In the realm of wedding planning, costs are often a significant concern for many couples in the UK, where the average expenditure on a wedding reached £19,184 in 2023, a figure that incorporates elements such as the engagement ring and honeymoon. Traditionally, weddings are grand affairs, with couples opting for luxurious meals and elaborate floral arrangements to mark the occasion. However, some individuals are increasingly opting for more cost-effective alternatives, choosing to minimise guest lists or even create homemade decorations.

A recent incident has drawn attention online as a bride has encountered backlash for allegedly misleading the owners of her chosen venue in order to keep costs down. The bride, whose name has not been disclosed, desired an unconventional wedding experience and selected a rustic resort described as “almost like an adult sleepaway camp in the mountains.” The venue is run by an elderly couple and their son, featuring a lodge that accommodates small groups in a semi-private setting.

In a detailed post on Reddit, the bride recounted that she and her partner had planned a retreat for their immediate families and close friends, booking six cabins for a total of 18 guests. Notably, the venue encourages guests to bring their own food and drinks, with limited snack options available on-site. The couple decided against exploring the so-called wedding rates and packages, questioning the necessity of incurring additional costs associated with a traditional wedding. “It might’ve been a ‘wedding’ because we came out of it married… but I don’t think we did or needed anything that merits the exorbitant wedding tax that gets slapped onto everything the moment you whisper ‘engaged’,” she noted.

Despite enjoying a five-day stay at the venue, their experience took a turn when a Google review praising their stay as an “amazing start” to their marriage prompted an email from the property owners. The owners expressed concern about “unapproved events on the property,” indicating that the bride’s gathering might violate the venue’s policies.

In response, the bride admitted to being less than truthful, claiming they were merely celebrating their engagement. “This makes two times that I have lied to these people and I don’t know if I should feel bad or not,” she shared in her post.

The couple’s situation has elicited a mixed response from online commentators. Many expressed sympathy, indicating that there should not be significant additional charges for weddings. One commenter stated, “It sounds like your party was respectful, very low-key, and simple. Simply implying a wedding will cause venues to bleed you of thousands you never needed to spend; eighteen people and a small party is very reasonable.”

Conversely, others pointed out the legal implications surrounding venue licensing. It was emphasised that many venues require specific licences to legally host weddings, and operating without such permissions could expose them to substantial fines or even jeopardise their business.

Although the specific country where the events unfolded remains unspecified, UK law imposes stringent regulations regarding venue licensing for marriages and civil partnerships. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea outlines that legally, these ceremonies must occur at licensed premises that are accessible to the public. Government guidelines stipulate that these approved locations may conduct civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies within certain buildings or specific outdoor areas on the premises, adhering to designated regulations.

As the debate continues, the couple’s experience raises pertinent questions about costs associated with weddings and the expectations surrounding venue policies.

Source: Noah Wire Services