All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Kent, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Mereworth Wines Take To The World Stage
Kent's Mereworth Wines has had a sparkling end to the year winning a Silver award with its first vintage White From Black in the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2020, the most respected and rigorous international sparkling wine competition. Having planted its vineyards in Wateringbury in 2016, Mereworth Wines released its first vintage of English Sparkling Wine at the unlikely time of the country's first lockdown in April of this year. In a way, this proved a blessing, with people from the local, surrounding towns being the first to try their wine, which has only travelled a mile over the course of its production, from vineyard to winery.
Posted: 17 December 2020
The next steps after your wedding: Financial planning
Zoe Bailey, Chartered Financial Planner and Director at Tilney comment on the next steps after your wedding when it comes to financial planning for life's milestones: "Major life events like moving to a new home, renovating your current one, or starting or adding to your family are exciting milestones but they do need careful planning. Putting a savings plan in place can help you meet your life goals as you reach each important stage of your life together," she says. Read on to find out more
Posted: 16 December 2020
Kent-based wedding and event catering company Touchays is celebrating a big win at the Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards, scooping the accolade for Wedding Catering Company of the Year 2020. Owner Clare Smith said, "We're honoured to be recognised with such a prestigious and coveted award. It means so much to the whole Touchays team. We deliver excellence throughout every wedding-planning journey. We strive to create dream feasts and drinks receptions by working closely with couples to ensure we understand their requirements, and match the menu to their venue.
Posted: 15 December 2020
The perfect flowers for you based on your star sign
Stuck for wedding flower inspiration? Read on... Signs the Zodiac originate from Babylonian astrology and can often offer guidance and comfort to those who believe them. Whether in times of struggle or marking a new start, Zodiacs are there to show the future is written in the stars. Whilst everyone knows that each Zodiac sign correlates to a different time of year, did you know that each Zodiac also has a corresponding flower? Zodiac flowers reflect each star sign's personality trait and offer insight into what the stars have planned for us. After all, each Zodiac is as unique as a flower.
Posted: 14 December 2020
Curate your own wedding gift box
With the updated Tiered Restrictions across the country, gift-giving in person is trickier than ever - and if you know someone tying the knot now micro-weddings are back, what can you give them? With Heath & Hill you can discover that elegant and thoughtful gifting is both stress-free and expertly executed. Its gift stylists source the finest products year round to curate elegant, well thought out collections; with the 'Build Your Own' concept you can take all of that expertise and add your own personal touch.
Posted: 11 December 2020
The new must-have wedding accessory
My Mask London is a new reusable face mask brand combining luxury, sustainability and protection entwined in one. The luxury silk masks are perfect for wedding days, for the couple or their guests, and contain three layers of protection; the middle layer is made from organic cotton infused with silver ions, while the silvadur cotton filter layer is also infused with silver ions making the mask antimicrobial, antibacterial and odour neutralising - also, important for the big day breathable!
Posted: 11 December 2020
December duo from Pantone for Colour of the Year 2021
For the first time in 20 years, Pantone has selected not one, but TWO shades to be 2021's colour of the year! PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating were chosen because they represent 'A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.'Executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, Leatrice Eiseman adds, "The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating express a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted this is essential to the human spirit." Read on to be inspired by this wedding-themed colour palette...
Posted: 10 December 2020
A dream is a wish your heart makes
You're going to need to brace yourselves for this news! Allure Bridals and Disney have teamed up to release the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection. We can't contain our excitement. The collection, which currently contains nine jaw-dropping gowns, was released in the US and Canada in June, and the designer has now announced the UK launch, naming Victoria Elaine Bridal in Maidstone as one of the stockists. Check out www.victoriaelainebridal.co.uk where you can book an appointment and become a Disney princess.
Posted: 10 December 2020
Hatton Garden jeweller expert tips - ring cleaning
We're all now aware of how incredibly important it is to make sure that surfaces and our hands are cleaned regularly; but that means things like engagement rings, bracelets and wedding bands all need to be properly washed without being damaged in the process. Ben Stinson, an expert from the UK's leading Hatton Garden jewellers, Diamonds Factory, has compiled a comprehensive guide to cleaning your jewellery in the times of COVID-19, with some additional information about the effects of anti-bacterial gel and washes on your jewellery.
Posted: 9 December 2020
We caught up Winter Wishes author, Katie Ginger
Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is the hilarious new romantic comedy from Kent-based author, Katie Ginger. If you're a fan of Cathy Bramley, Veronica Henry and Holly Martin, this is the read for you! Set in a picture-perfect location inspired by Folkestone and Deal, it's a story packed with loveable and identifiable characters, the perfect companion for curling up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate. With our beloved world of weddings at the heart of the action, as main character Nell gets swept up in her best friend Cat's planning, we couldn't help but eagerly turn each page to find out what big-day pitfall the pair would face next.
Posted: 8 December 2020
How to navigate the stress of 2020 wedding planning
This year has been like no other, and for many of us navigating the worry of the health, livelihoods, and isolation of our loved ones is overwhelming enough - that's without the headache of planning a wedding this year. On top of the mental health issue the pandemic has brought with it, couples who were due to tie the knot this year have had an added pressure of uncertainty and heartbreak. How do you work with everything this year in a positive way? Try The Bee's Knees Journal, a slice of realist, feel-good gratitude with a difference
Posted: 7 December 2020
What not to say to someone who has postponed their wedding
With more than 75,000 weddings postponed this year the likelihood is someone will know someone, who will know someone, who has had to postpone their wedding day this year; and before you put your big foot in it, here at County Wedding Magazines we think you best continue reading! Relationship therapist Zoe Williams at the health and wellness brand GearHungry reveals the 8 things what not to say to someone when they have postponed their wedding and why.
Posted: 4 December 2020
Fenwick Tunbridge Wells launches remote Christmas concierge
Fenwick Tunbridge Wells has announced that although its doors may be temporarily closed, the store remains open through both the Fenwick online store and the newly launched concierge service. Enjoy remote shopping with a remarkably personal touch, as the Fenwick Tunbridge Wells team brings the very best of Fenwick directly to your home. No matter how big or small, let the team of in-store experts know your request and they'll do their very best to make it happen.
Posted: 3 December 2020
Is Leeds Castle in Kent home to the oldest living swan in the UK?
The beautiful Great Water located at Leeds Castle in Kent is home to a huge variety of bird life. The estate is probably most famous for the black swans, which proudly sit within the Castle's logo, but what many visitors may not know is that there are three other species of swan that live with the grounds too, the mute swan, the trumpeter swan and the whooper swan. There are nineteen captive bred swans that call Leeds Castle home, but none more famous than Pickles the Whooper Swan, who is the noisiest and oldest resident!
Posted: 3 December 2020
NameSwitch series: Guidance for non-UK nationals
If you have moved to the UK from another country, are a non-UK citizen or dual nationality holder and wish to change your name after marriage, divorce, gender reassignment or deed poll you may be a little daunted about where to start! NameSwitch is the UK's expert in helping people obtain a name change as smoothly and quickly as possible, and have been contacted by numerous non-UK nationals in recent years, so have dedicated this guide to anyone who's a non-UK/dual nationality holder and is wondering how to navigate the name change process under UK laws. Read on to find out how the name change process works for non-UK nationals.
Posted: 2 December 2020
Gold medal winning, organic wines perfect for Christmas
From the chateau to your door, gold medal winning, 100 per cent organic, chateau bottled wine available to UK wine lovers for the first time delivered in time for Christmas. Greenham Wines (www.greenhamwines.co.uk) is offering a range of exceptional wines from Chateau Nadal in France, exclusively to British wine lovers. These wines are available in the UK for the first time. Full bodied reds, beautifully balanced whites, seductive rosé and tempting dessert wines can be mixed 'n' matched to create your own individual case of six or twelve wines.
Posted: 1 December 2020
Meet Blessing Enakimio, the woman behind Kent's Blessing by Ble
We've had the immense pleasure of working with the lovely Blessing Enakimio for many years now, having showcased her incredible work on many ocassion. So, we thought it was about time we introduced you to the woman behind all of the wedding wonderfulness you've seen amongst our pages. Blessing, would you do us the honour of telling us a bit about yourself? I'm fondly referred to as Madame Ble, The Queen of Bling. I'm particularly known for my attraction to chandeliers and all things lush and opulent.
Posted: 27 November 2020
Embrace the unexpected at Leeds Castle this Christmas
This Christmas Leeds Castle invites you to embrace the unexpected with a stunning display of alternative festive trees! Discover a dazzling array of bespoke Christmas trees made from materials themed to each of the glorious state rooms, on display from 28th November until 3rd January. Be amazed at a Christmas tree built entirely of crockery in the Queen's Gallery, with the tips and trimmings made from cutlery, before stepping into the Castle's historic Library to discover a tree made completely from books!
Posted: 26 November 2020
NameSwitch series: It's all in a name - how to change your's post-vows!
After all the precious time spent planning a wedding, and then the excitement of the day itself, followed by a honeymoon of a lifetime, do couples ever think about the admin after the big day? If you're embracing modern independence and keeping your birth name - great news - if you're traditionalist and what to show your newly married status by taking the surname of your beloved - then what's it all about and how do you go about changing it?
Posted: 25 November 2020
Wedding photography special offer from Camilla Harney Photography
Although some are choosing to postpone their wedding days in favour of a bigger bash when restrictions are lifted, many are opting to go ahead with a downsized version of their original plans. There's no right or wrong answer, and what's important is the love and commitment you'll be expressing on the day. Wedding suppliers throughout the land have been going above and beyond to adapt and offer as much as they can within the government guidelines. So, if you're ready, willing and able to reduce the size of your guest list, it's an idea time for a romantic, intimate wedding.
Posted: 24 November 2020
Almost Mr & Mrs gifts for would-be brides and grooms
Exclusively for Christmas, London-based Pink Positive has launched a collection of 'Almost Mr & Mrs' gifts for would-be brides and grooms, including festive mugs and sweatshirts. With 71 per cent* of couples postponing their wedding this year due to the global pandemic, the collection is a thoughtful way to bring some cheer. The collection also includes the signature 'personalised gift boxes' with custom gift message inside the lid to make every gift look amazing with a luxurious finishing touch!
Posted: 23 November 2020
Are we all longing for more romance?
Ahhh 'romance', here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we are, of course, suckers for a classic, romantic love story! Apparently, a quarter of Brits (24%) are to, and admit they are longing for a little more romance in their life, according to new research from luxury UK jewellery retailer Goldsmiths - who also looked at the UK's perception of romance in their own lives as well as the films they favour when they're looking for a little bit of love!
Posted: 20 November 2020
Have yourselves a very Mereworth Christmas
This year, more than ever, we're all in need of some Christmas cheer. Kent winery, Mereworth Wines, is bringing a touch of sparkle to the festive season with its English sparkling wine and Christmas 'Lockdown' gift packs. Mereworth Wines' first vintage of English sparkling wine was released in April this year, and has already proved extremely popular, with an accolade in the Wine GB awards. The Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes from its Wateringbury Vineyard are transported just a mile down the road to its winery in Mereworth, where they're transformed into exceptional English sparkling wine, using traditional Champagne methods.
Posted: 19 November 2020
How will law reforms impact weddings
In the biggest reform proposed to England's marriage ceremony law the Government's legal advisors have recommended that couples be allowed to marry in whatever outdoor location they choose. The current law, which prohibits couples from marrying in anything other than a permanent structure with a roof if the ceremony is to be solemnised legally, has been largely unchanged since 1836. The Law Commission (an independent body which scrutinises legislation) are wishing to radically modernise the current antiquated laws. There is a strong consensus from the public that reform is desperately required as the current laws are not fit for purpose nor are they reflective of the way in which people wish to solemnise their relationship.
Posted: 18 November 2020
Dinner for one? Individual catering ideas for weddings in a pandemic
Good food is very often simple food! We all know that coronavirus has thrown wedding plans across the UK into chaos. The traditional ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening do is being revamped and reworked from a safety-first viewpoint. Aside from the face coverings, hand sanitiser and social distancing, there's also the catering to think about. Gone are the days of canapés, sharing platters and serve yourself buffets – all hot spots for cross-contamination. Now, with the emphasis on not getting too close, innovative catering ideas that focus on the individual are coming into their own.We caught up with expert Liz Taylor, of wedding planners the Taylor Lynn Corporation, to hear her Covid-friendly wedding catering ideas that put safety first; without losing the taste, impact and importantly the style, from the occasion.
Posted: 16 November 2020
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When it's time for you look for local businesses to help you with your wedding, take a look at our advertisements below. Most will have links to their own websites. These advertisements are updated regularly so please revisit often and mention Your Kent Wedding when making any enquiries.
