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

Embrace the Holiday Spirit with an Advent Countdown from Gifts Instead of Flowers

Advent calendars began in the 19th century in Germany, where families marked the days to Christmas with chalk lines. The tradition evolved, and by the early 1900s, printed calendars with small doors revealing Bible verses or images became popular. Gerhard Lang created the first printed advent calendar with doors in 1908, sparking widespread popularity. Modern advent calendars come in various forms, filled with chocolates, toys, or treats, delighting people as they count down to Christmas. Today, advent calendars symbolise anticipation and joy, cherished in holiday celebrations worldwide. Explore our selection of modern-day advent calendars, each offering a unique way to count down the days to Christmas with delightful surprises and festive joy.

Gladi-Waiter in the Buff – hen do firm offer

One of the UK's leading hen party planning companies is now offering Gladi-Waiters in the Buff in honour of the new Gladiator film hitting the big screen on the 14th of November. Butlers in the Buff are a hugely popular addition to hen weekends and are often scantily clad in just a small apron and a bow tie. However, GoHen are now offering buff butlers adored in gladiator helmets, shoulder pads and gladiatorial skirts. "Buff butlers are the modern-day gladiator," said GoHen's Head of Events, Ellie Silk. "They're performers, they're in great shape and they're often forced to entertain a rowdy crowd – what's the difference, really?

Coppa Club Launches New Winter Igloos, in partnership with Aperol

This winter season, Coppa Club has collaborated with Aperol to introduce a fresh alpine theme to its iconic winter igloos, available to book for four to 10 people. All five Coppa locations with igloos have been transformed to capture the festive spirit, celebrate the magic of the winter season and provide the ultimate winter destination. The igloos and terraces are beautifully adorned with lush seasonal foliage, twinkling fairylights, and cosy faux fur blankets and furnishings, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for winter gatherings, similar to that of The Alps. Whether diners are sipping an Aperol Spritz or simply soaking in the festive ambiance, every detail has been designed to make this winter at Coppa Club an unforgettable one.

The Loch & the Tyne announces its next Top 100 Gastropubs Collaborative Dinner with Brook House

The Loch & the Tyne, chef Adam Handling MBE's celebrated Michelin Bib-awarded pub in Old Windsor, continues its exclusive guest series this November, partnering with Brook House, one of West London's most renowned gastropubs. On Tuesday 19th November, guests will enjoy a collaborative dining experience led by co-chef proprietors Steven Kerr and Jonathan McNeil of The Loch & the Tyne, alongside the talented team from Brook House. It's a vibrant and community-focused gastropub, known for its exceptional hospitality and award-winning team. Recently listed at number 71 in the Top 100 Gastropubs and awarded the 2023 Front of House Team of the Year, Brook House is celebrated for its seasonal British menu and commitment to sustainable cooking.

The ultimate gifting experience your friends, family - and you - will love

In today's busy world, it's not always possible to be there for every birthday, housewarming, or special occasion, but that doesn't mean you can't send a heartfelt message. That's where gift box specialist, Parcel London, comes in. Parcel London is here to offer the ultimate gifting experience - believing that the best gifts are about more than just the item – they're about the connection they represent. They're there for when you can't be. Working with a number of well-known and newly emerging independent brands, Parcel London connects you to the people who matter most through beautiful, useful, and memorable gifts. Every one of their Parcels is lovingly handpicked and carefully hand-wrapped, ensuring that each recipient feels cherished and valued. Whether you need a single gift for a special someone or thousands for a corporate event, they've got you covered

Enjoy a cosy countryside festive afternoon tea at Coworth Park

Dorchester Collection's luxury country house hotel, Coworth Park, offers a magical festive sanctuary, nestled in the picturesque Berkshire countryside just moments from London. From the 24th of November, the hotel will be serving its festive afternoon tea, With twinkling lights, roaring log fires, frost-tipped gardens, and exceptional food and drink,CoworthParkis the perfect place to get into the festive spirit. On weekends, guests can enjoy afternoon tea accompanied by traditional Christmas carols, setting a joyful seasonal atmosphere. Seasonal sandwiches of roast turkey, sage and apple compote;smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraicheandEnglish brie and cranberry, will be served followed bywarm scones with pear and cinnamon compote and clotted cream. To finish,festivepastries includeMont Blanc with chestnut, vanilla and pear; caramelised clementine and almond tart.

Enjoy Autumn dinner inspiration at Orwells Restaurant in Oxfordshire

Enjoy autumn dining with a delicious à la carte menu from £65, or a mouthwatering tasting menu from £120 this season at Orwells Restaurant in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. A visit to Orwells Restaurant is like being welcomed into chef couple Ryan and Liam Simpson-Trotman's home. They live upstairs and their allotment, where co-owner Liam produces most of the fruit and vegetables is just a mile down the road. This autumn, the open fire will be burning as they serve up dishes including homegrown tromboncino squash, puffed potatoes, goat's cheese, tomato salsa, girolles, samphire, Cornish turbot, verjus and smoked beef short rib with heritage carrot, crispy potatoes and mustard and gherkin.

Seasonal style

As seasons change, it's important to be aware of how the weather affects the wedding. Editorial Assistant Millicent Garton takes you through some suggestions of how to embrace the chill and celebrate the sun. Much like seasons, it's only natural that weddings and their themes flow and evolve with changing year. From the cake and catering to the dress and décor, all elements of the big day can be influenced by the time of year, so it's only fitting that special attention should be given to those minor details.

Riwaz in Beaconsfield takes part in MasterChef Professional Dinner Series

As part of the MasterChef Professional Dinner Series, chef Atul Kochhar will host a dining experience at Riwaz in Beaconsfield this month on the 27th of November. Atul Kochhar champions the rich traditions of Indian cuisine, inspired by the sub-cultures of Bohri, Ismaili, and Moplah. Expect an adventurous yet authentic menu that honours India's history. On Wednesday 27th November, guests will get to enjoy a five-course tasting menu by top chef Sagar Massey, a 2022 MasterChef finalist and rising star who will serve diners. A highlight of the evening event will be a delicious, bold coffee-glazed masala duck breast dish to enjoy.

The Castle Hotel Windsor Achieves First Gold Green Meetings Award

The Castle Hotel Windsor in Berkshire has achieved a Gold Green Meetings award on its first submission alongside retaining the Gold Green Tourism Award for the second consecutive year. This dual recognition highlights the hotel's commitment to sustainability, particularly in its meeting and event services, offering businesses the opportunity to host eco-conscious meetings in the heart of Windsor. The Green Meetings Award reflects their focused efforts on creating sustainable, environmentally responsible meeting packages. The Castle Hotel excelled in key areas such as greener delegates, local experiences, low carbon activities, and the promotion of destination elements like cultural heritage, events, and supporting local projects, all of which received top scores in their audit.

Mood & Bloom stationery and styling reveals wedding trends for 2025

Mood & Bloom Wedding and Events Stationery & Styling based in Buckinghamshire reveals wedding trends for 2025. Founder Ellie Eastlake says, "Trends I've seen coming through are bows and floral installations. I'm also still seeing a lot of demand for personalised touches, like bouquet ribbons with special quotes of couple names and seat reservation tags for their nearest and dearest." Ellie adds," Couples also seem to be favouring a more relaxed wedding day, with less of the formal traditions. Colours coming through are peach shades for Spring/Summer '25 and taupe tones mixed with emerald green for Autumn/Winter '25. However, you can't escape the classics of whites, ivories and neutrals."

Celebrate Great British Game Week with the Adam Handling Collection

Known for his commitment to sustainability and zero waste, Chef Adam Handling MBE is celebrating Great British Game Week at the Adam Handling Collection by showcasing the most sustainable of game meats, wild venison, at his pubs The Loch & the Tyne, in Old Windsor, and The Tartan Fox, in Newquay. Guests are encouraged to try the traditional dishes with a delicious twist, such as venison scotch egg, tartare sauce, venison and apple croquettes, venison burger, cheddar cheese, caramelised onion, and grilled venison haunch at The Loch and the Tyne in Berkshire. Roast loin of venison, celeriac, girolles, brambles will be served at their latest opening, The Tartan Fox, which launched in June of this year in Cornwall.

Badgemore Park in Henley offers stunning setting for winter weddings

Badgemore Park is nestled within a 120-acre parkland estate located on the edge of the historic market town of Henley-on-Thames in the heart of the Chilterns. The converted 19th-century Coach House boasts a smart interior and a modern bar blended with the charm of a country house hotel creating a spectacular setting in which to say I do with the stunning golf course as the backdrop. This room can be used for ceremonies and dancing with guests mingling in the courtyard. Double ornate glass doors lead guests out on to the covered courtyard providing an ideal setting for outdoor drinks and canapés. The Walled Garden boasts stunning stone walls while the lake and pond with a feature fountain ensure gorgeous photos.

County Wedding Events coming to Ware Priory, Hertfordshire!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Ware Priory, for inspiration on Sunday 17th November 2024! Ware Priory offer a historic, yet contemporary setting for a wedding and understand that finding the right wedding venue can be one of the most challenging parts of planning your special day. At Ware Priory they tailor your wedding so that it is as individual as you are, their team help you plan every finishing touch. Whether you are wanting a civil ceremony, a wedding reception or perhaps both, then the Ware Priory team are here to make sure you have the perfect day.

Find your big-day musicians at Ascot Racecourse

Gwenllian is an acclaimed and established Wedding harpist, ready to accommodate all your musical needs for your special day. From performances at the National Portrait Gallery to St David's Hall, Cardiff and the Barbican, London, she has toured the East Coast of America with concerts in New York and Boston. She has recorded at Abbey Road Studios and her work has been performed and recorded by Ensemble Cymru. Gwenllian is an award-winning and experienced harpist in demand for luxury events for distinguished venues such as Saddler's Hall, Vintner's Hall and Loseley Park. She is passionate about creating bespoke musical arrangements to add that personal touch to your wedding day.

With an exclusive discount for this event only, come and meet her at the Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show.

Make sure your wedding day is protected! 

When you're planning a wedding, getting insured is important to protect yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day and make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible. Weddings can be a pricey affair, with the average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 coming in at around £20,755. Knowing the total cost of your wedding and how much you're spending on each element of your big day is crucial before choosing your insurance policy. Identifying any big-ticket expenses that you'll want covered should anything go wrong, such as venues, caterers, photographers, or dresses is also key. This can also help you decide if standard insurance policies will be enough or if you'll need something more specific or customised.

Jan Jenkins of Gifts Instead of Flowers is finalist for National Business Women's Award 2024

Jan Jenkins, co-founder of Gifts Instead of Flowers, is excited to share that she is a finalist for the National Business Women's Award 2024 in the National Business Leader category. This nomination recognises her dedication to supporting UK-based artists and small businesses through a unique business model that empowers creators and contributes to a greater cause. When you choose a gift from Gifts Instead of Flowers, you're not just acquiring a unique item; you're supporting the talented artists and small businesses behind it. These creators receive 100% of the profit from their sales, empowering their creativity and allowing them to continue crafting beautiful pieces.

Enjoy a seasonal getaway with The Vineyard’s Exclusive Autumn Escape offer

This season, The Vineyard has unveiled its exclusive Autumn Escape package, offering a memorable getaway in the heart of Berkshire. This one-night stay is crafted for relaxation, indulgence, and, of course, a touch of wine, making it the perfect retreat as the countryside transforms into stunning shades of gold and amber. For those seeking a luxurious autumn escape in the heart of the South of England, The Vineyard is an unmissable destination, especially for wine enthusiasts. This iconic hotel blends fine dining, indulgent spa experiences, and a world-class wine selection, making it the ultimate retreat as the countryside transforms into rich hues of gold and amber.

The Loch & the Tyne continues its collaborative series with the UK’s Top 50 Gastropubs

Chef Adam Handling MBE is welcoming Michael Wignall and team from The Angel at Hetton in the Yorkshire Dales as part of his guest series that sees The Loch & The Tyne pub in Old Windsor hosting exclusive collaborative dinners with a range of other establishments also listed in the UK's Top 50 Gastropubs. On October 15th Michael Wignall, chef patron of Michelin-starred The Angel at Hetton, which has just received five AA rosettes, will be cooking a sensational, one-off nine-course tasting menu with Adam Handling. Michael will be assisted by his head chef David Scott, and The Loch & The Tyne co-chef proprietors Steven Kerr and Jonny McNeil will be cooking alongside Adam at the Michelin Bib awarded restaurant and pub.

County Wedding Events comes to Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 10th November!! 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.