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

The region’s biggest, must-visit wedding show coming to Braintree Village hosted by County Wedding Magazines & Events

Braintree Village has teamed up with County Wedding Events again to host its Signature Wedding Show this autumn! If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Braintree Village, Essex for inspiration on Sunday 27th September, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples 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 British Wedding Tradition Most Guests Never Question

Most wedding guests have heard the phrase "wedding breakfast", but very few stop to question it. After all, the meal is rarely served in the morning. It usually comes after the ceremony, often in the afternoon, and can involve anything from a formal three-course dinner to sharing boards, canapes, grazing tables and dessert stations. So why do we still call it a breakfast? According to Nick from Country House Weddings, the answer goes back centuries and is tied to religion, fasting and the way weddings were once celebrated in Britain. Breaking A Very Specific Fast The word "breakfast" does not originally mean a morning meal. It simply means breaking a fast.

Yankee Candle - quick on sale now!

If you're looking for thoughtful gifts for your bridal party or stylish wedding favours, now is the perfect time to shop. A selection of Yankee Candle fragrances is currently available at 30% off on Amazon until 10 July. The discounted range includes romantic favourites such as Wedding Day, alongside fresh summer scents including Cherry Blossom, Sage & Citrus, Tangerine & Vanilla, Red Raspberry, Fluffy Towels and Lavender Vanilla. Those planning autumn or winter weddings can also stock up on seasonal fragrances including Warm Cashmere, Autumn Wreath, Christmas Cookie, Snow in Love and Mistletoe.

ALDI reveals scent-sational summer home fragrances

Looking to add a touch of luxury to your home (or wedding this summer) without the designer price tag? Aldi has unveiled its latest Hotel Collection home fragrance range, with prices starting from just £3.99. Available in stores from June, the collection sees the return of customer favourites including the Premium Hotel Collection candles in Bergamot & Vanilla, alongside new summer-inspired scents such as Waffle Cone Sundae, Tropical Hibiscus, Lemon and Neroli and Sea Salt & White Sails. The range also includes reed diffusers and classic fragrances such as Cardinal Red, Liquid Luxe and Intense Passion, allowing shoppers to layer scent throughout the home.

RSVPing 'YES' to multiple weddings? Here's how to budget!

Attending weddings can be a joyous occasion, but it can also be expensive, particularly if you're invited to more than one over the course of the year. Costs such as new outfits, travel and accommodation, and gifts mean the overall expense of attending can quickly add up. Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, says: "Wedding season can be a significant expense for households. Planning ahead and setting a dedicated budget for celebrations can help spread the cost over several months, allowing people to make the most of the celebrations while keeping their finances on track."

How to treat the father-of-the-bride this Father's Day

Father's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate the father of the bride. After all, he's been there through the wedding planning, the emotional speeches, the last-minute panics and probably more than a few budget discussions too. Whether the wedding has already happened or it's still to come, Father's Day is a brilliant opportunity to show him just how much he's appreciated. If you're looking to do something a little more exciting than buying another novelty mug or pair of socks, wedding experts The Stag Company share their favourite experiences that can make the day feel extra special.

Say it with chocolate: Tony’s Chocolonely’s personalised wedding bars

Ethical chocolate brand Tony's Chocolonely is helping couples add a personalised touch to their wedding celebrations with its customisable chocolate bars, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wedding favours. From engagement announcements and bridesmaid proposals to place settings and guest gifts, the brand's personalised bars can be tailored with names, photographs, table plans or bespoke messages, creating a keepsake that guests can enjoy long after the celebrations have ended.

Everything you need to know about faith marriages this wedding season

Thousands of couples will say their vows this wedding season believing they're legally married, only to discover, when it matters most, that they might not be. Faith marriages are an increasingly complex issue for UK couples, with leading law firm Mills & Reeve seeing a steady rise in clients who discover – often much later – that their wedding does not carry the legal status they assumed. Jane Ingleby, partner at Mills & Reeve, explains why so many marriages fall into a legal grey area, and what couples should check before they walk down the aisle...

Bridal Showers Are Becoming the Biggest Pre-Wedding Trend of 2026

Not sure where to start? Don't worry - experts at Abbott Lyon have put together simple steps to help you plan the perfect bridal shower, so everything runs smoothly and the bride (and her besties) can enjoy every moment of the day. You know the bride better than anyone - after all, she's asked you to be a big part of her big day. Think about what her vibe is and what she's into. Is she more about getting pampered at a spa day or would she prefer a wild brunch somewhere? Also, think about who's coming to the bridal shower. Will her older relatives be there or will it be mainly her friends? Are work colleagues coming? You want to make sure anything you plan is appropriate for everyone to enjoy.

5 Tips to planning a perfect hen weekend in the UK revealed

61% of pre-wedding parties now stay in the UK as safety, cost, and connection reshape how Brits celebrate. Rising airfares, safety worries and global tensions, including travel hesitancy linked to the ongoing conflict, have fuelled a dramatic turn in how Brits celebrate before tying the knot. According to new figures, 61% of hen parties now take place in the UK, marking a clear shift from pre-pandemic years when city breaks in Europe dominated.

Guests Spend £348 On Average to Attend A Wedding, Says Expert

Wedding guests across the UK are spending hundreds of pounds just to attend a single wedding, with new research revealing the growing financial strain placed on friends and family. Research* commissioned by The Insurance Emporium, conducted by Censuswide, has revealed among people who have attended a wedding in the last five years shows that guests spend £348 on average to attend a wedding - with costs rising even higher in major cities. The wedding insurance specialist's findings reveal that 72% of guests now say attending weddings has become a financial burden, while 38.2% admit they have felt pressured to overspend in order to attend.

Divided down the aisle: The UK’s feelings on the most controversial wedding choices uncovered

Weddings bring with them lots of excitement, joy and happiness, but couples also often face the added challenge of trying to balance their personal wishes and preferences with the opinions of their guests. From who qualifies for a plus one to how much to spend on an engagement ring, new research conducted by Pandora UK has uncovered the nation's true feelings about the most divisive wedding decisions¹. Pandora has also enlisted wedding expert and events director at The Post Barn, Daisy Bradley to share advice on the best ways to handle tricky decisions with guests.

The “2 dinners a week” rule that could transform your love life, according to expert

Google searches for 'emotional connection' are up 78% over the past month, while searches for 'relationship advice' are up 54%, showing that many are struggling and searching for ways to strengthen their bond with their significant other. Interiors brand Oak&More have spoken exclusively with award-winning sex and relationship expert Gemma Nice to find out why eating at the table a couple of nights a week can strengthen, or maybe save, your relationship.

Stress-Free Wedding Plan: Affording Your Big Day Without Breaking the Bank

Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, said: "Money plays a really important role in our lives, helping us prepare for major life moments such as weddings or other special occasions. While it enables us to create meaningful experiences, it can also become a source of stress when facing the costs that come with them. Taking the time to understand what things may cost is the first step when saving for your big day. This awareness can help you make informed decisions, whether that's setting a realistic wedding budget, building a dedicated savings plan, or seeking support to bring your dream day to life."

Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one

New research suggests a shift in how women approach one of the most traditional luxury jewellery purchases, with 75% saying they want an engagement ring to prioritise personal meaning over size or value. A study of 1,353 UK women carried out by 77 Diamonds* found that 75% say they would prioritise a personalised engagement ring over a larger or more expensive diamond. What seems to stand out is not a complete rejection of convention, but rather a rebalancing and reassessment of value. 59% of women say their preference still leans towards traditional ready-made ring designs, and only 11% want an entirely custom-made piece But the emotional drive behind preferences and purchasing decisions does appear to be changing with 30% expressing a desire for rings that carry additional meaning through small modifications, engravings or design adjustments.

Perfect Wedding or Perfect Post? Gen Z Couples Feeling the Pressure

Wedding planning has always come with its pressures, but for Gen Z couples in 2026, the landscape has changed. Social media has transformed what should be a joyful, shared experience into a high-stakes performance. Scrolling Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest can turn inspiration into comparison, pushing couples to measure their plans against celebrity weddings, curated feeds, and friends' picture-perfect posts. Grace Loves Lace, the Australian bridal brand known for effortless, movement-friendly dresses, has partnered with relationship therapist Amanda Lambros, who has over 25 years' experience, to explore how couples can navigate these pressures and enjoy the planning journey without burning out.

One in seven couples choose sleep over sex on their wedding night

As the UK's spring and summer wedding season begins, new research by Mattress Online suggests the traditional idea of a passion-filled wedding night doesn't always match reality, with one in six couples (15%) saying they did not have sex after their big day. To understand why, the bed experts also asked survey respondents what their reasoning was behind this. They also provided additional insight on the idea of the "wedding night" from Relationship Expert, Jenni Trent Hughes. The findings show that exhaustion was by far the most common factor, with more than two in five (44%) of couples saying they were simply too tired after the celebrations. As weddings often involve early starts, long days, emotional highs, and late nights, rest is a more realistic priority than romance once newlyweds are in bed.

Common wedding planning mistakes that can ruin your photos, according to a photographer

From rushed timelines to crammed shot lists, planning can have a big impact on how your wedding photos turn out. With the average UK wedding now costing £21,990, couples are investing heavily in a single day, with photography alone typically costing around £1,500, and often making up around 10% of the total budget. Behind that cost is far more than just the day itself. Photographers will often take between 5,000 and 7,000 images, narrowing these down to around 650–800 final shots,

World Cocktail Day: The Hen Party Drinks Everyone’s Ordering

World Cocktail Day 2026 lands on 13th May, marking over two centuries since the word "cocktail" first appeared in print back in 1806. What started as a simple mix of spirits, sugar, water and bitters has evolved into a global culture of creativity and an absolute essential for hen parties. Leading hen party company, Hen Party Deals gives us the lowdown on the most popular hen party cocktails right now and how to make them at home if you're planning your own celebration.

The Perfect Bridal Party Gift - Personalised Pjs

The Peter Alexander Bridal Collection is designed to celebrate love, friendship, and those unforgettable pre-wedding moments. Thoughtfully curated, the collection features beautifully coordinated pyjama sets - perfect for gifting your bridal party or creating picture-perfect matching memories as you prepare for your big day. Each piece can be personalised, adding a meaningful and heartfelt touch for every member of your bridal squad. With an inclusive size range from extra small through to plus sizes, there's something for everyone - because every bride deserves her whole crew by her side in comfort and style.