Top things that make a perfect wedding - like good music and relaxed atmosphere

04 September 2023 , 09:00

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Ultimate Wedding Planner judges Raj Somaiya, Sara Davies and Fred Sirieix (Image: BBCS Production / Kieron McCarron)

A relaxed atmosphere, good music, and laughter, are the top things needed – for a perfect wedding, according to Brits.

Nearly half of adults (47%) think a wedding should include satisfying food, while one in three believe alcohol is a key component. And a live band (23%), an unintrusive photographer (30%), and a fully pre-paid bar (23%) are other must-haves for the big day – while 20% believe it is not a wedding unless happy tears are shed.

The poll of 1,000 adults, who have attended a wedding, also found that just 15% of guests would prefer for the event to be held in a church, as is tradition. Other venues where they would rather see the ceremony held include a castle (30%), a stately home (27%), or even the beach (20%).

The perfect wedding should also have just 60 guests, with speeches kept to just six minutes long. And when it comes to wedding gifts, guests reckon £50.15 is the perfect amount to spend. Wedding guests have also revealed their preferred food options – including an all-you-can-eat buffet (50%), or sitting outside snacking on food from different food trucks (30%).

In fact, 35% feel the typical three-course meal was outdated – but for those who do still favour a more formal sit-down affair, a Sunday roast was the most popular choice for 35%, followed by fish and chips (23%), and a BBQ (17%). Cheesecake (20%), Eton mess (10%), and sticky toffee pudding (8%) rounded off the perfect dessert menu. But when it comes to sweet treats, more than a third (36%) of guests are in favour of not having a wedding cake at all.

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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. 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, also found that 34% would attend a wedding outside of the UK – with Italy (21%), the Maldives (15%), Greece (14%), and Spain (13%) among the top destinations they would travel to. Meanwhile, more than one in ten people would love to attend a vintage-themed wedding – while other top themed wedding choices include Christmas (10%), fairytale (10%), and even a 1920s event (8%).

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%), getting married in a church (53%), only letting the men give speeches (49%), and giving the bride away (36%), 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.