An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Monster mayhem at Braintree Village

Monster mayhem at Braintree Village Something I certainly would have picked for my own hen do, The Monster at Braintree Village offers a fun-filled get-together for an alternative hen/stag or sten do! Situated in Braintree Village's North Car Park (well, on the bit of grass that runs alongside it, have you seen the ice rink there at Christmas?) you can't comprehend the sheer size of it until you're full-throttle throwing yourself through The Monster's mouth! It's huge! Possibly taking the first go with a bit too much enthusiasm, I was trying to race my soon-to-be 16-year-old-son through the maze of inflatable steps, characters, barriers and balls! I need to up the kms on my morning run, as this bad boy certainly takes the wind out of you - realising I was no Lara Croft!

Colchester's new approach to relationship success

A new concept has been created to encourage couples to review and mend their relationships, making it a part of everyday life. The Renewal Method is a programme that helps couples reconnect, reflect, and realign their relationships at regular intervals, ensuring they maintain a strong connection and avoid the risk of drifting apart. This unique idea is the brainchild of Jacqueline Cook, a Holistic Life Coach who wants to help couples rediscover their unity and closeness despite the demands of everyday life.

Nearly half of newlyweds will experience post-wedding blues this year

As we quickly approach the start of wedding season, many brides and grooms will be amping up for the best day of their lives. While the happiness of wedding days is well explored, the lull that comes afterwards is barely spoken about and not a feeling newlyweds are warned of, leading to potential feelings of isolation. Exclusive data from engagement and wedding ring experts at Queensmith has revealed that 40% of recently married couples experience some form of post-wedding blues. An experience of sadness, letdown, or emptiness that is often the first thing to hit couples after their honeymoon - a hangover from the heady highs of wedding planning.

Unique wedding trends 2025: Film photography surges 50%

Three in five couples plan to incorporate unique elements into their wedding, and with the world of choice at the end of our fingertips, inspiration is flying in from all angles. But which of the net's most loved delights have seen the most significant interest surges since last summer? To find out, the team at Aura Print scoured social media platforms to discover what's been hot, and gathered Pinterest and Google Trends data to reveal their most adored trends that have shot up since last summer.

easyJet launches new winter route

Looking for a snowy honeymoon destination? easyJet, London Southend's largest airline, has today announced a new winter route to Rovaniemi, with flights starting on 1 December 2025. Operating twice a week on Mondays and Fridays throughout the Christmas period, the new seasonal service will provide customers from across the region with more choice to visit the home of Santa Claus this winter.

Why the bar at your wedding shouldn’t be an afterthought

In the grand orchestration of a wedding, couples often obsess over floral arrangements, lighting design and detailed seating charts. The dress, the photographer, the five-course dinner - each element is painstakingly curated. And yet, one of the most powerful forces behind a wedding's success is consistently left until the eleventh hour: the bar! Let's be honest, it's not often you hear a couple say: "First things first, let's lock in a great bar team." But maybe they should. "You can spend months working on the seating plan or deciding the perfect shade of napkin, but if the bar's giving bored function-room energy, it can all quickly lose its magic," says Luke Shelton-Sharp, co-founder of room two, the London-based cocktail studio and event planner.

The Number Wedding Etiquette Mistakes Guests Make, According To Expert

Picture this: you're scrolling through a friend's wedding photos and spot someone in flip-flops at a black-tie garden party, or worse, a guest in head-to-toe white stealing focus from the bride. Sound familiar? These fashion faux pas happen more often than you'd think at summer weddings. Thanks to outdoor ceremonies and relaxed vibes, many guests assume summer weddings mean anything goes. But according to wedding specialist Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use wedding venues across the UK, this casual approach often backfires spectacularly.

How Much Should You Really Gift At Weddings In 2025?

Many people are unsure of how much money to give when they attend a wedding, statistics showed Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' soared by a whopping 5,000% in April of 2025 alone and 11% of guests go into debt just to attend a wedding, with the average spend hitting £451. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes, has broken down exactly what you should spend based on your relationship to the couple, plus clever tricks to make your gift feel luxe on a budget.

WIN FREE PASTA & PIZZA FOR A YEAR AT PREZZO ITALIAN CHELMSFORD

Prezzo Italian Chelmsford has had a revamp - a super stylish, fresh new look for the high street. As part of the popular chain's 25 year anniversary, select restaurants in Prezzo Italian's portfolio are bring given modern makeovers following them rebranding earlier in the year. Formerly known as Prezzo, the restaurant has been transformed into Prezzo Italian, home of Italian Classics.

Hen Party Treats- Big Day Cakes

To begin planning your hen party you need to set a budget first so you can make sure you'll still have enough money to spend on your actual wedding. Once that's decided you need to choose a theme and factor in the cost of the decorations and other things you may buy. You'll also have to create a guest list consisting of only your closest friends before moving onto picking the date, location and some activities to do. In need of some inspiration for what to do at your hen party? There is a variety of options to choose that will fit your fancy venturing from whether you want to do something adventurous like rock climbing or canyoning or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day calming down and doing something relaxing such as having a spa day or afternoon tea.

The Canary Shed's open evening

Next year, wedding venue and events space, The Canary Shed, is launching a brand new and improved ceremony space and to celebrate have an amazing limited time only special offer. Book your 2026 wedding before 31st July 2025 and receive: Half a bottle of house wine per guest for your table drinks and 10 per cent off the venue hire cost.

How to Beat the Heat: Tips for a Comfortable Summer Wedding

A summer wedding sounds like a dream, and it often is. Long days and gorgeous sunshine can make your big day truly unforgettable. But there's one little guest that always turns up uninvited during summer: the heat. No one wants to be a sweaty mess in their wedding photos but luckily with a bit of planning, you can keep everyone cool and comfortable from start to finish. Leading wedding experts, The Foxy Hen explains how. If you're going for a full-day celebration, think about having the ceremony indoors or under cover, then move the party outside once the sun starts to ease off.

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...