Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

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.

County Wedding Events coming to Hedingham Castle in Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Hedingham Castle, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 7th January 2023! A must-visit for all those that got engaged over the festive months, 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.

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.

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!

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.

5 ways to make your bridesmaids feel special

On average, it costs a bridesmaid around £408 to have the privilege to stand by their dearest friend as they tie the knot. In fact, from organising a memorable hen to booking accommodation and buying the right accessories for their dress, the expenses can slowly creep up. But even if the role comes with pressing responsibilities, the reality is that bridesmaids are more than delighted to support you during the preparations and celebrations. As the bride, it's only right to thank your bride tribe for all their dedication, as they are likely to have been through all your highs and lows.

Blossoming love on a budget - top tips from YouFloria

Wedding albums can be a garden of memories with the enchanting presence of flowers seen in every snapshot. Flowers can play an integral part of a wedding narrative, adding a tapestry of texture and colour into photos, bringing out personality and creating an overall feel to a wedding. From bouquets to table centres, pew ends and buttonholes, flowers are incorporated into every wedding memory... Creating your own wedding floral displays and bouquets can be an easy way to cut the cost, and the perfect way to make your wedding a little more personal - also, super fun and easy to do! You don't have to have a good track record of keeping house plants alive to be able to throw together a show-worthy, eye-catching floral masterpiece, no matter how big or small.

A festival proposal

Kent-based Lou Lou Event Design, has shared her love of Christmas with this festive proposal collaboration. "We love a Christmas proposal. Twinkling fairylights, classic board games and hot chocolate snuggled under blankets; the holidays are an iconic backdrop to love," shares Lou. "While festive spirits are high, it's the perfect opportunity to strip back on big proposal theatrics and focus on what really matters - being together. "Our Christmas proposal shoot shares all the love, laughter and passion of a December engagement. We chose a London home for our location and styled its living room with bows, foliage and modern art. We mixed traditional seasonal elements with contemporary, opulent touches like Isabelle's red mini dress and platform shoes, and Ross' black velvet braces."

Bradbourne House wins coveted award

Bradbourne House, a luxury wedding venue, has clinched the coveted title of 'Heritage Wedding Venue of the Year' at the Kent Wedding Awards. The announcement was made during a glittering black-tie gala awards ceremony at the Mercure Maidstone, Great Danes Hotel. Dating back to 1590 and recognised as a Grade 1 listed Queen Anne Country House, Bradbourne House earned this prestigious accolade in acknowledgement of its rich heritage. The house, originally constructed between 1712 and 1715, underwent significant transformations from its Tudor origins in the late 1500s, with some of the original features still preserved in its kitchens.