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wedding ideas

What’s the Best Wedding Entertainment Ever?

by Ismay Ozga December 12, 2018

No matter what kind of wedding you’re planning, whether it’s a glam formal affair or an intimate gathering, it’s good form to keep your guests entertained. And there are SO many ways to do so – whatever the mood. Here’s some of our favourite wedding entertainment, from music to massage.

Capturing your guests

We’ve all been at a wedding with a photobooth and we all know how much fun they are. But have you ever had your portrait drawn at a wedding? Amy of The Portrait Machine does exactly that. She sits in her little booth, you put a ticket in a slot and she draws a super charming doodle of you through a peephole. It only takes a minute or so to do each portrait and you can chat to her in her booth in the meantime, which is surreal and brilliant. Along the same lines as Amy are the magical Roving Artists – Charles or Michael will wander amongst your guests, stopping to cut amazingly accurate silhouettes of them while they enjoy themselves – as Charles says “each group greets me with initial surprise and reluctance, followed by delight and astonishment at the silhouette.” Another wonderful idea for capturing some of the love and joy on your wedding day is to hire the Big Red Box – an iconic British telephone box that serves as an audio guest book. Your guests can go inside the box and record heartfelt (or hilarious) messages for you in privacy – then a few weeks after your wedding you’ll receive a little red box with a USB stick containing all of your lovely messages.

Wedding entertainment, kids at weddings, amazing art cart,

Wedding entertainment, kids at weddings, little top,

For the kids

If you’re having kids at your wedding, it’s a great idea to have some entertainment tailored to them, like the Amazing Art Cart – run by Dawn and her gang of artists and designers, this little cart will keep children of all ages busy cutting, sticking, drawing and making. Thanks to Dawn’s background in design, the cart is so colourful and fun-looking it’s bound to attract the kids’ attention. If you want to go all out and know the kids will be taken care of while the adults dance the night away, the Little Top is an excellent option. As wedding childcare specialists, they will set up their little tent area and fill it with everything your guests’ kids could want – toys, games, dressing up stuff, art and craft activities. Susie even offers a sleepover option where they’ll set up a wedding creche with a story time area, blankets, fairy lights, a film, popcorn, hot chocolate and of course trained child carers. Then your guests can collect the kids on their way home after they’ve partied the night away.

Wedding entertainment, karaoke, Rockaoke

Wedding entertainment, wedding smashers, music, DJ, Brass Junkies, brass band

Bring the noise

Why not bring a carnival atmosphere to your big day with a New Orleans-style brass band? Form a procession through the streets from your ceremony to your reception venue with the Brass Junkies leading the way. Or have them light up the dancefloor later in the night – whatever and wherever they’re playing, you can be certain that their high-energy, good-time music will bring all the joy. Another idea that is unusual (but so much fun) is to do karaoke – but not just any karaoke – live band karaoke. Your guests can get up on stage with a full rock band and belt out one of 200 songs in the band’s repertoire. The Rockaoke crew will make your guests feel like proper rock stars, even if they don’t quite sound like one. Of course, if what you really want is a brilliant DJ that will play a load of absolute bangers and keep your guests dancing all night long, then we highly recommend The Wedding Smashers. Wedding Smashers formed in 2010 when a shared love of Fleetwood Mac, 90’s Pop and UK Garage bonded Max, Lucy and Noah. The crew includes a hand-picked selection of London’s finest DJs, all united in their mission to play the tunes that will get you moving your feet and shaking your hips.

Wedding entertainment, bio glitter, temporary tattoo, ecostardust, hello doris loves

Wedding entertainment, massage, Helisa therapies, holistic

Feel good, look good

If you ask us, weddings are the ideal time to sport a glitter beard. Agree? Hire an eco glitter bar like ecostardust and they will send their artists to your reception to add some sparkle wherever it’s needed! Or if sparkles aren’t your thing, you can always toughen your guests up with some (temporary) tattoos from Hello Doris Loves. They’ll bring a tattoo station to your reception venue and adorn your guests with their fun designs. Want to make sure your guests feel good as well as looking their best? Get Kate of Heilsa Therapies to show up and treat your friends and family to her relaxing massage and reflexology treatments, either from her bespoke therapy trailer or in a cosy spot of your choice.

Think outside the box

When it comes to wedding entertainment, think about what kind of theme you want to go for (we’re not talking about whether you go for lilac or blue napkins – more what kind of vibe you want to achieve). If you want to give your wedding a festival/fairground feel, you could always hire funfair rides so your guests can squeal the night away! There are plenty of companies that do ride hire, such as Chippa. Get some stilt walkers to wander among your guests – in the right setting this will be incredible. And never, ever underestimate the appeal of donkey rides – hire some gorgeous donkeys to take the kids up and down – they’re guaranteed to love it. If you’re going for a South American vibe, swap your donkeys for a llama, like our gorgeous couple Alex & Sam! Think outside of the box so you can really surprise your lovely friends and family.

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Party Planning

5 Independent Drinks Brands We Love

by Ismay Ozga December 5, 2018

written by Ismay Ozga

Whatever you’re celebrating, one thing’s a given – you’re going to need some drinks. Alcoholic or non, you’ll want some delicious (preferably bubbly) stuff to serve at your party so it goes with a bang. Of course there are the cheap and cheerful go-to brands at your local offie, but here are some of Patchwork’s favourite independent UK drinks brands and why we think you need them at your party.

Party drinks, BeerBods, Independent drink brands

Everyone loves BeerBods

Patchwork friend and founder Matt Lane sources all the best independent beers and packs up a box for you. So you get all the glory of choosing great beers without actually having to do the hard work. Each beer is made by a small independent brewery and has a story behind it, so if you get stuck in a corner at a party you can always read your can. Beerbods are perfect whether you’re having a decadent, fully catered affair or if you’re filling the bath with ice and getting everyone to help themselves. Your guests will love the beer (and you) either way – and if they really like what they taste, they can sign up to the Beerbods monthly beer subscription.

Naked wines, Wine, Independent drinks brands, party drinks

Get Naked (wines)

We love the concept of Naked Wines. Entirely funded by their customer community they invest in a selection of talented, independent winemakers. So as a member you pay £20 a month, then you get to choose from all of their lovely wine at a 25-50% discount, and independent businesses are supported by your input. Good wine and the joy of people power in action, what more could you want? We’ve always had Naked Wine at our own Patchwork parties and can highly recommend their huge variety – we’ve tried bubbles, organic, reds and whites and we’ve never met a drop we didn’t like. Plus, they’re wine experts, so whatever you need for your celebration, whether it’s a summer ‘do or a cosy winter gathering, just ask and they’ll be happy to advise you.

Seedlip is for sophisticated non-drinkers

We first heard Ben (Founder of Seedlip) speaking at an eatbigfish event which introduced us to some great challenger drinks brands. Ben shared some personal insights about not wanting to have to order juice or Coke at parties and how he felt as a non-drinker basically reduced to a child at the bar. He, of course, wanted to feel as sophisticated as his alcohol-drinking friends. So, he created the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit brand. We think having good non-alcoholic drinks options at parties is a thoughtful, considerate thing to do – every party goer should feel grown-up and elegant with a delicious drink in-hand. Mix up some Seedlip cocktails or simply serve with tonic. Yum.

Our Vodka, London Vodka, Independent drinks brands, party drinks

Our Vodka, your vodka

Our/Vodka started in Sweden, but soon branched out to cities across the globe, setting up micro-distilleries in each new place. All of their vodkas have a different character and taste as they source all of their ingredients locally. Our/Vodka London is made from British wheat using a unique yeast originally found in wine production and is bottled under the arches of Hackney Downs. The thing we love about vodka is its versatility – whether it’s a warming winter tipple or a fruity summer cocktail, you can easily create something delicious to fit the mood. And if you’re feeling slightly worse for wear the morning after your party, you can even use your leftover vodka to make Patchwork Founder Liv’s favourite – a Bloody Mary.

You can’t have a party without Sipsmith

Everyone loves gin and tonic, whether you’re a cucumber or classic lime type. So you know serving a fresh G&T at your party is bound to go down a treat. You can’t move for independent gin distillers at the moment, but wherever you are in the country you’ll find Sipsmith. Once a little Hammersmith start-up, they are now happily taking over with their delicious hand-crafted gin. This is a drink that caters to all tastes and encourages trying new flavours – whether it’s in a ‘Millionaire’s’ Martini or a simple G&T served with Fever Tree tonic. And for a bit of extra theatre, why not book the Travelling Gin Company to serve your guests from their bicycle. Or the Lucky Pineapple – a giant golden pineapple from which you’ll be served boozy delights.

Team Patchwork’s favourite party drinks:

“My favourite party drink is a cocktail called Shakey Pete’s Ginger Brew, which was created by a bartender called Pete Jeary at the Hawksmoor. It contains Beefeater gin, ginger, lemon and London Pride beer. It’s like a homemade ginger beer shandy, with an added gin kick. It’s SO delicious and refreshing.”

Ismay, Creative Director

“Mine’s a Twinkle – it’s Prosecco topped with elderflower cordial and vodka and it just makes you feel twinkly. Perfect for any party, any time of the year and delicious and totally appropriate from 11am if it’s a very special occasion.”

Olivia, Founder

“Has to be a Dark and Stormy – it’s super tasty and reminds me of my Grandpa who always had a cocktail in the evening and who’s nickname was Stormy – perfect!”

Kate, Design

“Honestly, my party drink of choice would be champagne, or a nice English sparkling wine, followed by a good dry white wine, with possibly some frozen grapes in to keep it chilled.”

Rosie, Customer Experience

“I think this shows that I’m a total lush but I think for parties out and parties in I’d choose something different. For nights out on the town an Espresso or French Martini to jump start the evening (but after two most of my martini starts sloshing over the side of those impossibly wide flat glasses). With that in mind, for parties at home I would definitely go for an endless flow of prosecco or champagne – perfect party bubbles and zero stress for the carpets!”

Kim, Commercial Director

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Wedding Planning

Top 10 Unusual Wedding Venues in London

by Ismay Ozga September 28, 2018

written by Ismay Ozga

We asked Tom Powell from HeadBox, the fastest growing venue finding platform in the UK and Ireland, to give us a rundown of his top 10 wedding venues in London. Planning a wedding in the city but haven’t found the perfect spot yet? Read on for Tom’s varied list of venues – you might just uncover a hidden gem. Once you’ve found your venue, use Patchwork Gift Registry to invite friends and family to help with those important wedding day details, from writing the place cards to making the cake, everyone can help make your day extra special.

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life. Celebrating with your nearest and dearest is a special occasion and you want to make sure everything, down to the smallest detail, is planned to perfection. The biggest part of organising a wedding is finding the perfect venue as this determines how big or small your guest list can be, your food choices, your date and even your dress code.

Long gone are the days of boring wedding venues. Our happy couples are increasingly turning to more unusual venues to celebrate their big day. Whether you’re looking for cheap, outdoor, small or large, we’ve got plenty of wedding venues and reception venues so you can find your dream location.

From industrial to quirky, here at HeadBox we know a thing or two about unusual spaces. Lucky for you, we’ve gathered a selection of the best wedding venues in the UK to help you find the perfect spot for your big day. Whether you need a venue for your ceremony or your wedding reception, we’ve got you covered.

De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms

315-1,500 Guests – from £55 per Guest

Situated within a stone’s throw of the sights and sounds of Covent Garden, the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms is one of the most glamourous wedding venues in the capital. With a history dating back to 1775, this Grade II Listed building is decorated with ornate features including beautiful wood-panelling, a sensational marble chequerboard floor and dazzling chandeliers that will delight your guests.

The De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms can host weddings of all shapes and sizes with the Grand Hall capable of hosting up to 750 guests while smaller spaces are also available including the iconic Crown Suite with its ornate domed ceiling.

Victorian Bath House

40-150 Guests – from £2,000 minimum spend

Victorian Bath House is a hedonistic hideaway beneath London’s busy streets. Part of the Camm & Hooper collection, Victorian Bath House is a stunning venue which dates back to 1817. The Grade II listed building combines original decor with impeccable service and innovative catering that is guaranteed to provide an unforgettable event experience. The versatility of the Victorian Bath House means that the venue is able to accommodate for almost any wedding, no matter how big or how small.

At the Victorian Bath House, they don’t do ordinary. The venue offers inspirational menus, innovative dining concepts and above all else, delicious food that is guaranteed to impress your Guests.

Trafalgar St. James

110-200 Guests – from £2,000 per day

Darwin meets Dali in this brand new venue at Trafalgar St. James – a destination that is sure to indulge the escapist in all of us, transporting guests from the mayhem of central London to a sanctuary of the surreal and unfamiliar.

The combination of standing space and lounge seating, along with a sumptuous selection of cocktails, canapés and bowl food will add the perfect touch to your soirée.

Complete with large, bright windows looking onto Trafalgar Square, exotic interiors and Rockwell, a fabulous bar, this is the ideal venue for a wedding drinks reception for up to 200 guests or a wedding breakfast for up to 100.

Shoreditch Town Hall

Up to 750 Guests – from £1,700 per hour

The magnificent Shoreditch Town Hall is one of the grandest civic buildings in the capital with Spaces that are guaranteed to impress.

Ceremonies at Shoreditch Town Hall take place in the Large Committee Room, an expansive space considered the largest and brightest at the venue. Comprised with a high buttressed ceiling and large windows along its length, the Large Committee Room is a distinctive space with fine Edwardian features.

For extra privacy and exclusivity for your big day, the adjoining Committee Rooms on the first floor are perfect.

Under the Hull, The Cutty Sark Greenwich, Wedding Venue

Under The Hull, Cutty Sark

Up to 450 Guests – from £8,000 per evening

Under The Hull at Cutty Sark is one of the most unusual Spaces in the city. Built in 1869, the ship takes pride of place in Greenwich where it sits in the most spectacular setting near the Thames. It’s actually the only ship in the world where guests can dine and entertain underneath – so it’s perfect for your big day.

Under The Hull is a modern Space that makes a truly unique wedding location, able to accommodate up to 450 guests, it’s a great venue for a large-scale wedding do. The glass canopy floods the dock with natural daylight, whilst built in lighting makes her copper clad hull glimmer in the evening. So, for a day you’ll never forget choose Cutty Sark to say ‘I do’.

The Portico Room Somerset House, Wedding venue

The Portico Rooms, Somerset House

42 – 200 Guests – from £9,000 per day

Somerset House is an iconic London venue, the best of the best. Have a day that you’ll never forget by having your wedding reception in Somerset House.

The Portico Rooms offer a contemporary and elegant space within the famous house in Westminster. With expansive windows that flood the rooms with natural daylight. The gorgeous Portico Room has balconies either side, giving guests uninterrupted views of the River Thames. We couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate after your big day.

Underground vaults wedding venue St Martin-in-the-Field

St Martin-in-the-Fields

40-130, from £1,300 per Day

St Martin-in-the-Fields is an architectural jewel sitting at the corner of one of the world’s most famous squares.

The venue has two spectacular spaces that come together to form the perfect backdrop to any wedding. The Crypts vaulted ceilings create an amazing atmosphere while the Gallery is a more intimate space to enjoy. There’s even the option for introducing an open-air feel to your big day by making the most of the stunning Courtyard. The beauty of St Martin-in-the-Fields is it’s versatility, providing a perfect blank canvas for you to let your ideas run free.

Club Bar, Clerkenwell Grind

20 – 70 Guests – from £1,000 per day

If you’re after chic and contemporary design, then Clerkenwell Grind is the place for you. This super stylish event space is a great party venue in London to celebrate after your big day. From day to night, Clerkenwell Grind is timeless. With the dusty pink chairs perfectly balanced with deep teal, it’s not hard to see why this stylish venue has won awards for its interior.

Able to accommodate anywhere between 20 and 70 people, the Club Bar at Clerkenwell Grind is a private space with modern interior and the perfect place to celebrate saying ‘I do’.

Darcie Green

30 – 100 Guests – from £1,250 per evening

Have you ever considered having your wedding reception on a boat? Well, why not? Darcie Green, part of the award-winning Australian restaurant group, is an unparalleled unusual London venue hire. Darcie calls the water-top near Paddington home and can accommodate up to 100 Guests, perfect if you’re planning a more intimate affair. Adding extra flare, the boats were designed by pop artist Peter Blake, who created a truly unique interior and exterior to the boats. So, hop aboard and enjoy fine food and wine at Darcie Green to celebrate your special day.

Darcie Green, wedding venue, London, alternative

Boyds Grill and Wine Bar

100 – 250 Guests – from £1,750

Boyds is a real showcase of British artisanal ingredients combined with international cooking techniques that will really impress your guests. Sip on fine wine by the glass in this beautifully unique Victorian venue in the city. Located in central London, Boyds is a flamboyant private party venue, perfect for the reception of your big day. With high ceilings, dramatic lighting and marble pillars, Boyds is truly a Space to impress. Whether you want a private dining event for up to 100 people or you want to go all out with full venue hire for 250, Boyds promise to give you a night you won’t forget.

So, there you have it. Our top ten unusual wedding venues in London. Throw the best private party of your life in one of these venues and party the night away on your special day. From laid back lounges to beautiful boats and eccentric Victorian affairs, London truly has something for everyone.

Tom is the Senior Digital Content Executive at HeadBox. HeadBox is the UK’s only SaaS enabled online marketplace where you can instantly search, book and pay for inspiring meeting, off-site and event Spaces.

Looking for an alternative wedding gift list or a stylish way to ask guests to contribute towards your honeymoon? Check out our gorgeous easy-to-customise templates and create a gift list that will make you and your guests smile.

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bride-and-groom-smile-at-each-other-with-cliff-and-sea-in-background

Patchwork Couples

Patchwork Couple: UK Seaside Wedding

by Ismay Ozga March 1, 2018

written by Ismay Ozga

Lizi and Andy met in 2012 at The Macbeth pub in Hoxton. She says it was fate – it was a hot June evening and they’d both ended up on the smokers’ terrace despite not being smokers. Lizi was having a heated discussion with a super rude man who had pushed one of her friends (drama!). And after the guy actually used the line “do you know who I am?!” Lizi (who had no idea who he was) had enough and chucked her G&T over his head (very unlike her, she says!). Andy saw the whole thing and thought to himself ‘she’s the one for me’. Things got serious pretty quick and they moved in together not long after. Fast forward a few years and the couple got married in an absolutely beautiful ceremony in Devon with their UK wedding. Read on for all the details.

woman with baby on her lap having her hair done

wedding invitation and floral arrangement on table

How did you get engaged?

We were in the Azores and I was 7 months pregnant at the time. We had spent a week and a half hiking and caving, and mostly in the rain! Then we splurged at the end of our trip on a super fancy boutique hotel in Furnas.

It turns out it had been a week of failed proposal attempts. This included a picturesque viewing point at the top of a mountain clouded entirely in fog and a lovely walk around a lake – tailgated by a coach-load of amorous teenagers!

man and woman in dress holding bouquet walking down country path

bride in wedding dress holding bouquet in field by cows

On our last day I suggested going for a walk on the beach. Andy thought I had cottoned on and was trying to help him out but in all honesty, I hadn’t a clue what he had been trying to do! We were walking along the cobbled beach and I was getting increasingly frustrated that Andy was pacing off in front of me (he was trying to get to a secluded part).

Just as I was yelling at him to slow down he turned around and dropped to one knee. I was so pleased to say yes. He had a promise ring made by a lovely Bristol based jeweller called Diane Porter which I love and continue to wear. We then chose the design and stone for my ring together. It’s a beautiful green Tourmaline and I love it!

What kind of UK wedding did you plan?

We had already committed to each other in so many ways. There’s a mortgage and more importantly (!) a son, Walter. Therefore, the seaside wedding was the cherry on the top. We wanted all of our friends and family with us for a massive party!

The UK wedding was a fully DIY job from the invites at the beginning to clearing up the morning after. I was on maternity leave from my job as an architect at the time. Our son Walt was not one for much sleep, so there was a lot of middle-of-the-night googling going on to find suppliers etc.

light blue land rover that has been converted in to a bar

We found a field right on the edge of the coastline at a dairy called Carswell Farm. Although he’d grown up in Surrey, Andy’s two brothers both live in the West Country. So it felt right to do it in Devon, near where I grew up.

We roped EVERYONE in to help. My older sister made my beautiful dress. Our families helped to dress the marquee. My Dad and Uncle built the bar on an ancient Land Rover. We then parked right on the edge of the dancefloor for the evening reception! It was the most random and best bit of the night. Pouring gin and tonics from the side of a Land Rover without having to stop dancing. Our friend Tim rigged up the massive sound system and we asked friends and family to compile 30 minute playlists. It was such a nice thing to do as it really made the evening distinct. We had a glam rock set, a country and western slot and then broke it down to more dancey stuff at the end of the evening.

What was your first dance?

We don’t really have a ‘couple song’ …repeatedly singing “we are the robots” by Kraftwerk or dancing along to the Desert Island Discs music were the only two ideas we had that represent our relationship! So we went with The You and Me song by The Wannadies. Our friends had actually used it a few years earlier. We loved the mix of lovely heart felt lyrics and upbeat music straight from our teenage years.

bride and groom dancing together on dancefloor

What was your favourite part of the day?

Lizi: Our ceremony was really special to me. A friend of my mum’s, Vanessa Fitzgerald is a celebrant and she helped us craft a really unique ceremony. We asked 5 friends and family members to read for us. Then my stepsister sang accompanied by a folk band, Dumbo’s Feather, who we also had play us back to the reception field. Andy’s mum had made canvas banners to represent each reading. We also then used the design of these banners to identify the tables so it all tied together really nicely.

The seaside UK wedding location was incredible, right on the edge of the coastal path. Thankfully the weather held out for us. To be honest, we didn’t really have a fall back plan if we couldn’t have the ceremony outside.

Another amazing part of it was walking up with my family. We had to wait for the 300 dairy cattle to pass us as they were blocking our route to the ceremony. In the three days before setting up the site it hadn’t occurred to us that the milking was the same time as the wedding!

bride and groom kiss guests throw confetti

bride groom and wedding guests standing in field

Andy: I loved when the speeches had finished and everyone got on the dancefloor. I had been nervous about making my speech. I really wanted to express my feelings and make everyone laugh and smile. They all went well. Everyone could then enjoy themselves on the dance floor next to ‘Nicky’ the Land Rover which doubled as the bar for the evening.

The speeches had run on longer than planned. But our amazing photographer, Joanna Brown, was due to leave so we rushed through cutting out incredible cake which Lizi’s step-mum made. We used a sword borrowed from Lizi’s Dad, who was in the Navy, it was totally exhilarating and mildly haphazard.

wedding guests sitting at table in marquee

Why was Patchwork the best wedding gift list for you?

I had googled our options extensively and liked the simple setup and the really clean graphics of Patchwork. What sealed the deal was meeting the team in person at the Most Curious Wedding Fair in Shoreditch (the only wedding/bride event I went to in the run up!)

What did you ask your wedding guests to chip in towards?

We are desperate for a new sofa. Our current one was £200 from eBay originally and its lived a hard life over the last 5 years and is telling the tales… lump of wood in the middle holding it up and all! We also used our Patchwork as a way for people to offer up their time and skills for our wedding itself – our friends pledged to make a dessert, bring blankets for the ceremony and they offered up their DJ skills for one of the 30 minute playlists. Because of this, the day was exactly what we hoped for. For us, engaging our friends and family in our day was really important.

Patchwork was so simple. Once you’ve added your own photos to the site, it looks really unique to you as a couple and the graphics are clear. Everyone found it very easy to use. There were a few older guests who struggled in one way or another. However, they picked up a phone and worked it out directly with the team so it was absolutely a 10/10 from them!

kids dancing on dancefloor with streamers

bride holding bouquet with sea in background

Have you bought your new sofa yet?

We have yet to buy the sofa as we are just in the process of buying a dilapidated house, so we are living with the old wreck for a while longer whilst we get the work finished.

We spend a lot of time lusting over Pinterest boards and can’t wait to pick a fabric though.

wedding party standing together in field cheering

Thank you so much lovely Lizi & Andy for sharing your sweet Patchwork story with us. And a huge congratulations from Team Patchwork!
If this has inspired you to make your own honeymoon fund patchwork, just customise one of our readymade patchworks or create one from scratch.

P.s Listen to Lizi & Andy’s first dance song in our ‘First Dance’ Spotify playlist, made up of our lovely Patchwork Couple’s first dances.
All photos by Joanna Brown Photography

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Wedding Planning

Your Non-Drinking Wedding Guests

by Ismay Ozga August 9, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

If you’re abstaining from alcohol for one reason or another, weddings can be a slightly daunting affair. No one wants to be stuck with a tap water in their hand while everyone cheers with elegant champagne glasses. Today we’re chatting to Laura, Co-Founder of the Mindful Drinking Festival, about what we can do to improve the way we cater for non-drinking wedding guests.

Alcohol can play a pretty big part in a wedding, can’t it?

Yes. Traditionally in the UK, weddings are pretty boozy occasions. There are many moments in the day when alcohol is expected. What’s more, they seem to be growing in number, from the Buck’s Fizz for breakfast to the speech-giving toasts. By the end of the day the free bar may have been maxed out and things can get a bit messy.

Do you think we tend to forget about non-drinking wedding guests?

We can do. One in five of your guests are likely to be trying to take it easy on the booze.

It is easy to forget that you will have some guests who are not drinking, or trying not to drink much. They may be driving, have caring responsibilities, or just not feeling like drinking.

Are we making people feel left out by not catering to them?

Well, members of Club Soda, the mindful drinking movement, often share the need to sneak in alcohol-free drinks for themselves to big weddings and events. They can’t quite manage on sweet sticky lemonade for the whole day, and water gets a bit boring after a while. Also their members who are brides and grooms-to-be are anxious about not getting too smashed on their big day. They want drinks that look the part to intermingle or totally replace the alcohol they are expected to drink. After all, they want to enjoy the day as much as they can, and keep all those lovely memories.

So both for yourself, and for all your guests, it’s good to make sure that there are enough nice non-alcoholic drinks options throughout the day.

What are your top tips for making sure everyone feels loved at your party?

Plan your non-alcoholic drinks.

First of all, do a bit of planning (always the place to start!). At what times and at what occasions will there be alcohol served? Welcome drinks, champagne toasts, wine with the meal, and so on? Are there non-alcoholic options for each of those? And are they drinks that people actually enjoy? Imagine how a sober person will feel, holding a tumbler of orange juice, when everyone else is making a toast with an elegant champagne flute in their hands…

If you already know your non-alcoholic drinks, great! You should have no trouble putting together an excellent drinks menu for your party. If you’re not so sure, take some time to do a bit of research. Club Soda does regular reviews and tastings of non-alcoholic drinks.

And if you are in London you can even come to the Mindful Drinking Festival. It’s in August and you can sample all the best options out there. Tesco is the best supermarket at the moment for their non-alcoholic drinks range, and great for ideas.

What are the options?

If you are looking for alternatives to champagne, then consider Eisberg alcohol-free sparkling wine or Botonique. Both look the part in a champagne glass. You can find other options in the online Alcohol-Free Shop.

Heineken® 0.0 tastes just like the real thing. No one will know if your guests have switched in order to pace themselves. For your craft beer lovers, Big Drop Brew has some highly acclaimed beers that will look very sexy on your wedding bar.

Craft sodas work for all ages, and Fentimans pink grapefruit or botanicals tonic work as a mixer for the gin lovers, but also taste great on their own. Their wild elderflower bubbly will also work for toasts or as a nice pick-me-up on a hot and busy afternoon.

Make sure the caterers know this is important

It’s good to talk to your caterers (if you use one) early on. Unless you ask, they will most likely just offer you their standard package. Which may not be great. We have spoken to a few of them, and they are always happy to talk about more exciting options. And if they are as good as they say they are, they can get you almost any drinks you want.

And if for some reason you really struggle to provide the non-alcoholic drink you’d like, there is always one last resort. Most non-drinking people already know what they like, and where to get it. You can ask the venue if it’s ok for your guests to bring their own bottles. And you can be prepared to pay a corkage fee. That way, all your guests will come to your special day safe in the knowledge that they will have something nice to drink. And you will have one less thing to worry about.

Thanks so much Laura. When’s the mindful drinking festival on?

The Club Soda Mindful Drinking Festival is on 20th July, from 11am to 5pm, at Spitalfields Market, London E1 6AA. Entry is free, but you can RSVP online at mindfuldrinkingfestival.com

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Patchwork Couples

Patchwork Couple: Dream Honeymoon to Mexico & New Orleans

by Ismay Ozga July 18, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

Amelia and Lee are proper childhood sweethearts. They’ve been together since they were 14 and 15, when Lee was in a band at school and Amelia was a loyal groupie. She’d wait for him at the bus stop every morning and they’d walk to school together. They even spent their days writing little notes and letters to each other. See – proper childhood sweethearts. They were smitten with each other, and they still are. On the day they married they’d been together for 11 years, 1 month, 1 week and 1 day. We asked Lee lots of nosy questions about their wedding and their Patchworked New Orleans and Mexico honeymoon registry…

How did you get engaged?

We got engaged on our 10 year anniversary, in bed. I presented Amelia with a photo album of our ten years together and once she had finished looking at the book I proposed with my Nan’s engagement ring. The ring had been passed down to me – adjusted to Amelia’s size secretly by my mum years before.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

Amelia planned what some have described as ‘relaxed’, ‘not traditional’, ‘intimate’ and ‘romantic’ wedding. Our ceremony was in the church next to our school where Amelia’s parents were married. Our reception was at ‘Poplars Hall’ – a beautiful old orphanage in Brentwood, Essex.

We had a buffet style dinner, in which we had our friends cater in the style of a jerk-pan BBQ, some meats and beautiful salads. Myself and my best man served our guests. Amelia had arranged benches for people to sit at with no seating plans. This encouraged a free and easy system where guests could move around and mingle easily. Our cake table was made up of home baked cakes from family members. There were two wedding cakes made by Amelia and her bridesmaid Joanna. Amelia made the decorations herself with the help of friends and family and the flowers were also all arranged ourselves the day before the wedding.

What was your first dance?

Our first dance was ‘Leon bridges – Coming Home’ – this was a last minute decision. We were actually set on only having a ‘last dance’ as something Amelia had really wanted, which was ‘St Vincent – Stars Aligned’.

What was your favourite part of the day?

My favourite part of the day – (obviously this is a difficult one) – was our ceremony, when it sunk in that we were actually married! I was crying, laughing, jumping in the air – it was pretty overwhelming.
Amelia’s – Our first dance, it was lots of fun especially as I was so against people watching me badly dance until a few days before! We made sure we had 30 seconds of planned dancing before everyone ran onto the dance floor to join us!

Why was Patchwork the best wedding registry for you?

We had previously used Patchwork a couple of years before for Amelia’s brothers wedding gifts. We had found it such a fun and easy way to give people exactly what they want!

What did you decide to ask your wedding guests for?

We wanted to fund our honeymoon – an incredible trip to Mexico and New Orleans. Amelia and I hadn’t been on a holiday together for what seems like such a long time! So we planned a ridiculous adventure which included paradise beaches and street parties.

It was so fun to create the patchwork and actually really helped in planning our honeymoon, finding all the fun things we could experience on our trip! It’s so so easy to use, I loved that you can even adjust it after it goes live, we didn’t realise items would ‘sell out’ so fast so it was ideal that it only took a few moments to up the quantities people could buy. It’s also great that you can look back to see who got what when writing thank you cards!
We had really positive feedback from our guests about how easy and fun it was to use! I have recommended it to so many people since.

How did you feel setting off on your honeymoon?

We felt so lucky and so special that people had been supportive of our gift selection, and extremely excited to go off and actually experience the things we had planned. The Patchwork was a great way for people to visualise our holiday and we mixed up the prices so much so that people could buy us something small and fun like 1 donut, or part of a flight!

Our honeymoon was absolutely incredible! We were so lucky to be able to go to 2 places, we went to Mexico in October which is known as off season however this meant we had the whole of Tulum beach to ourselves! It was incredibly hot so we were so so lucky it felt like a private paradise! New Orleans is the most amazing city we’ve been to, it’s southern hospitality at its finest! It’s so fun and vibrant, we didn’t want to leave, the food and cultures of both places are amazing and we couldn’t recommend them enough.

Thank you Lee & Amelia for sharing your patchwork story with us. And congratulations from Team Patchwork!

All wedding photography by threeflowersphotography.co.uk

If this has inspired you to make your own patchwork, just customise one of our readymade patchworks or create one from scratch.

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Patchwork couple intimate London wedding

Patchwork Couples

Patchwork Couple: Bea & Robbie’s Intimate London Wedding

by Ismay Ozga June 21, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

Bea and Robbie met in January of 2014 when they were both begrudgingly dragged along to a group date with some pals. Bea says there hasn’t been a day since that Robbie hasn’t made her laugh – the perks of marrying a stand up! Thank goodness they went along to that fated date, as last year they tied the knot in a beautifully intimate ceremony in North London. We asked Bea all about it.

How did you get engaged?

We got engaged on my birthday in the November of 2015. Robbie surprised me with a trip to Cornwall where we stayed on a dry docked boat in the middle of nowhere. I was confused when he made me get up so early for my birthday breakfast, but it turned out the ring was burning a hole in his pocket… He proposed over eggs and bubbles!

What kind of wedding did you plan?

From day one all we wanted was good people, good food and a good knees up. We had to save from scratch and didn’t want to hang about, so we had 9 months to get some money together and plan the whole thing. We did the whole thing locally in North London, opting for a non religious ‘ceremony’ hosted by our best pals followed by a big sharing feast and party at our favourite local pub.

What was your first dance?

September by Earth Wind and Fire

Why was Patchwork the best honeymoon fund for you?

Of the few ‘funding’ sites Patchwork was the easiest to use. It’s transparent about cost and it’s interface is breeze whilst looking really lovely. It was so easy to use. Everything from setting it up, to sharing our link, to transferring the money was so user friendly.

What did you ask for contributions towards?

We funded a whole list of lovely things we wanted to do on our honeymoon – we thought it would be nicer for someone to know they bought us a boat trip, or dinner at the top of a mountain rather than a gravy boat or a hand towel…

Setting off on our trip knowing everyone had chipped in felt like a big extension of our amazing day. We were thoroughly overwhelmed by the love and generosity of our family and friends and being able to think of them as we went on our adventure was such a nice feeling. Our friends loved how original the idea was.

Would you recommend your trip to other honeymooners?

We did a little road trip through Portugal and Spain for our honeymoon. Staying in Europe was amazing because we didn’t waste any time travelling before we could start our fun!

Thank you Bea & Robbie for sharing your patchwork story with us. And a huge congratulations from Team Patchwork!

If this has inspired you to make your own patchwork, just customise one of our readymade patchworks or create one from scratch.

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Wedding Planning

The Only Wedding Checklist You’ll Need – We Promise

by Ismay Ozga June 14, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

Wedding planning can feel a little bit overwhelming at times and that little niggling feeling of forgetting something can start to haunt you. Well don’t worry, we’ve come up with the ultimate wedding checklist, so that you can keep track of every little thing you need to do in the coming months. Sorted. Ps. skip to the end to download a printable PDF wedding checklist.

Newly engaged wedding checklist:

+ Drink champagne/beer/apple juice and cheers to each other

+ Tell your loved ones, shout it from the rooftops if you like

+ Enjoy this time together – soak up all those warm fuzzy feelings

+ Decide what kind of wedding you both want – what aspects of the day are most important to you? Try to start off on the same page

+ Decide if you want to elope – if so, ignore the rest of this list

white man and woman in wedding outfits in front of light blue wall — Joanna Bongard

11- 12 months before your wedding:

+ Buy a wedding notebook, or just open a brand new Google doc for all of your wedding checklist items

+ Make your wedding Pinterest board (and follow ours here) – it’s the most fun way to collect ideas (but don’t get overwhelmed by all the ‘stuff’)

+ Take a first stab at your guest list

+ Set your wedding budget (be realistic)

+ Pick a date!

+ Research venues, visit your favourites and book the one

+ Find your wedding photographer, set up a meeting and book them

9-10 months before your wedding

+ Choose your wedding party and ask them to do the honours

+ Start shopping for wedding outfits – don’t feel obliged to stick to wedding boutiques, there are plenty of other options around if you’re not keen – you can rent, or buy secondhand

+ Decide what to do about food – plan self catering or book a caterer

+ Start making your wedding website if you’re having one (they are handy for your guests to see all information in one place!)

+ Have a think about what kind of cake you’d like (a 3 tier lemon cake or a ‘bake off’ style dessert table? The possibilities are endless..)

+ Design and send your save the dates

+ Research your wedding invitations

+ Decide what to do about music – are you going to hire a band/book a DJ or create your own playlist?

+ Make a honeymoon Pinterest board and follow ours here.

A black woman in a white strapless vera wang wedding dress with a veil holds hands with a white man in a beige double breasted blazer, they are standing in front of some large metal tanks — The Chamberlins

5-7 months before your wedding

+ Book or ask a friend to be your wedding day MC – it will be super useful on the day to have someone telling everyone what’s happening and when

+ Book your DJ or band if you’ve gone down that route

+ Book your florist

+ Reserve hotel rooms for your wedding guests

+ Decide if you’re going to do your own hair and makeup, or if you’d like a professional to do it – research stylists in your area

+ If your wedding party are wearing suits, decide whether to rent or buy them

+ Have a think about wedding rings and decide on some styles

+ Schedule your hair and makeup trials if you’re using a professional

+ Book your wedding night accommodation (unless you’re heading home, in which case buy some extra special bedding so you can have a blissful first lie-in as a married couple)

Two white people smile while hugging with their noses touching, one is wearing a dress covered in applique shapes and a veil attached to a little red hat, the other has short hair and is wearing a red suit and a crown of leaves — Joanna Bongard

4 months before your wedding

+ Start your online honeymoon registry or create your cash gift list with Patchwork

+ Check your passports – you’re going to need them to be up to date if you’re going abroad for your honeymoon

+ Buy your wedding rings

+ Book your wedding transportation if needed

a graphic with a line drawing of an ipad which contains a screenshot of a patchwork honeymoon registry - the text at the top of the screen reads 'Our Honeymoon Registry' and there are images of different honeymoon experiences below it

3 months before your wedding

+ Send your wedding invitations, including a link to your Patchwork registry

+ If you need any dress/suit fittings, get them scheduled in

+ Start any of your DIY jobs, invite friends round to help (ply them with wine)

2 months before your wedding

+ If you’re writing your own wedding vows, start working on them now

+ If you’ve decided to make a speech, start jotting down ideas for that too

+ Do a bit of honeymoon planning – need a new swimsuit? Get that sorted now

+ Start wearing your wedding shoes around the house to make sure they’re comfy for the big day

A white man in a linen wedding suit holding hands with white woman in white wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers, the couple are laughing and there is confetti in the air — Wolf & Co

6 weeks before your wedding

+ Make final decisions or alterations to your wedding outfits

+ Finalise your vows and speeches

+ Make sure your food is sorted – finalise menus with caterers

1 month before your wedding

+ Put together your seating chart – post-its come in very handy at this point

+ If you’re having any hair or beauty treatments, book those appointments now

+ Making a wedding playlist? Get started on that now! Pick your favourite dancing songs, and maybe some chilled ones to play while your guests are waiting for you to enter the ceremony

+ Finalise any vendor payments

+ Plan the timeline for the day itself, so you know exactly what’s happening and when

+ Tell your wedding party any information they need to know ahead of the day – timings etc

+ Check your outfit fits!

+ Confirm any prop/furniture/suit hire

+ Go and get your marriage license

A white woman in a shimmery white long-sleeved wedding dress with a flower crown in her hair smiles widely on a street in front of a brick wall while holding a bouquet of dried flowers — Lisa Jane

2 weeks before your wedding

+ Confirm your final guest list

+ Give your photographer a list of shots you’d like on the day – want to get a picture with grandma? Make sure your photographer knows

+ Confirm delivery details with anyone dropping stuff off on the day (flowers, hired furniture, etc.)

+ Make sure you have a plan in place for the wedding venue setup and breakdown

1 week before your wedding

+ If you’re having a manicure, get it done now. And don’t do any washing up after.

+ Give your florist, caterers etc a contact number in case of emergencies – not your own. Maid of honour is usually a good call.

+ Make a little wedding day kit for emergencies – include make up, cotton wool buds, safety pins, a needle and thread, painkillers, plasters, hair grips and mints.

+ Pick up your dress/outfit if you need to

+ Try your whole outfit on (and do a little excited dance)

A black woman in a white wedding dress with a long train holding a white bouquet stands close to a black man in a white suit with a gold bow tie in front of a panelled wooden semi circular bench area — September Pics

1 day before your wedding

+ If you’re heading off for honeymoon straight after the wedding, make sure you have your transportation organised

+ Print your vows/speech

+ Take a few deep breaths and try and get an early night

On your wedding day

+ Be in the moment – with a lot going on you can get swept away, but make sure you take it all in

+ GET MARRIED!

A woman with bright orange hair wears a white off the shoulder wedding dress and holds hands with a person in a relaxed suit with a t-shirt. They stand among shipping containers — We Heart Pictures

After the wedding

+ Have a Buck’s Fizz for breakfast and toast to your marriage

+ Make sure vendors have been paid in full

+ Follow up with your photographer to check when you’ll get your wedding photos back

+ Ensure everything you hired has been returned

+ Send out thank you notes to people who helped with the wedding

+ Send personalised thank yous via Patchwork with pictures of you enjoying your gifts

Heading to the wedding? Don’t forget these things:

Rings
Outfit
Vows – if you’ve written them
Speech
Umbrella – just in case!
Marriage license
Wedding playlist
Underwear
Shoes
Comfy shoes for evening
Emergency kit
Wallet
Cash
Passport (if you’re leaving for honeymoon!)

Downloadable wedding checklist:

For a printable version of this wedding checklist just click here.

First image by Leesha Williams.

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Wedding Planning

£6k Wedding Budget: 6 Amazing Wedding Concepts

by Ismay Ozga March 24, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

Want to plan a stylish wedding on a super tight budget? Good news – you can. In fact, when it comes to event planning, unlimited cash and too many ideas can be a disaster. But having a strict budget and a clear vision actually makes planning less stressful, naturally more creative and almost always more impactful. Just stick to our four core planning principles, choose one of our six fully-costed wedding concepts (complete with superstar suppliers) for under £6000, then enjoy making your dream wedding a reality.

The four steps to success:

1. Don’t be trapped by tradition.

Don’t feel pressured into adhering to costly wedding traditions and etiquette if they don’t feel meaningful to you. Just start from scratch. Plan a wedding that celebrates your love and life together and includes the people you want to involve in whatever way works for you.

2. Think about numbers and make your decisions accordingly.

If you really want 200 people at your wedding, you can have them for £6000, but your wedding will look and feel very different if you choose to spend the same amount planning a wedding for just 50 people.

3. Don’t compromise on everything. Be clear what you’re prepared to sacrifice.

You don’t want to plan a wedding where you’ve had to scrimp on everything. Decide what’s important to you both and prioritise. For £6000 you can have a wedding abroad, a champagne reception, a Michelin star meal, a designer dress or a huge party. But you can’t have it all.

4. Agree your budget and concept. Then stick to it.

All the best planners know that any successful event has to start with a strict budget and a clear concept. These two unmovable facts then act as a filter for all the decisions you need to make. A clear concept enables you to save money by cutting away everything that is excess to requirements, it helps removes the stress of decision making and sharpens your ideas for maximum impact.

To get you started here are six super cool wedding concepts for under £6,000. Whether you’re dreaming of a chic city ceremony, a wedding abroad or a festival in a field; whether you want two, twenty or two hundred people to witness your wedding; we’ve got a range of creative concepts to help you identify the right approach, explore essential elements of the experience and use your budget most effectively.

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Wedding Planning

£6k Wedding Budget: City Ceremony, Honeymoon, then Party

by Ismay Ozga March 24, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

Want to get married in style on a super tight budget? Our £6k wedding series is here to help. We’ve got six fully-costed wedding concepts (complete with superstar suppliers) for under £6000 for you to choose from.

To plan a sophisticated city ceremony, European honeymoon and fabulous party on your return, read on…

Who is this wedding perfect for?

This super-cool city wedding is for sophisticated urban couples who want to celebrate their wedding day in style with a select guest list. Inspired by the stars of the 50s, it starts with a ceremony in an iconic registry office. This is followed by a long, late lunch in a luxury restaurant with those you love the most. At the end of the meal you both jump in a taxi to the airport. Your friends and family wave goodbye as you jet off on honeymoon to the ridiculously glamorous French Riviera.

City wedding – The approach:

This decadent yet laid-back wedding is designed to feel spontaneous, but the details do in fact require meticulous planning. For a relaxed and memorable day make sure you organise everything in advance. It is also important to hire a fabulous reportage photographer to capture all the magic moments throughout the day.

Preparation:

Start your day with your mum, sisters or best friend in your favourite city salon getting your hair and nails done. Sip champagne and have your first photos taken. Then jump in a taxi to the registry office with your wedding outfit and honeymoon luggage. Stop at a florist to pick a bunch of seasonal flowers for an instant bouquet. Be sure to have your photographer taking beautiful black and white shots along the way.

The venue:

Find a venue in a central location so you get to appreciate the sites of the city. And if possible choose one of the many UK registry offices located in an old Town Hall building to give your wedding an appropriate sense of grandeur.

In London, Marylebone registry office (the old Westminster Town Hall) is an impressive building with stone steps and columns on the outside and marble floors, wood panelled walls, gold mirrors and chandeliers within. Allow plenty of time to arrive at the registry office so you can use a dressing room to get ready in before your guests arrive.

Your outfits:

This wedding is all about indulging in the finest things in life and that means investing in your outfits. Avoid traditional wedding dresses and instead buy a dress from a designer you love, that will look and feel amazing all day. 16Arlington’s Hollywood glam mini dress topped with feathers will feel so fun and chic for your city wedding and will be perfect for dinner on the Riviera. Wear your favourite designer shoes as your ‘something old’ and raid your friends’ wardrobes for a beautiful clutch bag for your ‘something borrowed’. Then rather than paying for a professional artist, treat yourself to some new make-up and do your own.

For super-stylish yet quality suits starting at £740 head to Beggar’s Run and encourage your partner to polish a pair of favourite brogues rather than paying for new ones.

The ceremony:

People often underestimate the significance and magic of the ‘marriage bit’. Yet seeing each other for the first time in your gorgeous wedding outfits, standing together in a stunning room surrounded by all your most important people to declare your love is without doubt the most intensely intimate and amazing feeling. Ever. Although civil ceremonies offer a relatively short and functional service you can personalise your vows and invite family to share a special poem or reading. And it’s actually the formal bits like exchanging the rings, signing the register and officially being asked to kiss that are the most emotional and whoop-worthy moments.

As you leave your service, arrange for your guests to head outside first so they can stand on the steps and cheer as you leave the building. Make sure your two chosen witnesses have tons of confetti so your photographer can capture you being showered with love as you begin your lives together as newlyweds.

Transport:

Head off in your finery to the nearest tube or bus stop to enjoy a very public journey to your chosen restaurant. Make sure you’ve bought tickets in advance to hand out to your guests so there’s no queuing at machines. Then just enjoy the kindness of strangers and cheering well-wishers as you travel through your beloved city.

If you’re thinking of getting married in the Capital, riding the Bakerloo line from Marylebone is one of the most romantic journeys for London lovers. And getting out at Embankment gives you a chance to admire the city’s iconic skyline as you walk along the Thames towards your chosen restaurant on The Strand or in Covent Garden.

Lunch:

With a select guest-list it’s relatively easy to organise private dining in a five-star restaurant. If you’re looking for somewhere to seat under 25 people in West Central London, The Delaunay is perfect. Entering this classic brasserie with its black and white tiled floor, dark wood booths, white tablecloths and silverware is like stepping back in time whilst enjoying the best in contemporary European cuisine.

Having your own private dining room feels extra luxurious and decadent meaning you can relax, drink too much champagne and enjoy drunk wedding speeches away from the crowd. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. The minimum spend at the Delaunay is only £200 for lunch which you’ll reach easily, with set menus ranging from £50-£80. Organise and pay for three bottles of champagne on arrival and then ask everyone to pay for their own lunch rather than bringing gifts. Your closest friends and family will be honoured to be invited and, as long as you give plenty of warning, everyone will be happy to split the bill.

Honeymoon:

Once you’ve enjoyed your long, lazy lunch, hail a black taxi, ask if you can tie some ribbon to the cab, and get your photographer to take a few final shots of your friends and family waving goodbye as you head off on your honeymoon.
Getting married midweek and leaving for your honeymoon on the same day means your flights will also be cheaper. So you can afford to book an upgrade and travel in comfort with extra legroom and speedy boarding. Investing in some luxury carry-on luggage is not only a special treat for your wedding day (and an investment for life) but means you can avoid check-in and baggage reclaim, travelling in style and arriving stress-free.

Having a city wedding in the summer will hopefully guarantee good weather in the UK and means you won’t have to fly far to enjoy the heat of a European beach honeymoon. For a love-filled seaside escape head to The Hotel Amour in Nice and enjoy a romantic meal as the sun sets on your wedding day. To stick within your budget stay for a weekend of pampering, then find an Airbnb near the beach if you want to stay longer.

Party:

After your iconic wedding and sophisticated honeymoon, return to your beloved city for a party in a traditional pub. In the City of London pubs are quieter on the weekend so landlords within the Square Mile are grateful for an event that will guarantee a full house. This means they’ll rent out function rooms for free if you meet a minimum spend at the bar, which is super helpful if you’re on a budget.

Start the party at 8pm so your friends can eat before they arrive. Then just warn them that it’s a cash bar and make sure you have budget to pay the difference if the minimum spend isn’t reached (unlikely at a wedding). If the venue doesn’t have an AV setup make sure you hire everything in advance so you can show photos from your wedding and honeymoon on a screen as people arrive. If you want to do speeches you’ll need a mic. Then just make sure the decks are set up and you’ve got some mates willing to DJ. Finally, set aside budget for a photo booth to capture photos of all your friends celebrating your marriage with you.

City wedding – The budget breakdown:

Invites FREE:

Choose one of the beautiful free templates from Paperless Post to email invites to friends and family. It’s a budget friendly option that also makes it easy to keep track of RSVPs.

Photographer £800:

This intimate ceremony and lunch doesn’t necessarily require a traditional wedding photographer. Look for a portrait, fashion or press photographer whose style you love and ask if they’d be happy to chart the journey through your wedding day.

Hair £48:

Avoid a last minute wedding blow-dry by booking into your town’s best dry bar and deciding on your style well in advance. DryBy has gorgeous styles with prices starting from £48.

New Make-up £50:

If you know how to do your own make-up or have a friend who could help out, don’t pay for someone to come and do it for you. Head to your nearest department store and treat yourself to some new make-up instead. If you want to test out new products and pick up some new tricks book in for a make-over at your nearest NARS Cosmetics counter.

Bouquet £30:

Check that you’ve got a decent flower shop en route from the salon to the registry office, have an idea of the seasonal flowers available and call ahead if you like. Just don’t mention the word wedding or bouquet. This wedding is all about spontaneous city glamour so stopping off for a simple bunch of fresh flowers is not only cheap but part of the fun.

Taxi £20:

Being late to your own wedding is not cool. Avoid unnecessary stress and book a taxi to the venue in advance.

Dress £1245:

This 1960s inspired city wedding requires a dress that will make you feel like a star – think short, sexy and super cool. This glam dress by 16Arlington is a great Hollywood-glamour piece for £1245.

Suit £740:

Beggar’s Run have an excellent range of stylish suits made in London. This navy cotton drill suit is perfect for a city summer wedding, will be comfortable on the plane and look great for dinner at your hotel.

Rings £418:

For two classic white gold wedding bands visit Astrid & Miyu.

Luggage £485:

To feel like a true jet setter, plan your honeymoon wardrobe in advance, pack light and invest in some seriously good looking luggage.

Registry office room hire and service £565:

Prices depend on the size of the room and the day of the week. But as a guide Marylebone registry office costs £565 for a room that holds 20 people.

Confetti £5:

Check out these biodegradable confetti cannons from Ginger Ray. White confetti will keep things looking super chic.

Tube tickets £50:

Public transport is cheap, allows you to see the sites and feel the love as strangers wish you well on your wedding day. Budget £50 for 25 people.

Lunch £100:

Check out the private dining options in your area and enquire about the minimum spend. The minimum spend for lunch in a private room at The Delaunay is £200 and the set menu ranges from £50-£80. With everyone splitting the bill you’ll just need to budget £100 for the two of you.

Champagne £165:

A bottle of champagne at The Delaunay costs £55 and three bottles will fill 24 glasses for your toast.

Taxi to airport £50:

Research local prices but £50 should get you from the centre of most major UK cities to your closest airport.

Decorations for taxi £5:

A simple roll of white ribbon or crepe will look lovely on the bonnet of a traditional black taxi.

Flights £200:

If you’re happy to fly off-peak, on weekdays and during term time you’ll find the best bargains. Then book early. It’s always less stressful and usually cheaper than last minute. As an example you can get return flights from Heathrow to Nice at the end of May for £96.

the pink entrance to the Hotel Amour in Nice — Hotel Amour Nice

Honeymoon hotel £400:

Budget £400 for a couple of nights in a luxury hotel and book in well in advance to get the best deals. You can stay at The Hotel Amour in Nice midweek for just under £400.

Party venue:

There are plenty of City of London pubs serving excellent craft beer and classic pub dishes. Just check if they are happy to extend their license if you want a proper London knees up. Most central venues will want you to agree to a £2000 minimum spend on a Saturday night.

Photobooth £150:

For £150 My Fun Photobooth is a brilliant budget option. The simple, DIY photobooth not only looks great but being compact it works in any venue and can be delivered in an Uber.

Gifts:

As your guests are paying for their own drinks you might want to help to keep their costs down by saying ‘no gifts’. But beware, you might just end up with unwanted surprise presents. For those who’d like to give you something, why not suggest a contribution to your honeymoon fund. Patchworkit.com have a readymade template for a Cote D’azur honeymoon. Just customise the patchwork and link it to your bank to collect cash contributions to spend on your trip.

TOTAL COST: £5726

COST TO GUESTS: £50 – £100

The guests you invite to your ceremony and lunch will need to budget £100. Extended friends and family will just need to pay for their drinks at the party and contribute to your honeymoon fund if they wish.

See the rest of the wedding concepts in our £6k wedding series here.

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