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

Enjoy The Braywood Dining Experience in Maidenhead

Since opening at the end of last year on the historic Royal Oak site in Paley Street, The Braywood by WSH Restaurants has quickly become a popular modern British dining destination in Maidenhead - a hidden gem located just outside central London, where exceptional food meets holistic hospitality. Blending refined country-luxe interiors with a warm, retreat-like atmosphere, The Braywood serves a seasonal, locally sourced menu from head chef Sam Brennan (formerly of The Woodspeen, Newbury). It offers an accessible countryside escape with the elegant dining room, stylish cocktail bar, and relaxed outdoor terrace embodying its approachable yet sophisticated ethos.

Legal officiants vs legal venues

The wedding industry in the UK is worth £14.7billion, and the average cost of a wedding is over £20,000. With not only the cost, but the time and effort put into your wedding and making it one of the most special days of your life, you want to make sure that the event does actually legally marry you and your partner! Joanna Newton, a partner at Stowe Family Law, advises on the changes, and what couples need to consider.... In England and Wales, for your marriage to be legally binding, your ceremony venue needs to be a registered location. For more and more people, this is their local registry office, as they are choosing to have their wedding in venues that, whilst special to the couple, are unlicensed. In many cases, this means couples are having two weddings – one for the legal bit and one for the fun!

Whistlefish- Affordable, eco-conscious wedding stationery & gifts

When it comes to planning a wedding, organising a hen party or finding thoughtful gifts, Whistlefish makes it simple with its beautifully designed wedding collection. Whistlefish offers affordable, design-led products that make every moment of the celebration feel special. Crafted by their in-house artists in Cornwall, the range blends timeless style with eco-conscious values, proving you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve a polished, personal wedding look. Whistlefish offers a range of chic, budget-friendly pieces to help bring a couple's vision to life.

Experience the Magic of Christmas at The Langley in Buckinghamshire

It's never too early to start planning Christmas, and at The Langley, the season is more magical than ever. A two-night Christmas experience at The Langley wraps together everything that's loved about the holidays. There is champagne afternoon tea with live music on Christmas Eve, followed by mulled wine and treats plus family activities and a three-course festive dinner at Cedar Restaurant. Guests can wake up on Christmas Day to a hearty breakfast, a visit from Father Christmas, and a traditional three-course festive lunch, followed by live music and more family fun. On Boxing Day, visitors can enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departure, with festive movies showing in the cinema, board games hosted in the Drawing Room, and plenty of quiet moments in between.

‘Til death us do part: making plans for beyond your future.

On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

Enjoy Christmas festivities at the Adam Handling Collection

This festive season, the Adam Handling Collection is delivering extraordinary Christmas experiences across its award-winning restaurants and bars in London, Windsor and Cornwall. With indulgent British menus featuring delicious dishes, cosy festive feasts and Christmas markets to make spirits bright, they've got something special for every occasion. The Adam Handling Collection also has a range of foodie gifts on offer, including gift vouchers, Adam's Limited Edition Boxset of cookbooks and a selection of Adam Handling Own Label English sparkling wines. For pre-Christmas delivery of these gifts, order before midday on 18th December 2025. Their Christmas Chocolate Shop offering isn't to be missed.

Bridebox - the bridal subscription box for DIY brides

Each beautifully presented box contains everything needed to create stunning wedding crafts and personalised keepsakes, alongside thoughtful self-care treats designed to help you pause and truly enjoy your engagement journey. With clear, friendly instructions and all materials included, Bridebox takes the guesswork out of adding personal touches to your big day, allowing you to experience the satisfaction of creating something meaningful while taking precious moments for yourself amidst the planning whirlwind. More than just crafts, each Bridebox offers an opportunity to learn new skills, experiment with different ideas before committing to larger wedding projects, and perhaps most importantly, provides that perfect excuse to set aside the to-do list, brew a cuppa, and reconnect with the joy that should always be at the heart of your wedding planning adventure.

Cake International returns for 2025

The world's premier cake decorating and baking show, Cake International, is back for 2025 and it's bringing even more flavour with it. Co-located with the ever-popular Bake International, this year's show promises to be the most spectacular yet, with new features, industry-leading exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and a landmark celebration to launch the Cake & Bake International Awards. Find out more here.

Buckinghamshire's Furtho Manor Farm inveils sustainable fashion shoot

Furtho Manor Farm, an idyllic wedding venue in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and home to HK Hair & Wellness, provided the stunning rural country backdrop for this shoot focusing on sustainable fashion and community care, celebrating the work of the Bridal Boutique by Willen Hospice. The pre-loved gowns show how stylish secondhand dresses can look, from retro-inspired silhouettes to delicate lace styles, each offering the promise of a new beginning. HK Hair & Wellness worked on the concept and hair styles, while Hannah Rafferty took care of the make-up. The bridal dresses and accessories were courtesy of Bridal Boutique by Willen Hospice and everything was captured on camera by Just Take the Picture.

Wedding reforms: Freedom, flexibility… or fancy-dress farce?

Following a recent announcement of major reforms to the wedding laws in England and Wales, Kate Van Rol, barrister at 4PB advises what these changes could mean... The government's latest plan to reform weddings has been met with excitement, curiosity, and the occasional raised eyebrow from the vicarage. Ministers promise to liberate love from the clutches of red tape – simplifying the marriage process and allowing couples to wed in a manner that truly reflects their beliefs, personalities, and (let's be honest) Instagram aesthetic. Under these proposals, couples will no longer be bound by the old rulebook of marrying only in a church or registry office. Instead, weddings could take place almost anywhere – in gardens, on beaches, aboard boats, or even in a back garden with a barbecue and a borrowed gazebo. Religious and non-religious groups alike would be able to conduct legally binding ceremonies. It's marriage law for the modern age — simple, flexible, and tailor-made for a society that's allergic to formality. But as with all government reforms that sound too good to be true, there's a catch or two lurking beneath the confetti.

PREZZO ITALIAN ANNOUNCES MEOW-MAGICAL RESTAURANT TAKEOVER WITH DREAMWORKS ANIMATION'S GABBY'S DOLLHOUSE: THE MOVIE

Prezzo Italian is sprinkling a little extra meow-gic into family mealtimes with the launch of an exclusive partnership with DreamWorks' Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie until the 3rd of November. With restaurants located in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, the South West including Devon and nationwide, families visiting Prezzo restaurants this half term can enjoy a paws-itively playful dining experience, complete with themed dishes, in-restaurant fun for kids, and an unforgettable competition prize. Big adventures start with little bites! Inspired by the colourful, playful world of Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie, the new limited-edition menu features family favourites with a twist including cat-shaped pizzas and delicious rainbow doughnuts topped with strawberry sugar crunch and a caramel drizzle.

Would you like to win your hen do?

GoHen.com, one of the UK's leading hen party planners, are giving one lucky bride-to-be the chance to win her entire hen weekend for free. Yep, one lucky group will win an unforgettable GoHen weekend for 10 friends worth £2,000 – for free! With 70+ amazing destinations across the UK and Europe, and 1,000s of activities and accommodation options to choose from, you can make your send-off exactly how you imagined it – whether that's spa days and cocktails or beach clubs and bottomless brunches.

A meaningful Christmas gift

Knowing what to get your loved ones a Christmas seems to get harder every year. What to get people who seemingly want nothing but have everything? This year, gift them mindfulness with Myind Map MY Journal. created by Rosemary Ikpeme, this journal takes users on a 90-day journey of self-discovery and mindfulness activities. This journal blends productivity tools with mindset practices, combining visualisation, the law of attraction, and colour therapy illustrations to support reflection and manifestation.

Oxfordshire-based Little Village Candles offer seasonal scented candles

Oxfordshire-based Little Village Candles offer seasonal scented candles perfect for winter weddings and Christmas gifting. This cute Hot Apple Pie scented candle is ideal for the cosy season, with Halloween and Bonfire Night on the horizon. Other luxurious, hand-poured soy wax scents include Pumpkin Patch, Autumn Embers and Spiced Harvest. Signature Candles include Country Cottage, Fresh Linen, Hot Cocoa and Secret Garden while the stunning Spa Collection has highlight scents including Restore, Invigorating and Calming. The spa gift boxes include the candle alongside bath salts and a bath bomb. The brand is also about to launch a revamped website, and their exciting Christmas 2025 Collection.

The 3 Golden Rules for Choosing the Right Wedding Jewellery

With Married at First Sight dominating our screens from Sunday to Thursday, it's hard not to be inspired by the stunning bridal looks, sparkling jewellery, and dreamy hairstyles on display. Whether you're planning your own big day or simply daydreaming about it, finding the right accessories is key to creating a look that feels uniquely yours. From statement earrings to delicate hairpieces, the perfect finishing touches can elevate your ensemble from beautiful to unforgettable. Experts at Abbott Lyon have revealed how to choose wedding accessories that balance timeless elegance with your personal style.

Berkshire-based Studio 41 Bridal unveils designer gowns

This stunning selection of boho-inspired wedding dresses is from Berkshire-based Studio 41 Bridal located in Wokingham. The bridal boutique offers a beautiful hand-picked collection of gowns from independent designers including E&W Couture, Shikoba Bride and Rolling in Roses. E&W Couture dsign and manufacture their made-to-order pieces in Cardiff, Wales with highlights being fully certified vegan dresses. Shikoba Bride are based in Cheshire and create non-traditional, bohemian bridalwear. Rolling in Roses are a British label who focus on high-end craftmanship and sustainable, ethically produced organic and eco-friendly fabrics. There's also a fine selection of accessories from female-led brands Garter & Veil and W Collection for those all-important finishing touches.

A luxurious hamper with an added personal touch

For anyone looking for an outstanding wedding gift, a luxurious hamper with an added personal touch is an ideal option. Top Hampers was born from the belief that gifts should mark an occasion in a way that is meaningful and memorable, to enable you to give gifts that are thoughtful and personalised, showing just how much you care. They have used their expertise to create a range of ready-to-go wedding hampers. These are perfect if you are short on time ahead of the wedding, as you can rely on Top Hampers for quality and the personal touch, while knowing the hampers can be delivered the next working day.

One in three Brits skip weddings over sky-high guest costs

Despite being one of the biggest factors in long-term relationship success, money is still a taboo topic for most couples. New research from HSBC UK reveals that three in four Brits (75%) consider financial compatibility essential. The nationwide survey of 2,000 adults explored how modern couples navigate finances - from dating apps to wedding vows - and the pressures, expectations and unspoken rules that come with spending in relationships. The impact of this silence is clear, with 58% of couples having argued about money.

Embrace the magic of a winter wedding at Wasing Park

Wasing Park, the nationally renowned luxury wedding venue nestled in the Berkshire countryside, invites couples to embrace the magic of a winter wedding. Widely regarded as one of the UK's finest wedding destinations, Wasing offers a beautifully unique alternative to the traditional summer affair. With enchanting ceremony spaces, sweeping countryside views, exclusive seasonal touches and a genuine commitment to sustainability, Wasing sets the stage for a truly unforgettable winter celebration, immersed in nature. Located just an hour from London, Wasing Park is a beautifully restored farm hamlet set amidst rolling Berkshire countryside and tranquil gardens that flourish year-round. With exclusive-use hire, the venue provides a private and intimate, fully customisable setting—perfect for a magical winter celebration.

Ware Priory Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Ware Priory, for inspiration on Sunday 19th October 2025! Ware Priory offer a historic, yet contemporary setting for a wedding and understand that finding the right wedding venue can be one of the most challenging parts of planning your special day. At Ware Priory they tailor your wedding so that it is as individual as you are, their team help you plan every finishing touch. Whether you are wanting a civil ceremony, a wedding reception or perhaps both, then the Ware Priory team are here to make sure you have the perfect day.