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

New cake stands launched in Spring pastel shades

Innovative UK cake stand brand, Prop Options has launched a new, sophisticated range of interchangeable pastel-coloured cake stands, giving couples and cake designers bountiful colourful options when it comes to displaying their wedding cakes. Known as the Reeded Stand, these pastel-toned contemporary cake plinths have removable top plates, allowing designers and couples to mix and match colourways for a truly unique, fun, yet elegant, design. Prop Options is bringing out six colourways in its Pastel Reeded Stand collection, namely pink, lavender, green, yellow, blue and 2024 colour of the year, Pantone Peach Fuzz. The stands are also available in white, black, and gold.

New Smeg products ideal for wedding gifting this season

Whether you're compiling your big-day gift list and looking for inspiration, or you're a guest attending a wedding in the coming months, these new items from Smeg makes wedding gifting easy! Adding to its of portfolio cooking essentials, Smeg has introduced its first countertop scales. The KSC01 Kitchen Scales are a welcome addition for both budding bakers and professionals in the kitchen. Joining the likes of stand mixers and cookware in Smeg's portfolio, the brand's all-new digital scales are both outstanding in design and packed with its advanced technology.

Introducing The Retreat at Park Fair festival in the Cotswolds

Park Fair, the boutique shopping festival in the Cotswolds, has revealed details of its brand-new wellness space, The Retreat. Hosted in partnership with Cotswold wellness studio, Yahra, The Retreat will provide a sanctuary for guests during the three-day festival on Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2024 at the Great Tew Estate. Guests can drop into a schedule of complimentary wellness sessions available all weekend, book a private treatment, and meet a curated collection of wellness boutiques specialising in natural beauty products, skincare, and activewear. "It's always been hugely important for us to make Park Fair a space where families can come to have fun and recharge together," said Lucy Drinkwater, founder of Park Fair.

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

The HangOut Bar & Grill at Donnington Valley opens for summer

Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa has announced the opening of The HangOut Bar & Grill for summer 2024. Nestled in the heart of Newbury, Berkshire, The HangOut invites guests to indulge in a delicious food and beverage experience featuring locally sourced and seasonal dishes, against the backdrop of the hotel's outside terrace. From classic burgers to sharing platters for four, The HangOut offers a tasty menu for lunch, afternoon snacks, or cocktails and dinner. Should the unpredictable British weather decide to make an appearance, the new tipi-style tent stretching across the terrace provides shelter without compromising on the outdoor experience.

Young Brits looking to get hitched face saving for 30 Months

Young couples are faced with saving for over 30 months to reach their wedding savings goals, according to new research from Nationwide that charts what Brits are saving for in 2024.One in six young people are currently putting money away for their dream wedding. On average, these love birds are aiming to save £17,000 in preparation for their wedding – although the costs will likely be higher as many will also benefit from contributions from family and friends. Based on average monthly individual savings of £282, it would take a typical couple saving a combined £564 around 31 months to reach their target.*

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

Enjoy a Maycation at The Vineyard with their Art of Relaxation Spa Package

Book a Maycation at The Vineyard in Berkshire, an enchanting hotel where wine enthusiasts and art lovers can indulge in an unforgettable retreat. Boasting one of the largest private art collections in the UK, curated with masterpieces from luminaries like Ronald Searle and sculptures by acclaimed artists such as Michael Thacker and Henry Moore, The Vineyard offers an immersive journey through the realms of art and relaxation. Guests can Indulge in the Art of Relaxation Spa Escape, a bespoke staycation that includes a glass of exquisite All Angels English sparkling wine on arrival, a 60-minute treatment in the private spa and a quintessentially British afternoon tea.

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches'. My groom isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).

Indulge in Vera Wang x Chopin vodka this wedding season

With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one's celebration stylish and memorable. Vera Wang x Chopin vodka comes from a unique partnership blending the refined style of iconic fashion designer Vera Wang with the unparalleled craftsmanship of Chopin.

The UK’s top stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings

A recent study has revealed the UK's highest-rated stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings, with Pembroke Lodge, Surrey named the best. The research, conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards, analysed user-generated review data from a popular wedding planning site to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated stately homes by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Pembroke Lodge is the nation's most highly rated stately home. Located in Surrey, the grand wedding venue has over 1,100 five-star ratings and an overall perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Find out more about Marisska Couture Bespoke and Couture Tailoring

As a personal stylist, my passion for design runs deep. Growing up surrounded by beautiful dresses made by my grandmother and my father's exquisite cabinet design, creativity has always been the driving force behind my work. For me, fabric isn't just material; it's a canvas brimming with potential. I draw endless inspiration from the rich palette of colors and textures they offer. At Marisska Couture Bespoke and Couture Tailoring, we don't just make garments; we're crafting unforgettable experiences. From our initial consultation to the final fitting, each step of our process is tailored to you, ensuring that your unique vision comes to life with meticulous attention to detail.

New research reveals biggest wedding trends of 2024, and some will surprise you

The wedding themes of 2024? Expect them to be smaller and more intimate, more informal and just generally more fun! That's according to a new study which was commissioned by high street jewellers, F.Hinds. They asked 2,000 UK couples for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important (and which aren't), and what new trends will be incorporated into wedding day plans for 2024. They also spoke to a wedding expert for her views. Their research revealed that the 'big day' traditions that remain in favour include the bride walking walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by a family member (43%).

Prop Hire Bucks offers exclusive Wedding Styling Service for three lucky couples

Prop Hire Bucks is searching for three couples marrying in 2024 to receive their full expert styling service for just £199. Driven by a commitment to promote sustainability in the wedding industry, Prop Hire Bucks introduces this new opportunity with a focus on blending luxury and affordability while prioritising eco-friendly choices. "We are thrilled to be able to offer this unique opportunity to three couples and embark on this journey of making wedding dreams come true!" said Rosie, founder of Prop Hire Bucks. "Our mission is to showcase that luxury styling can be both affordable and environmentally responsible. If we can reduce the demand for single-use items even marginally across the industry, then we will feel we have achieved something!"

Having a multicultural wedding? Make sure everyone is include with these tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. My groom's family is Italian and some of them don't speak any English. How do we ensure they feel included during the speeches? This is becoming an issue for more and more couples as relationships become increasingly international. Bringing two cultures together at a wedding can be wonderful but it's not without its challenges, the prime example being the speeches.

Meet the De Vere Horsley Estate wedding team

De Vere Horsley Estate, located in East Horsley, Surrey, is a picture-perfect setting for nuptials. Celebrate your wedding day with family and friends in total privacy as you are the Royal Household of your very own 'castle' for the day. Exclusive hire of the Towers gives you this 19th-century ancestral home to the Lovelace family, with your very own lake, croquet lawn, cloisters and ornamental chapel... perfect for the photo album! Your guests can relax at the end of your special day in one of the venue's fabulous Towers Mansion House bedrooms. The best room in the house is already reserved for you, with another four Junior Suites, three Family Rooms and 20 Deluxe Double rooms available to be reserved by your guests.