An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

FAMILIES DINE FOR LESS AT BILL’S THIS SUMMER

Kids Eat Free at Bill's restaurants over Essex this summer! Keeping little ones entertained (and full) during the summer can quickly add up, but at Bill's, families with kids of all ages can relax a little easier this Summer. From 25th June to 1st September (Monday to Friday), up to two children can eat for FREE with just one paying adult. Sounds delicious!

Holiday Inn Brentwood has huge refurb!

Holiday Inn Brentwood in Essex is attracting leisure and business travellers, thanks to its convenient location just off the M25 and easy access to central London and Stansted Airport. Sports fans heading to boxing, snooker or the athletics at The Brentwood Centre, families visiting the Ski & Snowboard Centre and surrounding attractions, and business travellers seeking easy access to central London or Stansted Airport are all benefiting from the hotel's modern comforts.

RSVPing 'YES' to multiple weddings? Here's how to budget!

Attending weddings can be a joyous occasion, but it can also be expensive, particularly if you're invited to more than one over the course of the year. Costs such as new outfits, travel and accommodation, and gifts mean the overall expense of attending can quickly add up. Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, says: "Wedding season can be a significant expense for households. Planning ahead and setting a dedicated budget for celebrations can help spread the cost over several months, allowing people to make the most of the celebrations while keeping their finances on track."

Smoke and Dough - Chelmsford wins best new business

Smoke and Dough has been named "BEST New Business of Chelmsford" at the BID Business Awards, which returned for their third year in 2026! The winner was announced via public vote from the shortlisted businesses. This award celebrates an incredible journey — from opening its doors and welcoming the first guests to becoming a place where families, friends, and food lovers create lasting memories.

Stronger, protected hair to shine on your big day!

Josh Wood Colour, the expert led hair colour brand founded by celebrity colourist Josh Wood, launches the Miracle Defence Mist (£15) a lightweight, multi-tasking protective spray designed specifically for colour-treated hair. Suitable for all hair types, it helps shield hair from heat damage, pollution, and everyday environmental stressors while preserving colour vibrancy. Do check out your local Boots or Superdrug stores for the range of products.

How to treat the father-of-the-bride this Father's Day

Father's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate the father of the bride. After all, he's been there through the wedding planning, the emotional speeches, the last-minute panics and probably more than a few budget discussions too. Whether the wedding has already happened or it's still to come, Father's Day is a brilliant opportunity to show him just how much he's appreciated. If you're looking to do something a little more exciting than buying another novelty mug or pair of socks, wedding experts The Stag Company share their favourite experiences that can make the day feel extra special.

Protein-Powered Hair Care for Stronger, Shinier Hair

Sunshine, salt water, chlorine and heat styling can leave hair feeling dry, dull and dehydrated during the summer months. To help restore strength, shine and smoothness, organic beauty pioneer Green People is spotlighting its Protein-Boost Hair Care collection — a trio of plant-powered hair heroes designed to nourish, protect and revive summer-stressed hair. Available locally all over Essex, including John Lewis in Chelmsford.

Mint Velvet to join retail lineup at Braintree Village in July

Braintree Village has announced that premium womenswear brand, Mint Velvet, will be joining its already stellar retail lineup on 9th July. The 1,894 sq ft store will be located next to Polo Ralph Lauren. Founded in 2009, the brand is renowned for its concept of relaxed glamour – a contemporary, feminine style that interprets the latest trends into versatile, flattering shapes.

PAWS & REFLECT WITH DOGGY YOGA RETREATS AT DOWN HALL HOTEL, SPA & ESTATE

Returning for a second year, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate invites guests for a soul-soothing weekend of relaxation and connection with their four-legged friend at its Doggy Yoga Retreats. Set against the backdrop of the hotel's 110 acres of picturesque grounds, the unique experience is designed to deepen the bond between you and your canine companion through a carefully curated blend of mindful activities, scenic exploration and play.

Say it with chocolate: Tony’s Chocolonely’s personalised wedding bars

Ethical chocolate brand Tony's Chocolonely is helping couples add a personalised touch to their wedding celebrations with its customisable chocolate bars, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wedding favours. From engagement announcements and bridesmaid proposals to place settings and guest gifts, the brand's personalised bars can be tailored with names, photographs, table plans or bespoke messages, creating a keepsake that guests can enjoy long after the celebrations have ended.

Everything you need to know about faith marriages this wedding season

Thousands of couples will say their vows this wedding season believing they're legally married, only to discover, when it matters most, that they might not be. Faith marriages are an increasingly complex issue for UK couples, with leading law firm Mills & Reeve seeing a steady rise in clients who discover – often much later – that their wedding does not carry the legal status they assumed. Jane Ingleby, partner at Mills & Reeve, explains why so many marriages fall into a legal grey area, and what couples should check before they walk down the aisle...

Bridal Showers Are Becoming the Biggest Pre-Wedding Trend of 2026

Not sure where to start? Don't worry - experts at Abbott Lyon have put together simple steps to help you plan the perfect bridal shower, so everything runs smoothly and the bride (and her besties) can enjoy every moment of the day. You know the bride better than anyone - after all, she's asked you to be a big part of her big day. Think about what her vibe is and what she's into. Is she more about getting pampered at a spa day or would she prefer a wild brunch somewhere? Also, think about who's coming to the bridal shower. Will her older relatives be there or will it be mainly her friends? Are work colleagues coming? You want to make sure anything you plan is appropriate for everyone to enjoy.

The Institute theatre to screen the World Cup

The Institute, Braintree's Grade II listed theatre, is delighted to announce it is all set to screen England's World Cup matches this June – with free entry and no tickets required. Forget cramped pub corners, blocked views, and spilled pints – the theatre is transforming the main auditorium into the town's very own answer to the iconic BOXPARK in London. Hooray!

5 Tips to planning a perfect hen weekend in the UK revealed

61% of pre-wedding parties now stay in the UK as safety, cost, and connection reshape how Brits celebrate. Rising airfares, safety worries and global tensions, including travel hesitancy linked to the ongoing conflict, have fuelled a dramatic turn in how Brits celebrate before tying the knot. According to new figures, 61% of hen parties now take place in the UK, marking a clear shift from pre-pandemic years when city breaks in Europe dominated.

Guests Spend £348 On Average to Attend A Wedding, Says Expert

Wedding guests across the UK are spending hundreds of pounds just to attend a single wedding, with new research revealing the growing financial strain placed on friends and family. Research* commissioned by The Insurance Emporium, conducted by Censuswide, has revealed among people who have attended a wedding in the last five years shows that guests spend £348 on average to attend a wedding - with costs rising even higher in major cities. The wedding insurance specialist's findings reveal that 72% of guests now say attending weddings has become a financial burden, while 38.2% admit they have felt pressured to overspend in order to attend.

Live from the Lawn Returns to Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate this Summer

Back for another summer, the much-loved live music series, Live from the Lawn, is returning to Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate. Set against the backdrop of the luxury hotel's 110 acres of picturesque grounds in Essex, the open-air series promises another year of standout performances and unforgettable sunset sessions.Taking place on select Friday evenings from 7pm - 9.30pm from 12th June until 18th September 2026, the hotel's gardens are transformed into a vibrant outdoor venue where live music, sunset cocktails, and relaxed summer dining take centre stage. This year's line-up will see returning crowd favourites such as Greg the Sax, Lovelight DJ, Runaway South and Gary Winter each bring their own unique sound to the lawn - from Ibiza-style sets and country favourites to soulful party anthems, jazz classics and Motown hits.

Divided down the aisle: The UK’s feelings on the most controversial wedding choices uncovered

Weddings bring with them lots of excitement, joy and happiness, but couples also often face the added challenge of trying to balance their personal wishes and preferences with the opinions of their guests. From who qualifies for a plus one to how much to spend on an engagement ring, new research conducted by Pandora UK has uncovered the nation's true feelings about the most divisive wedding decisions¹. Pandora has also enlisted wedding expert and events director at The Post Barn, Daisy Bradley to share advice on the best ways to handle tricky decisions with guests.

The “2 dinners a week” rule that could transform your love life, according to expert

Google searches for 'emotional connection' are up 78% over the past month, while searches for 'relationship advice' are up 54%, showing that many are struggling and searching for ways to strengthen their bond with their significant other. Interiors brand Oak&More have spoken exclusively with award-winning sex and relationship expert Gemma Nice to find out why eating at the table a couple of nights a week can strengthen, or maybe save, your relationship.

Stress-Free Wedding Plan: Affording Your Big Day Without Breaking the Bank

Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, said: "Money plays a really important role in our lives, helping us prepare for major life moments such as weddings or other special occasions. While it enables us to create meaningful experiences, it can also become a source of stress when facing the costs that come with them. Taking the time to understand what things may cost is the first step when saving for your big day. This awareness can help you make informed decisions, whether that's setting a realistic wedding budget, building a dedicated savings plan, or seeking support to bring your dream day to life."

Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one

New research suggests a shift in how women approach one of the most traditional luxury jewellery purchases, with 75% saying they want an engagement ring to prioritise personal meaning over size or value. A study of 1,353 UK women carried out by 77 Diamonds* found that 75% say they would prioritise a personalised engagement ring over a larger or more expensive diamond. What seems to stand out is not a complete rejection of convention, but rather a rebalancing and reassessment of value. 59% of women say their preference still leans towards traditional ready-made ring designs, and only 11% want an entirely custom-made piece But the emotional drive behind preferences and purchasing decisions does appear to be changing with 30% expressing a desire for rings that carry additional meaning through small modifications, engravings or design adjustments.