Summer weddings on the horizon after COVID-19 restrictions lifted
Here at County Wedding Magazinesand Events HQ we had a little bit of a flutter in our bellies when we heard the prospect of the Government considering changes to the current ban on wedding gatherings; and not only that, as early as June - hallelujah!
When the Government announced the lockdown on 23rd March due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was understandably the right thing to do, to save lives and protect the NHS. However, it was also a shattering moment for all of those brides- and -grooms-to-be who had spent months, even years planning their dream wedding day, all to hear that it was no longer possible to go ahead.
Whether it was a big white wedding in a stately home, or a festival-vibe-do surrounded by hundreds of loved ones, all plans, big or small were put on hold from 23rd March with the Church of England restricting wedding ceremonies to five people - including the bride and groom, the priest and two witnesses. With many couples opting to postpone, the wedding industry was turned upside down with panicked phone calls to loved ones and suppliers to re-book and re-plan hundreds of wedding days across the country.
Turning Spring weddings in to Autumn nuptials was the obvious choice, however, before Sunday's announcement (and Monday's follow up clarification) who knew if Autumn was even going to look likely? Which is why, upon hearing that the decision on wedding gatherings was under consideration this was not only music to our ears here at County Wedding Magazinesand Events HQ but also to that of all of our readers and suppliers whom we work closely with and support in the local communities - there was finally hope!
Even if the summer wedding proposal by the Government is limited numbers and secure spaces, it still means that weddings from June onwards need not be cancelled or postponed - yes, maybe not all of your guests could attend, but perhaps you can stream the wedding live? Yes, you may not be able to have the seating plan you wanted, but least you're together! Yes, you may not be able to have a 12-hour celebration, but surely the most important thing is to say your vows with your husband or wife and start to plan your lives and marriage together after 'I do' and after the pandemic.
The pandemic has shown us what's important, love and loved ones, and weddings are the perfect celebrations of that! If you're looking to tie the knot this summer, even in light of any changes please do get in touch and tell us all about your day at danielleh@county.wedding as we'd love to hear all about your wedding in the face of adversity and feature it in one of our County Wedding Magazine titles and websites!
In the meantime, the team here at County Wedding Magazines and Events HQ will be watching the news along with everyone else to rejoice in any changes that means we can continue rebuilding our wonderful world of weddings!
Iconic British brand Dualit presents a curated selection of wedding gifts designed to be cherished for years, and in some cases, generations to come. From romantic, café-style mornings to shared moments over hot chocolate, each gift will be enjoyed well beyond the wedding day. A thoughtful gift for couples who love to bake and a must have for every kitchen. The Dualit Hand Mixer is a firm favourite among top chefs and seen on TV, combining high performance and a chic retro design, this versatile tool is available in Copper or Chrome finish.
READ ARTICLE
Tagvenue Reveals Its 2026 Event Predictions
As the events sector continues to evolve, 2026 is set to mark a clear turning point for UK venues. Leading event booking platform Tagvenue has released its predictions for how the UK events and hospitality sector will evolve in 2026, pointing to a decisive shift away from scale, standardisation and fixed packages, and towards experience-led formats, wellbeing and clearer communication of value. Drawing on booking behaviour across thousands of UK venues, alongside insights from independent hospitality operators, Tagvenue predicts that the most successful event spaces in 2026 will be those that combine strong identity with flexibility, visual appeal and transparency around pricing and experience.
READ ARTICLE
Experts Warn Against Using AI for Wedding Vows
With peak wedding season approaching, experts are warning couples not to rely on AI to write one of the most personal parts of their big day – their vows. A survey by jewellers Queensmith has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK brides and grooms are now using AI tools to help write their wedding vows and speeches, raising questions about authenticity, originality and even potential legal grey areas. The findings come amid a growing debate around AI-written vows after a registrar in the eastern Netherlands saw a marriage called into question when AI was used to help write the ceremony script. In the case, the District Court of Overijssel ruled that "no marriage has been established" after it emerged the registrar had relied on ChatGPT to draft parts of the ceremony. The case has sparked wider concerns that AI-generated wording could unintentionally mirror existing vows or scripts found online, raising questions about originality and authenticity.
READ ARTICLE
Marriage, Money, and Modern Love: Gen Z and Millennials
"As a family barrister, I spend much of my professional life dealing with what happens when relationships break down," says Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, Family Barrister at 4PB. "That vantage point inevitably shapes how I think about marriage — not cynically, but realistically. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that one of the most notable trends I have observed in recent years is the growing interest in prenuptial agreements among Gen Z and younger Millennial couples.