All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Essex, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Find your wedding entertainment with An Essex Wedding
Choosing music for your ceremony or reception can seem overwhelming, but luckily the team at An Essex Wedding are here to help. Step forward harp and cello couple Mav Duo, based in Hornchurch but available to provide wedding entertainment throughout the county and beyond. Harpist Oscar Quesada Gonzalez and cellist Alejandra Vargas Munoz met while studying music in Columbia. "We fell in love and have been playing together for more than seven years," says Alejandra. "Weddings are our passion, and as such we've been touring back and forth across America and Europe, telling stories with our music while enjoying every step in the process."
Posted: 24 May 2022
The ultimate guide to wedding favours
Looking for ideas on what to include in your wedding favour bags? This guide is a helpful resource for couples who want to make their guests feel really special. Find out the best wedding favour ideas to make your own unique table favours and browse our curated list of some popular items that can be included in the favour bags so you can make an inspired choice. The experts at Arches Beach Weddings have also included some helpful tips on how to go about choosing the wedding favours that will best suit your theme and guest needs.
Posted: 23 May 2022
Wedding Wine Guide Q&A with Sarah Knowles part three!
Sarah Knowles MW joined The Wine Society in March 2014 and passed her Masters of Wine qualification in 2015. She is responsible for Champagne, North America and Italy, as well as overseeing the portfolio of sparkling wines and spirits; so, there really is no better person to be advising you and answering all of your wedding questions? Red or white for a meat course? Wine or Champagne for your wedding toast? This final instalment in our three-part guide - check back over the last two Fridays if you missed one and two - answers your final questions!
Posted: 20 May 2022
Women propose new wedding trend
Until recently engagement rings were seen as exclusively a female item of jewellery but the team at Ingle & Rhode believe the time has come for both sexes to enjoy a little engagement bling. They have already sold several of the rings to women who were planning to propose to their partners and are confident the trend will continue to gain pace. Ingle & Rhode's mens rings include items fashioned from gold and platinum with many featuring ethically sourced diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and other precious stones. There's something for most budgets with women able to choose from a modest ring for their man from as little as £495 or go for something more blingy up to £11,950.
Posted: 18 May 2022
Gift list options with Essex fitters
Stuck what to ask for in terms of wedding gifts from your nearest and dearest? With most couples living together before they get hitched the prospect of a new kettle and toaster is far from appealing - yawn! Instead, why not suggest a donation towards that much-needed home improvement you've been putting off investing in? Chelmsford-based Absolute Wardrobes design and install affordable, bespoke, made-to-measure fitted wardrobes, dressing rooms, home offices and entertainment units across the county and beyond.
Posted: 17 May 2022
Looking to tie the knot outside? Make sure it's legal!
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we welcome any changes in the law that allow people to marry more freely. Following the Government's recent announcement that they'll permanently be making outdoor marriages across the UK legal, following temporary legislation introduced during the pandemic, this is great news to the thousands of couples who have creative outdoor ideas for their weddings. However, there is still a criteria which couples must meet in order for a wedding ceremony to be legally valid, and it's important that couples don't get caught out. Barrister Kate Van Rol at 4PB advises on how to navigate the legality of getting married in an outdoor setting.
Posted: 16 May 2022
Wedding Wine Guide Q&A with Sarah Knowles part two!
Sarah Knowles MW joined The Wine Society in March 2014 and passed her Masters of Wine qualification in 2015. She is responsible for Champagne, North America and Italy, as well as overseeing the portfolio of sparkling wines and spirits; so, there really is no better person to be advising you and answering all of your wedding questions? Red or white for a meat course? Wine or Champagne for your wedding toast? This is the second part in our three part guide, check back here every Friday to have these questions answered!
Posted: 13 May 2022
Down Hall announce Royal Afternoon Tea
Stunning country house hotel & spa, Down Hall, is celebrating Her Majesty's 70th year on the throne with a delicious afternoon tea that's a truly royal affair! Running from 27th May – 12th June, take a trip to the glorious Essex countryside to celebrate Her Royal Highness' remarkable milestone and raise a glass to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Served between 2 - 5:30pm on the hotel's beautiful al fresco terrace or in the elegant and recently refurbished lounge, the Royal Afternoon Tea begins with a Dubonnet cocktail, the Queen's favourite aperitif, served over ice.
Posted: 12 May 2022
Experts reveal what to write on a wedding card
The wedding season is upon us, with couples across the country bringing people together to celebrate getting married, but have you ever been lost for words when writing your special congratulations on a card? Searches for 'what to write in a wedding card' increased by +300% in the past 12 months1, indicating that people are struggling for words. To help, greetings card marketplace, thortful.com has collated the top things to write on a couples' wedding card.
Posted: 11 May 2022
Wedding plans stressing you both out? Take five and remember why you're getting married in the first place by heading for a date night at Danbury restaurant, The Griffin. Having recently undergone a renovation to bring seasonal fine dining to the village, the eaterie now boasts a spectacular Champagne and oyster bar, alongside a menu centred around exquisite fish and seafood dishes. Created by Executive Chef Mik Nelder, the cuisine showcases a host of delicious flavours and textures, with menu highlights including grilled lobster with garlic butter, thermidor and mayonnaise; and whole roasted poussin with a bourguignon sauce. Editor Claire Muffett-Reece was invited along to sample the menu and find out more...
Posted: 10 May 2022
Tying the knot over Jubilee weekend in June?
When planning your wedding day, when booking it on any date between the 2nd to 5th of June, I bet you didn't realise that the whole world would be having a celebration with you! But here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think you should embrace the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and make it part of your wedding celebrations. From afternoon tea to quirky union jack favours, there's a whole host of fun and royal touches you can add to proceedings. To help you along, Cadbury has some great limited-edition products that have just hit the shelves to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee and keep your hungry wedding guests happy, kids and adults alike!
Posted: 9 May 2022
Must-have hen do accessories from TeamHen
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we adore the products from TeamHen - super-cool and on trend, the chic range is the perfect way to accompany your hen party bridal look! The brand's latest offering, the Luxury Tulle Bow Veil, is no exception. Featuring a beautiful, creamy white sating bow, it's bee paired with a soft white tulle veil measuring 80cm. Conveniently attached to a clip, you can just pop it in and away you go!
Posted: 6 May 2022
Innovative new way for sharing big-day memories
WeSnapthat is a free event photo sharing app, which is private and secure and means you won't miss out on all of the pictures friends and family are taking on your wedding day. Founder, Tarandip Rehall, says, 'After attending several weddings, I noticed that professional wedding photographers took over the event and guests felt a little left out. I could see that guests were taking loads of photos and videos, and I was wondering were all those beautiful moments that were captured ever be seen by the bride and groom or other guests. Hence WeSnapThat was created to help remove the hassle of chasing and missing out of photos and videos, plus the app get attendees to be more engaged with your event and make it more joyful as they feel part of your special day.'
Posted: 5 May 2022
Expert tips for elevating your drinks offering
From cocktail stations to party favours, David Cooper from glassware company Forever Crystal shares his top tips on how to get creative with your drinks on the big day. Here are four inspiration ideas for your wedding drinks and toast with something special when you say, 'I do'! Signature cocktails: While you might want to give your guests an open bar, hiring bar staff and footing the bill can end up being an expensive gesture. One way to sidestep this added cost while still providing some free refreshment is to make your own batch of signature cocktails. Choose two mixed drinks or cocktails that you know your guests love and stock up on plenty of ingredients before the big day. For a spring or summer wedding, mixed drinks like Pimm's and lemonade or gin and elderflower tonic are great options, especially as you can provide bowls of fruit and mint leaves to use as a garnish.
Posted: 5 May 2022
Vumbura Plains: The perfect honeymoon destination for adventure seekers
Wilderness Safaris Vumbura Plains, set in the heart of the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site in Botswana, has reopened after an extensive refurbishment of both the camp's exteriors and interiors.
The refreshed look and feel showcases its sense of place and culture, enhanced by an outstanding menu and courteous hospitality. Vumbura offers holiday-makers a sublime African wilderness journey, prepare to experience arguably the best wildlife encounters in the Delta on your honeymoon.
"With its iconic Delta landscapes and phenomenally diverse habitats, Vumbura is truly a must-visit safari choice, one that unreservedly celebrates the best of Botswana's natural and cultural heritage."
Posted: 4 May 2022
Getting married in 2022? Experts reveal the top five wedding cake trends
With full-scale weddings back up and running, having a show-stopping cake is more important than ever. If you're walking down the aisle this year and in the process of finalising your menu, you must ensure that you are up to date with the latest trends so you can choose the perfect wedding cake.
From delicate florals to bright colours and sculptured designs, experts from AYRE Events share the most popular up and coming trends to keep in mind.
Posted: 4 May 2022
Upcoming showcases for renowned band
The Blue Lion Band are live music experts, wedding enthusiasts, and party starters. They offer high energy live music for weddings, festivals, private functions, and corporate events. Their band size is fully customisable from 3 to 14 musicians, making them the perfect fit for any event budget or style. Blue Lion's talented musicians have performed with renowned artists including Ellie Goulding, Kanye West, Mark Knopfler, Tom Jones, George Michael, Gotye, and Alicia Keys. They work to make every event unforgettable, creating and delivering high-energy, fun performances to keep the dance floor jumping. This talented crew will create a set list to suit your musical preferences, from elegant classical music or string pop covers for the ceremony, to jazz during cocktail hour, and dance music to get the crowd going during the reception. If you're planning a destination wedding, Blue Lion Band travels around the world! They are available to perform at events throughout the United Kingdom and for travel to France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and more.
Posted: 3 May 2022
Essex's newest pick 'n' mix haven for kids and adults alike
Organising your own wedding favours just got a whole lot easier, thanks to Haribo opening their latest store at Braintree Village. Now visitors to the shopping centre can experience the sweet giant's eclectic mix of popular treats, all the while deciding what their friends and family would most like to unwrap – and eat! – while listening to those wedding speeches. "We have so many treats in store for shoppers, with our pick your own selection featuring more than 30 varieties of sweets," says store manager Sam Rogers. "From Tangfastics to Starmix, MAOAM Bloxx to Goldbears, and Jelly Babies to Fruity Frogs, we have it all."
Posted: 3 May 2022
Wedding Wine Guide Q&A with Sarah Knowles part one!
Sarah Knowles MW joined The Wine Society in March 2014 and passed her Masters of Wine qualification in 2015. She is responsible for Champagne, North America and Italy, as well as overseeing the portfolio of sparkling wines and spirits; so, there really is no better person to be advising you and answering all of your wedding questions? Red or white for a meat course? Wine or Champagne for your wedding toast? Read our three part guide over the next three weeks (check back here every Friday) to have these questions answered!
Posted: 3 May 2022
The most iconic cars used by celebrities on their wedding day
As a wedding present, David Beckham gifted his 22-year-old son a £380k vintage Jaguar. In light of this, classic car insurance broker Heritage has looked back on the top five most iconic celebrity wedding cars in recent history.
Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director at Heritage comments: "Classic cars offer a timeless appeal, and they are a great choice because they offer some fun, flair and nostalgia to the day's celebrations, allowing the happy couple to fuse flamboyance and tradition"
Posted: 29 April 2022
11 of the biggest wedding trends of 2022 - according to a professional wedding planner
2022 is surely going to be the year of the weddings - after many had to postpone their earlier dates due to Covid. And with weddings, comes wedding trends. Illy Goodall, founder of Illy Elizabeth Weddings, is here to tell you all about them.
With 2022 being the biggest wedding season on record, an estimated 2.5 million weddings are set to take place this year, according to The Wedding Report, here's all you need to know on 2022's wedding trends, according to Illy.
Posted: 27 April 2022
Essex wedding couple share their winning story
When South Woodham Ferrers midwife Natalie Chapman and her paramedic fiancé Mark Bomford entered a competition for NHS workers to win an incredible Essex wedding, worth more than £26,000, they never dreamt they'd win – until they were surprised outside the hospital they work at, surrounded by friends and family! The competition was organised by Thorpe-le-Soken-based florist and venue stylist Rosie Obeney of Rose Decor Styling – www.rosedecorstyling.co.uk – who wanted to give something back to NHS staff working throughout the pandemic. "I have a big list of amazing people I love to work with in the industry, so I put the feelers out and the response was incredible," she says. "I was inundated with amazing businesses offering up their services to one lucky couple."
Posted: 26 April 2022
Find County Wedding Magazines on YouTube
We're never satisfied when it comes to providing our readers with enough wedspiration, which is why we've created our very own County Wedding Magazine YouTube channel! You'll find tons of big-day ideas, from venue tours to dream dresses, then take a peek behind the scenes of styled shoots featured in our titles past and present. We're adding more content all the time, so why not hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a thing? Simply head to YouTube and search for 'County Wedding Magazines' now
Posted: 25 April 2022
How to have a wedding that's unique to you
Planning your wedding can seem overwhelming, especially with so many traditions out there that you might feel you need to to include in your big day. But if a traditional approach isn't your kind of thing, adding elements unique to you can make the day feel all the more special.
The occasion is dedicated to you and your partner, so it's the perfect opportunity to infuse your interests as a couple into your celebration. Thinking of which personal touches to include may be tough, so here we're going to discuss some ideas that will assist you in making your special day all about you.
Posted: 25 April 2022
Expert advice on how to clean your engagement ring at home
Wearing your ring every day will take its toll - a build-up of things like oil, debris and cosmetic residue can create a thin layer on your ring making it look dull.
The good news is that there is no reason you can't keep your diamond as vibrant and twinkly as the day you received it- it just takes a little sprucing up every so often.
Jewellery experts at Queensmith have shared their straightforward tips for when you need to clean your ring safely at home.
Posted: 23 April 2022
We have a great line up of experts to give you first hand advice and discussions about bridal fashion, hair, makeup, to name but a few!
Take a look at our Celebrity Interviews!
