An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Essex, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.

Wedding News: Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

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Wedding News: Roydon Marina extension

Roydon Marina extension

Lakeland Leisure Estates announces Roydon Marina Expansion, bringing 168 brand new moorings to Essex. Lakeland Leisure Estates, is thrilled to unveil an exciting development at Roydon Marina. The expansion project which is set to enhance the marina's offerings, will bring 168 new widebeam and narrowboat moorings to this picturesque location in Essex, conveniently situated just 30 minutes from Central London. Sounds great!

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Wedding News: Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

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Wedding News: Love letters are all but lost

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.

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Wedding News: The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

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Wedding News: County Wedding Events coming to Crondon Park, Essex!

County Wedding Events coming to Crondon Park, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Crondon Park, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 11th February 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 the beautiful valley of Crondon, with stunning views across the Essex countryside and our championship golf course - Crondon Park has established an outstanding reputation as a premier venue in Essex and the UK.

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Wedding News: Share the love this V Day with the Lovers Pack

Share the love this V Day with the Lovers Pack

Drowsy's light blocking mask takes beauty sleep to a whole other level of luxury. It's sexy, squishy and seriously silky. Perfect for a Valentine's treat for you and your partner or to ensure good rest in the run up to the wedding, you can purchase these on the Drowsy website or in your local Oliver Bonas! Treating yourself to glorious sleep may just be the best pre-wedding advice we've heard yet!

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Wedding News: The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you

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Wedding News: Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on reducing the cost of a hen or stag do: "Many bridal and groom parties begin planning their respective hen and stag dos throughout the months of January and February. Taking the time to plan carefully is crucial, especially if you are planning on jetting off somewhere. "But, with rising living costs and foreign destinations being more expensive than ever, I've put together my top tips to help you have some pre-wedding fun without breaking the bank - either domestically, or abroad.

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Wedding News: Houchins - rebranded!

Houchins - rebranded!

Houchins has recently undergone a rebranding, complete with redesigned logo, allowing the house to be the focal point. Over the past 10 years, Houchins has gone from being the 'new kid on the block' to one of the market leading mid/upmarket wedding venues in the area. Now established, the venue was ready for an update to show it is more market leading and confident than ever!

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Wedding News: 2024 is here and it's time to get organised with a new wedding planner

2024 is here and it's time to get organised with a new wedding planner

Whether it's a new year's resolution to get more organised, or you're feeling overwhelmed with the wedding planning, use the new Our Wedding Planner to keeping track of your dreams and decisions for a stress-free wedding planning experience - allowing you to focus on enjoying day! Our Wedding Planner will not only organise your big day, but also create treasured memories for years to come. Every detail of your wedding, including hen and stag parties and the honeymoon are covered, allowing you to create your perfect wedding and keep that all-important budget on track along the way. Bursting with easy to follow advice, and space to record details of every conceivable aspect of planning the big day, this new book offers a one stop depository for ideas, prices, venues, suppliers and guests.

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Wedding News: New salon pampering Essex brides-to-be

New salon pampering Essex brides-to-be

In the run-up to your wedding day, what better reason to take a break from the wedmin than for some serious R&R? From manicures and pedicures to facials and massages, Witham's newest salon The Halcyon Room has an extensive treatment list for the bride and her bridal party – why not treat the mothers-of- the-bride- and -groom too? Founded by beauty therapist Emma Foley, who boasts more than 20 years' professional industry experience, The Halcyon Room is a purpose-built beauty room at her home. It provides a tranquil retreat and a calming, relaxing space to truly unwind. The treatment list includes: manicures and pedicures using CND-Shelkac, Vinylux and Gelish products, waxing (including intimate waxing using warm Wax:One), tinting, massage, facials using Eve Taylor products and eyelash lifting – perfect for pre-wedding pampering, on the day itself, the honeymoon and beyond.

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Wedding News: The Speech Surgery - How many speeches are too many?

The Speech Surgery - How many speeches are too many?

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

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Wedding News: County Wedding Events coming to Kesgrave Hall, Suffolk!

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 4th February 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.

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Wedding News: A matchmade in heaven for wedding gifting

A matchmade in heaven for wedding gifting

Habulous is excited to reveal the latest addition to their range of personalised products, the perfect match striker pot. Handmade in the UK these personalised ceramic match striker pots look at home in your living room. The wheel-thrown pot is carefully glazed with a choice of personalisation inside the heart - reminiscent of those retro love doodles! Filled with pastel matches in complementary shades, the jars come in five signature colours: Cornflower Blue, Mint Green, Off White, Pale Pink, Light Yellow.

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Wedding News: County Wedding Events comes to Penshurst Place, Kent!

County Wedding Events comes to Penshurst Place, Kent!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at the Penshurst Place, Kent, for inspiration on Sunday 4th February, 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.

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Wedding News: HARIBO giving free wedding cake to Gummy Ring proposals this Valentine's

HARIBO giving free wedding cake to Gummy Ring proposals this Valentine's

From lockdown couples to celebrities, the last few years has seen the nation embrace their inner child by getting engaged with HARIBO's iconic Friendship Ring. To mark this Valentine's Day, HARIBO, the UK's number one sweets manufacturer, is delighted to declare that lovebirds ready to unleash their inner child and dive into marital bliss with its iconic gummy ring will get the sweetest reward – the chance to win their very own HARIBO Heart Throb Wedding Cake for their big day.

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Wedding News: Be inspired by Foxearth Hall Barn

Be inspired by Foxearth Hall Barn

Shoot coordinator, Lorna Marie Events wanted to showcase the beauty of a winter wedding. Lorna tells us, "Foxearth Hall Barn is so loved by its local community and is a hidden gem; a long barn full of character. In discussions with the florist, we spoke about making sure we stayed as seasonal as possible to showcase the blooms available to couples getting married at this time of year. I made a conscious effort to source suppliers local to the venue and created a mood board of the warm, rustic yet elegant style we were trying to achieve." Perfect inspo for those getting married in the winter months, either around Christmas or even Valentine's Day!

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Wedding News: TikTok’s wedding trends - what we can expect in 2024

TikTok’s wedding trends - what we can expect in 2024

TikTok has become the best place to source beautiful wedding inspiration, from wedding dress fashion to food. But what were the biggest TikTok wedding trends of 2023, and what can we expect to see in 2024? By analysing TikTok hashtags, ethical jewellery brand Sacet provides insights into the most influential trends of 2023, the wedding trends on the decline, and predictions for the upcoming year.

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Wedding News: Intimate weddings for two

Intimate weddings for two

Hedingham Castle's new Elopement package is proving very popular. The venue is now offering intimate weddings for two, for couples seeking a romantic and memorable way to tie the knot. Hedingham Castle is the perfect setting for couples looking to celebrate the beginning of their marriage in a private and intimate setting. With stunning architecture and picturesque views, our unique venue exudes a timeless charm and sophistication that will make your wedding day unforgettable.

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Serenity Brides

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HEN the PEN Caricaturist

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Rock Your Curves

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Houchins Spring Wedding Show

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