If you’ve just got engaged, you’re probably staring at that ring and thinking: where on earth do I even start? Venue first? Dress shopping? Pinterest boards?
To me, the very best first step in your wedding journey is to step inside a wedding show. If you’re in the UK, I'm sure you've heard of one in particular; The National Wedding Show, which opens its doors again this October.
Let me tell you why this should be right at the top of your list.
Face-to-Face interactions that you just can't get online:
We live in a digital world, and yes, scrolling through Instagram feeds can be inspiring. But when it comes to choosing the people who are going to play such a big role in your wedding day, nothing replaces face-to-face.
At a wedding show, you can chat with florists and actually see their brains tick when they describe your dream bouquet. You can stand in front of photographers’ displays and feel their personalities come through. You can hear a band live and imagining them playing your first dance.
These little moments—eye contact, laughter, a genuine connection—are what make the difference between suppliers who “could” do your wedding, and suppliers who should be.
The atmosphere:
The moment you walk in, you feel it: the excitement that comes from being in a room full of people all dreaming about their perfect day.
There are dresses on the runway, cake tastings happening around the corner, girls trying on bridesmaid dresses together.
It’s an experience you can’t replicate by sitting behind a laptop. And planning a wedding can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Everything You Need, All in One Place.
A wedding show is the only place where you can see (and compare) so many options side by side. Dresses, venues, décor, music, stationery, cakes—you name it, it’s there.
No back-and-forth emails. No booking something just because it’s the only option you’ve seen. Instead, you can ask questions, take business cards, compare prices, and leave knowing you’ve actually started ticking things off your to-do list.
Think of it as speed-dating for wedding suppliers—except it’s way less awkward, and you come away with cake samples.
My First Wedding Show Experience
I’ll be honest: the first time I went to a wedding show, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Part of me thought it might be a bit overwhelming or salesy. But within ten minutes of walking through the doors, I was completely swept up in the buzz.
I still remember chatting with a florist who was so passionate, she pulled out her phone to show me photos of a bouquet she’d created that morning. I hadn’t even thought seriously about flowers before that moment, but I left her stand feeling like she understood me. And that’s the beauty of these shows—you stumble across people and ideas you never knew you needed, and suddenly they’re part of your vision.
Why the National Wedding Show, Specifically?
Because it’s the big one. The UK’s flagship wedding show. This October, it’s set to bring together hundreds of suppliers, the latest trends, and some of the most talented people in the industry, all under one roof.
At the National Wedding Show, you’ll see everything—from catwalks featuring the newest bridal collections, to gorgeous décor setups you can actually walk through. It’s inspiring, but also grounding: you leave not just with ideas, but with names, numbers, and plans you can put straight into action.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
A wedding show is full-on in the best way, so here are a few tips to get the best out of it:
1. Go in with a plan. What suppliers do you want to see?
2. But stay open. Looking back, I'd never have chosen the florist that I did without going to a show.
3. Ask all the questions. Suppliers are there because they want to meet you. Ask about pricing, availability, custom options—it’s the perfect chance to get the answers straight away.
4. Take breaks. Grab a drink, share a slice of cake, sit and people-watch.
Whilst wedding planning might be overwhelming, the very best place to start is in a room full of people going through the exact same thoughts. Because when you’re standing in that room, surrounded by flowers, dresses, cake samples, and happy couples, you realise: this is what wedding planning is meant to feel like.
If you have ever wanted to escape city life, limit your phone usage and emerce yourself in the countryside, but are a little scared to go the whole hog, then this shepherds hut might be the place to start.
The Mallards Hut at Furnace Lakes Fishery is a gorgeous little home away from home. The 'Rolls-Royce' of huts, is beautifully made, with modern amenities surrounded by the countryside on all sides. Situated on the fishing lake, the hut comes with a wood fired Jacuzzi, pre-fired so ready for your arrival, and a fire pit area with comfy seating for a cosy evening watching the lake.
We stayed for two nights, opting for dinner and a dip in the tub on the first, and an early morning walk during the main stay day. There are a few walking trails to do, one starting directly behind the hut, with different paths to take yourself down, with pubs at the end if that is your thing. The local shops are a 5 minute drive, but we opted to pick up last minute items during our walk back as we wanted to avoid the car where possible during our stay.
There are two huts on the lake, The Mallard Hut, the one that we stayed in, and another just slightly further down the lake. The huts are separated by a wooden fence, and we barely noticed our neighbours at all. The huts are surrounded by woodlands, so other than the owners in the main house and one fisherman driving past on the other side of the lake, we were completely alone with nature. Being able to wake up and hear the ducks paddling, or a fire cracking is truly good for the soul.
Whilst the hut catered for pretty much everything, you would do well to take your own oil, oven mitts and shower gels. Other than that- you'll have everything you need inside including wood for the fires and robes for the chilly run from the pre-shower to the hot tub outside.
If we could spend every weekend here we would. The hosts were amazing with our requests for more wood (J loves a fire), and I'm excited to see where this little business goes in the future.
