An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Sober hen parties are on the rise

While hen parties are often characterised by celebratory cocktails, drinking games and wild night outs, the hen-do could soon be shrugging off its booze-fueled persona. Global searches for 'sober hen do ideas' have doubled over the past year while 'sober bachelorette party games' has also seen a 50% increase. On TikTok, #soberliving has seen a surge in popularity, with videos including the hashtag boasting over 650 million views. If you're a bride-to-be looking to celebrate your 'last night of freedom' tee-total-style, party planning expert, Amy Greenshields at cardfactory has shared her four top tips.

Girls just wanna have fun!

This stunning shoot was organised by shoot coordinator, Natalie Jane Webb. It took place in in Elmstead Market. She explains, "The aim of the shoot was to bring together an all-female group of talented local wedding suppliers, showcasing our individual skills and creating easily accessible yet beautiful and exciting bridal and hen party looks for spring/summer capturing them with powerful, timeless, fun and engaging images." I'm sure you'll agree it's full of inspiration for the bride tribe - and whatever your vibe, make sure you're having fun!

Is lasting love magic, logic or luck?

Does it matter how a couple met? Contented Couples, a new guide to long-term relationships, features candid, intimate interviews with eighteen couples, based in the UK and USA. Each pair tell of how they met, how they formed a relationship and how they've thrived to become a truly happy union. One couple met and married within a month, whilst another two were thrown together repeatedly by a matchmaker who refused to give up - and it is not only guy meets girl either. The couples speak from an array of circumstance, culture and sexual orientations, including arranged marriage, friends-to-lovers and dating apps.

The five best weather apps to keep your eye on it leading up to the big day

Wedding jewellery experts Austen & Blake have listed some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on in the lead-up to your big day. The UK weather has been anything but predictable lately, with September set to be a particularly rainy and unsettled month, according to The Met Office. Top-rated apps help to track and plan your wedding day accordingly. Weather apps are invaluable when it comes to planning your nuptials, but sometimes there's no avoiding the inevitable. That's why, along with listing the best apps for tracking grey skies, the jewellery experts have teamed up with a professional wedding photographer to provide tips on how to get the best rainy snaps.

Even when the weather's a washout, it doesn't mean your wedding photos have to be! Here are some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on and how to strike the perfect pose if rain is predicted:

Festive gifting for the bridal party

Tis the season for gifting! Add a little sparkle to your festive accessories with Joma Jewellery. Now with a festive makeover Joma's 'A Little Bracelet' Collection comes with a star print card, new charms, and festive seasonal messaging – so that you can relax knowing your bridal party will look the part at your seasonal big day! If you want to make your gift that extra bit more special, try the Create Your Own Bracelet service starting from just £17.99! Simply, add your loved one's name, the occasion, your own sweet message and select from an array of charms to create a completely unique gift to show much you care this season.

Don’t like your engagement ring? Relationship experts reveal what you need to do!

A marriage proposal is filled with an overwhelming amount of emotion and is a moment both you and your partner will remember forever. But once the initial rush fades, what if you come to terms with the fact that the ring placed on your finger isn't what you envisioned it to look like? Leading diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, teamed up with relationship experts Georgia Sturmer and Sharin Shafer, who have shared their top 3 tips on how to handle this delicate situation in the best way possible.

Lucy's new jacket range

Lucy Can't Dance specialises in wedding dresses for non-traditional brides. Experimenting with laces and colour techniques to give you exciting, elegant wedding dress designs. An Essex Wedding magazine had a quick chat with Lucy to find out more about the new and modern jacket designs she has added to her range of bridal accessories! Tassels, faux leather and denim, you'll be spoilt for choice...

Fraser Hart launches its stunning lab-grown diamond collection

Fraser Hart, one of the UK's leading purveyors of fine jewellery, is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds collection in 10 new stores nationwide. Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, here cutting-edge technology is used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, Born Lab Grown Diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow-factor as traditionally mined gems, but with a more accessible price tag. The Born collection includes a stunning choice of "buy now, treasure forever" heirloom jewellery pieces. With exquisite diamond rings starting at just £799, diamond and white gold stud earrings from £799, classic diamond encrusted tennis bracelets from £5,250, and diamond pendant necklaces from £850, investing in luxurious, exceptional quality and utterly timeless diamond jewellery pieces has never been more attractive.

The wellness journals from Lovendu you need in your life

With Mental Health Awareness day falling in October, and as we approach the end of the year, take positive steps to improve your wellbeing in 2024 through journaling. The benefits of daily journaling are huge, from reducing stress and improving your mental health to boosting productivity and providing an opportunity to get in sync with your emotions. It's the ultimate act of self-care – and Lovendu makes it easy to take control of your life and truly thrive.

One to try: Food Leigh on Sea

Food Leigh On Sea showcases a charming exterior, blending rustic elegance with contemporary design. Large windows bathe the space in natural light, creating a warm ambience. The brick and wood facade exudes authenticity and character. Lush greenery and vibrant flowers adorn the entrance, adding freshness. It invites passersby to step inside and savour a memorable experience. Definitely one to try !

Getting married? Alcohol-free menu is the new must-have

Samantha Gilchrist, CEO of the UK's largest wedding venue collection, The Gilchrist Collection, conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their wedding drinking habits. The study comes as the collection launches its new alcohol-free drinks menu, created in partnership with First Dates star bartender, Merlin Griffiths. The survey revealed that almost half (47%) of those who had attended a wedding in the last five years didn't drink alcohol during at least one of the events they had been to. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable at weddings sipping an un-festive soft drink, as 35% of respondents said they are questioned on why they aren't having alcohol. Sadly, a quarter admitted to drinking alcohol at a wedding just to avoid awkward questions or having to share personal or medical information as an excuse.

Patch means business!

The Women In Business Awards, which take place every two years and praise women in business and female leadership in Colchester, was held at Colchester Town Hall. Jenna Saiz- Abo Henriksen, the co -owner of the sustainability-focused cafe and restaurant, Patch, was named Upcoming Woman of the Year. We spoke to Jenna about the award and what it means to her...

3 things no one tells you when it comes to setting your wedding budget

2024 is set to be a bumper year for weddings. In addition to the usual 275,000 or so which take place in the UK each year, the big day is finally coming around for a lot of couples who had to postpone because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis is squeezing all those couple's budgets tighter than ever so we've asked Isabel Smith, wedding industry veteran, to offer her advice on setting (and sticking to!) that spreadsheet. Today, Isabel let's us in on the things no-one ever tells you when you're setting your wedding budget...

The Top 10 Instagrammable Spas in the UK

With National Spa Week taking place between the 4th and 10th of November this year, it is time to book your favourite location to totally relax! Whether with the girls, in a couple, or even on your own, treating yourself to a weekend away at a spa can revive you. Maddie, Senior Marketing Exec at Pink Boutique, says: "Reset the everyday stress with a weekend away at a luxurious spa and hotel. From acres of woodland setting the picture-perfect backdrop to dipping into a pool worthy of Aphrodite, you deserve to look as good as you feel, and with these spas, there's no doubt your followers will be that little bit jealous."

Deck the halls at Down Hall Hotel!

With the most wonderful time of the year just around the corner, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Luxury Essex property Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate has unveiled a festive schedule of special menus, experiences and dining packages available to enjoy this holiday season. Join Down Hall's festive wreath-making workshop in partnership with Essex-based florist, The Honest Florist Co. Hosted in the hotel's historic Prior Room, whilst surrounded by festive scents of cinnamon, orange and pine cones, be guided in the art on wreath-making from scratch. Enjoy with a mulled wine on arrival and a mince pie to get in the ultimate festive spirit. Available from 6.30pm-8.30pm on 23rd November | £65 per person

5 engagement ring trends for 2024

With the festive season being the most popular time of year that couples choose to pop the question, it's no surprise that internet searches for 'engagement ring' have been steadily increasing the last six months as we head towards the new year. Luxury diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, have used Pinterest Trends data from the last six months (4th April 23' - 26th September 23') to find out which engagement ring styles are set to be big in 2024...

Fraser Hart launches lab-grown diamond collection

Fraser Hart, one of the UK's leading purveyors of fine jewellery, is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds collection in 10 new stores nationwide, including Colchester! Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, here cutting-edge technology is used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, Born Lab Grown Diamonds are breath-taking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow-factor as traditionally mined gems, but with a more accessible price tag.

The secrets to a happy relationship

Researchers surveyed 2,000 British couples who have been together for ten years or longer, and it revealed a host of secrets to a happy, long-term relationship, according to those who have achieved it - including having no secrets (43 percent), a similar sense of humour (41 percent), never going to sleep on an argument (31 percent) and regular sex (32 percent.) Over a quarter (26 percent) of the long-term couples polled, said a 50/50 division of household labour was essential to keeping things amicable. Being able to laugh at each other (42 percent), not trying to change each other (36 percent) and having an open phone policy (10 percent) all featured in the list. Almost half (44 percent) of the British couples surveyed, claim they are very happy in their relationship, while a further 29 percent said they were generally happy.

The top autumn and winter wedding trends for 2023

An expert has forecast the wedding trends we can expect to see in the remainder of 2023. Wedding-goers in autumn and winter can expect to see a large emphasis on sustainability, DIY and an ode to all things vintage, according to Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online. She commented: "Wedding trends change seasonally, so it's crucial wedding hosts stay ahead of the curve. Efficient spending, sustainability and a vintage feel are key focuses this season, and rightly so. Wedding hosts no longer have to feel obliged to over-indulge in their big day and can instead, save money."

Jackson's Southend-On-Sea Debut

Following its block-busting preview night at The London Palladium earlier this year, Symphonic Jackson brings the iconic hits of Michael and his brothers, enhanced by a live orchestra, to Cliffs Pavilion Southend-On-Sea, on Saturday 1st June 2024. For one night only, West end stars, Haydon Eshun, Cleopatra Madonna Higgins and David Julien are reunited to celebrate the legendary music of Michael Jackson! Together with the National Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, their incredible vocal talents will bring the music of Michael and Jackson 5 to life like never before.