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

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.