Planning a UK Wedding from the US: What You Need to Know (and What Google Won’t Tell You)
Planning a wedding across the pond might sound impossibly glamorous - and it is - but if you’re knee-deep in browser tabs about VAT, curfews, and what exactly a “marquee” is (it’s a tent, babe), we see you.
At Revelry, nearly half of our couples are based in the US planning weddings in the UK - especially in London. We speak fluent American wedding and know how to bridge the gap between US expectations and UK realities. Here’s your honest, unfiltered guide to pulling it off seamlessly (and stylishly).
Legal vs Symbolic Ceremonies in the UK
Here’s what you won’t find in the glossy Pinterest version of a UK destination wedding: the legal side is complicated if you’re not a UK resident.
To legally marry in the UK as a non-resident, you’d need to:
Be in the country for at least 7 full days before giving notice at a registry office.
Attend an in-person interview at a UK registry office.
Wait another 28 days (at minimum) before a legal ceremony can take place.
So, most of our US-based couples opt to do the legal bit stateside - and then go all out on a symbolic ceremony here. Same vows, same dress, same magic - minus the red tape.
Quick tip: You can still include all the formalities, from a ring exchange to walking down the aisle, and guests will never know it wasn’t legally binding. Honestly. We tell couples to just print something that says something like ‘we are awesome’ and sign it, and no one knows the difference. Also, that’s a fun keepsake.
How to Choose a Venue When You Can’t Visit
We get it - planning from 3,500 miles away is intimidating, especially when every venue looks stunning online.
Here’s how we help:
Virtual tours with real commentary (we’ll walk and talk you through the pros and cons - and tell you what the website photos are hiding).
Insider access to hidden gem venues that don’t show up in basic Google searches.
Clear comparisons of what’s included (because “dry hire” in the UK might not mean what you think it does).
Contextual advice: We’ll tell you if a venue has an early curfew, noise restrictions, or no air con in summer (yes, that matters in London now).
We also act as your boots on the ground - coordinating venue visits on your behalf or joining you for an in-person trip when you’re ready.
The Budget Realities (Yup, There’s VAT)
Here’s the part no one enjoys but everyone needs to know:
VAT (Value Added Tax) is 20% and usually included in UK pricing, but not always, especially with international clients. We make sure everything is crystal clear and budgeted accurately.
Exchange rates can work in your favour - the pound is usually slightly weaker than the dollar, meaning a bit more stretch for your budget.
Tipping culture is different. Gratuity is rarely expected or included for suppliers in the UK. If you want to add a tip, we’ll advise on what’s appropriate and appreciated. (your planners work very hard…)
We’ll also advise on where to spend and where to save to get that luxury look without unnecessary overspend.
Venue Coordinator ≠ Wedding Planner
One of the biggest misconceptions we see from US couples is assuming the venue coordinator will “run the day.” They might…but their job is primarily to protect the venue and ensure access, timings, and rules are followed.
They won’t:
Manage your suppliers
Help you build a timeline
Deal with emergencies (we’ve seen it all — from burst pipes to missing shoes)
Decorate the space or run the ceremony
That’s where we come in. Whether you choose A Little Revelry or The Full Revelry, we act as your creative partners, logistics experts, and calm-in-the-storm chaos wranglers.
Creating a Seamless Guest Experience
Your guests are flying across the world - let’s make it unforgettable and easy:
Hotel block booking and concierge-level recommendations
Bespoke transport planning for ceremony, reception, and welcome events
Weather-proofing the day — from sourcing chic umbrellas to building realistic contingency plans
We’ll also help build you a gorgeous guest website with everything from dress codes to what currency to bring.
We Speak American Wedding
You say rehearsal dinner, we say “pre-wedding drinks reception.”
You say cocktail hour, we say “drinks and canapés.”
You want a dance party that goes until 2am? We’ll find you the venues that allow it (trust us, most don’t).
Cultural gaps and expectations can cause confusion, but with us, nothing gets lost in translation. We’ve helped dozens of American couples navigate UK traditions, timelines, and vendor lingo - all while keeping the wedding entirely you.
Why Work with Revelry?
We’re not your average planners. Our work is elevated, stylish, and high touch - with a personality-led, fun-forward approach that’s won awards (and some very loyal clients). Based in London, we know the city’s best venues inside and out - from iconic institutions to hidden design-forward gems.
We’ll plan your Marriage Launch Party with the same detail, creativity, and humour that’s made us one of the UK’s most recommended planners for US couples.
📩 Ready to make magic in London?
Reach out to book a no-pressure discovery call and find out which Revelry planning package is right for your UK wedding.
