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

Hen party trends for 2025

If you're planning a hen party in 2025, you're in for a treat. The trends for next year are shaping up to be fresh, fun and full of personality, offering something for every type of bride and her tribe. Hen party experts Fizzbox give us a sneak peek of their predictions on what's hot for hens in 2025. Drag shows have been a hen party staple for a while but, in 2025, they're stepping firmly into the spotlight. With drag culture thriving thanks to shows like RuPaul's Drag Race and its ever-expanding global franchises, hens are falling in love with the glitz, glamour and unapologetic fun that comes with a drag-themed celebration. Expect everything from live performances at local drag bars to private workshops where the group can learn how to strut in heels, master a smoky eye or perform their own lip-sync battle. The bottomless brunch industry will continue to boom with drag brunches taking centre stage. This is a standout trend for 2025.

Name change statistics after marriage in the UK

The UK Deed Poll Office, and we recently published an article with unique statistics on name changes after marriage in the UK. When it comes to marriage, one of the most recognizable traditions is changing your name. For many, adopting a spouse's surname is part of the process. But for others, the decision is more complex—some opt for a double-barrelled surname, while others keep their own. So, what does the data really say about name changes after marriage in the UK? Gender breakdown of name changes: After Marriage One of the most frequently discussed aspects of name changes is the gender breakdown. Traditionally, women have been more likely to adopt their husband's surname, but how does the data actually look?

Greenwoods Hotel Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Greenwoods Hotel & Spa, Stock, Essex for inspiration on Sunday 12th January 2025! 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. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

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 12th January 2025! 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.

Ware Musical Theatre presents Beauty and the Beast

In 2025, Ware Musical Theatre promises an enchanting of Disney's timeless classic, Beauty and the Beast, at the historic Drill Hall in Ware. This beloved tale unfolds in the picturesque French countryside, where a spirited young woman named Belle finds herself entangled in a captivating adventure. The story beautifully explores themes of inner beauty, acceptance, and redemption as Belle and the Beast's unlikely romance blossoms. Through heartfelt musical numbers like Tale as Old as Time and Be Our Guest, audiences are transported to a world where love transcends appearances and transforms lives. Ware Musical Theatre's production promises to capture the magic and charm of this beloved fairytale with stunning costumes, enchanting set designs, and unforgettable performances. Join the team for an evening filled with adventure, romance, beloved characters and music everyone knows and loves. Tickets will be on sale soon, so brides should keep their eyes peeled and get the girls together for the ultimate hen do. The show will take place from March 25th to the 29th 2025, so don't miss out!

Manor of Groves Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Manor Of Groves, Hertfordshire, for some much-needed inspiration on Sunday 26th January 2025! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines 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. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

10 most wedding obsessed cities in Britain

A new finding by the online wedding rings retailer The Wedding Rings Co. (theweddingringscompany.co.uk) reveals a unique insight into where love is truly flourishing across the UK, with cities from all corners of the country making the list. A spokesperson for The Wedding Rings Co. commented on the findings: "It's fantastic to see so many people getting married all over the UK. The number of marriages is rising, which is wonderful to witness, especially after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is likely to continue, as more couples are inspired by beautifully curated wedding content on social media - creating a desire to create their own special day which they can share with their friends and family.

Discover HOB Salons and the teams newest offering

HOB Salons is thrilled to unveil The Blow Dry Club, clients' personal hairstylist, for as little as £150 per month. Designed to give clients salon-perfect hair whenever needed, it lets them enjoy unlimited blow dries seven days a week – perfect for brides-to-be. Whether it's before date night, some midweek TLC, or getting ready for those all-important wedding prep moments like dress shopping or an engagement shoot, the expert stylists are ready to make clients feel fabulous. Three salons are based in Hertfordshire, including Hertsmere, Radlett and Rickmansworth. Simply choose your preferred location and select the desired subscription plan, and book through the HOB Salons app or call the salon and let the HOB experts do the rest.

Check out Iris & Lolli Jewellery's current wedding offer

Iris & Lolli Jewellery captures nature's fleeting, raw beauty and makes it shine forever. Every creation starts life as a real fragment of Mother Nature foraged from the countryside or coast. Jules Cordes recreates each piece in recycled silver and gold by hand so that even the most fragile leaf is now strong and everlasting. The tiniest detail of a flower, shell or everyday object that could easily be taken for granted is brought out to shine in precious metal, serving as an eternal memory of a season or place. Proud to be a female-owned sustainable British brand, Iris & Lolli creates wearable luxury that celebrates the world around us. We've partnered with the company to offer readers 20 per cent off orders before January 31st, 2025. Simply use the link below, and your discount will automatically be applied at checkout – it couldn't be simpler!

Don't miss Micklefield Hall's wedding show with County Wedding Events

Couples are invited to explore Micklefield Hall in person during the on-site wedding show hosted by County Wedding Events, which is dedicated to helping couples find the perfect venue and wedding vendors. This event will occur on January 19th 2025, from 11 am to 3 pm. Lovebirds can enjoy free entry to tour the property, meet the team and connect with other industry professionals to ask plenty of questions. Attendees can also enter a honeymoon competition, receive a goody bag and grab a complimentary copy of Your Herts & Beds Wedding. Nestled in the Hertfordshire countryside, just 25 miles from London, Micklefield Hall is a stunning country setting.

Pinterest Predicts 2025

Pinterest Predicts 2025 - the much anticipated annual future-gazing report which reveals the biggest wedding trends that will shape the year ahead! Next year, expect to see weddings and parties take inspiration from the post-Baroque period as Rococo Revival puts an opulent and ultra-feminine spin on celebrations. Corsets gowns, luxe accessories and ornate table decorations will take over. In 2025, hosts will think outside of the box as Surreal Soirees take centre-stage; curvy candlesticks, fantastical flowers and out-of-this-world tablescapes will prove popular the wackier, the better! Rococo Revival. All frills, no chill. This year, weddings, parties and aesthetics will draw inspiration from the Rococo era - a post-Baroque period that was both opulent and ultra-feminine. Gen Z and Boomers are driving this trend toward classical corset gowns, luxe accessories and ornate tablescapes.

Helen Weir Photography wins wedding award

Helen at Helen Weir Photography is thrilled to announce she has been named Wedding Photographer of the Year 2025 at the Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Wedding Awards! She comments, "This recognition means so much to me, as it reflects the hard work and dedication I've put into my craft. I've always loved capturing the beautiful moments of a couple's special day, and it's truly rewarding to see that passion acknowledged. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey!" Based in Hertfordshire, the supplier covers weddings across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex. She gets to document incredible moments at stunning venues, from stately homes to rustic barns and everything in between. Wedding photography isn't just a job for Helen; it's a passion.

Best dates for a wedding and honeymoon in 2025

Research from leading UK jeweller Diamonds Factory has revealed the best dates to book your wedding and honeymoon in 2025 in order to get as much time off as possible. Online searches for 2025 weddings have leapt by 916% this year, meanwhile searches for honeymoons skyrocketed by 15,247% during the same period. As couples consider weddings and honeymoons for next year, Diamonds Factory analysis has revealed the best days to book your wedding ceremony which will maximise your annual leave for the honeymoon.

Learn all about weddings at Metropolitan Bushey Events & Sports Venue

Located near Watford 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. The venue'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.

Fullers Hill Cottages wins accommodation award

Fullers Hill Cottages is nestled on a working farm and airfi eld, enveloped by breathtaking countryside. This picturesque location is just a 20-minute drive from the heart of Cambridge City Centre, offering the ideal blend of a tranquil rural retreat and the vibrant energy of city life. The team's excited to announce they've received the prestigious 2024 VisitEngland ROSE Award, which is presented yearly to only 100 top-quality accommodation providers, recognising those who deliver outstanding customer service. This expansive 750-acre arable farm features seven luxurious self-catering cottages, each surrounded by charming gardens and equipped with hot tubs. Families can enjoy a dedicated play area for kids, while horse enthusiasts will appreciate the stabling facilities.

Pantone Introduces Color of the Year 2025: Mocha Mousse

Wedding moodboards at the ready; Pantone, the global colour authority and provider of professional colour language standards and digital solutions for the design community, today introduced PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. An evocative soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires: cacao, chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort. "Underpinned by our desire for every day pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence" says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director Pantone Color Institute.

Tie the knot in Hertfordshire at The Fox & Hounds

In the heart of the pretty Hertfordshire village of Hunsdon, The Fox & Hounds is a stylish pub and restaurant set in a Grade II-listed building oozing with character. The venue doesn't have a ceremony license, but lovebirds choose to get married in a local registry office or church before hosting receptions surrounded by loved ones in this stunning setting.Couples can start celebrations with drinks receptions with bespoke canapés in the bar or garden before wedding breakfasts in the elegant dining room. Choose from formal sit-down meals or fabulous buffets. The team will work closely to plan weddings and menus while ensuring everything runs smoothly. The stunning dining room is perfect for wedding celebrations of up to 45 people.

Omboo at Sopwell House has a new head chef

Sopwell House, a lavish country house hotel located in Hertfordshire, has elevated its pan-Asian dining experience at Omboo with the arrival of Head Chef Benny Lee. Guests can look forward to vibrant and flavourful dishes that highlight the rich culinary traditions of Far-East Asian cuisine. The gastronomic journey begins with small bites such as Soft-Shell Crab expertly seasoned with dried chilli, black bean and garlic, Fried Chicken with sriracha honey mayo and Truffle Spring Rolls sitting alongside an array of meticulously crafted sushi and sashimi. For larger plates, there's Grilled Lamb Chops with fried potato and coriander mint sauce, Lobster tail with asparagus and onions, and Miso-glazed Black Cod. To finish, indulge in a Valrhona Chocolate Fondant with wild strawberry sorbet or Mango Yuzu Panna Cota with honeycomb.

Get wed at Toddington Park within a picturesque countryside setting

Set on 30 acres, Toddington Park is a Georgian manor house that creates the perfect backdrop to weddings and events. Just south of Woburn, the Grade II listed property has a grand entranceway and magnificent views at every turn. As couples drive down the impressive driveway, they'll love the formal lawns, delightful meadows and the stunning lake. Available only for exclusive use, the family-owned property hosts only a handful of annual weddings, meaning guests can expect all the care and attention needed to create memorable events. Built in 1826, the Park House is an impressive manor house with plenty of character and charm. Couples can have celebrant-led ceremonies or blessings with 68 loved ones in the Drawing Room, which features natural lighting and can be dressed to match any wedding theme. Continue the celebrations in the Drawing Room, Entrance Hall and Dining Room, with 55 people for wedding breakfasts and 100 for evening receptions.

Hottest hen do Trends for 2025 revealed by GoHen

Well, GoHen.com, the UK's leading hen party provider, have just dropped a hitlist of the hottest hen do themes for 2025 with some absolutely iconic trends."2025 is going to be the most Instagrammable era for hen weekends, for sure," said Ellie Silk, Head of Events at GoHen.com. "The themes that are on-trend are absolutely iconic and there is something for every bride and every vibe. From chaos to cute, outdoors to outrageous, you're bound to find something for your group in that list. "A hen do theme helps elevate a weekend from average to unforgettable because it's the tiny details and extra thought that really make your celebration special.

"Having a theme doesn't have to equate to spending loads more money, either. You can lean into your chosen theme as little or as much as you want. From outfits to decorations to the activities you choose to do, there are plenty of ways to make it your own."