Editor loves and inspiration

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

Luxury wedding venue, The Gibbon Bridge Hotel has refreshed its outdoor wedding space. The team repainted the bandstand, which is used for weddings, at the start of the year, transforming it from a wood stain with a red carpet to white with a cream carpet to brighten the space and create a more modern vibe. As well as the new look, there are now Twilight Wedding Packages available that can be tailored to suit varying budgets.

What’s more, the team has also welcomed back a spa offering. Lizzy from Bowland Spa offers manicures, pedicures, massages, and facial treatments, as well as nails, for guests, members of the bridal party and family to enjoy.

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

Rebecca and Kyle met over 10 years ago. “Kyle first spotted me on New Year’s Eve, but we never spoke,” says Rebecca. “A few weeks later, on my birthday, Kyle came up to speak to me and have a dance and the rest is history.”

Kyle proposed while the couple was in London. “The year he proposed, he didn’t give anything away at all; he was so calm,” shares the bride. “It was December 2021. We always go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and have a few drinks beforehand. He was desperate to go to our favourite rooftop bar, so much so that we were there when it opened. He went to the bar and I went outside onto the terrace and found us a table. Little did I know he was telling the girl at the bar that he was going to propose and could she record it? She didn’t get a chance, of course, because he came back to the table so fast and got it over and done with that she was still busy getting us a bottle of champagne! We drank the champagne and he told me the stories about getting the ring and how he chose it.”

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

Toms Table is an award-winning bistro in the heart of the Ribble Valley. Chef Tom hails from Bashall Eaves, just outside of Clitheroe, and comes from a local farming family.

The team explains: “Our wedding and events menus are born from Tom’s experience in banqueting in the French Alps, tailoring menus to guests’ tastes from all over the world. We offer bespoke catering with a personalised approach and work closely with clients to create tailored menus and experiences that suit their specific needs and preferences. We are passionate about using locally sourced ingredients. Prioritising working with local farmers, growers, and producers to obtain the freshest and highest-quality ingredients available in Lancashire. This commitment to local sourcing ensures that the food is not only delicious but also supports the local economy and promotes sustainability. Tom pays meticulous attention to every aspect of the catering experience. He focuses highly on presentation, ensuring that dishes are beautifully arranged and visually appealing, and is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and exceeding client expectations.

“Every celebration is different and our menus reflect just that. No matter what you envisage for your event, we will help you create a menu that’s perfect for you and just for you.”

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

Caroline Crompton from Willow & Wilde Bridal shares her top tips for buying a wedding dress.

"Get ready for the whirlwind of wedding planning and the excitement of choosing all the special parts to make your day perfect," shares Caroline. "One of the most obvious of these is choosing your wedding dress, so we’ve put together our tips that we recommend every bride consider when choosing their wedding gown:

"Consider your venue: The first step in wedding planning tends to be booking the date at your chosen venue, and the reason this is important is that the location of your wedding can really help with the type of dress you pick. Beach weddings abroad, and you might rule out heavy lace or sleeves. A small, intimate restaurant might mean you can’t have a full princess style due to the space around the tables. You might want to go boho in a tipi or traditional in a church, but the venue really can have an impact on the look and style of your dress.

"Try everything: Many times a bride will say, ‘I don’t want strapless’ and what happens? They buy a strapless dress! Shopping for a wedding dress is not the same as shopping on the high street. The styles, fabrics, colours, necklines, size and shape are crafted by designers who know how a dress should fit. This skill means that styles you would normally turn away could actually surprise you, so make sure you try everything."

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

Hannah and Mark met each other at work and over time, their relationship blossomed. Mark proposed at Rydal Water near Grasmere in November 2022. It’s a place Hannah loves and visited all the time with her grandmother.

"We had our ceremony at St Peter’s Church, where other members of our family have tied the knot," says Mark. "For our reception, we chose The Cumbria Grand Hotel. I have been the general manager of The Cumbria Grand Hotel for over 20 years and has overseen hundreds of weddings. The Victorian building has a large ballroom and beautiful grounds that were perfect for our wedding. The team went above and beyond to ensure we had the perfect day."

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