All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Essex, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
5 ways to get your pooch involved in your wedding
Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of nerves and excitement, and if you have a dog, you might want to get them involved in the event too. But how? Here, Lisa Melvin from Webbox offer some ideas. Organising a wedding can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. If you have a dog, you might be wondering if you can involve them in the event too — your pooch is most definitely part of your family, and it's natural to want them to be a part of your special day. Read on to find out some ideas for how you can bring your pooch to the wedding.
Posted: 10 February 2023
Love Potions from Thurrock’s Coco Asia
With their aphrodisiac-fuelled menu and Love Potion cocktail offering, Thurrock's completely alcohol-free Coco Asia have designed the most sumptuous way to make Valentine's Day 2023 go out with a bang. As one of Essex's most Instagrammable eateries, their bold décor and renowned Redemption Menu, that comprises of the finest non-alcoholic wines, cocktails and champagne, have made them a primary Valentine's Day choice for hangover-free romance.
Posted: 9 February 2023
How to create a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding
Your wedding should be as personalised, luxurious and enjoyable as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception! Here, Steve King, managing director at the drinks retailer Bottled & Boxed, shows you how to bring together a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding. Organising a wedding is as exciting as it is overwhelming: you'll want your day to be as special as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception to this. It's becoming more and more popular to create your own personalised drinks, with Google searches for 'bespoke drinks menu' increasing 10% since the beginning of 2022.
Posted: 8 February 2023
F.Hinds advises on your wedding selection
Jewellers F.Hinds, boasting more than 115 stores across England, advise on what precious metals your wedding rings could be made from... Your wedding day will be one of the biggest days of your life, and we're so happy that you're about to embark on this new chapter, no doubt you are too! With an exciting engagement comes a whole load of happiness and emotion, but with that what also comes is a never-ending list of things you need to do before the big day, and we can bet that one of them is going to be to "find the perfect wedding rings".
Posted: 7 February 2023
Valentine’s Day: 9 tips to help you spoil someone special without breaking the bank
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect excuse to show someone special how much they mean to you. However, the cost of living crisis means that people are more concerned than ever about money. To help, jewellery specialists, Queensmith have pulled together 9 ways to spoil your partner on a budget...1.Set a budget ahead of Valentine's Day. This is an important first step. The last thing you want is for one of you to spend double the amount of money compared to the other, and fall out over gifts on Valentine's Day.
Posted: 6 February 2023
How to choose your wedding date
You would have thought choosing the date for your wedding would be the easiest part? Simple pick a date that suits you as couple and your venue. Well, yes, that is often the case. But there will always be other factors you should consider before making the final choice. If you're hosting a marquee wedding at private residence, then you're fortunate enough to have a little more flexibility with a date than those opting for a wedding venue. However, whether a marquee or venue it's wise to take into account some of the following factors that may make deciding on the best date for your special day a little easier....
Posted: 6 February 2023
Love is in the air at stunning Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate. Located in the beautiful Essex countryside, just 45 minutes from London, the new Valentine's Stay with Dinner package features a tempting four-course dinner accompanied by the sounds of a live pianist; perfect for those wanting to escape and celebrate, with a dose of rural romance. Available on Saturday 11th February and Tuesday 14th February, lovebirds can check into one of the hotel's charming Classic Bedrooms adorned with scattered rose petals and toast their love with a bottle of prosecco whilst indulging in chocolate-dipped strawberries. Continue the celebrations with a romantic walk around the beautiful 110 acre grounds, before enjoying dinner on-site at the hotel's modern-British restaurant.
Posted: 6 February 2023
Engagement ring trends for 2023
Whether you're future-gazing about your dream proposal or just like keeping up to date with the latest styles, Lorna Haddon, head of diamonds and jewellery at Beaverbrooks, predicts the new wave of engagement ring trends that will be taking over our Instagram feeds in 2023. Here at County Wedding Magazines it's hard to pick our fav? Really, can we only choose one?
Posted: 3 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: 1 February 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 18 January 2023
Pre- and post-wedding accommodation in Gosfield
Need somewhere to stay pre or post your big day? Check out Gosfield's The Stables & Silos at Iron Pear Tree Farm. "We offer wedding accommodation in a variety of beautifully converted farm buildings, whether you're looking to relax with your bridal party before your big day, or somewhere to spend your wedding night," says owner Carrie-Anne Porter. "Our packages vary from two to 12 guests, offering quirky but comfortable accommodation with private spa facilities and great views.
Posted: 17 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: 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: 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: 11 January 2023
Braintree’s Bar Number 92's new cocktail offering
Looking to hold a pre-wedding get together? Book Braintree's Bar Number 92, which has recently incorporated the Essex Cocktail Club into its premises. Both venues are available for private use, with Bar Number 92 hosting up to 40, while the Essex Cocktail Club can cater for up to 20. The high calibre venue has an extensive menu, with an incredible list of cocktails, with spirits from the Essex Spirits Company featuring heavily. There's a wide range of wines from New Hall Wine Estate to enjoy, plus an excellent cheese and charcuterie selection from the East Anglian region.
Posted: 10 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: 9 January 2023
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 Saturday 8th January 2023! 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.
Posted: 7 January 2023
We have a great line up of experts to give you first hand advice and discussions about bridal fashion, hair, makeup, to name but a few!
Take a look at our Celebrity Interviews!