Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Liberty Rose Haynes has returned from maternity leave

Liberty Rose Haynes, a wedding hair and make-up designer, has returned from maternity leave and is ready to help brides look their best on their big day. Liberty has been working with wigs, hair, make-up and grooming for 17 years, from comedy to creating personal red carpet looks for A-list clients, and is excited to bring this experience to Kent and get involved with the magic of Kentish weddings, helping make memories for couples.

Liberty tells us: "I made the decision to transition from travel and film production make-up to be more local for my daughter. This means I can use my 17 years of industry hair and make-up experience to help you create your dream look. In addition to hair and make-up for brides, I can also help the groom-to-be look and feel like his best on the day."

Richard Payne Photographer is a must-have for your wedding celebration

Richard Payne is a talented photographer based in London with more than 15 years of experience. Richard tells us: "Before I started shooting weddings, I was mainly doing magazine work shooting fashion and portraiture with some documentary thrown in. I think it's those early days that have kept my eye in and can still influence my work today.

"I shoot in two formats: digital and 35mm black and white film. My actual style allows me to shoot very discreetly and unobtrusively. I will document what unfolds in front of me rather than orchestrate it. Whether it be travelling on a 15-hour bus journey the length of Sri Lanka or a hop down the M20, I've covered pretty much every scenario there is. Please look around my website and get a feel for what I do, but I am still a firm believer in the personal touch—the quick meet over a coffee, a chat at a wedding fair or anywhere we get the chance to engage for a quick moment to actually see the actual book I offer. You will get to hold some black and white hand prints and hit me with any questions that you may have."

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Havenfield Hall is an exclusive-use venue surrounded by well-kept gardens

Havenfield Hall is hidden away from the public roads; as you pass through the front gates and approach the house via the front drive, its grand scale becomes apparent. The rear of the house opens onto the gardens, where guests have seating, so they can make use of the space provided. The exclusive-use venue is fully surrounded on all sides by acres of well-kept gardens, fields and woodlands.

The interior has recently been fully refurbished to a high standard, and although modern touches have been added, the various rooms have been sympathetically decorated in a way that helps keep their character and charm.

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel Spa has been revealed as Kent’s most booked spa

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel Spa (www.all.accor.com) has been revealed as Kent's most booked spa; the hotel totaled 25.65 per cent of all bookings made in Kent in 2023. The findings have been revealed by one of the UK's leading spa experience and booking agencies, Spabreaks.com.

The hotel was followed by Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club, Rowhill Grange Hotel, Ashford International Hotel & Spa and Eastwell Manor.

Spabreaks.com founder Abi Selby commented: "We know that everyone uses the spa in different ways, whether it's for a spa weekend break or just a quick visit in the evening. We make sure our offerings suit everyone and that the spa is a place accessible to all."

Creative ways to preserve and display your wedding bouquet

Your wedding day is one of the most magical days of your life, so you'll no doubt want to hold onto your memories for as long as possible. Here, Clare Price from framing specialists Wall Space shares their tips for preserving your wedding bouquet for years to come. Preserving your wedding bouquet can be a wonderful way to keep the memories of your special day alive. Techniques like drying and pressing are some of the best methods of flower preservation, and there are countless ways to show off your preserved blooms in your home once you're done. With the tips and ideas below, you can create lasting reminders of your cherished moments and remember your special day for years to come.

Chapel House Estate is a sustainably managed wedding venue

Tucked away on the East Kent Coast between Ramsgate and Canterbury, Chapel House Estate is a must-visit, sustainably managed wedding venue. With a converted 732-year-old chapel at the heart of the estate, brimming with historic charm and surrounded by picturesque Kentish countryside, this family-run independent wedding venue has been meticulously crafted as a luxurious, contemporary space exclusively for your special day.

The multi-award-winning team has invested over £6 million in the estate to create the perfect venue that even includes a helicopter pad!

Experts reveal five wedding trends set to be huge this Summer

With the new season comes new colours and trends, and with that being said, experts at Diamonds Factory have predicted five wedding trends that are set to be big this Summer. Couples will step away from the traditional colour scheme "Stepping away from the traditional black and white formal attire, we expect to see many wedding parties embrace colour this Summer. We saw the mismatched bridesmaid dresses trend resurge in popularity in late 2023, and predict this trend will take off even further this Summer, especially now it's getting warmer and with people experimenting with colour more.

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long?

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this. My groom says he's finished his speech and he's really happy with it but it's almost 2,000 words long. Is that too much? Yes. All speeches should be under ten minutes long. It seems obvious but I've seen several speeches (generally the best men) go well over half an hour, oblivious to the yawns or heckling. That's no more than 1,300 words maximum, allowing for pauses or laughter on the day. Remind your fiancé that his first draft is just the start of the writing process.

Wedding favours for Kids: ToyChoc Box

PLAYin CHOC's ToyChoc boxes are a fantastic choice for entertaining kids at weddings. These eco-friendly, vegan, and allergen-free treats come in 100% recyclable packaging. Each box contains two creamy chocolate bars wrapped in compostable packaging, along with a 3D card puzzle toy featuring animals like endangered species, sea creatures, or dinosaurs - there's also a fun animal fact inside. At just £2.25 each on Amazon, these boxes are a budget-friendly addition to your wedding plans.

Boutique Weddings Kent has launched a new service

An innovative new wedding service has been launched for engaged couples looking for their dream wedding setting. Boutique Weddings Kent, founded by Margate-based events professional Jonathan Sawyers, offers a different wedding experience by partnering with beautiful venues that have not previously been available for hire.

Kent-based private schools such as the historical Dover College, farms and vineyards will be among the locations where Boutique Weddings will take control of the wedding experience, from booking the day itself to agreeing on the running order to the departure of the guests.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is Kent’s largest wildlife reserve

An enchanting setting draped in history, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is Kent's largest wildlife reserve, set within 600 acres of magnificent private parkland and home to 900 endangered animals. With picture-perfect panoramic views of the English Channel and Romney Marsh, the reserve's centrepiece, the Grade II* listed Port Lympne Mansion, surrounded by 14 acres of landscaped gardens, is regarded as one of England's finest country houses and has entertained royalty, aristocracy, prominent politicians and playwrights for over a century.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Hever Castle has revamped its recommended supplier list

Hever Castle, a wedding venue in Edenbridge, has revamped its recommended supplier list to include new companies that are bringing a fresh vibe to the venue, subtly enhancing what is already a stunning property with stylish furniture, rustic props and quirky décor. There are now professional singers in the supplier family, function bands offering immersive experiences and world-class musicians. The team at Hever Castle can introduce some of the nicest celebrants for those who wish to move away from the formality of a civil ceremony and there's also ideas for some of the most talented artists who will capture the special moments from your big day in the most beautiful of ways.