As a wedding blogger I’m sensing a real subcurrent in wedding media right now – amongst all the noise and AI-fuelled extravagance on instagram, creators and suppliers are calling for authenticity and more genuine wedding content. Yes, we all love to see breathtaking florals, Taylor Swift style – but authentic and achievable wedding styling feels so much more beautiful to share. Inspired by our English Wedding members, here are ten simple, affordable ideas for bringing a little luxury into your wedding, without blowing your budget.
- Choose classic accessories: pearls and heirloom wedding jewellery can be affordable and more meaningful than expensive pieces. Think of timeless pearl earrings which will become family heirlooms over time, or pieces treasured by your mum or grandma.
Freshwater pearl earrings by Carl Oliver Jewellery; calligraphy by By Moon & Tide
- Opt for calligraphy: a beautiful personal touch which, used sparingly, doesn’t have to cost the earth. Place name calligraphy from By Moon & Tide starts at £1 – £2 per guest. Add a handwritten menu or two for gorgeous, understated luxury – and for just £10 each.
- Don’t blow your budget on masses of blooms. Instead choose seasonal flowers, locally grown: ethics is where it’s at and florists working with local growers often have a luxe aesthetic.
- Embrace laid back, all-day wedding wear: day to night doesn’t have to mean an outfit change. Prioritise comfort and quality fabrics over trends, mass market suits and dresses – and start your day mid afternoon so you won’t need to change. And if you want something you can dance in? Wear it from the moment your celebrations begin!
- For elegant signage think fabrics, not plastic. Acrylic (a single-use plastic) is OVER. Fabric and banners are where it’s at. We love Alice Gabb’s custom banners (and everything she stands for too).
Bespoke banners by Alice Gabb
- Clear tables to create space. Clean and minimal styling costs less and screams sophistication (albeit quietly). Soften straight edges with bud vases or simple fabric napkins, but don’t be tempted to add more.
- Opt for chic and elegant over whimsical and rustic. While a rustic barn wedding might sound like the affordable option, styling a space like this can cost more. Whimsical generally means lots of stuff, while chic is pared back – and so is your budget.
- Personalise it: notes mean more than trinkets. Think individual polaroids (or postcards printed at home) with your guests’ photos and a handwritten thank you on the back, as place settings. (Ramp up the luxury with calligraphy, or hand write them yourselves: as a calligrapher I promise they’ll be just as special, if not more, in your own scribbles!) Pop them in mini envelopes or just place them on plates – and they’ll mean more than any favour you could buy.
- Hire your glassware. Wedding hire companies are helping the industry down on waste and single use items. They also specialise in gorgeous glassware and crockery – at an affordable price. Luxury handed to you on a plate. In a plate. As a plate! Literally!
- Cake is optional: but make it a showstopper – no Colins or Connies – sorry. Yes, grabbing a wedding cake from Aldi or M&S is cheap. It can be cute, and we’re not knocking the caterpillars – but luxury they are not. Find a wedding cake designer who’ll create an exquisitely made modern wedding cake: their attention to detail and aesthetics are where luxury lies: not in the seventh tier of a cake that’s as tall as you!
Exquisite modern wedding cake design by Wren Cake Design (Lake District). Photography by Tiree Dawson.
Some of us don’t have a favourite poem, and that’s perfectly fine. Wedding planning forums and websites often talk about wedding readings, and a little digging will easily unearth favourite and trending wedding poems. I remember when English Wedding was born, right back in 2009, the choice of poems read at weddings suddenly went from Shakespeare to an extract from The Velveteen Rabbit – and it felt like a little revelation! Now we live in a world of celebrants and highly personalised ceremonies, and lots of couples have wedding readings that absolutely reflect who they are. Here’s how to find yours – without settling for the best love poems you can find from an internet shortlist!
- Think about your readers – what would they choose?
So you can ask your favourite people to do a reading at your wedding, and let them choose something that’s really personal to them. That can be lovely – the reading they choose could be a complete surprise on the day, or you could ask them to tell you, or choose between you.
I love this idea, because it allows someone you’re really close to to share words which are really meaningful in their lives.
If you’re reading this blog because you’ve been chosen to read a poem at a wedding, may I show you the calligraphy poems I write as a calligrapher?
TIP: If you’re having more than one poem read out as part of your ceremony, make sure the readers don’t choose the same one! - If you’d rather choose your own wedding readings or poems, you can find words which mean a lot to you both. But where to start?
- It’s easy if you both genuinely love poetry. Choose something modern or timeless, and check with your celebrant / registrar / officiant that it can be read at your ceremony. For a civil ceremony, the government advises, “Civil ceremonies can include readings, songs or music, but must not include anything that’s religious (for example hymns or readings from the Bible or the Torah).“
- If you like the idea of a wedding poem but you’re not really familiar with any, you can choose something nice from the internet. Wedding blogs often have lots of ideas shared by other couples. If you find a reading which feels personal to you both, it makes things nice and simple! There are more personal ways to choose a reading though, and I’d advise thinking a little more creatively if you have the time.
- What about the music you love? Whether you’re big fans of Billie Eilish, Frank Turner or Metallica, it’s worth listening through their lyrics and seeing if you can spot some beautiful song lyrics that might work as a wedding reading.
TIP: you don’t have to sing, and you don’t have to read out an entire song! - If you love reading, how about finding something in your favourite book? It doesn’t have to be a romance story: couples have found lovely quotes in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials books, for example. Go with the books that mean a lot to you: whatever they may be! If you look hard enough for some meaningful words about a shared future, or finding happiness, they’ll be there!
- The same applies to movies and TV series that have made a big impact on your lives – you might just find the words you’re looking for if you watch that favourite season over again! (Although honestly, I searched online and couldn’t find anything from Star Wars… but you’ll want to check out the last idea, so keep reading!)
- Perhaps you’re passionate about nature conservation, or politics, or avid football fans. Whatever sets your soul on fire, this is where to look for inspiration!
Read with a little gravitas, this makes a lovely wedding reading:
“When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Tho’ your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone”
Disclaimer: it’s been done a few times already – but if you love this song, it’s perfect! - To really personalise your ceremony, you could have a reading written especially for the two of you. Kathryn Anna Marshall is a bespoke wedding poet who will work with you to create something heartfelt and special to read during your wedding ceremony, if you’re looking to add a personal touch at a civil ceremony.
- My ‘and finally’ is a biggie. I haven’t really mentioned celebrants, but for the ultimate in authentic wedding ceremonies – from your readings to every other word spoken as you stand before your families and friends – consider hiring a wedding celebrant. They’re the most wonderful, creative and warmhearted people, and the right one will tailor every aspect of your ceremony so it’s just perfect for you both. When I searched online to see if Star Wars wedding readings were a thing, Google came up with quite the list of bespoke ceremonies with more than a hint of Yoda in their wise and beautiful words!
Header image: Love like a River, by Whitney Hanson, hand written By Moon & Tide Calligraphy
This is a niche topic – but still popular and I hope you find it really useful! As well as writing English Wedding, I’m a calligrapher who specialises in weddings, so this is my little area of expertise. Calligraphy looks expensive – it’s a fabulous way of elevating wedding tables and giving a luxury vibe – and you really don’t have to spend a fortune to do it. Here’s how to be spend savvy and get the most from working with a wedding calligrapher.
Start with your wedding budget – how much would you like to spend on calligraphy?
I’m passionately against ‘average wedding budgets’ and even the thought of predicting what you might be spending on outfits, venues and larger decor items makes me uncomfortable. I know that sounds weird: but some weddings have flowers and some don’t. Some have dresses, and some don’t. Some have incredible, over the top table styling – and some don’t! You might be spending thousands on styling your venue – or this might be the first time you’ve considered it: there are no rules in weddings.
It’s probably safe for me to assume you’ll be spending more on the things I’ve mentioned above than you will on calligraphy. Stationery tends to be low as a proportion of people’s wedding costs. (Perhaps only £500 or so for most couples.) So here’s the good bit: adding calligraphy won’t bounce your stationery and decor prices sky high!
On the day wedding stationery will easily fit a £500 budget if that’s what you have to spare. You could spend more, and have signage (allow £50 per handwritten sign), an escort card display (from £2.50 per card), seating plan (from around £250) and place settings (from £2) in calligraphy – which WILL look amazing but isn’t essential for every couple! You can personalise place settings for less than £100 for a small wedding.
Fine art wedding calligraphy – photo Lara Rios
Are there particular items you’ll need at the last minute? (The answer’s yes!…)
Couples tend to order place names with a few weeks to go before the big day. I try to allow for rush orders over the summer months especially, as I completely understand how tricky it can be to nail down your guest list. (There are always a few little changes at the last minute!)
The most commonly forgotten item of on-the-day stationery / calligraphy is table numbers or table name cards. The most organised couples will order these in advance; but for many people, they’re the classic “OMG I forgot we need…” wedding items! It’s good to allow a buffer for last minute wedding spending for anything from dog sitters to cosy cover-ups for your shoulders… and table name cards! Allow £50 – 100 for these.
A little personalisation goes a long way
Some things you can’t put a price on. Guests’ smiles as they see the special personal touches of calligraphy definitely fall into that category. It’s why I love what I do: for not too much money at all, Grandma can find her seat and see her name (which, obviously, is Grandma no matter what the occasion!!!) all swirly and beautifully crafted, just for her. That’s special.
It’s worth spending a few £££ on place settings in calligraphy, and that’s my opinion as a professional wedding calligrapher! Wedding place names cost around £2 each (to be done well) – more if you opt for extras like silk ribbon, tassels or wax seals.
Savvy spending on calligraphy for your wedding
If you’re on a budget, personalisation and wedding calligraphy are really flexible areas you can get creative with. I don’t mean DIY: making your own stationery can often cost more – and take up loads of your time, which you may not have much of in the run up to your big day. I’m thinking of combining items in creative ways.
Three of my favourite spending-savvy wedding calligraphy ideas:
- Escort cards that double as place settings (from £2.50 per card)
Picture little mini envelopes with names in calligraphy, and a little card with guests’ table numbers or names inside. These can be displayed beautifully – stuck to a mirror, pegged to ribbons on a wall display or arranged on a flower-filled table at the entrance to your reception - Combined wedding menus and place names (priced by word count from £10 each)
If you don’t want to splash out on separate menu cards and place names, have your menus printed with a space for guest names at the top. These can be calligraphed in a contrasting colour, with a flourish or two for impact. You could even choose to have a menu for every guest written entirely by hand, and personalised with their names. - Favours with personalised calligraphy tags
I’ve written a lot of ‘dinky tags’ for wedding favours over the years: think miniatures of home made gin or jam, or candle jars, or little gift bags with literally anything inside! They’re super cute and fun to write in calligraphy. Whatever you choose, guests will most likely leave their names tied to the jars or bottles when they’re taken home and used!
You could always combine all three of these, if you’re a particularly special kind of genius. (Table display of wedding favours at the entrance, with name tags tied on and a table number or name on the back of the tag. You super clever thing, you!*)
*I got this idea from one of my couples. I’m no genius – I just write pretty calligraphy!
Photography – Jessica Reeve // Styling – Tebbey & Co
Little extras: signs and special touches
You can create a cohesive style for your wedding with a few carefully chosen little signs and calligraphy touches here and there.
Here are some suggestions – I’d love to chat with you about any of these! Get in touch through my website – there’s an email address and contact number on there.
If you decide to have calligraphy goodies for your wedding day – and it’s all entirely optional! – you can choose from:
- a wedding timeline sign
- unplugged ceremony sign
- order of the day cards
- personalised vow booklets
- mini signs for dessert tables
- drinks menu signs
- guest book signs
- signage on anything from mirrors to slate, to your favourite barn door**
- anything else you can think of, which is unique to you and will be a first for me!
** Yes, that was a thing. My couple found a beautiful old barn door in Grandad’s farm, and it lived in my calligraphy studio for a week while I wrote on it! I am ALWAYS up for adventurous calligraphy!
All prices are correct at time of writing (April 2025) – see my current wedding calligraphy price list for updates and more detail.
It’s not often I get to blog an editorial I was a part of – so today I’m more excited than ever to share this stunning collaboration by the loveliest group of people I’m delighted to call friends. (They’re all incredible talents too!) I really hope this will inspire you to use colour to create a wedding look with real heart and soul! Ash from In The Meadow Floral Design came up with the gorgeous concept for this wedding look with rich, vibrant flowers full of texture and fun, in the most amazing colour palette. Images are by lovely, talented Lake District wedding photographer Hannah Hall Photography, at Holesfoot in the Eden Valley. My calligraphy plays a little part, dressed in purple and gold.
Concept and words by Ash, In The Meadow Floral Design – a superbly talented wedding florist with the loveliest eco-conscious floral design studio. In The Meadow Floral Design excels in beautiful, seasonal modern garden-inspired flower styling with a lush country garden, wildflower aesthetic.
Your Holesfoot wedding supplier list
Photographer – Hannah Hall Photography
Venue – Holesfoot
Floral styling and concept – In The Meadow Floral Design
Cake – Wren Cake Design
Content curator – The JN Collective
Dress from Bridal Collection of Lancaster
Designer – Sincerity
Table styling and candles – Deborah Marie Wedding Styling
Table plan cards, place card scrolls and calligraphy – By Moon & Tide
Make up – Megan Hartley Make Up Artist
Hair – Hair by Emma Kelly
Models Holly & Liam aka The Ellison-Fosters
Headpieces – Raven Millinery
Lights – Eden Event Hire
Owls – Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre
As soon as I spotted Holesfoot’s starry night sky installation on Instagram, I was completely enchanted and instantly knew it would be the most magical setting for a styled wedding shoot. And so, like so many couples do at the beginning of their wedding planning journey, I turned to Pinterest to help me gain further inspiration and realise my full vision.
My Pinterest board quickly filled with rich, luxurious dark purple florals, beautifully contrasted by unexpected pops of bright pink and golden mustard tones (not the most obvious palette choice for a Spring shoot). Led by this palette, I found myself drawn to images of moody, romantic atmospheres with soft candlelight, delicate textures, and dreamy, celestial details.
Whilst the vision for this shoot had become crystal clear, what had also become apparent was the need for very low light conditions, in order for this vision to truly come to life.
I’ll admit, I was uncertain if my idea was even possible (something to always be cautious of when using Pinterest for creative inspiration) – with my main concern being how this would all work from a photographer’s perspective. Thankfully, after reaching out to Hannah Hall Photography, she assured me it could be done—and beautifully so. With her expertise, the concept felt achievable, and I was even more excited to see it come to life.
And so to bring it to life, I began carefully selecting a team of insanely talented suppliers, who I knew could really help transform this concept into reality:
Hannah Hall Photography – a highly experienced and skilled photographer, who not only captured the most beautiful images but got really creative with those low-light conditions.
The JN Collective – these guys are absolute masters of capturing beautiful content, Nicola documented the shoot with incredible attention to detail, preserving those magical moments
Deborah Maria Wedding Styling – I chose Deborah for her incredible attention to detail, which I knew would make for the most breathtaking styling.
By Moon and Tide – whose elegant calligraphy and hand-drawn illustrations captured the celestial feel perfectly, helping to really elevate the feel of the shoot. The scroll place names and seating plan were absolutely exquisite, adding a beautifully bespoke touch.
Wren Cakes – a true artist when it comes to cake design, who can take any brief and create the most spectacularly stylish centrepiece
Raven Millinery – whose intricate headwear reflected the shoot’s luxurious yet playful feel—perfect for fun-loving, untraditional couples.
Megan Hartley – the most skilled makeup artist I know, who listened carefully to my atypical bridal brief and brought it to life with absolute perfection.
Emma Kelly – a boho hair wizard, recommended to me for her exceptional styling skills—and she absolutely delivered, creating an effortlessly romantic look.
Bridal Collection Lancaster – a super friendly, inclusive, down-to-earth bridal store with a stunning selection of dresses, making it easy to find the perfect gown to complement the ethereal theme.
Together, we crafted a scene that felt otherworldly—lush, atmospheric, and filled with a sense of cosmic romance.
If you’re getting married this summer you might be almost ready to send out your wedding invitations. But when’s the best time to post them? How will you know? What if you’re getting married in Europe? Should you send Save the Dates? Are digital invites OK? And as a UK couple, what else will you need to bear in mind before you post your wedding invitations? Save this post for later if you need to: I’ll answer all of your questions so you know exactly when and how to send your wedding invites.
Header image by Jenny Jones Photography
It’s easy to find loads of advice on the internet about sending wedding invitations. It used to be common practice to wait until 6 – 8 weeks before your big day – but times really have changed! Generally, websites will tell you about 3 – 6 months before your wedding is the perfect time. But that’s not for everyone, and in the UK you’ll need to consider things like bank holidays, school holidays and even the size of your wedding.
And if you read our blog about when to book your wedding photographer you’ll also know how important it is to allow time to choose, design and order your wedding invitations first!
Image: Jo Bradbury Photography / Styling: Darcey Floralscapes / Invitation: By Moon & Tide
When to start looking for wedding invitations
Start looking for your invitations at least five months before you intend to send them.
Trawling through Pinterest, blogs and discovering all the fabulous wedding stationery designers out there will take time. (It can be pleasantly addictive!) You’ll find you’re drawn to certain styles: perhaps letterpress, handmade, calligraphy invitations or minimal, printed wedding invitations. Narrowing it down to a single design you both agree on will take time!
Then you’ll need to sort out your wordings – and check them carefully – and place your order. Independent wedding stationery designers can get booked up in advance, so you might want to make an enquiry and place your deposit a couple of months before you need your invitations.
Image: Jessica Reeve Photography / Illustrations: Amy Swann / Calligraphy By Moon & Tide
As the owner of a busy calligraphy studio I know how important it is to allow time for proof reading your invitations before they’re printed. This often causes little delays when couples are waiting for printers before sending me their invitations to have names added in calligraphy, or envelopes addressed.
If you need your invitations in a hurry, allow up to a week for print and delivery from mainstream printers like Zazzle, Papier, Printed.com and Canva.
Read our authentic guide to wedding invitation wordings here
Decide when you want your invitations to land on doorsteps.
If you’re sending invitations by 2nd class post in the UK, expect them to arrive within a week. 1st class is faster, but way more expensive! Are any being sent overseas? Allow 1 – 2 weeks for delivery.
Prices for Royal Mail from the 7th of April 2025:
2nd class (up to 100g and 5mm thick) 87p
2nd class Large Letter (more than 5mm thick) £1.55
2nd class Large Letter (more than 100g) £2.00
1st class (up to 100g and 5mm thick) £1.70
1st class Large Letter (more than 5mm thick) £3.15
1st class Large Letter (more than 100g) £3.60
Source
Imagine you’d like your guests to receive their wedding invitations in May. Will bank holidays mean they take longer to be delivered?
Could you buy stamps today before prices go up in April? Most wedding invitations will weigh less than 100g, but I would always advise checking!
And something as simple as a little ribbon, a wax seal or a couple of extra inserts that make your invitations thicker than 5mm could mean you’ll pay Large Letter prices for every invitation.
How long will your guests need to book accommodation, days off work (or time out of school) or even flights?
If your wedding will fall in peak holiday season, it’s worth sending your invitations more than 3 months early. You might want to send Save the Dates just so your favourite people don’t book their summer holidays to clash with your wedding.
(If you send Christmas cards, that’s a great time to pop a Save the Date in with your cards. It’s before most people book holidays (in January) and will save you postage!)
If you’re having a destination wedding, some of your guests might decide to extend their trip and turn it into their holiday. Again, it’s worth letting people know your plans nice and early to give them this option.
Guests who work shifts (e.g. doctors, nurses, police) or who work away (military) will also need plenty of notice if it’s important they come to your wedding. Two months might not be enough, so if your important guests fall into these groups, don’t leave it too late! The internet is wrong when it tells you 3 months is the perfect time to send out your wedding invitations!
Image: Oobaloos Photography / Invitations By Moon & Tide
When should you send out digital wedding invitations?
Digital invites can be super quick and easy to send, and will save you money on print and postage. But all the same rules apply with making sure your guests have enough time to plan their day, their accommodation or their trip.
Digital Save the Dates are a great way to make people aware of your wedding date, especially if you’ve missed the Christmas post! You can always follow up a digital Save the Date with a beautiful printed wedding invitation to set the scene for your day.
So when’s the PERFECT time to send your wedding invites in the UK?
Every wedding is different so really it all depends on you. Here’s your checklist to help you decide:
- Are you getting married in the UK?
- Will you be sending Save the Dates?
– if people already know your date, you can relax and send invites later! - Are you inviting your closest friends and family only?
– Have you already told them your date, and the invitations are just confirmation? - Does your venue provide enough accommodation?
– Will guests have to shop around to find somewhere to stay? Give them more time. - Are you having a wedding weekend?
– Send early so guests can book time off work - What are your guests’ personal circumstances?
– Shift workers and some professions might need lots of notice to book time off work
Remember to order your wedding invitations in plenty of time: 1 – 3 months before you want to send them!
