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

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.

Meet the bridal hair experts at Ascot Racecourse

Wanting a new hairstyle for the big day? Need some advice on how to revamp your beauty routine? Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April and chat to the experts from The Hair Advice Centre. "Welcome to our luxury bridal beauty haven, where dreams become reality and every bride shines with radiance on her special day," shares owner and bridal hair expert Louise Wood. "At The Hair Advice Centre, we understand the importance of flawless hair and make-up for your wedding day, which is why we offer a one-stop venue for all your bridal beauty needs."

Pilots of the Purple Twilight will light up your wedding day

The Pilots of the Purple Twilight offer unique aerial pyrotechnic spectaculars for special events. The highly experienced display pilots will be on hand at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, to discuss how this can make a unique addition to your special day. Displays are tailored to your event whether it's large or small. Providing displays for weddings, parties and corporate events at a wide variety of locations, if the conditions are suitable the pilots can even land to meet and greet your guests. The aircraft have been specially modified for pyrotechnic displays and have been certified by the relevant aviation regulators.

Exchange vows at Moor Park in Hertfordshire

From Lords to Dukes and even Kings, Moor Park has always been a home for the most spectacular celebrations over the last 300 years. The magnificent Grade I listed mansion is set on 300 acres of stunning parkland. With stunning 17th-century architecture, bespoke menus and various room sizes, the setting offers a one-of-a-kind venue to get married in style. The team of event coordinators will be with pairs from start to finish, making the experience seamless and stress-free. On the day, the dedicated house managers will be on hand to help with any last-minute changes. The experienced toastmaster can ensure weddings move on schedule so pairs don't have to worry.

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

The Three Horseshoes in Letchmore Heath launches new menu

The Three Horseshoes in Letchmore Heath, the newest pub to be taken on by the award-winning Peach Pub company, has launched a new menu for 2024 to start the year with a bang! Step inside the pretty, half-timbered inn and find a warm welcome from the experienced team who, between them, will make every trip to the pub memorable. Everyone is welcome, including four-legged friends. It's the perfect setting for pre-wedding date nights or get-togethers with loved ones. Sip on well-made cocktails like a delightfully different Limoncello Spritz or a glass of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, an English sparkling wine from Sussex, while perusing the new seasonal menu and deciding what to eat.

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.

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:

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

High street jewellers F.Hinds shares wedding trends for 2024 according to a recent survey

Smaller guest lists, informal dress codes and no speeches are among the top wedding trends for 2024, according to a recent survey commissioned by high street jewellers F.Hinds. Two thousand couples were also asked for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important, and the results are in. Big-day traditions that remain in favour include the bride being walked down the aisle (53 per cent), having wedding rings (52 per cent), cutting the cake (49 per cent) and having a best man (44 per cent). In contrast, wearing a garter (nine per cent), being carried over the threshold (eight per cent), and interestingly, sticking to a colour palette (eight per cent) are loosing momentum among UK nearlyweds.

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.

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.

Olive & Millicent launches new wedding stationery range

Olive & Millicent is a small Hertfordshire-based design studio specialising in elegant invitations and wedding papers. Owner Katy Chester's designs feature illustrative elements, whether seasonal florals and botanicals or more personalised venue illustrations to cherish. To kick off the New Year, the team has launched a range of venue illustration invitation designs featuring venues in and around the county and destination wedding venues. Each design can be customised with a bespoke illustration for those who don't see their venue in the collection. Whether a soft watercolour or a more detailed line drawing, Katy's illustrations are created in-house for unique pieces.

County Wedding Events coming to Vaulty Manor, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Vaulty Manor, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 24th March 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. Vaulty Manor is a beautiful country wedding venue, a wedding there is a very special day and it could be yours. You will have exclusive-use of a beautiful light oak Essex barn with the oldest part dating back to the early 1600s. From there, you can move on to their amazing Baronial Hall for your wedding breakfast. Outside, there are acres of picturesque grounds to enjoy and a terrace area where you could enjoy an evening barbeque or hog roast.

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.

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.

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.