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

2024 wedding trend: cocktails to serve at 70s-inspired weddings!

Pinterest has launched its Pinterest Predicts report and '70s-inspired weddings are set to be huge in 2024, with searches for 'groovy wedding' increasing 170% and 'retro wedding theme' spiking 80%. Experts at NIO Cocktails have shared popular cocktails from the 1970s that you should serve at your retro wedding: "The era that brought us the rise of disco music, retro prints and bell bottom trousers also brought us a resurgence in classic cocktails and new ones, too! There were many cocktails that were popular in the 1970s and if you're wanting to throw the perfect '70s-inspired wedding, we'd definitely advise including our top three '70s cocktail picks in your wedding."

Wedding Showcase to be held at The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel

On Sunday 25th February, The Langley in Buckinghamshire will host a complimentary Wedding Showcase from 11 am until 4 pm. This countryside retreat is hidden amidst 150 acres of secluded parkland offering the idyllic setting for an elegant wedding surrounded by a wealth of historical luxury. The showcase will allow visitors to meet the hotel's dedicated events team, enjoy a tour around the property and its expansive grounds and check out the stunning spa facilities. Couples will have the opportunity to speak with The Langley's hand-picked suppliers including bespoke wedding cake creator Ana Lewis, elite hair, make-up and beauty therapist MACH MGMT, bridal boutique owner Ellie Sanderson, and the floral design specialist team Lily's Flowers.

2024 food and drink trends predicted by the experts

From flexitarianism and the rise of sharing plates, to higher demand for whiskies and the rise in under-loved species of fish; here, renowned chefs and drink experts predict what will be the food and drink trends to take 2024 by storm - inspiration for your big-day catering too, with so much choice it will be hard to pick your favourite trend!

January Suite Deals available at The Vineyard in Berkshire

The Vineyard, a bucket list hotel for wine lovers in Newbury, Berkshire is offering stays from £199 for two. This January, guests are invited to experience suite deals starting from just £199 per room. The offer includes two hours of pure relaxation in the private spa facilities. There are 32 suites with an open-plan Atrium suite featuring a lounge area, a heavenly bathroom, and a balcony or French doors opening to the crisp Berkshire countryside. A restful night's sleep is guaranteed, followed by a leisurely late noon check-out. To start the day right, savour a cooked and continental breakfast. But, be quick – the suite deals are limited.

Celebrate your wedding day with Niche Cocktails

If you want to serve amazing cocktails on the big day, then Niche Cocktails has you covered with its premium ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Perfect for kick-starting the celebrations, Niche Cocktails' range of all-natural cocktails taste just as good (if not better) than the ones you'd make from scratch, meaning that cocktail-loving couples can serve their favourite combos on their wedding day - why not enjoy your favourite tipples on your hen/stag or sten do too! Pre-mixed to ensure there's one less thing to worry about, you and your guests can enjoy a tasty tipple with Niche's delicious range that is so simple to serve. Each can can be poured straight into a glass or into a shaker with ice, allowing your guests more time for mingling.

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding?

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding? If you're planning your wedding, it's likely you're experiencing a whole mix of emotions! On the one hand, you'll be on cloud nine and feeling so excited. On the other, the stress can often get the better of you, no matter how in love you are. The planning, the preparation and the pressure can be overwhelming at times. In amongst all of this, you may not be thinking about putting measures in place to protect yourself in the event of the relationship one day breaking down. Whilst not the most romantic of things to be thinking about, an ever-growing number of couples are turning to prenuptial agreements ('prenups') to safeguard their money and assets before they begin their marriage and post nuptial agreements thereafter. At Stowe Family Law, we have seen enquiries for prenups increase by a quarter in the last year.

The Castle Hotel Windsor’s restaurant Leaf celebrates Veganuary

This January, embark on a transformative culinary journey at The Castle Hotel Windsor's restaurant: Leaf. This month, Leaf will be celebrating all things Veganuary for the second year running as it launches a delicious plant-based three-course menu. Aligned with the global movement advocating for a shift towards a plant-based lifestyle, Veganuary resonates deeply with The Castle Hotel's commitment to environmental sustainability and wellbeing. Every dish has been thoughtfully curated by Head Chef, Suraj Lokhande - being a vegetarian, Suraj is extremely passionate about offering delicious plant-based dishes that never compromise on delicious taste or flavour. Seasonal delights include Japanese-style steamed vegetable gyoza and superfood salad with grilled tofu.

Most popular day for marriage proposals revealed

New research has revealed the most common dates for marriage proposals in the UK, with Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day taking the top three spots. In order to delve into engagement trends, a UK wedding venue has conducted a survey of married, engaged and single people... More than 2,700 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, 76% of whom were married or engaged and 24% of whom had not been engaged yet. Respondents answered questions about their past proposals, or what they would want from a proposal in future. Wedding venue Hensol Castle first of all asked what date of the year anyone who was or had been engaged was asked for their hand in marriage (or did the asking), which revealed the following top five dates to be the most popular of the year:

The Vineyard in Newbury, Berkshire launches new winter menu at The Tasting Room*

Located in Newbury in Berkshire, The Vineyard has long been recognised as a leading destination for food and beverage. This January, the hotel will be taking its unique dining experience, The Tasting Room, to new heights with a delicious winter menu; focused on combining seasonal highlights with nature's elements within its traditional and plant-based menus. General manager Chris Smith comments: "We are thrilled to be entering our second season of The Tasting Room with the launch of a delicious, seasonal winter menu. We have received such fantastic feedback from our guests far and wide, and we are delighted that The Tasting Room has been a huge success so far."

2024 wedding trends from the experts

Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events, an events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the 2024 wedding trends along with other experts in the industry..."Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it's hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place."

20 things to get us through January according to Brits

With Christmas over, and the most depressing month of the year in full swing researchers asked Brits to vote for the things which we love about the colder months, with snuggling up with a blanket the top choice! The research, conducted by luxury ski resorts Club Med, also revealed a Sunday roast helps us get through the chilliest days, as over a quarter (27 per cent) love the smell of a roast dinner wafting through the house.

The best alcohol-free drinks to serve at weddings?

Discover the delightful range of award-winning non-alcoholic beverages from Mocktails which will make the perfect accompaniment to alcohol-free weddings and hen/stag dos! The ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to embrace the benefits of alcohol-free without compromising on flavour. Mocktails offer a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mixology-inspired and uniquely crafted, drinks include Mockarita, Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and Espress0% Martini. Mocktails' beverages are made with real fruit juices, exotic and natural flavours, and pure cane sugar.

1 in 7 couples buy wedding insurance at short notice

Christmas and New Year is the most popular time to get engaged* but research from wedding insurance specialist, CoverMyWedding.co.uk, reveals that couples might not be financially protecting all their purchases. One in seven (16%)** couples buy wedding insurance within 100 days of their wedding, according to CoverMyWedding.co.uk, leaving them potentially missing out on protection if they have already started putting down deposits and making payments. Wedding insurance often only covers items booked and bought after it is purchased, so it is important to buy it as soon as possible and before any big bookings or purchases are made, as depending on your insurer, they may not be included.

Sustainable wedding wrapping paper from Curlicue

Curlicue, a British-made, female-founded company, has a delightful range of love-themed gift wrap - perfect for wedding gifting or Valentine's Day! All wrap is on 100% FSC-certified recycled and recyclable paper, plastic-free, and made with vegetable-based ink. The company uses a waterless and chemical-free printing process to be kinder to the environment, and use a UK printer for its paper to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible - from making to shipping its plastic-free!

The Spa at Donnington Valley launches 2024 Wellness Packages

Berkshire's Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa, known for its luxury spa experiences, has announced its new spa packages for 2024. Crafted to remedy some of January's most common ailments, whether it's to help kickstart that healthy lifestyle goal set for the new year, or to combat the symptoms of SAD, Donnington Valley's cosy atmosphere, welcoming staff and idyllic countryside location are sure to help its guests start the year with some spring in their step. Located one and a half hours from central London, Donnington Valley provides the perfect setting for a January wellness retreat. The packages include the Sunny D Spa Break, £199 per person.

Wedding gifting etiquette - your guide from the experts

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists! That's why we are here to help with your guide to wedding gift list etiquette! We have spoken to The Wedding Shop, the UK's leading gift list provider to bring you everything you need to know about wedding registries. In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Sticks 'n' Sushi announces sweet menu change

Sticks'n'Sushi, which has a restaurant in Oxford has announced the launch of their all-new dessert menu of innovative Japanese-inspired sweet treats. Having previously offered small after-dinner bites, the new menu provides a variety of full-size dessert plates to satisfy the sweetest tooth. Sticks'n'Sushi is known for its high-quality, fresh food based on a unique combination of sushi and yakitori sticks from the grill, with restaurants offering diners a welcoming combination of Danish Hygge and Japanese Noren. The new dessert menu promises to elevate the dining experience at every restaurant, making it an ideal destination for special occasions including date nights. The menu has been thoughtfully curated to offer contemporary sweet creations with traditional Japanese flavours, with a range of tempting options that cater to a variety of palates.

Big-day gifting ideas from Yvonne Ellen

With careful eyes on tight-budgets, it's easy to forget the charm of gift-giving but with careful planning and your eye in the right place you can still find wedding gifts for loved ones. Based in London, Yvonne Ellen is an independent British home and lifestyle brand specialising in home and giftware that is quirky yet timeless. Bringing her passion for home design to life in 2017, award-winning designer Yvonne Ellen hand paints her illustrations on a wide range of fine china home and lifestyle products that's inspired by her love of travelling, fashion and London, bringing a colourful and bold statement either on its own or as part of an eclectic assortment of goodies.

2024's biggest gifting wedding trends revealed with The Wedding Shop

Gifting Guru, Liza Baucher from The Wedding Shop, reveals the 2024 wedding gifting trends that are set to be huge next year. According to The Wedding Shop's recent gifting survey, 99% of wedding guests will still give a gift in 2024 and the average price of a gift is higher. Which means, despite the cost of living - people are still spending more on wedding gifts. Liza adds, "In an era of rising costs, it's inspiring to see wedding guests prioritise the joy of giving. The significance of being part of someone's special day hasn't diminished, in fact it has grown stronger!

Make New Year's Eve a Cocktail Society celebration

The Cocktail Society makes bar-quality cocktails accessible to everyone. The Oxford-based team have developed their range, working closely with top spirit and drink producers. Every Bottled Cocktail and Cocktail Pouch is made using premium ingredients with no additives and The Cocktail Society also offers smaller 500ml and 200ml Bottled Cocktails, serving five or two drinks with the cost of these cocktails starting from just £7. The range includes a Coconut and Kaffir Lime Leaf Daiquiri, a Hibiscus and Elderflower Martini and a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini Bottled Cocktail. New for 2023 is The Cocktail Society's Spiced Tommy's Margarita Bottled Cocktail and Cocktail Pouch.