THE INSPIRATION BLOG

While we always believe that every wedding is unique, there are inevitably trends that shape a couple’s big day. Sometimes these are trends that we’ve seen bubbling away for a few years and sometimes they are completely novel ideas that take us by surprise. 

For many couples, a wedding without their dog by their side would feel incomplete. After months spent choosing menus, flowers and seating plans, plenty of the couples we work with want their pet woven into the day too, not just wheeled out for a five-minute photograph, but genuinely part of the occasion. As our wedding coordinator Emily puts it: “More than ever, we have many couples whose dog is a huge part of their life and love the fact their dog can be part of their wedding day.”

Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make. The flowers will fade, the cake will be eaten and the venue will be cleared by morning - but your photographs will be with you for the rest of your life. They are the thing you will reach for on anniversaries, share with your children and one day, perhaps, look back on together when you are old. So when couples ask how to hire a wedding photographer, or how to make sure their photos feel as beautiful in 30 years as they do today, it is a question worth taking seriously. We put it to three of the talented Cotswold wedding photographers on our recommended suppliers list - here are their top photographer tips…

There is something about the Cotswolds that feels almost too beautiful to be real. Honey-stone villages, sweeping green hills, ancient churches and wildflower meadows - it is the kind of English landscape that has inspired artists, writers and romantics for centuries. And increasingly, it is capturing the imagination of couples from around the world who want to bring their own rich cultural traditions to one of Britain’s most iconic settings.

There’s something irresistibly romantic about a barn wedding. The texture of old stone, the warmth of timber beams, the softness of candlelight and the feeling of being tucked away in the countryside with everyone you love. But rustic barn wedding styling has moved far beyond hessian bows and jam jars. Today’s most beautiful barn weddings are layered with understated luxury - more country house editorial than country fair.

When it comes to planning your wedding, few moments are as eagerly anticipated as the wedding breakfast. It’s where everyone gathers, glasses are raised, stories are shared, and your celebration truly settles into its rhythm. At Lapstone Barn, we often find that the most memorable wedding breakfasts aren’t just about the food itself - they’re about bringing people together in a meaningful way. Relaxed yet thoughtful, indulgent yet personal, and always reflective of you as a couple. If you’re currently exploring your wedding breakfast menu, here’s our guide to creating something your guests will talk about long after the last course has been served.

Are you currently planning your wedding and not sure where to seat your guests? Balancing all the different family dynamics, friendship groups, and personalities can seem like a monumental task – but it all becomes worth it when you see the people you love most chatting, laughing, and celebrating together. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about wedding seating arrangements in 2026, and share our top tips to help you build the perfect wedding table plan.

If you’re newly engaged and starting to plan your big day, one of the first questions you might ask is: what actually happens at a UK wedding ceremony? While the wedding breakfast and evening party often steal the spotlight on social media, it’s the ceremony that truly matters. It’s the moment you make your promises. The part your guests will remember long after the confetti has settled. And the beginning of everything that follows. Whether you’re planning a civil ceremony at a licensed wedding venue, a church wedding, a humanist ceremony or a celebrant-led celebration, here’s exactly what to expect - along with the legal elements you’ll need to include in 2026 and 2027.

When planning a wedding, it’s easy to start with the details you can see - flowers, styling, dresses or décor. But before any of those decisions can truly take shape, there’s one choice that influences everything else: your wedding venue. From setting your date to shaping the atmosphere of your day, your venue is the foundation your entire celebration is built upon. That’s why, for most couples, it should be the very first thing you book. In this guide, we explore what to look for in a wedding venue and why early viewing is key to securing your dream wedding.

When couples begin planning their wedding, one decision often comes before all others: the location. For many, the answer isn’t a specific venue straight away, but a feeling - rolling countryside, honey-coloured stone, quiet lanes and villages that look as though they’ve been waiting centuries for a celebration. And that’s exactly why so many couples find themselves drawn to the Cotswolds...

The wedding flower trends for 2026 are shaping up to be some of the most imaginative, expressive, and heartfelt we’ve seen in years. From nostalgic cottage-garden romance to modern sculptural installations, couples are falling in love with arrangements that feel deeply personal, while embracing sustainable blooms and seasonally led floristry. We caught up with one of Lapstone Barn’s trusted floral experts, Sally from Sally Gill Flowers, to guide us through the key wedding flower trends for 2026, including the colours, styles, and bouquets that are set to define the year’s weddings. Here are her favourite floral fantasies for the year ahead.

From the first tasting to that magical moment when you slice into it together, your wedding cake is one of the sweetest parts of your celebrations – literally!