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

De Vere Horsley Estate 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 De Vere Horsley Estate, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 16th March 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. A secret chapel, beautifully tiled cloisters, and a lakeside 19th-century mansion; De Vere Horsley Estate near Guildford creates an unforgettable backdrop for your wedding day.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Mums Just Wanna Have Fun this Mother’s Day at The Relais Henley

Celebrate Mother's Day at The Relais Henley in Oxfordshire with an exceptional dining experience and the ultimate gift for mum. From the 28th until the 31st of March, indulge in the specially curated Mother's Day Menu at Restaurant Dominic Chapman, featuring locally sourced ingredients and seasonal flavours. Whether it's a leisurely riverside lunch or an elegant dinner, every detail is designed to make your mum feel special, with all mums receiving a thoughtful gift as a token of appreciation. For a truly unforgettable gesture, the 'Mums Just Wanna Have Fun' voucher offers sparkling afternoon tea for two, a selection of botanical Henley Gin, and a luxurious fragrant gift to take home – all for £150. Treat your mum to joy, indulgence, and relaxation this Mother's Day.

The Vineyard in Berkshire Unveils Suite Sale with Half Price Rooms

Set in the stunning Berkshire countryside just one hour from London, The Vineyard offers an elegant escape where luxury meets tranquillity. Available until the 31st of March 2025, The Vineyard presents its exclusive Suite Sale. Guests can enjoy exquisitely designed suites from just £179 per night, a remarkable saving of around 50% off usual rates, including a delicious cooked and continental breakfast. Guests may choose between Atrium Suites with spacious lounge areas and private balconies or terraces, or Traditional Deluxe Suites featuring separate living and bedroom spaces. The Vineyard stands as the ultimate destination for a lavish escape, with 32 impeccably designed suites nestled in idyllic countryside surroundings. A private art collection and attentive service create an atmosphere of refined elegance throughout each stay.

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

Atul Kochhar’s Sindhu features in this year’s SquareMeal Top 100 UK Restaurants

Sindhu by Atul Kochhar has been included in SquareMeal's annual ranking of the UK's Top 100 Restaurants for 2025. Celebrating long-standing culinary icons and shining a spotlight on emerging talents, the publication's UK Top 100 Restaurants list takes months of meticulous planning, acknowledging the grit, graft and determination of remarkable chefs and hospitality teams who work tirelessly to create unforgettable dining experiences. Set within the prestigious Compleat Angler Hotel, overlooking the banks of the River Thames in the beautiful town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire, Sindhu is particularly renowned for its authentic Indian cuisine which draws particular inspiration from the subcontinent's southernmost regions.

Enjoy a delicious Mother's Day Sunday lunch at the Crazy Bear hotels

The iconic and glamorous Crazy Bear hotels in Stadhampton and Beaconsfield are preparing the perfect treats to celebrate all the mothers in our lives this March. In beautiful Stadhampton on Sunday 30th March, a three-course Sunday lunch will be accompanied by a complimentary glass of champagne to toast motherhood and love. The Atmosphere Jazz Band, featuring Verushka, who are regular performers at Soho House and London Jazz institutions, will provide a dulcet blend of jazz, swing and soul to set the tone for a gourmet feast. The Glasshouse awaits the perfect special day and bookings are available for tables from two to 10 guests.

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne styles for every wedding

The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to share some tips for couples who are planning to celebrate their big day with a sparkling touch; pairing the perfect Champagne styles with different wedding themes. Champagne has long been synonymous with celebration, and the versatility of its styles means there is a perfect style for every couple, no matter the wedding theme. If your wedding theme is classic and traditional Brut Champagne offers versatility, it is an excellent choice for celebrations where guests will feel part of the couple's love story. Brut Champagne makes up around 80% of Champagne shipments to the UK, beloved for its balanced structure and refreshing finish.

Henley Festival 2025 reveals unmissable line-up including Diana Ross, McFly and Rick Astley

Henley Festival presented by Westcoast is thrilled to reveal a glittering line-up of artists for 2025, appearing across five magical summer nights from 9-13 July. Henley Festival will once again deliver a programme full of world-class talent across music, comedy and more, with headliners including Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, Jamie Cullum and Hacienda Classical. Westcoast, a Berkshire-based technology company distributing some of the world's leading tech brands, are thrilled to continue its long association with Henley Festival in 2025 and to support RISE, Henley Festival's charitable programme. The UK's only black-tie music and arts festival, it is truly an experience like no other.

The Relais Henley in Oxfordshire set to host Dusty Springfield evening

The Relais Henley is hosting Dusty Springfield: Celebrating the Life & Music of an Icon on Saturday 1st March at 7 pm. The team at the hotel invites guests to an unforgettable evening celebrating the life and music of the iconic Dusty Springfield. This elegant event features a live performance of Dusty's most beloved songs, a bespoke three-course dinner, and exclusive benefits for ticket holders, including 2-for-1 cocktails and 15% off room bookings. Tickets are £50 per person, with £5 from each ticket donated to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, making this a night of music, dining, and giving back.

Couples are making sustainable wedding choices from the beginning - engagement ring trend

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, many couples are looking to take inspiration from the likes of royalty and celebrities who decided to remodel or repurpose their symbol of enduring love from a vintage or pre-loved item or family heirloom. Not only does it give your engagement ring a deeper meaning or story, it's also a more sustainable way to shop, for one of the most important pieces of jewellery you'll ever own – you'll end up saving potentially thousands of pounds, plus you could end up with something completely unique to you. One such jeweller who is helping couples with this big decision is Rachel Fox, Jewellery expert TV presenter from Channel 4's Millionaire Hoarders, and Store Manager from pre-owned luxury jewellery seller, S&R Jewellers. As one of London's top specialists in this area, S&R Jewellers reports a huge uptick in the number of couples choosing the pre-loved route for their engagement ring.

Minimalist or maximalist? The décor styles couples are choosing in 2025

As we step into 2025, it's crunch time for soon-to-be-weds to lock in those wedding details. Whether you've just popped the question or are counting down to the big day, knowing the latest wedding décor trends can spark some serious inspiration for your celebration. The décor at your wedding isn't just about aesthetics; it's the mood setter, the vibe creator, the silent DJ of your day. From colour schemes to special touches, the décor styles set the tone and the atmosphere. So, let's dive into the styles that will be painting the town (and your wedding) this year.

Couples share the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, greeting card marketplace, thortful, has spoken to five couples who are still going strong after many years about the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship – and one is quite taboo. Speaking to the five couples, who have all been together longer than 10 years, communication, small gestures, and alone time were among the most common ingredients for a long-lasting relationship. All couples even unanimously agreed that farting in front of each other strengthens their relationships. Lack of communication is among the top reasons for break ups, according to experts, which is why Tom Lanaway, who has been with his partner for 11 years, claims strong communication to be the key to his strong connection.

The Marlow Foodie Weekender set to take place this May

Introducing the ultimate culinary escape – the Marlow Foodie Weekender, a four-day celebration of luxury food and drink experiences in the heart of Marlow, the UK's top foodie destination is set to take place from the 15th until the 18th of May this year. It promises a luxury gastronomy retreat, a must-visit for any food lover. It offers an exciting itinerary from exploring hidden foodie gems of Marlow, private culinary experiences from the UK's top chefs to exclusive hospitality at the UK's best food and drink festival Pub in the Park. Set against Marlow's stunning riverside location, Pub in the Park is launching the event. It's a chance to escape the city for a luxury retreat and enjoy Pub in the Park in style.

Money and Matrimony: Mastering finances together

Managing money as a married couple can greatly differ from managing your own money as a single person. Where you previously only had to budget and save for one, and think about your own needs and wants, there is another person to think about, including their life goals and financial habits. For National Marriage Week, Olly Cheng, Financial Planning Director at Rathbones, shared his top tips on how to manage finances as a married couple.

Greenlands Hotel, Henley-on-Thames Wins Award

Greenlands Hotel is set within the 30-acre Henley Business School estate in the Oxfordshire countryside, providing well-appointed accommodation on the banks of the River Thames. The hotel has just won the Traveller Review Award 2025 from booking.com, highlighting the ways hotels are going above and beyond for guests. The Booking.com Traveller Review Award is based on guest feedback and ratings, highlighting the hotel's consistent excellence in areas such as cleanliness, comfort, facilities and customer service. Greenlands Hotel achieved an impressive average review score of 8.8 out of 10, based on 823 reviews, reflecting its commitment to exceeding guest expectations. It offers 100 en-suite bedrooms, including two with twin balconies, six with king balconies, one family and four accessible rooms, all featuring the same great facilities.

Moonpig reveal the most trending hen party and wedding themes of 2024

New data from Moonpig has revealed the top wedding and hen party trends over the last 12 months based on Google search volumes and social media data. Last Rodeo-themed hen parties were the most popular with a 69% increase in Google search volume. The way we celebrate is constantly evolving. A recent Pinterest report found a shift in consumer behaviour with more people opting for intimate gatherings and celebrating old traditions with a modern twist. .

Known for helping people celebrate the moments that matter, leading online greeting card and gift experts, Moonpig, has revealed the top hen party and wedding trends of 2024. By analysing Google searches and data from TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube, Moonpig shares expert commentary on why these trends are so popular...

National Marriage Week 2025

Wedding celebrations take place year-round. And with all the costs associated, it's little surprise that so many couples prioritise all the required bills and outgoings for their big day, rather than their combined financial future. With National Marriage Week upon us (7th to 14th February), it's a good reminder to add a fundamental money conversation to your to-do list before getting married. Whether it's buying your marital home, getting ready for your newlywed trip of a lifetime, or starting to combine your finances and savings goals - there are some important steps to take before your nuptials to ensure money doesn't become a source of stress for you both.

Mamta Shanbhag, Borrow Director at Tesco Bank, offers five money tips for anyone set to marry this year:

Love and Be Loved this Valentine’s Day at Fairmont Windsor Park

The Fairmont Windsor Park bordering Berkshire and Surrey on the edge of the historic Windsor Great Park is offering Valentine's Day packages for couples, singletons and groups. The hotel invites guests to celebrate love in all its forms with a selection of thoughtfully curated experiences. Whether it's toasting a glass of champagne to friendship during a well-deserved spa day, taking alone time to unwind in world-class facilities, or savouring renowned cuisine with a loved one – there are moments for everyone to cherish. Packages include A Date to Remember; Love Yourself Spa Day; Galantines Spa Day and a True Romance Spa Day.

Celebrate Culinary Excellence this Valentine's Day with a Delectable Tasting Menus at The Vineyard

Escape everyday life and whisk your loved ones to The Vineyard in Newbury, Berkshire this February - a haven for wine enthusiasts and incurable romantics alike. Whether guests are seasoned wine connoisseurs or savour the joy of a refreshing glass, The Vineyard promises to be the canvas for the perfect romantic rendezvous. Located just an hour from London, this enchanting hotel and luxurious wedding venue with outstanding spa facilities is nestled in the heart of the South of England and poised to be the backdrop for the most unforgettable Valentine's Day yet with its exclusive Taste of Valentine's Day package.