Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is a 17th-century property situated near Keswick

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is a 17th-century property situated near Keswick on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake. This four-star former stately home is set in the secluded splendour of 400 acres of deer park and woodland and is framed by the dramatic Skiddaw Mountain and Lake District Fells. As you arrive at this privately owned hotel, you will receive a warm welcome within the grand surroundings. Explorers will find luxurious wood-panelled lounges complete with roaring fires, elaborately framed paintings, luxurious bedrooms and an award-winning spa.

On the grounds, there are Meet the Hawk and Alpaca Experiences and the Lake District Wildlife Park, home to hundreds of rare and endangered animals, reptiles, and birds of prey, is close by.

Sentimental gift ideas from Heads & Tails Jewellery

Heads & Tails Jewellery has been making personalised, beautifully designed jewellery for more than 10 years. The brand's innovative products can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come, making them ideal for wedding day gifting. Every handcrafted gift uses high-quality materials and is presented in a luxury gift bag or luxury gift box and comes with a 12 month warranty. Emma Pearson, owner of Heads & Tails Jewellery, shares her top advice for wedding day gifting.

Weatherproofing your UK Wedding

Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather. Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.

Attending a wedding this summer - save on travel costs

Now that wedding season is upon us, a recent survey by Railcard has revealed that wedding guests spend on average a whopping £402.90 on each wedding they attend. With 31% of Brits having attended between one and three weddings in the past two years, these sometimes-overlooked expenses can quickly rack up. In fact, 59% of those surveyed admit that they would decline a wedding invitation if the costs of attending were too high, showing that cost-savings to any wedding expense can really make the difference for those who RSVP 'Yes' or a regretful 'No'.

Leighton Hall is celebrating summer with delightful new wedding locations

The historic Leighton Hall in Carnforth, Lancashire, is celebrating summer with delightful new wedding locations. Romance and weddings have been in abundance for 35 years at this historic hall, which has five indoor and outdoor wedding ceremony sites designed to sweep you and your guests off your feet. From the moment you arrive in front of the dramatic Gothic façade to saying 'I do' in historic splendour and dancing the night away under the magical Victorian glass, the friendly team will work with you to shape your party and bring your ideas to life.

Thanks to expert-sensitive restoration, the newly refurbished Victorian Conservatory is a truly special location for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Comfortably hosting up to 50 guests for ceremonies and receptions, it's the perfect way to bring the stunning outside in while keeping you feeling snug and serene.

Wedding speech pressure: top tips to nail it!

Whether the best man, the bride or a family member, giving a speech at a wedding naturally comes with pressure to perform. In fact Dr Chris Hartley, a sport and performance psychologist working with Insure4Sport, has likened it to the pressure faced by professional sportspeople in a major event like a penalty kick or break point. Here, he shares top tips on how to cope with the weight of expectation, fear of failure when giving a wedding speech, using sport psychology techniques he employs when working with top athletes.

The Fountain House is nestled on Albert Square in the heart of Manchester

The Fountain House, located in the Grade II listed Memorial Hall Building, is nestled on the beloved Albert Square in the heart of Manchester. Albert Square provides plenty of space, is well connected to travel routes and offers beautiful views of the city.

Inside is a traditional and versatile décor designed by the Victorian architect Thomas Worthington. The spaces are naturally lit and the ceiling of lights is customisable to set the mood and theme of your celebration.

Should more women taking the wedding speech spotlight

More women should be taking the spotlight at big events, according to new research from learning and development company Good Shout. However, according to a new poll, conducted in partnership with YouGov, the very prospect fills two thirds of women (67%) with dread. Of those women in the UK who would refuse to give speeches at a wedding, 50% said that it was the "cringe factor" that held them back, i.e. being too self-conscious or feeling too awkward or uncomfortable in the situation.

Tips for tying the knot while it’s hot

With Summer wedding season in full-swing and the English weather as unpredictable as ever, happy couples across the country may get more than what they bargained for when it comes to wishing for a sunny day. As temperatures across the UK already reaching highs of 30C and the Met Office predicting even hotter temperatures expected ahead, Samantha Gilchrist, former wedding photographer turned cofounder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, the UK's largest wedding venue collection, gives her expert advice gathered from over 15 years in the industry.

Hen parties in UK more popular now

Hen parties on UK soil are the number one choice for Brits, according to new research from Butlin's Big Weekenders. According to a study commissioned to mark the reopening of Butlin's Big Weekenders breaks in September, over half of Brits (53%) say a hen do in the UK is more appealing than one abroad and almost the same (54%) say a hen do is better on one resort where all the facilities are in one place. On a Butlin's Big Weekender guests can enjoy accommodation, food, drink entertainment, and activities all in one place. The adult-only weekends are available at all three resorts - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. What's more, organisation is key for British hens, as data reveals the most common time to plan a hen do is 3-4 months in advance, in stark comparison to men, who are most likely to plan a stag do just 2-3 days in advance!

Spabreaks.com has revealed the top five spas in Manchester

Spa experience and booking agency Spabreaks.com has revealed the top five spas in Manchester.

Rena Spa at The Midland was number one. This award- winning spa is an underground haven where you'll be transported into a world of peace and calm with satisfyingly relaxing results. There are several impressive experiences to enjoy, such as the Caribbean Storm and Arctic Rain showers, but the piece de resistance is the relaxation areas. Here, you can choose from discovering sleep in a hanging pod cocoon, in an ergonomic sleep chamber or a sound-cancelling egg chair.

Most Instagrammable beach wedding venues in the UK

Wedding invitation company, Aura Print, analysed 70 of the most sought-after beach wedding destinations and discovered the UK's most Instagrammable coastal wedding venues. The stunning spot of Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe, Devon boasts over 13k hashtags on Instagram, making this the study's number one pick. Located on the beautiful North Devon coast, Tunnels Beaches is situated on a cliff top with hand carved tunnels down to a secluded private beach. The venue provides a thatched roof gazebo which overlooks the breathtaking Devon coastline for a picture-perfect backdrop

Netherwood Hotel & Spa is a Grade II listed manor house with glorious gardens

Netherwood Hotel & Spa is a Grade II listed manor house with glorious gardens and sweeping views across Morecambe Bay. The hotel is located within extensive grounds that feature a beautiful topiary, landscaping which is sympathetic to its historical past, and woodlands at the back of the hotel that lead into a National Trust walk. Netherwood is filled with traditional features that are a photographer's dream, such as original fireplaces, stained glass windows, impressive ornate carvings and winding staircases.

Brits feel judged on wedding gifts

Almost one in five (20%) Brits feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts and 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party. 81% are depending on a form of finance other than their main income to provide for their family New research has revealed that almost one in five Brits (20%) feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts. A further 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party.

Sara Davies, Fred Sirieix and Raj Somaiya revealed as BBC judges

Launching in August, BBC Two's Ultimate Wedding Planner will see eight wedding planners battle it out to prove they are Britain's next best wedding expert as they design spectacular ceremonies for six couples. Dragons' Den star Sara Davies, First Dates favourite Fred Sirieix and wedding industry expert Raj Somaiya will be the judges and mentors - overseeing the planners as they create dream weddings for our couples. Throughout the competition they will send home the weakest planner until just two remain in the final where the planners will face one final challenge to decide who will be crowned the winner.

Tom Benson Photography is offering 10 per cent off any full-day wedding package

Tom Benson Photography, a talented photographer based in Barrowford, Lancashire, is offering Your North West Wedding readers 10 per cent off any full-day wedding package. There are three packages to choose from; the Silver Package includes coverage of the bridal prep, the ceremony, couple shots, family portraits and speeches. The Gold Package covers the same but with the addition of the cake cutting and the first dance. Lastly, the Platinum Package includes all of the above, plus pictures of your evening guests, a personalised all-in-one acrylic album and a pre-wedding engagement shoot.

The 'anti-wedding' wedding trends making their mark in 2023

'Anti-wedding' is the hottest new wedding trend this summer, from ditching tradition with bridal pant suits, short wedding dresses and mismatched bridesmaid dresses - get ready to see these trends everywhere this wedding season. Wedding supply experts at Aura Print have scoped out TikTok to serve up the top 10 anti-wedding wedding trends to look out for this summer. More people are ditching traditional for unconventional, allowing for their special day to be even more unique to the couple.

Hotel Gotham is located at 100 King Street in Manchester

Hotel Gotham is located at 100 King Street, in the central conservation area, in one of the city's listed building. It was the former premises of a Midland Bank and draws inspiration from the surrounding area offering a theatrical setting with quirky design and character.

The interior of Hotel Gotham is inspired by the Art Deco era, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The hotel's designers have taken great care to create a luxurious and stylish atmosphere that pays homage to this iconic design period.

How to throw a Barbie-themed hen party this summer

With the launch of the new Barbie movie, searches for "barbie party" on Pinterest have seen a 121% increase in the last six months as people look for inspiration on how to throw their own, pink-themed parties. As the wedding season is in full swing, thortful.com has teamed up with Pippa Masson, party planning expert at Hen Party Company Fizzbox, to compile top tips on how to throw a Barbie-themed hen party this summer. From Barbie themed cocktails to choosing the perfect venue, this is how to have the ultimate bachelorette Barbie herself would even love.

Fun and luxe wedding gifts

Attending a wedding this summer? Looking for the ultimate addition to your wedding day gift list? Look no further, Who Icons, seamlessly combines refined luxury with a touch of casual elegance, creating the ultimate personalised wedding gift. Who Icons understands that love stories are unique, and so should be the gifts that commemorate them. Its exquisite collection of handcrafted treasures is meticulously designed to captivate the hearts of discerning couples. From The Royals to the Beckhams, Anna Wintour to Karl Largerfield, the debut collection featuring the world's most influential fashion icons - and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're finding it hard to pick our favourite, we'll just have to collect them all.