An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Getting to know... Leez Priory

Leez Priory is a stunning Tudor manor house. The ancient red brick architecture is steeped with characterful features including castle-like battlements, leaded windows and an outer gate house complete with original and ornately carved solid oak doors. The historic Great Tower, accessed by a fairytale spiral staircase, is a fantastic feature and can be used for a more intimate ceremony, for photographs and also as the backdrop for your nuptials too.

F.Hinds reveals best wedding venues in England

New research by wedding experts at F.Hinds has revealed the real top wedding venues in England for 2025, based on data like venue reviews, social media popularity, weather data, and more. With UK couples now spending an average of £23,250 on weddings, venue choice has never been more important. This study analysed 240 venues across England, with some surprising results: A 14th-century castle in Durham takes the top spot, a restaurant in London ranks second, however Essex boasts two of the top 10 venues

Couples seek help with their Wedding Checklist

With the average 2025 wedding costing £20,822, it's understandable that couples are feeling the pressure to ensure their special day runs smoothly. Wedding costs have more than doubled since the pandemic and with higher budgets often comes increased planning and the need for checklists. Last year "wedding checklist" received 6,600 average monthly searches online as UK couples turned to Google for guidance, to make sure nothing was missed. As your 2025 wedding day approaches and the big elements are secured, from venue and dress to guest list, there will still be a number of important details to manage in those final weeks.

A timeless touch of elegance

A wedding day is one of the most memorable moments in a couple's life, and every detail counts. With Beauford Brides Wedding Cars, couples can elevate their big day with a luxurious, classic Beauford vehicle. Specialising in vintage wedding cars, the company offers an unforgettable and prestigious arrival for brides and grooms alike. Stepping into a beautifully restored Beauford is like stepping back into an era of romance and grandeur. The vehicle's sweeping fenders, gleaming chrome accents, and plush leather interiors exude timeless elegance, capturing the essence of a golden age when craftsmanship was paramount.

THE 2025 MUDDY AWARDS FINALS ARE OPEN

Now in their 12th year, The Muddy Stilettos Awards are back! 2,205 finalists have just been announced as the best independent lifestyle businesses across 35 Muddy counties, including 105 in Essex, chosen by their customers and Muddy Stilettos readers. From the first round of Essex nominations across 21 lifestyle categories, only the top 5 with the most nominations in each category have made it into the finals. Running now until 15 April 2025, the final round of voting has begun, inviting customers, friends and family to vote for their favourite business, including four new categories of Best Family Experience, Best Sports & Fitness Instructor, Best Wellbeing Specialist and Best Women's Style.

Hanbury Manor Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 13th April 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, 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. Accessed by an impressive sweeping driveway and set on 200 sprawling acres of land that once housed some of England's most important historical figures, Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club is an enchanting venue. Rebuilt in the stately Jacobean style, the stunning hotel surrounds you with timelessly elegant interiors, state-of-the-art amenities and stunningly refurbished function rooms Whether you're planning a small and intimate affair or grand and glamorous Hanbury Manor is the perfect choice.

From smart invites to livestreams: the tech-savvy wedding trends of 2025

Like the tides of fashion, wedding trends come and go; however, the coming online age of nuptials is coming in fast and causing quite the wave. From AI-generated floor layouts and digital invites, modern couples are finding new ways of broadcasting their love. Here are some of the biggest trends in technology that will shape weddings in 2025, and how the industry is adapting to meet couples' expectations.

George Clarke officially opens restored Gatehouse at St Osyth Priory

Renowned architect and TV presenter George Clarke has officially opened an historic landmark which has been a crucial element of decades of careful restoration work. George, who is best known for his work on the Channel 4 programmes The Home Show, The Restoration Man and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, visited St Osyth Priory to see the work carried out on the Gatehouse.

Mr England visits Greenwoods

As a lance corporal in the King's Cold Stream guards at Buckingham Palace, recently crowned Mr England Manuel Alcantara Turner doesn't have too much time to relax so when he got the opportunity for a rare weekend off, he booked his girlfriend Steph in to sample the delights of Greenwoods Hotel and Spa in Stock, Essex. Manuel Alcantara Turner who was born in Spain but now lives in Windsor and is the first solider to have won a beauty pageant such as Mr England and was crowned in Autumn of last year.

Say I Do with Chelsea Peers

Chelsea Peers have made the morning of the wedding even more stylish than before. You and your bridal party can now get ready in soft satin and lace trimmed nightwear, bringing together the joys of wedding morning excitement and the wow factor for your photo album. Why not have your bridesmaids in matching pyjamas? The bridal collection caters to the whole wedding party and would make those getting ready photos all that more special.

Coltsfoot Country Retreat Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Coltsfoot Country Retreat, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 6th April 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, 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. Coltsfoot is a beautiful venue set in the hamlet of Bulls Green in Hertfordshire, situated in close proximity to Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Knebworth and Stevenage. We are surrounded by acres of beautiful and blissfully quiet Hertfordshire countryside.

Braintree Village to hold exclusive three-day shopping event

Braintree Village is set to hold an exclusive three -day shopping event for Spring, allowing the outlet's PLUS+ rewards club members to unlock extra special savings. The PLUS+ Discounts Weekend will be hosted at the Essex shopping outlet, from Friday 28th March to Sunday 30th March, with incredible savings on top of already discounted outlet prices across more than 30 brands.

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

New package for Simply Rustic!

Simply Rustic has launched a brand new package for 2026. This addition will consist of: a luxury floral arch; luxury floral centrepieces, table plan, welcome sign, post box, top table/ceremony table decoration and more... Owner, Teresa, will be offering a special price for the first three couples to book this package for wedding dates in 2026 or 2027. To secure, simply pay a £50 deposit.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

Braintree Village to host Big Kid Circus

Following its successful debut last Spring, Braintree Village will be hosting Big Kid Circus this Easter holiday, offering guests a thrilling experience for the whole family to enjoy. The big top will be adjacent to the top of the North Car Park and is set to open to the public from Wednesday 16th April until Monday 21st April, offering guests the perfect activity come rain or shine this April.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

Pop + Bark Dog Experience Returns for 2025

The paws are back in town... yes that's right, the UK's most talked about dog event is returning to Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate on Bank Holiday Monday, 5th May for the ultimate spring celebration and unleashed fun in the sun! Teaming up with leading canine events company, Pop + Bark, this is the largest outdoor breed-specific dog celebration of its kind, and the perfect place for puppy play to get those tails wagging.

Bressingham Hall Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Bressingham Hall & High Barn, Diss, Norfolk for inspiration on Sunday 23rd March 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, 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.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.