With Brexit constantly looming over us like that art teacher at school with bad breath, the professionals in the wedding world (like most other industries) are considering what this might mean for them.
The slightly greedy positive is that because the pound has dropped, weddings in the UK are looking like the money-savvy option for brides & grooms-to-be. UK couples are choosing to marry in beautiful Britain rather than go abroad for a destination wedding and foreign couples are starting to come to sunny UK, practising their ‘I do’s all the way over on the plane.
(And if the pound is stronger than ever in a post-Brexit world - it’ll still be a winning situation for all).
BUT, there have already been price increases and stock decreases in many wedding related items which are imported from the EU. The most obvious being flowers and food & drink , but anything you’re ordering from outside the UK could be in jeopardy.
Thankfully… with a wedding planner on your team, you don’t need to worry. Don’t start stockpiling the cheese, wine & tulips yet! Planners will always work with a team of trusted professionals who, from years of experience, will know where to shop around for the best prices and will also have the creative flair to be a little flexible with your ideas (as long as you are willing!). They will create a wedding day, working with what’s available, that might be a little altered but will be just as, or more, pleasing to you.
Now, we LOVE sushi, orchids, French champagne, coconuts & Italian coffee. Exotic influences can make a wedding very good. But recently we’ve seen a rise in the ‘cool’ of a Great British wedding. Be savvy and stop worrying; use Brexit as an opportunity to get into the local spirit.
Here are a few ways to make your day BLOODY BRILLIANT OLD CHAP:
Use British designers or buy a British vintage dress/suit. All the best have studios here in London. Some of our favourite boutiques at the moment are truly British - Andrea Hawkes in Islington, Sassi Holford in South Kensignton & Bridal Reloved in Hackney.
For the grooms: King & Allen on Liverpool street and Saville Row, Emma Willis by St. James’s and Timothy Everest in Mayfair, Shoreditch & Hoxton are all born and bred heroes.
Get married in our capital - London is the coolest place to say ‘I do’ and be inspired to create a special wedding day. Here there are thousands of the best venues and suppliers this island has to offer; all creative, unique and exciting.
Eat local. Use catering companies who pride themselves on sourcing all ingredients fresh from local suppliers.
Eat British. There are a lot of restaurants here in London which also double up as cool reception venues e.g. St. John Restaurant - infamous for it’s British nose-to-tail cooking. Or suppliers who come to you e.g. Pieminister now cater for weddings - come see us say we love each other and then have a pie with us. Not chic is chic these days!
Use English flowers. English country gardens are a thing of legend. The flowers that grow here in the spring and summer months are lovely. Choose wild flowers to add fluidity and easygoing hippieness to your style or choose classic roses and sunflowers for a more tidy look.
Lots of florists are now strongly championing the use of English flowers and flowers which are naturally in season. Two fantastic London names to look out for are the Urban Flower Farmer & That Flower Shop . Big fans over here.
Better yet - if you’re in need of a new hobby and have a year before the wedding day - try growing your own! (maybe have a back up plan in mind!)
We’ve mentioned it before, and will mention it again. Bring back the 3-tired white iced fruit cake!
Nothing more British than guests pretending they are enjoying the food! They’ll need to wash it down with some English sparkling wine too - getting everyone moving onto the dance floor that little bit sooner.
Book a local band. Take your time to go to small gigs nearby. It’s great way to spend the engaged weeks/months/years and you might find a band to play at your wedding (should they be willing!) There’s nothing like live music.
For example, rising to popularity recently are Forest Hill formed & fabulous The Old Dirty Brasstards.
Other clichés available for you to include:
Have afternoon tea at midnight.
Serve real ales & Scottish whiskey.
Drive away in a ‘just married’ Aston Martin, Mini Cooper or on a Triumph motorbike.
Have apple pie or Knickerbocker Glory for dessert.
Have a jolly good time
(Maybe still go to the beach/ski slopes for your honeymoon though? xoxo)
Don’t hesitate to get in touch to start planning your day with Love Made Me Weddings.
Let us use our invaluable knowledge, trusted suppliers and best rates to give you the finest of what London has to offer.
We will assist you from start to finish to create a day where you can celebrate the love you have with your partner, family and friends, the way you would like to celebrate it!