Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The Dunes Hotel is a family-run property in the South Lakes

The Dunes Hotel is situated in the South Lakes, close to Barrow, Ulverston, and Dalton. The family-run property has 45 bedrooms, which include en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant, The Coast, offers a welcoming and relaxed dining experience with food made using locally sourced products, perfect for families, couples, and groups. Private dining is also available for special occasions.

The ceremony room was custom-built and carefully designed to be flexible to match any theme or colour scheme. This space can hold 100 sit-down guests and more than 150 for the evening reception.

Celebrate your wedding day with Niche Cocktails

If you want to serve amazing cocktails on the big day, then Niche Cocktails has you covered with its premium ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Perfect for kick-starting the celebrations, Niche Cocktails' range of all-natural cocktails taste just as good (if not better) than the ones you'd make from scratch, meaning that cocktail-loving couples can serve their favourite combos on their wedding day - why not enjoy your favourite tipples on your hen/stag or sten do too! Pre-mixed to ensure there's one less thing to worry about, you and your guests can enjoy a tasty tipple with Niche's delicious range that is so simple to serve. Each can can be poured straight into a glass or into a shaker with ice, allowing your guests more time for mingling.

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding?

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding? If you're planning your wedding, it's likely you're experiencing a whole mix of emotions! On the one hand, you'll be on cloud nine and feeling so excited. On the other, the stress can often get the better of you, no matter how in love you are. The planning, the preparation and the pressure can be overwhelming at times. In amongst all of this, you may not be thinking about putting measures in place to protect yourself in the event of the relationship one day breaking down. Whilst not the most romantic of things to be thinking about, an ever-growing number of couples are turning to prenuptial agreements ('prenups') to safeguard their money and assets before they begin their marriage and post nuptial agreements thereafter. At Stowe Family Law, we have seen enquiries for prenups increase by a quarter in the last year.

Paper Swan is offering our readers a discount on its stationery packages

Paper Swan is a bespoke wedding studio offering luxury stationery in Manchester, Cheshire, and across the UK. Owner Lucy Williams tells us: "After leaving school, I decided to follow my heart and enrol in a graphic design course. I graduated and have spent more than 15 years bringing creative ideas to life. My experiences working across different mediums have led me to become obsessed with beautiful textured papers, creative design, and wedding stationery. It made sense to combine my passions, and so Paper Swan was born.

Most popular day for marriage proposals revealed

New research has revealed the most common dates for marriage proposals in the UK, with Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day taking the top three spots. In order to delve into engagement trends, a UK wedding venue has conducted a survey of married, engaged and single people... More than 2,700 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, 76% of whom were married or engaged and 24% of whom had not been engaged yet. Respondents answered questions about their past proposals, or what they would want from a proposal in future. Wedding venue Hensol Castle first of all asked what date of the year anyone who was or had been engaged was asked for their hand in marriage (or did the asking), which revealed the following top five dates to be the most popular of the year:

Mitton Hall has been restored and re-created as a dreamy wedding venue

Situated on the banks of the River Ribble, the magnificent Mitton Hall has been restored and re-created as a dreamy wedding venue. The ancient architectural features of this 15th-century manor house are complemented by the contemporary interior design. Step onto the riverside terrace and explore the gardens with stunning views of the Ribble Valley, perfect for taking those all-important photographs.

ully licensed for civil ceremonies, The Party Room, capable of holding 165 seated guests for your ceremony, is bathed in natural light and boasts spectacular riverside views before transforming into the perfect party space for your evening guests.

20 things to get us through January according to Brits

With Christmas over, and the most depressing month of the year in full swing researchers asked Brits to vote for the things which we love about the colder months, with snuggling up with a blanket the top choice! The research, conducted by luxury ski resorts Club Med, also revealed a Sunday roast helps us get through the chilliest days, as over a quarter (27 per cent) love the smell of a roast dinner wafting through the house.

2024 wedding trends from the experts

Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events, an events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the 2024 wedding trends along with other experts in the industry..."Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it's hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place."

The best alcohol-free drinks to serve at weddings?

Discover the delightful range of award-winning non-alcoholic beverages from Mocktails which will make the perfect accompaniment to alcohol-free weddings and hen/stag dos! The ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to embrace the benefits of alcohol-free without compromising on flavour. Mocktails offer a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mixology-inspired and uniquely crafted, drinks include Mockarita, Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and Espress0% Martini. Mocktails' beverages are made with real fruit juices, exotic and natural flavours, and pure cane sugar.

Sustainable wedding wrapping paper from Curlicue

Curlicue, a British-made, female-founded company, has a delightful range of love-themed gift wrap - perfect for wedding gifting or Valentine's Day! All wrap is on 100% FSC-certified recycled and recyclable paper, plastic-free, and made with vegetable-based ink. The company uses a waterless and chemical-free printing process to be kinder to the environment, and use a UK printer for its paper to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible - from making to shipping its plastic-free!

1 in 7 couples buy wedding insurance at short notice

Christmas and New Year is the most popular time to get engaged* but research from wedding insurance specialist, CoverMyWedding.co.uk, reveals that couples might not be financially protecting all their purchases. One in seven (16%)** couples buy wedding insurance within 100 days of their wedding, according to CoverMyWedding.co.uk, leaving them potentially missing out on protection if they have already started putting down deposits and making payments. Wedding insurance often only covers items booked and bought after it is purchased, so it is important to buy it as soon as possible and before any big bookings or purchases are made, as depending on your insurer, they may not be included.

Fallbarrow Hall is now fully licensed for civil ceremonies

Fallbarrow hall, one of the largest exclusive hire mansions in the Lake District, is now fully licensed for civil ceremonies. Situated within Fallbarrow Holiday Park in Bowness-on-Windermere, the luxurious venue has also just celebrated its first anniversary since being managed solely by Parkdean Resorts.

Suitable for intimate weddings of up to 50 guests, with accommodation for 36, the Grade II-listed Victorian mansion boasts stunning views overlooking Lake Windermere. Couples are offered exclusive use of the hall, the period Dining Room or the spacious lawn. With full jetty access, there's also the option to hold an unforgettable drinks reception on a boat out on the lake.

Wedding gifting etiquette - your guide from the experts

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists! That's why we are here to help with your guide to wedding gift list etiquette! We have spoken to The Wedding Shop, the UK's leading gift list provider to bring you everything you need to know about wedding registries. In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Holland Hall Hotel is a Grade II-listed wedding venue that dates back to 1654

Nestled in the picturesque West Lancashire countryside, Holland Hall Hotel is a Grade II-listed wedding venue that dates back to 1654. The manor house hotel is accessible via a long driveway, adorned by luscious greenery, which leads onto a private car park with a charming stone fountain. The stone-pillared entrance has grand wooden doors that provide a dramatic entrance into the foyer. Elements of the original Baroque architecture balance perfectly with the refurbishment, creating a classic yet rustic charm throughout. There are 24 elegant and spacious en suite bedrooms and suites for guests to choose from, a luxurious apartment that sleeps six, and two beautifully appointed cottages with landscaped gardens.

Big-day gifting ideas from Yvonne Ellen

With careful eyes on tight-budgets, it's easy to forget the charm of gift-giving but with careful planning and your eye in the right place you can still find wedding gifts for loved ones. Based in London, Yvonne Ellen is an independent British home and lifestyle brand specialising in home and giftware that is quirky yet timeless. Bringing her passion for home design to life in 2017, award-winning designer Yvonne Ellen hand paints her illustrations on a wide range of fine china home and lifestyle products that's inspired by her love of travelling, fashion and London, bringing a colourful and bold statement either on its own or as part of an eclectic assortment of goodies.

2024's biggest gifting wedding trends revealed with The Wedding Shop

Gifting Guru, Liza Baucher from The Wedding Shop, reveals the 2024 wedding gifting trends that are set to be huge next year. According to The Wedding Shop's recent gifting survey, 99% of wedding guests will still give a gift in 2024 and the average price of a gift is higher. Which means, despite the cost of living - people are still spending more on wedding gifts. Liza adds, "In an era of rising costs, it's inspiring to see wedding guests prioritise the joy of giving. The significance of being part of someone's special day hasn't diminished, in fact it has grown stronger!

Anna Sorbie has released a new bridal headwear collection

Anna Sorbie, a hairstylist based in Cumbria, has released a stunning new bridal headwear collection. Anna designed this collection after working with head pieces that she felt weren't flexible enough for brides to wear comfortably.

Frustrated by beautiful and expensive pieces that weren't functional, Anna designed this range using luxury fresh water pearls and the best quality crystals, paying attention to how they would work effortlessly in the hair.

Launch of SpeechyAI - a new wedding speech writing tool

SpeechyAI, the first (genuinely decent) wedding speech writing tool has launched, giving you plenty of help and inspiration for planning your big-day speech whether you're the bride, groom, bestman or any member of the bridal party that's volunteered or this all-important role. Heidi, the founder of Speechy (the wedding speech ghostwriting team who were featured on The Drew Barrymore Show & The New York Times), has spent the last nine months working with an innovation company and, using Speechy's speechwriting techniques and tips, has developed something they're now proud to launch. As writers themselves, the team were very sceptical that AI would ever be able to produce a witty, coherent, and original speech, but through extensive testing we realised the AI, despite ongoing rumours to the contrary, can be very funny. Heidi adds, "So, with our 'secret Speechy recipe' we've now developed SpeechyAI and we hope the speeches created will surprise the majority of people who are still sceptical about AI's ability!"

Ribby Hall Village is a five-star holiday destination in Lancashire

Situated in 130 acres of Lancashire countryside, Ribby Hall Village is a five-star holiday destination with plenty of places for guests to explore, including the award-winning Spa Hotel, 2AA Rosette Orangery restaurant, a premier health club, a nine-hole golf course, and accommodation ranging from luxury hotel rooms to large signature self-catering properties with hot tubs.

The Summer House is an idyllic setting for al fresco nuptials with vibrant summer blooms and gorgeous greenery, while the Garden Room offers a beautifully lit space with scenic views.

Get an extra night’s sleep with Young’s rooms this January

Two nights are always better than one, and with 1,000 nights to giveaway, cosy up in the comfort of the pub with Young's Rooms this winter. To redeem, simply book your two-night stay online between 3rd January – 15th February 2024 (for stays up to 29th February 2024) and use the code ONEMORESLEEP to receive 50% off your booking.Whether you fancy a city break in the capital, a getaway in the glorious British countryside or a seaside escape, make your stay count with 42 pubs with rooms in London and in the South of England to choose from. Ranging from snug stays for solo travellers to family bedrooms and one-of-a-kind feature rooms, complete with plush furnishings, uber-comfy Hypnos beds and Bramley toiletries, there is no better place to unwind than the cosy surrounds of the great British pub this winter.