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

Expert Reveals: The Biggest Wedding Trends for 2026

You've found the love of your life, and you're happily engaged. It's finally time for your main-character moment, your wedding, and we're here for it. Whether you're just getting started on planning or you've been swimming in tulle for months, one thing's clear: 2026 is the year of "I do, my way." According to Nick Bramer, Co-owner & Marketing Director at Country House Weddings, "2026 is shaping up to be the year of personality-driven weddings. Couples are blending tradition with innovation to create days that feel unapologetically 'them'." Below, Nick shares the biggest wedding trends set to define 2026.

Venue Henley Launches Sunday Carvery at the Greenlands Hotel, Henley Business School

Venue Henley is delighted to announce the launch of its new Sunday carvery, hosted at the beautiful Henley Business School once a month. Available to book now, diners can enjoy a traditional roast dinner in one of the most picturesque riverside settings on the River Thames. After lunch, guests can then enjoy unlimited coffee in the Chiltern Brassarie and take a stroll in the picturesque gardens down by the riverside. Complimentary parking is available and visitors can even arrive by boat by prior arrangement. Open to the public (booking required), the Sunday carvery offers a selection of succulent roast meats, seasonal vegetables, and all the classic trimmings.

Enjoy New Year's Eve with the Adam Handling Collection

Enjoy New Year's Eve with the Adam Handling Collection at The Tartan Fox and Ugly Butterfly 2.0 in Cornwall, and The Loch & the Tyne in Old Windsor. To mark Hogmanay in style, chef Adam Handling MBE has embraced his Scottish roots to create a series of unforgettable New Year's experiences for guests. Those seeking an indulgent family-friendly dining experience need look no further than Ugly Butterfly 2.0 - the Collection's latest opening, set in the iconic five-star hotel, The Headland, overlooking dramatic coastal views of Fistral Beach. Innovative menus transform local Cornish ingredients into extraordinary dishes at this beautiful location, with an exclusive New Year's Eve tasting menu serving as the perfect way to bid farewell to 2025.

Ring in 2026 in style at The Langley

Celebrate the arrival of 2026 in style with a New Year's Eve escape at The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Buckinghamshire. Guests are invited to arrive on 31st December and begin their stay with a champagne afternoon tea accompanied by live music, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. Diners will love the elegant Gala Dinner hosted in the magical Winter Garden, where live music will be enjoyed before a spectacular fireworks display at midnight lights up the sky. Dancing and celebrating will follow until the early hours and guests will wake up on the 1st January 2026 to a leisurely breakfast at the Cedar Restaurant, completing their start to the New Year in perfect style

Legal experts warn couples not to change wedding plans amid wedding law reforms

Proposed changes to 19th Century weddings laws could be about to change everything for couples, but one legal expert has urged wedding planners to hang fire before making any changes to their big day. Legal experts from The University of Law say: "While there have been various updates to wedding laws in recent years, such as legalising same-sex marriage and changing the legal age requirement for marriage, nothing has changed the laws that govern marriage to this extent since the 1800s. "The main thing couples need to know now, is that nothing is going to change in the immediate future. The reforms still need public consultation, then the usual Parliamentary processes before implementation, all of which could take many years.

The Braywood Celebrates One Year of Exceptional Hospitality

The Braywood celebrates its first anniversary, marking a year of modern British hospitality in the heart of the Berkshire countryside. Since opening in late 2024, the restaurant has quickly earned a place in the Michelin Guide, praised for its bold, ingredient-led cooking and warm, contemporary interiors. The Braywood has established itself as a standout in the modern British dining scene, continuing to champion seasonal produce, provenance, and creativity in the heart of Maidenhead. Located just outside central London, The Braywood is a refined countryside restaurant offering modern British cuisine rooted in seasonal, local produce. With interiors that blend understated luxury and rural charm, the space features an elegant dining room, a destination cocktail bar, and landscaped terraces.

Eden Launches 12 Stars of Eden to Celebrate Unsung Local Heroes This Festive Season

This festive season, High Wycombe's Eden Shopping Centre is shining a spotlight on the everyday heroes in the community with the launch of their 12 Stars of Eden initiative. From those who lend a helping hand, to individuals who go above and beyond to make their communities brighter, Eden wants to celebrate the people who make a real difference in the lives of those around them. Community members are invited to put forward someone they believe deserves recognition for their outstanding contributions. Entries can be submitted online via Eden's website, where participants are asked to share the nominee's name, role, and why they should be celebrated.

Micklefield Hall 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 Micklefield Hall, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 18th January 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.

7 Ways Marriage Celebrations Will Change By 2035

Planning a wedding used to follow a predictable script – white dress, church ceremony, big reception with 150+ guests. But it seems those days are numbered. According to this expert, the next decade promises to completely reshape how couples say "I do," driven by technology advances, environmental concerns, and evolving social attitudes. Wedding expert Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use venues across the UK, has witnessed these changes first-hand at their castle and country estate locations. "We're seeing couples make bold choices that would have seemed impossible just five years ago," says Bramer. "The traditional wedding playbook is being rewritten entirely."

The Post Barn in Berkshire is a Finalist in the Weddings & Honeymoons Awards 2026

The Post Barn located in Newbury, Berkshire's contemporary event venue is thrilled to announce that it has been named a finalist in the UK Wedding Venue: Intimate category for the prestigious UK Weddings & Honeymoons Awards 2026 (UKWHA). This recognition celebrates The Post Barn's commitment to creating unforgettable wedding experiences in a truly unique and romantic setting. Nestled in the Berkshire countryside, The Post Barn has become a sought-after destination for couples looking to celebrate their love in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel, London, on Thursday 5th February 2026, where industry leaders and exceptional venues from across the country will come together to celebrate excellence within the wedding industry.

The Compleat Angler Hotel announces return of popular Christmas market

Luxury destination The Compleat Angler Hotel has unveiled a selection of elevated seasonal experiences for the family to enjoy this winter. Perched on the banks of the River Thames in the picturesque town of Marlow, The Compleat Angler Hotel offers a truly enchanting setting for festive celebrations. This year's line-up will indulge all five senses, creating magnificent moments for all. At the centre of its festive calendar is its enchanting Christmas Market. Hosted on Saturday 22nd November, the hotel will transform into a festive haven, with stalls offering mulled wine, hot food, wreathmaking, crafts and more. A special visit from Santa's real reindeer completes the experience.

No ring? No proposal! New study reveals the top reasons for a proposal turn down

A new survey of 2000 UK adults has revealed timing is everything when it comes to a proposal, but so is taste. In an era where perfect proposals are deemed as Instagram-worthy backdrops and a professional photographer, this study reveals that the fundamentals are what couples are really wanting. A new study, commissioned by professional jewellers, F. Hinds, shows nearly 3 in 10 (29%) would be turned off by a public proposal, whilst another 29% would say no if it happens on someone else's special day, such as a birthday or even another person's wedding day. The engagement ring itself still plays a pivotal role. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 (20%) say the ring, or lack of one, can make or break the moment, proving that in an era of bigger is better, the perfect ring is still the ultimate "yes" factor.

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.