Your Surrey Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Wotton House offers Pooch Package

Internet searches for pet-friendly weddings are in the up and Wotton House set among the beautiful Surrey hills in Dorking has recently launched the Pooch Package which includes welcome doggy treats, a canine concierge service, a comfortable dog bed and dog-friendly dining options. This 13-acre estate is home to secret walled gardens where pets are welcome. The main house, which boasts 17th-century vaulted ceilings, is licensed for ceremonies with several wedding packages available catering for between 10 to 150 guests - the family pooch can act as a ring bearer during the ceremony! Wedding packages start from £105 per person and rooms start from £189 per night.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Botleys Mansion offers a picture-perfect English venue this summer

Harper Weddings is a family-owned and operated company specialising in crafting unforgettable weddings for more than twenty-five years. With a distinguished portfolio of venues in the South East, including Botleys Mansion exclusive-use wedding house in Chertsey, Harper promises couples an unparalleled wedding experience tailored to their dreams. Nestled amidst 56 acres of picturesque parkland, Botleys Mansion stands as a quintessential English wedding venue, exuding grandeur and luxury at every turn. Featuring a striking Palladian façade and elegant interiors, Botleys Mansion offers couples the perfect backdrop for their fairytale wedding. With a capacity for up to 288 guests during the day and 500 for evening celebrations, this majestic estate ensures that every moment is nothing short of extraordinary.

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

De Vere Horsley Estate completes first phase of million-pound refurbishment

refurbishment to 51 of its bedrooms located in Horsley Place, a distinctive contemporary hotel which sits alongside the historic mansion house, Horsley Towers in more than 75 acres of grounds. The work has already seen 10 new academy double rooms and five new academy superior double rooms be completely refurbished, along with the creation of five new Horsley Place suites, with the remaining rooms due to be complete by this summer. The newly designed rooms offer a relaxed and contemporary design, with a nod to the estate's illustrious past. The bedrooms are complete with walk-in showers, classic Roberts radios, Penhaligon's toiletries and smart TVs, whilst in the suites you'll find roll-top baths and fluffy robes and slippers, with some also featuring private terraces.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

New Store Opening for Busby & Fox in Farnham, Surrey

Busby & Fox's have recently opened a store in Farnham, Surrey and as a leading independent womenswear store, this is their eighth one after opening five new stores in just five years. The Busby & Fox pieces are designed by founder Emma Vowles to create and inspire confidence for women in their late 40's, 50's and beyond, and Sophie Cornish (founder of www.notonthehighstreet.com) is the managing director. The brand has been enjoying bumper sales and is going from strength to strength – it's the perfect shopping destination for a wedding guest outfit. The collection features colours that blend into the fabrics and transition from season to season.

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

In full bloom - Claire Ridley lunches at No. Fifty Cheyne in London's Chelsea

Editor Claire Ridley was invited to London's Chelsea-based restaurant No. Fifty Cheyne, a flower-filled setting on the bank of the River Thames. She says, "I was excited to visit this establishment and it's easy to see why it's a popular spot. It's located a stone's throw from the River Thames, with Chelsea Embankment Gardens close by. Not only is it a wonderful choice for a wedding celebration, but it's also the perfect pick for lunch or dinner (their Weekend Roasts are a must-try!) The talented team at No. Fifty Cheyne is currently celebrating The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 throughout May with a special set menu available from Tuesday 21st until Saturday 25th priced at £45 for two courses and £55 for three courses.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

Queen Camilla's Reading Room Festival at Hampton Court Palace to take place

The Queen's Reading Room charity, formed from the Instagram book club established by Her Majesty Queen Camilla, has confirmed that acclaimed actors Clarke Peters and Dame Harriet Walter will join the line-up for the Charity's 2nd annual Queen's Reading Room Festival which returns to Hampton Court Palace on June 8th. The 2024 Queen's Reading Room festival line-up will build on the success of last year's event, which attracted more than 8,000 visitors from all corners of the globe. This year's programme will see Miriam Margolyes take to the main stage in one of the Palace's atmospheric Tudor courtyards to express her love and deep knowledge of Charles Dickens; US actor Clarke Peters.

New vases from BHS to elevate big-day styling

BHS is delighted to present its newest offering for 2024, a collection of glass vases in an array of beautiful styles, shades and sizes. The extensive and diverse range caters to all interior schemes, revitalising the home with a fusion of modern sophistication and timeless charm that redefines home decor - making them perfect for big-day gift lists or thank you gifts. Alternatively, the range would also make gorgeous vessels for table centrepieces for your wedding blooms, which you can the recycle after the day and use for years to come.

WoodWick® reveals its latest collections

WoodWick® reveals its latest collection designed to effortlessly elevate the home with its unique fragrances and contemporary designs - perfect for big-day gifting. What's more, the gorgeous colour palettes would also suit spring and summer wedding themes adding aroma to your ceremony or reception, evoking memories of your wedding day for years to come. Created to make a statement with its one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience, the WoodWick® Spring/Summer 2024 range re-energises the home and adds an extra layer of sophistication. With the soothing sound of the crackling wicks, and trend forward scents evocative of the brighter days ahead, this collection is sure to add a bold, yet stylish, touch to the home.

Five minutes with Surrey's Shaun Peters Photography & Film

Shaun Peters Photography is more than just a wedding photography and videography service; it's a creative endeavour dedicated to capturing the essence of your special day in a way that feels authentic, relaxed, and effortlessly beautiful. "Our approach is rooted in contemporary techniques while embracing the natural flow of your wedding day," shares Shaun. "We understand that your wedding is a unique expression of your love story, and our goal is to document every moment, big and small, with care and creativity. From the joyous laughter to the heartfelt tears, we strive to capture the genuine emotions and connections shared between you, your partner, and your loved ones.

Noci Pasta now open on Richmond Hill

Looking for a fun yet informal place to celebrate a low-key hen celebration? Modern pasta restaurant, Noci, recently opened its doors on Richmond Hill in Surrey. Serving fresh, seasonal pasta dishes, Sicilian-street food-inspired snacks, and cocktails, Noci's laid-back design, quality pasta and affordability make it a great spot for diners. Dishes are made using ingredients from producers and artisans across Europe and the chefs have taken inspiration from their heritage and travels throughout Italy to design a menu of classics, with a focus on seasonality that comes through in the fresh pasta and small plates. Signature dishes include the silk handkerchiefs, a Noci staple that gets a seasonal twist,

New Smeg products ideal for wedding gifting this season

Whether you're compiling your big-day gift list and looking for inspiration, or you're a guest attending a wedding in the coming months, these new items from Smeg makes wedding gifting easy! Adding to its of portfolio cooking essentials, Smeg has introduced its first countertop scales. The KSC01 Kitchen Scales are a welcome addition for both budding bakers and professionals in the kitchen. Joining the likes of stand mixers and cookware in Smeg's portfolio, the brand's all-new digital scales are both outstanding in design and packed with its advanced technology.