Question 1

I just signed up. What's the best first step?

Accepted Answer

Open Search and pick a region or use the welcome quiz answers to filter. Save 5–10 venues that catch your eye to your shortlist (the heart icon on every card). With 5+ saved, the AI Planner can rank them and tell you what to ask each one.

Question 2

Do I need to pay to use Cherished?

Accepted Answer

Search, shortlist, comparison and venue messaging are completely free. You only pay if you want the AI Planner — that's £7.99/month with a 14-day free trial, or £69 one-off for 12 months access. The free tier is permanent — there's no hidden paywall.

Question 3

How is Cherished different from Hitched / Bridebook?

Accepted Answer

We list wedding venues worldwide — 110,000+ of them, with the photos and details venues themselves provided. We don't take commission on bookings, we don't sell your data, and our AI Planner is built into the platform, not a separate chatbot you have to go and find. Bridebook AI is a free ChatGPT GPT — a different thing entirely.

Question 4

Will my data be sold or shared?

Accepted Answer

No. We never share or sell your data. Venues only see your details when you choose to send an enquiry to them. You can delete your account any time from your dashboard, and we'll remove everything within 30 days.

Question 5

How do I save a venue?

Accepted Answer

Tap the heart icon on any venue card or detail page. The first time you save while signed out, the heart goes on your device only. Once you sign in, your shortlist syncs across every device — phone, laptop, the lot.

Question 6

How many venues should I shortlist?

Accepted Answer

Most couples land on 4–8 finalists before booking viewings. Less than 3 and you risk decision regret; more than 10 is overwhelming. The AI Comparator works best on 4–6 venues — enough variety to score, not so many you lose the thread.

Question 7

Can I share my shortlist with my partner / parents?

Accepted Answer

Right now your shortlist is private to your account. We're looking at shareable links for v2 — let us know on /contact if this matters to you so we know to prioritise it.

Question 8

What happens when I send an enquiry?

Accepted Answer

Your message goes directly to the venue's booking team. They reply through Cherished — no email forwarding, no spam risk. Your phone and email aren't shared until you choose to share them in the conversation.

Question 9

What do the status badges mean?

Accepted Answer

"Sent" — message delivered, awaiting reply. "Read by venue" — they've seen it. "Replied" — they've responded; check your inbox. "In discussion" — multiple back-and-forth. "Viewing booked" — you've agreed a date to visit. "Booked!" — you said yes. "Closed" — you decided to pass (or they couldn't accommodate you).

Question 10

How long do venues take to reply?

Accepted Answer

Most reply within 1–3 business days. Premium-listed venues average under 24 hours. If a venue hasn't replied after 7 days your inbox shows an amber "Awaiting reply · 7d+" badge — that's our hint to chase them up. Couples on the AI Planner can use AI Reply Helper to draft a polite follow-up in one tap.

Question 11

What should I ask in my first enquiry?

Accepted Answer

Date availability, total cost (and what's included), capacity for your guest count, in-house catering vs outside caterers, and whether you can hold the date provisionally. Pro tip: the AI Enquiry Drafter writes this in your voice — saves the blank-page anxiety.

Question 12

When should I book a viewing?

Accepted Answer

After 1–2 reply exchanges, when the venue feels like a strong fit on paper. Aim for 3–5 viewings total — fewer and you're guessing, more and they blur together. Viewings take 60–90 minutes; build in a coffee break afterwards to debrief with your partner.

Question 13

What questions should I ask at a viewing?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the basics: where do photos work in bad weather, what time can suppliers arrive, late-licence end time, parking + transport for guests, accommodation on-site or nearby, food tastings included or extra, deposits / payment schedule, what happens if you need to postpone.

Question 14

How do I know I've found "the one"?

Accepted Answer

You'll know. But practical signals: it fits your guest count + budget without compromise on the things you most care about, the team felt easy to talk to, and you can picture your specific day there (not just any wedding). If you're torn between 2, the AI Shortlist Comparator scores them on vibe / budget / risk and tells you what to weigh.

Question 15

How much does a UK wedding really cost?

Accepted Answer

Average is £20,000–£30,000 — but it ranges from £10k (intimate, weekday, off-season) to £100k+ (London, peak Saturday, full-service). Venue is typically 30–40% of the total. The AI Budget Calculator builds a regional estimate sized to your guest count.

Question 16

Do venues charge more for Saturdays?

Accepted Answer

Yes — usually £1k–£5k more than a Friday or Sunday for the same venue. Off-peak (November–March, excluding December) is often 20–30% cheaper. If your dates are flexible, asking "what days/months are cheaper?" in your first enquiry can save thousands.

Question 17

What hidden costs should I watch for?

Accepted Answer

Corkage if you bring your own drinks (£8–£20/bottle), cake-cutting fees (£100–£300 — yes, really), service charges on catering (10–15%), changing-room hire, ceremony license fees if booking a registrar separately. Always ask "what isn't included in this price?" — the answer is the real budget conversation.

Question 18

Is the AI Planner worth £7.99/month?

Accepted Answer

The AI does the boring parts of planning — drafting venue emails, ranking your shortlist, building your timeline, writing thank-you notes. Couples save 10–20 hours over a planning cycle. The 14-day free trial means you can find out for yourself, no commitment.

Question 19

Does the AI replace human judgement?

Accepted Answer

No. It suggests, drafts, and analyses — you decide. It never sends a message or books a venue without your explicit confirmation. Think of it as a very fast, very patient assistant who's read every wedding planning guide ever written.

Question 20

What if the AI gets something wrong?

Accepted Answer

Tell us — feedback shapes the next iteration. Our prompts include UK-specific guidance (£ not $, British English, regional pricing) but AI is never perfect. The 7-day money-back guarantee on the £69 pass and one-click cancellation on monthly mean you're never stuck.

Question 21

How far ahead should we book the venue?

Accepted Answer

12–18 months is typical. 6 months is the minimum for popular venues in peak season. Less than 3 months is doable but limits choice — consider weekday or off-season for short-notice bookings.

Question 22

In what order should we book everything?

Accepted Answer

Venue first (drives every other decision). Then photographer/videographer (book up 12+ months out). Then florist, caterer (if separate from venue), entertainment. Save-the-dates 8 months before, invitations 3 months before, final headcount 2 weeks before. The AI Timeline Planner builds this around your specific date.

Question 23

What's realistic for a 6-month timeline?

Accepted Answer

Tight but doable. Pick a weekday or Sunday, accept fewer venue options, prioritise photographer over videographer, skip save-the-dates and go straight to invitations, work with the venue's in-house caterer rather than externals. The AI Planner's 6-month horizon is built for this.

Wedding planning, demystified.

Getting started

Shortlists & favourites

How venue enquiries work

Viewings & booking

Budget & money

About the AI Planner

Wedding planning timeline

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