All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Essex, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Mother's Day (and wedding day) gifting for mums!
Finding the perfect gift for our mum's can be a difficult, as finding a gift to thank her for everything she does seems like an impossible task especially with all the help and support on hand during the wedding planning process and the big day itself.
Leading gifting specialists Farrar and Tanner has a large selection of gifts for her that can be engraved with a heartfelt message to show her how much you care.
Ideal for Mother's Day and wedding day 'thank you' gifts, give back with a personalised handpicked, gift-wrapped present, delivered straight to you or directly to your mum.
Posted: 23 March 2022
The wedding trends to look out for in 2022
With 2022 predicted to be the summer of love for weddings, after two years of postponed I dos, there's going to be a whole host of wedding inspiration to whet the appetite of nearlyweds-to-be.
Whether you already have your venue or know your colour scheme, research by Diys.com has revealed that the top wedding trend for 2022 is all-things vintage! Likely driven by our obsession with Netflix' Bridgerton, we just can't get enough of regal pomp and splendour.
Read on to find out what we should be looking out for in 2022!
Posted: 21 March 2022
New wedding offering from Essex barn
Positioned within the picturesque village of Navestock, Essex, boutique wedding venue Old Brook Barn is a 17th-century barn set within 23 acres of English countryside. Accessed via a charming timber bridge it's perfectly positioned alongside a natural brook. A secluded courtyard is to the front of the barn furnished with a gazebo, rustic bar area and bespoke timber furniture lovingly created to match the character of the barn. With its exposed beams, high ceilings and carved wood detailing, the barn has been lovingly restored retaining many of its original features.
Posted: 17 March 2022
Are your parents contributing to your wedding day?
New research from Wealthify has found that just over a third (35.7%) of parents in the UK plan to contribute financially to their children's weddings.
More than 40% of parents in the UK plan to contribute between £1,000 and £5,000 with an additional quarter planning to contribute between £5,000 to £15,000 on their children's big days. A further 1 in 10 plan to fork out a substantial £15,000 to £30,000.
In a post-pandemic world, where many celebrations were cancelled or postponed, Brits are celebrating their nuptials in a big way. Data shows that we are spending more than ever, and London parents are the most generous on average, willing to cough up £14,757.14 to see their children tie the knot.
Posted: 16 March 2022
Manningtree baker chosen for London charity event
Manningtree bakery Lady Bakewell-Park, shared a taste of Essex with more than 600 guests at one of London's most glittering charity events: The Winter Ball. The event was held in the ballroom of London's Dorchester Hotel, raising more than £400,000 for the nominated charity Noah's Ark Children's Hospice.
As part of the celebrations, each guest received an exclusive, luxury biscuit courtesy of Lady Bakewell-Park, decorated in bespoke marbled patterns of red, teal and grey icing. The total of 600 biscuits took a day's work in the kitchen, with each biscuit baked and decorated by hand with an individual message featuring the Noah's Ark logo and The Winter Ball 2021 wording.
Posted: 15 March 2022
Outdoor civil weddings and civil partnerships made permanent
One positive that came from Covid affecting the wedding industry, and trust us there are not many, was that it highlighted how archaic our weddings laws are in the UK and how badly they needed modernising to reflect couples' desires.Temporary legislation allowing outdoor civil weddings and partnerships to take place outside of a permanent structure such as a pagoda, has been in place since last summer. At the time it allowed Covid-secure weddings to go ahead, however, the move was so widely received that from April it will be a permanent change.
Posted: 15 March 2022
A must-read wedding novel from reality TV star and presenter Georgia Toffolo
After two years of postponed and cancelled weddings, here at County Wedding Magazines' HQ we just can't get enough of all things wedding and with 2022 set to be a bumper year of love and nuptials we're in for a treat.
What's more, for a complete wedding fix, we've turned to TV star and Sunday Times Top 20 bestselling author Georgia Toffolo's fourth and final instalment in the Meet Me In series, where saying 'I do' is just the beginning...
Posted: 15 March 2022
Should you get married on Mother's Day?
Choosing your wedding date is one of the most important things when it comes to planning your wedding. We are very quickly moving from traditional etiquette into a society where we are far more flexible with these. Award Winning UK Wedding Planner - Illy Goodall from Illy Elizabeth Weddings shares her insight into whether you should get married on Mother's Day.
There are certain days within the year that you should try to avoid getting married, however with the backlog of weddings this year we are using any given date possible. Whilst I don't think there is personally anything wrong with setting the date for Mother's Day, it can be inconvenient for some people who wish to spend this day with family.
Posted: 14 March 2022
More award wins for Billericay salon
Award-winning men's hairdresser and owner of TONI&GUY Billericay, Jim Shaw, and Premier Stylist at the TONI&GUY Billericay salon, Daisy Carter, have received the news they are finalists for the British Master Barber Awards Barber of the Year category - a big congratulations from the An Essex Wedding team here!
To enter the awards, Jim and Daisy had to submit one image of their men's hairdressing work that showed judges their skills, creativeness and that stood out from the normal, showcasing them as the master of their craft.
Posted: 10 March 2022
Creating the perfect sweet table at your wedding
Online sweetie wholesaler Wholesale Sweets is helping couples create the tastiest sweets table for their guests to enjoy on their wedding day. Sweets tables are a great way to give guests another treat at wedding receptions and over the years they've become extremely popular. Kathryn Hague from Wholesale Sweets said: "We understand that catering to your guests is an important part of your wedding day so we wanted to give couples some tips on how to create a gorgeous sweets table that guests will keep coming back to...
Posted: 9 March 2022
Leigh-on-Sea based vegan café's new desserts
Leigh-on-Sea based vegan café Wild Health, specialising in delicious, indulgent and exciting healthy food, has made its bestselling vegan cheesecake range available to purchase nationwide. Much to the delight of it's customer base, and it's also great for couples tying the knot in Essex looking to cater for their wedding guests with food intolerances and allergies.
Wild Health has introduced three new indulgent vegan flavours: blueberry and white chocolate, raspberry and white chocolate, and lemon swirl. All cheesecakes available to purchase, within the direct-to-consumer range, cater to a wide range of intolerances, include no refined sugars and are bursting with healthy, natural ingredients such as dates, nuts and agave.
Posted: 8 March 2022
Eco-friendly skincare from Essex expert Alice Nicholls
One of the UK's leading tattoo artists, Essex-born Alice Nicholls, has launched Four Tattoo Care Balms. These four skin balms were developed out of the idea that she couldn't find any suitable cream, balm or gel that could offer real benefits to newly tattooed or inked skin and that most on offer were functional and didn't have any real feel-good appeal. Wedding photography, and particularly expressing a couples' individuality on their wedding day, has evolved over the last decade with many couples showing off their tattoos on the big day – essential then that they're in the best condition!
Posted: 3 March 2022
County Wedding Events comes to Bressingham Hall & High Barn, Diss, Norfolk
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 6th March, 2022.
It's one of our first wedding shows of 2022 and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the festive season. 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.
Posted: 3 March 2022
New favour ideas from Essex soap brand
Finchingfield's The TINY Soap Lab has entered the wedding arena if you're looking for something a little different to give to your wedding guests! Experienced artisan soap makers, they can create beautiful individual wedding mementos to suit your requirements and budget.
From a tiny tied trinket to a full-sized slice of luxurious loveliness – who wouldn't be happy with a gorgeously scented, skin-loving bundle to take home? "We only use beneficial, plant-derived oils and butters, no fillers," shares owner Sandra.
Posted: 28 February 2022
Hen and stag bookings increasing for Essex business
Essex's DrivingExperience.com has reported a boost in bookings for its stag and hen driving experiences. As newlyweds-to-be choose to spend their last moments of unmarried life behind the wheel of a supercar, its most popular experience is the Double Supercar Blast for Two!
Analysis of booking data by one of the UK's leading driving experience providers highlights that, since 'the great reopening' at the end of July, bookings for stag and hen driving packages have surged by a staggering 75 per cent compared to the equivalent period last year.
Posted: 25 February 2022
Discounted venue hire with Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Show exhibitor
On 20th March 2022, at the Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Show in association with County Wedding Events, exhibitor Aviator - a renowned wedding venue - is running a discount that couples searching for their wedding venue won't want to miss!
Hayley Bathurst, Senior Wedding & Private Events Co-ordinator, says, "Unravelling within Aviator, one of the most striking avant-garde hotels of recent times, is ECHO, a bespoke wedding experience designed to embody all that you desire for your momentous day...
Posted: 22 February 2022
Celebrate 20 years in business with Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Show exhibitor
Walton On Thames-based Love Me Do Brides is celebrating 20 years in business with a whole host of exciting offers at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes Benz-World on Sunday 20th March, 2020.
Love Me Do Brides is an award-winning bridal retailer that's also appeared on TV including Don't Tell The Bride and Married At First Sight. The boutique has an have array of more than 300 gowns in the boutique, sale, off the peg and current to order collection up to size 32. What's more, there's more than 150 bridesmaids, flowergirls, mother-of-the-bride and -groom, including accessories you will not need to go anywhere else!
Posted: 22 February 2022
Find your big-day tipple at County Wedding Events' Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Show
If you're looking for delicious drinks to celebrate with on your big day, then make sure to visit From Our Cellar at County Wedding Events' Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Show on 20th March 2022.
From Our Cellar is an online marketplace and wholesaler bringing the best independent producers into one place. It was established in 2021 by Lucy Gordon, granddaughter of the owner of Gordon's Wine Bar, and a long time supporter of local producers, suppliers and restaurants.
At the Mercedes-Benz event, Lucy and her team will be on hand to discuss all of the drinks options available for your wedding day plus you'll get the opportunity to taste some of their signature products. From champagne to cocktails, they have you covered. And what's more, they'll be offering exclusive rewards and discounts on the day.
Posted: 17 February 2022
Transport inspiration at Signature Wedding Show's Wembley Stadium Event
Searching for the best wedding car hire or chauffeur for the wedding? Z Wedding Car Hire Chauffeurs will be on hand at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 20th February to discuss your big-day wedding plans.
The "wedding chauffeur package" is tailor-made and offer the best budget-friendly wedding car hire packages for weddings in London, where you can stay flexible and in charge of your schedule with an unrivalled choice of Rolls Royce Ghost Hire & Phantom Hire cars available.
Posted: 17 February 2022
London videographer running competition at County Wedding Events' Wembley Stadium show
Ben Morgan, of London-based Down The Aisle Videography is attending the County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium this weekend and you'll be sure to want to pop along to his stand where you could be in with the chance of winning a free wedding videography package upgrade worth £400.
With a passion for creating beautiful wedding videos that capture the emotion of your day in an authentic way, Ben aims to be invisible, never getting in your way or obstructing the seamless flow of your wedding day.
Posted: 17 February 2022
Mobile bar service exhibiting at County Wedding Event's Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium
Founded in 2021 by a husband and wife team, Gabriella's Mobile Bar is a converted, beautiful RICE horse box and it will be on show at County Wedding Event's Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on February 20th 2022.
Complete rustic in style, the horse box bar can cater for all private hire events and parties including stag and hen parties and weddings.
Posted: 16 February 2022
Renowned London venue exhibiting at Wembley Stadium's Signature Wedding Show
Set within 125 acres of National Trust parkland, Morden Hall is an 18th-century country house wedding venue in London exuding elegance, charm and sophistication, making this a truly spectacular place to celebrate your big day.
The Morden Hall team will be on hand at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 20th February to discuss your big-day wedding plans.
What's more, on Sunday 27th February 2022 Morden Hall is hosting its own open day.
Posted: 10 February 2022
Planning a wedding in 2022? Choose a theme based on your star sign
Following a 7,200% increase in interest for the search term "zodiac wedding" in the past 12 months¹, event specialists, AYRE Event solutions, delve into how your star sign traits could be used to choose your perfect wedding theme.
Speaking with wedding experts at AYRE Event Solutions, mystic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman says: "People will generally pick a partner whose temperament they match with, and star signs have a significant role to play in that compatibility. Similarly, when it's time to book a wedding, star signs certainly play a part."
With this in mind, wedding experts at AYRE Event Solutions analyse astrological birth charts to reveal 12 wedding themes inspired by the 12 zodiac signs:
Posted: 9 February 2022
House buying in Essex post-vows - read our Q&A with Southern Mortgages
Karen Taylor, of Southern Mortgages, has some stellar advice for An Essex Wedding magazine readers looking to buy a house straight after their wedding. With the housing market not looking to turn down anytime soon, seeking financial advice gives couples peace of mind about making such a large purchase.
First, I would suggest you run a credit report to check the information held is correct, and to ensure you're on the electoral roll. Check you're not financially-associated with an ex-partner, too, as this can potentially affect your credit. Make sure you keep up-to-date with credit commitments and set up direct debits to avoid missing payments. Having credit that's been repaid can also help, as it shows lenders you can borrow money responsibly. You should also live within your means and not regularly go into your overdraft.
Posted: 9 February 2022
Plan your honeymoon to The Bahamas at Wembley Stadium's Signature Wedding Show
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation is exhibiting at our County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on 20th February 2022. The team will be on hand to answer all of your honeymoon planning questions about this renowned honeymoon destination.
From pristine white sand beaches and glistening turquoise waters to rich culture, romantic experiences and thrill-seeking adventures including world-class diving, boating and fishing activities, The Bahamas is the ultimate destination wedding and honeymoon choice for 2022 and beyond. With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy flyaway escape that transports travellers away from their everyday lives. It's now even more accessible with increased nonstop airlift from the UK. Virgin Atlantic flies twice weekly and British Airways has six times a week flights from London Heathrow to Nassau.
Posted: 8 February 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!