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

Exchange vows at God’s House Tower in Southampton

Say "I do" in one of Southampton's most iconic and captivating monuments! Nestled in the heart of Southampton's picturesque Old Town is the stunning multi-purpose venue: God's House Tower (GHT).  Set within the city's Medieval defensive walls, GHT offers a unique glimpse into the city's past, and after an extensive refurbishment is now enjoying its present-day incarnation as a cutting-edge arts, heritage and event space. With its captivating interior and charming historic surroundings, this 700-year-old Grade I ancient monument houses a variety of settings for wedding ceremonies and receptions, for intimate to grand celebrations.  The Crawford Room is the oldest corner of the building, featuring an ancient wooden beamed roof with dramatic views overlooking the Old Town.

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

Book florist Willow and Sage for your wedding day

The team at Willow and Sage are passionate about providing amazing flowers for every wedding; there's no one-size-fits-all approach in their design process. A lower budget should not mean lower care or less thoughtfulness from a florist. They thrive on crafting beautiful floral designs regardless of the price, whether it's an extravagant celebration, an intimate ceremony, a micro-wedding or an elopement. The friendly team of creatives love nothing more than designing pieces for unique people and will do all they can to make visions come to life. Owner Elinor Delargy spent her early professional years working with polo ponies and felt incredibly lucky to have found a second enduring passion later in her working life.

Young Brits looking to get hitched face saving for 30 Months

Young couples are faced with saving for over 30 months to reach their wedding savings goals, according to new research from Nationwide that charts what Brits are saving for in 2024.One in six young people are currently putting money away for their dream wedding. On average, these love birds are aiming to save £17,000 in preparation for their wedding – although the costs will likely be higher as many will also benefit from contributions from family and friends. Based on average monthly individual savings of £282, it would take a typical couple saving a combined £564 around 31 months to reach their target.*

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

Discover The Lord Mayor's Reception Room

Tie the knot in the heart of the city in one of Southampton's most iconic buildings. Located in the Civic Centre, this local landmark is sure to impress with its large clock tower, tall ceilings, polished wood floors and historic artefacts. A truly spectacular setting for weddings, the room's theatre-style layout boasts a long aisle and tall windows that flood the room with light. A sweeping staircase leads to the ceremony room and the Mayor's Balcony, perfect for those all-important photos. Ceremonies with up to 50 guests occur on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. We love that many great restaurants and hotels are nearby for post-vow celebrations.

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches'. My groom isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).

Indulge in Vera Wang x Chopin vodka this wedding season

With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one's celebration stylish and memorable. Vera Wang x Chopin vodka comes from a unique partnership blending the refined style of iconic fashion designer Vera Wang with the unparalleled craftsmanship of Chopin.

The UK’s top stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings

A recent study has revealed the UK's highest-rated stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings, with Pembroke Lodge, Surrey named the best. The research, conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards, analysed user-generated review data from a popular wedding planning site to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated stately homes by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Pembroke Lodge is the nation's most highly rated stately home. Located in Surrey, the grand wedding venue has over 1,100 five-star ratings and an overall perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Elite Hotels launches new wedding packages

Elite Hotels, a privately owned collection of three individual and distinctive hotels in Sussex and Hampshire, offers the most elegant collection of wedding venues. The team is excited to announce the newly launched wedding packages, offering a break from the wedding tradition, allowing the happy couple flexibility and creative license at various price points to create the most memorable nuptials. From the commanding redwood-lined entrance driveway that greets the couples to its Gertrude Jekyll-designed gardens and wild orchid meadow, Tylney Hall Hotel provides an impressive setting for weddings or civil partnerships. Sitting within 66 acres of glorious Hampshire countryside, including RHS Partner gardens, this grand Victorian Grade II listed country house with its high-vaulted ceiling and minstrel's gallery.

Find out more about Marisska Couture Bespoke and Couture Tailoring

As a personal stylist, my passion for design runs deep. Growing up surrounded by beautiful dresses made by my grandmother and my father's exquisite cabinet design, creativity has always been the driving force behind my work. For me, fabric isn't just material; it's a canvas brimming with potential. I draw endless inspiration from the rich palette of colors and textures they offer. At Marisska Couture Bespoke and Couture Tailoring, we don't just make garments; we're crafting unforgettable experiences. From our initial consultation to the final fitting, each step of our process is tailored to you, ensuring that your unique vision comes to life with meticulous attention to detail.

New research reveals biggest wedding trends of 2024, and some will surprise you

The wedding themes of 2024? Expect them to be smaller and more intimate, more informal and just generally more fun! That's according to a new study which was commissioned by high street jewellers, F.Hinds. They asked 2,000 UK couples for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important (and which aren't), and what new trends will be incorporated into wedding day plans for 2024. They also spoke to a wedding expert for her views. Their research revealed that the 'big day' traditions that remain in favour include the bride walking walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by a family member (43%).

County Wedding Events comes to Selden Barns, Worthing, Sussex

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Selden Barns, Worthing, Sussex for some much-needed inspiration on Sunday 28th April, 2023! 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.

East Afton Farmhouse offers a stunning backdrop to weddings

Surrounded by rolling countryside on the beautiful Isle of Wight, East Afton Farmhouse offers the most idyllic setting for celebrations with beautiful beaches, coastal scenery and vast countryside. The grounds never disappoint, with many beautiful backdrops all year round. The gardens change from white roses and blossom blushes in the spring to warm tones and rich vibrant flowers in the summer. Sunset red fields of grass and crunchy amber leaves can be seen in the autumn, and the crisp light bounces off cool greens in winter, which complements the dusky purple sky. Why not use the grounds to host party games, reception drinks, canapés or formal photos? There are three spaces licensed for weddings!

Meet the De Vere Horsley Estate wedding team

De Vere Horsley Estate, located in East Horsley, Surrey, is a picture-perfect setting for nuptials. Celebrate your wedding day with family and friends in total privacy as you are the Royal Household of your very own 'castle' for the day. Exclusive hire of the Towers gives you this 19th-century ancestral home to the Lovelace family, with your very own lake, croquet lawn, cloisters and ornamental chapel... perfect for the photo album! Your guests can relax at the end of your special day in one of the venue's fabulous Towers Mansion House bedrooms. The best room in the house is already reserved for you, with another four Junior Suites, three Family Rooms and 20 Deluxe Double rooms available to be reserved by your guests.

Having a multicultural wedding? Make sure everyone is include with these tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. My groom's family is Italian and some of them don't speak any English. How do we ensure they feel included during the speeches? This is becoming an issue for more and more couples as relationships become increasingly international. Bringing two cultures together at a wedding can be wonderful but it's not without its challenges, the prime example being the speeches.