With stunning locations to choose from, such as Admiral’s House and the Painted Hall, it is not surprising that weddings at the Old Royal Naval College have been spectacular this past year. But all the magic wouldn’t become reality without a great planning team, so we caught up with Holly and Rhianon from Revelry, to discover what the secret behind a spectacular wedding is.  

Are you newly engaged? Here’s what to consider:

Saying “yes” is a significant moment, whether you’ve been dreaming about it for years or it’s still new to you, it can feel overwhelming. Holly from Revelry advises, “Take a moment to have fun with it! Your partner has likely spent weeks or months nervously preparing for this, so they might need a breather too. Go out, celebrate, and enjoy the moment.” To plan like a pro, Revelry offers four tips to get the ball rolling. 

Start by communicating about what you both care about.

You both might have different ideas on the size, style and location of the wedding day so it’s time to put all your cards on the table. You want to make sure your ideas are in sync right from the start, and if they aren’t, find room for compromise where you need to. 

Discuss what the most important aspects of the wedding day are to you both.

Perhaps it’s food, guestlist, location or music. Knowing where your priorities are will really help you figure out how to put together your budget later down the line. 

Budgeting for the big day.

No one enjoys talking about money, but you need to grit your teeth and agree on a number to avoid running out of money or getting into debt. How much have you got put aside, how much can you save, and who else might be able to contribute? Knowing how much you are working with will help you set your priorities for spending. 

Create a realistic guest list.

Don’t think about money or venue capacity right now, just do it for the process. Then, label the must-haves as your A-list, the would-like-to-haves as your B-list, and the ‘meh, not the end of the world if they aren’t there’ as your C-list.  

Planning your wedding at the Old Royal Naval College 

Whether it’s a big or small affair, your wedding should be a celebration with as little hiccups as possible. Having a team on board to help you plan your day is what will make your wedding unforgettable. Working closely with Revelry on weddings in both Admiral’s House and the Painted Hall, the team share their experience working with the event team. “We have always been blown away by how much the team at the Old Royal Naval College have been advocates for doing things differently. They have a ‘yes’ attitude – despite it being such an important, historical venue with reasonable restrictions, they are always open to adapt to a couple’s wants and needs, and they are their biggest cheerleaders while doing it.” 

With spaces that suit weddings throughout the year, the grounds can be elevated even further by working with florists, styling, production and entertainment from our list of trusted suppliers. Holly from Revelry says, “The Old Royal Naval College has a seasonal versatility that many couples look for – you don’t feel like you’re compromising by being indoors because the indoors is so spectacular. But you also have the benefit of the colonnades regardless of the weather because it’s sheltered.” 

Wedding trends in 2024 

According to Revelry’s 2024 trend report, statement bars have been popular amongst couples tying the knot. “Bold colours and patterns and personalised branding” really stand out. For a recent wedding, Revelry worked with the amazing Pinstripes & Peonies to cover the existing bar in the Undercroft with a custom wallpaper, which made a huge impact in the room and helped blend with the florals. “It was such a simple change, but it had a dramatic impact.” 

Predictions also include using content creators and behind-the-scenes VHS footage to capture the day for social media use. “The venue lends itself so well to this kind of content, as there is just so much to shoot – there’s a reason that film and tv companies flock here to shoot each week!”  

How Revelry will help plan your wedding at Old Royal Naval College 

Working with wedding planners is not only useful, but it can also help make your planning more fun. Essentially, the team’s job is to work closely with you to create your perfect day. “At Revelry, we’ll do a little or a lot for couples planning their wedding – it’s up to them! Either way, we’ll be there on the day to work alongside the fantastic team at the Old Royal Naval College to make sure everything runs smoothly, and you have all you need to relax and make the most of your day.” 

For our remaining dates in 2024 Revelry are pleased to be offering 10% off partial planning for your wedding in the Painted Hall, and 12% off any available dates in 2025. Get in touch to book a chat with us to see how we could work together on your day!

Interested in having your wedding at the Old Royal Naval College? Find out more.