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

How to choose the perfect wedding ring

Often overlooked, there's a big difference between platinum, gold and white gold rings, even though they look very similar. Despite gold rings being the traditional choice platinum wedding bands have over 6.1k searches and platinum wedding rings 3.3k in the UK each month. Whilst gold wedding bands have only 1k searches and gold wedding rings 5.4k, this suggests that in 2023 the most popular choice may be a platinum band. But with more 15k searches for 'Wedding Bands' in the UK every month - the decision may not be as simple as what's on trend. Here, jewellery expert Sach Kukadia at 7879 recommends how to choose the perfect wedding ring a purchase far more more important than your regular jewellery! Find out the difference between platinum vs golds, delving into everything, including their pros and cons, through to how well they'll fare in the long run...

Check out Salisbury Arms Hotel's new look

Located in Hertfordshire, The Salisbury Arms Hotel has undergone a total refurbishment and revamp to add even more wow factor. After closing down for six months, the team have been working hard to completely transform the entire building while still maintaining many of its original features and character. They've opened two parts of the bar to add a better flow to the area, updated the restaurant for a more formal feel and added a stunning courtyard perfect for gathering in the summer months. The staff have kept the small Snug room at the front of the building for small gatherings and afternoon teas. The reception area has been completely opened up for a more welcoming and relaxed feel for guests when checking in. All the bedrooms were fully refurbished, with a minimum of a king-sized bed in each.

How to nail your bridesmaid gifts

Finding that perfect thank you gift for your bridesmaids can be a mind boggling task. How can you truly thank them for supporting you on your big day? New research* from gifting experts at Getting Personal shows that apart from our parents, friends are the hardest people to shop for with one in seven (15%) admitting they struggle. To help brides give envy-inducing thank you gifts gifting expert at Getting Personal, Tara Butler, shares eight tips for figuring out what they really want... without having to ask.

The perfect wedding gift that couples will love

Wedding season is upon us and picking out the perfect wedding gift that is personal, but also has character and a luxe feel to celebrate the couple's big day can be a daunting task. However look no further, whether it's to say thanks to your bridesmaids, or to celebrate the happy couple, Yvonne Ellen, a home and interiors designer who specialises in hand-painted home gifts, has picked out some of her top gift ideas to suit all types of couples including gifts for loved ones and the bridal party.

10 things wedding guests really care

Whether it's an open bar, live band or fireworks, choosing the best elements to add to your wedding day could really make or break your big day, new research reveals. Wedding experts Queensmith analysed thousands of comments from Reddit to reveal the things that really matter to guests when attending a wedding. Unsurprisingly, an open bar is a consistent success with guests at a wedding, however, it seems seating charts and a late-night snack are just as important.

Your wedding playlist, according to DJ experts

Now that we have entered peak wedding season, (May-October), DJing experts from CD Pool have provided the ultimate wedding playlists for your reception that is guaranteed to keep the dance floor hopping with happy guests. CD Pool analysed Spotify API data, exploring 2117 playlists with the keyword "wedding" to compile four playlists that reflect the atmosphere at different stages of the wedding reception. The suggested No. 1 song to include in your wedding playlist is I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston, a guaranteed floorfiller that appeared in over 320 playlists on Spotify, making it the most popular wedding-related track.

Top wedding travel tips for big-day guests

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on how to manage journey costs, when travelling to attend a wedding. "Wedding ceremonies are well known for placing financial strain upon guests, ranging from the cost associated with your gift, to a new outfit, and even – your transport. Whether the ceremony is being held in the UK, or further afield, consumers will likely have to travel to attend a loved one's big day. I've pulled together my top tips to help you cut costs and ensure you can enjoy your family and friend's nuptials without worrying about your finances.

Save Your Spending as a Wedding Guest!

Weddings are one of the most joyous occasions to attend, however the cost of simply being a guest can add up quickly. Here are NetVoucherCodes' top tips to save money when attending a wedding.

Pinterest’s wedding trends we love this summer

Wedding supply experts at Aura Print have served up the top 10 summer wedding trends we need to know about, as loved by Pinterest. From disco balls, to Barbie-core, upcycling to anti-bridal - get ready to see these wedding trends everywhere! You can never have too much sparkle at your wedding, and we love the playful, retro feel to it. The trend started to pick up steam in 2020, when glitter balls and 80s playlists became a great DIY option to add some retro-meets-modern fabulousness to the big day. The trend is going nowhere this summer, with over 32k Pinterest pins and a 7400% global increase in searches since January. So get your groove on and be ready to dance the night away!

Here’s how to include your dog in your big day

Wedding days are often filled with celebrations with the ones you love the most, so it's understandable that for many people it simply wouldn't feel right to celebrate their special day without their faithful furry companion. "From a 'dog of honour' to a ring bearer, the possibilities of including your pet at your wedding are endless," explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. "While bringing your dog along to your wedding can be rewarding, it can also add some complexity so there's lots to think about to make it work." Nina has pulled together her top tips and some things to consider before saying yes to involving your pet on your big day!

Willow Tree Distilling is now offering wedding favours

Willow Tree Distilling is home to the award-winning Willow Tree Gin, Bedfordshire's first gin distillery. The family-run business lovingly distils in small batches, with sustainability at the heart of every process. The team is now able to create unique and bespoke wedding favours thanks to the exclusive gin-making experience. Couples can create their recipe, labels and gin miniatures to share with guests for a gift they'll never forget.

7 wedding moments to capture in photos

Wedding photographers will have their own photos they will capture on the day with important ones including the first kiss, first dance and the bride walking down the aisle. However, couples should also have an idea of the kinds of photos they'd like to have and suggest these to their photographer if they haven't discussed them already. Matt Dahan from ParrotPrint.com says, "Your wedding happens once and you want to capture as much as you can so you have some really lovely memories to look back on. As a couple it's always a good idea to sit down with your wedding photographer and talk about how you want your pictures to look and the kinds of images you want captured.

Keep your wedding scheme alive at home

It's no surprise couples often suffer from the wedding blues after their nuptials, but with peak wedding season around the corner, to help those wondering how they can relive their special day, Stephanie King, Colour Expert & Creative Lead at Dulux, is sharing her savvy tips to help. Stephanie says, "Not only will utilising elements from your wedding help you save money when re-decorating, but recreating your wedding theme at home can help couples create a more meaningful space that brings personality and happy memories into the home. Weddings are full of sentimental value, so creating a space which reflects a shared experience and sense of nostalgia will act as a constant reminder of your beautiful moment and love for each other every day."

Say I do with these 5 tips on saving for a wedding

Your wedding is likely to be one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be as relaxed as possible, a lot of time, money and effort goes in to making sure that is possible. The cost of living is impacting prices across the board, and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Emma Watson, Head of Financial Planning at Rathbones Group Plc, shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

Brits are spending nearly £1k attending a friend's hen party!

It's always exciting news when you find out your close friend is getting married, but have you ever stopped to consider how much the wedding is going to cost you? Life insurance broker, Reassured polled 1,500 people to reveal the costs of attending a hen party. To be exact, you'll be out of pocket by nearly £979 for attending the hen party!

Read all about the Manor of Groves Hotel in Sawbridgeworth

Located on 150 acres of grounds, the Manor of Groves Hotel is a stunning venue where Georgian splendour meets a modern twist. The neo-classical property features traditional white pillars and tall glass windows that provide showstopping views of the 18-hole golf course and beautifully kept gardens that are the ideal settings for wedding photography. The original manor house has been extended into an additional wing housing many of the bedrooms, and the exterior has been designed in keeping with the traditional property.

Pre-wedding wellbeing

Lovendu was created to help people improve their mental wellbeing and become the best version of themselves. In the lead up to a wedding, it's also important to manage your wellbeing. The brand's new Romanticising Your Life Journal provides daily gratitude reminders, mindfulness activities and motivational quotes, you will be encouraged to live in the present moment and notice the beauty in life. With the Romanticising Your Life Journal, you will have space for 14 weeks of daily journalling- your perfect accompaniment for pre-wedding preparations.

Sweet-scented celebrations

After a wedding, creating a calming atmosphere is important to beginning a new chapter in your lives. A Yankee candle provides the perfect mood for unforgettable moments. The wide range of soft, bright, cool and warm tones fit into any colour scheme, while the hand-drawn illustrations effortlessly enhance a room. There is a candle for each unique taste, whether you like fruity and floral, or earthy and spicy notes, each candle holds a long-lasting scent that can be enjoyed time and time again.

Spabreaks.com reveal 10% discount for all things wedding

Whether it's a hen do, mini moon, wedding gift or honeymoon, there's lots of reasons to visit the spa in and around your wedding day and Spabreaks.com have you covered. Spabreaks.com, Europe's leading spa booking and experience agency, is offering 10% discount on gift vouchers between the 26th and 30th June using code WEDDING. Whether you need some time out from wedding planning or simply want to get away before the big day, Spabreaks.com have a range of bridal spa packages bookable instantly for the perfect pre-wedding pamper.

Make way for the Barbie-themed hen party

Following the upcoming release of new movie Barbie, 21st July 2023, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling - match made in Barbie heaven - unsurprisingly it's all about the Barbie hen party theme right now! Step forward, Team Hen, we're talking hot pink accessories as far as the eye can see. Luckily, for all the bride tribes out there looking to nail the trend these bride-worthy accessories and decor details will be an instagram hit channeling the coveted barbie-inspired vibe!

Think pink ring shot glasses, hot pink bride squad t-shirts, handbag-sized lip balms, balloon arch kits and sunglasses-shaped balloons - all Barbie style.