Your Glos and Wilts Wedding news and ideas from around the area

A third of Brits decline wedding invites due to cost Klarna finds

The wedding season is just around the corner! What is normally a cause for joy can often become a financial strain for guests. Travel, outfits, gifts – the costs can quickly soar to unexpected heights. This is also confirmed by a recent survey by Klarna*, the flexible choice for smart, secure payments: One third (36.4%) of those surveyed said they had declined wedding invitations in the past due to associated costs. Moreover, 30.2% of respondents said they have not attended a Stag or Hen party due to the expenses involved.

Wedding traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations

Researchers surveyed Gen Z couples and found many traditional wedding and proposal traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations. But it's good news for the father-of-the-bride, as 54 percent said expecting parents to cough up for the big day was no longer necessary. Other things which are likely to fall out of favour are asking the bride's father for permission to propose (43 percent), sleeping apart the night before the wedding (38 percent) and the bride taking their partner's name (35 percent).

Of the 2,000 18- to 27-year-olds, surveyed by Churchill, as many as 86 percent believe the traditional stereotype of men proposing to women is old hat – and women should be able to pop the question too.

A third (29 percent) think that being given away is no longer necessary, while 27 percent say that tossing the bouquet is out of style. Being carried over the threshold (26 percent), promising to obey in the vows (25 percent) and wearing a veil (19 percent) are also falling out of favour.

9 in 10 newlyweds say budgeting is the biggest wedding stress

New research of newlyweds has revealed that 9 in 10 newlyweds find budgeting to be the biggest wedding stress. Queensmith's research surveyed 1,000 recently married couples throughout the UK, exploring the most and least enjoyable aspects, as well as the most stressful moments, leading up to their weddings and during the day itself. Weddings take a lot of time to plan in order to make them fabulous, but they also cost a pretty hefty sum of money too. Looking at the most stressful aspects of wedding, a whopping 93% of respondents said budgeting was the most stressful part of planning a wedding.

Step into spring at The Vineyard with an Easter Afternoon Tea

On Sunday, March 24th, guests can indulge in a traditional afternoon tea, complemented by a glass of champagne and an exclusive Easter wreath masterclass led by the in-house florist in collaboration with Allium Design. Guests will create an Easter wreath to take home, crafted with the finest countryside flowers. Priced at £99 per person, this experience promises exquisite food, delightful beverages, and a touch of floral finesse to kickstart any Easter celebrations. On Sunday, March 31st, Easter Sunday Lunch at The Vineyard will start from noon. Begin the celebration with a champagne aperitif, followed by a three-course culinary journey prepared by Tom Scade. Priced at £79 per person, this gourmet experience promises to be a feast for the senses.

Hen party dos and don'ts according to brides

Planning a hen party can be a stressful task, and with more and more brides opting for weekends over one last night of single life, there's even more pressure to get it right. To help you create the perfect celebration, Amy Greenshields, party planning expert at cardfactory spoke to 10 recent brides and bride-to-bes, unveiling their hen party dos and don'ts. Using this insight, Amy shares her top tips for 'kissing the miss goodbye' in style.

Expert advice on how to plan a wedding in 2024

Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner and Wedding Expert for online fashion destination Silkfred, shares her expert insight on how to plan a wedding in 2024. "Figure out your goals! Every wedding starts very differently and couples want different things. Sit together and decide what is the most important part of your wedding day - are you looking for a big party? Therefore drink and music may be key. Alternatively, if the look of everything is the most important thing, then this is where your money will be spent. Ensure you then allocate the budget and start with these suppliers."

De Vere donates extra day this leap year to communities

Hotel chain De Vere, with properties in Gloucestershire and Berkshire, volunteered over 450 hours, equivalent to 56 days' worth of their colleagues' time, on Thursday 29th February to give back the extra leap year day to local charities and community projects. As part of the group's wider ESG efforts, De Vere has committed to donating over 2,000 hours of volunteering in 2024 to continue to develop valued relationships within the local community. Over 100 colleagues across De Vere's properties, as well as its central support team, volunteered at local charity partners including Cotswold Lake Trust, Berkshire Animal Connection Centre and Windsor Food Share. Many also engaged with local community projects such as litter picking, gardening and maintenance within local care homes.

Luxury gifts for all occasions with WOLF

The ultimate gift awaits with WOLF, a family-owned British brand, luxury jewellery boxes, travel jewellery cases, bags, watch winders and cases and a plethora of other accessories. Whether it's a pre-wedding treat for yourself, a thank you gift for your bridal party, or something you want added to your big-day giftlist, WOLF's beautifully designed jewellery boxes and cases are exquisite in design and intricate in detail and make the perfect travel accompaniment for your hen do or honeymooon. The Caroline Large Jewellery Box could be a wonderful maid of honour gift for the wedding season or a timeless classic gift for a mother, while the travel jewellery case Caroline Jewellery Portfolio, available in ivory, black or red, is perfect for securing precious items on your honeymoon.

Enjoy a Mother's Day prosecco-infused afternoon tea & Sunday lunch at the Castle Hotel

Celebrate Mother's Day in regal style at The Castle Hotel in the enchanting town of Windsor, where timeless charm meets culinary excellence. Treat mum to an exquisite Sunday lunch, a delectable three-course affair featuring a delightful array of options. Begin with the tantalising duck and orange pâté, savour the mouthwatering braised lamb shank as the main event, and conclude with a selection of the finest British cheeses. Show gratitude for everything mothers do while enjoying this culinary journey. After the sumptuous meal, stroll through The Long Walk or explore the local shops in Windsor, with the added convenience of four hours of complimentary parking at the hotel.

Investment deal set to shake up the stag and hen industry

Brighton-based tour operator The Stag Company has announced an exciting investment deal whereby Danish travel company Awesome Adventures Group has secured a significant shareholding in the company. The partnership will facilitate growth for both businesses within the stag and hen market, acting as a springboard for more competitive pricing and product portfolio expansion. The deal positions Awesome Adventures as the go-to ground agent for The Stag Company customers, which means they will be welcomed into resort via an infrastructure of teams in location, thereby elevating the customer experience.

Mother's Day ideas for the mother-of-the-bride

With Mother's Day just around the corner on Sunday 10th March, it's time to celebrate the unsung hero of weddings, the mother of the bride! It's time to shower her with the love and attention she deserves. From spa days to chocolates, meals out to heartfelt notes, there are countless ways to make her day special. Leading hen party company, Fizzbox dives into treating the mother of the bride this Mother's Day. Get ready for heartwarming ideas, laughter and maybe even a happy tear or two!

New data reveals the UK hotspots for wedding bliss

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationary brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

Get your caffeine fix at our Signature Wedding Shows

Pop along to any County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show and you'll discover a delicious Beanies sachet in your goody bag. "At Beanies we think life is all about flavour. So we've made a flavour coffee to suit every moment. Because sometimes it's a super Sticky Toffee kinda day. And others it's a cheeky Cherry Chocolate kinda day. You name it, we've got the full-on, all-out flavour to go with it. Every one is full to the brim with the biggest, boldest, most delicious-est tastes you can imagine. And they're sugar free and low in calories too, so it's guilt-free indulgence all the way. Whatever the occasion, we've got the flavour to match. From the moment the jar is popped open and releases the aroma, to the very last sip, we make sure that the experience is full-on and ultimately satisfying."

Tickets are on sale now for The Photography & Video Show

Tickets are on sale now for The Photography & Video Show, the largest event of its kind in the UK and Europe which will be returning in 2024 at the NEC. Taking place between 16 – 19 March, The Photography & Video Show is the destination for photographers, filmmakers, and content creators of all levels, from beginner to advanced amateur, and all the way through to established professional.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Atul Kochhar restaurants

Celebrate Mothering Sunday with Atul Kochhar restaurants in Buckinghamshire where all four properties will offer extra-special Mother's Day menus. Chef Atul Kochhar said, "Mother's Day is another very important day for the hospitality industry and we're always doing our best to offer something which will make mums feel special while bringing the family together for a delicious meal." Riwaz in Beaconsfield will serve a three-course set menu from 12 until 7 pm, priced at £38 per person. Choose from dishes such as chicken shami with spinach raita; lamb seekh kebab with rosemary and chilli mayo and slow-cooked lamb leg with onion kulcha. Additional nibbles and bread will be available while all mums will receive a free Riwaz Signature cocktail to enjoy.

Blake Lively creates a buzz with UK launch of Betty Buzz cans in Majestic

Hollywood actress, Blake Lively today announces the launch of her new 330ml Betty Buzz cans of premium adult soft drinks in the UK, available from Majestic. The Betty Buzz range of Sparkling Lemon Lime, Sparkling Grapefruit, Ginger Beer and Meyer Lemon Sparkling Sodas are all available from 207 Majestic stores and Majestic online in the UK. Betty Buzz is a collection of healthier gourmet sparkling sodas in new stylish tall slim cans. Within just two-and-a-half years, Betty Buzz has grown to become the world's number one premium adult soft drink on Instagram, with the most followers and highest engagement of any brand in this category globally. Made with fresh ingredients, the range is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colours and flavours.

Ashmolean Museum celebrates Mother's Day with artistry and craftsmanship

This March, Britain's first public museum, Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, celebrates Mother's Day with a beautiful curated gifting edit which champions artistry, craftsmanship and the natural world. From bespoke tea to Anglo-Saxon-inspired jewellery and ceramic starter kits, the Ashmolean Shop has a wide range of gifts available for all ages, budgets and tastes. The top ten picks from the museum include ceramics by local artist Emma Baldwin. This range of one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces has been inspired by the vivid colours of the artwork Study of a Kingfisher, a watercolour by John Ruskin. All pieces in this range are handmade, meaning each piece is individual and may vary slightly in colour and shape.

Newly launched NimNik Glitter Tattoo Kit ideal for kids at weddings!

Boasting an impressive array of features, with 35 vibrant glitter colours, six fluorescent powders, 204 stencils, three adhesives, five brushes, and 215 rhinestones - the possibilities are limitless and will keep children happy for hours. This comprehensive set ensures that every user can unleash their imagination and bring their temporary tattoo visions to life. This glitter tattoo kit is not limited by age or gender; ideal for kids, girls, teens, men, women, and adults, it's perfect for occasions. The versatility of the kit allows users to explore different applications, such as eye shadow, body painting, DIY crafts, Christmas cards, birthday celebrations, or party decorations. The only limit is your creativity.

Bloom & Wild's exclusive insights into this year’s most anticipated flower trends

Brace yourselves for a vibrant floral revolution as 2024 bids adieu to the serene luxury trends of 2023, welcoming back maximalism with open arms. Bold statement pieces and lively colours are reclaiming their spotlight in the realms of fashion, interiors, and floral arrangements, marking a dynamic shift in the aesthetic landscape. Jo Reason, Director of Brand & Range at Bloom & Wild, predicts a surge in hyper-colour bouquets featuring fuchsia and electric lilac flowers paired with lime yellow foliages.

As the wedding season approaches, turn to Viners for a gift ideas

If you've been invited to a wedding and need some inspiration for what to give as a gift, we're sure you will find something within the Viners® range that the happy couple will enjoy for years to come. Opting for a cutlery set is a guaranteed hit. A sentimental and thoughtful gift to give your loved ones, a cutlery set will take care of any special dinner parties or occasions hosted by the newlyweds.