The Ultimate Wedding Planning Hack For Your Modern Wedding!
Photography by Lisa Jane Photography
Wanna know the ULTIMATE wedding hack that will save you tons of time, and make the whole experience a joy and not a stress?!
Ok… we’ve got you… but keep it to yourself… cos it’s pretty damn sacred… it’s called the Book Of Love, my friend.
Listen up.
What is the Book Of Love?
It’s the UK’s favorite online directory for couples (and throuples) who are planning their modern wedding because it cuts to the chase, only listing the very best independent wedding suppliers that we know you will LOVE!
Cool huh?
Perhaps you’ve been drowning in a sea of Pinterest pins? Or you’ve developed low-key RSI from scrolling through Instagram all day long?
You’re not alone. It's all too easy to get lost in the online world of wedding inspiration but feel totally overwhelmed when it comes to actually making some decisions, right?
This is why the Book Of Love directory exists!
Founder, Melissa, got tired of seeing the same old, traditional wedding ideas and businesses when she was planning her wedding back in 2011. Nothing seemed to hit for someone who, well… just wasn’t very traditional.
A wedding directory for non-traditional couples.
Fast-forward 5 years, after a brief stint working as a wedding supplier, Melissa experienced all the same frustrations but from a business perspective.
There was nowhere to go for cool, modern suppliers to attract like-minded couples, and advertising in online spaces that were awash with chair covers and scatter crystals was never going to be a great starting point for the type of couples who were using those resources.
In 2016, The Un-Wedding launched its famous Book Of Love directory as a way to bridge the gap and connect the UK’s most unique, independent wedding suppliers with you… YES YOU!… if you’re in the process of planning a modern wedding that cares less about all the outdated BS that is.
Your modern wedding dreams brought to life!
It’s been a while since we got together with a bunch of our favourite Book Of Love directory members to show you what kind of magic they can create when they get together. We LOVE it when Un-Wedding couples book a whole team from the directory because that means more awesome weddings, and that is The Un-Wedding’s sole mission.
Step inside our wonderful world - a world that exists to help you plan a modern wedding that reflects YOUR personality, not your grandma’s.
We teamed up with a tiny cross-section of our members to give you the gist of what you can expect when you go shopping for your wedding suppliers in our Book Of Love directory.
Let your Un-Wedding shopping commence.
From breathtaking floral artists, and giant pinata makers, to alternative wedding photographers and rubbish portrait drawers… (they’re actually really good, we promise!)… the Book Of Love has everything and more for your modern wedding celebration.
Here are but a few:
A Pink Veil with Smileys by Claude Bridal … YES!
If you’re looking for something really out of the ordinary like a pink veil with smiley details then you’re in the right place. This is exactly the kind of commission our Book Of Love directory members LOVE!
This standout piece is just a taster of the incredible possibilities Claude Bridal can create for you. And the best news… you can collaborate with Claude Bridal to customise your dream accessory for your wedding day.
Claude Bridal specialises in creating contemporary bridal accessories and sequin festival flower crowns that are both decorative and modern. These luxurious handcrafted accessories with gorgeous pops of colour, embody a fresh and fun aesthetic. The collection includes unique veils, bows, belts, and sashes, with the option to personalise colours, lengths, shapes, and embroidery to match your vision. With a focus on sustainability, Claude Bridal ensures that your wedding accessory will not only look shit hot on your wedding day but be a cherished wardrobe staple for years to come… I mean, I think we should all be wearing pink smiley veils to the supermarket tbh.
AHHHH I cannot express how much we LOVE this bespoke veil with giant smiley from Claude Bridal
Playful flowers by Mary Mary Florals… HELL YES!
The colours… the textures…. the styling… and YES… they are REAL flowers!
Liverpool’s Mary Mary Florals uses the freshest blooms, abundantly arranged into jaw-dropping displays that turn heads and steal hearts at your Un-Wedding.
Anna and Jose ensure that your flowers are the thing that EVERYONE remembers from your wedding which is great cos you will be the one holding them!
No predictable colour palettes here. We asked Anna for playful and poppin’ and oh my, did she deliver!
These REAL flowers by Mary Mary Floral Design look incredible.
The colors and detail in these flowers by Mary Mary is insane!
Perfect captures by Lisa Jane’s Photography… EVERYTIME!
A Book Of Love OG, we always LOVE working with Lisa because her approach to photography is not just about taking a pretty picture; it's about preserving memories and narrating untold stories.
Behind the lens, she immerses herself in your world, capturing more than just the details… she captures the hidden moments and then tells them back to you in a beautiful image. The perfect wing-woman to have at your wedding, you’ll thank her for every picture.
On this shoot, we just knew Lisa would know how to make our suppliers look cool… not that it’s difficult but y’know, their hard work and creativity deserve the best.
You’ll find Lisa Jane Photography listed in our photography category alongside some of the UK’s best alternative photographers for your modern wedding.
Top of the Props with Trashy Decor… Who else?
Introducing Trashy Decor, the masters of disco decor and styling! How else are you gonna transport your Un-Wedding shopping around if it’s not in a pink trolley huh?
These guys have a range of fun props to level up your styling game in a pop-star kinda way.
Purveyors of the kitsch AF giant light-up Vegas-style love heart - a dazzling, oversized heart glowing bright and adding that perfect touch of glitz and glamour to your big day. Now imagine exactly where you'll be positioning this showstopper at your wedding - whether it's the centerpiece of your dance floor, the backdrop for your vows, or the perfect spot for those Instagram-worthy photos. Trust us, this piece will take your wedding from ordinary to extraordinary in a heartbeat!
You’ll find Trashy Decor listed in our ‘Items to Hire’ category alongside some of the UK’s coolest prop hire companies for your modern wedding.
Pinatas from Pinyatay… YAY!
Did someone say ‘cake smash’?!
Fun fact: We almost used a real cake for this but we knew there was a chance it would topple over and smash, so we knew who to call.
Pinyatay can create a pinata out of pretty much anything, so let your imagination run wild - oh and filled with all your favourite goodies….yes please!
It's a playful and unexpected twist that adds a dash excitement (and violence) to any wedding celebration. Who doesn’t want to kick the shit out of a pinata on the dancefloor?!
It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will make your special day even sweeter and the pictures will look epic.
Just look at that cake….Pinyatay don’t do anything by halves!
Married As Fuck - it’s a sign… by Tara Collette!
We’re obsessed with Tara’s handmade fabric wedding banners, and we know you guys are too cos we see you flocking around her at The Un-Wedding Shows! In fact, this iconic Married As F*ck sign had SOLD OUT, so she rustled a brand new colourway up especially for us cos she’s cool like that.
If you’re looking to add a personal touch to your wedding, a banner from Tara Collette is the perfect solution! Fave song lyrics? Pet names? Your wish is her command. Each piece is meticulously crafted to match your colour scheme and vibe, turning your mood board dreams into a reality.
These bespoke banners don’t just amp up your venue's aesthetics and make a BIG statement that your guests will rave about—they also become cherished keepsakes, guaranteed to make you smile every time you reminisce about your special day. Tara’s creations are the perfect blend of personal and fabulous!
Go on, pop one in your trolley!
Tara Collette Handmade Banners always look on point.
Dial Up the Fun with an ‘I just called to say…’ audio guest book!
Say hello to 'I Just Called To Say...' the alternative wedding audio guest book for couples who want to inject some personality into their big day.
Forget the traditional pen and paper; or even the traditional wedding telephone that has been kicking around for a while now, an ‘I just called to say…’ audio guest book is a literal conversation starter for your guests.
These bespoke, one-of-a-kind phones work the same as other audio guest books by allowing your guests to leave heartfelt messages (maybe)… share hilarious stories (probably)… and drop their best marriage advice (drunkenly)… all through a simple phone call. The team then collects your phone and does all the techy stuff and you get the pleasure of listening to the voices of your loved ones years down the line, as they relive your big day with you.
It's a quirky, nostalgic twist that'll make your wedding day even more memorable! And think of the awesome Insta pics 🤤
YES! That’s a hamburger phone that’s actually an audio guest book, and YES! That’s a smiley face audio guest book!
Go on, pop one in your trolley!
Style your audio guest book with your wedding flowers to create even more impact.
Don’t forget the sparkle with Mariel Osborn!
Forget your local village hall, this is Hollywood baby!
Take it from us, OG Book Of Love babe, Mariel is our ‘go to’ venue stylist for The Un-Wedding Shows because her streamers can elevate any space to make it feel like something out of the movies.
Mariel’s trademark is to leave your event space dripping in gold, silver, pink… whatever you desire. She specialises in metallics to give her streamers an extra dimension and to give your lights something to bounce off!
Sparkling with modern and alternative inspiration.
The best MUA for your special day… Lati Finni!
We only list top-quality wedding suppliers that we think our modern couples will LOVE and Makeup by Lati is a fine addition to our Hair and Makeup category, I mean, just look at how flawless our model looks!
Lati is Manchester’s go-to artist for nearlyweds who want to look like the best version of themselves on their big day. She is renowned for her fresh, flawless, and contemporary makeup style that lasts all night.
Specialising in curly hair and all skin colours, Lati is an accomplished MUA who uses the best tools and products to make you look and feel like a million dollars!
Accessories to make you smile by Stacey Hill
Famed for her shiny, happy jewellery designs, you cannot help but smile when you're rocking a Stacey Hill original. One for the statement makers amongst you!
Perfectly placed in our Book Of Love directory, Stacey’s statement pieces are handmade in Manchester with love and happiness.
You’ll find Stacey listed in our jewellery category alongside some of the UK’s best coolest jewellery designers for your modern wedding.
What are you going to put in your trolley?
Whether you're knee-deep in planning your modern wedding, just dipping your toes in, or having a sudden epiphany that you want to put your unique stamp on the big day, the Book Of Love directory is here to save the day - the ultimate wedding hack for those ready to break free from the ordinary and embrace their individuality.
Unlike the rest of the internet, our curated list of vendors and services have been cherry-picked for their focus on creativity and individuality.
Grab your trolley, and let’s start shopping!
