All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Essex, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
How to style your bridesmaids…
When it comes to planning your wedding the team at Colour Me Beautiful knows only too well that dressing your bridesmaids for your big day can be beset with difficulties. Here Cliff Bashforth sets out his advice on how to avoid the pit falls. It is an honour to be a bridesmaid, and often those you have asked will be as excited as you are. Shopping for bridesmaids' outfits can be a fun experience for you all, although you will need a clear idea of what you want them to look like because they will frame you in your wedding photographs. Happy bridesmaids make good photographs, so ensuring they are comfortable in what they are wearing will guarantee everyone is radiant on the day.
Posted: 2 November 2022
Why An Essex Wedding readers should pay a visit to Ri Ri's
Ria Carroll, owner of the Billericay boutique, on why An Essex Wedding readers should pay her a visit..."We are in our ninth year of business and stock a huge range of bridal gowns from designers Evie Young, Madison James by Allure, Phoenix, Danielle Couture and Mary's Bridal. Our bookings are exclusive one-to-one appointments, so the whole bridal floor is for you and your bridal party alone – with no other shoppers to distract you! We have a huge variety of dresses in sizes ranging from 8 to 24, with our prices in the region of £850 to £2,500. My team is personal and genuinely passionate about giving you a magical experience. I'm also a resident bridal expert on E4's One Stop Wedding Shop, where I help brides-to-be see their wildest wedding dreams come true! You're most definitely in the safest of hands when shopping with us."
Posted: 1 November 2022
County Wedding Events comes to Hythe Imperial Hotel and Spa in Kent
If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Hythe Imperial Hotel and Spa in Kent for inspiration on 6th November, 2022. A must-visit for all those that got engaged over the summer; 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.
Posted: 31 October 2022
This is your dream wedding according to your star sign
It's not always easy to decide on your wedding theme, and searches for 'wedding ideas' have seen a +23% increase in the past twelve months. To offer some inspiration, thortful.com have collated the best dream wedding ideas for each star sign! Perhaps you're a Taurus, and would love to be married in a mansion, or a Leo dreaming of a castle wedding? astrologer, Inbaal Hongiman, to reveal the dream wedding for each star sign in order to provide some inspiration for those planning their big day.
From Leos' wanting to get married in an opulent castle to Sagittarius' eloping on a beach, here are the weddings each star sign dreams of having
Posted: 28 October 2022
Go wild in Brentwood with new hen and stag offering
Looking for something different to do for your hen or stag? Try the new interactive gaming course at King George's Playing Fields in Brentwood. TAGactive is a game for all ages and takes place in an obstacle course arena split into zones, each of which contain a large number of illuminated TAGs. Players collect points by 'tagging' these with a sensor on their wristband, the points value of each TAG being determined by the degree of difficulty in reaching it. A player's score then appears on an electronic scoreboard to add an extra dimension of competition with rivals, as well as trying to post the best score of the day – or even of all time.
Posted: 27 October 2022
Classy alternative from Basildon supplier
Want a festival-style wedding – but without those dreaded festival-style portaloos? Basildon-based His & Hers Luxury Toilets is the answer! "All of our units are of a seriously high quality, with Molton Brown hand wash and cream as standard," says owner Alison Martin. "We provide fresh flowers in the larger units, in the colour choice of the customer; with complimentary toiletries for the ladies, with these units also having background music. We do free site visits for customers who are unsure on venue space, and we can even supply attendants for functions if required."
Posted: 25 October 2022
How to ensure a good night's sleep before your big day
Anxious brides and grooms-to-be have been offered top tips on beating their wedding nerves and getting a good night's sleep ahead of their all important day. The fitted furniture experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have provided their tips to those who are likely to be overcome by nerves, affecting their sleep. Among the nerve-busting tips are incorporating sleep inducing scents into your room, planning a pre-bed workout and avoiding spicy foods. Nic Shacklock, from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: "Pre-wedding nerves often lead to a lack of sleep ahead of what is regarded as the most important day of many people's lives.
Posted: 24 October 2022
Sara Davies, Fred Sirieix and Raj Somaiya revealed as BBC judges
BBC Two's Master of Ceremonies will see eight wedding planners battle it out to prove they are Britain's next best wedding expert as they design spectacular ceremonies for six couples. Dragons' Den star Sara Davies, First Dates favourite Fred Sirieix and wedding industry expert Raj Somaiya will be the judges and mentors - overseeing the planners as they create dream weddings for our couples. Throughout the competition they will send home the weakest planner until just two remain in the final where the planners will face one final challenge to decide who will be crowned the winner.
Posted: 21 October 2022
Pre-wedding with Colchester’s e.m.skin clinic & beauty
If you're in search of a beauty salon for all your pre-wedding needs then consider Colchester's e.m.skin clinic & beauty, previously known as Amy Gordon Skin Clinic & Beauty Boutique. The multi award-winning advanced skin clinic and beauty salon, situated on North Hill, came under new ownership back in June, when senior beauty specialist Emily Farrell took over the business from founder Amy Gordon. Now launched as e.m.skin clinic & beauty, the brand offers a vast range of luxury treatments. "This is an exciting new step for us at the salon," says Emily. "While our clients will notice the change in name, the quality of our service, treatments and products remains as high as ever. Over the past five years the salon has always been ready to provide the best and most innovative treatments through a team of expert therapists and specialists."
Posted: 20 October 2022
County Wedding Events comes to Smeetham Hall Barn, Sudbury, Suffolk!
If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events fair at Smeetham Hall Barn, Sudbury, Suffolk on 23rd October 2022! A must-visit for all those that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning, the show puts you 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.
Posted: 19 October 2022
As the trend for table scaping grows - a trend we love here at CWM HQ - your wedding day is the perfect time to create stunning table displays for dining in style! Whichever trend your wedding table décor follows, iconic British cutlery brand, Viners®, has cutlery in an array of styles, shapes and finishes to complete your look. Steeped in British heritage, the much-loved brand's elegant and durable cutlery is made from the finest materials, with a guarantee of excellence across all products.
Posted: 19 October 2022
Gift list ideas with Rayne-based Amara
Looking for ideas to add to your gift list? Look no further than Rayne-based luxury homeware company Amara. They've recently introduced some private label collections and new brands to their site, beginning with Lisa Todd Designs' hand printed Ubuntu range – a colourful celebration of two cultures expressed through abstract patterns on dinnerware, vases and table linens. There are also former Gucci designer Gergei Erdei's cushions, inspired by neoclassical shapes with a sculptural appearance; rugs, placemats, table runners and ottomans from quirky brand Podevache; unique ceiling lights, wall lamps and floor lamps from DelightFULL; and some seriously glam barware and kitchen musts from Nick Munro.
Posted: 18 October 2022
Host a green wedding with Social Impact Caterers - Social Pantry
The positive impact wedding has emerged as a significant matrimonial trend of 2022 and Social Pantry, the female-led, London-based sustainable catering firm (a business working to become the first zero-waste catering company) is quietly revolutionising how weddings are planned and celebrated by putting sustainability at the heart of how wedding food is selected and prepared. Alex Head, CEO & Founder, Social Pantry – who herself is getting married in October – and Sarah Turner, Head Chef, Social Pantry have all the tips on how to plan a sustainable wedding menu regardless of budget. Please see below for top tips and if you're interested, we'd love to give you the opportunity to cover Alex's wedding as a case study.
At a time when climate change and monetary inflation are impacting weddings, sustainability has never been more relevant for couples wanting to be environmentally and socially responsible.
Posted: 17 October 2022
Top UK wedding photographer discusses the beauty of intimate weddings
Since falling in love with wedding photography six years ago after photographing a friend's wedding, Rebecca Searle, has gone on to photograph around 30 weddings every year. She has accumulated over 12,200 followers on her Instagram, and her talent has also been recognised by Professional Photo Magazine, naming her as one of the Top 50 British Wedding Photographers of 2022. Every wedding is beautiful, no matter big or small, but having planned her own wedding on the Amalfi Coast 8 years ago, intimate weddings hold a particularly special place in Rebecca's heart. Whether it's a huge wedding with 200 family and friends, or a super cool intimate ceremony with a handful of people, both have their own beauty and benefits".
Posted: 14 October 2022
County Wedding Events comes to Castle Goring, Worthing, Sussex
If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Castle Goring, Worthing, West Sussex for inspiration on 18th September 2022! It's one of our first wedding shows of the autumn wedding show season 2022, and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the summer! 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.
Posted: 14 October 2022
Colchester’s Wivenhoe House's new packages
If you're after an exclusive and bespoke wedding package in a venue packed with history, consider Colchester's Wivenhoe House. This 18th century four-star hotel, once painted by Constable, is a magnificently restored country house with a wealth of history between its walls. Offering a trio of wedding offerings, designed to make the most of any size wedding, their Classic Brettingham Package starts at £78.95 per person and includes your wedding breakfast, welcome drink and Prosecco for toasts, evening buffet options and a night in one of the hotel's bedrooms, including breakfast in your room the next morning.
Posted: 13 October 2022
These are the UK areas with the happiest couples
There are always misconceptions about a north vs south divide, but apparently when it comes to love there is! A study by confused.com analysed government data to reveal the UK areas with the most marriages. When looking at where in the UK has the most weddings per person, one place stands out, which is Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, with 2,770 weddings per 100,000 people. Dumfries and Galloway are close to Gretna Green, which is traditionally identified with couples eloping from England, which is likely to be why many couples choose to tie the knot here. Another Scottish area comes in second, with Argyll and Bute hosting 1,165 weddings per 100,000 people each year. Located on the west coast of Scotland, Argyll and Bute is a unique area to get married. Here you can be wed on the beach, in a historic church or castle, or on the famous Mull of Kintyre. The most common wedding destination outside of Scotland is Kensington and Chelsea, in London with a marriage rate of 1077 per 100,000.
Posted: 12 October 2022
New salon pampering Essex brides-to-be
In the run-up to your wedding day, what better reason to take a break from the wedmin than for some serious R&R? From manicures and pedicures to facials and massages, Witham's newest salon The Halcyon Room has an extensive treatment list for the bride and her bridal party – why not treat the mothers-of- the-bride- and -groom too? Founded by beauty therapist Emma Foley, who boasts more than 20 years' professional industry experience, The Halcyon Room is a purpose-built beauty room at her home. It provides a tranquil retreat and a calming, relaxing space to truly unwind. The treatment list includes: manicures and pedicures using CND-Shelkac, Vinylux and Gelish products, waxing (including intimate waxing using warm Wax:One), tinting, massage, facials using Eve Taylor products and eyelash lifting – perfect for pre-wedding pampering, on the day itself, the honeymoon and beyond.
Posted: 12 October 2022
Luck of the draw with Rayleigh artist
Give your guests some entertainment they get to take home with Rayleigh illustrator Kirstybowks Bespokes. Sketching in real-time during weddings and other special events, owner Kirsty strives to create unique keepsakes that will forever capture the magic of your special day. Choose her Intimate Wedding Package, £350, which includes live drawing for two and a half hours during drinks or your evening reception, plus an additional A4 illustration of you as newlyweds after the event. Alternatively, there's her Wedding Bell Package, £450, again offering an illustration of the pair of you – but with four hours of live drawing for your guests to enjoy!
Posted: 11 October 2022
Wedding Album of the Year winner
Professional photographer Rebecca Carpenter won the inaugural Wedding Album of the Year competition with a stunning set of images in a book printed and produced by Henley Albums. The new award was set up by The Photography Show to celebrate the talent and craft of professional wedding photographers and album makers, and championing the power of print, with the finalists being displayed at this year's show at the NEC. Rachel Carpenter, who describes herself as a destination wedding and elopement photographer, shot her winning album for her clients Helena & Mark, who got married in Las Vegas.
Posted: 10 October 2022
Keep smiling on your wedding day with Dental Health and Aesthetics
Dental Health and Aesthetics have everything the bride and groom need to ensure their smiles are as bright and beautiful as the day itself. The Dental Health and Aesthetics team were on hand at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd October, 2022. But, if you missed this Essex-based company, here's all the information you need to know! Dental Health and Aesthetics offers bespoke packages to suit their clients' individual needs for their wedding, with 0% finance also available on all dental treatments for up to 11 months.
Posted: 7 October 2022
Meet wedding photographer Martyn Russell at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday
The best thing about attending wedding fairs is being able to meet your prospective suppliers face to face. At the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd of October 2022, it will provide you with the opportunity to meet with photographer Martyn Russell. "Photographing a wedding is one of the greatest honours," shares Martyn. "Many months of meticulous planning culminates in one magical, joyous day of love and celebration, and being chosen to document that day fills me with great pride and excitement."
Posted: 28 September 2022
Watch live performers at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd October
Laura from 'Something Acoustic' will be exhibiting at the County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd October, 2022. Laura will be performing some wedding favourites, such as 'Perfect', 'A Thousand Years' and 'Can't help falling in love', do pop along and say hello to get some musical inspiration for your big day. Something Acoustic can also learn your special song if its not already on their set list - perfect for your first dance together.
Posted: 28 September 2022
Supergroup Claire Richards & Duncan James surprise couple on their wedding day
Pop royalty, Claire Richards and Duncan James, joined forces on Saturday 17th September, as the ultimate wedding band - Simply Wed - to surprise one lucky couple with a performance of poptastic floor-filling songs on their wedding day. Anna Novelli and Samuel Hold from Bournemouth were delighted when the power duo 'crashed the wedding' at the Larmer Street in Wiltshire, to surprise guests and the lucky couple with the performance of a lifetime. The couple - both Steps and Blue superfans - were overwhelmed with joy to have the newly minted wedding supergroup perform, having known all the routines to Claire and Duncan's biggest hits since childhood!
Posted: 26 September 2022
Discuss your bridal make-up look with professional expert at The Brentwood Centre
Sam Easter of Beautiful You is a professionally trained make-up artist with more than 20 years' experience in the make-up industry and is particularly sought after for her wedding services. Sam will be on-hand at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd of October to discuss all of your wedding beauty needs. As an Essex- and Hertfordshire-based make-up artist, Samantha is perfectly based to travel to all of the best wedding venues that the South East has to offer from the beauty of Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire countryside, to the most prestigious London venues.
Posted: 26 September 2022
To help you find inspiration for your big day, take a look at what's caught the eye of our editors.
There are literally hundreds of ideas, products and services from wedding suppliers across the UK along with links to their web sites as pointed out by our ever resourceful team.
Take a look at what our Editors Love!