Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding news and ideas from around the area

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery wins wedding award

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery offers a truly unique wedding ceremony venue in the heart of Dorset and was awarded Bronze Wedding Venue of the Year in the Dorset Tourism Awards 2023/2024. The setting could not be more striking and is a masterpiece of Neo Gothic architecture. The Victorian Hall's high ceilings adorned with intricate designs, stained-glass rose windows, and Roman mosaic flooring will help create memorable weddings. The venue's wedding package includes the support of the events team, who will be on hand leading up to and on the day of weddings to help make dreams a reality.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

Discover Cocktails & Canapés wedding offer

Cocktails & Canapés offers a party trailer that is available for weddings and any outdoor event. The team can tailor offerings to suit individual events, including themed entertainment, trailer decoration, bespoke cocktails, canapés and fizz, using quality, locally sourced ingredients. Couples can choose their favourite dishes from the set menu to suit all tastes and allergy requirements. The cocktail trailer comes fully equipped and is hosted by experienced and engaging staff who will provide excellent customer service and make guests smile. They can provide music, smoke machines, drones, party lights and more – adding fun and fizz to events! Those who book the company in May/June this year will receive a complimentary bottle of Hattingley Valley Wine cheers to that! Discover: https://cocktailsandcanapes.life

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Check out this dried flower bouquet from The Happy Blossoms

For the ultimate in floral gifting this spring, give a dried flower bouquet from The Happy Blossoms to thank loved ones who've helped with wedding planning. Each bouquet from this limited edition collection is wrapped in bespoke luxury pastel paper and is available in three designs. Renowned for its Insta-famous Baked Blossoms and commitment to crafting stunning dried flower arrangements, the company invites customers to experience the magic of springtime in every petal. Handcrafted with love and care in Dorset by the talented mother-daughter duo Barbara and Lauren, each bouquet is a testament to the beauty of nature and spreading joy through colour and flowers.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Check out Amanda Black Cakes in Hampshire

Amanda Black is the visionary cake artisan behind Amanda Black Cakes. Nestled in the picturesque New Forest, Amanda is renowned for her mastery in crafting bespoke wedding cakes and captivating cheese towers. Amanda infuses her creations with a touch of natural elegance and refined artistry. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to culinary excellence, she transforms dreams into edible masterpieces. From intricately designed fondant cakes to elaborate cheese towers, Amanda's creations not only delight the palate but also elevate every celebration to a new level of sophistication and charm."

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery wins award

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery offers a truly unique wedding ceremony venue in the heart of Dorset and was awarded Bronze Wedding Venue of the Year in the Dorset Tourism Awards 2023/2024. The setting could not be more striking and is a masterpiece of Neo-Gothic architecture. The Victorian Hall's high ceilings adorned with intricate designs, stained-glass rose windows, and Roman mosaic flooring will help create memorable weddings. The venue's wedding package includes the support of the events team, who will be on hand leading up to and on the day of weddings to help make dreams a reality.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

Discover Hannah Rose Flowers in Andover

Based in the heart of the Test Valley, Hannah Rose Flowers began its floral journey in 2015 through a lifelong love of flowers. The owner, Hannah Rose, found her passion while helping her grandparents with their small cut flower business from an early age. She now specialises in weddings and events using high-quality blooms. With years of experience under her belt, Hannah offers country-style arrangements while often taking inspiration from the changing seasons and beautiful Hampshire countryside. For those looking for British flowers, she can source stunning locally grown florals just a few miles from her workshop. She also grows a few of her summer blooms and offers a range of items, such as milk churns and votives, that are available to hire.

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.