Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

How to make your engagement ring shine for wedding day

Between shampoo, hairspray, moisturiser and hand cream – we can all agree that our beautiful engagement rings go through a lot on a daily basis. After all, many of us wear them every day without ever taking them off! But if your big day is just around the corner, it's crucial to keep your ring looking its best for those all-important wedding photos and to ensure your nearest and dearest see it in all its glory. With this in mind, experts at family-owned jewellers and diamond merchants, Chisholm Hunter, offer their specialist advice on how to get your ring gleaming before your big day... Max Brown, Retail Director at Chisholm Hunter, shares their top tips for ensuring your engagement ring is sparkling ahead of your wedding day: "If you want your precious jewellery to look its best on the big day, we recommend taking your ring to a professional jewellers for both ultrasonic and steam cleaning and using fine emery paper followed by a full polish to remove any surface scratching.

Venues for the perfect autumnal ceremony

New research conducted by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top country wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for an autumnal ceremony. By analysing a number of factors (including guest capacity, number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money) of over 30 wedding venues that offer barn, country and forest-style weddings in the UK, the top 10 were revealed. Brinsop Court Manor House and Barn, in Hereford, has been crowned the overall winner, with top ratings across all factors (quality of service, response time, professionalism, value for money flexibility and average rating). It also had the most number of reviews and can hold between 30 to 250 guests.

Parkdean Resort has noticed a 44 per cent increase in bookings

Parkdean Resort has noticed a 44 per cent increase in bookings, with the Lake District being one of the most popular regions in the UK for holidays. Perfect for family-moons or pre-wedding getaways, Parkdean Resort has a range of holiday parks across the UK for couples to choose from.

Xavier Vallee, the chief customer officer of Parkdean Resorts, said: "September bookings began to really take off in 2020 when aeroplanes couldn't, and with the recent Air Traffic Control issues denting people's faith once again in air travel, demand for our parks is continuing to soar."

Are these popular 2023 wedding song cursed?

Research from wedding entertainment providers Function Central shows couples are taking risks choosing songs for their weddings with shockingly high divorce rates. Function Central used existing data on the songs most likely to end in divorce to see whether couples were still taking risks by adding these songs to their upcoming nuptials. This data was then cross-referenced against existing wedding playlists of engaged couples to see whether couples were still choosing these songs for their weddings. The results were concerning for any superstitious couples worried about whether certain tracks were deemed bad luck for long lasting marriages.

The Ro Hotel has undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment

Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment, the newly designed interiors at The Ro Hotel take inspiration from the lakes and surrounding countryside, with cool blues and turquoises complemented with accents of oranges, natural stone and traditional grey slate. Situated in the heart of Bowness, the venue's stately façade creates a welcoming atmosphere, combining the grandeur of a bygone age with all the conveniences of the modern day.

5 reasons couples fail at sticking to their wedding budget

With the cost of living on everyone's minds, budget expert Isabel Smith, offers some insight into how couples can set (and stick to!) their wedding budget. The number of couples who are going overbudget on their wedding is dropping, from around 2/3 in 2018 to somewhere around 50% this year. This may be due to savvier couples setting more realistic budgets, or people simply refusing spend a penny more than planned owing to future financial uncertainty, but either way, I am all for it! I've never been an advocate for getting in debt over your big day, no matter how special you want it to be.

The perfect couples advent calendar

Couples looking for that x-factor idea to get them in the Christmassy mood this festive season need look no further than A Twist Of Date's personalised couples' advent calendar. This personalised QR-code collection of romantic, fun and creative couples' activities adds a spark of magic that is sure to make 2023 a December to remember. Perfect for long-term busy couples looking to reconnect through heart-warming moments, it's a no-brainer alternative to the typical chocolate-filled Christmas countdown. Whether it's an impromptu trip to your local ice rink, engaging in an act of kindness together or writing each other a romantic letter to be opened on Christmas, each day brings something new and exciting to share together.

How to master taking the perfect engagement ring photo

Proposals are often one of the most memorable, special and magical moments in a couples life, so it's only natural they want to share this joyous news with their friends, family and colleagues. In 2023, one of the most common ways for couples to share the news of their engagement is through social media. Couples often post gorgeous pictures in real time of themselves along with the dazzling engagement ring. Sharing the news via social media is a quick and easy way of telling your loved ones the news without having to individually call everyone, which can be overwhelming and time consuming. However, taking the perfect photo can be a bit of a challenge. Whilst it's not a competition to see who has the biggest ring and whose ring sparkles the most, a lot of people want their ring to look as desirable and shimmering as possible.

Netherby Hall is offering our readers an exclusive discount

Set on a private estate in the beautiful North Cumbrian countryside, Netherby Hall is the ultimate romantic getaway.

Located within the restored courtyard and grounds of the Grade II* listed mansion, the luxury self-catering accommodation features top-quality furnishings and attention to detail, including fresh flowers from the hall's own walled garden. All of the apartments and cottages are dog-friendly, with a doggie treat on arrival and plenty of opportunities for scenic walks.

Sober hen parties are on the rise

While hen parties are often characterised by celebratory cocktails, drinking games and wild night outs, the hen-do could soon be shrugging off its booze-fueled persona. Global searches for 'sober hen do ideas' have doubled over the past year while 'sober bachelorette party games' has also seen a 50% increase. On TikTok, #soberliving has seen a surge in popularity, with videos including the hashtag boasting over 650 million views. If you're a bride-to-be looking to celebrate your 'last night of freedom' tee-total-style, party planning expert, Amy Greenshields at cardfactory has shared her four top tips.

Ducie Street Warehouse is one of four iconic warehouses from Manchester’s industrial past

Ducie Street Warehouse is one of four iconic warehouses from Manchester's industrial past. Originally designed to store cotton bales from the US, the building is today a Manchester icon and has been perfectly reimagined for weddings. Situated in the heart of the Northern Quarter, the property effortlessly combines city chic with industrial spaces. Five minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station with direct links to London, the venue has 166 design-led apartments, including eight penthouses with private terraces. Coupled with an award-winning bar, an on-site cinema, and bespoke food and beverage packages, Ducie Street Warehouse is ideal for modern weddings.

Is lasting love magic, logic or luck?

Does it matter how a couple met? Contented Couples, a new guide to long-term relationships, features candid, intimate interviews with eighteen couples, based in the UK and USA. Each pair tell of how they met, how they formed a relationship and how they've thrived to become a truly happy union. One couple met and married within a month, whilst another two were thrown together repeatedly by a matchmaker who refused to give up - and it is not only guy meets girl either. The couples speak from an array of circumstance, culture and sexual orientations, including arranged marriage, friends-to-lovers and dating apps.

The five best weather apps to keep your eye on it leading up to the big day

Wedding jewellery experts Austen & Blake have listed some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on in the lead-up to your big day. The UK weather has been anything but predictable lately, with September set to be a particularly rainy and unsettled month, according to The Met Office. Top-rated apps help to track and plan your wedding day accordingly. Weather apps are invaluable when it comes to planning your nuptials, but sometimes there's no avoiding the inevitable. That's why, along with listing the best apps for tracking grey skies, the jewellery experts have teamed up with a professional wedding photographer to provide tips on how to get the best rainy snaps.

Even when the weather's a washout, it doesn't mean your wedding photos have to be! Here are some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on and how to strike the perfect pose if rain is predicted:

Gretna Green has announced its upcoming Wedding Open Weekend

Gretna Green, a family-owned wedding destination located in Dumfries and Galloway, has announced its upcoming Wedding Open Weekend, which will take place on the 11th and 12th November, 2023.

The access-all-areas event gives couples the chance to visit Gretna Green and see the stunning marriage rooms at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop and Gretna Hall Hotel.

Guests will get the chance to wander around Gretna Green and get a glimpse of the stunning settings, divine décor, and magnificent set-ups to see how their wedding might look and feel on their own special day.

Don’t like your engagement ring? Relationship experts reveal what you need to do!

A marriage proposal is filled with an overwhelming amount of emotion and is a moment both you and your partner will remember forever. But once the initial rush fades, what if you come to terms with the fact that the ring placed on your finger isn't what you envisioned it to look like? Leading diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, teamed up with relationship experts Georgia Sturmer and Sharin Shafer, who have shared their top 3 tips on how to handle this delicate situation in the best way possible.

The Spread Eagle offers a laid-back and cosy atmosphere for weddings

Nestled in a scenic location overlooking the River Ribble, The Spread Eagle offers a laid-back and cosy atmosphere for those of you who prefer a more rustic and casual style. The indoor space features warm lighting and wooden accents, creating a welcoming and intimate ambiance with breathtaking views of the river and surrounding countryside from the large windows.

The patio and outdoor area are surrounded by lush greenery that creates a picturesque setting that will leave a lasting impression. The space is also perfect for capturing wedding photographs, with the scenery, Abbey Ruins, and River Ribble providing a stunning backdrop.

Fraser Hart launches its stunning lab-grown diamond collection

Fraser Hart, one of the UK's leading purveyors of fine jewellery, is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds collection in 10 new stores nationwide. Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, here cutting-edge technology is used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, Born Lab Grown Diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow-factor as traditionally mined gems, but with a more accessible price tag. The Born collection includes a stunning choice of "buy now, treasure forever" heirloom jewellery pieces. With exquisite diamond rings starting at just £799, diamond and white gold stud earrings from £799, classic diamond encrusted tennis bracelets from £5,250, and diamond pendant necklaces from £850, investing in luxurious, exceptional quality and utterly timeless diamond jewellery pieces has never been more attractive.

The wellness journals from Lovendu you need in your life

With Mental Health Awareness day falling in October, and as we approach the end of the year, take positive steps to improve your wellbeing in 2024 through journaling. The benefits of daily journaling are huge, from reducing stress and improving your mental health to boosting productivity and providing an opportunity to get in sync with your emotions. It's the ultimate act of self-care – and Lovendu makes it easy to take control of your life and truly thrive.

Lily Arkwright has designed a new bespoke ring

With the Lionesses recently taking to the pitch once again for the World Cup, ethical jewellery brand Lily Arkwright has taken to the drawing board in support and celebration of women's football.

In the spirit of the World Cup, Lily Arkwright has designed a completely bespoke ring. This one-off design has taken inspiration from the women's away kit, using deep blues of lab-grown sapphires and the lighter blue colours of an aqua spinel.

Getting married? Alcohol-free menu is the new must-have

Samantha Gilchrist, CEO of the UK's largest wedding venue collection, The Gilchrist Collection, conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their wedding drinking habits. The study comes as the collection launches its new alcohol-free drinks menu, created in partnership with First Dates star bartender, Merlin Griffiths. The survey revealed that almost half (47%) of those who had attended a wedding in the last five years didn't drink alcohol during at least one of the events they had been to. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable at weddings sipping an un-festive soft drink, as 35% of respondents said they are questioned on why they aren't having alcohol. Sadly, a quarter admitted to drinking alcohol at a wedding just to avoid awkward questions or having to share personal or medical information as an excuse.