Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Henley Festival to welcome Magic Radio to beautiful banks of The Thames

Henley Festival presented by Westcoast has announced that Magic Radio will be joining this year's glittering extravaganza of music, arts, comedy and fireworks on the banks of the River Thames in Henley, Oxfordshire – including a Saturday night takeover of the Festival Club, 'Pure Heaven' with DJ sets from Magic Radio presenters Harriet Scott and Mel Giedroyc. Taking place from the 9th until the 13th of July, the Henley Festival promises to deliver a stunning programme of world-class talent with headliners on its unique Floating Stage including Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, Matteo Bocelli, Jamie Cullum and Haçienda Classical. Adding to the unmissable celebrations, Magic Radio will be bringing its trademark upbeat-optimism combined with the very best music to the Festival Club 'Pure Heaven'.

Harper Weddings Launches Live Virtual Wedding Venue Tours in Buckinghamshire

Harper Weddings has become one of the first wedding venue brands in the UK to launch live virtual tours across its three exclusive-use properties: Botleys Mansion in Surrey, Cain Manor in Hampshire, and Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire. This new exciting offering allows couples to explore each venue remotely via an immersive 3D Matterport tour, guided in real-time by a member of the Harper Weddings team. These 'remote visits' offer the full walk-through experience from the comfort of their own home - it's the ideal concept for busy professionals, those based internationally, or couples at the early stages of their wedding venue research.

Modern day hen do ideas - time to celebrate

The hen do is the perfect opportunity to shower your bridesmaids with love before the big day. It's all about celebrating your friendship, laughing until your cheeks hurt and making the most of your time together. If you're looking for unique and fun ways to honour your girlies, here are some ideas from hen experts, bookaparty.com. Treat your bridal crew to a bottomless brunch where the prosecco and pancakes keep coming. Head to the city centre of your choice and enjoy a fun atmosphere, good music and tasty food to suit a range of tastes. Whether it's a full English breakfast, avocado toast, fluffy waffles or pizza, your taste buds will be in heaven, and unlimited drinks help you to kick off your day in style. Sip on free-flowing glasses of fizz, cocktails, beer, cider or soft drinks as you let your hair down and even enjoy some live entertainment from DJs to cabaret shows.

The Vineyard Hotel & Spa Uncorks English Wine Week with an Eight-Day Immersive Experience

This summer, The Vineyard Hotel & Spa, Berkshire's luxury five-star hotel, invites guests to a week-long celebration of sustainable English winemaking during English Wine Week from the 21st unti lthe 29th of June 2025. There will be the opportunity to discover exceptional English wines and complimentary dining. The hotel, which is a Michelin Guide One Key holder and proud member of Relais & Châteaux and PoB Hotels has curated this experience through its longstanding relationship with outstanding English wine producers. Featured partners include Berkshire's Demeter-certified biodynamic Winding Wood, the All Angels Vineyard, where vines are nurtured on a fertile terroir beside a 12th-century church using low-impact viticulture, and Simpsons Wine Estate in North Kent, where grapes thrive in lime-rich chalk soil through responsible land stewardship.

2025 wedding wine trends unveiled by Laithwaites

Laithwaites, the UK's leading online wine merchant, has revealed the top five wedding wine trends of 2025. Created by experts from Laithwaites' wedding wine service, this list reflects the current vogue for unique, cost-conscious wedding celebrations that leave a lasting impression on guests. "Couples are coming to us looking to create experiences that focus on value, showcase their personalities and give their guests a great time. It's so often the food and drink that makes a great wedding stand out," says Greg Roberts, Wine Educator at Laithwaites. Wedding wine trends for 2025.

The Eve Appeal: The UK’s Leading Gynae Cancer Charity’s Get Lippy Campaign

The Eve Appeal is on a mission is to save lives by focusing on preventing and improving the early diagnosis of the five gynaecological cancers. Throughout May, they are encouraging everyone to Get Lippy alongside some of the leadingnames and brands in beauty. The campaign raises awareness of the five gynae cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval andvaginal through a series of fundraising, education, and awareness initiatives to prevent these cancers before they start.

Flight Club Darts celebrate 10 year anniversary

Flight Club Darts, with a branch in Westgate, Oxford are activity-based cocktail bars providing fun for all, especially for hen, stag and joint 'sten' parties. They are celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year. Activity bars are the perfect option for a pre-wedding party to remember. Think delicious cocktails, a buzzing atmosphere, beautiful backdrops for gorgeous photos, and fun games. Flight Club has the ingredients needed for a great party. The fairground-inspired bar looks spectacular, with lights blinking in time to the music and a carousel horse. There's also Social Darts - a revamped version of the classic game ideal for groups. An oche (play space) accommodates up to 12 people and a resident DJ guarantees party vibes along with an impressive selection of cocktails.

Brits are calling for an end to ‘rowdy’ stag and hen celebrations

Gone are the days when stag and hens revolved around a simple send-off - with costs spiralling out of control, Brits are calling for an end to 'rowdy' stag and hen celebrations. The study by the UK's most-trusted discount site, VoucherCodes.co.uk, reveals Brits are forking out £1,000 more than they'd like to celebrate their friends' and families' upcoming nuptials, with the average person willing to spend just £214. With many celebrations now lasting several days and requiring trips abroad, the average stag and hen now costs an eye-watering £1,208. It's therefore no surprise that a whopping 71% of people say costs have gotten out of control.

Celebrate Father's Day at Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa

With Father's Day around the corner in June, show appreciation to the father figure in your life with the gift of relaxation. Newbury's Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa offers the ultimate variety of spa treatments perfect for helping dads kick back and recharge. Highlights from the treatment menu include the Templespa Stress Not, £87 for 55 minutes. This calming and anti-inflammatory massage targets muscle pain and melts away tension leaving guests feeling inexplicably relaxed and soothed from top-to-toe. There's also the Templespa Scalp Ritual, £50 for 25 minutes which is an intensely relaxing treatment where hot oil is drizzled through the scalp before a soothing and tension-relieving head, neck and shoulder massage is enjoyed, followed by a hot steam towel.

8 Tips To Avoid Wedding Guest Burnout This Wedding Season

As peak wedding season rolls in, it's not just brides and grooms who are feeling the pressure. New research reveals a growing trend of wedding burnout, and it's hitting guests just as hard. From back-to-back hen-dos and stag weekends to pricey gifts and cross-country travel, the cost and commitment of attending multiple weddings have left many guests feeling emotionally and financially drained. To help guests avoid burnout this wedding season, the experts at Queensmith have shared their 8 top tips to beat the 'wedding guest hangover', from setting a budget to knowing when to say no.

Bucks & Oxon Local Businesses win in 2025 Muddy Stilettos Awards

Now in their 12th year, the hotly contested 2025 Muddy Stilettos Regional Awards have been announced with 21 brilliant local indie businesses winning the coveted lifestyle crowns across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Sponsored locally by Lightfoot Solicitors, readers of the award-winning lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos have been nominating and voting in their hundreds of thousands for their favourite independent businesses across 21 different lifestyle categories – from Best Destination Pub to Yoga/Pilates Studio, Boutique Stay to Local Food/Drink producer – and shining a light on the most creative, unique indie businesses across the counties. Reaching over 11 million people nationally in 8 weeks, with half a million votes and nominations cast nationwide, making it the most popular Muddy Stilettos Awards to date.

Hotpod Yoga Takes on Mental Health Week

Mental health awareness week (12th – 18th May) is upon us and it's time we get serious about our feelings. With the constant rise in social media consumption and the cruelty of the media, it's vita we understand how we can support our mental health. Hotpod Yoga in Birmingham are facing the week head on and, in collaboration with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), are helping locals support the worthy cause.

Barn at Alswick Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at The Barn at Alswick, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 11th May 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! 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. Forming part of the historic Alswick Hall Estate, the Barn at Alswick has been lovingly restored to a stunning contemporary event space for exclusive hire. Adorned with rustic wooden beams, the light-flooded space is perfect for your wedding vision to come to life.

This new cleaning trend is ruining your engagement ring!

The newest trend to clean engagement rings with a coffee steamer, whilst entertaining to watch, is a sure-fire way to ruin your precious ring! We have to be very careful about our jewels and must not forget that it is four simple prongs that hold in our sparkling beauties. To educate us as to why this hack should get the sack is Neil Dutta, managing director of the engagement ring specialists, Angelic Diamonds

COWORTH PARK LAUNCHES GARDEN AFTERNOON TEA

Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection's luxury country house hotel on the edge of Windsor Great Park, is delighted to unveil its new Garden Afternoon Tea; a celebration of seasonal blooms, refined flavours, and serene English elegance. Timed perfectly with the flowering of the estate's celebrated wildflower meadow, the menu brings the beauty of the outdoors in, offering a sensory journey through nature's finest. Guests are invited to savour this quintessentially British experience in the heart of the Berkshire countryside. Afternoon Tea is served in the Drawing Room, with its views stretching across the rolling parkland, or in the light-filled conservatory, where guests are immersed in the natural beauty of Coworth Park's grounds, a setting that feels a world away, yet within easy reach of the capital.

B Calm Introduces a Personalised Body and Face Care Set

Born from Becky's personal journey of healing, B Calm offers beautifully designed, organic products to support modern women in finding daily balance and calm. In May 2025 they will proudly unveils their latest innovation – the Personalised Body + Face Care Set. Designed to empower individuals to create a unique self-care ritual, this customisable trio features a hydrating mist, nourishing carrier oil, and pure essential oil blend to support radiant skin and holistic well-being.

HENLEY FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW VISUAL ARTS PRIZE TO SUPPORT EMERGING TALENT

Henley Festival presented by Westcoast has launched a new prize that rewards trailblazing emerging talent in the visual arts space called the 'RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize'. The award forms part of Henley Festival's charitable mission: to support the next generation of talent through its RISE programme. Taking place from the 9th until the 13th of July 2025, The UK's only black-tie music and arts festival is truly an experience like no other with world-class music set alongside stellar comedy and cabaret, stunning art galleries and sculpture installations, roving performers, as well as dining, drinks, dancing and simply jaw-dropping fireworks.

New Study Reveals the Best Places in England to Get Married

With wedding season fast approaching, the wedding experts at F.Hinds have analysed hundreds of the best wedding venues that England has to offer, to uncover where nearly-weds should be adding to their shortlist this summer. The study considered several factors such as popularity, reviews and weather predictions and awarded bonus points for how "Instagrammable" the aesthetic is. The systematic scoring system has revealed the "best of the best" English wedding venues for couples planning a wedding in 2025.

Elevate your bank holiday weekend at Berkshire's Donnington Valley

Google trends reveal searches for 'staycation near me' are up 110% so Donnington Valley has prepared the ultimate getaway package, the Spring Escape for the two bank holidays this May. This hotel and spa in Newbury, Berkshire is inviting guests to relax and recharge with a special staycation package for an affordable price of just £99 per person. The package includes dinner in the award-winning restaurant, with an allocation of £30 per person; a complimentary £15 wine machine voucher (to use at the wine by the glass machine); use of the spa facilities from 3pm on the day of arrival to 11am on the day of departure along with a stay in a double or twin Classic room and a full English and Continental breakfast.

Wedding expert reveals the top 2025 trends

With weddings becoming more personalised than ever, many couples are rethinking the traditional elements of their big day. In 2025, couples are all about individuality and creating an experience that truly reflects them. For those looking for inspiration on what's 'in' and what's 'out' for weddings this year; Jeremy Hinds, Wedding and Engagement Ring expert at F.Hinds, shares his top tips for planning a celebration that feels both modern and timeless.