firsthand!

I am obsessed with all things weddings; I have just finished co-authoring a wedding planning book, I was a guest speaker at a wedding podcast and even wrote my own wedding planning guide for Allerton Castle couples. You could say I am a fan of all things Happy Ever After!

What drew you to the wedding world?

The Jennifer Lopez film ‘The Wedding Planner’ told me I’d be amazing at assisting couples make their special day perfect. I thrive making lists, budgets, spreadsheets and having all the information. Some would call me organised and self-motivated, I would say I am prepared to make every day special!

Since working my first wedding, I have been hooked. The moment the bride smiles at me before taking a deep breath, and making their way down the aisle is the best feeling in the world.

What do you think makes Allerton Castle unique?

Bride and groom hold hands in a garden outside a castle.

Allerton Castle is unique, not only because of its immense architecture and historic location – but also because it is charity run! With only 7 members of staff in the entire site, including the gardener, we pride ourselves on our personal approach. Every wedding and event is special, we take the time to get to know the couples and add those extra details that the couple will love. Part of this experience is my services as the couples’ personal wedding planner, all included in the packages. I assist couples with all those tricky tasks like booking suppliers, creating your order of day, timelines and seating plans, helping you create the wedding of your dreams!

Being charity run means we are upfront about money, we ensure there are no hidden costs and everything is out there! We provide inclusive packages, including venue hire and catering to make the experience so much easier and stress free. We offer exclusivity at no extra cost because your special day is yours, and you shouldn’t have to share it!

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Bride and groom posing for a photo in an elegant room.

The perfect wedding is when the couple really get involved. When their signs are handmade, their theme reflects their personality and they have made the day all about them – it is all about the love the couple share and what makes them who they are. Even if the couple have a strange request or something truly unique, ask those questions! We want to make their day as unique as the couple themselves.

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Allerton Castle?

We have hosted so many unique weddings and they truly have all been amazing! We have hosted some great DIY weddings, rustic weddings, fairytale weddings, Harry Potter weddings (which even included a Hedwig delivering the rings!) and goth weddings. You name it – we have done it!

I would say our most unique wedding featured 5 guests (including the couple!) who loved the goth vibe and brought it to their wedding day. The bride even wore a black wedding dress with biker boots, which was great to see, because it was her style!

Why should a couple book Allerton Castle?

Photograph of the outside of a castle and a pond.

We offer couples the perfect location for their special day with the option of making it as unique as the couple is themselves, without breaking the bank! As we offer inclusive packages, this enables couples to really use their budget to their advantage and book all those other things that they have been dreaming about.

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

I am the couples’ personal wedding planner, so we get to know each other pretty well! Along with me being there for every email and call, we also have meetings and an amazing tasting session with our caterers, Bradshaws of York. This means that not only do you get to taste your delicious wedding breakfast menu (and the wine!), you also get to sort your wedding plans all in one meeting.

What’s the best photo spot at Allerton Castle?

A grand inside staircase and chairs decorated with flowers for a wedding ceremony.

There are so many beautiful spots at Allerton Castle. Firstly, the Great Hall is just perfect for the ceremony photos, it really starts your day with that wow-factor and leaves your guests in awe. The Drawing Room is a dream come true for any history lovers or regal wedding themes, the gold of the mirrors and tables really adds something else to your images. And then of course, there are the gardens; the lake, temples and ponds! Personally, my favourite photo is on the mezzanine, just above the Great Hall, which offers the perfect archways for those silhouette and romantic photos.

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Bride and groom standing under a floral archway with guests on either side of the aisle.

My biggest piece of advice would be to ask all the questions! It seems so simple, but so many times a couple suffers in silence, because they were struggling with a planner or made an assumption that something was not possible. Never the case! Ask all the questions – if something is impossible, leave it to me to make it happen. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions, tell your suppliers exactly what you want. Leave no room for regrets.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

Outside photograph of a castle overlooking a lake.

Allerton Castle is a charity which puts the couple first, in addition to ensuring the preservation and restoration of the historic venue.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Our advice to all couples is to not lose hope. I know that is easier said than done, but it is such an important time to remember that ‘love always wins’. You may have had your wedding cancelled, postponed or maybe there has just been a setback to your wedding plans, but remember: you both love each other and love continues throughout all of this.

It is such an unfortunate time, we have seen so many couples have been disappointed as their day could not go ahead – we have done our best to ensure the situation has disrupted couples as little as possible, simply moving their date with no additional fees or payments! Speak to your suppliers and venues, get to understand what their thoughts are and ask how they can help you!

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

The only way is up. Technology opens so many doors, showing you the possibilities and adding to your wedding ideas. From putting together digital mood boards to joining online communities, you can really immerse yourself in this experience and make your day truly special. Our social media accounts have been so helpful for couples who book us, getting ideas for photos, in addition to connecting with other couples and getting more wedding inspiration. Although, it should be said the photos don’t do our stunning venue justice – it offers so much more when you see it in person!

What do you love about Bridebook?

We love Bridebook because the app is so friendly and allows you to see all the information right in front of you. No easier way to book the wedding venue of your dreams with one click!

Check out Allerton Castle on Bridebook!


Venue Showcase: Berwick Lodge

Berwick Lodge is Bristol’s hidden gem. This beautiful 19th century country house has so much character, you are bound to fall in love it!

Simone, Wedding Coordinator, tells us what makes their venue and all the weddings they host (big or small) so incredibly special.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Blonde woman smiling at the camera.

Living in the gorgeous Wiltshire countryside, I adore being outdoors and sitting in the garden with our lovely hens and beautiful black cat, Salem. I love a good series or documentary (Louis Theroux and David Attenborough are my heroes!). I also like to be creative – with baking and crafts such as macramé, pottery and painting.

I graduated from Bournemouth University in 2018 with a first-class Event’s Management degree and went straight into the industry working as a wedding coordinator at the beautiful Berwick Lodge.

What drew you to the wedding world?

I always knew I wanted to be in the events industry. I have always loved researching and planning for things, seeing everything pull together on the day is just the icing on the cake!

During my university placement I began working mainly on social events, but with our wedding coordinator moving onto a new career I quickly picked up this side of things and was so pleased that I did. You get so much joy out of being part of someone’s wedding. Every couple is so unique, with different personalities, ideas and flares. It is so lovely to build up relationships with each couple and then finally see them enjoy the happiest day of their life.

What do you think makes Berwick Lodge unique?

Photograph of a red brick country house with a classic car in front of it.

Our ‘yes attitude’. At Berwick Lodge, nothing is ever too much trouble and we will always work with our couples to try and create the day that they want. If a couple is looking for personalisation, a non-traditional wedding, a huge celebration or a simple elopement, we are always happy to have that discussion and love that every wedding is unique.

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Berwick Lodge?

Man in drag with microphone next to two laughing men.

The most memorable wedding experience was most definitely that of drag performer ‘Lady Diamond’. This couple was all about the details and creating a completely bespoke and personal day. They hadn’t told any of their guests about the special performance, so there were a few nerves among me, the couple and even Lady Diamond herself. However, her ‘Be My Guest’ entrance, honing a floral teapot and serving alongside our team, was met with love, laughter and pure joy. All the guests joined in with the songs, comedy and serenading the grooms and it made for the most amazing energy and a truly memorable evening.

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

The ‘kettle is always on’ at Berwick Lodge. We always encourage couples to come visit us – bring their family, friends, photographer, dog, whomever they like! We love to hear about the couple’s background – how they met, all about the proposal, their jobs, their family, just who they are as a couple! We are here to listen about all the excitement of the wedding and also here for any problems they face too. By the time the couple gets married, we all know each other very well and they are one of the ‘Berwick Family’.

Why should a couple book Berwick Lodge?

A far away shot through the trees of a red brick country house on a sunny day.
  • We are an exclusive venue, meaning couples have no intrusion from other people and the team are focused solely on the couple and their guests for the day.
  • We pride ourselves on exceptional, warm and attentive service.
  • We have stunning grounds with many unique features.
  • Our beautiful onsite accommodation with 14 unique boutique bedrooms and choice of bridal suite.
  • Our award-winning food in our 2 Rosette restaurant.
  • A wedding coordinator (me!) to offer support through the whole process- from the viewing, all the way through to the wedding day itself.
  • Booking Berwick ticks a lot off of your list (venue, ceremony, food, drink, hotel)!

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

A hall with columns and chandeliers and chairs set up and decorated with flowers for a wedding ceremony.

When people are planning the ‘perfect’ wedding, they often consider the tangible aspects of the day – the food, drink, décor, etc. These are all very important, however, a few years on, a lot of the tangible details will be forgotten – it’ll be the atmosphere of the day and the couple enjoying themselves that people will remember.

During the planning process couples should ensure that they are always thoughtful of their guests, but the most important thing to remember is that the day is their day, so they should do what makes them happy and this will shine through on the day.

When it comes to the day itself, leave it in our capable hands, enjoy every minute of it and don’t worry about the small things… the day will be perfect!

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

I would say, just be as organised as you are able to be! We want our couples to have the most stress-free planning experience, so to kick things off we send a ‘Welcome Pack’ which includes a timeline for wedding planning, a schedule for the day, our recommended supplier list, and a Q&A. This is in the hope that the couples will have everything they need to start the planning process. We are then available to help throughout, making suggestions, giving our experiences and helping to pull everything together in planning meetings.

Bridebook tip: you can also use the Checklist, Budget Planner and Guest List tools to help you stay on track with your wedding planning!

What’s the best photo spot at Berwick Lodge?

Venue Showcase: Berwick Lodge

This is such a hard pick! At Berwick Lodge we are very lucky to have an amazing 18 acres of grounds to explore, and the beautiful 18th century red brick manor house. The gardens of Berwick Lodge are so enchanting and are abundant with photographic opportunities. The most spectacular being our marble ladies, which are just so striking and unusual! A lot of people also make use of the fountain, swing and spiral staircase, among the orchard, flowers and foliage which are ever-changing in the grounds throughout the seasons. Of course, the weather can’t always be on our side, but the interior is just as gorgeous!

What part of your business are you most proud of?

Bride and groom sitting under a marble gazebo-like structure with statues as columns.

Our guests comment time and time again that the place is made more special by all of the staff there and that you can see we all enjoy what we do. We always pride ourselves on creating a ‘home away from home’ and ensuring that our guests feel like part of the Berwick Family. Our team is who I’m most proud of, for always having a positive and attentive attitude and creating the friendly atmosphere that keeps our guests coming back.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Don’t panic! I know it is easier said than done, but we are all in this together. This time allows us to reflect on what is important to us and what we are grateful for and things will eventually return to normality. Ensure you are having open and honest conversations with your venue and suppliers. They will be constantly adapting as best as they can and will be sympathetic to the fact your wedding may have to change. We have seen the wedding community really come together in this difficult time and your venue and suppliers are here to support you and be as flexible as they possibly can be.

For those who are still looking for a wedding venue, there’s no need to panic or put plans on hold either. A lot of venues (including ourselves) are adapting to the current situation and we are doing virtual tours of our venue. For any couple that books during this time, we are also relaxing our booking contract, so once our doors are back open you have some time to decide if the venue is definitely for you (we are of course confident that it will be)!

Take a read through Bridebook’s tips on planning your wedding remotely.

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

Technology is a huge part of a wedding now – for better and for worse! The internet is an instant resource, which has allowed couples to freely research their wedding day in depth and they don’t even have to move from the sofa to do so! Suppliers can easily showcase their work more widely and have reviews posted about them, allowing couples to make informed choices. Social media is also amazing – with couples, suppliers and guests all able to share material, ideas and experiences instantly. Technology has changed the planning process, with couples creating websites, using apps and even purchasing at home.

However, we find a lot of our couples are still coming to us based on word of mouth and very often use our recommended suppliers list. We are also finding couples still like having tangible items, such as planners and sending out real invites.

Technology is amazing, but every couple is different, and everyone needs to strike a balance that they are comfortable with!

What do you love about Bridebook?

Bridebook is so helpful, as it guides couples through the entire wedding planning process. Firstly, it has a very functional venue directory, which is easily filtered in order to help couples decide on their venue and suppliers. It also offers a ton of articles to help inspire and kick start ideas for couples who may be stuck or lost along the way! The planning app is an extremely useful tool which many of our couples use. It ensures the wedding is more organised by keeping everything in one place. Modern life is always so busy, so being able to have the Bridebook app on the go is an absolute winner!

Check out Berwick Lodge on Bridebook!





Venue Showcase: Elmore Court

Fancy a 13th century manor house for your wedding? The gorgeous Elmore Court in Gloucester may be the one for you! Read on to find out what Adele, Marketing & Events Manager, believes makes their venue unique!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Venue Showcase: Elmore Court

I have been in the wedding industry for nine years. I started out with my own business as a stylist, creating designs and decor for couples alongside a well reputable florist. My passion for events grew, I loved the buzz of being at events and fancied another challenge so decided to turn my hand to the organising side of things. In my free time I like to take to the stage, singing, dancing and acting as part of a local theatre group along with keeping fit and socialising with friends.

What drew you to the wedding world?

My love for design and creating something spectacular. I have a passion for coming up with ideas and bringing visions to life. I like to be in a busy environment and am not afraid of hard graft. The satisfaction you get from seeing something through from start to finish, and happy clients, is second to none for me.

What do you think makes Elmore Court unique?

A low angle shot of an aisle set up inside and decorated with flowers for a wedding ceremony.

When you book Elmore Court as a wedding venue, you don’t just become another couple in the diary, you become part of the ‘Team E’ family. We make it our mission to ensure that each couple’s individual wants and desires are met and pretty much say anything is possible. Our customer relation is what we pride ourselves on, having an extremely close relationship with our couples from the minute they walk through the doors to the very last song on the dance floor. We are with them every step of the way, from ironing grandad’s shirt in the morning to cutting up the evening cake – anything you need, you can be sure that one of us is an ‘expert’ in it!

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

Before the big day, we have two planning meetings with our couples to discuss and help with plans. Couples also get to come back to Elmore and enjoy a private tasting, where they can sample their chosen wedding menu. Alongside this, we usually hold two annual open days where couples can come back to pick up some wedding inspiration as well as talking to Team E. Overall, there is opportunity to come back and get to know your dedicated coordinator and the team on several occasions.

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Lots of wedding guests dancing under a disco ball.

A day full of love and laughter with your nearest and dearest. Mix this in with some exceptional food and drink and a grooving dance floor, and you have your perfect wedding day!

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Elmore Court?

Man in tuxedo playing the saxophone at a wedding reception.

They all hold something memorable for us, as they are all so uniquely special. But if we were to choose, then we fell in love with a full to the brim of entertainment, cosy winter wedding last year. Live music was around every corner and styling to die for. Live performers on podiums in the Gillyflower, singing as you enter the room for dinner, roaring fires, champagne towers, games and sparkle… the atmosphere was off the scale!

Why should a couple book Elmore Court?

A room set up with chairs, tables and decorations for a wedding reception.

When you book Elmore, you book in memories that will last a lifetime. We are no ordinary house in the country. This house has something quite special and rare about it. With over an 800 year old heritage, built for celebrations, our beautiful big house is steeped in history. It’s important to us that it feels like a home from home, because that’s exactly what it is: a family home. And that’s not it – you also have use of our modern day, purpose built, sustainable, eco ballroom. A unique spin on a permanent marquee, the Gillyflower is a soundproof space where you can entertain. Our roots are deep in music and events and this is illustrated here, with a built-in, top of the range sound system and design, the Gillyflower is the perfect contrast to the house. Essentially you get two venues in one, with the flexibility to create your dream day with no limitations.

What’s the best photo spot at Elmore Court?

Under our Purple Birch tree, just as our cyclamen carpet is in bloom and the sun is setting.

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Enjoy it! Make it fun, start early so you can savour the moment and not feel rushed.

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

New developing CRM systems that are helping reduce the amount of administration time for the team. They are also offering couples some nifty tools to help with planning and easing stress for them too. For businesses, it means that coordinators have more time to focus on other areas of the business, helping it grow as well as giving more time to clients.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Don’t beat yourself up for feeling sad, allow yourself some time to grieve the date you had dreamed of and planned for so long. There are many challenges that come from this and emotions to follow.

Once you’ve given yourself some time to feel sad remember your wedding day is postponed not cancelled, and all of your family and friends will be so excited to celebrate with you when they can. In fact this extra waiting (and extra planning time) will make the celebration all the more joyous, and there will be so many more reasons to party after all this is done!

In fact, your wedding may not be on the date you originally planned but it is very likely to be even better than the original…

What do you love about Bridebook?

Their fantastic customer service and additional tools that help us monitor our enquiries.

Check out Elmore Court on Bridebook!


















Venue Showcase: RSA House

Looking for a fabulous venue in London? Olivia Parrott, Wedding & Events Executive at RSA House, tells us all about what makes their venue and team the perfect one for your big day!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

A left profile photo of a young blonde woman smiling against a white background.

I have been in the weddings world for around five years! In my spare time I love to binge watch my favourite series on Netflix (I may or may not be able to re-enact every episode of Friends… oops!) I love socializing with friends & family, hitting the best brunch spots and exploring new places.

What drew you to the wedding world?

How personal it is! The feeling of making couples dream wedding days a reality is what sold it. Seeing the look on a couples face when they walk into the venue will never ever get old.

What do you think makes RSA House unique?

Venue Showcase: RSA House

Our venue is unique because it really is so versatile – there is a style for everyone. The Georgian town house is traditionally elegant and beautiful but also very contemporary which gives great flexibility for couples to create their own unique journey through the spaces. Our approach to our couples is to most of all flexible, friendly and loving! We are with our couples every step of the way and the relationship doesn’t end after their wedding day at RSA – we have created really amazing friendships with a lot of our couples.

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Tables set up for a wedding reception.

Personality! Having seen more marvelous weddings than we can mention, the team here at RSA House know a thing or two about personalizing weddings so if you’re looking to put your own stamp on your big day, you’re sure to find some inspiration, or a little extra confidence to do your own thing, right here!

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

We get to know them as people! Regular drink catch ups, video calls, venue visits, supplier visits! Getting to know the family is also a big thing for me, too.

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at RSA House?

This is a hard one as we have seen so many memorable ones! How many weddings have you been to where the guests can say they were serenaded not once, but twice by the groom?! From a personally re-written version of Elton John’s ‘This Is Your Song’ to kick-start his speech, to a performance of Backstreet Boys ‘I Want It That Way’.

Why should a couple book RSA House?

Chairs and aisle set up and decorated with flowers inside for a wedding ceremony.

For this, I would say actions speak louder than words and to have a look at testimonials. However, knowing their wedding contributes to the RSA charity is an incredible thing to know. Booking RSA means you are in for a fun and memorable time planning the most incredible day of your lives and that we promise.

What’s the best photo spot at RSA House?

Bride and groom walking up a staircase.

Our staircase!

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Trust your venue and your suppliers, they are experts and will go above and beyond to create the most incredible day for you!

What part of your business are you most proud of?

Our incredible behind the scene team: the people who make dreams a reality and it wouldn’t be possible without every single one of them!

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Bride and groom outside the venue smiling at each other.

Postpone to not cancel, we are all in this together and talk to your loved ones. We will get through this and your wedding celebrations will be more amazing than you could ever imagine!

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

In an amazing way! Virtual tours, wedding videos and galleries of images allow couples to imagine their day even more.

Bridebook tip: you can search for venues and suppliers across the UK by category, location and other filters!

What do you love about Bridebook?

The support from the incredible team, they are so lovely and will always go above and beyond!

Check out RSA House on Bridebook!

Venue Showcase: Moddershall Oaks

After the build up to your big day and a night of celebrating with your loved ones, it is important to relax and let it all soak in! What better way to do that than a trip to the spa? Moddershall Oaks is not only a fantastic wedding venue, but also an incredible spa, in a beautiful location: a perfect way to wind down after months of planning and preparations – you deserve it!

Emma, Events Reservation Manager, takes us through the details of what makes their venue special!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Young, blonde woman smiling at camera through a large flower wreath.

I have worked at Moddershall Oaks for nearly three years and have loved every second! Before this, I worked at a venue dressing company, so I have experience on both the venue and supplier side of the wedding industry! I’m lucky to live very close to Moddershall and enjoy walking the beautiful Staffordshire countryside with my partner Joe and dog Perry!

What drew you to the wedding world?

That’s easy! What’s not to love about the wedding world? The dress, the flowers, the décor! I have a very creative, crafty side so I enjoy seeing all those elements come together. But I’m also very meticulous and organised and I love a spreadsheet, so that also helps with planning and making sure everything runs smoothly. Being part of a wedding and helping to bring the day together is very special and something I am very honoured to be trusted with. Seeing the couples faces when they walk back up the aisle is the best part of the job!

What do you think makes Moddershall Oaks unique?

Venue Showcase: Moddershall Oaks

I think as a venue we are lucky to have some really unique aspects, including our boutique spa (perfect for your after wedding relaxation!) and the fact that we can offer outdoor ceremonies by our lake – the most beautiful, peaceful, romantic place for your ceremony! But what really makes Moddershall Oaks different, is most definitely those we choose to be part of our team. Our company aim is to ‘be the best at everything we do by employing great people who make Moddershall Oaks a special place to be’ and that means our team members are passionate about their jobs, and will go above and beyond to make our customers’ experiences with us memorable.

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

Getting to know our couples really just comes naturally, from the initial show round, to discussing ideas at Open Days, the food tasting, the final planning meeting and all of the email and phone calls in between – by the time the wedding date comes around we’re like part of the family! And that makes our job that much more special.

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

A newly wed bride and groom holding colourful smoke bombs in the air at night time.

I think the perfect wedding for me is simple. Good food, good company and good entertainment, with a few personal touches thrown in. Plus, an experienced venue team who will make sure the day goes without a hitch!

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at Moddershall Oaks?

We once had a couple who loved their winter sports and used that as the theme for their day. Their stationery had little mountains on it, their cake depicted a mountain with little skiers zooming down the side, but best of all, they had a snowboard simulator set up in the garden! What a way to make your wedding memorable!

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

To take it easy and don’t stress about all the things you have to do to plan a wedding. Have an action plan or a checklist that you can work through step by step. It can be overwhelming to begin with, but when it’s broken down you can enjoy the process and build up so much more!

Why should a couple book Moddershall Oaks?

Wedding guests in the garden outside a wedding venue on a sunny day.

Because we’re all about you! Whatever your idea, we are flexible to make it happen. Whether you want a big wedding or an intimate wedding, that’s fine by us. Maybe you want an amazing bespoke Italian themed menu? Then our chefs will create one for you. You want some weird and wonderful entertainment? Owls to fly down the aisle and deliver your rings? Go for it. We don’t like rules, so we don’t make many. But what we will do is our utmost to ensure your day and the time leading up to it is as enjoyable as possible and something you will treasure for the rest of your lives!

What part of your business are you most proud of?

The colleagues I work with and seeing them work together to create and deliver something special to our couples. The Moddershall Oaks family is something I am very proud to be part of.

What’s the best photo spot at Moddershall Oaks?

Bride and groom posing for a photo in the woods.

Tricky one! The jetty on the lake is the most obvious choice, but I think I would choose the little benches nestled in the woodland. They look like something you would find in a secret garden, and because the woodland is rarely used it’s so raw and natural. The photos I see of couples here always look so enchanting and magical.

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

Technology is a great thing and it means researching venues and suppliers got a whole lot easier over the past few years. But don’t underestimate the power and reliability of word of mouth. There is nothing more reassuring you are making the right decision than the recommendation from a friend or relative!

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Firstly, I am sorry that your special day has been affected by Covid-19. It’s a really tough and scary time for the wedding industry as a whole. All we can really do right now is our best to work together to find the best solution for all parties. We all have to be patient with one another and understand that each and every couple/supplier/venue have their own unique circumstances and all will be making compromises to try and get through this. Know that even if your date has been postponed, it will still be the most magical day, albeit a little later than planned!

Read Bridebook’s advice on dealing with your wedding plans amidst coronavirus.

What do you love about Bridebook?

The tools on the Bridebook app are so handy and really guide you step by step with your wedding planning, for example the checklist tool! This is the perfect way to manage all the ideas in your head and tick things off, stress free!

Check out Moddershall Oaks on Bridebook!

Venue Showcase: The Wellbeing Farm

While you may not be able to view wedding venues physically right now, we want to make sure you’re still exploring your options and to shed some light on the incredible teams at some of the best wedding venues in the country! With our Venue Showcase series, you will learn more about what makes each venue unique and find out how their team works with couples to put together the day they dream of!

The first in our series is The Wellbeing Farm – a fun, quirky farm venue in Bolton. The founder and Managing Director, Celia, shares the story of the venue below.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Woman smiling into camera next to a llama in a bow tie.

After experiencing work-related stress in the NHS, I resigned from my role and set about transforming a neglected farm in Bolton into The Wellbeing Farm. In the process, I experienced every type of business scenario and won various awards such as Implementer of the Year at the National Entrepreneur Awards. I secured a publishing deal to tell my story and my book ‘Why Put a Bow Tie on a Llama? How a crazy idea can change your life and transform your business’ was published in January 2020.

In my spare time I love yoga, meditation, reading, walking, gardening, baking and family days out with my son, Matthew, age 12, and partner Stephen. I also love walking with my dog, Maxy.

What drew you to the wedding world?

After I opened the business in March 2013, everyone kept asking me whether they could get married at the farm. I didn’t have anywhere for anyone to get married, but I set about transforming an indoor riding school into a wedding barn. Our first wedding was in July 2015 and since then enquiries have never stopped rolling in!

What do you think makes The Wellbeing Farm unique?

Inside of a wedding venue with tables and decorations set up for a wedding.

We apply the concept of Wellbeing to everything we do at the farm. We help couples’ wellbeing by managing the stress of wedding planning and organisation through a thorough and structured programme of meetings, resources, planning and support to ensure EVERY wedding held at The Wellbeing Farm is fun, quirky and magical. We also are a green business with the highest award achieved in green business so sustainability and wellbeing is at the heart of not only our ethos but within the fabrication of our buildings.

Our most memorable way we stand out is through our furry friends – our llamas, donkeys and alpacas – they are the true stars of the show – how many weddings have you attended where you can pose with a bow tie-wearing Llama?

How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

We really do love getting to know our couples, and without it sounding like a complete cliché, by the end of the process we really do feel like we have made a long lasting friendship! From the very first time we meet, we always welcome them with a warm hug, a cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake – which is always a good start to the exciting process that lies ahead.

We have a very hands on planning process, and in addition invite our couples to all of our open days and a yearly Quirky Wedding Fair- so they know they are always welcome up to the Farm even if just for a nosey around, to bring their parents for a grand tour or for a cup of tea!

We now also offer a wedding planning service from abroad! We have planned weddings with couples from Dubai and the Philippines over FaceTime and Zoom – the couples arrived in the UK a week before their wedding to found everything planned and organised for them! Our record time for meeting the couple and delivering a wedding is two weeks!

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Group of people sitting around a campfire in the evening.

Amazing food, plenty of booze, memorable entertainment and of course a beautiful ceremony where as a couple you are surrounded by your family, friends and loved ones.

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at The Wellbeing Farm?

We really do believe that no two weddings are the same and feel strongly that it is the extra special touches that truly count. We really do go on a journey with all of our couples and do everything we can to make their day one we will all truly remember. This last year (so far!) we have had lots of doggy ring bearers, a Bride drive a tractor to her wedding, a ceremony broadcast to Canada, a couple bring their horse to a wedding and a first dance outside under the stars and a couple who wanted to do a karate fight as their first dance!

Why should a couple book The Wellbeing Farm?

A bride and groom in front of a large 'LOVE' sing made out of wood.

We won the UK Events Team at the National Wedding Industry Awards 2020. We provide so much support for couples in both booking and planning their wedding. We even have a guarantee on the quality of food served at your wedding.

We fully accept that if a couple is looking for a hotel type wedding in a sophisticated setting – we are probably not the venue for them! This is something we are proud of and will continue to be proud of. We want to be a venue the wedding guests all remember for a long time to come. If a couple wants a wedding where their guests can kick off your shoes, dance on a hay bale, wrap ties around their heads and forget their inhibitions, then we are the venue for them!

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Forget tradition – go with what type of wedding YOU want. You can enjoy a relaxed, informal wedding just as much as a five course experience. Don’t try and please everyone, make it your wedding, your way.

What’s the best photo spot at The Wellbeing Farm?

A wedding party (bride, groom, best man and bridesmaids) sat on a blue tractor with a 'Just Married' number plate.

Probably where the couple sit on board a vintage blue tractor with each of them holding a bow tie-wearing llama!

What part of your business are you most proud of?

Winning UK Events Team of the Year at the National Wedding Industry Awards.

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

I feel that after experiencing lockdown, in future more wedding planning will be done using Zoom or FaceTime and live streaming will be something that venues will be offering at weddings.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Bride and groom smile at each other while holding two llamas on leads.

Covid-19 is nobody’s fault and worrying never does solve anything. The panic and fear is just as contagious as the blasted virus. Work with your venue to both agree on a revised date for your wedding. Even if the date isn’t what you originally wanted, I have taken this great advice from Alan Berg – ‘When you look at your photos, can you tell what day of the week it was? Does food taste any different on a Tuesday? Do people dance differently on a Wednesday? Does the sun not shine on a Thursday? Your guests will remember your wedding not what day of the week it was on’.

Have a read through Bridebook’s advice for couples during coronavirus.

What do you love about Bridebook?

The support Bridebook provides is amazing, the industry reports you distribute and the coverage you gain from being with Bridebook is brilliant.

Any other comments?

Your wedding is one of the milestones in your life. It’s something that you’ve spent months planning (or even years). So you want the planning of your wedding to be an amazing happy experience, but so often it can turn into a huge amount of work full of stress. Make sure you choose a venue which will help you through the process and support you every step of the way.

Check out The Wellbeing Farm on Bridebook!


Faye & Adam Hughes – Real Wedding Covid-19 Style

Faye Hughes, the Head of Oxleaze Barn wedding venue recently got married, COVID-19 style. Here is Faye’s story about her wonderful COVID-19 style wedding.

Faye and Adam Hughes getting married

7 days – What shall we do? A bottle of Moet for two.

A wedding planner planning their own wedding – simple? Yes, until the unplannable happens. Having to re-think your wedding an uncountable amount of times the week before due to a global pandemic slowly shutting everything down around you!

We had a romantic unexpected (for me!) proposal at the confetti fields in Pershore in June 2019 (the height of wedding season – that’s how to catch a wedding planner off guard!). Plans quickly started coming together (the guest list was written that same afternoon!) and like all excited newly engaged couples they started to pay deposits and book in their suppliers, Pinterest boards and amazon ordering a plenty! 

Nothing unusual until the week before our wedding in March 2020. Like something from a Craig David song it went like this: 

  • Honeymoon cancelled on Sunday
  • International friends cancelled on Monday
  • High risk family cancelled on Tuesday
  • We were down to 20 by Wednesday
  • Even less on Thursday and Friday were down to 5
  • But we married on SATURDAY!
Adam and Faye Hughes holding hands on their wedding day

From 120 guests attending a church ceremony followed by a reception at Oxleaze Barn to 5 guests (including us and the vicar) how is anyone supposed to choose between parents? Having had things slowly stripped away we had numerous conversations after Boris’ 5pm briefing – do we just pull the plug?

For us, it became clear it wasn’t about the party anymore or guests lining the pathway from the church launching confetti. It was about us marrying. We had accepted by Wednesday evening that this wasn’t going to be the wedding we had planned. Any there was nobody to blame for this, it’s simply bad luck. So, at this point what felt important was taking control.

Faye's dad walking her down the aisle on her wedding day

One of the biggest parts of getting married for me was having my dad give me away, for Adam’s best man, Will stepped in so he didn’t have to choose between parents. So, that was our 5. 

Once you’ve accepted it and taken control you have to enjoy it! There was no point in going ahead if we were going to mope around so in comes Georgie of Georgina Rose Events to help us test lots of apps and services for live streaming the ceremony to our guests. Georgie went of a secret mission to deliver our wedding champagne to as many local people as possible and we wrote to everyone encouraging them to put their gladrags on and celebrate with us – virtually! 

I’ve always worried that the professional photography aspect of our wedding would make it feel more staged, but instead – it made our marriage a wedding! Marcus made us feel like every other couple he has photographed, like nothing was different even though our couples photos were in a public park and he wasn’t allowed in the church unless the best man was out of it! 

After our photos, Adam had surprised me buy hiring a Tesla to drive off to the countryside in. We had 2 peaceful days at Thyme before lockdown hit. Our wedding evening was spent video calling our family, drinking lots of champagne and refusing to take off our wedding outfits! 

Faye Hughes stepping out of her wedding car ready to get married

Our Wedding Advice to couples

Our advice to couples deciding whether to change their plans now for weddings this year… Have an honest conversation between you and your fiancé, what is important to you?

There are a number of scenarios depending on the type of ceremony and the type of venue that you were planning for. You have to accept that your wedding won’t be the same, you may have to compromise on your wedding date which in turn means your bridesmaids dresses might not be normal for that season – OH WELL! Does this really matter?

At your fingertips there are hundreds of suppliers who are itching to express their creativity and have tricks and tips on how to adapt things affordably. If you are determined to have a summer wedding, this may cost more and that’s where only you know what matters to you as a couple. If It’s worth the money, do it and enjoy it but it’s ok to decide that a cheaper February wedding would still have the same meaning for you.

Take advice from your suppliers and accept that you aren’t going to be able to cast blame on this situation, but you will have one heck of a story at the end of it! 

Adam and Faye Hughes sitting on steps in their wedding clothes

With huge thanks to the suppliers who made us feel like a Bride and Groom:

  • Flowers: corkyandprince
  • Photography: Bigeyephoto 
  • Wedding coordination: Georgina.rose.events
  • Makeup: amyhickeymakeup
  • Hair: rhysjoneshair
  • Church: St Mary’s Church Charlton Kings
  • Couples photo location: Pittville Park, Cheltenham

Adam and his best man standing outside the wedding venue in their wedding suits
Faye's father about to hug her on her wedding day
Faye smiling on her wedding day
Faye and Adam Hughes walking in a park on their wedding day

Have a look at some more beautiful real weddings here:

Still in the mood for some wedding-y reading? Check out some of these articles:

7 At-Home Date Ideas

We all love date night: It’s the getting ready in anticipation, looking up restaurant reviews, arguing over what film to see, and who’s booking the seats.

We know that you might be missing these special nights out, but in the age of social distancing it’s time to get a little bit more creative with your date nights at home. 

There really is no better time than the present to shake things up and even save yourselves some serious dollar in the process. Lucky for you, we’ve come up with some quarantine-approved, stay-at-home date nights that you and your partner can try out. You are most welcome. 

1. For the Cant-Sit-Still Couple

Have you been talking about taking those salsa lessons or tango classes for ages, but never managed to do it for fear of falling in the middle of a rumba?  Well, now’s the perfect time to learn with zero fear of embarrassment. DanceDojo has free salsa lessons with video tutorials on salsa steps, turns, and combinations. This could be the perfect time to perfect that fancy footwork for the first dance at your wedding!

couple dancing in black and white

2. For the Aspiring Mixologists

Who said you can’t have an at-home happy hour? There’s no need to go to the shops for this one, why not see who can come up with the best cocktail from items you already have in the fridge. If winging it isn’t your style (or you don’t want to waste any precious liquor), the make me a cocktail website will tell you what classic cocktails you can make with what you already have.

3. For the Comfortable Couple:

No judgment from us if you don’t feel like changing out of your cosiest clothes (who can blame you). But why not make movie night a little more special, and camp out in your living room. Setting up a blanket fort will automatically make you feel like mischievous children, in the best possible way. Just grab some pillows, some extra blankets and you’ve got yourself a cozy hideaway. Bonus points for whoever brings the fairy lights and extra snacks. 

Married couple inside a tent

4. For the Theatre-lovers:

For those of you missing out on theatre trips, Filmed on stage is bringing the theatre to you. Access hundreds of plays and musicals, from Comedies to Shakespeare, at your fingertips. You can even watch that sold-out National Theatre play you’ve been trying to get tickets to for months. Feel free to crack open an interval ice cream (and it won’t cost you £6!). 

5. For the Jetsetters:

We know you might have had trips cancelled, but rather than setting your screensaver to that picturesque beach, why not have an around the world evening-in? Curb your wanderlust by bringing Tokyo to your living room by watching Lost in Translation, ordering sushi and singing out-of-tune karaoke. Or head to the Italian Riviera by watching a classic Italian film (Il Paradiso is our pick), making a delicious bolognese and drinking a bottle (or two) together.

couple having dinner with candles

6. For the Cultural Couple:

One of the perks of 2000 museums and galleries being online at Google Arts & Culture is that finally, they’re open 24 hours! So why not find your way to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris (without thousands of people blocking your view), or head to the Guggenheim in New York. Alongside art collections, there are tours of famous sites and landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum and the Bolshoi Theatre. Now is a better time than any to learn your Monet from your Manet and your Dalí from your Degas.

7. For Romantic Reminiscing:

We could all do with a little extra romance right now, so go back to the beginning of your relationship, when the words social distancing had never been uttered. Light some candles, look through your old photos together and go through the New York Times’ 36 questions to make you fall in love. We promise you will laugh, cry and remember things you had completely forgotten about each other. Take this time to slow down and be present with the person you love most.

couple in romantic setting

What’s the Best Day to Get Married On?

When the time comes to sit down and properly start planning your wedding, one of the very first questions you’ll face is ‘what day of the week shall we get married?’ Your first instinct will likely be on a weekend – but, you’ll have to compete with thousands of couples who’ll have exactly the same thought process.

But, is a weekend the best time to have your wedding? What about midweek? And which month, or even season, would make for the best choice?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but there may be a one-day-fits-budget answer that could make your decision a little easier.

In this post, we’re going to dive into the busy world of how to choose which day you should get married. We’ll explore the considerations to keep at the forefront of your mind, the most popular dates and days to have a wedding, and why a midweek wedding might just be the best decision you make.

What are the most popular dates to get married on?

Photo © Mike Plunkett Photography | See their Bridebook profile

As discovered in our 2023 UK Wedding Report, the top 10 most popular dates to get married are:

  1. 19th August
  2. 26th August
  3. 9th September
  4. 16th September
  5. 23rd September
  6. 12th August
  7. 8th July
  8. 2nd September
  9. 20th May
  10. 7th October

As you can see, most of these dates are during the summer months, which is when you might expect the weather to behave itself – although this is in the UK after all, where nothing is guaranteed when it comes to the weather.

However, there is something that each of these dates has in common, which we’ll come on to next.

What’s the most popular day of the week to get married on?

Photo © Lois Brown Photography | See their Bridebook profile

The most popular day of the week to get married is Saturday. Because of this, everything from venues and caterers to photographers and transport generally has higher rates on a Saturday than any other day of the week.

However, for the first time, less than half (48%) of weddings in 2023 took place on a Saturday, according to our 2024 Wedding Report. This is a continuation of the trend in recent years away from Saturday weddings.

Why is Saturday the most popular day of the week to get married on?

The most obvious reason why Saturday is still the most popular day couples choose for their wedding is because it’s when most of your guests will be free from work and school commitments. Around two-thirds of employees don’t work weekends, which means the majority of your guests won’t have to book annual leave to come to your big day. Plus, they’re more likely to let their hair down and enjoy themselves if they don’t have to get up early for work the next day – this goes double for any guests who may have travelled a long way to be there.

What’s the cheapest day to get married on?

Photo © Pixidrome Wedding Photography | See their Bridebook profile

The cheapest day to get married on is a Tuesday, with the average Tuesday wedding costing £16,273, compared to the overall average of £20,775. This is also over £6,000 cheaper than the average Saturday wedding, which costs £22,290.

Despite being the cheapest, Tuesday is actually the least popular day to get married, with only 4% of couples tying the knot on the second day of the week.

For more tips and tricks on cutting wedding-related costs, read our comprehensive guide on how to save money on your wedding.

Why is Tuesday the cheapest day to get married?

Just like how Saturdays are the most popular day for a wedding because most of your guests are off work and school, Tuesdays are the least popular in part because the reverse of this is true. Unless they work shifts, your guests are likely to be at work or school on a Tuesday, and because it’s not on either side of the weekend like a Friday or Monday, guests might not be so keen to take a day’s annual leave. Then there’s the additional travel time for guests who don’t live close by, which might mean another day or two of holiday.

What’s the best season for a wedding?

Photo © Tom Jeavons | See their Bridebook profile

In 2023, just 7% of weddings took place during the first three months of the year. As the weather got warmer so did couples’ love for a wedding, with a fifth having their big day in April, May or June. Then another 41% had summer or early autumn weddings in July, August or September, and the final quarter tied the knot in October, November or December.

From this, it’s obvious that couples prefer to get married during the warmer spring, summer and autumn months, with more than two-thirds of all weddings taking place between April and September. Because of this, these months will be among the most expensive within which to get married. That said, autumn weddings are rising in popularity, with October especially now being sought-after (16% of weddings in 2023 took place in October). 

What do superstitions say about the best and worst months for a wedding?

Photo © Hawaiian Shirt Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you believe in superstitions, there are some to consider before choosing your date, because some think that certain months are luckier to get married in than others.

When it comes to bad luck, there’s a rhyme that states, ‘Marry in May and you’ll rue the day’ which dates back to Pagan fertility rituals. Among its most famous believers was Queen Victoria, who supposedly banned her children from getting married in May. Clearly, not many modern couples believe this superstition, with May currently being the fourth most popular month for weddings.

If you’re seeking some good luck, here are some of our favourites to bear in mind:

  • Marry when the year is new and he’ll be loving, kind and true.
  • Marry in April when you can, and joy for maiden and for man.
  • Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fine.

What’s the luckiest day of the week for a wedding?

Photo © Adam Harvey Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Now that you know some of the superstitions surrounding months, what about the days of the week? Well, there are Gaelic superstitions that state:

Marry on Monday for wealth,

Tuesday for health,

Wednesday the best day of all,

Thursday for crosses,

Friday for losses,

and Saturday no day at all.

You may not be a big believer in superstitions, but even if you’re not, it can’t hurt to err on the side of caution, right? Besides, would a Tuesday wedding in September be so bad? It would certainly be cheaper, if nothing else.

Should you get married on an important date, like Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve?

Photo © Sam Chipman | See their Bridebook profile

Christmas Day is the most popular day to get engaged on, followed by Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. But, what if you want to get married on a date like this and have a shared celebration with your friends and family?

The first thing to be aware of is that not all of the guests you invite will want to give up a special date, so don’t be surprised if you get a few Xs on your RSVPs. Travel and accommodation can also be tricky, not to mention expensive during holiday periods.

It can also be extremely expensive for you if you choose to have a Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve wedding. Staff may be paid double or triple rates, and this is already a popular date in the hospitality industry anyway, which means it might be difficult securing your chosen venue.

If you’re keen to have a wedding that falls on a holiday date, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this. But, just be prepared to pay a little more for the privilege.

What else should you bear in mind when booking your wedding date?

Photo © M.I.N.E Photography | See their Bridebook profile

While it will usually be cheaper to get married between October and March, we get that this might not always be an option. You might be tied to school holidays, weekends or other specific times of the year, which means you have a limited choice for when to book your wedding.

If this is you, then we recommend booking your venue as far in advance as possible to ensure you secure your chosen date. And when we say far in advance, we mean it – popular venues at busy times of the year can book up several years into the future, so get in there as soon as you can and throw down your deposit.

Browse our huge range of wedding venues to find your perfect venue, with many offering exclusive seasonal discounts.

8 reasons why you should consider having a midweek wedding

Photo © Blue Lily Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re still not sure about a midweek wedding, here are eight reasons why you should consider getting married on a school night.

1. You can get married sooner

As we already highlighted, Saturday is a popular day to get married. That means the most popular venues are booked up for weekend dates years in advance. It might also mean that you or your guests have already committed to attending someone else’s wedding on almost every Saturday this summer or next summer.

So if you want to get married in your dream venue and you want your best friend to make it, you might be looking at two or three years until the dates (and the stars) align for you to have a weekend wedding at your number one choice of venue.

But, if you book your wedding on a weekday, you’ll have far fewer availability worries to think about. No need for this to turn into a five-year engagement. Being more flexible with your date opens up a much wider variety of options, meaning you’re more likely to get your dream venue and avoid clashes with other weddings.

2. You can secure the best suppliers (and pay less)

Not only do venues get booked up early on weekends, but so do all your other suppliers. You’re much more likely to get your dream team with a weekday wedding. Many suppliers will also lower their prices during the week so you might even be able to push the boat out and get a truly top-notch photographer, caterer or florist that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. With a weekday wedding, you’re much more likely to get exactly what you want and have a far smaller bill at the end of it.

3. You’ll save yourself from stress

Planning a wedding can sometimes be stressful – especially when things don’t go to plan, such as your favourite photographer or caterer becoming unavailable because another couple snapped them up. Because far fewer couples get married midweek, you’ll have less competition, which means you’ll save yourself from stressful planning-related scheduling conflicts.

4. You can have your loved ones there

Despite all the perks that can come with a weekday wedding, one concern that many couples have is that their loved ones won’t be able to make it. While this is a possibility, we’d always expect those most important to you to do everything they can to be there for your big day. After all, it’s only one day of holiday (or two if they have to travel).

That said, you should think about your guest list when making this decision. If you’re planning a weekday wedding and your parents are teachers, for example, you’ll want to prioritise school holidays to make sure they can make it. But at the end of the day, your nearest and dearest will want to show up for you – and a weekday wedding won’t stop them.

5. You can keep things intimate

If you don’t want a blowout bash, a weekday wedding can be a great opportunity for a more relaxed and intimate affair. Without the fuss that can come with a huge weekend do, you can just have your nearest and dearest around you and get to spend more time talking to the people you care about the most. If you know there are people you’ll have to invite but don’t really want to, a weekday wedding is also a cheeky way to make it less likely they’ll show up.

6. You can save your guests some money

While you might think a weekday wedding would make it harder for guests to attend, it can actually solve a lot of problems for them. By holding your wedding on a weekday, it means better availability for travel and cheaper accommodation for your guests.

7. You can keep the party going

Another benefit of a weekday wedding is you can spread the celebration out and extend the fun, particularly if you host your wedding on a Monday, Friday or around a bank holiday. After all, you only get married once – make the most of it. Organise a cocktail party the night before or a relaxed brunch the morning after.

You could even go old school and decide to jet off on your honeymoon straight after the wedding. Travelling midweek can mean huge savings on flights and accommodation, leaving you with more cash to splash elsewhere.

8. You’ll support local businesses

Because so few wedding vendors provide their services to midweek weddings, they may find themselves with empty calendars between Mondays and Thursdays. By planning something for the start of the week, you’re doing your part to support smaller local businesses.

Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook

Here at Bridebook, we have everything you need to plan your perfect wedding, whether midweek or not. Sign up today and start planning your big day!

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Happy Planning!

How to plan your wedding remotely

While we all continue to do our bit for the NHS by staying indoors, a lot of us are finding ourselves with a lot of spare time on our hands and with spirits that need some lifting.

If you’re recently engaged, now is the perfect time to start getting excited about planning for your big day.

Here at Bridebook, we know that it may seem a little daunting to plan your wedding from your living room, but with this expert guide, you’ll be getting started soon.

Getting started

Knowing where to start can be the trickiest part of planning a wedding, but with our handy wedding checklist, it couldn’t be easier. Simply start by working your way through the individual tasks and you’ll be rolling in no time!

Invite your partner to collaborate with you so that you can start assigning tasks to each other. At Bridebook, we strongly believe that wedding planning should be a joint effort, so get them involved if they aren’t already! 

Feel free to start browsing for inspiration at this stage too. The hashtags #wedding and #weddinginspo on Pinterest and Instagram are particularly #stunning.

Agreeing your budget

It’s good to sit down with your partner and talk about what you both want from your wedding: a small and intimate affair with close friends and family or a lavish party with hundreds of guests?

Once you’ve worked out what you both want, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend for your big day. With that in mind, let Bridebook do the hard work for you! With data from the 500,000 weddings we’ve helped to plan, we’ll help crunch those numbers. Just enter your total budget and we’ll tell you how much you should be spending on each item, from your venue to your cake.

Booking your Venue

Beautiful barn wedding venue with tables and chairs set up

Booking your venue is often the most exciting part of the wedding planning process, but it might seem a bit tricky to do from your sofa. But don’t fret! There are now loads of ways that you can use modern technology to get a feel for your venue without the need to visit.

Use Bridebook’s search tool to browse through thousands of venues that meet your specific needs and quickly narrow down by shortlisting your favourites. Look through our extensive picture galleries and read the reviews from our previous couples to start getting a feel for the place.

Next, get brochures from your favourites and reach out to see what remote viewings they can offer. Lots of venues are now offering virtual tours or videos that can help you get a better picture of your perfect wedding: all from the comfort of your own home.

Booking your suppliers

Again, Bridebook’s search tool comes in handy here, allowing you to look through all of our wedding suppliers in your preferred area and explore their photos and reviews.

Your venue can also be a great help here too. They will often have a list of preferred suppliers for their venue, which can help you narrow down your choices. This way you can be sure that the supplier knows the space well and that the venue trusts them to do a great job.

Managing your guests

Deciding who to invite to your big day can be a challenge for any couple, but with Bridebook’s guestlist tool, it’ll be a breeze.

Add all of your potential guests (or import them straight from your contacts to make it even simpler!), then choose if they are coming for the day, evening, or on the waitlist for now.

Then use our Guest Info Collector to gather their email and physical addresses, so that you can send them their save the dates and keep them updated throughout the planning process.

Wedding invitations with flowers presented on a wooden table

Start building your gift list

Getting married is not just about throwing a party, it’s also about the rest of your life too and a gift list can be a great part of helping you prepare for that.

Start thinking about what you want from your gift list: a gift registry, a honeymoon fund, or perhaps asking your loved ones to contribute to a charitable cause that’s close to your heart.

Check out our comparison of the various gift list options to see what best suits your needs.

Then, start adding your dream gifts, knowing that they’ll be with you sooner than you think!

Enjoy it

Weddings are very special. There is no better reason on earth to throw an epic party than two people falling in love. And the world is certainly going to need some incredible parties soon… and you are going to be at the very centre of them.

Make sure to take stock and enjoy planning this amazing event with your loved one, your friends and your family (virtually) by your side.

Covid 19 Wedding Advice For Couples

Hamish Shephard, CEO of Bridebook and owner of Hedsor House shares his Covid-19 advice for couples with weddings in March, April & May 2020.

Dear couples,

With the news from the government solidifying the ‘stay at home’ message, I know that you are concerned about what this means for your weddings in the coming days, weeks, and months.

Below we have outlined our advice based on the information that we currently have, based on feedback from couples, venues, other industry profiles, insurance companies, legal advice, and government recommendations. Of course, there will be nuances, and this will not apply to every single couple. Nonetheless, we hope that it is helpful for a large number of couples planning weddings in the coming months.

We know that the situation is far from ideal, but remember that one day it will be over, and you WILL get married to your partner in a wedding filled with love. However, at this time, we all need to be realistic, understanding and flexible.

Remember, also, that your venue and suppliers are going through an extremely stressful time too, trying to protect their livelihoods, while ensuring they do what is right for their couples. It is a time for all of us to come together and be understanding of a very difficult situation for everyone.


If your wedding date is in the next few months (March – May):

Our strong recommendation is that you should work with your venue and suppliers to postpone your wedding as soon as possible. This is the right decision on the basis of public health, your financial interest, and for the overall success of your wedding. If your wedding is scheduled any time between now and the end of May, your wedding will certainly be affected and may not be able to go ahead at all. Making postponement arrangements now with your venue will put you in the best position to find a date that works for you, and keep most of the plans and financial commitments that you already have in place. Priority no.1 is to talk through your options with your wedding insurer, if you have cover.

We next suggest you speak to your venue to discuss alternative date options, and then discuss with your partner and key guests which dates work best for everyone. Keep an open mind with off-peak seasons and non-Saturday wedding dates, as they will undoubtedly become desirable for the many couples rescheduling their weddings. Venues typically have greater availability in Autumn and Winter, and the industry as a whole already sees a trend for couples booking Thursday, Friday and Sunday weddings. These dates are going to be the solutions for many couples, and you should start considering them now.

It is important to recognise that your venue is likely having an extremely stressful time too. They are likely a small team, dealing with a huge amount of change and many very anxious customers. They will be doing their best handling these unprecedented challenges, which significantly threaten their livelihoods, so work with them and give them your support. They likely need support at this very tough time as much as you do.

If you are still considering going ahead with your wedding, please remember that the risk of losing your deposit or other financial commitments will be greater if you don’t make plans to rearrange your wedding date. Given that the government have now stopped public gatherings, your wedding will likely need to be cancelled or affected in a drastic way and it is not always clear who will be financially responsible for these cancellations. Since these are unprecedented times and there are so many unknowns, we suggest acting now rather than waiting with fingers crossed. There is a very real possibility that your wedding will not be able to go ahead as planned, and the costs may not be covered by your or the venue’s insurance policy.


If your wedding is planned for the Summer (Jun-Aug):

While your wedding may not be in immediate jeopardy, it has the potential to be disrupted, especially if you have overseas or elderly/vulnerable guests. Making a contingency plan now will give you the greatest opportunity to control the outcome and costs, and find a wedding date that works for you without the ongoing stress and anxiety of a potential cancellation or disruption. We recommend starting to have conversations with your partner now about alternatives that will work for you including the possibility of postponing your wedding or contingency plans if some guests are unable to attend. You don’t need to make any immediate decisions right now, but you should be having the relevant conversations. Remember to be patient with your venues and suppliers, as they are having to shuffle weddings that are supposed to take place in the coming weeks too.


If your wedding is in September 2020 or beyond:

Our advice at the moment is to keep monitoring the situation closely. Keep an eye on the latest information and consider thinking about basic contingency plans, should you need them. At the moment, we are hopeful that September weddings and beyond will go ahead as planned, but of course we need to monitor the situation closely.

Once again, I want to express my utmost sympathy with all of you going through this incredibly tough situation. Now is the time for you and your partner to stick together closer than ever and Bridebook will be there to support you too. Remember, this will be over and your big day will come.

Best wishes and keep safe,

Hamish

Here at Bridebook, we believe strongly in the power of community during times like these, so we have set up a Facebook group for anyone involved in planning a wedding. Join here for some practical tips from our team of experts, as well as friendly support from others in a similar situation.

How Will Coronavirus Affect My Wedding? A 7 Step Guide to Dealing with the Outbreak.

At Bridebook, our mission is to make it easier for everyone to plan their weddings.  However, if you are getting married in the coming weeks and months, we understand that you have concerns about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic could affect your wedding day.  We’d like to help you navigate this tough time by providing a wedding-specific checklist to help you manage your wedding plans and any adjustments that you may need to make.

We also believe strongly in the power of community during times like these, so we have set up a Facebook group for anyone involved in planning a wedding. Join here for some practical tips from our team of experts, as well as friendly support from others in a similar situation.

1. Keep your loved ones safe

Wedding guests celebrating and clapping for the wedding couple

First and foremost, your number one priority should always be keeping you and your guests safe, especially those who are at a high risk (elderly people and those with underlying health conditions).  As weddings are often a gathering of generations including parents and grandparents, try to be understanding if your loved ones are not able to attend your wedding. There’s no doubt that you and your guests will be frustrated, but remember that it is possible to celebrate your wedding from afar.  

It also goes without saying that you should look to official sources (government, WHO, etc.) for specific guidance on what measures you and your wedding guests should take regarding gatherings, travel and social distancing.  These recommendations are changing regularly and may affect your wedding in different ways, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with official sources.

Bridebook tip: Continue to check the government and other official sources to keep up to date with what guidance is in place.

Bridebook tip: Start thinking about ways to allow guests to participate in your wedding from afar. Consider live-streaming or recording some of your event if you are in a situation where the wedding can go ahead, but not everyone can attend. Ask if your venue has these capabilities or look at other DIY options, such as Facebook Live, Skype, or Zoom.

2. Talk to your wedding venue and suppliers

Woman holding phone to contact her wedding suppliers

The wedding industry is facing a very difficult and stressful time ahead to maintain their businesses. We know that they are hugely sympathetic to you all. Industry professionals care passionately about making couples’ days special and go to extraordinary lengths to do so. They are now facing a whole new challenge to balance this, while considering the short, mid and long term impacts on their business and livelihoods.

While the government only has suggested guidelines in place rather than official closure, you may find that there is little they can do that’s outside of what is covered in the contract. Your best bet is to ask them what their policy is at the moment, but be appreciative of the fact that they have no more information than you and will likely be responding on a day-by-day basis, depending on what new information is provided.

Bridebook tip: Check in with your venue and suppliers, but be understanding that they are just as concerned as you about the situation.  They’ll likely have different policies in place so you’ll need to understand how your specific providers are managing these challenging circumstances.

3. Check your wedding insurance

Two people planning their wedding over a laptop

If you have wedding insurance, check what you are covered for and under what circumstances.  We understand that coverage varies across different insurance providers, so you’ll need to understand specifically what your policy entails regarding cancellations and postponements.  Once you get in touch with your policy provider, share the details with your venue and suppliers where possible.

Bridebook tip: Ask the following questions to your insurance provider where relevant:

a) If we ourselves have to self isolate, will you cover our wedding being postponed?

b) One of our parents/grandparents could fall into a category that is forced to self isolate (age, health conditions). If this scenario were to arise, would we be covered to postpone our wedding?

c) Our Best Man / Maid of Honour lives overseas and is banned from travelling – will a postponement be covered?

d) We have planned for 140 guests. Would you cover a postponement if the government officially limits gatherings to under 100, 50 or 10?

e) What is your policy based on the government’s current advice? If the wedding is formally banned under any future government ruling, will you cover the cost of postponement?

f) If the wedding is unable to go ahead but I am offered an alternative date which would usually be cheaper (e.g. off peak), will you cover the cost differential?

4. Understand the travel guidelines for guests and your honeymoon

Wedding couple sitting on a log at the beach

Living, as we do, in a globally connected world, many weddings have guests from all over the world. Check to see if guests from other countries can make it, but plan with the expectation that they may not be able to travel.  This may affect your guest transport and accommodation providers, so you should familiarise yourself with their policies if guests are unable to attend. Be aware that travel restrictions are changing daily, which may mean some people do not feel comfortable travelling at the moment.

Similarly, your honeymoon may be affected by travel restrictions.  You should check what travel restrictions are in place for your honeymoon destination, whether it is within the UK or abroad.  Check with your honeymoon transport and accommodation providers to see what policies are in place in the event of a cancellation or postponement.  Additionally, if you have purchased travel insurance you should contact your policy providers to understand your coverage.

Bridebook tip: Check the FCO pages about travel guidelines here.  

5. Discuss contingency plans with your partner

Couple holding hands while looking at a lake

With the situation changing on a daily basis, you may need to make contingency plans for your wedding.  While there may still be some unknowns, it is good to have a think about the different scenarios and what you would do in each case. Talk to your partner and see what they feel about these plans too.

Remember that the purpose of getting married is to bring your and your partner together, and during this time you’ll need to make decisions together and rely on each other for support.  Your wedding plans may get interrupted and altered which will be very frustrating, but you’ll get through these challenges together.

Bridebook tip: Discuss potential plans with your partner, so that you know what is important to both of you. Start with the following 4 questions:

a) If necessary, would you want to get legally married at the earliest opportunity but postpone the party? Or would you rather postpone both?

b) Who would need to be able to attend for you to be happy for the wedding to go ahead?

c) If we need to postpone the wedding, what would you rather do? Postpone for a short time (and use an off-peak season or weekday) or push back further to keep the plans as similar as possible?

d) What should we do about the honeymoon? Would you prefer to postpone it or change location (if possible)?

Bridebook tip: Prepare for potential changes to the event itself. Start by asking yourself these three questions:

a) What would we do if we need to reduce numbers to meet future government guidelines? How would we go about it? Use the Bridebook guest info collector in the guest list tool to collect email addresses. Just add five guests to the list and the feature will pop up.

b) How can we still make those not present part of the celebration? Can we arrange for someone to live-stream or record the ceremony?

c) What if a supplier has to pull out at the last minute? Do we have relatives or friends who can capture photos or videos for you, bake a cake, or create an amazing playlist? What really matters for the day?

6. Update your guests

Woman typing on a laptop while sitting on a bed

Whatever tools you are using to communicate to your guests (wedding website, email, paper), keep them informed about any changes in wedding plans that may affect them.  Also, let them know how best to contact you if their RSVP status changes.

Bridebook tip: Communicate with your guests as early as possible, and let them know how to communicate with you.  

7. Join our Bridebook community group on Facebook

We know that this is a stressful time for everyone planning a wedding at the moment, so we have created a Facebook group for all couples to join. We hope we can all help each other with practical tips, as well as find and connect with other people in similar situations. You are not alone!

Bridebook tip: Join the Facebook group today and find some comfort and support in these tough times.

Finally

We hope that you found this article useful and we look forward to seeing you in the Facebook group, so that we can offer more support in the coming weeks.

Stay strong, keep safe, and know that this will all be over at some point. In the meantime, we hope that Bridebook can be a source of support for you.

Finally, give us a follow on Instagram if you would like some funny/cute/inspirational distraction from the news.

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30 Fun and Inspiring Engagement Party Ideas

An engagement party is the perfect way to celebrate your happiness with your family and relatives. It’s a chance to unwind, have a couple of drinks and enjoy your engagement before the craziness of wedding planning gets into full swing. So, until you walk down the aisle, your engagement is the best way to share the joy among your guests and allows you to show off your engagement ring to a chorus of oohs and ahhs.

An engagement party can be anything you want it to be and you can be as wild or as low-key as you like. Whatever your style, taste and budget, there’s an engagement party type out there for you.

But where do you start? There’s so much to choose from, how do you know what’s right for you? In this post, we’ll run through more than 30 unique engagement party ideas so you and your loved ones can party the night (or afternoon, or weekend or brunch…) away in style.

Once you know what kind of party you want to throw, read our post on how to plan an engagement party to get things moving and make sure you don’t forget a single thing.

30 fun and unique engagement party ideas

If you’re looking for some inspiration for creative ways to throw a memorable engagement party, then look no further. Below are 30 ideas for throwing the perfect engagement celebration bash.

1. Hawaiian Luau party

Pineapple juice with colourful party hats

Because we don’t have quite as many white sandy beaches and crystal blue oceans in the UK, Hawaiian Luau parties are pretty rare, so it’ll make for a fun and unique way to celebrate your engagement. With great Hawaiian party food (just no pineapple on your pizza, please), decorations and games, your Hawaiian Luau-themed party will amaze your guests and add a lot of fun, excitement and limboing to your engagement party.

2. Glamping party

Outdoor glamping campfire party

Glamping parties are one of the trendiest engagement party ideas that will give a whole new look and feel to your engagement celebrations. You can enjoy games, BBQ, S’mores and some drinks as you envelop yourself in nature, play some games and tell spooky stories around the fire. It’s a great way to shut yourself off from the rest of the world and enjoy spending time with loved ones.

3. Casino night

Casino night engagement party

As you’ve already won the jackpot of your life by finding your soulmate, you can keep that winning feeling going by arranging a casino party at your place. Get some dice and a couple of packs of cards and let your guests have fun in your very own casino. You could also hire casino tables and dealers to give it that proper Las Vegas feeling. Just remember it’s all for fun, so don’t bet all your wedding savings on black!

4. Couples costume party

Couple wearing costume sunglasses

A couples costume party is one of the trendiest engagement party ideas you can go for, bringing extra fun and mischief into the party mix. You can invite your guests to dress up in costumes related to famous couples, which will add a fun twist to your engagement party.

From Posh and Becks to Romeo and Juliet, your guests will enjoy getting into the celebrity couples’ characters. You can also make a game out of getting your guests to guess who everyone is dressed as.

5. Dessert party

Selection of desserts at a dessert party

If you have a sweet tooth, then throwing a dessert party for your guests is a great way to get your taste buds tingling. Instead of a standard buffet or sit-down meal, you can add a variety of desserts to your engagement menu and watch as your guests get high on your sugary supply.

From silky smooth white-chocolate parfait to unctuous chocolatey truffles with strawberries, you can offer a little slice of heaven. You can even plan to serve up a selection of various famous dessert wines like Riesling, Tawny Port and Sauternes to complement each dish.

6. Desert party

Cupcakes decorated with desert-themed paper cutouts

This one will really get your guests’ minds working. Surely they meant it’s a dessert party, they’ll say. Throw expectations on their head by throwing a party themed around deserts, with cactus-decorated cupcakes, cowboy-inspired barbecue food and even crispy salt and pepper scorpions. In the evening, you could sit around a campfire and crack out the guitar to sing a few tunes.

7. Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras themed party

Let your hair down with extravagant outfits, flying beads and mouth-watering Cajun cuisine. In the UK, Mardi Gras is still a relatively new trend, so be ahead of the curve with this fun-filled way to party into the night.

8. Oktoberfest party

Oktoberfest party

Embrace your German side with an Oktoberfest-themed engagement party. All it takes are some steins of beer, tasty sausages, salty pretzels and your finest lederhosen. Throw in a Bavarian Oompah band and you’ve got everything you need to get the party started whatever time of year it is.

9. Wine and cheese tasting

Wine and cheese party

If you plan to throw your engagement party in the spring or summer, a wine and cheese tasting party is a brilliant option.

Hosting a wine and cheese tasting party is the best way to kick off the summer season with your family and friends. You can even embrace the beauty of the surroundings by adding flowerbeds, lights, candles, and as many decorations as you’d like. Just remember to get a wide selection of cheeses, both for those who like the smelly stuff and those who aren’t particularly adventurous.

10. Movie night

Move night themed party

A movie night is one of the best options to enjoy and relax at your engagement party. Hire a projector and turn your engagement hall into a movie theatre, or your back garden into a makeshift drive-in.

To make your guests feel even more comfortable, you can keep it laid back by organising a cosy and comfy setup along with bundles of treats for guests, including classic cinema snacks like popcorn, nachos and pick ‘n’ mix. If you’ve invited friends and family with kids, remember to choose films a little closer to Jumanji than Scarface.

11. Beach bonfire

Bonfire on the beach

A bonfire at the beach adds a lovely vibe to your engagement party as you sit back, enjoy some food and drinks and talk with loved ones, all while the waves lap gently against the shore. You can also take a Bluetooth speaker and use your phone to play a few tunes as you hang out.

You can time the party in such a way that the guests have a moment to meet during the daylight before the orange and pink hues cover the sky. The whole setup makes for a romantic and memorable party. Just make sure you have permission to light a fire if you’re using a public beach.

12. Murder mystery

Detective's work area with magnifying glass

A great way to add fun and mystery to your engagement party is by organising a convoluted murder for you and your guests to solve. It’s impossible not to enjoy interacting with actors as you try to figure out who committed such a terrible act – you or your fiance might even be the murderer or the victim – or both. Scandalous!

There are plenty of murder mystery companies and am-dram groups that will come to you to host the game to make sure you have a killer engagement party.

13. Retro arcade party

Couple at a retro arcade

If you want to bring out your inner child, a retro arcade party is the perfect option for you and your guests. Retro arcade parties offer a unique and competitive twist to your celebration, especially if you grew up playing a lot of the old classic machines.

From pinball to Pac-Man to Space Invaders, your guests can enjoy getting stuck in blasting, jumping and flying through various games. You can even book the arcades that have bars as well so that your guests can enjoy adult beverages while having fun – that’ll appease Grandma while the rest of you play a few games.

14. Roller disco party

Pair of rollerskates at a disco

Another retro favourite, a roller disco party is an amazing way to add fun to your engagement celebrations. You can arrange an adult-only disco party where you and your friends knock back a couple of drinks to help cushion the occasional fall, or include the kids for a crazy, laugh-filled skate-a-thon.

Throw in some classic tunes, a few slices of pizza and a cheeky drink or two, and you have all the makings of an unforgettable engagement party.

15. Brewery party

Beer party

Breweries are fabulous venues for parties, with plenty of delicious drinks at your fingertips. Whether it’s a simple get-together among friends and family or a more elaborate engagement party with a featured brewmaster, organising the ultimate brewery party is as simple as… organising a booze up in a brewery!

16. Hollywood red carpet event

Movie star glamour party

Add some Hollywood A-lister glitz and glamour to your engagement party with a red carpet, paparazzi and a few glasses of bubbles. You and your guests will feel extra special as you lord it up for the evening.

17. Globetrotter party

Map with travel items including sunglasses and hat

Celebrate the next adventure the two of you are about to go on by reliving your previous travel memories together. Serve international food and drinks and fill your venue with maps so your guests can plot their own around-the-world trip.

18. Masquerade ball

Masquerade ball

To add a unique and elegant feel to your engagement party, why not throw a masquerade ball? You can invite your guests to dress in their finest outfits and encourage them to design their own creative and extravagant masks.

To embrace the theme, you can serve your guests cocktails and Venetian-inspired food, and even decorate the venue in plenty of gold, with twinkling fairy lights and flickering candles to set the mood.

19. Garden party

Garden party with outdoor fairy lights

A garden party is a great idea that will enhance the beauty of your engagement day. Put on a beautiful spread, cover the garden in fairy lights and glowing lanterns, and watch as the garden gets enveloped in magic as the sun starts to set. Keep food and drink on theme by offering elderflower and lavender cocktails and serving a selection of tasty plant-based dishes.

20. Pool party

Pool party with palm trees and sunny skies

A classic pool party is a huge crowd-pleaser, and because it’s not common in the UK, it has a massive WOW factor. Throw on some tunes, serve some mocktails and enjoy the sun as you play games and relax in the water. Check with your local pool or lido to see what kind of private party packages they offer.

21. Backyard BBQ

Back garden BBQ party

Why not keep things simple with a backyard BBQ? Everyone knows what to expect; some slightly overdone food, some ice-cold drinks and a few pesky wasps – but there’ll also be some laughs, music and fun with a relaxed and chilled atmosphere.

22. Cooking class

At home cooking class

For something fun, different and challenging, a cooking class led by a professional chef is a wonderful way to get stuck in and make some delicious food. There are dozens of different cuisines you could try, from making sushi rolls to tossing pizza dough. And the best part is, you can sit down to enjoy your food and a few drinks afterwards.

23. Game night

Friends playing games including code names and jenga

There’s nothing quite like a game night, so why not bring a bunch of people together and play Charades or Pictionary, or some quick-fire versions of some of the classics? Guess Who?, Twister, Jenga, Hungry Hungry Hippos and if you’re really feeling brave, Monopoly. You could even play a selection of relationship- and couples-themed games, or a quiz all about your journey towards being engaged. Just remember not to get too worked up – it’s only a game after all!

24. Arts and crafts party

Pottery painting

Crack out your creativity and rope your guests into taking part in some arts and crafts. It could be knitting, pottery painting, or even some still-life drawing if you’re feeling adventurous. Encourage your guests to take their creations home as a keepsake.

25. Karaoke night

Karaoke night

If you and your loved ones love belting out a few numbers after a drink or two, a karaoke night is a hilarious way to get everyone in the mood to party. To keep it related to your engagement, select a playlist of romantic tunes or songs that mean something to the two of you.

26. Fairground fun

Woman at a fairground holding candyfloss

Enjoy some candy floss, toffee apples and burgers while trying to hook a duck or win at the coconut shy. You could even have a cake themed to a carousel with sugar work horses. Everyone loves the fun of the fair, so bring that joy to your engagement party.

27. Fairytale party

Halloween-themed blood-red toffee apples

For a magical engagement party, embrace fairytales or Disney classics and ask your guests to come dressed as their favourite prince or princess. Themed food options could be not-so-poisoned apples, the grey stuff (we hear it’s delicious) and Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles.

28. Boat party

Boat party

Instead of partying on dry land, why not take to the seas (or a lake or canal) in a boat? Let the current take you as you knock back some drinks, chill out with loved ones and soak in some sunshine.

29. Bollywood night

Indian girl dancing at a party

Embrace good food, a brilliant atmosphere and great entertainment with a Bollywood-themed party, complete with vibrant colours and fabulous Bollywood dancing.

30. Comedy club night

Comedy club night with microphone and live audience

Tickle your funny bone by organising a trip to your local comedy club, where you can enjoy some drinks and a few sets by local comedians. Just make sure you sit on the front row so the two of you get picked on by the comics – it’ll leave your guests howling with laughter and give the two of you great memories of your big night.

Get started on your wedding planning

After your engagement party, you can focus on planning your perfect wedding. Sign up to Bridebook today to use our free resources and tools to plan your big day.

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Happy Planning!

22 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue

Okay, so you’ve found two or three wedding venues you love – now it’s time to quiz ‘em! But what should you ask? Well, we’ve got you covered. Here’s twenty-two questions to ask your wedding venue before you make it official.

Psst! Still looking for your dream wedding venue? Then check out Bridebook’s state-of-the-art Venue Search Tool and unlock the UK’s biggest (and best!) wedding venue directory. With the ability to search by location, style and capacity, you’ll find your perfect match in no time.

The wedding planning video course: questions to ask your wedding venue

In this video, Bridebook founder (and qualified wedding planner!) Hamish Shephard gives the lowdown on the questions you should ask your wedding venue, as well as some expert tips and tricks on coming up with wedding venue ideas and finding your wedding venue. And all this while keeping your wedding budget on track!

1. Which Dates Are Available In Our Chosen Month?

We wish we could guarantee that your dream venue will be available on your dream date… But that’s just not how it works. Make sure to ask your venue what dates are available as soon as you get in touch to avoid disappointment – and try to stay flexible if possible. Remember that weekends (especially Saturdays) in spring and summer are particularly popular choices for weddings, with these dates often getting booked up over a year in advance. If you’ve found your dream venue, you might want to consider a weekday wedding instead – and here’s why.

2. How Many Guests Can You Accommodate?

On the whole, most couples start by making their guest list then look for a venue that can accommodate it. Others, however, are more willing to shape their guest list to fit their dream venue. Whichever camp you fall into, you’ll still want to know how many guests your venue can host, as well as whether this number varies between rooms and locations.

Top Tip: If you search for wedding venues using our Venue Search Tool, let us know how many guests you expect to be hosting and we’ll only show you venues that can accommodate that.

3. Can We Have Our Ceremony Here Too?

Not every venue is able to host wedding ceremonies as well as wedding receptions as this requires a special license. Even if they can, you may only be able to hold your ceremony in certain locations at the venue – so make sure to check out your options. Use our Venue Search Tool to filter for venues with a marriage license to narrow things down if you know you want to hold your ceremony and reception at the same venue.

4. How Long Do We Have The Venue For?

Restrictions vary from venue to venue, but as a rule, we expect venues in more densely populated areas (like cities) to have noise restrictions or even a full curfew. Hotels, for example, may set a firm end time for celebrations. If you go for a rural barn or manor house, on the other hand, you’re much more likely to be able to party until dawn. Make sure to check before you book so you can make plans to accommodate this.

5. Will You Be Hosting Any Other Weddings At The Same Time?

If you want complete privacy for your wedding, this is what’s called “exclusive use” and you can filter for it using our Venue Search Tool. If you don’t have exclusive use, it’s possible that not only will there be other people in the venue but that there might even be other weddings taking place at the same time. This is most common in hotel wedding venues which will be hosting other guests. Now, there isn’t much you can do about this – so make sure you know in advance.

6. When Can We Start Setting Up?

Usually, you’ll be able to start setting up the day before or early in the morning the day of your wedding – but make sure to find out for sure. You’ll want to communicate this to your other suppliers as well as to your wedding party if they’ll be helping you out. When it comes to it, use our article on the final wedding checks you’ll need to do so you don’t miss anything.

7. What Kind Of Decorations Can We Have?

Some venues have restrictions surrounding the use of candles and confetti or on flash photography (particularly if they’re an art gallery or museum). Make sure you know exactly what your venue does and doesn’t allow to avoid any conflicts or nasty surprises later down the line. You don’t want to spend hundreds of pounds on tealights – only to find you can’t light any of them.

8. What Do You Provide And What Should We Rent?

A lot of venues will offer a package that includes decorations and furniture as well as glassware and table linens. If you choose to do this rather than providing your own, make sure to get all the details in writing – otherwise, they might change their colour scheme and you’ll end up with clashing colours!

9. Do You Have A List Of Preferred Caterers?

At some venues, you won’t be permitted to bring in external caterers and you will need to choose one from their list. Other venues will have caterers they suggest but don’t insist on. Either way, it’s always good to find out who they recommend.

10. Can We Bring Our Own Alcohol? Do You Charge Corkage?

Not all venues will allow you to bring in your own alcohol and may ask that you purchase it from them directly. If they do, they will likely charge you “corkage” – a surcharge on every bottle that you open. Sometimes, these corkage fees can be so high that it actually works out cheaper to buy from the venue instead so make sure to discuss what they offer. And if you’re feeling stuck, check out our guide to wedding alcohol where we go into much more depth on every aspect of wedding alcohol.

11. Is A Cash Bar An Option?

You might not want to provide alcohol at all, instead asking your guests to pay for their own drinks. If that’s the case, you’ll want to know whether this is an option – and if it is, make sure to find out if there’s a minimum spend. Otherwise, you might find yourself facing unexpected costs at the end of the day!

12. Can We Have A Band or DJ?

Even if you haven’t already booked your band or DJ, you’ll want to find out whether or not your venue can actually accommodate their needs. You don’t want to have booked your dream DJ, only to find out that there are no electrical sockets available for them or that there’s nowhere to set up their equipment.

13. Do You Have Any Special Facilities For Children?

If there is a spare room that could be used for children, we’d always advise you to use it! Having somewhere where you can put on a Disney movie or set up a few games is a great way to occupy children at a wedding, leaving the adults to enjoy themselves.

14. Do You Have Disabled Access?

If anyone on your guest list has access needs, make asking your venue about accessibility a priority.

15. When Do We Need To Pay Our Holding Deposit? Are There Any Other Fees?

When you pay your deposit, you secure your venue for the agreed date. Be clear about when this payment is due to avoid disappointment. And now’s a good time to ask about any other potential fees, taxes or service charges too. For more information about the hidden costs couples can encounter in the run up to their wedding day, check out this article.

16. Will There Be A Venue Coordinator Available On The Day?

If there is a venue coordinator available, we’d always recommend at least looking into working with them. They’ll be the person who’s most familiar with the venue, so they can ensure that everything runs smoothly and you have a stress-free experience on the day.

17. Is VAT Included In The Price?

Always, always, always check whether VAT is included in the price. You might think you’ve bagged yourself a bargain – only to find that this was exclusive of VAT and the real cost is as much as 20% higher.

18. What Are Our Bad Weather Options?

This is only really relevant if you’re planning an outdoor wedding – but if so, it absolutely is! Find out what inside spaces will be available to use as a back-up and make sure to view them so you can give at least a little thought to how you might use them. If there aren’t any suitable inside spaces, you’ll need to hire a marquee instead – and this can cost a pretty penny.

19. Are Fireworks Allowed?

Not every venue permits fireworks, so if ending your big day with a fabulous fireworks display is a must for you, make sure to check this nice and early.

20. What Car Parking Is Available On The Day?

If you’re not arranging transport for your guests, question number one is whether there’s enough parking spaces for everyone driving in. This is particularly important if you have elderly relatives who may find it difficult to travel any great distance to your venue. If it’s not obvious, you’ll also want to check whether there will be someone to show your guests how to get from the carpark to the venue. And don’t forget to reserve spaces for your suppliers too.

21. Is There Anywhere Guests Can Stay Overnight?

If you’re expecting to have guests coming from all over the country (or even from abroad), it’s good to get an idea of what possibilities there are for accommodation well in advance. It could be a dealbreaker for you and your partner if there’s no accommodation available. If your guests can stay at the venue, fantastic, but if not, can the venue recommend anywhere nearby? Remember, you might not need it but you’ll want to include this information on your wedding information sheet later.

22. Do You Have Liability Insurance?

We’re keeping everything crossed for you – but you can’t plan for everything! Put your mind at rest by asking your venue whether they’re covered for any (thankfully unlikely) accidents that may happen on your big day.

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What To Include On Your Information Sheet

Starting to put together your wedding invitation suite? Then a big well done from us because that likely means you’ve sorted your Guest List – and that’s no mean feat! Now, if you haven’t already, you’ll want to take a look at our introduction to your wedding stationery and start off by getting to grips with all the different items you’ll need. Done that? Then read on to learn all about your wedding information sheet.

Psst! Need to know where to send your invitations? Try using our handy Address Collector to sort it all out in just one click.

What Is Your Wedding Information Sheet For?

Well, as we always say, your wedding is the celebration of the century – and while that means tons of fun, it also means lots of logistics! Since your wedding invitations only include the very basics (date, time, location), your wedding information sheet lets your guests know everything else: how to get to the venue, where they can stay, what they should wear… Plus, it lessens the chance that you’ll have to field a ton of last-minute queries on the day!

Bridebook.co.uk- order of service written on a blackboard
By Guy Hearn

What Information Should You Include On Your Wedding Information Sheet?

Well, every wedding is different – so your wedding information sheet will be specific to the details and requirements of your own wedding. The easiest thing to do is to put yourself in the shoes of one of your wedding guests and think about what questions they might have! To get you started, here are a few things we’d expect to find on most information sheets:

1. Directions

Always include directions to your ceremony and/or reception venue. You may also want to include maps of surrounding area for guests who aren’t familiar with the location. Bonus points if you throw in a list of local attractions and your recommendations for any guests combining your wedding with a getaway!

Psst! If you’re still looking for the perfect place to tie the knot, why not use our Venue Search Tool?

2. Transport Links And Taxis

It’s always helpful to add a list of transport links (eg. the closest train station, the best airport to fly into) for guests who don’t drive or are coming from further afield. It’s also a good idea to provide your guests with the contact details of local, reputable taxi firms or the details of any nearby car parking.

Bridebook.co.uk- guests sitting on hay bells
By Weddings Vintage

3. Accommodation

It’s more likely than not that at least a few of your guests will want to stay nearby so make sure to offer them a few recommendations for accommodation. If you’re not sure, ask your wedding venue where they recommend guests stay. And if you can, why not reserve a few rooms at a local hotel or bed and breakfast in advance? That way, you’ll know they’re not fully booked and you can just let your friends know to mention your name to secure a room.

4. Dress Code

If your wedding has a dress code, you will most likely have included it on your invitation – but now’s your chance to go into a bit more detail. For example, if you’re getting married in a marquee, you might want to let your guests know they’ll need “lawn-friendly” shoes. Or if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony in mid-winter, make sure to mention to your guests that they’ll want to pack their mittens!

5. Children

Are you planning on having children at your wedding? Your wedding invitation will most likely indicate in some way if you’re planning a “child-free” wedding but it’s always worth reiterating on your information sheet to make sure everyone’s got the message! If you will be including children but you’ve made any special arrangements (eg. providing a crêche), here’s where to go into detail.

cards and gifts table with a suitcase
By Guy Hearn

6. Presents

If you’re nervous about mentioning your gift list – don’t be! If you don’t put the details of your gift list on your wedding information sheet, your guests will just ask you directly instead. Or, if you want to be a little more subtle, you could always have your gift list details printed separately onto small cards you can slip into your envelopes alongside your invitations.

7. The Bar!

If you already know you’ll be having a cash bar, now’s a good time to let your guests know. Make sure to let them know any extra details too, like which cards the bar accepts and whether or not they’re cashless. 

Psst! If you need some help deciding between an open bar and a cash bar, check out our guide to wedding alcohol here.

8. Carriages

Ever struggled to get everyone out at the end of a house party? Well, “Carriages” is an easy way to avoid that happening at your wedding! It lets your guests know the latest time by which they’ll need to leave the venue. Including it on your information sheet means they can make arrangements for getting home in advance.

9. The Day After

Are you planning activities for the day after? Whether you’ll be hosting brunch or organising a golfing trip, let your guests know the details so they can plan accordingly.

Of course, you don’t have to send out an information sheet – and not all couples do. A great alternative – whether it’s because you want to cut costs or reduce waste – is to set up a wedding website and include the URL on your invitations. Then you can host all the above information there – and update it for everybody any time. Make sure to include your contact details, as well as those of your best (wo)man or maid/man of honour, so that your guests can ask any additional questions.

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Outdoor Wedding Venues in London

We’re here to help you choose from our list of outdoor wedding venues in London, from the countryside to seaside, with nature’s scenery in your eyeline and wholehearted happiness in your heart.

There are so many ways to get married al fresco, and these London wedding venues don’t disappoint!  From waterfront hotels and museums to manor houses and marquees, London is blessed with a multitude of open-air options. Here are a few you might want to check out!

1. Royal Botanic Gardens

Outdoor Wedding Venues in London

The large, open plan design of the Orangery makes it the ideal venue for your wedding. With high ceilings and grand, arched windows, the room is filled with natural light. During the summer months, your guests can enjoy the large terrace with its spectacular views of the Gardens.

2. WWT London Wetland Centre

wwt london wetland centre set up for wedding ceremony.

WWT London Wetland Centre offers an unrivalled setting for civil partnership and marriage ceremonies. The venues, which are approved for ceremonies, are the Observatory and Wetland Living.  Bringing the countryside into London, this is an amazing alternative wedding destination.

3. Chelsea Physic Garden

bride poses in chelsea physic garden

The Chelsea Physic Garden is a botanical garden venue with a large marquee as an optional hire.  This outdoor wedding venue with glorious spaces is available for dry hire and has a Wedding Ceremony Room available for up to 70 guests but blessings in the gardens are welcomed.

4. Hill Garden and Pergola

Hill Garden and Pergola wedding venue.

Tie the knot in one of London’s secret beauty spots.  The Pergola and Hill Garden is a licenced venue for weddings and civil partnerships. This beautiful and secluded place makes a wonderful location for such ceremonies.  

5. Chiswick House Gardens

Chiswick house gardens decorated with flowers all over.

Do you dream of a wedding that is stylishly simple, or is your heart’s desire an elaborate party with every trimming?   Chiswick House & Gardens is a hidden gem in the heart of West London, 65 acres of glorious landscaped gardens where your wedding will be truly unique and memorable.

6. The Hurlingham Club

wedding dinner at the hurlingham club.

As far as UK Country wedding venues go, this one is both unique and memorable. Many happy couples have made their special vows in the Club’s beautiful venue with many a celebration!  They’re able to accommodate wedding parties between 8o to 1,000 for decadent sit down wedding breakfasts, to more informal buffets and dancing.

7. The Conservatory at Painshill

Lake at conservatory at painshill

You’ll love saying your I Do’s within this stunning setting of a 160-acre park.  The purpose-built marquee is situated within Painshill’s private walled gardens, creating a breathtaking venue for any special occasion.

8. Vanstone Park

Vanstone park tents at night.

You can find this beautiful woodland venue just outside Hertfordshire, close to both Hitchin and Stevenage. This marquee wedding venue partners with Country Tipis to add a fun factor to your wedding, and guests always enjoy them – They provide a great talking point.

9. Paradise Wildlife Park

newlyweds look at tiger at paradise wildlife park

The Marquee is located in a private area of the Park with a beautiful secret garden with pergola, stream and bridge; perfect for wedding photos either before or after the ceremony. Complete with a fully licenced bar and resident DJ our private marquee makes the purrrfect venue for your wedding ceremony and reception.

10. Selsdon Park Hotel & Golf Club

newlyweds pose with their classic car in front of seldsdon park hotel & golf club

Weddings here come with beautiful views stretching out across the gardens onto 200 acres of Surrey countryside grounds. As the only wedding venue in Croydon licensed to host outdoor ceremonies, you can also say your vows outside in a pretty pagoda in the hotel’s secret gardens.

You’ve chosen to have an outdoor Wedding for the space, where your guests can enjoy being outside instead of struggling to squeeze past each other at an indoor venue.  Obviously, outdoor wedding venues in London are a lot of fun, unique and ideal for brides who don’t mind their guests bringing children to the venue (Bless them)!

If you enjoyed our list and want some more ideas, take a look at our outdoor wedding venues in Essex.  When you’re about to start looking at wedding venues, it might be about time to look at some tools we have just for you like our Budget Planner, Checklist and even help with your Guestlist!

Don’t delay… Get booking today! From all of us at Bridebook,

Happy Planning!

Barn Wedding Venues in Cheshire

So you’re looking at Cheshire wedding venues, for something unique… something a little quirky and different.  A barn wedding venue can offer an abundance of space for your big day.  We think that barns make great wedding venues because they’re a blank canvas for creative couples.

We’ve found some awesome Barn wedding venues in Cheshire for you to take a look at.  These rustic and charming, elegant and inspired spaces are the perfect place to begin a future with the person you love.

1. Sandhole Oak Barn

wedding ceremony set up at sandhole oak barn.

For your special day, nothing could be more idyllic than saying ‘I do’ in this stunning oak barn beside a tranquil lake. Sandhole Oak Barn’s wedding venue is set in 400 acres of rolling Cheshire countryside and offers a magnificent setting for your wedding day.

2. Heaton House Farm

Barn Wedding Venues in Cheshire

Nestled on the hillside of a working farm and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Cheshire and Staffordshire, the gorgeous setting for this incredible wedding venue awaits. This Family-run establishment will help you with something big and extravagant, or quaint and intimate.

3. Owen House Wedding Barn

newlyweds pose outside owen house wedding barn

One of the most beautiful Barn wedding venues in the UK and set on a working farm that is family run and offers a truly unique wedding experience.  Situated in a stunning location you wouldn’t want to leave, allows for holding your ceremony and celebration at the same venue!

4. The Plough Inn

the plough inn wedding lunch.

The Plough Inn is licensed to hold Civil Ceremony Weddings and offers the perfect setting for your special day.  The historic Barn is ideally situated for formal or informal ceremonies and promises to make your wedding distinctive and unique with delightful gardens making the perfect setting for wedding photography.

5. The Oak Tree of Peover

gorgeous dining room with oak beams at the oak tree of peover.

Oak Tree of Peover is a unique contemporary venue is set in the heart of Cheshire surrounded by stunning countryside views. Oak beams and lots of natural light makes this venue fresh and bright whilst subtle lighting in the evening gives it a magical, romantic feel.

6. Stock Farm Wedding and Events Barn

stock farm wedding

Set within beautiful farmland situated on the edge of Tatton Park in Cheshire, one of the prettiest Farm wedding venues in the UK, Stock Farm wedding & Events Barn offers the perfect setting for your special day in an exclusive location with idyllic countryside views giving you and your guests complete privacy.

7. The Holford Estate

outdoors wedding ceremony amongst the trees in the holford estate.

One of our Barn wedding venues in Cheshire is a real hidden gem, The Holford estate secluded idyllic setting, is steeped in history, alongside stunning formal gardens and a state of the art contemporary wedding Barn.

8. Styal Lodge

Beautiful large wedding lunch decorated with long sheets and styal lodge.

A family run venue in the beautiful National Trust Village of Styal, in the grounds of Styal Golf Club. Built in 2009 a beautiful Lodge filled with natural light, a blank canvas & private gardens.

9. Curdlands Barn

guests gather outside curdlands barn

Of all the UK Country wedding venues, this stunning location boasts unrivalled views over the Cheshire plains towards the Welsh hills and gives you complete exclusivity on your special day.  The Barn is an airy indoor space with a fabulous terrace, perfect for the drinks reception or evening soirée.

10. Duddon Mill Farm

Duddon mill farm.

Duddon Mill Farm is a wedding and events venue situated near Tarporley in the heart of rural Cheshire.  With mature apple orchards, pond, barns and a stream running right through the middle of the estate, there are endless photo opportunities for lovers of the outdoors.

Wow, we don’t envy you! There is just so much to choose from. Remember, your wedding can be as extravagant, or as intimate as your imagination allows.  Choosing your wedding venue will be a big decision you’ll make as a couple, and it’s good to think of your options straight away.

To help you, we’ve created some handy tools for your Budget, your Checklist (very important!) and, of course, your Guestlist.  And if all of the above venues aren’t nearby, check out our barn wedding venues in Essex or our barn wedding venues in Yorkshire.

For more wedding venues in the UK, go to Bridebook’s Wedding Venue Search to apply your own custom filters and find ‘the one’.

Well? What are you waiting for?  HAPPY PLANNING!

Small Wedding Venues in Yorkshire

With modern weddings becoming bigger and more expensive than ever before, many couples are starting to turn to smaller, more personal options.  So whether it’s in a Church, Chapel, Castle or Priory, there is something special and heartwarming in choosing one of these Yorkshire Wedding Venues.  

Now we know that big is beautiful, but here in Yorkshire, EVERYTHING is beautiful, and sometimes dynamite comes in small packages.  From urban history to the rural panoramas, these are truly some of the best intimate wedding venues in Yorkshire.

1. Grays Court

grays court and gardens on a sunny day.

Whatever your event might be, there is plenty of room for you and around forty guests at this beautiful house steeped in history.  Take pleasure in the antique character and luxury of your surroundings as they work hard to ensure that your memorable day runs smoothly.

2. The Grange Hotel

the grange hotel at night

A special venue for your perfect day!  The Grange is an exclusive, privately owned, 41 bedroom Regency townhouse of great charm and character, superbly restored and luxuriously furnished in classic country house style.

3. The Kilnwick Percy Resort

the kilnwick percy resort.

If you are looking for modern and unique wedding venues in Yorkshire, then look no further! Regarded as being one of the best small wedding venues in Yorkshire, this space overlooks 180 acres of glorious woodland and Yorkshire Countryside; providing the perfect setting for your wedding photos!

4. York Castle Museum

york castle museum

This venue pick for your intimate wedding at the beautiful Hospitium at York Castle Museum is not only oozing with character and style, it’s also a sensational venue for that idyllic fairytale wedding day that you’ve been dreaming of.

5. Howsham Hall

howsham hall gardens

This one has made it onto our small wedding venues in Yorkshire, but by no means is it minor! Full event management and catering service is offered at this stunning Grade I listed Jacobean treasure near York. What a stunning venue for a perfect wedding!

6. Bedern Hall

bedern hall

With its soaring beamed ceiling, arched windows and warm stone walls, Bedern Hall in York is an intimate and individual setting for your wedding ceremony and reception.  This cosy and authentic wedding venue is the perfect place to say I Do!

7. Applewood Weddings Ltd

applewood weddings

Applewood provides the perfect backdrop for your romantic outdoor wedding. With ceremony area, seating areas, woodland walks and large decking in the heart of the trees with a large open area for your wedding structure that is reached by following the fairy light lit pathways.

8. Owston Hall Hotel

Small Wedding Venues in Yorkshire

You’ve found the perfect partner, and now you’ve found the perfect place to celebrate your love, surrounded by friends and family. Whether you’re looking for an intimate celebration or a lavish party, if you’re looking at hotel wedding venues in the UK, look no further, you’ve found a Gem.  

9. Pontefract Town Hall

pontefract town hall.

Pontefract Town Hall is an 18th Century architectural jewel located in the heart of the town’s ancient historic centre and is a lovely venue for your wedding day, with a beautiful building, good facilities and an excellent location.

10. Burythorpe House

burythorpe house

This is a truly idyllic and romantic manor house wedding venue.  Burythorpe House holds a civil license, allowing couples to host civil weddings and civil partnerships at the hotel. This enables you to hold your ceremony, wedding reception and evening celebrations all at the same venue!

11. Marmadukes Town House Hotel

marmadukes town house hotel

With a central location in York, Marmadukes Town House Hotel is an elegant small wedding venue with an award-winning restaurant and cosy spaces that is sure you make your wedding day extra special.

12. Priory Cottages

priory cottages.

Surrounded by the stunning North Yorkshire countryside, the barns offer an intimate setting for smaller weddings or a marquee that can accommodate larger groups in this gorgeous setting.

There are many positives to having a small wedding.  For instance, trimming the size of your Guestlist not only means you will save money, but it also means you can use your resources for quality, rather than quantity.

Make sure you have everything ticked off your Checklist!  This is important.  Use this tool to ensure things run smoothly.

Another helpful tool is for your Budget. With more flexibility, you have the option to splurge on the things that matter most, whether it be a stunning designer gown or a gourmet wedding breakfast!

If you’re looking for something further afield, we have a list of some of the best small wedding venues in London and small wedding venues near Essex.

And of course…. HAPPY PLANNING!!!