All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Essex, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
The Photography Show & The Video Show is open today!
Multi award-winning wedding and portrait photographer Roberto Valenzuela, marine biologist and explorer Cristina Mittermeier and renowned landscape photographer Colin Prior are among the compelling line-up of global speakers at The Photography Show & The Video Show. They will be joined by Jack Harries, Christina Ebenezer, Kaylee Greer and Chase Jarvis among others, who all will share their expertise during this unmissable four-day event showcasing photography, taking place 17th to 20th September 2022 at Birmingham's NEC venue.
Posted: 17 September 2022
Wedding day hire from family run business
Occasions & Celebrations is a family run business, working in and around London & Essex, producing beautiful Flowers and unusual venue design. The team will be on hand at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd October to answer all of your wedding planning needs. Owner Michelle adds, "We are creative and driven by our fabulous clients to always deliver a first class service with spectacular venue transformations, from small events to grand weddings, we've got it covered. With many years in the Wedding Industry, and in flower design, we believe the secret of our success lies in personally creating designs which truly reflect our clients and their occasions. Added to that our attention to detail and our attitude to "go the extra mile" and you can really delight in our unrivalled service...
Posted: 16 September 2022
The Photography Show & The Video Show launches its First Ever Wedding Album of The Year competition
The Photography Show & The Video Show is launching its first ever Wedding Album of the Year competition to celebrate the best of the best from all around the country; showcasing the talent and craft of professional photographers and album makers in the UK and championing the power of print. There's nothing like a beautifully designed and presented wedding album to immortalise a couple's special day - a permanent and tangible reminder of those happy memories and moments, to be enjoyed for years to come. Wedding Album of the Year will celebrate these memories and the photographers that captured them.
Posted: 16 September 2022
Roberto Valenzuela - Super Stage speaker at The Photography Show this weekend!
At The Photography Show this weekend, Roberto Valenzuela - a photographer, author, and educator based in Beverly Hills, CA - will discuss and demonstrate what to do to transform your photography, and photography business, from average to remarkable. Roberto will share some powerful personal stories that propelled his business into the spotlight in the US and around the world and how to turn your business into a career you can rely on. As a member of the prestigious Canon Explorers of Light group, Roberto is one of the most influential photographers in the world. He's developed his unique teaching style by following the same rigorous regimen he developed as a professional concert classical guitarist and educator before becoming a photographer - he believes that it's not talent but deliberate practice that is at the core of skill and achievement!
Posted: 16 September 2022
The best ways to save money as a wedding guest
Attending a wedding can be one of the most joyous times of the year but it can also be one of the most expensive too, from things such as gifts to drinks. The frugal team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have explored special ways for wedding guests to enjoy the festivities without the worry of overspending. Taking on group initiatives such as splitting the taxi costs and getting a group gift can cut wedding expenses in half. Rebecca Bobbington, online consumer expert from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: "We wanted to give those attending a wedding some useful tricks to make the big day less of a financial burden....
Posted: 16 September 2022
Goodybag must-haves with Signature Wedding Shows
London-based wildflower specialist Seedball, has developed a range of customisable wedding favours that can help spread the love on a couple's special day, without the reliance on single-use plastics or other unsustainable materials. You can pick up your very own favour in one of our goodybags when attending one of County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows. With increasing amounts of people becoming engaged in environmental issues, more and more sustainable options are being sought out by consumers. As an issue that people feel very passionately about, it makes sense that they would want to share this passion with their nearest and dearest.
Posted: 15 September 2022
Not just magic with Essex magician
When attending our Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd October 2022, hosted by County Wedding Events, couples visiting will have the chance to meet Neil Devlin. Not only is Neil an entertaining magician for the big-day, but he can also host the event as the on-the-day MC and provide cabaret entertainment. Pop along and chat to Neil about all the ways he can help support couples on their wedding day with his services.
Posted: 15 September 2022
Discover innovative ideas at CWE's Signature Wedding Show
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. The team behind the brand will be on hand out County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows at The Brentwood Centre on 2nd October, and also Mercedes-Benz World on 9th of October. After attending several weddings, the founder of We SnapThat noticed that guests were taking loads of photos and videos and wondered if all those beautiful moments that were captured would 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: 15 September 2022
Light up your wedding with LaserLightsAlive
Searching for a way to get the party started? In a different way to everybody else? Do you want unique? Pop along to County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre and chat to the team behind LaserLightsAlive about its services. At the wedding show on the day, Sunday 2nd October, you can also see a demonstration by LaserLightsAlive. The company is putting together a 15 min live performance on the day at 1pm. This will take place on the catwalk and will consist of a live first dance scenario set to music, low fog, cold sparks and which will be followed by an evening entertainment demo in live format. Owner Mark says, "We love nothing more than being a part of your big day, there is no doubt whatsoever that fireworks hit the mark every time, ensuring you have an incredible finish to your special day. Contact us to see what we can do for your wedding."
Posted: 15 September 2022
Your big day: six tablescaping trends to look out for in 2023
Your wedding day is such a big event, and you'll want the table to really look it's best. Here, Kate Cartwright from tableware brand Burleigh Pottery offers some tips on the trends coming up in 2023, so you can gain some inspiration for your tablescape. Your wedding is one of the most important events of your life, and so you'll naturally want everything to be as close to perfect as possible. The tablescape is no exception — your wedding table is where everyone will sit down and celebrate together at your special day, so you'll want it to look beautiful, both for the meal itself and the photos you'll keep to look back on in years to come. Here, we'll go through some new trends in wedding tablescapes for 2023, so that you can get a range of new ideas for how you might design your ideal place settings for yourself and your guests.
Posted: 14 September 2022
Planning a Hen Do? Here are 6 ways to do it on a budget
With wedding traditions dying fast, modern couples are truly setting the bar for what's possible at contemporary nuptials. What will always be popular though, is the hen/stag or ('sten' if you're joining forces) do! Although, even these have altered in their format, gone are pub and nightclub crawls till the early morning, and in are wellness breaks, pottery and classes and the much-loved British Brunch! The UK's leading bottomless brunch platform, Bottomless Brunch, has compiled a list of ways you can save costs whilst planning an unforgettable hen party.
Posted: 12 September 2022
Renowned Essex wedding venue's Open Day
Luxury Great Braxted wedding venue Braxted Park is hosting an open day on Sunday 18th September! A must-attend event, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore the venue, meet the team and speak to plenty of recommended suppliers who can help make your wedding day extra special. There will also be complimentary drinks in the bar, canapés served throughout the day and the chance to sample some of the excellent wines from the Braxted Park wine list.
Posted: 12 September 2022
Wedding gift list ideas from designer Emma Britton
Decorative Glass Designer Emma Britton has launched a new glassware collection, Exotic Floral, which is proving very popular amongst guests looking for wedding day gifting ideas.Exotic Floral adds a touch tropical splendour to your table featuring dahlias, red hot pokers, canna lilies and digitalis firebird. This new floral design is inspired by the geometrics and structural beauty of these flowers and is etched on to various glassware items such as high balls, tumblers, wine glasses and champagne coupes - the latter is the perfect gift set of two for newlyweds.
Posted: 9 September 2022
Top five wedding cars from Avis car hire
There's no better way to live up to the wedding excitement than making a grand entrance. With over 508K #weddingcar posts on Instagram, there are endless options for couples to be spoilt for choice when picking their dream wedding car. From vintage classics to chic campervans, Avis has analysed and rounded up the most Instagram-worthy cars for your wedding day. These top five wedding cars have also been carefully selected by celebrities to honour their big day, so they have the power to make the couples the 'talk of the town,' on their special day.
Posted: 5 September 2022
Pink Diesel, from the iconic Rosé region of Provence, France, has launched a bespoke label offering to help transform the wine selection on your big day. Personalised with a beautiful illustration these bottles will create a memory that can be cherished and shared with your family and friends. This one of a kind service is designed to help couples #FuelGoodTimes with magnum bottles of expertly crafted light rosé which serve 10 generous glasses for only £32.95 per bottle, plus a £70 design fee.
Posted: 2 September 2022
Budget friendly ways to propose to your bridesmaids
Weddings are one of the costliest events in life which get more expensive year on year. Asking your besties to be your bridesmaids is undoubtedly one of the most exciting parts of the process, however, this can soon chip away at your budget when looking at personalised presents or expensive goodie bags to pop the question to them. To help save some costs, greetings card specialist thortful (thortful.com) has shared five budget-friendly, yet fun and creative ways, to ask your besties to be your bridesmaids. From having a spa day at home to custom fortune cookies, these bridesmaid proposal ideas are sure to get the reaction you want without breaking the bank.
Posted: 29 August 2022
Before I Do - the honeymoon must-have, you won't put it down!
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we do love a good book to get our teeth into - not literally of course, cake's great for that - and the description for this new novel Before I Do from Sophie Cousens already has us hooked! What would you do if the one that got away turned up the night before your wedding? Audrey is marrying Josh; steady, dependable Josh, the love of her life. They share a flat and a bank account, and it's the only relationship that Audrey's ever had that feels like something she can put her trust in. But romance should be full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey's found herself wondering if Josh really is 'the one'. So, when Josh's sister Miranda arrives at their rehearsal dinner with Fred - Audrey's 'What If?' guy, the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with but never saw again - Audrey can't help but see it as a sign.
Posted: 26 August 2022
Brits would end a relationship if they're not engaged after five years
With a +360% increase in Brits searching for 'how to hint at an engagement' and a +215% increase for a 'dream wedding'* it seems many Brits are eagerly waiting for their partner to pop the big question – but how long do Brits wait? A new study by greetings card marketplace thortful.com, who polled 1,000 Brits who are either engaged or newly married, revealed just how long you might be waiting for a ring and the nation's true thoughts on everything to do with getting engaged.
The study showed that our partners are proposing 7 months too late as the preferred waiting time is just 2 years. And, on average, Brits would call time on a relationship if they're still not engaged after 5 years of being in a relationship.
Posted: 24 August 2022
Natural ways to relieve wedding day nerves
Wedding day jitters are normal — but not necessarily welcome! In this article Jo Webber, Herbal Education Lead at Pukka Herbs, shares four natural ways to keep them at bay. Weddings are one of the most significant life events you can go through, so its no surprise that wedding day jitters are so common. Even the most committed couple are bound to get butterflies when standing up in front of everyone they know to say their vows, and no matter how excited you are to tie the knot, nerves before or even during the ceremony are completely normal. That said, no one wants nervousness and anxiety to get in the way of enjoying their big day. But how can you relieve your wedding day jitters in a natural way? Here, I'll share four simple methods for curbing your nerves ahead of a wedding.
Posted: 21 August 2022
UK couples turning to ‘pet-nups’
With around 60% of UK households owning a pet, it's no surprise that who gets custody of any animals can be a key area of negotiation when relationships break down. Megan Bennie, a solicitor specialising in divorce and family law at Kent law firm Furley Page, said: "For many people a pet is not just an animal, it's a fully-fledged member of the family, so it's no wonder that pets can be a particularly emotive topic for clients when relationships end. Unfortunately, a pet's treatment by the law hasn't kept up with the way they are generally viewed by their owners."
Posted: 20 August 2022
When organising a wedding, it's easy to get caught up in how things look. From wedding décor to dresses, the focus is often on aesthetics. Understandably so, the photos from your day being one of the main ways you'll look back and remember those delicate details you spent what seems like forever planning. Fragrance, however, can be just as important in transporting you back to the joy you felt on the day you said I do. And in 2022, scent is taking centre stage as one of the biggest wedding trends of the summer. Here, Clare Logan from home, bath and body care brand ARRAN Sense of Scotland outlines everything you need to know about creating your own scent-sational wedding day. "This year, weddings are all about fragrance," begins Clare, who is just in the process of planning a wedding herself and being immersed in the world of perfumery on a daily basis, knows a thing or two about fragrance and weddings.
Posted: 19 August 2022
Vera Wang PARTY Prosecco DOC launches in the UK
Internationally renowned designer and style icon Vera Wang has just launched her premium Vera Wang PARTY Prosecco DOC wines here in the UK. The most stylish choice for weddings and every other kind of celebration, the top-quality sparkling white and rosé wines come in stunning matt silver bottles as striking as her fashion, fragrance, jewellery, home and accessories designs. "Prosecco isn't just for special occasions. Whether you are celebrating by yourself, or with friends, PARTY is about toasting every day, making the most of life's moments," says Vera Wang. The Vera Wang PARTY Prosecco DOC white wine is crafted from 100% Glera grapes and boasts aromas of apple and stone fruit, citrus notes and fresh acidity on the palate, with a soft and fruity finish. It's perfect for any occasion, brunch, party or wedding, paired as an aperitif with seafood, cheeses and salty snacks, or to serve with more substantial dishes including pasta, sushi, fried chicken and spicy Chinese takeaways!
Posted: 18 August 2022
wagamama announces opening of new restaurants in Essex
Looking for a pre- or post-wedding get-together with your loved ones? Head to one of three new wagamama Essex restaurants opening in August, September and October in Southend-On-Sea, Romford and Harlow respectively. The new openings follows wagamama's expansion plans across Essex joining Lakeside, Colchester, Chelmsford, Basildon, Braintree (which opened April this year). wagamama's growth across the county is because it knows the people of Essex love wagamama! The new wagamama in Southend-on-Sea will open on August 15 and is just a five minute walk from Southend Victoria train station right in the heart of the High street. Just ten minutes walk from the beach front, wagamama is placed just outside the Victoria shopping centre and will the perfect lunch spot after a busy day! The new wagamama is designed over two floors with iconic interiors and private booths. Sitting144 internal covers and an extra 18 outside it will be the perfect spot for a Japanese inspired cocktail in the sun.
Posted: 16 August 2022
Chelsea Peers, has unveiled a stunning bridal edit
Modern loungewear brand, Chelsea Peers, has unveiled a stunning bridal edit designed with the bride tribe in mind! This elegant collection of women's sleepwear, loungewear and swimwear in silky satin and modal provides the perfect lounging look to take the crew from hen party to big day. From gorgeous satin PJs like the Sage Bee Print Button Up Short Pyjama Set (£38) to the lovely Gingham Scoop Back Swimsuit (£42) there's something for everyone to look and feel confident and wedding picture ready!
Posted: 15 August 2022
94% of dog owners getting married want to involve their pets
On the biggest day of their lives, 94% of dog owners planning a wedding for this year revealed they will give their dog a starring role in the celebrations. This shows a new trend for this year, increasing by more than a third (39%) since pre-Covid and reaching more than three times the level of 30 years ago (213% increase). The new research by charity Guide Dogs shows that the wedding roles dogs can expect to play over the next 12 months will vary. The most common roles were however found to be starring in the first dance (42%), walking a bride down the aisle (39%), being the Dog of Honour or Best Man (37%) or taking ringbearer responsibilities (30%).
Posted: 14 August 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!