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

The Roseate Reading offers a world of discreet luxury

Housed within the walls of the Grade II-listed former Shire Hall, The Roseate Reading is a masterclass in heritage restoration where the past meets a world of discreet luxury. The property spans two beautifully designed buildings, Roseate and House, offering 55 luxury rooms and suites. The Roseate Reading is also home to The Reading Room, an iconic fine dining restaurant. From the vaulted ceilings to the Italian chandelier made of 86,000 crystals, every detail is woven with opulence. Beyond its grand façade, guests can retreat to the award-winning Aheli Spa or the bespoke 30-seat private cinema named the Upstage Mini. Dining options include The Reading Room Restaurant & Bar, which has become a destination for its exquisite Afternoon Tea.

The rise of ‘wedding-like’ commitment ceremonies – and the legal dangers couples don’t see coming

With the costofliving still shaping how couples celebrate, and social media normalising nontraditional ceremonies; more people are opting for celebrations that look like weddings but aren't legally binding, and many couples aren't realising the risk until it's too late. Google searches for "what is a commitment ceremony" have surged 63% in the past year, and with costs ranging from just £200 for a simple register-office ceremony, non-legal celebrations are becoming an increasingly attractive option with the cost-of-living continuing to put couples under pressure when considering marriage. However, these ceremonies also carry hidden legal pitfalls

New UK map reveals Brits’ favourite proposal spots according to social media

National family-owned jeweller, Beaverbrooks, has unveiled a new map revealing the 15 best places in the UK to pop the question, based on Instagram hashtag data. Whether it's against a backdrop of dramatic coastlines, rolling countryside or iconic city skylines, choosing the perfect place to propose is almost as overwhelming as choosing the ring. To help partners looking to ask the all-important question to their other halves, Beaverbrooks has created a new 'Proposal Map of the UK', making it easier than ever to find an idyllic location.

The Feathered Nest opens new outdoor ceremony space

The Feathered Nest, once a 15th-century malt house, is a modern British inn that sits on a Cotswold hillside overlooking the Evenlode Valley. This idyllic location with sweeping views, coupled with sprawling gardens and a spacious outdoor terrace, sets the stage for outdoor countryside weddings. The new outdoor ceremony space encompasses the rear lawn, which opens up to the stunning valley beyond, creating a scenic backdrop for big-day photography. A long aisle runs from the inn itself out across the lawn, taking in the far-reaching countryside views.Ceremonies for up to 60 guests can be held here year-round, weather permitting, although from April until September is when the valley is at its best.

Why more couples are letting the coast shape their wedding day

For couples planning a wedding, the setting is increasingly becoming more than a backdrop. Research from WeddingDates found that 78% of UK couples consider location an important factor when choosing a venue, with more than a third specifically influenced by the view. Rockwater, the UK coastal hospitality brand with beachfront venues in Hove and Branksome, says this is helping reshape how couples approach weddings by the water. Rather than simply choosing a coastal venue and then planning the celebration independently of it, couples are increasingly allowing the landscape, changing light and relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces to influence the day itself. Rockwater has identified four of the key considerations shaping modern coastal weddings.

The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Estate's Wedding Fair

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Estate, for inspiration on Sunday Sunday 20th September! 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.

Something old, something gone: The British wedding traditions on borrowed time

New Aspall research reveals the wedding traditions that are being dropped - from the bouquet toss and choreographed first dances, to the father-of-the-bride speech - and the modern alternatives taking their place. Speeches given only by men (36%), a choreographed first dance (34%) and the formal receiving line (30%) are among the wedding traditions that couples are keenest to ditch, a new study reveals. Wearing a veil, the 15-minute father-of-the-bride speech with no speech from the bride, and the traditional tiered fruit cake are also increasingly falling out of favour as Brits tie the knot, researchers found.

New app launches to simplify one of marriage’s biggest admin headaches

Changing your name after marriage can mean updating details with countless organisations, from banks and subscriptions to official documents and employers. New app Name Change Navigator aims to make the process easier, guiding newlyweds through each step from one platform. Founded by Rebecca Dainton, Head of Product at Flutter UK & Ireland, the app was created to reduce the stress and mental load associated with name changes. It supports a range of naming journeys, including traditional surname changes, double-barrelling, blended surnames and other choices following marriage, civil partnership, divorce or personal identity changes. The launch comes as younger generations increasingly rethink traditional naming conventions, with technology offering a more streamlined approach to this often-overlooked part of newlywed life.

Wasing Park to host September Showcase, Forever, on 27th and 28th

Wasing Park, the nationally renowned luxury wedding venue nestled in the Berkshire countryside, is delighted to announce its September Showcase, Forever, taking place on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th September 2026. Recently named the UK's Most Desirable Venue by Bridebook, Wasing Park will shine a spotlight on sustainability, celebrating beautiful seasonal arrangements from the Walled Garden alongside a host of exquisite offerings, including estate-to-plate dining, extended celebrations and charming new award-winning wedding favours. From flora to sustainably sourced wedding décor, discover how to create a beautiful, timeless celebration that's also kind to the planet. The Grade II listed Castle Barn will be exquisitely styled by talented florists, showcasing elegant seasonal arrangements from the Walled Garden, offering thoughtful inspiration for incorporating conscious choices into your wedding.

Flawsome! reveals 81% of Brits say weddings don't need to be perfect to be memorable 

Growing frustration with wedding perfection culture is reshaping how couples plan their big day, with sustainability, guest experience and authenticity becoming increasingly important, according to new research from Flawsome!. A national study of 2,000 UK adults found that 81% believe a wedding does not need to be perfect to be memorable, while 71% say social media has increased pressure on couples to create a "perfect" day. Sustainability is also becoming a key consideration, with 52% saying it is important when planning a wedding. Yet wedding waste remains widespread, with 41% of respondents having seen food and drink thrown away at weddings, while 32% recalled single-use decorations being discarded and more than a quarter had seen flowers go to waste.

Something borrowed, something blue’ is out – but 1 in 4 Brits still value wedding cards

New research from Moonpig reveals the top wedding card writing confessions. A whopping 30% of Brits admit to defaulting to a safe "congratulations!" because they simply can't think of anything else to say. This is followed by recycling the same message for different couples (11%) and signing a card without knowing what your partner has written (8%). What's more, when stuck for words, one in 10 (8%) admit to turning to AI for inspiration - this rises to one in seven (14%) among 25–34-year-olds. Brits are not alone in facing this wedding card conundrum. More than half of Brits (55%) admit they have struggled with at least one aspect of wedding message writing. Nearly one in four find wedding cards (23%) or guest-book messages (24%) difficult, while one in five (20%) hit writer's block when preparing the all-important wedding speech.

The YouGov Big Survey on Weddings

The journey that begins with "will you marry me" and ends with "I do" transforms a couple's lives in multiple ways, but it also involves a huge number of decisions, as planning a wedding is no mean feat. Every guest will have an opinion on what a wedding should be like: from what's classy and tacky, to which traditions should be followed and which can be discarded. To help prospective couples get a grip on what these potential guests hope to see in a wedding, YouGov's new Big Survey on Weddings examines all these key debates about what should and shouldn't feature on the big day, including looking at the decisions that brides and grooms would make themselves. The study is part a Big Surveys project: a series of in-depth surveys on British society. It was conducted between 7-9 August 2026, with a sample of 1,784 adults in the UK aged 18 and above.

The Castle Hotel Windsor enjoys relaunch

The Castle Hotel Windsor has unveiled a £9.5 million refurbishment. Every bedroom has been carefully updated, and public areas have been revamped. Located close to Windsor Castle, the hotel holds the largest event space in central Windsor and boasts 108 bedrooms. The extensive refurbishment is curated by interior designers 3DReid, and the interiors draw inspiration from classic British design with a nod to the hotel's Georgian heritage, with layered textures, chintz fabrics, and brass detailing, alongside reinstated architectural features including traditional wall panelling. All bedrooms combine bold patterns, playful colour and contemporary artwork with thoughtful updated amenities such as Roberts radios and in-room coffee machines. The Mews bedrooms, located on the site of the hotel's former stables, offer six elevated guest rooms.

Brits are swapping the 'big day' for the 'right day' as searches for intimate wedding venues soar

Couples are increasingly choosing quality time over large guest lists, with new search data revealing a growing demand for intimate weddings and stylish registry office ceremonies. According to Google search data analysed by Suit Direct, searches for "small intimate wedding venues near me" have increased by 86% year-on-year, while interest in "micro wedding packages" has risen 23% over the past three months, suggesting more couples are opting for meaningful celebrations that prioritise the experience over extravagance. For many, the legal ceremony is no longer just the paperwork before the "real" wedding. Instead, couples are dressing for the occasion, hiring photographers and celebrating afterwards with an intimate meal or party, proving you don't need a 200-person guest list to make the day feel special.

Countdown to County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse

We live and breathe weddings at CWM towers, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 20th September ! It's one of four Signature Wedding Show of 2026's Autumn wedding show season; and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the summer months. The event brings couples 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.

Expert at Cake Box, shares 2026 wedding trends

Weddings may be rooted in tradition, but 2026 is seeing couples put their own spin on the big day. From reimagined wedding cakes to more personal, less conventional celebrations, today's couples are increasingly choosing what feels meaningful to them rather than simply following the rules. To explore how wedding traditions are evolving, Okay Rahman, Head of Product and in-house cake expert at Cake Box, shares their insight into the biggest wedding trends of 2026 — and how couples are putting a fresh, modern twist on some of the most-loved elements of the day. He said... "We're seeing that wedding cakes are becoming much more personal in 2026. The traditional tiered cake certainly hasn't disappeared, but couples are feeling less tied to the idea that a wedding cake has to look or taste a certain way. These days, it's being treated as another part of the styling of the day, so the design reflects the couple, the venue and the overall feel of the wedding.

Are Brits risking their finances by avoiding the pre-wedding money talk?

For many couples, talking about money can feel far less romantic than talking about the wedding itself. But as more Brits prepare to tie the knot — and with stronger legal rights on the horizon for unmarried couples — new research suggests we may be leaving some important financial conversations until it's too late. From avoiding money talk on first dates to steering clear of prenups, the findings reveal a nation surprisingly reluctant to discuss how to protect their finances, even when differences over money are already putting relationships under strain. Two thirds of Brits (66%) say they would not get a prenuptial agreement before marriage (48%) or have already opted against one (17%) - compared to 42% in both France and Spain. New findings from Europe's second largest neobank, bunq, reveal that Brits are markedly more resistant to prenuptial agreements than their continental neighbours – despite Britain's reputation as the less romantic nation.

Couples could legally get married anywhere - legal comment

The UK Government has unveiled a new consultation to reform the wedding laws in England and Wales which is exploring how wedding ceremonies are conducted, particularly looking at wedding venues. The proposals are seeking to modernise the outdated legislation in this area which will eventually provide couples with greater freedom to decide where and how they will get married. At present, when a couple gets married, they need to have their legal ceremony in a licensed building or a registered place of worship. The existing laws have a further requirement that couples must ensure the individual officiating their wedding ceremony is either an authorised religious minister or a civil registrar.

7 Ways to Make Your Wedding Memories Part of Your Home

As weddings become increasingly personal, couples are moving away from cookie-cutter celebrations and towards details that tell their own story. British Vogue has identified intentionality, personalisation and nostalgia as defining themes for 2026 weddings, while The Knot is highlighting the rise of keepsakes and deeply personal touches. But there is an interesting part of the wedding story that receives far less attention: what happens to those meaningful details afterwards. Here, founder Kate Legodi of Coeur et Maman, specialists in conservation-quality printed photo mounts, shares her advice...

Haringtons Amersham Wins Muddy Stilettos Award 2026

Haringtons Hairdressing's Amersham salon has been named Best Hair Salon in Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire at the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026. The award, which is voted for by members of the public, recognises outstanding local businesses that consistently deliver exceptional service and customer experience. This latest accolade continues a remarkable period of success for Haringtons Hairdressing. The salon group recently won Salon Group of the Year and the CUT Hair Award, sponsored by Revlon Professional, and was also recognised with a prestigious Hair Hero Award the previous year. Haringtons has also recently been named a finalist in the Salon Group of the Year category at the Pro Hair Awards 2026.