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

The British Wedding Tradition Most Guests Never Question

Most wedding guests have heard the phrase "wedding breakfast", but very few stop to question it. After all, the meal is rarely served in the morning. It usually comes after the ceremony, often in the afternoon, and can involve anything from a formal three-course dinner to sharing boards, canapes, grazing tables and dessert stations. So why do we still call it a breakfast? According to Nick from Country House Weddings, the answer goes back centuries and is tied to religion, fasting and the way weddings were once celebrated in Britain. Breaking A Very Specific Fast The word "breakfast" does not originally mean a morning meal. It simply means breaking a fast.

Immersive circus and dining experience, Tyger, comes to Oxfordshire

Fools Delight has announced their summer 2026 show Tyger, an immersive circus and dining experience is coming to Oxfordshire. Running from tomorrow, the 23rd of July 2026 through to the 2nd of August, Fools Delight's latest production transforms a corner of Oxfordshire into a living, breathing world of circus, blending spellbinding performances, with an exquisite three-course communal feast. Inspired by William Blake's iconic poem, Tyger will feature a series of stunning circus duos that bring this duality to life through high-skill acrobatics and aerial dance, exploring the fearful symmetry inherent in the human spirit. Created by a team of world-class circus artists, producers and culinary creatives, this season also offers a variety of daytime programming and special cultural events.

Yankee Candle - quick on sale now!

If you're looking for thoughtful gifts for your bridal party or stylish wedding favours, now is the perfect time to shop. A selection of Yankee Candle fragrances is currently available at 30% off on Amazon until 10 July. The discounted range includes romantic favourites such as Wedding Day, alongside fresh summer scents including Cherry Blossom, Sage & Citrus, Tangerine & Vanilla, Red Raspberry, Fluffy Towels and Lavender Vanilla. Those planning autumn or winter weddings can also stock up on seasonal fragrances including Warm Cashmere, Autumn Wreath, Christmas Cookie, Snow in Love and Mistletoe.

Wasing Park Named Most Desirable Wedding Venue in the UK

Wasing Park, the nationally renowned luxury wedding venue nestled in the Berkshire countryside, is delighted to announce it has been named the UK's Most Desirable Wedding Venue by Bridebook. The accolade sees Wasing Park top a shortlist of 25 of the UK's leading wedding venues. Set within a beautifully restored farm hamlet and surrounded by 4,000 acres of pristine woodland and parkland, Wasing Park is one of the UK's most prestigious exclusive-use wedding venues, renowned for blending sustainability with timeless elegance. The recognition reflects Wasing Park's continued commitment to creating exceptional celebrations in a setting that is both exclusive and effortlessly connected to nature. Whether couples are planning an intimate gathering, a one-day celebration or choosing to extend their wedding into a bespoke experience, every celebration is thoughtfully tailored to reflect their vision.

Franco Manca serves up Strawberries & Cream Tiramisu for Wimbledon

With Wimbledon well underway, Franco Manca, with branches in Wales, Oxfordshire and Hampshire, is bringing a taste of centre court to its menus with a limited-edition Strawberries & Cream Tiramisu, inspired by the Championships' most iconic flavour pairing. Available until the 12th of July 2026, this delicious seasonal dessert offers a fresh take on the Italian classic, layering juicy strawberries with a light, creamy tiramisu base for a simple, summery finish. The popular dish is available as a stand-alone option across all Franco Manca restaurants nationwide, making it an easy way to tap into the Wimbledon spirit – with no ticket required.

ALDI reveals scent-sational summer home fragrances

Looking to add a touch of luxury to your home (or wedding this summer) without the designer price tag? Aldi has unveiled its latest Hotel Collection home fragrance range, with prices starting from just £3.99. Available in stores from June, the collection sees the return of customer favourites including the Premium Hotel Collection candles in Bergamot & Vanilla, alongside new summer-inspired scents such as Waffle Cone Sundae, Tropical Hibiscus, Lemon and Neroli and Sea Salt & White Sails. The range also includes reed diffusers and classic fragrances such as Cardinal Red, Liquid Luxe and Intense Passion, allowing shoppers to layer scent throughout the home.

WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL PUB & BAR AWARDS 2026 ANNOUNCED

The winners of the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026 were recently announced, with establishments in Wales, Oxfordshire and beyond. In total, 94 County Winners were announced, as well as Highly Commended venues for each area. Regional Wiinners were announced for every region across the UK. Pub Group of the Year went to Caledonian Heritable, and Bar Group of the Year was won by German bier haus brand Albert's Schloss. The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award – presented by the event's headline sponsor – was awarded to The Welldiggers Arms in Petworth, West Sussex. The Industry's Choice Award is voted for by hundreds of people from across the sector and, once again, went to The Devonshire in Soho, London.

Henley Festival names Cardiff-raised Adjua winner of Audi Presents RISE Music Award

Henley Festival Presented by Hemani has announced Welsh-Ghanaian artist Adjua as the first-ever recipient of the Audi Presents RISE Music Award – an initiative created to champion and accelerate emerging music talent. The inaugural award marks a significant new chapter for Henley Festival's charitable RISE programme, which was established to support the next generation of creatives across music, visual art and backstage production. Through the partnership, Audi and Henley Festival will provide breakthrough artists with performance opportunities, mentoring, professional guidance, and access to influential networks within the music industry. Adjua will perform at this year's Henley Festival from the 8th - 12th July, bringing her distinctive indie-grunge R&B sound – infused with Afro and funk influences – to the festival audience.

RSVPing 'YES' to multiple weddings? Here's how to budget!

Attending weddings can be a joyous occasion, but it can also be expensive, particularly if you're invited to more than one over the course of the year. Costs such as new outfits, travel and accommodation, and gifts mean the overall expense of attending can quickly add up. Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, says: "Wedding season can be a significant expense for households. Planning ahead and setting a dedicated budget for celebrations can help spread the cost over several months, allowing people to make the most of the celebrations while keeping their finances on track."

How to treat the father-of-the-bride this Father's Day

Father's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate the father of the bride. After all, he's been there through the wedding planning, the emotional speeches, the last-minute panics and probably more than a few budget discussions too. Whether the wedding has already happened or it's still to come, Father's Day is a brilliant opportunity to show him just how much he's appreciated. If you're looking to do something a little more exciting than buying another novelty mug or pair of socks, wedding experts The Stag Company share their favourite experiences that can make the day feel extra special.

New wedding gifts from Experiences.co.uk at The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa

An exciting new range of gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen has been launched as wedding season arrives. But these are thank you gifts with a difference, designed for adventurous, fun-seeking individuals, as well as those in need of pampering, advises Experiences.co.uk. Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at Experiences.co.uk, said: "Bridesmaids and groomsmen play a vitally important role at weddings, providing much needed support on the big day and beforehand, so it's only fitting they be thanked for their hard work." Imran adds, "Some people can find it a challenge to choose a gift they will truly treasure and that will provide many happy memories, which is why we've launched even more amazing experiences ideal for bridesmaids and groomsmen in time for this summer's wedding season."

Handmade Oxford, the International Contemporary Craft Festival takes place this June

The 6th edition of Handmade Oxford – International Contemporary Craft Festival is taking place from 12–14 June at Waterperry Gardens in Wheatley. Handmade Oxford presents the work of more than 175 of the UK's leading designer-makers, bringing together a wide spectrum of contemporary craft — from furniture and textiles to jewellery, fashion, ceramics, and glass. Throughout the three-day festival, visitors will have the opportunity to watch exhibitors sharing their extraordinary skills. A full programme of maker-led workshops runs throughout the festival, offering hands-on sessions in leatherworking, pottery throwing, willow weaving, and linocut printing, among others. Specific details of all the demonstrations are available on the website.

Say it with chocolate: Tony’s Chocolonely’s personalised wedding bars

Ethical chocolate brand Tony's Chocolonely is helping couples add a personalised touch to their wedding celebrations with its customisable chocolate bars, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wedding favours. From engagement announcements and bridesmaid proposals to place settings and guest gifts, the brand's personalised bars can be tailored with names, photographs, table plans or bespoke messages, creating a keepsake that guests can enjoy long after the celebrations have ended.

Everything you need to know about faith marriages this wedding season

Thousands of couples will say their vows this wedding season believing they're legally married, only to discover, when it matters most, that they might not be. Faith marriages are an increasingly complex issue for UK couples, with leading law firm Mills & Reeve seeing a steady rise in clients who discover – often much later – that their wedding does not carry the legal status they assumed. Jane Ingleby, partner at Mills & Reeve, explains why so many marriages fall into a legal grey area, and what couples should check before they walk down the aisle...

Bridal Showers Are Becoming the Biggest Pre-Wedding Trend of 2026

Not sure where to start? Don't worry - experts at Abbott Lyon have put together simple steps to help you plan the perfect bridal shower, so everything runs smoothly and the bride (and her besties) can enjoy every moment of the day. You know the bride better than anyone - after all, she's asked you to be a big part of her big day. Think about what her vibe is and what she's into. Is she more about getting pampered at a spa day or would she prefer a wild brunch somewhere? Also, think about who's coming to the bridal shower. Will her older relatives be there or will it be mainly her friends? Are work colleagues coming? You want to make sure anything you plan is appropriate for everyone to enjoy.

Burnham Beeches Hotel in Buckinghamshire enjoys award win

Having recently enjoyed an elegant and creative transformation across public areas, Buckinghamshire's Burnham Beeches Hotel is now realised as the first of a new brand concept, Imerso Hotels, which takes inspiration from wellness, connectivity and sustainability, connecting guests with the community and planet. It offers a stately service with its stylish reception, lounge bar, spectacular bridal suite and SOUL Spa treatment rooms and health club. Burnham Beeches Hotel is proud to have been recognised in the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards 2026, winning in the Large Hotel Wedding Venue category, and named Best Luxury Romantic Hotel in Northern Europe at the World Luxury Travel Awards 2025.

5 Tips to planning a perfect hen weekend in the UK revealed

61% of pre-wedding parties now stay in the UK as safety, cost, and connection reshape how Brits celebrate. Rising airfares, safety worries and global tensions, including travel hesitancy linked to the ongoing conflict, have fuelled a dramatic turn in how Brits celebrate before tying the knot. According to new figures, 61% of hen parties now take place in the UK, marking a clear shift from pre-pandemic years when city breaks in Europe dominated.

Guests Spend £348 On Average to Attend A Wedding, Says Expert

Wedding guests across the UK are spending hundreds of pounds just to attend a single wedding, with new research revealing the growing financial strain placed on friends and family. Research* commissioned by The Insurance Emporium, conducted by Censuswide, has revealed among people who have attended a wedding in the last five years shows that guests spend £348 on average to attend a wedding - with costs rising even higher in major cities. The wedding insurance specialist's findings reveal that 72% of guests now say attending weddings has become a financial burden, while 38.2% admit they have felt pressured to overspend in order to attend.

Divided down the aisle: The UK’s feelings on the most controversial wedding choices uncovered

Weddings bring with them lots of excitement, joy and happiness, but couples also often face the added challenge of trying to balance their personal wishes and preferences with the opinions of their guests. From who qualifies for a plus one to how much to spend on an engagement ring, new research conducted by Pandora UK has uncovered the nation's true feelings about the most divisive wedding decisions¹. Pandora has also enlisted wedding expert and events director at The Post Barn, Daisy Bradley to share advice on the best ways to handle tricky decisions with guests.

Venue Henley hosts Father's Day carvery on Sunday 21st June

The Sunday Carvery for Father's Day is being held on Sunday, 21st June 2026, at the stunning Heyworth Restaurant within the Greenlands Hotel estate. Diners can enjoy views of the River Thames with a complimentary pint, bottle of beer, glass of house wine or a soft drink with each four-course carvery lunch for just £33.50 per person, or £16.75 for children under 10. After lunch, guests can make use of the beautiful riverside surroundings. With ample free parking for cars (or a boat), they can enjoy a stroll along the river or chill with a coffee in the Chiltern Brasserie.