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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ware Priory 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 Ware Priory, for inspiration on Sunday 16th February 2025! Ware Priory offer a historic, yet contemporary setting for a wedding and understand that finding the right wedding venue can be one of the most challenging parts of planning your special day. At Ware Priory they tailor your wedding so that it is as individual as you are, their team help you plan every finishing touch. Whether you are wanting a civil ceremony, a wedding reception or perhaps both, then the Ware Priory team are here to make sure you have the perfect day.

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:

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...

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.

WoodWick® new Vapour Trails collection for the big day and beyond

Introducing the Vapour Trails Collection from Woodwick which celebrates the subtle beauty in everyday movement. There are fewer greater life moments than your wedding day, and whether it's to scent the big day itself or to give a gorgeous gift to loved ones, the new Woodwick Vapour Trails Collection would be ideal. Terra Haze: Petrichor, the refreshingly vivid scent of rain on soil, evokes the sense of nature being stripped down to its molecules. Notes of aldehydes, cedarwood, and mossy earth climb toward the sky, dancing back into the atmosphere like mist.

New vases from BHS to elevate big-day styling

BHS is delighted to present its newest offering, a collection of glass vases in an array of beautiful styles, shades and sizes. The extensive and diverse range caters to all interior schemes, revitalising the home with a fusion of modern sophistication and timeless charm that redefines home decor - making them perfect for big-day gift lists or thank you gifts. Alternatively, the range would also make gorgeous vessels for table centrepieces for your wedding blooms, which you can the recycle after the day and use for years to come.

Newlyweds' home inspiration 2025 trends

With modern day wedding gift lists evolving, the time of asking for a toaster is gone, Jon Flannigan, Head of Product at Crucial Trading shares his insight into the flooring trends set to define 2025 which people tying the knot this year can be inspired by for the guests' contributions. "In 2025, we expect to see a shift towards greater personalisation in home design Naturally, homeowners want their spaces to reflect their individuality and tastes, which can involve moving beyond pre-manufactured products in favour of bespoke options

Let's talk about the money, money, money

Even the healthiest of relationships can come under strain when couples have to talk about money matters; and this doesn't get any easier when planning a wedding where you'll find yourself discussing expenses and the cost of things more than ever before. If you got engaged over the festive period, then not only are you recovering from the expenses of Christmas and New Year, but you will also now be thinking about a wedding budget. Chris Henderson, Savings and Payments Director at Tesco Bank says: "No matter what time of year it is, having open and clear conversations about the health of your finances is an incredibly important part of any relationship.

Demand for Traitors-inspired hen weekends surge following BBC series

Following the nail-biting finale of The Traitors Season 3 on the BBC, requests for Traitors-inspired hen weekends have gone through the roof, according to one of the UK's leading hen party planners. Since the season wrapped up last week, GoHen.com have seen a sharp rise in demand for manor houses, castle stays, and activities designed to let brides-to-be and their squads recreate the show's iconic betrayals, mind games, and nail-biting roundtables. "It's a great addition to a hen party," says Ellie Silk, Head of Events at GoHen.com. "It's the perfect mix of fun, drama, and suspense – everything you want on a weekend away with your best mates!"

Georgina Bride from &received studio in Milton Keynes talks wedding stationery

Georgia Bride is a local wedding stationer and the founder of &received studio based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire offering bespoke place name illustrations and a variety of wedding invites. When it comes to the importance of finding great wedding stationery she tells us, "&received studio creates beautifully crafted, personal and unique wedding stationery that tells your love story. We are a British brand designing for couples worldwide, from mini weddings to grand affairs. Our love for traditional pen-to-paper, fine craftsmanship, and calligraphy shines through in our designs, capturing a sense of elegance and refined simplicity. We offer wedding invitations, our best-selling speech booklets and bespoke place card illustrations."

Book a countryside wedding at Dorchester Collection’s Coworth Park in Ascot

Couples looking to celebrate against the backdrop of a beautiful country setting should book Coworth Park in Ascot, Berkshire. Located just a 45-minute drive from London, and with 240 acres of grounds to explore, Coworth Park is ideal for those wanting an escape from the city for their special day. Six stylish event spaces are on offer in addition to Michelin-starred dining and luxurious bedrooms and suites. Light, airy, and effortlessly elegant, the Oval Room is a beautiful space for ceremonies and the wedding breakfast. The décor is inspired by the hotel's natural surroundings, from faceted walls reminiscent of leaves to a spectacular chandelier made of 500 pieces of Worcester porcelain evoking the intricate form of wildflowers.