Your Herts and Beds Wedding news and ideas from around the area

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.

Book Woody's Fired Pizza for your wedding day

In June 2019, Laura Silverdale followed her dreams and purchased her first wood-fired pizza oven. She loved making great-tasting artisan pizzas that showed a love for simple, high-quality ingredients. After a super successful first six months, she purchased a vintage converted horsebox called Woody to delight customers at parties, weddings and events around Hertfordshire and south Bedfordshire. The team's wedding packages are extremely flexible. Cheesy garlic pizzas and four other Neapolitan pizzas can be chosen for occasions cooked freshly in front of guests for them to enjoy. The staff also offer antipasti grazing boards, a great accompaniment to the pizzas. Guests can help themselves with artisan cheeses, pickles, dips, charcuterie, fresh fruits, crackers and crudites.

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%).

The Barns at Redcoats offers the ultimate wedding setting with beautiful views

Located in landscaped gardens and surrounded by Hertfordshire countryside, The Barns are the original buildings of The Farmhouse at Redcoats Green. Refurbished in 2018, the spaces now boasts all the quirky historic features intertwined with stylish design and the latest technology – purposely built with weddings in mind. The adjoining Cowshed bar and lounge is stylish, quirky and fun, making it the perfect place for ceremonies and receptions with 120 loved ones. Whatever the tipple, the experienced bar team will shake couples' favourite cocktails and recommend the best whisky and gin. Come together to enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience where all the dishes are prepared with the finest ingredients from nearby farmers and suppliers.

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 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.

Discover The London Pie and Mash Company for weddings

The London Pie and Mash Company was established in 2014, and the team are looking forward to celebrating 10 years within the catering industry – quite an achievement in this day and age! The key to its success has been adapting its offering to meet clients' changing needs privately and publicly. As a business, the team has three core avenues of revenue: public events that include everything from Formula One at Silverstone to Glastonbury, where they cater 9,000 meals in 10 days! The second key service is the mail-order business, where the staff sends pie meals via courier throughout the country, a service which certainly came alive during the difficult Covid-19 pandemic. The biggest area of business is private catering, from corporate events and birthday parties to weddings. They have catered well over 1,000 private functions nationwide from 10 to 1,000 guests!

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.

Are you still looking for a photographer who loves colour and print-worthy moments as much as you do?

"I'm Cemanthe, a documentary photographer who loves weddings. I specialise in telling the story of the day, through photography. That's something that all photographers do and say, and so they should as that's the way it's done in the industry. However, for me it's more than that... I leave a piece of my soul with each of my couples and I pour my emotion and joy into their editing. So shooting and editing your wedding is my happy place, and I love both equally as much," shares Cemanthe.

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

Fall in love with this most enchanting venue, full of quintessential charm

Steeped in character, its unique history will encase guests and create intimate, memorable celebrations full of relaxed, fun vibes. One of the oldest Town Houses in the country built around 1530, the much-loved venue became the first village hall to be licensed for civil marriages in 1996. Over the years, it has undergone various refurbishments to provide a wonderful setting for intimate weddings. The beautiful wooden beamed 16th-century building is surrounded by landlocked Cambridgeshire and in the quaint little village of Barley. It's a delightful setting for anyone hoping for enchanting, quintessentially English weddings. The venue, much like the idyllic village surrounding it, is a perfect backdrop for memorable photo opportunities and has an intimate, nostalgic and timeless feel.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.

Personalised wedding gifts from Mrs D

Whether you are newly engaged, arranging a hen party or getting ready to walk down the aisle, Mrs D has a statement piece for you - whatever the occasion! From sweatshirts and t-shirts for the bridal party, to beach bags and shorts for the newlyweds to take on honeymoon, each item can be personalised to suit your style and personality! Owner and designer Cheryl says, "When I was planning my own wedding, I really struggled to find unique, good quality, non-mass-produced statement pieces for myself and my lovelies, so I started creating my own. I now spend my days making beautiful, personalised items to order be it with pearls or crystals in clear, champagne or rainbow hues. Each bespoke item is made by hand, from design and production to packing and posting, it's all done with care, attention to detail and most of all love."

Exchange vows in St Ippolyts Church

Nestled in a picturesque village near the town of Hitchin in North Hertfordshire, St Ippolyts Church is a well-maintained venue full of history. Set within a churchyard, the 11th-century setting offers plenty of spaces for showstopping wedding photography. Inside, couples will find a quaint location for ceremonies with 140 loved ones. The team will be on hand to help couples plan dream weddings and can even provide flower arrangements in the church, an organist and arrange church bells to be rung after the "I dos" for an additional fee. Weddings are always happy occasions not only for the newlyweds but also for the local community!

The best place in the UK for a springtime wedding

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for spring wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data from a popular wedding planning site, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationery brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

Tie the knot at St Michael’s Manor Hotel in Hertfordshire

St Michael's Manor Hotel is one of Hertfordshire's premier event venues thanks to its luxurious setting and timeless elegance. Set in five acres of private English country gardens, located close to the city centre of St Albans and near the famous Abbey Cathedral, the old manor house is steeped in heritage and history. The team pride themselves on executing a wonderful experience with some of the best views in Hertfordshire. They provide bespoke wedding packages to suit all needs to ensure weddings are remembered for all the right reasons. The venue offers three stunning rooms and an outdoor space licensed for the vows, all beautifully decorated to provide an elegant setting.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.