Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Expert at Cake Box, shares 2026 wedding trends

Weddings may be rooted in tradition, but 2026 is seeing couples put their own spin on the big day. From reimagined wedding cakes to more personal, less conventional celebrations, today's couples are increasingly choosing what feels meaningful to them rather than simply following the rules. To explore how wedding traditions are evolving, Okay Rahman, Head of Product and in-house cake expert at Cake Box, shares their insight into the biggest wedding trends of 2026 — and how couples are putting a fresh, modern twist on some of the most-loved elements of the day. He said... "We're seeing that wedding cakes are becoming much more personal in 2026. The traditional tiered cake certainly hasn't disappeared, but couples are feeling less tied to the idea that a wedding cake has to look or taste a certain way. These days, it's being treated as another part of the styling of the day, so the design reflects the couple, the venue and the overall feel of the wedding.

Are Brits risking their finances by avoiding the pre-wedding money talk?

For many couples, talking about money can feel far less romantic than talking about the wedding itself. But as more Brits prepare to tie the knot — and with stronger legal rights on the horizon for unmarried couples — new research suggests we may be leaving some important financial conversations until it's too late. From avoiding money talk on first dates to steering clear of prenups, the findings reveal a nation surprisingly reluctant to discuss how to protect their finances, even when differences over money are already putting relationships under strain. Two thirds of Brits (66%) say they would not get a prenuptial agreement before marriage (48%) or have already opted against one (17%) - compared to 42% in both France and Spain. New findings from Europe's second largest neobank, bunq, reveal that Brits are markedly more resistant to prenuptial agreements than their continental neighbours – despite Britain's reputation as the less romantic nation.

LEEDS CASTLE’S NEW OFFERS

Kent's historic Leeds Castle has unveiled its 2028 wedding packages at one of the country's most iconic venues. Set within 500 acres of parkland and steeped in more than 900 years of history, the estate offers a range of ceremony and reception settings to suit every style of celebration. Couples can choose from the grandeur of the castle itself, the elegant Maiden's Tower, the rustic charm of Fairfax Barn or picturesque outdoor spaces including Castle Island and Pavilion Lawn.

Couples could legally get married anywhere - legal comment

The UK Government has unveiled a new consultation to reform the wedding laws in England and Wales which is exploring how wedding ceremonies are conducted, particularly looking at wedding venues. The proposals are seeking to modernise the outdated legislation in this area which will eventually provide couples with greater freedom to decide where and how they will get married. At present, when a couple gets married, they need to have their legal ceremony in a licensed building or a registered place of worship. The existing laws have a further requirement that couples must ensure the individual officiating their wedding ceremony is either an authorised religious minister or a civil registrar.

7 Ways to Make Your Wedding Memories Part of Your Home

As weddings become increasingly personal, couples are moving away from cookie-cutter celebrations and towards details that tell their own story. British Vogue has identified intentionality, personalisation and nostalgia as defining themes for 2026 weddings, while The Knot is highlighting the rise of keepsakes and deeply personal touches. But there is an interesting part of the wedding story that receives far less attention: what happens to those meaningful details afterwards. Here, founder Kate Legodi of Coeur et Maman, specialists in conservation-quality printed photo mounts, shares her advice...

Bluewater's Signature Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

We live and breathe weddings at CWM towers, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Bluewater on Sunday 18th October 2026! It's one of our Signature Wedding Shows of 2026's Spring wedding show season; and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the summer months. 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.

Kent couples win dream weddings

Two Kent couples are celebrating after winning fully funded weddings at two of the county's most sought-after venues as part of Glow Events' "Win a Wedding" competition. The lucky winners, Nicola and James, and Katey and James, were surprised with the lifechanging news during a special announcement evening at The Orangery in Maidstone. Nicola and James will marry at the historic Bilsington Priory in May 2026.

Seaside success

Award-winning Kent restaurant Rocksalt is celebrating its 15th anniversary this June – a milestone for this acclaimed coastal dining destination. Since opening in 2011 under the ownership of Josh De Haan, the harbour-side restaurant has become renowned for its modern British cuisine, panoramic sea views and exceptional hospitality. A testament to its consistency, Rocksalt has retained two AA Rosettes every year since launch, achieving the accolade for 15 consecutive years.

From best mates to distant relatives: Brits reveal the wedding gift hierarchy

How much should you spend on a wedding gift? It seems the answer depends on just how well you know the happy couple. New research from One4all Gift Cards has revealed that almost half of Brits (49%) would spend less on a wedding gift if they were not particularly close to the couple. The relationship came out ahead of travel and accommodation costs (38%) and paying for a hen or stag do (28%) when it comes to factors influencing how much guests are prepared to spend. For those closest to them, Brits consider an average of £77 per person to be an acceptable wedding gift. The most popular amount was between £50 and £100, selected by 43% of respondents, while 36% believe spending up to £50 is perfectly acceptable. Just 5% would spend more than £200.

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

1 September is the most common wedding anniversary date, with an average of 1,557 marriages taking place on the date, new analysis has revealed. The research, from drinks and gifting retailer Bottled and Boxed, analysed 22 years of marriage registration data from the Office for National Statistics to identify the dates when couples across England and Wales are most likely to be celebrating their wedding anniversaries each year. Every date in the top 10 falls between late July and early September, showing how heavily the most common anniversaries are concentrated in late summer. August is the most common month for wedding anniversaries, accounting for 15.7% of all marriages analysed, with an average of 1,254 couples married per day.

ONCE UPON A TIME

Leeds Castle has opened a new exhibition, featuring the world's first interactive historical AI avatar: Pilgrimage of Love: Eleanor of Castile. Running until 1st November, the exhibition explores the life and legacy of Eleanor of Castile, the formidable Queen of England and the first female owner of Leeds Castle. Ideal for an alternative pre-wedding date night, the AI avatar, created through original research and immersive technology, brings fresh insight into one of medieval England's most remarkable yet often overlooked queens.

Marriage law reform: what the Government’s proposals could mean for couples

Planning a wedding is fun, stressful, time consuming. Couples want a ceremony that reflects their taste, is reflective of their love for each other and feels unique. The current restrictions in place can sometimes fetter that. Long-awaited plans to modernise weddings law in England and Wales could give couples far greater freedom over where and how they marry. It is hoped that they may be part of a much wider transformation of family law which is going through the biggest shakeup in decades.

Entering your marriage era? Forget wedding favours; McDonald’s launches Limited Edition ‘Wedding Flavours’

The nation's brides and grooms can live happily ever after, as prayers are answered with personalised McDonald's sauces for their Big Day. With some of the biggest celebrities making their way down the aisle this summer, it's safe to say 2026 has been the year of saying "I do" – and now McDonald's is bringing the flavour to the wedding season. How many epic weddings end with guests making a grand finale pit stop at a Maccies en route home? Well now you won't have to detour, McDonald's is going to literally bring the ceremonial rite of passage to the actual wedding party.

Bye Bye Sweet Caroline: The Classic Anthems BANNED From UK Weddings

The era of the predictable wedding singalong is officially dead, according to new data from entertainment agency Jonny Ross Music. New figures have revealed that Britain's couples are ruthlessly blacklisting the nation's favourite party anthems from their big days. A shocking analysis of playlist requests shows that legendary floor-fillers are being banished to the 'Do Not Play' list. Modern couples are ordering DJs to completely snub overplayed staples like 'Uptown Funk' and 'Mr Brightside'. But Brits are not turning their backs on the dancefloor. Instead of relying on default reception cheese, millennial newlyweds are demanding authentic club vibes that replicate a proper night out.

Dearest gentle reader

Bridgerton fans can soon host Regency-style weddings at a real filming location, as The Commissioner's House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham reopens this June following a £3.5 million restoration. The 1704 mansion, the oldest surviving naval residence in the UK, has been carefully refurbished to restore its Georgian grandeur. Its gardens, featured in the Netflix hit Bridgerton as the Bridgerton family gardens, now allow couples to celebrate in a piece of television history. The House and gardens offer an exclusive setting for events from intimate ceremonies to grand weddings of over 200 guests.

New Bluewater goodybag sponsor - Aesop!

Visitors to our Bluewater Wedding Show this October can enjoy complimentary Aesop samples in their goody bag, giving you the perfect opportunity to discover the brand for yourself. You can also visit the Aesop store at Upper Mall, Unit U114, Upper Guildhall, Bluewater to explore the full range. As one of our Signature Wedding Shows of the 2026 autumn season, this is a must-visit event for couples who got engaged over the summer and are ready to start planning their big day. Meet a fantastic selection of local wedding professionals face-to-face, from photographers and cake makers to florists, musicians, venue stylists and more. Whether you're just beginning your wedding planning journey or putting the finishing touches to your celebrations, you'll find plenty of inspiration and expert advice to help bring your dream day to life.

Tiered elegance - Hall of Cakes

Hall of Cakes has launched a beautiful new collection of wedding cakes, available to order via its website. Offered in one, two or three tiers, each cake can be styled with your own fresh flowers or personalised with one of the company's luxury acrylic toppers. Faux tiers can also be added to create a more dramatic look without increasing the number of portions. Established wedding cake makers in Kent, Hall of Cakes has over 18 years' experience creating and delivering wedding cakes across London, Kent, Essex and Surrey.

The region’s biggest, must-visit wedding show coming to Braintree Village hosted by County Wedding Magazines & Events

Braintree Village has teamed up with County Wedding Events again to host its Signature Wedding Show this autumn! If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Braintree Village, Essex for inspiration on Sunday 27th September, 2026! 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.

Spring and summer scents

Kent-based home fragrance brand Simon James Home is celebrating spring with three new reed diffusers, designed to bring fresh, uplifting scents into the home as the days grow warmer. Perfect as wedding gifts, the new fragrances include cardamom and myrtle, coconut and tonka bean, and peach bellini. Each scent reflects the season, from aromatic warmth and creamy sweetness to bright, sparkling fruit notes inspired by springtime celebrations. These new diffusers join the brand's existing collection, and Simon James Home is also launching matching candle and diffuser bundles for each scent. The bundles allow couples to layer fragrance effortlessly, pairing the continuous aroma of a reed diffuser with the richer, on-demand scent of a hand poured candle.

The British Wedding Tradition Most Guests Never Question

Most wedding guests have heard the phrase "wedding breakfast", but very few stop to question it. After all, the meal is rarely served in the morning. It usually comes after the ceremony, often in the afternoon, and can involve anything from a formal three-course dinner to sharing boards, canapes, grazing tables and dessert stations. So why do we still call it a breakfast? According to Nick from Country House Weddings, the answer goes back centuries and is tied to religion, fasting and the way weddings were once celebrated in Britain. Breaking A Very Specific Fast The word "breakfast" does not originally mean a morning meal. It simply means breaking a fast.