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

Memorable magic at Ascot Racecourse's Signature Wedding Show

Looking for big-day entertainment? Pop along to County Wedding Events's Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse to see magician Paul Newman in action. "I'm Paul Newman Wedding Magician, I have entertained for all sorts of events, including weddings, across the UK for the last 17 years," shares Paul. "I have performed at birthday parties, Christmas events, and corporate events, and have lots of examples of my work on YouTube. My claim to fame is I have performed for Ant & Dec, and Phillip Scofield! "I can perform lots of different types of magic right the way across the magic spectrum! Because I have performed across the UK for 17 years this means I have volumes of experience so you're guaranteed quality and a fun performance."

Find Natalie Chiverton Photography at two County Wedding Events Shows

Natalie Chiverton Photography is exhibiting at two County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Shows and has some exciting discounts for couples visiting on the day that you're not going to want to miss out on! "For couples planning to secure a photographer there will be a 20% discount across all my photography packages," shares Natalie. "Furthermore, if they confirm their booking within 14 days, they'll receive a £100 luxury wedding album gift voucher applicable towards any size album from Henley Albums. I'll have samples displayed on my table, and I'm eager to showcase the luxury album available.

Tickets are on sale now for The Photography & Video Show

Tickets are on sale now for The Photography & Video Show, the largest event of its kind in the UK and Europe which will be returning in 2024 at the NEC. Taking place between 16 – 19 March, The Photography & Video Show is the destination for photographers, filmmakers, and content creators of all levels, from beginner to advanced amateur, and all the way through to established professional.

Blake Lively creates a buzz with UK launch of Betty Buzz cans in Majestic

Hollywood actress, Blake Lively today announces the launch of her new 330ml Betty Buzz cans of premium adult soft drinks in the UK, available from Majestic. The Betty Buzz range of Sparkling Lemon Lime, Sparkling Grapefruit, Ginger Beer and Meyer Lemon Sparkling Sodas are all available from 207 Majestic stores and Majestic online in the UK. Betty Buzz is a collection of healthier gourmet sparkling sodas in new stylish tall slim cans. Within just two-and-a-half years, Betty Buzz has grown to become the world's number one premium adult soft drink on Instagram, with the most followers and highest engagement of any brand in this category globally. Made with fresh ingredients, the range is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colours and flavours.

Newly launched NimNik Glitter Tattoo Kit ideal for kids at weddings!

Boasting an impressive array of features, with 35 vibrant glitter colours, six fluorescent powders, 204 stencils, three adhesives, five brushes, and 215 rhinestones - the possibilities are limitless and will keep children happy for hours. This comprehensive set ensures that every user can unleash their imagination and bring their temporary tattoo visions to life. This glitter tattoo kit is not limited by age or gender; ideal for kids, girls, teens, men, women, and adults, it's perfect for occasions. The versatility of the kit allows users to explore different applications, such as eye shadow, body painting, DIY crafts, Christmas cards, birthday celebrations, or party decorations. The only limit is your creativity.

Bloom & Wild's exclusive insights into this year’s most anticipated flower trends

Brace yourselves for a vibrant floral revolution as 2024 bids adieu to the serene luxury trends of 2023, welcoming back maximalism with open arms. Bold statement pieces and lively colours are reclaiming their spotlight in the realms of fashion, interiors, and floral arrangements, marking a dynamic shift in the aesthetic landscape. Jo Reason, Director of Brand & Range at Bloom & Wild, predicts a surge in hyper-colour bouquets featuring fuchsia and electric lilac flowers paired with lime yellow foliages.

Expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024

Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner and Wedding Expert for online fashion destination Silkfred, shares her expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024. A beautiful white gown has been the norm for centuries, however, as Georgie explains, 2024 is set to change these traditional bridal tropes: "I think, in 2024, we'll see loads of individuality. Brides will be wearing different designs, colours, necklines with more of a focus on styles that not only make them look and feel good, but won't look like everyone else. I also think they will be very romantic, textured, patterned with touches of colour. Gone are the white dress brides."

As the wedding season approaches, turn to Viners for a gift ideas

If you've been invited to a wedding and need some inspiration for what to give as a gift, we're sure you will find something within the Viners® range that the happy couple will enjoy for years to come. Opting for a cutlery set is a guaranteed hit. A sentimental and thoughtful gift to give your loved ones, a cutlery set will take care of any special dinner parties or occasions hosted by the newlyweds.

Olive Blossom Bridal in Basingstoke announces new designer

The team at Olive Blossom Bridal in Basingstoke are excited to announce their newest designer, the iconic House of Savin! Immerse in the world of elegance and style, where every wedding gown is a masterpiece crafted right here in the UK. From captivating designs to exquisite details, the Savin London collection celebrates individuality and sophistication. Explore the allure of the renowned hand-painted gowns and fall in love with their beauty. Brides can elevate their style, embrace the extraordinary and make a statement with the meticulously curated new collection that leaves everyone breathless. The team is thrilled to announce they've been named the Best Bridal Boutique (Est less than four years) in the South Central regional category for The Wedding Industry Awards. The achievement is a testament to their unwavering commitment and passion for brides. Discover: www.oliveblossombridal.co.uk

Wedding trends and tablescaping predictions for 2024

We've seen a number of popular wedding trends take centre stage over the past few years, from the soaring popularity of micro weddings to cosy and intimate sweetheart tables for the happy couple. As we step into 2024, the world of weddings is evolving even further, with couples embracing new and exciting trends and reimagining the art of tablescaping. So, what exactly are the latest nuptial trends, and how can brides and grooms emulate them in their own ceremonies and wedding tablescapes? The tableware experts from Burleigh Pottery are here to share their wedding and tablescaping trend predictions for 2024 to give you the inspiration you need ahead of the big day.

Expert reveals wedding planning tips for newly engaged couples

Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of The Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of working with thousands of married-couples-to-be, across 12 venues in total including three US, making her the expert when it comes to wedding planning: "Valentine's Day is an incredibly popular day for proposals, in fact the search for 'Valentine's Day proposal' is currently up 40% globally!" I love working with newly-engaged couples; but I always encourage them not to wait too long, as they may miss out on getting the best venues, photographers or even end up with key guests of honour unable to attend the big day as they have left sending 'save-the-dates' out until the last minute."

Discover 11:11 Events is offering £50 off wedding bookings

11:11 Events is a Dorset-based company specialising in event hire, DJ services, and photo booths. The team now have new hire items available, which can add that extra magic to weddings. The cold spark machine is great for first dances and entrances, especially when paired with the dancing-on-the-clouds effect that creates a stunning look. The team offers many other services catering to various styles and wedding themes. From their variety of dancefloors (including white and black LED) to staging and flower walls, there's something for all types of special events. We've teamed up with the company to offer readers £50 off wedding bookings when they quote Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding before March 1st 2024.

Savvy couples request money over wedding gifts amid cost of living crisis

Savvy couples are looking to use wedding gifts to invest in savings amid the cost-of-living crisis, new national research has revealed. The survey, conducted by Coventry Building Society discovered almost a quarter of newlyweds (24%) put money received as a wedding gift straight into a savings account, with more than one in ten couples (15%) using money to pay off wedding debt straight away. What's more, over half of respondents (57%) just want money as their wedding gift, opting for financial safety over traditional gift giving (43%).

The Speech Surgery part three - the father-of-the-bride gets the spotlight

The Speech Surgery part three, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips for the father of the bride and how to delivery the ultimate speech. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

County Wedding Events coming to Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 18th February 2024! 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. Celebrate your Surrey Wedding in the beautiful landscaped setting of the vineyard. Set in the heart of the Surrey Hills, an area known for its outstanding natural beauty, Denbies prides itself as one of the finest wedding venues in Surrey.

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you