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

Elope in style - expert advice

Couples are rewriting the script on what it means to say "I do". Over the past 12 months, searches for 'elopement weddings UK' are up +83%, 'elopement wedding packages UK' increased by +85%, and 'intimate weddings UK' have grown by +89%¹. This has highlighted a clear demand amongst couples for intimate weddings. To find out what has motivated this trend, wedding decoration experts at Ginger Ray have conducted a survey of those engaged and in the midst of planning an elopement to see what their special day will look like. Why are elopements becoming more popular? Topping the list of factors driving couples towards intimate weddings is the quest to manage expenses. More than a third (32%) of respondents highlighted financial constraints as the primary factor influencing their decision to opt for a smaller celebration.

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

The Rathfinny Terrace partners with The Feathered Nest

Award-winning, English sparkling grower-producer, Rathfinny Wine Estate partners with Cotswolds gastropub, The Feathered Nest, for a summer offering on their beautiful terrace overlooking the Evenlode Valley. The traditional 15th-century inn – located 7 miles from the historic village of Bourton-on-the-Water – is a hidden gem for food and wine lovers, offering a high-quality restaurant with rooms. The terrace will feature a bespoke Rathfinny bar, ice buckets, cushions and blankets, perfect for guests to relax. Having been loyal supporters of the vintage winemaker for a while, The Feathered Nest is honoured to be partnering with Rathfinny this summer to showcase their portfolio of Sussex sparkling wines throughout the restaurant including with the afternoon tea, bar menu and tasting menu.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

PoB Hotels Presents Get Set, and Go - Tailored Breaks Inspired by Britain’s Favourite Sports

PoB Hotels, with properties in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Cornwall and Devon presents Get Set, and Go - tailored breaks inspired by Britain's favourite sports. Ahead of an exciting summer of sport, PoB Hotels is encouraging guests to plan their own athletic staycation, pursuing their favourite British sport, or trying their hand at something new. 'Get Set, and Go' from PoB Hotels features a variety of PoB Breaks predominantly centred around Britain's five most-loved sports, inspiring guests to embrace their inner sportsman or woman in idyllic locations across the country, staying at some of the finest independent hotels around the British Isles.

National Art Pass - perfect wedding gift for culture lovers

A National Art Pass is a great way to enjoy time at hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, and the Double Membership makes the perfect wedding gift for any culture lovers! Annual membership is only £88.50* and lets the happy couple enjoy free entry to hundreds of cultural destinations, plus 50% off major exhibitions, and special shop and café discounts. What's more, two cards will be issued for the happy couple!

Say 'I do' to shared planning - wedding expert shares tips for involving family and friends

Amy Greenshields, wedding expert at Card Factory has shared 7 tips to help you let your loved ones contribute.

Asking for help can be hard but getting friends and family involved in wedding planning can not only lighten the load but will also make them feel included and valued. Wedding planning contains many different elements, from table designs and seating charts to your floral bouquet, everything must be accounted for. A bride normally has the most influence over everything wedding-related, leading to as state of overwhelming stress. Why not share out the responsibilities – even the little ones can have a job!

QHotels Collection with a property in Oxford announces summer sale

The QHotels Collection, with a property in Oxford has launched its summer sale offering incredible discounted packages at its numerous destinations across the UK. Whether you're planning a family staycation, a romantic escape, or a fun retreat with friends, there's something for everyone with stays from just £44 per person! As the holiday season approaches, here's your chance to plan a summer mini-break at some of Britain's best destinations, with up to 25% off. The QHotels Collection is thrilled to announce its special summer sale, offering incredible discounted packages at its numerous destinations across the UK. Whether you're planning a family staycation, a romantic escape, or a fun retreat with friends, there's something for everyone.

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

Enjoy a Wine Tasting & Tapas Experience at Plate No. 6 on Wednesday 17th July

Plate at No. 6 in Windsor is hosting a Wine Tasting & Tapas Experience: Discovering the Mediterranean on Wednesday, 17th July from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This event will introduce guests to the art of food and wine pairing, offering a delightful journey through Mediterranean flavours. For just £50 per person, attendees will indulge in a carefully curated selection of tapas and wines designed to tantalize taste buds, and enhance their culinary knowledge. The evening's menu includes a variety of tasty food options such as homemade bread and dips, falafel served with a cucumber and tomato salad with aioli and smoked bacon croquetas with pickled cucumber. There's a delicious lemon and polenta cake with pistachio praline to finish.

Personalisation is IN for 2024

Crafty Brewing and Lola and Luna's collaboration reveals how personalisation is being brought to the forefront of 2024 weddings. The concept of personalisation is holding a key part in redefining 'tradition' and incorporating new captivating trends in every aspect of your magical event. Aimee, a wedding expert from a wedding planning and styling company says that "Over the past few years, weddings have increasingly started steering away from the same old conventions, and opting for bespoke options more frequently." From table plans set on where the couple first met, to embroidered napkins there are so many opportunities to add a personal touch on your big day.

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Cliveden literary festival is set to take place this September

Now in its eighth year, the Cliveden literary festival is set to take place this September at Berkshire's Cliveden House, a prestigious wedding venue. The festival is a unique forum for lively discussion, thought-provoking ideas, and political debate. Cliveden Literary Festival is run by a committee of authors and historians – Andrew Roberts, Natalie Livingstone, Catherine Ostler and Simon Sebag Montefiore – drawing on Cliveden House's unique history as a literary salon frequented by writers and thinkers including Alexander Pope, Alfred Lord Tennyson, George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift and Sir Winston Churchill. Visitors to the Cliveden Literary Festival will also have the opportunity to explore the beautiful National Trust gardens and enjoy scenic walks down to the River Thames.

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts brew up a coffee partnership

Independent hospitality group, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts with properties in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, has funded 15,000 school meals for children in countries including Kenya as part of an innovative new partnership with direct trade coffee producers Paddy & Scott's. The Lunch Box programme by Paddy & Scott's, which has now been fully rolled out across Macdonald Hotels & Resorts venues, is a pioneering project designed to fund meals for children living in coffee-growing regions worldwide. As part of the partnership, Lunch Box coffee is served in all of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts' 32 properties throughout the UK, with guests able to support this charitable effort by enjoying breakfast, afternoon tea or a light refreshment in the hotel of their choice.

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.

Berkshire-based wedding venue The King suite has opened

Nestled within the lush grounds of Easthampstead Park, The King Suite, a state-of-the-art wedding venue has opened. It's a marvel of modern design and technological sophistication positioned between Wokingham and Bracknell. Bruce Cave, chief executive of Active Hospitality, said: "The King Suite is a game changer for large corporate and social events within the region. More than a venue, The King Suite will become an entertainment destination, offering diverse options for unbelievably memorable events." What sets The King Suite apart is its unrivalled scale within the region, its picturesque countryside setting, and its commitment to contemporary design. Equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities and superb amenities, the venue promises an unparalleled event experience.