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

Jeremy France Jewellers in Winchester hosts spring event, Something Blue

Jeremy France Jewellers located in Winchester, Hampshire is set to host a spring event, Something Blue, on 22nd May 2026 from 7 pm until 9 pm. It will be an evening of accessory making, cocktails and light nibbles. Guests will be buided through a bridal accessory-making workshop by the friendly team. They will get to choose from a selection of pearls and colourful gem beads to create a unique piece of jewellery. Whether newly engaged or further along the wedding planning journey, this event is perfect for those who want to bring out their creative side and enjoy a luxurious evening in the heart of Winchester High Street.

Everything you need to know about prenups

Prenups are fast becoming a key part of wedding planning for many Brits, with new data from leading law firm Mills & Reeve showing a sharp surge in demand during the second quarter of the year, dubbed by the law firm as 'prenup season'. Brett Frankle, partner at Mills & Reeve, explains how the trend has developed and why more couples are choosing to put agreements in place ahead of their wedding. Over the last five years, we have seen a sharp rise in prenups between April and July, linked to summer weddings, preholiday planning and timesensitive instructions before ceremonies, with July proving particularly popular.

The ‘I Do’ Dilemma: Why Couples Struggle to Sign Their New Names

More couples than ever are choosing to combine their surnames after marriage, but many are running into one unexpected problem: they can't sign their new name. Searches for "combined surnames" have risen by 37% in the past month, according to new data analysed by luxury pen brand Scriveiner. Interest has been steadily increasing over the past year, with a clear spike in the lead-up to wedding season between late spring and early autumn.

The Overlooked Legal Steps That Could Invalidate Your Wedding

Planning a wedding in the UK comes with a surprising number of legal "gotchas" that couples often overlook. Following reports that Olivia Attwood and Stacey Solomon had elements of their weddings deemed non-legal, along with summer being peak wedding season, jewellers Queensmith are reminding couples of the most common legal pitfalls so they can enjoy their big day with peace of mind. From giving notice at the register office to having the right witnesses in place, missing just one requirement could mean your dream wedding isn't legally binding.

The Jetty at Harbour Hotel Christchurch celebrates 15th anniversary

Perched on the water's edge at Mudeford Quay, The Jetty at Harbour Hotel Christchurch recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half as one of the town's most loved waterfront dining destinations. Led by award-winning Chef Patron Alex Aitken, The Jetty has built its reputation on thoughtful, produce-led cooking and strong relationships with local suppliers. With more than 40 years' experience, Aitken's philosophy of simplicity, seasonality and letting quality ingredients shine continues to define the menus, from freshly landed seafood to carefully sourced regional produce. Located within the grounds of Harbour Hotel Christchurch, The Jetty offers relaxed coastal dining with uninterrupted views across the quay and harbour, remaining a firm favourite with both locals and visitors alike.

The wedding favours taking off for 2026 - from socks to seed packets

Loved by nearlywed couples planning their big day, wedding favours are a wedding staple, with new data revealing searches are up significantly ahead of the 2026 wedding season. But industry experts say 2026 weddings will shift away from one-size-fits-all gifting favours, with a stronger focus on personalised touches that guests actually want to keep. With this in mind, gifting and accessories brand Sayers London has revealed the most in-demand wedding-favour ideas for 2026, alongside insights into how fiancés are rethinking tradition to create more memorable experiences for their guests.

Wedding gift ideas for newlyweds - what fragrance is for you?

As we're fast approaching wedding season, according to Google trends, 'wedding day gifts' is seeing a 70% increase in searches! Yankee Candle and WoodWick, are the perfect gift for any wedding. Fragrance is the perfect way to add that personal touch and showcase how scent is perfect for making memories, creating a sensory experience that couples and guests can associate with the day long after it's over. Experts from Yankee Candle and WoodWick discuss the power of fragrance for moments like weddings. Jennifer Genson, WoodWick R&D Director of Fragrance & Sensory Science at Newell Brands say...

House of Janneke, a new lifestyle brand, launches Book of Special Days

The Book of Special Days is a keepsake journal that gives special moments a home. This isn't a diary. There are no rules, no schedules, no need to write in it every day.  There is a page for every day of the year, but no printed years. After a special day, you find the date, add the year and write down what made it worth remembering. Over time, this book will become something more: a living archive of your days, a weave of stories across the years, a place for little joys, victories big and small, laughter shared and milestones you cherish. It holds what you don't want to forget, a trove of the ordinary and the extraordinary, all treasured alike.

Parkdean Resorts defines emerging trends for holidays

Parkdean Resorts, with holiday parks across the UK including in Hayling Island in Hampshire, three choices in Dorset and five in Wales, defines emerging trends for holidays and honeymoons. The way we travel is changing in 2026 - from celebrating wedding proposals with a romantic getaway to chasing adrenaline at theme parks and waterparks and bigger group experiences. According to a new study by Parkdean Resorts, more than 76% of Brits are planning a UK break this year, so domestic travel is set to boom once again. The team have curated search data and shared their expert insights to predict the biggest travel trends for this year's holiday season.

Iconic Wedding Gift Ideas from Dualit

Iconic British brand Dualit presents a curated selection of wedding gifts designed to be cherished for years, and in some cases, generations to come. From romantic, café-style mornings to shared moments over hot chocolate, each gift will be enjoyed well beyond the wedding day. A thoughtful gift for couples who love to bake and a must have for every kitchen. The Dualit Hand Mixer is a firm favourite among top chefs and seen on TV, combining high performance and a chic retro design, this versatile tool is available in Copper or Chrome finish.

Countdown to the County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey

We live and breathe weddings at County Wedding Magazines and Events, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey on Sunday 26th April, 2026! It's one of our biggest wedding shows of the spring wedding show season. The event brings couples 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.

Love leaves a legacy at The Royal Maritime Hotel in Portsmouth

For couples dreaming of a wedding steeped in naval heritage and heartfelt purpose, The Royal Maritime Hotel in Portsmouth offers a truly meaningful setting. As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, every celebration held at the hotel directly supports veterans and serving personnel, adding a powerful and lasting legacy to your special day. To honour this commitment, the team is delighted to offer a special gift. Couples who book their wedding at this stunning venue will receive a complimentary first wedding anniversary stay, complete with dinner for two — a perfect opportunity to return to where it all began and relive the memories of the day.

Tagvenue Reveals Its 2026 Event Predictions

As the events sector continues to evolve, 2026 is set to mark a clear turning point for UK venues. Leading event booking platform Tagvenue has released its predictions for how the UK events and hospitality sector will evolve in 2026, pointing to a decisive shift away from scale, standardisation and fixed packages, and towards experience-led formats, wellbeing and clearer communication of value. Drawing on booking behaviour across thousands of UK venues, alongside insights from independent hospitality operators, Tagvenue predicts that the most successful event spaces in 2026 will be those that combine strong identity with flexibility, visual appeal and transparency around pricing and experience.

Experts Warn Against Using AI for Wedding Vows

With peak wedding season approaching, experts are warning couples not to rely on AI to write one of the most personal parts of their big day – their vows. A survey by jewellers Queensmith has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK brides and grooms are now using AI tools to help write their wedding vows and speeches, raising questions about authenticity, originality and even potential legal grey areas. The findings come amid a growing debate around AI-written vows after a registrar in the eastern Netherlands saw a marriage called into question when AI was used to help write the ceremony script. In the case, the District Court of Overijssel ruled that "no marriage has been established" after it emerged the registrar had relied on ChatGPT to draft parts of the ceremony. The case has sparked wider concerns that AI-generated wording could unintentionally mirror existing vows or scripts found online, raising questions about originality and authenticity.

County Wedding Events comes to Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 17th May, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face 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.

Wedding Fair to take place at Newclose County Cricket Ground this Sunday 12th April

Newclose County Cricket Ground is excited to announce its annual wedding fair, taking place this Sunday, 12th April 2026. Set within the picturesque grounds of this historic venue, the fair allows engaged couples to explore two distinctive wedding spaces and meet a carefully selected range of local wedding suppliers. Couples can tour the elegant Pavilion, ideal for more intimate celebrations of up to 80 guests, as well as the spacious Marquee, which can host larger weddings of up to 300. From florists and photographers to stylists and entertainment, the fair offers plenty of inspiration alongside practical planning advice.

Marriage, Money, and Modern Love: Gen Z and Millennials

"As a family barrister, I spend much of my professional life dealing with what happens when relationships break down," says Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, Family Barrister at 4PB. "That vantage point inevitably shapes how I think about marriage — not cynically, but realistically. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that one of the most notable trends I have observed in recent years is the growing interest in prenuptial agreements among Gen Z and younger Millennial couples.

Win an Engaged Couple a Dublin Minimoon with GoHen & StagWeb

Leading UK stag and hen party providers, StagWeb and GoHen, have launched a brand-new competition offering one lucky engaged couple the chance to win a Dublin minimoon - completely free. Whether it's a little pre-wedding trip to escape the planning stress or a post-wedding adventure before the honeymoon, it could be the perfect little wedding gift for the happy couple - read here now!

Why Wedding Dog Chaperones Are the Must-Have for Modern I Dos

As couples across the UK continue to personalise their weddings, one heart-melting trend is taking centre stage: including their dogs in the big day. From aisle appearances to wedding portraits, four-legged companions are becoming VIP guests — and making celebrations even more meaningful. But as this trend grows, so does the need for expert support behind the scenes. Enter professional wedding dog chaperones — with trusted providers like Hannah's Wedding Dog Chaperone leading the way. While the idea of having your dog at your wedding sounds idyllic, the reality can be complex. Venues, timings, transport, and your pet's wellbeing all need careful coordination — especially on what is already a busy, emotional day.

Expert says prenups aren't just for the rich and famous

Legal experts at Richard Nelson LLP are urging Brits to rethink who prenups are really for. While often seen as something reserved for high-profile couples, data suggests they remain largely overlooked in everyday relationships. Just 7 percent of divorced Brits had a prenuptial agreement in place before separating, highlighting a significant gap between perception and reality. Regionally, attitudes vary. Manchester has emerged as the UK's 'prenup capital', with 13 percent of divorced couples having one in place, compared to 8 percent in London and 11 percent in Birmingham. Meanwhile, cities including Liverpool and Southampton reported no uptake among those surveyed.