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

Hotpod Yoga Takes on Mental Health Week

Mental health awareness week (12th – 18th May) is upon us and it's time we get serious about our feelings. With the constant rise in social media consumption and the cruelty of the media, it's vita we understand how we can support our mental health. Hotpod Yoga in Birmingham are facing the week head on and, in collaboration with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), are helping locals support the worthy cause.

This new cleaning trend is ruining your engagement ring!

The newest trend to clean engagement rings with a coffee steamer, whilst entertaining to watch, is a sure-fire way to ruin your precious ring! We have to be very careful about our jewels and must not forget that it is four simple prongs that hold in our sparkling beauties. To educate us as to why this hack should get the sack is Neil Dutta, managing director of the engagement ring specialists, Angelic Diamonds

COWORTH PARK LAUNCHES GARDEN AFTERNOON TEA

Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection's luxury country house hotel on the edge of Windsor Great Park, is delighted to unveil its new Garden Afternoon Tea; a celebration of seasonal blooms, refined flavours, and serene English elegance. Timed perfectly with the flowering of the estate's celebrated wildflower meadow, the menu brings the beauty of the outdoors in, offering a sensory journey through nature's finest. Guests are invited to savour this quintessentially British experience in the heart of the Berkshire countryside. Afternoon Tea is served in the Drawing Room, with its views stretching across the rolling parkland, or in the light-filled conservatory, where guests are immersed in the natural beauty of Coworth Park's grounds, a setting that feels a world away, yet within easy reach of the capital.

B Calm Introduces a Personalised Body and Face Care Set

Born from Becky's personal journey of healing, B Calm offers beautifully designed, organic products to support modern women in finding daily balance and calm. In May 2025 they will proudly unveils their latest innovation – the Personalised Body + Face Care Set. Designed to empower individuals to create a unique self-care ritual, this customisable trio features a hydrating mist, nourishing carrier oil, and pure essential oil blend to support radiant skin and holistic well-being.

HENLEY FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW VISUAL ARTS PRIZE TO SUPPORT EMERGING TALENT

Henley Festival presented by Westcoast has launched a new prize that rewards trailblazing emerging talent in the visual arts space called the 'RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize'. The award forms part of Henley Festival's charitable mission: to support the next generation of talent through its RISE programme. Taking place from the 9th until the 13th of July 2025, The UK's only black-tie music and arts festival is truly an experience like no other with world-class music set alongside stellar comedy and cabaret, stunning art galleries and sculpture installations, roving performers, as well as dining, drinks, dancing and simply jaw-dropping fireworks.

New Study Reveals the Best Places in England to Get Married

With wedding season fast approaching, the wedding experts at F.Hinds have analysed hundreds of the best wedding venues that England has to offer, to uncover where nearly-weds should be adding to their shortlist this summer. The study considered several factors such as popularity, reviews and weather predictions and awarded bonus points for how "Instagrammable" the aesthetic is. The systematic scoring system has revealed the "best of the best" English wedding venues for couples planning a wedding in 2025.

Elevate your bank holiday weekend at Berkshire's Donnington Valley

Google trends reveal searches for 'staycation near me' are up 110% so Donnington Valley has prepared the ultimate getaway package, the Spring Escape for the two bank holidays this May. This hotel and spa in Newbury, Berkshire is inviting guests to relax and recharge with a special staycation package for an affordable price of just £99 per person. The package includes dinner in the award-winning restaurant, with an allocation of £30 per person; a complimentary £15 wine machine voucher (to use at the wine by the glass machine); use of the spa facilities from 3pm on the day of arrival to 11am on the day of departure along with a stay in a double or twin Classic room and a full English and Continental breakfast.

Wedding expert reveals the top 2025 trends

With weddings becoming more personalised than ever, many couples are rethinking the traditional elements of their big day. In 2025, couples are all about individuality and creating an experience that truly reflects them. For those looking for inspiration on what's 'in' and what's 'out' for weddings this year; Jeremy Hinds, Wedding and Engagement Ring expert at F.Hinds, shares his top tips for planning a celebration that feels both modern and timeless.

Check out Crazy Bear Stadhampton this spring

Check out Crazy Bear Stadhampton in Oxfordshire this spring by booking a May bank holiday break. Crazy Bear Stadhampton is a boldly designed boutique hotel situated in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, with a twist on the classic country hotel. One of Oxfordshire's most distinctive wedding venues, the Stadhampton estate provides the perfect setting for a special day, whether this is an intimate winter celebration or a grand midsummer soirée with up to 250 guests. Offering exceptional versatility, the venue boasts private grounds and a stunning Glasshouse, which opens on to a terrace, as well as the option to enjoy exclusive use of the entire hotel.

PRUE LEITH TO OPEN THE PUB IN THE PARK GALA CHARITY NIGHT IN MARLOW

Prue Leith has been announced as the food legend to open Marlow's Pub in the Park on Thursday, 15th May. Leith joins a long line of legends such as Mary Berry, Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc OBE, and Rick Stein, who have previously opened the event alongside its founder, Tom Kerridge. The evening will be an all-star charity event raising money for the festival's charity, Meals from Marlow. Famous names from the food, music and television industries will be joining in the fun and supporting the charity. Meals from Marlow was launched five years ago by Tom Kerridge to help key workers in the pandemic. The charity kept going and has recently delivered its 250,000th meal to people in need in and around the area.

Celebrate National Tea Day with the Nation’s Best Tasting Tea!

Birchall Tea is a family-owned tea company with a heritage dating back to 1872. Known for its exceptional quality and flavour, Birchall Tea sources the finest ingredients to create a wide range of blends enjoyed by tea enthusiasts worldwide. Committed to sustainability and ethical practices, Birchall Tea continually seeks ways to support environmental and social causes. To celebrate National Tea Day 2025, Birchall is giving customers 10% off any online purchase, but hurry as it's available for today only!

Wasing Park unveils enchanting newly renovated venue The Garden Room

Wasing Park, the luxurious wedding venue nestled in the Berkshire countryside, has introduced its newly renovated venue, the Garden Room, offering couples a truly breathtaking backdrop for their special day. Brimming with character, this enchanting civil ceremony space is now beautifully adorned with rustic oak beams, warm aged brickwork, a sandstone tile floor and elegant pewter cast iron radiators. A highlight is the stunning sliding barn doors, offering couples a truly unforgettable entrance into this stunning space that can host up to 160 guests. With breathtaking views of the estate's immaculate Italian Garden and majestic Grade II-listed Castle Barn, the Garden Room masterfully blends the contemporary and traditional, with bi-folding glass doors that seamlessly bring the outdoors in, making for the most ethereal lighting.

Escape to Oxfordshire this May with Premier Cottages

Escape to the Cotswold countryside this May and enjoy a stay in Oxfordshire at The Chestnuts with Premier Cottages. This multi-award-winning property in this sought-after location sleeps up to eight guests. Visitors will find luxury comforts inside the traditional stone cottage, which encompasses four double bedrooms, three bathrooms and three characterful, stylishly designed lounges. The original 18th-century lounge features a large inglenook fireplace, a bread oven, plus a wood burner, making it the ideal spot for relaxing after a day spent exploring the area. The property opens up onto a glorious, secluded garden and would make a wonderful bank holiday getaway with prices from £961.

Couples seek help with their Wedding Checklist

With the average 2025 wedding costing £20,822, it's understandable that couples are feeling the pressure to ensure their special day runs smoothly. Wedding costs have more than doubled since the pandemic and with higher budgets often comes increased planning and the need for checklists. Last year "wedding checklist" received 6,600 average monthly searches online as UK couples turned to Google for guidance, to make sure nothing was missed. As your 2025 wedding day approaches and the big elements are secured, from venue and dress to guest list, there will still be a number of important details to manage in those final weeks.

Victoria Hargrave of The Tanning Room Group Wins Award

The Great British Businesswoman Awards has honoured Victoria Hargrave, founder and CEO of The Tanning Room Group, with the Entrepreneurial Businesswoman: Consumer & Retail award. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Victoria has been widely recognised for her contributions to the beauty and tanning industry. Alongside her success with The Tanning Room Group, which has a salon in Witney, West Oxfordshire, she has recently received further accolades for developing and launching her self-tan brand, Beau Bronzage, into the UK market. The Great British Businesswoman Awards celebrate the success of women who are making significant contributions to various sectors. The Entrepreneurial Businesswoman: Consumer & Retail, a highly competitive category, acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen in the consumer and retail industries.

Park Fair 2025 returns to the Great Tew Estate this June

Park Fair, the boutique shopping and family event, will return to the Great Tew Estate in the Cotswolds this Friday, June 20th, Saturday, June 21st, and Sunday, June 22nd. Now in its fourth year, the weekend will introduce Park Fair's very own pub, The Hawkstone, which will be serving a selection of premium British lager and cider by Jeremy Clarkson and his team. Hedges Law, Oxfordshire's longest-serving law firm, opened offices in Chipping Norton in the Summer of 2024. This year, they will present the Making Memories Photography Tent at Park Fair, offering guests the chance to capture special moments from the weekend. Guests can book expert photographers to take photos of them and their loved ones and keep them as lasting memories.

Hanbury Manor 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 Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 13th April 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! 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. Accessed by an impressive sweeping driveway and set on 200 sprawling acres of land that once housed some of England's most important historical figures, Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club is an enchanting venue. Rebuilt in the stately Jacobean style, the stunning hotel surrounds you with timelessly elegant interiors, state-of-the-art amenities and stunningly refurbished function rooms Whether you're planning a small and intimate affair or grand and glamorous Hanbury Manor is the perfect choice.

From smart invites to livestreams: the tech-savvy wedding trends of 2025

Like the tides of fashion, wedding trends come and go; however, the coming online age of nuptials is coming in fast and causing quite the wave. From AI-generated floor layouts and digital invites, modern couples are finding new ways of broadcasting their love. Here are some of the biggest trends in technology that will shape weddings in 2025, and how the industry is adapting to meet couples' expectations.

Head to Fudge Kitchen in Windsor for delicious confectionery

What the fudge! Fudge Kitchen, with a store in Windsor, Berkshire, find delight in creating delicious confectionery ideal for weddings. A true celebration of taste, tradition and craftsmanship, the brand's innovative range, which is great for wedding gifts and favours, tastes good while being sustainable - it comes packaged in premium sustainable material, so customers can enjoy the treats without causing harm to the planet! The creamy fudge that Fudge Kitchen is known for is made in small batches, using traditional techniques, so customers can taste the all-natural ingredients. The fudge is then delicately decorated by skilled artisans – what a delight!

Dinton Pastures Country Park in Wokingham set to host festival-inspired wedding fair

Dinton Pastures Country Park, located in Wokingham, Berkshire, is set to host a festival-inspired Wedding Fair on Sunday, 11th May 2025, from 11 am until 3 pm. With an array of talented local suppliers in attendance, many with plenty of experience working at festival-themed events, this fair is perfect for couples dreaming of a wedding that's vibrant, joyful, and unique to them. Set to take place in a large Sperry tent and tipi on the land at the activity centre end of Dinton Pastures Country Park, this wedding fair will offer complimentary admission and plenty more (note that parking fees apply).