Wedding photos are an essential part of your big day. Let’s make sure they are epic but finished in the shortest amount of time, so you can get back to the bubbly.
Here’s our well rehearsed list of traditional group shots – arranged so the elderly aren’t waiting too long, you have your alone time and everyone gets their time to party. You don’t have to take all of these or any of these, but a few of the traditional shots are always much appreciated by the families. Tip: send the order to all people involved so they know when they are expected – and don’t forget to share with your photographer!
Whether it’s you as a couple or one of your parents hosting your wedding, you have a lot of people to say hello to and thank! How on earth are you going to get that done and get married AND party your socks off? Well traditionally there’s a receiving line – where you line up (with your loved one and parents and anyone else you want) and say hello and thank you to every single guest – yup that’s right! But there are plenty of alternatives as well, so let’s run through them so you can decide:
Do you need to have a receiving line? If you have less than fifty guests attending, it is not considered a necessity. However, if it is more, then etiquette dictates you have to have some way of greeting all of your guests in turn – how else are you going to make sure you party with everyone!?
The Order
There is no longer a set order of people who should be in the receiving line. You can have the hosting parents leading the line, followed by you as the married couple, and then the other set of parents as well as the bridal party. Alternatively, you can just stand and greet your guests together, while the parents and the bridal party entertain those who are waiting. Either way, your options are endless! However, the shorter your line, the faster the guests will move.
By Ross Harvey
Where?
We highly recommend checking if there is enough space to hold a receiving line at your ceremony/reception venue! You don’t want guests to get on top of each other, or start getting stroppy because they are too hot or too cold. Similarly, we suggest that you host your receiving line in an area where drinks and nibbles are available, so people aren’t left hungry and thirsty while they wait.
What do you say?
A receiving line is not the moment to catch up with your guests; otherwise you will be there for hours – so hold the chitter chatter! You should simply introduce the guests to the VIP’s in your line that they don’t know, accept their congratulations and offer your thanks. Done!
An alternative to a receiving line is to visit each table in turn during the meal. One lovely idea we heard about was each table having two empty seats for the married couple, so that they could sit down at each table, chat to the guests and keep eating!
We also really like the Chinese tradition, by which the married couple have a toast with each table. This is guaranteed to be quicker than sitting down to eat and, you will get to hear some lovely wishes!
Whichever option you choose, your guests will still race over to you after the ceremony with hugs and congrats, so just make sure you enjoy the moment and thank everyone!
Move over Best Man, the Maid of Honour is here! No longer does the Best Man have to dominate the speech-making scene with his gags and stories; more and more Maids of Honour are stepping up their game and stealing the thunder, without any expectations or pressure from the audience. So if your Maid of Honour is keen to make a speech on your wedding day, hand her these pointers so she nails it:
Looking for an easy place to start? Thank the families of the bride and groom for inviting everyone and especially thank the bride for selecting you as the Maid of Honour. The beginning of your speech is also the perfect time to introduce yourself, as it is guaranteed that even at a smaller wedding, not everyone will know exactly who you are, or what your connection to the bride is – and that’s just wrong!
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
2) Story Time
Now it’s time for you to dive into the main body of the speech. This will require the most preparation and should include a few stories and anecdotes. We find that the best one to start with is how you know the bride; this can be a funny or sentimental story, depending on who you are as a person. Make sure to keep this classy and relevant, you don’t want to list off in-jokes that no one but you and the bride will understand. So pull out your best stories and enjoy your moment!
By Weddings Vintage
3) Back it up
We strongly advise you don’t just list off positive qualities (obviously there are many!) that the bride has like “the bride is caring, kind, funny, sweet…” Try choosing a select few and backing them up with examples, this will make your speech much more genuine and will let you bring in some funny stories.
Now that you’ve told the audience what the bride was like before she met the groom, you should talk about their relationship. We find that the best stories to focus on are how they met each other and how you, as the Maid of Honour, knew that he was the one for the bride. Similarly, you can talk about what the bride and groom have learnt from each other and how happy they have become in the process – awwwwww. Again, you can make this funny or sentimental; all depends on your personal preference and sense of humour. A tip from us: if you are going for the funny angle, make sure your speech doesn’t turn into a roasting, keep it appropriate at all times. There could be grandparents present people!
By Weddings Vintage
5) And give the groom some love
Definitely don’t forget to give a special mention to the groom! It is great if you have become close friends and you know his good qualities and can compliment them or tease him! However, if you aren’t too close then just talk about how happy he has made the bride and how well suited to each other they are. Finish your speech with some funny or useful advice to the newlyweds and toast them. Cheers!
Sneaky tool: Calculate how long your speech will take to read – http://readtime.eu!
The father of the bride speech is a highly anticipated part of a wedding reception where the father of the bride addresses the all the guests and offers words of congratulations, gratitude, and well wishes to the newlyweds. It’s no wonder that many fathers of the bride get a little nervous at the thought of delivering a speech to their nearest and dearest, so let’s have a closer look at all you need to know about writing and delivering a brilliant father of the bride speech.
What is a father of the bride’s speech?
The father of the bride speech typically is given after the wedding breakfast, and is a show of love for the bride, as well as giving words of advice to the couple. The father of the bride speech is often an important moment for the father to show his support and affection for his daughter, and to welcome the groom into the family. It also serves as an opportunity for the father to express his gratitude to the guests for their participation at the wedding.
How should I write the perfect father of the bride speech?
There are three key stages to crafting the perfect Father of the Bride speech – preparation, content and delivery and we are here to walk you through each step.
Preparing the father of the bride speech
Planning and preparation are crucial for delivering a successful father of the bride speech. It allows you to organise your thoughts and ideas, and to structure the speech in a way that flows naturally and makes sense to the audience. It also gives you the chance to tailor the speech to the audience, so that it is appropriate and relevant to the guests.
By taking the time to plan and prepare for the speech, you can ensure your words are well-received and that the speech is a memorable and meaningful part of the wedding celebration.
When it comes to researching and gathering information for your wedding day, let’s have a look at some tried and tested ways to help you begin your speech writing journey.
Start early – The earlier you start preparing for your speech, the more time you’ll have to think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.
Talk to your daughter – Your daughter will be a great source of inspiration and material for your speech. She can tell you about the special moments and memories she shares with you and her partner, and give you an insight into their relationship.
Talk to your daughter’s spouse – It’s also a good idea to talk to your daughter’s partner and get to know them better. You could ask them about their thoughts on marriage, future plans with your daughter and what they love about her.
Find wedding speech inspiration – Look back at old family albums, videos, and pictures: It can be a great source of inspiration for the speech and can even be incorporated into the speech itself.
Check out other father of the bride speech examples – There are countless examples of father of the bride speeches that you can look at for inspiration, just be sure not to directly copy any work you find.
By doing this, you will be able to gather a wealth of material that you can use to craft a heartfelt speech that truly captures the love and affection you have for your daughter.
As the father of the bride, what should I include in my wedding speech?
It’s hard to know what should be included in a father of the bride speech but really, it is quite simple. There are a few things that you won’t want to miss and you’ll find that almost all speeches roughly follow the same format.
Most father of the bride speeches will include the following:
Well wishes for the newlyweds – Start by congratulating the couple on their marriage.
Personal anecdotes and memories – Share personal stories and memories of your daughter that show your guests more of her character and upbringing.
Expressions of pride – Let your daughter know how proud you are of the person she has become and how much you love her.
Welcome the groom into the family – Formally welcome the groom into your family, and express your happiness that he will be a part of your daughter’s life.
Thank the guests – Show your gratitude to the guests for being a part of the special day.
Offer words of advice or wisdom for the couple – Share any words of wisdom or advice you have for the couple as they begin their life together.
Toast to the couple – End your speech by raising a toast to the couple and wishing them a lifetime of love with a toast.
Father of the bride speech examples
It’s important to make the father of the bride speech your own and not rely wholly on just one source of inspiration.
To get you started, here a few examples of quotes that you could include in your father of the bride speech
“I’ve always known that my daughter would find someone special, but I never imagined she would find someone as wonderful as [partner’s name].”
“I’m so grateful to have [partner’s name] as an in-law. He has not only won my daughter’s heart, but mine too.”
“To my beautiful daughter, [bride’s name], I couldn’t be happier for you on your special day”.
“You have grown into an amazing woman, and I am so proud of the person you have become.”
“I want to welcome you to our family. You have brought so much love and happiness into our daughter’s life, and we are grateful to have you as part of our family.”
“A wise man once said, ‘The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.’ And that is exactly how [bride’s name] and [partner’s name] make each other feel.”
Should I write a funny father of the bride speech?
Many people aren’t sure if they are expected to make a humorous father of the bride speech. Overall, the opinion is that It depends on your personal style and the tone of the wedding. Humour can be a great way to lighten the mood and make the speech more enjoyable for the audience, but it’s important to use it in a way that feels genuine and appropriate.
If you are naturally inclined to be a funny person, and you are comfortable with it, then you may want to include a touch of humour in your speech. You can still make your speech entertaining and engaging without using humour, by preparing, delivering and practising your speech well. In all, your speech should be tailored to your own style and should reflect your relationship with your daughter
Speech Delivery
Delivering your speech well shows your love and support for your daughter. The father of the bride speech is typically one of the first speeches of the reception, and it sets the tone for the rest of the event. A well-delivered speech can help to create a positive and excited atmosphere that will be enjoyed by all the guests.
Practise your father of the bride speech
Practicing your father of the bride speech is extremely important because it allows you to become more comfortable with the material and delivery of your speech. When you practice, you will be able to identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments before the big day.
Beat the nerves
Giving any speech, especially at a big event like your daughters wedding, can be nerve-wracking, but there are some things you can do to help calm your nerves and deliver your speech with confidence.
Prepare thoroughly: The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. Practise your speech out loud and in front of friends and family.
Use positive visualisation: Close your eyes and picture yourself delivering your speech with confidence and ease. Imagine the guests clapping and enjoying your speech.
Take deep breaths: Before you begin your speech, take a few deep breaths to help calm your nerves. This will also help to steady your voice and slow down your heart rate.
Speak slowly: If you’re feeling nervous, it’s easy to rush through your speech. Speak slowly and clearly, and pause between sentences to give yourself time to gather your thoughts.
Make eye contact: Make sure to make eye contact with different members of the audience. This will help to engage them and make them feel more included in your speech.
Practice, practice, practice: Did we mention… practice?!
A well-written and well-delivered father of the bride speech can help to set the tone for the wedding, build a connection with the guests and make a lasting impression, so it’s worth putting the work in to ensure all goes well on the day. The key to success is preparation, practice and delivery. By using these tips, you’ll be able to deliver a heartfelt, meaningful and memorable father of the bride speech that will be cherished by all.
Need Tips & Advice?
If you are looking for advice on how to write a Father of the Bride speech, you’ve come to the right place. You are the Father of the Bride – your girl’s wedding day is such a special day! When you held your child for the first time all those years ago, did you picture this day?
Well now it’s here and as her father, you will (traditionally) be the first to stand up and speak in front of the guests. But don’t worry! Follow our carefully selected tips and deliver a father of the bride toast to remember! If your daughter is also making a speech, tell her to head over to our tips to the bride: writing your wedding speech!
By Simon Biffen Photography
1) Welcome the guests:
It is your job to welcome everyone to the reception and acknowledge all those who have financially contributed to the wedding (probably best not to mention actual sums!). It is also a good idea to give a special welcome to the guests who travelled a long distance to be there and thank them for participating in the celebration.
2)The thank you’s:
Thank everyone who helped put this wedding together, the ushers, the bridesmaids, even the staff! You can also thank the special people in your daughter’s life, who helped raise her and make her who she is today! Take a trip down memory lane and remember your loved ones. Find out more about your wedding team here!
3) Praise the bride:
We find that every father-daughter relationship is different, some are more humorous, with plenty of banter, others are more sentimental and this is exactly what should be reflected in the overall tone of your speech. This section will require the most planning, so separate it into sub-sections: talk about the stories from your daughter’s childhood, about her achievements in her personal, academic and professional lives. Lastly, tell her how proud you are of the woman she has become and how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day.
By John Lennie
4) Welcome the new additions to your family:
You should also welcome the groom and his parents into your family. Many Fathers also take this opportunity to tell the groom what he has got himself into: this is the funny part of your speech, where you can joke about the bride. Talk about your daughter’s adorable little quirks and lighten the mood after the more emotional part of your speech.
We also think it’s a nice touch when the Father of the Bride talks about the groom – whether that be the first time you were introduced, or when the groom asked for your daughter’s hand in marriage, or just some funny moments or nice traits. Want to help your future son-in-law out? Send him our tips to the groom: writing your wedding speech!
5) A word of wisdom:
Finish with some advice to the newlyweds. This is a great time to mention your personal marriage experience and what you’ve learnt about love and family. If you don’t want to go down that route, then carefully chosen quotes about love and marriage can be just as effective. Whatever you decide to say, make sure to do so clearly and calmly, as the audience want to hear from you! We find that gesticulating when talking can ease the nerves too.
6) The toast:
End your speech by asking everyone in the room to stand up and toast the newlyweds!
And here is our Final Tip:
Don’t act the Alpha Male and threaten to hunt down the groom if he misbehaves! This never sounds as funny to the groom…
Sneaky tool: Calculate how long your speech will take to read – http://readtime.eu!
Wahoooo. Your wedding day is swiftly approaching! It is set to be the best day of your life. Everything is planned, everything is ready and now it’s all about marrying the person you love and throwing one hell of a shindig! Party aside, the true emotion at any wedding comes from the heartfelt speeches. And since Bridebook is here for you all the way, we have some tips on how to write a Best Man speech.
We’ve all been privy to awkward best man speeches, long-winded routines performed by bridesmaids and monotonous ramblings from that random uncle. So, in this series of tips, we are going to guide your loved ones to give a speech that they (and you!) will be happy (insert sigh of relief here) to remember and your guests will love. First up is the naughtiest of the bunch… writing the Best Man speech.
Structure of the Best Man Speech:
Have an opening line that grabs everyone’s attention
Give your congratulations to the newlyweds (get a few more cheers)
Thank the other speakers
Say some nice words about the bride
Make a few jokes and tell a few stories about the groom
Propose a toast!
By Miki Photography
Tips for writing and delivering your Best Man’s Speech:
1) Give Yourself Time
Leave yourself enough time to write the speech. Very few of us can naturally wing it and have the audience laughing at everything we say. Prepare stories and categorise them, this will make structuring your best man speech much easier. Think of stories about the groom, the happy couple or the three of you together. It won’t go down too well if you talk only about the two of you and include in-jokes that no one is going to understand! Obviously, there has to be a few – you’re the best man. And you’ve got a lot of stories!
2) Do Your Homework
If you’re talking at a multicultural wedding, find out about any interesting sayings in the native language or fun and exciting traditions, as that shows you made an effort to connect with all of the guests. This is a great opportunity for an icebreaker, but make you don’t say anything inappropriate or offensive!
3) Pick a Theme
A good speech has a theme as this creates a flow. Rather than a random recollection of unconnected stories, think of a theme to tie it all together. A great theme to use is how on earth did X manage to ‘get’ Y. This allows you to bring up funny stories of X and flatter Y. Embarrassing jobs, stupid incidents, bad fashion – it can all come out – and it keeps a great tone as the speech is focused on the bride and what she is taking on!
By Anna Clarke Photography
4) Test It Out
Always read your speech to a third party, at least several days before the wedding, so that you have enough time for editing. Tip: do not read it to one of the groomsmen, no matter how much you want to. What may seem funny to the two of you over a pint may not be hilarious to the audience on the day. (Obviously it is funny but grandma might not think so.) Oh, and bring a printed copy of the speech with you, so that you aren’t panicked and scribbling last minute notes.
5) Be Funny
The pressure is on for the Best Man because everyone expects them to be one thing… funny. Not just ‘ha ha’ funny but ‘gut-wrenchingly’ funny. Just remember two things: this is a toast and not a roast and please, remember your audience! You are not there to humiliate the groom and upset the bride, you’re there to make sure everyone has a good time and a giggle. But make sure you get some good old mockery in there, you can’t let them off that lightly.
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
6) Compliments All Round
Compliment the bride and mention how lovely the bridesmaids look. This is traditionally expected in a Best Man speech and will get you extra brownie points! You can also compliment the party, the food and even the groom (before you start making jokes at his expense).
7) Pace Yourself!
Don’t be too drunk or go on for longer than ten minutes, both are guaranteed recipes for disaster. Instead, speak calmly to the bride and groom and leave time for all that laughter! There’s the rest of the night to hit the jaeger bombs! Use this sneaky tool to work out how long your speech will take – http://readtime.eu!
8) It’s all about the future
DON’T: mention any ex-girlfriends or conquests, at all, ever. It will only create awkwardness. Mention how you envision the newlyweds’ future together, you can make this part funny and witty, but also emotional and sweet!
By Guy Hearn
9) Mr and Mrs – Wahey!
Start your best man speech with a reference to his “wife” or “Mr and Mrs” as that will always guarantee an enthusiastic response from the guests. As will a few self-deprecating jokes, which are guaranteed to put the audience on your side.
10) End with a toast!
End your speech with a cheer, but telling all the guests to toast the newlyweds and their union! Most of all enjoy yourself. You’re talking about your best friend and their amazing new bride. So, have fun gathering all the stories, enjoy it and then party the night away!
By Allister Freeman
If you’re planning your wedding and reading this, make sure you send this article to your best man! Once you’ve done that, why not try our other wedding planning tools? Use your budget planner to sort out all of your wedding costs, your guest list tool to keep all your guests and their info in one place, and your wedding planning checklist, to make sure you don’t miss anything!
Oh thank goodness for your wedding day. When else do you get a room full of tables packed with your nearest and dearest? Don’t be daunted by the prospect of working it out, enjoy it! You get to organise a room full of your favourite people – you can set people up, you can make sure your top people become best friends. So follow our tips and create the best seating plan known to mankind.
By Anna Clarke Photography
1) Square or round?
Ask your venue what shape tables they have available (round or square) and how many you can have for your wedding. Then you’ll know how many people should go on each table – and you’re ready to go. If you’re given a choice, have a google and see whether you prefer round or square.
2) Top table
Think about the Top Table. Traditionally, it is a rectangular table perched higher than the rest of the tables, with the newlyweds at the centre, flanked by their parents, the Best Man and the Maid of Honour. If the traditional isn’t for you, go for a circular table in the middle of the guests, or a sweetheart table just for the two of you. It’s your day, so do whatever you want and have the best time!
Start thinking about where your guests will sit sooner rather than later – to give yourself time to enjoy putting the plan together. We recommend dividing them into logical groups, like friends, family, colleagues, or any others that are applicable. This will form natural groupings that you can then mix up; making sure everyone socialises and meets new people! Try and seat people next to someone they will be comfortable with but will also have the most fun with! Balance out: men and women (traditionally you alternate between the two), loud and quiet guests, people that know each other and don’t.
4) Visualise it!
Try writing all the names on post it notes and sticking them to a drawing of the table plan – that way you can visualise it and move people around accordingly. Sneaky tip: use different colours for different sexes so you can keep track of everyone!
Be as considerate as you can of your guests’ needs. Children should be close to bathrooms and exits, the elderly should be close to the speakers as they might not hear as well and if you know some of your guests don’t like each other, sit them apart – drama averted.
6) Logistics
Don’t forget about logistics. Think about where the cake will go, where the photographers and videographers will have the best angles and how to give the waiters the easiest access to the tables.
Your bestest friend/ family member/ work colleague is getting married and you are over the moon! But it suddenly dawns on you: “what do I wear?” Wearing your Sunday best is no longer the norm for weddings, which can range from quaint rustic affairs, to lavish and extravagant soirees. Have no fear! We are here to decode the various dress codes and help you find the perfect outfit.
By Anna Clarke Photography
White Tie
Ladies: A formal, floor length evening gown in a neutral or dark colour. Stay away from white!
Gentlemen: A tuxedo, a long black jacket with tails, white shirt, white bow tie, gloves and evening shoes.
Black Tie
Ladies: A floor length evening gown or a cocktail dress.
Gentlemen: A tuxedo, white shirt, black vest or cummerbund, black bow tie and evening shoes.
By secretservice.com
Black Tie Optional or Formal
Ladies: A smart dress, long or cocktail, or a dressy suit.
Gentlemen: A tuxedo or a formal dark suit, shirt and tie.
Morning Dress & Suits
Ladies: Daytime cocktail dress that covers shoulders, or alternatively a blazer on top. Hats are optional.
Gentlemen: Morning suit, waistcoat, shirt and tie.
By Millie Benbow Photography
Beach Formal
Ladies: a smart sundress, knee-length or maxi.
Gentlemen: a summer suit and shirt, no tie necessary.
Semi-Formal
Ladies: a cocktail dress or a formal skirt and top.
Gentlemen: A suit and tie, dark or light depending on season and time of day.
By Anna Clarke Photography
Casual
Even though this says casual, jeans and flip-flops are not acceptable.
Ladies: A sundress, skirt and blouse, or trousers and blouse.
Gentlemen: Smart trousers with a shirt or smart polo, loafers or similar styles of shoe.
Festive Attire
Ladies: A bright and fun cocktail dress, paired with statement accessories.
Gentlemen: A suit, made more fun with a coloured shirt or tie.
Some Extra Tips From Us:
While we always encourage you to dress for the weather to be comfortable, never ever show too much flesh, it is against wedding etiquette.
We strongly recommend you don’t wear white. Sometimes a cream can be acceptable, but really, the white is the bride’s prerogative.
If you are wearing a hat, stick to small and neat. You don’t want to be obstructing the view of everyone behind you!
Traditionally daytime celebrations are before 5pm, and evening celebrations commence around 6pm.
You’re at that stage of wedding planning… choosing a room full of presents for just the two of you! Yup it’s pretty much our favourite bit – who doesn’t love presents?! You’ve spent months choosing what your lovely guests are going to eat, drink and dance to and now it’s time for them to say thank you. For some couples the gift list can be a breeze, especially if they know where they want to register and exactly what they want. Understandably, other couples take a little longer to decide – what if you want everything?! So let’s help you pull together the ultimate gift list.
Traditionally, wedding gifts made up a couple’s first home, so anything from comfy pillows to frying pans, to vacuum cleaners. Now, as lots of couples live together before they tie the knot, you may just be topping up things you have AND choosing things you love but definitely don’t need – why not?! As well as considering your needs, you should think about your style as a couple; if you are not into fancy dinner parties, but love camping, then choose an epic tent, not the punch bowl you will never use! Remember, as your guests browse your gift list, their reaction should be “wow, this is so them!”.
2. What are your options?
Gift list
The beauty of a gift list is that it can be set up in a number of stores and you can choose plenty of different pressies – yay! Stores like John Lewis and online gift lists like The Wedding Shop are absolutely perfect, as they stock a variety of brands and lots of goodies, like household items, clothes and anything else you can think of! Tip: always choose twice as many gifts as wedding invitations that you send! This will give your guests plenty of choice and make sure you do this for price options too. In our experience cheaper gifts will range from £20-40, £40-100 is fairly standard, £100-200 is more on the expensive side and £200+ are the luxury items.
Honeyfund
This option is perfect for a couple who have all the home comforts they need and would prefer going on an amazing and unforgettable honeymoon. There are two ways in which you can do this: one is to collect cash and spend it on your honeymoon of choice. Or you can personalise the experience for your guests – give them the option of contributing to a candlelit dinner, first class travel, or VIP accommodation, all of which will make their cash donations more special, both to them and to you.
Charity Donation
If you are a philanthropist couple, charity donations are another great alternative, especially if you have a cause that is close to your heart. Whether your guests donate to a specific project, or to the charity as a whole, you can let them know what their donations have achieved in your Thank You notes, which will make them feel pretty good about themselves – good deed for the day and wedding present sorted!
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
Cash
This option can be a bit tricky for a lot of couples, especially as they don’t necessarily know how to ask for cash. But don’t worry, cash gifts are perfectly acceptable and even traditional in a lot of cultures. Just make sure to spread the word to your family and bridal party, who will in turn notify the guests.
Personalised gifts
If you aren’t keen on any of the above options and really don’t want to ask for cash, you can ask your family and friends to get you personalised gifts, which can become awesome family heirlooms in years to come! One of our favourite ideas is a beautifully drawn map, where you can pin the destinations you’ve been to, destinations you want to go to and display it all in your living room, as a gorgeous piece of art. If collecting art and creating your own travel diary isn’t your bag, you can always go for collecting wine and filling up your wine cellar, with a special bottle set aside for your first anniversary and the christening of your firstborn.
3. Etiquette
We hear a lot of couples say that they have decided on their registry/charity/fund, but they don’t know how to let their guests know, especially as etiquette says that you shouldn’t put gift information on your invitations. You don’t need to worry, as there are plenty of ways around this. The first and most traditional is to ask your parents and Maid of Honour/Best Man to gently spread the word amongst your guests about your decision regarding gifts. The second, is to include it on your information sheet or on a subtle card (John Lewis provide these) with the gift list information on, so that you can slip one into your invitation envelope. Another option is to direct your guests to your wedding website and let them know the gift options there. Problem solved!
Long gone are the days when the MOBs had to wear washed out pastels or, horror of horrors, varying shades of the beige suit when their daughters got married. Now bright colours, amazing designs and stunning patterns are available to mums as they watch their daughters walk down the aisle (thank goodness!). Worry not about the amount of choice available! Our guide will make sure you look like an image of sophistication on your daughter’s special day.
When you start the hunt for the perfect outfit for your child’s wedding, let the bride lead the way. She has spent a significant amount of time setting the tone for the event, so will be able to tell you how formally or casually you should be dressed. She might even have a set idea of what she would like you to wear. So sit down with a glass of bubbly, grab some inspiration and talk through both of your ideas.
By Anna Clarke Photography
2. Which colour?
One question we get asked a lot is, “What colour should the Mother of the Bride’s outfit be?” It’s confusing without a strict guideline available. Some mums prefer to coordinate with the bridesmaids, but not match! But we do suggest you complement each other, so if they are in orange, you could wear a rich blue and look fantastic in the photos. We also suggest that MOBs should shy away from black, which can look mournful, red, which can be a bit racy, or white, which is the colour of the bride. Having said that, if done tastefully, all of the above can look fantastic. Choose a colour (or pattern) that doesn’t clash with the overall colour scheme and you will look absolutely fabulous.
The wedding venue and the season can be useful when you are deciding on your outfit. If your daughter is going for a beach wedding, then a relaxed dress will be perfect with some comfortable and pretty sandals, but if it’s a chic evening affair, then tailoring and heels are the way to go. The season will also guide you in terms of accessories: you might want a shawl or a blazer to keep warm with and they can be a perfect addition to any outfit. We would suggest you stay away from sky-high stilettos, not only will you have a fairly long day, but you will immediately start sinking in grass or in the sand – not a good look!
By Stephen Casey Photography
4. Mother of the Groom
Traditionally, as the MOB, you should choose your dress first and then notify the MOG of your decision. While you don’t need to follow this tradition, it is a nice gesture. After all, you will be in a LOT of photos together so you want to make sure you complement each other in your elegance. This does not mean that you should match, only that your outfits shouldn’t clash with one another. Note to self: start looking for the perfect attire six months before the wedding, leaving enough time for the MOG to find something she likes and for all the altering to be completed in time.
Demure and elegant are the main words when it comes to choosing your outfit! This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t inject a bit of personality through your accessories. Your daughter’s wedding is the perfect opportunity to wear a stunning hat or an elegant fascinator. If you don’t feel comfortable with either of those, then shawls, scarves and jewellery are a great way of adding some drama to your outfit. Bit of advice: don’t overdo it on jewellery and go with one statement piece. Our favourite look is a cuff bracelet or some statement earrings, with the neck left bear and feminine.
You also shouldn’t forget to take care of your hair and make-up! It is your daughter’s big day, but you shouldn’t leave your own beautification to the last minute. It’s a special day for you – you’re the Mother of the Bride!
By John Lennie
6. Undergarments
Even if you have found the perfect outfit, it won’t feel right until you have the right underwear to go with it. Choosing good hosiery will make you feel comfortable throughout the day and it will flatter your shape, making you look your best in the outfit that you choose! Try taking your dress to the shop so they can help you pick out the best items for you to lift and hold wherever you might need!
Listen up Best Men – this one’s for you. Your most important duty is to organise… THE MOST EPIC STAG DO KNOWN TO MANKIND (said in raised voice)! The pressure is ON, but worry not; just follow our guide and the boys will be chanting your name for years to come.
Make sure you have a stellar guest list. Start by having a chat with the stag and find out who he wants there – are his colleagues, Dad/future-Dad-in-law, cousins all invited? Make sure you have their emails too, so that you can keep everyone in the loop. We strongly advise you don’t invite EVERYONE the groom knows, as a group that big can get out of control (and not in a good way)!
2. Date
A Stag party the night before the wedding is now universally considered to be a terrible idea (thank goodness) – you don’t want a stonking hangover on your big day. The latest you should have the Stag Do is two weeks before the wedding, because let’s be honest, you will all need your recovery time. We suggest you choose your date by first: asking the groom when he is available, and second, by letting the others know the options. Doodle is a great online programme for working out dates with big groups – it does all the hard work for you – and it’s free! Once you’ve heard from everyone you can select the best date (and don’t worry you won’t be able to please everyone, just make sure the groom and the VIPs are available).
3. Budgets
Before you start planning any of the activities, discuss the potential budget with all the guests. Not everyone will be able to spend hundreds of pounds on a weekend in Vegas and you don’t want to leave people out because of their budgets (you can always bring Vegas to them!). Come up with a few options and prices and ask what everyone else thinks about them (best to do this individually rather than pick people out in a group). Also let people know whether there will be one payment or if there will be extra things that people need to cough up for. We do strongly advise you delegate the budget-keeping to someone who is responsible and good with money, as there will be late-payers who will need to be chased.
Start thinking about where you want to go and for how long. Abroad for a weekend? Or just a night out in the UK? Whichever option you choose, we strongly advise you book everything in advance! Last minute deals may sound great, but you don’t want to travel separately from the rest of the guests and have to stay at separate locations. Even if you are not travelling far, getting in touch with venues in advance is a smart move when it comes to Stag Dos. A lot of clubs will not allow big groups of guys in and they might have restrictions on the awesome fancy dress idea that you came up with. So instead of being disappointed, organise everything ahead of time and let everyone know the plan!
5. What to do?
It goes without saying that this night is about the groom and you should (obviously) cater to his tastes. If he loves mountain climbing, action packed activities and sports, or if he is all about the partying and the debauchery, you should arrange that. Just remember not to go too far, you are the Best Man because you know the groom best, so don’t do anything he won’t enjoy or anything that will get him in trouble with his significant other. We suggest a mixture between a fun, group-bonding activity, a meal, followed by drinking/clubbing/gentleman’s clubs, or whatever form of fun you prefer. Just make sure everyone knows the plan and any dress code/rules that you need to abide by. Add a few surprises and drinking games into the mix and everyone will have an epic time.
6. On the day
Make sure you keep a kitty, so that no one has to overpay and you don’t end up having budget chats in front of the groom – awkward!
Silly as it sounds, don’t forget to factor food into the schedule – your liver will thank you.
Don’t shy away from being authoritative, you planned this, so you know where everyone should be and when. Get bossy.
Lastly, look after the groom. He is your responsibility and you should make sure he gets back to his fiancé in one piece – best to avoid any permanent damage – physical or emotional!
Hello Chief Bridesmaid. This is something we’ve written just for YOU. You have the honour of supporting your closest friend in the run up to her wedding day. Aside from time spent chin-wagging over colour palettes and wedding gowns you get to organise one very important thing…. THE HEN PARTY. Oh yes. Hen Parties have evolved in the last couple of decades, with loads of different shenanigans taking place. At Bridebook, we think it is essential to give you a helping hand with the planning.
What does the bride want? A night of dancing and boozing surrounded by her mates? Or something small and quiet? See what she thinks and then get planning – you know her better than anyone! Note to self: make sure she gets home on the night, AT ALL COSTS.
The bride will chose the list of people to invite. Who and how many people are coming will set the tone a lot so highlight this to her. If mums are coming, something more relaxed may be on the cards. If she wants 20 people to come, get yourself ready for a lot of admin and herding!
Let’s just breeze over the boring but essential bit… budget. Choose a budget, make sure your guests are happy with it and then stick to it. People like to know if there will be extras – will they pay an amount to include all or will they pay for their own drinks on the night. People like to know what they are in for so just be open from the start. Remember not everyone will be earning the same amounts; so consider this before you book an extravagant weekend abroad.
Don’t bombard the girls with emails – three emails can be enough and always BCC the invited guests so that people don’t start sending hundreds back and forth.
– The first email should give some date options.
– The next one should confirm people are happy with the amount owed – and for you to set up when these instalments need to be paid by.
– Finally there should be an email closer to the time to finalise what people need to bring and where they need to be.
Stick to three and people won’t hate you by the time the party starts!
This is the fun bit. You know the bride best, so work out a plan that is very her – don’t take her shopping if she hates clothes and prefers to be in the countryside. You get the gist. So work out a game plan that involves an activity she will love and the food and drink around that.
A few little tips from us:
-Keep it simple, running around multiple locations will guarantee someone gets lost. A big group of girls also needs some downtime so avoid over planning.
-Do not book venues/events late, as availability may be limited. Be sure to double-check your bookings, to minimise your stress levels.
-If you are having fancy dress, check it’s allowed at the venue you’re partying at!
-Bring some flats! With all the walking and dancing that you will be doing, it’s a great idea to give your feet a rest.
There are so many things out there to make the hen party even more special. Pull together the Mr and Mrs Smith game (DETAILS HERE), get everyone to bring a pair of underwear and the bride has to guess who gave which, or put together a scrap book and everyone has a page to fill. On top of that there are badges, hats, balloons and tiny details you can go crazy with – there is a world of inspiration so get googling – but remember to keep an eye on your budget.
Please, please, please make sure you leave time BEFORE the actual wedding to have the Hen Party. Best to avoid re-enacting ‘The Hangover’ – no one wants a hungover bridal party, mum or bride! Obviously your party should be equally mind-blowing, just make sure it’s a while before the big day.
When you’re getting married, a lot of focus is on the bride, but remember, it’s also the groom’s time to shine. Just because the bride gets lots of attention it doesn’t mean the groom has to take a back seat – in fact, it’s exactly the opposite. When a groom is standing next to their partner at the altar, they want to look good, to help them feel good – and a sharp suit or tuxedo helps with exactly that.
The fact that you’re shopping for a suit hopefully means you’re fairly close to the big day itself, meaning your comprehensive Bridebook wedding checklist must be nearly complete…but it also means that your wedding budget might be looking a little more restrictive than it once was.
No fear – there are ways and means to make sure you look like James Bond without an MI5 agent’s salary and still have money left over for a Martini, shaken not stirred. In this post, we’re going to look at how you can save money on a wedding suit while making sure you stand proud while exchanging your vows.
Do you need to buy an expensive suit for your wedding?
No, you don’t need to buy an expensive suit for your wedding. In fact, you might not need to buy a suit at all – renting or wearing a suit you already own are both great options too. Just because a bride might spend an average of £1,300 on a wedding dressdoesn’t mean a groom has to spend the equivalent.
You’ll want your big day to go exactly as planned and be as luxurious and special as it can be – this includes the groom’s wedding attire. Below are 15 ways you can save money on a wedding suit and still look and feel fabulous. For more cost-cutting tips, check out our ultimate guide to saving money on your wedding.
Before you decide to go and buy or rent a tux, first think about the style of your wedding and your chosen venue. A smart suit or tux isn’t always appropriate for a beach or rustic wedding. Discuss the atmosphere you’re going for with your beloved and choose your attire accordingly. For more information, check out our introduction to the groom’s and ushers’ wedding attire.
If you’re contemplating smart attire, then consider buying a sharp, tailored suit instead of a tuxedo. They can look just as good but will be far kinder to your budget, as the only real difference between a tux and a suit is the satin feel. Plus, you’ll feel more comfortable and be able to wear your suit again in the future.
Many grooms don’t realise that you can even rent a suit, let alone consider it for something as important as your wedding day. But, not only will renting a suit save you money – as much as £250, to be exact – but it’ll also open you up to a much wider selection of styles. What might be way out of your budget ordinarily will be far more affordable if you rent rather than buy. Many vendors will offer rental fees for as little as £50, so it should be high on your list of considerations.
While renting is usually a hugely affordable option, it’s always advisable to compare costs between buying and renting. For example, say rental costs are £50 a day: if you have a destination wedding, those costs could be £350 if you’re away for a week, which could be way more expensive than buying a suit off the rack. With buying, there’s also always the option to sell your suit after the wedding using a website like Vinted to make some of your money back.
You must have heard of the phrase, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get.’ Well, the same applies to getting a deal on a wedding suit. While you might not be able to haggle on price or get a custom deal at a high-street retailer, an independent business or tailor may be able to offer you a deal. This is especially true if other men in the wedding party use the same vendor – you may even be able to get your suit for free or at least discounted in some cases.
It can be tempting to splash the cash when you’re getting married and treat yourself to a new watch or some extra bling, but you might be better off using that budget elsewhere. There’s no reason why you can’t use your own cufflinks, ties or shoes if you’re willing to compromise a little. Just make sure they look dashing and fit in with your overall look and the theme of your wedding.
Chances are, you have a suit or two knocking around in your wardrobe, so consider wearing one of those and save yourself hundreds. You could freshen up the look with a few new accessories, which you could then coordinate with the rest of the wedding party. Just be aware that going down this route will be a compromise of sorts. You might not be able to get the dream ensemble you would be able to get by going to a designer store or boutique, where everything is custom-made and tailored to fit you perfectly on your big day.
If you’re renting a suit, make sure you know the exact details of the return policy. You don’t want to be fined because you return your suit a day late. That’s going to be the last thing on your mind during such a hectic time.
9. Ask groomsmen and ushers to buy their own suits
While matching suits will look smashing in the photos, there aren’t many other advantages to syncing up suits. Follow the popular bridesmaids’ trend and give your ushers a colour scheme which they can dress for. That means you won’t have to buy their suits, they can save money by not having to fork out for a new suit, and everyone will still look amazing in the photos.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to bring cohesion to your wedding party. A little creativity is all you need, such as with matching accessories. Try coloured socks, suspenders, vests or bow ties and have fun with them.
Shop around. Just like a bride will look in a few stores before she buys a gown, so should the groom. The prices of men’s formal attire can vary greatly, so make sure you get the best deal, both in terms of quality and finances. A bespoke suit or tux might look sharp, but many high-street retailers offer a wide selection of fantastic outfits to suit all styles, tastes and budgets if you’re tight on cash.
Believe it or not, browsing charity shops can lead to the discovery of hidden treasures – including a suit to wear at your wedding. It will probably take persistence, but with a little luck, you might just find a wonderful suit hanging on the rack in a charity shop. The only thing to bear in mind is finding your exact size is unlikely, so you may have to take it to be altered, which of course will cost.
Something borrowed doesn’t only have to apply to the bride. Borrowing a suit from a family member or friend will save you plenty, so long as you’re the same size. Again, bear in mind that if you go down this route, you will likely have to compromise, and might not get the exact suit you originally had in mind.
If you have time on your side, then simply keep a close eye on sales and offers. High-street retailers have sales periodically throughout the year, as do independent stores. By biding your time you could save as much as 50%, or even higher if some suits are end of the line.
This is a slightly risky option, as getting the right size can be tricky, but if you know your exact measurements, you could save a bundle by shopping online. Second-hand stores such as Vinted or auction sites like eBay have plenty of bargains, but there are also plenty of online clothing retailers which have more competitive prices than those on the high street.
Plan a budget-friendly wedding with Bridebook
Here at Bridebook, we have loads of tools to help you save money on your wedding and keep track of your finances, including our handy wedding budget calculator. Sign up today and start planning!
We spend a lot of time talking about how the bride should look her best on her wedding day. Obviously, the same goes for the groom… you’re going to want to look hot! You should feel comfortable, handsome and confident when you say “I Do” to your beloved. We know it can be difficult to decide on what you should wear on W-Day, so let us help you choose the perfect attire.
By Raw Silk Photography
1. Communication
The first step to choosing your attire is communicating with your bride to be. While you don’t have to tell each other exactly what you are planning on wearing, you should co-ordinate in your styles. If you are going for a formal and majestic event, then wearing casual beach wear will not work. Equally, for a relaxed, rustic wedding, a tux will look out of place.
Even if you aren’t big on fashion, you should still spend some time researching your preferred colours, styles and textiles. This will make sure that you are prepared for your fittings and that you will be able to tell the consultants exactly what you are looking for. Besides, you want your suit to show off your personality! To help you along the way, here are some options:
Morning Suit
A morning suit is a very smart option, involving a long coat with tails, trousers, a waistcoat, and optional top hat…
Black Tie
A black tie instantly denotes James Bond in a tux. This is a great option for a smarter wedding. However, bear in mind that “Black Tie” doesn’t always mean tux, it can also be a smart black suit. The difference is that a tux will have a satin feel to it, with buttons and lapels covered with the material.
Three Piece Suit
This is another smart option, involving a jacket, waistcoat and trousers. A lot of grooms are choosing to inject some personality into this by choosing different colours and textures, ranging from deep burgundy to tweed and adding fun accessories, like pocket watches.
Two Piece Suit
This is a very flexible option, as it can be dressed up or dressed down. Similarly, it is great because it can be worn again and again.
Casual Attire
This can really mean anything, from jeans dressed up with a blazer, to Bahama shorts and a smart shirt. Casual attire allows you the most flexibility, but make sure that it is appropriate for the style of your wedding.
Accessories
You can accessorise your suit with a bow tie, a cravat, or a long tie, or no neckwear at all! If you are going for the no neckwear option, make sure you still look dapper with an upright collar, kept in position with a nifty pair of magnets, like those at stiffies.co.uk (you get 20% off if you use the code ‘bridebook’ too!) It is also becoming increasingly more popular for grooms and ushers to play around with colour pocket handkerchiefs, socks and braces, which can be used to tie the bridal party and the ushers together for a more cohesive look.
First of all, make sure you choose the right shop! Not all places are the same when it comes to choice, tailoring and quality. Some of the best shops will have a huge range of suits and tuxes to choose from and they will stock the latest fashions, which will include accessories. Make sure that when you are going to buy, you go to someone who knows exactly what they are doing.
Secondly, don’t assume that all suits/tuxes/ties look the same. Instead, you should listen to the professionals who will help you choose something that flatters your shape. Whether it is a different lapel, a wider tie, or the number of buttons on your jacket, make sure you try a variety of styles before settling on the one that you feel best in. Don’t ignore the quality of the materials either, especially if you are buying. Cheap materials will look cheap in photos and won’t stand the test of time.
Lastly, if you are renting, make sure you read the small print. You will want to know all the details regarding the timings for the returns and cleanings, so that you aren’t faced with any unexpected charges or admin during your honeymoon!
Don’t forget about your budget! A cheaply priced suit does not always mean a bargain, as the quality could be poor and it could be almost impossible to alter. Similarly, while we encourage you to invest in a good quality suit when it comes to your wedding day, only invest in something that will be timeless and something that you will be able to wear again, otherwise the suit will simply hang at the back of your wardrobe. Second hand or rentals are fantastic options if you are looking to save some pennies.
By Ten Twenty One
5. Fitting
Definitely leave yourself enough time for any fittings and adjustments so that you look your sharpest. While we can’t tailor the suit for you, we have some great tips that you can easily apply yourself when trying on different suits (definitely share these with the ushers too):
The width of your tie should match the width of the lapel.
Your jacket should fit comfortably around the neck and shoulders and it should be easy to fasten.
Your shirt should be comfortable around the waist, neck and shoulders. For a formal look, it should be half to a quarter inch longer than the sleeve of your jacket.
If you are wearing a waistcoat, it should line up with your jacket at the front and the bottom should just overlap with the waistband of your trousers.
The hem of your trousers should be on level with the tops of your shoes and they should feel comfortable when you sit down.
You should always try on your bow tie before you buy it! It should feel comfortable and snug around your neck.
When looking for shoes, always make sure that they fit you comfortably. If they are new, get your best man to rub a bit of sandpaper on the soles so you don’t go sliding about.
Try on your formal wear two days before the wedding. This way, you can make sure that everything still fits properly and any last-minute adjustments can be made. We recommend you advise your ushers to do the same!
Your ushers will be by your side, helping you throughout your wedding day, so you want to make sure they look their best too! While all of the above tips can be applied to them, there are a few separate things you should know.
First of all, they don’t all have to match you or even each other! Just like bridesmaids can sport different shades and patterns, so can your ushers. So long as they stand out amongst the wedding guests and they look like a cohesive part of the wedding party, you are fairly unlimited in deciding what they should wear.
Secondly, it is no longer custom for the groom to pay for the ushers’ outfits, they can buy their own or choose something that they already own, providing it fits with your general look. However, if you can afford to and want all of you to match, then it’s a nice treat to offer to pay otherwise a matching tie and button holes can do the trick!
Your bridal party consists of your best pals who have supported you throughout the planning process, who have sat up into the early hours with you making favours while sipping bubbly, and who will wear the second most gorgeous dresses on your wedding day. The process of finding and trying on dresses can be a lot of fun in itself – if not a little stressful until you finally find the dresses.
At this stage, you might have decided who’s paying for your bridesmaids’ dresses, which can come down to your own budget and preferences, and the budget of your bridesmaids. But whoever’s paying, you need to be conscious of the cost. If you’re paying, remember to manage your budget with our handy budget planning tool.
The average cost of bridesmaid dresses is around £80 to £500 per dress, which means you can times this amount by the number of bridesmaids you have to work out the total cost. So, if you have five bridesmaids, you might pay between £400 and £2,500 for all of their dresses collectively.
So, how do you save money on bridesmaid dresses to ensure that – whoever picks up the bill – you don’t go beyond what your budget allows? After all, with the average wedding costing £20,775, you likely won’t want to add any more figures to your ever-increasing expenses.
In this post, we’re going to explore how to save money on bridesmaid dresses, including why they cost as much as they do and what you can do to pay less but still make sure your bridesmaids look stunning.
As with most things that are wedding-related, there’s often a premium price attached to bridesmaid dresses. This is especially true when it comes to dresses made by popular brands and designers. Bridesmaid dresses from specialist wedding boutiques in particular are also often custom-made with expensive, high-quality materials and embellishments. Plus, couples are usually keen to spend more money on purchases for their wedding to make sure it’s extra special.
Thankfully, just because many couples spend between £80 and £500 on each bridesmaid dress doesn’t mean you have to pay that much. There are ways to make sure your spending is closer to the lower end of that scale.
While it’s common for bridesmaids to wear dresses, there’s nothing to say that this has to be the case. If you’re asking your bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses, then you’re likely to get a whole selection of wonderful styles, personalisations and preferences.
Instead of dresses, you or your bridesmaids might choose to wear:
Jumpsuits
Rompers
Cultural attire
Separates
Pantsuits
Tuxedos
There’s no right or wrong choice. If you’d like your bridesmaids to all wear similar outfits, just make sure you coordinate this with them early on.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re asking your bridesmaids to wear a specific dress or putting severe restrictions on what they can and can’t wear, then you should offer to pay for their dresses. If you’re open to them wearing a dress of their own choosing, and only have some loose requests – like wearing a certain colour – then it’s easier to ask your bridesmaids to pay for their dresses.
That being said, this is a rather murky rule and by no means something you should feel obliged stick to. For more information, read our blog post on what your bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for.
Looking to save money on bridesmaid dresses but still have the best-looking wedding squad there is? Below are 10 ways you can spend less on bridesmaid dresses. For more money-saving tips, read our ultimate wedding cost-cutting guide.
It might be tempting to rush straight to wedding boutiques and receive VIP treatment, but a great way to save money if you’re on a tight budget is by browsing the high-street retailers you might shop at all the time anyway. If nothing else, the high street is a brilliant way to get some inspiration and for your bridesmaids to try on a few fabulous outfits.
Need convincing? M&S has a wide range of amazing bridesmaid dresses, and the best part is that costs start from around £65. It’s always worth a trip to your local town or city centre to browse some of your favourite retailers. The quality and level of service might not match that of a designer boutique, but if cutting back on your wedding spending is your top priority, then this can be an affordable and cost-effective option.
Many bridesmaids sell their dresses straight after a wedding, so there are beautiful, barely worn dresses out there just begging to be worn again. Similarly, suggest to your bridesmaids that they can sell theirs after (obviously not before!) the big day to make some of their cash back. Sites like eBay, Knot New and Vinted are great for finding affordable clothing which is practically as good as new. Going down the pre-loved route is also a great sustainable choice if you and your bridesmaids are eco-conscious.
Why not consider renting your bridesmaid dresses? This US trend has come to the UK, and the most gorgeous dresses, including Badgley Mischka and McQueen, are now available to bridesmaids at much lower prices than if you were to buy them outright. You might even be able to bag some extra deals by renting several dresses from the same supplier.
One thing to note is the returns policy. Make sure you return the dresses on time and without any stains or damage, as you might be charged an additional fee.
Online retailers are bursting at the seams with deals. Often the bridesmaid dresses that you’re looking for will be available at a cheaper price somewhere else, or some websites will offer discount coupons. Just be aware that you’ll need to be sure they’ll fit, and fit well – otherwise, you might just spend the same amount on alterations as you would have done in-store. Before you make your purchase, double-check the website’s return policy just in case you have to send something back or swap it for another size.
If you start bridesmaid dress shopping in plenty of time, you can hold out for some cracking deals at end-of-season sales. You’ll be amazed at how many gorgeous dresses you can find at almost unbelievable prices if you’re first in line when the sales drop.
Why not think about going for a non-obvious dress style for your bridesmaids? For example, vintage-style tea dresses can be quite cheap to pick up, so having your bridesmaids in a selection from the same era will look cohesive and unique but not cost the earth. Alternatively, midi dresses are everywhere – capitalise on this by getting some formal-looking dresses for an informal price.
7. Ask your bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses
If you’re conscious about your own budget, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking your bridesmaids to pay for their dresses. Just make sure you give them plenty of notice and don’t ask them to drop hundreds on a specific dress.
Trust your bridesmaids and give them a few guidelines, like length and colour, and let them pick out their own dresses – that way, they’re likely to be willing to spend more as they can pick something they know they’ll wear again. Just check you’re happy with them before the big day.
Your bridesmaids don’t all need matching clutches and shoes – ask them to stick to a colour scheme and style and let them buy their own or wear something they already have.
Be brave and think ahead of the curve. Bridal jumpsuits are all the rage, but bridesmaids’ jumpsuits aren’t quite at the same hype just yet. This means they likely won’t have super premium price tags next to them, which is ideal if you’re looking to cut costs. Your bridesmaids would not only look incredibly chic in jumpsuits, but have money left over too.
If you’re keen on shopping at a boutique for your bridesmaid dresses (after all, nothing can compare to the luxury of boutique garments, or the experience of specialist service and attention), why not be brave and negotiate with the owner? You might struggle if you’re only buying a single dress, but if you’re buying multiple dresses (or even your wedding dress itself), you might well get a small percentage knocked off the final bill. When you’re spending hundreds (or even thousands), every little saving you make will quickly add up.
Little girls wearing the most adorable dresses while walking down the aisle with flowers on their heads can be a super cute addition to your wedding ceremony. So if you or your beloved have a daughter or maybe some adorable nieces or younger cousins, we’re sure you’ve thought about including them in your wedding party as a flower girl. While we all know a flower girl should look sweet, what do you need to think about to make sure your flower girl is cute and up for the job?
In this post, we’re going to look at everything you need to know when it comes to flower girls, including what they do, how old they are and whether or not you need to have one at your wedding.
Flower girls have been a common role at weddings dating back to ancient Rome, when young girls would carry bunches of wheat and scatter herbs down the aisle before the bride joined the groom at the altar. This was a symbolic gesture to wish the couple good luck in their life as they looked to start a family.
This has evolved over time, but only slightly. During medieval times, flower girls would ward off sinister spirits by carrying garlic. Only during the Victorian era did flower girls start to resemble those of modern times, becoming part of the bridal party to carry and scatter flowers and petals. While what the flower girl carries has changed over time, it continues to symbolise good luck and fertility – for those looking to start a family, of course.
A flower girl is usually the daughter of a friend or relative, and is someone happy to play a part in your wedding. The flower girl will walk down the aisle, after the bridesmaids but before the bride, holding a basket of rose or other flower petals, which they’ll scatter on the floor. They will then either stand with the rest of the bridal party, or rejoin their parents to sit and watch the rest of the ceremony.
Some flower girls may also be given bubbles to add an extra touch of magic. This is particularly beautiful if you have two or more flower girls, with one scattering petals while the other blows bubbles.
A flower girl is often someone who’s close to you, such as a younger sister, niece, cousin, or daughter of a close friend.
Sometimes it will be an obvious choice. But, if you’re part of a large family, and have more than one potential flower girl, don’t panic, this will only work in your favour. It can be a little overwhelming for one flower girl to be the centre of attention, especially if she’s very young or shy. This is why it’s nice to have a pair of flower girls, so that they can look after one another and help each other with their duties. Besides, if there’s a little group of flower girls, they’re guaranteed to have more fun and look extra cute as they walk down the aisle in their gorgeous dresses.
Traditionally, a flower girl is somewhere between the ages of four and nine. Any younger and they might find your wedding a challenge and any older and they’re more likely to be promoted to junior bridesmaid.
Flower girls are frequently seen at weddings around the world. It’s a great way to involve younger guests in your wedding, as well as to introduce the bride. But, if you don’t have any girls under nine in your family or friends circle, you’re hosting an intimate wedding or you simply don’t want a flower girl, then it’s not something you should feel obliged to include. While having a flower girl at your wedding is a cute addition, it’s not something that will impact your big day in any way should you not have one.
How many flower girls can you have at your wedding?
The traditional number of flower girls to have at your wedding is one, but it’s becoming increasingly more common to have two or even three. Basically, if you have several cute contenders and you can’t decide who gets the part, you can have as many flower girls as you like. That being said, you might want to avoid things getting out of hand if you have too many, so it’s probably best to stick to a smaller number. If there are older girls in your family and you’d love for them to be a part of your wedding, why not ask them to be a bridesmaid instead?
Flower girls may not play a large or key role in your wedding, but it’s still important and requires them to follow a few simple rules. So, your chosen flower girl will need to follow a few guidelines so you can be confident everything goes to plan, such as:
They’re happy to have attention on them from admirers at your wedding, including during the ceremony as they walk down the aisle.
They can follow instructions and are happy being told what to do.
They can attend any rehearsals you might have.
They’re enthusiastic and excited to play a part in your big day.
They can be on time and well-behaved.
They’ll also need to be happy to be included in the customary photo shoot, which usually requires a little more patience than it does for other guests, as the wedding party invariably are usually featured in more photographs.
What does a flower girl do on the morning of the wedding?
On the morning of the big day, it’s common for the flower girl to get ready with the rest of the bridal party. It’s a great way to help your flower girl feel included and a big part of your special day. This does depend on your relationship with the flower girl and if she’s old enough and has enough confidence to spend time away from her parents (unless she has other relatives, such as her mum, who are also part of the bridal party).
If your flower girl can’t get ready with the rest of the bridal party, then ask her parents to arrive at the venue in plenty of time to make sure they’re happy and settled before their big moment.
Do flower girls walk down the aisle before the bride (and bridesmaids)?
As the youngest (and most adorable) members of your wedding party, your flower girls may not fully understand what’s expected of them on your wedding day or why it’s such an important role in your wedding. A nice way to get your flower girls excited ahead of the big day is to present them with a children’s book about flower girls (this is one of our favourites). This way, you’re giving their parents an opportunity to fully explain what’s required of them on the day of the wedding, to calm them if they’re feeling nervous and make them feel special. After all, if a book is written about their role, it must be important!
Another nice idea is to organise a lunch with all the flower girls before the big day. That way everyone can become besties beforehand and you can talk them through what they have to do.
On the day itself, it’s a good idea to allocate one of your bridesmaids to look after them and make sure they walk at the right time, know where to sit and feel happy about what they’re doing.
Traditionally, a flower girl’s dress has to strike a perfect balance between the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses. The majority of flower girl dresses have the long puffy skirt silhouette with a high neck, with or without sleeves, depending on the weather. While the long skirts look absolutely lovely and make the flower girls feel like princesses, make sure you choose carefully so they don’t trip as they make their way up the aisle. We also find that while the majority of dresses are white, they will have a sash, or another small pop of colour, that ties them together with the bridal party.
If you’d like your flower girls to look less like the bride and wear a dress similar or identical to that of your bridesmaids, then you can absolutely do this. Not only will this look beautiful, but your flower girls will love wearing the same dress as other members of the bridal party.
Traditionally, the mother of the flower girl pays for the dress, while the couple or the bride’s parents (whoever is footing the bill) cover the cost of the flowers, basket and anything else the flower girl might need.
However, this all depends on your budget. These days, more and more couples are paying for their own wedding. For more information, read our post on who traditionally pays for what at a wedding.
In a similar way to how you might give your bridesmaids a token gift to show your appreciation for being a part of your wedding, you may also want to do the same for your flower girls. It’s by no means a requirement, but it’s a kind and thoughtful gesture that shows your flower girls how much it means to you that they were there to play a role in your special day.
A gift for your flower girls doesn’t need to be anything big or expensive. A small toy, a book, or a teddy bear is more than enough so it doesn’t need to add too much to your wedding budget.
If you’re excited to ask one of the little girls in your life to be a flower girl at your wedding, bear in mind the following five tips to make sure everything is as close to perfect as it can be.
Don’t ask more than two or three girls to be flower girls at your wedding. Any more and it might be difficult to get them to do what you need them to do. Plus, the more flower girls you have, the more they’re likely to get up to mischief.
Be as open and honest as possible with your flower girls, and invite them to make decisions so they feel part of your day. They’re probably used to being told what to do, but they’ll be far more enthusiastic if they feel empowered by being allowed to make some decisions, no matter how small they might be.
Make sure you order the dresses as close to the wedding date as possible, as children grow exceptionally quickly! The shop assistants will be able to help you, as they have years of experience in this. Be prepared to go up a size from the girl’s current age when ordering, to make sure the dresses won’t be too small once the big day arrives.
Make sure that the dress design you choose is a practical and comfortable one. Kids run around, fidget and generally don’t have the patience for restrictive designs, so prevent any tantrums ahead of time and think cute but comfortable.
Instead of (or as well as) a book, some brides give a piece of jewellery or a small gift to the little ones to say thank you for being part of the wedding. Obviously, they love this and feel very important!
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Wahooo you’re speeding through the planning! Your wedding is starting to magically appear in front of you and you’ve got the hottest line up of girls to party with throughout. But what do they wear? With all their different shapes and sizes, as well as all the styles, colours and lengths of dresses out there, it can be a fashion overload. Have no fear! With our carefully written guide, you will have a super time shopping (and drinking bubbly) and come W-day they will look awesome – obviously not as beautiful as you though!
Make sure the bridesmaids compliment the overall look of your wedding dress. No, no, no, of course they don’t have to be identical! But say if you’re wearing a beautiful Gatsby-inspired dress, think flappers for the bridesmaids!
By Anna Clarke Photography
2. Styles and cuts
It’s unlikely that all of your closest chums will be the same height and shape. What looks stunning on one, may look horrible on another. Sneaky tip: A-line skirts and empire waistlines will look good on most people. Or why not have slightly different dresses for each person – so one friend can wear long sleeves, while another sports a strapless number. Go for the same colour and material but alter them slightly to suit each person.
Don’t forget about their comfort! Don’t whack them all in backless mini dresses without asking! Check with them first, because if they are uncomfortable it will be obvious in the photographs – and more importantly they may not hit the dance floor!
By Millie Benbow Photography
3. Colours
Just as all body shapes are different, so are skin tones and hair colours. Again, you will want to pick something that will make all of your girls happy and luckily, you can! Pick one colour palette and allow them to pick different shades. That way, your girls can range from deeper hues to pastel shades and all feel fabulous.
By Anna Clarke Photography
4. Decisions, decisions
Why not let your bridesmaids choose their own dresses (approach with caution!) Stick to a colour and a length, occasionally, a material can work well too. Patterns can look fantastic, but try not to clash. This is a great option for the girls, as they may want to wear the dresses again, but you might want to keep an eye on what they choose.
Make sure all of your gals get measured properly! Whichever dress you choose, alterations are a must. For that, the girls will need their bust, waist and hip measurements taken, at least.
Similarly, if one of your bridesmaids becomes or is pregnant, you don’t need to worry. Bridesmaids dress shops and the vast majority of seamstresses will be able to adjust the dress for her needs – with the new addition!
Listen up! Not being apparent about budgets can cause tensions between friends and no one wants that – it’s meant to be all bubbles and celebrations! Traditionally, bridesmaids buy their own dresses, but you will need to be aware of their finances before you set a budget! If you fall in love with a dress but it’s a bit pricey, why not cover the difference in the cost for the bridesmaids? Smiles all round!
By Anna Clarke Photography
7. Shopping – the fun bit!
When you’re selecting the best dresses (with champagne in hand!) We recommend you hit the shops with your nearest and dearest – make a day out of it! Best to go with a couple of the girls to make a decision for everyone, as too many opinions can become confusing. Then you can send everyone in at different points to check they are happy and to have their fittings.
Go crazy with hair accessories, flowers, brooches and anything else that comes to mind. Never underestimate a pretty bolero or a tactically wrapped shawl. These accessories can make a bridesmaid feel great, especially if she doesn’t want to bear her shoulders or her back, or needs to cover up in the church.
Don’t forget about your bridesmaids’ shoes. While high heeled pumps may look great, they may not be comfortable for everyone. We suggest you give your girls guidelines on style and colour and they can pick shoes that they are comfortable in. One less thing for you to think about – done!
Hurray, you’ve reached the point of wedding invitations. Once you send these out, the excitement will really start to build – they make it more real! But before you dunk your pen in the inkpot, take a second, because once you start addressing your invitations, you may find that there are quite a few unclear areas. Who should the invitations be coming from? What is the correct way to address them? Here are some templates to help you along the way – happy inviting!
*at the marriage of his daughter if the hosts are Father and stepmother
By Anna Clarke Photography
Where a stepfather is the host:
Mr Stephen Jones
requests the pleasure of
your company at the marriage
of his stepdaughter
Katie Smith
to Mr James John Knight*
If the bride and groom are hosting:
Mr James Knight and Miss Katie Smith
request the pleasure of
your company at their marriage
By Especially Amy
If the father or mother of the bride is hosting:
Mrs John Smith
requests the pleasure of
your company at the marriage
of her daughter
Katie Smith
to Mr James John Knight
The ceremony venue, the date, the time and the reception venue should follow these. If the ceremony and reception are held at the same place, just omit the reception venue at the end.
Your wedding may be the biggest party you’ve ever thrown and the first time you’ve sent out formal invitations (it’s super exciting, we know). Before deciding on a stationer, consider meeting with a few and ask them a bunch of questions. We know there’s so much choice and so many beautiful things out there making it hard to decide – so we’ve put together a list of questions to ask, to work out what you should be looking for.
1) Can I see some recent real wedding examples from other couples?
Seeing the full suite of stationery from other weddings will give you a clearer idea about the designs and quality of the invitations, which isn’t always apparent when looking at an online gallery.
2) What types of printing do you offer and which would best suit my budget?
There are different types of printing, all of which vary in price, with the cheapest being digital print and the most expensive being engraved printing. Read more about the differences here.
3) Do you do your printing in-house or do you outsource?
In-house printing can be helpful in case an error is made and a fast re-print is necessary.
4) Can you do custom invitations?
As you will require an example of the custom design, find out if you will be charged for it or not.
5) Is there a word limit that I need to stick to?
Very important if you are not following the traditional wedding invitation wording!
6) Can I order all my other stationery from you, as well as the invitations?
The full suite will typically include Save The Dates, RSVP cards, information sheets, table settings, menus and Thank You notes.
7) Can you incorporate an image of my choosing into the design? How much would that cost?
The prices will depend on the complexity of the image and how you want it incorporated into the overall design with gold embossing and hand-drawn images costing more.
8) Do you offer recycled paper or any other eco-friendly materials?
For any eco-warriors out there, you may want to print your wedding stationery on recycled paper. Make sure you enquire with your chosen stationer whether or not they offer this service and beware, often this can cost a few extra pennies!
9) Will I be able to approve my invitation before sign off?
Make sure that you are allowed to do this, to make sure that you love the design and that there aren’t any spelling mistakes!
10) If revisions need to be made, will there be an extra fee for them?
If for some reason you have to change the time of your ceremony or reception, you will want to know how much to budget for any revision emergencies!
11) How long will it take for me to receive the finished product?
This is especially important if you are doing an A list and a waitlist, so that you know when to schedule the first wave of RSVPs!
12) I assume envelopes are included? Can we add some extra details on them – how much would that cost?
It is becoming more and more popular to do flower envelopes or envelopes with a decorated inside, so find out how much you will need to pay for these envelopes vs the traditional ones!
13) How much will it cost me to mail each invitation (including the RSVP card and information pack)?
You don’t want your invitations being held hostage in the Post Office because you didn’t price them accurately! We also suggest you check international postage fees for any abroad chums.
Once you’ve secured some of the biggest aspects of your wedding, such as your venue and catering, you can start thinking about inviting your friends and family to be there on your special day. Of course, that means you need to send out dozens of wedding invitations letting everyone know about the date, time, place, food, gift registry and more.
It’s a super exciting part of your wedding planning journey. However, just like with every other step of planning your wedding, it comes at a cost.
In the UK, couples spend an average of £400 on wedding stationery, which includes your save-the-date cards, invitations, name cards, seating plans, signage, menus and more. Basically, it includes anything that requires printing or writing onto card or paper. Your stationery certainly isn’t the biggest cost associated with your wedding, but when the average UK wedding costs £20,775, even the smaller costs can make a difference to your overall wedding budget.
But, that’s not to say that you need to spend even close to this amount on your own wedding stationery if you can’t afford it. There are plenty of tips and tricks you can utilise to spend less but still get wonderful, on-theme invitations and more. In this post, we’re going to explore how to save money on wedding stationery to help you stick well within your budget.
Just because you don’t want to spend anything close to the average doesn’t mean you’ll have sub-par stationery. With a touch of creativity and thriftiness, cheap wedding stationery can still be effective and make an impact.
Consider sending paperless post, especially for your save the dates. Save the dates don’t need to be as formal as invitations, so have fun with them and get creative – though you’ll probably want to do a little more than a text. Sending electronic save the dates is great, as they’re cheaper than paper and you can track who opens them too (fantastic if you want to make sure that everyone received and read your important news). Also, websites like Paperless Post have some stunning designs, with designers like Oscar de la Renta and Kate Spade bringing a touch of chic to your online post.
Alternatively, you could create a video save the date, which you can upload to YouTube as unlisted and share with everyone you want to come. Something like this is unique and fun, and will help your guests to remember to keep their calendars free.
When picking your invitation design, have a look at our enormous directory of fabulous stationery suppliers. There’s a huge selection of styles, as well as opportunities for bespoke design if you’re feeling creative. The best part is, with so many options available, you’ll be practically guaranteed to find a supplier that suits your budget. Many will be able to create unique, handmade invitations that match the style of your wedding.
It’s also worth checking out sites like Vista Print, which will usually be able to print your invitations for a lower rate. The downside is that unless you also hire a professional designer, you’ll have to pick from a selection of templates. If you do this, your invitations won’t be unique to you, but they will save you plenty of budget. So consider what priorities are most important to you.
You know that beautiful colour you’ve chosen that ties your entire style and motif together? You should definitely use it on your stationery. Choosing one colour for your invitations saves on printing and gives them a modern and elegant look. It also helps to keep everything cohesive.
This may be risky – especially if you only have a cheap printer – but if you have a decent home-office setup it’s worth considering. Ask for your invitations to be sent to you in PDF format and print them at home yourself. This is especially useful if you have to do some last-minute re-prints or additions. Alternatively, if you have an understanding employer, why not save more money and print a few things from the office? Just make sure you don’t print hundreds of sheets in one go and annoy your colleagues by hogging the printer all afternoon.
Be aware that the DIY printing route may save you money initially, but it isn’t without its drawbacks, and is unlikely to give you the clean, polished look of professionally-printed wedding stationery. And if you mess up, it may cost you more in the long-run, as you’ll have wasted lots of paper and ink.
Once you’ve sent your invitations, save some money on return postage and ask your guests to RSVP online. This will be brilliant when you start chasing people up or start on your seating plan. You can even do this for free by setting up a brand new email address: something like tomandjenwedding2024@email.com will more than do the trick. That way, you won’t have to use your own email address and risk emails getting lost among your day-to-day emails.
While a professional service will produce fantastic state-of-the-art wedding invitations, they’re not necessarily cheap (after all, you get what you pay for). If you have either experience using design software or crafting with paper, you can generally save a lot of money by simply designing your invitations yourself. Then, you’ll have all the designs at your disposal, so you can make any changes you need to later on and not pay a penny.
Alternatively, you could always take a few calligraphy lessons and have a go at hand-writing your invitations for the extra level of class and elegance. Calligraphy is a tricky skill, but there are plenty of tutorial videos available on sites like Calligrascape. Just keep at it and make sure you have plenty of practice before sitting down to write your final invitations.
Do note that while the DIY approach can of course be cost-effective, there are some risks to be aware of. Designing your invites, sourcing the paper, having them printed, assembling your invites, addressing your invites… it all takes a lot of time, especially when you’re also juggling plenty of other pre-wedding tasks.
Designing, finding the paper, buying the paper, printing the invites or finding someone to print for you, assembling the invites, addressing envelopes… the time all adds up when creating wedding stationery at a moment in your life when you’re juggling lots of pre-wedding tasks. Mulling over the right font and design might be stressful as well, not to mention it might not be as cheap as you think! Beautiful wedding stationery can require expensive kit and materials which isn’t readily available to you in the way that it is for a professional stationer. Plus, many wedding stationers buy their card and embellishments in bulk, and have a well-researched list of wedding suppliers to help them keep costs low. Buying in the smaller quantities or from mainstream retailers used for DIY comes with a premium, so make sure you factor this in, and weigh up both options carefully.
Instead of printing 80+ personalised invitations, why not reduce time and costs by not including the name of your invited guests? If you do want to include the recipient’s name, you could leave a blank space for you to write it out once the invitations are back from the printers.
It can be tempting to create fancy stationery, but every additional ribbon, foil trim or magnet you include will add to the price. If you want something a little more than a rectangular piece of card, consider a little low-cost creativity, such as a uniquely shaped invitation or by including some confetti inside the envelope.
Remember when you could get a book of stamps for about £1? Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and if you’re sending invitations to friends and family across the country (and beyond) you could end up spending close to £100 on postage alone. There’s nothing wrong with hand-delivering your save the dates and invitations, especially if it saves you a bunch of money.
To keep your invitations small (and costs down) only include information that’s relevant and important. For example, if you’re not offering your guests a choice of food, don’t worry about including a menu. And unless your venue is difficult to find, the name of the venue, the town or city, and the postcode should be more than enough.
One way to save a heap of space on your invitations is by directing people to your wedding website. If you’re confident in building websites you could do this yourself, or use a tool that offers you templates, like Wix.
Or, you could hire professionals to do it for you, like Simple Wedding Websites. A wedding website can be used for everything from sharing menus, a gift registry, detailed directions to the venue, and a form so your guests can RSVP.
Before you skip to the next tip, stick with us. When deciding how many invitations to order, just bear in mind that the more you order, the cheaper the cost will be per invitation. Plus, you’ll probably want to keep a few for yourself to stick on the fridge or frame later on.
For example, if you need 50 invitations, then by ordering 60 you might pay £2 for each, which will cost you £120. But, if you order 75 at £1.50 each, it’ll cost you £112.50. Not only is it cheaper, but you’ll also have some left over to keep or replace if one or two get lost in the post.
Using premium card or paper for your stationery is the way to go if you want that extra touch of luxury, but it could mean that you pay a lot more. Of course, you might not want to choose the cheapest option, but something middle-of-the-road will still be of a reasonable quality without eating into your budget.
Before you even consider sending your design to the printers, make sure you proofread your stationery several times. The last thing you want is to open your order and find that ‘Birmingham’ is spelt ‘Birnimgham’, and then have to correct it and have it printed all over again.
If you can, ask several people to proofread it for you. The more eyes the better. If you don’t want to do that, make sure you proofread it yourself at least a day after writing it so you approach it with a fresh pair of eyes. Another handy tip is to print it out so you can read it on paper, and read it aloud. Trust us, doing it this way will help you to catch mistakes that you otherwise might miss.
Before placing any orders, search on popular discount sites for codes that will save you money. Printers regularly have offers, like free shipping or 20% off, so don’t hit that final ‘submit’ button until you’ve had a thorough look for a valid code.
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Your wedding stationery plays a vital role in your big day – after all, without it, you wouldn’t have any guests! Before your guests have even stepped foot inside the venue, your stationery tells them everything they need to know: not just the date, time and location of your wedding, but other information such as the theme and (importantly) the food. It also continues to play a part once your guests have arrived and even after they’ve left, from letting them know where to sit, to a thank you card a week or two later.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at everything to do with the cost of wedding stationery, including the average cost, the cost of individual items, and what factors can affect the price you’ll pay.
Wedding stationery is the name given to any materials, either printed or written, that are used to provide your guests with information. Examples of wedding stationery include:
Save-the-date cards
Invitations
RSVP cards
Welcome signs
Order of service
Menus
Seating plans
Signage
Table numbers
Name cards
Thank you cards
Maps and directions
Accommodation information
Wedding stationery even includes any stag and hen party invites or rehearsal invitations if you’re taking the formal route.
The beautiful thing about wedding stationery is that the only limitations are your imagination. Even on a smaller budget, you can use your creativity to come up with unique designs, formats and styles to suit your taste and the theme of your wedding. If your wedding has a cinematic theme, your invites could be designed to resemble an invite to a movie premiere. If you’re going for a countryside theme, your name cards could be printed on little cardboard trees – the possibilities are only as endless as your creativity.
In the UK, the average amount spent by couples on professionally designed and printed wedding stationery is £384. This cost includes everything from save-the-date cards sent around a year before the wedding to the thank-you cards sent once you’re settling into married life.
Of course, this figure is an average (as explored in our ultimate wedding budget breakdown), so you can spend as much – or as little – on wedding stationery as your budget allows. You could take the DIY route and cut your spending right back, or have bespoke stationery handmade by a skilled professional.
The cost for professionally designed and printed wedding invitations starts from around £1.50 each. However, that cost can rise sharply depending on the skill and experience of the designer, as well as the level of detail and complexity you’re looking for.
For many couples, the single most important piece of wedding stationery is the invitations. So, even if you plan on saving money elsewhere, chances are you’ll be keen to send out perfect invites. That means, spending a little extra on the invitations can be worth it.
What factors can affect the cost of wedding stationery?
Because there are so many possibilities when it comes to wedding stationery, the cost can vary wildly. Some of the factors that can affect the cost include:
Quantity – This may be obvious, but the more guests you invite, the more stationery you’ll have to produce, and therefore the higher the cost will be. However, the more you order the cheaper they’ll often be per piece. For example, 40 invitations could come out at £3.35 each, whereas 50 or more could cost £2.15 each, so if you’re thinking about framing a few invitations, go for it, as it can bring your overall price down.
Vendor – A small company with limited staff and resources may charge more than a large company. Similarly, designers with more experience will have higher rates than those new to the industry.
Type of paper – there’s a big difference between premium card or paper and the paper you might pinch from the printer in the office. For example, smooth matte will cost around £1.33, whereas luxury pearl will cost closer to £1.60.
Printing method – More complex printing methods, such as stamping, engraving, and digital printing can be pricey and will affect the cost.
Handmade aspects – Bespoke, handmade pieces take a lot of time and care, so will cost a lot more than printing.
Complexity – A simple design will be more affordable than a complex design or a design with more illustrations.
Add-ons and decorations – Unique touches such as belly bands, twine wraps, ribbon or wax seals can enhance your stationery, but will also increase the price.
Time – Last-minute orders will often cost more than orders placed without a strict delivery date.
Stationery Suites
The price of your wedding stationery can also depend on how extensive you want your suite to be. The more items you have, the higher the overall price. A rough guide to this would be:
£85
£139.25
£300
25 wedding invitations and RSVP cards
25 wedding invitations, RSVP cards, thank you cards and save-the-dates.
25 wedding invitations, enclosure cards, RSVP cards, thank you cards, orders of service, menus, favour tags and table numbers.
We’ve already gone into detail about the overall cost couples pay for wedding stationery, but if you’re only looking for specific items of wedding stationery, below is a rough idea as to what you might pay for a professional service:
Save the dates
Cards – from £1.10 each
Magnets – from £1.50 each
Invitations
Single-sided – from £1.50 each
Double-sided – from £2 each
Wallets – from £2.50 each
RSVPs – from £1 each
Information cards – from £1.50 each
Map design – from £15
Ceremony stationery
Order of service – from £2.50 each
Welcome sign – from £10
Signs – from £5
Reception stationery
Seating plan – from £10
Name cards – from £0.50 each
Table numbers – from £2 each
Menus – from £1.50 each
After the wedding
Generic thank you cards – from £1 each
Personalised/photo thank you cards – from £2 each
Start planning your wedding with Bridebook
Here at Bridebook, we have a wide range of wedding stationery vendors that can help you design and print your perfect wedding invitations and other stationery. Sign up and start planning your big day today.
