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

Baking her way to the top: The story of Taryn’s Cakery

After experiencing redundancy during the 2020 lockdown, Taryn Barnard decided to take the plunge and turn her passion for baking into a thriving business. Born out of a dream and a leap of faith, Taryn's Cakery was created. What began as a small venture, offering postal orders for brownies and cookies, quickly blossomed as she expanded her offerings to include celebration cakes, cupcakes and cookies when the world began to reopen. Last year marked a significant turning point for Taryn when she started accepting wedding cake orders, and that's when her business really took off. With a philosophy that less is more, her cakes reflect a simple yet elegant style, showcasing her belief in the beauty of simplicity while ensuring each creation is as delicious as it is refi ned. It's been an incredible journey for Taryn, and she feels immensely grateful to have built a loyal customer base that trusts her to create cakes for their most cherished occasions.

Harper Weddings Launches Live Virtual Wedding Venue Tours

Harper Weddings has become one of the first wedding venue brands in the UK to launch live virtual tours across its three exclusive-use properties: Botleys Mansion in Surrey, Cain Manor in Hampshire, and Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire. This new exciting offering allows couples to explore each venue remotely via an immersive 3D Matterport tour, guided in real-time by a member of the Harper Weddings team. These 'remote visits' offer the full walk-through experience from the comfort of their own home - it's the ideal concept for busy professionals, those based internationally, or couples at the early stages of their wedding venue research.

Modern day hen do ideas - time to celebrate

The hen do is the perfect opportunity to shower your bridesmaids with love before the big day. It's all about celebrating your friendship, laughing until your cheeks hurt and making the most of your time together. If you're looking for unique and fun ways to honour your girlies, here are some ideas from hen experts, bookaparty.com. Treat your bridal crew to a bottomless brunch where the prosecco and pancakes keep coming. Head to the city centre of your choice and enjoy a fun atmosphere, good music and tasty food to suit a range of tastes. Whether it's a full English breakfast, avocado toast, fluffy waffles or pizza, your taste buds will be in heaven, and unlimited drinks help you to kick off your day in style. Sip on free-flowing glasses of fizz, cocktails, beer, cider or soft drinks as you let your hair down and even enjoy some live entertainment from DJs to cabaret shows.

2025 wedding wine trends unveiled by Laithwaites

Laithwaites, the UK's leading online wine merchant, has revealed the top five wedding wine trends of 2025. Created by experts from Laithwaites' wedding wine service, this list reflects the current vogue for unique, cost-conscious wedding celebrations that leave a lasting impression on guests. "Couples are coming to us looking to create experiences that focus on value, showcase their personalities and give their guests a great time. It's so often the food and drink that makes a great wedding stand out," says Greg Roberts, Wine Educator at Laithwaites. Wedding wine trends for 2025.

The Eve Appeal: The UK’s Leading Gynae Cancer Charity’s Get Lippy Campaign

The Eve Appeal is on a mission is to save lives by focusing on preventing and improving the early diagnosis of the five gynaecological cancers. Throughout May, they are encouraging everyone to Get Lippy alongside some of the leadingnames and brands in beauty. The campaign raises awareness of the five gynae cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval andvaginal through a series of fundraising, education, and awareness initiatives to prevent these cancers before they start.

Brits are calling for an end to ‘rowdy’ stag and hen celebrations

Gone are the days when stag and hens revolved around a simple send-off - with costs spiralling out of control, Brits are calling for an end to 'rowdy' stag and hen celebrations. The study by the UK's most-trusted discount site, VoucherCodes.co.uk, reveals Brits are forking out £1,000 more than they'd like to celebrate their friends' and families' upcoming nuptials, with the average person willing to spend just £214. With many celebrations now lasting several days and requiring trips abroad, the average stag and hen now costs an eye-watering £1,208. It's therefore no surprise that a whopping 71% of people say costs have gotten out of control.

8 Tips To Avoid Wedding Guest Burnout This Wedding Season

As peak wedding season rolls in, it's not just brides and grooms who are feeling the pressure. New research reveals a growing trend of wedding burnout, and it's hitting guests just as hard. From back-to-back hen-dos and stag weekends to pricey gifts and cross-country travel, the cost and commitment of attending multiple weddings have left many guests feeling emotionally and financially drained. To help guests avoid burnout this wedding season, the experts at Queensmith have shared their 8 top tips to beat the 'wedding guest hangover', from setting a budget to knowing when to say no.

Hotpod Yoga Takes on Mental Health Week

Mental health awareness week (12th – 18th May) is upon us and it's time we get serious about our feelings. With the constant rise in social media consumption and the cruelty of the media, it's vita we understand how we can support our mental health. Hotpod Yoga in Birmingham are facing the week head on and, in collaboration with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), are helping locals support the worthy cause.

This new cleaning trend is ruining your engagement ring!

The newest trend to clean engagement rings with a coffee steamer, whilst entertaining to watch, is a sure-fire way to ruin your precious ring! We have to be very careful about our jewels and must not forget that it is four simple prongs that hold in our sparkling beauties. To educate us as to why this hack should get the sack is Neil Dutta, managing director of the engagement ring specialists, Angelic Diamonds

B Calm Introduces a Personalised Body and Face Care Set

Born from Becky's personal journey of healing, B Calm offers beautifully designed, organic products to support modern women in finding daily balance and calm. In May 2025 they will proudly unveils their latest innovation – the Personalised Body + Face Care Set. Designed to empower individuals to create a unique self-care ritual, this customisable trio features a hydrating mist, nourishing carrier oil, and pure essential oil blend to support radiant skin and holistic well-being.

New Study Reveals the Best Places in England to Get Married

With wedding season fast approaching, the wedding experts at F.Hinds have analysed hundreds of the best wedding venues that England has to offer, to uncover where nearly-weds should be adding to their shortlist this summer. The study considered several factors such as popularity, reviews and weather predictions and awarded bonus points for how "Instagrammable" the aesthetic is. The systematic scoring system has revealed the "best of the best" English wedding venues for couples planning a wedding in 2025.

Historic Charm Meets Modern Luxury at Milton Abbey

Milton Abbey stands out as one of the most stunning wedding venues in Dorset, perfectly nestled in the enchanting Delcombe Valley. This picturesque setting, surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds designed by the renowned Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, is conveniently located just a short drive from Blandford and Dorchester. Couples will find everything needed for their special day here, from the impressive 14th-Century Abbey church to the exclusive use of the elegant State Rooms for receptions and evening celebrations. The venue also boasts an exceptional catering team, ready to whip up bespoke dishes that reflect each couple's unique tastes. Plus, with a dedicated Wedding Coordinator available to guide them through the planning process, every detail can be tailored to create a truly memorable experience.

Wedding expert reveals the top 2025 trends

With weddings becoming more personalised than ever, many couples are rethinking the traditional elements of their big day. In 2025, couples are all about individuality and creating an experience that truly reflects them. For those looking for inspiration on what's 'in' and what's 'out' for weddings this year; Jeremy Hinds, Wedding and Engagement Ring expert at F.Hinds, shares his top tips for planning a celebration that feels both modern and timeless.

Introducing Almer Manor: Dorset’s Newest Luxury Wedding Venue Launching in 2025

Milton Abbey stands out as one of the most stunning wedding venues in Dorset, perfectly nestled in the enchanting Delcombe Valley. This picturesque setting, surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds designed by the renowned Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, is conveniently located just a short drive from Blandford and Dorchester. Couples will find everything needed for their special day here, from the impressive 14th-Century Abbey church to the exclusive use of the elegant State Rooms for receptions and evening celebrations. The venue also boasts an exceptional catering team, ready to whip up bespoke dishes that reflect each couple's unique tastes. Plus, with a dedicated Wedding Coordinator available to guide them through the planning process, every detail can be tailored to create a truly memorable experience.

Celebrate National Tea Day with the Nation’s Best Tasting Tea!

Birchall Tea is a family-owned tea company with a heritage dating back to 1872. Known for its exceptional quality and flavour, Birchall Tea sources the finest ingredients to create a wide range of blends enjoyed by tea enthusiasts worldwide. Committed to sustainability and ethical practices, Birchall Tea continually seeks ways to support environmental and social causes. To celebrate National Tea Day 2025, Birchall is giving customers 10% off any online purchase, but hurry as it's available for today only!

Celebrate Love with Coastal Elegance and Charm

Approached via a unique causeway entrance, Hayling Island Sailing Club sits on a peninsula of golden sand at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. The clubhouse, dining room, bars and balconies offer unrivalled views over the harbour and South Downs. Along with its very own private sandy beach, the club provides a memorable backdrop for weddings. Why not arrive in style by boat and make a grand entrance along the floating bridge pontoon? At the foot of the A3, Chichester Harbour is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Less than two hours from central London by train and down the road from Southampton airport, access by road, rail or air couldn't be easier. Whether for small ceremonies or large receptions and celebrations on the beach with drinks on the private balcony, the experienced team will guide couples through every step and promise nothing less than perfection. Choose from a variety of canapés, food, and drinks menu packages. For bespoke menus, the catering team will happily accommodate every need.

The Gathering Barn offers magnificent views and easily accessible rural isolation

In a stunning location on the South Wiltshire Downs, The Gathering Barn offers magnificent views and easily accessible, rural isolation. Meanwhile, the ancient brick and flint barns boast high-end, modern facilities while retaining their idyllic rustic charm. The barns are linked around a pretty south facing courtyard, great for relaxing and games. Here, you can delight in wide-reaching views, gardens, fields, parkland and epic industrial barns providing a backdrop for endless photographic opportunities. Exclusive Thursday morning to Sunday afternoon hire is available. This four-day celebration allows you to enjoy two large barns aiding a seamless transition between ceremony, meal and party. They team here is all about total flexibility so, you're permitted to choose your own suppliers including caterers.

Holiday Inn Winchester has transformed into Voco Winchester Hotel & Spa

Holiday Inn Winchester has transformed into Voco Winchester Hotel & Spa after an extensive eight-month renovation that cost £2 million. Last year, voco Hotels was recognised as the top premium brand and is currently IHG's fastest-growing premium offering, known for delivering a unique and thoughtful hotel experience. Originally established in 2010, this modern hotel is situated on the outskirts of the stunning South Downs National Park and is just a five minute drive from Winchester City Centre. It underwent a £2.5 million upgrade in 2019, followed by another refurbishment in 2024 when it adopted the Voco brand. The Hotel features 131 elegantly designed rooms, including double, twin, accessible, premium, and grand options, along with a suite.

Couples seek help with their Wedding Checklist

With the average 2025 wedding costing £20,822, it's understandable that couples are feeling the pressure to ensure their special day runs smoothly. Wedding costs have more than doubled since the pandemic and with higher budgets often comes increased planning and the need for checklists. Last year "wedding checklist" received 6,600 average monthly searches online as UK couples turned to Google for guidance, to make sure nothing was missed. As your 2025 wedding day approaches and the big elements are secured, from venue and dress to guest list, there will still be a number of important details to manage in those final weeks.

Check out this new wedding venue, Almer Manor in the Dorset countryside

The team behind Abbots Court is thrilled to announce the expansion of its wedding offerings with the launch of Dorset's newest wedding venue, Almer Manor, set to commence hosting weddings from 2025 onwards. Having spearheaded the successful redevelopment of Abbots Court over the past three years, witnessing its transformation from a rustic rural retreat to a breathtaking backdrop for idyllic weddings, the team is eager to replicate this standard of excellence at Almer Manor. As part of the new wedding offering, guests will be treated to an array of picture-perfect offerings. The wedding ceremonies will accommodate up to 100 people, while wedding breakfasts can host up to 120 guests, and evening events can entertain up to 150 attendees. Launching in June 2025, Almer Manor Weddings will captivate guests with its historic charm, featuring the Manor House with its own tennis court and cottage complete with newly refurbished rooms, a kitchen and even a dedicated games room. Couples will have the privilege of exchanging vows amidst the serene beauty of the gardens under the stone pergola or within the neighbouring historic Almer Church.