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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wedding traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations

Researchers surveyed Gen Z couples and found many traditional wedding and proposal traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations. But it's good news for the father-of-the-bride, as 54 percent said expecting parents to cough up for the big day was no longer necessary. Other things which are likely to fall out of favour are asking the bride's father for permission to propose (43 percent), sleeping apart the night before the wedding (38 percent) and the bride taking their partner's name (35 percent).

Of the 2,000 18- to 27-year-olds, surveyed by Churchill, as many as 86 percent believe the traditional stereotype of men proposing to women is old hat – and women should be able to pop the question too.

A third (29 percent) think that being given away is no longer necessary, while 27 percent say that tossing the bouquet is out of style. Being carried over the threshold (26 percent), promising to obey in the vows (25 percent) and wearing a veil (19 percent) are also falling out of favour.

Thinking about a bespoke dress? Talk to Eloise Rose at Ascot Racecourse

Bespoke bridalwear designer Eloise Rose, will be exhibiting at Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show hosted by County Wedding Events on 7th April 2024. "I can't wait to meet brides, grooms and their entourages at Ascot Racecourse! I'll be offering mini-consultations on designs for wedding dresses, outfits and accessories, demonstrating how they can have one-of-a-kind outfits, within their budget. On the day they deserve to look their very best!" shares Eloise.

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.

Exchange vows at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire

Ever dreamed of getting married on Safari? Well, now couples can do so without having to leave the UK! The Safari Lodge at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire is a delightful and charming alternative to a traditional wedding venue. Nestled at the heart of Woburn Safari Park, home to magnificent wild animals including lions, giraffes, tigers, elephants and bears, The Safari Lodge now provides an exceptional location for weddings and receptions. With a large south-facing veranda that offers indoor and outdoor ceremony space and panoramic views overlooking the park's Swan Lake and the Desert Springs enclosures, it provides an out-of-the-ordinary backdrop for events.

Stunning event flowers on display at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show

Pinstripes & Peonies believe that being a part of your wedding is a privilege, and the team from this renowned event floristry company will be on hand at the show to discuss your big-day floral needs. "From your initial enquiry, you will have a dedicated Wedding Designer with your every step of the way, through to delivering your flowers on the big day. All of our proposals are created entirely bespoke, blooming with ideas specifically with you in mind. Our design process is simple and collaborative; whilst we lead with creative design based on seasonality and floral artistry, we value your input to ensure we have wedding flowers perfectly befitting to you."

9 in 10 newlyweds say budgeting is the biggest wedding stress

New research of newlyweds has revealed that 9 in 10 newlyweds find budgeting to be the biggest wedding stress. Queensmith's research surveyed 1,000 recently married couples throughout the UK, exploring the most and least enjoyable aspects, as well as the most stressful moments, leading up to their weddings and during the day itself. Weddings take a lot of time to plan in order to make them fabulous, but they also cost a pretty hefty sum of money too. Looking at the most stressful aspects of wedding, a whopping 93% of respondents said budgeting was the most stressful part of planning a wedding.

Have you considered renting flowers or having your own personalised neon light?

WildJar will be exhibiting at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse. Owner, Jess says, "We work with our couples to create beautiful dried and artificial floral arrangements perfect for those boho and rustic weddings! We offer services from ceremony flower arches, photo flower backdrops, table centrepieces, rigged pampas clouds, personalised Neon lights and so much more - pop along to the fair to take a look

Hassle-free wood-fired pizza catering tailored to your special day with The Pizza Post

After the perfect catering match for your wedding? The Pizza Post is a family run, mobile wood-fired pizza caterer specialising in stress-free, delicious solutions designed to make your special day unforgettable. Named The Best Wedding Pizza Van Vendor in the Hitched Awards 2023, The Pizza Post's stylish and professional mobile vans are able to cater at any location, any time, and for any dietary needs. Come along to County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse to meet The Pizza Post team, ask any questions about their unique catering experience and sample their wood-fired delights!

The Little Vintage Teacup launches afternoon teas

The Little Vintage Teacup team is excited to announce the recent launch of the Feast & Drink Tea, a tasty experience! The company has partnered with an excellent local caterer to offer lovebirds a choice of three delicious options, perfect for any occasion. The Classic, Deluxe, and Luxury Afternoon Tea menus are all served on beautiful vintage china, and the packages include setting up, a two-hour tea and coffee service, and clearing down so pairs can relax with loved ones. The team will work closely with couples every step of the way to bring their vision to life and create truly unique and memorable experiences. Further details and the full range of services offered can be found here: www.littlevintageteacup.co.uk

Booked your honeymoon yet? If not, you can do this with County Wedding Events

Planned the wedding and now need to think about your honeymoon? Seek out the advice of Jenn Shaer - Not just Travel, at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse this April. Jenn adds, "I plan everything! All you need to worry about is soaking up every second in paradise. And guess what? My planning service won't cost you a penny extra - yes really! I love crafting perfect holidays and making travel dreams come true, whether it's a tropical escape or a city adventure, I specialise in tailor-made travel just for you."

County Wedding Events coming to Swynford Manor, Cambridgeshire!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Swynford Manor, Cambridgeshire, for inspiration on Sunday 17th 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.

Golden Ticket Entertainment are delighted to be exhibiting at the Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show!

Having provided entertainment for weddings and events for more than 10 years, Mark and Luke, directors of Golden Ticket Entertainment, know that planning a wedding can be a daunting task. However, when it comes to programming your music, there doesn't need to be any stress at all! They'll be on hand to chat through the soundtrack to your day, offering their ideas, expertise, and passion for all things music.Whether you'd like to rock out to some Queen or Oasis with our show stopping rock-pop group, The Party Pilots, or you can't imagine your ceremony concluding in any other way than with a Love Actually-style brass "flash-mob" from The Oomparty Band, Golden Ticket Entertainment can cater for each important aspect of your big day with a host of difference options and bespoke wedding packages.