All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Hampshire or Dorset, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Weddings in 2023: Make sure your big day is protected
A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up and even run into the tens of thousands. And with the current cost of living, couples will also be navigating rising costs. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day and make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.
Posted: 19 May 2023
Funbooth LTD launches new wedding packages
Portsmouth-based Funbooth LTD has launched three new décor packages to help create a straightforward and hassle-free service for couples planning their big day. Including chair décor, table décor, signage and post boxes, lovebirds can now choose from The Petite, The Details or The Works package depending on the size of their wedding. Happy couples can choose from the catalogue of hire items to customise each package to suit their theme. Upgrades are also available, and pairs can swap items if needed. The range continuously grows with new faux floral items and a wider range of candles and vases. Every package includes the team delivering, setting up and collecting the pieces to create a stress-free service for nearlyweds.
Posted: 18 May 2023
Mental Health Awareness Week 15th-21st May
Planning a wedding can certainly be an exciting time, from picking the cake to choosing the entertainment, it's full of fun tasks to check off a to-do list. However, wedding planning can also come with a host of negativities such as worrying about money and feeling anxiety about family politics on the big day. Increasing evidence shows that gardens and green spaces are associated with better physical, social and mental health.
Posted: 17 May 2023
Chesil House in Winchester is now offering outdoor weddings
Nestled in the heart of Winchester, Chesil House is a must-see hidden gem now offering al fresco nuptials! Set on the banks of the River Itchen, the stunning 19th-century venue provides an idyllic setting for magical weddings. The head gardener works hard to maintain the stunning gardens, which can now offer a colourful and beautiful backdrop to memorable ceremonies. A major feature of the space is the tributary flowing throughout the venue, creating an incredibly natural look and feel. Rustic handmade garden benches allow loved ones to witness the "I dos" in this wonderful environment
Posted: 16 May 2023
Maileg Wedding Mice back at Bluebell's Burrow
Award-winning, family-run toy business, Bluebell's Burrow, is one of the UK's leading stockists of Maileg toys. These super-stylish, picture-perfect collectable toys are loved by both children and adults. With the wedding season fast-approaching, Maileg Wedding Mice Set (priced at £64) comes in a pretty presentation box, which opens up to reveal the bride and groom on their wedding day. Their clothes and accessories are removable, providing dress-up opportunities and imaginative play for children.
Posted: 15 May 2023
Bizarre wedding traditions: The Eurovision edition
Wedding traditions are dramatically different around the world. From the type of cake served to the attire of the bride, you'll be amazed at what happens on wedding days around the continent. To celebrate Eurovision 2023 taking place in the vibrant city of Liverpool, engagement and wedding ring experts at Steven Stone have rounded up some of the most bizarre traditions from participating countries – including the Big 5.
Posted: 13 May 2023
The do's and don'ts of having pets at weddings
Are you considering including your dog in your wedding festivities? While it can be a lovely way to honour your furry best friend, there are some important considerations to remember to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Dog Behaviourist at Pooch & Mutt Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD, shares the do's and don'ts of including your dog in your wedding, from making sure your dog is properly trained and socialised to creating a comfortable and safe space for them during the event. These tips will help ensure your dog is happy, healthy, and well-behaved throughout the celebration...
Posted: 12 May 2023
Check out Wild Garlic Catering in Eastleigh
Based in Eastleigh, Wild Garlic Catering is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Gavin and Jo Frampton started the company in 2013 after working many years in the hospitality and event industry. The company offers a flexible and friendly service with tailored menu options, whether couples plan a traditional sit-down meal, a casual barbecue or a buffet. Lovebirds can expect a reliable service for an excellent value and delicious food.
Posted: 11 May 2023
Introducing Story Locker’s wedding podcast
With the ever growing popularity of podcasting, welcome to the next big thing which makes podcasting accessible. Story Locker, a one of a kind in the UK podcast recording service that lets participants create a personal podcast based on their life story or to celebrate other special moments in life. The couple can choose to either record their podcast before their wedding day and recall the journey of their love story – from when they first met & the engagement (how it all happened!) to setting the date, the planning and build up to the big day or record their podcast after their wedding day to include memories of the big day too!
Posted: 10 May 2023
Discover weddings at Botley Park Hotel & Spa
Botley Park Hotel & Spa offers the ideal setting for all types of weddings, with unrivalled elegance at every turn. The venue offers seven different locations for ceremonies, which can accommodate between 40 to 350 loved ones. The Hawthorne Suite is popular for intimate nuptials with 60 people for the vows and wedding breakfast. For larger events, the Fair Oak Suite can host up to 280 for the "I dos" and 300 in the evenings. Couples can book to visit the on-site spa before their big day, which offers multiple ELEMIS treatments to calm those last-minute nervous and pamper nearlyweds – it's the ideal location to relax and unwind.
Posted: 9 May 2023
Why Champagne is the number one choice for weddings and celebrations
Champagne naturally goes hand in hand at weddings and there is no shortage of creative ways to share the pinnacle of sparkling wine. The Champagne Bureau UK*, has included useful tips below on how to best serve Champagne at a wedding and help select the right style for the occasion. Using the correct glassware: whilst trends come and go and flutes have commonly been thought of as the crème de la crème - a tall, rounded, tulip-shaped glass is the perfect choice and expertly shows off your Champagne's aromas and bubbles.
Posted: 8 May 2023
#ThisBarbie is getting married! New cards from Thortful
thortful has launched a Barbie card range to send to your bestie on her big day! The internet has been coloured pink with over 107,000 views on Tiktok for #ThisBarbie following the release of a new Barbie trailer. Greetings card marketplace, thortful, has created Barbie cards to send to your nearest and dearest, including 'This Barbie has passed her driving test', and 'This Barbie is getting married'
Posted: 5 May 2023
Avoid a pet custody dispute - get a petnup
Ella Welsby, a senior associate at law firm DMH Stallard and specialist divorce lawyer, explains below how a petnup can help avoid a costly custody battle. Ella Welsby, a senior associate at law firm DMH Stallard and specialist divorce lawyer, said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, but consideration of how pet ownership would be dealt with in the event of a relationship breakdown often comes too late. Given the continued trend for couples to embark on pet ownership as a first foray into family life, it is important to appreciate how to best protect respective interests.
Posted: 3 May 2023
5 ways to plan a sentimental bridesmaid proposal
Planning your wedding is such a personalised experience, and getting to do it your own way is part of what makes it so special. With this in mind, have you thought about how you'll ask your bridesmaids to be part of your wedding party? Add a sentimental touch to this moment with these tips from Kirsty Prankherd, Managing Director of Write From The Heart. Getting everything planned for your wedding is such a personal process, and asking your bridesmaid to be in your wedding party is one of those special moments you'll remember long after the event. So naturally, you'll want to add some individual touches to this proposal to make it an even more special moment between you and your friends.
Posted: 1 May 2023
Noble Macmillan is celebrating this year's wedding season
Luxury leather goods brand Noble Macmillan is celebrating this year's wedding season with a stunning collection of exceptional quality, personalised leather gifts. This thoughtfully curated edit includes a variety of exquisite items from their ever popular classic travel games and bound photo albums, to their brand new glassware range, specifically their stunning hand-blown decanters - all would make wonderful additions to any wedding list.
Posted: 28 April 2023
How to throw a Hen Do on a budget
A typical spend for a Hen Do weekend can cost over £250 per person, taking a big chunk out of the wedding budget. Not only is this a massive cost for the bride, but it could also lead to members of the bridal party worrying about how they can afford such lavish expenses, which may result in them bailing out on the plans. Making arrangements in advance and planning activities ahead of time means both the bride and the party enjoy the celebrations without any falling outs. Sticking to local destinations or opting for activities like bottomless pottery painting over brunch are some of the simple solutions to saving money but still allow everyone to revel in the fun.
Posted: 19 April 2023
County Wedding Magazine reader shares their prize win story!
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In December 2022, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a relaxing spa day for two!' and the winners were nearlyweds Laura and Antoni. The lucky pair enjoyed a day at The Spa at Ardencote, a luxury four-star wedding venue in Warwickshire, including a 55-minute Elemis treatment, light lunch and full access to the award-winning spa facilities worth £130!
Posted: 17 April 2023
Wedding flowers for a lifetime
If you fell in love with your wedding flowers, or perhaps your chosen blooms on the big day had a sentimental meaning, the experts from Gardening Express have named the best flowers to grow in your garden so you can have memories forever of your wedding day. Dahlias come in a variety of colours and sizes, they have a long vase life, which means they will look fresh and beautiful. Dahlias are also associated with love and commitment, making them a meaningful choice.
Posted: 14 April 2023
UK wedding catering trends 2023
Restaurant Associates reveals new data shows a definitive shift in style and substance at UK weddings post-Covid. Now that the dust has settled, and government mandated guest list limits are all but a thing of the past, the UK wedding scene has seen a definitive shift. New data from Restaurant Associates shows a preference to an informal style, plant-forward menus and reception only guests - so what does a 'normal' wedding look like, post-covid?
Posted: 12 April 2023
Wedding favours that make a difference
Parkinson's UK has launched a new collection of wedding and celebration favours and place cards, meaning couples can rest assured with their ethical wedding choices. From old favourites to stunning new designs, there's something for everyone, and even better, with every purchase they're helping someone living with Parkinson's and their family, friends and carers. Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed with more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.
Posted: 10 April 2023
How to announce your wedding and involve your WIPs (Wedding Important People)
There are various levels of Wedding Important People (WIPs), which Rachel from The Wedding Party (TWP) says should govern how you tell them. "Significant WIPs, such as parents or guardians, should be face-to-face wherever possible. Getting families together to announce can kill two birds with one stone, but if your families have not met yet this can produce more nerves. If there are likely to be any reservations, then perhaps speak to your WIPs separately to allow for this. In the same breath, if parents are separated (yours or your partners), arrange to visit them separately but on the same day if possible. Finally, remember that using the video software available to you can ensure that you do this face-to-face no matter the circumstances.
Posted: 7 April 2023
How to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding
Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, provides her top tips on how to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding: "Understanding and managing your finances is never an easy task at the best of the times, however, throwing in a big goal, such as saving for a wedding, can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Wedding planning should be fun, not daunting, therefore this Stress Awareness Month, I've pulled together my top tips to help reduce financial anxiety and make the process as enjoyable as possible.
Posted: 5 April 2023
Wedding planning sorted with The Eventist Group at Mercedes-Benz World
When attending our County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 16th 2023 couples can seek expert advice from Tapenade and The Walled Garden from The Eventist Group, to help when planning their wedding day. Tapenade, one of the group's original brands, the bespoke event caterer has years' of experience in delivering unique events to exceed all expectations.
Posted: 5 April 2023
Discover The National Museum of the Royal Navy's new wedding offer
With unique historic venues for an unforgettable big day, The National Museum of the Royal Navy is getting ready to refresh its wedding offer. To launch this offer, a special wedding fair is being held at the Grand Magazine at the Explosion Museum in Gosport. The Grand Magazine itself is a part of Priddy's Hard, formerly a Naval Armaments depot. The space offers beautiful vaulted ceilings, Georgian wood flooring, and views across Portsmouth Harbour. Best of all prospective couples can come and see it for themselves at the launch event.
Posted: 4 April 2023
Considering a celebrant-led ceremony? Meet Susie Mitchell
From weddings to baby arrivals, renewing of vows to naming ceremonies a celebrant is able to lead a bespoke service at these special occassions. Berkshire's, Susie Mitchell of Full of Love Ceremonies, will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 16th 2023. She says, "I'm Susie, I love helping people create magical moments of love in their lives and can plan a spectacular ceremony for you. My journey to being a celebrant has evolved over forty years, from my love of people and creating unique memories in people's lives celebrating all milestones. My style is true connection; listening to your needs and wants and having that blank canvas to create your happy times and craft your beautiful love story.
Posted: 31 March 2023
