Your Herts and Beds Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Fall in love with this most enchanting venue, full of quintessential charm

Steeped in character, its unique history will encase guests and create intimate, memorable celebrations full of relaxed, fun vibes. One of the oldest Town Houses in the country built around 1530, the much-loved venue became the first village hall to be licensed for civil marriages in 1996. Over the years, it has undergone various refurbishments to provide a wonderful setting for intimate weddings. The beautiful wooden beamed 16th-century building is surrounded by landlocked Cambridgeshire and in the quaint little village of Barley. It's a delightful setting for anyone hoping for enchanting, quintessentially English weddings. The venue, much like the idyllic village surrounding it, is a perfect backdrop for memorable photo opportunities and has an intimate, nostalgic and timeless feel.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.

Personalised wedding gifts from Mrs D

Whether you are newly engaged, arranging a hen party or getting ready to walk down the aisle, Mrs D has a statement piece for you - whatever the occasion! From sweatshirts and t-shirts for the bridal party, to beach bags and shorts for the newlyweds to take on honeymoon, each item can be personalised to suit your style and personality! Owner and designer Cheryl says, "When I was planning my own wedding, I really struggled to find unique, good quality, non-mass-produced statement pieces for myself and my lovelies, so I started creating my own. I now spend my days making beautiful, personalised items to order be it with pearls or crystals in clear, champagne or rainbow hues. Each bespoke item is made by hand, from design and production to packing and posting, it's all done with care, attention to detail and most of all love."

Exchange vows in St Ippolyts Church

Nestled in a picturesque village near the town of Hitchin in North Hertfordshire, St Ippolyts Church is a well-maintained venue full of history. Set within a churchyard, the 11th-century setting offers plenty of spaces for showstopping wedding photography. Inside, couples will find a quaint location for ceremonies with 140 loved ones. The team will be on hand to help couples plan dream weddings and can even provide flower arrangements in the church, an organist and arrange church bells to be rung after the "I dos" for an additional fee. Weddings are always happy occasions not only for the newlyweds but also for the local community!

The best place in the UK for a springtime wedding

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for spring wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data from a popular wedding planning site, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationery brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

Tie the knot at St Michael’s Manor Hotel in Hertfordshire

St Michael's Manor Hotel is one of Hertfordshire's premier event venues thanks to its luxurious setting and timeless elegance. Set in five acres of private English country gardens, located close to the city centre of St Albans and near the famous Abbey Cathedral, the old manor house is steeped in heritage and history. The team pride themselves on executing a wonderful experience with some of the best views in Hertfordshire. They provide bespoke wedding packages to suit all needs to ensure weddings are remembered for all the right reasons. The venue offers three stunning rooms and an outdoor space licensed for the vows, all beautifully decorated to provide an elegant setting.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.

Dream dresses at Signature Wedding Shows

Bespoke dress and bridalwear designer, Tanya Dimitrova, founder of London-based Mia La Vida Bridal, will be on hand to talk through your dream wedding dress ideas at our Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, April 28th. With a vision and passion to create timeless wedding and evening pieces, and to fulfil a lifelong dream of making a defiant mark on the high-end world of couture bridalwear, Tanya listens to her clients' requirements to design and make a creation you'll never want to take off!

Find your big-day venue with County Wedding Events

The team from Hampshire's Audleys Wood Hotel will be on hand at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows at Ascot Racecourse and Mercedes-Benz World to discuss your big-day requirements. When you arrive at Audleys Wood Hotel, you'll be captivated by the ornate stonework and beautiful stained glass windows of this Victorian mansion. This historic venue is set in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, surrounded by picturesque private grounds. Its gardens provide an ideal setting for your outdoor wedding ceremony, reception drinks and even your evening party in the Garden Pavilion.

Always and Forever Bridal Studio exhibiting with County Wedding Events

Every bride deserves to feel like royalty on her wedding day, and Always and Forever Bridal Studio is dedicated to making that dream a reality. The brand will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April. With boutique locations in both London and Melbourne, Always and Forever Bridal Studio offers a curated collection of exquisite bridal gowns and personalized service that ensures every bride finds her perfect dress.Founded on the belief that every bride deserves to feel confident, beautiful, and cherished on her special day, Always and Forever Bridal Studio has become a beacon of elegance and sophistication in the bridal industry. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship, exquisite designs, and size inclusivity, the studio caters to brides of all shapes, sizes, and styles.

Powering your celebrations with Gofer

Gofer offers a complete power management service of reliable and sustainable generators and power equipment. Enabling you to hold your wedding in the remote location of your dreams. With over 35 years' experience, our qualified team work directly with clients or with the event or marquee companies to power your wedding. Our team have a strong understanding and connections with different wedding suppliers. Enabling your wedding tor run effectively and efficiently, with the highest quality of power provision.

Discover The Enchanted Catering Company Ltd

Run by two sisters passionate about food, desserts and service, Andrea and Alexandra Myrianthous cater to weddings in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes to make events magical. They love working with couples to create bespoke menus to take away any pressure as they understand that wedding organising can be stressful. Weddings are a happy day for both the lovebirds as well as family and friends. It's a day full of joy, catching up with loved ones, taking unforgettable pictures, enjoying good food, a lovely (or even funny) speech and the first dance as newlyweds. The team will be there to make events relaxing with memorable food. Think bite-sized treats such as canapés, fruit, cakes, cupcakes, desserts, sandwiches, pastries, cheese boards and endless options.

Plan your wedding to perfection with Styled by Lulabelles

Unsure how to approach the wedding planning, or how best to style and theme your day? Head to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April and chat to Emma, of Styled by Lulabelles. Owner and stylist Emma says, "At Styled By Lulabelles our style is timeless elegance, specialising in silk florals which is largely driven to make luxury affordable for our couples. We believe you should be able to look back at your wedding in 20+ years time, and it still is timelessly beautiful.

Speciality Cakes is exhibiting at Ascot Racecourse this Sunday!

Speciality Cakes is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse this Sunday! Owners, Sarah & Claire, say, "We look forward to meeting you at the Ascot Signature Wedding Show this weekend where you can view our wedding portfolio and sample our range of delicious cakes. "Our experienced and dedicated team can ensure your wedding cake will make a special centrepiece for the big day. We cater for all types of dietary requirements and our cakes are designed and handcrafted to the highest standard. We hope to see you all soon!"

Moonpig reveals weddings cards are the hardest to write

Greeting cards have been a popular way to express celebrations and affection for our loved ones. We're used to purchasing cards for milestones from birthdays, weddings, new jobs and more, but how often do we struggle with what to write in a card? With the recent growth in popularity of AI models like ChatGPT, Moonpig has launched its "Smart Text" tool, a feature which uses generative AI as a writing assistant for customers who need help in those moments where they don't know what to put in a card to their loved ones.

Discover weddings at Metropolitan Bushey Events & Sports Venue

Located in the leafy county of Hertfordshire, Metropolitan Bushey Events & Sports Venue is a purpose-built wedding property set among 36 acres of well-maintained sports fields. The venue offers lovely views and creates a stunning backdrop for those all-important photos, especially with the changing colours of spring, autumn and winter. Metropolitan Bushey's function rooms have lots of natural light and a blank canvas to be decorated to match different colour schemes and wedding themes. The Ballroom is the largest space perfect for ceremonies and receptions, with 300 people for reception drinks and 250 in the evenings. Here, loved ones can enjoy the dedicated bar area and dancefloor, plus there's space for extra entertainment.

Start-up brand Art of Couture showcasing at County Wedding Events

A new environmental trend in the fashion world, start-up brand Art of Couture presents an innovative concept of combining custom tailoring with dress rental. Ukrainian fashion designer Kateryna Orlovska announces the launch of a new fashion brand, Art of Couture, which not only impresses with style and elegance, but also has a significant impact on preserving the environment. Since moving from Ukraine to the UK two years ago, Kateryna Orlovska has been exploring the aesthetics of English culture, which has become an important source of inspiration for her new collection of evening dresses, bridal dresses, and other elegant outfits.

Thinking of doing a joint wedding speech? Read Speechy's top tips

The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. A joint speech follows the same etiquette principles as your standard bride and groom speech but allows you to present it as a team and play up to your relationship dynamic. But, despite the two voices, be careful not to make the speech double the length! No more than 1,500 words maximum. When it comes to writing a joint speech, it all comes down to your ability to collaborate, discuss and bounce ideas off each other.