Editor loves and inspiration

Charli from Harmony String Quartet explains to us how a string quartet can be the perfect addition to your wedding entertainment.

"Our top tip for booking a string quartet is to simply ask yourself: What can they offer that no one else can? Your supplier should offer top- quality music that exceeds all expectations. If you want to guarantee your guests a good time, our Jukebox service can provide that and more. It allows the guests to interact with the quartet and create an eclectic playlist with the click of a button, plus it’s a feature that your guests will be talking about for months after your special day.

"Other things to take into consideration include where the string quartet will be seated at various points of the day or whether they can perform outside. We have great relationships with many wedding venues around the county and our consistent communication enables us to sort all the little details out before the big day, meaning you don’t have to worry about any of it. Wedding planning is enjoyable and a beautiful journey, so it means the world to us when we are asked to be a part of it too."

See more from our Music and Entertainment feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Healthier choice prosecco and sparkling rosé brand ThinK Wine has announced that its retro VW Campervan can now be used for weddings. It’s available to hire with or without staff, serving up not just any prosecco but low-sugar, vegan, organic wines that taste amazing while retaining all of the percentage volume.

ThinK Wine founder Kath Jones tells us: “Until now, we’ve been using the van for festivals and at venues that want to make a ‘wow’ moment of their welcome drinks. But we’re ready to start hiring her out for weddings, engagement parties and hen dos in the North West, and we couldn’t be more excited. The van is so gorgeous. It makes the ideal backdrop for wedding photos, especially when dressed in flowers to match your colour scheme. It’s the perfect Instagrammable moment! Not only does our van look absolutely stunning in pictures, but you can, of course, serve up our delicious low-sugar prosecco and sparkling rosé to guests as an arrival drink at your venue. The benefits of serving ThinK Wine at your wedding include the fact that it’s fully vegan, organic and low-sugar, but with all the taste and the same 11% ABV. Plus, it’s low in sulphites too, which means less of a hangover for your guests the next day. There’s no minimum spend in terms of the wine, and we can add on dressing and décor to suit your vision if required. We can send our staff along, or if you’d prefer to use the staff at your chosen venue, that’s fine too. We want it to be flexible and accessible for everyone. And if, for some reason, the van doesn’t capture your heart, then you can just order our delicious wines in cans, bottles or minis instead. They’re perfect for hen dos, engagement parties, spa days and, of course, weddings too.”

Read more local news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Melissa and Brandon met when her college began working with Brandon’s work to learn about business studies. “I came across his profile six months later and we matched on Tinder,” says Melissa. “We went on our first date and we have been inseparable ever since. It just felt really natural to be in one another’s company.”

The couple had been together for just over seven years when Brandon proposed. “I chose my engagement ring and Brandon organised everything else,” shares the bride. “I knew he was going to propose while we were in Rhodes, Greece, but I didn’t know when exactly.”

“When it came to our venue, I wanted something cosy and welcoming with attention to detail,” explains Melissa. “We had visited a few local venues, but they just didn’t feel quite right. When we visited The Glass House, we both agreed straight away that it was ideal in terms of atmosphere and as it was close to home, it was the perfect fit. The pricing was clear and the whole day was so easy to plan. The wedding coordinators were fantastic to liaise with in finalising all of the details. We met a lot of our suppliers at the venue’s showcase, so it was nice to chat with them and get a good feel for what the day would be like.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Wedding cakes are quickly becoming something more than just a sweet treat. They are works of art that can incorporate your personality and the time of year. With so many options to choose from, it can feel overwhelming, but don’t panic; there is something out there to suit everyone. To help give you heaps of inspiration, we’ve interviewed Sally Cooper from Sally Cooper Cake Artist to find out more about her business.

"My name is Sally and I’m an award-winning cake artist specialising in creating elegant and delicious wedding cakes that are designed and made from my home, which is just a stone’s throw from the Lake District. My passion lies in creating bakes that are little slices of edible art. Using ganache as my primary medium, I love exploring different textures and adorning cakes with beautiful arrangements of fresh and dried flowers. My designs often range from classic and timeless to modern and whimsical in a wide range of flavours, including traditional options like Victoria sponge and lemon, as well as more unique combinations such as white chocolate and passionfruit and sticky toffee pudding. Crafted to be visually stunning but also to taste exceptional, it will leave a lasting impression on your guests."

See more from our Cakes feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Make-up artist Felicity Ashby shares her favourite classical bridal look that you'll love for years to come.

"The best place to start is to ask yourself some key questions to really pinpoint your niche. Essentially, decipher exactly what you don’t want first. Doing a one-size-fits-all look is not the way to go; what works for one person almost never works again for the next, and we need to celebrate our unique appearances!

"Personally speaking, I love to keep my wedding make-up looking true to the client. I want them to feel comfortable with themselves as well as empowered and confident. So, if you feel most like yourself when wearing false lashes and bronzy skin, that’s the direction you should go. Equally, if you never use make-up and only wear a smidge of mascara on special occasions, something minimal and more editorial would be perfect."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Kate and Paul met online. “His good looks are what first attracted me,” says Kate. “Once I got to know him, I was drawn to his caring and funny personality.”

Paul proposed in the couple’s living room. “It was Valentine’s Day,” shares the bride. “We went out for a meal and he asked his mum to fill our living room with candles. He made a scrapbook of all our memories together and, at the end, asked me to marry him. It was eight years after he asked me to be his girlfriend and it was a huge surprise.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Donna Brown from Pure Elegance Weddings & Events gives her top tips for stying a manor house.

"If you’re considering a manor house wedding venue, below are some ideas to help you style it to impress your guests:

"Create a breathtaking entrance to the manor house with a red carpet, floral arches, or even a horse-drawn carriage.

"Adorn the interior of the manor with lavish decorations such as crystal chandeliers, draped silk fabrics, and fresh flowers in abundance. Consider incorporating gold accents or vintage furniture to add to the luxurious ambiance.

"Set the tables with fine linens, elegant china, and crystal glassware. Add a personal touch with custom-made place cards, monogrammed napkins, or small gifts for each guest.

"Fill the venue with extravagant floral arrangements featuring roses, peonies, orchids, and other lush blooms. Consider tall centrepieces for a dramatic effect or floral chandeliers hanging from the ceiling."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Laura and Phil lived in the same apartment block when they first met. “I moved in 2013 and kept noticing Phil,” says Laura. “I lived in the top-floor apartment, so I had a view of the whole street and I kept seeing him. I decided one day, after a night out with my friend, to put a note on his car. The note read, ‘I think you’re lovely; here is my number.’ The next day, he texted me and we decided to meet up. He was in the army at the time and had to go away for three months, so we had little to no contact. Once he got back, we went on our first date to watch a Manchester United vs. Stoke City match, and the rest is history.”

Phil proposed on Laura’s 30th birthday. “He hired out the whole balcony at the Hotel Gotham in Manchester and got down on one knee,” shares the bride. “It was around the time of lockdown; we had originally planned to go to New York, but the trip had to be cancelled. We then planned to go to Edinburgh, but again, plans were cancelled and so the proposal was a complete shock.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Low Hall The Lakes was the backdrop for this romantic styled shoot. Inspired by Valentine’s Day, the talented team of suppliers incorporated pinks and reds into the styling and chose two oh-so stunning dresses.

See more from this styled shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

We love flowers here at Your North West Wedding, but with so many gorgeous blooms to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. To give you some inspiration, we've asked local florist Wild Thistle Blooms Flower Design to send in one of their favourite creations.

See more from our Flowers feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download