Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

How to make your wedding day dog-friendly

For many, dogs are considered to be a key member of the family, so when it comes to one of the most important days of a couple's lives, their wedding day, it's only natural that they want their four-legged friends to be involved in the celebrations. That being said, lots of strangers, loud noises and the unfamiliar location of a wedding can prove quite overwhelming for our canine companions, so if you want to include your dog in your big day, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. Below, Carolyn Menteith, Behaviourist at tails.com has offered her top tips and advice on how to throw the 'paw-fect' wedding that will ensure both humans and dogs remain happy at all times.

We're nuts about Penshurst Place's new al fresco ceremony space!

Penshurst Place and Gardens now boasts a new licensed outdoor space for couples seeking a beautiful location for their "I dos." Located among 11 acres of formal gardens, The Nut Garden is surrounded by an oak pergola covered with rambling roses, ivy and climbing wisteria. At its heart, a central arbour with flowering foliage create the perfect backdrop for exchanging vows amid the ethereal beauty of nature.

UK wedding guests set to spend £16.6bn in 2023

As summer approaches and wedding season hits full swing, new research from American Express has found that UK wedding guests are set to increase their spend attending weddings by 18% this year, compared to 2022. The average wedding guest is expecting to spend £1,045 on average per wedding this year, equating to £16.6 billion across the UK. In 2022, wedding goers spent an average of £883 to mark the first year of restriction-free ceremonies, totalling £15.6 billion as a population.

On trend flower arrangements for summer 2023

With Summer here at last, it's time to elevate our flower arrangements in align with all the 2023 trends. Much like the fashion designs we follow year upon year, the world of florals is equally monitored for on-trend flowers and colours of the seasons. Bloomsbury Flowers are here with all the top tips on keeping your flower arrangements on trend for 2023. The luxury and longstanding florist (based in Covent Garden) has served some of London & the UK's most stylish venues and beyond with their individual designs and scents. With their reputation for premium and bespoke flower arrangements, they certainly know what they're talking about when it comes to flower trends.

New Etsy Registry launches for weddings

Etsy has launched its Etsy Registry, a new wedding gifting experience that allows couples to register for truly meaningful gifts. In addition to handmade and vintage gifts, couples can register for personalised items and specify the exact customisation for their guests, making Etsy the place people can go for gifts, decor, and even bridal party items – all while supporting UK small businesses.

Tips for making the perfect wedding gift hamper

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the couple who has everything this wedding season? Hampers are one of the best wedding gifts for newlyweds because of their practicality, variety, versatility and thoughtfulness. As well as being the perfect personalised and affordable gift that can be done on any budget. Cartwright & Butler's hamper and recipe developer, Karolina Glowacka, has given 8 tips on building the ultimate wedding gift hamper for the newlywed couple to continue to enjoy even months after their big day.

Five minutes with... Amanda White, Styled to Remember

Formerly Amanda Jane Events, Styled to Remember is a fresh new look, feel and lease on life for owner Amanda White. We got the lowdown on the rebrand, and heard of the business' exciting plans for the future. What sparked the rebrand? Amanda Jane Events began more than 12 years ago, and after dealing with some life-changing moments, it felt like the right time for a fresh approach, new ideas and a business partner to share the highs and lows of our wonderful industry.

Moments Frame from Inkifi, the ultimate wedding gift

The Moments Frame from inkifi is a stylish way to display treasured memories at home, suiting both contemporary and traditional interiors schemes. A 52 aperture premium framed print to showcase the most special moments at home. Perfect for savouring a memory for each week of the year or for celebrating landmark moments like a wedding, a child's first year or photos from treasured holidays.

Demand for dry weddings increases

Whether it's teetotallers, the 'sober curious' or simply those wishing to cut back on the amount of alcohol they consume, dry weddings are an emerging growth market according to one leading events planner who has seen a 28% increase in requests for completely alcohol-free weddings, and a notable focus on alcohol free drinks in weddings that aren't forgoing it altogether. Liz Taylor, CEO of leading wedding and events management company, the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), has been at the forefront of the wedding industry for over thirty-five years and has never seen such demand for no or low alcohol weddings, with requests rising nearly a third in the last two years.

Five minutes with...Saban Demirbasa, Stone Court House

Having recently thrown open its doors to weddings, Stone Court House in Maidstone is one of Kent's newest venues and will be taking bookings from May, 2023. Itching to know more, we chatted to owner Saban Demirbasa. Tell us about the history of Stone Court House. Stone Court House is Grade II listed with both national and historical importance, and early records confirm that the building was the private residence of Lady Margaret Sackville (1562-1591) of Knole House, Sevenoaks, one of the top five National Trust properties in the country.

Top trending wedding readings #WeddingTok #PoetryTok

With wedding season upon us, and many people looking for reading inspiration, the experts at Poem Analysis have found the top trending (and least cheesy) wedding readings on TikTok! There are 140.4 million views for the search 'best wedding readings' so you're not the only one if you're struggling with the right words to say on your big day! What's more, there's been 2.6 billion views and counting on #PoetryTok and #WeddingTok has 7.4 billion views and rising with advice for every element of your big day, and 140.4 million of those views are for the search 'best wedding readings'.

8 actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding

Weddings cause a surprising amount of waste and CO2 emissions. And, as more and more people consider the effect, many couples are starting to plan greener weddings. Lucille, jewellery expert at ethical jewellery brand Sacet shares eight actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding...Use conflict-free rings and jewellery - consider the ethics of your wedding rings and any other jewellery you may wear on the day. Diamond mining has a devastating impact on the environment and communities. So, choosing conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds, particularly diamonds created using Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD - a method which requires lower temperatures than the first successful High Pressure, High-Temperature process, which requires a great deal of energy, and recycled metals is the way forward, particularly when it comes to the star of the show, your engagement ring.

Love and gin - matchmade in wedding heaven!

Tied the Knot Wedding Gin by Manchester Gin was crafted by founders Seb and Jen to celebrate their own wedding in 2022. Relaunching in time for wedding season as part of the distillery's core range, Tied the Knot contains 11 botanicals in perfect harmony. Juniper-forward, like most of the Manchester Gin range, this very special edition also celebrates the delicate summer flavours of elderflower and hibiscus, which work beautifully with bright lemon and grapefruit.

It's World Gin Day (10th June) celebrate with seven gin cocktails

World Gin Day on the 10th June is a celebration of all things gin. Here's a selection of amazing gin cocktails originating from different countries for you today and for your hen/stag/sten do and wedding day - well why not on the honeymoon too! There's lots you'll be celebrating! Happy World Gin Day! Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin Negroni create at home: 30ml Aviation American Gin, Campari and Sweet Vermouth. Stir all ingredients in a glass, add ice and a fresh twist of orange peel

Searching for a fairytale venue? Check out Leeds Castle

Beautiful by design and first-class hostess to royalty, nobility, and glamorous guests for more than 900 years, the award-winning Leeds Castle rises majestically from the water in the stunning Kentish countryside in Maidstone, making it an idyllic and romantic destination for nuptials. Leeds Castle's riveting history, from serving six of England's medieval queens, to its elaborate transformation into an elegant 20th-century retreat by Anglo-American heiress, Lady Baillie. Throughout the interiors of the castle, Maiden's Tower and Battel Hall, the wedding party is welcomed to architectural and interior excellence, from 16th -century period design, to original 1930s masterpieces showcased throughout the castle.

Macmillan Cancer Support launches letter-box gifting service

GoodPost, is the new online gifting service from Macmillan Cancer Support that allows customers to shop personalised greeting cards, letter box gifts, hampers and more which can be sent straight to a loved one's door at the click of a button. It's really convenient and with every purchase, all proceeds go straight to the charity. As part of the new service, buyers can pick from a new range of exclusive gifts and cards.

Five minutes with... Martin Fox-Roberts, Proud Fox Ceremonies

This month, we caught up with the utterly fabulous Martin Fox-Roberts of Proud Fox Ceremonies, and his alter ego, drag queen Maria Hurtz. We wanted to know everything about how he became a celebrant as well as what it's like to have a ceremony conducted by the mischievous Maria. Click play or scan the QR code to find out the answer to these questions and more! Check out www.proudfoxceremonies.com

Wedding Gifting with Le Creuset

As we head towards wedding season, here's a selection of suggested gifts from Le Creuset. From the staple Cast Iron Casseroles to Stoneware Mugs and sophisticated Red Wine Glasses Le Creuset has the perfect gift for every newlywed couple. What's more, with varying price points, the ranges are also budget-friendly for guests. The extensive product options come in a wide range of colours making for a personal and thoughtful present.

Wed-cations are the wedding trend for 2023

While multi-day wedding celebrations are completely common in many cultures, it's something western couples are only just starting to consider. However, the addition of events extending beyond the ceremony and reception is something that Jess Martin, wedding planning expert at Ginger Ray expects to see more of here in the UK, as the Wed-cation is revealed to be a key trend for the wedding industry.

Luxury pre-wedding get together - the British Grand Prix

Be closer to the action while enjoying more access, more entertainment and more style than ever before with MATCH Hospitality's FORMULA 1® official hospitality offering. MATCH Hospitality offers an incomparable combination of first-class facilities, unrivalled viewing and seamless service worthy of this breathtaking sport. For the first time, Hilton Garden Inn (the world's first Grand Prix start/finish line hotel – owned by Bricks Group) Silverstone is offering an exclusive hospitality package designed with flexible group sizes in mind, including unforgettable views of the track accompanied by incredible hospitality.