50 Greatest Wedding Planning Websites Ever!
Described by the editors as the love lust list, I simply adore this site for giving the ultimate, no-nonsense lowdown on what’s hot as it happens from the world of weddings. I particularly enjoy the style savvy pages for all the latest offerings direct from the World’s bridal catwalks and always tap into the real weddings section to feast on an array of originality and super on-trend styling tips. This really is the Mother of all sites that you must check out for a stunning selection of big day ideas you would have never even thought of!
As one of the biggest wedding planning websites in the UK, this little beauty is brilliant for sourcing suppliers and interacting with other brides-to-be via their online forum. UK bride often have some great competitions running too, so always great to check out and enter for the fabulous wedding-themed prizes on offer. There is also tons of advice on all elements of the planning process and a top selection of regional wedding fairs to visit in your local area.
The Dress
For many brides-to-be this is where the pressure really kicks in - unearthing the one! And I am not talking about your man! The hunt for a dream dress can often be a stressful affair and knowing where to start can be just as bad. Heading straight to your local bridal store can sometimes be a bit of a gamble and often means you settle without fully investigating all options. So, before commencing all that legwork, why not start on the sofa and check out my four fabulous finds to get an idea of what might work for you. Yes, these little nuggets of gorgeousness are buzzing with bridal fashion, direct from the coolest catwalks on the planet and offer a stunning array of glitzy artisan accessories that you just won’t find on any standard high street. We are talking A-list here people, but not necessarily with the A-list price tag! These little black books of fashion heaven are teaming with originality and updated hourly to ensure you are kept abreast of what’s hot and happening literally as it happens! Here’s my official run-down Ladies:
www.lovemydress.net - I just adore this site for sourcing super sassy accessories and discovering new designers most of us would never hear of otherwise!
www.weddinggowntown.com/blog - From Vera Wang to Valentino, if it’s on the catwalk it’s in wedding-gown-town! I love this blog for identifying new trends and pointing out upcoming styles for the season ahead.
www.bridechic.blogspot.com - A joyous homage to bridal fashion, with Bride Chic we also get some really fantastic out-of-the-box ideas and distinct styling themes - ideal if you are looking for a strong non-traditional big day look.
www.lovelybride.com/blog - And finally with Lovely Bride we uncover some edgy classics alongside a wonderful mix of real life weddings - perfect for seeing how a dress truly comes to life on the day itself.
My number one online destination for lippy, liner and everything in-between! Award winning make-up artist Sarah Brock has come up trumps with this leading blog reviewing all the major brands, alongside a whole host of newbie’s and independent beauty ranges for every possible skin complexion. Whether you are having your make-up done professionally or applying yourself, there is much to learn from this leading lady of bridal beauty. I love all the practical advice and wide mix of looks from L’eau natural to full on red carpet glitz - time to experiment girls!
The hunt for a selection of stand-out gowns for your girls can often be difficult if not damn right impossible. In so many cases the range of dresses on offer can be a little dated to say the least and almost certainly off-trend in terms of colour-ways and cut. Why is it that the bridesmaid’s gown is often so unflattering? Ok, I know we must never outshine the bride but please! Every bride I meet always seems to struggle when it comes to selecting the bridesmaid’s dresses so thank God a team of UK designers thought up the fabulous World that is www.maidstomeasure.com! Panic no more girls for you can now create your very own gown allowing your bridesmaids to work it down the aisle of love the way you want them too - who needs a catwalk?! Either online or in the comfort of MTM’s studio, you select the fabrics, colour-ways and style options for your wedding day look - they do the rest. Not only is Maids-To-Measure the best bespoke bridesmaids dress design service I have ever discovered, it’s also much fun over a glass or two of bubbly as well... will the new Stella McCartney please stand up!
I refer to this site all the time when it comes to the legalities and technicalities of getting hitched abroad. And when it comes to sourcing suppliers and tour operators, this website also has a great mix of solutions. I particularly love all the really practical advice offered to couples in terms of making sure the wedding is legal and ensuring the wedding documents are officiated at your local registry office when you return home. A really easy-to-use self help guide that is a total must see if you are marrying abroad.
Set up by Katie Fewings in 2005, Ethical Weddings was one of the first online destinations totally devoted to going green for your big day. The site is now recognised as a leading portal for planning an ethically diverse wedding, highlighting the very best sustainable suppliers the industry has to offer. It’s actually quite surprising the impact a wedding can have on the environment especially when your florist is sourcing buds from halfway around the World. The carbon footprint can be astronomical so, I really love this site for re-introducing the concept of keeping weddings local and even suggesting having a go at some of the elements ourselves. There are tons of DIY wedding tips, a fantastic ‘Ask the Expert’ page offering genuinely fabulous advice and a gorgeous mix of real weddings to feast your eyes upon. Behind much of the offerings on this site is an adorable story of love and romance, linked into looking after the planet too which is something we should all celebrate.
www.bride2bride.co.uk - in the US check out www.MyBridalBids.com
As you well know, your Wedding Fairy loves a genius idea and this one is up there with the very best of them! I am SO happy to have discovered www.bride2bride.co.uk. A fantastic site for brides-to-be who are looking to buy a wedding dress and all the regalia that goes with said gig at a fraction of the cost you would normally pay in a traditional bridal store. The detail is all in the title people - an exchange from one newlywed bride to another bride-to-be and so on and so on. It’s an eco-cycle girls and I love it! Quite often that dream dress you have been gagging to get your hands on can cost a small fortune, so it is definitely worth checking out what delights are on offer via this site. Don’t delay, it turns out Cinderella will go to the ball! Get online today and see what’s up for grabs... let the exchange of girl power commence!
Say I Do For Charity...
Whilst on the subject, why not also check out the latest offerings from Oxfam Bridal. Many of the gowns are donated by leading fashion designers, so you could pick up that dress of your dreams for much less than you would ever expect. They regularly feature vintage gowns and end of season lines that could make a perfect match at a fraction of the original cost. I know one bride who picked up a Vera Wang classic for just £500! So what are you waiting for girls, take a look at current ranges via www.oxfam.org.uk and search the shop for Oxfam bridal wear... good karma guaranteed!
Welcome to the UK’s leading destination for planning a wedding. For me, this is the site to turn to for daily inspiration and top planning tips especially when it comes to that all important big day budget. Hitched covers every aspect of the preparation process and is ideal for those planners who are looking for a one-stop-wedding-shop. The check list of gorgeous venues across the UK is a must see, as are the stunning styling pages offering wedding ideas by theme and seasonal colour-ways. The gift list is brilliant too!
Don’t forget the boys?! Ignore this site at your peril - log on and link up your other half with this Mother-of-all-Man wedding sites of what to do and when. Everything from those all important speeches to the role of best mans is covered, so there can be no excuses for forgetting the rings! Joke!! When it comes to blokes and weddings - this website has it all sorted.
Grab the tissues girls, I feel a trickle of joyous wedding tears coming on! Yes, it’s time to switch off and soak up a dazzling mix of imagery from a truly stunning selection box of real life weddings. Float away into an incredible mix of stand-out themes and styling clarity you just won’t find anywhere else on the web. This is the best blog on the block for viewing some real life masterpieces of wedding day perfection.
Talking of themes, why not do your big day the rock n roll way! If the classic wedding fairytale is not your thing then this little beauty of a site is just for you. So many brides-to-be ask me for alternatives to the traditional vanilla scene of the wedding business and this is the blog I always point them too for a rather large injection of out-there fabulousness! I especially love all the golden nuggets of delicious detail shared on this website that will take any wedding from standard to sexy in seconds. Remember, it’s all in the detail...
www.thebiggayweddingdirectory.com
And when we turn to planning a civil partnership this website has the lot! I just love this directory for its no-nonsense approach of what you should be doing and when, teamed with a really comprehensive planning checklist and little black book of gay friendly suppliers. The site is really easy to navigate and covers all aspects of organising the big day. And if you are keen to keep up to date with all the latest news on marriage equality - this online destination is a must-add to your favourites list.
Another top site here for lesbian and gay couples planning a civil partnership. In particular, I adore the real life wedding pages for tons of inspiration on planning a ceremony to remember. This website is buzzing with originality and suggestions to truly make the event your own, plus there is a great mix of blogging contributors to tempt you with a perfect blend of really fresh ideas and alternatives to the traditional celebration.
Planning the overall colour scheme for your wedding can often be a time consuming and stressful process especially when you have no clue where to start! Luckily the team behind this site have prepped up a comprehensive guide to mixing colour-ways, covering everything from the bold and beautiful, to the delicate and subtle, meaning there is a wide range of styles and themes that will work across all seasons at any wedding. Bring on the mood boards en masse!
Bad-ass inspiration on a broke-ass budget - what a hook-line! Yes, this website does exactly what is says on the tin and it’s a total must-see for maximising cash and making the most of your big day budget. We are talking from fine to fabulous in seconds wedding planners - without having to break the bank! Head straight over to the categories page for a brilliant breakdown on how to spend wisely and effectively across each element of your big day. Remember a fairytale does not have to cost the earth people - it’s all about what you know not who you know!
www.whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com
When it comes to soaking up a few ideas for theming your wedding - this site is loaded with a sensational spectrum of ideas. The imagery is seriously hot and the contributors even hotter! In particular, this website offers a stunning mix of really fresh wedding photography portfolios to tickle your taste buds and inspire your own big day celebration. The Bride Diaries are also a must-read for any bride-to-be... you are not alone Ladies!
Sophistication is the name of the game at this establishment, mixed with a side order of dreamy elegance. If you are looking for some edgy designs that are fresh, contemporary yet still fairytale - you need to head over to this cafe post haste! Forget the cake and cappuccino; this is one of the very best comprehensive online blogs I have ever come across. Literally everything is covered from your stationery to the ceremony and all that happens in-between!
Buckets of wedding wisdom here at Polka Dot Bride especially when it comes to the key elements of your big day. The floral offerings are particularly spectacular as are the inspirational interiors. I also love the groom’s page which offers a male perspective on the crazy World that is Weddings - take note girls!
It’s all about the drama at destination OMG! Yes, if it’s glitz, glamour and all-round general gorgeousness you are on the hunt for - this is the Mother of all Mecca’s. The site is SO brilliantly easy to navigate, plus the pages have been cleverly categorised meaning you can access the elements you are researching quickly and effectively - no trolling through hundreds of pages here people! Pay special attention to the video reels for some pretty impressive visuals that have been carefully selected by the sites editor to inform and spark the imagination. Throw in select reviews on the latest bridal-wear launches, crazy cool cakes, fabulous flowers, a handful of seriously stunning stand-out venues and all of a sudden OMG becomes an essential click for any fashionista bride-to-be!
www.asianweddingideas.blogspot.com
If you are planning an Asian wedding this is the ultimate must read blog. The amount of preparation that goes into making a traditional wedding happen is immense, but luckily this gorgeous site has every element of the big day covered in stunning detail - allowing you to relax a little! I totally adore the look book which offers daily updates on all the latest trends as they spring up from around the World and the inspiration boards are an absolute saviour when it comes to ideas for fusing traditional religious practices with contemporary styling - something many Asian brides-to-be often struggle with. Sign up now girls!
Fabo site for its simplicity and sexy scenic shots! Yes, I love a wee boho flick every now and then to a-light the fires for that all important photo album planning pre-wedding. Actually it’s really essential to set aside some quality time on this subject matter to visualise how you would like your photographer to capture the moment in terms of look and feel of the imagery. Remember to share these thoughts/concepts directly with your photographer to ensure you are both singing from the same hymn sheet as they say! In my experience, all good suppliers are very happy to receive such detailed information so they can interpret into their own style and bring the big day vision alive. Natural is the name of the game here at Boho Bride and I love it. Let’s go create some memories together gorgeous wedding planners...
Tons of fabulous out-of-the-box originality on this site for the bride-to-be who adores detail. This website is buzzing with ideas I have often never come across before - especially on the beauty and wedding favour front! Elizabeth’s daily musings are above all a fun fix for us wedding- ista’s, but more importantly an inspiring read for any bride-to-be. In her own words... this is one chic and unique wedding blog!
Again, this one does exactly what is says on the tin! If the classic Cinderella fairytale is not for you, head on over to ‘offbeat’ for a sexy selection of wedding day alternatives. This is the blog that promises to altar your thinking and I must say - it ticks every box for me! Don’t be afraid to click on the wedding porn pages - they are far from seedy, trust me! Oh and if you are bored of the classic tiara and twin pearls set, this website has some really cracking fashion accessories to explore.
Hair up or hair down - what is a bride-to-be to do?! Well, first up, look no further than this fabulous follicle bible I am always logging on to for inspiration. Whether it’s long, short, thick or thin, the team at hair dressers on fire have a little something for everyone - I am talking about the hair here people! This website could not be any more bang on-trend if it wanted to, uncovering all the latest fixes from the fashion World as and when they happen. Make sure you also check out the tutorials page so you can have a go at an ‘updo’ yourself... get ready for the shampoo and set girlies!
Do It Yourself!
If you can have a go in the home why not have a go down the aisle as well! Yes, DIY Weddings are becoming ever more popular for truly stamping one’s own mark on proceedings and maxing the big day budget. Ultimately this route is not for the faint hearted but, if you have a head for planning, some time on your hands and love a challenge - this job is definitely for you! Simply visit my top 3 diy-er’s for all the best tasty tips you will ever need to design and create everything from table centrepieces to DIY wedding invites... www.diywedding.org - www.diybride.com and www.oncewed.com. Grab that sticky-back plastic girls - I am good to go!
Watch Others Online...
Grab a bucket of pop corn, a large diet coke and sink into the sofa for an afternoon of wedding TV heaven courtesy of my friends at www.weddingtv.com - www.wetv.com and www.tlc.com. Yes, this is your chance to swot up on how to get it right and steer clear of turning into the dreaded Bridezilla!
And before you switch off... post show why not get your teeth into my favourite site when it comes to visuals on mass... www.weddingchannel.com - enjoy the planning people!
Flower Power!
I am all about budding buds and when it comes to making a major impact these are the guys to turn to for high impact inspiration...
Yes for a spot of jaw dropping drama, feast your eyes upon these fine floral-construction fashionistas any A-list would be proud to employ. Petals have the power to make or break a wedding and that is why I want you to check out the stunning work of www.jamieaston.com - www.rvhfloraldesign.com and www.mathewdickinsonflowers.co.uk - brace yourself for an extreme explosion of flower power people!
Oh and for a daily dose of showbiz shockers check out www.prestonbailey.com - say it with flowers Ladies and Gents... this is the fix I am talking about!
Wedding Cakes!
Sweet treats are made of these girls and who am I to disagree! We are not just talking an average three tiers here people, I am about to present you with three mouth-watering exquisite bespoke cake construction websites that are guaranteed to leave you spellbound - wow, that was quite a mouthful! If you are on the hunt for a dramatic detailed statement to ‘seal the deal’ as they say, me thinks I might have found a few options for you. Forget something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Think vibrant vintage, Hollywood glitz, fabulous fifties and the orient express! Yes, these three wise creators offer a range of differing styles and looks that are all bang on it right now in terms of cutting edge contemporary cake design... www.zoeclarkcakes.com - www.lvcc.co.uk and www.fancynancy.info something tasty for everyone!
And again, for that daily dose of cake bake Heaven visit www.aweddingcakeblog.com - sweet dreams! Oh and for those with a strong disposition, check out www.cakewrecks.com! I repeat, only if you have a strong disposition!
The First Dance...
Just type first dance into www.youtube.com for all the inspiration you will ever need!
The Wedding Venue
This particular search can often prove to be a seriously stressful affair, especially if you are not well prepped and researched before you start off on said mammoth task. Rampaging the local streets in a desperate attempt to (by chance) stumble upon your dream venue just isn’t going to happen! No dear wedding planners, I think we might need to take a slightly different approach to get this ball rolling. Instead may I suggest you take a sneaky peak at this fabulous threesome for the very best in wedding venues across the UK, covering an entire spectrum of possibilities from 5 star hotels to the classic rural retreat. And if you are looking for something a little more alternative, these websites also offer some pretty unusual offerings for the more extreme bride and groom-to-be as well... www.weddingvenues.com - www.5starweddingdirectory.com and www.yourweddingvenue.co.uk.
Clearly the best bit has to be planning the big getaway right? Well, via this beauty of a blog it could not be easier - the World is quite literally your oyster! I truly adore this website for giving the complete low down on literally every holiday theme known to mankind, allowing you to simply sit back, relax and be inspired. Everything from the Maldives on a budget to hitting the Himalayas is covered alongside luxury breaks to Jamaica, Costa Rica and many more... well 101 to be precise! Yes, when it comes to going all-inclusive this beauty has the lot!
And finally of course... we could not forget my very own webspace - www.theweddingfairy.tv and my online community of friends via www.facebook.com/weddingfairyuk - lap up the love people!
Big kiss
The Wedding Fairy