Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

From smart invites to livestreams: the tech-savvy wedding trends of 2025

Like the tides of fashion, wedding trends come and go; however, the coming online age of nuptials is coming in fast and causing quite the wave. From AI-generated floor layouts and digital invites, modern couples are finding new ways of broadcasting their love. Here are some of the biggest trends in technology that will shape weddings in 2025, and how the industry is adapting to meet couples' expectations.

Say I Do with Chelsea Peers

Chelsea Peers have made the morning of the wedding even more stylish than before. You and your bridal party can now get ready in soft satin and lace trimmed nightwear, bringing together the joys of wedding morning excitement and the wow factor for your photo album. Why not have your bridesmaids in matching pyjamas? The bridal collection caters to the whole wedding party and would make those getting ready photos all that more special.

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Lily Arkwright donates wedding rings to terminally ill Manchester groom

In a touching display of generosity, Lily Arkwright Jewellers has stepped forward to support a very special couple by donating a pair of wedding bands to a terminally ill groom and his fiancée, ensuring they can celebrate their dream wedding despite their circumstances. The ethical and sustainable jeweller was contacted by Gift of a Wedding, a UK charity that arranges weddings for individuals facing a terminal diagnosis. The couple, based in Withington, Manchester, had hoped to marry but faced financial barriers. Their wedding was set for Friday, 28th February 2025, leaving little time to secure the rings needed for their big day. After learning about their story, the team at Lily Arkwright was honoured to help, donating two plain gold wedding bands, which were delivered ahead of the wedding date.

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

Rucomfy has launched a new range of photo cushions

Family-run textile brand Rucomfy has launched a new range of photo cushions that would make the perfect wedding gift. Digitally printed at Rucomfy's Lancashire factory onto strong, vibrant fabric, each cushion is finished with a charcoal grey back and a fibre-filled inside, which will remain plump for years to come.

Nicole Hussey, the creative manager of Rucomfy, said: "These photo cushions were created to capture those special moments in life. They are the ideal gift for all occasions and give the opportunity to hug your memories. Personalised homewares are the ultimate thoughtful gift and we have something for everyone – even the family pet – in our handpicked collection of customisable products."

Browsholme Hall is the oldest family home and historic estate in Lancashire

A venue with a story, Browsholme Hall is the oldest family home and historic estate in Lancashire. Set in more than 600 acres of countryside, this glorious wedding venue is in the heart of an area of outstanding beauty. Robert and Amanda took over the running of the hall and estate in the 1970s. Continuing the work his parents started, they concentrated on developing Browsholme Hall within the community and making it economically sound and sustainable. The hall is now relevant to the 21st century with biomass-fuelled hot water and heating, energy-saving lighting and clean spring water. More than 20 local people now work in the hall, gardens, the Tithe Barn and the estate as employees or volunteer guides, making Browsholme Hall a significant contributor to the local economy.

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne styles for every wedding

The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to share some tips for couples who are planning to celebrate their big day with a sparkling touch; pairing the perfect Champagne styles with different wedding themes. Champagne has long been synonymous with celebration, and the versatility of its styles means there is a perfect style for every couple, no matter the wedding theme. If your wedding theme is classic and traditional Brut Champagne offers versatility, it is an excellent choice for celebrations where guests will feel part of the couple's love story. Brut Champagne makes up around 80% of Champagne shipments to the UK, beloved for its balanced structure and refreshing finish.

The Forest Side, Grasmere, has been presented with a new type of award

The Forest Side, Grasmere, has been given a new type of award called One Michelin Key. The hotel already has a Michelin Star for its restaurant, headed by head chef Paul Leonard, and now it is one of only 72 hotels across the UK to receive One Michelin Key.

The Michelin Guide revealed the new One, Two and Three Key distinctions for the most outstanding hotels in the UK and Ireland. Like the Michelin Stars for restaurants, the Michelin Keys are awarded to the Guide's most outstanding hotels.

Alasdair Elwick, the general manager of The Forest Side, says: "The whole hotel is absolutely delighted with the announcement; it's great for the team to be recognised for the fantastic work that they do."

Didsbury House is a Grade II-listed building that dates back to the 1890s

Didsbury House is a Grade II-listed building that dates back to the 1890s. This luxury Victorian townhouse is a statement in individual design, bringing influences from around the world to the fashionable suburb of Didsbury. The property features 27 bedrooms, a residents' bar and lounges that reflect the hotel's electric design and provide a chic urban retreat for weddings. The owner and designer worked with the original features of the house to maintain and showcase the wonderful work that originally went into creating the property.

Situated in leafy surroundings, the hotel is just four miles from the city centre and Manchester Airport, with easy access to the M60.

Couples are making sustainable wedding choices from the beginning - engagement ring trend

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, many couples are looking to take inspiration from the likes of royalty and celebrities who decided to remodel or repurpose their symbol of enduring love from a vintage or pre-loved item or family heirloom. Not only does it give your engagement ring a deeper meaning or story, it's also a more sustainable way to shop, for one of the most important pieces of jewellery you'll ever own – you'll end up saving potentially thousands of pounds, plus you could end up with something completely unique to you. One such jeweller who is helping couples with this big decision is Rachel Fox, Jewellery expert TV presenter from Channel 4's Millionaire Hoarders, and Store Manager from pre-owned luxury jewellery seller, S&R Jewellers. As one of London's top specialists in this area, S&R Jewellers reports a huge uptick in the number of couples choosing the pre-loved route for their engagement ring.

Couples share the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, greeting card marketplace, thortful, has spoken to five couples who are still going strong after many years about the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship – and one is quite taboo. Speaking to the five couples, who have all been together longer than 10 years, communication, small gestures, and alone time were among the most common ingredients for a long-lasting relationship. All couples even unanimously agreed that farting in front of each other strengthens their relationships. Lack of communication is among the top reasons for break ups, according to experts, which is why Tom Lanaway, who has been with his partner for 11 years, claims strong communication to be the key to his strong connection.

Minimalist or maximalist? The décor styles couples are choosing in 2025

As we step into 2025, it's crunch time for soon-to-be-weds to lock in those wedding details. Whether you've just popped the question or are counting down to the big day, knowing the latest wedding décor trends can spark some serious inspiration for your celebration. The décor at your wedding isn't just about aesthetics; it's the mood setter, the vibe creator, the silent DJ of your day. From colour schemes to special touches, the décor styles set the tone and the atmosphere. So, let's dive into the styles that will be painting the town (and your wedding) this year.

Broadoaks Country House in Cumbria has been nominated for an award

Boutique wedding venue, Broadoaks Country House has been recognised as one of the top locations for couples to say 'I do' in Cumbria after being nominated at the County Brides North West Wedding Awards.

A Victorian manor house originally built in 1836, Broadoaks Country House is steeped in history and boasts a romantic charm that enables couples to enjoy the wedding of their dreams while overlooking the picturesque Lake District hills. Situated in five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, Broadoaks Country House offers five different areas for civil ceremonies, ranging from an intimate orangery through to an outdoor setting with views across Troutbeck and the surrounding valleys.

Stirk House is a historic wedding venue built in 1635

Built in 1635, Stirk House exudes character and authentic features, which can still be seen today in the magnificent stone arch above the fireplace and the original doorway that has welcomed guests to this special place for more than 300 years.

Stirk House is a historic property with a winding driveway, ivy-clad walls, stone mullion windows and vibrant gardens. Boasting spectacular views of the surrounding Ribble Valley countryside and Lancashire's famous Pendle Hill, your friends and family can enjoy relaxing strolls through the gardens, ancient forest and nature trail.

Money and Matrimony: Mastering finances together

Managing money as a married couple can greatly differ from managing your own money as a single person. Where you previously only had to budget and save for one, and think about your own needs and wants, there is another person to think about, including their life goals and financial habits. For National Marriage Week, Olly Cheng, Financial Planning Director at Rathbones, shared his top tips on how to manage finances as a married couple.