Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

WealdenWoods has created new plantable wedding favours

Wildflower specialist WealdenWoods in Kent has created new plantable wedding favours featuring hand-made wildflower seed-bombs that are affordable, beautiful and eco-friendly.

These heart-shaped seed-bombs come in kraft boxes and are a must-have for wedding favours or goody bags. Each seed is individually decorated with real flowers or petals and the box is topped with a pressed sprig of lavender, making a sustainable, eco-friendly gift for your wedding guests that also helps pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

Bradbourne House is a Queen Anne country house dating back to 1590

Surrounded by 20 acres of picturesque parkland, Bradbourne House is a magnificent Queen Anne country house dating back to 1590. Boasting a tranquil lake, waterfall and thriving grounds, the gardens offer far- reaching views, making them the perfect setting for photographs.

Full of history, this Grade I listed building has lots of original character with elegant interiors that create a blend of tranquillity and classic elegance, from the striking teal and gold walls in the Great Hall to the spectacular ornate ceiling in the Committee Room.

National Art Pass - perfect wedding gift for culture lovers

A National Art Pass is a great way to enjoy time at hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, and the Double Membership makes the perfect wedding gift for any culture lovers! Annual membership is only £88.50* and lets the happy couple enjoy free entry to hundreds of cultural destinations, plus 50% off major exhibitions, and special shop and café discounts. What's more, two cards will be issued for the happy couple!

Say 'I do' to shared planning - wedding expert shares tips for involving family and friends

Amy Greenshields, wedding expert at Card Factory has shared 7 tips to help you let your loved ones contribute.

Asking for help can be hard but getting friends and family involved in wedding planning can not only lighten the load but will also make them feel included and valued. Wedding planning contains many different elements, from table designs and seating charts to your floral bouquet, everything must be accounted for. A bride normally has the most influence over everything wedding-related, leading to as state of overwhelming stress. Why not share out the responsibilities – even the little ones can have a job!

Win a jewellery set worth £95

Kent-based M. Elizabeth Jewellery is named after the owner's grandmother, a strong woman who likes the finer things in life. With these qualities in mind, the team creates beautiful, timeless jewellery pieces from high- quality metals. Each item is made from recycled sterling silver or stainless steel, which is 100 per cent recyclable. All of the gems used are sustainably sourced natural gemstones from certified mines.

Exclusively for Your Kent Wedding, M. Elizabeth Jewellery is offering one lucky reader a bridal necklace with a pearl charm worth £95. Choose from a silver or gold necklace with a sunbeam charm in the letter of your choosing. Maybe your new surname or a loved one's initial? The necklace is waterproof and hypoallergenic, meaning you can wear it every day as a reminder of your wedding.

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

Cave Hotel and Golf Resort is surrounded by a picturesque golf course and orchard garden

Nestled in a scenic haven, Cave Hotel and Golf Resort boasts lush grounds surrounded by a picturesque golf course and orchard garden. The expansive landscape has ample water features, including a tranquil pond, and scenic trails leading to secluded areas perfect for capturing intimate moments.

Cave Hotel and Golf Resort is a carefully curated venue offering diverse spaces, leaving you spoilt for choice. Ceremonies can take place al fresco in the Pergola; nestled amidst the captivating greenery of the golf course, it's adorned with delicate decorations and seats up to 100 loved ones.

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

Personalisation is IN for 2024

Crafty Brewing and Lola and Luna's collaboration reveals how personalisation is being brought to the forefront of 2024 weddings. The concept of personalisation is holding a key part in redefining 'tradition' and incorporating new captivating trends in every aspect of your magical event. Aimee, a wedding expert from a wedding planning and styling company says that "Over the past few years, weddings have increasingly started steering away from the same old conventions, and opting for bespoke options more frequently." From table plans set on where the couple first met, to embroidered napkins there are so many opportunities to add a personal touch on your big day.

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Liberty Rose Haynes has returned from maternity leave

Liberty Rose Haynes, a wedding hair and make-up designer, has returned from maternity leave and is ready to help brides look their best on their big day. Liberty has been working with wigs, hair, make-up and grooming for 17 years, from comedy to creating personal red carpet looks for A-list clients, and is excited to bring this experience to Kent and get involved with the magic of Kentish weddings, helping make memories for couples.

Liberty tells us: "I made the decision to transition from travel and film production make-up to be more local for my daughter. This means I can use my 17 years of industry hair and make-up experience to help you create your dream look. In addition to hair and make-up for brides, I can also help the groom-to-be look and feel like his best on the day."

Richard Payne Photographer is a must-have for your wedding celebration

Richard Payne is a talented photographer based in London with more than 15 years of experience. Richard tells us: "Before I started shooting weddings, I was mainly doing magazine work shooting fashion and portraiture with some documentary thrown in. I think it's those early days that have kept my eye in and can still influence my work today.

"I shoot in two formats: digital and 35mm black and white film. My actual style allows me to shoot very discreetly and unobtrusively. I will document what unfolds in front of me rather than orchestrate it. Whether it be travelling on a 15-hour bus journey the length of Sri Lanka or a hop down the M20, I've covered pretty much every scenario there is. Please look around my website and get a feel for what I do, but I am still a firm believer in the personal touch—the quick meet over a coffee, a chat at a wedding fair or anywhere we get the chance to engage for a quick moment to actually see the actual book I offer. You will get to hold some black and white hand prints and hit me with any questions that you may have."

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Havenfield Hall is an exclusive-use venue surrounded by well-kept gardens

Havenfield Hall is hidden away from the public roads; as you pass through the front gates and approach the house via the front drive, its grand scale becomes apparent. The rear of the house opens onto the gardens, where guests have seating, so they can make use of the space provided. The exclusive-use venue is fully surrounded on all sides by acres of well-kept gardens, fields and woodlands.

The interior has recently been fully refurbished to a high standard, and although modern touches have been added, the various rooms have been sympathetically decorated in a way that helps keep their character and charm.

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel Spa has been revealed as Kent’s most booked spa

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel Spa (www.all.accor.com) has been revealed as Kent's most booked spa; the hotel totaled 25.65 per cent of all bookings made in Kent in 2023. The findings have been revealed by one of the UK's leading spa experience and booking agencies, Spabreaks.com.

The hotel was followed by Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club, Rowhill Grange Hotel, Ashford International Hotel & Spa and Eastwell Manor.

Spabreaks.com founder Abi Selby commented: "We know that everyone uses the spa in different ways, whether it's for a spa weekend break or just a quick visit in the evening. We make sure our offerings suit everyone and that the spa is a place accessible to all."