An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘Til death us do part: making plans for beyond your future.

On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

THE INSTITUTE THEATRE VOLUNTEER WINS BIG

The Institute, Braintree's Grade II listed theatre, is delighted to announce that their dedicated volunteer, Carol Hearn, was the winner of two awards at the Braintree District Volunteer & Active Braintree Awards, held at Alec Hunter Academy on Wednesday 29 October. A finalist for the Going the Extra Mile category, nominated by The Institute Trustees Lewis Codling and Jim Hollands, she was announced as the winner due to her commitment volunteering since January 2024. And, at the end of the evening, she was thrilled to discover she was also the winner of the crème de la crème accolade: Volunteer of the Year.

Bridebox - the bridal subscription box for DIY brides

Each beautifully presented box contains everything needed to create stunning wedding crafts and personalised keepsakes, alongside thoughtful self-care treats designed to help you pause and truly enjoy your engagement journey. With clear, friendly instructions and all materials included, Bridebox takes the guesswork out of adding personal touches to your big day, allowing you to experience the satisfaction of creating something meaningful while taking precious moments for yourself amidst the planning whirlwind. More than just crafts, each Bridebox offers an opportunity to learn new skills, experiment with different ideas before committing to larger wedding projects, and perhaps most importantly, provides that perfect excuse to set aside the to-do list, brew a cuppa, and reconnect with the joy that should always be at the heart of your wedding planning adventure.

Cake International returns for 2025

The world's premier cake decorating and baking show, Cake International, is back for 2025 and it's bringing even more flavour with it. Co-located with the ever-popular Bake International, this year's show promises to be the most spectacular yet, with new features, industry-leading exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and a landmark celebration to launch the Cake & Bake International Awards. Find out more here.

Treat your skin this winter

As the temperature drops, our skin becomes more vulnerable and our shower habits often make it worse. From too-hot water to over-exfoliating and skipping post-shower hydration, winter self-care can unintentionally strip and stress the skin. Here we list some of the main problems and provide solutions with products you can easily pick up on the high street to soothe your skin over winter.

Wedding reforms: Freedom, flexibility… or fancy-dress farce?

Following a recent announcement of major reforms to the wedding laws in England and Wales, Kate Van Rol, barrister at 4PB advises what these changes could mean... The government's latest plan to reform weddings has been met with excitement, curiosity, and the occasional raised eyebrow from the vicarage. Ministers promise to liberate love from the clutches of red tape – simplifying the marriage process and allowing couples to wed in a manner that truly reflects their beliefs, personalities, and (let's be honest) Instagram aesthetic. Under these proposals, couples will no longer be bound by the old rulebook of marrying only in a church or registry office. Instead, weddings could take place almost anywhere – in gardens, on beaches, aboard boats, or even in a back garden with a barbecue and a borrowed gazebo. Religious and non-religious groups alike would be able to conduct legally binding ceremonies. It's marriage law for the modern age — simple, flexible, and tailor-made for a society that's allergic to formality. But as with all government reforms that sound too good to be true, there's a catch or two lurking beneath the confetti.