Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Couples seek help with their Wedding Checklist

With the average 2025 wedding costing £20,822, it's understandable that couples are feeling the pressure to ensure their special day runs smoothly. Wedding costs have more than doubled since the pandemic and with higher budgets often comes increased planning and the need for checklists. Last year "wedding checklist" received 6,600 average monthly searches online as UK couples turned to Google for guidance, to make sure nothing was missed. As your 2025 wedding day approaches and the big elements are secured, from venue and dress to guest list, there will still be a number of important details to manage in those final weeks.

Ashdown Park 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 Ashdown Park, East Sussex for inspiration on Sunday 13th April, 2025! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning 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. Surrounded by the Ashdown Forest, which according to the famous children's author, A. A. Milne, is the woodland that inspired his Winnie The Pooh stories, the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club offers the heights of luxury in the heart of East Sussex.

Chapel House Estate reveals inside-outside weddings venue, The Glass Courtyard

The historic Chapel House Estate, a countryside weddings venue in the heart of Kent's Garden of England, has unveiled a unique new space to say I do - The Glass Courtyard. Seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living, this light-flooded space features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, bi-fold doors and a retractable glass roof – all with a striking original oak frame at the centre. Boasting views on to the surrounding walled garden and bordered by the estate's flourishing wild apple orchard, the intimate and relaxed ambience of The Glass Courtyard is ideal for couples looking for smaller, personal gatherings in a serene, natural setting.

From smart invites to livestreams: the tech-savvy wedding trends of 2025

Like the tides of fashion, wedding trends come and go; however, the coming online age of nuptials is coming in fast and causing quite the wave. From AI-generated floor layouts and digital invites, modern couples are finding new ways of broadcasting their love. Here are some of the biggest trends in technology that will shape weddings in 2025, and how the industry is adapting to meet couples' expectations.

Say I Do with Chelsea Peers

Chelsea Peers have made the morning of the wedding even more stylish than before. You and your bridal party can now get ready in soft satin and lace trimmed nightwear, bringing together the joys of wedding morning excitement and the wow factor for your photo album. Why not have your bridesmaids in matching pyjamas? The bridal collection caters to the whole wedding party and would make those getting ready photos all that more special.

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

De Vere Horsley Estate 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 De Vere Horsley Estate, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 16th March 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning 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. A secret chapel, beautifully tiled cloisters, and a lakeside 19th-century mansion; De Vere Horsley Estate near Guildford creates an unforgettable backdrop for your wedding day.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Mount Ephraim Country House and Gardens - your perfect wedding venue

Mount Ephraim Country House and Gardens, nestled just outside of Faversham, is delighted to announce itself as the quintessential choice for couples seeking a unique, classically romantic venue for their wedding day. A privately owned family home, Mount Ephraim offers an idyllic setting with breathtaking views, elegant architecture, and a commitment to making your big day truly unforgettable. Top ten reasons to choose Mount Ephraim for your wedding:

County Wedding Events coming to Old Essex Barn, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Old Essex Barn Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 9th March, 2025! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples in touch with local professionals for face-to-face wedding planning. 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. Old Essex Barn is a simply stunning renovated barn from the 15th century, located on the outskirts of the quiet village of Kelvedon. The barn oozes character with beautiful historic oak timbers and vaulted ceilings, it truly is a special place to say 'I do'.

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

Local photographer Sabrina Stockwell is offering our readers an exclusive discount

Sabrina Stockwell is a wedding photographer specialising in candid photography. She tells us: "I'm a super passionate photographer in the beautiful coastal county of Kent in the UK. I started dabbling in photography as a kid and have never put down the camera. After studying photography at college, I did bits and bobs, but it wasn't until I was diagnosed with cancer and then kicked its butt that I realised what was important in my life – being happy! I made a huge and rather scary decision to leave my job and finally follow my dream."

Sabrina offers a full-day package that includes up to 10 hours of coverage of all the important moments and a minimum of 300 high-resolution images that have been carefully edited. If you're planning a smaller affair, then Sabrina also has a half-day package available. This includes up to six hours of coverage and a minimum of 150 images.

March wedding showcase at Chiddingstone Castle

A Grade II* listed historic house, Chiddingstone Castle boasts 35 acres of informal grounds comprising sweeping lawns, lake, bridges, wild woodlands and breathtaking views of the Kent countryside. The Chiddingstone Castle team are excited to be hosting another Wedding Showcase on Sunday 16th March 2025, guests are invited to meet the team and see the beautiful venue set up for a wedding by its preferred suppliers. You will have the opportunity to view The Marquee, The Orangery, The Bridal Suite, The White Rose Room and The Great Hall,. The Castle Wedding team will be on hand to answer any questions plus discuss availability and its new all inclusive wedding packages (including accommodation

Hempstead House Hotel & Spa is a stunning four-star wedding venue

Nestled in the heart of the Kent countryside, Hempstead House Hotel & Spa is a stunning four-star wedding venue that exudes timeless elegance and charm. With its exquisite architecture, this venue offers a romantic setting for couples looking to celebrate their love.

The extended house boasts a blend of classic Victorian and contemporary additions, characterised by its intricate woodwork, gabled roofs and bay windows climbed by lush greenery and wisteria, creating a captivating first impression.

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne styles for every wedding

The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to share some tips for couples who are planning to celebrate their big day with a sparkling touch; pairing the perfect Champagne styles with different wedding themes. Champagne has long been synonymous with celebration, and the versatility of its styles means there is a perfect style for every couple, no matter the wedding theme. If your wedding theme is classic and traditional Brut Champagne offers versatility, it is an excellent choice for celebrations where guests will feel part of the couple's love story. Brut Champagne makes up around 80% of Champagne shipments to the UK, beloved for its balanced structure and refreshing finish.

Emily Adlard Designs creates digital paintings that would make perfect wedding gifts

Emily Adlard Designs creates digital paintings bursting with colour and character that would make perfect wedding gifts. Emily has recently released a new alphabet print collection and is always adding to her growing portfolio.

Emily tells us: "As an artist, my aim is to capture individuality and communicate it in a warm, cheerful and exuberant way – adding that little extra 'something' or finishing touch to living spaces through my paintings. Painting digitally means I can take my canvas anywhere. Every piece of art takes many hours and layers of paint to perfect and whilst I like to take care of the small details."

voco The Clifton Folkestone has recently been refurbished

Bringing together elements of modern style and traditional charm, voco The Clifton Folkestone has just been refurbished and provides an ideal location for celebrating your big day, whether it be a low-key celebration or a large-scale affair. Situated on The Leas in Folkestone, next to the Clifton Gardens, the hotel offers several idyllic spots for capturing those all-important couple portraits with the beautiful English Channel in the background.

The hotel's function suites are licensed to hold wedding ceremonies for a maximum of 80 guests. The three function rooms each overlook the beautiful Clifton Gardens and provide the ideal setting for an intimate celebration.