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

Tie the knot at Leweston School

Leweston School is a secluded setting with unique rooms, stunning gardens and an alluring atmosphere. Steeped in more than 1,000 years of history, the manor house is set in 46 acres of beautiful Dorset parkland just three miles south of the Abbey town of Sherborne. Built in the Palladian style in the late 18th-century, the interior celebrates the Art Deco period of the 1930s. The architect, Maxwell Ayrton, was also responsible for the original iconic Wembley Stadium and the house features the artwork of famed artist George Sheringham. The venue provides various wedding spaces, including the light and airy Drawing Room that can host 80 people comfortably for the vows and receptions.

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.

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.

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!

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 Victoria Ann Bridal's new collection for weddings

The team at Victoria Ann Bridal are excited to announce its new collections in store from Jennifer Wren and Louisa Jackson Bridal! Both designers are known for their showstopping styles. Jennifer Wren symbolises elegance through selected fabrics, styles and colours, all chosen with the utmost care. Louisa Jackson's newest collection features florals, feminine floaty fabrics and fabulous appliqués for their stunning gowns, which are put together to bring beauty and versatility to brides of all shapes and sizes. The Victoria Ann Bridal team has been attending the Bridal Fairs showcasing the above collections as well as the Romantica Pure collection. Located in the heart of the beautiful seaside town of Weymouth, the boutique offers brides a warm and friendly reception from the first moment they walk through the door to the moment they step down the aisle. The boutique also offers attire for mothers-of-brides/grooms, bridesmaids, flowergirls and young ladies preparing for their prom.

Book your 2024 wedding for £2,024 - find out more at Mercedes-Benz World

Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Show at Mercedes-Benz World to chat to the team about what's new at this exciting wedding venue - what's more, Brooklands Hotel sits opposite Mercedes-Benz World so you can also visit and see for yourself! The venue's currently shouting about a great offer - book your 2024 wedding for £2,024 - so click on the link to find out more! Additionally, the venue's announced new spa facilities and new Glasshouse restaurant opening on 1st May.

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.

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.

Discover The Greyhound on the Test in Hampshire

Situated in the charming country town of Stockbridge in rural Hampshire, The Greyhound on the Test is a licenced wedding venue offering a unique setting, and a dedicated team committed to providing an unforgettable experience that exceeds expectations. Lovebirds can relax throughout the experience and enjoy this precious time, knowing their wedding is in the safe hands of the specialist team and that all of those important details have been perfectly organised. Whether couples are seeking chic cocktail receptions with sublime canapés or relaxed long-table suppers, the staff can assist in bringing dream events to life with exceptional food and warm hospitality.

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.

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.

Pilots of the Purple Twilight will light up your wedding day

The Pilots of the Purple Twilight offer unique aerial pyrotechnic spectaculars for special events. The highly experienced display pilots will be on hand at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, to discuss how this can make a unique addition to your special day. Displays are tailored to your event whether it's large or small. Providing displays for weddings, parties and corporate events at a wide variety of locations, if the conditions are suitable the pilots can even land to meet and greet your guests. The aircraft have been specially modified for pyrotechnic displays and have been certified by the relevant aviation regulators.

Discover Hinton St Mary Estate in Dorset

Hinton St Mary Estate is a family-owned, private estate in North Dorset that sits on the River Stour and farms on more than 700 hectares of the Blackmore Vale, with an additional 40 hectares of protected woodland. The Tithe Barn is approached through a long avenue of beech trees, with horses grazing on one side and open arable fields on the other. As pairs enter through the gates to the manor, there's a sense of history, privilege and secrecy about what lies within. It's a calming haven of tranquillity with goldfish and lilies on the pond, and then the modest majesty of the building hits.

Planning a hen (or sten) party? These activity-based bars need to be on your list

Tasty food, gorgeous cocktails and a bit of healthy competition equals a winning recipe for an amazing time for your pre-wedding get together! How does a side of shuffleboard or darts with your cocktails sound? Whether you're looking for a daytime plan or something to keep you partying into the early hours, Electric Shuffle and Flight Club are great options. Both have resident DJs banging out the tunes, and both offer fab bottomless brunch packages if an afternoon booze session is more what you're after. They're also perfectly designed for the most amazing insta-worthy pics