Butlin’s Appoints UK’s First Celebrant of Friendship to Turn Group Chats into Plans

Brits will happily clear their diaries for weddings, birthdays and hen or stag dos, but when it comes to everyday friendships, catch-ups are often left to survive on WhatsApp messages and good intentions.

New research commissioned by Butlin's Big Weekenders – exclusively for adults – reveals that four in 10 UK adults (41%) spend extended quality time with friends less than once a year or never. One in three (34%) wish they saw their friends more often, while more than a quarter (26%) admit they often say "we should catch up" but never actually make plans.

And getting a trip out of the group chat is no mean feat. The survey of 2,000 UK adults reveals friends reckon it takes an average of 126 group chat messages before a trip is even booked.

Now, Butlin's Big Weekenders is turning "we should" into "we do" with the appointment of the UK’s first-ever Celebrant of Friendship and the launch of the 'Frien-do', a playful friendship take on "I do" that sees mates make a commitment to spending more quality time together.

The Frien-do will come to life at Butlin's Big Weekenders' larger-than-life, Vegas-style Chapel of Friendship, where groups of mates will be invited to make friendship vows to one another, swapping empty promises to "get something in the diary" for a genuine commitment to spend more time together.

It comes as the research shows that Brits are open to making friendships more of a commitment. Nearly two thirds of Brits (63%) say they would definitely or probably be interested in a new, fun way to celebrate their friendship, while nearly a third (30%) would be willing to make a marriage-like commitment to their best friend.

And there may be good reason to make it official. When friends get together, a third (33%) say they laugh more on trips with friends than with a romantic partner, while more than a quarter (26%) say they have more fun.

Turning Good Intentions into Reality

Chris Morley, one of the lead entertainment acts at Butlin's Big Weekenders, will take on the role of the UK's first Celebrant of Friendship, leading playful 'Frien-do' ceremonies where groups of mates can make friendship vows to one another.

He said: "I see first-hand at every Big Weekender just how much fun groups of mates have when they finally get everyone together. There’s nothing quite like switching off, having a laugh and making memories with the people who know you best.

"Taking on the role of the UK’s first Celebrant of Friendship is going to be a lot of fun. I’ll be asking mates to look each other in the eye and vow never to let another catch-up disappear into the group chat, turning 'we should' into 'we do'."

Mike Godolphin, Entertainment Director at Butlin's, adds: "Our research shows that while people want to see their friends more, actually getting plans out of the group chat and into the diary is often the biggest challenge.

"The Frien-do is our way of getting mates to stop saying 'we should' and make a real commitment to spending proper time together. That’s what Butlin's Big Weekenders are all about – giving friends quality time together, with live entertainment, daytime activities and everything in one place."

Chapel of Friendship at Bognor Regis

The Chapel of Friendship will open to guests at the 'Back to the 2000s' Butlin's Big Weekender in Bognor Regis on 20th November, where guests can take part in Frien-do vow ceremonies during Bingo Bango session.

Anyone who takes part in a Frien-do ceremony and makes their friendship vows will receive an exclusive discount on their next Butlin’s Big Weekender – making it even easier to turn one reunion into many more.

To turn your good intentions into real plans, book an unforgettable weekend away with your friends at Butlin's Big Weekenders.