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

The HMS Warrior provides the perfect backdrop to weddings

The HMS Warrior creates a unique wedding backdrop in the heart of Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, with spectacular views across Portsmouth Harbour and beyond. Ceremonies onboard the ship create captivating stories as couples embark on a new chapter in their life bathed in the grandeur of maritime history. HMS Warrior is more than a venue; she's an experience lovebirds will never forget! Surrounded by her timeless beauty, couples can say "I do" in one of the exquisite venue spaces. The Officer's Half Deck is the perfect blank canvas for ceremonies and receptions with 60 seated guests. Couples can add personal style to occasions, creating a beautifully bespoke atmosphere.

Discover Minstead Lodge in the New Forest

Minstead Lodge is thrilled to announce it's embracing a fresh, new look to showcase the stunning New Forest venue and its charitable heart. This transformation highlights the venue's timeless charm and emphasises the team's dedication to providing an exceptional experience for couples and event planners. At the heart of this new look is the unwavering support for people with learning disabilities. Each event booked at Minstead Lodge contributes to helping people with learning disabilities achieve greater independence and develop valuable skills. The Lodge is reinforcing this charitable message, reminding couples that by choosing Minstead Lodge, they're making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Seasonal style

As seasons change, it's important to be aware of how the weather affects the wedding. Editorial Assistant Millicent Garton takes you through some suggestions of how to embrace the chill and celebrate the sun. Much like seasons, it's only natural that weddings and their themes flow and evolve with changing year. From the cake and catering to the dress and décor, all elements of the big day can be influenced by the time of year, so it's only fitting that special attention should be given to those minor details.

Make sure your wedding day is protected! 

When you're planning a wedding, getting insured is important to protect 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. Weddings can be a pricey affair, with the average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 coming in at around £20,755. Knowing the total cost of your wedding and how much you're spending on each element of your big day is crucial before choosing your insurance policy. Identifying any big-ticket expenses that you'll want covered should anything go wrong, such as venues, caterers, photographers, or dresses is also key. This can also help you decide if standard insurance policies will be enough or if you'll need something more specific or customised.

Find your big-day musicians at Ascot Racecourse

Gwenllian is an acclaimed and established Wedding harpist, ready to accommodate all your musical needs for your special day. From performances at the National Portrait Gallery to St David's Hall, Cardiff and the Barbican, London, she has toured the East Coast of America with concerts in New York and Boston. She has recorded at Abbey Road Studios and her work has been performed and recorded by Ensemble Cymru. Gwenllian is an award-winning and experienced harpist in demand for luxury events for distinguished venues such as Saddler's Hall, Vintner's Hall and Loseley Park. She is passionate about creating bespoke musical arrangements to add that personal touch to your wedding day.

With an exclusive discount for this event only, come and meet her at the Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show.

How to avoid pre-nups becoming a wedding alarm bell

As one of the most popular seasons for wedding proposals approaches, couples are being reminded to factor pre-nuptials into their plans well ahead of the big day. No longer associated with the rich and famous, people from all walks of life and finance levels are entering into nuptial agreements. And often it's not the couples themselves who initiate the idea to enter into a nuptial agreement, it can often be suggested by their parents. "It's becoming more common for couples to take out an agreement because their parents have helped them financially more than perhaps, they did 5 to 10 years ago," said Sally Ward, a Senior Associate solicitor in Family Law at leading law firm, Ellisons Solicitors.

Plan your stag and hen do (or sten do) with County Wedding events

Dorset-based adventure company, Land & Wave, is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 13th October, and Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 27th October. Visit Tilly at the Land & Wave stand to find out about magical Hen, Stag and 'Sten' Do's in the woods. Perfect for adventurous, outdoorsy couples looking for unique experiences to share with friends. Show Offer: Pay your deposit at the show and the Stag/Hen goes FREE!

Find those finishing touches with Harper Rose at Ascot Racecourse

Berkshire-based Harper Rose Events is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 27th October. "Delivering Stationery, Signage and Props for your event or wedding. At Harper Rose we offer not only the props, backdrops and frames for hire but also bespoke, personalised signs for hire too!," shares designer Lydia. "Meaning you don't have to pay the full purchase price for a bespoke sign and worry about where you are going to keep it afterwards. "Allow us to take your inspiration and bring it to life for your occasions, helping you design and create all the elegant touches to your event or wedding day! Come & see us for your chance to win your wedding signage for free!"

20% offer for show attendees

Anjali Ghosalkar is a wedding designer and planner and the founder of Ashford-based Let Us Do It Ltd offering event design and management. You can meet Anjali at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows at Mercedes-Benz World and Ascot Racecourse this October! What's more, the company is offering 20% discount on all services booked at the show - be sure to pop along and say hi

Discover this luxury romantic venue at Ascot Racecourse

Based in Sunninghill, Ascot, the team from Royal Berkshire will be on hand at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 27th October. 'Romantic, quiet luxury and homely. Royal Berkshire is the perfect place to marry and celebrate exclusively. This winter, we're offering special rates for weddings taking place from January – end of March 2025. Why not have a chat with us at the wedding show on the 27th of October to find out more? We can't wait to meet you!'

Marisska Couture exhibiting at Ascot Racecourse's Signature Wedding Show

Marisska Couture is exhibiting at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 27th October, 2024. "Welcome to Marisska Couture, where exquisite craftsmanship and personalised elegance come together. We specialise in bespoke women's couture, offering tailored garments that embody the essence of luxury. Whether you're selecting from our made-to-order collection or opting for a custom creation, each piece is meticulously crafted to perfection.

Venue styling sorted with Surrey's Chair Cover Dreams

Surrey-based Chair Cover Dreams is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 13th October 2024. Owner, Maxine has worked in the industry for 12 years specialising in weddings and events in the UK, from the Ivy in London to marquees that seat 600, celebrity weddings to smaller intimate affairs. Providing chair covers, table décor, venue styling, theming, centrepieces, focal points, draping, mood-lighting, interior design and event management; the company can provide fairytale weddings to masquerade balls.

Amber Alice Wedding Singer - live at Ascot Racecourse this October!

Amber Alice will be singing live at the Ascot Racecourse wedding fair, hosted by County Wedding Events on Sunday 27th October, 2024. Amber graduated from the Academy of Contemporary Music with a first class honours degree in music / vocals and is now performing at events and weddings and is also a singing teacher. She recently released her debut single Stay Close and was voted on BBC Music Introducing representing best new unsigned Kent music, as best record of the week and was interviewed on radio by Callum French. Amber Alice is looking forward to meeting prospective couples at Ascot. Feel free to pop along and say hi and listen to some beautiful singing.

Discount on photography at Signature Wedding Shows

Berkshire-based Secu Photography is exhibiting at the Signature Wedding Show hosted by County Wedding Events at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 13th October. 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 - so be sure to pop along.

Source your big-day photography with County Wedding Events

Isobel of Isobel W-N Photography is on hand at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse to talk about your big-day photography needs! "Hello, I'm Isobel! My style of wedding photography is documentary and candid. What really matters to me are the small moments. The gaze into each other's eyes during the first dance, the escaped tears during the best man's speech, and the candid moments of laughter. "Each wedding is a unique collection of instances that contribute to the beautiful story of your day. These moments, no matter how fleeting, are what make your day truly yours, and it's an honour for me to preserve them for generations to come.

"Of course I also know how important a group photos is so I will also be there when the time is right to gather your guests and get some fun group photos alongside my relaxed documentary approach."

Donations instead of wedding gifts - support VOW for Girls

From unconventional venues to unique attire choices, modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love. But what if one of these unique touches could mean helping change the lives of millions of girls around the world? This is where VOW for Girls steps in. Founded by Princess Mabel van Orange of the Netherlands, a serial entrepreneur for social change and founder of VOW for Girls, this unique charity aims to tackle the urgent issue of child marriage through a creative and powerful funding method. Instead of the usual wedding day traditions, VOW for Girls invites couples to use their special day as a force for good. By saying 'I do,' couples can empower millions of young girls to say 'I do' to a brighter future.

Don't miss this wedding offer from De Vere Horsley Estate

Horsley Towers offers a variety of beautiful spaces to make weddings of any size truly special. The team will be on hand to discuss all-things wedding at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 13th October. Fairytale-inspired weddings take place at this country bolthole, with the grounds home to a secret chapel, beautifully tiled cloisters and the lakeside 19th-century mansion. The estate has unveiled the first phase of a £1.2million refurbishment to 51 of its bedrooms located in Horsley Place, a distinctive contemporary hotel which sits alongside the historic mansion house, Horsley Towers within more than 75 acres of grounds. Ten new academy double rooms and five new academy superior double rooms have been refurbished, along with the creation of five new Horsley Place suites.

Considering a magic mirror? Pop along to our Signature Wedding Shows

Windsor's The Best Magic Mirrors will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show. If you are considering a magic mirror for your wedding day, then popping along to the wedding fair gives you the perfect opportunity to see see one for yourself and speak with owner Lauren, who's on hand to answer all of your questions. She says, "When it comes to evening entertainment at your wedding, you want something that's going to capture the memories of your special day that you can re live over and over again. That's why our Magic Mirror is the perfect choice. We take photobooth fun to a whole new level, providing a unique experience with our state of the art Magic Mirror using colourful animations and touch screen technology to give you a magical, interactive 'selfie' experience.

Winter wedding colour trends set to dominate 2024 & 2025

The date has been set, the invitations are out. Have you planned a winter wedding for this season and are still looking for inspiration for your decorations? Trend expert Ella Citron-Thompkins from Diamonds Factory tells us which five colour schemes are ideal...Ice Princess: silver, white, blue, grey: For those who prefer classic elegance, the "Ice Princess" colour scheme is perfect. The cool colour palette of silver, white, blue and grey creates an elegant, frosty look and adds a touch of fairytale magic to your winter wedding. Crystal clear accents such as ice crystals, sparkling fairy lights and shimmering decorations fit perfectly and create a magical, almost arctic atmosphere.

Bottom's up with The Fabulous Filly's show offer

Impress your guests with your own personalised bar - hire The Fabulous Filly Horse Box Bar for your special day. "We offer tailored drink packages including signature cocktails served in vintage glassware," shares owner Nicola. "Come and see us at the show for an exclusive show offer - Free Champagne Tower Glass Hire included with your booking! This supplier is exhibiting at the following County Wedding Events shows: Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse