An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

POP + BARK RETURNS TO DOWN HALL

Set to get tails wagging, the UK's most talked about dog event is returning to Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May for a spring paw-ty like no other. Teaming up with leading canine events company, Pop + Bark, this is the largest outdoor breed-specific dog celebration of its kind. The event welcomes four-legged friends for a feel-good day in the Essex countryside, just 45 minutes from central London, with a jam-packed schedule of activities designed to delight dogs and owners alike.

County Wedding Events coming to Houchins in Coggeshall, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at to Houchins in Coggeshall, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 14th April 2026! 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.

Countdown to the County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey

We live and breathe weddings at County Wedding Magazines and Events, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey on Sunday 26th April, 2026! It's one of our biggest wedding shows of the spring wedding show season. 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.

Tagvenue Reveals Its 2026 Event Predictions

As the events sector continues to evolve, 2026 is set to mark a clear turning point for UK venues. Leading event booking platform Tagvenue has released its predictions for how the UK events and hospitality sector will evolve in 2026, pointing to a decisive shift away from scale, standardisation and fixed packages, and towards experience-led formats, wellbeing and clearer communication of value. Drawing on booking behaviour across thousands of UK venues, alongside insights from independent hospitality operators, Tagvenue predicts that the most successful event spaces in 2026 will be those that combine strong identity with flexibility, visual appeal and transparency around pricing and experience.

Experts Warn Against Using AI for Wedding Vows

With peak wedding season approaching, experts are warning couples not to rely on AI to write one of the most personal parts of their big day – their vows. A survey by jewellers Queensmith has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK brides and grooms are now using AI tools to help write their wedding vows and speeches, raising questions about authenticity, originality and even potential legal grey areas. The findings come amid a growing debate around AI-written vows after a registrar in the eastern Netherlands saw a marriage called into question when AI was used to help write the ceremony script. In the case, the District Court of Overijssel ruled that "no marriage has been established" after it emerged the registrar had relied on ChatGPT to draft parts of the ceremony. The case has sparked wider concerns that AI-generated wording could unintentionally mirror existing vows or scripts found online, raising questions about originality and authenticity.

County Wedding Events coming to Frasers, Kent!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Frasers, Kent for some much-needed inspiration on Sunday 17th May, 2026! 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. Licensed to hold civil ceremonies, the idyllic rural setting at Frasers offers rustic charm and elegance. With panoramic views across the countryside, it provides a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photographs all year round.

Marriage, Money, and Modern Love: Gen Z and Millennials

"As a family barrister, I spend much of my professional life dealing with what happens when relationships break down," says Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, Family Barrister at 4PB. "That vantage point inevitably shapes how I think about marriage — not cynically, but realistically. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that one of the most notable trends I have observed in recent years is the growing interest in prenuptial agreements among Gen Z and younger Millennial couples.

Win an Engaged Couple a Dublin Minimoon with GoHen & StagWeb

Leading UK stag and hen party providers, StagWeb and GoHen, have launched a brand-new competition offering one lucky engaged couple the chance to win a Dublin minimoon - completely free. Whether it's a little pre-wedding trip to escape the planning stress or a post-wedding adventure before the honeymoon, it could be the perfect little wedding gift for the happy couple - read here now!

Expert says prenups aren't just for the rich and famous

Legal experts at Richard Nelson LLP are urging Brits to rethink who prenups are really for. While often seen as something reserved for high-profile couples, data suggests they remain largely overlooked in everyday relationships. Just 7 percent of divorced Brits had a prenuptial agreement in place before separating, highlighting a significant gap between perception and reality. Regionally, attitudes vary. Manchester has emerged as the UK's 'prenup capital', with 13 percent of divorced couples having one in place, compared to 8 percent in London and 11 percent in Birmingham. Meanwhile, cities including Liverpool and Southampton reported no uptake among those surveyed.

PLUS+ DISCOUNTS WEEKEND SPRINGS BACK TO BRAINTREE VILLAGE

An exclusive discount shopping event is returning to Braintree Village this weekend. The PLUS+ Discounts Weekend will be held from Friday 27th March to Sunday 29th March, kicking off the Spring-Summer season at the Essex shopping outlet. The three-day shopping event will offer sizzling savings on top of already discounted-outlet prices at stores throughout Braintree Village, from fashion and beauty to homeware and dining. To access the range of fantastic savings, guests simply need to sign up to PLUS+, the outlet's free rewards scheme at https://www.braintree-village.com/en/plus

Pre-wedding nerves, relationship advice and the secrets to a long, happy marriage

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting seasons in a couple's life. It is also one of the most emotionally revealing. As someone who has coached over 1,300 women into healthy, committed relationships and marriages through my Love Success Framework, I can tell you this: the way you handle wedding planning is often a preview of how you will handle marriage. Not because of the flowers. Not because of the guest list. But because of how you navigate stress, expectations, decision-making, and emotional needs together. A wedding is an event. A marriage is an energetic ecosystem.

Channels Estate 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 Channels Estate, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 29th March, 2026! 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. The beautifully restored, 17th-century, thatched Essex Barn is an idyllic wedding venue for your special day. Tie the knot with your soulmate in surroundings full of character with up to 100 of your loved ones there to share the moment.

Countdown to County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse

We live and breathe weddings at CWM towers, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 22nd March 2026! It's one of four Signature Wedding Show of 2026's Spring wedding show season; and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the winter months. 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.

County Wedding Events coming to Layer Marney Tower, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events fair at Layer Marney Tower, Essex on Sunday 22nd March, 2026! A must-visit event for engaged couples, the show puts you 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.

The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Estate's Wedding Fair

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Estate, for inspiration on Sunday 22nd March, 2026! 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.

Thoughtful Wedding Gift Ideas for Gay Couples

The joy of a wedding is a beautiful occasion, and finding the perfect gift to celebrate a gay couple's special day is an opportunity to express your love and support. Beyond traditional registries, a wealth of unique and personal gifts can truly reflect their journey and shared future. This guide explores a range of inspiring ideas, highlighting some fantastic artisans and companies that cater to diverse tastes and celebrate love in all its forms.

The White Company arrives at Lakeside

Leading British lifestyle brand The White Company is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of a new full format store within Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex, scheduled for 25th March 2026. Located on the upper level of the shopping center, surrounded by premium retailers, the new Lakeside location reflects The White Company's commitment to carefully curated store placements. Spanning approximately 5,900 square feet, with 3700 square feet of trading space, The White Company Lakeside is the second store within Essex and marks the brand's 75th store to open its doors across the UK and Ireland. Showcasing a wide product offering across homeware, clothing, fragrance and childrenswear, this new store will create local employment opportunities and represents a strategic expansion from the brand's existing site eight miles away in Bluewater Shopping Centre.

66% of engaged or married couples have uninsured rings - experts explain the risks

In the past month alone, Brits have searched for "engagement rings" more than 396,000 times, while interest in "oval" and "emerald" rings has exploded - up by 5,000%, according to Google search data. But as peak proposal season approaches, new research from MoneySuperMarket highlights a vital step many couples risk missing in the lead-up to getting engaged. The data* revealed a significant protection gap, with two-thirds (66%) of engaged or married couples failing to insure their rings under their home insurance, and more than a quarter (27%) having no insurance cover at all.

New booking data reveals Hen Do spend is up 59%

New booking data from kate & tom's reveals Hens are leading the way on forward-planning, with only 7% of Hen Dos being booked within 3 months, compared to almost a quarter of Stags leaving it to the very last minute. The way we Hen Do and Stag Do is evolving; once a crazy night out on the town is now all about creating memories with longevity. We're seeing the rise of the 'Zen Do', multi-generational getaways, 'Sten-do' joint celebrations, and a shift towards individual celebrations tailored to personal hobbies and interests that transcend the classic one-nighter.

MUM’S ROLL TO WIN AT BILL’S THIS MOTHER’S DAY

This Mother's Day, Sunday 15th March, Bill's is inviting families across the country to come together and celebrate the leading ladies in their lives in delicious style. Whether you're toasting Mum, Step-Mum, Grandma or a special motherly hero, Bill's believes they deserve nothing less than to be spoiled. All those celebrating will have the chance to win a FREE glass of Lady A Rosé (125ml, worth £10.45), or a FREE dessert of their choice. All they have to do is roll a dice to see whether a dessert or delicious glass of Rosé is in store for them.