An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Essex local businesses take top spots in Muddy Stilettos Awards!

Now in their 11th year, the hotly contested 2024 Muddy Stilettos Regional Awards have been announced with 21 brilliant local indie businesses winning the coveted lifestyle crowns across Essex. Sponsored nationally by Tide Banking, readers of the award-winning lifestyle website have been nominating and voting in their hundreds of thousands for their favourite independent businesses across 21 different lifestyle categories, from Best Destination Pub to Yoga/Pilates Studio, Boutique Stay and more, and shining a light on the most unique businesses across the counties.

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.*

Bridal prep with W7

Whether you're the bride, bridesmaid or a wedding guest, with wedding season already in full swing, make sure your make-up is healthy and radiant with some of these high street essentials from W7. The W7 It's Glow Prime Radiant Primer will ensure make-up lasts from morning till night. The cruelty-free Brand's tagline of "Who Will You Be Today?" encourages experimentation and self-expression with no limitations.

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...

County Wedding Events coming to Frasers, Kent!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Frasers, Kent for some much-needed inspiration on Sunday 12th May, 2024! 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. Licensed to hold civil ceremonies, the idyllic rural setting at Frasers offers rustic charm and elegance. With panoramic views across the countryside, it provides a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photographs all year round.

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.

Down Hall's open-air cinema experiences

Get ready to enjoy the warm summer nights at Down Hall Hotel Spa & Estate, with the return of its spectacular open-air cinema weekend in collaboration with Enchanted Cinema. Set within the hotel's 110-acre garden on the picture-perfect lawn, experience outdoor screenings of iconic crowd pleasers, including Barbie (Friday 24th May), Dirty Dancing (Saturday 25th May) and Jurassic Park (Sunday 26th May).

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.

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%).

New gigs announced at The Institute

Braintree theatre The Institute has announced an exciting line-up of acts for 2024 and beyond. The venue has over 30 performances listed, adding new shows to the website on a regular basis. From comedy and music to drama, kids' shows and more, the Essex venue is a welcoming space at the heart of the town's community. There's even a Taylor Swift Tribute!

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.

County Wedding Events coming to Channels Golf Club, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Channels Golf Club, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 21st April 2024! 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. The beautifully restored, 17th-century, thatched Essex Barn is an idyllic wedding venue for your special day. Tie the knot with your soulmate in surroundings full of character with up to 100 of your loved ones there to share the moment.

County Wedding Events coming to That Amazing Place, Harlow, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at That Amazing Place, in Harlow, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 14th April 2024! 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.

Top tips on moving in together for the first time

Making the big decision to move in together can be an exciting, yet daunting time! Whether you've been living apart due to distance, financial constraints or other circumstances, deciding to take the next step in your relationship can help strengthen your bond and progress it further. Whilst being around each other 24/7 has its benefits, it's important not to overlook the potential issues that could arise as a result. Property experts at Essential Living have teamed up with Dr Becky Spelman, Psychologist and Founder at Private Therapy Clinic to reveal some of the issues the couples might experience and her top tips on what to keep in mind before taking the big step.

Natasha Watts returns to The Civic Hall Grays

If you like your music DIVA! then grab a ticket to this one-off spectacular from one the UK's finest soul vocalists. UK Soul Chart number 1 artist, Natasha Watts is returning to The Civic Hall, Grays, Essex, for one night only on Friday 26th April 2024. Natasha will be bringing her timeless sound, rooted in soul, R&B, and jazz to the Civic Hall in Grays, where she will be performing her own songs alongside many legendary soul classics, including Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan.

Wedding menu guide from Papier

A wedding day is an unparalleled occasion, filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories. Best-selling British stationery brand Papier understand the importance of every detail on this special day, especially when it comes to creating a memorable dining experience for the happy couple and their guests. Food is a huge part of your wedding day. Whether it's a meal guests have chosen or a set menu, informing your loved ones about what's ahead gets them excited to sit down and tuck in

County Wedding Events launches new Signature Wedding Show at Bluewater, Kent

Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, County Wedding Events has some exciting news – it's now in partnership with Bluewater Shopping Centre! This iconic Kent destination is going to be the backdrop to one of County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows. The go-to event for couples tying the knot in Kent, visitors can expect to meet a whole host of big-day suppliers, from photography to entertainment, cake makers to florists, you can plan your whole wedding under one roof! Set to take place on 6th October 2024, 11am - 3pm, you can re-register now.

Abigail’s Collection & The Groom’s Room wins Bridal Retail Industry Oscar!

Colchester based wedding business 'Abigail's Collection & The Groom's Room' has been celebrating after a winning a prestigious national award in Harrogate last week. The team has scooped their 30th business award 'Longstanding Established Retailer of the Year' at an important industry event where the elite of bridal retail gathered for an evening of recognition and celebration of the sector. The awards celebrate the achievements of the very best bridal retailers from across UK and Ireland.