Local shoot: The best things come in small packages
Make-up artist Claire Marie and her team set out to inpsire couples whose weddings have been affected by Covid. The resulting styled shoot shows us that all good things really do come in small packages, as intimate weddings are a beautiful way to express your love and individual personalities.
We asked Claire Marie about the benefits of going head with an intimate wedding day during the pandemic - restrictions permitting of course...
Images courtesy of Lesley Burdett Photography
Claire Marie says, "An intimate wedding allows couples the freedom to express their own personalities with no boundaries on style, theme or venue. They can have more choice in how they express their deepest emotions for one another in the presence of those they love and care for most. It can be so easy to get caught up with the big day. A small, bespoke ceremony makes this personal moment of connection beautiful and touching."
"Venue choices become much broader with a smaller wedding, you can have a stunning venue wherever you choose. Expenditure also becomes much less with fewer people, allowing you to spend more on the finer details. The wedding may be small on numbers but think BIG on details! You can provide more interesting food, for example locally sourced seasonal food, something you really enjoy, as simple or as extravagant as you like."
"Another perk of a smaller more bespoke wedding is how much more relaxed it can be.You'll have much more time with the people you love to truly enjoy your day from start to finish. A wedding photographer will be able to capture some really special, intimate moments with you and your guests. Imagine how stunning your photos could be when you have that extra time to spend with your photographer enabling them to know you as a couple and really embrace your love, style and theme."
"Money saved on numbers means you can really involve your guests in your special day. Flowers can be more creative: think flower crowns or blooms entwined in your hair, flower walls, bigger bouquets, floral centrepieces, scattered petals, the choices are endless. Your wedding breakfast becomes a much more intimate affair. No more worry about who's on which table. A table of 15 can be really stunning with vintage crockery, flowers, candles etc. The freedom a small wedding brings enables you to create the day of your dreams bringing your vision to life."
"Don't forget, you can still have a huge wedding party once rules allow. You can choose two totally different looks and themes, whether it be a classic intimate wedding and a big, bold, and bright wedding party or vice versa.
"Finally, don't hold back, this is your moment, don't be afraid to make it your day."
Bluewater's Signature Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events
We live and breathe weddings at CWM towers, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Bluewater on Sunday 18th October 2026! It's one of our Signature Wedding Shows of 2026's Spring wedding show season; and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the summer months. The event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.
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Traitors, Bake Off and Strictly: the TV-inspired hen dos you can actually book
With The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off all back on our screens, hen and stag parties can take inspiration from some of the nation's favourite TV shows. Chillisauce is offering groups the chance to recreate the drama, dancing and baking challenges for themselves, with experiences designed to bring a little competitive spirit to pre-wedding celebrations. Whether you fancy uncovering a secret traitor, putting your baking skills to the test or learning a new dance routine, there are options to suit a range of groups and locations across the UK. Discover three TV-inspired hen and stag party ideas, from murder mystery experiences in 26 locations to baking challenges and themed dance classes....
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ALDI launches new wick-ed £4.99 confetti Halloween candles
Aldi is getting into the Halloween spirit with its new Hotel Collection Halloween Confetti Candles, priced at just £4.99 each. The 180g candles feature colourful confetti patterns and come in three designs: Ghost, Pumpkin and Black Cat. Each candle offers an approximate burn time of 34 hours, making them an affordable way to add an autumnal touch to the home. Shoppers can choose from three seasonal fragrances, each with its own distinctive blend of notes.
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Looking ahead to wedding trends for hens and stags in 2027
Hen Dos Stay Home While Stags Head Abroad, Chillisauce Data Reveals: Hen parties are increasingly choosing UK destinations, while stag groups are becoming more likely to head overseas, according to booking data from Chillisauce, which suggests the divide could widen further in 2027. The company's figures show that the proportion of hen bookings taking place in the UK rose from 69% in 2024 to 76% in 2026. Over the same period, the share of stag dos abroad increased from 59% to 68%. Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce, says affordability and accessibility are helping to shape hen party plans.
