Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local wedding businesses, shops and suppliers.
Elegant country house hotel Pennyhill Park in Bagshot has announced the launch of a stunning new dedicated wedding venue space for the summer season. Set within a 120-acre estate in the heart of Surrey's countryside, Pennyhill Park provides a classically romantic backdrop with its charming ivy-clad mansion house defined by its traditional 19th-century architecture, garden terraces and manicured lawns. Couples can now enjoy exclusive use of the hotel's private terrace wing in its entirety. Drinks receptions can be hosted in the artfully refurbished Water Lily Suite, or on the Lily Pond Terrace overlooking the grounds when the weather is fine. Wedding receptions for up to 120 guests can be hosted in the newly renovated Parkview Suite complete with a full bar for evening celebrations. The private terrace wing is also home to five stunningly refurbished rooms and suites for members of the wedding party to stay in on the wedding night, or indeed longer.
Find out more at www.exclusive.co.uk/pennyhill-park
For more local news, read the latest issue available now. Read Your Surrey Wedding magazine for free!
Weddings at Town Hall Hotel just feel right! Maybe it's the grand architecture and elegant spaces, or perhaps it's the team's personalities that help make it an unforgettable experience. Discover the venue in our January/February issue, available to download for free now!
Vegan Magda is an independent catering company providing bespoke, tailored and extraordinary food for weddings. Discover the team in our January/February issue, available to download for free now!
Vicky and Paddy's stunning wedding at Milling Barn showed that love always wins! Discover the big day in our February/March issue, available to download for free now.
The team of talented suppliers involved in this showstopping shoot wanted to showcase the elegance and charm of the relatively unknown venue, The Buttercross. Discover the shoot in our February/March issue, available to download for free now.
Let the magic happen at your wedding with the magician and pickpocket Richard Parsons. Read more music and entertainment ideas in the latest issue available to download now for FREE and to book Richard, visit www.gloucestershiremagician.co.uk
As we welcome longer, sunnier days, Hayley from Starry Eyed Weddings has just the thing for guests enjoying golden hour! She says, "Destination reception drinks will be a hit. Our champagne meadow can be styled across seasons and holds 70 mismatched crystal flutes." For further styling inspo, visit: https://www.starryeyedweddings.co.uk/
Don't miss our exclusive offer with Missenden Abbey on page 13 of the latest issue available to download now for FREE! The team are offering a complimentary stay in the beautiful Bridal Suite plus guest accommodation!
Devon-based Flapjackery has Easter treats to send by post with its range of delicious flapjacks that are the perfect alternative to a traditional chocolate egg. All flapjacks are gluten-free, vegetarian and contain no palm oil. Read more in the new issue available to download now for free and to shop, visit https://www.flapjackery.co.uk
Staci and Adam met at a networking event at Worcester Racecourse. “A couple of years later, we matched with each other on a dating app and our relationship quickly blossomed,” says Staci. “Adam is a big horseracing fan and I’ve started going with him occasionally, which is funny since we first met each other at the races.”
Adam proposed as a surprise on Christmas morning in 2021. “He had filled the ceiling of our lounge with balloons and streamers,” shares the bride. “When I saw him, he was there on one knee, surrounded by rose petals in a gorgeous tuxedo, with the most amazing ring in his hand.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourwestmidlands.wedding/free-download
Sam and Jen first laid eyes on each other in 2018. “I remember that day like it was yesterday,” says Jen. “We met at work, although I use the term 'met' loosely because, at first, she seemed to have no idea that I existed. I walked into the office kitchen and there she was, sitting at the table, engrossed in a book. Sam was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and I couldn't help but feel an instant connection, even though we hadn't exchanged a word. Desperate to talk to her, I offered to make her a drink, trying to break the ice. But she didn't even look up from her book; she simply ignored me. Undeterred, I took a seat nearby and attempted to engage her in conversation, but my efforts fell on deaf ears. It was as though she was in a world of her own. Time seemed to stand still as I sat there, trying to catch her attention. I eventually left and went back to work and when I returned for lunch, Sam had left the room without acknowledging my presence. I looked at the seat that was now empty, feeling a sense of disappointment that I couldn't shake. Over the next eight months, I found myself actively searching for Sam in the establishment we work in. There are several different departments and her type of role means she could have been stationed anywhere. I couldn't let this connection slip away. I replayed that first encounter in my mind countless times and it fueled my determination to find her again. Then, one day, nine months after that initial encounter, it happened. I spotted her from across the yard and my heart skipped a beat. I smiled at her, waved, and, to my surprise, she waved back. My heart raced as I approached her, asking for a quiet word. With a newfound sense of confidence, I handed her a slip of paper with my number on it. Sam's curious eyes met mine and I could feel a connection between us that went beyond words. In that moment, I knew I was falling in love with her.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download
Izzy and Ryan were brought together through unusual circumstances. “The first time I met Ryan, we were introduced by my previous partner in a nightclub, as he was one of his friends,” says Izzy. “I met him a couple of times after that, but we didn’t really speak much. A few years later, we found out that our partners were seeing each other behind our backs! Ryan and I started to message each other about it and the more we chatted, the more we realised we had lots in common and very similar values. Once I got to know Ryan, I discovered we went to the same high school and knew a lot of the same people.”
Ryan organised a surprise birthday party for Izzy’s 23rd birthday. “My birthday gift from him was a surprise holiday with two of our friends to Las Vegas,” shares the bride. “Fast forward to the holiday and Ryan and his friend insisted we book a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. After flying around for a while, we eventually landed and enjoyed a little picnic. Ryan called me over to one side for a photo. Before I knew it, Ryan was giving a speech about how there was a reason we’d come to Vegas and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. In absolute shock, I said, ‘Is this a joke?!’ My friends and the other tourists on the helicopter all laughed. I obviously said ‘yes’ and we then proceeded to have our little picnic with added champagne, which I couldn’t drink because I was on cloud nine. We finished the evening by flying down the Las Vegas strip at night.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Brendan Middleton from Dash Photography gives us his top tips for booking a photographer that you've found online.
"It’s understandable to have reservations about booking suppliers online without meeting; from my experience, it is fine 99 per cent of the time. However, I do recommend the following before making a decision: Do they have an established website and social media presence? This will give you an indication and, hopefully, an insight into their work and personality. Check for reviews on social media or wedding websites and directories; are they recent? Lastly, can you view real weddings on their website and social media pages? A reputable and reliable photographer should have no problem meeting all of these criteria. I pride myself on being active on social media and providing real insight into my work as a full-time photographer."
See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournortheast.wedding/free-download
Rhian Rees from Wild and Fabulous Flowers tells us how to choose a colour palette for your big day flowers.
"Deciding on which colour palette to choose for your wedding can seem overwhelming. Take the time to look through images and start collating a little album of your favourites. Leave it for a few weeks, then go back and look again! Remember, flowers look so much better if they’re in season, as they are fresher, bouncier and have more personality.
"Tropical shades can look amazing, but if you’re going to use them in your flowers, then you will need to use greenery to allow the colours to pop. I love using natural elements that are brightly coloured to give a little element of surprise while keeping the flowers authentic. This is a great palette if you’re going for contemporary flowers.
"Pastels are also popular. This can mean any pale colour, not just pink and blue. Think pale lemons, oranges, and pinks. These colours work so well together, as they are fresh yet subtle."
See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download
Canterbury's Beautiful in Curves is pleased to add Sydney's Closet, and its sister label Michelle's Bridal, to its boutique. Sydney's Closet share the brand's ethos by using curvy models in its images showing how brides will look in their dream dress on their special day. “Our shared belief is you shouldn't have to imagine how a dress may look or fit,” says Beautiful in Curves owner Zoe. “We believe that you should experience that special moment of seeing and feeling your dress during your appointment.” With sizes 16 to 34 available in the boutique to try on, Zoe selects gowns to provide the support you're looking for in a dress. “We will then spoil you with choice!” adds Zoe. “Sydney's Closet offers glamorous satin gowns, mermaid styles, boho dresses and, not forgetting, the sparkling princess gowns which are still as popular as ever!” Visit www.beautifulincurves.co.uk
Read more news from the local Kent area in latest issue is available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!
Kath met Josh at a party and the minute she saw him turned to her friends and said, “I'm going to marry him!” How right she was, two short years later, Josh proposed on holiday in Majorca. “It was such a surprise,” Kath says. “He was all nervous because he'd not been able to get in touch with my dad to ask for his blessing.” Nevertheless, all went perfectly and it was soon time to start looking for a venue for the big day. Kath saw Knowsley Hall on social media and had fallen in love with it. So, it was the first place they booked to view and as it happened ended up being the only place. “I loved it from the minute we turned onto the driveway and saw the Hall for the first time. We booked within two weeks of getting engaged,” Kath shares.
Read more about their day in the latest issue available now. Read Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding magazine for free!
Megan Lily Floral Design has recently introduced its new Cherry Picked Wedding Flower Service. Perfect for small and intimate nuptials, the service involves a collection of ready-designed wedding flowers available to collect from the workshop in Felton. So, if you know you won't need a full wedding flower package but you still want exceptional quality, this is ideal. The collections, although ready-designed, still feel personal and are available to order online as a simple, cost effective way to organise your florals. With a minimum spend of £350, there are two beautiful colour palettes to choose from. Megan will select the best quality seasonal blooms for your big day and put them together in her soft and delicate signature style. The new brochure containing everything you need to know about the new Cherry Picked Service is available to download at www.meganlilyfloraldesign.co.uk
Read more local news in the latest issue available now. Read Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding magazine for free!
Florrie de Havilland from de Havilland Memories (www.dehavillandmemories.com) says: As someone who has recently planned their own big day, I have to say that the most important first step to attaining your dream wedding is finding a venue and getting a date locked in. As soon as you have a date, you can relax a little and find the suppliers you can relate to and would like to work with. I recommend your next supplier to be your stationer as you can't have a wedding without inviting any guests! Then, you should think about what you'd like and what your priorities are so that you can allocate your budget accordingly. From here, you can decide if you'd like to go down the bespoke route and have a tailored experience, or to use templates for your invitations. Your wedding stationery is the first impression that your guests will have of your big day, so that's the time to make a statement. I recommend using a personal stationer and creating bespoke invitations if you want to wow your loved ones and have a beautiful memento of your wedding day. Usually, they'll work with you from your invitations, all the way through to W-day and later, your thank-you letters, meaning you can create something really special and cohesive throughout.
Read more expert advice in the latest issue available now. Read Your Sussex Wedding magazine for free!
Best foot forward
Emma Brewer at First Dance Studios (https://firstdancestudios.co.uk) says: No doubt you'll already have started your to-do list of people and places to contact, so regarding your first dance we can chat online or on the phone before pencilling in dates for your lessons. Don't panic though as these won't start until a minimum of two to three months before the big day. Life can take over as you hurtle towards it, so we don't want to start too soon in case you don't have a chance to practice and you forget everything you've been taught! I absolutely promise that the lessons will be a major fun part of the wedding planning and you'll have a skill for life. Just think, you'll be sorted for all future weddings and events, and you'll be able to dance together confidently. You never know, it might even spark a love for dance and you'll carry on your lessons once you're newlyweds – what a great date night idea! Let's not get ahead of ourselves, the first step is to get in touch with your chosen dance studio for a chat and discuss your ideas or ask for advice if you don't know where to start.
For more expert advice from local Surrey businesses, read the latest issue available now. Read Your Surrey Wedding magazine for free!
With rustic vibes throughout, Jo and Nick's wedding at Houchins was a bohemian dream! The chairs with white drapes were the perfect to the ceremony setup.