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

THE 2026 MUDDY AWARDS FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED

Now in their THIRTEENTH year, The Muddy Stilettos Awards Finals are back. Finalists have just been announced in this year's 2026 Finals line up as the very best of independent lifestyle businesses across 23 regions, including 210 businesses in Bucks and Oxon, chosen by their customers and Muddy readers. The Muddy Stilettos Awards are the UK's No1 SME lifestyle Awards, and from the first round of nominations in Bucks and Oxon, across 21 lifestyle categories, only the top 10 with the most nominations in each category have made it into The Finals. Running until 26th May 2026, the final round of voting has begun, inviting customers, friends and family to vote for their favourite business, including five new additions.

The wedding favours taking off for 2026 - from socks to seed packets

Loved by nearlywed couples planning their big day, wedding favours are a wedding staple, with new data revealing searches are up significantly ahead of the 2026 wedding season. But industry experts say 2026 weddings will shift away from one-size-fits-all gifting favours, with a stronger focus on personalised touches that guests actually want to keep. With this in mind, gifting and accessories brand Sayers London has revealed the most in-demand wedding-favour ideas for 2026, alongside insights into how fiancés are rethinking tradition to create more memorable experiences for their guests.

Wedding gift ideas for newlyweds - what fragrance is for you?

As we're fast approaching wedding season, according to Google trends, 'wedding day gifts' is seeing a 70% increase in searches! Yankee Candle and WoodWick, are the perfect gift for any wedding. Fragrance is the perfect way to add that personal touch and showcase how scent is perfect for making memories, creating a sensory experience that couples and guests can associate with the day long after it's over. Experts from Yankee Candle and WoodWick discuss the power of fragrance for moments like weddings. Jennifer Genson, WoodWick R&D Director of Fragrance & Sensory Science at Newell Brands say...

House of Janneke, a new lifestyle brand, launches Book of Special Days

The Book of Special Days is a keepsake journal that gives special moments a home. This isn't a diary. There are no rules, no schedules, no need to write in it every day.  There is a page for every day of the year, but no printed years. After a special day, you find the date, add the year and write down what made it worth remembering. Over time, this book will become something more: a living archive of your days, a weave of stories across the years, a place for little joys, victories big and small, laughter shared and milestones you cherish. It holds what you don't want to forget, a trove of the ordinary and the extraordinary, all treasured alike.

Venue Henley at Greenlands has expanded its wedding licence

Set within the stunning 30-acre Henley Business School estate in the Oxfordshire countryside, Venue Henley at Greenlands offers an unforgettable setting for couples seeking a wedding rich in character, charm and natural beauty with tailored packages. Overlooking the River Thames, the Grade II listed house provides a timeless backdrop, perfectly complemented by sweeping lawns and idyllic riverside views. The elegant main house features in-house ceremony rooms that accommodate up to 120 guests, enabling couples to host their entire celebration in one location, eliminating the need for guests to travel between venues. The grounds provide the perfect setting for drinks receptions, garden games and big-day photography. Venue Henley at Greenlands also offers a 100-bedroom hotel on-site.

Iconic Wedding Gift Ideas from Dualit

Iconic British brand Dualit presents a curated selection of wedding gifts designed to be cherished for years, and in some cases, generations to come. From romantic, café-style mornings to shared moments over hot chocolate, each gift will be enjoyed well beyond the wedding day. A thoughtful gift for couples who love to bake and a must have for every kitchen. The Dualit Hand Mixer is a firm favourite among top chefs and seen on TV, combining high performance and a chic retro design, this versatile tool is available in Copper or Chrome finish.

Bridal Brunch Pop-Up returns to Newbury in Berkshire this May

A vibrant, inclusive celebration of love is set to return to Newbury in Berkshire this spring as the much-loved Bridal Brunch Pop-Up lands at the award-winning The Post Barn on Saturday 16 May. Running from 12 pm to 4 pm, it blends brunch, creativity and live entertainment in a relaxed, party-style atmosphere. The event is open to everyone (not just brides) welcoming all those looking for an inclusive celebration of love and connection. Guests can expect a cocktail (or mocktail) on arrival; a hands-on sip & paint glass painting workshop; a delicious brunch with a glass of fizz and live music, dancing and a sun-soaked (weather permitting) social vibe.

Countdown to the County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey

We live and breathe weddings at County Wedding Magazines and Events, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey on Sunday 26th April, 2026! It's one of our biggest wedding shows of the spring wedding show season. The event brings couples 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.

Tagvenue Reveals Its 2026 Event Predictions

As the events sector continues to evolve, 2026 is set to mark a clear turning point for UK venues. Leading event booking platform Tagvenue has released its predictions for how the UK events and hospitality sector will evolve in 2026, pointing to a decisive shift away from scale, standardisation and fixed packages, and towards experience-led formats, wellbeing and clearer communication of value. Drawing on booking behaviour across thousands of UK venues, alongside insights from independent hospitality operators, Tagvenue predicts that the most successful event spaces in 2026 will be those that combine strong identity with flexibility, visual appeal and transparency around pricing and experience.

Experts Warn Against Using AI for Wedding Vows

With peak wedding season approaching, experts are warning couples not to rely on AI to write one of the most personal parts of their big day – their vows. A survey by jewellers Queensmith has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK brides and grooms are now using AI tools to help write their wedding vows and speeches, raising questions about authenticity, originality and even potential legal grey areas. The findings come amid a growing debate around AI-written vows after a registrar in the eastern Netherlands saw a marriage called into question when AI was used to help write the ceremony script. In the case, the District Court of Overijssel ruled that "no marriage has been established" after it emerged the registrar had relied on ChatGPT to draft parts of the ceremony. The case has sparked wider concerns that AI-generated wording could unintentionally mirror existing vows or scripts found online, raising questions about originality and authenticity.

Explore Waddesdon Manor and grounds this spring

Experience Waddesdon Manor with its picturesque gardens and grounds this spring, inspired by the vision of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. Children visit for free this Easter holiday, until the 12th of April 2026. Explore the grounds with walking trails, visit the Aviary that looks after a variety of endangered birds, stroll through the Parterre, discover the fragrant Rose Garden, and admire the beautiful art collection displayed throughout the gardens. Step inside Waddesdon Manor and enter a world where art, history and nature meet. This historic French-inspired Chateau was built for beauty, a magnificent art collection and for entertaining. Explore more than 300 items in the Rothschild Treasury, descend into the Wine Cellars, and discover seasonal exhibitions.

County Wedding Events comes to Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 17th May, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face 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.

Marriage, Money, and Modern Love: Gen Z and Millennials

"As a family barrister, I spend much of my professional life dealing with what happens when relationships break down," says Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, Family Barrister at 4PB. "That vantage point inevitably shapes how I think about marriage — not cynically, but realistically. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that one of the most notable trends I have observed in recent years is the growing interest in prenuptial agreements among Gen Z and younger Millennial couples.

Win an Engaged Couple a Dublin Minimoon with GoHen & StagWeb

Leading UK stag and hen party providers, StagWeb and GoHen, have launched a brand-new competition offering one lucky engaged couple the chance to win a Dublin minimoon - completely free. Whether it's a little pre-wedding trip to escape the planning stress or a post-wedding adventure before the honeymoon, it could be the perfect little wedding gift for the happy couple - read here now!

Berkshire-based wedding photographer Annabel Farley unveils twilight wedding tips

Planning a twilight wedding? Experienced Berkshire-based wedding photographer Annabel Farley shares expert tips on lighting, timelines, photography and more. She says, "Twilight weddings are undeniably romantic - the soft glow of fading light, candles flickering and festoon lighting create an atmosphere that feels intimate and cinematic. But while twilight weddings look effortless, they require far more intention than daytime celebrations, especially when it comes to wedding photography." Annabel adds, "As an experienced wedding photographer, I've seen just how incredible twilight weddings can be when they're planned well. I recently had the pleasure of capturing Faith and Sam's twilight wedding at Kin House, a stunning Georgian House in the picturesque Wiltshire countryside near Chippenham (Yes, I cover Wiltshire-based Weddings too!")

Expert says prenups aren't just for the rich and famous

Legal experts at Richard Nelson LLP are urging Brits to rethink who prenups are really for. While often seen as something reserved for high-profile couples, data suggests they remain largely overlooked in everyday relationships. Just 7 percent of divorced Brits had a prenuptial agreement in place before separating, highlighting a significant gap between perception and reality. Regionally, attitudes vary. Manchester has emerged as the UK's 'prenup capital', with 13 percent of divorced couples having one in place, compared to 8 percent in London and 11 percent in Birmingham. Meanwhile, cities including Liverpool and Southampton reported no uptake among those surveyed.

STONOR PARK INVITES COUPLES TO AN EXCLUSIVE WEDDING SHOWCASE

Couples planning their big day are invited to experience the timeless elegance of Stonor Park at a special Wedding Showcase taking place from 12 pm to 4 pm on Saturday 18th April. Hosting only a select number of weddings each year, the historic estate will open its gates for an afternoon of inspiration, offering couples rare access to explore the grounds, beautifully styled for a wedding day. Throughout the afternoon, the Stonor Park team will be on hand to inspire invitees with options for their special day – from the elegant lawns framed by the exquisite setting of Stonor House, to the elevated plateau of Drovers' Hill enjoying sweeping views across the Chilterns, with spaces to suit every imagination and every style.

Pre-wedding nerves, relationship advice and the secrets to a long, happy marriage

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting seasons in a couple's life. It is also one of the most emotionally revealing. As someone who has coached over 1,300 women into healthy, committed relationships and marriages through my Love Success Framework, I can tell you this: the way you handle wedding planning is often a preview of how you will handle marriage. Not because of the flowers. Not because of the guest list. But because of how you navigate stress, expectations, decision-making, and emotional needs together. A wedding is an event. A marriage is an energetic ecosystem.

The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Estate's Wedding Fair

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Estate, for inspiration on Sunday 22nd March, 2026! 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.

Thoughtful Wedding Gift Ideas for Gay Couples

The joy of a wedding is a beautiful occasion, and finding the perfect gift to celebrate a gay couple's special day is an opportunity to express your love and support. Beyond traditional registries, a wealth of unique and personal gifts can truly reflect their journey and shared future. This guide explores a range of inspiring ideas, highlighting some fantastic artisans and companies that cater to diverse tastes and celebrate love in all its forms.