An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Simply timeless - the wedding style going nowhere!

Simply timeless - the wedding style that is going nowhere! Make up artist, Lynsey Fordham, put together this styled shoot at Apton Hall. The vision combined cool, crisp whites alongside mellow sage greens. The outcome is perfectly timeless a relaxed vibe. Shot by John Payton Photography, be inspired and get your mood boards at the ready for this beautiful and elegant editorial shoot.

Muddy Stilettos Best Places To Live 2025

Muddy Stilettos, the UK's No1 women's lifestyle website outside London, has announced the launch of its 2025 'Top 300 Best Places to Live' . Covering more regions that ever before and with London, Yorkshire and Cheshire added to the list, it draws upon its unparalleled local knowledge and insight into the 35 most sought-after counties in England, guiding potential buyers to the local hot spots and up-and-coming areas.

Gemini Styling rebrands

After months of planning and consideration, Gemini Styling has rebranded to Lisa Curtis Bridal Hair & Education. Not feeling that the name Gemini Styling aligned with her business any longer, and with the new addition offering Bridal Hair and education, owner Lisa Curtis decided it was time for a complete rebrand. With over 25 years of experience in the hairdressing industry, we can't wait to follow Lisa on her journey and see what else she has in store!

Make sure your wedding day is protected! 

When you're planning a wedding, getting insured is important to protect yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day and make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible. Weddings can be a pricey affair, with the average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 coming in at around £20,755. Knowing the total cost of your wedding and how much you're spending on each element of your big day is crucial before choosing your insurance policy. Identifying any big-ticket expenses that you'll want covered should anything go wrong, such as venues, caterers, photographers, or dresses is also key. This can also help you decide if standard insurance policies will be enough or if you'll need something more specific or customised.

St Osyth Priory launches new package!

Step into timeless elegance at St Osyth Priory and get married with this brand new 2025 wedding package, perfect for those wanting a more relaxed celebration. The Darcy Wedding package is available till June 2025, for up to 60 guests and includes: venue fee and a one-night stay in Darcy West, one reception drink per person, two-course hot buffet, half a bottle of wine per person plus pulled pork baps for evening food. The package costs, £10,995 on Sunday to Friday, with Saturday dates incurring a £2000 supplement. For enquiries, email one of the team at: info@stosythpriory.co.uk or call: 01206 430160.

Best Places to live in Essex revealed

Luxury lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos asked its readers to vote for the best local village, town or city to call home in 2024 using its Top 260 Places to Live guide. In a regional vote across 29 counties, Saffron Walden topped the poll of 10 potential candidates in Essex. From towns to villages, hamlets to commuter favourites, the 260 locations were independently researched and picked by the in-the-know Muddy Editorial team, and then over 27,500 readers went on to vote. The results revealed a passion for each location's sense of community, access to schools, restaurants, shops and culture, plus their feeling towards their overall immediate surroundings.

How to avoid pre-nups becoming a wedding alarm bell

As one of the most popular seasons for wedding proposals approaches, couples are being reminded to factor pre-nuptials into their plans well ahead of the big day. No longer associated with the rich and famous, people from all walks of life and finance levels are entering into nuptial agreements. And often it's not the couples themselves who initiate the idea to enter into a nuptial agreement, it can often be suggested by their parents. "It's becoming more common for couples to take out an agreement because their parents have helped them financially more than perhaps, they did 5 to 10 years ago," said Sally Ward, a Senior Associate solicitor in Family Law at leading law firm, Ellisons Solicitors.

New treatment launch at The Glass House Retreat

The Glass House Retreat is inviting guests to join them on Wednesday 9th October for the exciting launch of its new Germaine de Capuccini Dermatch treatment. With live demos, on hand experts and exclusive discounts, pop in and learn more about this revolutionary treatment. You can drop in from 10am on Wednesday 9th October and watch live demos at 11:30 & 3pm.

Show discount from Lavish Decorative Events

London-based, Lavish Decorative Events, will be on hand at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 13th October to talk about all of your venue styling needs. What's more, the company is offer 20% discount for those who sign up to its services at the show. Decoration services including: Floral arrangements, Table settings, Lighting, Staging decorations, Centerpieces, Dessert tables, Love seat, Chair/table covers

Wedding and mini-moon destination The Relais Cooden Beach

For those who love being by the water, The Relais Cooden Beach is the perfect wedding venue. Located on a picturesque part of the South Coast between Eastbourne and Hastings, this property offers a stunning beachfront backdrop, with panoramic views of both Beachy Head and the English Channel. The hotel offers a unique setting on the British coast and one that is open year-round, combining both elegance and a destination wedding vibe. The experienced team at The Relais Cooden Beach will ensure every detail is perfect and they work closely with couples to create bespoke wedding packages from traditional through to more relaxed celebrations, with each one tailored to suit individual needs, requirements, and vision. Licensed for civil weddings and with a variety of ceremony rooms, one standout option is the Balinese pagoda located in the gardens with stunning sea views.

Woodland weddings at Braxted Park

Woodlands is a truly enchanting addition to Braxted Park's historic grounds, offering an extraordinary new outdoor space for ceremonies. If you have always dreamed of a wedding that feels luxuriously secluded, serene, and captivating, Woodlands may just be your match made in heaven. Imagine making your way through a beautiful wildflower meadow to a stunning clearing where your loved ones await.

Book your dream safari honeymoon at Bluewater this Sunday!

UBON Safari specializes in crafting unforgettable honeymoon experiences and luxury beach holidays across the breathtaking landscapes of Southern and Eastern Africa. Its tailor-made journeys take you to some of the continent's most romantic and awe-inspiring destinations, offering a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Start your honeymoon with a once-in-a-lifetime wedding blessing in the Serengeti, where the Maasai tribe will honour your union amidst the stunning backdrop of Africa's endless plains. As the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, you'll create memories that will last foreve

Donations instead of wedding gifts - support VOW for Girls

From unconventional venues to unique attire choices, modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love. But what if one of these unique touches could mean helping change the lives of millions of girls around the world? This is where VOW for Girls steps in. Founded by Princess Mabel van Orange of the Netherlands, a serial entrepreneur for social change and founder of VOW for Girls, this unique charity aims to tackle the urgent issue of child marriage through a creative and powerful funding method. Instead of the usual wedding day traditions, VOW for Girls invites couples to use their special day as a force for good. By saying 'I do,' couples can empower millions of young girls to say 'I do' to a brighter future.

Winter wedding colour trends set to dominate 2024 & 2025

The date has been set, the invitations are out. Have you planned a winter wedding for this season and are still looking for inspiration for your decorations? Trend expert Ella Citron-Thompkins from Diamonds Factory tells us which five colour schemes are ideal...Ice Princess: silver, white, blue, grey: For those who prefer classic elegance, the "Ice Princess" colour scheme is perfect. The cool colour palette of silver, white, blue and grey creates an elegant, frosty look and adds a touch of fairytale magic to your winter wedding. Crystal clear accents such as ice crystals, sparkling fairy lights and shimmering decorations fit perfectly and create a magical, almost arctic atmosphere.

Down Hall Hotel Named AA Hotel of the Year, England

One of England's most established country house hotels, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate in Essex, has been named AA Hotel of the Year, England at this year's AA Hospitality Awards. The prestigious annual event, held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, on Monday 23rd September, celebrates hotels, restaurants and chefs offering the highest hospitality standards across the country. This award is the highest accolade for hotels, with the AA inspectors commending Down Hall Hotel for its impeccable guest experience and seamless service – a testament to its dedicated and hardworking team, who continue to strive and provide a first-class offering for all visitors.

County Wedding Events coming to Kesgrave Hall, Suffolk!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Kesgrave Hall, Suffolk, for inspiration on Sunday 27th October 2024! 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. Set in beautiful countryside, Milsoms Kesgrave Hall is a boutique hotel, luxurious spa and brasserie restaurant just outside Ipswich.

10% off all packages with Pure Mini Golf

At the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Bluewater on 6th October, Pure Mini Golf is offering 10% off all packages and including a free garden games package which will include giant jenga and giant four in a row. "This will be for any people who book with us through the wedding show," shares the team, "Not necessarily on the day but in the future if they attended the show and booked with us from it we will grant the discount and package! "Our cleverly designed courses can be configured to fit any space, from straightforward layouts to intricate designs like letters, numbers and symbols. We handle everything from set up to staffing, so you can focus on enjoying your event. Our commitment to quality, experienced staff and customer satisfaction makes us the leading choice for mobile mini golf across the UK."

Find Shropshire Petals Confetti in your County Wedding Events' goodybag

When visiting a County Wedding Events show, whether it's our smaller events or our larger Signature Wedding Show exhibitions; couples will find a sachet of Shropshire Petals ' biodegradable petal confetti in their goodybag! Book your attendance at one of our events now. Perfect for weddings, British flowers are grown on its fourth generation family farm during the summer months, and picked by hand when they're perfectly bloomed. All its petals and flowers are sustainable, eco-friendly and as nature intended.

Free dumplings at Banana Tree Chelmsford!

Award-winning Pan-Asian restaurant Banana Tree is celebrating National Dumpling Day by giving away 100 FREE portions of their much loved Crispy Vegan Gyozas. The Banana Tree restaurant in Chelmsford will give away the delicious dish as a special treat on National Dumpling Day, Thursday September 26. It couldn't be easier to grab one of 100 free portions of Banana Tree's lip-smacking Crispy Vegan Gyoza, served with a mouth-watering sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Top tips for a happy marriage

Victoria Walker, family lawyer and partner at Moore Barlow gives her top tips for a happy marriage! A happy marriage is built on a foundation of effective communication, love and mutual respect. Here are my essential tips to strengthen your partnership and foster lasting happiness. Wishing you all the best for your hopefully happy ever after. Before getting married... Don't rush! Take your time to really get to know the person. Ensuring that you both share similar or complementary aspirations is key. I've encountered couples where one person desired early retirement or to work overseas while the other was not in agreement, leading to irreconcilable differences and the end of the relationship. There have also been instances where one partner was satisfied with a simple and less demanding lifestyle, while the other was not. Qualities that were initially endearing might become sources of frustration later on.