Forget stuffy dress codes and endless speeches – UK wedding guests are officially over old-school traditions!
If someone you know is knee-deep in wedding planning and stressing over guest expectations, this is their sign to relax – the secret to a crowd-pleasing wedding is way simpler than they think!
Our latest research shows that modern weddings are all about good vibes, great food, and plenty of dancing.
What Guests Actually Love at Weddings
While the movies make it all about dramatic speeches and choreographed first dances, guests are actually thinking about:
- Catching up with friends and family (53%)
- Tucking into great food (52%)
- Dancing the night away (38%)
Meanwhile, the ‘traditional’ wedding agenda is taking a back seat:
- 54% would happily ditch strict dress codes
- 31% would skip speeches altogether
- Only 14% consider speeches a highlight (keep it to one or two short toasts!)
Buffets, Food Trucks & Comfort First
Gone are the days when a formal three-course meal was the only option:.
- 46% of guests prefer buffets or grazing tables
- 1 in 10 would love street food or food trucks
And let’s be honest – no one wants to spend 12 hours in heels or a stiff suit. 37% of guests say their top priority is wearing something comfortable and 10% admit to finding dress codes confusing or stressful.
Love, Marriage… and the Price Tag
As the old saying goes: “first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes” …the bill.
The average guest spends £219 per wedding, and more than 1 in 5 have turned down invites for financial reasons. That’s why the weddings people remember most aren’t the flashiest, they’re the ones where guest comfort comes first (49%), above the food, music, or even the schedule!
The Wedding Gift That Always Lands
If you’re looking for a wedding gift idea that newlyweds will genuinely love, a One4all Gift Card is a perfect pick.
From homeware and tech to fashion and foodie treats, it lets couples choose something that suits their new journey into marital life.
They can be spent directly in-store or online on 100s of retailers on 1000s of brands. Available from £10 to £120, you can pick one up at major retailers including your local Post Office, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-Op, Morrisons and more, or online at Amazon and one4all.com.
Because when it comes to modern weddings, it’s simple: less protocol, more party!
