Your London and Surrey Wedding news and ideas from around the capital

NEW ECOMMERCE PLATFORM FOR MILLINERY

Award-winning milliner Katherine Elizabeth has launched a new online shopfront for her label Katherine Elizabeth Millinery, making her handcrafted hats and headpieces available to purchase directly from home for the first time. Known for her couture millinery designs, Katherine Elizabeth has created bespoke pieces for high-profile names including Dita Von Teese, Lily Allen, Debbie McGee and dancer Johannes Radebe, and her work has featured at both London and Paris Fashion Week. The designer's career spans collaborations with leading fashion houses and appearances across major media platforms including the BBC and ITV, alongside guest presenting roles at events such as Royal Ascot Ladies Day. Katherine has also exhibited at prestigious institutions including Fortnum & Mason during London Craft Week and Coutts Bank during London Fashion Week.

Something borrowed, something blue’ is out – but 1 in 4 Brits still value wedding cards

New research from Moonpig reveals the top wedding card writing confessions. A whopping 30% of Brits admit to defaulting to a safe "congratulations!" because they simply can't think of anything else to say. This is followed by recycling the same message for different couples (11%) and signing a card without knowing what your partner has written (8%). What's more, when stuck for words, one in 10 (8%) admit to turning to AI for inspiration - this rises to one in seven (14%) among 25–34-year-olds. Brits are not alone in facing this wedding card conundrum. More than half of Brits (55%) admit they have struggled with at least one aspect of wedding message writing. Nearly one in four find wedding cards (23%) or guest-book messages (24%) difficult, while one in five (20%) hit writer's block when preparing the all-important wedding speech.

Port Lympne's wedding show is in September - hosted by County Wedding Events!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Port Lympne, in Kent, for inspiration on Sunday 13th September 2026 - 11pm - 3pm! 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.

The YouGov Big Survey on Weddings

The journey that begins with "will you marry me" and ends with "I do" transforms a couple's lives in multiple ways, but it also involves a huge number of decisions, as planning a wedding is no mean feat. Every guest will have an opinion on what a wedding should be like: from what's classy and tacky, to which traditions should be followed and which can be discarded. To help prospective couples get a grip on what these potential guests hope to see in a wedding, YouGov's new Big Survey on Weddings examines all these key debates about what should and shouldn't feature on the big day, including looking at the decisions that brides and grooms would make themselves. The study is part a Big Surveys project: a series of in-depth surveys on British society. It was conducted between 7-9 August 2026, with a sample of 1,784 adults in the UK aged 18 and above.

Countdown to County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse

We live and breathe weddings at CWM towers, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 20th September ! It's one of four Signature Wedding Show of 2026's Autumn wedding show season; and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the summer months. The event brings couples 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.

Brits are swapping the 'big day' for the 'right day' as searches for intimate wedding venues soar

Couples are increasingly choosing quality time over large guest lists, with new search data revealing a growing demand for intimate weddings and stylish registry office ceremonies. According to Google search data analysed by Suit Direct, searches for "small intimate wedding venues near me" have increased by 86% year-on-year, while interest in "micro wedding packages" has risen 23% over the past three months, suggesting more couples are opting for meaningful celebrations that prioritise the experience over extravagance. For many, the legal ceremony is no longer just the paperwork before the "real" wedding. Instead, couples are dressing for the occasion, hiring photographers and celebrating afterwards with an intimate meal or party, proving you don't need a 200-person guest list to make the day feel special.

Lavender Mayfield marks 20 years of natural beauty

Reopened on 6th June, Surrey icon Mayfield Lavender Farm celebrates 20 years of purple perfection, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in one of Britain's most soothing natural landscapes. Set across 25 acres in the North Surrey Downs, the Soil Association– certified organic farm has become synonymous with slow beauty, wellness and escapism. This anniversary season is shaped around the themes of renewal, regrowth and regeneration, reflecting a growing desire to reconnect with nature through mindful, sensory experiences. Wandering between softly swaying lavender rows at full bloom is a feast for the senses – the scent alone is enough to lower stress levels and lift the mood. New for 2026, the Lavender Labyrinth offers a serene space for pause and reflection.

Expert at Cake Box, shares 2026 wedding trends

Weddings may be rooted in tradition, but 2026 is seeing couples put their own spin on the big day. From reimagined wedding cakes to more personal, less conventional celebrations, today's couples are increasingly choosing what feels meaningful to them rather than simply following the rules. To explore how wedding traditions are evolving, Okay Rahman, Head of Product and in-house cake expert at Cake Box, shares their insight into the biggest wedding trends of 2026 — and how couples are putting a fresh, modern twist on some of the most-loved elements of the day. He said... "We're seeing that wedding cakes are becoming much more personal in 2026. The traditional tiered cake certainly hasn't disappeared, but couples are feeling less tied to the idea that a wedding cake has to look or taste a certain way. These days, it's being treated as another part of the styling of the day, so the design reflects the couple, the venue and the overall feel of the wedding.

Luxury as standard

London luxury chocolatier Giuliana Pimenta is bringing the vibrant tradition of Brazilian wedding chocolate tables to modern UK celebrations, offering couples an immersive alternative to dessert stations and favours. Inspired by the lavish confectionery displays often seen at Brazilian weddings, the chocolate installations are designed to function as both visual centrepieces and interactive guest experiences. Each display combines handcrafted brigadeiros, bonbons and pralines with styling tailored to complement the wedding aesthetic. Known for producing more than 30,000 handmade chocolates each week for weddings and large-scale events, Giuliana blends artistic presentation with layered flavour combinations, including raspberry caramel with yoghurt crunch, salted caramel centres and rich pralines encased in finely tempered chocolate shells.

Are Brits risking their finances by avoiding the pre-wedding money talk?

For many couples, talking about money can feel far less romantic than talking about the wedding itself. But as more Brits prepare to tie the knot — and with stronger legal rights on the horizon for unmarried couples — new research suggests we may be leaving some important financial conversations until it's too late. From avoiding money talk on first dates to steering clear of prenups, the findings reveal a nation surprisingly reluctant to discuss how to protect their finances, even when differences over money are already putting relationships under strain. Two thirds of Brits (66%) say they would not get a prenuptial agreement before marriage (48%) or have already opted against one (17%) - compared to 42% in both France and Spain. New findings from Europe's second largest neobank, bunq, reveal that Brits are markedly more resistant to prenuptial agreements than their continental neighbours – despite Britain's reputation as the less romantic nation.

Couples could legally get married anywhere - legal comment

The UK Government has unveiled a new consultation to reform the wedding laws in England and Wales which is exploring how wedding ceremonies are conducted, particularly looking at wedding venues. The proposals are seeking to modernise the outdated legislation in this area which will eventually provide couples with greater freedom to decide where and how they will get married. At present, when a couple gets married, they need to have their legal ceremony in a licensed building or a registered place of worship. The existing laws have a further requirement that couples must ensure the individual officiating their wedding ceremony is either an authorised religious minister or a civil registrar.

7 Ways to Make Your Wedding Memories Part of Your Home

As weddings become increasingly personal, couples are moving away from cookie-cutter celebrations and towards details that tell their own story. British Vogue has identified intentionality, personalisation and nostalgia as defining themes for 2026 weddings, while The Knot is highlighting the rise of keepsakes and deeply personal touches. But there is an interesting part of the wedding story that receives far less attention: what happens to those meaningful details afterwards. Here, founder Kate Legodi of Coeur et Maman, specialists in conservation-quality printed photo mounts, shares her advice...

MILLBRIDGE COURT’S LUXURY REFURBISHMENT

Surrey's Millbridge Court has officially reopened for bookings, offering couples a private country house style setting just an hour from London. Reimagined by creative studio Dearborn Studio, the 19th-century property has been transformed into an exclusive use destination for weddings and celebrations, blending heritage architecture with contemporary, design-forward interiors. Set in the village of Frensham, the venue accommodates up to 150 guests and features nine individually designed bedrooms, including seven en-suite rooms in the main house and two standout private suites set within the grounds. The property includes two expansive event halls with vaulted ceilings and garden views, as well as a hidden cocktail bar located within The Gallery. Additional spaces are designed for both celebration and preparation, including dressing rooms, salon-style facilities and private areas.

NEW SUMMER OPENING

Luxury boutique hotel The Shepherd Mayfair has unveiled a first look at its rooms and suites ahead of its highly anticipated opening in summer 2026. Located at the entrance to the historic Shepherd Market, the new property forms part of the Elegant Hotel Collection and will offer 82 individually designed guest rooms and suites spread across six floors in the heart of Mayfair. Designed by Timothy Shepherd of Shepherd&, the interiors blend townhouse-inspired elegance with contemporary luxury, pairing warm timber finishes, marble bathrooms and softly curved furnishings with subtle references to British craftsmanship and local history. Rooms feature adaptable design elements including desks that transform into dressing tables and console tables that double as chessboards, reflecting the hotel's focus on practical yet refined travel experiences.

LUXURY HOTEL OPENING

Boutique hospitality brand The Zetter Group has officially opened The Zetter Bloomsbury, a new 68-bedroom luxury townhouse hotel overlooking Russell Square and opposite The British Museum. Set across six interconnected Georgian townhouses in the heart of Bloomsbury, the new property draws inspiration from the area's rich artistic and literary heritage, combining historic architecture with contemporary interiors and a distinctly residential feel. Designed by acclaimed interior designer James Thurstan Waterworth, the hotel has been conceived as the home of a well travelled collector, featuring antiques, vintage artwork, African textiles and bespoke handmade details sourced from around the world. The interiors include more than 500 cushions crafted from antique fabrics, repurposed Turkish rugs and an extensive library of vintage art catalogues.

TIE THE KNOT AT THE LANSDOWNE CLUB

Historic London venue The Lansdowne Club is positioning itself as one of the capital's most elegant wedding destinations, offering couples a luxurious setting steeped in more than 260 years of history. Located in the heart of Mayfair, the Grade II*-listed Georgian property combines neoclassical architecture with Art Deco interiors, creating a dramatic backdrop for both grand celebrations and intimate gatherings. At the centre of the wedding offering is the striking ballroom, designed by renowned architect Robert Adam, which can host up to 190 guests and is licensed for 'I dos'. Additional spaces include the long gallery for drinks receptions, the Shelburne Room for smaller celebrations and the newly introduced library dining space for intimate events and engagement dinners.

Surrey beauty brand launched

Luxury sleep and wellness brand MYRN Silk is bringing a stylish new approach to bridal beauty and gifting following its launch earlier this year. Based in Guildford, the new British brand specialises in premium mulberry silk pillowcases designed to support healthier hair and skin while adding a touch of luxury to everyday routines. As wedding season approaches, MYRN Silk is highlighting the beauty benefits of silk as part of pre-wedding self-care. Thanks to its smooth surface, pure mulberry silk helps reduce friction while sleeping, minimising frizz, tangles and breakage compared with traditional cotton pillowcases. The fabric is also naturally less absorbent, helping hair retain moisture and natural oils for a smoother, more hydrated finish.

SEASONAL MENU SET TO DELIGHT

Richmond Hill Hotel has unveiled a new seasonal menu at its destination restaurant, 144 On The Hill, celebrating fresh flavours, vibrant ingredients and elegant contemporary dining. Designed to reflect the arrival of warmer days, the updated à la carte offering combines seasonal British produce with globally inspired touches. Alongside the restaurant menu, 144 On The Hill has also refreshed its lounge and bar offering, introducing elevated comfort dishes, sharing plates and relaxed all-day dining options including bao buns, monkfish scampi and gourmet burgers. Sunday dining remains a focal point for the hotel, with traditional roasts served from midday each weekend while the new "144 Ultimate Sharer Experience" offers a generous roast designed for two.

From best mates to distant relatives: Brits reveal the wedding gift hierarchy

How much should you spend on a wedding gift? It seems the answer depends on just how well you know the happy couple. New research from One4all Gift Cards has revealed that almost half of Brits (49%) would spend less on a wedding gift if they were not particularly close to the couple. The relationship came out ahead of travel and accommodation costs (38%) and paying for a hen or stag do (28%) when it comes to factors influencing how much guests are prepared to spend. For those closest to them, Brits consider an average of £77 per person to be an acceptable wedding gift. The most popular amount was between £50 and £100, selected by 43% of respondents, while 36% believe spending up to £50 is perfectly acceptable. Just 5% would spend more than £200.

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

1 September is the most common wedding anniversary date, with an average of 1,557 marriages taking place on the date, new analysis has revealed. The research, from drinks and gifting retailer Bottled and Boxed, analysed 22 years of marriage registration data from the Office for National Statistics to identify the dates when couples across England and Wales are most likely to be celebrating their wedding anniversaries each year. Every date in the top 10 falls between late July and early September, showing how heavily the most common anniversaries are concentrated in late summer. August is the most common month for wedding anniversaries, accounting for 15.7% of all marriages analysed, with an average of 1,254 couples married per day.