Nearlywed NEWS

All the latest from around the county

SAY CHEESE!

Browning Bros. has introduced its brand-new selfie pod for weddings and events! As an additional hire, this top-of-the-range, British-made selfie pod can take GIFs, photos, Boomerangs and burst GIFs. Once set up, simply gather your friends, family or significant other, and enjoy making memories that will last a lifetime!⁠ The images can then be sent directly to each user via text or email and the client will receive full digital gallery following the event.

Born out of a vision between two brothers to break away from the ordinary, Browning Bros. is passionate about delivering original experiences, providing luxury glamping accommodation, alternative wild weddings, secret escapes, corporate events and much more.

For further information visit: www.browningbros.co.uk

New Bridal Boutique

Rivers Bridal, located on Billericay high street has officially opened its doors! Owner, Ria Carroll says, “I’ve always dreamt of expanding into bridal as our main focus has been prom. I’m passionate about proms but weddings are just so much more magical and to be a part of someone’s bridal journey is something very special. I want to make everyone’s dress shopping experience something to remember as I believe your wedding isn’t just about the day but the months and years leading up to it and the dress buying is a huge part of that journey.”

Rivers Bridal stocks designers: Evie Young, Rachel Allan, Madison James, Phoenix and Danielle Couture.

For further information, visit https://riversbridal.com

Time To Celebrate

Love is in the air as celebrant Steve Swain has been swept off his feet since starting his business just over a year ago. Steve started his celebrant business during Covid and just over a year ago conducted his first service. Since then, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing and he’s now preparing for his 200th ceremony.

Steve became a celebrant after people told him he was good at public speaking, especially when it came to toasts or talking about other people. He said: “Being a celebrant is a fantastic job, as I get to work with amazing people that need support with a wedding, funeral, naming ceremony or vow renewal. I studied with The Regency Academy for my Celebrant Diploma, at the end of which l was thrilled to have achieved a distinction. I also obtained a City & Guilds accredited programme certificate as a civil celebrant.

“Since I started, I’ve had some incredible feedback from clients who have talked about how professional and supportive I’ve been – and how I helped to make their day perfect. That means a lot and is very satisfying.”

For more information visit the website www.steveswain.co.uk or email hello@steveswain.co.uk

TWO AWARD-WINNING ESSEX BUSINESSES

Awards voted for by wedding couples mean so much more to wedding suppliers, offering a true reflection of their services. An Essex Wedding spoke to two recent award winners in each of their categories!

CATEGORY: WEDDING STATIONERY

Nicole Bright, The Little Paper Parcel

How do you feel to have won an award?

I feel extremely pleased and proud to have won the Hitched Wedding Awards for the second year in a row. As a small business gaining recognition for your work and knowing customers positive experiences and reviews have contributed to the win is an incredible feeling.

What have you got planned for the year ahead?

After being on maternity leave for the majority of 2022, I’m looking forward to getting back to working with amazing couples to help them create their dream wedding stationery. I plan on launching some new and exciting invitation formats, thank you card designs and working with more fantastic couples on bespoke designs throughout 2023.

A Night In The Vines

Toppesfield Vineyard is an ideal location for a romantic get-away. This stunning Scandi-style luxury villa has giant picture windows which look out over the awardwinning vineyard. The contemporary design includes a nickel bar (like at The Ivy) for drinks and dinner as well as a roll top nickel bath, ideal for sipping champagne by candlelight. There’s a beautiful private garden with a BBQ, day bed and loungers as well as a jacuzzi which looks out over the vineyard. This romantic, luxury location is proving very popular for proposal weekends and minimoons/honeymoons. The price for one couple is £240 per night with a minimum of two nights stay. Availability can be checked via the Airbnb calendar on Toppesfield Vineyard’s website: www.toppesfieldvineyard.co.uk/luxury-accommodation

CATEGORY: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Maryann, The Menagerie - Lifestyle Photography

How do you feel to have won a Hitched Wedding Award?

The award reinforces all the hard work I put in for the couples I photograph, so to receive some recognition that’s based on reviews from them on one of their most important days of their lives - that’s really something special and deserves a thank you to all the gorgeous couples I photograph.

What have you got planned for the year ahead?

The next year will bring a lot of changes with it, a change of location for me personally. I’m adding highlights videos to some of my packages, and I have a new assistant photographer starting to work alongside me soon. This year is already shaping up to be the busiest yet, but also the most diverse. I have weddings booked everywhere from a donkey sanctuary to a private beach. It’s certainly going to be unusual, and so much fun!

Goodness From The Inside Out

The key to feeling and looking your best on your wedding day is to combine healthy eating habits with good sleep hygiene and stress reduction techniques, but it’s often hard to know where to start. Despite our best efforts of trying to eat the ‘right’ foods, we can inadvertently miss out on many key vitamins and minerals that can have a positive impact on mood and energy. That’s why Demelza Rayner Nutrition is offering three lucky brides the chance to win a seven-day food diary analysis service, worth a total of £180 (£60 each). The winners will be sent a link to an app, where you can log your meals for seven days. Once Demelza has viewed the data, she’ll draw up a comprehensive report using the latest nutritional software that outlines whether you’re getting enough of the three major macronutrients – carbs, protein and fat – as well as a thorough rundown of vitamins and minerals. She will then arrange a mutually convenient time for a 30-minute phone call (or zoom) to run through the results to discuss any deficiencies that may come to light and provide personalised support in these areas.

Even if you think you’re eating healthily, dietary analysis can be incredibly illuminating. Find out more about Demelza Rayner Nutrition’s one-to-one personalised nutrition programmes, or request the regular newsletter featuring exclusive tips and recipes, by visiting www.demelzaraynernutrition.co.uk

To enter, simply tick the box marked ‘Nutrition’ on the giveaway form that you can find here: www.anessex.wedding/giveaways

Part Of The Family

Woofs & Weddings offer doggy wedding chaperone services! Rebecca or one of her team will be your pet’s ‘plus one’ for the day, ready to help care for your dog throughout your wedding celebrations. Making dreams of having your best pal by your side on the day a reality.

All packages include; a meet and greet beforehand, secure transport for your dog on the day, walks, one-to-one care throughout their time at your venue, assistance with photos and posing, support in planning the day for your dog, assistance with your dog walking down the aisle and sitting nicely during the ceremony, and lots more! All can be tailored to what you need and range from eight to 24-hour care.

Also, the company offers one to one training sessions to work on specific roles/ training you’d like your dog to have for the wedding. For example, how to walk down the aisle nicely and how to settle during the ceremony.