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The C&TH Guide To Planning A Wedding

By Charlie Colville

1 day ago

So you’ve said ‘yes’ – what next?

Wedding Bouquet Woman in brown backless dress Woman in wedding dress Menu set on dinner plate | wedding stationers Woman in wedding dress | Bridal Rental Wedding cake Woman in lace dress Flowers on table Woman in Vivienne Westwood wedding dress

Planning a wedding is no small feat. Between venues to find, dates to set, menus to taste and dresses to hunt down, there’s little room for much else on the bride and groom’s list. But where to start? Right here. We’ve dived deep into our address book to bring you the ultimate list of wedding contacts. From the hottest haute couture designers and on-the-ball wedding planners to the prettiest florists and tried-and-tested bakers. Treat this as your bridal bible: the starting point for your big day (and the place to go when you need some inspiration).

British Wedding Dress Designers

Emilia Wickstead

Emilia Wickstead

A favourite amongst members of the royal family, Emilia Wickstead’s creations have graced the wardrobes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle on many occasions. Wedding dresses are feminine, elegant and simple – but still utterly timeless.

emiliawickstead.com
Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood

Modern brides gravitate towards Vivienne Westwood, aka the Mother of Punk. Weaving the label’s signature edge into luxurious wedding dresses, expect structured corsets, symmetrical hems and necklines, artful draping and layers upon layers of pearls.

viviennewestwood.com
Ellis Bridals

Ellis Bridals

One of London’s legacy bridal labels, Ellis Bridals was founded in 1912 by Ada Ellis – meaning it’s been crafting its gorgeous wedding gowns for well over a century. This is also the place to go if you want to scoop up the perfect accessories to match your dress.

ellisbridals.co.uk
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International Wedding Dress Designers

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier

LA-based bridal boutique Monique Lhuillier is a romantic’s dream wedding dress destination. Monique’s designs are both elegant and playful, with classic silhouettes embellished with delicate embroidery, flowers, sequins and layers upon layers of ruffles.

moniquelhuillier.com
Elie Saab

Elie Saab

As well as opting for a couture creation (and hopping over to Paris for the atelier appointments and fittings), you can also now get your hands on Elie Saab’s mainline bridal collection in a range of boutiques. Expect lots of lace and breath-taking romance.

eliesaab.com
Valentine Avoh

Valentine Avoh

Valentine Avoh works from her studio in Brussels, creating playful wedding dresses inspired by old Hollywood movies and musical trailblazers from bygone eras. Think old-school glamour and Gatsby vibes, with designs dabbling in elevated vintage.

valentineavoh.com
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Rental Wedding Dresses

Something Borrowed

Something Borrowed

Something Borrowed's dresses are a combination of pre-owned, ex-sample, and some new, that have been curated for rental. Donated dresses also come with a message from the previous bride, giving each dress its own legacy and history.

somethingborrowedrent.co.uk
Browns Bride

Browns Bride

Browns Bride recently added wedding dress rental to its offering, with gowns from previous collections that are no longer in production available for hire. With the brand already specialising in bridal, this is a trusted spot for finding your 'something borrowed'.

brownsbride.com
HURR Collective

HURR Collective

Armed with the mission to give fashion a 'green-over', HURR uses its platform to give its customers access to the latest luxury trends and high-quality fashion. Its bridal section is packed with a beautiful selection of dresses and accessories.

hurrcollective.com
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Bridesmaid Dresses

Galvan London

Galvan London

For the fashionista bridesmaids; Galvan London designs electric luxury eveningwear that are smart, modern and sexy. Just imagine your flock of bridesmaids in powerful red jumpsuits, glittery gowns or even a selection of lime slip dresses – now that’s a great wedding picture.

galvanlondon.com
RIXO

RIXO

If you’re looking for a cool and contemporary bridesmaid dress, consider one from RIXO, which boasts an array of colourful, smart dresses that are great wardrobe additions (even post-wedding). The brand also has its own rental offering with plenty of bridesmaid-appropriate gowns to choose from.

rixo.co.uk
Reformation

Reformation

The cool-girl brand fawned over by A-listers and normies alike, Reformation knows how to put on a stylish town wedding. Bridesmaid dresses range from silky and slinky to floral and romantic, with silhouettes for every shape and size. You'll have no problem finding a match for your wedding theme.

thereformation.com
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Wedding Planners

ByChenai Events

ByChenai Events

Want a big party without skipping on elegance? Chenai Bukutu is an award-winning wedding planner known for curating some of the grandest ceremonies – from stately country homes and grand botanical gardens to a stunning stint in the Natural History Museum, no wedding is too big for this eagle-eyed professional.

bychenai.com
The Stars Inside

The Stars Inside

Destination wedding on the cards? Led by self-professed ‘hopeless romantic’ Valentina Ring, The Stars Inside specialises in intimate weddings and elopements far afield. This is the go-to contact for escapist couples – those after a dreamy, bespoke celebration with plenty of personality (and maximum wow factor).

thestarsinside.com
Sauveur Studios

Sauveur Studios

If it’s a blow-out party you are dreaming of, Sauveur is our top choice. A vibrant team led by industry maverick Matthew Shaw, unexpected details are this luxury events company’s bread and butter. And when it comes to your special day, that’s all the more valuable: think people-centric innovations, thoughtful moments and a considered planning process.

sauveurstudios.com
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Wedding Florists

Wild At Heart

Wild At Heart

The award-winning Wild at Heart has over 25 years of experience under its belt, led by British luxury florist Nikki Tibbles. Think beautifully colourful displays and trailing bouquets – perfect for a town (or stately hall) wedding.

wildatheart.com
JamJar Flowers

JamJar Flowers

A boutique London florist renowned for its contemporary arrangements, JamJar Flowers is carefully selects flowers and foliage that will be growing at the time of your wedding. The result? A totally bespoke, seasonal offering.

jamjarflowers.co.uk
Wildabout Flowers

Wildabout Flowers

With an unwavering reputation for excellence and creativity, Wildabout Flowers is known for floral designs that are both fun and sophisticated – packed with colour and texture – making them ideal for a big wedding bash.

wildabout.co.uk
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Wedding Cakes Makers

Violet Cakes

Violet Cakes

In 2018, baker Claire Ptak got her big break when she was asked to create the wedding cake for Harry and Meghan. This put her organic Hackney bakery, Violet Cakes, firmly on the map. All cakes are baked with organic and low intervention ingredients, with limited edition buttercream icings that change with the seasons.

violetcakes.com
Lily Vanilli

Lily Vanilli

Sitting just off Columbia Road in London, Lily Vanilli has been reeling in the queues since it opened back in 2010. Its eponymous founder, Lily, uses seasonal, organic produce to create her picture-perfect cakes. Ornately decorated, expect ruffles, pastels and darling cake toppers. (And it's certainly not style over substance.)

lilyvanilli.com
Luminary Bakery

Luminary Bakery

Not only does Luminary Bakery make some of the finest cakes in town, it's all for a good cause: using baking as a tool to take women on a journey to employability. Its celebration cakes, meanwhile, are beautifully designed, with flavours including almond, cherry and chocolate, lemon and blueberry, and sticky toffee.

luminarybakery.com
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Wedding Caterers

Rocket

Rocket

Set up by brother-and-sister duo Michael Symonds and Caroline Hall, Rocket is one of London’s go-to wedding and event caterers. The team like to work with the bride and groom closely when curating their wedding menu, tailoring dishes and styling them to themes.

rocketfood.com
Lettice Events

Lettice Events

B Corp certified caterer Lettice Events makes every morsel of your wedding dinner meaningful. The family-run catering business creates zero-waste menus using seasonal, local produce – you’ll even find that scraps used to make ‘wasteful canapés’.

letticeevents.com
Rhubarb Events

Rhubarb Events

Rhubarb Events has been dazzling wedding parties since 1996. With menus curated by an expert team of top chefs, this caterer can seemingly do it all – from extravagant three-course dinners and stylish canapés to relaxed food stalls set up in a sprawling garden.

rhubarbhospitality.com
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Wedding Stationers

Paige & Co

Paige & Co

For contemporary designs with personality, it has to be Paige & Co. The award-winning wedding stationer designs and handmakes all of its creations in Manchester, and is best known for its attention to detail – resulting in some seriously stunning invitations, table plans, menus and cards.

paigenco.co.uk
Romeo + Jules

Romeo + Jules

Founded by former British Vogue Art Director Jennifer Grant, Romeo + Jules creates vibrant wedding stationery from recycled stock. Designs are a maximalist’s dream, with funky prints (stipes, bubbles, zigzags – you name it), hand-drawn illustrations and dopamine-inducing colours.

romeoandjules.studio
Paper Grace

Paper Grace

Coordination is key when it comes to Paper Grace’s sleek wedding stationery, which comes in chic bundles. Designs are available in neutral colour palettes (although you can get in touch if you’re after something more bespoke) and are made up of geometric shapes and contemporary fonts.

papergrace.co.uk
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Countryside Wedding Venues

Hamswell House, Bath

Hamswell House, Bath

Your first sight of Hamswell House’s honey-coloured stone façade comes at the end of the estate’s winding, wooded drive. It’s a romantic aspect: the historic 16th-century manor house is set in 50 acres of private land and gardens (read: the dream country wedding venue).

hamswellhouse.co.uk
Cornwell Manor, Cotswolds

Cornwell Manor, Cotswolds

If you’re dreaming of an intimate summer wedding in the country, Cornwell Manor will fulfil your fantasies. Dating from the 17th century, this family-owned country house is set across 2,000 lush acres near idyllic Chipping Norton, with far-reaching, romantic views over a series of lakes.

cornwellmanor.com
Cluny Castle, Aberdeenshire

Cluny Castle, Aberdeenshire

If you’re after a fairy tale wedding, look no further. Cluny is an enchanting historic castle, complete with turrets, its own licensed chapel and a grand hall with stained-glass, mullioned windows. Perfect for small and big(ish) weddings alike, this is one of the most romantic settings in the UK.

clunycastle.com
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European Wedding Venues

Villa Sola Cabiati, Grand Hotel Tremezzo | ITALY

Villa Sola Cabiati, Grand Hotel Tremezzo | ITALY

Make like the A-list and take your nuptials to Lake Como for a day to remember. The Villa Sola Cabiati at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo dates back to the 1500s and is a treasure trove of original antique furnishings, textiles and frescoes by notable Renaissance painters.

grandhoteltremezzo.com
Airelles Gordes, La Bastide | FRANCE

Airelles Gordes, La Bastide | FRANCE

If it’s a Provençal Palace fairytale your heart desires, La Bastide De Gordes is one of the best European wedding venues there is. Set at the heart of the hilltop village of Gordes, this idyllic French destination is sure to make for the most beautiful wedding album.

airelles.com
Erosantorini, Santorini | GREECE

Erosantorini, Santorini | GREECE

If you’re looking for the most beautiful Santorini wedding venue – and the most spacious – this is it. Erosantorini is set on a two-acre private estate with beautifully landscaped grounds and a charming open-air chapel surrounded by vines.

erosantorini.com
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