Your Surrey Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Wedding favours for Kids: ToyChoc Box

PLAYin CHOC's ToyChoc boxes are a fantastic choice for entertaining kids at weddings. These eco-friendly, vegan, and allergen-free treats come in 100% recyclable packaging. Each box contains two creamy chocolate bars wrapped in compostable packaging, along with a 3D card puzzle toy featuring animals like endangered species, sea creatures, or dinosaurs - there's also a fun animal fact inside. At just £2.25 each on Amazon, these boxes are a budget-friendly addition to your wedding plans.

Fab florals from Surrey-based The Wright Choice

Surrey-based florist The Wright Choice is now offering fabulous floral parties and DIY wedding workshops tailored specifically for you. These are perfect for hen party groups of six to 12 guests, but larger groups of up to 20 can be catered for on request. Join owner and floral designer Nicola who will work together with you to create a package specific to your requirements. You'll be provided with all the tools and materials needed to create your floral masterpiece. Whether you want a flowery fun fun-themed experience or an informal, relaxed space to let your creative juices flow ahead of your big day this is the event for you. These sessions are perfect for if you're looking for a hen party with a difference.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

Burningfold Manor is a new and licensed wedding venue

Burningfold Manor is a beautiful, privately owned country wedding venue nestled in the picturesque village of Dunsfold on the Surrey and Sussex border. Steeped in history, it was once one of Henry III's hunting lodges. The charming 15th-century, grade II listed house is surrounded by stunning walled gardens with extensive views over 300 acres of estate and woodlands. A new and licensed venue, it's full of romantic, British history and charm, conveniently located within an hour from central London and the coastal cities of Brighton and Chichester. With endless options both indoors and outdoors, Burningfold's versatility offers a bespoke backdrop allowing you to celebrate most memorably.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Surrey-based company Ginger Ray shares hen party themes

With peak wedding season fast approaching, now's the perfect time to plan for the big send-off – your hen party! Whether you're organising your own or you're leaving a best friend in charge, why not opt for a theme that's a bit out of the original? Locally-based Ginger Ray has shared three spicy but sophisticated crowd-pleasing themes for a hen party to remember for all the right reasons. Jess Martin, hen party expert at Ginger Rays says, "Grab your pens, paper and hens and book yourselves into a life drawing class. Filled with creativity, laughter, and empowerment, the session can be as spicy or as sophisticated as you like! Art studios will always want to prioritise the models' comfort so the atmosphere will remain respectful aside from the inevitable giggles and blushing making it suitable for most hens.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

Romain Bourger, Director of Wine & Beverage at The Vineyard wins award

Romain Bourger, the director of Wine & Beverage at The Vineyard in Berkshire (bordering Surrey), is awarded first place in the Top 100 Sommeliers UK Awards 2024, a true testament to his dedication, excellence and unwavering commitment to fine wines. The Top 100 Sommelier UK Awards took place on the 10th of June 2024 at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London. They celebrated the very best sommeliers in Britain, applauding the art and expertise of those professionals who epitomise service excellence in wine. The awards are a veritable who's who of the UK's hospitality industry, announcing the most admired sommeliers working across the country today.

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

Surrey-based Brooklands Hotel offer exclusive new package

The team at Brooklands Hotel have created a new exclusive package to help you create a magical day at this four-star luxury hotel, all at an incredible price. This exclusive package is available on selected dates throughout 2024 and is priced at £2,024 based on 40 guests. With plenty of options and little extras available to be added, you'll find ample opportunity to make your big day even more special. Upgrade to the banqueting menu, add a tasting session or treated your nearest and dearest to a glass of wine with their meal. Or to celebrate your first night together as newlyweds, why not book the Hotel's Signature Suite, 319, for £289 saving up to £154.

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Gustav Fouche recently opened hair salon in Weybridge

Renowned celebrity hairstylist Gustav Fouche has recently expanded his empire with the opening of his second salon in Weybridge. Known for his mastery in crafting iconic looks for A-list clientele, brides and the red carpet, Gustav brings his unparalleled expertise from London to this new upscale Surrey location. With more than 20 years of industry experience and a passion for creativity, Gustav's intimate salon promises to be a haven of style and sophistication. Working closely with his clients including many brides-to-be, he carefully considers factors like face shape, skin tone, and hair type to deliver personalised looks with elegant results.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Sip, Savour, and Delight at The Vineyard in celebration of English Wine Week this June

Experience an unparalleled journey into the world of fine wines and inspiring tipples at The Vineyard, the perfect place to celebrate English Wine Week (from Saturday 17th June to Sunday 25th June). Just an hour away from London, on the outskirts of Newbury in Berkshire and close to the Surrey borders, The Vineyard is owned by Sir Peter Michael and offers an intimate and personalised experience to any guest. The Vineyard is a destination in itself with its 49 spacious rooms and suites, a fantastic spa and a world-class food and beverage offering that features a five-course tasting menu. The Vineyard is also home to one of the largest private art collections in the UK, including notable artworks from the likes of Ronald Searle and sculptures by Michael Thacker and Henry Moore.