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Original poster

What’s the best wedding you’ve ever been to?

36 replies

Underthewillowtree1 · 30/01/2025 13:31

Location, things that made it great, number of guests

Theres so much choice and I haven’t really been to that many weddings myself!

OP posts:
FortyFacedFuckers · 30/01/2025 18:57

Not at all the answer you are going to want but for me it was a surprise wedding, so it didn't start until 7.30 then it was straight into the reception. I find weddings too long a day and to much waiting a round

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 09/03/2025 12:37

Apart from DD’s, a relatively low cost one that was lovely. Reception was in a village hall, close to the church. After an initial serving of fizz outside in the sun, tables were laid for a substantial afternoon tea, with very pretty mis-matched china - apparently they’d been raiding charity shops. Garden flowers on the tables in ditto teapots.

Jorvik1978 · 09/03/2025 12:41

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 09/03/2025 12:37

Apart from DD’s, a relatively low cost one that was lovely. Reception was in a village hall, close to the church. After an initial serving of fizz outside in the sun, tables were laid for a substantial afternoon tea, with very pretty mis-matched china - apparently they’d been raiding charity shops. Garden flowers on the tables in ditto teapots.

This was very similar to our wedding, though we also had a ceilidh in the evening. I had a number of guests telling us it was the best wedding they had attended, and I think it was the low-key approach that they appreciated.

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Weddings
Purplecatshopaholic · 09/03/2025 12:42

Rich relative had a marquee in their very large garden and a free bar. Loads of food and drink, great band and dancing into the night ( they invited the neighbours). Had everyone for the full thing so no ‘tiering’ of guests (ie no just-evening guests). Relaxed and happy vibe. Everyone had an absolute blast.

mamakoukla · 09/03/2025 13:35

Probably the one where people were just happy to be there; it was a very welcoming to outsiders close knit community sort of event.

lovingtheworld · 09/03/2025 13:36

My son`s wedding was the best him and his husband had a white wedding on a beach.
It was magical not a lot of people just close family and friends about 30 all together.
Had a lovley dinner at sunset on the beach.
No big partys or speeches no one getting drunk we all got on it was just a wonderful afternoon.
They left the next afternoon for their honeymoon 2 weeks in vagas 5 star hotel plus the extras that was a gift from me and the grooms mum
Both dads paid of their mortgage as a gift so they could start life together without worry.
I have to say it was the the best ever wedding they are still very much in love 9 year on.
They did adopt a cat when they got home.
Best son inlaw ever.

We are very lucky to all get on with each other my husband and son inlaws dad go fishing together every other weekend.
Me and the other mum get on like sisters we are planning a trip away when both husband go fishing.

Stressymadre · 09/03/2025 13:37

lovingtheworld · 09/03/2025 13:36

My son`s wedding was the best him and his husband had a white wedding on a beach.
It was magical not a lot of people just close family and friends about 30 all together.
Had a lovley dinner at sunset on the beach.
No big partys or speeches no one getting drunk we all got on it was just a wonderful afternoon.
They left the next afternoon for their honeymoon 2 weeks in vagas 5 star hotel plus the extras that was a gift from me and the grooms mum
Both dads paid of their mortgage as a gift so they could start life together without worry.
I have to say it was the the best ever wedding they are still very much in love 9 year on.
They did adopt a cat when they got home.
Best son inlaw ever.

We are very lucky to all get on with each other my husband and son inlaws dad go fishing together every other weekend.
Me and the other mum get on like sisters we are planning a trip away when both husband go fishing.

This sounds amazing. May I ask where this was please?

lovingtheworld · 09/03/2025 13:43

Stressymadre · 09/03/2025 13:37

This sounds amazing. May I ask where this was please?

Show quote history

Their wedding took place on the beach in punta cana.
It was beautiful.

ohyesido · 09/03/2025 13:47

My own. We had the distinction of being the first wedding after lockdown restrictions were lifted in June 2021.

We were supposed to marry on 21 June 2020. Could not, put it off for a year.

30 guests, twilight wedding on 21 June 2021. Loved it

hulahops88 · 09/03/2025 13:47

One that was low cost BBQ at home and lots of drinks photos

Registrations place

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 09/03/2025 13:51

Indian wedding, groom arrived on horseback. At Hammersmith town hall. Food was amazing. It was complete chaos, must have been over 1000 there but it was fun!

Aussiegold · 09/03/2025 13:53

Can think of 2, marquee in back garden, a dance band with lots of food and very relaxed.
Second was in a hotel but again, fab food and they wanted to thank everyone for getting thru a difficult time and the party was immense! We still talk about the Mick Jagger sound a like!

I think if you get the atmosphere right with good food and vibes and no one standing around for hours while the wedding party disappear for photos, doesn't matter how many filling canapés you have (and greasy samosas are not canapés and do not go down well with women in perfect make-up and silk dresses)

PermanentTemporary · 09/03/2025 14:03

Best ever was a schoolfriends - church ceremony with plenty of friends and family, then lunch in a room above a city centre pub with more friends entertaining us all with live music, long tables, big plates of food. She'd bought a gorgeous vintage dress in a market for about £30 (it was 20 years ago). Single gerberas in little vases were the only decoration. No evening do.

Next best was a friends' second wedding - civil ceremony with a few people on Friday, then the day after a big party in a local village hall with plenty of parking, started 2pm with a huge game of rounders. We all took food to share and a group of friends helped set it out. Long tables again, someone DJed, fun and laughter. We all wore something bought from a charity shop in lieu of presents.

Friestogo · 09/03/2025 14:05

My own 😁 Cracking day. Just close family and friends for the day and then others for the evening (other friends/work colleagues etc) Had an 80’s themed disco in the evening. Was a relaxed and fun day and night ❤️

MajorCarolDanvers · 09/03/2025 14:06

My own

60 day guests
another 60 in the evening

Tourist village location which meant everyone could walk from church to reception and there was a wide choice of accommodation from cheap b&b to hotels all within walking distance

we kept photographs to a minimum so the guests didn’t have to hang around too long

we didn’t bother with much of the usual wedding faff stuff and just concentrated on a good party

there was also an area for those who just wanted to chat and drink away from the disco

meal was vegetarian which kept the price down (only a few grumpy uncles had a problem with that)

MsJinks · 09/03/2025 14:11

Gozo, off Malta - chilled, lovely food (and lots of it!) plus a street train trip for that bit between wedding and food - photos also chilled so not lots of endless smiling and getting sets of people together. A lot cheaper than a U.K. wedding though you probably need to factor in who can afford to go (money/time if got kids). Plus a decent holiday! Loved it all though it wasn't mine (not that I did actually enjoy mine lol)

skipdiddyskip · 09/03/2025 14:12

A friend of mine married the daughter of a very rich sportsman. The wedding was in the enormous grounds of his estate, which had a sort of countryside garden/idylic Hobiton like feel. They had the wedding in the orchard (with falling apples and flower arch!) and then the party in a meadow. They had a beautiful circus like marquis and had high end caterers prepare food. They hired luxury port a potties. It was a hot summer day and as the sun went down, they brought out picnic blankets for us to all sit and watch the sunset. It was so bloody perfect.

Must be nice to be rich!!

HeddaGarbled · 09/03/2025 14:25

Pretty village church with a churchyard full of flowers like an English cottage garden, sunny day, lovely vicar, short walk to village hall, sandwiches and cakes on pretty mismatched china the bride and her mum had been collecting from charity shops, genuine, non-show-offy, heart-felt speeches.

Then the bride and groom left, and the bride’s mum invited anyone who wanted to back to her house for drinks into the evening.

Just a genuinely happy occasion.

Commonsense22 · 09/03/2025 18:55

One where those of us travelling from abroad got a complimentary spa day the day before... back in the day I was younger and had never had a spa day.

One where the meal was a taster menu in a Michelin starred restaurant and everything had been done for the comfort of the guests. It wasn't just the luxury, but it was fun and friendly without any of the bits I hate. There was tasteful live music during the meal.

Ones with nice services featuring beautiful music (not songs played on tape), warm food and a beautiful location - the Alps, a forest...

Ours was a covid wedding with almost none of the above, but several people said it was their favourite wedding because it was warm and intimate. We did have wonderful music, and lots of goodies for the guests plus time to speak with everyone.

I also enjoy fashion so love seeing the bride in a gorgeous gown. Always feel a bit meh when it's plain.

I prefer the events that are not loud / disco etc

KateDelRick · 09/03/2025 19:02

The best ones have no tiered guests. Just everyone invited to the reception, so genuinely friendly and inclusive. No elitism.
One the reception was in the church hall, the bride and family decorated it themselves. Lovely, but modest meal, no hours of photos. Such a happy day.
The other was bigger, but also really inclusive, big church and a beautiful Victorian hotel. Again, no hanging round for hours for photos, lovely sit down meal, a magician for entertainment. Brilliant.

KateDelRick · 09/03/2025 19:03

HeddaGarbled · 09/03/2025 14:25

Pretty village church with a churchyard full of flowers like an English cottage garden, sunny day, lovely vicar, short walk to village hall, sandwiches and cakes on pretty mismatched china the bride and her mum had been collecting from charity shops, genuine, non-show-offy, heart-felt speeches.

Then the bride and groom left, and the bride’s mum invited anyone who wanted to back to her house for drinks into the evening.

Just a genuinely happy occasion.

How lovely! Sounds just perfect.

Trinity69 · 09/03/2025 19:04

My best friends wedding. Church service, reception in a marquee in a family members garden, fish and chip supper delivered from the local shop and an ice cream van for after. Was amazing.

TheMorels · 09/03/2025 19:04

Apart from mine 😂, my best friends’.

All in one location, American style ie, started in the late afternoon and was black tie, fabulous meal, free bar all night, amazing band, lots of fun.

None of the dull stuff like church, interminable photos, boring speeches, dragging on from 1pm..

KateDelRick · 09/03/2025 19:06

TheMorels · 09/03/2025 19:04

Apart from mine 😂, my best friends’.

All in one location, American style ie, started in the late afternoon and was black tie, fabulous meal, free bar all night, amazing band, lots of fun.

None of the dull stuff like church, interminable photos, boring speeches, dragging on from 1pm..

Oh, the photo shoots going on for hours is awful! Ditto the speeches...I went to one wedding where the best man, groom, bride, and both sets of parents made speeches! Awful.

TheFormidableMrsC · 09/03/2025 19:14

A very good friend's wedding in Devon. It was just lovely, beautiful spot, relaxed, fantastic food and drinks and we could walk back to our hotel. It was a truly wonderful day.