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

Discover Hinton St Mary Estate in Dorset

Hinton St Mary Estate is a family-owned, private estate in North Dorset that sits on the River Stour and farms on more than 700 hectares of the Blackmore Vale, with an additional 40 hectares of protected woodland. The Tithe Barn is approached through a long avenue of beech trees, with horses grazing on one side and open arable fields on the other. As pairs enter through the gates to the manor, there's a sense of history, privilege and secrecy about what lies within. It's a calming haven of tranquillity with goldfish and lilies on the pond, and then the modest majesty of the building hits.

Planning a hen (or sten) party? These activity-based bars need to be on your list

Tasty food, gorgeous cocktails and a bit of healthy competition equals a winning recipe for an amazing time for your pre-wedding get together! How does a side of shuffleboard or darts with your cocktails sound? Whether you're looking for a daytime plan or something to keep you partying into the early hours, Electric Shuffle and Flight Club are great options. Both have resident DJs banging out the tunes, and both offer fab bottomless brunch packages if an afternoon booze session is more what you're after. They're also perfectly designed for the most amazing insta-worthy pics

Land & Wave announces a new hen do package

Dorset-based outdoor adventure company Land & Wave has just announced the launch of its first 24-hour Ultimate Hen Package after more women fell in love with the great outdoors. Head of operations and an outdoor instructor Sophie Tanner says, "The tide is changing; we're getting so many more women coming to us wanting that outdoor experience for hen dos. The demand is there with those wanting to do something different. We've listened, and now we've delivered!" The new 24-hour Ultimate Hen Package offers women an overnight woodland campout and the opportunity to learn survival and bushcraft skills from shelter building and fire lighting to axe throwing and archery.

Award-winning photographer exhibiting at Ascot Racecourse

Sussex-based professional documentary style photographer, Chloe Jessup Photography, is exhibiting with County Wedding Events at its Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April. Chloe has just been awarded a winner's rosette from the UK Wedding Photography Awards for the three pictured images. Also, couples can make the most of the current special offer: for any bookings before the end of April 2024 (regardless of when the wedding is) they will get a 15% discount from the Poppy and Rose packages

Revealed the UK’s best venues with woodlands to achieve dreamy cottage-core weddings

A recent study revealed the UK's highest-rated venues for woodland-themed weddings, with Creeksea Place being named the best. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analysed user-generated review data to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated woodlands venues by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Creeksea Place is the most highly rated woodland in the nation. Located in Essex, the manor house, which includes picturesque woodland, has been rated five stars over 220 times giving it a perfect score of ten out of ten.

The new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection

Find an oasis this spring with the new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection, Under the Desert Sun. The new collection will brighten the home with fragrances that exude memories of warmer days, including four refreshingly light and bright fragrances including, Desert Blooms, Aloe & Agave, Sweet Vanilla & Horchata, and Stargazing. Inspired by the unique beauty of the desert, the new collection has been designed to help escape the ordinary and satisfy wanderlust, immersing the home in sun-drenched scents. The Under The Desert Sun collection features exotic fragrances such as aguaro cactus, aloe and blue lotus, as well as soothing lavender and eucalyptus.

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