An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

THE MONSTER IS COMING!

Summer just got a seriously fun upgrade at Braintree Village, as tickets are now on sale for The Monster – one of the world's largest inflatable assault courses. From Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August, the Essex shopping destination will be bursting with adrenaline-pumping fun as The Monster takes over, transforming the surrounding area into a 300-metre inflatable playground of madness.

Doctors Tips To Avoid Last Minute Wedding Stress

Dr Ravi Lukha, Medical Director at Bupa UK Insurance, advises on how to combat wedding stress! Peak wedding season is upon us, and the UK's Google search habits show huge leaps in people seeking quick turnaround weddings - and planners to help make those nuptials happen. According to Google Search Console analysis, UK volumes for searches around quick weddings have seen significant increases, recently. In the last six months, the following searches have seen steep climbs:

ANNABEL CROFT HEADS TO BRAINTREE

The Institute is delighted to announce that tennis star and Wimbledon champion Annabel Croft is headed to Braintree's Grade II listed theatre on Thursday 13th November.The youngest Brit in nearly a century to play in the Wimbledon main draw, at just 21 she made the bold decision to step away from professional tennis to seek new challenges. Her story is a captivating collection of decisions and adventures, taking her from Sri Lankan jungles and the Treasure Hunt helicopter to the Strictly Come Dancing studio. Now she's lifting the lid on it all in her new show, Annabel Croft: From Tennis Balls to Glitter Balls. But what does she have to say about it?

DOWN HALL HOTEL, SPA & ESTATE UNVEILS £1M RENOVATION

Down Hall, the 110-acre country house hotel, spa and estate in Essex, has announced a significant new phase of investment, with £1 million dedicated to expanding and elevating its luxury offering. Building on the success of recent extensive renovations, this next stage of development introduces three exciting new features: The Woodland Table, an immersive alfresco dining experience; a brand-new Garden Spa Retreat designed around holistic wellbeing; and The Charles Gardens, an expansive landscaped setting for outdoor weddings and events.

Love is in the Air: Wedding Fragrances with Yankee Candle and WoodWick

When it comes to planning a wedding, it's the little details that make the biggest impact; from scent to style, every element helps tell the story of your day. No matter how you choose to incorporate fragrance into your wedding, a beautifully chosen candle can create a sensory signature that stays with you and your guests forever. We asked Taylor Perlis, Yankee Candle Fragrance Evaluator to share how best to use candles to create a beautiful, memorable atmosphere on your special day.

New easyJet winter routes from London Southend

easyJet, Southend's largest airline, will add two new routes from the airport as part of a bumper package of 22 new routes from UK airports for next winter. The new connections to Berlin and Grenoble will provide direct access to some of Europe's top ski resorts and Christmas markets over the Winter and are on sale today at easyJet.com and via the app, allowing customers to book early for the best fares.

Summer is here!

The weather in Essex is set to get scorching this weekend so do take good care of your skin. We've rounded up some amazing SPF options that you can pick up on the high street. Sun exposure is a major contributor to premature aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. SPF helps to protect against these effects by blocking UV radiation, which can damage collagen and elastin in the skin. Whether you're a wedding guest or the bride - do incorporate your SPF into your beauty regime!

Til' death do us part - financial tips for couples approaching marriage

There are few life events bigger than getting married - and very few more expensive! In order to fully enjoy your big day, make sure you have planned and budgeted for the cost early. When you're giddy with excitement, picking out the perfect dress, money is often the last thing on your mind. However, so there's no black cloud hanging over your head as you prepare to say "I do", Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones shares her tips on saving for the big day and beyond...

GREENWOODS HOTEL & SPA LAUNCH NEW SUMMER WEDDING PACKAGE!

Looking for a truly magical place to hold your wedding this year? There's still time and availability to book a very special package at the stunning Greenwoods Hotel & Spa in the pretty village of Stock, this summer! The historic grade II listed building was originally a family-owned manor house and still has some of the original features including a walled garden, beautifully decorated rococo style bedrooms and a wood pannelled lounge and Library suite where smaller weddings are held – in style!

How much money should you really spend on big-day gifting?

Confused Brits turn to Google for advice as expert spills secrets to saving cash without looking stingy. Wedding season is fast approaching – and while many Brits are busy outfit-hunting or booking hotels, there's one part of the big day that continues to cause confusion - how much money should you actually spend on the happy couple? It's a question thousands of guests are turning to the internet for. In fact, Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' have soared by a whopping 5,000% over the past month*, proving just how panicked Brits are about getting it right.

Creating Safe Spaces: The Emotional Journey of Wedding Wear

Jake Allen, co-founder and CEO at inclusive tailor, King & Allen shares his insights on inclusive attire. "Many people experience anxiety about being fitted for their wedding outfit. We look to create an environment where clients of all gender identities and body types feel genuinely welcomed and affirmed. The whole process begins with a welcome email, before they even step foot in one of our shops - we have premises in Surbiton/Surrey, Liverpool Street/London, Savile Row/London, Knutsford/Cheshire and Birmingham/Midlands).

Vox Rocks The Park!

Southend Vox Chamber Choir are LIVE at Priory Park, Southend this Saturday 14th June from 3-5pm, joined by their friends at Southend Vox. Vox chamber are an all-female dynamic group of singers and have a fabulous set of songs lined up for Saturday's Vox Rocks the Park! Vox's performance runs from 3-5pm, but why not come along earlier, grab a spot and dig into your picnic?! No need for a ticket, come along and join this fabulous FREE event! Free on site parking is available, but can go quick on a nice day! Residential parking can be found around the park, or arrive in plenty of time to secure your spot. The park is also only a short walk from Prittlewell station.

How to protect your wedding day against unexpected events

Brides and grooms-to-be are being warned to think ahead on possible disasters, and what they can do to protect their big day. Whether planning a destination wedding abroad or an intimate garden wedding at home, it is crucial for couples to understand the essential checklist and plan for what could go wrong. The research comes after a survey revealed 26% of those planning a wedding in the next three years would not take out wedding insurance. Weddings come with a whole host of unforeseen risks, like supplier no-shows, damaged goods, technical faults, damaged or lost items, severe weather and accident or illness.

World's Largest Inflatable Obstacle Course Heads to Braintree Village

Braintree Village is set for an action-packed summer as the world's largest inflatable assault course, The Monster, arrives during the summer holidays. From Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August, the Essex shopping outlet will transform the surrounding area into a giant playground with 300 metres of inflatable madness. Packed with more than 40 obstacles including the 18-metre Mega Slide, the chaotic Exterminator, and the infamous House of Hell, The Monster promises unforgettable fun for all ages.

Say “I Do” to Free Fizz – DASH Water’s Wedding Giveaway

Just in time for peak wedding season, DASH Water  – the makers of deliciously simple, real fruit-infused soft drinks – is popping the question: "Will you let us bring the bubbles?" Introducing "I Do, With DASH" – a new feel-good campaign giving soon-to-be-wed couples the chance to WIN a 48-can Pick & Mix of DASH for their big day. Whether it's to stock the reception bar, fill the fridge the night before, or keep guests refreshed the morning after, DASH is here to add a little sparkle to the celebrations. Running from 9th - 16th June, the competition invites couples getting married this summer to enter via a simple online form. Winners will receive a one-time-use code for free DASH (plus free shipping), redeemable until 31st August.

Rebel Love Collective delivers inclusivity training for vendors

Rebel Love Collective, a leading provider of LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding services has announced its expansion into new areas to further its mission of creating a more inclusive and affirming space for couples and lovers. Founded in March 2022, Rebel Love Collective has rapidly become a trusted wedding industry name. Through its existing services, including Rebel Love Club (photography and videography), Rebel Love Directory (wedding directory), and the upcoming Rebel Love Wedding Fair, the company has already connected countless LGBTQ+ couples with inclusive vendors.

Let’s hear it for dad!

Here comes Father's Day! How much does dad impact our wedding day? Here we unpack all of his important roles, starting with the most important one: walking us down the aisle. Thank you dad for making sure we don't do that walk alone and for all the embarrassing things you'll say on the day. Click through to read all about dad's jobs on the day of your wedding.

Hylands Park to host Radio 2 in the Park 2025

Chelmsford will host another major music festival this summer, with BBC Radio 2 in the Park set to take place in Hylands Park from Friday 5 – 7 September. The announcement was made yesterday morning, live on air from Hylands House on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, with Scott speaking to Radio 2 presenter, Ellie Taylor. The Essex-born comedian enjoyed a morning at Hylands Park for the broadcast, which included taking part in a Go Ape zipwire through the park's trees. Radio 2 presenter and TV personality, Rylan, also joined Ellie for the announcement, to celebrate the festival taking place in his home county.

Colchester one of the UK’s best Northern Lights spots

As the Northern Lights dazzle the skies this week, a new study has named the best UK regions to witness the phenomenon. The research, conducted by QR Code Generator, awarded 100 UK towns and cities a score out of 100, based on their levels of artificial brightness, air pollution, and cloud cover. These scores were then totalled to determine the best spots to see the Northern Lights.

Introducing Cake Spiral™ - the next evolution in cake displays by Prop Options

Prop Options, the UK-based innovators setting the standard for modern cake styling, has launched Cake Spiral – the industry's first fully flat-pack spiral cake support to hit the professional market. Made from high-quality, food-safe acrylic, Cake Spiral transforms from flat to full-height spiral in seconds – no tools, no bending, no shaping required. The structure simply pulls into place, locks securely between tiers, and can be styled and set up in moments. It is the only spiral cake stand on the market to combine fold-flat portability with genuine structural support.