All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in the UK, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Personalised Gin from The Henley Distillery
For a day dedicated to love and celebration, gin lovers can now create a truly personal way to not only toast to the future, but impress guests with hand-crafted, premium spirits either personalised for the event or perhaps even designed and developed by the happy couple themselves. The Henley Distillery, based in an 18th century threshing barn just outside of Henley-on-Thames, creates award-winning, artisan spirits using 300l alembic copper stills - traditional in method, innovative in recipe development.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 1 February 2023
Abroad stag and hen dos not an option due to cost of living crisis
Couples planning stag and hen festivities this year may need to think again as Brits admit they would not attend an abroad celebration. Luxury fashion retailer Fenwick, has surveyed the nation to find out opinions on stag and hen dos, including the amount they'd be willing to spend and whether they'd travel abroad. Many people now take their bridal parties or groomsmen on holiday to celebrate their big day. These trips can often end up costing a lot of money especially if heading to popular destinations such as Marbella, Budapest or even Vegas which when the majority of the UK is being squeezed by the ongoing cost of living crisis, isn't something many can afford. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 50.70% would refuse to attend a stag do abroad, preferring to celebrate closer to home in the UK.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 1 February 2023
Complete your big-day look with accessory company By Ilona Millinery
When attending County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse, you'll be inspired for your wedding planning including for your bridalwear and accessories. The "Loopy for Lilies" hat from By Ilona Millinery is a vintage-style knotted straw bandeau, adorned with whimsical handmade silk lilies. This is an easy to wear halo style, and so will suit a variety of wedding dresses - it can even accommodate your veil worn underneath!
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 1 February 2023
Meet your venue styling supplier at Ascot Racecourse
Wedding Day Hire is delighted to be part of the CWE Signature Wedding Show at Ascot on February 26th. Specialists in supplying items for hire for weddings and occasions, owner Claire adds, "Come and see some of our beautiful pieces, talk to us about your ideas and how we can create a beautiful setting for your event. We look forward to meeting you."
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 1 February 2023
Adorn and accessorise with 3C Jewellery
3C Jewellery is the brainchild of Lucy White, and is a business that specialises in handcrafted items using paper flowers, seed bead weaving, macramé/braiding, chainmail and wire work. Lucy whill be exhibiting at the Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on 26th February. Lucy adds, 'I have always loved crafting! I learnt all about beading, beadwork and making jewellery and items from beads whilst working in a craft shop. This fuelled my love of crafts and I decided to make and sell jewellery items as a hobby. It was during the first lockdown I found I had some extra time on my hands and I came across paper flowers.They looked amazing so I decided to have a go making them and quickly fell in love. My friends and family were amazed at how real they looked and started to ask me to make paper flowers for them...
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
Bespoke options with brewing company
Ideal for drink receptions or for the whole evening personalised wedding beers make a lovely extra touch for your special day - and you can find these with the Crafty Brewing Co. Based in Surrey, the team will be at our Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on 26th February, 2023. Hosted by County Wedding Events, it gives couples the opportunity to meet with a whole host of suppliers including the Craft Brewing Co. Rick says, "Simply provide us with the names of the happy couple plus the date and we will do the rest.Our personalised wedding beers make a unique addition and an add extra touch for your special day.Choose from our Gluten Free 4.6% Pilsner & our 4.2% IPA, both beers are also vegan and vegetarian friendly."
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
New piano product from one of our Signature Wedding Show exhibitors
Renowned pianist Dennis Elvie has a portable baby grand piano - having such a portable instrument means that he can play at the ceremony, drinks reception and at the wedding breakfast, especially as these aspects of the day are frequently in different rooms/buildings, on different floors and are inside and outside. "My portable instrument can cope with all these situations," shares Dennis. Excitingly, not only does this means couple, no matter the wedding or location can have this amazing classical instrument at their nuptials; but Dennis looking to invest in a new white baby grand piano - which too is portable - meaning couples can not only have the wedding music of their dreams, but also have a piano fitting to their colour scheme.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
Find your dream dress with Signature Wedding Show exhibitor
Hounslow-based Serenity Bridal Boutique is exhibiting at our County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on February 26th 2023. The retailer has a huge collections of beautiful dresses and other accessories from Ronald Joyce, Tiffany Bridal, Gino Cerruti, LQ Designs to name a few. When visiting the boutique, visitors will find a fascinating, modern setting with an experienced and understanding team on hand to help you 'Say yes to the dress!' at Serenity Bridal. Serenity Bridal currently has a promotion of 10% off gowns and offer free alterations on selected dresses.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
Put your best foot forward with The Pretty Wedding Shoe Company
Here at County Wedding Events we've fallen in love with these gorgeous wedding shoes from Buckinghamshire-based The Pretty Wedding Shoe Company. Specialising in bespoke, hand-painted wedding shoes and accessories, designer Anna will reflect your personality, love story or can just co-ordinate with your wedding theme or flowers! What's more, The Wedding Memorial shoes are a lovely way to include a loved one by having a hand-painted feather, robin or your own chosen element hand-painted on your shoes. This way they will be with you every step of the way. Team with co-ordinating ties and pocket squares, flowergirl shoes, ring cushions, dog leads and collars and more!
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
Show offer from renowned Herts business The Two Photographers
If you're looking for your wedding photographer still, then head over to the Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show hosted by County Wedding Events where you can meet Fran and Karen of Herts-based The Two Photographers. Fran Radford and Karen Grace have been photographing together since 2012, creating stunning photos with a natural mix of spontaneous and softly posed photography. Making you feel at ease on your wedding day is paramount. They want to reassure you that you're in safe hands with, their years of experience guiding wedding couples through their day will ensure your wedding photography reflects how you feel about each other.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
Entertainment must-have with Surrey-based exhibitor
When attending one of our County Wedding Events wedding shows, it gives couples a great opportunity to find their wedding day entertainment and performer. On February 26th 2023, at Ascot Racecourse, CWE's Signature Wedding Show is taking place; here, you can watch musician Jon Hickman perform live. Jon Hickman has been performing at weddings as a specialist Pianist - Singer for over a decade. As a highly experienced wedding musician, Jon recommends his most popular package...
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
Award-winning hairstylist exhibiting at Ascot Racecourse
Our County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on 26th February 2023, gives visitors the much-needed opportunity for finding their big-day suppliers. Exhibiting at this event, is Alison Rose a hairstylist with a career spanning nearly 20 years. Training at Mulberry's in Beaconsfield as a stylist, she first trained for hair extensions 15 years ago before moving to Kuwait in 2010 to work as a senior stylist for Toni&Guy. Here, Alison trained to become a hair extension educator for the brand Raccoon Hair Extensions.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 31 January 2023
The most eye-catching wedding decor revealed
A new study, conducted by the wedding financial experts at money.co.uk, involved surveying 1,000 future newlyweds and asking them to estimate how much they will spend on 70 wedding items. Images of these 70 items were then used in an eye-tracking study to reveal the specific elements that people spend the most time gazing at. Fairylights came out on top, with guests staring at them for 5.53 seconds which is impressive considering they are the decorations that those planning a wedding expect to pay the least for (£106.25). So, if you're looking to impress your guests without splurging then try draping your venue in tiny, twinkling fairylights.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 30 January 2023
A man’s perspective to changing names after marriage
NameSwitch has interviewed some trail blazing men who took a bold step into the future. When you're planning a wedding, whether small and informal or grand-scale, there's a myriad of tasks to organise. And, these days, guys are expected to pull their weight when it comes to sorting everything from flower arrangements and wedding cakes to transport and catering. But, before you even walk down the aisle to say, "I do", there's another important factor to consider – whether you intend to take your partner's surname.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 27 January 2023
Is keeping your maiden name at work right for you?
NameSwitch shares its advice on the dilemma that many women face in the workplace, and that's whether to keep your maiden name? Read on to find out more... The process of getting married comes with a million personal choices to be made along the way – do you want a big white dress or something more minimal? Do you want a DJ at your celebration or a live band? Do you want to keep your maiden name or embrace your married one? Each choice is personal and unique and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Even when it comes to something as momentous as what name you'll be known by for the rest of your life, there are different options and choices to be made. And just like decisions about what kind of dress to buy, the choices you make about your name will also be influenced by your personal preferences and life experiences.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 25 January 2023
New interactive feature to make hen and stag dos less stressful
A new randomised spinning wheel feature has been launched by Hen Weekends and Stag Weekends in an effort to make the planning process of hen and stag parties easier and less stressful. This comes as their recent study of hen and stag party bookings found that 30% of hen and stag party organisers have no idea which location to book, with so many different options on offer creating quite the predicament.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 23 January 2023
Free Valentine's wedding with Frankie & Benny’s
Top Italian American restaurant Frankie & Benny's has been swamped with applications after offering a free wedding for Valentine's. The popular restaurant has launched the ultimate cost of living crisis busting wedding and they've already had thousands wanting to say 'I do'. The team at Frankie & Benny's have been astounded by the number of applicants, many of the lovebirds had their first date at one of the restaurants and want to celebrate their special day where they first met. You still have a chance to win, so long as you've just tied the knot, or about to, have a great love story, then you can apply for the free wedding. All applications need to be submitted via Facebook/Instagram by January 29, 2023.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 23 January 2023
New honeymoon experiences for couples with a conscience
Hotelgift is the ideal way to share the joy of travel with a newlywed couple with a conscience; from uber luxury glamping to wellness journeys for two. For every Hotelgift bought and for every gift card that is redeemed for a new hotel stay, 1,000 litres of water are donated to support local communities in places that need it most through a partnership with Made Blue.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 20 January 2023
New hen/stag do offering in Stratford, London, March 2023!
Grab your #weddingsquad, it's time to get dressed up and put on your dancing shoes because Tony n' Tina's Wedding - the immersive hit Broadway show from America - is coming to London! This unique live theatrical experience - during which the audience and cast interact together during a 'live wedding' - will officially open at the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London on March 16th, 2023, and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think its got all the ingredients for the ultimate stag/hen or sten do!
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 19 January 2023
Average ages we are hitting life’s milestones
A new study from Confused.com has revealed the average ages we are hitting life's milestones in England & Wales, including getting married at age 35! So how does your milestone timeline compare? Typically, the first milestone people in the UK reach is moving out of their parent's home at age 20, followed by moving in with their partner at 27. The next life milestone those in the UK usually meet is having their first child, with couples seeming to have children before marriage. The average age for having children is 29, while the average age for getting married is 35. The data also suggests that on average, people are choosing to have children before purchasing a property. This could be a result of house prices continuing to rise making it harder to save for a deposit.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 18 January 2023
Couples are opting for eco-friendly weddings
One of the UK's leading waste and recycling management companies BusinessWaste.co.uk collected data, which shows how much attitudes to environmental and sustainable choices in regard to weddings are changing. According to the research searches for 'sustainable wedding' has skyrocketed by 75% over the last year, while 'sustainable wedding venues near me' saw an 80%+ increase along with 'sustainable engagement ring' which saw a staggering 96% search increase. What's more, us Brits came out on top overall for our eco-friendly mindfulness, with France and Greece also seeing the biggest increase in searches for sustainable wedding venues.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 16 January 2023
Keep your wedding guests warm this winter
Putting the chocolate back into drinking chocolate with their unique fine beads, Cocoa Canopy are making winter weddings super cosy with its sample-szie offering. Perfect for winter wedding favours, they offer the ultimate in comforting hot chocolates, guaranteed to put a smile on the receiver's face! Cocoa Canopy is the only UK drinking chocolate brand to craft unique fine chocolate beads for beautifully smooth, real chocolate drinks made from only a handful of sustainably sourced ingredients.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 13 January 2023
How to throw an insta-worthy engagement party
You never have to scroll too far to stumble upon a celebrity engagement party on instagram and if you've recently got engaged yourself, you're probably thinking - should I throw one too? The short answer is yes, absolutely. While planning the wedding is always top priority, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a party to get all your loved ones together and celebrate the big news straight away - particularly when most weddings take place a good 12 to 18 months post-proposal. However, hosting an engagement party of your dreams can still be quite a daunting task. To help, wedding jewellery experts, Queensmith have pulled together 11 tips for taking your celebratory soirée to the next level.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 11 January 2023
Spotify data reveals the most popular wedding songs
Luxury engagement ring retailer, Diamonds Factory, has scraped Spotify to find the top 100 most popular wedding songs to include in your playlists. To do this, Diamonds Factory analysed over 100 Spotify playlists containing the word 'wedding' and found the most featured songs across all playlists. These playlists included 3500 unique songs, and the data scrape also used additional keywords to reveal the top wedding ceremony songs, wedding party songs and top wedding artists, too.
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 9 January 2023
New planner reveals when you can afford to tie the knot
With wedding costs rising by 3,000% since the 1950s, and set to reach an all-time high in the 2020s, making and sticking to a wedding budget can be a real headache for couples. To help would-be newlyweds with the complex task of budget planning their big day, the wedding finance team at money.co.uk have created a new wedding budget planner, to help couples account for all their costs for each stage of their dream wedding. The new planning tool also helps you calculate the earliest date you should set for your big day, based on how long it will take you to save up enough money to pay for your dream wedding. The wedding budget planner page also has lot of tips to help couples save cash, including:
Posted by Danielle Harvey on 6 January 2023
Unlike a national magazine, our 19 regional County Wedding Magazines are packed with area specific features, venues in your area, inspirational real weddings and regular features on bridal fashion, beauty, photography, cars, stationery, flowers, cakes, music, entertainment, catering, hair & beauty, etc.
So when you decide to look for local suppliers, wedding retailers and service providers, our magazines can really help you plan your wedding.
We also have regular exciting competitions, giveaways and lots more. Quite simply, all the information you will ever need to get married in your area.
We have 19 wedding titles covering counties and regions throughout most of England and Wales.
County Wedding Magazines are available to view FREE OF CHARGE as an eMagazine.