The perfect wedding has 60 guests in attendance, takes place in a castle, and has speeches which are just six minutes long, research has found. The study of 1,000 adults, who have been a wedding guest, also revealed the optimal amount to splash out on a wedding gift was £50.15.
And when it comes to choosing a venue, the traditional location of a church was only preferred by 15 percent of guests, while 30 percent opted for a castle – making this the favourite option, ahead of a stately home (27 percent) or the beach (20 percent).
Weddings abroad were divisive, with just 34 percent in favour of attending one outside the UK.
But the top destinations where guests would most like to attend a ceremony include Italy (21 percent), the Maldives (15 percent), Greece (14 percent), and Spain (13 percent).
An all-you-can-eat buffet (50 percent) is the top food option, while 30 percent said they’d like to sit outside eating from different food trucks.
In fact, 35 percent said the typical three-course meal was outdated – but for those who do still favour a more formal sit-down affair, a Sunday roast was the most popular choice for 35 percent, followed by fish and chips (23 percent), and a BBQ (17 percent).
Cheesecake (20 percent), Eton mess (ten percent), and sticky toffee pudding (eight percent) rounded off the perfect dessert menu.
But when it comes to sweet treats, more than a third (36 percent) of guests are in favour of not having a wedding cake at all.
Wedding planner expert, Raj Somaiya, a judge on Ultimate Wedding Planner, the BBC Studios-produced show currently airing on BBC Two, said: “It’s not easy planning the perfect day.
“You have guests from different generations from all aspects of life, from grandparents to school friends, and everyone needs to be entertained.
My advice is to have the wedding you want, and not just follow what generations before you have done
Raj Somaiya, wedding planner
“Weddings have evolved so much over the years, and they’re constantly evolving, so it can be hard to please everyone.
“That being said, our research has thrown up some interesting results, with the traditional church wedding only the sixth most popular venue for guests – behind a castle, stately home, beach, hotel, and even a botanical garden.”
Raj Somaiya appears on the show as a judge, alongside Fred Sirieix and Sara Davies.
He added: “Over the last decade, and particularly following the pandemic, people have rethought how they want to get married.
“We’re moving away from the traditional wedding, and adding a more personal approach. There is no longer a strict format, and couples don’t need to comply with the norm.
“My advice is to have the wedding you want, and not just follow what generations before you have done.
“What was once popular might not always be, which is important to remember. The more personalised to the couple the better, and more memorable for guests.”
The research, carried out by OnePoll, found more than one in ten people would love to attend a vintage-themed wedding.
And other top themed wedding choices include Christmas (ten percent), fairytale (ten percent), and even a 1920s event (eight percent).
For those hoping to have a wedding in the future, there was also an appetite to reject some traditions.
Inviting the entire extended family (58 percent), getting married in a church (53 percent), only letting the men give speeches (49 percent), and giving the bride away (36 percent), are the top traditions which would go by the wayside.
The survey also revealed a series of songs which Brits think should be banned from weddings – including “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and “YMCA” by the Village People.
Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”, and “Macarena” by Los Del Rio, are other songs which should be red-listed by wedding DJs.
Raj Somaiya added: “Now, more than ever, we’re seeing couples really thinking about the overall guest experience, and coming up with their own unique approach to their day.
“However, trying to please everyone else on your wedding day could be a slippery slope – the research shows not everyone will agree with what you do.
“The most important thing about the whole day is the person you’re marrying – make sure you don’t lose sight of what’s important.
“Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but the most important thing is your love and your future together. This is the first day of the rest of your life!”
Ultimate Wedding Planner continues on Tuesday at 9pm on BBC Two, and is available on iPlayer.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Source: Read Full Article
