Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Love is love with new celebrant service in Kent

Rainbow Weddings is an exciting new independent celebrant service for weddings and other ceremonies in Kent and the wider South East region. The service was founded by its lead celebrant, Paul Barnett, who has 12 years' experience as a registrar and believes that everyone deserves to be happy. Paul says, "I feel that many couples, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community, aren't necessarily getting the best deal from legal civil ceremonies, which can be very restrictive in content and location." So, he decided to do something about it and now offers his couples a ceremony that's unique to them.

Most popular day for marriage proposals revealed

New research has revealed the most common dates for marriage proposals in the UK, with Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day taking the top three spots. In order to delve into engagement trends, a UK wedding venue has conducted a survey of married, engaged and single people... More than 2,700 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, 76% of whom were married or engaged and 24% of whom had not been engaged yet. Respondents answered questions about their past proposals, or what they would want from a proposal in future. Wedding venue Hensol Castle first of all asked what date of the year anyone who was or had been engaged was asked for their hand in marriage (or did the asking), which revealed the following top five dates to be the most popular of the year:

Fraser Hart launch at Bluewater and Bromley

Fraser Hart is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds Collection in 10 new stores nationwide, which includes those in Bluewater and Bromley. Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, these timeless jewels are the result of the cuttingedge technology used to create them in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship and innovation Born Lab Grown Diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow-factor as traditionally-mined gems, but with a more accessible price tag.

20 things to get us through January according to Brits

With Christmas over, and the most depressing month of the year in full swing researchers asked Brits to vote for the things which we love about the colder months, with snuggling up with a blanket the top choice! The research, conducted by luxury ski resorts Club Med, also revealed a Sunday roast helps us get through the chilliest days, as over a quarter (27 per cent) love the smell of a roast dinner wafting through the house.

2024 wedding trends from the experts

Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events, an events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the 2024 wedding trends along with other experts in the industry..."Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it's hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place."

The best alcohol-free drinks to serve at weddings?

Discover the delightful range of award-winning non-alcoholic beverages from Mocktails which will make the perfect accompaniment to alcohol-free weddings and hen/stag dos! The ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to embrace the benefits of alcohol-free without compromising on flavour. Mocktails offer a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mixology-inspired and uniquely crafted, drinks include Mockarita, Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and Espress0% Martini. Mocktails' beverages are made with real fruit juices, exotic and natural flavours, and pure cane sugar.

Sustainable wedding wrapping paper from Curlicue

Curlicue, a British-made, female-founded company, has a delightful range of love-themed gift wrap - perfect for wedding gifting or Valentine's Day! All wrap is on 100% FSC-certified recycled and recyclable paper, plastic-free, and made with vegetable-based ink. The company uses a waterless and chemical-free printing process to be kinder to the environment, and use a UK printer for its paper to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible - from making to shipping its plastic-free!

1 in 7 couples buy wedding insurance at short notice

Christmas and New Year is the most popular time to get engaged* but research from wedding insurance specialist, CoverMyWedding.co.uk, reveals that couples might not be financially protecting all their purchases. One in seven (16%)** couples buy wedding insurance within 100 days of their wedding, according to CoverMyWedding.co.uk, leaving them potentially missing out on protection if they have already started putting down deposits and making payments. Wedding insurance often only covers items booked and bought after it is purchased, so it is important to buy it as soon as possible and before any big bookings or purchases are made, as depending on your insurer, they may not be included.

Award win for Photography by Lisa

Ashford-based, Photography by Lisa, has won best newcomer at the Kent Wedding Awards! Lisa adds, "My ethos is all about being personal, I don't view myself as a company but as a storyteller for people's life moments. As a friendly female photographer, my mission is to always be there for my clients, providing a supportive and comforting presence on their special day. I'm dedicated to capturing the beauty of each unique wedding and preserving the emotions of the day through my images. Every wedding is a unique and special occasion, and I pride myself on my ability to adapt to each event. Whether it's a traditional ceremony or a more unconventional celebration, I have the experience and expertise to capture the essence of the day in a way that reflects its distinctive character."

Wedding gifting etiquette - your guide from the experts

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists! That's why we are here to help with your guide to wedding gift list etiquette! We have spoken to The Wedding Shop, the UK's leading gift list provider to bring you everything you need to know about wedding registries. In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Celebrity chef to launch Beauty and the Feast in Kent this January

Celebrity chef Stuart Gillies will launch Beauty and the Feast in January at his Kent restaurants, for a delicious way to look and feel better after Christmas overindulgence. Husband and wife team, Stuart and Cecilia Gillies - owners of the acclaimed Bank House, Chislehurst and Number Eight, Sevenoaks restaurants - have used their 40 years experience at the top of the hospitality world to create an eight course, beauty-enhancing menu, which will run at the two dining destinations throughout January. It has been carefully designed to help heal and protect the body inside and out for the new year, while feeling just as indulgent as December's food and drink binge.

Big-day gifting ideas from Yvonne Ellen

With careful eyes on tight-budgets, it's easy to forget the charm of gift-giving but with careful planning and your eye in the right place you can still find wedding gifts for loved ones. Based in London, Yvonne Ellen is an independent British home and lifestyle brand specialising in home and giftware that is quirky yet timeless. Bringing her passion for home design to life in 2017, award-winning designer Yvonne Ellen hand paints her illustrations on a wide range of fine china home and lifestyle products that's inspired by her love of travelling, fashion and London, bringing a colourful and bold statement either on its own or as part of an eclectic assortment of goodies.

2024's biggest gifting wedding trends revealed with The Wedding Shop

Gifting Guru, Liza Baucher from The Wedding Shop, reveals the 2024 wedding gifting trends that are set to be huge next year. According to The Wedding Shop's recent gifting survey, 99% of wedding guests will still give a gift in 2024 and the average price of a gift is higher. Which means, despite the cost of living - people are still spending more on wedding gifts. Liza adds, "In an era of rising costs, it's inspiring to see wedding guests prioritise the joy of giving. The significance of being part of someone's special day hasn't diminished, in fact it has grown stronger!

Elevate your spring wedding style with this Kent business

As the spring wedding season approaches, Sevenoaks' South Of The River unveils a captivating collection of tulle skirts, offering an exquisite blend of elegance and fun for wedding guests, bridesmaids, and the mother-of-the-bride. Elevate your spring wedding outfit with our versatile and stunning tulle skirts that seamlessly transition from daytime ceremonies to enchanting evening receptions - it's too hard to pick our favourite!

Launch of SpeechyAI - a new wedding speech writing tool

SpeechyAI, the first (genuinely decent) wedding speech writing tool has launched, giving you plenty of help and inspiration for planning your big-day speech whether you're the bride, groom, bestman or any member of the bridal party that's volunteered or this all-important role. Heidi, the founder of Speechy (the wedding speech ghostwriting team who were featured on The Drew Barrymore Show & The New York Times), has spent the last nine months working with an innovation company and, using Speechy's speechwriting techniques and tips, has developed something they're now proud to launch. As writers themselves, the team were very sceptical that AI would ever be able to produce a witty, coherent, and original speech, but through extensive testing we realised the AI, despite ongoing rumours to the contrary, can be very funny. Heidi adds, "So, with our 'secret Speechy recipe' we've now developed SpeechyAI and we hope the speeches created will surprise the majority of people who are still sceptical about AI's ability!"

Bluewater's John Lewis sees launch of Randox Health Clinics

In January, John Lewis customers at its Bluewater store will be able to benefit from comprehensive health programmes aimed at preventative healthcare through a partnership with Randox Health, the UK's leading health diagnostics company. The new addition is a natural extension to its growing range of personalised in-store services which include opticians, wellness and beauty clinics. This will be a welcomed service for those looking to prioritse their health in 2024, especially those looking to tie the knot this year. Customers will be able to get tested for vitamin deficiencies, hormone imbalances and key health concerns, plus much more. The range of health programmes on offer are:

Get an extra night’s sleep with Young’s rooms this January

Two nights are always better than one, and with 1,000 nights to giveaway, cosy up in the comfort of the pub with Young's Rooms this winter. To redeem, simply book your two-night stay online between 3rd January – 15th February 2024 (for stays up to 29th February 2024) and use the code ONEMORESLEEP to receive 50% off your booking.Whether you fancy a city break in the capital, a getaway in the glorious British countryside or a seaside escape, make your stay count with 42 pubs with rooms in London and in the South of England to choose from. Ranging from snug stays for solo travellers to family bedrooms and one-of-a-kind feature rooms, complete with plush furnishings, uber-comfy Hypnos beds and Bramley toiletries, there is no better place to unwind than the cosy surrounds of the great British pub this winter.

Tips for keeping your 2024 New Year’s Resolutions

As 2024 approaches, many of our thoughts will turn to self-improvement and how we make the New Year as successful, satisfying, and productive as possible. Whether it's improving our health, focusing on professional advancement, learning a new skill, or exploring something totally unique, we typically create our list of goals during this time of year. To help ensure that 2024 is the year that your resolutions are kept, Toastmasters International offers these 8 tips that will help you to achieve your goals. Be realistic. Having lofty goals is commendable, however, it's important to make sure they are realistic, or you may end up feeling frustrated that they are too difficult to achieve.

Intimate Weddings are in for 2024: Venue expert offers tips

Micro weddings are on the rise, with a 100% increase in searches for 'intimate wedding venues' recorded in the past 12 months alone worldwide. In the UK specifically, searches for 'micro wedding venues near me' have risen by 100% in the past two years, and searches for 'intimate wedding venues UK' by 50% in the past 12 months. Forced small gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have clearly rubbed off as scaled-back nuptials have stuck around, offering couples the opportunity to be in the moment, create memories with their closest loved ones, and eliminate the feeling for couples that they may need to gain approval from or impress guests on their big day.

Cave Hotel and Golf Resort has been named a winner at the Kent Wedding Awards

Cave Hotel and Golf Resort has been named the Winner of The Kent Wedding Awards in the prestigious Something Different category for 2023/24. The Kent Wedding Awards, which have been celebrating excellence in the local wedding industry for years, has recognised Cave Hotel for its exceptional commitment to providing unforgettable wedding experiences in both traditional and more unusual settings. The venue's team take pride in providing diverse weddings that cater to its clients' unique visions. "Being recognised is a tremendous honour, and we're dedicated to maintaining our commitments to excellence in the future," a representative told us.