Tag: Decor

Discover creative ideas and tips for decorating your wedding venue to match your theme.

How to Decorate for an Engagement Party

Your engagement party is your chance to set your creativity loose and have some fun before you get stuck into the nitty gritty world of wedding planning. Couples are often a lot more relaxed when it comes to planning an engagement party as they’re often not quite as formal as the wedding itself, which means you have the opportunity to go to town and throw any type of bash you like.

As part of that, you can be as imaginative and as unique as you like with your engagement party decorations. Whether you want to go all out and immerse your guests in a different world, or keep things subtle with a few floral notes and balloons, you’re free to do whatever you want.

But where do you start? What should you think about before adding items to your online shopping basket? What decor is considered an engagement party must-have? In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know when decorating your engagement party to make sure you have everything you need for the perfect celebration.

Do you need decor at your engagement party?

Photo © The Wedding & Events Lounge | See their Bridebook profile

Whether or not you have decor at your engagement party is purely down to you, your preferences and tastes, and your budget. The engagement party is just one expense of many during the journey towards your wedding, so you might want to keep the costs related to your engagement party on the smaller side. After all, the average cost of a wedding is £19,184, which is a heck of a lot of money for most people.

But, it’s not like you’re hosting just another party. It’s your engagement party – an excuse to push the boat out a little and make it something your guests will remember.

It also depends on the theme of your party. If you’re going hard on the theme, like Mardi Gras or Casino night, you’ll need plenty of decorations to get the immersion you’re going for. If you’re going for a style or theme that’s a little more relaxed, like a garden barbecue or beach party, you can get away with using far fewer decorations – or even none at all. Do what’s best for you, your preferences and the money you have to spare – and think a little bit about the overall experience of your guests too.

What should you think about before buying your engagement party decorations?

Photo © Epic Event Hire | See their Bridebook profile

Once you’ve decided to throw an engagement party it can be super easy to start buying everything you can think of that has Mr, Mrs, We’re engaged, or I said yes! on it. If this is you, and you’re sat waiting for the Amazon delivery driver as you read this, that’s absolutely fine. But, before you get too carried away, there are a few things you should think about first.

What’s the theme of your engagement party?

Your chosen theme will be one of the main driving factors behind the decorations you buy. For example, if you order a lovely floral welcome sign but then decide to have a Hollywood red carpet-themed party, you might start to wonder if you should have switched the floral sign for one themed to a vanity mirror.

What’s the budget for your engagement party?

With your upcoming wedding, you probably won’t want to spend too much on your engagement party – and that includes your decor. When it comes to weddings, couples spend an average of £1,000 on professionally-sourced decor, so you might not want to spend anything close to this for your engagement party. Whatever budget you set aside, make sure you know what you have before you make your first purchase.

Where are you hosting your engagement party?

The amount of decor you go for is also influenced by your chosen venue. If you’re hosting a party at home or the home of a relative, you can probably get away with having just a few simple decorations. If you have a set theme and you’ve hired a venue, you might want to dedicate a portion of your budget to decor so that the theme comes across clearly. The bigger the venue, the more you’re likely to spend on decorations.

What are essential engagement party decorations?

Photo © Fabulous Functions UK | See their Bridebook profile

Depending on the theme of your engagement party, there are loads of different decorations you could pick up, whether it’s something for the tables, something to hang on the walls or ceilings, or something unique and eye-catching that makes for a great photo opportunity.

But, regardless of your theme and whether or not you have a lot of budget to play with, some decorations are considered essential by many couples. Below are eight decorations that are perfect for every engagement party.

  1. Party balloons. Nothing screams party time quite like balloons. The best part is, balloons come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and can feature designs personalised to you and your theme.
  2. Welcome sign. Greet your guests to your party with a welcome sign that lets them know they’ve come to the right place.
  3. Centrepieces and name cards. If you’re hosting a meal or have any kind of table plan, table centrepieces and name cards are a must-have. You’ll also want a chalkboard or easel so your guests know exactly where to sit.
  4. Unique lighting. Create a warm and welcoming ambience with unique lighting, such as candles, fairy lights or lanterns.
  5. Flowers. You might not want to fill your venue with them, but one or two flower arrangements remind your guests they’re there to celebrate your love.
  6. Banners. Banners let everyone know you’re getting married and are fairly affordable. If banners don’t suit your theme, some lovely bunting will also do the trick.
  7. Confetti/petals. Add a little more of a romantic feel with some confetti or petals.
  8. Guest book. Make sure you have a guest book so your friends and family can leave you messages of congratulations.

Think about the lighting

Photo © The Rustic Wedding Company | See their Bridebook profile

Depending on your chosen venue, or whether or not your engagement party (either in part or completely) takes part outside, you should carefully consider what kind of lighting you want to use at your engagement party.

  1. Rainbow lights. In the right setting, colourful lighting can work very nicely. After all, it would be weird to have an 80s disco theme and not have a thousand colours lighting up the dancefloor.
  2. Candles/lanterns. Choose soft, warm lighting to create a warm and romantic atmosphere. Candles and lanterns will cast dancing shadows as they gently flicker, while candelabras make for great table centrepieces (and you can pick up candles to put in them for next to nothing.
  3. A bonfire. If you’re outside and in a safe location, a bonfire will create a brilliant atmosphere with the added bonus of your guests being able to make s’mores.
  4. Fairy lights. Fairy lights are useful for adding a touch of magic and whimsy – the great thing is, battery-powered fairy lights are also fairly inexpensive. You might also get away with busting out the Christmas lights to wrap around doorframes or the edge of a table.
  5. Spotlights/projections. If you want to go all out, spotlights are brilliant for making a statement and will light the outside of your venue for all to see. Similarly, projections can turn the outside of your home into whatever you like – make it rain confetti, turn it into a living Van Gogh painting or simply play a movie to keep the kids entertained.

Can you make your own engagement party decorations?

Photo © One Splendid Day | See their Bridebook profile

Yes, making your own engagement party decorations might take a little time and effort, but it can help you save a lot of money and still give you fantastic, personalised decor. If you and your partner are crafty, it’s a great way to spend time together while you chat about your plans for the engagement party and beyond.

5 DIY engagement party decoration ideas

Here are just a few ideas for engagement party decor you can make yourself, even if you’re not particularly arty.

  1. Banners and signage made from a chalkboard, wood or card. If you’re not comfortable using paint, stencils are cheap and offer a professional finish.
  2. Paper flowers are dead easy and quick to make and there are plenty of video tutorials available on YouTube. Any type of origami makes for a unique decoration, and you should be able to find designs related to you and your interests.
  3. A nest of fairy lights inside a jar or vase takes almost no effort but looks fantastic.
  4. Dig through old photos or print off a few at home to create a collage of memories.
  5. Table numbers made using découpage are simple and look great even if you don’t have any experience.

For more cost-cutting ideas, read our post on how to save money on wedding decorations.

10 tips for decorating your engagement party

Photo © Dream Weddings and Events | See their Bridebook profile

When you’re ready to buy and make decorations for your engagement party, make sure you think about the below tips to make the most of your budget and have a fabulously on-theme bash.

  1. Choose your theme but don’t feel the need to stick to it too strictly. Even a loose theme can work wonders.
  2. Set your budget and don’t be tempted to overspend. Think about the end goal: hosting an amazing wedding with everything and everyone you want.
  3. Make what you can yourself to save even just a little bit of money.
  4. One or two floral arrangements in a carefully selected spot can have a big impact and save you the need to spend hundreds on flowers.
  5. Ask family and friends if they have any old decorations stored in the attic or away in a drawer somewhere that they wouldn’t mind you borrowing.
  6. Bigger doesn’t always mean better. You might want to go big for your engagement party, but why not save it for the wedding itself?
  7. Make sure you test any lighting you have before the night of the party. The last thing you want is duff bulbs, dead batteries or blown fuses as your guests start to arrive.
  8. If you’ve hired a venue, ask them what kind of decor they might have that you can utilise. Consider hiring a venue with its own natural beauty to keep any decor costs to a minimum.
  9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – when it comes to your wedding, plenty of people can find a way to lend a hand.
  10. Introduce personalisations in cost-effective ways, such as using decor with your initials rather than your whole name. They’ll be easier to find and likely a lot cheaper too.

Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook

After you’ve thrown the most amazing engagement party, it’s time to organise your wedding in earnest. Sign up to Bridebook today to plan your perfect big day.

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How to Plan a Forest Wedding Ceremony

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

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

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

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

What is a forest wedding? 

Photo © Two Woods Estate | See their Bridebook profile

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

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

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

How popular are forest weddings?

Photo © Applewood Weddings Ltd | See their Bridebook profile

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

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

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

Planning your dream forest wedding 

Photo © Wilderness Wedding Venue | See their Bridebook profile

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

1. Pick your dream venue

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

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

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

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

2. Embrace nature-inspired decor & styling

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

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

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

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

3. Don’t forget the essentials

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

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

4. Craft a woodland-inspired menu 

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

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

5. Capture the magical moments

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

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

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

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

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

6. Combine practicality with style

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

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

7. Don’t forget the rings

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

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

How much does a forest wedding cost?

Photo © Royal Forest Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

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

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

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

Top tips for planning your forest wedding

Photo © Cheshire Woodland Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

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

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

The bottom line on planning a forest wedding

Photo © Stourton Woods | See their Bridebook profile

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

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

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

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

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How Much Do Wedding Favours Cost? The 2024 Average Revealed

Wedding favours offer you the opportunity to provide your guests with a small gift or keepsake that they can take home (or eat!) and remember the time they spent celebrating with you on your big day.

But when you’re already spending thousands on your wedding, how much should you spend on wedding favours that are thoughtful, personal and something that your guests are going to appreciate?

Below, we’re going to take a look at the cost of wedding favours, including the average amount couples spend, how much some of the most popular wedding favours cost, and what factors can influence how much you might spend.

What are wedding favours and do you need them at your wedding?

Photo © Green Manatee | See their Bridebook profile

Wedding favours are small tokens or gifts that you give to the guests who come to share in your celebrations on your wedding day. They’re small, personal gestures that are used to express your gratitude and work as a little souvenir for your family and friends.

Favours don’t need to be expensive – many wedding favours cost around £1 each – but they act as a way for you to show your appreciation. Many couples even choose to put together DIY wedding favours, which can be anything from a packet of sweets to a custom-made Rubix cube (although something like this will set you back a lot more than £1).

Even the most affordable or DIY wedding favour options will add to your ever-increasing list of expenses, which is saying something when you consider that the average cost of a wedding in the UK is £20,775. Does that mean, if budget is a concern, it’s something you could cut to save a bit of money?

Do you have to do favours at your wedding?

Photo © The Rustic Wedding Company | See their Bridebook profile

While favours aren’t something that your guests will expect – and certainly aren’t the reason they’re coming to your wedding – their absence may be noticed by some (but certainly not all). In fact, some of your guests may choose to not take their favour home at all, and if you’re gifting food or sweets, they may even be devoured before the first course is served at the breakfast.

If you’re looking to save budget, or it’s simply not something that interests you or fits with your style or theme of your wedding, then you shouldn’t feel pressured to provide favours simply to appease others or because it’s something you believe your guests expect – because they definitely don’t.

What’s the average cost of wedding favours?

Photo © Fabulous Functions UK | See their Bridebook profile

In the UK, the average amount spent by couples on wedding favours is around £160 in total. This might not be a huge amount when you consider your overall budget (it’s about 2% of what couples pay for the average wedding venue) but if you want custom, handmade favours or you’re inviting 120+ guests, that figure can be much higher.

Similarly, you could keep costs down while still honouring the tradition, by simply leaving a small packet of Love Hearts sweets for every guest. This would cost you much less than the average, with 250 packets costing around £17 (and leaving you with some to keep for yourself).

It’s also important to remember that low-cost wedding favours don’t need to be generic or boring. For more information, check out our blog post on 29 ideas for affordable wedding favours.

What are some popular wedding favour ideas?

Photo © Dream Weddings and Events | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re looking for some wedding favour ideas but you’re not quite sure where to start, the below guide will give you a rough guide for how much some popular wedding favours cost so you can gauge if they fit within your budget.

Edible favours

  • Retro sweets – You can pick up ready-made packs of retro sweets, or put together your own if you shop around to find cheap sweets in bulk. Costs start from £1 each.
  • Honeycomb – A real crowd pleaser, honeycomb not only looks great but is delicious too. Costs start from £1.50 each.
  • Fudge – Fudge is creamy and luxurious and is a fantastic way to satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth. Cost start from £2 each.
  • Hot chocolate kit – A unique favour that most of your guests won’t resist and can be presented in many creative ways. Costs start from £2.50 each.
  • Popcorn – A cheap and tasty favour that no one will turn their nose up at. Costs start from £1 each.
  • Mints – Mints offer a breath of fresh air. Costs start from £1 each.
  • Jellybeans – Sweet treats that are affordable and come in a variety of flavours. Costs start from £1 each.
  • Cake pops – Cake pops are a lot of fun and a handy way to give your guests a cakey hit if you don’t have a traditional wedding cake. Costs start from £1.50 each.
  • Marshmallows – Affordable, sticky and sweet. Costs start from £1 each.

Non-edible favours

  • Bubbles – Everyone loves bubbles! Plus, they’re super affordable. Costs start from less than £1 each.
  • Personalised playing cards – Massively personal and always something your guests will want to keep. Costs start from around £5 each.
  • Second-hand books – A great talking point that is hugely affordable. Costs start from around 50p each, or even less if you check out some local charity shops.
  • Pens, notepads or pencils – A practical favour for everyone. Costs start from £2 each.
  • Jewellery charms – A cute memento that can be used in a huge variety of ways. Costs start from £3 each.
  • Wildflower seeds – Not a personal favour, but is certainly thoughtful. Costs start from £1 each.
  • Charity donation – A hugely thoughtful and generous gesture. You can donate as much or as little as you like.
  • Soap/hand sanitiser – A useful and unique favour. Costs start from £2 each.
  • Scratchcards – An exciting way to get your guests talking. Plus, one of your guests could leave your wedding a lot richer (and hopefully they’ll share some with you!). Costs start from £1 each.
  • Personalised candles – Who doesn’t love a candle? Costs start from £2.50 each.
  • Personalised coasters – A really unique gift that will remind your guests of your big day whenever they sit down for a cuppa. Costs start from £3 each.
  • Personalised keyrings – Everyone has at least a couple of keyrings, and there’s always room for one more. Costs start from £2 each.
  • Disposable camera – Quite a retro favour these days, but it can be a lot of fun having the photos developed to see what happened while you weren’t around! However, disposable cameras are becoming more expensive, with costs per camera starting from around £15 (and of course the cost to develop after the wedding). It can be hugely worth it if you have the budget, though.

Is it cheaper to do DIY wedding favours?

Photo © One Splendid Day | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re on a budget, it can be much cheaper to do wedding favours yourself. However, if you’re looking for highly personal or customised favours, such as personalised playing cards, you may find the DIY approach more challenging. If you haven’t done anything similar before, there’s also the risk of inconsistent quality.

If you’re looking for something simple, such as a bag of retro sweets, you should be able to put this together with little effort and without much room for error. It should save you some money, too.

What factors can impact the cost of wedding favours?

Photo © Make It Special Events | See their Bridebook profile

When choosing wedding favours, as well as the type of favours you go for, there are several factors to bear in mind which can impact the overall cost.

  • Quantity – It may seem obvious, but the more guests you have the more you’ll have to spend on favours.
  • Personalisation – Highly personalised wedding favours will cost more than something you can grab off a shelf or make yourself.
  • Vendor – A small, independent vendor may have higher prices than a large company with hundreds of employees. However, the level of care and quality is also likely to be better from a smaller vendor.
  • Quality – The higher the quality of materials or ingredients you use, the more expensive your favours will be. Remember, your favours are only a token gift to your guests and they won’t be expecting something premium.
  • Presentation – Marshmallows or honeycomb may be fairly inexpensive, but if you choose to package them in a fancy box with ribbon they may not be inexpensive for long.
  • Season – Depending on what you go for, the time of year may play a part in cost. For example, during peak periods when gift companies are in demand, costs may be much higher.

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Victoria & Chris’ Mythology and Lore Storytelling Themed Wedding

If you and your partner have fairly niche interests, why not join the host of other couples who have planned their own unique themed wedding? There’s no better way to show off your personalities and get creative! Victoria and Chris did exactly that with their non-traditional themed wedding inspired by their love for each other and their shared love of mythology and lore. Check out the details of their wedding planning, and their gorgeous photos, below and get ready to be inspired.

The Inspiration & Wedding Planning

We aren’t very traditional people, met at Boomtown music festival, as wild west performers, and it was definitely love at first shot! For the wedding planning, there was a lot of research!

Photo © Martin Holtom

We started with deciding on which mythologies and lore we wanted to represent, and ended up with different realms that represented parts of our life together and our families: Land of the Fae, Valhalla, Arkham, Olympia, Atlantis, Sherwood, Gallifrey, Loch Ness, El Dorado, and Camelot.

Photo © Martin Holtom

The Venue

Our wedding venue was Forever Green, a beautiful venue in the heart of natural forest land, making it the perfect venue for a hideaway wedding, especially one with a mythology and lore theme!

Photo © Martin Holtom

Forever Green is a unique and magical wedding venue, as its views into the surrounding forest of Ransomwood give you the feeling that the venue and the forest are merged as one.

Photo © Martin Holtom

The Activities

We brought different items together to remind people of stories of each place, so naturally had a wedding reception escape room where all our guests worked together to unlock the wedding cake!

Photo © Martin Holtom

We were also very lucky to have suppliers who were just as excited by our theme as we were! So much personal attention was given to the pre-planning and running of the day.

Photo © Martin Holtom

Victoria and Chris’ Suppliers

If you’re feeling inspired to have your own magical storytelling themed wedding, why not start planning all the little personal touches, and reaching out to suppliers who share your vision? Victoria and Chris have shown that with plenty of research and creativity, you can have the wedding of your dreams, that’s as unique as you are, not to mention fun for all those involved!

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Mel & Andy’s Whimsical Alice in Wonderland Themed Wedding

Childhood memories are precious, and often hold a special place in our hearts. What if you could relive those cherished moments on your wedding day? A themed wedding inspired by your childhood can transport you and your guests back in time, creating a magical and unforgettable experience. Get inspired by Mel and Andy’s whimsical Alice in Wonderland themed wedding, complete with quirky DIY touches and a host of unique, interactive activities.

The Inspiration & Wedding Planning

Since I was a kid, I have been obsessed with Alice in Wonderland. I have about 20-25 copies of the book, two Alice in Wonderland tattoos, and always wanted an Alice in Wonderland wedding!

Photo © N D Reid Photography

Thankfully, my husband was happy to let me have my dream wedding – he went with all my crazy ideas and helped make everything. Our wedding ceremony was a White Rabbit theme; our wedding breakfast was a Mad Hatter’s tea party; and our evening party was a Red Queen theme.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

The Venue

Our venue was Nunsmere Hall in Northwich, Cheshire, and we picked it because it was a gorgeous country house which we felt fit the theme.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

My husband and I set up everything in the wedding breakfast the night before and it took hours! My mum and I then stayed over at Nunsmere Hall Hotel the night before together.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

Our wedding coordinator was Erin at Nunsmere Hall, and she was the best ever! She saw our vision and was as excited as we were. We have her Hufflepuff flowers on the wedding day as a thank you (made my friend Amee at A Thousand Years Bouquets). We also gave my mum, my mother-in-law and hairdresser Alice in Wonderland flowers, and pocket watches to my three dads.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

Our wedding decorator was Marie at Butterfly Events (who work with Nunsmere Hall), and our DJ was from Hipswing (who also work with Nunsmere Hall).

Photo © N D Reid Photography

The Decor

We wanted our wedding to be created by ourselves. I was the painter, Andy was the craftsman. I painted six giant paintings from the original Tenniel drawings in the original book, while Andy crafted a this way/that way sign, which I then painted, as well as stands for my paintings and signs, and our own photo memory board. We made all of our own themed invites and table names too.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

We collected tea cups, tea pots, plates etc. for our table decorations. It took two years to collect enough items to make our wonky table decorations, which were covered in card and flowers and keys. Most of our decorations came from charity shops. Our centerpieces for the wedding breakfast were all homemade, and took us about nine months to complete in little stages.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

Dress, Accessories & Bridal Bouquet

I originally wanted a blue wedding dress, but couldn’t find one I liked or that was in my budget! So I had my bridesmaids in blue tea dresses instead.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

My bouquet was handmade by my friend Amee at A Thousand Years Bouquets (she can be found on Facebook). They are made of an old copy of Alice in Wonderland and blue card. She is amazing!

Photo © N D Reid Photography

My wedding shoes were Alice in Wonderland converse-style, which I bought from ShoeArtCottage on Etsy. I also had Alice in Wonderland socks, which were a gift.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

I had my nails done by Karen at Shanti Beauty in Crewe, Cheshire. They were French nails, but my ring fingers were blue with bows on them. Andy bought me stopwatch earrings for the day, and I bought him his cufflinks. I had his tie and pocket square made from blue Alice in Wonderland fabric by my friend Stewart. My bracelet and necklace were from Pandora, and featured all of the Alice in Wonderland collection, which my mum and stepdad had bought me as gifts on the day.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

The Activities

My hen do was at the Rabbit Hole Team Room in Stoke. It was an Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea that my best friend and chief bridesmaid Vickie arranged.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

Two of my dads walked me down the aisle, and Andy wrote the best speech and had everyone laughing. He wrote me a poem in his speech, too, and it was just beautiful.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

We had a chessboard dance floor and provided games like Jenga, and cards for the evening party. We made our own photo booth frame, which we used our own camera for, with props to go with it.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

We had a sweet table with “Eat Me” jars on it, which my two dads arranged for us. Our wedding favours were little shots of gin in “Drink Me” bottles, and “Eat Me” cookies shaped like mushrooms.

Photo © N D Reid Photography

Mel and Andy’s Suppliers

Dreaming of planning your own childhood-inspired themed wedding? Then take a leaf out of Mel and Andy’s book, and start putting together your own unique ideas – the possibilities are endless!

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Happy Planning!

Joanne and Luke’s Fabulous Lord of the Rings Themed Wedding

Themed weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. From fairytale castles to rustic barns, the possibilities are endless. But how to plan a themed wedding that’s both creative and personal, yet tasteful and classy? Check out Joanne and Luke’s fabulous Lord of the Rings themed wedding – the perfect combination of intricate planning and thoughtful DIY touches.

The Inspiration & Wedding Planning

Luke and I are both self-styled Mega Geeks. We love everything fantasy and our home is filled with memorabilia, figurines and books etc. We met at London Film & Comic Con, where I was dressed in a costume she had made as Daenerys from Game of Thrones. For our wedding we needed to find a theme that suited both the venue and was a passion for both of us in equal measure.

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

We tried to infuse our themes throughout the wedding without being too over-the-top and were absolutely thrilled with the result, which we felt really reflected us and our passions. Lots of guests commented that the days was very “us”, which was lovely to hear. everyone had a wonderful time!

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Venue

Had we chosen a castle venue, Game of Thrones was the obvious choice of theme, but when we found Bourton Hall we absolutely fell in love and no other venue then would do!

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

It did, however, require a theme re-think, and so we picked the obvious (to us): Lord of the Rings! A lifelong obsession for both of us – both the books and the wonderful movie trilogy, as well as The Hobbit – it was a theme we could both throw ourselves in to fully! We felt it lent beautifully to the gorgeous wood panelling and natural feel of the venue and lent to decorating with wonderful greenery, white, natural flowers and wooden accessories.

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Decor

Luckily, Luke is an artist (check out his beautiful creations here), which meant we could design so much of our stationery ourselves (and saved a fortune in the process!).

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

He created our invitation suite entirely from scratch using the fonts and styles of the Lord of the Rings, and even wood-burned our table names himself, all places from the world of Tolkien.

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

Our top table was Rivendell, complete with a golden dragon to keep an eye on us. We couldn’t find an actual Smaug, so Viserion from Game of Thrones did a wonderful job of filling in for him!

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

Luke also created an amazing table plan, fitting in with the maps of Middle Earth (Rivendell, Erebor, Hobbiton, Mordor, Lothlorien and so on), which everyone commented on!

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

We decorated the lounge tables with piles of old books rather than flowers to give the area a cosy, “Hobbity” theme, and hidden around the beautiful floristry were some little hanging Hobbit holes.

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

We created some guest bags to go in the rooms of our guests that stayed overnight, and made labels for items with relevant quotes from the books to decorate. And finally, we had a photo booth in the evening, for which we collected various Lord of the Rings related props and costumes which leant to some wonderfully funny moments in the evening!

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Accessories

I had ordered a replica of Galadriel’s Nenya ring to wear on the day, which came in a beautiful wooden carved box. I also contacted Weta Workshop (who created all the props, costumes, and pretty much everything for the films), and they very kindly sent a second ring box – which we were completely blown away by – so that both the bride and groom’s rings could be kept in style!

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

Some little finishing touches were Luke’s cufflinks, handmade little wooden Hobbit holes which were a Father’s Day gift from Charlie, who also had a Leaf of Lorien brooch on his little suit.

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Music

We created playlists including music from all of our favourite films and TV shows.

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

Whilst waiting for the bride to arrive, there were some Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings musical pieces, and during the wedding breakfast we had created a playlist using acoustic versions of various themes, including Harry Potter, Star Wars and even Pokémon!

Photo © The Kensington Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

Joanne and Luke’s Suppliers

If you’re looking for a wedding that’s personal to you and your partner, why not have a fantasy-themed wedding of your own? With careful thought and plenty of research, you can – like Joanne and Luke – incorporate your favourite elements in a manner that’s both creative yet tasteful.

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Happy Planning!

How Much Does Wedding Decor Cost? The 2024 Average Revealed

Choosing your wedding venue is just one part of planning your wedding. Even once you’ve found the perfect venue, chances are it still might not match your and your partner’s personalities 100%. That’s where wedding decor comes in, and helps you to personalise your wedding so it reflects your life, interests and values.

Your wedding day is about celebrating your love, so why not add a few extra touches that help the day be all about you?

In this post, we’re going to take a look at how much wedding decor costs, what factors can affect the cost of wedding decor, and whether you should consider hiring a professional decorator for your wedding.

What is wedding decor?

Photo © Out of the Ordinary Event Hire | See their Bridebook profile

Wedding decorations are the additions you make to your chosen venue to help create a beautiful, romantic and – most importantly – personalised setting. Your decor can be as bold or as subtle as you want and can help to create an overall theme for your wedding that goes beyond a simple colour scheme.

For example, you could have something traditional like a rustic or vintage theme, or even something out there like a superhero or steampunk theme – whatever you choose is up to you. Spell out your new shared surname in giant lights with Letterhire.com , or introduce a ‘Pintrest-esque’, rustic feel with The Rustic Wedding Company. Your decor will ensure that your theme resonates throughout your entire wedding, from signage through to the table decorations.

When it comes to wedding decor, you can be as creative as you like. Examples of what to include are:

  • Candles
  • Table centrepieces
  • Fairy lights
  • Table runners
  • Chalkboards
  • Photo collages
  • Balloons
  • Chair covers
  • Unique signage

You can even incorporate your theme into the ceremony, with plenty of opportunities to add that personal touch, such as altar decor, a ring pillow, or an aisle runner. Just remember, you’ll only spend a small portion of your wedding at the ceremony, so don’t blow your entire decor budget on something your guests won’t get to appreciate for very long.

What’s the average cost of wedding decor?

Photo © Letterhire.com | See their Bridebook profile

As our ultimate wedding budget breakdown will show, we found that couples tend to spend around £1,500 on average on professionally sourced wedding decor (as opposed to DIY wedding decor). However, this doesn’t include the cost of flowers, which have a separate budget, so this is something to bear in mind when planning what to spend on decorations.

Should you hire a wedding decorator?

Photo © The Rustic Wedding Company | See their Bridebook profile

Wedding decor is something many couples choose to arrange for themselves, but if you’re looking for custom items then you may want to consider hiring a professional to take care of it for you. Similarly, you may have a vision for your wedding that you could struggle to make a reality by yourself – wedding decorators have the skills and experience to bring your ideas to life in ways that you might not.

It should also be said that some decor can take a lot of time and energy to put together. When planning your wedding you’ll have a lot of plates to spin, and custom decorations can be one of the most time-consuming. Yes, hand-making your own bunting may save you money, but it might unnecessary stress to what can already be a stressful process.

That being said, if you’re on a tight budget then organising your decor yourself is one of the first cuts you can make. For more tips check out our guide to saving money on wedding decorations.

What factors can affect the cost of wedding decor?

Photo © Stingray Events | See their Bridebook profile

Whether you choose to hire wedding decorations, hire a decorator, or do it yourself, there are various factors to be aware of that can push that cost up or down.

  • The venue: The larger the venue, the more expensive it’s likely to be to decorate to your own tastes. It’s also important to check with the venue whether they restrict certain items.
  • The location: Is the venue difficult to get to, or in a less populated area which means sourcing decorations from nearby may be challenging?
  • Date: If you’re hiring decorations, then expect to pay a little more during peak times such as during the summer months or at weekends.
  • The number of tables: If you have fewer tables then you’ll need fewer centrepieces.
  • Style and theme: The more grandiose your style and theme, the more expensive it will be to hire the relevant decor.
  • Customisation: Custom decorations are more expensive than those that are off-the-shelf. A DIY approach may save you a lot of money – check out our best DIY wedding ideas for some inspiration!

Plan your wedding today with Bridebook

Ready to start planning your wedding? Sign up to Bridebook and take the stress out of wedding planning.

And if you’re looking for ways to save money on your wedding decor, we’ve got all the advice you need to decorate your venue without breaking the bank. 

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How to Plan a Boho Themed Wedding

When it comes to planning your dream wedding, one of the most important decisions is choosing your theme. The possibilities are endless – from formal black tie and season-themed weddings to all-black weddings and media-based pop culture weddings. One other very popular and currently trending wedding theme is the boho wedding.

If you’re a free-spirited individual who would LOVE a natural and earthy outdoor wedding with rustic themes, lavish floral arrangements, flowing light linen drapery, woven decor elements, and DIY projects aplenty, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you’ll need to plan the boho wedding of your dreams.

What is a boho wedding?

Photo © Wilderness Wedding Venue | See their Bridebook profile

Before we get to the planning stage, let’s clarify exactly what a boho, or bohemian, wedding is. The bohemian lifestyle means embracing your free spirit and becoming one with nature. The ‘boho chic’ trend began gaining popularity around the 2000s while being heavily inspired by the ’60s and 70s Hippie era.

Now, you don’t have to follow the hippie culture A-to-Z or have a complete boho wedding; instead, you can pick and choose what you like to have in a wedding that follows your vision. The best part about this is that you won’t go wrong with anything you choose. With a boho wedding, blending your natural surroundings with touches that reflect your personality is all you need for perfection.

If you’re a couple that prefers structure and a clear-cut plan, then incorporating macrame and boho-inspired stationery, such as handwritten calligraphy, botanical prints, and watercolour  designs would look amazing. But if you’re a more free-spirited couple, an eclectic mix of colours and textures should be the way to go.

How to plan a boho wedding?

Photo © The Wellbeing Farm | See their Bridebook profile

There’s a lot to consider when planning a wedding. A boho wedding is no different: you can opt for a romantic, vintage, or natural boho wedding with different elements thrown in. To help you out, we’ve created a guide that will help you with shortlisting and finalising your options:

1. Say “I do” at the best bohemian venue

Photo © Northside Farm | See their Bridebook profile

Your venue is one of the key elements that will show your passion for the bohemian lifestyle. Boho wedding venues are laid-back, natural, and generally in an outdoor setting, with possible rustic or vintage touches. The best thing about these is that they cost less than traditional weddings, so you can get the real fairytale wedding without breaking the bank.

You can get married in:

  • A famous local park
  • Natural reserve
  • Beach
  • Farmhouse
  • Ranch
  • Orchard
  • Barn
  • Cottage
  • Even in a well-decorated backyard or garden

Some of the lush and green places in the UK that would make a perfect setting for a boho or outdoor wedding are:

  • The Lake District: With its stunning lakes, mountains, and forests.
  • Cornwall: With its golden beaches, rugged coastline, and beautiful gardens.
  • The Cotswolds: Known for their scenic villages, rolling hills, and gorgeous countryside.
  • The Scottish Highlands: With their wild and beautiful landscapes, dramatic mountains, and ethereal forests, you can’t get a more boho wedding venue than this.

Top tip: don’t forget to consider the local climate and weather when choosing a location.

2. Set the scene with boho wedding decor

Photo © Velvet Rose Flower Studio | See their Bridebook profile

When choosing the decor for your picturesque boho wedding, choose decor that works with your venue. If you have an outdoor wedding in a garden, park, forest, or beach, focus on natural, earthy elements that will make the venue pop. You can never go wrong with Pampas grass and driftwood accents.

For the floral arrangements, you don’t have to follow structure or have manicured bouquets with matching flowers. Mismatched wildflowers with succulents and big boughs of greenery are popular options in the boho wedding scene. You can even match your bouquet and flower crown, if you choose to wear one, with the floral arrangements.

You can save on budget for the rest of the decor by making it a DIY project or thrifting. Here are a few other decor items to consider:

  • The arch: you can go with a fun and spirited geometric arch or macramé fringes for a whimsical setting. If you want to take a more natural route, raw wood and florals can create an arch that will awe your guests.
  • Rugs: rugs can be used to line the aisle for a softer and easier walking path and also the dance floor for a coachella-esque approach.
  • Rustic decor: The options are numerous: feathers, candles, bottles and jars, and glassware.

3. Don a Bohemian wedding dress and accessories

Photo © Francis Bridal | See their Bridebook profile

Boho wedding dresses tend to be more casual, whimsical, and often not white. Some have off-the-shoulder designs with flowing sleeves; others are covered from top to bottom with lace. Since they’re more minimalistic than their traditional counterparts, you can get a boho wedding dress for a lot cheaper. If we’re selling you on the budget-friendly options, trust us, most boho weddings are that cost-effective.

For accessories, you could pair the dress with vintage jewellery, flower or lace headbands, and even cowboy boots and a hat for a fun twist.

Here’s a list of ideas for boho wedding dresses:

  • Flutter sleeves or lantern sleeves
  • Non-white wedding dress, such as cream, champagne, light pink, or any soft pastel colour
  • A goddess-style boho wedding dress with an inner corset, flowing sleeves, and mermaid skirt
  • Plus size boho wedding dress with sweetheart neckline and bishop or long puff sleeves

Here are some popular boho wedding accessories to consider:

  • Crystal headbands
  • Flowers and lace woven into your braid
  • Flower crowns with flowing hair
  • Beads and crystal jewellery

4. Send out your boho wedding invitations

Photo © Dove and Lace | See their Bridebook profile

Like with the decor and everything else – boho wedding invitations are best to keep casual, fun, and whimsical. For a spiritual touch, a metallic mandala embossed invitation would give off elegant yet mystic vibes. For a more laid-back option, deckled edge or kraft paper invitations would look amazing. Following an eclectic theme, your invitations can be mismatched with funky colours.

If you want to check out our range of boho wedding invitations, check out our stationery section.

5. Dance the night away with boho wedding music

Photo © Michael Mulholland | See their Bridebook profile

As we all know, the vibe of any place is set by good, relevant music. For a boho wedding, you want to set the mood with music that follows your wedding theme and breathes life into the venue. Your guests could end up disappointed with a generic DJ or band who doesn’t understand how to enthral the crowd with music that fits.

For a classic boho wedding, you could skip the DJ and opt for instrumental pieces or even violin and piano music. Acoustic wedding singers could also make the evening magical with a personalised playlist: Michael Mulholland, Matthew Turner and Ed Peczek are some of Bridebook’s most in-demand acoustic wedding singers.

6. Wow your guest with a boho wedding cake and bohemian menu

Photo © Artisan Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

Food brings everyone together, and what better way to make your wedding memorable than having a unique spread with foods from cultures around the world? You can contact a catering company and work with them to design a custom menu, or if you want to go down a simpler path, having a simple buffet with dishes from different parts of the world is a good option too.

You can get locally-sourced food from farms and ranches around you with rustic selections like a charcuterie board, fruit platters, local wine, vintage elements like a vintage food truck, or DIY food stations.

And for the heart of the wedding, the wedding cake, you can take inspiration from the ground and the sky above. There’s nothing dreamier than a celestial-inspired cake featuring geodes and gemstones. Alternatively, naked cakes adorned with flowers and lush greenery are also a signature bohemian wedding staple.

FAQs

Check out some commonly asking questions about planning a boho wedding ceremony, along with their answers. 

How many people use boho weddings?


While there are no clear-cut stats on the percentage of people opting for a boho or outdoor wedding, boho weddings are one of the most popular wedding themes for 2023. With more and more people embracing the minimalistic, free-spirited approach, boho weddings will only be gaining popularity.


How can you make a boho wedding bouquet?

There’s no ‘one’ way to make a boho bridal bouquet. Instead, you can match the wedding bouquet with your dress, accessories, or venue. Pampas grass is an evergreen option; you can pair it with rust-coloured florals. Or, a bouquet of wildflowers tied together with lace is a great option too. If you need some inspiration, check out these boho floral arrangements on Pinterest.

What should grooms wear to a boho wedding?

The essence of a boho wedding is freedom; naturally, it also extends towards the groom. He can match his clothes with the bride’s or opt for something completely different such as no shoes or a cream shirt with suspenders – think Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic.

What is the colour of boho?

There is no single “colour of boho” – it’s a blend of different tones ranging from earthy to stunning jewel tones, encompassed in neutral and warm colours such as white, grey, brown, yellow, orange, blue, red, white, etc.

Now you have the perfect guide to planning the boho wedding of your dreams. For hassle-free and cost-effective A-to-Z wedding planning, get started on Bridebook today!

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Happy Planning!

Catherine and Robert’s Botanical Houseplant Themed Wedding

Your wedding day is your day. That means it should be personal to you, and reflect who you are as a couple. Having a themed wedding can be a great way to create something truly special and unique. You can go as whimsical and wacky as you like! Take Catherine and Robert’s botanical houseplant themed wedding – perfect inspiration for all the earth-loving couples out there!

The Inspiration & Wedding Planning

We wanted our wedding to reflect who we are and our values, and the most important thing for us was to make sure our guests had a good time.

Photo © Allan Bovill

I’m a zoologist so a lot of our guests are an environmentally-friendly crowd, so we tried to be as sustainable as possible with things (dried flower confetti made at home, biodegradable bags and stickers, seed favours etc.).

Photo © Allan Bovill

The Venue

I always wanted to get married in a botanical garden, so we had our pictures done in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and then the wedding and reception at Orán Mòr, a Bridebook venue, across the road.

Photo © Allan Bovill

This is a beautiful hall with really rich, bold colours which is what I based my colour schemes on, and it worked nicely with the plants (I think).

Photo © Allan Bovill

The Decor

My husband and I are both PhD students so we are both very busy as well as being on a budget.

Photo © Allan Bovill

The houseplants were a combination of it being a bit different and a result of us having a big houseplant collection anyway, so we just decided to use them as decorations!

Photo © Allan Bovill

The Veil & Bridal Bouquet

The veil was a colourful wildflower embroidered veil from Etsy, which was handmade to order.

Photo © Allan Bovill

The flowers were designed to match the veil, hand-arranged by Lavender Blue in Glasgow.

Photo © Allan Bovill

The Cake & Cheese Table

I specialise in frogs so I had a frog pond layer in our wedding cake and a frog topper!

Photo © Allan Bovill

We had a cheese table instead of canapés at the reception!

Photo © Allan Bovill

The Music & Personal Touches

We walked down the aisle to the theme song to “Detectorists”, which is our favourite TV song!

Photo © Allan Bovill

We had photos with some dinosaurs that were in the Botanic Gardens at the time, which we loved!

Photo © Allan Bovill

Catherine and Robert’s Suppliers

Want a green eco-wedding like Catherine and Robert’s? Now’s the time to start planning! Remember to make the most of what you have, and DIY where you can if you’re on a budget. And don’t be afraid to let your personalities and interests shine as you unleash your creativity!

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Happy Planning!

Alice & James’ DIY Festival Themed Farm Wedding

If you’re looking to have a fun and unique wedding, why not have a themed wedding? You can make it truly personal, including the things you love most just because you love them. Festival lovers Alice and James went for nothing less than a DIY festival themed farm wedding. Read on to learn all about their celebrations and take inspiration from their uplifting wedding photos.

The Inspiration & Wedding Planning

My husband is James and I’m Alice. We have always loved festivals and they’ve played quite a big part of our relationship! Lots of mementoes! James even asked me to be his girlfriend at V festival. So when he asked me to marry him, we knew a festival theme would be really fitting!

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

A lot of our friends are also festival lovers and our family know us as party people. We really wanted to create a relaxed few days that our friends and family could enjoy. Lots of great food, free flowing drinks, a fantastic band and our own little tent village!

Photo © Alice Johnstone

The Venue

We planned a three-day event at Willow Grange Farm in Ely, Cambridgeshire, which was the most beautiful setting we could imagine! They have a huge Sperry Tent which has the festival look we wanted whilst giving a bit of a glam take on it! It also provided bell tents for all of our guests which was so exciting!

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Decor

I really wanted to be heavily involved in all parts of the wedding so did a lot of DIY. I made my own invitations as festival lanyards, including our festival name “G Festival” as my new surname would be Girscher.

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

My mum made all of my bridesmaids’ bouquets and flower crowns. I reused paper tassel garlands from someone else’s wedding. I hung ribbons to blow in the wind and we had huge helium balloons with tassels down the aisle. I made my own table plan, name places and order of the day pallet! I personally really loved seeing everything I had planned come together on the day. It was all worth it! Hall & Co added to my creation with beautiful florals.

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Catering

Hall & Co also catered the day with canapés, BBQ sharing boards and dessert boards to give the relaxed atmosphere we wanted! Lots of wine on the tables.

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Cake

My mum and I made our 5 tier cake which was covered in pressed flowers, glitter balls and sparklers. Plus my mum and dad’s topper from their wedding cake 30 years ago!

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The Activities

The second day, everyone woke up and dressed ready for festival party! We had a bottomless Prosecco brunch with singing waiters. It was so much fun! The party continued with card games, dance offs, karaoke, volleyball and dancing all fuelled by gigantic bottles of Prosecco! An ice cream van was booked for the afternoon and it really was a perfect day!

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

The next day we had breakfast in the Sperry Tent and said our farewells. It was the most amazing few days with our closest friends and looking back at the photos, all I see is laughter, love and happiness and it makes me cry every time! Our photographer Lee Allison and our videographer Harry Tarbuck from Servo Creatives captured it so perfectly.

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

Alice’s Advice

I would really recommend a non-traditional wedding for any couple! Make it personal! Put your character in it! Include things that you love just because you love them. I think there is so much pressure to pick things because your guests will like it more or “it’s more wedding appropriate” but I truly think your heart shines most when you’re doing what you love! It’s your special day and it should be everything you love.

Photo © Lee Allison Wedding Photographer | See their Bridebook profile

Alice and James’ Suppliers

Inspired to plan a DIY festival themed farm wedding of your own? Then go for it! As Alice and James have shown, not only does it offer a rustic and charming atmosphere, but it also allows for authentic and personalised touches that truly reflect your style and personality. From creating your own decor to hosting memorable, interactive activities, you can really make it your own!

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Happy Planning!

Supplier Showcase: Brilliant Female-Owned Wedding Businesses

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

Mercedes | 4YaParty Weddings and Events

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

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

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

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

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

Gemma | The Isla Gladstone Conservatory

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

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

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

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

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

Stacey | The Venue Experts

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

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

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

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

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

Natalie | Velvet Moon Ceremonies

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

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

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

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

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

Jemma | Charlesworth Classics Ltd

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

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

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

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

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

Nyssa | Edinburgh School of Food & Wine

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

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

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

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

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

Lily | Lily Kerbey Musician

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

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

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

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

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

Sarah | The Purple Pumpkin Cake Company

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

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

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

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

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

Emily | Emily’s Moments Photography

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

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

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

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

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

Jade | Hushabye Films

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

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

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

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

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

Harriet | Harriet Alice Fox Designs

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

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

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

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

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

H | Lawley Fine Jewellers

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

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

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

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

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

Amy | Beewildblooms

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

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

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

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

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

Becky | Lavelle Bridal Couture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Happy Planning!

14 Romantic Wedding Ideas Inspired by Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, which makes it a dreamy choice for a wedding. But when it comes to incorporating romantic ideas into your big day, there’s a fine line between classic and cheesy! Less is often more! That’s why we’ve put together 14 unique romantic wedding ideas inspired by Valentine’s Day, featuring real couples and our amazing Bridebook suppliers. Whether you’re planning a special Valentine’s Day wedding, or simply looking for some romantic ideas to share with your partner, we hope you’ll find plenty of inspiration here!

1. Incorporate a romantic theme

Photo © Ashley Hemsley Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Follow a heart theme as an obvious nod to Valentine’s Day in your decor, cake design and stationery. You can carry it out in all the little details, from your napkins to your icing to your invitations. To make more of a statement, consider smoke bombs, or smoke flares. They’ll add so much drama to your couple portraits, and a super fun pop to your day. This romantic shot by Ashley Hemsley Photography is a great example: “A little bit of help from the red arrows created this stunning heart smoke shape”. There are also various alternatives to hearts: love birds, cupid’s arrows, love locks, XOXOs, love knots, love letters, the infinity symbol, and love trees.

2. Create a romantic ambience with lighting

Photo © Jennifer West Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Work with your photographer, or a lighting company, to create romantic shapes with light (whether outside, or as a dramatic ceiling pattern). This shot by Jennifer West Photography is particularly striking and romantic. We love the multi-coloured neon sign and heart-shaped light trails. According to the photographer: “The evening was warm and balmy and as the music filled the air, Luke and Kirsty say it was one of the most special memories of their wedding.”

3. Recreate a scene from a famous romantic movie

Photo © Heather Bailey Photography and Film | See their Bridebook profile

Why not recreate a romantic scene from your favourite romantic movie? We love this photo, captured by Heather Bailey Photography and Film, which recalls Noah and Allie’s iconic boat ride in ‘The Notebook’. What a fun and dreamy romantic wedding idea! Though, according to the photographer herself, it was quite an anxiety-provoking shot to capture: “In reality, I’m not sure who was more anxious – my couple, who worried about capsizing the relatively small boat, or me, the photographer leaning over a high balcony with my camera just begging to fall in the water!”

4. Take inspiration from nature

Photo © John Price Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Taking inspiration from nature and animals for your wedding can be a creative and unique way to add an subtle romantic touch to your big day. Consider a romantic silhouette shot like this one captured by John Price Photography: “The bride and groom requested an evening sunset silhouette shot. I noticed two real swans posing perfectly just slightly apart – and had to edit and bring them in together to form the perfect heart.” There are many other romantic animals that can inspire a magical Valentine’s-inspired atmosphere. For example, doves and wild horses, or butterflies (which symbolise transformation), and dolphins (which embody playfulness).

5. Roll out the roses

Photo © Tide Flowers | See their Bridebook profile

Use rose petals in your bouquet, or consider a unique heart-shaped bouquet. You can also feature roses throughout your tablescape, or have them as wedding favours. For striking and unique floral designs that are inspired by the seasons, check out Tide Flowers. Ethical florist, Cat Allen, will personally guide you through the whole process to create the dreamiest floral displays.

6. Say it with the sweet stuff

Photo © Rhubarb Hospitality Collection | See their Bridebook profile

Sweets and chocolate are among the highlights of Valentine’s Day. After all, it’s not just about the love and romance, but also the fun and indulgence! Set up a sweet buffet or dessert station at your wedding reception, like this one by Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, or go with a funfair and candyfloss theme. For fun sweet station reception ideas, consider a doughnut wall, popcorn bar, S’mores station, cupcake and cookie tower, macaron bar, or mini desert shots.

7. Say it with signage

Photo © Anesta Broad Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Celebrate the theme of love with a large LOVE sign at the entrance to your reception, or in your ballroom as a romantic backdrop to your first dance. We love this dreamy shot, captured by Anesta Broad Photography, of the happy couple dancing: “It’s the happiness of the couple, the delight of the guests in the background and the beautiful setting at Blake Hall that makes this photo feel special. It is a beautiful moment.” For something more subtle, consider dotting some smaller signs around your venue, like near the bar or the sign-in table, featuring romantic love-inspired quotes.

8. Get creative with your catering

Photo © The Full Spoon | See their Bridebook profile

Carry your Valentine’s Day theme into your food by asking your catering team to get creative with colour and shapes and finishing touches. From heart-shaped garnishes to heart-shaped skewers, to a colour palette of pinks and reds, there are so many ways to enjoy a special romantic wedding meal. What’s important is to hire wedding caterers who specialise in creating bespoke, innovative dishes. We particularly love The Full Spoon, who are experts in creating original, personal menus.

9. Create a signature cocktail

Photo © Fabulous Fizz Bar | See their Bridebook profile

Create a signature cocktail for the occasion with ingredients that are symbolic of love, like champagne and strawberries, or with known aphrodisiacs, like chocolate and chilli. Or go one further, and create little puns to accompany your cocktails, for example, “Love Potion” or ‘Cupid’s Cocktails”). This will give your drinks a romantic and whimsical vibe. For expertly hand-mixed, bespoke cocktails, we highly recommend Fabulous Fizz Bar. They’ll create a bespoke menu for you to fit the style and theme of your wedding, whether that’s Valentine’s Day or something more personal. You can even have your signature cocktails renamed to further personalise them.

10. Romanticise your wedding entertainment

Photo © Smartpicsuk Photo Booth | See their Bridebook profile

Delight your partner and guests with some Valentine’s-inspired entertainment. For example, you can exchange love notes with your partner before the wedding ceremony, or ask the Maid of Honour and Best Man to write an original love poem for the bride and groom to read out during the speeches. Other ideas include splashing out on a themed photo booth with props that are inspired by love and Valentine’s Day. We particularly love Smartpicsuk Photo Booth: in addition to your choice of background for the images, you can also choose the design and text on the prints to compliment the style and theme of your wedding and create something that is truly unique.

11. Hand out Valentines-inspired gifts

Photo © Quintessential Cookies & Cakes | See their Bridebook profile

Surprise your partner with a sentimental gift like a locket or custom-made piece of jewellery before the ceremony, or treat your guests to special heart-shaped favours with a sweet note. Heart-shaped cookies and cake-pops work well, or chocolate-dipped strawberries presented in a cute bag. Quintessential Cookies & Cakes create gorgeous bespoke cookie wedding favours, that can be personalised to you and your special day. Celebration cakes, macarons, cupcakes, cake-pops and mini doughnuts are also available, and will make stylish, memorable and delicious gifts!

12. Use a special romantic wedding hashtag

Photo © Lisa & Neil Wedding Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Over 55% of couples incorporate a wedding hashtag into their big day, so why not create a special Valentine’s-inspired one? Include it on your save-the-dates, invitations or even cocktail napkins, so everyone can get tagging and tweeting those romantic photos and mobile phone footage!

13. Have a romantic meal

Photo © Lettice Events | See their Bridebook profile

Instead of the usual breakfast in bed, why not try something a little more romantic? Set up a table for two with a candlelit breakfast, or have a special breakfast delivered to the bridal suite. Alternatively, end the day with a special dinner at a romantic restaurant like on date night. For a luxury catering experience like no other, look no further than Lettice Events. From delicate canapés to feasting tables to midnight treats, they have the perfect recipe for a romantic wedding day.

14. Have a special exit

Photo © The Real Flower Petal Confetti Company | See their Bridebook profile

For a twist on the classic confetti shower, have a romantic Valentine’s-inspired exit with a shower of real rose petals. The Real Flower Petal Confetti Company specialises in beautiful, natural, biodegradable flower petals, handpicked and mixed to your bespoke requirements – perfect for a romantic themed wedding! You can effortlessly create a mixture to suit your style and theme. There’s a large range of other accessories too, including personalised confetti cones and sachets, pretty paper envelopers, flower girl baskets, and handmade wedding horseshoes.

These 14 romantic wedding ideas are sure to make your wedding day extra special and memorable, whether it’s on Valentine’s Day itself or not! Let us know your favourites in the comments!

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Happy Planning!

Wedding Gift List Guide – ft The Wedding Shop

One of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding is creating your wedding gift list. But with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start and what to choose. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you create your perfect wedding gift list. From deciding on a gift registry, to choosing the perfect gifts, we’ve got you covered!

Deciding on a registry

Photo © The Wedding Shop

The first step in creating your gift list is deciding on a registry. There are several options to choose from, including traditional department stores, online retailers, or even a combination of both. The most important thing is to choose a registry that suits your unique needs and preferences. A traditional department store registry will allow you to add a mix of home and lifestyle items, whereas an online registry will give you the flexibility to add items from multiple retailers.

Our recommended gift registry

Photo © The Wedding Shop

For creating a unique and personalised gift list, our top choice is The Wedding Shop. Our founder, Hamish Shephard, used it for his own wedding, and was very impressed! They’ve won a number of awards, and it’s completely free to sign up. Plus, you get your own Gift Guru (a.k.a. personal wedding gift list advisor), to help make your journey enjoyable and unique to you, not to mention stress-free! They’ve got over 30 years of experience and feature over 450 brands, so your list will be in the best possible hands, and you’ll have a great selection of gifts to choose from.

Choosing the perfect gifts

Photo © The Wedding Shop

Once you’ve decided on a registry, it’s time to start choosing the perfect gifts. Consider what you currently have and what you still need, and include a mix of items at different price points (to cater to guests with different budgets). For homebodies, consider items like cookware, bedding and home decor. For foodies, think items like a KitchenAid mixer, a set of high-quality knives and a cast iron skillet. For all the art lovers out there, add a beautiful painting or sculpture, or a membership to a local museum. For the adventurous couple, consider adding experiences such as a cooking class at a gourmet restaurant, or a hot air balloon ride at sunrise – the possibilities are endless!

Our recommended must-have items

We’ve picked out our favourite must-haves from The Wedding Shop, which are sure to inspire you!

Creating your perfect wedding gift list is an exciting opportunity to start building your new life together as a couple. By following these steps, the whole process will be fun and stress-free! Looking for alternatives to physical gifts? The Wedding Shop offers these too! From honeymoon funds and charity donations, to memorable experience gifts, we love the choice and flexibility. Plus, everything is all in one place, which makes the whole process so oh-so-easy from start to finish.

50 Creative Wedding Favour Ideas

Show your guests how much you love and appreciate them on your big day by offering them a small wedding token or favour. They’re a great way to add some beauty or fun to your tables, while also giving your friends and family a little something to remember the day by.

While, favours were limited to almonds for centuries, there are so many more options nowadays. Wedding favours come in all shapes and sizes, ready to match your unique theme, personality, or love story. You can have anything from cake pops and chocolate moustaches to succulents and wooden hearts. 

Whatever your theme and budget, we’ve got plenty of ideas that your guests will love. Keep reading for 50 unique wedding favour ideas, including suggestions for DIY favour options, couples on a budget, or even something a little more bougie!

What are wedding favours?

Wedding favours are small gifts from you and your partner for your wedding guests to thank them for coming. The favours tend to be placed next to each guest’s placemat at the wedding reception, but can also be given at any other time you’d prefer during the reception. 

Traditionally – and for many years – wedding favours were sugared almonds. Nowadays, these lovely little gifts can take on a variety of forms. However, they’re usually something small, edible, or practical that guests can enjoy and remember your special day by. Think little biscuits, bubble blowers, seed packets, or tealights. 

How much do wedding favours cost?

The cost of wedding favours entirely depends on what you pick. For example, you can find bubble blowers for as little as £1, while custom macaroons or decorated cake pops may be pricier. 

Generally speaking, you can expect to spend £2 to £5 on each wedding favour. Consider the size of your guest list and your overall wedding budget when trying to decide how much to spend. Naturally, the more guests you invite, the more your favours will cost in total. So for 100 guests, you’re looking at £200-£500. 

Does everyone have wedding favours?

No, not everyone has wedding favours. This is your day, and it’s totally up to you whether you provide them! Most guests will be thrilled to be invited to your wedding without receiving gifts and won’t expect it by any means. They’re a lovely touch, but don’t feel your guests will miss out if you don’t provide them. 

If you’re desperate to include favours but want to limit your spending, be sure to check out our dedicated post on how to save money on wedding favours.

50 great ideas for wedding favours

Check out this list of 50 unique, fun, and quirky wedding favour ideas. Whatever vibe you’re trying to create, there’s something for every couple and every budget on this list. 

DIY wedding favour ideas

1) Handwritten letters or thank you notes

Handwritten letters or thank you notes to each guest are personal, heartwarming, and inexpensive. These wedding favours allow you to express your gratitude to your guests in a unique way, all without breaking the bank.

  • Materials needed: Small envelopes, small pieces of paper, a pen. 
  • Cost: £0.50 a piece. 

2) Pressed flower bookmarks

Pressed flower bookmarks are another inexpensive DIY wedding favour idea. You can either press the flowers yourself or purchase pre-dried flowers online. Then, arrange the flowers on cardstock, laminate them, and cut them into bookmarks. These delicate and beautiful keepsakes are perfect for guests who love to read.

  • Materials needed: Cardstock, pressed flowers, laminating sheets, scissors.
  • Cost: Around £0.75 a piece, depending on whether you buy flowers or press your own wildflowers.

3) Personalised champagne bottles

This option is beautiful and personal, but it is one of the pricier options on this list simply due to the cost of champagne. However, mini bottles of champagne with custom labels or paint can make a sparkling statement as a wedding favour. You’ll need the bottle of champagne (obviously), glass paint, and paint brushes. Try painting each bottle with polka dots, guests’ names, flowers, or any other motif that suits your wedding theme. Give them plenty of time to dry, then place them on the tables next to guests’ place settings. 

  • Materials needed: Mini champagne bottles, glass paint, paint brushes, custom labels, ribbon.
  • Cost: £5-£25 a piece, depending on the brand of champagne.

4) Clay ornaments

Clay ornaments are a sweet and inexpensive option for wedding favours. You’ll need some air-dry clay, play stamps, something to cut the shapes out with (like a butter knife), and some string. You’ll also need a little water for smoothing edges, which we haven’t included in the cost below. 

Simply roll out the clay, cut out shapes like hearts or stars, and use stamps to imprint initials, dates, or designs. Let them dry completely, then thread a piece of string through each one for hanging.

  • Materials needed: Air-dry clay, stamps, knife or cookie cutters, string.
  • Cost: Around £1 a piece.

5) Message in a bottle

Message-in-a-bottle wedding favours are perfect for a quick thank you at a beach, outdoor, or whimsical themed weddings. You’ll need small glass bottles with corks, paper for the message, and a bit of twine or ribbon. Write a heartfelt thank you note, roll it up, and place it inside the bottle. Tie a small piece of twine or ribbon around the bottle neck for a charming touch.

  • Materials needed: Small glass bottles with corks, paper, twine or ribbon.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece.

6) Friendship bracelets

Friendship bracelets are a sweet and nostalgic wedding favour that guests will cherish. You can make them in your wedding colours or incorporate beads with initials or small charms that match your wedding theme. You can either buy pre-made friendship bracelet kits or visit a haberdashery for a selection of beads, strings, and clasps. Either way, this is an inexpensive choice for DIY wedding favours. 

  • Materials needed: Beads, string, lobster claw clasps. 
  • Cost: Around £1.75 a piece.

7) Painted plant pots

Purchase some small terracotta plant pots from your local garden centre and some clay paint and paint brushes from a craft shop. Then, sit down with your soon-to-be-spouse, wedding party, or family and get painting! You’ll have fun creating unique designs, and your guests will love taking home a little piece of your creativity. Once the paint is dry, pop it next to guests’ place names for a sweet DIY wedding favour. 

  • Materials needed: Plant pots, paint, and paint brushes. 
  • Cost: Around £3 a piece.

8) Embroidered napkins

You can easily DIY these wedding favours if you have an embroidery machine or a passion for needlepoint. However, just note that it may be a little time-consuming. Embroider each napkin with your wedding date, a small design, or your guests’ initials. These personalised napkins will be a beautiful and practical keepsake for your guests to remember your special day by. 

  • Materials needed: Plain napkins, embroidery thread, embroidery hoop, needle or embroidery machine.
  • Cost: Around £2.50 a piece.

9) DIY lip balm

This DIY craft will need basic ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils for scent. Melt the beeswax and coconut oil together, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil, and pour the mixture into small lip balm containers. Let them cool and solidify, then add personalised labels or decorate the containers with ribbons. These homemade lip balms are not only practical, but also a lovely way to pamper your guests.

  • Materials needed: Beeswax, coconut oil, essential oils, small lip balm containers, labels, ribbons.
  • Cost: Around £2.50 each 

10) Aromatherapy spray

Although it might seem complicated, it’s easy to DIY your own aromatherapy spray. Bulk-buy some spray bottles online, then combine your favourite essential oil with some tap water for a refreshing room spritz. You’ll need around 10 drops per 200ml to make an impact. Try peppermint oil for an energising spray, lemon balm and lavender for a relaxing scent, or eucalyptus for a fresh, clean aroma. 

Add a personalised label and a ribbon to each bottle for an extra special touch. Your guests will love having a little piece of tranquillity to take home with them.

  • Materials needed: Spray bottles, essential oils, tap water, personalised labels, ribbon.
  • Cost: Around £1.75 a piece.

Budget-friendly wedding favour ideas

11) Hand-painted stones

Collect pebbles and stones of different shapes and sizes from your local river or beach. Then, you’ll need some acrylic paint, brushes, and a little creativity. Sit down with your soon-to-be spouse or your wedding party, and have fun painting designs, quotes, or even your wedding date on each stone. These can be used as paperweights, garden decorations, or just a lovely keepsake for your guests.

  • Materials needed: Pebbles or stones, acrylic paint, paint brushes, clear sealant like PVA glue.
  • Cost: Around £0.50 a piece.

12) Scratch cards

You can’t go wrong with a £1 scratch card for a cheap and fun wedding favour. Pop each scratch card into a small envelope or wrap it with a pretty ribbon and a note wishing your guests good luck. It adds a little excitement to the festivities, and who knows, maybe one of your guests will win big!

  • Materials needed: £1 scratch cards, small envelopes or ribbon, note cards.
  • Cost: Around £1.15 a piece.

13) Charity donations

Give £1 (or however much you’d like) in the name of each of your guests to a charity of your choice. Simply print out small cards explaining that a donation has been made on their behalf and place them at each table setting. This thoughtful favour not only shows your appreciation, but also supports a good cause.

  • Materials needed: Donation, small cards, printer or calligraphy pen.
  • Cost: Around £1 a piece.

14) Love Hearts

Love Hearts are a nostalgic sweet treat that everyone will enjoy. Buy them in bulk and package a few in small organza bags or boxes. Add a personalised tag with a thank you message and your wedding date. These sweets are not only affordable but also bring happy memories to your special day.

  • Materials needed: Love Heart sweets, organza bags or small boxes, personalised tags.
  • Cost: Around £0.50 a piece.

15) Bubble blowers

You can buy bubble blowers in bulk and personalise them with custom labels or ribbons. Place them at each table setting for a whimsical touch. Your guests will love creating a sea of bubbles, adding fun and magic to your celebration. Plus, they look great in photographs!

  • Materials needed: Bubble blowers, custom labels or ribbons.
  • Cost: Around £0.75 a piece.

16) Recipe cards

Share the love by sharing your favourite recipes. Print or handwrite your favourite recipes on decorative cardstock, and tie them together with a ribbon. Your guests will appreciate this personal touch and may even try out your special dishes at home.

  • Materials needed: Decorative cardstock, printer or pens, ribbon.
  • Cost: Around £0.30 a piece.

17) Flower seed paper

Flower seed paper is biodegradable paper with dried flower seeds embedded in it. When re-hydrated, the flowers will grow wherever the paper is planted. You can buy this paper online in bulk, or make your own using paper pulp and dried flower seeds. In this case, it’s much cheaper and easier to buy it online. 

Cut the paper into hearts, flowers, or any shape that matches your wedding theme, and write a note explaining how to plant it. When guests plant the paper, it will sprout into beautiful flowers, reminding them of your special day.

  • Materials needed: Flower seed paper, scissors, pens or printer for instructions.
  • Cost: Around £0.60 a piece.

18) Fortune tellers

Remember those fun fortune tellers you made in primary school? Well, now they’re a fun and interactive wedding favour! Create customised fortune tellers with fun predictions or sweet messages for your guests. You can use colourful paper and add little decorations to make them even more special. Place them at each table setting for a delightful trip down memory lane.

  • Materials needed: Colourful paper, pens, decorations like stickers or stamps.
  • Cost: Around £0.20 a piece.

19) Soap curls

Making soap curls is a great way to make a few bars of soap stretch to many guests. You’ll need some bars of soap, a vegetable peeler, organza bag, and some ribbon. Try buying a few different scented soaps to create a lovely mix of gorgeous fragrances. Use the peeler to create curls from the soap bars, and fill each organza bag with a handful of curls. Tie with a ribbon and add a personalised tag for a low-cost wedding favour. 

  • Materials needed: Bars of soap, vegetable peeler, organza bags, ribbon, personalised tags.
  • Cost: Around £0.50 a piece depending on the soap you buy.  

20) Extra confetti

If you still have a lot of confetti left over, consider bagging up the confetti in organza bags and giving it to your guests as an extra little treat. This is a simple and inexpensive way to repurpose your leftover wedding supplies. Your guests can take the confetti home as a keepsake or use it to celebrate another special occasion. Plus, it adds a touch of fun and festivity to your wedding favours.

  • Materials needed: Confetti, organza bags, ribbon.
  • Cost: Minimal, since you’re repurposing leftover supplies.

Edible wedding favour ideas

21) Fortune cookies

Fortune cookies are a fun and delicious wedding favour. You can buy them online or from your local Asian food shop for as little as £1 per cookie — you may even be able to get them for less than this if you bulk buy! Set one down in front of each guest’s place settings. Not only will they tide your guests over before their starter, but they’ll also add an element of surprise and fun to your wedding. 

Each guest can break open their cookie to reveal a unique fortune or a sweet message, making it a great icebreaker and conversation starter.

  • Materials needed: Fortune cookies.
  • Cost: Around £1 a piece.

22) Homemade jam 

Feel like getting your Betty Crocker on? Consider making your guests some delicious homemade jam. Choose your favourite fruit, or even a combination of fruits, and spend an afternoon cooking up a batch. 

Pour the jam into small jars and add a personalised label with your names and wedding date. Tie a pretty ribbon around each jar for a charming, rustic touch. Your guests will love this sweet and thoughtful treat, which they can then enjoy at home long after your special day.

Pro tip: Don’t expect your jam to be perfect the first time. You’ll need to practise your jam making before making your wedding favours to ensure you get the recipe just right. 

  • Materials needed: Fresh fruit, sugar, pectin, small jars, labels, ribbon.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece if you use your own fruit.

23) Homemade biscuits

Again, if you’re a bit of a baking whizz, consider baking homemade biscuits for your guests. Choose a classic recipe like shortbread or chocolate chip, or get creative with your favourite flavours. Package the biscuits in small bags or boxes, and add a personalised label with a thank you message. Your guests will appreciate the homemade touch and enjoy these tasty treats.

Pro tip: Bake a test batch before the big day to make sure they turn out just right, and enlist some help for the baking marathon closer to the wedding date.

  • Materials needed: Baking ingredients, bags or boxes, personalised labels.
  • Cost: Around £0.75 a piece.

24) Cake pops

You can easily make cake pops at home, once you have the know-how. You’ll need to either buy a box cake mix or make a cake from scratch;. Bake as usual, then once cooled, crumble into fine crumbs. 

Mix the crumbs with ready-made buttercream icing until you get a dough-like consistency, then roll into small balls. Insert a lollipop stick into each ball and dip them into melted chocolate or candy coating. 

Decorate with sprinkles, nuts, or drizzle with more chocolate. Let them set, and package them in clear bags tied with a ribbon. They’re tasty, cute, and easy to personalise — perfect for a whimsical or garden party themed wedding!

  • Materials needed: Cake mix or ingredients for a cake, frosting, lollipop sticks, melted chocolate or candy coating, sprinkles or nuts, clear bags, ribbon.
  • Cost: Around £0.75 a piece.

25) Popcorn bags

Popcorn is delicious, filling, and cheap to make. All you’ll need are some popcorn kernels, a neutral cooking oil, and a bit of salt. Pop the kernels in a large pot or popcorn maker, then season to taste. You can also get creative with flavours —think caramel, cinnamon sugar, cheese, or even a spicy mix. 

Once your popcorn is ready, fill small paper bags or boxes with the tasty treat. Add a personalised label or tag, and you’ve got a fun and crunchy wedding favour that guests will love.

  • Materials needed: Popcorn kernels, cooking oil, seasoning, small paper bags or boxes, labels or tags.
  • Cost: Around £0.30 a piece.

26) Your favourite sweets

Your wedding day is all about you and your soon-to-be spouse, so the natural

choice for a wedding favour is your favourite sweet treat. Whether they’re M&Ms, seaside rock, or cinder toffee, it’s easy (and cheap) to share these little bites of joy with your guests. 

Buy your favourite sweets in bulk and package them in small bags or jars. Add a personalised label or tag with a thank you message and your wedding date. This sweet and simple favour will be a hit with everyone.

  • Materials needed: Favourite sweets, small bags or jars, labels or tags.
  • Cost: Varies depending on the sweet, but typically around £0.50-£1 a piece.

27) S’mores kits

Although s’mores are a traditionally American snack, they’re gaining popularity across the pond. Create individual s’mores kits for your guests by packaging digestive biscuits, chocolate squares, and marshmallows in small boxes or bags. Add a personalised tag with a fun message like “S’more love to you!” or “A ‘roast’ to our love!”.

These kits are perfect for a cosy, rustic wedding, and can be enjoyed around a bonfire or at home.

  • Materials needed: Digestive biscuits, chocolate squares, marshmallows, small boxes or bags, labels or tags.
  • Cost: Around £1 a piece. 

28) Macarons

Macarons are a sweet, elegant treat that can add a touch of sophistication to your wedding favours. These delicate French cookies come in a variety of flavours and colours, making them easy to match with your wedding theme.

You can, of course, make your own if you fancy yourself a bit of a pastry chef. We recommend practising beforehand to ensure they turn out just right. Making macarons can be a bit tricky, but with some patience and a few trial runs, you can master the art.

Once baked or bought, package a few macarons in a small box or bag, and add a personalised tag or label to make them extra special. They are sure to be a hit with your guests, offering a delightful taste of luxury.

  • Materials needed: Macarons, small boxes or bags, labels or tags.
  • Cost: Around £2 a piece.

29) Tea blends

Whether you’re a fan of a classic cuppa, prefer a fruity blend, or enjoy the fresh taste of a peppermint tea, custom tea blends can make for a wonderful wedding favour. You could either keep it classic or buy a variety of loose leaf teas and mix your own special blends. 

Package the tea in small tins or sachets, and add a personalised label with brewing instructions and a thank you message. Your guests will love this thoughtful and soothing gift, perfect for relaxing and remembering your special day.

Bear in mind that loose leaf tea is typically cheaper and fresher than tea bags, but not all your guests will have a tea strainer. 

  • Materials needed: Loose leaf tea, small tins or sachets, labels or tags.
  • Cost: Around £1 a piece.

30) Mini olive oil bottles

Little bottles of olive oil will add a Mediterranean touch to your wedding favours. Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil, and pour it into small glass bottles. You can infuse the oil with herbs like rosemary or garlic for added flavour. 

Add a personalised label and tie a sprig of fresh herbs around the neck of each bottle with a ribbon. These elegant and practical favours will remind your guests of your beautiful day every time they cook.

  • Materials needed: Extra virgin olive oil, small glass bottles, herbs for infusion, labels, ribbon.
  • Cost: Around £3.50 a piece.

Keepsake wedding favour ideas

31) Custom fridge magnets

Have custom fridge magnets made with the date of your wedding, your shared initials, or a sweet snap from your engagement shoot. Every time your guests open their fridge, they’ll be reminded of the wonderful time they had at your wedding. 

You can find plenty of online services that create personalised magnets, or if you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own with magnet sheets and a bit of creativity. These magnets are not only practical, but also a lovely way for your guests to remember your special day.

  • Materials needed: Custom fridge magnets.
  • Cost: Around £1 a piece if ordered online, less if DIY.

32) Custom keyrings

Similarly to the custom fridge magnets, you can have custom keyrings made with your wedding date, initials, or a meaningful symbol. Keyrings are something your guests can carry with them daily, keeping the memory of your special day close at hand. 

You can choose from a variety of materials like metal, wood, or acrylic, and there are many online services that offer custom designs. If you enjoy DIY projects, you can create your own keyrings with a personal touch, but it’s usually easier and cheaper to purchase these online. 

  • Materials needed: Custom keyrings.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece.

33) Custom plant markers

If you’re expecting some green-fingered guests, consider offering custom plant markers as your wedding favours. Plant markers are designed to help gardeners remember what they planted where. 

You can either have these made online or make them yourself out of lollipop sticks and waterproof paint pens. Add a personal touch by including your names and wedding date, or a cute garden-related pun. 

  • Materials needed: Plant markers or lollipop sticks, waterproof pens.
  • Cost: Around £0.50 a piece if DIY, more if purchased online.

34) Engraved compacts

Engraving your guest’s names on compact mirrors is a chic and personal way to thank them for being a part of your special day. These small mirrors are not only practical, but also make for a beautiful keepsake. 

You can find services online that offer engraving, or if you’re into DIY projects, you can buy an engraving tool and do it yourself. This is a perfect favour for a glamorous or vintage-themed wedding.

  • Materials needed: Compact mirrors, engraving service or tool.
  • Cost: Around £3 a piece.

35) Personalised trinket tray

You can make personalised trinket trays out of air-dry clay, acrylic paint, and simple glaze like PVA glue. Consider engraving the clay dishes with your initials, the date of your wedding, or a small design that fits your theme. Keep the design simple to ensure you can recreate it a number of times. 

Once the clay has dried and set, paint and glaze the trays for a polished look. These trinket trays are perfect for holding jewellery or small keepsakes and will be a delightful reminder of your special day for your guests.

  • Materials needed: Air-dry clay, acrylic paint, PVA glue or glaze, engraving tools.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece if DIY, more if purchased.

36) Leather wrist bands

Leather wrist bands are ideal for outdoor, rustic, or boho-themed weddings. You can personalise these bands with your wedding date, initials, or a short yet meaningful phrase. There are kits available for DIY leather stamping, or you can find online services that will customise them for you. These stylish and functional favours will be a hit with your guests and can be worn as a memento of your special day.

  • Materials needed: Leather strips, stamping tools, or custom service.
  • Cost: Around £2 a piece.

37) Personalised fans

If you’re getting married on the beach, abroad, or in the height of summer, personalised fans are a fantastic and practical wedding favour idea. You can have them customised with your wedding date, names, or a sweet message. 

Not only will they help keep your guests cool, but they’ll also serve as a lovely keepsake from your special day. Choose from a variety of styles and materials, such as paper, silk, or bamboo, to match your wedding theme.

  • Materials needed: Fans, custom printing service.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece.

38) Burnt wooden discs

These wedding favours are natural, rustic, and will double as place settings. Use small wooden discs and burn your guests’ names, your wedding date, or a meaningful symbol onto them. You can use a wood-burning tool for this DIY project, or find a service that will do the custom burning for you. These discs can be used as coasters, ornaments, or keepsakes, adding a warm, personal touch to your celebration.

  • Materials needed: Wooden discs, wood-burning tool, or customisation service.
  • Cost: Around £1 a piece if DIY, more if purchased.

39) Acrylic paperweights

You can either make your own acrylic paperweights by purchasing clear acrylic moulds and casting resin, or buy custom-made ones online. Personalise them with your wedding date, initials, or a small decorative item embedded inside. These paperweights are practical, stylish, and make for a beautiful keepsake that your guests will appreciate.

  • Materials needed: Acrylic moulds, casting resin, decorative items, customisation service.
  • Cost: Around £2 a piece if DIY, more if purchased.

40) Personalised travel mugs

This wedding favour is a little pricier compared to the other options on our list,  but they’re a practical and memorable gift that your guests will use daily. Personalised travel mugs can be customised with your wedding date, names, or a special message. They’re perfect for both eco-conscious guests and those who are always on the go. 

It’s likely these personalised wedding favours will need to be created online (unless you have some very specialist equipment hanging around!). Choose from a variety of styles, colours, and materials to match your wedding theme. These mugs will keep your guests’ beverages hot or cold while reminding them of your special day.

  • Materials needed: Travel mugs, custom printing service.
  • Cost: Around £15 a piece.

Nature-themed wedding favours

41) Mini succulents

If you want to give your guests something different but still cute and memorable, mini succulents could be right up your street. They’re easy to care for, will bring a pop of colour to your big day, and are a quirky option for wedding favours. Plus, they symbolise growth and new beginnings, which is perfect for a wedding celebration. 

You can personalise the pots with your names, wedding date, or a sweet message, and add a decorative touch with some colourful ribbon or paint. 

  • Materials needed: Mini succulents, small pots, paint or ribbons, tags.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece.

42) Lavender sachets

You can easily create your own calming lavender sachets by filling some organza bags with dried or fresh lavender petals. Simply collect some lavender flowers, rub them between your hands to help the petals fall off, and collect them into little bags or pouches. Tie each one with a ribbon and a personalised note for the perfect DIY wedding favour. 

  • Materials needed: Lavender flowers, organza bag, ribbons.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece.

43) Pinecone bird feeders

Head to your local forest and collect some large pinecones. You’ll need to do this in the late summer or early autumn, so this DIY wedding favour idea is best for those planning an autumn or winter wedding.

Once you’ve collected the pinecones, coat them with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed. Tie a loop of string around the top so your guests can easily hang them in their gardens. Not only do these bird feeders look charming, but they also help local wildlife.

  • Materials needed: Pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, string.
  • Cost: Around £0.50 a piece.

44) Bee-friendly flower bombs

Similar to dried flower seeds, bee-friendly flower bombs are a fun way to give back to nature. These small balls of seed and soil can be tossed into a garden or plant pot to grow flowers for a pop of colour and to support bee populations.

To make them, mix soil and wildflower seeds, add a bit of clay to hold the mixture together, and form into small balls. Let them dry, and package in a cute bag or box with planting instructions. 

  • Materials needed: Wildflower seeds, soil, clay, bags or boxes.
  • Cost: Around £0.75 a piece.

45) Bamboo straws

Reusable straws are an eco-friendly and practical wedding favour that your guests can get to using straight away. They’re perfect for reducing plastic waste and are a fun addition to your wedding day. You can find bamboo straws online for a small cost and either leave them plain or personalise them with some ribbon or engravings. 

It’s worth noting you probably won’t be able to DIY these unless you have highly specialised equipment. It’s best to just buy them! 

  • Materials needed: Bamboo straws.
  • Cost: Around £1 each depending on the store.

46) Beeswax wraps

Beeswax wraps are an eco-friendly alternative to cling film, allowing guests to keep their food fresh while protecting the environment. You can either make these yourself using cotton fabric, beeswax pellets, and an iron, or buy pre-made ones and personalise them with your wedding details. 

These wraps are reusable and washable, making them a practical and sustainable gift. Package them with a small tag explaining how to use and care for the wraps, and your guests will appreciate the thoughtful and green gesture.

  • Materials needed: Cotton fabric, beeswax pellets, iron (if DIY), tags.
  • Cost: Around £1.50 a piece if DIY, more if purchased.

47) Homemade clay plant pots

We spoke earlier about painting your own plant pots, but what about making your own plant pots for a truly unique wedding favour? Start with air-dry clay, which is easy to mould and doesn’t require a kiln. Shape the clay into small pots and personalise them by engraving your initials, wedding date, or a special design while the clay is still soft. Once the pots have dried, you can paint them in your wedding colours or leave them with a natural, rustic look. 

  • Materials needed: Air-dry clay, clay tools for shaping and engraving, paint (optional), small succulents or herbs.
  • Cost: Around £2 a piece if DIY.

48) Pressed flower coasters

Buy pre-pressed flowers online or collect rural wildflowers for hand pressing if you’re feeling crafty. You’ll also need to buy some cork coaster bottoms online. If you do choose to hand-press your flowers, make sure they’re completely dried out before proceeding to the next step!

You can then arrange the pressed flowers on the coasters in beautiful patterns and seal them with a clear, heat-resistant resin. This will not only protect the flowers but also give the coasters a glossy, professional finish. Add a personalised touch by including your names and wedding date on each coaster. 

  • Materials needed: Pressed flowers, cork coaster bottoms, clear resin, personalised labels or markers.
  • Cost: Around £2.50 a piece if DIY. Slightly more if you purchase flowers, slightly less if you collect and press your own. 

49) Wooden utensil sets

You can find reusable wooden cutlery and utensils online, making them a practical and eco-friendly wedding favour. Look for sets that include a spoon, fork, knife, and perhaps even a set of chopsticks. These utensils can be personalised with your wedding date, names, or a short message. 

To make the gift even more special, package each set in a cloth bag or wrap them with a ribbon. Your guests will appreciate this thoughtful and sustainable favour that they can use for picnics, camping trips, or everyday meals.

  • Materials needed: Wooden utensil sets, cloth bags or ribbons, personalised tags or engraving tools.
  • Cost: Around £4 a piece if purchased in bulk.

50) Shell jewellery

Throwing a beach wedding, summer wedding, or otherwise love the ocean? Consider offering shell jewellery as a unique and beautiful wedding favour. You can create stunning pieces using shells collected from your favourite beach or purchased online. 

Make necklaces, bracelets, or earrings by attaching the shells to simple chains, cords, or earring hooks. Personalise each piece with a small tag that includes your wedding date and a heartfelt message. They’re super cute, super personal, and carry all the charm of the sea. 

  • Materials needed: Shells, chains, cords, earring hooks, PVA glue or gloss.
  • Cost: Around £4 a piece if you collect the shells. The cost will largely depend on the quality of the metal used.

The bottom line on wedding favours

Wedding favours are a fun way to let your guests know how much you appreciate their presence on your big day. While they’re not expected, they are traditional, and they add a personal touch that can make your celebration even more memorable. Whether you choose DIY options or purchase them, the key is to select favours that reflect your personality and the theme of your big day. 

There are a ton of wedding favour options on this list to suit every wedding theme, colour scheme, and budget. Whatever you choose to do, have fun with it, get creative, and enjoy the process of giving a little something back to your friends and family. Oh, and be sure to track the cost on Bridebook’s handy budget tool. You wouldn’t want to get carried away, after all!

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Happy Planning!

Post-Quarantine Wedding Trends

After weeks of being inside, forced apart from our nearest and dearest, weddings seem like a lifetime away. And yet, the day will come when life will be full of loved ones, laughter and celebration once more. We can expect some significant effects on weddings to come later this year and into 2021.

The 2021 wedding season will not be without its challenges. With 64% of 2020 weddings expected to be pushed-back, 2021 is set to be a busy one.  Couples will have to make quick decisions on dates, to get first dibs on the date they want.  Guests can expect many more clashes, and midweek weddings than ever, making things a little more challenging. On the bright side, we’ll have a way to use up all of those saved holiday days…

Post-coronavirus, we can expect that weddings will be bigger, bolder, and even more full of meaning. Everyone is longing for the days of confetti, cake, and bubbly, and we have the scoop on the trends you can expect to see post-lockdown.

 

Digital Guests: 

One thing that has come from this period of change and online socialising is the normalisation of online meeting services, such as zoom. Travel restrictions may persist for some time, and we expect two-thirds of weddings post-lockdown to have at least some guests attending virtually. For elderly relatives, as well as friends and family living in far-flung destinations, digital access will be a great way for them to still be able to attend these special moments, even if just remotely. 

man smiling with gadgets

 

Courageous Fashion Choices:

After what feels like months of wearing the same pair of leggings and jumpers, everyone will be jumping at the chance to dress up and look their best.  We can expect adventurous guest fashion, with brighter, more fashion-forward dresses and bolder jewellery choices. 

It won’t just be guests making bold statements; we are seeing a 50% increase in the popularity of statement veils (probably thanks to Mrs. Bieber). We can expect to see many more brides making this trend their own, embroidering their veils with meaningful quotes or even initials. Alongside an increase in statement veils, we are also seeing a rise in catwalk-inspired statement sleeves and pearl-embellished dresses, seen at the likes of Dior and Chanel.

Classic Blue was announced as the Pantone colour of the year, so expect a great revival in the something blue, something borrowed tradition, featuring this beautiful shade. Think blue in newly trending hair barrettes, jewelry and even the bases of high heels!

Post-credit-crunch, boho brides were on the rise, and this trend is set to explode once more. Many 2021 brides will be going for the ethereal look, with wearable florals, and bridal crowns taking center stage.

bride with flower crown

 

Creative Wedding Decor:

If you thought wedding creativity had reached its peak, just you wait. With more time than ever to d think about wedding details, we can expect a move away from some more traditional elements to more creative and modern takes on decor.  Some creative couples will be changing up the traditional seating charts, instead painting table lists on flower-filled glass boxes. Floral hoops have also been growing in popularity, with growing in popularity by 80% this year, alongside hanging floral decorations and flower-filled aisles.

Post quarantine, there will be a revival of the Do-it-yourself Bride and Groom. Around three-quarters of weddings will include some DIY elements, as couples cut costs where they can (and have more time on their hands!), with DIY-couples saving a combined £20million. We are looking forward to personalised table settings, wedding favours, and decor, such as photo displays. 

DIY floral arrangement

 

Wedding Food Trends:

With so many couples caring more than ever about sustainability and the environment, it is no wonder that there has been a shift to a focus on menu seasonality, as well as plastic and waste reduction.  With many couples aiming to create as little environmental impact as possible, the increase in zero-plastic and reduced-waste weddings could save more than 15,000 tonnes of wedding waste from ending up in landfills (that’s 100 blue whales!). From invitations made of recycled paper,  vegan menus and leftover composting, we can safely assume that the sustainable wedding trend is here to stay and will explode in 2021.  We imagine many couples will be donating leftover flowers to local hospitals and hospices, which hopefully will be a trend that will stick.

As for the sweet stuff,  we predict a shift away from the traditional and pricy wedding cakes that often remain uneaten, to more exciting offerings. Unique grab and go dessert displays, such as doughnut walls will come into their own (there are almost 100,000 posts under the hashtag #donutwall on Instagram!).

Weddings are all about individuality and celebrating who the couple truly is. We are expecting food and drink that pay homage to the backgrounds of the couple, whether that is custom messages in fortune cookies or cocktails made with a type of Slovakian cherry liquor.  More and more couples will be selecting super-personal menus, such as family favourite desserts, or cocktails named after people and places that mean something to the couple and their families.

 

Party Central:

After the storm of COVID, when weddings begin again, they are set to go on till the early hours. Where there is partying, there is midnight feasting. Guests can expect to be sustained with anything from sweet treat grazing tables, to late-night pasta pots to keep them dancing the night away.

Missing happy hour has become a national tragedy, and it’s coming back in a big way – think serve-yourself prosecco taps, experimental cocktails, and boozy popsicles like frozen rose, mimosas, and mojitos making their way onto a dancefloor near you. 

It’s only natural that with happy hour, comes confidence in dance ability. Learning a Tiktok dance became a quarantine right of passage, and newly married couples will be eager to show off their new fancy footwork. Be prepared for some seriously questionable, but hilarious first dances. 

Post-Quarantine Wedding Trends

 

Registry Remix:

Many couples feel that this period has put things into perspective, as well as made many questioning what gifts they can live without. Cutlery and crystal bowls are a nice memento, but lots of couples are forgoing the regular registry list, asking for experiences, not things. More will be asking for starter funds for a new home, a pet, or for their honeymoons. Charity registries will also become the norm, with more and more couples wanting to donate to a cause they feel passionate about.

 

Here are some more wedding related articles you’ll love:

Still looking for that ideal wedding venue? Have a browse at Bridebook’s vast wedding venue directory to find the perfect wedding venue near you:

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

#itscomplicated

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

1.Be online when your couples are

 

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

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

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

 

2.Contact couples in the right way

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

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

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

 

3.Never underestimate the importance of reviews and recommendations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5.Couples need interaction

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

 

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

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

 

6.Couples depend on your photos

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

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

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

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

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

 

7.Diversity is important to Millennial couples

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

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

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

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

Wedding suppliers; ask yourselves…

…are you working with millennials or against them?  

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

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

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

 

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

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Hot wedding trend 2018 – let the purple reign

We’d like to introduce all UK wedding suppliers to ultra violet purple – your Pantone colour of the year.

 

Last year’s colour theme of the year was Greenery and we definitely saw a surge in brides and grooms opting for green decor and garland style floral installations.

The Pantone colour of the year is always a strong indicator of wedding trends to come so expect to find couples requesting fifty shades of purple this year!

We think it’s the most beautiful colour for weddings – adding a calm sophistication and often regal touch to any tableware, flowers or decor, and there are a lot of ways to incorporate accents of this colour in a wedding theme or to go all out and let the purple reign.

Now is the time to start thinking about designs, decorations and photographs that incorporate ultra violet purple to ensure that you position your wedding business as relevant and on trend in time for peak wedding season.

Here are a few ideas to inspire you to incorporate this 2018 wedding trend in your wedding supplier collection…

 

Purple wedding flowers

Perhaps your clients will want to really embrace the ultra violet vibes…

 

Or perhaps they’d prefer to mix ultra violet with more subtle lavender tones…

 

Will the newly engaged couples you work with opt for strong purples and deep velvet ribbons…

 

Or splash the brightest purples across garlands and amongst greenery for a bold look that builds on last years hot trend…

 

Keep it simple for couples who don’t want to spend a fortune on purple centrepieces…

 

 

And why not recommend that couples use lavender as a cost effective way to add a bohemian edge (and a beautiful scent) to a purple wedding theme. They’ll appreciate your advice and will trust you more for it.

 

 

Purple wedding cake

Design beautiful wedding cakes that combine deep purple with a marbled effect – another hot trend of 2018…

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/AUxEgaLTZSLTYAYkvfRhtHJERqW7apjH1nNE02MLOTS8eqjlVU7-u8k/

 

For more traditional wedding cakes add a textured mauve layer…

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/300052393913944633/

 

Or opt for a naked wedding cake and use purple fruits and flowers to decorate. Simple yet effective…

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/55591376624187653/

 

Swot up on these types of dessert table delights. The “help yourself” dessert table is set to replace traditional wedding breakfast desserts in 2018…

 

Purple wedding decorations

Feature photographs of an elegant, purple themed wedding breakfast table on your wedding website to capture the hearts and minds of trendy 2018 couples…

 

Include purple paper lanterns in your product portfolio for couples wanting accents of colour rather than swathes of it…

 

Or be very clever and show couples how effective purple lighting can look alongside sophisticated whites and crystal table decorations…

 

We just love these lavender mason jars…

 

Purple wedding stationery

Showcase bright and elegant wedding invitations on your website that incorporate purples but remain traditional in style…

 

Show 2018 couples that you also cater to contemporary stationery themes with this bold, dramatic and stylish purple invitation…

 

And add beautiful botanical wedding invitations to your purple collection – always a crowd pleaser…

 

Ultra violet purple and gold – the edit

Purple and gold look so great together. We wouldn’t be surprised if Harry and Meghan opt for a similar dramatic yet expensive-looking theme.

For a truly regal look add elaborate gold metals to your wedding collection…

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/AelJe2icBWc7A8v3Q-XfuKFDyeU6mNu7NUQZT7XcQefI5WnXbWhvOB0/

 

Gold cutlery is hot stuff and we’ve seen a rise in requests for it over the past year or so. With the arrival of purple as a key colour of 2018, expect a surge in requests for gold tableware and purple glassware and chargers – this style of table setting is going to be hot property…

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/318911217354416861/

 

Or prepare for couples to flip the colour scheme around and opt for purple tablecloths and gold chargers. We love this look for a winter wedding whereas the above could work all year round.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/338121884516529722/

 

This beautiful wedding cake uses just a touch of purple with the subtle focus being the gold leaf detail and drops of liquid gold…

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/522910206719079412/

 

It’s time to stock up on colourful ideas for your wedding business

 

We have it on good authority that ultra violet purple will be making an appearance on engaged couples Pinterest boards any day now – and it should certainly be splashed across yours too if you want to be seen as a hot and relevant wedding supplier this year.

 

We guarantee that your competitors will be considering when to place their first order of purple flowers now, as well as researching where best to source ultra violet purple table decorations like napkins, plates, tablecloths, glassware and chargers. And we’ll soon see the leading stationery companies showcasing purple themed wedding invites.

 

Get ahead of the game and start investing in ultra violet wedding decorations and ideas now to luxe up your portfolio and win the hearts (and bookings) of couples this year.


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

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How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers

Depending on the style you’re going for, chances are there’ll be a vast array of different flower arrangements at your wedding. The list includes bouquets, centrepieces, boutonnières, welcome arrangements, altar arrangements, bridesmaids’ bouquets, wedding cake flowers… and the list goes on. There’s nothing quite as lovely as wedding flowers and the joy and spectacle they bring.

Wedding flowers being so beautiful and plentiful, they tend to cost. In the UK, couples spend an average of around £1,100 on wedding flowers, which is a not-insignificant proportion of the average overall cost of a wedding at £20,775.

Some couples won’t have a budget anywhere near the national average or want to spend over a grand on flowers, but still want to have beautiful blooms at their wedding. If this is you, there are still plenty of options out there for you.

In this post, we’re going to take a look at all the ways you can save money on wedding flowers while still making sure your venue is full of gorgeous florals. 

Why are wedding flowers so expensive?

Photo © The Flower Mill | See their Bridebook profile

A wedding is a fabulous occasion, and like many celebrations, flowers are the go-to decorative item for adding colour, luxury and elegance. Flowers are also a popular symbol of love, which is why they’re so perfect for a wedding.

As a result, many couples love to use flowers throughout their big day, from the moment their guests arrive at the ceremony to the moment they leave the reception. And because they play such a prominent role, the price of wedding flowers can be somewhat on the high side.

But why exactly are they so expensive? There are plenty of reasons why you may pay a premium for wedding flowers, most notably: 

  • Volume – From bouquets to boutonnières, many different flower arrangements feature in a wedding
  • Quality – When it comes to weddings, florists often use the crème de la crème of flowers
  • Service – Bespoke florals will involve a personalised design process and conceptualisation to bring your vision to life
  • Details – It’s not just about the flowers – think vases, vessels, ribbons, even props – everything you need to create a gorgeous display
  • Availability – Most flowers are seasonal, particularly in the UK, so it can be expensive to import certain flowers
  • Expertise – Florists use their skill and experience designing show-stopping arrangements
  • Time – Wedding flowers often take a lot of time to design and arrange
  • Delivery – Your florist will need to deliver and set up your flowers at the venue

Do you need flowers at your wedding?

Photo © Amarante London | See their Bridebook profile

Whether or not you have flowers at your wedding is entirely your decision. It all depends on your budget, your style and – ultimately – your preference. While there’s nothing written in stone that says you need to have flowers at your wedding, your guests will likely notice if you choose not to have them.

Flowers are one of the biggest wedding traditions there is, and the pure presence of flowers denotes elegance and love. That said, there could be several reasons for not wanting to have flowers at your wedding, for example, due to allergies, or you simply aren’t interested in anything floral. 

15 ways to save money on wedding flowers

Photo © West Dorset Wedding Flowers | See their Bridebook profile

Wedding flowers are a big expense, but they’re a non-negotiable for many couples. If you do choose to have flowers at your wedding, but don’t want to spend an amount even close to the UK average, then there are ways around it. Below are 15 ways you can save money on wedding flowers.

1. The bigger the better

Photo © One Splendid Day | See their Bridebook profile

Choose flowers with big heads where possible. Not only do they look stunning, but the bigger the flowerhead, the fewer stems you need to fill out an arrangement, which means you’ll also generally spend less money.

For example, for every peony or hydrangea you have in an arrangement, you would need two or three roses to fill up the same amount of space. The bigger the flowers, the less you’ll spend in the long run.

2. Avoid popular flower choices

Photo © Emly & Me | See their Bridebook profile

Flowers like roses, carnations and tulips symbolise love, which makes them popular choices for floral arrangements. That means they can also be quite pricey, as demand is high. Instead, why not consider flowers which are both beautiful but which aren’t commonly seen at weddings, such as chrysanthemums, daisies and Peruvian lilies?

3. Be creative with your bridesmaids

Photo © The Flower Alchemist | See their Bridebook profile

Be a trendsetting bride and instead of full bouquets, give your bridesmaids corsages to wear on their wrists or boutonnières to fix onto a neckline or waistband. It will leave their hands free (to fluff out your dress if need be) and provide the perfect accessory for their outfits. Not to mention it will save you a lot of money, especially if you have four or five bridesmaids.

4. Use flowers as focal points

Photo © Cloud Hill Flowers | See their Bridebook profile

Use flowers as your focal points. Positioning some at the bar and on the central table will draw the eye and let you get away with much smaller pieces on the other tables. This will make the room seem full to the brim with floral decoration, whereas actually, you’ve just been clever with how you use them. The key is to position them in a way that works for them and the space. 

5. Less can be more

Photo © Vista & Bloom | See their Bridebook profile

We may have already mentioned that bigger blooms can be more cost-effective, but if you’re going for a minimalist and sophisticated theme, then that can also be a great way to save some money. Instead of having big bunches of flowers on every table, try putting single stems in tall elegant vases as eye-catching centrepieces. Because of the impressive height, the room will still look decorated throughout, but this way you’ll use fewer stems and your guests will be able to truly appreciate the flowers you’ve hand-selected.

Roses are fabulous flowers which work well like this, but speak to your florist about which flowers will fit best within your specific budget.

6. Switch petals for paper

Photo © Paper Bouquets UK | See their Bridebook profile

Did you know you can still have flowers even if you don’t want real ones? Switching real flowers for faux or paper-made flowers works a treat and can cost less than the real deal. For example, at Paper Bouquets here on Bridebook, prices start from as low as £8! As an added bonus, you’ll have gorgeous floral paper creations to treasure long after the big day itself. For an extra touch of personalisation, you can also tie it to your wedding theme by making flowers from pages out of your favourite book or sheet music from your wedding playlist.

To save even more cash, you might want to consider making some paper flowers yourself. It’s not like they’ll wilt over time, so if you start early enough you should be able to make plenty. There are loads of paper flower tutorial videos on YouTube to get you started. Though these are unlikely to rival the masterful creations of a professional, if cheap flowers are your no. 1 priority, then the DIY approach can be both cost-effective and fun!

7. Double up

Photo © Honour Farm Flowers | See their Bridebook profile

After the wedding ceremony, your bridesmaids will probably have little use for their bouquets, so why not make them work extra hard and reuse them at the reception? Place them at certain focal points, or even use them as centrepieces on some of the tables. It’s unlikely that your guests will even notice!

8. Choose flowers that are in season

Photo © Pumpkin and Pye | See their Bridebook profile

The time of year at which you’re getting married can have a big influence over the cost of your flowers, particularly if there are specific flowers you have in mind, because seasonality plays a huge part in cost. For example, peonies, when not in season, can be four times more expensive than roses. This includes cabbage roses, which look almost exactly the same.

To keep costs down, choose flowers that are in bloom during the time of year when your wedding is taking place, for example:

  • Spring: tulips and snapdragons
  • Summer: freesias and irises
  • Autumn: roses and dahlias
  • Winter: poinsettias and amaryllis

9. Choose a venue with floral beauty

Photo © Colonnade Florist | See their Bridebook profile

You might not have to as much much money on flowers if you choose a venue that has plenty of floral beauty of its own. An inner-city hotel might need a little extra help in the flower department, whereas a countryside manor will likely have landscaped gardens, wonderful artwork and stunning decor which means you won’t need to rely on having many flowers to add any additional beauty.

For a bit of inspiration on finding a venue with gorgeous natural spaces, check out our post on 35 beautiful outdoor wedding venues in the UK.

10. Consider forgoing boutonnières and corsages

Photo © Laurel Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

Depending on the number of groomsmen and bridesmaids you and your partner will have, one thing that bumps up the cost is the number of boutonnières and corsages you’ll need. Two ways to reduce costs is by cutting them altogether or getting creative to bring those costs down. Why not design your own with faux or paper flowers? Or you could pick them up for less than £2 each by using a website like TEMU or Wish. Just make sure you know what you’re willing to compromise on (obviously cheap alternatives to professionally-crafted florals are unlikely to match the quality and design of the real deal).  

11. Go green

Photo © The Wild Garden Florist | See their Bridebook profile

While flowers are beautiful and vibrant, and can make for some truly breathtaking displays, the more you have in an arrangement, the more you’ll have to pay. So, why not fill some of that space with a little greenery, instead? More greenery, like ruscus and baby’s breath, can bring new textures and shapes to an arrangement and accentuate the flowers so that they pop even more. Not to mention it will help keep the costs of your flowers down. Win win! 

12. Consider dried flowers

Photo © The Botanical Bunch | See their Bridebook profile

Dried bouquets are versatile and unique, and work whether you’re going for a vintage or more modern style at your wedding. They’re also more affordable due to the fact they last far longer than fresh flowers. Not only that, but you’ll be able to take them home afterwards and they’ll last for months, or even years. Dried florals works particularly well if you’re going with a rustic venue. 

13. Use your green fingers in the garden

Photo © Abbey Meadow Flowers | See their Bridebook profile

Fancy yourself as something of a gardener with particularly well-attended flower beds at home? If so, you might consider putting together some arrangements of your own? Or, if you’re not quite that adventurous, you could take just a few single stems, such as from a rose bush, to use in tall vases that would work as simple, yet elegant and highly personal, centrepieces on each table. 

As always with the DIY approach, remember that there’s always a risk. Growing and then designing your own bouquets will be no mean feat, and won’t come with the same level of service and quality as working with a professional florist. Your flowers might not turn out exactly as you wanted them or your bouquets might not come together as you’d envisaged them, and they might get damaged on the day, either in transit or at the venue itself. So, carefully weigh up whether saving money is your no. 1 priority, or if you’d rather go for a more hands-off and stress-free approach (which will of course come at a cost). 

14. Choose a local florist

Photo © The Cadogan Flower Company | See their Bridebook profile

When searching for a florist to design your flower arrangements for your wedding, make sure you choose one that is local to you. If you choose one based on price alone, you may be in for an unwelcome surprise when it comes to the cost of delivery and setup. Make sure you double-check the catchment area of the florist you hire so you don’t pay any additional delivery costs.

The only exception to this rule is if your wedding is taking place in London. Hiring a London-based florist is often more expensive than hiring one from outside the capital. So, if sticking to a tight budget is important to you, we recommend comparing prices to see if it’s worth hiring one that has to travel a little further, as it could save you money. Just remember to get plenty of quotes and weigh up which offers the best value for money.

Browse our huge range of florists and find fantastic floral experts close to you.

15. Sweep the supermarket for cheap deals

Photo © Bradgate Flowers | See their Bridebook profile

Almost all of the big-name supermarkets sell decent flowers, and if you (or someone you trust with the job) get there early enough on the day, you’ll have a reasonable selection to choose from. You might not want a bunch of supermarket flowers as your bouquet or centrepieces, but they can work well as welcome flowers or accents, and are considerably cheaper than the flowers you’d get from a florist. Though they won’t match the quality or complexity of design of a bespoke creation, they’re a valid choice if you’re on a tight budget.

Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook 

At Bridebook, we have all the tools, tips and tricks you need to plan your perfect wedding day. Sign up today and start your planning journey!

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Happy Planning!

Expert Guidance for Styling Your Dream Wedding

If you have a million exciting wedding styling ideas bouncing around your head or Pinterest board than this guide written by Melanie Helen from Cranberry Blue is for you! Your choice of wedding venue will undoubtedly set the tone and feel for your special day, but how you decide to decorate the space can be quite a daunting task. With so many resources available to help with this process, from the wonders of Pinterest to wedding magazines and blogs to name a few, the options available can be over-whelming and sometimes confusing. But not to worry! Below are Melanie’s top tips to make sure that your chosen look is kept harmonious throughout your wedding. 

Bridebook.co.uk wedding styling
By Steven Brooks

The Venue

  • What overall feel would you like for your big day? Are you looking for a formal or more casual affair? Some venues naturally have a grander feel than others and I’m sure you will have chosen your venue with this in mind, however it will also have a big impact on the styling.
  • Consider the size of the room and existing style, colour scheme and furnishings of the event space itself, as whatever look you have in mind it needs to compliment the interior.   All things are possible but to completely transform a room comes at a cost, and I personally prefer to work with the room and enhance the beautiful details that no doubt contributed towards you choosing the venue to begin with.
Bridebook.co.uk wedding aisle with flowers
By Pippa MacKenzie
  • Find out what the venue has available to you – see the crockery, glassware, furniture and table linen so you can decide if there is anything there you really don’t like and may wish to hire in.
  • If the venue is very plain, it can be used as a ‘blank’ canvas to work from which provides wonderful scope to do almost anything; it will however you will need a lot more decoration to give the wow factor, whereas a venue which is very opulent will require a lot less. 

Use our Bridebook search tool to find your dream wedding venue. 

Bridebook.co.uk Hedsor House dancefloor
By Pippa MacKenzie

The Details

  • Always ensure the height of the table decorations doesn’t interfere with people’s view across the table as it will be difficult for your guests to talk to one another. If you’re having some tall arrangements then be sure they are tall enough to avoid this.  Also vary the height and size of them to create dimension and it keeps the eye moving throughout the room.
  • Think about lighting which can dramatically change the appearance and mood of a room.  The difference between a good event and an incredible event can often be the use of clever lighting and it’s often over-looked.  It can change as the day progresses, there by altering the mood and atmosphere and keeping things interesting.
  • Consider the furniture available – having stylish chairs for example makes a big difference to how a room looks believe it or not.  If the venue’s chairs are unattractive then change the seat pad if you can to match your colour scheme or hire in a completely different chairs altogether.  
  • To really add that finer touch, you may wish to hire special crockery or glassware that ties in with the look and feel for your day, even by using a pretty water glass for example or using a charger plate can transform how your tables look.
Bridebook.co.uk wedding crockery
By Gemma Watts from Pearl Pictures

 

  • Linen – again something that is so often over-looked.  The venue or caterer may provide standard white linen, but there are so many other options available that may work better with the space and your desired look.  Ensure the table cloths actually touch the floor and hide the table legs as this never looks very nice and lastly, ensure the cloths are pressed on the day once they’re laid to avoid the unsightly creases!
  • Candles – I’d say that in pretty much every venue, candles work well on every level.  Even if you’re having a summer wedding and it will still be daylight during your meal, they still add a pretty twinkle to the tables, then as the light changes they really come into their own and create a warm, romantic look to the room.  If you’re venue doesn’t allow real candles then there are some surprisingly good battery operated ones available too.
Bridebook.co.uk wedding candles
By Gill Flett

Be Smart

  • Think about your budget and what you wish to allocate to the different decorative elements.  Flowers for example always cost more than you might think so it’s best to focus on the areas where you and your guests will spend the most amount of time, such as your wedding breakfast.  For the ceremony, make a couple of big statements and then aim to move the arrangements elsewhere to re-use them but without your guests knowing.
  • The time of year is very important as the season will contribute towards the look of the day as it’s advisable to use flowers that are in season.  The styling also isn’t just focused on how your ceremony and wedding breakfast looks, but extends to how your canapés and drinks are presented and even what you decide to choose.
  • Having the right colour palette to work with is key to successful styling. You don’t need to have lots of colours together; you can often create a stronger looks with varying tones of one colour alongside a highlight colour.
Bridebook.co.uk mossy wedding flowers
By Steven Brooks

Be Yourself

  • What is most important to you?  If you’re having a grand celebration in a country house and you feel strongly about spending a lot on the flowers, then you may want to have large flower-heavy displays which could suit the venue, alternatively having a marquee wedding with a pretty, country look could involve using smaller and looser arrangements with English country garden flowers.
  • Don’t be seduced by trends – a lot of couples are keen to know what the latest trends are.  While we do of course keep an eye on these, I always like to stress that it shouldn’t really matter if something’s on trend or not, it’s whether you both like and if they reflect your personal style as a couple.
  • Know when to stop – sometimes ‘more is more’ but often ‘less is more’!  If you’ve decided on the look at all the elements that are required to bring it to life, then stop looking at Pinterest and adding things in just because as this often ends up spoiling the original vision.
Bridebook.co.uk subtle wedding table decorations
By Mike Garrard

Love Cranberry Blue’s gorgeous styling? You can book them as your wedding planners in just a couple of clicks with Bridebook – check out their profile today!

Bridebook.co.uk Cranberry Blue logo

Happy Planning!

 

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#WeddingHashtags

Deciding between ‘boho chic’ or ‘classic romance’ can be a hard enough decision when it comes to wedding planning. However, couples nowadays are faced with a much bigger conundrum: The Wedding Hashtag! Over 55% of couples incorporate a hashtag into their big day, so here’s how to choose yours.

 

Bridebook.co.uk wedding hashtag

Be Unique

The last thing you want is for the photos of your big day to get mixed in with someone else’s. Make sure to check the social-sphere to check it hasn’t already been taken.

 

Throw It Out There

Once you have decided on the perfect hashtag make sure to ‘announce it to the world’! Include it on the save the dates, invitations or even cocktail napkins so everyone can get tagging and tweeting those photos!

 

Include Both Your Names

Get brainstorming with those ideas. Whether you want to include your first, last or nick names, write them all down to get those creative juices flowing. If you’re really struggling you can opt to use a wedding hash tag generator… yes, these things do exist. Wedding Hash Tag Wall is a popular one.

 

Make It Short and Sweet

Don’t make it too complicated. Steer clear of words that can be easily misspelled. If guests are confused and not sure what it is they are likely to use the wrong one AKA: bride’s worst nightmare.

 

Happy Hashtagging! 

What hashtag have you decided on for your big day? Leave a comment below. 

And while you are busy having your wedding photos taken? Have a read of ways to entertain your wedding guests.