An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

7 wedding moments to capture in photos

Wedding photographers will have their own photos they will capture on the day with important ones including the first kiss, first dance and the bride walking down the aisle. However, couples should also have an idea of the kinds of photos they'd like to have and suggest these to their photographer if they haven't discussed them already. Matt Dahan from ParrotPrint.com says, "Your wedding happens once and you want to capture as much as you can so you have some really lovely memories to look back on. As a couple it's always a good idea to sit down with your wedding photographer and talk about how you want your pictures to look and the kinds of images you want captured.

Keep your wedding scheme alive at home

It's no surprise couples often suffer from the wedding blues after their nuptials, but with peak wedding season around the corner, to help those wondering how they can relive their special day, Stephanie King, Colour Expert & Creative Lead at Dulux, is sharing her savvy tips to help. Stephanie says, "Not only will utilising elements from your wedding help you save money when re-decorating, but recreating your wedding theme at home can help couples create a more meaningful space that brings personality and happy memories into the home. Weddings are full of sentimental value, so creating a space which reflects a shared experience and sense of nostalgia will act as a constant reminder of your beautiful moment and love for each other every day."

Say I do with these 5 tips on saving for a wedding

Your wedding is likely to be one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be as relaxed as possible, a lot of time, money and effort goes in to making sure that is possible. The cost of living is impacting prices across the board, and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Emma Watson, Head of Financial Planning at Rathbones Group Plc, shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

Brits are spending nearly £1k attending a friend's hen party!

It's always exciting news when you find out your close friend is getting married, but have you ever stopped to consider how much the wedding is going to cost you? Life insurance broker, Reassured polled 1,500 people to reveal the costs of attending a hen party. To be exact, you'll be out of pocket by nearly £979 for attending the hen party!

Nina Kane's Horoscope & Tarot Jewellery

This summer, we all need waterproof, sweat proof jewellery. Nina Kane, offers 18K gold affordable jewellery, that's swim ready! All Nina Kane products are uniquely designed to be worn everyday, in the pool or at the gym, without tarnishing or going green. The brands popular range of tarot and horoscope pieces are ideal for those who like to rep their star sign and each piece is perfect for starting astrology- centred convo's or simply hinting that you're birthday is on the horizon..

Pre-wedding wellbeing

Lovendu was created to help people improve their mental wellbeing and become the best version of themselves. In the lead up to a wedding, it's also important to manage your wellbeing. The brand's new Romanticising Your Life Journal provides daily gratitude reminders, mindfulness activities and motivational quotes, you will be encouraged to live in the present moment and notice the beauty in life. With the Romanticising Your Life Journal, you will have space for 14 weeks of daily journalling- your perfect accompaniment for pre-wedding preparations.

Sweet-scented celebrations

After a wedding, creating a calming atmosphere is important to beginning a new chapter in your lives. A Yankee candle provides the perfect mood for unforgettable moments. The wide range of soft, bright, cool and warm tones fit into any colour scheme, while the hand-drawn illustrations effortlessly enhance a room. There is a candle for each unique taste, whether you like fruity and floral, or earthy and spicy notes, each candle holds a long-lasting scent that can be enjoyed time and time again.

Spabreaks.com reveal 10% discount for all things wedding

Whether it's a hen do, mini moon, wedding gift or honeymoon, there's lots of reasons to visit the spa in and around your wedding day and Spabreaks.com have you covered. Spabreaks.com, Europe's leading spa booking and experience agency, is offering 10% discount on gift vouchers between the 26th and 30th June using code WEDDING. Whether you need some time out from wedding planning or simply want to get away before the big day, Spabreaks.com have a range of bridal spa packages bookable instantly for the perfect pre-wedding pamper.

Make way for the Barbie-themed hen party

Following the upcoming release of new movie Barbie, 21st July 2023, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling - match made in Barbie heaven - unsurprisingly it's all about the Barbie hen party theme right now! Step forward, Team Hen, we're talking hot pink accessories as far as the eye can see. Luckily, for all the bride tribes out there looking to nail the trend these bride-worthy accessories and decor details will be an instagram hit channeling the coveted barbie-inspired vibe!

Think pink ring shot glasses, hot pink bride squad t-shirts, handbag-sized lip balms, balloon arch kits and sunglasses-shaped balloons - all Barbie style.

Staying cool this summer

The highly anticipated Summer Collection from The Night Store has been unveiled - Moroccan Nights. The line showcases bold and vibrant colours, combined with exotic prints, transporting you to the lively streets of Marrakesh. Created from soft and lightweight fabrics, this collection is designed to keep you comfortable and stylish as you unwind after a long day, perhaps with a cocktail in hand. Whether you're lounging at home or enjoying a drink by the poolside, this collection caters to everyone. Available in more than 90 independents and in your local Next and TK Maxx you can keep cool over these balmy Essex evenings!

Cakes and gifts for summer wedding season

French pâtissier Ladurée, expert in providing luxury macarons and table favours, has a gorgeous selection of sweet gifts, cakes and macaron towers that would make the most gorgeous addition to any wedding celebration this summer. The story of the Ladurée macaron starts in the middle of the 20th century with Pierre Desfontaines , who had the idea of sticking two macaron shells together and filling them with a delicious ganache. Since then, the recipe remains unchanged.

How to plan your finances for marriage

Wedding season is now in full swing as couples prepare for their big day. For those planning to tie the knot, wedding preparations are not the only things that need careful planning. Taking the right steps to prepare financially for marriage can help to prevent unexpected surprises as couples embark on their new life together. Weddings are magical moments but they also require a level of practicality, to ensure that you get your partnership off to the right start. So, what can couples do to make sure they are perfectly aligned before they say their vows?

The 10 most popular first dance songs for 2023

Over the past year, UK searches for 'first dance songs 2023' have increased by +4,700%, whilst searches for 'fun first dance ideas' have increased by +100% showing that more couples are looking for inspiration. The first dance is likely to be one of the most memorable moments of your wedding, so naturally, newlyweds are determined to pick the most suitable song. A decision needs to be made whether to choose an old classic or maybe the new love song that's currently on the charts.

Opportunities for deafblind children in Essex

Usher Kids UK is set to host its second ever summer camp, 'USHthis' at Fairplay House near Witham, this July. The event will give 24 young people who live with progressive deafblindness the opportunity to develop independent living and self-advocacy skills through outdoor activities and mentorship. There are opportunities for local businesses to support this event. Usher Kids UK is a charity that supports young people living with Usher syndrome, a genetic condition which causes combined deafness and progressive blindness. Together with charity partner, Deafblind UK, they aim to empower young people and their families, creating a community of support and advocacy.

How to make your wedding day dog-friendly

For many, dogs are considered to be a key member of the family, so when it comes to one of the most important days of a couple's lives, their wedding day, it's only natural that they want their four-legged friends to be involved in the celebrations. That being said, lots of strangers, loud noises and the unfamiliar location of a wedding can prove quite overwhelming for our canine companions, so if you want to include your dog in your big day, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. Below, Carolyn Menteith, Behaviourist at tails.com has offered her top tips and advice on how to throw the 'paw-fect' wedding that will ensure both humans and dogs remain happy at all times.

Muddy Stilettos Award winners 2023

Now in their 10th year, the hotly contested Muddy Stilettos 2023 Awards have come to a close, with 27 brilliant local indie businesses winning the coveted lifestyle awards across Essex. Readers of the award-winning Muddy Stilettos lifestyle website (https://muddystilettos.co.uk) have been nominating and voting in their thousands for their favourite independent businesses across 27 different lifestyle categories – from Best Destination Pub to Yoga/Pilates Studio, Boutique Stay to Wedding Venue – and shining a light on the most creative, indie businesses. 77,000 businesses were nominated across the country with 800,000 votes cast in total as part of this much coveted lifestyle awards nationwide, making it the most popular Muddy Awards to date.

UK wedding guests set to spend £16.6bn in 2023

As summer approaches and wedding season hits full swing, new research from American Express has found that UK wedding guests are set to increase their spend attending weddings by 18% this year, compared to 2022. The average wedding guest is expecting to spend £1,045 on average per wedding this year, equating to £16.6 billion across the UK. In 2022, wedding goers spent an average of £883 to mark the first year of restriction-free ceremonies, totalling £15.6 billion as a population.

On trend flower arrangements for summer 2023

With Summer here at last, it's time to elevate our flower arrangements in align with all the 2023 trends. Much like the fashion designs we follow year upon year, the world of florals is equally monitored for on-trend flowers and colours of the seasons. Bloomsbury Flowers are here with all the top tips on keeping your flower arrangements on trend for 2023. The luxury and longstanding florist (based in Covent Garden) has served some of London & the UK's most stylish venues and beyond with their individual designs and scents. With their reputation for premium and bespoke flower arrangements, they certainly know what they're talking about when it comes to flower trends.

New Etsy Registry launches for weddings

Etsy has launched its Etsy Registry, a new wedding gifting experience that allows couples to register for truly meaningful gifts. In addition to handmade and vintage gifts, couples can register for personalised items and specify the exact customisation for their guests, making Etsy the place people can go for gifts, decor, and even bridal party items – all while supporting UK small businesses.

Tips for making the perfect wedding gift hamper

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the couple who has everything this wedding season? Hampers are one of the best wedding gifts for newlyweds because of their practicality, variety, versatility and thoughtfulness. As well as being the perfect personalised and affordable gift that can be done on any budget. Cartwright & Butler's hamper and recipe developer, Karolina Glowacka, has given 8 tips on building the ultimate wedding gift hamper for the newlywed couple to continue to enjoy even months after their big day.