Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

Skitby is a barn with exposed timber and traditional sandstone walls

Surrounded by acres of Cumbrian countryside, Skitby is a rustic barn with exposed timber and traditional sandstone walls. Boasting impressive views of the Lake District, the property has a contemporary interior, well-manicured gardens and an outdoor seating area, meaning there are plenty of places to explore and take those all-important photographs.

The Ceremony Wing can accommodate 100 of your friends and family for the service and 45 for an intimate reception, whereas the Main Dining Space can hold 140 loved ones.

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.

Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign

Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.

Rock on Ruby has launched new products starting from £12

Rock on Ruby is an online, independent business based in Manchester specialising in personal apparel. With new pieces starting from £12, there are lots of options available for every budget, including memorable gifts for the happy couple, the groomsmen and bridal party.

The bridesmaid-t-shirt is one of the best sellers, embroidered with your chosen title, such as maid-of-honour or mother-of-the-bride, these tops can be personalised on the sleeve with a name or date, making them the perfect keepsake for after the wedding.

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.

Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!

The Grade II listed Lancashire Manor Hotel has stunning spaces to tie the knot

Lancashire Manor Hotel is a Grade II listed property with plenty of spaces to tie the knot. The original stone manor house is at the heart of the hotel and contains a lounge area and above it, in the original farmhouse bedrooms, is a honeymoon suite.

The Lathom Suite, seating up to 100 guests, is decorated in a mixture of traditional and contemporary décor and has a bar, natural light, a movable dancefloor and can be divided into a smaller reception room for more intimate celebrations.

The Glass House in Staining has launched an outdoor bar and dessert table

The Glass House in Staining, Lancashire, has launched an outdoor bar and dessert table. The table of sweet treats includes cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, doughnuts, macarons and much more, ideal for an evening snack or as an alternative to a cake. While the Shepherd's Hut Bar is a help-yourself bar full of gins and vodkas – a fun addition to the drinks reception or after-party.

Offering picturesque views of the countryside stretching across to the Pennines, the property is an elegant blank canvas decorated with wooden beams, fairylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. The bi-folding doors lead directly onto the enclosed garden, create the perfect set-up for group shots, or the wooded areas and fields of wildflowers make a fantastic alternative.

Abbey House Hotel & Gardens was designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens

Originally a mansion designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, Abbey House Hotel & Gardens was converted into a luxury wedding venue, blending a contemporary style with impressive architecture to create a beautiful setting to tie the knot. Set within 14 acres of private woodland, the property recently underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment making every room and suite tastefully modern.

Intimate weddings are held in the charming Garden Room with 20 of your nearest and dearest.

Mark Battista Photography is offering our readers an exclusive discount

Mark Battista is an award-winning photographer based in Kendal, Cumbria, offering wedding and commercial photography throughout the UK and beyond. Mark has worked in the industry for more than a decade and captures natural, bright and colourful images.

Mark tells us: "The Lake District is a truly magical place for your wedding story, from the rolling hills and rugged landscapes to the tranquil streams, hidden valleys, waterfalls, tarns and lakes. Maybe you're planning an elopement or your wedding is taking place in one of our beautiful Lake District hotels or country houses; whatever your plans are, get in touch, I'm happy to help."

Hundhowe is a gorgeous wedding venue with a homely yet elegant feel

Hundhowe is a gorgeous wedding venue that's been decorated to create a homely yet elegant feel. The beautifully-painted pale exterior features a grand doorway, formal balustrades, leaded windows, trailing roses and wisteria. Each section of the intimate garden has been lovingly cared for to produce glorious blooms and stunning photo opportunities.

Although the venue is not registered yet, blessings can take place in numerous places, including the Main Hall, which has an impressive fireplace, wood panelling and room for 50 friends and family.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

ESPA has teamed up with King Street Townhouse to launch the Light Salon

ESPA has teamed up with King Street Townhouse in Manchester to launch the Light Salon. Providing LED non-invasive treatments, there are three exclusive options to choose from, each designed to leave you feeling relaxed and your big-day best. Priced from £50, the treatments last between 30 and 55 minutes.

King Street Townhouse is an impressive Italian Renaissance building with contemporary features throughout, including monochrome tiling and commissioned artwork. With 40 bedrooms to choose from, an on-site bar, restaurant, rooftop spa, infinity pool, steam room and relaxation area, there are plenty of spaces to explore and relax in the run-up to your wedding.

Eden Barn is a family-run venue full of rustic charm

Eden Barn is a 200-year-old Westmorland stone building that was transformed after the owner's daughter held her wedding reception there in 2015. Family-run, the venue is full of rustic charm, from giant chandeliers and exposed stone walls to limestone-flagged floors and vaulted ceilings.

The expansive views, hand-thatched gazebo and landscaped grounds make Eden Barn a romantic haven that's perfect for weddings.

Ceremonies take place in The Main Barn followed by the drinks receptions in the adjoining reception/bar area, which has wooden vaulted ceilings, stone-flagged flooring and cosy seating.

Five reasons why Champagne is the pinnacle of sparkling wine

The Champagne Bureau UK* have rounded up five reasons why Champagne is the long-standing pinnacle of sparkling wine. Firstly, Champagne only comes from Champagne. Champagne is a 100% French product - the Champagne region is located in France, approximately 90 miles east of Paris. It is a protected appellation (AOC). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was said to flow freely at all the coronation banquets. Soon, highly prized for their taste and finesse, it became customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This is how the Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronation and known in France as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines".

7 ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids

Bridesmaid proposals are a special moment in any friendship so it's natural to want to put some thought behind popping the question. Personalising gifts such as photo frames or pyjamas are a great way to give friends something they can keep forever. The glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have shared some of the best bridesmaid proposal ideas to make the occasion memorable.John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass said, "Asking your friends and family to be bridesmaids is a special moment and should be done in a special way. "You can't go wrong with a personal touch which is why things like photo frames and pyjamas are a great way to show appreciation to your bridesmaids and you know they'll keep their gift.

Netherby Hall is offering personalised staycations on limited dates this summer

Netherby Hall in Cumbria is offering personalised staycations on limited dates this summer. During your stay, you can enjoy carriage rides through Netherby Hall's 36 acres of gardens and grounds and get an insight into the history of this Grade II* listed mansion on a private tour.

Gerald Smith, who owns and runs Netherby Hall with his wife Margo, said: "We aim to bring together the best of Netherby Hall to allow visitors to find out more about its past and present and enjoy the beauty of the house and its gardens. The packages are designed to enable people to create their bespoke break by adding exclusive tours and experiences to their stay, including dining at the Michelin-starred Pentonbridge Inn. Our aim is for guests to have an unforgettable experience while staying with us, which they will treasure for years to come."