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

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

Dylans at The Kings Arms has been included in the Estrella Damm Top 100

Dylans at The Kings Arms has been included in the Estrella Damm Top 100 for the second year running, climbing an incredible 22 places to number 72 in the respected list. Housed in a beautiful 15th-century Tudor building on George Street in the Cathedral Quarter of St Albans, this neighbourhood gem has an emphasis on quality ingredients such as txuleta prime rib dairy cow and fresh Cornish day boat fish, as well as an extensive range of craft beer, specialist wines, and spirits. Recently acclaimed as a place to eat one of the best steaks in the UK by Top Jaw and Sorted Food, its reputation for offering unpretentious but high-quality dining in a casual pub environment has grown over the past 12 months.

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.*

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...

Discover Beaumont Hall in St Albans

Nestled in St Albans, Beaumont Hall provides the perfect setting for outdoor weddings! The house is not for hire, but the beautifully presented Georgian Grade II farmhouse offers a beautiful backdrop for events. As couples approach the farmhouse, they'll be greeted by lime trees lining the driveway and the sweet perfume of lush natural greenery. The surrounding grounds are completely secluded. The venue doesn't have a ceremony license, but it does have a space for blessings. The Honeycomb Lawn can host 200 loved ones and overlooks a pond, providing a wonderful space for memorable moments. The lawn in front of the house provides the perfect setting for arrival drinks and drink receptions before heading to the reception space.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.