Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Celebrant-led ceremonies are the big trend for 2024

Did you know, you have choices about who holds your wedding ceremony? With celebrant led ceremonies becoming a must-have for many couples, we spoke to independent wedding celebrant Suzi from Celebrations by Suzi. What is a celebrant led ceremony and why should we consider one? Well, if you're imagining a tailormade, memorable and celebratory ceremony, with personal vows and promises that speak to your hopes for the future - and perhaps a symbolic ritual or two - then a celebrant led ceremony is for you! As your chosen wedding celebrant, I quite literally make it my business to ensure your wedding day ceremony is truly one of a kind and reflects you and your story perfectly. And you can pretty much do it anytime, anywhere.

Meet The Oyster Society at our events and try a delicious oyster!

Oysters are the perfect addition to elevate your wedding reception with luxury! Catering to weddings and events across the UK, The Oyster Society, is a premium mobile event caterer from London, offering exclusive services with expert oyster shuckers and Champagne walkers. "Our hostesses will roam during your wedding reception, serving freshly shucked oysters and Champagne directly to you, ensuring the freshest and most luxurious experience possible," - the team at The Oyster Society

Three spicy but sophisticated hen party ideas

Throwing a hen party that will please all attendees can be tricky. Striking a balance between risque and tame activities can be one of the most controversial challenges you'll face when planning. In fact, some of the more crude hen party gimmicks came out in the top 10 most hated parts of a hen party in this report. However, you can create a hen party that strikes the perfect balance between spice and sophistication, ensuring a night to remember for both the bride and her friends. Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared three amazing themes for the perfect spicy but sophisticated hen party:

Moonfleet Manor has undergone substantial renovations

Moonfleet Manor has undergone substantial renovations over the last few years, with the interiors completely reimagined and the hotel's restaurant refurbished to offer the ultimate setting. Throughout the centuries, the property has played a pivotal role in Dorset's history, from its perch right on The Fleet overlooking Chesil Beach. Today, the manor is a place to step out and explore the unique flora and fauna of the Jurassic Coast. With 36 luxurious rooms and suites with the option for adjoining rooms for children, blending traditional furnishings and stylish modernity, couples will enjoy complete luxury. A new addition is the new Fleethouse rooms, which will have the most impressive views of the Fleet and beyond.

The Castle Hotel Windsor team exhibiting with County Wedding Events

Experience the enchantment of The Castle Hotel Windsor, where timeless elegance meets modern luxury for a dream wedding or civil partnership. Nestled in the heart of Windsor, the historic venue offers a regal setting fit for royalty, complete with fairy tale ceremonies, elegant receptions, and exquisite dining experiences. Choose from three stunning suites to host any celebration: the grand Windsor Suite, accommodating up to 260 guests; the intimate Sandringham Suite; or the contemporary Balmoral Suite, each offering versatile spaces to suit any bride or groom's vision.

Experts share 5 tips on accommodating deaf guests at your wedding

Planning a wedding can be challenging, especially when there are so many decisions to be made and so many things to be considered. Whilst this is your big day, considering your guests can go a long way, especially for those who have disabilities or are hard of hearing. In the UK, one in five adults is deaf, has hearing loss or tinnitus, so the likelihood of having someone who may need additional help when it comes to hearing in attendance is quite likely. Ashish Shah, Audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership has offered his expert advice on how you can better accommodate your deaf and hard-of-hearing guests.

Balmer Lawn Hotel wins wedding award

Balmer Lawn Hotel has been announced as the Wedding Venue of the Year at The Wedding Industry Awards in the South-Central regional category. The awards recognised the Hotel's commitment to excellence, exceptional service and the creation of unforgettable wedding experiences. The recognition reaffirms Balmer Lawn's standing as a premier destination for those seeking an outstanding and enchanting setting to tie the knot. Following its recent success, the venue will now go through as a finalist in the national round, which will be held on the 24th of January, 2024. The Wedding Industry Awards is an annual event to find the most outstanding venues and wedding suppliers from across the UK, all judged by a panel of expert and multi-award-winning judges in the wedding industry.

These daily habits are ruining your wedding ring

If you've been the lucky recipient of a diamond ring or a piece of jewellery, Nilesh Rakholia, jewellery expert and founder of Abelini, has shared exactly how to care for your precious diamonds to ensure they last a lifetime... Nilesh says: "While it can be tempting to wear precious items such as an engagement ring all the time, daily habits such as cooking and cleaning can damage your jewellery. To avoid this, we always recommend removing jewellery before showering or washing up because the soap can cause a film to form, which can leave rings and bracelets looking dull.

Tempting favours with Sweetzboxes

SweetzBoxes is a Berkshire-based company specialising in creating beautiful favours for your special day designed according to your colour theme and style. Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April, and Mercedes-Benz World on 28th April to see what SweetzBoxes can do to make your day one to remember for your guests.

Wedding traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations

Researchers surveyed Gen Z couples and found many traditional wedding and proposal traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations. But it's good news for the father-of-the-bride, as 54 percent said expecting parents to cough up for the big day was no longer necessary. Other things which are likely to fall out of favour are asking the bride's father for permission to propose (43 percent), sleeping apart the night before the wedding (38 percent) and the bride taking their partner's name (35 percent).

Of the 2,000 18- to 27-year-olds, surveyed by Churchill, as many as 86 percent believe the traditional stereotype of men proposing to women is old hat – and women should be able to pop the question too.

A third (29 percent) think that being given away is no longer necessary, while 27 percent say that tossing the bouquet is out of style. Being carried over the threshold (26 percent), promising to obey in the vows (25 percent) and wearing a veil (19 percent) are also falling out of favour.

Thinking about a bespoke dress? Talk to Eloise Rose at Ascot Racecourse

Bespoke bridalwear designer Eloise Rose, will be exhibiting at Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show hosted by County Wedding Events on 7th April 2024. "I can't wait to meet brides, grooms and their entourages at Ascot Racecourse! I'll be offering mini-consultations on designs for wedding dresses, outfits and accessories, demonstrating how they can have one-of-a-kind outfits, within their budget. On the day they deserve to look their very best!" shares Eloise.

Find your wedding venue with County Wedding Events

Situated near Cobham and within easy access to London, Woodlands Park is a 57-bedroom hotel set in landscaped grounds and gardens, making it one of Surrey's most spectacular countryside wedding venues. Discover the epitome of elegance for your dream wedding at Woodlands Park Hotel - a stunning Grade II listed manor house hotel in Surrey offers a breathtaking backdrop for your special day! Visit the Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show, and let the venue's dedicated team guide you through this exquisite venue and exclusive wedding packages.

A third of Brits decline wedding invites due to cost Klarna finds

The wedding season is just around the corner! What is normally a cause for joy can often become a financial strain for guests. Travel, outfits, gifts – the costs can quickly soar to unexpected heights. This is also confirmed by a recent survey by Klarna*, the flexible choice for smart, secure payments: One third (36.4%) of those surveyed said they had declined wedding invitations in the past due to associated costs. Moreover, 30.2% of respondents said they have not attended a Stag or Hen party due to the expenses involved.

Stephen Simmons Magician wins wedding magician of the year

Stephen Simmons Magician is over the moon to have won the regional Wedding Magician of the Year in The Wedding Industry Awards for the South-Central regional category! As someone who loves bringing joy and wonder to weddings with magic, this acknowledgement means the world to owner Stephan. He says, "I felt humbled to be recognised among many talented wedding vendors and planners in the area. I'm so grateful to all the newlyweds who have put their trust in me over the years. I look forward to the national round this January!" Stephan has been perfecting his close-up magician and illusionist skills for more than two decades

9 in 10 newlyweds say budgeting is the biggest wedding stress

New research of newlyweds has revealed that 9 in 10 newlyweds find budgeting to be the biggest wedding stress. Queensmith's research surveyed 1,000 recently married couples throughout the UK, exploring the most and least enjoyable aspects, as well as the most stressful moments, leading up to their weddings and during the day itself. Weddings take a lot of time to plan in order to make them fabulous, but they also cost a pretty hefty sum of money too. Looking at the most stressful aspects of wedding, a whopping 93% of respondents said budgeting was the most stressful part of planning a wedding.

Stunning event flowers on display at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show

Pinstripes & Peonies believe that being a part of your wedding is a privilege, and the team from this renowned event floristry company will be on hand at the show to discuss your big-day floral needs. "From your initial enquiry, you will have a dedicated Wedding Designer with your every step of the way, through to delivering your flowers on the big day. All of our proposals are created entirely bespoke, blooming with ideas specifically with you in mind. Our design process is simple and collaborative; whilst we lead with creative design based on seasonality and floral artistry, we value your input to ensure we have wedding flowers perfectly befitting to you."

Booked your honeymoon yet? If not, you can do this with County Wedding Events

Planned the wedding and now need to think about your honeymoon? Seek out the advice of Jenn Shaer - Not just Travel, at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse this April. Jenn adds, "I plan everything! All you need to worry about is soaking up every second in paradise. And guess what? My planning service won't cost you a penny extra - yes really! I love crafting perfect holidays and making travel dreams come true, whether it's a tropical escape or a city adventure, I specialise in tailor-made travel just for you."

Golden Ticket Entertainment are delighted to be exhibiting at the Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show!

Having provided entertainment for weddings and events for more than 10 years, Mark and Luke, directors of Golden Ticket Entertainment, know that planning a wedding can be a daunting task. However, when it comes to programming your music, there doesn't need to be any stress at all! They'll be on hand to chat through the soundtrack to your day, offering their ideas, expertise, and passion for all things music.Whether you'd like to rock out to some Queen or Oasis with our show stopping rock-pop group, The Party Pilots, or you can't imagine your ceremony concluding in any other way than with a Love Actually-style brass "flash-mob" from The Oomparty Band, Golden Ticket Entertainment can cater for each important aspect of your big day with a host of difference options and bespoke wedding packages.

Discount on photography at Signature Wedding Shows

Berkshire-based Secu Photography is exhibiting at not one, but two Signature Wedding Shows with County Wedding Events - Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April and Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 28th April. What's more, couples looking for big-day photography will also benefit from a 10% wedding show discount that photography Anna, of Secu Photography, is running on the day for people that would like to book her services.

Have you considered renting flowers or having your own personalised neon light?

WildJar will be exhibiting at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse. Owner, Jess says, "We work with our couples to create beautiful dried and artificial floral arrangements perfect for those boho and rustic weddings! We offer services from ceremony flower arches, photo flower backdrops, table centrepieces, rigged pampas clouds, personalised Neon lights and so much more - pop along to the fair to take a look