big-wedding · run 01

2026-08-26T15:23:12.326Z · commit d30cafcdcdd · 6 turns · 193,820 tokens · 111s · ilia+e2e02@bridebook.co.uk
≈ 0.032 USD for the run · ≈ 0.0054 USD a turn

Three hundred guests and £120,000. Scores the figures and the search at a size most weddings never reach.

Turn 1the opener

Congratulations on your engagement! I’m here to make planning your wedding feel exciting and manageable, from finding things you’ll love to understanding costs and knowing what to do next.

What are your names?

Tools, cost and writes
Took
6.2s
Requests
#3 200 2.3s
Model
gpt-5.6-luna
Locked capabilities
1
Intent
opener
Gated off
getUpcomingTaskAdvice · getChecklistTasks
Steps / finish
1 · stop
Model calls
1 · 11290 tokens
Last call
in 11247 (cache read 11244) · out 43 · total 11290
Cost
≈ 0.0003 USD

No tool calls.

Turn 2typed a message
300 guests, budget £120,000, 19 June 2027, in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh on 19 June 2027 gives you a clear starting point, with around nine months to shape the day. Your plan now points you to Begin Exploring Venues! The venue sets your date, capacity, catering options and much of the style, and popular spaces can be booked a year or more ahead.

Added to your wedding

  • Wedding date: 19 June 2027 Change
  • Guest estimate: ~300 Change
  • Budget: £120,000 Change
  • Your checklist is ready — 265 tasks View
Tools, cost and writes
Took
17.1s
Requests
#5 200 7.1s · #6 200 6.9s
Model
gpt-5.6-luna
Locked capabilities
0
Gated off
getChecklistTasks
Steps / finish
2 · stop
Model calls
2 · 39618 tokens · extractor 5750ms
Last call
in 24770 (cache read 11897) · out 177 · total 24947
Cost
≈ 0.0046 USD
Location card
picked
executeClientActions
input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Update wedding field",
      "payload": {
        "name": "guests",
        "value": {
          "guests": {
            "estimate": 300
          }
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Update wedding field",
      "payload": {
        "name": "budget",
        "value": {
          "budget": 120000
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Set wedding date",
      "payload": {
        "date": {
          "y": 2027,
          "m": 5,
          "d": 19
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "setWeddingLocation",
      "payload": {
        "query": "Edinburgh"
      }
    }
  ]
}
getUpcomingTaskAdvice
input {
  "count": 1,
  "focus": "next",
  "excludeGroups": []
}
output {
  "result": [
    {
      "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": "Aug 2026",
      "monthsBeforeWedding": 10,
      "reason": "on_schedule",
      "supplierType": "venue",
      "doneCount": 0,
      "totalCount": 3,
      "subtasks": [
        {
          "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.",
          "done": false
        },
        {
          "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
        }
      ],
      "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.",
          "flags": {
            "requires_current_verification": false
          }
        },
        {
          "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…",
          "flags": {
            "requires_current_verification": false
          }
        }
      ],
      "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."
    }
  ],
  "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.",
  "alternatives": [
    {
      "groupId": "fc29f542-920b-4d85-9b5d-adc16f5e1c02",
      "groupName": "Research Ceremony & Legal Needs"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "cac1bd5b-5feb-49c2-a785-8636a31191a4",
      "groupName": "Start Your Guest List"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "43a84475-5ae8-4019-8ad5-d402641b6151",
      "groupName": "Outline Your Budget"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "1fe8435a-43b0-4118-9961-32722669ca93",
      "groupName": "Start Spreading the Wedding News!"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "f846e577-bc3e-4cec-b475-9f5cf7a8537c",
      "groupName": "Upload your favourite snap as a cover photo"
    }
  ],
  "projected": true,
  "approximateDate": false,
  "policyVersion": "phase-conditional-v1"
}

Client actions

✓ [Wedding] Update wedding field · 773ms
{
  "confirmed": true
}
✓ [Wedding] Update wedding field · 229ms
{
  "confirmed": true
}
✓ [Wedding] Set wedding date · 242ms
{
  "confirmed": true
}
✓ setWeddingLocation · 1ms
{
  "savedLocation": "Edinburgh"
}
✓ initialiseChecklist · 3165ms
{
  "created": true,
  "taskCount": 265
}
Turn 3typed a message
Find us venues big enough for that.

I’ve brought back venues in and around Edinburgh that can host 300 guests, including options with capacity above that for a more comfortable layout. The results include city venues, country estates and castles, with some offering substantial accommodation.

Check each venue’s availability for 19 June 2027 and ask for the complete package cost, since hire or per-person prices may not include catering, drinks and extras.

Tools, cost and writes
Took
12.8s
Requests
#8 200 9.7s
Model
gpt-5.6-luna
Locked capabilities
0
Gated off
nothing
Steps / finish
2 · stop
Model calls
1 · 33138 tokens · extractor 8297ms
Last call
in 29458 (cache read 12869) · out 316 · total 29774
Cost
≈ 0.0053 USD
searchWeddingSuppliers
input {
  "type": "venue",
  "filters": [],
  "priceRange": "moderate",
  "capacity": "300",
  "accommodationRooms": "",
  "radiusIncrease": 40,
  "page": 1,
  "pageSize": 10
}
output {
  "suppliers": [
    {
      "id": "EE011235",
      "publicId": "eeDX9xjn8J",
      "name": "The Grand Central Hotel",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "The truly stunning Grand Central Hotel invites you to say your vows in it’s newly refurbished Grand Room - a lavish haven in the heart of Glasgow. ",
      "seoUrlSlug": "the-grand-central-hotel-glasgow-glasgow-city",
      "street": "99 Gordon Street",
      "town": "Glasgow",
      "county": "Glasgow City",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "G1 3SF",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9xjn8J/nu0hh7jpj7oc7ubq4bol.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 0,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 62,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 90,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": -1,
      "reviewsCount": 0,
      "capacityDining": 380,
      "accommodationRooms": 230,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 65.4,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9xjn8J/ee58d7ea-7b35-4ac9-8e41-4c22ac1c897c_GCH_Ballroom_Dinner_1.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9xjn8J/f5c26846-6d7f-457c-81c3-f818d35d70fe_GCH_Ballroom_Ceremony_1.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9xjn8J/4c6ccd32-5de9-4a14-bde6-77a349a0056d_SEA-awards-web-009-IMGP1294.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9xjn8J/ae2b7d5c-0fa3-4006-af66-3d9e8cf06987_GCH_Ballroom_Ceremony_3.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE003705",
      "publicId": "eeR8BL2rga",
      "name": "Crieff Hydro Hotel",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "There’s room for 12 or 400 guests, 215 rooms and over 900 acres on our 4 star estate with jaw-dropping views over the Perthshire countryside, we have enough room for weddings small and large.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "crieff-hydro-hotel-crieff-perth-and-kinross",
      "street": "Ferntower Road",
      "town": "Crieff",
      "county": "Perth and Kinross",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "PH7 3LQ",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eeR8BL2rga/f958a37d-5f3e-46b1-afeb-33bb2879fcbc_reception_day.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 6500,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 6500,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 74,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 0,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": -1,
      "reviewsCount": 12,
      "capacityDining": 400,
      "accommodationRooms": 215,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 61.7,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeR8BL2rga/nikita-_-matthew-690.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeR8BL2rga/LR0449.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeR8BL2rga/nikita-_-matthew-802.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeR8BL2rga/LR0818.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE011111",
      "publicId": "ee4Y7zNkgZ",
      "name": "Prestonfield House",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "This beautiful hotel offers stunning interiors as well as beautiful surroundings. Add a touch of elegance to your wedding day.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "prestonfield-house-edinburgh-midlothian",
      "street": "Priestfield Road",
      "town": "Edinburgh",
      "county": "Midlothian",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "EH16 5UT",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/ee4Y7zNkgZ/hyjs9rw0goe8gppvhsl8.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 0,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 0,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": 5,
      "reviewsCount": 1,
      "capacityDining": 400,
      "accommodationRooms": 23,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 4,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/ee4Y7zNkgZ/t1rbujcrgjm0ttnh3hcn.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/ee4Y7zNkgZ/y4x1p9gzhrhrnvndcpys.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/ee4Y7zNkgZ/1e825ad3-a602-4de3-84b4-4ab5ea6d5abd_13690608_206417119755719_4639539624338300214_n.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/ee4Y7zNkgZ/f9222aea-33d4-4453-a75c-b7d01d6773a8_13510909_196622574068507_7456639984159378633_n.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE002520",
      "publicId": "eeV8weL1gv",
      "name": "Carfraemill",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Bespoke weddings in a stunning rural location in the Scottish Borders.  We'd love to host your day whether you're planning something small & intimate or large & lavish!  Private rooms and marquee.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "carfraemill-lauder-scottish-borders",
      "street": "The Lodge, Carfraemill",
      "town": "Lauder",
      "county": "Scottish Borders",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "TD2 6RA",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/EE002520/IMG_8513_ymyvkz.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 80,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 0,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": 5,
      "reviewsCount": 3,
      "capacityDining": 300,
      "accommodationRooms": 14,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 33,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/EE002520/IMG_4358_ofjtg6.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeV8weL1gv/tigerchick_dsc1089_zfm2ic.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/EE002520/IMG_4836_shdjb9.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/EE002520/IMG_8561_landscape_luckx7.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE009924",
      "publicId": "eejgyppKX1",
      "name": "Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "The stunning Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa is the perfect location for a wedding to remember!",
      "seoUrlSlug": "old-course-hotel-golf-resort-and-spa-st-andrews-fife",
      "street": "Old Station Road",
      "town": "St Andrews",
      "county": "Fife",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "KY16 9SP",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eejgyppKX1/60757628_10161809054225364_691802223591555072_o1.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 0,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 0,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": -1,
      "reviewsCount": 9,
      "capacityDining": 300,
      "accommodationRooms": 144,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 51.4,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eejgyppKX1/StAndrews-5603.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eejgyppKX1/StAndrews-5650.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eejgyppKX1/StAndrews-5671.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eejgyppKX1/StAndrews-5730.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "CS00088094",
      "publicId": "cspYlLLxjY",
      "name": "Yester Estate",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Newly opened for wedding and events using our secluded walled garden, an impressive blank canvas for your exclusive wedding day.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "yester-estate-gifford-east-lothian",
      "street": "Yester Estate     ",
      "town": "Gifford",
      "county": "East Lothian",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "EH41 4JF",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/cspYlLLxjY/SN0A4415.jpeg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 5000,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 5600,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 0,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": -1,
      "reviewsCount": 0,
      "capacityDining": 600,
      "accommodationRooms": 3,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 30.5,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cspYlLLxjY/3767231.JPG\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cspYlLLxjY/Image-24.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cspYlLLxjY/Image-16.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/cspYlLLxjY/Image-2.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE008779",
      "publicId": "eeDX9L338J",
      "name": "Mar Hall Hotel",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Mar Hall Hotel provides the beautiful banquet rooms with classical Victorian features for large or small groups. ",
      "seoUrlSlug": "mar-hall-hotel-bishopton-renfrewshire",
      "street": "Mar Hall Drive ",
      "town": "Bishopton",
      "county": "Renfrewshire",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "PA7 5NW",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9L338J/bbf83002-28e1-45d1-acf5-7bc2acae4029_i-pXjGqwp-XL_1_.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 6000,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 8000,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 105,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 195,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": 5,
      "reviewsCount": 1,
      "capacityDining": 350,
      "accommodationRooms": 53,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 78.4,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9L338J/452eed1b-0172-480f-bc1f-938aa39df4f6_Grand_Hall.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9L338J/8e91307b-54b1-48e7-b02a-39517bea4f4d_i-63ghbkL-XL_1_.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9L338J/gbfyicm1yzuv8kheipwx.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeDX9L338J/00be8cc4-5997-4264-bd72-16edc740d34c_i-95wfjN5-XL_1_.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE016437",
      "publicId": "eeGX3LQDgQ",
      "name": "The Normandy Hotel",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "",
      "seoUrlSlug": "the-normandy-hotel-renfrew-renfrewshire",
      "street": "Inchinnan Road",
      "town": "Renfrew",
      "county": "Renfrewshire",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "PA4 9EJ",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eeGX3LQDgQ/Photo09-08-2019124419.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 0,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 50,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 0,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": -1,
      "reviewsCount": 5,
      "capacityDining": 550,
      "accommodationRooms": 135,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 74.3,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeGX3LQDgQ/Photo09-08-2019124843.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeGX3LQDgQ/Photo09-08-2019124233.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeGX3LQDgQ/Wedding-18.108.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeGX3LQDgQ/Wedding-18.102.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE005530",
      "publicId": "eeQgGBJjXv",
      "name": "The Glynhill Hotel",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "Whether your wedding is grand and lavish, or intimate and relaxed, we guarantee the highest level of service and attention to create memories you will cherish for a lifetime.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "the-glynhill-hotel-renfrew-renfrewshire",
      "street": "169 Paisley Road",
      "town": "Renfrew",
      "county": "Renfrewshire",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "PA4 8XB",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/EE005530/P.19_flbeae.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 1500,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 2500,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 60,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 90,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": -1,
      "reviewsCount": 0,
      "capacityDining": 300,
      "accommodationRooms": 147,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 74.3,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeQgGBJjXv/AJ578.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeQgGBJjXv/JordanLaura3.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeQgGBJjXv/GemmaRoss2.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeQgGBJjXv/GemmaRoss1.jpg\"]"
    },
    {
      "id": "EE018427",
      "publicId": "eeA8xyGDX0",
      "name": "Thirlestane Castle",
      "type": "venue",
      "description": "With majestic turrets, rose-pink stone and surrounded by parkland, Thirlestane Castle in the Scottish Borders is a fairy tale setting, just 35 minutes south of Edinburgh.",
      "seoUrlSlug": "thirlestane-castle-lauder-scottish-borders",
      "street": "Thirlestane Castle",
      "town": "Lauder",
      "county": "Scottish Borders",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "countryCode": "GB",
      "postalCode": "TD2 6RU",
      "currency": "GBP",
      "pricingIndicator": "$$$",
      "thumbnail": "weddingsuppliers/venue/eeA8xyGDX0/5d7eb42c-fa6a-4471-9ca4-ebd402d8748d_PW_Thirlestane_New_4.jpg",
      "venueHirePriceMin": 360,
      "venueHirePriceMax": 3600,
      "pricePerHeadMin": 0,
      "pricePerHeadMax": 0,
      "minWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "maxWeddingPriceEstimate": null,
      "reviewsStars": -1,
      "reviewsCount": 1,
      "capacityDining": 400,
      "accommodationRooms": 9,
      "distanceFromOrigin": 38.5,
      "photos": "[\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeA8xyGDX0/28d1c10a-4549-4f46-907b-98cd9854adcc_16143023_1200336633377700_5219855156218171112_n.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeA8xyGDX0/Castlelawn.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeA8xyGDX0/CastleGarden-ClaireJulietPaton.jpg\",\"weddingsuppliers/venue/eeA8xyGDX0/2c39a2d6-18b6-46fc-a7fd-84a27f744935_PW_Thirlestane_Castle_Dining_Room.jpg\"]"
    }
  ],
  "total": 24,
  "page": 1,
  "hasMore": true,
  "searchType": "town"
}
Turn 4typed a message
How should we think about catering at that size?

At 300 guests, catering deserves a very clear brief. Your current working allocation is £40,026 for food and drink, around £133 per guest. That needs to cover more than the meal if drinks, reception canapés, service and late-night food are included.

Think about three formats:

  • Formal three-course meal: easiest for a large guest list and seating plan, but usually the least flexible on staffing and timings.
  • Family-style or sharing menu: still feels generous, with a more sociable atmosphere and potentially simpler service.
  • Buffet or food stations: can offer more choice and help queues move, but needs careful layout and enough replenishment staff.

For your numbers, I’d compare venues using the same all-in brief: canapés, meal, dessert or cake service, tea and coffee, welcome drink, wine, toast drink, evening food, staffing, VAT, service charge and corkage. Ask for the total catering cost for 300, not just the headline per-head price, and check whether the venue requires its own caterer.

Tools, cost and writes
Took
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Requests
#10 200 12.3s
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gpt-5.6-luna
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2 · stop
Model calls
1 · 39612 tokens · extractor 9361ms
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in 35426 (cache read 16721) · out 499 · total 35925
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getBudgetBreakdown
input {
  "category": "catering"
}
output {
  "result": {
    "projected": true,
    "currency": "GBP",
    "target": 120000,
    "totalEstimate": 120000,
    "totalActual": 0,
    "assumptions": {
      "theirs": {
        "guests": 300,
        "day": "Saturday",
        "season": "peak"
      },
      "stoodIn": [],
      "excluded": [
        "video",
        "liveband",
        "entertainment",
        "planners",
        "Insurance",
        "stationery"
      ]
    },
    "allocation": [
      {
        "name": "Catering (Food and Drink)",
        "supplierType": "catering",
        "share": "33%",
        "estimate": 40026,
        "booked": 0
      }
    ]
  }
}
getCoachReference
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?"
    }
  ]
}
Turn 5typed a message
Do we need a human planner as well as you?

No, not necessarily. I can help you structure decisions, compare options, watch the budget and keep the next steps clear. For a 300-guest wedding, a human planner becomes especially valuable if you want someone to manage supplier contracts, guest logistics and the wedding-day timetable.

A sensible middle ground is to plan yourselves, use the venue’s coordinator for venue-specific details, then hire an on-the-day coordinator for the final weeks and wedding day. Consider a full planner only if planning is taking over your lives, you’re coordinating many independent suppliers, or the venue offers limited support.

Tools, cost and writes
Took
35.5s
Requests
#12 200 32.5s
Model
gpt-5.6-luna
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Gated off
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Steps / finish
1 · stop
Model calls
1 · 25567 tokens · extractor 31023ms
Last call
in 18966 · out 232 · total 19198
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No tool calls.

Turn 6typed a message
What is the first thing to do?

Your first priority is Begin Exploring Venues! The venue fixes your capacity, catering options, style and much of the rest of the budget, and good venues can be booked a year or more ahead.

Tools, cost and writes
Took
20.8s
Requests
#14 200 17.8s
Model
gpt-5.6-luna
Locked capabilities
0
Gated off
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Steps / finish
2 · stop
Model calls
1 · 44595 tokens · extractor 16261ms
Last call
in 39343 (cache read 19155) · out 217 · total 39560
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getUpcomingTaskAdvice
input {
  "count": 1,
  "focus": "next",
  "excludeGroups": []
}
output {
  "result": [
    {
      "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": "Aug 2026",
      "monthsBeforeWedding": 10,
      "reason": "on_schedule",
      "supplierType": "venue",
      "doneCount": 0,
      "totalCount": 3,
      "subtasks": [
        {
          "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.",
          "done": false
        },
        {
          "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
        }
      ],
      "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.",
          "flags": {
            "requires_current_verification": false
          }
        },
        {
          "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…",
          "flags": {
            "requires_current_verification": false
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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.",
  "alternatives": [
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      "groupId": "cac1bd5b-5feb-49c2-a785-8636a31191a4",
      "groupName": "Start Your Guest List"
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      "groupName": "Research Ceremony & Legal Needs"
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      "groupId": "e3d5ba76-1412-4254-bc92-d3e1869d0db0",
      "groupName": "Save a venue or supplier to your favourites to refer back to later"
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