Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

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.

Take a break from the wed-min - 30 things which bring happiness

Although joyous occasions, planning a wedding can be stressful with money worries and family politics all thrown into the mix. If you feel like this is your situation right now, grab yourself a brew and a biscuit and read this heartfelt study by Samsung: a definitive list of 30 things which bring us pure moments of happiness! An optimistic 94 percent of those surveyed, agree that joy is all around us, we just have to choose to see it.

The Coach & Horses is a Grade II listed Coaching Inn in Bolton-by-Bowland

Nestled in Bolton-by-Bowland, in the heart of the beautiful Ribble Valley, The Coach & Horses is a cosy Grade II listed Coaching Inn and is the perfect location for couples looking for an intimate setting for their big day.

With seven beautifully-decorated bedrooms, including two family rooms (sleeping four) and two dog-friendly rooms, a statement bar, and an award- winning restaurant seating 40, wedding parties will have exclusive use of the venue on their wedding day. From getting ready in the morning with a glass of champagne and sipping a cocktail in the sunshine on the outdoor terrace, to enjoying a delicious sit-down meal and dancing the night away with loved ones, the Coach offers an idyllic setting to make memories that will last a lifetime.

How to choose the perfect wedding ring

Often overlooked, there's a big difference between platinum, gold and white gold rings, even though they look very similar. Despite gold rings being the traditional choice platinum wedding bands have over 6.1k searches and platinum wedding rings 3.3k in the UK each month. Whilst gold wedding bands have only 1k searches and gold wedding rings 5.4k, this suggests that in 2023 the most popular choice may be a platinum band. But with more 15k searches for 'Wedding Bands' in the UK every month - the decision may not be as simple as what's on trend. Here, jewellery expert Sach Kukadia at 7879 recommends how to choose the perfect wedding ring a purchase far more more important than your regular jewellery! Find out the difference between platinum vs golds, delving into everything, including their pros and cons, through to how well they'll fare in the long run...

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 recent refurbishment, creating a classic yet rustic charm throughout. There are 24 elegant and spacious en suite bedrooms/suites for guests to choose from, a luxurious apartment that sleeps six, and two beautifully appointed cottages with landscaped gardens.

How to nail your bridesmaid gifts

Finding that perfect thank you gift for your bridesmaids can be a mind boggling task. How can you truly thank them for supporting you on your big day? New research* from gifting experts at Getting Personal shows that apart from our parents, friends are the hardest people to shop for with one in seven (15%) admitting they struggle. To help brides give envy-inducing thank you gifts gifting expert at Getting Personal, Tara Butler, shares eight tips for figuring out what they really want... without having to ask.

The perfect wedding gift that couples will love

Wedding season is upon us and picking out the perfect wedding gift that is personal, but also has character and a luxe feel to celebrate the couple's big day can be a daunting task. However look no further, whether it's to say thanks to your bridesmaids, or to celebrate the happy couple, Yvonne Ellen, a home and interiors designer who specialises in hand-painted home gifts, has picked out some of her top gift ideas to suit all types of couples including gifts for loved ones and the bridal party.

10 things wedding guests really care

Whether it's an open bar, live band or fireworks, choosing the best elements to add to your wedding day could really make or break your big day, new research reveals. Wedding experts Queensmith analysed thousands of comments from Reddit to reveal the things that really matter to guests when attending a wedding. Unsurprisingly, an open bar is a consistent success with guests at a wedding, however, it seems seating charts and a late-night snack are just as important.