How to plan a Last Minute Wedding in Gloucestershire

How to Plan a Last Minute Wedding in Gloucestershire

Are you looking for some tips on how to plan a last minute wedding in Gloucestershire? Whether you are eloping, having a small ceremony, or hosting a big celebration, planning a wedding can be stressful and overwhelming. But don’t worry, we are here to help you with some practical advice and inspiration for your special day. 😊

What are your priorities?

The first thing you need to do when planning a last minute wedding is to decide what are your priorities. What are the most important aspects of your wedding that you don’t want to compromise on? Is it the date, the venue, the photographer, the dress, the food, the music, or something else? Make a list of your top three priorities and focus on them. Everything else can be flexible or simplified.

What is your budget?

The next thing you need to consider is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on your wedding? Be realistic and honest with yourself and your partner. You don’t want to start your married life with a huge debt. There are many ways to save money on your wedding, such as choosing an off-season date, a weekday, a morning or afternoon time, a less popular location, a smaller guest list, or DIY-ing some elements. You can also look for last minute deals and discounts from vendors who have availability.

What size will your wedding be?

Another factor that will affect your wedding planning is the size of your wedding. How many guests do you want to invite? Do you want a big party with all your friends and family, or a more intimate affair with just your closest ones? The size of your wedding will determine the type of venue, catering, entertainment, and other services you will need. It will also affect the cost and the logistics of your wedding.

What locations in Gloucestershire do you love?

Gloucestershire is a beautiful county that offers a variety of stunning locations for your wedding. Whether you are looking for a rustic barn, a historic castle, a charming hotel, a scenic garden, or a modern city, you will find something that suits your style and taste. Some of the most popular wedding locations in Gloucestershire are:

• Cotswold House Hotel and Spa: A luxurious hotel and spa in the heart of the Cotswolds, with elegant rooms, a tranquil garden, and a fine dining restaurant.
• Clearwell Castle: A fairy-tale castle in the Forest of Dean, with a grand ballroom, a vaulted cellar bar, and 15 acres of grounds.
• The Barn at Upcote: A rustic and romantic barn in the Cotswold hills, with a courtyard, a lake, and a cosy lounge.
• The Matara Centre: A unique and eco-friendly venue in Tetbury, with a Georgian house, a Zen garden, and a cloistered courtyard.
• Kingscote Barn: A beautiful barn in the Cotswolds, with amazing views and lots of space. You can get married there with up to 150 guests, and stay the night with up to 50 guests.

What other wedding vendors do you want to hire?

Besides the venue, you will also need to hire other wedding vendors to make your day complete. Depending on your priorities and budget, you may want to hire a photographer, a videographer, a florist, a cake maker, a caterer, a DJ, a band, a hair and makeup artist, a celebrant, a transport provider, and more. To find the best vendors for your last minute wedding, you can use the following tips:

• Ask for recommendations from your venue, your friends, your family, or your social media contacts.
• Search online for local vendors who have good reviews, portfolios, and availability.
• Contact multiple vendors and compare their prices, packages, and services.
• Look for last minute availabilities due to cancellations. Sometimes there is even a discount for filling up those last-minute wedding slots!
• Book and confirm your vendors as soon as possible and make sure you read your contracts carefully.

Tips for types of vendors you can consider

When hiring wedding vendors, you may want to consider some alternative or unconventional options that can suit your last minute wedding. For example, you can:

• Hire a content creator who can capture your wedding day as it unfolds, without posing, editing, or staging.
• Hire a videographer who can create a short and sweet highlight video of your wedding, instead of a long and detailed documentary.
• Find a local florist who can create a simple and elegant bouquet and boutonniere for you and your partner, and use seasonal and home-grown flowers.
• Serve cupcakes or desserts for your guests instead of a cake, which you may need to book longer in advance.
• Hire a caterer who can provide a buffet, a barbecue, a picnic, or a food truck for your wedding, instead of a formal sit-down meal.
• Find local budding artists with good reviews who can play your favourite songs and genres, and create a fun and relaxed atmosphere for your wedding.
• Hire a freelance hair and makeup artist who can come to your venue and do your hair and makeup on the day, instead of having a trial or a salon appointment.
• Hire a celebrant who can create a personalised and meaningful ceremony for you and your partner, and include your own vows, readings, and rituals.
• Consider the various transport providers who can offer a vintage car, a horse and carriage, a bicycle, a taxi, or a bus for your wedding.
• Think outside the box when initially you can’t find what you are looking for.

Types of Last-Minute Weddings in Gloucestershire

Tips for an elopement

If you want to have a truly last minute wedding, you can opt for an elopement. An elopement is when you and your partner run away and get married without telling anyone or inviting anyone. It can be a romantic and adventurous way to celebrate your love and commitment. Here are some tips for planning an elopement in Gloucestershire:

• Choose a location that is meaningful, beautiful, and accessible for you and your partner. It can be a park, a beach, a forest, a hill, or a city.
• Check the legal requirements and paperwork for getting married in your chosen location. You may need to give notice, obtain a license, or register your marriage.
• Hire a photographer and a celebrant who can witness and document your elopement. You can also ask a friend or a stranger to be your witness if you prefer.
• Wear something that is comfortable, practical, and suitable for your location and weather. You don’t need to wear a traditional wedding dress or suit, unless you want to.
• Bring some essentials, such as your rings, your vows, your ID, your phone, your camera, your water, your snacks, and your umbrella.
• Enjoy your elopement and make it memorable and special for you and your partner. You can exchange your vows, kiss, dance, pop a champagne, cut a cake, or do whatever you like.
• Announce your elopement to your friends and family after you get married. You can send them a card, a photo, a video, or a message. You can also invite them to a post-elopement party if you want to celebrate with them.

Tips for a registry office wedding

Another option for a last minute wedding is a registry office wedding. A registry office wedding is when you and your partner get married at a local register office or a licensed venue, with a civil ceremony conducted by a registrar. It can be a simple and affordable way to tie the knot legally and officially. Here are some tips for planning a registry office wedding in Gloucestershire:

• Choose a register office or a licensed venue that is convenient, available, and appealing for you and your partner. You can find a list of approved venues in Gloucestershire here.
• Book your date and time with the register office or the licensed venue as soon as possible. You will need to give at least 28 days notice before your wedding date.
• Pay the fees for your wedding ceremony and certificate. The fees may vary depending on the date, time, venue, and type of ceremony you choose. You can find the fees for Gloucestershire register offices here.
• Prepare the documents and information you need to provide to the registrar before your wedding. You will need to show proof of your identity, address, nationality, and marital status. You will also need to choose your vows, music, readings, and witnesses for your ceremony.
• Plan your wedding attire, accessories, flowers, and rings for your wedding day. You can wear whatever you like, as long as it is appropriate and respectful for the occasion. You can also bring a bouquet, a boutonniere, a veil, a tiara, or any other items you want to wear or carry.
• Arrive at the register office or the licensed venue at least 15 minutes before your ceremony time. You will need to meet with the registrar and confirm your details before your ceremony. You will also need to bring your witnesses and guests with you. The maximum number of guests may depend on the size and capacity of the venue.
• Enjoy your wedding ceremony and make it personal and meaningful for you and your partner. You can say your vows, exchange your rings, sign the register, and take photos. You can also add some extra touches, such as a poem, a song, a toast, or a gift.
• Celebrate your wedding with your friends and family after your ceremony. You can go to a nearby restaurant, pub, cafe, or park for a meal, a drink, a cake, or a dance.

Tips for an intimate garden wedding

If you want to have a cosy and romantic wedding, you can opt for an intimate garden wedding. A garden wedding is when you and your partner get married in a private or public garden, with a natural and floral backdrop. It can be a lovely and affordable way to celebrate your love and commitment. Here are some tips for planning an intimate garden wedding in Gloucestershire:

• Choose a garden that is suitable, available, and accessible for you and your partner. It can be your own garden, a friend’s or family’s garden, or a public garden. Some of the most beautiful gardens in Gloucestershire are:
  • Painswick Rococo Garden: A whimsical and colourful garden in Painswick, with a Gothic pavilion, a maze, a kitchen garden, and a snowdrop grove.
  • Westonbirt Arboretum: A spectacular and diverse arboretum in Tetbury, with over 15,000 trees, a treetop walkway, a Japanese garden, and a wildflower meadow.
  • Hidcote Manor Garden: A stunning and intricate garden in Chipping Campden, with a series of outdoor rooms, a red border, a white garden, and a secret garden.
  • Batsford Arboretum: A serene and scenic arboretum in Moreton-in-Marsh, with a Japanese bridge, a bamboo grove, a magnolia garden, and a waterfall.
  • Highgrove Gardens: A royal and organic garden in Tetbury, belonging to Prince Charles and Camilla, with a wildflower meadow, a stumpery, a walled garden, and a cottage garden.
• Book your date and time with the garden owner or manager as soon as possible. You will need to check the availability, the capacity, the facilities, and the rules of the garden. You may also need to pay a fee or make a donation for using the garden.
• Hire a marquee, a tent, or a gazebo for your wedding ceremony and reception. You will need to provide shelter and shade for you and your guests, in case of rain or sun. You will also need to arrange the furniture, the lighting, the heating, and the decoration for your marquee, tent, or gazebo.
• Hire a caterer, a florist, a cake maker, and other vendors who can provide services for your garden wedding. You will need to coordinate with them and make sure they can deliver and set up their products and equipment in the garden. You will also need to consider the power supply, the water supply, and the waste disposal for your vendors.
• Plan your wedding attire, accessories, flowers, and rings for your wedding day. You can wear something that is comfortable, casual, and suitable for your garden setting and weather. You can also choose flowers that match the theme and the season of your garden wedding. You can also bring a parasol, a fan, a shawl, or a jacket for your comfort.
• Arrive at the garden at least an hour before your ceremony time. You will need to meet with your vendors and check everything is ready and in place. You will also need to bring your witnesses and guests with you. The maximum number of guests may depend on the size and capacity of the garden.
• Enjoy your wedding ceremony and reception and make it personal and meaningful for you and your partner. You can say your vows, exchange your rings, cut your cake, and have a toast. You can also play some music, have some games, or have a dance. You can also take some photos in the garden and capture the beauty and the joy of your wedding.

Tips for a hotel wedding

If you want to have a convenient and comfortable wedding, you can opt for a hotel wedding. It can be a hassle-free and enjoyable way to celebrate your love and commitment. Here are some tips for planning a hotel wedding in Gloucestershire:

• Choose a hotel that is suitable, available, and affordable for you and your partner. It can be a boutique hotel, a country hotel, a city hotel, or a luxury hotel. Some of the most popular hotels in Gloucestershire are:
  • The Greenway Hotel and Spa: A charming and elegant hotel and spa in Cheltenham, with a Tudor-style mansion, a spa, a restaurant, and a garden.
  • The Queen’s Hotel: A historic and elegant hotel in Cheltenham with a showstopping staircase, and overlooking the Imperial Gardens.
  • The Bear of Rodborough Hotel: A cosy and quirky hotel in Stroud, with a 17th-century coaching inn, a pub, a restaurant, and a croquet lawn.
  • The Hare and Hounds Hotel: A classic and cosy hotel in Tetbury, with a Cotswold stone building, a bar, a restaurant, and a woodland.
  • The Cheltenham Chase Hotel: A contemporary and spacious hotel in Brockworth, with a spa, a pool, a gym, a restaurant, and a lounge.
• Book your date and time with the hotel as soon as possible. You will need to check the availability, the capacity, the facilities, and the packages of the hotel. You may also need to pay a deposit or a fee for booking the hotel.
• Hire a wedding coordinator, a photographer, a florist, a cake maker, and other vendors who can provide services for your hotel wedding. You can either use the hotel’s recommended or preferred vendors, or choose your own vendors. You will need to coordinate with them and make sure they can work with the hotel’s policies and procedures.
• Plan your wedding attire, accessories, flowers, and rings for your wedding day. You can wear something that is appropriate, formal, and suitable for your hotel setting and theme. You can also choose flowers that match the hotel’s decor and style. You can also bring a clutch, a shawl, a jacket, or a pair of flats for your comfort.
• Arrive at the hotel at least an hour before your ceremony time. You will need to meet with your wedding coordinator and check everything is ready and in place. You will also need to bring your witnesses and guests with you. The maximum number of guests may depend on the size and capacity of the hotel.
• Enjoy your wedding ceremony and reception and make it personal and meaningful for you and your partner. You can say your vows, exchange your rings, cut your cake, and have a toast. You can also play some music, have some games, or have a dance. You can also take some photos in the hotel and capture the elegance and the charm of your wedding.

Let’s wrap it up..

Planning a last minute wedding in Gloucestershire can be a challenge, but it can also be a lot of fun and rewarding. You can have a wedding that reflects your personality, your style, and your love, without breaking the bank or stressing out. You just need to be flexible, creative, and resourceful.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer who can capture your last minute wedding in Gloucestershire, look no further. I’m Laurine, a Dutch photographer and internationally published journalist, covering weddings and events in Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, and Bristol, as well as in The Netherlands. I work with laid-back people who prefer a more journalistic approach to photography to create truly unique photographs.

Contact me today and let’s chat about your last minute wedding plans. I would love to hear from you and be part of your special day. 😊