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

Romain Bourger, Director of Wine & Beverage at The Vineyard wins award

Romain Bourger, the director of Wine & Beverage at The Vineyard in Berkshire (bordering Surrey), is awarded first place in the Top 100 Sommeliers UK Awards 2024, a true testament to his dedication, excellence and unwavering commitment to fine wines. The Top 100 Sommelier UK Awards took place on the 10th of June 2024 at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London. They celebrated the very best sommeliers in Britain, applauding the art and expertise of those professionals who epitomise service excellence in wine. The awards are a veritable who's who of the UK's hospitality industry, announcing the most admired sommeliers working across the country today.

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

QHotels Collection launches Sunday night escapes from £99

The QHotels Collection's £99 Sundays is an incredible offer meaning guests can indulge in a rejuvenating Sunday night escape instead. All four-star venues including hotels in Cheltenham and Oxfordshire offer something different, from secluded rural hideaways to sophisticated city hotspots and everything in between. Each property within the collection offers a sanctuary of comfort and relaxation, ensuring every guest experiences a memorable stay. Fantastic value for money, guests can enjoy a Sunday night escape for two people from just £99 including an overnight stay in a twin or double room, plus the option for a hearty breakfast in the morning.

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Atul Kochhar welcomes Joe Wadsack to Vaasu for English Wine Week

On Wednesday 19th June, coinciding with English Wine Week (15th - 23rd June 2024), Atul Kochhar's Vaasu restaurant in Marlow will host an exclusive dinner and wine pairing event with wine expert Joe Wadsack. A well-known TV personality, journalist, consultant and wine judge, Joe Wadsack hosts a regular YouTube show, The Drinks Coach UK, and has appeared as the drinks expert on the BBC's Food and Drink series with Tom Kerridge. He has also appeared on Channel 4 as Richard and Judy's wine expert and as The Wright Stuff's Wine Expert, amongst other broadcasting roles, and he hosts his show, Joe Wadsack's Great Wine Walks with Kitty Johnson.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Sip, Savour, and Delight at The Vineyard in celebration of English Wine Week this June

Experience an unparalleled journey into the world of fine wines and inspiring tipples at The Vineyard, the perfect place to celebrate English Wine Week (from Saturday 17th June to Sunday 25th June). Just an hour away from London, on the outskirts of Newbury in Berkshire and close to the Surrey borders, The Vineyard is owned by Sir Peter Michael and offers an intimate and personalised experience to any guest. The Vineyard is a destination in itself with its 49 spacious rooms and suites, a fantastic spa and a world-class food and beverage offering that features a five-course tasting menu. The Vineyard is also home to one of the largest private art collections in the UK, including notable artworks from the likes of Ronald Searle and sculptures by Michael Thacker and Henry Moore.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

The Swan at Streatley introduces new al fresco lobster bar

Coppa Club has introduced its new al fresco lobster bar at The Swan at Streatley in Berkshire offering a taste of summer paradise with fresh lobster, riverside dining and stunning views of the River Thames. The new canopy-covered, riverside bar and barbecue is serving up summertime drinks and grilling native lobster, giant prawns and classic burgers. As summer settles in, enjoy live entertainment, try stand-up paddleboarding or explore the river by electric boat, all amidst the idyllic setting of this iconic riverside location. Locals and visitors can enjoy sun-drenched days along the riverside, iconic boat trips along the Thames, picnics on the lawn, outdoor cinema screenings, fitness activities and more for a truly unforgettable summer's day out.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

Lost Vegas Fun Casino Hire Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary and International Tour

Berkshire and Surrey-based Lost Vegas Casino Hire are celebrating their twentieth anniversary. Lost Vegas is a family-run fun casino hire entertainment company providing full-sized casino tables and professional croupiers for corporate events, weddings, themed events, private parties and fundraisers. Over the years, Lost Vegas has become a prominent event industry player with many television set appearances including Downton Abbey, celebrity clients, and brands including Dior, F1, Amazon, Moet and Lotus. Catherine Harrington, co-founder of Lost Vegas, said: "People come to us because they're looking for a fun and exciting experience, not just casino tables. We all thrive on creating a unique interactive experience for our clients and their guests and are renowned for the best 'fun casino' set up in the South East."

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Ashmolean Museum Oxford celebrates Father's Day

This June, Britain's first public museum, Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, celebrates Father's Day with a wonderfully eclectic gifting edit which champions artistry, craftsmanship and the natural world. From Ashmolean coffee to hand-painted Grecian pottery, the Ashmolean Shop has a wide range of gifts available for all ages, budgets and tastes. Highlights include Rampley pocket squares crafted by Rampley & Co. that feature artwork from Ashmolean's collection printed on mulberry silk and Jericho Coffee Traders' Ashmolean Coffee which features notes of stone fruit, raisin, choco, vanilla and cashew, presented in a tin featuring 'View of the High Street, Oxford' by J.M.W Turner.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.