Annie’s Wedding Tips

Whether you choose to celebrate your big day with time-honoured traditions or create a bespoke day that you and your partner feel reflects you, we hope these ideas will inspire you.

There are plenty of opportunities to reflect your personality throughout the day; from the choice of menu through to the flowers you use. If you do want to use a theme; be it rustic or your favourite colour, make sure to follow it through from the name places to the flower decorations. As with any entertaining, planning is key and will make sure you can enjoy your day. Make sure you work with suppliers with whom you can build a rapport and trust as it will help you to enjoy the planning journey. A good caterer will guide you through the wedding planning maze to help you create a fabulous reception.

A classic wedding will generally follow in this order:

Champagne reception

To entertain your guests whilst you are having your photos taken, Champagne and canapes are served which gets a wedding off to a tremendous start.

Seated three or four-course meal

There will usually be a top table for the bride, groom and their wedding party and the other guests will be seated at round tables or long sprigs off the top table. The meal will tend to be three or four courses with a small, limited menu.

Speeches and toasts

Champagne is served whilst toasts are given to bride, couple and the bridesmaids. The father of the bride, the groom and the best man will all give speeches too.

Cake cutting

A three-tier white iced wedding cake is then cut by the bride and groom. Traditionally, the top tier is kept and used as a christening cake for their first child.

If you want your wedding to include some exciting twists, here are some trends that we’ve seen work well over the years.

Sharing or grazing boards or tables

Mixed boards of cured meats, shellfish or plant-based tapas are great icebreakers and a wonderful way to get guests talking.

The twenties

The 2020s rather than 1920s, but a great theme for this year. Think Great Gatsby – jazz, canapes and Champagne.

Brunch

If you’re looking for a more casual wedding, why not treat your guests to brunch. You can get creative and offer Mimosas and Bloody Marys alongside popular breakfasts like kedgeree or eggs Benedict.

Experiences

Tasting stations are great for a bit of added excitement and can include shucked oysters, bao buns or hand-carved smoked salmon blinis.

Food trucks

Fun and contemporary, the fashion of food trucks sees no sign of diminishing. You can make the selection as diverse as you like – sausages and mash, Thai, ice creams – to reflect your favourite foods.

Cocktails

Both alcoholic and ‘no or low’ cocktails offer guests the fun of choosing from a range of colourful and exciting drinks.

Creative cakes

There will always be a place for an iced three-tiered fruit cake, but this is a great opportunity to add impact, inject fun and surprise your guests. Make it what you like, be the cake – chocolate, carrot, ice cream or vegan blueberry. Decorated creatively with fresh fruit and flowers. A great talking point.

Late snacks

A late-night snack or an early morning breakfast the following day can be a welcome treat. Hot dogs or smoked salmon bagels at midnight or a bacon and HP sauce butty in the early hours will go down a treat.

Things to consider

– The ingredients your caterers use – it’s important that they are high quality, local and seasonal.
– You will need to offer guests a choice of vegetarian and plant-based options.
– Ask your guests to supply for any dietary requirements when they respond to your invitations.

Find out about this year’s wedding offers HERE.

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