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

Photographer Annabel Farley reveals advice for getting married during the FIFA World Cup 2026

Anyone planning a summer wedding this year will know that another big celebration is happening – the FIFA World Cup 2026, running from June to July during the peak wedding season. Berkshire-based wedding photographer Annabel Farley is experienced in photographing weddings during major sporting events, having worked at previous World Cups, Euros, and Wimbledon finals. She has some advice for couples to help them enjoy their day and keep their guests happy. Annabel says, "A World Cup wedding can be relaxed, joyful, and beautifully photographed - with a little planning. First things first: don't panic! This is the most important thing I tell couples."

The Instagram Effect on Wedding Venues: How Social Media Is Reshaping the Industry

In an era where a single photograph can reach millions of viewers within hours, wedding venues are experiencing a seismic shift in how they attract couples and showcase their spaces. Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app into the most powerful marketing tool the wedding industry has ever seen and it's fundamentally changing what couples look for in a venue. We spoke with Nick from Country House Weddings to explore how social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok is reshaping venue selection, design, and the entire wedding experience.

Celebrate your love in a local Bridgerton-inspired wedding setting

With Bridgerton returning to our screens at the end of this month of love, pick a grand local wedding venue like The Langley, a five-star hotel and spa situated in Iver, Buckinghamshire. As Bridgerton returns for its fourth season on Netflix, brides-to-be are embracing a renewed love of aristocratic romance. Nearly half of Gen-Z couples are now drawn to so-called 'old money' aesthetics, favouring historic settings rich in elegance, heritage and grandeur. Bridgerton-inspired venues offer everything from gilded ballrooms and sweeping staircases to manicured gardens and regency-style architecture. They blend period drama romance with modern luxury, creating society-worthy settings for celebrations.

Oxfordshire's Bicester Village offers exclusive new partnership

Experience the ultimate luxury experience with Oxfordshire's Bicester Village, Blenheim Palace and Gloucestershire's Ellenborough Park hotel and spa with an exclusive new partnership. The day begins with a visit to Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. There's a private tour around the formal gardens to the East Courtyard boutiques, complemented by engaging storytelling and the chance to meet a member of the palace household who brings its heritage to life. A Continental or full-English breakfast is enjoyed before an afternoon at Bicester Village delivers luxury retail at its finest. Home to more than 150 renowned boutiques, Bicester Village combines exceptional designer shopping with a charming village ambience. The VIP offering includes personal shopping appointments, hands-free service, reserved parking, and exclusive access to The Apartment, the Village's private retreat.

The Wedding Music Trends Couples Are Choosing for 2026

For couples planning 2026 weddings, music has moved beyond background noise - it's now a defining, intentional part of the overall experience. Beyond the first dance or the late-night party set, couples are curating soundtracks that reflect who they are, where they come from, and how they want their guests to feel. The result? A new era of wedding music that's immersive, personal, culturally rich, and joy-led. Few people have seen this evolution up close quite like DJ China L'One, founder of We Run the World, the UK's leading Black-owned, all-female DJ agency. Having performed at hundreds of weddings and private celebrations, China has noticed a clear shift - especially for January weddings - towards upbeat, celebratory sounds, genre-blending playlists, and DJs who bring both polish and personality.

The ultimate commitment: What couples must know before buying a home

For decades, the "gold standard" of commitment was a ring. Nowadays, many are opting to get on the ladder first, before considering a bigger wedding celebration. What's important to remember however is that while a wedding is a promise to each other, a mortgage is a legal commitment with your lender or bank. You aren't just responsible for your half of the loan; you are both legally liable for every penny of it. So, if you're planning to make the ultimate commitment this Valentine's Day, Ryan Etchells, Chief Commercial Officer at Together shares his top four tips for navigating the path to co-ownership:

Leading luxury coach operator OMC offers 10% discount on wedding bookings

Leading luxury coach operator in Oxfordshire, OMC, is offering a 10% discount for couples planning their wedding in 2026-2027. Renowned for its elegant and stylish fleet of vehicles, all less than three years old, OMC provides corporate and private travel options, with wedding transfers offered to couples on the biggest day of their lives. The company offers a comprehensive range of vehicles, including luxurious chauffeur-driven cars, MPVs, Mercedes Jet Class/Exclusive vehicles, 16–20 seat minibuses, 21–33 seat midi-coaches, and full-size coaches that can accommodate up to 85 passengers, ensuring the company is well-equipped to cater for wedding parties of all sizes.

Trending Stag Do Destinations for 2026

2026 looks set to be the year of the European stag weekend, with more guys looking at heading abroad than staying in the UK. Yes, according to one of the UK's leading stag do providers, a whopping 59% of stags are jetting off to celebrate in Europe with Benidorm, Albufeira, Prague and Lisbon all top choices for the groom's big send-off. "With the rise of budget air travel and comparatively cheaper costs abroad for food and drinks, it's no huge surprise more stags are looking at a weekend away over staying in the UK," said Jon Stainer, Creative Director at StagWeb.co.uk.

Celebrate love, friendship and forever at Prezzo Italian this Valentine’s week

Celebrate love, friendship and forever at Prezzo Italian this Valentine's week at restaurants in Devon, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire as well as nationwide. This February, Prezzo Italian is serving up the perfect excuse to celebrate love in all its forms with a series of irresistible Valentine's-inspired dining offers. From romantic date nights to Galentine's celebrations and any love worth toasting, guests are invited to indulge in Prezzo Italian's specially curated Valentine's Day Set Menu, with two courses from £24.95, and three courses from £29.95, while also enjoying exclusive, limited-time treats. Prezzo Italian's Valentines Day Set Menu includes classic dishes such as crab and lobster ravioli, 'Marry Me' chicken, tasty tiramisu and a delicious quadruple chocolate cookie dough.

I SA-y yes! How soon-to-be wedded couples and newlyweds can use their ISAs 

From venues and catering to the dress and rings, wedding expenses can quickly add up. With the average cost of a UK wedding now more than £20,000, and with so many other pressures on our finances, putting money aside for your special day can feel challenging. A Cash ISA can be an efficient way for couples to save for their big day. With the Personal Savings Allowance limited to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers, the tax-free allowance in an ISA has the potential to help you reach your goals sooner. Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, shares his top tips on how couples can save for a wedding and beyond.

Married to your surname? 26% of women are planning on keeping theirs

Lots of people are ditching traditions when it comes to modern weddings and marriage - one of which quickly losing favour is the tradition of taking your partner's surname. In a recent survey carried out by Pandora UK, almost nine in ten (88%) women said they think that attitudes to married names are changing in 2026 ¹. When asked, over a quarter (26%) of unmarried women said they'd keep their last name if they got married, whilst less than half (45%) said they'd take their partner's name. This is indicative of the shift in opinion in recent years, as when married women were asked, only a sixth (17%) of women said they kept their maiden names when they got married, whilst the majority (78%) took their partner's surname, with just 4% choosing to double-barrel their last name with their significant other.

Handmade Oxford 2026: The yearly celebration of all things craft nestled in the Oxfordshire countryside

Contemporary craft event organisers Handmade in Britain are pleased to announce that Handmade Oxford – The International Contemporary Craft Festival is back for its 6th edition. Running from 12th–14th June 2026, the event will once more be hosted by Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire (as seen on BBC One's Make it at Market with Handmade in Britain's Creative Director Piyush Suri returning as mentor). Over three ldays, visitors can expect to buy from more than 170 of the top UK makers, watch live craft demonstrations, take part in hands-on workshops, eat delicious artisan food, listen to live music and have a beautiful day out with friends and family in the Oxfordshire countryside.

Love is in the air: Eden Mill and COCO Chocolatier partner to create the perfect Valentine's bundle

Independent distiller, Eden Mill and Edinburgh-based artisan, COCO Chocolatier, have launched a limited-edition bundle just in time for Valentine's Day - featuring award-winning gin and a luxurious chocolate bar. The Love Gin & COCO Chocolatier Bundle pairs a bottle of Eden Mill's iconic Love Gin with a bespoke bar of Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate. Designed with gifting in mind, the chocolate is presented in stunning, custom packaging inspired by the Love Gin's romantic aesthetic, beautifully merging the two brands.

Enjoy a Valentine's Getaway at Donnington & Co in Berkshire

Donnington & Co. in Berkshire has launched a new romantic hotel offer, guaranteed to please this Valentine's Day. The Valentine's Break includes a relaxed, two-night, Valentine's escape at Donnington & Co, designed for easy indulgence and spending some quality time together. This break includes two nights in a spacious double room, prosecco and chocolates in the room on arrival and breakfast on both mornings. There's also a four-course Valentine's dinner with a glass of fizz on Saturday 14th February. This Valentine's Break is priced from £239.50 per person, based on two people sharing. Plus, guests can make their getaway a truly indulgent experience by adding on spa access and a treatment!

Monty Bojangles' new White Rose Kit-Tin makes for a quirky wedding favour idea

Looking for a wedding memento that really stands out from the crowd? As wedding season comes back around, Monty Bojangles, the multi-award-winning UK confectionery brand, has unveiled a new addition to its hugely popular Cat Tin collection. Say hello to White Rose, the enchanting wedding Kit-Tin. Marking the brand's first foray into the wedding space, the elegant keepsake has been beautifully designed as the perfect wedding favour, whilst also serving as the sweetest engagement, bridesmaid or wedding gift.

West Oxfordshire Holiday Home is runner up in Property of the Year Awards

Holiday rental franchise, Pass the Keys, has announced the winners of its Property of the Year 2026 Awards, which spotlight the very best holiday rentals in the UK. From a charming pet-friendly family octtage in West Oxfordshire to an eco retreat in Brighton, the awards recognise properties that offer standout guest experiences across a range of categories, including affordable, family, group, design-led and eco-conscious stays. For more than a decade, Pass the Keys has been a leading UK holiday-let management franchise, overseeing more than 1,700 properties across 65 locations in the UK and Southern Spain. Short-term let experts James Varley of Host Planet, Lisa Roads, the Holiday Property Coach, and Richard Vaughton of Yes Consulting formed the guest judge panel to select the winners.

2026 Brides’ First Dance Forecast: The Songs Brides Can't Resist

For many couples, choosing the perfect first-dance track is a heartfelt decision, the song that will forever anchor the memory of their wedding day. Grace Loves Lace, the bridal company renowned for its effortless, romantic designs, has released a first-of-its-kind "Spotify Wrapped" for first dance songs. The new exclusive study analysed more than 70 of the most popular first dance playlists, listing over 3,800 unique songs, to uncover the best first dance tracks of all time. "Music is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding day, and the first dance sets the emotional tone for the entire celebration," comments Rosie Keating Leary, Head Designer at Grace Loves Lace. "It's fascinating to see the patterns emerge across genres, it mirrors how our brides approach dress selection. There's no one-size-fits-all; the perfect choice is simply the one that feels like you."

'I Do' Frocks Bridal announces Designer Trunk Show dates

Berkshire-based 'I Do' Frocks Bridal has announced a Designer Trunk Show taking place from the 12th - 15th of February. The event will feature the latest collections from Evie Young Bridal and Serene by Madi Lane. Exclusive offers on new dresses will be available during the four-day event, and appointments are limited; early booking is strongly recommended. At 'I Do' Frocks Bridal, brides-to-be are drawn to the effortlessly body-flattering silhouettes, with best-selling gowns in luxurious satin and mikado fabrics. Designs feature elegant basque waists, as seen on the Sally dress by Evie Young (pictured), and clean, structured lines that enhance the figure.

Submissions open for the ‘RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize 2026’

Henley Festival 2026 Presented by Hemani has opened applications for this year's 'RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize'. Established in 2025, the prize rewards trailblazing emerging talent in the visual arts space. The award forms part of Henley Festival's charitable mission: to support the next generation of talent through its RISE programme. The UK's only black-tie music and arts festival is a world-class experience like no other: pop, world, classical, folk, and jazz music, alongside comedy, cabaret, visual arts, sculpture, roving performers, dining, drinks, dancing and unforgettably jaw-dropping fireworks. But it's more than unforgettable event: Henley Festival is a charity and the Festival's RISE programme gives a unique platform for emerging talent to explore their creativity in a festival setting.

What’s next for weddings? The Wedding Shop reveals all

Multi-award-winning gift list service, The Wedding Shop has revealed new data, showing the trends that are shaping weddings and couples' gift lists for 2026. Based on information from over 80,000 couples gathered since 2019, the leading personal gift service has looked at changes in how couples are choosing to celebrate, and how their dearest and nearest are gifting them to mark their special day with some surprising results.