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

Find your big-day musicians a County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show

When attending County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium couples will find a host of wedding entertainment options to be inspired by. Saxophonist Zechariah Seekins of ZPBS Music Presents is exhibiting at the event on Sunday 8th October 2023. Providing a live saxophone service for your special day, from background music during your meal to a party performance to dance the night away, Zechariah can perform everything from Jazz and Swing, '60s to '90s classics, modern hits and so much more.

The Soirée Planner is exhibiting at Wembley Stadium in October

On Sunday 8th October, at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium, couple can meet with wedding planner & Stylist Jess, of The Soirée Planner, to discuss their day! Jess adds, "My name is Jess, I live in Essex and during the pandemic I finally decided to turn my nine year hobby into a business! I'm obsessed with details - some may say I have a slight (or severe) OCD when it comes to the finer details!" At the event, Jess is running an on-the-day promotion: 15% off all packages. State 'COUNTYSOIREE' and secure your date by 31st October 2023!

Venue styling sorted with Surrey's Chair Cover Dreams

Surrey-based Chair Cover Dreams is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 1st October 2023. Owner, Maxine has worked in the industry for 12 years specialising in weddings and events in the UK, from the Ivy in London to marquees that seat 600, celebrity weddings to smaller intimate affairs. Providing chair covers, table décor, venue styling, theming, centrepieces, focal points, draping, mood-lighting, interior design and event management; the company can provide fairytale weddings to masquerade balls.

Find your big-day jewellery with Shralite London

On Sunday 8th October 2023, County Wedding Events is hosting one of its Signature Wedding Shows at the renowned Wembley Stadium. One of the show's exhibitors, Shralite London's Jewellery, will have an array of items to inspire couples for their wedding jewellery. Discover dazzling diamonds, stunning gemstones, and precious metals expertly crafted to perfection. The brand's commitment to quality and personalisation ensures each piece reflects your unique style; couples can explore the bespoke options for a truly one-of-a-kind treasure crafted by skilled artisans.

Need your photographer? Pop along to Ascot Racecourse's Signature Wedding Show

Hampshire-based Sarah Hoyle Photography will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 1st October, giving couples the opportunity to meet with her and potentially book her for their wedding day. Sarah adds, "If you're a couple that's looking for a photographer who can put you at ease and create elegant, natural and romantic photos of your wedding day, then head over to see me at Sarah Hoyle Photography- I look forward to hearing all about your day!'

Gifts Instead of Flowers wins New Kid on the Block Award

Buckinghamshire-based company Gifts Instead of Flowers has won the New Kid on the Block business award at this year's Small Awards. The company was crowned the winner at a celebration event in central London, hosted by presenter, writer, actor and comedian, Sue Perkins. The idea of Gifts Instead of Flowers was born when founder Jan Jenkins was ill. She received many flowers which were very appreciated, but flowers have a shelf life and all that's left is a card written by the florist. After visiting many art shows and trade fairs, the brand now features hand-picked, talented artists and craftspeople who have been selected by Jan and the team for the quality, uniqueness, and affordability of their work.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Wembley Stadium show offer with S.R.E Favours and Guestbooks

Essex-based S.R.E Favours and Guestbooks is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 8th October. Specialising in supplying the finer details of the day, owner Philippa, tells us more about the business..."I started my company in November 2022 and named it in memory of my dad, who I lost in January 2023," shares Philippa. "His moto in life was 'Enjoy what you do and work hard for your goals' and that's exactly what I'm doing.

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

Drew Snaith takes over the garden at The Swan in Ascott-under-Wychwood today

The Swan in Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire will welcome Northampton-born chef, Drew Snaith, to the Cotswolds today for their second Garden Takeover. Former head chef at Pidgin and recently appointed head chef of Acme Fire Cult, Chef Snaith will be bringing his unique flare for sustainable British cuisine to diners at the establishment today. Diners can expect three courses with plenty of snacks showcasing the best ingredients from small producers prepared in surprising ways. There'll be nduja stuffed scotched olive followed by grilled confit squid, wood-fired red camargue rice, smoked garlic and lemon sabayon, green pepper and lemon verbena dressing. To finish, they'll be sunflower seed gelato, mirabelle meringue and anise hyssop.

Cafe del Mar Spirits sponsors Summertime Live in Cheltenham this weekend

Cafe del Mar Spirits is pleased to announce its 2023 Headline Partnership with the UK's most iconic Ibiza festival – Summertime Live. Over nine days and in seven separate venues, the festival will bring the biggest anthems of the last 30 years to life, with a 32-piece orchestra, live vocalists and DJs. Café de Mar, a brand so synonymous with Ibiza, will serve its premium gin and vodka across all festival sites. The dates for the festival in Cheltenham have been revealed as Fri 1st September and Sat 2nd September 2023. Café del Mar Vodka is incredibly smooth in taste, with subtle undertones of cream and citrus. A clean, refreshing and balanced premium spirit, it's perfect for cocktails or served over ice. Café del Mar Gin is a delicate blend of juniper, with fresh citrus and a hint of sweet spice.

Five reasons why Champagne is the pinnacle of sparkling wine

The Champagne Bureau UK* have rounded up five reasons why Champagne is the long-standing pinnacle of sparkling wine. Firstly, Champagne only comes from Champagne. Champagne is a 100% French product - the Champagne region is located in France, approximately 90 miles east of Paris. It is a protected appellation (AOC). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was said to flow freely at all the coronation banquets. Soon, highly prized for their taste and finesse, it became customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This is how the Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronation and known in France as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines".

7 ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids

Bridesmaid proposals are a special moment in any friendship so it's natural to want to put some thought behind popping the question. Personalising gifts such as photo frames or pyjamas are a great way to give friends something they can keep forever. The glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have shared some of the best bridesmaid proposal ideas to make the occasion memorable.John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass said, "Asking your friends and family to be bridesmaids is a special moment and should be done in a special way. "You can't go wrong with a personal touch which is why things like photo frames and pyjamas are a great way to show appreciation to your bridesmaids and you know they'll keep their gift.

Buckinghamshire-based Atul Kochhar's restaurants now serving takeaway

Three of Atul Kochhar's restaurants in Buckinghamshire are now serving takeaway options, perfect for the long August bank holiday weekend. Each of the respective restaurants' various styles are reflected through the takeaway dishes, cooked in the kitchens of each establishment to the same high standards as those prepared in each restaurant. They're thoughtfully packaged to ensure they're in perfect condition when arriving at their final location. A selection of bundles is also offered to help customers recreate the restaurant experience in the comfort of their homes. Takeaways are ordered online via each website for collection only – but they will also be available via Deliveroo.

Wedding fragrance suggestions

Floral, citrus, or woody - and everything in between - wedding scents are becoming more popular as couples incorporate them into their day. They can provide an ideal way to remember the occasion, the trigger of a special memory when you come across that fragrance connected to it. What's more, key scents can also help control emotions according to psychologists. Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, says, "With more than 12 million hashtag views on TikTok, wedding scents (#weddingscent) are becoming more and more popular

Secu Photography offer chance to win £250 off wedding package

Anna Secundo is a talented wedding and family photographer and founder of Secu Photography based in Newbury, Berkshire. She captures those special moments of your wedding day, from getting ready to the first dance and beyond, making the memories last forever. Couples often return to her for their maternity, newborn and family photography sessions, and she even offers a Cake, Spaghetti or Fruit Smash Shoot for the baby's first birthday! Anna offers different wedding packages that can include two photographers attending the day to additional videographers, drone and polaroid services, with prints gifted to guests during your wedding reception - the perfect idea for an instant thank you card!

Wedding ring mistakes to avoid!

Aimee Howlett, jewellery expert at Diamonds Factory, has shared how to choose and clean your wedding band. 'When choosing your wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you're someone with an active lifestyle you might want to go for a more durable material like platinum or tungsten that can withstand potential scratches and avoid a ring that has diamonds. With this in mind, it's worth visiting a jewellery store and trying on different styles of wedding bands, which can be really fun! Pay attention to comfort, fit, and how well it pairs with your engagement ring (if you have one).

Wedding gift inspiration from L'OR

Coffee brand L'OR provides the perfect machine which will ensure you capture the heart of any coffee-loving couple, whilst also providing a useful gift that lasts! With a unique double-spouted design that offers flexibility to adapt to different coffee preferences, the L'OR BARISTA is powered by Phillips technology and has become a much-loved coffee machine since its launch. What's more, the machine is not only compatible with L'OR pods, but also a wide range of alternative branded coffee capsules on the market*, providing maximum flexibility and choice.

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Machine (£104.99*) is available in Piano Noir, Satin Blanc and Sunset Rubis, while the L'OR BARISTA Original Latte Machines (£164.99*) is available in Piano Noir and includes built-in milk frother.

7 topics all couples should cover in a prenup

While a prenuptial agreement is unlikely to be on many people's wedding checklist, a family lawyer has urged couples who will be tying the knot in the coming months to consider making it a key priority. With research by the law firm revealing that Google searches for terms related to prenups including 'what is a prenup?', 'meaning of prenups' and 'prenups in the UK' have increased by 21% in the last three months compared to the three months previous, it is clear they are growing in popularity.