An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

A styled shoot: Starlit opulence

Something old, something thrifted, something fabulous: vintage gowns and era-perfect hair to match for nearlyweds who rewrite the rules. That was the ethos behind this Art Deco inspired styled shoot that was shot at The Arlington Ballroom. Shoot organiser and hair and make-up artist, Anna, said, "I wanted to focus this shoot on vintage fashion and styling for a wedding to highlight how you can have a unique and classic day whilst being as sustainable as possible. Rather than purchasing a brand-new piece worn only once, more couples are choosing to thrift or seek vintage fashion, combining sustainability with personal expression. And here's the twist: who says it has to be white?"

Expert Reveals: The Biggest Wedding Trends for 2026

You've found the love of your life, and you're happily engaged. It's finally time for your main-character moment, your wedding, and we're here for it. Whether you're just getting started on planning or you've been swimming in tulle for months, one thing's clear: 2026 is the year of "I do, my way." According to Nick Bramer, Co-owner & Marketing Director at Country House Weddings, "2026 is shaping up to be the year of personality-driven weddings. Couples are blending tradition with innovation to create days that feel unapologetically 'them'." Below, Nick shares the biggest wedding trends set to define 2026.

Chiddingstone Castle Wedding Show hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Chiddingstone Castle, Kent for inspiration on Sunday 1st February, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

easyJet launches new route from London Southend to Munich for summer 2026

easyJet, London Southend's largest airline, has announced the launch of a new route for summer 2026 to Munich, with seats now on sale. The new route will start on 17 September 2026 and operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the Christmas period. The launch comes ahead of Munich's world-famous Oktoberfest, giving travellers the chance to experience Bavaria's iconic celebrations, traditional cuisine, and lively atmosphere.

BRAINTREE VILLAGE HIGHLIGHTS ACCESSIBILITY WITH ICE RINK EVENT

Braintree Village's ice rink has returned for a third year as part of the Essex-based outlet village's Christmas celebrations. Featuring real ice, the 800 square metre custom-built ice rink hosted an inclusive skating session on Wednesday 19th November, with more than 100 guests invited from disability groups across the region. Families attended from Little Havens Hospice, an organisation that provides nursing and supportive care to children and young people living with complex or incurable conditions, as well as families from SNAP Charity, which supports children and young people who have additional needs or disabilities.

The region’s biggest, must-visit wedding show coming to Braintree Village hosted by County Wedding Magazines & Events

Braintree Village has teamed up with County Weddings - Magazines and Events to host its Signature Wedding Shows at the site from January 2026. Based in Essex, renowned local wedding show organisers County Wedding Events host wedding shows across the Home Counties; the company's largest events, its Signature Wedding Shows, are at iconic locations Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey, and Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent – sister shopping centre to Braintree Village in Essex.

Legal experts warn couples not to change wedding plans amid wedding law reforms

Proposed changes to 19th Century weddings laws could be about to change everything for couples, but one legal expert has urged wedding planners to hang fire before making any changes to their big day. Legal experts from The University of Law say: "While there have been various updates to wedding laws in recent years, such as legalising same-sex marriage and changing the legal age requirement for marriage, nothing has changed the laws that govern marriage to this extent since the 1800s. "The main thing couples need to know now, is that nothing is going to change in the immediate future. The reforms still need public consultation, then the usual Parliamentary processes before implementation, all of which could take many years.

Wedding expert reveals why Thurrock leads civil ceremony boom in 2025

With stars like Charli XCX choosing registry office 'I dos' this summer, more couples than ever are ditching tradition for modern, flexible celebrations. The quiet wedding trend has shown that modern weddings can be both meaningful and pared back, while the high cost of living across the UK has meant there's already a propensity for more affordable celebrations – and this is likely to rise. According to Bridebook's UK Wedding Report, just 14% of couples were married at a place of worship in 2025. For some, it's about affordability. For others, it's a move towards ceremonies that make more sense in an increasingly secular society.

Gifting season with mesoestetic’s limited edition kits

This festive season, give (or get!) the gift of radiant skin with mesoestetic's limited edition routine kits three luxurious skincare routines designed to help your skin glow, lift and smooth beautifully. Each kit features mesoestetic's best-selling, professional-grade formulas, now curated for your at-home routine and elegantly packaged. Whether you're treating someone special or indulging in self-care, these exclusive sets make skincare feel truly special.

Micklefield Hall Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Micklefield Hall, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 18th January 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

County Wedding Events coming to Markshall in Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Markshall in Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 18th January 2026! A must-visit for all those that got engaged over the festive months, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. Less than an hour from London, it's an indescribably romantic setting for your perfect day, Markshall Estate is the one you've been looking for. 2,350 acres of serene Essex countryside.

7 Ways Marriage Celebrations Will Change By 2035

Planning a wedding used to follow a predictable script – white dress, church ceremony, big reception with 150+ guests. But it seems those days are numbered. According to this expert, the next decade promises to completely reshape how couples say "I do," driven by technology advances, environmental concerns, and evolving social attitudes. Wedding expert Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use venues across the UK, has witnessed these changes first-hand at their castle and country estate locations. "We're seeing couples make bold choices that would have seemed impossible just five years ago," says Bramer. "The traditional wedding playbook is being rewritten entirely."

NYE ESCAPE AT DOWN HALL HOTEL, SPA & ESTATE

Ring in 2026 in the grand surrounds of Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate, where 110 acres of Essex countryside set the scene for a magical night. The hotel's glittering black tie New Year's Eve gala includes a sparkling drinks reception, five-course dinner and live music plus DJ. Guests will kick off the festivities with Champagne and canapés before sitting down to a seasonal five course menu from Executive Chef Robert Pearce. Highlights include smoked duck with pickled cherries, fillet of beef with truffle mash, and a winter berry baked Alaska.

Jorja Healthcare celebrates Essex clinic opening 

October saw the launch of Jorja Healthcare Essex, on Eastwood Road North, Essex. Jorja Healthcare was born from one father's fight to save his daughter. When Robin Emerson's little girl, Jorja, was diagnosed with a rare chromosome abnormality, she endured up to 30 seizures a day. Traditional medicine offered few solutions. Refusing to accept defeat, Robin turned to alternative treatments and witnessed a transformation in his daughter's health that defied expectations. Out of that journey came a mission: to build a healthcare model that listens, innovates, and refuses to give up on patients.

No ring? No proposal! New study reveals the top reasons for a proposal turn down

A new survey of 2000 UK adults has revealed timing is everything when it comes to a proposal, but so is taste. In an era where perfect proposals are deemed as Instagram-worthy backdrops and a professional photographer, this study reveals that the fundamentals are what couples are really wanting. A new study, commissioned by professional jewellers, F. Hinds, shows nearly 3 in 10 (29%) would be turned off by a public proposal, whilst another 29% would say no if it happens on someone else's special day, such as a birthday or even another person's wedding day. The engagement ring itself still plays a pivotal role. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 (20%) say the ring, or lack of one, can make or break the moment, proving that in an era of bigger is better, the perfect ring is still the ultimate "yes" factor.

County Wedding Events coming to Hedingham Castle in Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Hedingham Castle, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 11th January 2026! A must-visit for all those that got engaged over the festive months, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day.

New Ashmira Sonic Energy Holistic Body Treatment at Bannatyne Spa Kingsford Park

The Bannatyne Spa in Kingsford Park, Colchester is expanding its range of wellness experiences with the launch of the Ashmira Sonic Energy Holistic Body Treatment, a luxurious new therapy that harmonises body, mind, and spirit through the power of sound and touch. The new treatment combines sound healing with a Chinese clay massage to deliver complete energetic balance and deep relaxation. The body is enveloped in non-setting pink clay blended with Yin essential oils, before being soothed by the gentle vibrations of warm sound bowls.

Legal officiants vs legal venues

The wedding industry in the UK is worth £14.7billion, and the average cost of a wedding is over £20,000. With not only the cost, but the time and effort put into your wedding and making it one of the most special days of your life, you want to make sure that the event does actually legally marry you and your partner! Joanna Newton, a partner at Stowe Family Law, advises on the changes, and what couples need to consider.... In England and Wales, for your marriage to be legally binding, your ceremony venue needs to be a registered location. For more and more people, this is their local registry office, as they are choosing to have their wedding in venues that, whilst special to the couple, are unlicensed. In many cases, this means couples are having two weddings – one for the legal bit and one for the fun!

Whistlefish- Affordable, eco-conscious wedding stationery & gifts

When it comes to planning a wedding, organising a hen party or finding thoughtful gifts, Whistlefish makes it simple with its beautifully designed wedding collection. Whistlefish offers affordable, design-led products that make every moment of the celebration feel special. Crafted by their in-house artists in Cornwall, the range blends timeless style with eco-conscious values, proving you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve a polished, personal wedding look. Whistlefish offers a range of chic, budget-friendly pieces to help bring a couple's vision to life.

GET YOUR SKATES ON AT BRAINTREE VILLAGE

Braintree Village has announced that its ice rink is set to return for a third season as part of the Essex-based outlet village's Christmas celebrations, with tickets on sale now. Set to create an enchanting environment for guests to enjoy throughout the fun-filled festive season, the 550-metre undercover ice rink will open to the public on Tuesday 11th November for over seven weeks.