Get Married Your Way

By Sarah Ridgway

The UK has been in the grip of a pandemic for the past two years, which saw countless weddings across the country cancelled or postponed.

Thankfully, most restrictions have been lifted and weddings are back on!

Due to the backlog, 2022 is expected to have a huge wedding boom, and a quarter of people have invitations for up to three weddings this year. 40% of people have said they are invited to more weddings this year than ever. More and more couples are choosing to step away from the big conventional church wedding and are deciding to marry on their terms. Venues have also moved with the times and adapted to the change, and many offer couples’ packages to suit them.

Couples are also incorporating their ethics into their big day, and there is a significant focus on sustainable weddings, and many are opting for meat-free food, biodegradable confetti, and some brides are choosing to rent their dresses. However, people want to celebrate their special day their choices are endless, and we have rounded up some popular options and highlighted the wedding trends of 2022.

THE MICRO WEDDING

Due to restrictions on wedding attendees during the pandemic, people got around this by opting for micro-weddings.

This involved inviting a handful of family and friends that met government requirements.

Micro-weddings’ popularity has not wavered, and couples are still choosing to get married in smaller venues with less than 20 guests.

The average wedding in the UK has an average of 82 guests and 103 guests for the evening.

This trend looks to continue and the advantages of less travel, fewer materials and less waste are an attractive incentive for environmentally conscious individuals. Couples can select a small, licenced venue of their choosing, but many venues have created packages to accommodate this popular choice.

There are many pros to having a micro-wedding, and the cost is probably the most attractive. The average wedding in the UK stands at around £30,355, which in the current climate is a big investment, especially when many are prioritising getting on the property ladder.

Fewer guests also mean a less stressful planning process, and the day can be more relaxed with the most important people in your life there for your special day. It’s also easier for the couple to spend quality time with their guests.

Many who choose this option want to forgo the traditional elements of the wedding such as cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet. There is still a ceremony and reception, but the sitdown meal is being replaced with more casual options such as a BBQ or getting a local restaurant to provide catering.

Couples can rewrite the rules and prioritise what is important to them, whether it’s the band, the food, or the photographer.

Choosing the right venue is very important to create the perfect atmosphere. A larger venue can accommodate a micro-wedding, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a good fit.

A guest list of twenty people or less could feel lost in a huge stately home, so find somewhere just right for you, which could be a cottage, a farm, or even a garden, the choice is up to you. THE SMALL WEDDING

A micro-wedding is not for everyone, and neither is a huge wedding. Many couples choose to meet in the middle with a small wedding of usually around 30-50 guests. The benefits of a smaller guest list include creating a more personal atmosphere and can be more focused on the guest’s experience. A smaller wedding is not always chosen to cut costs, and many couples still want all the traditional factors of the wedding day just on a smaller scale. But fewer guests mean there is more money to splurge on important things such as the dress, entertainment, and videography. Pubs are a great option for smaller weddings, and up to 2 million people are expected to say “I do” at a pub wedding this year, as couples choose to celebrate their big day in a more informal way.

Fewer guests also mean less stress, so any dietary requirements or special requests will be easier to manage. Another advantage of a smaller wedding is flexibility, larger numbers often require set menus and packages, whereas smaller venues will be able to cater to smaller numbers better, without being tied into a fixed set-up.

Couples have traditionally chosen to hold their wedding on a Saturday in the summer months to guarantee good weather. The wedding boom means many couples across the UK will not have secured their preferred date and venue due to the backlog of cancellations and postponements.

Having a mid-week wedding is something couples should consider as it comes with a variety of advantages. Firstly, you are more likely to get your preferred venue at a cheaper price. Getting married midweek during the summer months could save thousands. Popular wedding venues can be booked up for around two years in advance, so a mid-week wedding ensures you get your first choice. This also applies to wedding suppliers such as the wedding band and photographer, as they will have more availability mid-week. The money saved can be allocated elsewhere such as a more luxurious honeymoon. Again, a mid-week departure is cheaper than at the weekend, so it is a win-win situation.

OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

During the pandemic, the rules were temporarily relaxed to allow outdoor weddings to be legal. Before, the law meant civil ceremonies needed indoors or outdoors but within a permanent structure. The good news is that from April this year all outdoor weddings in England and Wales are now permanently legalised meaning couples will have more flexibility to choose where they say their vows. Getting married outside under the sky is a dream for many couples, but British weather can be unpredictable, so a backup plan such as a marquee or some gazebos is advised.

Garden weddings have increased in popularity, and Google searches for ‘garden weddings’ in 2022 saw a 284% increase. For those lucky enough to have a friend or family member with a suitable space, then this is an ideal option. Otherwise, there are many beautiful gardens across the country to choose from. Things to consider when using someone’s garden are facilities; for example, one toilet for 60 guests is not going to work so investigate hiring portaloos.

A rustic barn wedding is still a popular choice for couples, and many venues can accommodate both the ceremony and the reception minimising travel for guests. British couples continue to choose a barn wedding, and there are many attractive reasons why.

The first reason is personality, with high ceilings and a rustic feature they offer an intimate feel and space.

Barns usually offer access to outside space, which could be wild farmland, meadows, or a lawn, making the perfect backdrop for photographs and for guests to relax and mingle.

A barn is a blank canvas meaning it can be personalised however the couple wants. Hay bales, fairy lights and candy floss stalls are popular choices.

The most attractive feature of a barn wedding is the ceremony and reception can all happen under one roof. This creates a good atmosphere as the couple can easily get around their guests with more time to mingle.

The relaxing of the rules means more outdoor venues have become an option. Couples now don’t need to limit themselves to the traditional venues and can find a place with sentimental value. Be mindful that outdoor weddings still need to be conducted in a licensed venue.

2022 WEDDING TRENDS Bridgerton Inspired Fashion

Bridgerton has been one of the most-watched series on Netflix, with many swooning over the elegance of Regency period fashion. As a result, eBay has seen a 205% increase in searches for ‘puff-sleeved wedding dresses’. So, if you are attending a wedding this year expect to see a Bridgerton empire waist gown or two. Rental and Pre-Loved Wedding Dresses

There has been a reported 80% increase in searches for pre-loved wedding gowns. Princess Beatrix got married in a vintage dress borrowed from her grandmother, the Queen, which she had adapted.

Renting a tuxedo has been common practice for the groom, but now brides are getting in on the action too. Carrie Symonds chose to rent her wedding dress when she married Boris Johnson. Symonds wore a dress worth £2,870, which on My Wardrobe HQ is available to rent for £45 a day. Loaning a dress can start from as little as £20 and many can be rented for as long as needed, so suits someone who wants to get married abroad. Sustainability

There is a huge focus on couples wanting a sustainable wedding, and biodegradable confetti is a feature at many weddings, with leaves and birdseed used as a more environmentally friendly option.

Wedding favours are changing and potted plants in reusable jars are being gifted, or donations to charity are made on the guests’ behalf.

Dried flowers are popular as they provide longevity and can be taken home and gifted to wedding guests. Guests can also expect more vegan and vegetarian menus as people are more conscious of their carbon footprint.

Choose Organic for Indoor Allergies This Organic September

By Airborne Allergens Expert, Max Wiseberg

www.haymax.biz

Organic September is a Soil Association initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of organic and the efforts organic brands, farms and business make to support nature and wildlife and protect the planet. I am proud to be part of the trust and integrity demonstrated by the Soil Association organic symbol and my invention, HayMax, has been certified by the Soil Association for 15 years. So I am encouraging more people with airborne allergies to go organic this month.

The Soil Association organic symbol is the most widely recognised in the UK. Giving people reassurance and trust, the symbol demonstrates a commitment to working with nature, not against it, for the benefit of wildlife, people and planet.

All HayMax™ organic drug-free allergen barrier balms for hay fever and dust and pet allergy sufferers are certified organic by the Soil Association, the main certification body for organic produce in the UK. I decided to include organic ingredients in HayMax very early on. It’s not just that using the best ingredients produces the best product (just like when cooking a meal), but I knew that organic was good for the planet, too.

The best chef will always ensure that the ingredients are the best quality they can find: if the ingredients are substandard the final outcome won’t be as good. I believe it’s just the same with an allergy product. So I use oils and powders from nature and by using organic ingredients I ensure they are gentle and comfortable on the skin, as well as trapping the maximum amount of allergens. I’m pleased to say that our very first of over 50 awards was for the Best Non Food Organic Product at the Natural Trade Show. And a few years later we were the proud winner of a prestigious 2014 Soil Association Organic Award.

HayMax is an organic drug-free allergen barrier balm that is applied around the rim of the nostrils and the bones of the eyes to trap pet dander, dust particles and pollen before they get in the body, reducing your allergenic load.

Everyone can tolerate a certain amount of allergen without reaction, but once this is exceeded – known as your ‘trigger level’ – an allergic reaction occurs. HayMax works by keeping you below your trigger level for longer.

HayMax has solid science behind it. Independent university studies have shown that HayMax traps over a third of pollen before it enters the body, in addition to dust mite allergens and pet dander[1] . In an independent survey by Allergy UK, the leading national charity providing support, advice and information for those living with allergic disease, 80% of people say HayMax works[2]. And 94% of people find HayMax quick to be effective; 44% said that it worked immediately and a further 35% said that it worked within an hour or two[2] .

HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms rrp is £8.49 per pot and they are available from independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores, Holland

& Barrett, Booths, Ocado, selected

Superdrug and Boots, on 01525 406600 and from www.haymax.biz

REFERENCE:

[1] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson, Researcher: Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen & Aerobiology Research Unit, 1st February 2012. [2] ‘The Impact of Hay Fever – a survey by Allergy UK’, Allergy UK, supported and funded by HayMax™, April 2016.