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

The Montagu Arms offers weddings in the heart of the New Forest

The Montagu Arms is a charming countryside hotel and wedding venue tucked away in the picturesque village of Beaulieu. The beautifully restored 17th-century boutique hotel offers a scenic setting for weddings in the heart of the New Forest. The four-star property provides an intimate and elegant backdrop for celebrations of every scale, from relaxed intimate gatherings to exclusive private hire celebrations. Guests can stay over in a choice of 33 elegant bedrooms and suites, brimming with country charm and providing a welcome home from home. Features include wood panelling and lead-lined windows in the House Suites, and a freestanding bathtub, twin marble sinks and a private terrace in the Courtyard Suite.

Wowcher’s spa expert Cheryl Corns shares five ways to enjoy a little luxury for less

A relaxing spa visit doesn't have to involve an overnight stay or a three-figure budget. From choosing a shorter treatment with facilities access to comparing afternoon packages, there are ways to enjoy a little luxury while keeping spending down. Cheryl Corns, Wowcher's spa expert, shares five practical tips to help people find a spa experience that suits their budget. "Start with what you'd most enjoy from your visit," says Cheryl. "A massage, a swim and some time in the sauna might be exactly what you're looking for. You don't necessarily need a long treatment or an overnight stay to make it feel like a treat. "The key is to compare the whole experience—what treatment you get, which facilities you can use and how much time you have there—so you choose something that works for you."

Keepsakes to Treasure with House of Janneke

Lifestyle brand House of Janneke is expanding its collection of meaningful keepsakes with two new titles: The Book of Special Guests and The Book of Special Recipes, designed to preserve the people, stories and traditions that matter most. Following the success of The Book of Special Days, founder Janneke Simpson has created two beautifully presented books that encourage owners to capture memories by hand, creating personal mementoes to revisit and pass down through generations.

The Alverbank unveils Thursday Wedding Packages

According to wedding specialists at The Alverbank, a coastal wedding venue overlooking the Solent in Gosport, weekday weddings are becoming increasingly popular as couples look to prioritise experiences, value and flexibility. While Saturday weddings remain a classic choice, Thursday celebrations are allowing couples to enjoy many of the same benefits, often with greater venue availability and the opportunity to create a wedding experience that extends into a long weekend with family and friends. "We're seeing couples become much more intentional about how they spend their wedding budget," says Claire Wake, wedding events manager at The Alverbank. "Rather than simply following tradition, many are choosing a Thursday wedding and using the savings to invest in the things that matter most to them."

The A/W 2026 wedding trends: softer tailoring, richer tones and seasonal florals

From chocolate and camel tailoring to dahlias and trailing amaranthus, autumn/winter weddings are embracing richer colours and softer styling. As the autumn/winter wedding season gets underway, couples are moving away from rigid, perfectly matched styling in favour of looks that feel more relaxed, personal and connected to the season. Jess Levick, Assistant Buyer at Suit Direct, shares the key tailoring and styling trends shaping A/W 2026 occasionwear, alongside Lucy Hook, Floral Lead at Bloom & Wild, who reveals the flowers, colours and textures set to be popular for bouquets and displays this season.

What to do now to get your finances ready for 2027 

Aileen Robertson, Tesco Bank's Head of Savings, has shared ways soon-to-be-wedded couples and newlyweds can build healthy savings habits and step into 2027 feeling more confident about their shared futures! Aileen Robertson, Head of Savings at Tesco Bank, comments: "The start of a new year often feels like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start, with people embracing resolutions and looking to turn over a new leaf. But creating new habits can take time as people settle back into their routines, and sometimes those good intentions never quite get off the ground. "If you're trying to stay on top of your finances in 2027, taking small steps now can make that journey much easier. It's important to remember that it's never too late, or too early, to start working towards your goals. Setting them is the first step, whether they're big or small, so think about what you want your money to do for you. From here you can start to work towards your goals, building good savings habits along the way, and see your money grow over time."

Yankee Candle® launches limited-edition The Traitors collection

Fans of the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors can bring a little intrigue into their homes this autumn with a limited-edition candle collection from Yankee Candle. Inspired by the BAFTA-winning series, the new collection features two Signature Large Jar Candles: Faithful and Traitor. Each fragrance represents a different side of the game, inviting fans to choose their allegiance while settling in for the latest round of suspicion, secrets and unexpected reveals. Faithful is designed to evoke comfort and calm, blending cashmere vanilla and rose with a warm amber base. Its soft, powdery fragrance is ideal for cosy evenings spent analysing clues and debating who can be trusted.

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 8th November, 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.

Not Just Travel unveils honeymoon trends

Ellie Parkinson at Not Just Travel explains couples are looking beyond the traditional honeymoon, choosing journeys that tell their story. They want to wake up somewhere extraordinary, and experience something they've never experienced before, whether that's watching the sunrise over the African plains, stepping onto powder-soft sand in Zanzibar or enjoying the Italian coast. Safari is always a popular choice for honeymoons in destinations like Kenya, travelling through the Masai Mara and Amboseli National Park in search of the incredible wildlife and landscapes. Long-haul luxury is high on the wish list, with glamorous places like Las Vegas and the Caribbean always trending. Closer to home in Europe, an Italian adventure awaits, travelling through Venice, Pisa and Rome, finishing with time along the beautiful Sorrento coast.

Traitors, Bake Off and Strictly: the TV-inspired hen dos you can actually book

With The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off all back on our screens, hen and stag parties can take inspiration from some of the nation's favourite TV shows. Chillisauce is offering groups the chance to recreate the drama, dancing and baking challenges for themselves, with experiences designed to bring a little competitive spirit to pre-wedding celebrations. Whether you fancy uncovering a secret traitor, putting your baking skills to the test or learning a new dance routine, there are options to suit a range of groups and locations across the UK. Discover three TV-inspired hen and stag party ideas, from murder mystery experiences in 26 locations to baking challenges and themed dance classes....

ALDI launches new wick-ed £4.99 confetti Halloween candles

Aldi is getting into the Halloween spirit with its new Hotel Collection Halloween Confetti Candles, priced at just £4.99 each. The 180g candles feature colourful confetti patterns and come in three designs: Ghost, Pumpkin and Black Cat. Each candle offers an approximate burn time of 34 hours, making them an affordable way to add an autumnal touch to the home. Shoppers can choose from three seasonal fragrances, each with its own distinctive blend of notes.

Looking ahead to wedding trends for hens and stags in 2027

Hen Dos Stay Home While Stags Head Abroad, Chillisauce Data Reveals: Hen parties are increasingly choosing UK destinations, while stag groups are becoming more likely to head overseas, according to booking data from Chillisauce, which suggests the divide could widen further in 2027. The company's figures show that the proportion of hen bookings taking place in the UK rose from 69% in 2024 to 76% in 2026. Over the same period, the share of stag dos abroad increased from 59% to 68%. Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce, says affordability and accessibility are helping to shape hen party plans.

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 11th October, 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.

Manchester is the UK’s Marriage-Search Capital, New Research Finds

From searching for the perfect engagement ring to browsing wedding venues and proposal ideas, Brits are increasingly turning to Google when preparing to take the next step in their relationships. But new research has revealed that some UK cities are considerably more marriage-minded online than others. Manchester has emerged as the UK city with the highest level of marriage-related search interest relative to its population, according to research from Agilis. The city records an estimated 1,540.7 searches per 100,000 residents across terms relating to engagement rings, proposals, wedding planning, marriage advice and civil partnerships. Plymouth comes in second, with 1,435.6 searches per 100,000 residents, while Leeds takes third place with 1,343.9. Newcastle upon Tyne, Glasgow and Birmingham also feature strongly, with each recording more than 1,300 searches per 100,000 people.

Sleep Like A Traitor

The Traitors is back! And with Britons fully embracing their inner detectives, the allure of a suspense-soaked countryside escape complete with shadowy hallways, crackling fires and the irresistible question of "who's hiding what?" is stronger than ever. Groups can immerse themselves in their very own plot twist this winter thanks to Rural Retreats. From atmospheric farmhouses to sprawling manors perfect for plotting and sleuthing, the scene is set for the ultimate Great British Whodunnit Weekend.

Wedding photographer’s plea to guests: “Please don’t do this during the big moments”

As weddings become increasingly visual experiences, from professional photography and videography to social content and guest photos, modern couples are placing more focus than ever on preserving the moments they will look back on for years to come. To help couples and guests navigate this evolving landscape, leading bridal brand Grace Loves Lace has partnered with wedding photographer and planner Patrizia Corbianco, founder of Blancorazon Wedding, who has spent years capturing modern weddings and helping couples create meaningful, visually considered celebrations.

Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens hosts autumn experiences this October

As summer gives way to crisp mornings and russet woodland, Hampshire's Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens hosts October events. Set amid 66 acres of parkland and gardens in the Hampshire countryside, this Grade II listed country house with an old-world sense of grandeur is tucked away in Hook, within easy reach of Basingstoke and the M3 and M4. It strikes an appealing balance between rural seclusion and easy access. In autumn, the estate is at its most atmospheric as the woodland turns russet and gold, the air sharpens and the gardens become a quietly beautiful backdrop for a country-house escape. This October, it's set to host a series of seasonal events.

The 2026 UK Wedding Blacklist: The 10 Songs Couples Don’t Want on the Dancefloor

Modern British couples are officially rewriting the rules of wedding entertainment, according to new social listening research released today by UK live music and entertainment agency Jonny Ross Music. An analysis of social media discussions across TikTok and Reddit (r/UKweddings) reveals that traditional party staples are being systematically blacklisted in favour of curated, sophisticated setlists. The results point to a clear change in what younger couples want from their wedding receptions. Group dances, heavily played 2010s pop songs and football-style chants are among the tracks and trends couples are increasingly asking DJs and live bands to leave off their playlists.

County Wedding Events coming to Tudor Barn in Buckinghamshire!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Tudor Barn, Buckinghamshire for inspiration on Sunday 25th October 2026! A must-visit for all those that got engaged over the festive months, 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.

Amazing Face launches 2027 bridal packages

Director and lead artist Caroline Swaffield at Dorset-based Amazing Face has unveiled the 2027 Bridal Packages. The Rose Package, £600, is designed for the bride-to-be and includes a bridal hair and make-up preview, full skincare analysis, a face chart, photography during the preview and a dedicated stylist for a calm, personalised experience. Lashes are included, along with a complimentary bridal touch-up kit and a Charlotte Tilbury or Lisa Eldridge lipstick. The Peony Package, £1,160, is for the bride and three bridesmaids or mothers, and includes everything listed above plus two stylists and full bridal hair and make-up on the day.