Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Giftlist predictions for 2024

As 2023 is drawing to a close, wedding gift list company Prezola, has pulled together their best-selling wedding gifts of 2023, whilst looking at predictions for 2024. Despite being in a cost-of-living crisis, it appears people are getting MORE generous when it comes to weddings. In a recent survey*, 99% of guests confirmed they would give a wedding gift, with 93% saying they find having a list to choose from helpful. Experiences continue to be front of mind for the adventurous Prezola couple, but they are also combining this with big home upgrades, including coffee machines, pizza ovens and more. The likes of Airbnb, Mr & Mrs Smith and Lastminute.com are extremely popular, alongside honeymoon funds, with 59% of guests giving cash for honeymoons and 39% of them donating towards a honeymoon through a fund like Prezola.

Christmas gifts for the bride to be

The Christmas countdown is on – and if this isn't the only big day on the horizon, it's the perfect excuse to pull out all the stops If you're got a friend, sister or loved one who's about to celebrate their last Christmas as a Miss, mark it in style with a thoughtful and stylish gift from Team Hen. Responsible for giving hen parties across the world a serious glow-up, Team Hen is the ultimate go-to destination for fabulous accessories that are modern hen party goals. Forget the tacky L-plates or garish flashing tiaras, Team Hen is doing things differently – and in style. From fun festive goodies to super-stylish accessories, Team Hen has got all of your nearly-wed Christmas gifting sorted this year. The bride is going to love you for it!

Unwrap the magic of Willy Wonka with Haute Dolci

This Christmas, Haute Dolci introduces their delicious Belgian milk chocolate Dolci Bar, that's not just a delectable sweet treat but also a golden opportunity! Inspired by the whimsical world of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory and timed perfectly with the release of the much-anticipated WONKA film, Haute Dolci is excited to bring the enchantment of golden tickets to life...Recreating the magic of this Roald Dahl children's classic, each Dolci Bar comes with the exciting opportunity of discovering a Golden Ticket concealed inside and winning one of their fantastic prizes. Not every customer will discover one, but those who do will be in for a delightful surprise. Prizes range from free teasers of Dolci's finest creations to tickle your taste buds, a free drink to quench your thirst, a free dessert from their exquisite range, to charms which will give you from anything from 5% - 40% discount off purchases for an entire year, or the ultimate exclusive key, which will grant a year of free desserts.

Lakeside Travel Services has launched new Christmas vouchers

Lakeside Travel Services, a premium provider of private hire, luxury, and group transport in the Lake District, has launched Christmas vouchers for its Lake District tours. The vouchers will be personalised and delivered first-class and are valid for a year after the issue date. Available until the 22nd December, 2023, the vouchers will make the perfect gift for the happy couple or those you'd like to treat for helping with your big day. What's more, the company is also offering a 10 per cent discount exclusively for customers who contact them at bookings@lsts.co.uk

Expert reveals her ultimate tips on how to have a hen party on a budget

Getting married is an exciting time in your life, however, sometimes it can cost a small fortune. You might even be feeling the guilt of your loved ones having to fund their attendance to your events, during a cost of living crisis. Life insurance broker, Reassured polled 1,500 people to reveal the costs behind attending a hen party. To be exact, you'll be out of pocket by £979 for attending the hen party. From a boozy weekend staycation in a local city or jetting off to somewhere sunnier, the costs clearly build up more than you first imagined. However, some brides seem to have no regrets with over two-thirds (68%) being glad to have had a hen party, with 65% having high expectations and expecting their bridesmaid to organise the party for them as a surprise!

Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel with a rich history

Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel with a rich history dating back to 1705. Nestled on the Lake Windermere shoreline in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is the perfect base for relaxing and exploring the Lakes, with several of the Wainwrights' walks a stone's throw away and the town of Ambleside a mile away.

The revitalising spa has a range of treatments available, an indoor swimming pool, and thermal journey packages. The four-star hotel is also home to 130 luxurious bedrooms and two sophisticated restaurants, which are ideal for pre-wedding celebrations.

How to plan a wedding speech

Matthew Shaw, a leading wedding and events planner and founder of sauveur. - a superb events and creative studio - reveals his top tips to help you plan your big-day speech. Speeches can sprawl quite easily when you're trying to cover so much and this makes them difficult to follow. When you first start planning your speech it's definitely helpful to throw lots of ideas around but then try to focus on an overall theme or approach. This could be a personality trait, great jokes, or a more heartfelt approach, but it will help you, and the guests, if there is a clear angle to follow. In turn, this will help your guests follow along and you will be gifted with a better response from the room.

Fever-Tree's new cocktail mixers: the ultimate hosting hack

With Christmas and New Year being the key season for popping the question, there's double the amount of celebrations at this time of year! Get ready to elevate your festive hosting with Fever-Tree's innovative cocktail mixers, new for winter 2023. In a year where approximately 100,000 proposals will happen from Christmas to New Year, and 64% of consumers enjoy cocktails at home, busy hosts can now have it all serving Mojitos, Margaritas, and Espresso Martinis. The line-up: Fever-Tree Classic Mojito Mixer: Fresh Mexican Limes meet Moroccan Mint for a zesty, refreshing twist. Just add rum and ice, stir, and craft a Mojito masterpiece.

Feeling peachy with Pantone's Colour of the Year 2024 announcement

It's here, Pantone's Colour of the Year announcement for 2024 is... Peach Fuzz! We take a look at what this means for weddings! "A cozy peach hue softly nestled between pink and orange, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz brings belonging, inspires recalibration, and an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm, offering us a space to be, feel, and heal and to flourish from whether spending time with others or taking the time me to enjoy a moment by ourselves," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director, Pantone Color Institute. "Drawing comfort from PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, we can find peace from within, impacting our wellbeing. An idea as much as a feeling, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth."

Wreaths co.uk has launched seasonal wreath-making kits

Wreath-making is the latest activity to be linked to mindfulness, helping people cope with busy and stressful lifestyles and even certain health conditions. DIY wreath-making company Wreaths.co.uk has launched seasonal wreath-making kits to provide their customers with an immersive and sensory experience. Lancashire-based Wreaths.co.uk specialises in providing beautiful, hand-crafted decorative wreaths, with a selection of seasonal and occasion-based wreaths available to customers throughout the UK.

Why are prenups no longer the reserve of the wealthy?

Wenup, a collaborative online provider of relationship agreements, conducted a comprehensive analysis of its first 120 customers. This data offers valuable insights into the changing landscape of prenuptial agreements, capturing shifting trends among couples from diverse backgrounds and providing a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of modern relationships. Recent celebrity divorces, involving well-known personalities such as Britney Spears, Sophie Turner, and Joe Jonas have cast a spotlight on prenuptial agreements. Despite their often sensationalised portrayal in the media, prenups are no longer the exclusive domain of the rich and famous.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is a Grade II* listed property in Manchester

Elizabeth Gaskell's House is a Grade II* listed restored Victorian property that once belonged to the writer Elizabeth Gaskell. Built between 1835 and 1841, it's now surrounded by a gorgeous south-facing garden oasis and a short driveway that leads to the pillared entrance. Guests are welcome to explore the gardens, which have planted borders, winding paths, a heavily scented pergola, and native planting schemes. The area can also be used for ceremonies for up to 36 guests.

Overwhelmed planning a wedding? A leading wedding planner shares top tips

Matthew Shaw, a leading wedding and events planner and founder of sauveur. - a superb events and creative studio - is here to reveal his Top Tips to help you plan and feel calm, confident and importantly, excited for the big day. ASK FOR HELP: I would always advise considering if you would like to engage a planner at the beginning of the process. They are true experts in their field and will help organise, inspire, and de-stress the process for you. There are planners available for varying wedding budgets so do reach out and request more information.

Fleurs&Ink has won Best Emerging Eco-Friendly Florist for 2023

Fleurs&Ink is a wedding florist offering designs across Lancashire, the South Lakes, and North Cheshire. Run by Abbey, Fleurs&Ink aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible by sourcing local and British flowers when possible. Abbey uses reusable and recyclable methods and materials to reduce the impact of Fleurs&Ink on everyday flowers, gifts, and weddings and events.

Fleurs&Ink has had an exciting year; the company was nominated at the North West Wedding Awards and won 'Best Emerging Eco-Friendly Florist 2023' at the Global Wedding Awards – congratulations! To celebrate, Abbey is releasing new styles of plinths, urns, and arch lighting for 2024, with plenty of options to choose from.

Weddings Wrapped 2023 - wedding special

With Spotify Wrapped 2023 having just dropped, Encore Musicians, the UK's largest musician bookings platform has analysed 2,300 song requests by newlyweds to see the most requested songs and artists for weddings in 2023. They also surveyed 1,000 of its customers and musicians to discover the UK's favourite and least favourite songs to hear at weddings. Although Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" ranked as the most common song for first dances, it also ranked as the second least popular song to hear at weddings with one in seven ranking it as their least favourite.

Could you have to pay inheritance tax on a wedding gift?

Before the big day comes around, whether you are a guest giving a present or contributing to the cost of the honeymoon, or perhaps a relative considering helping towards the cost of the wedding itself, you ought to consider the inheritance tax implications of making such gifts. James Mabey, partner at law firm Winckworth Sherwood advises on the inheritance tax implications of wedding gifts. In the UK, if you die within seven years of making a gift, inheritance tax may be payable on the value of the gift after your death. This is because gifts are considered to be part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes.

DJ Chris G has won a Highly Commended Award at The Wedding Industry Awards

DJ Chris G, a professional DJ, master of ceremonies, and lighting specialist, won the Highly Commended Award in the 'Best DJ in the North West' category at The Wedding Industry Awards. Based in Greater Manchester, Chris works with state-of-the-art equipment to create a spectacular setting for your event, which can include confetti canons, indoor fireworks, light-up backdrops, dancefloors, and more. Whether you're looking for bespoke lighting to match your theme or a starlit backdrop, Chris has something to suit.

Propress launches the MINI Clothes Steamer - perfecting for wedding dresses!

Professional and long-established British fabric steamer manufacturer, Propress, has unveiled the Propress MINI Handheld Clothes Steamer. A revolutionary product that combines over 40 years of steaming expertise with cutting-edge technology, the MINI allows users to say goodbye to the days of wrestling with an ironing board and hello to the future of garment care with beautifully crease-free clothes, whether at home, in the office, or on-the-go.

The Propress Mini Handheld Clothes Steamer (£110) is available in Arctic Grey, Idol Blue or Vintage Pink from the Propress website. It heats up in under a minute offering the convenience of crease-free clothes with a simple touch of a button. Its efficiency and ease of use make it a must-have for every fashion-savvy individual, plus it is versatile enough to treat various home fabrics from curtains to bedding, and is ideal for weddings or even hoteliers.

The Wild Boar offers a range of fun wedding experiences

Set in the leafy woodlands of the Gilpin Valley, The Wild Boar boasts 72 acres of private grounds and forest trails for you and your guests to enjoy. The extensive grounds and beautiful scenery provide a range of options for weddings with a difference.

The venue's Mad Pig Land Rover often features in photographs as you are driven to your chosen photo backdrop. You can also enjoy a falconry hawk walk in the woods or the venue's 'Wild Wedding' experiences, which include clay pigeon shooting, archery and axe throwing.

Winter wedding inspiration from leading wedding planner

Matthew Shaw, founder & creative director at sauveur. shares his winter wedding inspiration for those looking to tie the knot at this time of year. Winter weddings have grown hugely in popularity. The festive season can be a truly magical time of year to host a wedding and stand out from the crowd but it does bring its own set of considerations for the planning. Whilst the key areas of your wedding planning will be the same as a wedding in any other month, there are a few different elements to consider to create an incredible winter wedding celebration.