Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Netherby Hall has been named a finalist at the Cumbria Tourism Awards

Netherby Hall, near Carlisle, has been named a finalist in the 'Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year' category at the Cumbria Tourism Awards. The Grade II* listed mansion is home to nine luxury self-catering apartments and cottages located in the gardens and grounds of the 36-acre private estate. It runs a range of initiatives, such as producing its own delicious gin and offering experience breaks that include horse-drawn carriage rides to the nearby Michelin-starred Pentonbridge Inn.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

The Mercure Norton Grange Hotel and Spa is set in tranquil grounds with views of the Pennines

Part of the Mercure Hotel Group, The Mercure Norton Grange Hotel and Spa is set in tranquil grounds with views of the Pennines. Each of the bedrooms has been designed with style and comfort in mind. From stylish twins to doubles, family and privilege rooms complete with a mini-bar, bathrobes and slippers, your guests are sure to wake up feeling rested.

Relax and unwind with a wide range of treatments to cater to your every wish and desire at the Temple Spa. Ideal for pre-wedding relaxation, a spa day is a wonderful day-long escape that lets you enjoy a carefully coordinated set of treatments with full use of the facilities, robes, towels and slippers.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Win an overnight stay at The Ro Hotel

Situated in the heart of Bowness on Windermere, The Ro Hotel is a dreamy property perfect for experiencing the untouched beauty of the Lake District. Whether you've lived in the area all of your life or are visiting for the first time, the outstanding beauty on the doorstep of this Bowness-on-Windermere hotel will take your breath away.

The Ro Hotel is where jam-packed days and lazy mornings come together. Relax with the family, explore with friends or relish in the company of your solo trip, surrounded by the laid-back tranquillity of the lakes. Bask in the comfort and style of the hotel's modern bedrooms, many of which offer pristine views overlooking the lake.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

King Street Townhouse is a luxury hotel that hosts unforgettable city weddings

King Street Townhouse is a luxury hotel that hosts unforgettable city weddings. From characteristic event rooms to the sun-lit Rooftop Terrace, you can tie the knot in an atmospheric setting inspired by the building's charming history. For over 140 years, King Street Townhouse's Grade II-listed building has stood as a beacon in the heart of the city, situated in the renowned King Street conservation area. By choosing to get married here, you'll be surrounded by the vibrant energy of the city while enjoying panoramic views that showcase the essence of Manchester.

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

Two local professionals have launched a new podcast

Wedding hair stylist Gareth Lambert and award-winning make-up artist Polly Winder have joined forces to launch The Love District Wedding Podcast, which aims to educate and entertain brides and grooms-to-be. With a combined 1,500 weddings under their belts, these two know how to calm an anxious bride and distract a fussy mother-in-law.

Gareth explains why they are doing it: "On wedding mornings, Polly and I are always asked about funny stories, things that can go wrong and any tips to help them through the day, and as we love to chat, we thought, why not share this with everyone?"

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Silverholme Manor is a traditional Georgian manor house

Offering stunning views of Lake Windermere, Silverholme Manor on the Graythwaite Estate is a traditional Georgian manor house surrounded by extensive grounds. The elegantly furnished property is full of original character with modern comforts throughout, creating a romantic setting to say, 'I do'.

For those planning to tie the knot outdoors, the semi-circular patio offers panoramic views of Lake Windermere, as well as sweeping views across the lawns and towards the handsome stone manor house.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Cumberland Flower Farm has been accredited by the Sustainable Wedding Alliance

Cumberland Flower Farm has been accredited by the Sustainable Wedding Alliance. The farm was established in 2018 and grows cut flowers for homes, businesses and weddings near Cockermouth in West Cumbria. Using old- school market garden methods, the team grows flowers and foliage from March until October. The company has a growing reputation for sustainable floristry, designing without floral foam and imported flowers that celebrate the seasons. Its relaxed 'country garden' florals have proved very popular with couples marrying in the Lakes, flowering between 40 and 50 weddings a year.

The Sustainable Wedding Alliance was set up in 2020 by Michelle Miles to help the wedding industry reach the country's ambition to be net zero by 2030. The process of accreditation supports businesses in understanding their current carbon footprint and creating a sustainability strategy that helps them become more environmentally friendly.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.