An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

New luxury bedding collection from Lathams

Independent homeware retailer and interior design studio Lathams, based locally in Epping, is thrilled to announce the launch of a new premium collection of cushions and bed throws under their in-house label, "Lathams with Love." The 'LOVED' bedding collection showcases Lathams' signature leopard print in four colourways: Ash, Stone, Grass and Grass Reverse, adding an effortless, hotel style finish to your bedroom. Stunning!

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU REALLY GIFT AT WEDDINGS IN 2025?

Wedding season is fast approaching – and while many Brits are busy outfit-hunting or booking hotels, there's one part of the big day that continues to cause confusion - how much money should you actually spend on the happy couple? It's a question thousands of guests are turning to the internet for. In fact, Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' have soared by a whopping 5,000% over the past month*, proving just how panicked Brits are about getting it right.

Protect your skin and your memories

Green People, the UK's experts in sensitive skin, are making it their mission to protect the UK's summer memories with their collection of dermatologically tested natural and organic sun care. Proud to offer natural and organic sun care solutions for all the family, Green People has also released a SPF finder tool, which aims to make it easier to find the perfect SPF to protect your skin from daily sun damage.

Jewellery expert debunks the most common engagement myths

When it comes to engagements, traditions run deep – but not all of them hold up today. From outdated rules about who should propose to the history behind getting down on one knee, there are plenty of myths which may not reflect how couples approach engagements today. Lorna Haddon, Head of Diamonds and Jewellery at Beaverbrooks, said: "Getting engaged can be one of the most exciting life experiences for those in love – but it can sometimes be a nervous experience for those doing the proposing, with so many traditions to remember.

Dress Code Nine is moving!

Dress Code Nine is relocating back to its original location of Kelvedon, in Woodhouse Lane. The team are busy packing up stock from the Braintree premises, so if you're after a bargain do pop in - as there is a big sale on! Currently they are all on target to be moved out by end of august! With a Kelvedon opening date of September 3rd.

The 2025 Hen Party Trends - According to TikTok

Whether you're jetting off to Mykonos, booking out a villa in Spain, or hosting a garden party at home, 2025's hen dos are all about creating unforgettable moments — and capturing them in style. With TikTok leading the charge in how Gen Z and Millennials plan pre-wedding celebration and searches for 'hen party' up +118%, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon scrolled through the feeds, trends and reels to bring you the ultimate hen party playbook. From must-have themes to viral activities, this is your go-to guide for planning a hen party that you'll never forget.

Monster mayhem at Braintree Village

Monster mayhem at Braintree Village Something I certainly would have picked for my own hen do, The Monster at Braintree Village offers a fun-filled get-together for an alternative hen/stag or sten do! Situated in Braintree Village's North Car Park (well, on the bit of grass that runs alongside it, have you seen the ice rink there at Christmas?) you can't comprehend the sheer size of it until you're full-throttle throwing yourself through The Monster's mouth! It's huge! Possibly taking the first go with a bit too much enthusiasm, I was trying to race my soon-to-be 16-year-old-son through the maze of inflatable steps, characters, barriers and balls! I need to up the kms on my morning run, as this bad boy certainly takes the wind out of you - realising I was no Lara Croft!

Colchester's new approach to relationship success

A new concept has been created to encourage couples to review and mend their relationships, making it a part of everyday life. The Renewal Method is a programme that helps couples reconnect, reflect, and realign their relationships at regular intervals, ensuring they maintain a strong connection and avoid the risk of drifting apart. This unique idea is the brainchild of Jacqueline Cook, a Holistic Life Coach who wants to help couples rediscover their unity and closeness despite the demands of everyday life.

Nearly half of newlyweds will experience post-wedding blues this year

As we quickly approach the start of wedding season, many brides and grooms will be amping up for the best day of their lives. While the happiness of wedding days is well explored, the lull that comes afterwards is barely spoken about and not a feeling newlyweds are warned of, leading to potential feelings of isolation. Exclusive data from engagement and wedding ring experts at Queensmith has revealed that 40% of recently married couples experience some form of post-wedding blues. An experience of sadness, letdown, or emptiness that is often the first thing to hit couples after their honeymoon - a hangover from the heady highs of wedding planning.

Unique wedding trends 2025: Film photography surges 50%

Three in five couples plan to incorporate unique elements into their wedding, and with the world of choice at the end of our fingertips, inspiration is flying in from all angles. But which of the net's most loved delights have seen the most significant interest surges since last summer? To find out, the team at Aura Print scoured social media platforms to discover what's been hot, and gathered Pinterest and Google Trends data to reveal their most adored trends that have shot up since last summer.

Joma has your bridal party gifts covered

For a little something to show your bridal party how much you appreciate them being there for you on your big day, Joma Jewellery has the perfect little sentiments with their 'a littles' range. Choose from charming bracelets with delicate bands featuring clustered gemstones, pearls and personalised charms – all presented in beautiful packaging stamped with gold sentimental messages that say it all. It's no wonder Joma Jewellery sell one a little bracelet every 30 seconds.

Happily ever after - making plans for the future

As nearlyweds, you may not be thinking about what happens beyond the end of your natural lives together - that's not the exciting bit - Katharine Bundell, a barrister at 4PB shares advice in this article that could make your loved ones' lives a lot easier if anything happens to you. Death and taxes remain fairly inevitable. On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

easyJet launches new winter route

Looking for a snowy honeymoon destination? easyJet, London Southend's largest airline, has today announced a new winter route to Rovaniemi, with flights starting on 1 December 2025. Operating twice a week on Mondays and Fridays throughout the Christmas period, the new seasonal service will provide customers from across the region with more choice to visit the home of Santa Claus this winter.

Why the bar at your wedding shouldn’t be an afterthought

In the grand orchestration of a wedding, couples often obsess over floral arrangements, lighting design and detailed seating charts. The dress, the photographer, the five-course dinner - each element is painstakingly curated. And yet, one of the most powerful forces behind a wedding's success is consistently left until the eleventh hour: the bar! Let's be honest, it's not often you hear a couple say: "First things first, let's lock in a great bar team." But maybe they should. "You can spend months working on the seating plan or deciding the perfect shade of napkin, but if the bar's giving bored function-room energy, it can all quickly lose its magic," says Luke Shelton-Sharp, co-founder of room two, the London-based cocktail studio and event planner.

The Number Wedding Etiquette Mistakes Guests Make, According To Expert

Picture this: you're scrolling through a friend's wedding photos and spot someone in flip-flops at a black-tie garden party, or worse, a guest in head-to-toe white stealing focus from the bride. Sound familiar? These fashion faux pas happen more often than you'd think at summer weddings. Thanks to outdoor ceremonies and relaxed vibes, many guests assume summer weddings mean anything goes. But according to wedding specialist Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use wedding venues across the UK, this casual approach often backfires spectacularly.

WIN FREE PASTA & PIZZA FOR A YEAR AT PREZZO ITALIAN CHELMSFORD

Prezzo Italian Chelmsford has had a revamp - a super stylish, fresh new look for the high street. As part of the popular chain's 25 year anniversary, select restaurants in Prezzo Italian's portfolio are bring given modern makeovers following them rebranding earlier in the year. Formerly known as Prezzo, the restaurant has been transformed into Prezzo Italian, home of Italian Classics.

Hen Party Treats- Big Day Cakes

To begin planning your hen party you need to set a budget first so you can make sure you'll still have enough money to spend on your actual wedding. Once that's decided you need to choose a theme and factor in the cost of the decorations and other things you may buy. You'll also have to create a guest list consisting of only your closest friends before moving onto picking the date, location and some activities to do. In need of some inspiration for what to do at your hen party? There is a variety of options to choose that will fit your fancy venturing from whether you want to do something adventurous like rock climbing or canyoning or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day calming down and doing something relaxing such as having a spa day or afternoon tea.

How Much Should You Really Gift At Weddings In 2025?

Many people are unsure of how much money to give when they attend a wedding, statistics showed Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' soared by a whopping 5,000% in April of 2025 alone and 11% of guests go into debt just to attend a wedding, with the average spend hitting £451. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes, has broken down exactly what you should spend based on your relationship to the couple, plus clever tricks to make your gift feel luxe on a budget.

The Canary Shed's open evening

Next year, wedding venue and events space, The Canary Shed, is launching a brand new and improved ceremony space and to celebrate have an amazing limited time only special offer. Book your 2026 wedding before 31st July 2025 and receive: Half a bottle of house wine per guest for your table drinks and 10 per cent off the venue hire cost.

How to Beat the Heat: Tips for a Comfortable Summer Wedding

A summer wedding sounds like a dream, and it often is. Long days and gorgeous sunshine can make your big day truly unforgettable. But there's one little guest that always turns up uninvited during summer: the heat. No one wants to be a sweaty mess in their wedding photos but luckily with a bit of planning, you can keep everyone cool and comfortable from start to finish. Leading wedding experts, The Foxy Hen explains how. If you're going for a full-day celebration, think about having the ceremony indoors or under cover, then move the party outside once the sun starts to ease off.