An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Find your big-day photographer with County Wedding Events

Ryan Cox Photography has over 20 years' experience in wedding photography and will be exhibiting at two of our County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Shows. Originally based in Kent, Ryan moved to Surrey in 2021 and is rapidly establishing his reputation and client base in the county. Capturing weddings throughout the UK and in destinations including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Dominican Republic, St Lucia, Turkey & Sri Lanka, Ryans relaxed documentary style of photography is in high demand. Following the pandemic 2022 Ryan flew to St Lucia and has travelled across the south of England including Kent, Surrey, Suffolk, Hampshire and the Cotswolds to shoot weddings.

Meet wedding photographer Martyn Russell at Wembley Stadium

The best thing about attending wedding fairs is being able to meet your prospective suppliers face to face. At the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 8th October 2023, it will provide you with the opportunity to meet with photographer Martyn Russell. "Photographing a wedding is one of the greatest honours," shares Martyn. "Many months of meticulous planning culminates in one magical, joyous day of love and celebration, and being chosen to document that day fills me with great pride and excitement."

Need your wedding cake? Find it at our Signature Wedding Show

Reigate-based, Mother-Bakin' Cakes specialises in bespoke cakes for all occasions and will be exhibiting at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 29th October 2023. As well as showstopping wedding cakes, owner and baking extraordinaire Dina makes personalised cupcakes, biscuits and chocolate treats – the complete set up for a big-day dessert table! What's more, extra skills in sugar flowers and fondant toppers means your wedding day centrepiece can be completed to perfection.

Get your caffeine fix with Beanies

Pop along to any County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at and you'll discover a delicious Beanies sachet in your goody bag. "At Beanies we think life is all about flavour. So we've made a flavour coffee to suit every moment. Because sometimes it's a super Sticky Toffee kinda day. And others it's a cheeky Cherry Chocolate kinda day. You name it, we've got the full-on, all-out flavour to go with it. Every one is full to the brim with the biggest, boldest, most delicious-est tastes you can imagine. And they're sugar free and low in calories too, so it's guilt-free indulgence all the way. Whatever the occasion, we've got the flavour to match. From the moment the jar is popped open and releases the aroma, to the very last sip, we make sure that the experience is full-on and ultimately satisfying."

A/W 2023 hair trend predictions

Established in July 2003, Jim Shaw and his sister Maria opened the TONI&GUY Billericay salon, growing it into the reputable and award-winning salon it is today, with many of the original staff still working in the salon today 20 years later. The team prioritise training, are ahead of the trends and constantly adapt and evolve with the ever-changing world of hairdressing, which has led them to grow and succeed despite challenges including recessions and COVID-19.Award winning men's hairdresser and owner of TONI&GUY Billericay, Jim Shaw, shares his comments on his autumn/winter 2023 trend predictions...

Meet the team of Berkshire's Bearwood Lakes Golf Club at Ascot Racecourse

Planning your special day can be easier than you imagine when finding the right venue with with a friendly, experienced team to welcome you and your guests. Bearwood Lakes brings together everything you need in one outstanding location at the team will be on hand to discuss your wedding planning needs at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 1st October 2023. A licensed venue boasting luxurious facilities, Bearwood Lakes is surrounded by 200 acres of beautiful Berkshire countryside comprising three picturesque lakes - providing the perfect backdrop for your wedding photography!

Dine in style with Signature Wedding Show exhibitor

London-based Chefsecrets is exhibiting at, not one, but three of County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows. You can catch the team first of all at Ascot Racecourse on 1st October 2023, and then Mercedes-Benz World on 29th October! "At Chefsecrets we understand that your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life," says events manager Hannah. "Our team is dedicated to crafting a culinary experience which is one of a kind. With a passion for exceptional food, impeccable service and attention to detail, we promise to make your wedding day unforgettable. Remember, your love story is unique and so should your wedding menu be."

Introducing Terri Pace MUA: A decade-long journey of bridal makeup excellence

Your wedding day is one of the most important moments of your life. Among the many details that make your day special, your makeup plays a crucial role in enhancing your natural beauty and boosting your confidence. That's where Terri Pace comes in, a Makeup Artist with a passion for making brides look and feel stunning. For over a decade, she has been working with brides and bridal parties, making their day even more memorable. The London Beauty Awards, known for recognizing the best in the beauty industry, acknowledged Terri's exceptional talent by presenting her with the Makeup Artist Award in 2023. This accolade is a testament to her commitment and her ability to create stunning, timeless looks that bring out the best in every bride.

Bridesmaids dresses ticked off the list with Confetti Bridesmaids

"Bridesmaids bring so much to a wedding, they are the bride's trusted inner circle, there to offer support with the wedding planning, fun on the hen night and assistance to the bride on the big day itself," shares Zara Wakefield, of Confetti Bridesmaid, and exhibitor of County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on October 8th 2023. Considerate of everyone's individual shapes, colouring, personalities and tastes, no bridesmaid will be asked to wear something they don't feel comfortable in. You can expect to experience a wonderful afternoon filled with bubbles and laughter because every bride needs something old, something new, something borrowed and most importantly... you!" adds Zara. "My journey to Confetti began in June 2019 when my best friend asked me to be her chief bridesmaid, an honour held by many women across the world, and one I was happy to accept. So of course my answer was immediately 'Yes'.

The Medik8 Platinum Facial at Greenwoods’ Spa

I was lucky enough to enjoy the Medik8 Platinum Facial at Greenwoods' Spa. Medik8 is a dedicated professional-led skincare brand. Not only was the beauty therapist professional in the application of products, she also had excellent advice and knew the products inside out! My facial lasted 60 minutes and was tailored to me. During the facial, unlike any other treatment I've had before, the Platinum mask (professional use only) was applied. This is a thick, cool, clay-like face mask that completely covers face, eye and lips. After 20 minutes the mask peels away in one and you can immediately feel the benefits. The treatment flew by and I cannot wait to to use the brand again.

Find your big-day musicians a County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show

When attending County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium couples will find a host of wedding entertainment options to be inspired by. Saxophonist Zechariah Seekins of ZPBS Music Presents is exhibiting at the event on Sunday 8th October 2023. Providing a live saxophone service for your special day, from background music during your meal to a party performance to dance the night away, Zechariah can perform everything from Jazz and Swing, '60s to '90s classics, modern hits and so much more.

Renowned entertainers exhibiting at three Signature Wedding Shows!

TheRocketsCollective Showband provides luxury entertainment to weddings and events across the UK and internationally. In January, it launched its new branding along with more energy, more party and more fun (if that was possible). From ceremony duos to a 12-piece flagship showband for the evening do, they've got every aspect of entertainment covered for your wedding day with some of the best musical talent in the industry.

Find your big-day jewellery with Shralite London

On Sunday 8th October 2023, County Wedding Events is hosting one of its Signature Wedding Shows at the renowned Wembley Stadium. One of the show's exhibitors, Shralite London's Jewellery, will have an array of items to inspire couples for their wedding jewellery. Discover dazzling diamonds, stunning gemstones, and precious metals expertly crafted to perfection. The brand's commitment to quality and personalisation ensures each piece reflects your unique style; couples can explore the bespoke options for a truly one-of-a-kind treasure crafted by skilled artisans.

Need your photographer? Pop along to Ascot Racecourse's Signature Wedding Show

Hampshire-based Sarah Hoyle Photography will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 1st October, giving couples the opportunity to meet with her and potentially book her for their wedding day. Sarah adds, "If you're a couple that's looking for a photographer who can put you at ease and create elegant, natural and romantic photos of your wedding day, then head over to see me at Sarah Hoyle Photography- I look forward to hearing all about your day!'

St Osyth Priory Wedding Showcase

Join the super friendly team at St Osyth Priory for its Wedding Showcase taking place on Sunday 24th September 2023, for a first hand experience of the magnificent estate. These Wedding Showcases take place regularly throughout the year and provide you with the perfect opportunity to see the estate and its various facilities as they might be when prepared for a wedding.

Wembley Stadium show offer with S.R.E Favours and Guestbooks

Essex-based S.R.E Favours and Guestbooks is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 8th October. Specialising in supplying the finer details of the day, owner Philippa, tells us more about the business..."I started my company in November 2022 and named it in memory of my dad, who I lost in January 2023," shares Philippa. "His moto in life was 'Enjoy what you do and work hard for your goals' and that's exactly what I'm doing.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Dog festival at Down Hall

Dog-friendly Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate is hosting an all-day exclusive dog festival on 10th September, in collaboration with leading canine events company Pop + Bark. Whilst the Golden Retriever Café has sadly sold out on this date, owners of Dachshunds and French Bulldogs will be pleased to hear the invitation to paw-ty has been extended to them, with two dedicated sessions announced for each breed.