Your Surrey Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Garden wedding ideas for the big day

Co-founder of Togather.com, Hugo Campbell, unveils garden wedding ideas for the big day. As wedding trends evolve, couples may be seeking unique ways to celebrate their special day. For those looking to embrace a laid-back atmosphere and the shabby chic aesthetic, from Ottolenghi-style dining and Aperol carts, to enchanting fairylights and the perfect venue. A festival theme: Many couples are looking for maximum flexibility and the ability to perfectly match their food to the vibe of the day. This summer Togather.com is seeing many couples opting for a festival feel for their food, hiring multiple different street food trucks and allowing their guests a choice of handheld food rather than a sit-down meal. This means they can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements and preferences as well as give their guests a more relaxed feel.

Holiday Inn London Sutton Hotel unveils £750,000 refurbishment

The Holiday Inn London Sutton has unveiled a £750,000 refurbishment to transform its public spaces and showcase a new Open Lobby concept on the ground floor. The stylish Open Lobby, designed to provide guests with one multi-faceted public space to eat, meet, relax, socialise and work as they choose, will revolutionise the way guests live and interact at the Sutton hotel. The traditionally separate zones of a reception, lobby, bar, lounge, restaurant and business centre have been merged into one cohesive 'Open Lobby' space where guests can operate in a more instinctive, flexible and homely way. The multi-functioning zones will encourage guests to better utilise all areas and facilities in a way which works around their lifestyles and preferences, allowing them to blend work and leisure seamlessly, which has become a greater demand in recent times.

How Brits are spending and saving on weddings in 2023

New data from Barclays reveals how macro trends such as the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and social media pressures are impacting weddings in 2023. The report combines proprietary spending data with a survey of 1,000 newlyweds and people engaged to be married to determine this year's top wedding trends and cost-saving behaviours. Two fifths (38 per cent) of newlyweds, and brides- and grooms-to-be are going over budget on their special day, with most of these couples citing the rising cost-of-living (51 per cent) and suppliers being more expensive than they anticipated (44 per cent) as the reasons for this increased spend.

A stunning new collection of wedding cakes from Lola's cupcakes

Lola's Wedding Cake Collection features an array of stunning confections that combine Lola's famous cake flavours with irresistible designs, suitable for any wedding theme or colour palette. The cakes can be adorned with delightful macaroons, fresh fruit, romantic rose petals or a glimmer of gold dust. With prices starting from just £90, the handcrafted one or two-tiered cakes are designed to serve up to 70 guests, making them the perfect fit for budget conscious brides and grooms enjoying a more intimate reception or post-registry office gathering prior to the big day.

Pennyhill Park offers new dedicated wedding event space

Set within a 120 acre estate in the heart of the Surrey countryside, Pennyhill Park provides a classically romantic backdrop with its charming ivy-clad mansion house defined by its 19th century traditional architecture to its garden terraces and manicured lawns. Only the best for their wedding day, couples can now enjoy exclusive use of the hotel's private terrace wing in its entirety. Drinks receptions can be enjoyed in the artfully refurbished Water Lily suite, or on the Lily Pond Terrace overlooking the grounds when the weather is kind. 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 longer.

Truffle Tablescapes Launches Luxury Tableware Rental Range

Truffle Tablescapes, a leading UK-based online tablescaping boutique, has launched its first range of rental tableware and accessories that is aimed at those wanting to decorate their lunch and supper parties, events or small weddings. Truffle has been helping at-home entertainers elevate their dinner party looks since it launched during the first lockdown in 2020. Founded by tablescaping expert and interiors lover Kate Fairlie, the brand has expanded again by launching an extensive, yet carefully curated, rental collection of luxury table linens and accessories.

A date for your diary - wedding open house

Strawberry Hill House and Garden has been described as a 'magical wedding venue' and with good reason. It was created in the 18th century by the famous writer and collector, Horace Walpole, and today, his stunning white villa is not only Grade I-listed but is internationally recognised as Britain's finest example of domestic Georgian Gothic revival architecture. With the Thames nearby, Strawberry Hill benefits from extensive grounds, complete with five acres of Grade II* listed gardens, making it ideal for those all-important photographs.

Sentimental gift ideas from Heads & Tails Jewellery

Heads & Tails Jewellery has been making personalised, beautifully designed jewellery for more than 10 years. The brand's innovative products can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come, making them ideal for wedding day gifting. Every handcrafted gift uses high-quality materials and is presented in a luxury gift bag or luxury gift box and comes with a 12 month warranty. Emma Pearson, owner of Heads & Tails Jewellery, shares her top advice for wedding day gifting.

Weatherproofing your UK Wedding

Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather. Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.

Attending a wedding this summer - save on travel costs

Now that wedding season is upon us, a recent survey by Railcard has revealed that wedding guests spend on average a whopping £402.90 on each wedding they attend. With 31% of Brits having attended between one and three weddings in the past two years, these sometimes-overlooked expenses can quickly rack up. In fact, 59% of those surveyed admit that they would decline a wedding invitation if the costs of attending were too high, showing that cost-savings to any wedding expense can really make the difference for those who RSVP 'Yes' or a regretful 'No'.

Contemporary wedding venue - Storyboad at Shepperton

Storyboard at Shepperton is the ideal venue when looking for something contemporary with a natural twist. Set in seven beautiful acres of landscaped gardens, this time of the year lends itself to outdoor nuptials here – ceremonies on The Terrace overlook the picturesque surroundings and the natural meadow is in full bloom, creating a stunning backdrop for your photos. Head to the Wedding Showcase on 17th September 2023, between 12pm and 4pm to see this setting for yourself and meet the wedding planners who'll show you how they'll set the scene indoors and outdoors for your perfect day.

Wedding speech pressure: top tips to nail it!

Whether the best man, the bride or a family member, giving a speech at a wedding naturally comes with pressure to perform. In fact Dr Chris Hartley, a sport and performance psychologist working with Insure4Sport, has likened it to the pressure faced by professional sportspeople in a major event like a penalty kick or break point. Here, he shares top tips on how to cope with the weight of expectation, fear of failure when giving a wedding speech, using sport psychology techniques he employs when working with top athletes.

Epsom Downs Racecourse showcases new makeover

Epsom Downs Racecourse has undergone a refurbishment and the team want to shout about it from the rooftops! Renowned for its picturesque landscapes and rich history, the big-day experience has now been elevated with a refurbishment of its most sought-after wedding suites. The revamped suites ooze elegance and charm, blending modern sophistication with timeless grandeur. Every detail has been crafted to create an enchanting ambiance, from the opulent lighting and luxurious furnishings to the bespoke décor and stylish colour palettes. With a keen focus on comfort and versatility, the renovated suites will offer flexible seating arrangements and state-of-the-art audio-visual systems. The spacious dancefloors and refined bar areas will provide the perfect backdrop for joyful moments and memorable toasts.

Should more women taking the wedding speech spotlight

More women should be taking the spotlight at big events, according to new research from learning and development company Good Shout. However, according to a new poll, conducted in partnership with YouGov, the very prospect fills two thirds of women (67%) with dread. Of those women in the UK who would refuse to give speeches at a wedding, 50% said that it was the "cringe factor" that held them back, i.e. being too self-conscious or feeling too awkward or uncomfortable in the situation.

Tips for tying the knot while it’s hot

With Summer wedding season in full-swing and the English weather as unpredictable as ever, happy couples across the country may get more than what they bargained for when it comes to wishing for a sunny day. As temperatures across the UK already reaching highs of 30C and the Met Office predicting even hotter temperatures expected ahead, Samantha Gilchrist, former wedding photographer turned cofounder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, the UK's largest wedding venue collection, gives her expert advice gathered from over 15 years in the industry.

Hen parties in UK more popular now

Hen parties on UK soil are the number one choice for Brits, according to new research from Butlin's Big Weekenders. According to a study commissioned to mark the reopening of Butlin's Big Weekenders breaks in September, over half of Brits (53%) say a hen do in the UK is more appealing than one abroad and almost the same (54%) say a hen do is better on one resort where all the facilities are in one place. On a Butlin's Big Weekender guests can enjoy accommodation, food, drink entertainment, and activities all in one place. The adult-only weekends are available at all three resorts - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. What's more, organisation is key for British hens, as data reveals the most common time to plan a hen do is 3-4 months in advance, in stark comparison to men, who are most likely to plan a stag do just 2-3 days in advance!

That Friday wedding feeling at Wotton House

Those planning to tie the knot on a Friday in 2024, will be pleased to hear that Wotton House is currently running an offer that'll be just perfect for you. Book a Friday wedding by the end of October, 2023 and receive 10% off 2024 rates. Since the 16th century the luxuriously eccentric Wotton House estate has been a cornerstone of the beautiful Surrey Hills tapestry. The grand vaulted ceilings, pillars and centuries-old original fireplaces set a romantic tone for an indoor ceremony and outdoors the hotel's grade II listed gardens are spectacular, featuring England's very first Italianate gardens, Italian temples, and magical grottoes.

Most Instagrammable beach wedding venues in the UK

Wedding invitation company, Aura Print, analysed 70 of the most sought-after beach wedding destinations and discovered the UK's most Instagrammable coastal wedding venues. The stunning spot of Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe, Devon boasts over 13k hashtags on Instagram, making this the study's number one pick. Located on the beautiful North Devon coast, Tunnels Beaches is situated on a cliff top with hand carved tunnels down to a secluded private beach. The venue provides a thatched roof gazebo which overlooks the breathtaking Devon coastline for a picture-perfect backdrop

New spa packages at Pennyhill Park

Located amongst 120 acres of Surrey woodland, Pennyhill Park is a luxurious spa and hotel retreat, that's just launched four new private spa cabanas – perfect for a pre-wedding de-stress with your best girls or a post-wedding relax as newlyweds. Designed like a luxury hotel room brought into the great outdoors, guests can spend the day relaxing in the comfort of their own personal haven, whilst soaking up the sun and enjoying all the spa facilities. The Spa at Pennyhill Park's award-winning relaxation facilities, which already boast a state-of-the-art fitness suite and a variety of thermal and sensory spa experiences, are expanding this summer with the addition of their new cabanas

Brits feel judged on wedding gifts

Almost one in five (20%) Brits feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts and 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party. 81% are depending on a form of finance other than their main income to provide for their family New research has revealed that almost one in five Brits (20%) feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts. A further 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party.