Your London Wedding news and ideas from around the capital

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.

Isabelle Elliott Photography captures stunning wedding shots

After photographing innumerable events while studying at university, serendipity led Isabelle to capture a wedding for the first time in 2017, and she was hooked! Her ethos comes from the foundation that every wedding and couple is unique; their photos should reflect and celebrate that. This is clearly shown in her ability to put even the most camera-shy clients at ease so that personalities can shine through, leaving pairs with photographs that feel natural and authentic. With a candid and narrative documentary style, Isabelle prioritises telling the story of weddings with both thoughtfulness and intuition, capturing truly emotional images in a relaxed and unobtrusive way.

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.

Tick finding your wedding rings off of the list at Mercedes-Benz World

Looking to tick finding your wedding rings off of your wedding planning to-do list? Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World to chat to Goldfinger Rings. "Goldfinger Rings are a family run jewellery manufacturer who offer a home design service, we specialise in Wedding, Engagement and Eternity Rings. We work in yellow, white and rose gold, platinum, palladium and tantalum. Our prices are good and the quality of our rings is excellent. We have been making and designing rings for over 30 years. Please contact us if you would like to book a free home appointment."

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.

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.

Meet Paul a charismatic wedding host at Mercedes-Benz World's wedding fair

Paul Evers, a charismatic compere and wedding host, is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 28th. The live event host was TV presenter for more than 25 years with a reputation for his dynamic personality and performance. He has a real gift for people on and off stage, lending itself perfectly to your big day. Paul can contribute as little or as much as you need him to and can tailor to whatever you need. He will naturally build a great relationship with you and your guests meaning he can also warmly present the important elements of your ceremony if required as well as all other celebrations throughout the day and evening, with a real sense of fun.

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!"

Your dream destination wedding or honeymoon awaits at Sandals Resorts

Nestled along the Caribbean's most idyllic beaches and lush landscapes discover 18 breathtaking all-inclusive resorts, designed exclusively for adults. Here at Sandals Resorts we capture the very essence of romance. Choose between an array of spectacular wedding locations, each meticulously designed to turn your special day into an unforgettable celebration. Creating your dream destination wedding, honeymoon, or milestone celebration is more than an idea — it's reality.

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.

Pampering time! Olivia Gibson reviews AIRE Ancient Baths London

Editor Olivia Gibson reviews AIRE Ancient Baths London to discover the tranquil spaces in person. Here's what she has to say! "I'm always looking for the best spots around London without the large crowds to achieve that five-class service away from the busy streets. So, you can imagine my excitement when the AIRE Ancient Baths London team invited me to the secluded setting on the edge of Covert Garden and Leicester Square. AIRE Ancient Baths began in Seville in 2004 before expanding to Barcelona, New York, London, Chicago, Copenhagen, Vallromanes and Almeria to provide serene settings to escape the outside world.

Meet Jess, the founder of The Soirée Planner at Mercedes-Benz World

Meet Jess, the founder of The Soirée Planner, lover of sunsets, matcha lattes and dreamy floral décor at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 28th April 2024. Serving London, Essex and surrounding areas, The Soirée Planner provides event coordination and a range of wedding décor styling services to suit every couple. DON'T MISS OUT! Take advantage of The Soirée Planner's exclusive, one-time offer: 20% off all packages! Secure your date by 31st July 2024 with code CWSP20.

Looking for a Honeymoon that’s as unique as you are? Sirocco Luxury Travel offers bespoke travel at package-holiday prices.

Long-standing honeymoon experts Sirocco Luxury Travel believe that since no two couples are the same, no two honeymoons should be either! Specialising in tailor-made honeymoons to destinations such as Kenya, Borneo, Tahiti, Indonesia or Madagascar, their look-book style brochure for couples is called 'Not Your Average Honeymoon' for a reason! Owner Alice Burns believes every couple should get the chance to create a totally bespoke honeymoon to suit their own interests and passions, rather than having to pick their once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon from a list of pre-packaged holidays off a travel agent's shelf. She says "Your honeymoon should be totally unique to you as a couple, and we don't believe you should ever have to pay extra to create something tailor-made for you, either!".

Wedding flower inspiration from floral designer Dawn Jennings

Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 28th April to meet floral designer Dawn Jennings who will be exhibiting at the event. "Myself and the team are all qualified and professional florists and pride ourselves in being outstanding creatives and visual storytellers - always making dazzling fresh floral designs that are individually unique as every one of our couples!

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.