An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Financial wedding gift ideas for the couple who has everything

After the excitement of a wedding invite, and planning the outfits, thoughts might turn to big-day gifting; what do you buy the couple who lives together and has everything? Money might feel impersonal, but Susan Hope, retirement expert at Scottish Widows advises on financial gifts for newlyweds. "Couples often look forward to receiving an abundance of beautiful gifts from friends, family and loved ones as part of their wedding day celebrations," says Susan. "But there are equally, and in some ways even more valuable, financial gifts that can be given and discussed between soon-to-be-wed couples too. Having clear and open conversations about money ahead of tying the knot is really important. It'll ensure you're both on the same financial page and can work towards shared goals once you are married."

Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate Achieves AA Red Star Status 2025

Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate in Essex, has been awarded the prestigious AA Red Star status, receiving four Red Stars, at this year's AA Hospitality Awards, held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London. The Red Star is the AA's highest accolade for hotels, reserved only for the very best establishments across the British Isles, marking Down Hall as one of the UK's leading country house hotels.

Germaine De Cappucini Product Launch

Join Glass House Retreat for an exclusive evening to experience a live demonstration of the spa's newly launched: Wrink-less Facial by Germaine De Capuccini. Enjoy twilight spa access, a glass of bubbles on arrival, grazing dinner table and the opportunity to browse the Christmas gift collections. This is a ticketed event with limited spaces, available on a first come, first served basis - so be sure to book quickly!

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 9th November 2025! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face wedding 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.

PURE INDULGENCE TURNS 20

Located in one of Leigh on Sea's busiest shopping and leisure spots, Pure Indulgence five-star winning salon, opened it doors late summer 2005 and is still welcoming clients 20 years on. Owned by Benfleet-based Tracey Woolley, 53, who also set up and ran a successful salon in David Lloyd club Southend during the 20 years Pure Indulgence in Leigh is still a trusted salon.

Styled shoot: Studio solstice

The creative environment at The S.P.A.C.E, based in Southend-on-sea, was the perfect space to really show off this beautifully bohemian, elegant, styled shoot. Captured by Julie Clarke Photography, we loved the juxtaposition of the bride's boho styling against the starkness of the studio setting. Dark chocolatey brown loose waves, textured updos and perfectly dewy skin perfectly complemented the bride's natural beauty.

THE TOP HEN-DO LOCATIONS

Organising a memorable hen-party for any bride-to-be, is no easy task. There's so much to think about from setting a budget, choosing an accessible destination for everyone, curating activities, managing group logistics and so much more. Luckily, new research by immersive cocktail bar brand Alcotraz, has compiled the best and worst hen-do locations across the UK. The new league table analyses 25 major UK cities and ranks them on key party planning criteria such as safety, affordability, and hen-activity and nightlife options, and the results may surprise you.

Pumpkin Patch Staycation at Down Hall

Get into the Autumn spirit with a 'Pumpkin Patch Staycation' at Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate (AA Hotel of the Year 2025 – England), just in time for October half term (27th – 31st October). The award-winning countryside hotel is inviting families for a seasonal escape with an overnight stay, breakfast and a host of autumnal activities for all ages to enjoy.

The Swift Effect: Why Cushion-Cut Diamonds Are About to Have Their Moment

Taylor Swift's engagement is driving more than just headlines - it's inspiring UK couples to rethink their dream rings! Fans have watched her trade 'Blank Space' for a love that's truly ring-worthy, and now her cushion-cut sparkler is reshaping the engagement ring market! Want the inside scoop on how pop culture is shaping Britain's "dream ring" moment? Iconic UK Jewellery brand Abbott Lyon has created the full breakdown of the hottest styles, shapes, and regional trends — and it's sparkling with star appeal

Love in bloom at St Osyth Priory

Love in Bloom captures the contrast of enduring stone and delicate florals, wild romance blossoming in the shadows of ancient walls. St Osyth Priory was the perfect location. A place where past and present meet: a story of love told in soft light, floral whispers, and the quiet majesty of a place that has held countless love stories before. A beautiful editorial shoot!

Pre-wedding aesthetic treatment must-haves

Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day, but what can you do before the makeup artist arrives to make sure you're glowing as you walk down the aisle? With the rise of the 'quiet luxury' trend and the 'old money' aesthetic, most nearlyweds want to look like themselves, just more elevated. Dr Barbara Kubicka, founder of Clinicbe® in London, shares the top five most requested treatments her brides and grooms are booking right now.

Guests say "I don’t" to wedding traditions

When it comes to cost, celebrating love doesn't come cheaply, as Brits say they spend an average of £219.65 per wedding. In fact, only a quarter (25%) say they spend less than £100. As a result, more than one in five (22%) admit they've had to decline an invite for financial reasons. Top of guests' wish lists? A wedding that puts people first. Almost half (49%) said making guests feel welcome and relaxed is the most important part of any wedding, far ahead of food (16%), music (17%) or even the schedule (18%).

Chelmsford mum taking on triathlon for niece with Brittle Bone Disease

A Chelmsford Mum of three is taking on a triathlon to help raise funds for her niece who has brittle bone disease. Winne D'Arcy, 8, who lives in Colchester, suffers from the genetic condition osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, and has endured 100s of fractures and had around 12 operations to either try to strengthen or fix her bones. She also has autism.

Presence over presents: Brits ditch wedding gifts

Karin Haglund, Head of Consumer Insights at Klarna said: "Destination weddings tap into Brits' love of travel and shared experiences, but our research shows that cost remains a concern when celebrating love abroad. For those who want more flexibility, Klarna offers interest-free payment options and budgeting tools in the app that help support smarter planning — whether that's by booking travel early to secure a better deal or keeping track of costs along the way."

Getting to know... Downham Hall

The Orangery at Downham Hall with its olive-green walls was the perfect backdrop to this fresh, elegant, styled shoot. Shoot organiser, Charmaine Taylor describes the day. "The inspiration behind this shoot started out with the idea of curating a modern, stylish and intimate wedding breakfast, with a colour palette of greens. I didn't want the green of the floral arrangements to come too much from foliage, so instead I focused on strong tonal flowers such as hydrangeas, viburnum and mollucella, along with adding in fresh moss in place of foliage."

The top wedding trends for Autumn and Winter 2025

As summer weddings start to take a step back, a new wave of seasonal trends are emerging. According to Pinterest Trends, searches for 'wedding inspiration' have surged by 10,000% over the past month, with terms like 'October wedding', and 'autumn wedding cake' dominating mood boards. Nicola Barker, Head of Buying at Suit Direct, shares her insights on the standout trends set to shape autumn and winter weddings this season. From elegant romantic draping and on-trend semi-naked cakes to rich, moody colour palettes, couples are embracing celebrations that feel warm, inviting, and romantic.

Skincare preparation for your wedding day

Your wedding day is one of the most memorable moments of your life and naturally, you want your skin to look radiant and flawless. But achieving that bridal glow doesn't happen overnight. The secret lies in a well-thought-out skincare routine combined with professional guidance, starting months before the big day. Visiting a skincare expert saves you so much time and stops you wasting money on products that aren't suitable.

The legal implication of 'two weddings'

Wedding season is in full swing and it's a celebratory, joyous time filled with love and laughter. A wedding is the celebration of two people coming together in matrimony but what many forget is there are requirements to comply with to ensure the marriage is lawful within England and Wales. Here, Sophie Croft, an Associate at Stowe Family Law, highlights the considerations couples need to have... "It may not be the most romantic thing to think about when you're in the midst of wedding planning, but it's really important to remember that if you want the benefits of being a married couple, your marriage does need to be legally sound.

Saying cheers to Wetherspoons!

Summer is still upon us, and with that comes warm, lighter evenings spent in a beer garden with your friends and family, and for many Brits, a trip to the local Wetherspoons is the perfect place to be. The research team at Chicks Gold examined the locations of every Wetherspoon in the UK and compared them against the area's population. Figures for the number of Wetherspoons per 100,000 residents were then obtained to create the final ranking.

Barn at Alswick Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at The Barn at Alswick, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 5th October 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples 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. Forming part of the historic Alswick Hall Estate, the Barn at Alswick has been lovingly restored to a stunning contemporary event space for exclusive hire. Adorned with rustic wooden beams, the light-flooded space is perfect for your wedding vision to come to life.