Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Broadoaks Country House occupies one of the most stunning spots in the Lake District

Not too far off the beaten path, but just enough to feel a world away, Broadoaks Country House occupies one of the most stunning spots in the Lake District. Surrounded by well manicured gardens and majestic woodland, and framed by the flush of the river that tumbles into Lake Windermere, this grand wedding venue is a special place that you will never forget.

A sweeping driveway guides guests through seven acres of glorious gardens to a fountain settled at the front of this traditional Lakeland stone and ivy-clad country home. Originally a Victorian summer residence, Broadoaks Country House offers grandeur on a human scale, with every inch a home, but with all of the best bits of a five-star hotel. The proportioned inside spaces are warm and inviting, mixing stylish modernity with inglenook fireplaces and period furniture. There are five licensed areas to host ceremonies, 20 individually designed boutique bedrooms and award-winning dog-friendly facilities.

From big celebrations to budget savvy: the changing face of UK weddings

At a time of rising costs and changing perspectives, is the sound of wedding bells as tempting as it once was? To find out, Legal & General polled more than 2,000 married and engaged couples to see if they opted for a big wedding – or a big rethink. A 2024 survey revealed the average cost of a UK wedding has risen to £20,700, marking a 12.5% increase from £18,400 in 2022. Despite this, our survey found that couples typically budget much less, with the average amount set aside being just under £9,000 (£8,997.32). There was also a stark difference in wedding budgets across generations. Younger couples, particularly those aged 16-24, budget an average of £14,937 for their special day, while those over 55 set aside £4,614.

Top tips to get to sleep before your wedding

Pre-wedding jitters cause a large number of brides and grooms to struggle to get to sleep. Upcoming nuptials, even if a positive stress, can be a leading cause of sleepless nights. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee gives advice to those Brides- to- be who are struggling in the lead- up to their big day, and gives top tips on how to improve their sleep. As a bride, you face an immense amount of stress, especially in the final days that countdown to your wedding. With plenty of last minute preparations that are trying to please everyone, it's easy to let yourself get swept up and forget to prioritise your sleep. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee from Doctor Fox, has partnered with Get Laid Beds to share FIVE expert tips to ensure you wake up on your wedding day like a princess, feeling refreshed and radiant, and not like a bridezilla.

Barrecore has launched bespoke packages for brides-to-be

Barrecore in Hale, Greater Manchester, renowned for its transformative fitness experience, has announced the launch of its exclusive bridal packages designed to help brides-to-be achieve their fitness goals and feel the best on their wedding day. 

Barrecore's new bridal packages offer tailored fitness plans, combined with the studio's signature classes, online access, and nutritional support, ensuring that brides and their bridal parties are in peak condition for the wedding day. Whether brides are looking to tone up, de-stress, or boost their confidence, Barrecore has a package to suit every need.

The University of Manchester is made up of several stunning properties

The University of Manchester is made up of several properties, all of which can be used for weddings. Manchester Museum, Christie's Library and Whitworth Hall centre around the Old Quadrangle, a beautifully maintained courtyard with space for private parking and drinks receptions. Dating back to 1873, these neo-Gothic properties were designed by the famous architect Alfred Waterhouse and his son.

Whitworth Hall has an impressive stained-glass window, a hammer-beam ceiling, a fully-working organ and room for 650 guests for the ceremony and 360 for the wedding breakfast.

Alcohol-free options for weddings with Mocktails

For those looking for booze-free options this wedding season, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, is the non-alcoholic premium cocktail brand perfect for big-day guests! The alcohol-free, ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to offer a range of beverages at their wedding. Mocktails showcase a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mockarita - A zesty twist on the classic Margarita. Notes of lime, quinine and acacia flower with a refreshingly tart finish. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're finding it hard to choose our favourite... Mocksow Mule anyone?

Autumnal fragrances from Woodwick and Yankee Candle

Connect to nature with scents and colours drawn from the breathtaking outdoors with the cosy new Autumn collection from Yankee Candle®, Cottage Getaway. Inspired by the nostalgic roots of outdoor adventures, and the natural beauty of our world, the collection seeks to spark creativity and inspiration, whilst bringing family and friends together. Launching in August 2024, the collection includes three warming fragrances, Woodland Weekend Memories, Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl, and Afternoon Scrapbooking. This comforting selection of candles is perfect for reliving cherished moments at home as the late summer falls away and the new season settles n. Relax into Autumn with fragrances that ignite the senses, whilst the bright greens fade from the leaves and dusk draws in earlier by the day.

CWM partnership with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway!

County Wedding Magazines has teamed up with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway for our reader and social media followers! If you like or follow all three brands on either Facebook or Instagram, you'll be in with a chance of winning a £350 Dower & Hall gift voucher which can be redeemed online, as well as a £250 gift voucher for Maya Deluxe – that's jewellery and bridesmaids sorted for your wedding day leaving you more time and more budget to crack on with the rest of the wedding planning. Read on to find out more details about the brands and how to enter!

Katie Loxton has launched a new bridal weekend bag

When it comes to bridal accessories, Katie Loxton has a wide selection of options available. From beautifully crafted personalised pouches with hidden sentiments to luxurious jewellery, every piece is designed to make you feel your very best.

Elevate your big day with Katie Loxton's latest launch, the Fold-Out Garment Weekend Bag. Featuring multiple pockets for storage, this versatile travel essential transforms into a hangable garment cover, perfect for storing your special dress.

Lancashire Manor Hotel is a Grade II-listed property with plenty of 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.

Instant photos make for lasting memories!

poignant keepsake for guests or a photo album. Instant photos make for lasting memories! The INSTAX mini 12 (£79.99) is the perfect product for guest use. Place on tables or dot them around the venue to allow for guests to personalise their memories, and most importantly, take them home. The INSTAX mini Evo (£174.99) is another great option for capturing what's important. The retro-themed exterior is fitting for those vintage-themed weddings – place next to the guest book so photos can be added straight in. The INSTAX SQUARE (£129.99) is a modern option for those photographic keepsakes. Connect the devise to phones and print polaroid straight from the camera roll. Instant photos are irreplaceable.

Fallbarrow Hall has opened its books for 2024 and 2025 weddings

Fallbarrow Hall, an exclusive hire property in the Lake District, has opened its books for 2024 and 2025 weddings. Looking out on the stunning shores of Lake Windermere, the Grade II listed Victorian mansion guarantees scenic views paired with historic charm, making it a dreamy location to say 'I do'.

Fully licensed for civil ceremonies, the hall is situated within Fallbarrow Holiday Park in Bowness-on-Windermere and is suitable for intimate weddings of up to 50 guests, with accommodation for 36. Recently renovated, all areas of the hall have been enhanced to highlight its striking period features with modern touches. For those looking to relax in style post-wedding, the property also boasts two new hot tubs.

The Fountain House is located inside a Grade II-listed Memorial Hall Building

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

The interior is traditional and versatile, 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.

The wedding team will provide white table linen and rustic wooden chairs, along with beautiful centrepieces and candles for your big day.

Elope in style - expert advice

Couples are rewriting the script on what it means to say "I do". Over the past 12 months, searches for 'elopement weddings UK' are up +83%, 'elopement wedding packages UK' increased by +85%, and 'intimate weddings UK' have grown by +89%¹. This has highlighted a clear demand amongst couples for intimate weddings. To find out what has motivated this trend, wedding decoration experts at Ginger Ray have conducted a survey of those engaged and in the midst of planning an elopement to see what their special day will look like. Why are elopements becoming more popular? Topping the list of factors driving couples towards intimate weddings is the quest to manage expenses. More than a third (32%) of respondents highlighted financial constraints as the primary factor influencing their decision to opt for a smaller celebration.

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

Wild Camper Trucks is a new company offering easy-to-drive, plush 4x4 vehicles

Wild Camper Trucks is a new company offering easy-to-drive, plush 4x4 vehicles fitted with cosy camping pods and an outdoor cinema screen, so you can experience film night off the grid. The rooftop camping pods have solar panels, heating, a king-sized double bed, a cooker and fridge, a hot shower, a toilet and many other features that are ideal for pre-wedding getaways or mini-moons.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

The Dunes Hotel is a family-run property situated 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.

National Art Pass - perfect wedding gift for culture lovers

A National Art Pass is a great way to enjoy time at hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, and the Double Membership makes the perfect wedding gift for any culture lovers! Annual membership is only £88.50* and lets the happy couple enjoy free entry to hundreds of cultural destinations, plus 50% off major exhibitions, and special shop and café discounts. What's more, two cards will be issued for the happy couple!

Say 'I do' to shared planning - wedding expert shares tips for involving family and friends

Amy Greenshields, wedding expert at Card Factory has shared 7 tips to help you let your loved ones contribute.

Asking for help can be hard but getting friends and family involved in wedding planning can not only lighten the load but will also make them feel included and valued. Wedding planning contains many different elements, from table designs and seating charts to your floral bouquet, everything must be accounted for. A bride normally has the most influence over everything wedding-related, leading to as state of overwhelming stress. Why not share out the responsibilities – even the little ones can have a job!