How to plan a black tie wedding, from glamorous dresses to best venues
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
If you want your wedding to be the last word in elegance and luxury (not to mention a party for the ages), chances are you’re toying with the idea of a black tie theme.
Currently, weddings are on hold due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions – and ceremonies are only allowed in exceptional circumstances in England, whilst receptions are banned across the UK. It's a further blow to brides and grooms-to-be, as well as wedding venues and planners. But there are glimmers of hope.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said it's his "hope and belief" that the wedding and events industries would be open for business by summer. With the UK's mass vaccination programme well underway, we can be cautiously optimistic that nuptials could be allowed a some point this year.
There's no reason you can't get stuck into dreaming up and planning your perfect wedding right now. If you're after an elegant affair, here's where to start...
What does a black tie wedding entail?
It’s first and foremost a dress code – floor-length dresses and tuxedos – but it also denotes a sense of formality. Think: an evening reception, sit-down dinner and opulent setting.
“A black tie wedding really creates a sense of occasion and implies importance,” says Anna Wills, founder of ARC events, who has helped organise weddings at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK including Kensington Palace and the V&A Museum.
“The choice of venue is key – throwing a glamorous formal wedding deserves the perfect setting for such an affair. Historical buildings with ornate interiors are an obvious winner, such as Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire or Banqueting House in London.”
But where is a bride-to-be to start? For lavish affairs, the devil's in the detail. From the save the dates to luxurious centrepieces and show-stopping venues, here's our complete guide to planning a black tie wedding.
Read more: How to plan a wedding during coronavirus
Best black tie wedding venues
Step number one: secure a venue that’s befitting of a black-tie bash. Mark Niemierko, who is widely regarded as one of the UK’s best wedding planners, says that, although it might sound obvious, you must remember to sort the “fundamentals” – guest numbers, date, location and budget – with your partner (and potential wedding planner) before you get bogged down in the details. These factors will determine which venues will be a good fit for you.
He recommends “city chic” settings for a black tie wedding: think Draper’s Hall in the City of London, the Savile Club in Mayfair or the Battersea Arts Centre. However, a formal do can work just as well in the country: “One of my favourite venues is a little hotel in the New Forest called Lime Wood, where you could do a whole weekend wedding,” Niemierko says. And he should know, having organised Julia and James Cordon’s nuptials at Somerset’s Babington House.
Here are a few of our favourite venues for inspiration:
The Bodleian Libraries, Oxford
The Bodleian makes Niemierko’s list of the premier black-tie wedding venues in the UK. As far as opulent, elegant settings are concerned, this stunning building in the heart of the 'city of the dreaming spires' is the crème de la crème. Book the Divinity Hall, with its carved stone ceilings and large arched windows, for a breathtaking reception space.
Banqueting House, London
Among Wills' favourite wedding venues is London’s stunning Banqueting House, which was created specifically for entertaining in 1622. With glittering chandeliers, a ceiling painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens and a space for up to 400 guests, this is a venue that’s tailor-made for a blow-out bash.
Holkham Hall, Norfolk
This magnificent stately home on the North Norfolk coast is set in 3,000 acres of rolling parkland and has six licensed wedding venues to choose from for your ceremony. The magnificent, marble-pillared Hall, with its 50ft ceiling, would be a perfect place to say ‘I Do’.
Read more: 7 best wedding gift registry sites
Best black tie wedding dresses
When it comes to a black tie wedding, it goes without saying that you’ll be getting dressed up to the nines. But while black tie has traditionally entailed full-length formal dresses and tuxedos, there are a whole host of bridal brands breaking with tradition and putting a spin on the theme.
When you think black tie, you think evening dress – so, if you’re going for a traditional bridal gown, you could opt for a sleek, streamlined fit.
“Obviously brides can wear what they want, but in terms of a black tie theme, I think more relaxed, chic silhouettes work better than big ballgowns,” says Lauren Crispin, owner of the Mews Bridal, which has boutiques in Bristol, London and New York. “A lot of brides are going for our ready-to-wear pieces that include jumpsuits and shorter dresses, too”.
As long as you feel comfortable for your big day, throw out the rule book and play with length, cut and colour. Here are three of the best black tie wedding dresses for you to add to your moodboard:
Reformation Geranium Dress
For something chic, simple and silky, this dress ticks all the boxes. It’s made from 100% silk and has a full length, relaxed fit skirt, a fitted bodice and a flattering v-neck. Reformation has long been celebrated for its sustainability efforts, so it’s also the perfect choice for an eco-conscious bride.
Halfpenny London Dion Stretch-duchesse satin gown
A wedding dress that’s every bit as sleek as an evening gown courtesy of ever-popular bridal designer Kate Halfpenny. The glossy stretch-satin and simple, elegant cut of this dress mean it’s a universally flattering choice.
Rime Arodaky Queen Dress
Crispin recommends Parisian designed Rime Arodaky as a popular choice for black tie-themed wedding dresses as she mixes “an edgy, fashion-forward look with timeless silhouettes.” Dresses start at £2,000 and are available at the Mews Bridal with limited ready-to-wear options (including tailoring) available online.
Best black tie invitations and save-the-dates
Given that it’s the first thing your guests will see of your wedding, your stationery needs to set the tone. As well as all the necessary practicalities – time, place, accommodation, et cetera – remember to put the all important black tie dress code on your invite so your guests can get decked out in their finery.
Here are some stationers to look to for inspiration:
Strawberry Sorbet
From £204.75, strawberrysorbet.co.uk
Strawberry Sorbet is a husband-and-wife duo who create luxurious letterpress and hot foil wedding stationery with an incredible attention to detail. They have a collection of elegant, black tie-ready designs to shop, or can offer a bespoke service. If you’re tight on time they can have your stationery posted within 5-7 days.
Smythson Portrait Folded Wedding Invitation
From £400.50, smythson.com
There’s no stationer more suited to a black tie wedding than Bond Street’s finest. It goes without saying that, for Smythson wedding invitations, you’ll pay a premium – but for hand-crafted quality and sophisticated designs, they’re among the best in the business (and, while you’re there, you could snap up one of their iconic wedding planners).
Papier Gold Border Wedding Invitations
From £24, papier.com
For a wide range of affordable, stylish wedding invitations, head to online stationer Papier. These invites, complete with a simple, modern design and gold border, are the perfect choice if you want luxury stationery at high-street prices.
Best black tie wedding decorations
Once you’ve locked down your venue, decor and table settings are the key to a luxurious atmosphere. “Try and get a range of high and low centrepieces to draw your eye into the centre of the room,” says Wills. “Lighting is really key - clusters of candles provide a really lovely, flattering light and twinkling effect.”
Don't be afraid to get creative with personal touches, too. Wills has worked on weddings with walls of red roses and monogrammed dance floors, as well as slightly less high-cost options like personalised napkins. “You don’t want it to be a jamboree of different elements, and your guests won’t expect it,” she adds. “Sometimes the most simple designs have the biggest impact.”
Here are some ideas to consider:
Tapered candles
Don't overlook candles – they're an easy way to create an ambient atmosphere through table decor. Opt for bold, colourful candles from Trouva (£10.95 for 10) and Etsy (£12.50 for 8) in a wide range of shades. For a more muted palette, you can’t go wrong with Price’s classic white tapered dining candles (£22.50 for 50, Amazon).
Low floral centrepieces
For an elegant tablescape, explore low floral centrepieces – they feel luxurious without being too tall or distracting (you want your guests to be able to see each other, after all). If you don't plan to hire a florist, there are a whole host of online flower delivery companies that offer great options. Flowerbx offers a bespoke service, with a team that is well-versed in creating show-stopping arrangements for events. Alternatively, Floom has a wide range of wedding bouquets from around £40, which could be made into centrepieces.
Personalised wedding favours
There’s nothing like a personalised touch to make a wedding memorable. Why not consider monogrammed napkins? The aptly named Embroided Napkin Company makes beautiful designs, such as this floral monogram, but they come at a price. Otherwise, Big Stitch offers monogrammed cotton or linen options (£10, Not On the High Street). For a more affordable option, calligraphy place cards can double as a keepsake for your guests (from £10.50, Papier).
Black tie wedding photographers
Wills advises that a photographer should also be at the top of your priority list. “Photographers can’t reproduce themselves, so it’s something to get booked the sooner the better,” she adds. More than a particular style, it’s about finding a photographer who gels with you and your partner on a personal level.
“You need to feel comfortable in front of the lens to capture those natural shots, and you need to trust them to snap what you want, and blend into a crowd if required,” says Wills. It would be an added benefit if they were familiar with your venue already, but this is not a prerequisite.
Here is a small selection of our favourites:
Lucy Birkhead
Birkhead’s photos speak for themselves – she’s a pro at capturing thoughtful, artistic wedding snaps that will give you a bank of beautiful memories of your big day. She has a background in portrait and fashion photography and worked for the legendary fashion photographer Mario Testino for six years.
Luke Bell
Bell’s cinematic photography would work for any kind of wedding, but his muted colour palette and contemporary style would be perfect for capturing striking shots of your black tie nuptials.
Damien Brandon
Look no further for sleek, stylish wedding photography that’s still brimming with personality – Brandon’s black and white portraiture would be the perfect way to remember your black tie wedding day.
Read more: Should I cancel my 2021 wedding?
