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

Tickets are on sale now for The Photography & Video Show

Tickets are on sale now for The Photography & Video Show, the largest event of its kind in the UK and Europe which will be returning in 2024 at the NEC. Taking place between 16 – 19 March, The Photography & Video Show is the destination for photographers, filmmakers, and content creators of all levels, from beginner to advanced amateur, and all the way through to established professional.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Atul Kochhar restaurants

Celebrate Mothering Sunday with Atul Kochhar restaurants in Buckinghamshire where all four properties will offer extra-special Mother's Day menus. Chef Atul Kochhar said, "Mother's Day is another very important day for the hospitality industry and we're always doing our best to offer something which will make mums feel special while bringing the family together for a delicious meal." Riwaz in Beaconsfield will serve a three-course set menu from 12 until 7 pm, priced at £38 per person. Choose from dishes such as chicken shami with spinach raita; lamb seekh kebab with rosemary and chilli mayo and slow-cooked lamb leg with onion kulcha. Additional nibbles and bread will be available while all mums will receive a free Riwaz Signature cocktail to enjoy.

Blake Lively creates a buzz with UK launch of Betty Buzz cans in Majestic

Hollywood actress, Blake Lively today announces the launch of her new 330ml Betty Buzz cans of premium adult soft drinks in the UK, available from Majestic. The Betty Buzz range of Sparkling Lemon Lime, Sparkling Grapefruit, Ginger Beer and Meyer Lemon Sparkling Sodas are all available from 207 Majestic stores and Majestic online in the UK. Betty Buzz is a collection of healthier gourmet sparkling sodas in new stylish tall slim cans. Within just two-and-a-half years, Betty Buzz has grown to become the world's number one premium adult soft drink on Instagram, with the most followers and highest engagement of any brand in this category globally. Made with fresh ingredients, the range is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colours and flavours.

Ashmolean Museum celebrates Mother's Day with artistry and craftsmanship

This March, Britain's first public museum, Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, celebrates Mother's Day with a beautiful curated gifting edit which champions artistry, craftsmanship and the natural world. From bespoke tea to Anglo-Saxon-inspired jewellery and ceramic starter kits, the Ashmolean Shop has a wide range of gifts available for all ages, budgets and tastes. The top ten picks from the museum include ceramics by local artist Emma Baldwin. This range of one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces has been inspired by the vivid colours of the artwork Study of a Kingfisher, a watercolour by John Ruskin. All pieces in this range are handmade, meaning each piece is individual and may vary slightly in colour and shape.

Newly launched NimNik Glitter Tattoo Kit ideal for kids at weddings!

Boasting an impressive array of features, with 35 vibrant glitter colours, six fluorescent powders, 204 stencils, three adhesives, five brushes, and 215 rhinestones - the possibilities are limitless and will keep children happy for hours. This comprehensive set ensures that every user can unleash their imagination and bring their temporary tattoo visions to life. This glitter tattoo kit is not limited by age or gender; ideal for kids, girls, teens, men, women, and adults, it's perfect for occasions. The versatility of the kit allows users to explore different applications, such as eye shadow, body painting, DIY crafts, Christmas cards, birthday celebrations, or party decorations. The only limit is your creativity.

Bloom & Wild's exclusive insights into this year’s most anticipated flower trends

Brace yourselves for a vibrant floral revolution as 2024 bids adieu to the serene luxury trends of 2023, welcoming back maximalism with open arms. Bold statement pieces and lively colours are reclaiming their spotlight in the realms of fashion, interiors, and floral arrangements, marking a dynamic shift in the aesthetic landscape. Jo Reason, Director of Brand & Range at Bloom & Wild, predicts a surge in hyper-colour bouquets featuring fuchsia and electric lilac flowers paired with lime yellow foliages.

As the wedding season approaches, turn to Viners for a gift ideas

If you've been invited to a wedding and need some inspiration for what to give as a gift, we're sure you will find something within the Viners® range that the happy couple will enjoy for years to come. Opting for a cutlery set is a guaranteed hit. A sentimental and thoughtful gift to give your loved ones, a cutlery set will take care of any special dinner parties or occasions hosted by the newlyweds.

Expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024

Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner and Wedding Expert for online fashion destination Silkfred, shares her expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024. A beautiful white gown has been the norm for centuries, however, as Georgie explains, 2024 is set to change these traditional bridal tropes: "I think, in 2024, we'll see loads of individuality. Brides will be wearing different designs, colours, necklines with more of a focus on styles that not only make them look and feel good, but won't look like everyone else. I also think they will be very romantic, textured, patterned with touches of colour. Gone are the white dress brides."

De Vere Tortworth Court crowned the best hotel wedding venue in the Southwest

De Vere Tortworth Court, located in Gloucestershire, recently won the award for Best Hotel Venue at The Wedding Industry Awards 2024. Polly Savage, wedding manager at De Vere Tortworth Court, said, "It's an honour to win such a prestigious award. It's so rewarding to know that the work that we do behind the scenes and on couple's wedding days doesn't go unmissed. The whole team are passionate about creating the most perfect day for all our couples and we all work tirelessly to make sure this happens. We're looking forward to welcoming our 2024 brides to De Vere Tortworth Court in the new year."

Wedding trends and tablescaping predictions for 2024

We've seen a number of popular wedding trends take centre stage over the past few years, from the soaring popularity of micro weddings to cosy and intimate sweetheart tables for the happy couple. As we step into 2024, the world of weddings is evolving even further, with couples embracing new and exciting trends and reimagining the art of tablescaping. So, what exactly are the latest nuptial trends, and how can brides and grooms emulate them in their own ceremonies and wedding tablescapes? The tableware experts from Burleigh Pottery are here to share their wedding and tablescaping trend predictions for 2024 to give you the inspiration you need ahead of the big day.

Park Fair returns to the Cotswolds bigger and better this year

Park Fair will return to the Cotswolds bigger and better this year on Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of June at the Great Tew Estate in Oxfordshire. The weekend will welcome The Toy Box by BRIO, Montrose Group Open Kitchen, Yarnton Home & Garden Makes, the Park Fair Food Market and the Potted Goose Pub for the first time. Park Fair will see The Savills Lounge return along with the House of Hair Braid and Style Boutique and Amie Wine Bar. New and returning boutiques include Ma + Lin, AFF & JAM, Little Garden Shop, ODEONIA, Amuse La Bouche, and Lacuna Child. As always, unlimited fairground rides and music all day will keep the whole family entertained - all within the ticket price that are on sale now.

Expert reveals wedding planning tips for newly engaged couples

Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of The Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of working with thousands of married-couples-to-be, across 12 venues in total including three US, making her the expert when it comes to wedding planning: "Valentine's Day is an incredibly popular day for proposals, in fact the search for 'Valentine's Day proposal' is currently up 40% globally!" I love working with newly-engaged couples; but I always encourage them not to wait too long, as they may miss out on getting the best venues, photographers or even end up with key guests of honour unable to attend the big day as they have left sending 'save-the-dates' out until the last minute."

Savvy couples request money over wedding gifts amid cost of living crisis

Savvy couples are looking to use wedding gifts to invest in savings amid the cost-of-living crisis, new national research has revealed. The survey, conducted by Coventry Building Society discovered almost a quarter of newlyweds (24%) put money received as a wedding gift straight into a savings account, with more than one in ten couples (15%) using money to pay off wedding debt straight away. What's more, over half of respondents (57%) just want money as their wedding gift, opting for financial safety over traditional gift giving (43%).

The Speech Surgery part three - the father-of-the-bride gets the spotlight

The Speech Surgery part three, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips for the father of the bride and how to delivery the ultimate speech. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

Luxury Wiltshire hotel Bowood reveal wedding showcase

Luxury Wiltshire hotel Bowood reveals a wedding showcase on Sunday the 18th of February and unveils 2024 wedding trends. Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony and reception. On Sunday the 18th of February, couples will be invited to see the function room dressed for a wedding day and meet with the team and suppliers to discuss their ideas. From 10:30 am until 2:30 pm, the Kerry Suite will be transformed into a wedding wonderland, with dedicated appointments available with the hotel's wedding coordinators to discuss dream wedding plans with the latest trends on show from trusted and preferred suppliers.

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

County Wedding Events coming to Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 18th February 2024! 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. Celebrate your Surrey Wedding in the beautiful landscaped setting of the vineyard. Set in the heart of the Surrey Hills, an area known for its outstanding natural beauty, Denbies prides itself as one of the finest wedding venues in Surrey.

Enjoy lunch with Irene Forte at The Vineyard on Mon 19th February

Nestled in the heart of Berkshire, The Vineyard stands as an essential destination on the bucket list for wine lovers seeking the perfect retreat. Beyond its renowned wine collection and exquisite accommodation, The Vineyard boasts an award-winning spa, promising an unparalleled journey of rejuvenation and tranquillity. The Vineyard's spa experience has earned its rightful place among the UK's highest-rated wellness destinations. For those craving a unique and enriching experience, enjoy an exclusive event on Monday the 19th of February at noon – lunch with Irene Forte. Irene Forte Skincare, a Cert B corporation, is dedicated to zero waste, organic ingredients, and recyclable packaging. As featured in Vogue, the revolutionary anti-ageing active ingredient, phytomelatonin, is a must-try for those over 30.

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.