News for nearlyweds in the latest government announcement
Lockdown/quarantine/isolation however you describe it we've all felt the restrictions of the situation physically and emotionally. Thanks to our wonderful NHS and the will of the British public coming together and getting the pandemic under control, we can now start to see our - dare we say it - 'normal' lives returning.
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we saw so many wedding businesses adapt to the current situation with innovative ideas to ensure couples could still continue to think and dream about their wedding days. Cake makers started sending taster boxes in the post, venues offered virtual tours and zoom meetings became the new normal.
If you're in the middle of wedding planning there's so much to look forward to again. Why not visit your wedding venue for a show around? Or meet up with your photographer for a socially distanced face-to-face chat? Even more exciting for brides-to-be on the hunt for their dream dress, is that bridal boutiques have opened their doors again – online shopping just isn't the same!
Perhaps you have been planning the wedding on your own and you want to share your ideas with your chief bridesmaid/bridesman, well now you can get together over a cuppa (indoors!) and plan to your heart's content.
If you continued with the organising and planning of your nuptials during lockdown, then why not take a break from the wed-min and have a date night at the... cinema! Yes, trips to the cinema are now back, and even with the much-needed socially distancing measures in place, there's a movie or two coming out that would give you a night out to enjoy together. Maybe pop to the hairdressers beforehand so you can really feel like you're going on a date! And, dinner is literally on the table again now as our beloved dining-out pastime has returned with the opening of restaurants – everyone must be tired of cooking every night right?
What’s more, if you’re not sick of the sight of each other yet, and three months hasn’t been enough quality time with your loved one, then why not book a little night away in one of the many hotels, B&Bs, and holiday homes set to open in July? This is also brilliant news for couples who tied the knot just before the pandemic and sadly had their honeymoon cancelled or postponed. Perhaps a belated minimoon in the UK will be just the thing you need to reminisce about the wedding day and look towards a brighter future together?
For weddings themselves, the new government announcement included the news that ceremonies of up to 30 loved ones – socially distanced of course – can take place in a religious building. Sadly, no singing, and no reception. This news may be all that some couples want, to finally be able to say their 'I dos' in front of a small number of friends and family. For others, it's still not the dream wedding they had in mind and have planned for so long; so we'll all just have to wait a little longer and know that when the big day finally arrives, it will be everything you wanted and more...
In the meantime, our wedding magazines cover the UK with 19 regional titles, and all provide an abundance of wedding inspiration and ideas to help you continue planning your big day. Check out www.county.wedding and www.countyweddingevents.com
Everything you need to know about faith marriages this wedding season
Thousands of couples will say their vows this wedding season believing they're legally married, only to discover, when it matters most, that they might not be. Faith marriages are an increasingly complex issue for UK couples, with leading law firm Mills & Reeve seeing a steady rise in clients who discover – often much later – that their wedding does not carry the legal status they assumed. Jane Ingleby, partner at Mills & Reeve, explains why so many marriages fall into a legal grey area, and what couples should check before they walk down the aisle...
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Bridal Showers Are Becoming the Biggest Pre-Wedding Trend of 2026
Not sure where to start? Don't worry - experts at Abbott Lyon have put together simple steps to help you plan the perfect bridal shower, so everything runs smoothly and the bride (and her besties) can enjoy every moment of the day. You know the bride better than anyone - after all, she's asked you to be a big part of her big day. Think about what her vibe is and what she's into. Is she more about getting pampered at a spa day or would she prefer a wild brunch somewhere? Also, think about who's coming to the bridal shower. Will her older relatives be there or will it be mainly her friends? Are work colleagues coming? You want to make sure anything you plan is appropriate for everyone to enjoy.
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Claire Hill Designs Launches Lichen Gemstone Collection
Cardiff-based Claire Hill Designs launches the Lichen Gemstone Collection perfect for brides, bridesmaids, mums and guests. Jewellery is becoming more personal and this year, the focus shifts from purely decorative pieces to designs that carry meaning, symbolism and intention. Brands across the jewellery industry are embracing this movement. Within the luxury market, jewellery houses including Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels and Pomellato are championing coloured gemstones and symbolic design, signalling a wider shift towards jewellery that blends meaning, storytelling and personal expression. The message is clear: customers are choosing pieces of jewellery that reflects who they are and what they value.
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5 Tips to planning a perfect hen weekend in the UK revealed
61% of pre-wedding parties now stay in the UK as safety, cost, and connection reshape how Brits celebrate. Rising airfares, safety worries and global tensions, including travel hesitancy linked to the ongoing conflict, have fuelled a dramatic turn in how Brits celebrate before tying the knot. According to new figures, 61% of hen parties now take place in the UK, marking a clear shift from pre-pandemic years when city breaks in Europe dominated.
