All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Kent, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Wedding Wine Guide Q&A with Sarah Knowles part one!
Sarah Knowles MW joined The Wine Society in March 2014 and passed her Masters of Wine qualification in 2015. She is responsible for Champagne, North America and Italy, as well as overseeing the portfolio of sparkling wines and spirits; so, there really is no better person to be advising you and answering all of your wedding questions? Red or white for a meat course? Wine or Champagne for your wedding toast? Read our three part guide over the next three weeks (check back here every Friday) to have these questions answered!
Posted: 3 May 2022
The most iconic cars used by celebrities on their wedding day
As a wedding present, David Beckham gifted his 22-year-old son a £380k vintage Jaguar. In light of this, classic car insurance broker Heritage has looked back on the top five most iconic celebrity wedding cars in recent history.
Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director at Heritage comments: "Classic cars offer a timeless appeal, and they are a great choice because they offer some fun, flair and nostalgia to the day's celebrations, allowing the happy couple to fuse flamboyance and tradition"
Posted: 29 April 2022
Diamond geezer: Deciding on on a pair of wedding rings
We posed Lorraine Marsh at The Diamond Setter the following question...
We're having trouble settling on a pair of wedding rings that we both love and are beginning to feel the pressure. What would you recommend?
Lorraine says: More and more brides are opting for bespoke wedding bands rather than off-the-shelf pieces, so this would be a great choice for you. Carefully contoured wedding bands for example ensure that there's harmony in both engagement and wedding rings.
Plain bands are still popular amongst grooms but a growing number of gents are wondering whether they should look at something set with diamonds. The discreet addition of melee diamonds or more modern designs like a rubover or tension set featuring asscher, cushion, emerald or radiant cut diamonds are well worth a look. With bespoke design, you don't have to feel restricted by what's already out there.
Posted: 28 April 2022
11 of the biggest wedding trends of 2022 - according to a professional wedding planner
2022 is surely going to be the year of the weddings - after many had to postpone their earlier dates due to Covid. And with weddings, comes wedding trends. Illy Goodall, founder of Illy Elizabeth Weddings, is here to tell you all about them.
With 2022 being the biggest wedding season on record, an estimated 2.5 million weddings are set to take place this year, according to The Wedding Report, here's all you need to know on 2022's wedding trends, according to Illy.
Posted: 27 April 2022
We chatted to Hayley Freeman-Revell at Victoria Grace Bridal about wedding planning and saying "yes" to the dress. We're engaged! Now what?
Sit down with your partner and decide what kind of wedding you both want. Write a list of what's important to you both so you can keep this in mind when you are planning. Once this is done a great place to start is to look at venues.
What's the one question you get most commonly get asked and how do you respond? As a bridal shop one of the most common questions we're asked is if we cater for all shapes and sizes. The answer is yes! One of the most important and rewarding parts of what we do is for us is to be able to make every bride feel amazing.
Posted: 26 April 2022
Find County Wedding Magazines on YouTube
We're never satisfied when it comes to providing our readers with enough wedspiration, which is why we've created our very own County Wedding Magazine YouTube channel! You'll find tons of big-day ideas, from venue tours to dream dresses, then take a peek behind the scenes of styled shoots featured in our titles past and present. We're adding more content all the time, so why not hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a thing? Simply head to YouTube and search for 'County Wedding Magazines' now
Posted: 25 April 2022
How to have a wedding that's unique to you
Planning your wedding can seem overwhelming, especially with so many traditions out there that you might feel you need to to include in your big day. But if a traditional approach isn't your kind of thing, adding elements unique to you can make the day feel all the more special.
The occasion is dedicated to you and your partner, so it's the perfect opportunity to infuse your interests as a couple into your celebration. Thinking of which personal touches to include may be tough, so here we're going to discuss some ideas that will assist you in making your special day all about you.
Posted: 25 April 2022
Expert advice on how to clean your engagement ring at home
Wearing your ring every day will take its toll - a build-up of things like oil, debris and cosmetic residue can create a thin layer on your ring making it look dull.
The good news is that there is no reason you can't keep your diamond as vibrant and twinkly as the day you received it- it just takes a little sprucing up every so often.
Jewellery experts at Queensmith have shared their straightforward tips for when you need to clean your ring safely at home.
Posted: 23 April 2022
Fitzgerald Jewellers: Wedding Fair Open Evening
Fitzgerald Jewellers are holding their first wedding showcase on Sunday 8th May in the centre of Canterbury.
Both those who have just begun the wedding planning process and those whose big day is fast approaching are invited to join the team to meet with local suppliers who can make your celebrations as memorable as possible.
The event is taking place at the newly expanded store that Fitzgerald's moved to at the end of last year, just a stone's throw away from Canterbury Cathedral.
Olivia Stewart-Stead, from Fitzgerald Jewellers, says "We have invited wedding suppliers that inspire us and I feel so honoured that they've agreed to join us.
Posted: 22 April 2022
Written in the Stars: the perfect wedding for your star sign
When it comes to organising your wedding you can be pulled in so many different directions, it's easy to lose sight of how you envisioned your big day. It's common to become overwhelmed and doubt what style of nuptial suits you.
So, instead put it in the hands of fate. Get the stars to light the way and offer some useful suggestions. Are you unsure if you would thrive in an extravagant event or would favour a simpler, intimate ceremony? Well your zodiac placement may be able to offer some guidance. We explore the perfect weddings ideas for each star sign.
Posted: 21 April 2022
Honeywell Biscuit Co's new wedding range
Honeywell Biscuit Co has launched a new range of seasonal and bespoke wedding biscuits - perfect as favours, place settings and gifts for the bridal party! Nestled in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside, the bakery is home to more than 2,000 cookie cutters and a team of biscuit artists creating beautifully decorated biscuits for weddings up and down the country. When it comes to flavours and favour designs the team have taken on everything from the traditional to the weird and the wonderful. Various biscuit flavours are available from popular vanilla to gingerbread and all are suitable for vegetarians, vegan biscuits can be organised too.
Posted: 21 April 2022
Prepare for wedding season gifting with Viners
There will be a whopping 350,000 weddings in 2022 due to two years of cancelled and postponed plans. With guests likely to be attending more than one event this year, as well as the happy couple themselves tying the knot and needing a gift list - where do you begin with choosing multiple presents?
Viners is a highly distinguished, trusted and much-loved cutlery brand with over over a century of cutlery manufacturing experience. Here's their gift guide for some much-need wedding gifting inspiration.
Posted: 19 April 2022
Ten jewellery superstitions to know before your big day
Certain jewellery worn on your wedding day can bring bad luck to brides and grooms, according to experts. Ethical jewellery experts Ingle & Rhode have gathered some of the most unusual superstitions surrounding accessories that you might not know about. From necklaces to bracelets, lots of jewellery has hidden meanings that are considered lucky or unlucky, depending on what it is and when it is worn. Some jewellery, like rosary beads, are considered good luck, whereas wearing pearls on your wedding day suggests that you will have tears in your marriage.
Posted: 19 April 2022
We chatted to Kylie Christie at The Old Kent Barn about wedding planning and choosing the perfect wedding venue. We're engaged! Now what?
Start by researching venues. Many will have lots of information on their websites as well as pricing. Pick your favourites, arrange a tour of each to learn more about how your day will run, what's included and what ceremony choices you have. Check date availability: be prepared that your exact date may not be available, so being flexible will help in the early stages of your planning. Together you'll find a date that works for you. Starting your planning with your venue and date secured will help you plan the rest of your day.
Posted: 19 April 2022
We chatted to Chris Wade at The Kent Video Company about planning a wedding and understanding wedding videography. We're engaged! Now what?
We understand that video production can be a daunting prospect, especially if you're not used to being in front of the camera. Our background is actually in film and video production, so with our experience, we aim to streamline our process to make it as easy to understand as possible. It all starts with a conversation – we'll aim to answer as many questions as possible during our initial meeting, as well as ask a number of questions of our own.
Posted: 12 April 2022
Nicola Peltz’s wedding gown inspires brides-to-be
Analysis of Google search data reveals that online searches for 'square neck wedding dress' exploded 1,556% on the 9th of April, just hours after Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham married at her family's estate in Palm Beach, Florida. A new finding by fabric experts Dalston Mill Fabrics reveals that online interest for 'square neck wedding dress' skyrocketed sixteen times the average volume in the first few hours after the couple tied the knot, an unprecedented spike in the public searching to mirror the bride's elegant custom-made Valentino gown.
Posted: 11 April 2022
Brits think Beckham wedding is OTT
Brits are on the fence about Brooklyn Beckham's £3 million wedding this weekend, with over half suggesting under £10,000 is adequate for a wedding allowance. As Nicola's father Nelson Peltz foots the bill, over four times the amount David and Victoria spent on theirs in 1999, we surveyed 1,000 Brits to ask how much they think is a reasonable amount to spend on a wedding day. The research, from event experts Gazeboshop found 23% of Brits cap their wedding budget at £5,000, while the majority of those planning weddings are happy to stretch to £10,000 for their celebration.
Posted: 10 April 2022
Forever flowers: Award-winning wedding florist launches sister company, Timeless Flower Preservation
Award-winning local wedding florist Emily&Me specialises in creating floral designs for weddings and has decorated most of the major wedding venues across the county. And now to add to its achievements this year will see the launch of its sister company, Timeless Flower Preservation. Originally a service offered exclusively for Emily&Me's couples, it's now striking out as a business all on its own. The new venue will preserve flowers in crystal clear resin no matter who the original florist was. The big-day blooms will be handled with love and care by the team of floristry professionals before being handed over to the in-house resin artist. Timeless Flower Preservation makes high quality pieces that are a beautiful way to remember your wedding day and make perfect presents too.
Posted: 7 April 2022
Elephant Gin's beautiful personalised gifts that give back
Fresh from winning Taste Master at The Spirits Business' Gin Masters Awards 2021, having been awarded the world's best gin by a panel of independent judges who described the gin as simply "stunning". 2022 sees the lauded brand offer their gin in stylish gifting options with a personalised dedication and miniature bottles which are great as wedding favours. Elephant Gin offers a gift that both tastes great and is one of a kind, 15% of the profit from each bottle also gives back to foundations that work to protect African elephants (they've raised nearly £1m to date)
Posted: 7 April 2022
County Wedding Events comes to Markshall Estate in Coggeshall, Essex!
If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Markshall Estate, Coggeshall, Essex, for inspiration on 10th April 2022!
It's one of our first wedding shows of 2022 and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the festive season. 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.
Posted: 6 April 2022
We chatted to Tanya Henton at Stem by Stem about wedding planning and getting started on picking your wedding flowers. We're engaged! Now what?
Get the main things booked before you book a consultation with a florist. It helps to have these elements in place when you talk flowers as the venue will guide the style and placement of floral decorations; the dress will give an indication of the size, shape, style of the bridal bouquet; and the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's attire generally reflect the palette for the wedding.
Posted: 5 April 2022
2022’s biggest TikTok wedding trends
We all remember the lockdown TikTok dance routines that everyone copied and shared on the app - also the start of the County Wedding Magazines' teams' obsession with The Weeknd's Blinding Lights track! But did you know, how much the app is actually used to help couples plan their wedding days? The hashtag #WeddingHacks has a whopping 103 million views on TikTok. From ways to keep your wedding stress free, to theme and location inspiration, the app is clearly a source of enlightenment for couples planning their weddings worldwide.
Posted: 4 April 2022
The myth of the Common Law Marriage
During the pandemic, temporary measures were introduced to the wedding scene to allow more flexibility and couples to proceed with their wedding even under lockdown laws.
Weddings were permitted to be conducted outdoors at certain licensed venues across England and Wales, which meant couples could still marry safely during the lockdowns.
In an exciting move towards helping couples have the wedding of their dreams, outdoor weddings at licensed venues will be legalised permanently as of 6th April 2022, under The Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
Posted: 4 April 2022
Post-pandemic hen, stag and sten dos boom!
The wedding sector like many others suffered a huge setback when the Pandemic struck in March 2020 but unlike other industries, events were rescheduled rather than cancelled.
With that in mind, a significant increase in weddings is expected this year as long awaited plans are put into action to trigger the much discussed 'Wedding Boom' and with that comes the rise in belated hen, stag, sten and hag dos - get ready to par-tay like it's 2022!
Posted: 31 March 2022
New venue alert! Chapel House Estate, Thanet
Chapel House Estate in Thanet, East Kent, once a private family home, has been redesigned as an exclusive-use luxury wedding venue due to open in the spring. The Estate blends seamlessly into the surrounding Kentish farmland, less than a mile from the picturesque coast. The reinstated north drive will provide the main access via a private, gated entrance and the team will greet guests at reception where they'll be able to check into their accommodation before heading off to explore. Offering a limited number of exclusive, destination weekend and intimate weekday weddings, Chapel House will provide a memorable experience for couples and guests alike.
Posted: 31 March 2022
