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

Trick or tweet at Birdland this Halloween

The keepers at Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water are making use of treat-filled pumpkins to provide environmental enrichment as part of their 'Trick or Tweet' Halloween half-term event taking place from now until Sunday the 5th of November. Visitors can watch a selection of the smartest birds demonstrate their foraging skills in a series of daily talks. Keepers will be hiding a variety of creepy crawlies inside pumpkins to see how different species use their intellect and dexterity to forage for food. Among avian residents facing the daily pumpkin challenge will be cassowaries, one of the largest birds on the planet, super-smart Kiwi parrot the kea, high-brow hornbills, and clever bird of prey the striated carcara. "Environmental enrichment provides stimulation for our birds and encourages them to use natural behaviours to solve challenges," said head keeper Alistair Keen.

Getting married? Alcohol-free menu is the new must-have

Samantha Gilchrist, CEO of the UK's largest wedding venue collection, The Gilchrist Collection, conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their wedding drinking habits. The study comes as the collection launches its new alcohol-free drinks menu, created in partnership with First Dates star bartender, Merlin Griffiths. The survey revealed that almost half (47%) of those who had attended a wedding in the last five years didn't drink alcohol during at least one of the events they had been to. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable at weddings sipping an un-festive soft drink, as 35% of respondents said they are questioned on why they aren't having alcohol. Sadly, a quarter admitted to drinking alcohol at a wedding just to avoid awkward questions or having to share personal or medical information as an excuse.

Spooky new trail at Blenheim Palace for Halloween 2023

Halloween at Blenheim Palace is back with a new sensationally spooktacular trail this week, until the 29th of Oct, and tickets are on sale now. Families, friends and loved ones can enjoy the perfect Halloween experience, wandering the grounds of the magnificent 18th-century property in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. CEO of Blenheim Palace, Dominic Hare said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Raymond Gubbay Ltd to host a special Halloween half-term this year. It is a wonderful chance to explore the Palace's beautiful gardens as you've never seen them before, with new shocks and surprises awaiting visitors to our atmospheric illuminated trail." When darkness falls, a chill descends within the grounds of the palace in which ghosts, ghouls and witches emerge to deliver a host of tricks and treats along a spooktacular trail.

3 things no one tells you when it comes to setting your wedding budget

2024 is set to be a bumper year for weddings. In addition to the usual 275,000 or so which take place in the UK each year, the big day is finally coming around for a lot of couples who had to postpone because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis is squeezing all those couple's budgets tighter than ever so we've asked Isabel Smith, wedding industry veteran, to offer her advice on setting (and sticking to!) that spreadsheet. Today, Isabel let's us in on the things no-one ever tells you when you're setting your wedding budget...

The Top 10 Instagrammable Spas in the UK

With National Spa Week taking place between the 4th and 10th of November this year, it is time to book your favourite location to totally relax! Whether with the girls, in a couple, or even on your own, treating yourself to a weekend away at a spa can revive you. Maddie, Senior Marketing Exec at Pink Boutique, says: "Reset the everyday stress with a weekend away at a luxurious spa and hotel. From acres of woodland setting the picture-perfect backdrop to dipping into a pool worthy of Aphrodite, you deserve to look as good as you feel, and with these spas, there's no doubt your followers will be that little bit jealous."

Berkshire Wedding Fairs hosting local events this October

Berkshire Wedding Fairs, the local company who have been organising wedding fairs in Berkshire and surrounding counties since 2006, announces October dates. Joanne Kent, wedding fair organiser says: Whether you have been planning your wedding for a while, and only have the finishing touches to arrange, or whether you've recently become engaged and are at the beginning of the wedding planning journey, visiting a wedding fair is a must for every couple. Upcoming events include on Sunday the 22nd of October at Highfield Park, Hook, RG27 0LG and on Sunday the 29th of October at Shaw House, Newbury, RG14 2DR.

5 engagement ring trends for 2024

With the festive season being the most popular time of year that couples choose to pop the question, it's no surprise that internet searches for 'engagement ring' have been steadily increasing the last six months as we head towards the new year. Luxury diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, have used Pinterest Trends data from the last six months (4th April 23' - 26th September 23') to find out which engagement ring styles are set to be big in 2024...

Luxury Wiltshire hotel Bowood invites couples to wedding showcase

Luxury Wiltshire Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort Bowood invites couples to its wedding showcase on Sunday 22nd October 2023 from 10:30 am until 2:30 pm. Boasting spectacular views of the surrounding remote Wiltshire countryside, Bowood provides the perfect backdrop for a wedding, civil ceremony or civil partnership. On Sunday the 22nd of October, couples will be invited to see the function room dressed for a wedding day and meet with the team and suppliers to discuss their ideas. From 10:30 am - 2:30 pm, the Kerry Suite will be transformed into a wedding wonderland, with dedicated appointments available with the hotel's wedding coordinators to discuss dream wedding plans with the latest trends on show from trusted and preferred suppliers.

The secrets to a happy relationship

Researchers surveyed 2,000 British couples who have been together for ten years or longer, and it revealed a host of secrets to a happy, long-term relationship, according to those who have achieved it - including having no secrets (43 percent), a similar sense of humour (41 percent), never going to sleep on an argument (31 percent) and regular sex (32 percent.) Over a quarter (26 percent) of the long-term couples polled, said a 50/50 division of household labour was essential to keeping things amicable. Being able to laugh at each other (42 percent), not trying to change each other (36 percent) and having an open phone policy (10 percent) all featured in the list. Almost half (44 percent) of the British couples surveyed, claim they are very happy in their relationship, while a further 29 percent said they were generally happy.

The top autumn and winter wedding trends for 2023

An expert has forecast the wedding trends we can expect to see in the remainder of 2023. Wedding-goers in autumn and winter can expect to see a large emphasis on sustainability, DIY and an ode to all things vintage, according to Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online. She commented: "Wedding trends change seasonally, so it's crucial wedding hosts stay ahead of the curve. Efficient spending, sustainability and a vintage feel are key focuses this season, and rightly so. Wedding hosts no longer have to feel obliged to over-indulge in their big day and can instead, save money."

Frost Point Production is exhibiting at County Wedding Events

Cotswold-based Frost Point Production is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on 29th October 2023. Sam says "With a strong background in sound recording, I decided to further my passion to videography. I have gained a great level of experience in the field and am excited to share my passion for storytelling through video with the world. "Starting the business has allowed me to combine my love of videography and my desire to run my own business". "I am an extremely motivated, personable, hardworking individual, with a sharp eye for detail. With a genuine love for the industry, I am thrilled to be able to work closely with clients to bring their visions to life."

New Wedding Showcase to be hosted at The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buckinghamshire

The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Buckinghamshire, is set to host a spectacular Wedding Showcase on Sunday 12th November 2023. The hotel is a majestic countryside retreat hidden amidst 150 acres of secluded parkland offering the idyllic setting for an elegant wedding surrounded by a wealth of historical luxury. On Sunday the 12th of November 2023, The Langley will host a special Wedding Showcase giving visitors the chance to meet the hotel's dedicated events team who will lead tours around the property, its expansive grounds and stunning spa facilities. Guests will have the opportunity to speak with The Langley's hand-picked suppliers including bespoke wedding cake creator Ana Lewis and the UK's leading entertainment supplier Sternberg Clarke. Plus, there will be prosecco and canapés crafted by The Langley's acclaimed culinary team.

Sentimental wedding bands with Atelier VM

Fine Italian jewellery maker Atelier VM has just launched its beautiful new Impronta wedding bands, whereby brides and grooms can customise their special ring with their loved one's fingerprint. Each 18K ring is a unique piece made using the lost wax casting technique, of multiple finger prints layered, to create a beautifully personalised ring that makes a marriage of everlasting love extra special.

The therapeutic power of music on Mental Health Awareness Day

The issue of mental health has never been more important, three in five people in the UK suffer from some form of anxiety, but almost half of those people keep it a secret as they worry about being judged by others. And around one in six of the British population also suffers from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Those shocking statistics show that the issue is still not spoken about enough, which means that sufferers feel excluded. But music can make a big difference! Making or playing music has been proven to deliver many mental health benefits.

Jewellery designer exhibiting with County Wedding Events

Hampshire-based jewellery designer and creator Sarah Ralph, of Sarah Ralph Designs, is showcasing her work at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 29th September 2023. Sarah says, "I've been designing and handmaking jewellery from solid recycled sterling silver for the past 10 years. I absolutely love working with silver as it's such a great material to work with and it has such a lustre all of its own. "I love crafting jewellery that makes you smile and that you truly enjoy wearing, from either small piece for that understated look or statement one-off pieces that have that wow factor. All of my jewellery is crafted from solid recycled sterling silver. Being as environmentally friendly as possible is very important to me and it is a strong ethos within my work. I'm based in Winchester, Hampshire where all of my designs are crafted."

Celebrate Halloween at Exclusive Collection's Royal Berkshire Hotel, Ascot

This year, Exclusive Collection's luxury Ascot hotel, Royal Berkshire will be hosting a variety of seasonal activations for guests to enjoy from October 20th - 29th over half-term. Entering through their famous Rose Gardens, guests can explore their walled gardens which will be transformed into various pumpkin, hay bale, and Halloween-themed backdrops for photos. Families will be thrilled to join the Pumpkin Patch hunt, with activities such as a spooky target beanbag toss, a whacky tin can game, dunking for candied apples, an interactive scarecrow spotting challenge, giant pumpkin checkers, and outdoor pumpkin golf in the Walled Gardens. For tea lovers, the hotel has launched a special Halloween-themed afternoon tea with a spooktacular seasonal offer – when booking an adult tea you get a 'little monster' in for free*.

UK's 15 most Instagrammed venues to get hitched

As UK searches for "wedding venues" skyrocketed by 110%* over the past months, the wedding experts at Aura Print scoured social media for the most popular autumn/winter wedding venues nationwide, and tallied Instagram hashtag numbers to reveal which venue stands out as the most memorable for weddings this season. Top 15 most Instagrammed wedding venues for autumn/winter 2023 to be inspired by...

Surrey's Simply Laura Calligraphy exhibiting at Mercedes-Benz World's Signature Wedding Show

Surrey's Simply Laura Calligraphy is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 29th October 2023. Laura says," If you're recently engaged and planning a wedding, firstly congratulations! When it comes to stationery designs, the possibilities are endless, from save the dates to place cards and on the day signage, Simply Laura Calligraphy helps bring your special day to life through print. Come and Meet me at Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Fair on Sunday 29th October 2023!"

Save money on wedding party gifts

With more and more couples choosing to thank their bridesmaids and groomsman with presents, Anita Naik, savings expert at the UK's most trusted savings site VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to save money on your wedding party gifts, without sparing the sentiment: Spend within your budget: Set a budget and stick to it. Often people can go down a rabbit hole when browsing for gifts, looking at items that are way over budget. It's important to set yourself a strict budget and spend an amount that you're comfortable with.

Orwells Restaurant is a top choice for visitors to Henley-on-Thames

Visitors to Oxfordshire's popular Henley-on-Thames are flocking to Orwells Restaurant, a proud holder of four AA Rosettes and a Michelin Plate for good cooking. Located just five minutes from the town centre of Henley, Orwells is the only Oxfordshire-based restaurant to hold four AA Rosettes and is one of the best in the region, and it's dog friendly. With a menu driven and inspired by their impressive allotment where in high season 80% of the produce comes from, chef-owners Ryan and Liam Simpson-Trotman, who are regular guests on James Martin's Saturday Morning television show, marry creativity with seasonal and responsible sourcing. Liam tends to the allotment himself and has spent many years perfecting it so he knows the very best varieties of fruit and vegetables that thrive there.