An Essex Wedding - Mar/Apr 2017 (Issue 79)

#CWchat We love a good debate at County Wedding Magazines; so let the battle commence! YES... NO WAY... SAYS EDITOR SARAH REEVE Call me old fashioned but I love the idea of my other half trawling the internet and browsing shop windows, putting in some spade work, trying to find out my ring size, likes and dislikes. The effort and thought behind it would mean way more to me than a fabulous sparkler I’d chosen myself. Receiving anything bespoke or that’s been personally selected by a loved one, instantly increases its value in my eyes and you can always drop a few subtle hints along the way to make sure they choose a style you like. WOULD YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN ENGAGEMENT RING? SAYS EDITOR HANNAH FAULDER As much as the thought of my partner choosing my engagement ring on his own would be super-romantic and very sweet, the reality is that I’m very particular with what I wear! The amount of pressure on him to get it right would be immense, particularly with the potentially large price tag. I’d rather choose the ring together, that way we can bond over a shared experience and I can make sure I get something that I know I’ll be excited to wear for the rest of my life. Carry on the conversation @CountyWeddings Don’t forget to join us every Wednesday at 9pm for #weddinghour THE WHITE HOT LIST Perfect for wedding favours, Raw Halo’s Mylk and Dark chocolate ranges are scrumptious, not to mention a healthy chocolate snack. The 35g bar is a combination of superfoods and Purvian cacao and has no refined sugars. Completely natural with no artificial sweeteners or flavourings, they’re also organic and gluten free – so your loved ones won’t be able to say no to these. Our favourite is the Mylk + Pink Himalayan Salt – delicious! This gorgeous book is ideal for a crafty bride- or groom-to-be who wants to remember the planning and lead up to their special day. T he Big Happy Memory Keeping Planner includes 12 months of undated pages, monthly and weekly calendars, 13 laminated dividers and 23 additional memory keeping themed pages, which can be added or removed thanks to the handy disk-based spine. Additional accessories are available such as pocket cards and photograph sleeves making your journal bespoke to you. Raw Halo, £2.79, rawhalo.com Big Happy Memory Keeping Planners,£34.99 ,happybags.co.uk Giving guests the chance to leave their well wishes for you and your beau on your wedding day, this chic jar is a fab piece of wedding décor for a range of themes and colour schemes. The wish cards are blank on the reverse and a great size for a heartfelt message, while the chalkboard- style label is ideal for a personal message from the newlyweds. Wedding Wish Jar, £14.99, findmeagift.co.uk Tried and tested for you... 15 YOUR ESSENTIALS