by Sophie Yardley and Olivia Tripp-McGilvary
Nestled away on leafy Berkeley Square in Clifton and set within a stunning Georgian townhouse, you’ll discover The Square Club. Known as Bristol’s exclusive private members’ club for creatives, The Square also opens its doors for couples each year to celebrate their special day as a fully-licensed wedding venue.
As a bride-to-be myself, I know first-hand that wedding planning can be a total maze. I’ve heard tales of people losing sleep—and even hair—from the stress of it all! Planning a wedding should be a joy, but it can feel totally overwhelming. That’s where The Square comes into its own.
What sets The Square apart is its allencompassing wedding offering, designed for couples looking to enjoy a seamless, stress-free experience. Their dedicated events team will be with you every step of the way, organising every aspect of your day with care and attention. Thoughtfully designed packages cover all the essentials, giving you the freedom to truly relax and savour the journey.
From elegant spaces for your ceremony and wedding breakfast to an ideal setting to dance the night away, The Square has it all. With hotel accommodation at the adjacent Berkeley Square Hotel—including Condé Nast award-winning suites—you and your guests can unwind and fully immerse yourselves in the celebration. With all this covered, you can focus on planning the smaller details which will really make a difference and elevate your guests’ experience.
Having just planned her iconic wedding, we caught up with Square Club member and brand marketer Olivia Tripp, founder of Picnic creative studio and IN Bristol, to get her top tips on how to plan the details that will really set your wedding day apart….
Planning the Perfect Wedding Day (for you)
with Olivia Tripp-McGilvary
I’ve always wanted to plan a wedding. Being a natural planner and a massive extrovert, the idea of throwing a big celebration for friends and family has always excited me. After being together since school, my partner Jack and I had talked about marriage for a while, and I’d dropped a few hints, mainly by forwarding engagement ring photos over the years. Finally, in September 2022, Jack asked the question in a low-key proposal at a beautiful restaurant in Lisbon. I jumped straight into planning mode—of course, it helped that I already had a folder full of Instagram inspiration. In August 2024, we got married, and it was perfect. Now, you might be thinking, “The perfect wedding doesn’t exist”, and you’d be right! But the perfect wedding for you? That absolutely does.
Don’t be Afraid to Ditch Traditions
Although I’ve always wanted to plan a wedding, the traditional aspects weren’t what drew me in. So, we chose to ditch some of them! We didn’t have a first dance, and we opted out of the cakecutting. Even though these can be lovely moments, we realised they just weren’t “us”. Some of our guests were surprised when we mentioned we weren’t doing a first dance, but on the day, no one noticed! It was one less thing to think about, and it made our day feel more natural and fun. There were some traditions we kept but put our own spin on. For example, I chose to have bridesmaids, but I wasn’t a fan of typical bridesmaid dresses. Instead, each of my bridesmaids chose a different dress in a colour from our palette, in a style that suited their own personality and body type. This approach felt true to us, and the result was a colourful
bridal party who felt like themselves. These choices weren’t “right” or “wrong”, but they were right for us. And that’s exactly what I’d recommend to anyone planning a wedding: make it yours.
Go Beyond Wedding Suppliers
Remember, products and suppliers don’t need to be labelled “wedding” to be perfect for your day. Only one of our suppliers worked directly in the wedding industry. We found decor at charity shops, chose a photographer who usually works in fashion, and hired a DJ who played at venues we loved. If I’d limited myself to wedding directories, I might have missed these gems! For our outfits, we knew a traditional wedding dress and suit didn’t feel like us. I found Poesie by Julie, who creates custom-made occasion wear, and Jack went with Soder Studio, a designer known for workwear-inspired clothing. Together, we collaborated on co-ordinating
cream-coloured outfits, adding a nod to bridal wear but with our own twist. Taking the time to find these unique pieces not only made our wedding more personal, but also helped us save money without the additional costs associated with the industry.
Follow Your Heart, Not the Trends
Ask yourself, what do you both love? What are the little things people associate with you as a couple? Maybe you’re known for always ordering an Aperol Spritz— why not make that your welcome drink? This way, the event feels like a genuine celebration of who you are together. For me, colour is a huge part of my life, from my home decor to my wardrobe. I always knew that bright colours would play a big role in our wedding. We also avoided following fleeting trends where we could, opting instead for details we knew we’d love long after the day had passed. Although, remember it doesn’t matter if it’s a trend or not, as long as you truly love it, then it’s right for you. Trends come and go, but your wedding should be filled with things that genuinely reflect you as a couple— elements that will make you smile every time you look back on them.
Enjoy the Entire Journey
It’s not just about the wedding day; the lead-up can be just as memorable. I even mentioned this in my wedding speech: “People talk about spending too much money on one day of your life, but this wedding has not just been one day. It’s been two years of lead-up getting to think about and celebrate not just our relationship but all the people that are special to us.” It’s true! The journey was just as amazing to celebrate not only us as a couple but everyone around us who supports us. Savour the engagement, inviting loved ones to be in your bridal party, the stag and hen dos, and the planning. Each moment adds to the experience, making this time of your life that much more special. Planning a wedding is a fun and exciting journey, and in the end, the only right way to do it is the way that feels right for you. Enjoy every part of the process and make it your own!
Olivia is a brand marketer based in Bristol. She runs Picnic, a creative studio building brands, as well as INBristol, a guidebook celebrating Bristol’s independent businesses.
Photographer: Lucy Werrett
Second Shooter: Karina Barberis
