It’s not exactly a secret that traditional weddings these days are pricey. With the average UK wedding now costing an eye-watering £25,000 (and no, that’s not a typo!), it’s no wonder that more and more couples are opting for smaller, more personal ceremonies or choosing to elope altogether to save on costs.
But while smaller weddings are easier on the ol’ wallet and can help to create a more intimate experience, they can also sometimes miss out on the special feeling of having all your loved ones gathered together in one place.
For budget-conscious couple, Kaitlyn and Connor, having a smaller wedding was a must. But neither of them wanted to miss out on the chance to celebrate their marriage with all of their loved ones either.
So, can you guess what they did?
They crossed the border and tied the knot up at Gretna Green before returning home to Yorkshire for a post-elopement party!
Connor’s parents were generous enough to offer their home as the venue for the celebration, and let us tell you this old farmhouse had plenty of room to host all 120 of their guests! The pair also rented marquees to provide shelter for their guests in case it rained, but with sky-splitting sunshine and temps topping 23 degrees, they had nothing to worry about.
As for the food, Connor and Kaitlyn had hired Hog Roast Calderdale to serve our Southern Slow Roast Menu after being recommended to check us out by a close friend. And boy, were they glad they did!
Hog Roast Calderdale’s services came in well below budget, which allowed the couple to spend a little bit extra on party decorations and a wedding cake.
On the day of the party, Hog Roast Calderdale was the first to arrive on site and we used the time before the guests arrived to rustle up a spread featuring BBQ pork butt, Texan 24-hour beef brisket, Cajun-style whole-roasted chickens and vegan-friendly BBQ-pulled jackfruit rolls. For the sides, crunchy coleslaw, butter-dripping corn cobbettes and a mix of traditional and sweet potato fries were served up along with a selection of sauces, bread rolls and wraps.
Just as we’d hoped, our menu went down a storm with the happy couple and their guests. With everyone singing Hog Roast Calderdale’s praises all afternoon, we left this event feeling immensely proud.
And, most importantly, Kaitlyn and Connor got the best of both worlds – an intimate, meaningful ceremony and a joyful celebration with all their loved ones.