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

Something borrowed, something blue

After spending over 500 days in the care of pet charity Blue Cross, rescue horse Pumpkin finally found her forever home — and even became a bridesmaid at her adopter's wedding. The 17-year-old skewbald cob had watched many other horses come and go before Natalie King from Gloucestershire gave her the loving home she deserved. Natalie's companion horse, Domino, had recently lost his field mate and was struggling alone. When Pumpkin arrived, the two bonded instantly. Not only did Pumpkin bring joy and balance back to Domino's life, but she quickly became a cherished part of the family — so much so that she played a starring role in Natalie's countryside wedding. This heartwarming horse adoption story shows the lifelong impact of rehoming rescue animals.

Pre-wedding aesthetic treatment must-haves

Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day, but what can you do before the makeup artist arrives to make sure you're glowing as you walk down the aisle? With the rise of the 'quiet luxury' trend and the 'old money' aesthetic, most nearlyweds want to look like themselves, just more elevated. Dr Barbara Kubicka, founder of Clinicbe® in London, shares the top five most requested treatments her brides and grooms are booking right now.

Guests say "I don’t" to wedding traditions

When it comes to cost, celebrating love doesn't come cheaply, as Brits say they spend an average of £219.65 per wedding. In fact, only a quarter (25%) say they spend less than £100. As a result, more than one in five (22%) admit they've had to decline an invite for financial reasons. Top of guests' wish lists? A wedding that puts people first. Almost half (49%) said making guests feel welcome and relaxed is the most important part of any wedding, far ahead of food (16%), music (17%) or even the schedule (18%).

INTRODUCING CASWELL HOUSE IN CELEBRATION OF 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Tucked away in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside, Caswell House is a soulful family-run sanctuary located in the heart of the Cotswolds. It's a magical place where history, beauty, and heartfelt celebrations come together. It's renowned for offering enchanting weddings, wellness retreats, versatile event spaces and unique seasonal experiences throughout the year. This year marks a special milestone as Caswell House celebrates fifteen years since it first opened as an events venue. Over the years, the destination has played host to thousands of weddings and events, weaving together abundant stories and shared moments for guests across the country and beyond.

Presence over presents: Brits ditch wedding gifts

Karin Haglund, Head of Consumer Insights at Klarna said: "Destination weddings tap into Brits' love of travel and shared experiences, but our research shows that cost remains a concern when celebrating love abroad. For those who want more flexibility, Klarna offers interest-free payment options and budgeting tools in the app that help support smarter planning — whether that's by booking travel early to secure a better deal or keeping track of costs along the way."

Local wedding suppliers gather at luxury The Compleat Angler hotel for grand wedding fair

Four-star The Compleat Angler hotel in Marlow is set to open its doors to some of the area's most popular wedding suppliers for a special event to be held on Sunday 21st September. The grand showcase is designed to help couples on their way to saying 'I do' as they search for inspiration for their big day. They are invited to attend the open day, where they will be able to speak with local florists, caterers and musicians, as well as tour the opulent suites and stunning wedding spaces. The romantic wedding venue, which hosts celebrations almost every weekend as well as during the week, will also open its doors on Sunday 26 October for an additional wedding fair.

The top wedding trends for Autumn and Winter 2025

As summer weddings start to take a step back, a new wave of seasonal trends are emerging. According to Pinterest Trends, searches for 'wedding inspiration' have surged by 10,000% over the past month, with terms like 'October wedding', and 'autumn wedding cake' dominating mood boards. Nicola Barker, Head of Buying at Suit Direct, shares her insights on the standout trends set to shape autumn and winter weddings this season. From elegant romantic draping and on-trend semi-naked cakes to rich, moody colour palettes, couples are embracing celebrations that feel warm, inviting, and romantic.

Oxfordshire-based hampers.com recently launched new wedding gift hamper range

Oxfordshire-based gifting company hampers.com located in Abingdon offers carefully curated luxurious gift hampers made with responsibly sourced, artisanal foods and estate-bottled wines. The brand has recently launched a new wedding gift hamper range. From fine Autréau champagne to delicate truffles and perfect picnic spreads, each wedding hamper is a beautiful bundle of pure indulgence making the perfect thank you gift for members of the bridal party. The Perfect Pairing Champagne Picnic Hamper, £199, has been curated to mark the most romantic of milestones. Nestled insite a wicker picnic basket is a bottle of premium Autreau champagne, plates and cutlery for two, plus exquisite sweet and savoury treats.

Donnington Valley Hotel Unveils Its Next Era as Donnington & Co.

Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa in Newbury, Berkshire, has entered a new era. The hotel has rebranded to become Donnington & Co., familiar in name, yet transformed in spirit. For many years the property has been a trusted destination for leisure and corporate guests. Privately owned by Sir Peter Michael and family, it has long been known for its spectacular spa, 18-hole golf course and a team who offer genuine hospitality. Summer 2025 marks the unveiling of a significant investment and redevelopment. The reception, lobby, bar, restaurant and suites have been reimagined to create spaces that feel both contemporary and comfortably familiar. The transformed entrance now offers a crisp, fresh welcome that sets the tone for the stay ahead.

The legal implication of 'two weddings'

Wedding season is in full swing and it's a celebratory, joyous time filled with love and laughter. A wedding is the celebration of two people coming together in matrimony but what many forget is there are requirements to comply with to ensure the marriage is lawful within England and Wales. Here, Sophie Croft, an Associate at Stowe Family Law, highlights the considerations couples need to have... "It may not be the most romantic thing to think about when you're in the midst of wedding planning, but it's really important to remember that if you want the benefits of being a married couple, your marriage does need to be legally sound.

Luxurious wedding venue Cliveden set to host Cliveden Literary Festival

Luxurious wedding venue Cliveden in Berkshire is set to host the Cliveden Literary Festival on the 11th and 12th October. This year's festival features the leading writers of today across culture, politics and history. Highlights will include Salman Rushdie and Rachel Eliza Griffiths who will discuss their creative partnership and actor Richard E. Grant who will talk to Georgia Beaufort about the highs and lows of Hollywood. Renowned philosopher Alain de Botton will discuss his theories of love and heartbreak and Wild Swans author Jung Chang and The Silk Roads' Peter Frankopan will consider the past, present and future of China with Geordie Greig.

Danesfield House set to host Wedding Fair this September

Danesfield House Hotel and Spa in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, is hosting a Wedding Fair on Sunday 21st September, from 11 am until 3 pm. The house and gardens offer an enchanting setting for fairytale-inspired weddings providing timeless elegance and sophistication. Rooms will be styled to provide an immersive visual experience for couples to imagine their own day being held there. Visitors can expect to meet the expert event team and enjoy a guided tour of the hotel and grounds. They will also be able to connect with a wide range of trusted local wedding suppliers. Whether couples are envisioning a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, they will find everything at this stunning wedding venue.

Barn at Alswick 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 The Barn at Alswick, Hertfordshire, for inspiration on Sunday 5th October 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, 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. Forming part of the historic Alswick Hall Estate, the Barn at Alswick has been lovingly restored to a stunning contemporary event space for exclusive hire. Adorned with rustic wooden beams, the light-flooded space is perfect for your wedding vision to come to life.

Why August 23rd Could Be the Most Romantic Day of the Decade

Celebration vacations are on the rise, as more people swap parties for passport stamps to mark life's biggest milestones. From weddings and retirements to birthdays and new jobs, searches for 'anniversary holidays' are soaring at 585k monthly, 'birthday trip ideas for couples' have doubled year-over-year, and 'celebration vacations' is up 57% in the last month alone. A new survey of 1,000 UK travellers, commissioned by Citalia, found that over half (56%) believe celebrating a major milestone abroad turns their trip into a once-in-a-lifetime story, whilst 47% say travel makes milestone moments truly unforgettable.

Begin Your Journey to Forever at Wasing Park’s September Showcase

Wasing Park nestled in the Berkshire countryside is hosting its September Showcase, Forever, on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th September 2025. Widely regarded as one of the UK's finest wedding venues, Wasing Park will shine a spotlight on sustainability. The Grade II-listed Castle Barn will be exquisitely styled by talented florists, showcasing elegant arrangements of seasonal English flowers freshly cut from Wasing's Walled Garden and potted succulents providing a natural touch to table décor. New for this season are mini bottles of Wasing Gin, infused with botanicals gathered from the Walled Garden and hedgerows that make great favours. For a sweeter touch, thee are pots of Wasing wildflower honey lovingly crafted from honey and wax carefully harvested from hives on the estate.

Jeremy Clarkson’s pub The Farmer's Dog unveils an English wine list

Balfour Winery is celebrating a major success with five of its wines chosen for the new English wine list at The Farmer's Dog, Jeremy Clarkson's Oxfordshire pub. The selection gives Balfour Wines almost 40% of the total 13 bottles featured, cementing its position as one of the UK's leading producers. The list was curated by master of wine Simon Larkin, who carried out a nationwide review of English wines with quality as the sole criteria. Clarkson's pub has quickly become a tourist hotspot. It's not uncommon to see queues of visitors outside, eager to sample a menu that champions 100% British produce — now including an English wine list that showcases the best of the category.

Expert shares how to preserve your wedding bouquet

From weddings and anniversaries to special birthdays and proms, there are some occasions where flowers just mean more and are hard to let go of. Whether you want to decorate your home, create a framed keepsake, or make your own potpourri, drying your flowers is the perfect way to hold on to beautiful memories. The flower experts at Bloom & Wild have shared three easy and effective ways to dry your bouquet at home with no special tools or floristry training required.

Renowned matcha brand PerfectTed launches wedding initiative

If there's one thing every wedding needs, it's energy and lots of it. From early-morning prep to late-night dancing, it's a full- day marathon of emotions, celebrations and unforgettable moments. That's why PerfectTed – Europe's #1 matcha brand – has launched PerfectWed, a new nationwide sampling initiative offering free matcha drinks to selected UK couples tying the knot. As part of the campaign, PerfectTed will send selected couples a curated selection of matcha drinks, including the brand's Healthy Energy cans and matcha lattes for wedding guests to enjoy. The couples will also have the chance to have their wedding speeches professionally filmed and featured in the brand's upcoming Speech Series

Enjoy an evening of Glamour at Danesfield House this September

Glamour at Danesfield House, a luxury make-up masterclass with Charlotte Tilbury experts from John Lewis in High Wycombe is taking place this Thursday 18th September 2025 at 6:30pm. Visitors eill enjoy an evening of elegance, beauty and indulgence. Set against the timeless luxury of the Versailles bridal suite at the property, this immersive event promises guests an unforgettable experience combining fizz, skincare, professional artistry and luxury gifting. Designed for those seeking a premium self-care pampering evening or a stylish night out with friends, maybe even a hen celebration, the evening is perfect for bridal parties, birthdays and beauty lovers alike.

Post-Big Day Renovation with BHS

The confetti has settled, the thank-you notes are being written, and the whirlwind of wedding planning is finally over. Now that the excitement of your big day has passed, it's the perfect time to turn your attention to another beautiful chapter: making your shared home truly bespoke to you. Whether you've been living together for years or are just settling into a new rhythm, this post-wedding period is ideal for refreshing your space and infusing it with your combined style as a married couple. And when it comes to affordable yet high-quality lighting and home accessories, BHS is here to help you create the perfect sanctuary.