An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Nutritionist backed wellbeing solutions

Sixways is a brand that provides wellbeing solutions to balance the body's natural hormones, vitamin levels and bring cognitive equilibrium without being a chore to take. With products that cover mood, balance, calm, focus, memory, mental clarity and so much more - Sixways is a one stop shop for overall wellbeing. As well as online you can also stop by your local Holland & Barrett to pick up a sachet or two!

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Two Essex towns named UK's driest holiday destinations

New research has revealed the UK holiday destinations which see the least rainfall – with Southend and Frinton both named in the top five list. It comes ahead of the spring half term when many families will be planning a short break to the coast or countryside. Ripe analysed historical Met Office data from 130 popular staycation spots to find which have the fewest rainy days each year, and are therefore most likely to offer a drizzle-free break.



Perhaps unsurprisingly, the top 10 can all be found on the east coast of the UK, which typically avoids much of the rainfall that blows in from the Atlantic.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

Things are heating up at Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate

Things are heating up at Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate this summer with the return of Live From The Lawn – a series of free live music events - and soulful Sunday Jazz Brunches, both bringing feel-good vibes to the heart of the Essex countryside. From party mixes to Motown classics, the hotel has teamed up with a brilliant selection of talented local artists to entertain all season long. Bask on the sun-soaked terrace with seasonal summer plates, refreshing cocktails, cooling Saffron Waldon ice cream and boogie away to the ultimate soundtrack to your summer.

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Southend's Beatboxing choir!

Southend Vox Chamber Choir is well-known for its ability to perform a wide range of music including pop, choral and swing; and recently the choir's members flexed their vocal talents even further to learn beatboxing! The award-winning Chamber Choir, set up in 2014, usually focuses on performing intricate pieces well suited to special events such as weddings, naming ceremonies and memorials. Always looking to bring a different element to their choral singing, they decided to expand their repertoire to include some beatboxing in some of their more contemporary pieces.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Houchins celebrates 10th year anniversary of weddings

This year is Houchins' 10th year anniversary of weddings! To celebrate it's hosting a Garden Party in its grounds - open to all of their lovely past and future couples as well as the general public. The venue will be offering a selection of delicious food, live music from Essex based Sister Sax & Three Mile Hill, face painting, garden games and much more. Save the date: June 9 from 1pm - 7pm. There will also be a prize draw on the afternoon for one of Houchins' past lucky couples to spend a night in the house which sleeps 14. To book you tickets please email info@houchins.co.uk or call on 01376 561448

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

Treat Dad at Pontlands Park!

Treat Dad this Fathers Day to a BBQ lunch with live music from the Pantasy Steel Band and garden games at Pontlands Park! Adult tickets cost £42.50* and kids - £25.50*. Pontlands Park is a family run hotel providing a unique combination of homely comfort and exceptional service. Built in 1879 Pontlands Park features Victorian period architecture perfectly balanced with luxurious and contemporary design.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

Say 'I Do' to style and sustainability: Discover Art of Couture's chic wedding dress rentals

Hey future brides! If you're scouting for a standout wedding gown that won't break your budget, you've got to check out Romford-based Art of Couture. It's spearheaded by the super talented Ukrainian designer, Kateryna Orlovska, who brings a touch of magic to the bridal scene in the UK. What's super cool about them? You get to design a custom gown that's uniquely yours, and yes, you can rent it! This concept is super fresh—Art of Couture is riding the wave of the wedding dress rental trend that's gaining momentum in the UK. It's perfect for those of you who want to look absolutely stunning without the hefty price tag or the worry of what to do with the dress post-wedding. It's a savvy choice in today's eco-conscious world because, let's be honest, more brides are looking for sustainable and budget-friendly options. By opting to rent, you help reduce waste and keep your wedding green.