An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

OPEN AIR CINEMA RETURNS TO DOWN HALL THIS SUMMER

This August bank holiday weekend, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate will once again transform its picturesque grounds into an open-air cinema, welcoming guests for three nights of films, food and entertainment beneath the sky. Set within the hotel's stunning 110-acre estate, the much-loved Enchanted Cinema experience returns with a line-up of crowd-pleasing favourites, including the iconic Dirty Dancing, feel-good musical The Greatest Showman and family favourite Paddington.

Experience England’s Fastest Zipline and Europe’s Highest Swing

Looking to swap the usual bottomless brunch or pub crawl for something a little more unforgettable? Hangloose Adventure Bluewater offers an exciting alternative for stag and hen celebrations, combining adrenaline-filled experiences with plenty of opportunities to make lasting memories before the big day. Located less than an hour from central London, the venue is ideal for groups wanting to celebrate together in a way that's a little out of the ordinary.

World’s Largest Bounce House to Make UK Debut at Braintree Village

Braintree Village will host the UK debut of the world's largest touring inflatable playhouse this summer, as Mega Bounce arrives in Essex for an exclusive six-week run from 18th July to 31st August, with tickets on sale now. Spanning 2,500 square metres and rising more than eight metres high, Mega Bounce is a full-scale inflatable world featuring giant characters, multi-storey slides, obstacle zones, sports challenges and dedicated bounce arenas. Following its launch in Dubai, this will be the attraction's first appearance in the UK, marking one of the most significant family-friendly launches of the summer holidays.

ALDI reveals scent-sational summer home fragrances

Looking to add a touch of luxury to your home (or wedding this summer) without the designer price tag? Aldi has unveiled its latest Hotel Collection home fragrance range, with prices starting from just £3.99. Available in stores from June, the collection sees the return of customer favourites including the Premium Hotel Collection candles in Bergamot & Vanilla, alongside new summer-inspired scents such as Waffle Cone Sundae, Tropical Hibiscus, Lemon and Neroli and Sea Salt & White Sails. The range also includes reed diffusers and classic fragrances such as Cardinal Red, Liquid Luxe and Intense Passion, allowing shoppers to layer scent throughout the home.

MAKE YOUR WEDDING DAY EXTRA SPECIAL WITH A PEAR-SECCO FROM NORMAN SOUL

Norman Soul brings the Spirit of Normandy to the UK with a collection of delicious organic Calvados, liqueurs and a sparkling pear wine – just in time for summer weddings! Made by craftsmen the traditional way, Normal Soul is a new collection of rare small-batch Calvados, apple and pear liqueurs and a refreshing sparkling pear wine sourced from independent producers in Normandy and now available in selected Essex wedding venues including Downham Hall in Downham, Essex.

FAMILIES DINE FOR LESS AT BILL’S THIS SUMMER

Kids Eat Free at Bill's restaurants over Essex this summer! Keeping little ones entertained (and full) during the summer can quickly add up, but at Bill's, families with kids of all ages can relax a little easier this Summer. From 25th June to 1st September (Monday to Friday), up to two children can eat for FREE with just one paying adult. Sounds delicious!

Holiday Inn Brentwood has huge refurb!

Holiday Inn Brentwood in Essex is attracting leisure and business travellers, thanks to its convenient location just off the M25 and easy access to central London and Stansted Airport. Sports fans heading to boxing, snooker or the athletics at The Brentwood Centre, families visiting the Ski & Snowboard Centre and surrounding attractions, and business travellers seeking easy access to central London or Stansted Airport are all benefiting from the hotel's modern comforts.

Smoke and Dough - Chelmsford wins best new business

Smoke and Dough has been named "BEST New Business of Chelmsford" at the BID Business Awards, which returned for their third year in 2026! The winner was announced via public vote from the shortlisted businesses. This award celebrates an incredible journey — from opening its doors and welcoming the first guests to becoming a place where families, friends, and food lovers create lasting memories.

RSVPing 'YES' to multiple weddings? Here's how to budget!

Attending weddings can be a joyous occasion, but it can also be expensive, particularly if you're invited to more than one over the course of the year. Costs such as new outfits, travel and accommodation, and gifts mean the overall expense of attending can quickly add up. Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, says: "Wedding season can be a significant expense for households. Planning ahead and setting a dedicated budget for celebrations can help spread the cost over several months, allowing people to make the most of the celebrations while keeping their finances on track."

Stronger, protected hair to shine on your big day!

Josh Wood Colour, the expert led hair colour brand founded by celebrity colourist Josh Wood, launches the Miracle Defence Mist (£15) a lightweight, multi-tasking protective spray designed specifically for colour-treated hair. Suitable for all hair types, it helps shield hair from heat damage, pollution, and everyday environmental stressors while preserving colour vibrancy. Do check out your local Boots or Superdrug stores for the range of products.

How to treat the father-of-the-bride this Father's Day

Father's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate the father of the bride. After all, he's been there through the wedding planning, the emotional speeches, the last-minute panics and probably more than a few budget discussions too. Whether the wedding has already happened or it's still to come, Father's Day is a brilliant opportunity to show him just how much he's appreciated. If you're looking to do something a little more exciting than buying another novelty mug or pair of socks, wedding experts The Stag Company share their favourite experiences that can make the day feel extra special.

Protein-Powered Hair Care for Stronger, Shinier Hair

Sunshine, salt water, chlorine and heat styling can leave hair feeling dry, dull and dehydrated during the summer months. To help restore strength, shine and smoothness, organic beauty pioneer Green People is spotlighting its Protein-Boost Hair Care collection — a trio of plant-powered hair heroes designed to nourish, protect and revive summer-stressed hair. Available locally all over Essex, including John Lewis in Chelmsford.

Mint Velvet to join retail lineup at Braintree Village in July

Braintree Village has announced that premium womenswear brand, Mint Velvet, will be joining its already stellar retail lineup on 9th July. The 1,894 sq ft store will be located next to Polo Ralph Lauren. Founded in 2009, the brand is renowned for its concept of relaxed glamour – a contemporary, feminine style that interprets the latest trends into versatile, flattering shapes.

Say it with chocolate: Tony’s Chocolonely’s personalised wedding bars

Ethical chocolate brand Tony's Chocolonely is helping couples add a personalised touch to their wedding celebrations with its customisable chocolate bars, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wedding favours. From engagement announcements and bridesmaid proposals to place settings and guest gifts, the brand's personalised bars can be tailored with names, photographs, table plans or bespoke messages, creating a keepsake that guests can enjoy long after the celebrations have ended.

PAWS & REFLECT WITH DOGGY YOGA RETREATS AT DOWN HALL HOTEL, SPA & ESTATE

Returning for a second year, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate invites guests for a soul-soothing weekend of relaxation and connection with their four-legged friend at its Doggy Yoga Retreats. Set against the backdrop of the hotel's 110 acres of picturesque grounds, the unique experience is designed to deepen the bond between you and your canine companion through a carefully curated blend of mindful activities, scenic exploration and play.

Everything you need to know about faith marriages this wedding season

Thousands of couples will say their vows this wedding season believing they're legally married, only to discover, when it matters most, that they might not be. Faith marriages are an increasingly complex issue for UK couples, with leading law firm Mills & Reeve seeing a steady rise in clients who discover – often much later – that their wedding does not carry the legal status they assumed. Jane Ingleby, partner at Mills & Reeve, explains why so many marriages fall into a legal grey area, and what couples should check before they walk down the aisle...

Bridal Showers Are Becoming the Biggest Pre-Wedding Trend of 2026

Not sure where to start? Don't worry - experts at Abbott Lyon have put together simple steps to help you plan the perfect bridal shower, so everything runs smoothly and the bride (and her besties) can enjoy every moment of the day. You know the bride better than anyone - after all, she's asked you to be a big part of her big day. Think about what her vibe is and what she's into. Is she more about getting pampered at a spa day or would she prefer a wild brunch somewhere? Also, think about who's coming to the bridal shower. Will her older relatives be there or will it be mainly her friends? Are work colleagues coming? You want to make sure anything you plan is appropriate for everyone to enjoy.

The Institute theatre to screen the World Cup

The Institute, Braintree's Grade II listed theatre, is delighted to announce it is all set to screen England's World Cup matches this June – with free entry and no tickets required. Forget cramped pub corners, blocked views, and spilled pints – the theatre is transforming the main auditorium into the town's very own answer to the iconic BOXPARK in London. Hooray!

5 Tips to planning a perfect hen weekend in the UK revealed

61% of pre-wedding parties now stay in the UK as safety, cost, and connection reshape how Brits celebrate. Rising airfares, safety worries and global tensions, including travel hesitancy linked to the ongoing conflict, have fuelled a dramatic turn in how Brits celebrate before tying the knot. According to new figures, 61% of hen parties now take place in the UK, marking a clear shift from pre-pandemic years when city breaks in Europe dominated.

Guests Spend £348 On Average to Attend A Wedding, Says Expert

Wedding guests across the UK are spending hundreds of pounds just to attend a single wedding, with new research revealing the growing financial strain placed on friends and family. Research* commissioned by The Insurance Emporium, conducted by Censuswide, has revealed among people who have attended a wedding in the last five years shows that guests spend £348 on average to attend a wedding - with costs rising even higher in major cities. The wedding insurance specialist's findings reveal that 72% of guests now say attending weddings has become a financial burden, while 38.2% admit they have felt pressured to overspend in order to attend.