budget-journey · run 01

input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Set wedding date",
      "payload": {
        "date": {
          "y": 2027,
          "m": null,
          "d": null
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "category": ""
}

output {
  "result": {
    "projected": true,
    "currency": "GBP",
    "totalActual": 0,
    "assumptions": {
      "theirs": {},
      "stoodIn": [
        "total budget",
        "guest count",
        "weekday and season"
      ],
      "excluded": [
        "video",
        "liveband",
        "entertainment",
        "planners",
        "Insurance",
        "stationery"
      ]
    },
    "allocation": [
      {
        "name": "Venue",
        "supplierType": "venue",
        "share": "35%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Catering (Food and Drink)",
        "supplierType": "catering",
        "share": "25%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Dress and Accessories",
        "supplierType": "dress",
        "share": "8%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Photographer",
        "supplierType": "photo",
        "share": "7%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Rings and Jewellery",
        "supplierType": "jewellery",
        "share": "5%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Florist",
        "supplierType": "florist",
        "share": "4%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Decoration and Hire",
        "supplierType": "decoration",
        "share": "3%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Transport",
        "supplierType": "transport",
        "share": "3%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Menswear",
        "supplierType": "menswear",
        "share": "3%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Music",
        "supplierType": "music",
        "share": "3%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Favours and Gifts",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "2%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Registrar Fees",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Beauty, Hair and Make-Up",
        "supplierType": "beauty",
        "share": "2%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Cake",
        "supplierType": "cakes",
        "share": "2%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Announcements",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Honeymoon",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Night Bridal Suite",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Marquee",
        "supplierType": "marquee",
        "share": "0%",
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Extras",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "booked": 0
      }
    ]
  }
}

input {
  "topic": "budget"
}

output {
  "topic": "budget",
  "content": "# Budget (Coach Reference)\n\nHow to help a couple set, allocate, protect, and stretch their wedding budget,\nusing real 2026 UK figures. The budget isn't a constraint — it's the\ndecision-making framework. Once a couple knows what they have, every other choice\ngets easier. Lead with that framing.\n\n## Setting the budget (do this before booking anything)\n\n1. What can they genuinely afford from savings — without touching the emergency\n   fund or taking on painful debt.\n2. Family contributions — have the conversation *early* and get a **specific\n   number**, not \"we'll help out\". 29% of total UK wedding spend now comes from\n   family.\n3. Savings + confirmed contributions = total working budget.\n4. Add a **5–10% contingency**. Unexpected costs always arise.\n\n## What UK weddings actually cost (2026)\n\n- **Average spend: £20,604** (excl. honeymoon and engagement rings); **£25,815**\n  including them.\n- The spread is huge — ~25% spend under £10,000, ~25% spend over £26,000, 10%\n  over £35,000. Don't anchor a couple to the average; anchor to *their* number.\n- Gen Z spend ~12% less on average (£18,485 vs £21,016), mostly via midweek dates.\n- Regional: London highest, South East/South West above average, Scotland rising;\n  the North, Wales and Northern Ireland below average.\n\nUse these to reassure (\"plenty of couples have a lovely wedding for £12k\") or to\nreality-check (\"£8k for 150 guests in London will need real trade-offs — let's\nlook at the levers\").\n\n## Allocation framework\n\nStandard planner percentages as a *starting point*, then adjust to priorities.\nEvery time you raise one category, lower another — the total doesn't change.\n\n| Category | Suggested % | On £20,000 |\n|---|---|---|\n| Reception (venue + catering) | 45% | £9,000 |\n| Photography / Videography | 10% | £2,000 |\n| Dress / suits | 8% | £1,600 |\n| Entertainment | 7% | £1,400 |\n| Florist | 5% | £1,000 |\n| Ceremony | 3% | £600 |\n| Stationery | 3% | £600 |\n| Cake | 2% | £400 |\n| Transport | 2% | £400 |\n| Hair / makeup | 1% | £200 |\n| Rings, favours, gifts, other | ~14% | £2,800 |\n\nCommon adjustments: music lovers push entertainment to 10–12%; photography-first\ncouples push that to 12–15%; foodies load the catering. Always rebalance, never\ninflate the total.\n\n> If the couple has a live Bridebook budget, use *their* personalised allocation\n> (which varies by budget tier, guest count, day and season) rather than these\n> generic percentages. Venue + catering typically run 50–55% of the real budget.\n\n## The two biggest levers\n\n**Guest count** is the most powerful variable after total budget. Every extra\nguest adds catering, drinks, favours, stationery and seating. Cutting 20 guests\nfrom a 120-person wedding can save £1,500–£3,000. Combined venue + catering median\nis **£117.10 per head** (up 23% year on year). Cost per head falls as numbers\nrise, but the total still climbs — fewer guests is the cleanest saving. UK couples\nare already inviting ~11% fewer guests than in 2024.\n\n**Day and season.** Off-peak months (Oct–Apr) can cut venue costs by up to 40%\n(Jan–Feb cheapest). Weekday weddings save significantly; Sunday sits in between.\nThis is how couples have kept venue+catering spend roughly flat despite per-head\nrises — flex the date before cutting the vision.\n\n## Saving strategies that actually work\n\n- **Guest count and date first** (above) — biggest impact, least compromise.\n- **Cake as dessert** — removes a separate dessert course, and the cake gets eaten.\n- **Cocktail-style reception** instead of a formal sit-down can be much cheaper.\n- **Limit the bar** — welcome drink, wine with the meal, toast drink, then cash bar.\n- **In-season flowers** — peonies in June are cheap; in December they're imported\n  and costly. Ask the florist what's in season on the date.\n- **Use the venue's existing features** rather than hiring decor to cover them.\n- **Repurpose ceremony flowers** at the reception.\n- **Digital invitations** (or physical invites with details pushed to a wedding\n  website) cut stationery sharply.\n\nFor category-specific saving tips, the knowledge base has a \"How to save money\non [X]\" article for almost every category — find it via `article-index.md`.\n\n## Hidden costs to build in from day one\n\nThese are what catch couples out — name them early so they're not a nasty surprise.\n\n- **Service charge / gratuities:** many venues add 10–15%.\n- **Corkage:** £5–£15 per bottle if you bring your own drinks.\n- **Overtime:** running past the agreed finish is often charged at 1.5–2× rate.\n- **Venue extras:** chair covers, linen, lighting, sound — often not in the base fee.\n- **Dress alterations:** £200–£500. **Hair/makeup trials:** £50–£150.\n- **Supplier travel/accommodation and meals** for remote venues or full-day suppliers.\n- **Admin:** marriage certificate copies, name-change fees.\n\n## Family contributions — protect the relationships\n\nAssign each contributor's money to a **specific supplier or category** (\"Mum and\nDad are covering the flowers and cake\") rather than a vague pot (\"the reception\").\nWhen people fund a specific element, their input naturally stays contained to\nthat element — this preserves the couple's creative control while making\ncontributors feel valued. Keep them updated on \"their\" supplier, top up quietly if\ntheir amount doesn't cover the full cost, and never compare one contributor's\namount to another's. (Family/money tension is one of the most common stress\npoints — see the escalation note in SKILL.md.)\n\n## Monthly check-in\n\nWhen coaching budget over time: total spent vs budget on track? New quotes\nlogged? Deposits due this month? Are overspends in one area offset by savings\nelsewhere? Is the contingency intact?\n\n## Per-supplier average spend (2026 UK)\n\nUse these to answer \"is this a fair price?\" and to ground trade-offs. Full table\nand durations in `wedding-stats-2026.md`; key ones: venue hire £6,040 (excl.\ncatering), reception catering £5,406, photographer £1,484 (full day averages\n£2,024), dress £1,532, florist £1,187, reception music £1,061, cake £360.\n\n## Sources\n\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/professional/pro-budget-management-guide.md`,\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/tools/tool-wedding-budget-breakdown-guide.md`,\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/reports/report-2026-wedding-costs-breakdown.md`.\n",
  "articles": [
    {
      "slug": "the-ultimate-wedding-budget-breakdown",
      "title": "Wedding Budget Breakdown: How to Allocate Your Wedding Budget"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pro-budget-management-guide",
      "title": "Professional Budget Management Guide: How to Plan, Track, and Control Your Wedding Spending"
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-traditionally-pays-for-what",
      "title": "Wedding Etiquette: Who (Traditionally) Pays For What?"
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Update wedding field",
      "payload": {
        "name": "guests",
        "value": {
          "guests": {
            "estimate": 60
          }
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "setWeddingLocation",
      "payload": {
        "query": "Manchester"
      }
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "type": "venue",
  "filters": [],
  "priceRange": "moderate",
  "capacity": "60",
  "accommodationRooms": "",
  "radiusIncrease": 40,
  "page": 1,
  "pageSize": 10
}

output {
  "suppliers": [
    {
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      "publicId": "csK8Ma0M8o",
      "name": "Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "On behalf of everyone at Macdonald Kilhey Court we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you both on your forthcoming wedding ~ A perfect choice for your dream wedding!",
      "seoUrlSlug": "macdonald-kilhey-court-hotel-standish-greater-manchester",
      "street": "Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel",
      "town": "Standish",
      "county": "Greater Manchester",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "WN1 2XN",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/csK8Ma0M8o/36691690.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 0,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 0,
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      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": 5,
      "reviewsCount": 22,
      "capacityDining": 300,
      "accommodationRooms": 62,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 31.2,
      "photos": "[\"custom-supplier-stock/venue/photo-4.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csK8Ma0M8o/149464587.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csK8Ma0M8o/pic1.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csK8Ma0M8o/details2.jpeg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "CS00041021",
      "publicId": "csm8zNLr8R",
      "name": "Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "We have the pleasure of offering civil ceremonies & can accommodate up to 200 for your wedding breakfast. Each of our 3 wedding packages can be tailored to suit your dream wedding.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "macdonald-hill-valley-hotel-golf-spa-whitchurch-shropshire",
      "street": "Tarporley Road",
      "town": "Whitchurch",
      "county": "Shropshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "SY13 4HA",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/csm8zNLr8R/HillValleyExternal-Pond.jpg",
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      "capacityDining": 200,
      "accommodationRooms": 80,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 61.2,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csm8zNLr8R/HillValleygolf02.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csm8zNLr8R/160755.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csm8zNLr8R/WinterWeddingdecor.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csm8zNLr8R/DSC08328.JPG\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "CS00020545",
      "publicId": "csy8JKDvXl",
      "name": "Gisburne Park Estate",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Truly one of the most magical settings in the UK. ",
      "seoUrlSlug": "gisburne-park-estate-gisburn-lancashire",
      "street": "The Estate Office ",
      "town": "Gisburn",
      "county": "Lancashire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "BB7 4LP",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/csy8JKDvXl/IMG_9021.jpeg",
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      "capacityDining": 250,
      "accommodationRooms": 100,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 53.9,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csy8JKDvXl/20b3a31f-3f45-4f8f-9396-e89336a78fbe.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csy8JKDvXl/12a60d44-05df-4223-a01d-47e528478c83.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csy8JKDvXl/e3a42fd4-ad04-4b32-be9b-72d23e200d81.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/csy8JKDvXl/IMG_1242.jpeg\"]"
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    {
      "id": "EE011700",
      "publicId": "eeEgQK3P8J",
      "name": "Ripley Castle",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "A Picture Perfect Wedding Venue located in North Yorkshire ",
      "seoUrlSlug": "ripley-castle-ripley-north-yorkshire",
      "street": "Ripley Castle Estate",
      "town": "Ripley",
      "county": "North Yorkshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "HG3 3AY",
      "currency": "GBP",
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      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eeEgQK3P8J/CMilnerRipleyCastle-4.jpg",
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      "capacityDining": 120,
      "accommodationRooms": 22,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 78,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeEgQK3P8J/VICTORIABAKERWEDDINGSOliviaAlexRipleyCastleWeddingPhotography-289.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeEgQK3P8J/0567.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeEgQK3P8J/MorningRoomRoundsNatashaCadman.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeEgQK3P8J/70589010_2927165707357756_5791212289927413760_o.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE016909",
      "publicId": "eeNg0jJ18d",
      "name": "The Priests House",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "An intimate and exclusive wedding venue in the shadow of the ruins of the Grade I listed Barden Tower surrounded by the stunning river and hills of the Upper Wharfedale valley. ",
      "seoUrlSlug": "the-priests-house-skipton-north-yorkshire",
      "street": "Barden Tower, Bolton Abbey",
      "town": "Skipton",
      "county": "North Yorkshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "BD23 6AS",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eeNg0jJ18d/FB_IMG_1554926585733.jpg",
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      "distanceFromOrigin": 64.9,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeNg0jJ18d/1D841315-2AA2-421B-8100-9F34B0762B7A.jpeg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeNg0jJ18d/wedding3.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeNg0jJ18d/RichardPerryPhotography-713.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeNg0jJ18d/RichardPerryPhotography-710.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "CS00005911",
      "publicId": "cs4Y7vrJgZ",
      "name": "Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "This Georgian manor house, set in 38 acres of Cheshire countryside, has a romantic fountain lawn & elegant architecture. Rookery Hall is the perfect wedding venue for your dream country house wedding",
      "seoUrlSlug": "rookery-hall-hotel-spa-nantwich-cheshire",
      "street": "Main Road, Worleston",
      "town": "Nantwich",
      "county": "Cheshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "CW5 6DQ",
      "currency": "GBP",
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      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7vrJgZ/IMGL084222.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 500,
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      "pricePerHeadMin": 5250,
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      "capacityDining": 160,
      "accommodationRooms": 70,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 43.9,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7vrJgZ/untitled.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7vrJgZ/02..wardle-ceremony.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7vrJgZ/01.Rebecca-Mark-19.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7vrJgZ/05.Outside-Ceremony.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "CS00000819",
      "publicId": "csaZgjaAXN",
      "name": "Wood Hall Hotel & Spa",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Surrounded by over 100 acres of woodland and parkland, it is difficult to imagine a more idyllic place than the hidden treasure that is Wood Hall to have your perfect wedding.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "wood-hall-hotel-spa-wetherby-west-yorkshire",
      "street": "Trip Lane, Linton",
      "town": "Wetherby",
      "county": "West Yorkshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "LS22 4JA",
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    {
      "id": "EE003136",
      "publicId": "eeBXLRP7Yz",
      "name": "Makeney Hall Hotel",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Makeney Hall Hotel is set within acres of landscaped gardens and offers a choice of stunning rooms for your special day - including our unique outside ceremony area. ",
      "seoUrlSlug": "makeney-hall-hotel-belper-derbyshire",
      "street": "Makeney Road",
      "town": "Belper",
      "county": "Derbyshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "DE56 0RS",
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    },
    {
      "id": "CS00086211",
      "publicId": "cs4Y7dGkJ8",
      "name": "Shiningford",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Shiningford offers complete privacy for your celebrations, in the most peaceful of surroundings. In a beautiful rural location, it has grounds for tipi or marquee weddings.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "shiningford-carsington-derbyshire",
      "street": "DE4 4PS",
      "town": "Carsington",
      "county": "Derbyshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "DE4 4PS",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7dGkJ8/ShiningfordPg2.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 6500,
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      "distanceFromOrigin": 58,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7dGkJ8/dronewedding3.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7dGkJ8/Autumn-wedding-Shiningford-2.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7dGkJ8/ShiningfordPg14LHS.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cs4Y7dGkJ8/Ellie-and-Tom-16-1024x683.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE020598",
      "publicId": "eeo8a0VGYy",
      "name": "The Holford Estate",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "A real hidden Cheshire gem. The Holford Estate's secluded idyllic setting, is steeped in history, alongside stunning formal gardens and a state of the art contemporary wedding Barn.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "the-holford-estate-knutsford-cheshire",
      "street": "Chester Road, Plumley",
      "town": "Knutsford",
      "county": "Cheshire",
      "country": "England",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "WA16 0UA",
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      "venueHirePriceMin": 4500,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 9000,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 0,
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      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
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      "reviewsStars": 5,
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      "capacityDining": 120,
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      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeo8a0VGYy/AZ9A0601.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeo8a0VGYy/finalhiresedit301.JPG\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeo8a0VGYy/ginaamptom-theholfordestate-hires-488.JPG\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeo8a0VGYy/DaveandCat-482.jpg\"]"
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input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Update wedding field",
      "payload": {
        "name": "budget",
        "value": {
          "budget": 18000
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "category": ""
}

output {
  "result": {
    "projected": true,
    "currency": "GBP",
    "target": 18000,
    "totalEstimate": 18000,
    "totalActual": 0,
    "assumptions": {
      "theirs": {
        "guests": 60
      },
      "stoodIn": [
        "weekday and season"
      ],
      "excluded": [
        "video",
        "liveband",
        "entertainment",
        "planners",
        "Insurance",
        "stationery"
      ]
    },
    "allocation": [
      {
        "name": "Venue",
        "supplierType": "venue",
        "share": "35%",
        "estimate": 6150,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Catering (Food and Drink)",
        "supplierType": "catering",
        "share": "25%",
        "estimate": 4370,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Dress and Accessories",
        "supplierType": "dress",
        "share": "8%",
        "estimate": 1491,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Photographer",
        "supplierType": "photo",
        "share": "7%",
        "estimate": 1184,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Rings and Jewellery",
        "supplierType": "jewellery",
        "share": "5%",
        "estimate": 837,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Florist",
        "supplierType": "florist",
        "share": "4%",
        "estimate": 735,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Decoration and Hire",
        "supplierType": "decoration",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 551,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Transport",
        "supplierType": "transport",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 470,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Menswear",
        "supplierType": "menswear",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 449,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Music",
        "supplierType": "music",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 443,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Favours and Gifts",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 408,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Beauty, Hair and Make-Up",
        "supplierType": "beauty",
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 306,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Cake",
        "supplierType": "cakes",
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 306,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Registrar Fees",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 300,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Announcements",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Honeymoon",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Night Bridal Suite",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Marquee",
        "supplierType": "marquee",
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Extras",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      }
    ]
  }
}

input {
  "category": ""
}

output {
  "result": {
    "projected": true,
    "currency": "GBP",
    "target": 18000,
    "totalEstimate": 18000,
    "totalActual": 0,
    "assumptions": {
      "theirs": {
        "guests": 60
      },
      "stoodIn": [
        "weekday and season"
      ],
      "excluded": [
        "video",
        "liveband",
        "entertainment",
        "planners",
        "Insurance",
        "stationery"
      ]
    },
    "allocation": [
      {
        "name": "Venue",
        "supplierType": "venue",
        "share": "35%",
        "estimate": 6150,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Catering (Food and Drink)",
        "supplierType": "catering",
        "share": "25%",
        "estimate": 4370,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Dress and Accessories",
        "supplierType": "dress",
        "share": "8%",
        "estimate": 1491,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Photographer",
        "supplierType": "photo",
        "share": "7%",
        "estimate": 1184,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Rings and Jewellery",
        "supplierType": "jewellery",
        "share": "5%",
        "estimate": 837,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Florist",
        "supplierType": "florist",
        "share": "4%",
        "estimate": 735,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Decoration and Hire",
        "supplierType": "decoration",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 551,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Transport",
        "supplierType": "transport",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 470,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Menswear",
        "supplierType": "menswear",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 449,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Music",
        "supplierType": "music",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 443,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Favours and Gifts",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 408,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Beauty, Hair and Make-Up",
        "supplierType": "beauty",
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 306,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Cake",
        "supplierType": "cakes",
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 306,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Registrar Fees",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 300,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Announcements",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Honeymoon",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Night Bridal Suite",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Marquee",
        "supplierType": "marquee",
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Extras",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      }
    ]
  }
}

input {
  "category": "photo"
}

output {
  "result": {
    "projected": true,
    "currency": "GBP",
    "target": 18000,
    "totalEstimate": 18000,
    "totalActual": 0,
    "assumptions": {
      "theirs": {
        "guests": 60
      },
      "stoodIn": [
        "weekday and season"
      ],
      "excluded": [
        "video",
        "liveband",
        "entertainment",
        "planners",
        "Insurance",
        "stationery"
      ]
    },
    "allocation": [
      {
        "name": "Photographer",
        "supplierType": "photo",
        "share": "7%",
        "estimate": 1184,
        "booked": 0
      }
    ]
  }
}

input {
  "topic": "supplier-booking"
}

output {
  "topic": "supplier-booking",
  "content": "# Supplier Booking (Coach Reference)\n\nHow to help couples book suppliers in the right order, at fair prices, after\nproper comparison. The core coaching insight: **book in scarcity order.** The\nsuppliers that book out furthest ahead, and that other decisions depend on, come\nfirst. Get the sequence right and nothing good gets missed because it was left\ntoo late.\n\n## The booking order (and why)\n\nVenue is always first (see `venue.md`) — it sets capacity, catering, date and\nstyle. After the venue is confirmed, work down roughly in this order. The logic:\nthe best individual suppliers in popular categories (especially photographers)\nget booked 12+ months ahead, and some decisions depend on others (you can't\nfinalise stationery before the design and details are set; catering may be tied\nto the venue).\n\n1. **Photographer** — books furthest ahead; the most \"named-talent\" category\n   where the best are gone first. Prioritise right after the venue. → then\n   **videographer** (decide first whether you want video at all).\n2. **Caterer** — if not venue-provided. Often tied to the venue's rules.\n3. **Florist** and **cake maker**.\n4. **Reception music** (live band or DJ) and **ceremony music**.\n5. **Hair, makeup & beauty** (trials needed before the day).\n6. **Wedding fashion** runs in parallel and has its own long lead time — dress\n   orders + fittings can take many months, so start browsing early even though\n   it's not \"scarcity-booked\" like a photographer.\n7. **Stationery** — save-the-dates early; invitations once details firm up.\n8. **Transport**, **specialists** (celebrant, toastmaster, entertainers),\n   **décor/hire** — later, once the style is set.\n\n> When a couple asks \"what should I book next?\", anchor to this order *and* their\n> timeline stage (`planning-timeline.md`). Don't let them jump to a cake maker\n> before the venue is confirmed.\n\n## Average supplier spend (2026 UK)\n\nUse these to answer \"is this a fair price?\" and to frame trade-offs. They're\naverages — actual prices vary by region, date and scope.\n\n| Supplier | Average spend |\n|---|---|\n| Venue hire (excl. catering) | £6,040 |\n| Catering — reception | £5,406 |\n| Catering — evening | £2,002 |\n| Marquee / tipi | £4,633 |\n| Dress | £1,532 |\n| Planner | £1,543 |\n| Videographer | £1,514 |\n| Photographer | £1,484 |\n| Decoration | £1,404 |\n| Florist | £1,187 |\n| Reception music | £1,061 |\n| Rings / jewellery | £1,057 |\n| Menswear | £859 |\n| Ceremony music | £845 |\n| Other entertainment | £844 |\n| Transport | £593 |\n| Toastmaster | £514 |\n| Celebrant | £504 |\n| Accessories | £449 |\n| Hair styling | £417 |\n| Make-up | £394 |\n| Stationery | £378 |\n| Cake | £360 |\n\n**Photographer by duration:** <half day £519 (£200–£800); half day £911\n(£350–£1,690); full day £2,024 (£600–£2,500); more than full day £1,780. 68% of\ncouples book a full day. (Note the £1,484 *average* spend above blends all\ndurations — quote the duration-specific figure when relevant.)\n\n**Cake by source:** professional designer £395 (44% of couples use one); venue/\ncaterer £313; non-traditional dessert £269; family/friend £181; high-street £109.\n\n## Helping couples compare and decide\n\nCouples trust AI most for **finding/comparing suppliers and writing enquiry\ndrafts** — lean into that. When comparing shortlisted suppliers:\n\n1. **Match to vision first, price second.** A photographer's *style* (light/airy\n   vs dark/moody, documentary vs posed) matters more than a small price gap. Tie\n   the recommendation to the look the couple described.\n2. **Compare like for like.** Same coverage hours, same deliverables (album,\n   prints, digital files, highlight reel), travel included or not.\n3. **Check the practicalities** the price hides: deposit and balance schedule,\n   travel/accommodation charges for remote venues, supplier meals, overtime rates.\n4. **Read reviews** — UK couples read ~6.9 reviews per supplier; reputation is a\n   real signal.\n5. **Make a recommendation** with reasoning, then leave the choice with them.\n\n## Enquiries\n\nCouples often feel frustrated by slow, generic supplier responses early on. If\nhelping draft an enquiry, make it specific — date, venue, guest count, exact\ncoverage/deliverables wanted, and a direct ask for an itemised quote — so the\nfirst reply is actually useful and comparable.\n\n## Saving without cutting what matters\n\nMost categories have a \"How to save money on [X]\" article in the knowledge base\n(find via `article-index.md`). General levers: book a half-day photographer if a\nfull day isn't needed; DJ instead of (or alongside a short set of) live band;\nin-season flowers; cake as dessert; serve the cake from the venue/caterer rather\nthan a separate designer if budget is tight. Always protect the categories the\ncouple has said matter most — find the savings elsewhere.\n\n## Sources\n\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/reports/report-2026-wedding-costs-breakdown.md`,\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/tools/tool-wedding-planning-checklist-guide.md`, and category-specific\nprofessional guides (photography, flowers, entertainment, cake, catering,\nstationery, transport) via `article-index.md`.\n",
  "articles": [
    {
      "slug": "pro-photography-styles-and-hiring-guide",
      "title": "Wedding Photography: Styles, Albums, and How to Hire the Right Photographer"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wedding-photographer-checklist",
      "title": "Wedding Photographer Checklist"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wedding-prices-photography",
      "title": "Wedding Photography Prices UK: How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost?"
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "category": ""
}

output {
  "result": {
    "projected": true,
    "currency": "GBP",
    "target": 18000,
    "totalEstimate": 18000,
    "totalActual": 0,
    "assumptions": {
      "theirs": {
        "guests": 60
      },
      "stoodIn": [
        "weekday and season"
      ],
      "excluded": [
        "video",
        "liveband",
        "entertainment",
        "planners",
        "Insurance",
        "stationery"
      ]
    },
    "allocation": [
      {
        "name": "Venue",
        "supplierType": "venue",
        "share": "35%",
        "estimate": 6150,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Catering (Food and Drink)",
        "supplierType": "catering",
        "share": "25%",
        "estimate": 4370,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Dress and Accessories",
        "supplierType": "dress",
        "share": "8%",
        "estimate": 1491,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Photographer",
        "supplierType": "photo",
        "share": "7%",
        "estimate": 1184,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Rings and Jewellery",
        "supplierType": "jewellery",
        "share": "5%",
        "estimate": 837,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Florist",
        "supplierType": "florist",
        "share": "4%",
        "estimate": 735,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Decoration and Hire",
        "supplierType": "decoration",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 551,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Transport",
        "supplierType": "transport",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 470,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Menswear",
        "supplierType": "menswear",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 449,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Music",
        "supplierType": "music",
        "share": "3%",
        "estimate": 443,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Favours and Gifts",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 408,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Beauty, Hair and Make-Up",
        "supplierType": "beauty",
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 306,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Cake",
        "supplierType": "cakes",
        "share": "2%",
        "estimate": 306,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Registrar Fees",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 300,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Announcements",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Honeymoon",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Wedding Night Bridal Suite",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Marquee",
        "supplierType": "marquee",
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      },
      {
        "name": "Extras",
        "supplierType": null,
        "share": "0%",
        "estimate": 0,
        "booked": 0
      }
    ]
  }
}

input {
  "topic": "budget"
}

output {
  "topic": "budget",
  "content": "# Budget (Coach Reference)\n\nHow to help a couple set, allocate, protect, and stretch their wedding budget,\nusing real 2026 UK figures. The budget isn't a constraint — it's the\ndecision-making framework. Once a couple knows what they have, every other choice\ngets easier. Lead with that framing.\n\n## Setting the budget (do this before booking anything)\n\n1. What can they genuinely afford from savings — without touching the emergency\n   fund or taking on painful debt.\n2. Family contributions — have the conversation *early* and get a **specific\n   number**, not \"we'll help out\". 29% of total UK wedding spend now comes from\n   family.\n3. Savings + confirmed contributions = total working budget.\n4. Add a **5–10% contingency**. Unexpected costs always arise.\n\n## What UK weddings actually cost (2026)\n\n- **Average spend: £20,604** (excl. honeymoon and engagement rings); **£25,815**\n  including them.\n- The spread is huge — ~25% spend under £10,000, ~25% spend over £26,000, 10%\n  over £35,000. Don't anchor a couple to the average; anchor to *their* number.\n- Gen Z spend ~12% less on average (£18,485 vs £21,016), mostly via midweek dates.\n- Regional: London highest, South East/South West above average, Scotland rising;\n  the North, Wales and Northern Ireland below average.\n\nUse these to reassure (\"plenty of couples have a lovely wedding for £12k\") or to\nreality-check (\"£8k for 150 guests in London will need real trade-offs — let's\nlook at the levers\").\n\n## Allocation framework\n\nStandard planner percentages as a *starting point*, then adjust to priorities.\nEvery time you raise one category, lower another — the total doesn't change.\n\n| Category | Suggested % | On £20,000 |\n|---|---|---|\n| Reception (venue + catering) | 45% | £9,000 |\n| Photography / Videography | 10% | £2,000 |\n| Dress / suits | 8% | £1,600 |\n| Entertainment | 7% | £1,400 |\n| Florist | 5% | £1,000 |\n| Ceremony | 3% | £600 |\n| Stationery | 3% | £600 |\n| Cake | 2% | £400 |\n| Transport | 2% | £400 |\n| Hair / makeup | 1% | £200 |\n| Rings, favours, gifts, other | ~14% | £2,800 |\n\nCommon adjustments: music lovers push entertainment to 10–12%; photography-first\ncouples push that to 12–15%; foodies load the catering. Always rebalance, never\ninflate the total.\n\n> If the couple has a live Bridebook budget, use *their* personalised allocation\n> (which varies by budget tier, guest count, day and season) rather than these\n> generic percentages. Venue + catering typically run 50–55% of the real budget.\n\n## The two biggest levers\n\n**Guest count** is the most powerful variable after total budget. Every extra\nguest adds catering, drinks, favours, stationery and seating. Cutting 20 guests\nfrom a 120-person wedding can save £1,500–£3,000. Combined venue + catering median\nis **£117.10 per head** (up 23% year on year). Cost per head falls as numbers\nrise, but the total still climbs — fewer guests is the cleanest saving. UK couples\nare already inviting ~11% fewer guests than in 2024.\n\n**Day and season.** Off-peak months (Oct–Apr) can cut venue costs by up to 40%\n(Jan–Feb cheapest). Weekday weddings save significantly; Sunday sits in between.\nThis is how couples have kept venue+catering spend roughly flat despite per-head\nrises — flex the date before cutting the vision.\n\n## Saving strategies that actually work\n\n- **Guest count and date first** (above) — biggest impact, least compromise.\n- **Cake as dessert** — removes a separate dessert course, and the cake gets eaten.\n- **Cocktail-style reception** instead of a formal sit-down can be much cheaper.\n- **Limit the bar** — welcome drink, wine with the meal, toast drink, then cash bar.\n- **In-season flowers** — peonies in June are cheap; in December they're imported\n  and costly. Ask the florist what's in season on the date.\n- **Use the venue's existing features** rather than hiring decor to cover them.\n- **Repurpose ceremony flowers** at the reception.\n- **Digital invitations** (or physical invites with details pushed to a wedding\n  website) cut stationery sharply.\n\nFor category-specific saving tips, the knowledge base has a \"How to save money\non [X]\" article for almost every category — find it via `article-index.md`.\n\n## Hidden costs to build in from day one\n\nThese are what catch couples out — name them early so they're not a nasty surprise.\n\n- **Service charge / gratuities:** many venues add 10–15%.\n- **Corkage:** £5–£15 per bottle if you bring your own drinks.\n- **Overtime:** running past the agreed finish is often charged at 1.5–2× rate.\n- **Venue extras:** chair covers, linen, lighting, sound — often not in the base fee.\n- **Dress alterations:** £200–£500. **Hair/makeup trials:** £50–£150.\n- **Supplier travel/accommodation and meals** for remote venues or full-day suppliers.\n- **Admin:** marriage certificate copies, name-change fees.\n\n## Family contributions — protect the relationships\n\nAssign each contributor's money to a **specific supplier or category** (\"Mum and\nDad are covering the flowers and cake\") rather than a vague pot (\"the reception\").\nWhen people fund a specific element, their input naturally stays contained to\nthat element — this preserves the couple's creative control while making\ncontributors feel valued. Keep them updated on \"their\" supplier, top up quietly if\ntheir amount doesn't cover the full cost, and never compare one contributor's\namount to another's. (Family/money tension is one of the most common stress\npoints — see the escalation note in SKILL.md.)\n\n## Monthly check-in\n\nWhen coaching budget over time: total spent vs budget on track? New quotes\nlogged? Deposits due this month? Are overspends in one area offset by savings\nelsewhere? Is the contingency intact?\n\n## Per-supplier average spend (2026 UK)\n\nUse these to answer \"is this a fair price?\" and to ground trade-offs. Full table\nand durations in `wedding-stats-2026.md`; key ones: venue hire £6,040 (excl.\ncatering), reception catering £5,406, photographer £1,484 (full day averages\n£2,024), dress £1,532, florist £1,187, reception music £1,061, cake £360.\n\n## Sources\n\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/professional/pro-budget-management-guide.md`,\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/tools/tool-wedding-budget-breakdown-guide.md`,\n`references/knowledge-base/articles/reports/report-2026-wedding-costs-breakdown.md`.\n",
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      "chunk_id": "pro-wedding-flowers-seasonal-guide#10",
      "article_title": "Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling",
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      "section": "Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Saving Money on Wedding Flowers",
      "content_layer": "professional",
      "content": "Title: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling\nPrimary topic: flowers-and-decor\nSection: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Saving Money on Wedding Flowers\n\n## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Saving Money on Wedding Flowers\nProfessional wedding flowers can be one of the bigger items on your budget, but there are smart ways to manage costs without sacrificing impact.\n\n**Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception.** Your ceremony arrangements can often be moved to the reception venue to double their use. However, think carefully about the logistics. If your ceremony and reception are in the same venue, this is straightforward -- your florist or venue staff can move them during the drinks reception. If there is a distance between the two locations, you need to factor in who will transport them, how long the journey takes, and whether there is enough time to set them up before guests arrive. This can work brilliantly or become a stressful logistical nightmare, so plan it properly or do not attempt it.\n\n**Choose seasonal flowers.** As covered above, in-season blooms cost less and look better.\n\n**Use foliage generously.** Greenery is cheaper than flowers and creates lush, full arrangements. Eucalyptus, ruscus, ferns, and ivy are all beautiful and cost-effective.\n\n**Go for fewer, larger arrangements.** One dramatic centrepiece per table often makes more impact than lots of small ones, and can cost less because the labour is reduced.\n\n**Mix real flowers with candles.** Candlelight is atmospheric, romantic, and inexpensive. Use candles alongside smaller floral arrangements to fill tables without relying entirely on flowers.\n\n**Be honest with your florist about your budget.** A good florist will work with whatever you can spend and suggest creative alternatives. They would rather know your budget upfront than design something you cannot afford.\n\nYour wedding flowers are an investment in the atmosphere and emotion of your day. Choose them thoughtfully, trust your florist's expertise, and let the season guide you towards the blooms that will look and feel most natural and beautiful.",
      "excerpt": "## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Saving Money on Wedding Flowers Professional wedding flowers can be one of the bigger items on your budget, but there are smart ways to manage costs without sacrificing impact. **Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception.** You",
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          "content": "Title: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling\nPrimary topic: flowers-and-decor\nSection: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Outdoor Ceremony Tips\n\n## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Outdoor Ceremony Tips\nIf your ceremony is outdoors -- in a garden, woodland, on a beach, or under a marquee -- there are practical considerations that indoor weddings do not face:\n\n**Use perspex or acrylic containers, not glass, for any hanging arrangements.** If a glass vase falls from a height, it shatters and creates a serious safety hazard. Acrylic looks just as elegant and will not break.\n\n**Have a broom or leaf blower ready.** If your outdoor ceremony space is under trees, leaves, blossoms, and debris will fall. Have someone sweep the aisle shortly before the ceremony begins.\n\n**Work with nature, not against it.** Your outdoor setting is already beautiful -- let it be part of the design rather than trying to compete with it. A few well-placed arrangements that complement the natural surroundings will look far better than trying to recreate an indoor look outside.\n\n**Weather preparation.** If you are insisting on an outdoor ceremony, provide shawls, blankets, or pashminas for guests in case it is cooler than expected. Have an indoor backup plan. And discuss with your florist how the flowers will cope with wind, rain, or strong sun -- some blooms are hardier than others.",
          "excerpt": "## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Outdoor Ceremony Tips If your ceremony is outdoors -- in a garden, woodland, on a beach, or under a marquee -- there are practical considerations that indoor weddings do not face: **Use perspex or acrylic containers, not glas"
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      "section": "Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling | Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Why Seasonal Flowers Matter",
      "content_layer": "professional",
      "content": "Title: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling\nPrimary topic: flowers-and-decor\nSection: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling | Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Why Seasonal Flowers Matter\n\n## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling\nFlowers set the emotional tone of your wedding more than almost any other element. They are the first thing guests notice at the ceremony entrance, they frame you at the altar, they sit at the centre of every table, and your bouquet appears in almost every photograph. Getting your flowers right -- and getting them in season -- can be the difference between stunning arrangements that look effortless and a disappointing, overpriced compromise.\n\nThis guide covers exactly which flowers are available in each season, the different bouquet styles to choose from, how to handle buttonholes and corsages, a complete checklist of every floral element you might need, and practical tips for outdoor ceremonies and saving money.\n\n## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Why Seasonal Flowers Matter\nChoosing flowers that are naturally in season for your wedding date is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Here is why:\n\n**Cost.** Seasonal flowers are grown locally or regionally and are abundant. Out-of-season blooms must be imported -- often flown in from overseas -- which dramatically increases the price. Peonies in June are affordable; peonies in December will cost you a fortune, if your florist can source them at all.\n\n**Quality.** Flowers that are in their natural season are at their peak. The colours are more vibrant, the petals are more resilient, and they last longer. Imported out-of-season stems have endured long journeys and may wilt faster on the day.\n\n**Freshness.** A locally grown seasonal flower picked days before your wedding will always outperform one that was cut a week ago and shipped across continents in a refrigerated container.\n\nWork with the seasons rather than against them, and your florist will be able to offer you more for your budget.",
      "excerpt": "## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling Flowers set the emotional tone of your wedding more than almost any other element. They are the first thing guests notice at the ceremony entrance, they frame you at the altar, they sit at the centre of every table, and your bo",
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          "section": "Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Spring Flowers (March - May)",
          "content": "Title: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling\nPrimary topic: flowers-and-decor\nSection: Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Spring Flowers (March - May)\n\n## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Spring Flowers (March - May)\nSpring weddings benefit from some of the most delicate and romantic blooms of the year. The palette leans towards soft pastels -- whites, creams, pale pinks, lilacs, and buttery yellows.\n\n**Key spring flowers:**\n- **Tulips** -- available in almost every colour, elegant and clean-lined, look beautiful in hand-tied bouquets\n- **Narcissi (Daffodils)** -- cheerful, iconic spring flower, best used in arrangements rather than bouquets (the sap can irritate skin and damage other flowers if not conditioned properly)\n- **Hyacinths** -- intensely fragrant, available in white, pink, blue, and purple, gorgeous in table arrangements\n- **Lily of the Valley** -- tiny, bell-shaped white flowers with an exquisite scent, classically bridal, but expensive and delicate\n- **Anemones** -- striking flowers with dark centres, available in white, red, purple, and pink, add drama to any arrangement\n- **Bluebells** -- quintessentially English, perfect for woodland or garden weddings\n\n**A note on fragrance:** Spring flowers tend to be highly scented. This is beautiful in small doses, but be careful about combining too many different fragrances in one bouquet -- the scents can clash and become overwhelming. Strongly scented flowers held close to your face all day can also trigger allergies or headaches. Your florist can advise on which combinations work well together and which to avoid.\n\nSpring bouquets tend to look their most beautiful when styled naturally and loosely, with a just-picked-from-the-garden feel. Lean into the season rather than forcing a formal, structured look.",
          "excerpt": "## Wedding Flowers by Season: The Complete Guide to Bouquets, Buttonholes and Floral Styling > Spring Flowers (March - May) Spring weddings benefit from some of the most delicate and romantic blooms of the year. The palette leans towards soft pastels -- whites, creams, pale pinks, lilacs, and buttery yellows. **Key spr"
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      "chunk_id": "saving-tips-wedding-flowers#4",
      "article_title": "How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers",
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      "section": "How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 8. Choose flowers that are in season | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 9. Choose a venue with floral beauty | +1 more",
      "content_layer": "advice",
      "content": "Title: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers\nPrimary topic: budget-and-costs\nSection: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 8. Choose flowers that are in season | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 9. Choose a venue with floral beauty | +1 more\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 8. Choose flowers that are in season\nPhoto © Pumpkin and Pye | See their Bridebook profile\n\nThe time of year at which you’re getting married can have a big influence over the cost of your flowers, particularly if there are specific flowers you have in mind, because seasonality plays a huge part in cost. For example, peonies, when not in season, can be four times more expensive than roses. This includes cabbage roses, which look almost exactly the same.\n\nTo keep costs down, choose flowers that are in bloom during the time of year when your wedding is taking place, for example:\n- Spring: tulips and snapdragons\n- Summer: freesias and irises\n- Autumn: roses and dahlias\n- Winter: poinsettias and amaryllis\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 9. Choose a venue with floral beauty\nPhoto © Colonnade Florist | See their Bridebook profile\n\nYou might not have to as much much money on flowers if you choose a venue that has plenty of floral beauty of its own. An inner-city hotel might need a little extra help in the flower department, whereas a countryside manor will likely have landscaped gardens, wonderful artwork and stunning decor which means you won’t need to rely on having many flowers to add any additional beauty.\n\nFor a bit of inspiration on finding a venue with gorgeous natural spaces, check out our post on 35 beautiful outdoor wedding venues in the UK.\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 10. Consider forgoing  boutonnières and corsages\nPhoto © Laurel Weddings | See their Bridebook profile\n\nDepending on the number of groomsmen and bridesmaids you and your partner will have, one thing that bumps up the cost is the number of boutonnières  and corsages you’ll need. Two ways to reduce costs is by cutting them altogether or getting creative to bring those costs down. Why not design your own with faux or paper flowers? Or you could pick them up for less than £2 each by using a website like TEMU or Wish. Just make sure you know what you’re willing to compromise on (obviously cheap alternatives to professionally-crafted florals are unlikely to match the quality and design of the real deal).",
      "excerpt": "## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 8. Choose flowers that are in season Photo © Pumpkin and Pye | See their Bridebook profile The time of year at which you’re getting married can have a big influence over the cost of your flowers, particularly if there are specific flowers you have in mind, because seasonality p",
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          "section": "How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 11. Go green | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 12. Consider dried flowers | +1 more",
          "content": "Title: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers\nPrimary topic: budget-and-costs\nSection: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 11. Go green | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 12. Consider dried flowers | +1 more\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 11. Go green\nPhoto © The Wild Garden Florist | See their Bridebook profile\n\nWhile flowers are beautiful and vibrant, and can make for some truly breathtaking displays, the more you have in an arrangement, the more you’ll have to pay. So, why not fill some of that space with a little greenery, instead? More greenery, like ruscus and baby’s breath, can bring new textures and shapes to an arrangement and accentuate the flowers so that they pop even more. Not to mention it will help keep the costs of your flowers down. Win win!\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 12. Consider dried flowers\nPhoto © The Botanical Bunch | See their Bridebook profile\n\nDried bouquets are versatile and unique, and work whether you’re going for a vintage or more modern style at your wedding. They’re also more affordable due to the fact they last far longer than fresh flowers. Not only that, but you’ll be able to take them home afterwards and they’ll last for months, or even years. Dried florals works particularly well if you’re going with a rustic venue.\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 13. Use your green fingers in the garden\nPhoto © Abbey Meadow Flowers | See their Bridebook profile\n\nFancy yourself as something of a gardener with particularly well-attended flower beds at home? If so, you might consider putting together some arrangements of your own? Or, if you’re not quite that adventurous, you could take just a few single stems, such as from a rose bush, to use in tall vases that would work as simple, yet elegant and highly personal, centrepieces on each table.  \n\nAs always with the DIY approach, remember that there’s always a risk. Growing and then designing your own bouquets will be no mean feat, and won’t come with the same level of service and quality as working with a professional florist. Your flowers might not turn out exactly as you wanted them or your bouquets might not come together as you’d envisaged them, and they might get damaged on the day, either in transit or at the venue itself. So, carefully weigh up whether saving money is your no. 1 priority, or if you’d rather go for a more hands-off and stress-free approach (which will of course come at a cost).",
          "excerpt": "## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 11. Go green Photo © The Wild Garden Florist | See their Bridebook profile While flowers are beautiful and vibrant, and can make for some truly breathtaking displays, the more you have in an arrangement, the more you’ll have to pay. So, why not fill some of that space with a li"
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      "section": "How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 5. Less can be more | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 6. Switch petals for paper",
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      "content": "Title: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers\nPrimary topic: budget-and-costs\nSection: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 5. Less can be more | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 6. Switch petals for paper\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 5. Less can be more\nPhoto © Vista & Bloom | See their Bridebook profile\n\nWe may have already mentioned that bigger blooms can be more cost-effective, but if you’re going for a minimalist and sophisticated theme, then that can also be a great way to save some money. Instead of having big bunches of flowers on every table, try putting single stems in tall elegant vases as eye-catching centrepieces. Because of the impressive height, the room will still look decorated throughout, but this way you’ll use fewer stems and your guests will be able to truly appreciate the flowers you’ve hand-selected.\n\nRoses are fabulous flowers which work well like this, but speak to your florist about which flowers will fit best within your specific budget.\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 6. Switch petals for paper\nDid you know you can still have flowers even if you don’t want real ones? Switching real flowers for faux or paper-made flowers works a treat and can cost less than the real deal. For an extra touch of personalisation, you can also tie it to your wedding theme by making flowers from pages out of your favourite book or sheet music from your wedding playlist.\n\nTo save even more cash, you might want to consider making some paper flowers yourself. It’s not like they’ll wilt over time, so if you start early enough you should be able to make plenty. There are loads of paper flower tutorial videos on YouTube to get you started. Though these are unlikely to rival the masterful creations of a professional, if cheap flowers are your no. 1 priority, then the DIY approach can be both cost-effective and fun!\n\n7\\. Double up\n\nPhoto © Honour Farm Flowers | See their Bridebook profile\n\nAfter the wedding ceremony, your bridesmaids will probably have little use for their bouquets, so why not make them work extra hard and reuse them at the reception? Place them at certain focal points, or even use them as centrepieces on some of the tables. It’s unlikely that your guests will even notice!",
      "excerpt": "## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 5. Less can be more Photo © Vista & Bloom | See their Bridebook profile We may have already mentioned that bigger blooms can be more cost-effective, but if you’re going for a minimalist and sophisticated theme, then that can also be a great way to save some money. Instead of ha",
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      "section": "How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 15 ways to save money on wedding flowers | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 1. The bigger the better | +3 more",
      "content_layer": "advice",
      "content": "Title: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers\nPrimary topic: budget-and-costs\nSection: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 15 ways to save money on wedding flowers | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 1. The bigger the better | +3 more\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 15 ways to save money on wedding flowers\nPhoto © West Dorset Wedding Flowers | See their Bridebook profile\n\nWedding flowers are a big expense, but they’re a non-negotiable for many couples. If you do choose to have flowers at your wedding, but don’t want to spend an amount even close to the UK average, then there are ways around it. Below are 15 ways you can save money on wedding flowers.\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 1. The bigger the better\nPhoto © One Splendid Day | See their Bridebook profile\n\nChoose flowers with big heads where possible. Not only do they look stunning, but the bigger the flowerhead, the fewer stems you need to fill out an arrangement, which means you’ll also generally spend less money.\n\nFor example, for every peony or hydrangea you have in an arrangement, you would need two or three roses to fill up the same amount of space. The bigger the flowers, the less you’ll spend in the long run.\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 2. Avoid popular flower choices\nPhoto © Emly & Me | See their Bridebook profile\n\nFlowers like roses, carnations and tulips symbolise love, which makes them popular choices for floral arrangements. That means they can also be quite pricey, as demand is high. Instead, why not consider flowers which are both beautiful but which aren’t commonly seen at weddings, such as chrysanthemums, daisies and Peruvian lilies?\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 3. Be creative with your bridesmaids\nPhoto © The Flower Alchemist | See their Bridebook profile\n\nBe a trendsetting bride and instead of full bouquets, give your bridesmaids corsages to wear on their wrists or boutonnières to fix onto a neckline or waistband. It will leave their hands free (to fluff out your dress if need be) and provide the perfect accessory for their outfits. Not to mention it will save you a lot of money, especially if you have four or five bridesmaids.\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 4. Use flowers as focal points\nPhoto © Cloud Hill Flowers | See their Bridebook profile\n\nUse flowers as your focal points. Positioning some at the bar and on the central table will draw the eye and let you get away with much smaller pieces on the other tables. This will make the room seem full to the brim with floral decoration, whereas actually, you’ve just been clever with how you use them. The key is to position them in a way that works for them and the space.",
      "excerpt": "## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > 15 ways to save money on wedding flowers Photo © West Dorset Wedding Flowers | See their Bridebook profile Wedding flowers are a big expense, but they’re a non-negotiable for many couples. If you do choose to have flowers at your wedding, but don’t want to spend an amount even",
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          "section": "How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > Why are wedding flowers so expensive? | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > Do you need flowers at your wedding?",
          "content": "Title: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers\nPrimary topic: budget-and-costs\nSection: How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > Why are wedding flowers so expensive? | How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > Do you need flowers at your wedding?\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > Why are wedding flowers so expensive?\nPhoto © The Flower Mill | See their Bridebook profile\n\nA wedding is a fabulous occasion, and like many celebrations, flowers are the go-to decorative item for adding colour, luxury and elegance. Flowers are also a popular symbol of love, which is why they’re so perfect for a wedding.\n\nAs a result, many couples love to use flowers throughout their big day, from the moment their guests arrive at the ceremony to the moment they leave the reception. And because they play such a prominent role, the price of wedding flowers can be somewhat on the high side.\n\nBut why exactly are they so expensive? There are plenty of reasons why you may pay a premium for wedding flowers, most notably:  \n- **Volume** – From bouquets to boutonnières, many different flower arrangements feature in a wedding\n- **Quality** – When it comes to weddings, florists often use the crème de la crème of flowers\n- **Service** – Bespoke florals will involve a personalised design process and conceptualisation to bring your vision to life\n- **Details** – It’s not just about the flowers – think vases, vessels, ribbons, even props – everything you need to create a gorgeous display\n- **Availability** – Most flowers are seasonal, particularly in the UK, so it can be expensive to import certain flowers\n- **Expertise** – Florists use their skill and experience designing show-stopping arrangements\n- **Time** – Wedding flowers often take a lot of time to design and arrange\n- **Delivery** – Your florist will need to deliver and set up your flowers at the venue\n\n## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > Do you need flowers at your wedding?\nPhoto © Amarante London | See their Bridebook profile\n\nWhether or not you have flowers at your wedding is entirely your decision. It all depends on your budget, your style and – ultimately – your preference. While there’s nothing written in stone that says you _need_ to have flowers at your wedding, your guests will likely notice if you choose not to have them.\n\nFlowers are one of the biggest wedding traditions there is, and the pure presence of flowers denotes elegance and love. That said, there could be several reasons for not wanting to have flowers at your wedding, for example, due to allergies, or you simply aren’t interested in anything floral.",
          "excerpt": "## How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers > Why are wedding flowers so expensive? Photo © The Flower Mill | See their Bridebook profile A wedding is a fabulous occasion, and like many celebrations, flowers are the go-to decorative item for adding colour, luxury and elegance. Flowers are also a popular symbol of love, whi"
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      "taskGroup": "c4bacd65-bbfd-4918-90af-7cc55dd40ec5",
      "taskGroupTitle": "Begin Exploring Venues!",
      "intro": "Nothing gets you into the wedding planning mood like taking a look at some of the stunning venues available to couples in your area. From rustic barns to modern warehouses, there's sure to be something that tickles your fancy. Go on, take a peak!",
      "period": "Jul 2026",
      "monthsBeforeWedding": 6,
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        {
          "id": "059a1cab-6a79-4b2a-b5ac-be5ab6984fd1",
          "name": "The first step is always the venue, so get into the wedding zone by browsing some of our favourites! Our <Link to='/advice' name='Advice' /> section is a great place to start too.",
          "done": false
        },
        {
          "id": "247345f3-26a7-4732-b4bf-c2b22b6b1ec8",
          "name": "Familiarise yourself with our <Link to='/search' slug='venue' name='Search' /> tool, and take advantage of the different filters available.",
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        {
          "id": "e081f485-1012-40bc-ba0e-d6d1e1926f6a",
          "name": "Start saving your favourites in your Shortlist! Don't worry, just ideas is a good place to start for now.",
          "done": false
        }
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      "advice": [
        {
          "slug": "pro-venue-selection-expert-guide",
          "articleTitle": "Venue Selection: The Expert Guide to Finding Your Perfect Wedding Venue",
          "contentLayer": "professional",
          "excerpt": "Your venue sets the tone for everything -- the atmosphere, the menu, the decor, even what your guests wear. It is likely the single biggest decision (and biggest expense) of your wedding planning, so it pays to approach it methodically. This guide gives you the professional framework that wedding planners use to evaluate venues, adapted so you can do it yourselves.",
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          "slug": "pro-creating-wedding-theme-sensory-design",
          "articleTitle": "Creating Your Wedding Theme: A Sensory Design Approach to Atmosphere and Style",
          "contentLayer": "professional",
          "excerpt": "Most couples approach wedding themes the wrong way. They pick a colour, scatter it across everything, and hope for the best. Or they latch onto a literal theme -- \"rustic barn,\" \"Great Gatsby,\" \"winter wonderland\" -- and try to stamp it onto every surface. The result often feels forced, disconnected, or like a party supply shop exploded.\n\nProfessional wedding designers take a different approach. They start with feeling, not theme. They think about atmosphere, not decoration. And they use all five senses -- not just sight -- to create a wedding that feels genuinely immersive and personal.\n\nThis…",
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      "why": "The venue is the decision everything else hangs off — it fixes your date, your capacity, your catering options and half your style, and the good ones are booked a year or more ahead."
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  "why": "The venue is the decision everything else hangs off — it fixes your date, your capacity, your catering options and half your style, and the good ones are booked a year or more ahead.",
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      "groupName": "Start Spreading the Wedding News!"
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input {
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output {
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    "currency": "GBP",
    "target": 18000,
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    "totalActual": 0,
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      "theirs": {
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        "weekday and season"
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        "video",
        "liveband",
        "entertainment",
        "planners",
        "Insurance",
        "stationery"
      ]
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    "allocation": [
      {
        "name": "Catering (Food and Drink)",
        "supplierType": "catering",
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