Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding - October/November 2019 (Issue 79)

Last minute get-aways Looking for a minimoon destination or anniversary bolthole? We’ve rounded up the pick of exciting destinations in the area. TURLEY FARM BOTHY Enjoy the ambience of a peaceful working farm and family home at the edge of the Cotswolds, and meet the animals or swim with the dragonflies in the natural swimming pond. From the apartment, there are views of the pond and the fields beyond. The friendly owners will leave eggs and plenty of logs for the wood-burner – but otherwise leave you in peace. Visit sawdays.co.uk to find out more. VANBRUGH HOTEL, OXFORD Situated in the heart of the city opposite the Oxford Union, Vanbrugh House Hotel is an ideal base for a relaxing break, with 22 beautifully designed rooms. Enjoy the colleges and museums, picnic and punt before returning to the elegant charm of this former Georgian home, designed by the architect of Blenheim Palace, Sir John Vanbrugh. Go to vanbrughhousehotel.co.uk for more information. THE FEATHERED NEST In the heart of the Cotswolds, this country inn – a former gastropub of the year – offers four individually designed rooms in the 350-year- old malt house. Enjoy roaring fires in the pub, locally sourced food in the restaurant and wake to the sound of birds and the smell of wildflower meadows... but not too early. Visit thefeatherednestinn.co.uk to find out more. LOOKING AHEAD De Vere Beaumont Estate’s venue director, Darren McGhee, (devere.co.uk ) shares with us his take on the top wedding trends for 2020 and beyond... Going Green “Single-use” was last year’s buzzword, with Collins Dictionary naming it the word of the year. There has been a significant rise in sustainable wedding accessory purchases, with reusable straws, biodegradable confetti and vintage décor being just some of the examples, and some couples even spend their honeymoon contributing to a beach clean. We have our own electric car charging points here at Beaumont, and many weddings now opt to begin the day with guests arriving in privately hired buses or via public transport to reduce emissions from multiple cars or vehicles. There’s also a growing trend in brides looking for wedding dresses that use eco-friendly fabrics. Flower Power We’re seeing more seasonal bouquets and greenery being used to dress rooms and to adorn outfits. Couples are choosing greenery and foliage over lavish flower arrangements and selecting textured bouquets, with fruits and grasses to obtain a natural, vintage look. Floral foam contains certain chemicals that don’t biodegrade, and with sustainability on everyone’s minds, more brides are considering florists who work on a foam-free basis. Wholesome Weddings More couples want menus that cater for all their guests – without the need to add on alternative dishes for dietary requirements. Whether it’s gluten-free, vegan, nut- free, dairy-free or vegetarian, our team are experienced when it comes to dietary requirements to ensure that dishes are adaptable and delicious in order to not leave anyone feeling side-lined. #Mr&Mrs More and more couples now create wedding websites, designed to share information with their guests prior to the big day, enabling them to RSVP, pick menu choices, look at nearby accommodation and to contribute to the wedding fund in real-time. Social media is also playing an increasingly important role in the big day, as more than half of couples create wedding hashtags for guests to use. So while couples are paring back in order to align with their environmental consciousness, they’re still wanting images and staging that capture attention across social media. As a result, we’re expecting to see some creative and innovative ideas this year, with couples making every penny of their budget work to provide those all-important wow moments. 10