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

Pop along to the Mercedes-Benz World wedding fair to see HayLee Duo perform live

Looking for mesmerising, emotive and memorable musicians for your wedding day? Meet HayLee Duo and watch them perform live at the Mercedes-Benz Signature Wedding Show, on April 28th hosted by County Wedding Events. HayLee are an elegant, female, acoustic duo who always strive to ensure they deliver beautiful, heartwarming and harmonious music to your wedding tailored to your own personal unique taste. The combination of Hayley's warm and soulful voice along with Lee's harmonies and guitar or piano backing makes this joyful duo a complete must-have on your special day - creating beautiful memories and a day you and your guests will never forget!

Come and meet Sandra and Paul, an instrumental duo on violin and guitar

In the last ten years Sandra & Paul, with the violin and a guitar, have made hundreds of events memorable and will be showcasing their musical repertoire at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 28th. What makes them stand out is their imaginative, tasteful arrangements and synergic, communicative playing. Their repertoire spans many genres and styles covering songs from every decade from the 1920s till today.Whether you're after an elegant and refined duo at the reception, an upbeat and wild country folk barn dance, or DJ freestyle violin impro, Sandra and Paul are able to enhance and excite your event with music and make it memorable.

Find your big-day bake at Mercedes-Benz World

Irresistible Cakes by Michelle specialises in crafting modern wedding cakes. With more than 14 years of experience in cake crafting and training from the esteemed culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, Michelle is committed to making your dream wedding cake a reality. Join her at the Signature Show at Mercedes-Benz World, where you can experience her unique creativity firsthand, seek answers to all your cake-related queries, and receive a complimentary wedding cake checklist to ensure seamless planning for your special day.

Find out more about Surrey’s licensed wedding venues with County Wedding Events

Find out more about Surrey's licensed wedding venues and have your questions answered by the Ceremonies Team at Surrey County Council's Registration and Nationality Service who are very excited to be exhibiting at the Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Show in April 2024. "Our experienced team of Registrars will be available to discuss your ceremony queries and questions. We'll also be on hand to show you all of the beautiful, licensed venues Surrey has to offer, including our three fantastic Register Offices in Leatherhead, Guildford and Weybridge.

Check out Sight 'n' Sounds' set up at Mercedes-Benz World

The award-winning Sight 'n' Sound is one of the leading mobile discotheques in the Southeast of England, and will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on 28th April. "Once again Sight 'n' Sound will be exhibiting our 'white wedding disco' along with our exclusive LOVE letters and uplights," shares owner Harvey. "We will be on hand to explain how we can make your function special and unique, plus answer your questions. We also have a white sparkly LED dancefloor and low-smoke dry ice effect machine."

The Castle Hotel Windsor hires new pastry chef

The talented pastry chef Suhas Lokhande was recently appointed the new pastry chef at The Castle Hotel in Windsor to elevate their exquisite Royal Afternoon Tea offering. The delicate new handmade patisseries and touches added by Suhas have created a truly indulgent experience.The Royal Afternoon Tea includes a delicious variety of freshly made sandwiches; a royal coronation chicken wrap and smoked salmon and dill mousse served on a savoury choux bun. The sweet offerings include a selection of freshly baked scones served with homemade jam; a lemon meringue tartlet with lime and ginger jelly and an indulgent dark chocolate mousse drop with cherry compote and a chocolate biscuit.Further enhancements include a brand new, cartoon-inspired children's menu with an interactive piggy bank surprise and a mango mousse duckling, as well as upgraded vegan and gluten-free options for adults.

Looking for a calm, friendly, down to earth wedding photographer?

Myriame Lawley Photography is an award-winning Surrey-based photographer exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 28th. Myriame's adds, "Based in Surrey and covering the south of England I am dedicated to delivering you beautiful and timeless memories of your wedding day, so if you think we would be a good match, then pop by my stand at Mercedes- Benz Signature Wedding Show - I would love to meet you, hear your plans and ensure you remember your wedding day! "I shall be offering a £200 discount off any of my three collections if booked on the day, or 10% off any collection if booked within two weeks of the show."

Experts share 5 tips on accommodating deaf guests at your wedding

Planning a wedding can be challenging, especially when there are so many decisions to be made and so many things to be considered. Whilst this is your big day, considering your guests can go a long way, especially for those who have disabilities or are hard of hearing. In the UK, one in five adults is deaf, has hearing loss or tinnitus, so the likelihood of having someone who may need additional help when it comes to hearing in attendance is quite likely. Ashish Shah, Audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership has offered his expert advice on how you can better accommodate your deaf and hard-of-hearing guests.

The Castle Hotel Windsor team exhibiting with County Wedding Events

Experience the enchantment of The Castle Hotel Windsor, where timeless elegance meets modern luxury for a dream wedding or civil partnership. Nestled in the heart of Windsor, the historic venue offers a regal setting fit for royalty, complete with fairy tale ceremonies, elegant receptions, and exquisite dining experiences. Choose from three stunning suites to host any celebration: the grand Windsor Suite, accommodating up to 260 guests; the intimate Sandringham Suite; or the contemporary Balmoral Suite, each offering versatile spaces to suit any bride or groom's vision.

Bucks-based Burnham Beeches Hotel offers gift to future couples

The elegant Buckinghamshire-based Georgian manor house, Burnham Beeches Hotel, offers couples getting married an idyllic and romantic setting in which to celebrate their wedding day. Nestled in the countryside, the renowned hotel offers comfort, charm and seamless service with a choice of stylish bedrooms and function suites along with delicious dining. Guests are welcomed by the impressive Georgian architecture, ten acres of ethereal woodland and manicured lawns and grounds. Two wedding packages, The Sweetheart Package and The Signature Package are on offer, as well as private hire and bespoke additions. Lucky couples who choose to contract their 2024 or 2025 wedding on Burnham Beeches Sweetheart Package before the 1st of April 2024 will receive a complimentary wedding gift.

These daily habits are ruining your wedding ring

If you've been the lucky recipient of a diamond ring or a piece of jewellery, Nilesh Rakholia, jewellery expert and founder of Abelini, has shared exactly how to care for your precious diamonds to ensure they last a lifetime... Nilesh says: "While it can be tempting to wear precious items such as an engagement ring all the time, daily habits such as cooking and cleaning can damage your jewellery. To avoid this, we always recommend removing jewellery before showering or washing up because the soap can cause a film to form, which can leave rings and bracelets looking dull.

Wedding traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations

Researchers surveyed Gen Z couples and found many traditional wedding and proposal traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations. But it's good news for the father-of-the-bride, as 54 percent said expecting parents to cough up for the big day was no longer necessary. Other things which are likely to fall out of favour are asking the bride's father for permission to propose (43 percent), sleeping apart the night before the wedding (38 percent) and the bride taking their partner's name (35 percent).

Of the 2,000 18- to 27-year-olds, surveyed by Churchill, as many as 86 percent believe the traditional stereotype of men proposing to women is old hat – and women should be able to pop the question too.

A third (29 percent) think that being given away is no longer necessary, while 27 percent say that tossing the bouquet is out of style. Being carried over the threshold (26 percent), promising to obey in the vows (25 percent) and wearing a veil (19 percent) are also falling out of favour.

Thinking about a bespoke dress? Talk to Eloise Rose at Ascot Racecourse

Bespoke bridalwear designer Eloise Rose, will be exhibiting at Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show hosted by County Wedding Events on 7th April 2024. "I can't wait to meet brides, grooms and their entourages at Ascot Racecourse! I'll be offering mini-consultations on designs for wedding dresses, outfits and accessories, demonstrating how they can have one-of-a-kind outfits, within their budget. On the day they deserve to look their very best!" shares Eloise.

Find your wedding venue with County Wedding Events

Situated near Cobham and within easy access to London, Woodlands Park is a 57-bedroom hotel set in landscaped grounds and gardens, making it one of Surrey's most spectacular countryside wedding venues. Discover the epitome of elegance for your dream wedding at Woodlands Park Hotel - a stunning Grade II listed manor house hotel in Surrey offers a breathtaking backdrop for your special day! Visit the Ascot Racecourse Signature Wedding Show, and let the venue's dedicated team guide you through this exquisite venue and exclusive wedding packages.

A third of Brits decline wedding invites due to cost Klarna finds

The wedding season is just around the corner! What is normally a cause for joy can often become a financial strain for guests. Travel, outfits, gifts – the costs can quickly soar to unexpected heights. This is also confirmed by a recent survey by Klarna*, the flexible choice for smart, secure payments: One third (36.4%) of those surveyed said they had declined wedding invitations in the past due to associated costs. Moreover, 30.2% of respondents said they have not attended a Stag or Hen party due to the expenses involved.

Tempting favours with Sweetzboxes

SweetzBoxes is a Berkshire-based company specialising in creating beautiful favours for your special day designed according to your colour theme and style. Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April, and Mercedes-Benz World on 28th April to see what SweetzBoxes can do to make your day one to remember for your guests.

Henley Festival 2024 announces line up

Henley Festival Presented by Westcoast is excited to reveal a sensational line-up for 2024, with headliners including Nicole Scherzinger, Dave Stewart's Eurythmics Songbook, Gladys Knight, Rylan, Nigel Kennedy, Sam Ryder and much more. Henley Festival is renowned for its unique and vibrant programme – and this year's incredible Jazz line-up in the Paradiso includes Mimi Rose & The Mulberry Earls, Rebecca Poole, and Belle Noir with a taste of global music and home-spun folk in the beautiful Bedouin Tent from performers including Amuse Manouche, Coyote, and Natalie Gray. In addition, the popular riverside festival will host world-class comedies from Mark Watson, Angela Barnes, Dara Ó Briain, Sara Pascoe, and Flo & Joan.

Stunning event flowers on display at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show

Pinstripes & Peonies believe that being a part of your wedding is a privilege, and the team from this renowned event floristry company will be on hand at the show to discuss your big-day floral needs. "From your initial enquiry, you will have a dedicated Wedding Designer with your every step of the way, through to delivering your flowers on the big day. All of our proposals are created entirely bespoke, blooming with ideas specifically with you in mind. Our design process is simple and collaborative; whilst we lead with creative design based on seasonality and floral artistry, we value your input to ensure we have wedding flowers perfectly befitting to you."

9 in 10 newlyweds say budgeting is the biggest wedding stress

New research of newlyweds has revealed that 9 in 10 newlyweds find budgeting to be the biggest wedding stress. Queensmith's research surveyed 1,000 recently married couples throughout the UK, exploring the most and least enjoyable aspects, as well as the most stressful moments, leading up to their weddings and during the day itself. Weddings take a lot of time to plan in order to make them fabulous, but they also cost a pretty hefty sum of money too. Looking at the most stressful aspects of wedding, a whopping 93% of respondents said budgeting was the most stressful part of planning a wedding.

Have you considered renting flowers or having your own personalised neon light?

WildJar will be exhibiting at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse. Owner, Jess says, "We work with our couples to create beautiful dried and artificial floral arrangements perfect for those boho and rustic weddings! We offer services from ceremony flower arches, photo flower backdrops, table centrepieces, rigged pampas clouds, personalised Neon lights and so much more - pop along to the fair to take a look