Hiring wedding entertainment is an optional extra in your wedding day as, in many ways, there is already a lot of entertainment provided. The ceremony, drinks reception, speeches, meal, music, dancing, chatting with other guests. There are a lot of events packed into your wedding day that should keep your guests entertained for most of the day, but just in case you want to entertain them some more, you may want to hire a wedding entertainer or some form of equipment. These can make your wedding day even more special, keeping things flowing and giving your guests that “wow” moment.
There are many many many many forms of wedding entertainment for almost anything you can imagine. Basically, if you can dream it up….it probably exists.
That’s all well and good. But what should YOU choose for YOUR wedding? When there is so much to choose from?
We’ve put together a list of wedding entertainment ideas to get your brainstorming started. As always, we start with the common suggestions and gradually get more adventurous.
Wedding Entertainment Ideas
Jugglers
Photobooth
Paparazzi
Disposable cameras(yes, they’re still fun)
Flash mobs
Dance off
Scavenger hunt
Surprise first dance
Caricaturist
“How well do you know the bride and groom” quiz sheets
Song request forms on every table
Celebrity impersonator
Singing waiters
Fast food van
Digital Graffiti wall
Giant iPad
Karaoke booth
Undercover singers
Undercover dancers
Face-painter(for the kids)
Balloon modellers(for the kids)
Music festival-style marquee
Acting troupe
Fireworks
Bagpipes
Trumpeters for your grand entrance
Giant Jenga
Fairground stall games
Retro sweet stall
Jazz band
Star watching area outside with blankets and cushions
String quartet
Limbo bar
Drink-mixing bartenders
Chocolate Fountain
Jazz or classical Pianist
Giant snow globes with dancers inside
Ice sculptures
Living tables(if you don’t know what this is, click here. It’s too hard to explain)
Acrobats
Beatboxer
LED dancers
Poetry readers
Stilt walkers
Giant Connect 4 game
Croquet
Giant Scalextric
Ice cream station
Changing into a 2nd dress(yes, that counts! Guaranteed to get a cheer)
Alternative food – shock your guests by bringing out Pizzas in pizza boxes!
Hot air balloon rides
Cocktails
Wine tasting station
Unusual guest book
Unexpected music performance from guest or band
Marching band
Social media integration
Candy floss machine
Interactive food station
Popcorn maker with cinema-style tubs
Outdoor log fire(always attracts a crowd at night)
Mini board games
Garden bowling
Afternoon tea
Puzzles on tables
Specialist coffee bar with Baristas
Quiz question cards on every table
Charade cards on every table
Classic glass Coca Cola bottles handed out to all guests
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Welcome to this Bridebook interview, featuring Danielle Rolfe of Penton Park.
This piece is designed to inspire other wedding suppliers – budding or current – and help them to realise that they can do something as wonderful and as huge as turning a beloved home into a UK renowned wedding venue.
Penton Park – the story
Danielle Rolfe traded in a career as a London Insurance Broker for a new life as Lead Events Manager at the glorious Penton Park.
Oh, and did we mention that this wedding venue also happens to be her family home?
As we introduce ourselves to Danielle it becomes clear that she’s a very busy woman indeed. We’re on loudspeaker as Danielle drives into her estate and just as our interview gets going, we’re interrupted by a fallen tree.
“Do you mind terribly if we pick this back up in half an hour?” she says. “I’m going to have to drag this tree out of the road”.
What a wonderful, real-life example of the multifarious nature of wedding venue management!
And by her own admission, despite the long hours and hard work involved in managing a wedding venue, Danielle loves her new life in wedding venue management and would never look back.
Bridebook: Danielle, do you remember how you and your family first came up with the idea of turning your home into a wedding venue? Tell us your story…
Yes, I remember it well!
In 2011, myself and my husband married in the local church and held a traditional wedding reception at our home in Penton Park.
I think it was only then that we realised what an amazing wedding venue it was and our guests said exactly the same. It had the real wow factor and made for such a memorable day.
We started hosting birthday parties, anniversaries and charity events at first, and we found that we really enjoyed it and that the house was well suited to catering to such events.
We soon began to think about weddings at Penton Park. We wanted to find a way to use the property as a self-generating revenue stream and to future-proof our income – a big house requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep after all.
In 2013 we decided to officially go for it with weddings!
I spent a lot of time learning the ropes and deciding on how we’d integrate weddings into family life, and vice versa. We decided to make Penton Park an exclusive venue, hosting only 20 Saturday weddings per year. This ensures that we never fall short on customer service and that we keep some weekends free for family life.
After a prolonged wait for approval of an on-site wedding licence, we finally began hosting wedding ceremonies at Penton Park in 2016 – having already dipped our toes in the ‘wedding reception only’ field.
What our guests love about Penton Park is that they really are hosted by a family here, and in turn, my family and myself live and breathe the venue.
Bridebook: Were all family members in equal agreeance when you suggested the idea of turning your family home into a wedding venue?
Absolutely yes. Everyone was fully in agreement and excited to get stuck in.
We all have separate wings in the house and there’s a separate exit and entrance for family and for events, so it works really well.
The grandparents sometimes treat themselves to a night away when we host weddings, and at other times they love being around to soak up the atmosphere – albeit from the comfort of their own quarters!
Our children are completely used to it and it doesn’t faze them at all. I like to hope that they’ll be the next generation of wedding planners and I know for sure that they’ll someday, not too far away, be an imperative source of market research for us! They’ll be telling us how we should be doing weddings to suit their generation, and they’ll help us keep evolving and stay current as a wedding business.
Bridebook: What was it like to go from family home to wedding venue!?
Well, I guess one of the challenges was making sure that we’re presentable at all times – that is, the house and everyone in it!
We have three girls so it’s inevitable that a stray Barbie will make it in the shot at occasional meetings.
We just assure couples that on the day, there will be a professional clean and that they have nothing to worry about as far as Barbie is concerned.
Turning our home into a wedding venue hasn’t really disrupted life at all. We started gradually and have grown into it.
The concept grew with our experience and the number of weddings we host.
The first wedding we held was really emotional. My husband and I were so proud of everything we’d managed to do, and it also brought back memories of own wedding day.
Everyone’s in such a great mood at weddings it’s impossible not to feel elated at each and every wedding we host at Penton Park.
Bridebook: Do the family cats and dogs stay to help out at Penton Park weddings?
They do. We try to hide the dog away as he’s a huge friendly giant but he has been known to make some guest appearances at the couple’s request!
We have two cats and they’re slightly more difficult to hide. They often make guest appearances and actually once joined a group of guests in the photo booth!
It’s these kinds of things that make it feel like a family home and that’s what Penton Park is all about. We want to keep that feel of a family home, not fall into hosting cookie cutter weddings.
Bridebook: What does a typical day of wedding prep look like at Penton Park?
We always set up the day before and aim to have everything done by 2pm. The couple have complete freedom to visit us the day before for peace of mind, and then we wave them off and tell them we’ll take care of everything.
Weddings at Penton Park finish at midnight. We clear up for them the next day and they then return to pick up their stuff.
Bridebook:Are couples able to personalise their wedding day entirely at Penton Park or are there limitations as to what they can / cannot do?
Couples are free to personalise their day almost exclusively. We are happy for them to take down pictures and most decorations, but we cannot move any of the larger wall hangings. That’s purely logistics as some are pretty huge!
But we always say this is a country house and so couples choosing Penton Park will do so because they love the charm and character that comes with that.
That being said, couples are welcome to put their own pictures and decorations up.
We’re very much present as background staff to help bring wedding themes to life. We’ve had formal and informal, inside and outside.
Bridebook: Have you ever had to step in and stop any bad behaviour at a wedding? Is security something you manage yourselves?
We sometimes have to reign it in slightly as things can get a bit raucous toward the end of a wedding, as we all know.
We had all guests around the pool table with sambuca in their hand recently so had to politely request that they step away! But people are so respectable because they know it’s a family home.
If we host a wedding of over 100 guests we do insist that they hire security, just for peace of mind.
Bridebook: What advice would you give others looking to start a wedding business like yours?
Network
I’d say it’s really important to network with other venues – whether they’re similar to your venue or completely different.
We’re part of the Historic Houses network and I attended a lot of seminars at Hodsock Priory and some at Iscoyd Park, where I received lots of support and advice.
You do have to be a member but any country house hosting events of 100+ people are eligible and it’s really great for networking.
I’d say my strongest advice with regards to networking is don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to venues nearby. I contacted a barn style wedding venue near me and because we’re really different we may be able to help each other out. If I meet a couple who are looking for more of a barn style wedding, I’ll recommend them.
Be supportive and work together. If you only have similar style wedding venues nearby, pick up the phone and ask; how do we stand apart from each other? Identify what it is that each of you does differently as it will work in both of your interests.
Find out first hand what running a wedding venue involves before you take the leap.
Shadow weddings at other venues to see what it’s like before you transform your home into a wedding venue. It’s hard work. You’ll work harder than you ever imagined but if you’re anything like me, you’ll find it so rewarding.
I must say that you can’t quite comprehend what 120 drunk people are like until you see them with your own eyes.
Invest in your team
Invest in your team because they represent you from start to finish – they’re an extension of your in-house family.
We have an in-house event manager and she’s fantastic. We also use preferred suppliers as we like to recommend wedding professionals who we know can do the job well, first hand.
Bridebook: Do you think more families are choosing to turn their homes into wedding venues or is it still an unusual concept?
I see and hear of a lot more people doing it now.
Some mistake it as being an easy route to making money but we know first hand that it’s hard work but also a lot of fun.
It’s a lifestyle. It will, of course, impact your weekends. We only host 20 weddings per year but we also offer viewings at weekends which take up a considerable amount of time.
Bridebook: Have you noticed any changes within the wedding industry of late?
I’ve been surprised in the past 18 months how many people will come and view your home/venue at a weekend and you’ll never hear from them again.
They never get back in touch.
It just didn’t happen in the beginning when we were first starting out.
People seem a little more blase about the whole experience and I think perhaps they forget that we’re real people and we invest ourselves emotionally in their journey too.
Are you considering starting your own wedding venue?
Have you any similar experiences to Danielle at Penton Park that you’d like to share? Please get in touch or leave your comments below.
Thinking outside the box for your wedding? Take a peek at some alternative wedding venues your guests won’t expect and choose one that echoes your personalities and looks utterly cool at the same time. Here are our top 29 alternative venues perfect for that wow-factor moment.
If none of these float your boat, remember we’ve got lots more choice over at Bridebook.co.uk! Just start a Wedding Venue Search and click the ‘alternative’ filter. Easy peasy!
Dating back to the 17th century, Greenwoods Hotel & Spa provides a memorable experience in Ingatestone, from intimate parties of 10 in the manor house, to large gatherings of 300 in its beautiful gardens.
Quarry Bank Mill is well-loved heritage site in Cheshire that has become a place where you can tie the knot! The 18th Century Cotton Mill, with all rustic features and beautiful river setting, this venue is the ultimate alternative backdrop if you’re after an industrial feel!
Ahoy! Here’s a wedding idea with a difference for a nautical-loving couple. The Tall Ship dates back to 1896 and gives you and up to 200 of your guests an impressive backdrop right on the harbour, hosting a combination of new and old decor to suit every sailor.
Thinking of going green and having an eco-friendly wedding? At Roulotte Retreat, you can do just that and never compromise on style. This unique venue nestled in the hills is complete with chic gypsy caravans, where you and your loved ones can rest your heads under the stars. It’s definitely one of the coolest alternative wedding venues in the UK!
Bring the outside indoors with you at this special wedding venue. Oxfordshire’s River & Rowing Museum boasts a contemporary setting with panoramic 360-degree views out over meadows and the river. Outdoor couples can be at one with nature in the glass-fronted Thames Room – definitely a venue your guests won’t forget!
All aboard the wedding train! Fawley Hill is a totally quirky choice as you will discover a Victorian carousel, 20 types of animals, not forgetting it’s own train station. Tie the knot on the train carriage before sitting down for a feast inside the station museum. We love it!
Alternative you want, alternative you’ve got! Based in Warwickshire but mobile across the UK, Deckerdence is the double decker with on-board bar (and cocktail lounge upstairs) that can be the centre of your wedding – literally! Turn it into a draping canopy or a full marquee for a show-stopping venue of your very own.
Nestled between some of London’s most famous landmarks, Ivory Vaults is the hidden gem in the cellars of Grade II listed Ivory House. This historic 200-year-old setting oozes charm and character, while intimate dining areas create a personal touch for your alternative day.
If you’re after a hip bohemian wedding or just a beautiful rustic location, The Keeper & The Dell is quite possibly the venue for you! In a gorgeous woodland dell sits the Gamekeeper’s Barn and an array of canvas marquees, where you can celebrate with friends and family as you wish.
The restored Victorian glasshouse of The Isla Gladstone Conservatory is an oasis in the city of Liverpool. Surrounded by dramatic lakes, rose gardens and a romantic bandstand, this light-filled setting is just the thing for a wedding with a difference.
Chiltern Open Air Museum really is alternative with a vintage feel. Boasting a working 1940’s-style farm, an Iron Age roundhouse, and Medieval barns in which to say your vows, this venue is truly memorable. With exclusive use of the entire grounds and over 30 historic buildings, you can enjoy your wedding your way.
Shabby-chic, quirky and a little bit different – introducing Yoghurt Rooms. This oak-beamed barn is at the centre, where an open fireplace and rustic furniture make this space a cosy and inviting venue. It’s farmland is set in 300 acres and offers a honeymoon yurt on site, so you can make a glamping trip into your wedding day!
Fancy seeing your name in lights? This totally glam venue is The Plaza, an auditorium with a capacity for 1,300 with adjoining art deco cafe. If you’ve always dreamed of being a film star, take a seat with a bucket of popcorn and enjoy your wedding day 1930’s style.
Take your fantasies one step further – with a wedding day trip on HMS Unicorn! It’s Scotland’s oldest wooden warship so expect plenty of history, character and a huge on-board unicorn of course! This venue is totally unique and will provide you and your guests with memories of a lifetime.
A seemingly normal venue from outside, Dufferin Coaching Inn is a Northern Irish gem that hides an enchanting secret. Wonderfully combining original rustic features and contemporary decor, the venue has glorious dining spaces and an attached guesthouse with 7 bedrooms to retire to after your celebrations.
The ultimate setting for a country wedding is Vallum Farm, just a stone’s throw away from Newcastle. Use the grounds as a blank canvas, whether you’re after a simple rustic theme or something a little more weird and wonderful. Don’t miss out on the home grown produce from this stunning farm, too!
Ironbridge Gorge Museums transports you back in time for your big day, where you can celebrate with views out to the incredible iron bridge. It also hosts Blists Hill Victorian Town and several culturally and historically-rich buildings. Find something new round every corner at this unorthodox but utterly stunning venue!
Want to make a grand entrance with Bristol’s harbour as your backdrop? Make your guests jaws drop with a dramatic entrance on a boat, or perhaps swing in from a crane on your big day with M Shed. Spectacular harbourside views and a stunning Event Suite aren’t far behind in this venue with a difference.
Surrounded by woodland and set in lush sunken gardens, Voewood is an arts & crafts house with a fun, playful feel. While some rooms take on historic tributes and retro furnishings, others have a contemporary spin that will knock you off your feet. There’s something new lurking around every corner at this quirky venue!
At the site of Liverpool’s infamous Titanic Hotel is Rum Warehouse, a spacious venue with the ultimate industrial feel. This 1950’s warehouse can cater for up to 500 guests, but is completely versatile depending on the size of your guestlist. What’s more, you can party the night away here knowing that accommodation is right next door.
Canal Boat Cruises presents the only cruising restaurant boat of the North-West – aptly titled ‘Romance’. Perfect for intimate receptions and celebrations, this sailing sensation offers miles of beautiful countryside views – and you can even get involved with opening and closing the locks! Incredible.
This gorgeous organic farm boasts farmyard ceremonies and tipi celebrations for a totally unique wedding day. Whether you fancy a vintage afternoon tea in the gardens or a cosy rustic gathering in the Old Dairy, Penybanc Farm is sure to stand out as the perfect eco venue.
Are you both festival-goers and want to resonate that in your venue? Soul House could be the ideal place, as you transform it into your very own Soul Camp with a firepit, glamping facilities and a chance to create special memories. Festival vibes galore!
The 19th Century Victorian factory of Islington Metal Works is definitely a London venue with a difference. The versatile space can be used to cater for intimate gatherings or a more grand affair, with 2 bars and the famous tube carriage cocktail bar! Quirky with a capital Q.
Step into West Street Loft, a casual venue with a very alternative feel. It has it’s own cinema screen (awesome!) and is the perfect blank canvas if you want to put your own spin on the space. Not far from the vibrancy of Brighton, the charm of this unique venue will go a long way in impressing your guests.
The world’s first luxury ocean liner is now an incredible venue for your big day! Brunel’s SS Great Britain is steeped in history and oozes romance at every deck, including the Weather Deck where you and your loved ones can sip bubbly overlooking panoramic harbourside views. What more could you want?
Belle Vue Pavilion is a glorious outdoor structure (one of few in South Wales) where you can tie the knot amidst unrivalled gardens and views. If you’re after a vintage theme, have your ceremony in the bandstand and follow up with a quaint buffet in the conservatory!
With a variety of versatile areas in which to host your wedding celebrations, London’s The Bull & Gate is a stand-out alternative venue! While mixologists offer up unique cocktails and musicians play on the baby grand piano, you can focus on having the time of your life in this quirky setting.
Hobbs of Henley offers two flawless services – transport to and from your wedding venue over the Oxfordshire waters, or hold your entire wedding reception on one of the luxury vessels. Either way, you’ll be hiring the ultimate ferry for your big day!
In the middle of the Capital’s hustle and bustle, Nine Adam Street is a contemporary venue that is just that little bit different. You’ll find exposed brickwork and modern decor that acts as a blank canvas whatever your theme may be. This classy event space will breath fresh air into your wedding planning for sure!
The Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburg is the perfect mix between the traditional and contemporary style. Once home to the Lady Glenorchy Churchill, this venue will make you feel like you’re a lord /lady yourself, with all the modern edge of the 21st century.
Perfect for intimate ceremonies, you can tie the knot on the terrace or you can exchange your vows on the two-acre roof garden in front of your guests. The choice is yours!
If you want different, go for the Woodhorn Museum in Ashington. The colliery buildings combined with cutting edge 21st-century architecture will give an original setting for your wedding. Plus, you can style the venue any way you want! In your wedding, YOU are the boss!
Fforest will give you all the natural elements you require for your wedding. If you want a relaxed, weekend-long, informal venue to celebrate, then this place is for you! Besides having a beautiful nature-filled background, you can also entertain your guests with different activities. Sit by the large communal firepit or relax in the cedar barrel sauna, the weekend is yours!
Have your perfect rustic wedding at Barnutopia. Nested in Shropshire, Oswestry, literally on the border between England and Wales, this venue has everything you need for a countryside ceremony AND you can even have a visit from the Barnutopia kunekune pigs, Felix and Fiona to make you´re wedding all the more entertaining.
Don’t panic if your dream alternative wedding venue wasn’t listed here – head on over to Bridebook.co.uk’s Wedding Venue Search and click the ‘alternative’ filter to view plenty more beautiful backdrops with a difference.
Want to keep your wedding on the down-low, or do you only want to invite the VIPs of your phonebook? No sweat! Intimate weddings are becoming increasingly popular nowadays and more small wedding venues are appearing, as many engaged couples decide to have the company of only their nearest and dearest friends and family for their special day.
We’ve chosen our favourite small wedding venues that cater for cosy, intimate weddings for around 60 guests or less – so sit back, relax and enjoy these small yet incredible spaces! If you want to look at more venues like these, go to Bridebook.co.uk’s Wedding Venue Search and click the ‘Intimate‘ filter.
Quickly discover our top intimate wedding venues in this video brought to you by Bridebook’s experts. We also cover our top tips and tricks to help you know what to look for when you’re searching for your dream wedding venue.
Surrounded by brewing casks and contemporary oak beams, you could say your vows in this super quirky venue. Three Daggers Microbrewery is perfect for hosting your intimate wedding breakfast too, with fine wines and their own ales offered to wash down your feast.
George Vaults is an absolutely stunning 14th Century venue that is steeped in history, but also has a touch of modern elegance. The entire venue has 3 floors and many different function rooms, but this small and cosy space is our favourite setting in one of the most intimate wedding venues in the uk.
Just 20 minutes from Exeter, you’ll find Brickhouse Vineyard, a unique place that provides a beautiful setting for an intimate or more traditional ceremony, overlooking a stunning vineyard. Your guests will be amazed by the views of the Devon countryside.
Fancy a log cabin wedding overlooking the Cumbrian countryside? Hidden River Cabins is a small, unique venue where you can celebrate with up to 50 of your closest friends and family within the oak framed reception room. The photo opportunities are endless here!
Built in 1596, this gorgeous merchant’s house has two beautiful ceremony rooms and the romantic courtyard garden for you to celebrate your nuptials! The wood-panelled Dining Room at the Elizabethan House Museum can seat 25 guests for an intimate quayside wedding.
Now, this is cosy! You and up to 42 of your guests can enjoy this totally unique Medieval venue, The Lost Village of Dode. Create an incredibly romantic ambience for your wedding using the original historic features and candlelight to your advantage.
This Welsh wonder is Trevor Hall, an early Georgian Grade I-listed private stately home in a secluded area of countryside. The red brick structure caters for intimate weddings of 30 guests, where you’ll be served the finest cuisine and can feast like Kings and Queens in the historic Dining Room.
Cruising the Kingston Upon Thames is this intimate venue, The Turk Launches. It seats 86 guests (or less if you fancy a more spacious boat trip!) Each boat is spacious with and features an outside deck, bar, dance floor and comfortable seating, making this a totally memorable experience for all involved. If you’re looking for small wedding venues in London, this could be the one!
600 years old and oozing with historic charm, this setting is definitely easy to fall in love with. Walk the aisle of The Pilgrim’s Rest in front of your nearest and dearest before sitting down to a cosy candlelit dinner. You can thank us later!
Want a super intimate natural wedding in a unique location? Plan-It Earth is a sacred place situated beside an ancient holy well where you can be at one with nature while you exchange vows and banquet alfresco with 25 guests. You can’t get more up close and personal than intimate wedding venue.
With period features running through this spectacular venue and a gorgeous garden to explore, Scaplen’s Court is definitely a gem of Dorset. Use it as a blank canvas to put your own romantic spin on your intimate wedding, and take advantage of the Dorset scenery for your photographs!
No matter how small your guestlist, St Mary’s Space can cater for you. Get away from it all in this unique Scottish venue, where the owners can be your witnesses if you don’t want the pressure of family and friends present. The mountain backdrop makes it that bit more stunning, too!
Keeping with the Scottish theme, one of our smallest capacity venues is Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel. Fitting only 28 of your VIP’s, this venue also boasts a luxury hotel with an adjoining restaurant, and not forgetting the 360-degree views over the coast.
Original beams, contemporary decor, gorgeous bedrooms and award-winning gardens – that’s what is in store for you when you enter these Cotswold stone buildings. Temple Guiting Manor screams luxury with a twist of historic ambience. Oh and…the outdoor hot tub!
Boutique by name, boutique by nature! Nestled in the historic town of Southwell, the niche of this spectacular venue is – you’ve guessed it – intimate weddings! With plenty of outdoor space and stunning interiors, your Nottinghamshire wedding venue visits are not complete until you’ve seen The Old Vicarage.
Pekes Manor Estate is a Tudor house overlooking gorgeous lakes and perfectly preened gardens in Sussex. Invite 30 guests to watch you tie the knot in this historic setting, and then party the night away with your evening guests in a glorious marquee on the lawns.
The Georgian Lawrence Castle of Haldon Belvedere is what dreams are made of! This hilltop beauty offers views of land and sea for miles around, not to mention plenty of magical charm for your intimate fairytale wedding. If you’re into Castle Wedding Venues, travel on a horse to this venue and you’re set!
Enough grandeur and class for an elegant wedding; yet cosy and homely enough for a private gathering with your loved ones. The Capital’s 170 Queen’s Gate is a luxurious Victorian townhouse with a beautiful Courtyard Garden where you can sip on bubbly to your heart’s content.
Get up close and personal with your guests at this old and charming railway station. You and 25 others can celebrate at this intimate setting with a delightful afternoon tea, followed by a walk around the wild gardens. The Garden Station is simply splendid!
Walk down the aisle at Tudor House & Garden in the intimate Georgian Room before having celebratory drinks in the 11th Century open-air King John’s Palace. Have photos against a backdrop of rustic stone structures and lush gardens on the most important day of your life.
Delicious local country food and fine wines are on the menu at The Lord Crewe Arms Hotel, which is just perfect for a low-key event. The Guesthouse is just as impressive, boasting rustic structures and glowing fires throughout. Be sure to enjoy your favourite tipple at the Medieval vaulted bar ‘The Crypt’ as well!
Burgh House is a 300-year-old oasis where you can escape the hustle and bustle of Central London. Gather in the cosy Library until you’re ready for a feast in the wood-panelled Music Room – unless you and your small group of guests fancy a gander at the art gallery instead!
Right next to the Cornish coast lies Lower Barns, a quirky yet simply stunning barn venue catering for just 20 people. With accommodation for you and your guests right on its doorstep, this venue is boutique and personal at the same time. Just make sure that your pooch is at the top of your guest list for this one!
Dine by candlelight at Star Castle Hotel, situated on the Isles of Scilly, for one of the most romantic and intimate experiences of your lifetime. The castle’s unique shape of an 8-point star has glorious sea views and easy access to golden beaches – this 16th Century gem is a winner in our eyes!
On the banks of the River Nene sits the Queen’s Head Inn, a warm and cosy pub setting it seems from the outside. However, the interiors are a treasure waiting to be found – it boasts 3 reception rooms of varying sizes, each of which is ideal for more intimate weddings.
You might have to cut down your guestlist for this one, as only 10 people can board this unique venue – but we’re sure it would be worth it! Solus A Chuain, based on the Isle of Skye, is a luxury yacht setting allowing you to get away from the mainland and sail into the horizon.
Richmond’s glorious Petersham Hotel is the epitome of luxury and class, as this Victorian venue offers views of the Thames and award-winning cuisine. Dine with 30 of your guests before taking to the marble floors to see your wedding day out with a bang! Check out more Hotel Wedding Venue in the UK!
Dating back to 1016, Great Tangley Manor seats only 14 guests in it’s ceremony settings for the ultimate personal wedding experience. This moated manor house promises a historic warm welcome and a totally unique backdrop in the Surrey countryside.
The Papermill, a small riverside restaurant, could be just the place you’re looking for. This contemporary yet casual venue is perfect for an intimate wedding breakfast if the focus is on fab food, friendly service and enjoying the company of your guests.
The service at The Brewers Inn is famed for its personal touch, alongside the incredibly versatile space for an intimate and casual wedding reception. With a wine barrel feature wall and plenty of other nooks and crannies to explore, the secret Cellar Bar is a gem waiting to be discovered.
Nash Point Lighthouse is the only working lighthouse in the British Isles – and you could have your wedding here! Squeeze into the lighthouse tower for an up close and personal experience with your guests, while taking in the magnificent views of the coast. This is also one of the best unusual wedding venues in the UK!
From an informal drinks reception in the bar to a more grand affair in the Westminster Suite, The Bridge Hotel seeps character and charm for your intimate celebrations. The lucky people on your guestlist will be able to sample this venue’s fine food and drinks, ensuring it will be a memorable day for all.
Interested in an intimate wedding venue? Look no further! Located in the rural setting of the Worcestershire countryside, the Manor Hill House is the perfect place for you. The exclusive venue offers you the flexibility and freedom to make this space whatever you want!
Whether it is a small, private wedding, or a large, luxurious one, you can choose between 4 different reception rooms and accommodate as many guests you want! The choice is yours!
Weddings and wine bring people together. In this small wedding reception venue, you can combine both and still have a memorable ceremony. Knightor Winery is a gorgeous Vineyard and the perfect location for wine lovers!
You can choose to have an outdoor ceremony overlooking the pond and the gorgeous countryside or you can tie the knot in the traditional stone barn if you are interested in a smaller ceremony. Either way, rest assured, you will have the time of your life!
The Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburg is the perfect mix between the traditional and contemporary style. Once home to the Lady Glenorchy Churchill, this venue will make you feel like you’re a lord or lady yourself, with all the modern edge of the 21st century.
The perfect small wedding ceremony venue, you can tie the knot on the terrace or you can exchange your vows on the two-acre roof garden in front of your guests. The choice is yours!
Want a venue that is both beautiful AND affordable? The Marsham Court Hotel is the place for you! Located on Bournemouth, Dorset, you can count on the staff and the wedding coordinator to satisfy your every need. Y
ou can also select different packages with cheap prices that offer you all the extras you want! Red carpet? Check! Sea view? Check! The Marsham Court Hotel is here to show you that you don’t need to be a millionaire to feel like a million bucks, while still being one of the most intimate wedding venues on the list!
If none of these small wedding venues lives up to your fantasies, there’s plenty more where they came from! Simply head over to Bridebook.co.uk’s Wedding Venue Search and click the ‘Intimate’ filter.
Are you waiting to find your fairytale castle in which to marry your Prince or Princess? Well look no further, as Bridebook.co.uk have put together a list of the top classic venues so you go ahead with planning your traditional wedding.
If you want more choice than our top 32, use our Wedding Venue Search and click the ‘Classic’ filter to find plenty more gorgeous settings that you are sure to fall in love with!
Carlton Towers is the most perfect venue to start off our ‘classic’ search with! This Yorkshire beauty is truly what dreams are made of, as Gothic architecture, high ceilings and 250 acres of land will surround you during your celebrations. So romantic!
You can’t get much more traditional than a church wedding, and All Saints Chapel is a spectacular choice! Guaranteed to make the hairs on your arms stand up, the Belgian altar and unique stained-glass windows of this Grade I listed building will be simply unforgettable.
This Medieval abbey has a classic castle exterior and boasts 10 acres of gorgeous grounds, with stunningly romantic decor and stained glass windows. Whether you choose to tie the knot in the Garden Room or the Library, your classic venue search is not complete without a trip to Missenden Abbey.
Every Princess has their Knight in shining armour, and Clearwell Castle is the place to live out that dream! In the depths of an enchanted forest, you will find this fairytale venue oozing with exquisite interiors and plenty of splendour. Make this exclusive setting all yours for your magical wedding day.
The Elvetham mansion house is definitely an unforgettable one, steeped in historic charm and grandeur. The impressive exterior gives the ‘wow’ factor, while luxurious furnishings make your classic wedding as comfortable (and as stylish!) as possible.
The Victorian mansion house of East Dene has nearly 200 years of history, 10 acres of gorgeous woodland and a totally bespoke service in which you can design your perfect day. Wood panelled rooms and original features will make you swoon over this classic venue!
This Cornish gem is Tor House, a classy Grade II listed building with bright and spacious rooms. As well as exclusive use of the beautiful gardens and luxurious accommodation, this simple venue is quite simply a fabulous stately home.
Built in the 19th Century and oozing with ornate decor, Thornton Manor offers an array of settings for your classic wedding. Whether you choose the gorgeous ceremony room or the secret garden’s Waterside Pavilion, you’ll be in the perfect place to live out your dream.
If you’re after a small and sophisticated celebration, Pitcalzean House may be the venue for you. This classic Georgian country house offers 33 acres of land, a croquet lawn and endless traditional charm for the most perfect Scottish wedding!
Lucknam Park not only boasts ultimately romantic rooms and luxury decor, but also delectable dining, beautiful bedrooms and a spa for a relaxing retreat. Make your classic wedding as intimate or as grand as you like with this picture postcard backdrop – you can thank us later!
Ramp up the tradition with a ceremony in the Siegfried Room at Edinburgh Napier University, followed by a classy wedding breakfast in the impressive 20th Century chapel. Filled with period features and plenty of character, this building could be the place to make your vision a reality.
Nestled in the Essex countryside is Ivy Hill Hotel, a marvellous venue offering function rooms with a touch of splendour and quintessential charm. Spill out onto the beautiful landscaped gardens for your drinks reception before sitting down to a classic wedding breakfast in this venue of bliss.
Ride up to the entrance of Lea Burrows Country House by horse and carriage or vintage car to start your classic wedding in style. This gorgeous traditional venue has 30 acres of gardens and woodlands for you to explore throughout the day, until you step inside to enjoy unique fireplaces and detailed decor. And all of this in the picturesque setting of the Surrey Hills!
This Georgian estate is a family-run wedding venue with incredible style. Offering traditional and luxurious rooms and apartments for you and your entourage to stay in, Trereife Park can cater for small and large weddings – not forgetting the simply stunning backdrop of the surrounding gardens.
If you’ve always dreamed of a fairytale castle wedding, Melville Castle is the one! Ornate State Rooms and The Ballroom are just some of the classic settings on offer for your wedding – high ceilings, period features and glorious landscapes will make you pinch yourself!
Whether you fancy an intimate feast, a grand party in the Ballroom or simple ceremony in the private gardens, Kippilaw House has it all. The ethos here at this beautiful country house is to create what you want without loads of restrictions, so you can really plan your classic wedding day the way you dreamt it.
Nestled in the Scottish countryside, this 17th Century country house is as traditonal as you can get. The gardens of Innes House make the perfect backdrop for you to say your ‘I do’s, before dining in the unique marquee that brings the outdoors in. Finish your day by dancing away in the formal Ballroom!
In the heart of Peterborough city lies The Bull Hotel, a Grade II listed venue with heaps of character and charm. Combining historic features, gorgeous lighting and timeless furnishings, this classic hotel might just steal your heart.
This stunning manor house was transformed into Durker Roods Hotel in 1975, where the staff welcome whatever wedding ideas you have! After admiring the classic exterior, take a peek inside the hotel and find a fairytale staircase, alongside plenty of beautiful rooms in which to host your special day.
Oozing endless amounts of history and charm, Landguard Manor is an Isle of Wight gem. Surrounded by gorgeous grounds and picturesque landscapes, this manor house venue plays host to an array of stunning formal rooms for your traditional wedding.
Whether you’re after a gorgeous summer ceremony in the gardens or you’d prefer a more cosy affair next to the fireplace in the colder months, Langrish House can accommodate you. It’s wood-panelled room is the hub of this classic venue, while also offering spectacular views over the Hampshire countryside.
This Georgian manor house dates back to the 18th Century, where each of the reception rooms – The Goldings Room, The Hadlow Suite, and The Garden Room – take on slightly different styles of timeless class. Backing onto Hadlow Manor House are the stunning lawns, providing an utterly romantic scene in which to set your day.
The Edwardian house of Coombe Trenchard offers an oasis of woodlands, streams and gardens for you and your other half to explore after you’ve tied the knot. Have a formal feast in the Grand Hall or a more relaxed ceremony under the Tower- but we know one thing is for certain: this classic venue is what dreams are made of!
The Ivory Pavilion is the clean-cut and traditional juxtaposition to next-door Galgorm Castle. Enjoy the fabulous grounds with rustic walls and lush flowers, before spending quality time with friends and family in the pavilion underneath luxurious ivory ceiling drapes. Even more classic rooms can be sought out in the 17th Century castle!
Ripley‘s Victorian country house has plentiful period features, and one room that stands out is the Hampton Court Palace-inspired Music Room. Complete with grand piano and views out to the Sensory Garden, this is the place to celebrate for a classic feel.
The 4-star hotel of Donnington Valley overlooks the picture-perfect Berkshire countryside. Stylish chandeliers hang above the timeless reception room, letting tons of natural light in – not to mention the relaxing spa facilities and luxurious bedrooms. You can’t go wrong with this elegant venue!
The Georgian Corse Lawn House Hotel sums up ‘classic’ in a nutshell. With a traditional exterior and fronted by it’s own pond, the style continues indoors with formal dining rooms and bedroom suites with a period feel. Be a Prince and Princess for the day here!
A historic Edwardian building with luxurious reception suites in the hustle and bustle of Knightsbridge – this is The Rembrandt Hotel! Enjoy a relaxing massage or treatment in the health & fitness club, and rest your head after a busy wedding day in an elegant bedroom with views of the Victoria & Albert Museum. If you’re looking for somewhere classy where you can indulge, this is it!
130 acres of gardens surround the Grade I listed Warbrook House, which has an exterior oozing grandeur. Stepping inside, you’ll find elegant lighting, ornate decor and romantic drapes, making it a fab traditional venue choice. It even has it’s own canal – so romantic!
Among the Berkshire countryside lies Cantley House Hotel, a magnificent red-brick country house that takes you right back to a true classic feel. Filled with period features and furnishings, this venue has surprises round every corner – and for us this was the stunning Oak Room. Imagine walking down the aisle here!
Feel like royalty at Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa as you make a grand entrance down the long, winding driveway and receive a spectacular red carpet reception. This lovely building seeps tradition on the inside and out, and will make the ultimate quintessential backdrop.
As one of the Capital’s oldest sporting venues, this classic Victorian style building is steeped in history. The Kia Oval offers the Pavilion’s Long Room where walls are lined with charming artwork and ceilings are decorated with stylish chandeliers. But most importantly, let the experienced staff do all the hard work while you enjoy your memorable day.
These are only a few of our gorgeous traditional venues, but be sure to peruse our Wedding Venue Search and click the ‘Classic’ filter to find the perfect wedding venue for you!
Don’t forget, Bridebook.co.uk isn’t just for venues! We’re here to help you with the rest of your wedding planning too – add your own wedding guestlist, wedding checklist and wedding budget so you can keep on top of things easily.
It really can be hard to find a venue that sticks out from the rest – trust us! From barns to manor houses to mills to the truly weird and wonderful – we’ve found all the most unique wedding venues – all to make your wedding day planning a little bit easier. You want unique? You’ve got it!
And if you fancy searching some more, head over to our Wedding Venue Search and click ‘Unique’ in the filters for some more one-of-a-kind venues!
Weddings at QMUL is a book lover’s dream! The Octagon’s stunning backdrop consists of seemingly infinite shelves of colourful books and unique high ceilings for a spacious and inspiring wedding day. If you are looking for a unique wedding venue, this could be the one!
If you are looking for a city wedding in a contemporary venue, Shoreditch Studios is the perfect place. This Warehouse is totally unique, and you will fall in love with the design of the place.
One of our favourite rustic venues is a totally unique llama farm! The Wellbeing Farm is an eco-friendly and animal-focused setting where your guests sit on hay bales and llamas with bow ties feature in your wedding photos – what else could you want for a more memorable day?
Not only is Marleybrook House a beautiful 17th Century farmhouse, but it holds an incredibly unique secret – it’s own vintage fayre! You and your guests can be transported back in time by enjoying classic fairground rides in the most gorgeous countryside setting.
Alongside South Farm‘s rustic barn buildings and Grade II listed farmhouse lies quirky Romany caravans and plenty of camping space for any adventurous guests! Throw cute piglets and a ride on a rickshaw in the mix, and you’re sure to be celebrating in the most unique way possible!
Nothing can rival the elegance of this totally unique venue – the RSA House oozes a combination of Georgian luxury and contemporary features with stunning artwork. You almost won’t believe that this gem is situated in the midst of the Capital’s West End!
Boasting it’s own valley, 3 lakes and an array of venues, Busbridge Lakes is one-of-a-kind. It is home to one of the largest collections of water birds and plenty of gorgeous gardens to explore in this countryside oasis.
This contemporary arts venue stands tall with incredible views over Manchester and is definitely a wow factor wedding venue. The Lowry contains a circular Compass Room, so no view is obscured during your day. It really is an architectural wonder of the North!
This unique city venue in the heart of Liverpool is another of our favourite’s at Bridebook.co.uk! SIREN is a cool, contemporary setting perfect for your wedding reception with magnificent views over the hustle and bustle, while the adjacent outdoor area is ideal for a casual celebration.
This rustic seaside wedding venue, neighboured by it’s own private shingle beach, is a totally unique choice. East Quay Venue produces their own fresh oysters that you and your guests can enjoy, before taking to the dancefloor alongside the fish tank DJ booth!
Want a little Meditteranean in your UK wedding? Le Petit Chateau is a French-inspired country manor that really gives a meaning to ‘unique’ with a ceremony in the Belle Epoque room, followed by sipping bubbly in the secret Meditteranean Garden. If this has awakened your interest in Manor House Wedding Venues, look here!
Scotland’s Achnagairn Castle boasts a stunning ballroom with vaulted ceilings, beautifully designed bedrooms and a totally exclusive experience with a magical backdrop. The mantra here is ‘Escape the ordinary’, so you’re in for a super unique wedding venue here.
Gather round film-lovers and cinema fanatics! Believe it or not, you can actually get married at The Little Theatre Cinema in Bath, while your guests watch a bespoke film of the happy couple on the big screen! This is the venue for you if you want to inject some retro cinema vibes into your special day.
Quite possibly a rower’s dream – As the oldest club in the world and dating back to 1856, London Rowing Club sure is a quirky choice of wedding venue. Expect magnificent views over the River Thames and even a rowing boat on the ceiling!
If you’re after a one-of-a-kind intimate wedding in an idyllic location, Norfolk’s Cley Windmill may be just the thing! With magnificent views from the circular sitting room, access to the nearby self-catering cottage and full use of the gorgeous grounds, we’re sure you’ll love this venue!
Among the special features of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel are boutique rooms, grand architecture and a spectacular lake. But there’s no doubt that the main attraction at this unique venue is the incredible Callow Great Hall with stained glass windows and glorious high ceilings.
This is the ultimate fairytale venue for anyone who has dreamt of being a prince or princess! The Enchanted Manor offers a Dining Room or Garden ceremony, after which you can play out the rest of your dream day in this quirky setting.
Breathtaking, romantic and full of character – Maunsel House is one you won’t forget. Acres of parkland, lakes and orchards greet you to this Somerset beauty, while the interiors ooze historic charm and 13th Century inspiration.
With panoramic views over the Welsh Snowdonian mountains, the Grade II listed Chateau Rhianfa is an architectural wonder. Offering a unique Wine Cave, glorious Banqueting Hall and endless lavish interiors, this is a venue with the ‘wow’ factor!
The Gothic revival style of this spectacularly unique venue dates back to 1838. The Battleaxes hosts gorgeous chandeliers, mismatched chairs and original wood panels for a homely setting with a difference.
Paradise is a chic and trendy venue with quirky decor and an ambience to match in London’s ‘cool’ Kensal Green area. We’re sure you’ll be pleased with every nook and cranny you explore within this splendid city space!
Built as an open air school in 1907, the Grade II listed Cloisters structure is an incredible one. Say your vows in the stunning Temple before enjoying a feast in the Banqueting Hall for a distinctive wedding day that will stay in your guest’s memories for years to come.
What could make a more idyllic setting than the picturesque surroundings of Sopley Mill? Sat above the Avon Millstream and spread across 3 floors with original windmill features still present, this unique venue gives out a rustic yet simply stunning feel.
Listen up, beer lovers! On a rustic farm setting lives the super modern micro-brewery of Pheasantry Brewery. Exposed brick interiors, a stunning outdoor ceremony set up and of course traditionally brewed beers lay in wait if you choose this distinct venue for your celebrations.
The Ravenswood, the gorgeous countryside venue of Sussex, boasts an impressive manor house, 18 acres of stunning landscape and even a unique outdoor pavilion in which you can tie the knot! This 15th Century gem will definitely set your wedding day apart from anyone else’s.
Oozing medieval charm with over 500 years of history, Aikwood Tower also ties in a contemporary style with the classic castle look. This intimate Scottish venue features rustic stone walls beside modern white staircases and romantic fairy lights to give you the unique feel you’re looking for.
This gorgeous manor house in the rolling countryside of Wales is definitely a memorable venue! Tall John’s House combines rustic original features with 21st-century fittings, plus the rear courtyard houses ‘The Coachman’s’ – a unique place for you and your partner to spend your wedding night.
Greenwich’s Fan Museum is as distinctive as you can possibly get! Go oh-so-British with an intimate afternoon tea in the airy Orangery, where Georgian architecture and elegant decor is at it’s finest. Not forgetting the gardens, where you can peruse the fan-shaped flowerbeds!
First opened in 1666, Brickwall House prides itself on it’s period features, a distinct exterior look and gorgeously preened grounds. From an intimate celebration to an extravagant marquee bash with 300 guests, this one-of-a-kind venue is sure to please whatever your plans are.
Your fairytale wedding day wouldn’t be complete without having considered De Vere Tortworth Estate. This magical, grade II-listed set of buildings are truly a sight to behold – the light-filled Orangery dates back to 1874 and offers a spacious feel for your ever-important aisle walk.
Picturesque Bembridge Harbour is home to this wonderfully unique, waterside venue. Sailors, this is one for you! Founded in 1886, Bembridge Sailing Club boasts panoramic views of the surrounding Isle of Wight, interiors flooded with daylight and perfect boardwalk photo opportunities.
Named the UK’s smallest 5-star hotel, Hillbark Hotel is somewhat a Tardis of venues! It’s distinct exterior will impress, but as you walk inside and experience the Grand Hall, you’ll realise it’s a lot more spacious than you ever thought. Add on a glorious marquee and plenty more rooms filled with historic charm – and you’re set for your unique wedding day!
This Northern Irish gem is steeped in local history and has close connections with horse racing and the production of Whiskey (you can even sample some at the venue!) With a new luxurious wedding suite opening this spring, Tullyglass House Hotel is definitely the place to be if you want that little bit of lush in your life.
This eye-catching venue was built in 1775 and has truly seen its share of changes. Originally a working Mill, it is now a stunning 4-star boutique hotel with a 3aa rosette restaurant AND a wedding venue that has been kept as close to its original state as possible, whilst being taken into the modern day. Running water and natural vibrancy are the order of the day at Suffolk’s Tuddenham Mill.
At Wold Top Brewery, you can make your wedding day into anything that sparks your creativity. With stunning gardens and two sites for your marquee, tipi or yurt, this unique setting is the perfect backdrop to your wedding! And the funnest part? You will have your own beer label and clip pump! You and your guests will have the best time if you chose this venue.
If you’re looking for a one of kind place to tie the knot, the National Museum of The Royal Navy is a great choice! With gorgeous spaces, you can have your ceremony and seamlessly move on to your party. This venue is also quite flexible, and you will be able to add your unique touches to the decor. You and your guests will have an unforgettable day at this beautiful venue.
So there are our top 33 unique venues – we sure have fallen in love with them all! Don’t worry if you’re not the biggest fan – head over to our Wedding Venue Search and click ‘Unique’ in the filters for some more distinct venues.
Once you’ve got your venue down, don’t forget to plan the rest of your day the simple way – through Bridebook.co.uk! Use our following features so all of your plans are in one place:
Do you ever feel like leaving the corporate rat race behind in favour of doing something that feeds your soul, awakens your senses and propels you in the direction of a lifestyle you could only ever dream of?
Katrina Boydon is a successful, British born marketer who spent many years abroad (in Russia, France and the United States, to be specific) building a professional career to support her growing family of 4 children and 2 dogs with husband Steve.
In 2014, the family made the life-changing decision to return to Britain and open a glamping site in Shropshire. Barnutopia welcomed its first guests in the summer of 2015.
The family hosted their first wedding in August 2017 and today, Barnutopia is a busy, successful wedding business that attracts 5-star guest reviews and is even set to feature on a prime time TV series in April as a British small business success story.
Today, we have the privilege of meeting Katrina to find out a little more about the success story behind this yurt glampsite in the Shropshire countryside.
Bridebook: Where did the idea for Barnutopia originate from?
Katrina: It came to us over a period after leading active outdoor lives as campers. We could see the attraction of being able to enjoy the outdoors without having to carry all the stuff that goes along with traditional camping. Our children participated in several yurt glamping trips with their Montessori school in the United States and our final fling in the US was a 6,000-mile cross-USA trip in a caravan. With our 4 children and 2 dogs that simply would not have been possible as a camping trip.
What came first; the venue or the concept?
The concept. We knew that we wanted to open a glamping site and actively sought out a suitable property with land.
Why Shropshire? Do you know the area well or did you perhaps spot an opportunity or gap in the market?
After living abroad for over 20 years and moving internationally several times, we wanted to move to a place where we didn’t have to start completely from scratch (family, network of friends, knowledge of area). I was born and grew up in Llangollen about 15 miles from Oswestry, where Barnutopia is based. Steve’s parents live in Welshpool, 15 miles from Oswestry in the other direction. We were not set on Shropshire; Powys, Cheshire, Gwynedd, Wrexham and Flintshire were all possibilities.
As we viewed properties we took into consideration the location (looking for easy access but rural surroundings) and proximity of similar or alternative businesses, tourist attractions, walking, hiking, town amenities. Tanycoed Farm had all these things in a particularly stunning spot.
Owing to your successful Marketing background, I’m sure tons of aspiring and existing wedding business owners would love to know more about your Barnutopia marketing strategy…
Ok, so from a top level perspective, our short term objective is to generate venue-hire bookings for at least 30 weekends each in 2018, 2019 and beyond.
Our medium term objectives are to maintain a solid web presence on multiple platforms and media, and to establish a client base for midweek bookings.
And our longer term goal is to generate weekend and midweek bookings for 30-40 weeks of the year allowing us to have time out for maintenance and for ourselves.
Could you talk us through any marketing wins / successes you’ve enjoyed, including what has worked well for the business in terms of exposure and business generation…
Yeah, good question. My strategy from the start has been to be everywhere online. Our web presence is very well developed. Facebook has been a huge source of enquiries and traffic to our website, such that over 50% of bookings are via our own media. The rest come through directory websites like Bridebook.
I’m flexible and responsive as a new business Owner/Manager, and I try out new creative offers and variations on packages constantly. If I find something that works, I replicate it, but don’t leave it at that.
When we first set up Barnutopia we targeted families, primarily. We had very few whole-site or exclusive use bookings. This has flipped now and we have whole-site bookings nearly every weekend and far fewer individual, family / friends bookings.
What lessons have you learned so far?
It’s hard to say what I’ve learned from a marketing perspective when it is so intertwined with what I’m learning about the glamping and the wedding industry in general.
Generally, I would say that you cannot get tired of presenting and promoting your business. It may seem to you that it’s the same-old same-old, but you aren’t your audience. Your audience may be seeing your 20th iteration on a wedding venue ad, but it’s the first time for them. Keep it fresh and interesting for THEM.
How have your marketing resources been split between mediums?
Approximately:
TIME: 35% website development, 65% social media, 20% directory listings
MONEY: 5% website, 35% social media, 60% directory listings
How have online wedding planning platforms and directories fared in terms of your expectations versus delivery?
As expected to be honest. I am getting a steady stream of enquiries through a variety of free and paid listings on wedding directories, so it’s doing the trick.
Would you recommend signing up to online wedding planning platforms and directories if asked by other wedding venues? Why?
Yes. One way or another you are going to have to pay to market your venue. If you have the time and skills to do it yourself then great, but time and/or money has to be expended to generate business.
Large wedding directory sites have a budget that small businesses cannot compete with; so, unless you want to disappear into cyber oblivion you must be where the enquiries are.
What proportion of your marketing efforts are targeted specifically towards wedding industry audiences versus a more all-inclusive approach?
Currently around 50% weddings, 25% existing audience, 25% new target audience
Have you developed any interesting insights into the wedding industry or learned what seems to work / not work in this field?
Compared to other whole-site reservations, I think the ante is upped for weddings. Couples book a venue, not a site. The expectation is bigger, better, slicker.
We’ve had some big whole-site reservations made on the fly for non-wedding, friends and family gatherings. The person booking looks at social media pages and website, makes an enquiry and then books, often without any verbal exchange at all.
This has never happened for a wedding.
For weddings, couples always view before booking. This is reflected in the information published and sent to persons enquiring about weddings. They want to know and think about it a lot more before making their decision.
We’re big on pushing the importance of reviews at Bridebook. How impactful are good reviews in your experience of the wedding industry so far?
Nearly every guest who stays with us says they have read our fantastic reviews. Oddly, having lots of reviews already seems to inspire even more people to write their own.
Can you tell us anything about the TV series in which Barnutopia features?
The series follows a number of British business during their first year in business. The mentor for the series is a well known British TV personality and business woman. Barnutopia is one of the success stories. It is due to start airing in April 2018 and tentatively our episode should be on May 14th.
As a British small business success story, we have to ask; what is the secret to your success?
I would say the secret to our success is that we know what we want out of our business and we love what we do. In addition to this, we are practically inclined and aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty.
Of course, we invest heavily in promoting Barnutopia and it’s our goal to be everywhere online. We’re also not afraid to adapt and change in keeping with the ever-evolving expectations of our clients.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs what would it be?
Make sure you have at least some of the expert knowledge and skills you need to be successful or you will be overwhelmed with learning.
Thanks to Katrina for this inspiring and informative interview which should help any new wedding businesses or aspiring wedding professionals understand a little more about the journey from ‘great idea’ to even greater success.
As always, we welcome any questions or comments.
Looking for more inspiring wedding industry stories? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub now. The wedding industry professional’s one-stop shop for the all the latest news and top tips to power your wedding business.
John Nassari shares his top 10 tips for professional wedding photographers
Whether you’re an established wedding photographer or are just considering leaping lens first into the world of wedding photography, you understand the value of expert advice.
John Nassari is an award-winning London photographer with a diverse career and considerable academic experience. We’ve met up with him to ask for a few lessons in wedding photography.
Meet John, your expert for the next 10 minutes.
John Nassari’s Top Ten from Behind the Lens.
1.Turn the camera on yourself
“I think at some point or another, a lot of photographers turn the camera on themselves. Maybe not directly on themselves but on their family. That’s what I did.” John Nassari.
Practice at every possible occasion. Take loads of photographs and get used to shooting people and searching for those decisive, emotional moments.
Emotion is a hard thing to capture and it’s not necessarily about capturing someone laughing. There’s something more than a smile that makes a powerful image. A touch, a look… an isolating moment between the couple as they stand amongst the crowd – that’s how you capture a beautiful moment.
Practice and develop your eye for capturing these moments within your own life.
2.Study other photographers that inspire you
By studying the work of photographers you admire – whether inside or outside of the wedding industry – you challenge yourself to continually improve and you can more easily carve out a style for yourself.
Some of the photographers that inspired John include:
Richard Avedon – a portrait photographer well known for shooting against white backgrounds.
Robert Frank – a documentary photographer and filmmaker
Nan Goldin
Cindy Sherman
Henri Cartier-Bresson
3.Know that wedding photography is different.
If you have experience in photography outside of the wedding industry, prepare for the difference!
When shooting weddings you’re reacting, not planning.
You have to react to the story as it happens and unravels because it’s a live event that you’re there to capture. There’s always a beginning, a middle and an end but it’s always a different story. You don’t know what’s going to happen and that makes wedding photography both fun and challenging. Listen to what’s going on around you and react.
Top tip:Always use multiple backup SD cards – never rely on just one. You can’t ask for a couple to re-enact their wedding – it’s very different to a studio shoot in this way!
4.Become the invisible guest.
When photographing a wedding you become an “intimate stranger”.
“There’s a kind of unspoken agreement that I could block someone’s view but it’s ok because I’m the photographer, and although I don’t know anyone I’m allowed to move around freely.”
Wedding photographers are allowed to have so much power and space.
Attempting to capture all aspects and every moment of the weddings you shoot is a skill in itself. You’ll need to invisibly and seamlessly glide around the ceremonies you shoot and this is something that comes with practice.
“The bombastic, “can we have the bride’s parents now” cliche of a wedding photographer is now a thing of the past. We’re more adept and agile now as photographers.”
Forging a good relationship with the couple you’re shooting is really important as they have to trust you not notice you. If they’re worried about your ability, professionalism and whether you’re capturing everything, you’ll be in their focus.
5.Promote yourself properly
John believes that photographers must embrace blogging to raise awareness of their brand. John himself shares regular news and photography tips on his website and he believes it’s imperative to ensuring one is highly commended within the photographer community and subsequently recommended to newly engaged couples.
Keep your Bridebook profile up to date because this is where your audience is. Be where engaged couples are and make sure the photographs and information you present are relevant, current and representative of how talented you really are.
You will, of course, need a website – but how do you have a website if you’ve never shot a wedding?
“Photograph family and friends…offer to photograph their weddings and if you’re not experienced or confident enough yet, shoot them for free and possibly even in addition to a ‘pro’ wedding photographer.”
You could also try working with venues and doing style shoots for free so that you have industry related work to show.
6.Network
“Networking is imperative,” says John “and there are different kinds of education when it comes to learning how to be a successful wedding photographer”.
Joining a group of photographers that meet every month and talk about their portfolio is classed as education and development.
You could become part of a community like SNAP Photo Festival which is aimed at wedding and lifestyle photographers and includes workshops and activities which will inspire you and help you to develop your wedding business. This too is education.
Building relationships with other suppliers is important for your professional development and for business.
7.Make the couple feel comfortable
John believes that a pre-wedding shoot is really important in making the couple you’re working with feel comfortable.
“They get to see your style and pictures first hand before their wedding. Plus they have the chance to meet you and have a few practice shots in front of the camera. A relaxed couple that trusts you is so important in wedding photography.”
Meeting a couple when they first book your services and keeping in good contact with them throughout their wedding planning journey is also imperative.
Couples are looking for a sidekick, not a colleague.
8.Tips for shooting in low lighting
It’s impossible to give a one size fits all answer to the problem of low lighting.
Many weddings happen in churches or moodily lit rooms and as a photographer, you’ll need to manage the lighting available to you without the support of flash.
“I go up to ISO 3200 if I really need to but I try to use fast lenses to overcome the issue of low lighting. Obviously, you can’t use flash at weddings so I would say the best advice is to look for low noise, high ISO cameras. If you pick the right camera and invest in fast lenses, you’ll be amazed at the difference in low light photo quality.”
9.Shooting cultural weddings
In 2009, John shot his first Jewish wedding and became slightly stuck on a few references to tradition, such as the use of the word “Bedeken”.
To ensure you’re fully prepared to shoot cultural weddings you’re unfamiliar with it’s imperative that you do your research beforehand.
“Just do your due diligence as a photographer. I Googled the term Bedeken and found a resource for Jewish weddings. Then I’d keep in good contact with the couple to make sure I’d interpreted my research correctly and that what I knew about their culture fit the reality of their wedding.”
10.Prepare a winning portfolio
To prepare a winning wedding photography portfolio you have to first identify what it is you want to specialise in and be clear about your photographic style.
Are you a slightly overexposed, ethereal style wedding photographer who specialises in outdoor weddings and posed shots? Or perhaps your style includes shadow and drama, and you specialise in documentary style castle weddings.
Whatever your style and substance, keep pushing your work to the next level. Shoot more weddings and every year, update your portfolio in line with improvements in your work.
“Get rid of last year’s wedding shots because you should have better samples from this year. Your work is going to get better and better, and you may find that you’re shooting more barn weddings now and therefore that’s what you want to specialise in. Show more of these. And let your style adapt to the jobs you take on.”
Top tip: Keep your Bridebook profile packed full with your most up to date photography. With 1 in 2 couples now planning their wedding with Bridebook, your work is always being seen. You want to make sure that it’s your best and most recent work.
Thanks to John Nassari for his top 10 tips for wedding photographers
If you’d like to learn more from John Nassari, purchase ‘The 10 Essential Steps to Wedding Photography Success‘ – with over two hours of online tutorials, this course offers everything you need to supercharge your wedding photography business. (Full course information in the video below).
Use Discount Code: “bridebook” and get 50% off until 31st March 2018!!
Looking for more top tips and industry insights? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub now. The wedding industry professional’s one-stop shop for the all the latest news and top tips to power your wedding business.
Bridebook.co.uk, the UK’s number one wedding planning app, has broken down the costs of the biggest wedding of the year. Today’s couples spend an average of £17,913 on their big day, with the average wedding size being 78 guests for the ceremony and 83 guests for the evening. But Harry and Meghan aren’t like today’s average couples. They’re having everything from bespoke silver plated fanfare trumpets to a “drone destroyer”, so it’s safe to say they will be adding a few extra zeros to their bill.
800 guests are attending the church and then the formal lunchtime reception, followed by a private evening reception for family and friends of about 600 people. However, in a surprise twist, Harry and Meghan invited 2,640 members of the public to celebrate with them at Windsor Castle.
With this in mind, the highest expenditures are likely to be the catering, the dress and the decor. Bridebook.co.uk has calculated that the overall cost (excluding security costs) is expected to be over 100 times as much as the national average, at £1,969,873. That’s not including a £120,000 honeymoon or the £30 million expected security costs involved on top!
With a total of 4,040 guests, 17,000 glasses of champagne and wine, 28,000 canapés and an 8-tier banana cake, welcome to the royal wedding!
Luckily for Harry and Meghan, they won’t need to worry about securing a venue like most couples. The ceremony will take place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and following receptions are expected to be held St. George’s Great Hall, within the castle, and later in a luxury marquee in the Upper Ward grounds of Windsor.
The average UK wedding venue cost is £5,819, and while they don’t need to pay for the venue, they will need to cover a luxury marquee for the reception in the grounds. A luxury glass marquee – like the one Pippa had in her wedding, – will cost £300,000, plus the catering, security and staff adjoining marquees that will be required.
Catering – £286,000
The catering costs will mostly be split between the formal lunch reception for state guests and the following dinner reception for close family and friends. Top luxury London caterers will charge at least £100 per guest for a lunch reception and £300 per guest for a dinner reception, including all food, chefs, staffing and crockery hire.
Add the 2,640 members of the public who will be invited to Windsor and give each one a hot tea and a snack (sausage rolls anyone?). At £10 per head, that’s £26,000 on sausage rolls! All in all, this will likely amount to one of the most costly aspects of the wedding.
Drinks – £193,000
The drinks will likely come from the Royal Palace cellars, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth a hefty amount. Based on the wedding standard of serving one glass of champagne for every 30 minutes of the reception, plus half a bottle of wine per guest per dinner, means they’ll have to provide at least 2,300 bottles to keep their guests happy. We expect roughly 1,700 bottles of vintage champagne to be served throughout the day and at least 650 bottles of wine, whiskey and cocktails to accompany dinner and dancing. Serving such quality drinks to over 800 guests throughout the day doesn’t come cheap, whether you have access to a Royal cellar or not.
A bottle of Bollinger, the Royal Family’s Favourite Champagne, goes for £80 a pop, that means spending £136,000 on champagne alone. Top that with a few bottles of Prince Charles’ favourite 15-year-old Laphroaig Scotch and the multitude of bottles of Tignanello Wine (Meghan’s personal favourite according to her old lifestyle blog, “The Tig”) and the bill certainly adds up. Thankfully Prince Harry’s favourite drink, the exquisite Vodka Redbull, should be the least expensive drink of the evening.
Dress – £300,000
Meghan is expected to spend a whopping £300,000 on fashion, with most of the budget going towards her first dress. Meghan has a very distinctive sense of style, oozing confidence and pizzazz. She is therefore likely to opt for a completely bespoke wedding dress so she can have full control over the design from start to finish.
If Meghan sticks to her usual fashion sense, we should expect to see a classic, clean, simple design (which means no beads, embroidery or embellishments) with a high neckline and a signature modern twist. A completely bespoke haute couture wedding dress plus a second dress for the evening could cost £300k+.
Bridebook Survey Facts!
We surveyed 1000+ UK dressmakers and this is what they had to say about Meghan’s dress.
70% of dressmakers predicted that Meghan will wear a silk dress with a sheath cut. Alexander McQueen was the most popular choice for the designer.
91% of dressmakers said that Meghan will most definitely start a new wedding dress style trend, no matter what she chooses to go with.
Floristry –£110,000
Floristry is often much more costly than expected, and with at least two locations for the day will also be one of the heftiest costs for the couple. Marquee weddings always require a higher floristry budget as they act as a very large blank space that relies on flowers and decor to build the environments for the big day, with our estimates landing flowers for the marquee alone to cost approximately £70,000. The church will also need to be decorated accordingly, which we expect to be a slightly smaller £40,000 Luxury UK florists such as Lavender Green Flowers (who worked on Pippa Middleton’s wedding) and Nikki Tibbles of Wild at Heart (London’s most sought-after luxury florist based in Belgravia) are the top contenders. The florist of choice is likely to use seasonal, British flowers to decorate both St George’s Chapel and Buckingham Palace with elaborate displays.
Bridebook Survey Facts!
We surveyed our 1000+ UK florists and this is what they had to say about the Royal Wedding flowers.
The star flower at the Royal Wedding will be the Peony. Matching bridesmaids bouquets will also be a must on the big day, with a white and green colour theme throughout.
Photography & Videography- £17,000
Hiring one of the top wedding photographers will cost around £4,500. Dorset-based Millie Pilkington, the private wedding photographer for the William and Kate’s wedding and Pippa Middleton’s, is most likely to be the primary person behind the lens, however, we expect Hugo Burnand to also be involved for official photos, doubling the price to ensure every moment is beautifully captured.Add to that the multiple costly wedding photography books Meghan and Harry will likely request and this price goes far above the £1,600 the average couple spends.
Although the world’s media will be filming every moment of the ceremony, Harry and Meghan are likely to also have a videographer there to capture the day from start to finish. Luxury videographers have teams of cameramen to capture all angles, plus a drone or two.
Cake – £50,000
A stunningly-decorated cake from a top cake maker will start from £4,000 and need to be at least 8 tiers to give a slice to each of the 800 guests. Cakes made with fresh fruit are more expensive and we can safely assume this will be the case for Harry and Meghan’s banana wedding cake, which will certainly be topped with other fresh fruits and berries. The couple is also expected to have a second cake at their wedding which will surely bump up the cost.
As for who will be making the cake? Our guess is London-based Fiona Cairns (the royal baker behind the reportedly £80,000 Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cake) or the society favourite Rosamund Miller.
Stationery – £20,000
The wedding will require a number of stationery elements from save-the-dates, to the invitation, the Order of Service, the menus, and the stamps! Invitations from a top stationer will cost around £20 each before the other items are included. However, the bride-to-be used to be a professional calligraphist for celebrity weddings, so if the couple decides to go DIY on this one, they could save a couple of pounds for their luxury honeymoon!
UPDATE (22/03): Kensington Palace has announced that Barnard and Westwood made the beautiful bespoke invitations for the Royal Wedding (which have now been sent to guests). A 200 piece Bespoke Stationery set from Barnard and Westwood exceeds the £10,000 mark. This means that the invitations, featuring the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink, could cost a total of £200,000 for the circa 4000 invitees, including members of the public, or £50,000 for the VIP guests alone.
Music – £300,000
From bell ringers to the organist and choirs in the church, to musicians for the reception and a top wedding band and DJ, music will be the center of the entertainment. It’s also likely that a world-famous performer will be flown in to surprise the guests – Prince William and Kate had Ellie Goulding sing their first dance song. Our experts predict one of Harry’s close friends such as Chris Martin from Coldplay or a mutual friend of Meghan’s such as Rihanna could make an appearance.
There have also been rumors that the Spice Girls or even Elton John will be performing at the Royal Wedding. Elton John has been known to charge £80,000 per song at private events, so hopefully, he’ll throw in “Tiny Dancer” for free.
Trumpets – £90,000
A royal event wouldn’t be complete without the classic Royal Announcement “dun dun-dun-dun-duuun”. The Ministry of Defence has made a request for 20 silver-plated fanfare trumpets stamped with the Royal Coat of Arms. Made in the same workshop where Will & Kate’s wedding and the London Olympics’ trumpets came from, each bespoke trumpet costs between £3,000 and £6,000. That’s a lot of £££ for trumpets with fancy flags.
Decoration and Production – £130,000
For spectacular lighting and production between the Church, Windsor Castle and the marquee, a top London agency such as HRP Production Solutions will likely be taking on the job of adding the absolute wow-factor. From estate wide lighting to furniture and bar hire and amazing dance floors, production is key to transforming venues into something truly jaw-dropping.
Wedding Rings – £6,000
Since 1923, it has been a tradition in the Royal Family to use Welsh gold for the wedding ring of the bride. The Queen holds a small amount of gold that is kept in the royal vaults. Royal warrant holder Wartski, with ties to Wales, created Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s ring, so could be the same choice of Meghan’s.
Although Prince Phillip and Prince William have never worn wedding rings, Bridebook.co.uk believes Harry will take after his Father and an increasing number of millennial grooms and wear a single gold band. Though Prince Charles wears a ring on the little finger on his left hand, we predict that Harry will choose to wear a band on his fourth finger proving again that he is intent on doing things his own way, proudly showing the world that he has tied the knot with Meghan. This Prince is taken!
Bridesmaids Outfits – £5,000
The average cost of a designer bridesmaids dress is £1,000, plus add the custom tailoring Meghan will likely request. The average number of bridesmaids a bride in the UK has is 3.4, and though the Duchess of Cambridge didn’t have any adult bridesmaids, we predict that Meghan will want to have 3 of her close friends as bridesmaids, especially considering it’s a trend in the U.S.
Flower Girls and Page Boys Outfits – £1,698
With Prince George and Princess Charlotte due to be center stage as flower girls and page boys, Nicki Macfarlane, who provided the flower girls outfits for the Royal wedding, will likely be back on hand. A page boy outfit will cost around £226 each, and flower girl dresses £340.
Church Fees – £175
St. George’s Chapel is the place of worship at Windsor Castle where the nuptials will take place, and Harry and Meghan will need to pay their marriage fees just like everyone else. The most important part of the day is by far the cheapest!
Groomswear – £8,000
As a qualified Apache Helicopter Commander, Prince Harry is likely to be wearing a tailor-made Royal Air Force uniform to his wedding. The completely bespoke uniform won’t be cheap! Knowing Harry’s sense of style (all the more improved since meeting Meghan) he won’t be satisfied with just one outfit. A custom tuxedo or suit from Savile Row will be sure to push up the costs.
Hair and Makeup – £10,000
No doubt a top team will be on hand to ensure Meghan and the whole bridal party will be looking absolutely radiant. Belgravia’s Neville Hair & Beauty is a favourite of Meghan’s, or she may opt for Hannah Martin of Bobbi Brown and Richard Ward, who did Kate and Pippa’s wedding makeup and hair.
Entertainment – £55,000
We expect the Royal Air Force to be involved in at least some part of the wedding day, as well as more traditional wedding entertainment. Whilst guests taking photos is expected to not be allowed at the wedding, a photobooth will be an ideal opportunity to capture the guests at their best. Luxury children’s entertainers, like London’s based Sharky+George who did Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wedding, are expected to be on hand to give parents the night off. London can also certainly expect to see some top quality fireworks to close the night.
Wedding Favours – £3,000
These lovely little gifts for every wedding guest should not break the bank. We expect something low-key and personal, such as handmade trinkets from Botswana.
Toilets – £35,000
Luxury guests require luxury toilets! For all of the church attendees, and the following receptions, luxury toilet rental for at least 800 guests does not come cheap. And let’s not forget those extra 2,640 guests which will likely add £20,000 to the toilet budget!
Transport – Free
The Queen has a State fleet which consists of three Rolls-Royces, three Daimlers and two Bentleys, all of which are kept in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. She also happens to have a lovely collection of rare vehicles at her country estate in Sandringham, so the couple will have more than enough to choose from for the very short journey. And, as a happily married couple for the first time, might adopt a drive in his father’s Aston Martin Volante DB6, from the church to the reception, just like Prince William did.
And Finally… The Honeymoon £120,000
Traditionally the groom organises the honeymoon to surprise his new wife whisking her off the day after the wedding, however, Bridebook.co.uk sees that more and more couples are choosing to plan their trip of a lifetime together, as well as not always jetting off on day one as husband and wife. Our honeymoon experts predict that Harry and Meghan will break all traditions and escape the frenzy for some alone-time together before they tie the knot, and that they will then whisk a group of party-loving friends away with them to celebrate afterwards, either on safari in Africa or to long-standing friend Sam Branson’s private Caribbean island, Neckar. Sources have also revealed that Meghan will be the one paying for the honeymoon as gift to the Prince and that the cost will be upwards of £100,000. We can’t wait to see where they escape to!
BONUS! Security – £30 million
Separate from the wedding are the security costs. A whopping £30 million was spent for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011. This year’s Royal Wedding will not take place in central London, however, but considering the number of members of the public attending this year’s Royal Wedding and the threats that have been made against the bride-to-be, the security is sure to still be tight, with the expected cost being upwards of £30 million.
Besides the usual snipers on every rooftop and undercover police on the streets, the wedding will be fitted with the latest military technology, including a British counter-UAV system, which will cost at least £1 million. The system will be used to deactivate intruders and sneaky paparazzi drones. Add another £1 million to the budget for the “Drone Destroyer”.
The above figures have been calculated following an analysis of over 170,000 weddings via Bridebook.co.uk‘swedding planning tools and budget calculator, and a review of over 70,000 wedding industry suppliers’ price estimates listed on Bridebook.co.uk’s wedding venue and supplier directory. Bridebook.co.uk is currently being used by 1 in 3 UK couples planning their wedding, and therefore has an unparalleled understanding of the wedding planning process, as well as relationships with brides and wedding industry suppliers across the country.
For further information please contact Harriet Hunt Communications: harriet@harriethunt.com T: 0208 871 2246 M: 07886 96908
Hamish Shephard, founder of Bridebook.co.uk, the UK’s leading wedding planning app, says:
“Harry and Meghan’s wedding is likely to be one of the most iconic weddings in history”.
“Their wedding is the mixing of two incredible time periods. Whilst Harry represents the endless history of the British royal family, Meghan personifies the modern day phenomena of celebrity. Whilst the wedding is being held in a castle following ancient traditions, it will also no doubt break most social media records.”
“Double the number of people watched William and Kate’s Royal Wedding in 2011 than the most recent football World Cup final. With the huge growth in social media and global mobile technology since then, we expect Harry and Meghan’s wedding to be the most watched event in history with up to 3bn viewers.”
“With more than the £26,000 expected to be spent on sausage rolls alone for the big day, no expense will have been spared on this incredible day!”
“Whilst every wedding is expensive, the mix of royalty, Hollywood and global attention, Harry and Meghan’s will no doubt be the global wedding of the decade. A beautiful American actress marrying a caring British Prince in a royal castle could easily be a fairytale in itself, so the whole world will be watching and wishing them well.”
“The cost of a marriage at a Registry Office in the UK is £46, so at 32,000 times the cost, this is clearly is going to be an incredible occasion!”
Notes To Editor:
Bridebook.co.uk is the UK’s leading wedding planning platform with over 1 in 3 UK couples currently planning their weddings on the website and app.
Launched in 2016, Bridebook.co.uk‘s state-of-the-art wedding planning toolkit with personalised Wedding Checklist, Wedding Budgeter and Wedding Guestlist Manager, enables couples to plan their entire wedding from any device, anytime, anywhere, all in one place…for free. With over 70,000 wedding venues and suppliers in its directory, Bridebook.co.uk increases the digital presence of industry professionals and connects them directly with local couples. Bridebook.co.uk has also partnered with leading experts such as Mary Berry, Bobbi Brown and Jimmy Choo to provide genuine expert advice and inspiration to its couples. Bridebook.co.uk was founded by Hamish Shephard, an industry professional and recently married groom who used Bridebook.co.uk to plan his own May 2016 wedding. Visit Bridebook.co.uk online and the Bridebook.co.uk App on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.
Bridebook.co.uk is the UK’s number one free wedding planning app, with over 16,000 registered wedding businesses and more than 100K couples planning their wedding with us.
Are you are an engaged couple looking for your wedding team?
Let’s face it, we all know planning a wedding can be stressful. While we know having your Bridebook app certainly helps organise your planning, nothing beats a little self pampering to make sure all those big decisions aren’t getting you down or keeping you up at night.
And who better to guide us through the best ways to battle any niggling anxiety and help you sleep better at night than the experts from Aromatherapy Associates. Terrence the Teacher, Aromatherapy Associates Mindfulness Expert, is here to impart his words of wisdom… here’s to a happy, healthy and stress-free engagement!
How To Reduce Anxiety:
CHANGE YOUR FOCUS
I would tell my client to change their whole focus for the upcoming day – let them remind themselves continuously that the day is about celebrating their love for another person. Plus sharing it with their family and friends. The only important thing to focus on. Could anything really change that? This should put the day in perspective and often makes them look forward to it more.
PLAY THE MIND GAME
Rehearse the day in your mind for a few minutes a day. Use your imagination to envision everything going perfectly. Create a really colourful movie. Add to the movie, seeing yourself being calm and happy. (Research has shown that this mind game, used by top athletes, actors and world leaders really works.) It is as if the brain does not distinguish between real or imagined. So, on the day, your rehearsal will pay off, as the mind will go “I have done this before, and it all will go well”.
MINDFULNESS IS KEY
A powerful Mindfulness exercise for stress is the 7/11 breathing. This breathing exercise is used by therapists all over the world to help with anxiety, stress and even panic attacks. It is known to relax down the whole body, including the parasympathetic nervous system, so really creating calm. Do as follows: Breathe in for 7 counts and breathe out for 11 counts. Do a few of these a day as often as you want. On the special day you can use it whenever needed.
How To Get A Better Night’s Sleep:
BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT & RELAX
The first thing that needs to be done to get to sleep, is to relax. Stressing about not sleeping will just keep you awake. Let it go and know that the body is perfectly created to get the amount of sleep you need. By relaxing about it you might find sleep comes easier.
SET THE SCENE
Make sure that your sleep environment is geared for a good night’s sleep. Tech free, dark, the right temperature and the bed comfortable.
SET A ROUTINE
Last but not the least, create a night time routine that tells your mind that you are preparing for sleep. From an aromatherapy bath, beauty routine to undressing and getting ready for sleep. The connection your brain makes to the above actions will help the body and mind to start switching off in recognition of the routine.
Aromatherapy Associates Recommend:
Bathing – Bathing is proven to ease muscular tension and calm a wired mind. Use DeStress Mind Bath & Shower Oil to help clear the mind with Petitgrain, camomile to calm and soothe as well as Frankincense to focus the mind on the moment.
Keep a roller ball by your bed – for those nights that you may wake up in a panic Deep Relax roller ball with the sedating powers of vetiver will ensure you fall right back off to sleep.
Keep an essential oil in your handbag – We recommend Lavender which is a great tool for getting rid of any niggly headaches during the day. Place a couple of drops of the oil onto the tips of your fingers, and push into your forehead.
Now you’ve got your relaxation routine sorted, how about perfecting the rest of your wedding planning? Be sure you’re on track, without the piles of brochures and endless spreadsheets with these top wedding planning tools!
There’s no denying that some of the best inspiration for your wedding can come from fellow brides and grooms who already tied the knot. So to help you along we’ve put together a selection of the best real weddings of 2017 handpicked from some of the best UK wedding blogs!
Go through the list and find out why we chose these real weddings and what our favourite idea “steal” was for each one. And when you’re all done and inspired, start building your dream by searching Bridebook for similar venues and suppliers!
Why we chose it: The mix of colours in this wedding is breath-taking. We love to see the warm reds, yellows and greens splattered on the golden wheat canvas of the Spanish countryside.
Steal this idea: Use a blend of vintage and modern fashion to add a splash of colour to your Bridal look! Pilar wore her Grandma’s vintage emerald earrings and a striking red stone headpiece by Spanish designer Cocoluco.
Why we chose it: As soon as you see the pictures you’ll know exactly why! This wedding in a beautiful Cotswold bard is the epitome of intimacy and style (that dress, that colour scheme!).
Steal this idea: Ale began her wedding day with a private yoga class for her and her bridal party – talk about ensuring you have that wedding day glow!
Why we chose it: Because it’s just so special. As you fall in love with the gorgeous setting of the wedding Lene just keeps dropping all of these touching and special details that pulls the wedding all together. One of our favourites ever!
Steal this idea: So many ideas to steal! Instead of wedding favours the couple choose to give their guests water lanterns for them all to set off and make a wish at dusk. Or a ‘ring-warming’, where you tie the rings together and pass them around all of the guests to be blessed before the vows.
Why we chose it: The venue! We always love the classic barns or country houses, but we can’t help but get excited when we see more alternative venues that add an abundance of character to a wedding.
Steal this idea: John and Catherine let the venues direct the feel for their whole wedding, meaning their understated “distressed vintage” theme paired perfectly with the historical venues.
Why we chose it: How to pick just one reason! We are smitten over the light filled and airy photography, and the green, nature filled setting in Scotland.
Steal this idea: Lisa and Robert chose to have potted yellow azalea trees to decorate their aisle, such a fabulous idea because not only do they look great, but you can keep them and plant them in your garden after your wedding!
Why we chose it: The colours, just look at those smoke bombs! We loved how much Belinda and J incorporated such striking design elements in their day, from orgami, to massive geometric shapes, to a colour theme of orange and purple throughout.
Steal this idea: Get your family and friends together for the whole week before the wedding! Especially great if they’re travelling from overseas.
Why we chose it: Can we just name this real wedding “puppies and mittens”? These two gorgeous brides definetly knew how to keep warm during their icy winter wedding!
Steal this idea: Hire a team you trust. Joanne and Rebecca kept their wedding extra intimate by hiring close friends and family as their wedding team. From the officiant to the musician, and even the photographer.
Why we chose it: Because you can feel the personality of the couple pouring out of the photos. They were determined to make sure everything was true to their personalities and relationship and it shows, just look how they look!
Steal this idea: We love that they held their reception at their local pub. Pairing the more traditional venue of Clissold House with the trendy, fun and familiar The Londesborough makes for a fun filled day!
Why we chose it: The vibrancy! This wedding, with it’s London Carnival theme, is bursting with colour, energy and culture. Nu Bride is the only UK wedding blog focused on diversity and we just can’t get enough of it.
Steal this idea: Have bespoke ties and pocket squares made for the groom and his party to match with the bridal party (especially when it’s a gorgeous pattern like that)!
Why we chose it: The Wellbeing Farm is one of our favourite wedding venues this year, so we couldn’t miss a chance to give it a shout out. It’s one of the most fun venues in the UK and the team behind it get endless praise from the couples who get married there. Also, Llamas in bowties.
Steal this idea: Plan ahead! Bekah and Lucas wanted to give their wedding a “festival spin” so they took photos at every festival they went to leading up to the wedding and added them as table decorations!
Why we chose it: This classic wedding, overflowing with Victorian flower arrangements and greenery, is giving us major fairy-tale vibes! The Brides’ bouquets almost steal the show, but there were plenty of those to go around and everyone’s flowers looked beautiful.
Steal this idea: Amy and Gen’s florist left a succulent in their bouquets, so they could be replanted! A thoughtful and unexpected touch that you can add to your wedding.
Why we chose it: This is just one of those weddings that looks absolutely perfect in the photos. We fell in love with the adorable Bride and Groom and their vineyard venue covered in sun!
Steal this idea: Having a hot summer wedding? Get your guests personalized fans to keep them cool!
Why we chose it: It’s a big, colourful, carefree destination wedding. The Bride and Groom rode a tandem bike, the guests got in the water and everyone looks happy!
Steal this idea: Ride away with your beau on a tandem bike! Just make sure you haven’t had too much champagne beforehand…
Why we chose it: This is one of the most fun packed weddings we have ever seen. If you go through the photos you’ll see what we mean. There were outdoor games, an ice-cream cart, a live folk band and a mini tractor!
Steal this idea: Use locally sourced and handpicked flowers for your wedding to give it a rustic vibe (and save some money!)
In the past 12 months we’ve documented a notable shift in the volume of couples opting to book weddings on weekdays rather than opting for previously popular weekend dates.
And with couples saving an average of £1,679 by not booking a Saturday wedding it’s not difficult to see why, as a nation, we’re losing our love of the weekend wedding.
More of us are working flexibly these days too, so taking a day or two off mid week is no big deal anymore as many people will compensate by working the weekend instead.
The core theme of 2017-2018 is choice. Couples have more choice these days and flexibility is the trend of the Century.
But don’t take our word for it.
We met to discuss the weekday wedding trend with the team at South Farm.
South Farm lies on the borders of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, and has been holding weddings for twelve years now. This well-established wedding venue boasts beautiful grounds, a gorgeous country farmhouse and lovingly converted barn buildings, as well as its very own organic smallholding providing much of the produce used for wedding breakfasts.
South Farm has experienced something of a weekday revolution over the last couple of years and, in fact, this wedding venue is now booking more weekday weddings than weekend dates.
James Paxman, Managing Director at South Farm says: “it is becoming more and more apparent that couples are keen to embrace a greater degree of flexibility around the date they choose for their wedding as it enables them to secure their dream venue at a fraction of the cost that weekend dates can command. We have long advised our couples never to underestimate how much people will want to come to their wedding, regardless of the day of the week, and we are seeing many couples now looking to take advantage of the lower venue hire fees offered on Mondays-Thursdays.”
Tip:Bridebook Business profiles that include pricing details receive 10x more enquiries than those who do not. Be transparent with your wedding venues weekday wedding costs.
The pricing structure at South Farm means that couples with their heart set on booking their wedding day at their dream venue can do so at a much lower cost midweek than they can on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday if they are able to be flexible. The savings this can afford couples means that they can free up their budget for other wedding costs, such as the all-important dress, booking other suppliers and even their honeymoon.
Because budget is so important, the South Farm team puts together a detailed and comprehensive cost estimate for each couple at their very first meeting.
James says: “as a venue we are completely transparent with regard to our costings; publishing all our prices and availability online, which helps hugely when couples are planning and budgeting for their big day. In fact we find, on average, that a couple’s final account is actually lower than their original estimate. By helping the couple manage their wedding costs with a working cost estimate, we enable couples to focus on the details and finishing touches for their wedding day whilst being fully informed of variations at all stages. At this first meeting we are also able to demonstrate to couples how much a weekday wedding can potentially save them.”
Holding your wedding during the week at South farm could mean a saving of up to £4,000.
Tip: Regardless of how big or small a saving you could offer, wedding venues nationwide could explain what these kinds of cost savings could mean in real terms to wedding planning couples using Bridebook’s wedding budget estimate. You’ll surprise and delight them, and hopefully secure a weekday booking off the back of it.
Does having a weekday wedding mean that couples have to compromise?
At South Farm couples receive the same standard of service and catering options including a full range of menu choices and dedicated planning support in the lead up to their wedding day, regardless of the day of the week. If budget-savvy couples really can enjoy a greater choice of dates at a lower cost and enjoy the same quality of wedding day, it seems like a no brainer to us.
South Farm has also seen some of their recommended wedding suppliers follow suit and offer lower prices to clients for week-day bookings rather than weekend dates.
James says: “some of our suppliers, such as photographers and entertainers are now offering a price structure that reflects our own, with weekday bookings representing greater value for the same service compared with weekend dates. We expect that the industry will follow suit as couples increasingly demand high standards of service and greater price flexibility.”
So does that mean that weekend weddings are fast becoming a thing of the past?
“Despite the fact that weekend weddings command a higher venue price they still remain in demand, particularly in the summer months, and are usually the first dates to book up, however couples with a more flexible approach are taking advantage of our week-day venue fees. In 2017 we booked 93 weekend dates and 139 week-day dates at South Farm which demonstrates a shift in industry trends with lots of couples taking advantage of the pricing structures for weekday weddings and making great savings.”
These are interesting times for the wedding industry and South Farm are certainly seeing a shift in wedding day decisions.
The Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Awards 2018 results are in, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this year’s winners!
Determined by reviews of their past couples, these florists, photographers, caterers, venues and general dream makers, have each been crowned the 2018 Bridebook Wedding Awards Winner in their respective category.
Congratulations to all the winners, and a special shout-out to all our suppliers who won a Certificate of Excellence for their contributions to the wedding industry in 2017. If you’re looking for your dream team, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these Certificates displayed on their Bridebook profiles!
And to the couples still planning their wedding, who knows if one of these champs will help put together your dream wedding…
See all the winners of The Bridebook Wedding Awards below:
Winner: Dodmoor House – “Winning the award has definitely resulted in our venue receiving more enquiries from Bridebook and we have also held the number 1 search position in Northamptonshire for more than six months.”
Winner: The Wellbeing Farm – “It has certainly helped raise our reputation across the North West – we’ve been incredibly proud to say we were the winners of the North West Venue of the Year! It has been an amazing accolade and experience.”
Winner: Quantock Lakes – “When we received the news, we were thrilled to share our Venue award win on our Facebook page which we pinned to the top of our page. The post has reached over 10,000 people and received over 1,300 clicks. The exposure we have received from the award has been phenomenal and we enjoy using the Bridebook hashtag regularly on both Facebook and Instagram. We have sold many weddings this year through our Bridebook listing and award. The award has helped install confidence in couples coming to view Quantock Lakes for the first time as Bridebook is trusted and well known by many couples.”
Winner: Larchfield Estate – “We were so delighted to be chosen as the NI venue of the year, it has meant a lot to the team as shows that our care and hard work ensures our couples have the best day. Our enquiries through Bride book have increased in the last year and I am sure the award has helped raise our profile within the industry.’
Winner: Samantha Jayne – “The experience was fantastic. Simple to enter, great to market to clients etc. Winning was freaking AMAZING! It’s been a huge opportunity to create more awareness about my business, gain more clients and grow my business! I’d highly recommend that other businesses take part. It’s the best form of advertising! Clients and prospective clients love to see that you are doing well and this gives them more confidence in your ability to provide your service to them!”
Bridal Beauty of the Year
Dani Roberts Makeup
Winner: Dani Roberts Makeup – “It has boosted my confidence in myself that I am making my clients happy and with the title behind me it also increases confidence in future brides to book me and know they are going to be in good hands!”
Cake Maker of the Year
Cakes by Nina
Winner: Cakes by Nina – “Wherever I’ve mentioned I have won 2018 Cake Maker of the Year people seem to have heard of Bridebook and have congratulated and recognised the reward. It’s a wonderful award to win because it is actually based on what your customers actually think of you and it is lovely to know what people truly think of your work.”
Winner: GDC Weddings & Events – “Winning my award has given clients more confidence in booking. I’ve had lots of enquiries and actual booked Events since winning. A fantastic status also to have won this prestigious award!!”
Dress & Accessories Supplier of the Year
Sarah’s Wedding Boutique
Winner: Sarah’s Wedding Boutique – “We really enjoyed entering the Bridebook awards 2018. Unlike a lot of awards in this industry, this award is based on actual feedback from our customers rather than a panel. Our customers really got on board and wanted us to win too so they were happy to write a review for future brides to read. (It was lovely for us to read them too!)”
Entertainer of the Year
The Wedding Crècherz
Winner: The Wedding Crècherz – “Winning the Bridebook wedding awards 2018 meant the absolute world to us. It opened up so many opportunities for us, and added gravitas to our name and branding.”
Florist of the Year
Mrs Bouquet Floristry & event styling
Winner: Mrs Bouquet Floristry & event styling – “We display our award on our desk in the showroom and take it along to any wedding fairs we attend. Our upcoming brides absolutely loved that we won & of course our previous brides were ecstatic to say they had award winning suppliers.”
Winner: RLA Wedding Designs – “When I found out that I won I genuinely cried! I was so overwhelmed. Winning has boosted my confidence and given me a great platform. To say I am a national winner gives all my potential customers the faith and trust to book with me and also gives my current clients the ability to say that their invites were created by an award winner!”
Transport Supplier of the Year
Churchtown Wedding Cars
Winner: Churchtown Wedding Cars – “Being the UK’s transport provider of the year is an amazing accolade and we proudly display the logo for our customers to see. It gives them the confidence that our past brides and grooms have enjoyed an amazing experience and they can read the reviews too.”
Videographer of the Year
Veiled Productions
Winner: Veiled Productions – “Winning Videographer of the Year has been brilliant for the business. I’ve certainly had more bookings through Bridebook this year than last year – couples like reading from past clients and hearing about their experiences with us, on their wedding day and after watching their films back. It shows we are a trustworthy wedding supplier too which is so important when planning a wedding.”
Bridebook is the UK’s number one free wedding planning app, with over 16,000 registered wedding businesses and more than 100K couples planning their wedding with us.
A Valentine’s Day Playlist was in order, so the Bridebook team put together our favourite love songs, from different decades, genres and swooning styles.
The new year is well underway and we’re already looking forward to wedding season 2018. Based on predicted trends it’s going to be a bold and beautiful year.
A few teasers have already landed on our desks with regards to popular wedding photography styles and wedding themes thanks to brave couples choosing to marry in January! And so we’ve gathered trends from the hottest wedding photos we’ve seen in this chilly month so far.
We’ve also scoured leading design publications to see which visual trends are leading the way in photography now, and how colour and artistic themes could influence the wedding photography landscape this year.
Here goes…
Wanderlust – documenting our great escape
When does a trend stop being “trendy” and become a way of life?
Wanderlust = life, right?
Wanderlust travel photography will of course continue its upward trend as the need for silence, solitude and wellness dominates trends for 2018. And with overseas weddings now more popular than ever before it’s no surprise that destination wedding photographers with a diverse geographic wedding portfolio are hot property.
Wedding photographers can inspire 2018 couples by showcasing shoots from beaches, countryside, mountain tops and more. It’s a great way to leave potential new clients with a lasting memory of your wonderful wanderlust-inducing work.
Portraying a carefree lifestyle, escaping the grind and ‘telling your own story’ is set to remain a popular theme amongst smartphone photographers and Instagrammers.
The irony of travelling to remote places to escape whilst documenting that solitude on social media does not elude us, however it demands behavioural psychology investigative work than we’re not qualified to provide at this stage.
Conceptual realism and surrealism
A preference for the surreal over reality is a trend that’s set to continue from last year into this, and it serves as a means of escape from political, economic and environmental world concerns.
However the desire for realistic, authentic and believable images in a world where media content is freely invented and shared is more important for both photographers and consumers now than ever before.
2018 photography is about blending incredible experiences with raw, uncut nature and adding a dose of human imagination to the mix to provide people with the escape they’re so looking for.
Be creative with your wedding photography but ‘keep it real’. We’re fortunate to work in an industry designed for capturing raw emotion from real subjects in photographs. With skill and experience, wedding photographers can create dreamy wedding stories within the realm of reality.
Banishing stereotypes
Male stereotypes are being challenged and many brands are looking to tackle overt masculinity by introducing more complex, gentle and emotionally astute representations of the gender.
As wedding photographers, you have an advantage here. You’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to capture these kinds of raw emotions in a pleasing, gentle and natural way…
“Accept me for who I am” is a visual trend based on challenging stereotypes. Expect to see photographers inside and outside of the wedding industry capturing women and men as ‘their true selves’. The interchanging roles of genders will also be a focal theme for many creatives.
And it was all…purple
This year’s must-know (and must include) colour is ultra-violet purple.
Pantone has officially named it colour of the year for 2018, and describe it as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”
This colour inspires and represents the exploration of new technologies, the cosmos, artistic expression and spiritual reflection.
It is a colour that we often associate with mindfulness and meditation; offering an escape for those seeking refuge in an over-stimulated world.
We’re expecting all shades of lavender, plum and other purples to be popular too, not only in design, branding and photography but in homewares and fashion too.
Wedding photographers…if life gives you lavender fields, you’re one lucky shooter.
However you can still show that you’re at the cutting edge of photography trends by making sure that any wedding you shoot that does incorporate this colour is featured at the top of your portfolio and on your homepage.
Incorporating this Pantone is good for securing bookings from style conscious couples and great for getting you noticed prior to wedding awards in 2018.
Bold and brave colours in general are “in” this year, leaning away from the more natural palette of 2017. However a great way to make ultra violet purple less brash and more crowd pleasing is to combine it with greenery (Pantone’s 2017 colour of the year), greys and more neutral tones for a pared back yet on trend wedding look.
Space is ace
In keeping with our ultra-violet year, fantasy and space are set to grow in popularity across all consumer based industries, including photography. Shutterstock has seen a massive increase in search demands for fantasy characters and the most savvy photographers and videographers are already honing in on space-themed conceptual realism by enhancing an already starry night sky, for example.
Conceptual realism can be best described as imagery that looks real, even if the idea does not seem to be so.
This fantasy theme will continue to be seen in branding developments, including the use of vivid colours, creating a sense of escapism from reality.
#nofilter
Unfiltered images are expected to enjoy a long awaited revival after what we’re now creatively calling “the age of the #filter”. This style is also known as Dead Pan and was popular in the 50s, and it involves subjects represented as they are – raw and ready.
You’re ready to visually delight the critics of 2018
Wedding photographers – it’s time to develop your photographic style and more so, your portfolio, in keeping with this years hot visual trends.
Stay relevant, stay popular and earn critical acclaim.
Looking for more wedding industry trends and couple insights? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub, the home of wedding industry knowledge.
Wouldn’t it be incredible to know exactly what a couple is looking for in a wedding venue before they even visit?
Truth be told, a lot of the time, couples don’t really know themselves what they deem most important in a venue until they’ve visited a few and have come to realise what they are, and are not willing to compromise on.
What we can prepare for, however, is the fact that all of us are influenced one way or another by trends, and by what we’re seeing more of in shops, fashion and in wedding shoots.
Trends aren’t unique to each industry – they don’t develop in silos. They’re present in the clothes we wear, the interior decor we lust after and the media we consume. And whether couples consciously opt for a ‘fashionable’ wedding or not, they’re likely to incorporate accents of trends that they themselves may not have even noticed.
By subtly incorporating ideas from predicted 2018 trends in your wedding venue you can position yourself as a relevant and desirable place to wed.
And one of the best things about being a wedding venue is that you can work with other local wedding suppliers to transform your space. You can offer fellow suppliers an amazing venue to exhibit their finest work at, and in return, you benefit from having your venue perceived as on trend – no matter how traditional the foundations are!
Incorporating 2018 wedding trends into your venue
Here are 4 key wedding trends that you need to be incorporating into your wedding space on open days to win more bookings.
1. Open spaces and industrialised architecture is a key trend for 2018 weddings
Ok, so most typical UK wedding venues aren’t going to be dripping in natural, industrialised architecture but you can easily fake it, and include metallic touches to your events rooms and open spaces in a sympathetic and unobtrusive way.
Consider working with local wedding decor suppliers who can provide copper chairs, lanterns, candle holders, cups and cutlery.
Tip: 2018 has seen us move away from rose gold accents in favour of industrial look copper.
For your next wedding fair or open day, work with your preferred supplier to set up an industrial themed corner which would appeal to couples who’re looking to incorporate this trend.
Fairy lights are the perfect accompaniment to an industrial theme as are green garlands – drawing on last years trend. Soft draped fabrics work well to counter the harsher metallic look and add a fairytale feel.
Treat your wedding space like an exhibition and provide a couple of different trends and expressions to suit different tastes. By featuring a trendy theme alongside a more traditional one you’re appealing to couples awareness of ‘what’s hot’ without moving too far away from the typical ‘white wedding’ idea.
2. White and green is still in… just add marble
In addition to copper and metallic details, a super hot wedding trend for this year is to add marble aspects into the mix.
Some wedding venues have the marble monopoly, like Holkham Hall…
By adding white and green tones to floral décor a wedding venue like Holkham Hall can become very current very easily.
For those wedding venues with less natural marble to play with, partner with wedding decor suppliers who can bring marble themed table runners to your next wedding fair or open day…
Or perhaps a marble inspired seating plan with matching place setting cards…
A really impressive way to incorporate a marbled theme in your wedding space is to work with a local wedding cake maker and ask them to produce a marbled cake with wow factor…
3. Keep it light and minimal
2018 weddings are all about natural light and stripping things back to basics.
Leaving ceilings and walls neutral and minimalistic allows more couples to envisage their dream wedding day, and it enables you to work with local wedding suppliers to add the kinds of details we describe above.
Metals and marbles are quite dominating materials to have in a wedding theme therefore it’s important not to add too much elsewhere.
Focus on making the most of natural light and offering a simple, polished space that couples can build ideas on.
4. Blank canvas venues that couples can make their own
Following on from above, it’s now more important than ever for couples to have freedom and options where building on their wedding theme is concerned.
Yes, you can offer ideas and help paint a picture of what their day could look like with the help of like-minded wedding suppliers, but there will always need to be a little room for movement.
Be yourself… AND be the wedding venue that 2018 couples want
Couples will on some level be influenced by popular themes that they may not have even known were on trend because of exposure to them; exposure in the media, in retail and in the ideas wedding suppliers offer. That’s a fact.
It’s important to work with what you already have, own your venue style and compliment it. How does your wedding venue space tie in with the popular trends above?
Don’t try and be everything for everyone but make sure that you’re not alienating couples by refusing to be anything other than traditional.
Incorporate trends with a little help from supplier friends and you’ll be surprised how much a little modern vision can help couples to decide whether you’re the wedding venue for them this year.
Looking for more wedding industry trends and couple insights? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub, the home of wedding industry knowledge.
Looking for venue inspiration for your upcoming wedding? Look no further! Bridebook.co.uk (your go-to wedding venue finder) has compiled a list of the most amazing wedding venues in the UK.
Browse the list below, and click the links to explore them more. You can even message each of these beautiful venues asking for some more info!
While you’re in wedding venue wonderland, be sure to personalise your wedding venue search with the filters that matter to you. Set your filters to “Luxury” or “Lovely Grounds” or “Castle” to see some jaw-dropping wedding venues near you, or set your filters to “Rustic and Barn” or “Exclusive Use” for some beautiful and heartwarming options. The variations are endless!
The Keeper and The Dell, a wonderfully secluded, outdoor wedding venue in Norfolk, is a beautiful collective of a traditional canvas marquee located in a pretty woodland dell, an 18th-century Gamekeeper’s barn, camping gardens, firepit and wood cabin. This is one the most amazing wedding venues in the UK!
Caswell House, the Cotswolds, offers a unique ambience with the perfect mix of rustic romance surrounded by breathtaking scenery, stunning barns and exclusive use of the immaculate grounds.
Askam Hall is a country house hotel in Cumbria, brought into the 21st century, with a converted barn featuring rustic oak ceilings and stone walls paired with modern lighting and beautiful glass doors. This is one of our favourite glass house wedding venues.
Ever After, a unique outdoor wedding venue on the banks of a Dartmoor river, showcases an open-sided oak and stone barn, glass-roofed outdoor rooms, a bespoke marquee, and an 18th-century luxury honeymoon cottage.
River Cottage is a 65-acre organic farm tucked amongst rolling hills on the Dorset and Devon border, offering the beautifully restored Threshing barn, the famous farmhouse, a yurt and walled gardens for use on your special day.
South Farm, the perfect setting for a quintessential English Country Wedding in Hertfordshire, is home to a lovingly restored Grade II listed house, beautiful Tudor barn and lovely summerhouse set in stunning gardens. Guests will enjoy prize-winning menus utilizing produce grown on-site.
Doxford Barns is a truly unique barn-wedding venue, located in the heart of coastal Northumberland on a private and secluded country estate. The best part…exclusive use to you and your guests spread over three days!
Packington Moor is set within a 700-acre livestock farm in Staffordshire and includes The Malt Barn and The Oat Barn, farm-to-table wedding meals, a restored honeymoon suite and a nearby Coach House for additional lodging.
Carbis Bay, a modern British boutique hotel located on the coast in Cornwall, is set within a 125-acre estate with sub-tropical gardens and a private beach.
Tunnels Beaches is a stunningly unique location found on the Devonshire coastline, featuring a hand carved tunnel through a cliff leading to a stone terrace overlooking a hidden private beach.
Angel House, a Grade I listed Regency Town House in East Sussex, has a stunning seafront location right on Brighton and Hove border overlooking the Angel Peace statue out to sea.
Artists Beach House, with original arts and crafts detailing, is situated just above Tankerton Beach and a short walk from the fashionable fishing town of Whitstable in Kent. The Whitstable Street, a geophysical phenomenon, located below the property offers a stunning backdrop.
Titchwell Manor, steps from the golden beaches of Norfolk, is a Victorian manor with secluded walled gardens, log fires, spacious contemporary bars and lounges, beautiful dining room and outdoor terrace.
Sudeley Castle & Gardens was once home to Henry VIII’s final wife, Catherine Parr. Experience the royal treatment in this historic Tudor castle in its’ own Cotswold valley, in Gloucestershire.
Lough Eske Castle is a fairytale five-star refurbished castle-hotel located in Ireland outside of Donegal Town.
Aikwood Tower, a unique Scottish castle five-star wedding venue outside of Edinburgh, is the perfect marriage of ancient and modern.
Fasque Castle, one of the top country house wedding venues in Scotland, has a unique blend of opulence and comfort with a choice of large reception rooms, exclusive use bar, 19 luxurious bedrooms and a high-spec dining kitchen with adjoining terrace.
Amberley Castle is a genuine medieval castle in West Sussex, with stone walls, 12 acres of gardens (with peacocks and alpacas!) and tower views of the nearby village.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies two Grade II listed buildings with distinguished Georgian and Victorian facades originally built in the 1800’s and situated in Bath a World Heritage Site.
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a luxury wedding venue in a Grade I listed building in the heart of Bath, boasts an all-new Wedding Garden for use on your special day.
The Bingham, tucked away by the river in Richmond-upon-Thames, this chic London boutique hotel is a romantic destination with a contemporary and elegant interior.
Brunswick House has become a central London landmark. Inside its lofty Georgian interior, the panelled rooms are packed with salvaged curiosities, magnificent chimneypieces, brilliant cut glazed entranceways, sparkling chandeliers and beautiful antiques in each room.
The Dolls House, located in London a stone’s throw from Islington Town Hall, makes a spectacular setting for any wedding reception offering a truly unique and glamorous location.
Fulham Palace, a one-of-a-kind historic London wedding venue, is situated in a beautiful riverside location with sumptuous gardens, a private chapel and multiple versatile and elegant event spaces.
Hotel Café Royal, located in the heart of London, features The Pompadour Ballroom that is ornately gilded and beautifully restored, offering an outdoor terrace with views of Regent Street.
Weddings at QMUL is a brand new venue providing a unique setting for a wedding day like no other! They offer flexible spaces for the perfect wedding in London.
The Lanesborough is moments from Knightsbridge, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park in London. This hotel’s flawless surroundings are the very definition of a fairytale wedding venue.
Rosewood is in the heart of London just steps from Covent Garden. Guests arrive through an archway that opens into a grand Edwardian courtyard, offering the perfect start to your memorable day.
The Savoy, a Fairmont-managed five-star hotel, is one of the most celebrated of London landmarks featuring the iconic Lancaster Ballroom and various private entertaining spaces.
St James’s Hotel & Club, a five-star boutique hotel located right in the heart of Mayfair, London, offers the opportunity for you to host an intimate wedding fit for royalty.
The Trading House, a Victorian space with an eclectic feel in the heart of London, features a grand central bar, incredible tapestries and taxidermy, and reimagined retro dishes.
The Zetter Townhouse is a 13-bedroom eclectic Georgian townhouse with an award-winning cocktail lounge, choice of event spaces, and bespoke food and drink menu located on the historic St John’s Square in London.
Hedsor House is a stunning exclusive use Georgian mansion with over 100 acres of private parkland, located in Buckinghamshire just a short distance from London. Take advantage of the 24-hour stay over party option, your guests will love the nightclub lighting and cocktail bar, a great twist on the traditional décor.
Foxhill Manor, a private manor-house hotel, is one of the Cotswolds’ most amazing wedding venues. The highlight being The Ballroom, which opens directly onto a terrace and gardens with amazing views of the Vale of Evesham.
Pynes House is an exclusive use, a country house in Devon set on its own 37-acre park. Steeped in history, it is believed to have inspired Barton Park in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
Gosfield Hall, a stunning Georgian manor house in the glorious Essex countryside, offers grand and ornate reception rooms, Queen Charlotte’s Gallery with a 120-foot long aisle and Marquis of Buckingham’s Ballroom.
Leez Priory’s magnificent Tudor mansion located in Essex is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the country.
Knowlton Court is a gorgeous country house manor with regal character, surrounded by hundreds of acres of charming parkland, near Canterbury in Kent.
Castle Green Hotel is situated in Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District, surrounded by breathtaking views of rolling countryside, Lakeland fells and the remains of Kendal Castle.
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Lakes District, has its own lake in 100 acres of private grounds with options to hold your wedding in the conservatory or a marquee.
Orangery Wedding Venues
Babington House is a Grade II listed manor house with an 18th century chapel in the heart of Somerset.
The Manor, a beautiful country mansion with vaulted ceilings built in 1235, is set within 12 acres of the exceptional British countryside in Somerset.
Pennard House, set on the last south facing slope of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, is the epitome of dreamy English elegance with a Grade II listed Georgian manor house, extensive landscaped gardens and a converted 18th-century coach house.
Sparkford Hall is a private mansion on 23 acres of beautiful parkland, orchards and gardens in Somerset. Exclusive use of numerous bespoke event space and accommodation options, including the option to party until dawn in the private basement nightclub!
Washingborough Hall, set within beautiful secluded grounds with mature gardens in Lincolnshire, has its own private entrance to the village church and offers the newly completed Winston Room with an elegant orangery wedding venue style backdrop.
Wilderness Reserve radiates all that is beautiful and unique, offering a stunning Grade II listed Georgian manor house, extensive grounds and fabulous backdrop all sitting in the rural and rustic Suffolk countryside.
Ettington Park Hotel, in Stratford-Upon-Avon in Warwickshire, is a magnificent romantic gothic mansion built from six types of Cotswold stone and housed on a 40-acre estate.
Axnoller is home to three stunning large private houses with a mix of contemporary and antique features, set in 100 acres of rolling countryside in West Dorset.
Bignor Park epitomizes rural elegance in the heart of West Sussex, featuring the Greek Loggia, part of eleven acres of beautiful grounds, formal gardens, sweeping lawns, a temple and zen pond.
Cowdray House is a spectacular country house in West Sussex, surrounded by historic parkland, including Cowdray Ruins.
Iscoyd Park, a newly restored award winning Georgian country house in Wales, is surrounded by 18th Century Parkland, stunning gardens and a beautiful church on the estate.
Valentina’s Lost Orangery, an exclusive manor house in Wiltshire, harbours an inspired history and impressive fairytale-like grounds with gardens, a thatched boathouse, and orangery. This is without a doubt one of our favourite orangery wedding venues in the UK.
Thyme, a beautifully restored Southrop Manor Estate on the Oxfordshire Border in the Cotswolds, is the perfect setting for your quintessential English country wedding with a beautiful village church, manor house, and Medieval Tithe barn.
Gidleigh Park Hotel, an exclusive use country house hotel in Dartmoor, boasts fabulous views and a two Michelin Starred chef for a food and wine lovers dream wedding.
Bridwell House & Deer Park is an elegant Georgian house set in 100 acres of breath-taking parkland, featuring the house, a chapel, parkland, old stables and magnificent views across the Culm Valley in Devon.
Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons is situated in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Great Milton. It is one of the country’s most cherished manor house hotels with stunning gardens and a two Michelin star rating.
Hipping Hall, a boutique bolthouse, sits between the beautiful English Lake District and the rugged Yorkshire Dales, offering the perfect exclusive wedding venue for your intimate affair.
The Crown Inn, a 16th century Inn steeped in history and recently renovated into a stylish pub with rooms, is located in the heart of enchanting Old Amersham in Buckinghamshire.
Lord Crewe Arms is an Eleventh-Century Abbot’s Guest House in County Durham with vaulted rooms, flagstone floors, summer gardens, and famous northern hospitality.
The Sheene Mill is a magnificent 16th century Grade II listed water mill set on the River Mel in Cambridgeshire, with a view of the old mill pond and landscaped gardens.
The West Mill is a Grade I listed former industrial mill in Derbyshire dating back to the early 1800’s, restored and converted into a beautiful wedding venue.
Dreamland, located on the Kent seaside, is a completely unique wedding venue, unlike anywhere else in the UK, where an amusement park soaked in history can be the backdrop to your memorable day.
Combermere Abbey, a 900-year-old estate in Shropshire, offers exclusive use of the beautiful walled gardens where The Glasshouse, a truly unique fan-shaped building is surrounded by a fruit tree maze. There is also the impressive Walled Garden Pavilion with an impressive star-lit ceiling. Definetely one of the most beautiful glass house wedding venues in the UK.
Nutbourne Vineyards, West Sussex, is one of the premier wine producers in the South East. The grounds include a timber built wine lodge nestled within the vines, an old windmill, 360-degree balcony, outdoor fire-pit, and tractor-drawn carriage for guest arrivals or vineyard tours.
In addition to these amazing venues, try entering your location and seeing which venues are nearest to you. Filter the results by what’s important to you and you’ll be sure to find gems of all sorts for your wedding!
Marriage ceremonies can come in so many different and amazing forms. Whether it’s at a temple, mosque, synagogue, church or a registry office, a marriage partnership is one of the oldest traditions in many cultures. It can be difficult knowing exactly which wedding legalities each ceremony requires, both in terms of legal documents and religious proceedings.
We’re here to help with all those tiny details so that whichever ceremony you choose goes flawlessly. You can even filter our massive venue directory search to only include venues that have a license.
Good, huh?
For Civil Ceremonies:
The first step you have to take for a civil ceremony is giving notice. You should give notice at least 28 days before the marriage is due to take place. If you live in a different location to where the ceremony will occur, you are also expected to notify the local register. The notice needs to be given by the couple in person.
For a civil ceremony, you will also want to make sure that the venue where you choose to get married is licensed to register marriages. Most venues that host weddings are properly licensed, but it is worth checking with them just in case! You will want to make sure the person marrying you is also properly authorised and that you have two competent witnesses who will sign the marriage register.
For Religious Ceremonies:
Church of England ceremonies
All British citizens have the option of getting married in the Church of England, providing the church is local to where they are registered. Otherwise, it needs to be the couple’s chosen place of worship or the bride and groom must be listed on the church’s electoral poll.
Although new same-sex marriage legislation is now in force, it remains the case that it is not legally possible for same-sex couples to marry in the Church of England. Exceptions to these rules can be made if you speak directly to the religious authority presiding in the church, who will be more than happy to help you with any of your queries.
To get married in a church you must partake in the reading of the banns – basically a public announcement of your upcoming marriage! The banns are read on three consecutive Sundays within three months in the run-up to the wedding (the banns aren’t a requirement in Scotland). The couple should try to attend at least one of the readings and sometimes a number of Sunday services.
More information can be found here: http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/
Roman Catholic ceremonies
For a Roman Catholic ceremony, you will need to bring your baptism and confirmation certificates to the meeting with your priest, at least six months before the ceremony. If one of you is unbaptised, you will need to seek permission from your chosen Church and the priest. You may sometimes be required to attend marriage preparation talks and Mass for six weeks before your wedding day.
Jewish and Quaker ceremonies
While you still need to give notice to the register office a minimum of 28 days prior to the ceremony, the officials performing the ceremony will be able to register the marriage for you.
All other religious ceremonies
For all other religious ceremonies, we advise you to contact your place of worship for information, as they will be able to advise you if you require a superintendent registrar to be present at your wedding or if the ministers or priests can register the marriage for you. If you do need a superintendent registrar to register your marriage, you should book them as soon as possible, as they will have to be present at your ceremony. You will be required to give the 28-day notice at your local register office.
Additional Details:
Documentation
Once you have given notice (at least 28 days before the wedding), forms will be sent to you for you to fill in. You should include all relevant documentation, like birth certificates, death certificates and divorce certificates for those widowed/divorced, as well as proof of identity and nationality.
Time
In England, marriages used to be limited to the times between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., excluding Muslim and Jewish weddings. However, the law has been changed and it is possible to get married at a later time, but we do strongly advise you check with your venue, as some will still have time limitations.
Payments
You and your partner will each be required to pay £35 when giving notice. You will need to pay £45 if you have the ceremony at a registry office and more at other venues. The marriage certificate will cost you £4 on the day of the wedding and £10 after.
Wedding Insurance
Insurance is a wedding essential you should really not forget about. As soon as you establish a budget, start shopping around for insurance, it can realistically cost you anything between £20-£200. It will cover you in most eventualities, so nothing can deter you from having the best day of your life.
Immigration
If you or your partner is subject to immigration laws, there may be other legalities for you to consider and we recommend you seek advice from https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/religious-ceremonies.
Bridebook was lucky enough to have Bobbi Brown herself spill all her wedding beauty secrets…she reveals all below:
The gorgeous and inspirational Bobbi Brown herself
No matter your age, bridal makeup should be special. On your wedding day, you should look like yourself at your most beautiful. However, it’s not a time to try a look that is very trendy or radically different from your usual style. Wedding makeup should be long lasting, look amazing in photographs, and be timeless.
When you look at your wedding pictures ten years from now, you should still love the way you looked.
The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Block, perfect for giving your cheeks some colour for your wedding day.
Bridal makeup needs to have enough colour to compensate for the whiteness of the dress. Remember, there’s a big difference between everyday clothes and a wedding dress, so there should be difference in your makeup, too.
Start by making sure your skin looks even and smooth, and then add colour to your cheeks and lips to give them a glow. Finish with eye makeup that defines your eyes but doesn’t look overdone. To avoid feeling rushed, allow 45 minutes to an hour for makeup application on the wedding day.
Bobbi Brown’s concealer to cover dark circles under your eyes.
A few wedding beauty tips:
Emphasise your eyes by brightening any darkness under them with corrector and concealer.
Set concealer and foundation with a sheer loose powder. Powder applied with a powder puff assures amazing wearability and reduces unwanted shine – a must-have look for pictures.
Neutral, brown, and pale lip colours can look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one or two shades brighter than what you normally wear. If you usually wear a neutral hue, it should be worn as a base, with a pink or rose colour on top. If you typically wear dark lipstick, use that as the base, and apply a brighter pink on top to give the colour a lift. Pinks, roses and plums are all great, classic choices for brides.
Define your eyes by applying colour in the crease, but avoid using a shade that’s too dense or dark, as it can detract from the eyes themselves.
Use a water-resistant liner that can withstand tears! If you prefer to line with shadow, make it last longer by applying it with a slightly damp eyeliner brush.
After applying all your makeup, finish with a highlighter shade on the brow bone to make the eyes pop. Rub your finger in a light matte shade, and pat lightly on the outer corner of the brow bone.
Bobbi Brown’s Luxe Lip Colour, Pinks, roses and plums are all great classic lip colours for brides
And of course, make sure to take care of yourself on the inside too – eat well in the weeks leading up to your wedding, and try to exercise a few times a week. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated and refreshed, and take a relaxing bath the night before.
Most of all, be present! Slow down and appreciate what’s around you rather than rushing to get from start to finish.
