Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding news and ideas from around the area

How Brits are spending and saving on weddings in 2023

New data from Barclays reveals how macro trends such as the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and social media pressures are impacting weddings in 2023. The report combines proprietary spending data with a survey of 1,000 newlyweds and people engaged to be married to determine this year's top wedding trends and cost-saving behaviours. Two fifths (38 per cent) of newlyweds, and brides- and grooms-to-be are going over budget on their special day, with most of these couples citing the rising cost-of-living (51 per cent) and suppliers being more expensive than they anticipated (44 per cent) as the reasons for this increased spend.

Phenomenal Fireworks Ltd create spectacular fireworks displays

Phenomenal Fireworks Ltd. provides spectacular fireworks displays that create unforgettable moments for couples and their guests. With years of experience and expertise, the company curate bespoke firework displays that reflect each couple's unique love story.

"Whether it's an intimate gathering or a grand affair, we ensure a mesmerising experience that will leave a lasting impression," says Andrew Slinn, the operations and displays director. "Our commitment to safety, quality, and innovation sets us apart. We adhere to the highest industry standards and regulations, delivering flawlessly executed displays with the utmost care. Using state-of-the-art fireworks and cutting-edge technology, we create breathtaking visual effects and synchronised musical displays, immersing guests in a truly magical experience."

1950s museum in North Wales wins English hearts

The 1950s Museum - at Denbigh, North Wales - is attracting increasing visitor numbers to explore its captivating home, fashion, style and motor exhibits from the 1950s and beyond with many making the trip over the border from Liverpool and other areas of the North West. Curated by Sparrow Harrison MBE – and a band of trusty volunteers - the museum got off to a flying start to the 2023 season and is welcoming fame and notoriety as a 'throwback' in time. Popular with both the young and the young at heart, visitors from England are describing it as one of the 'gems' of North Wales.

Truffle Tablescapes Launches Luxury Tableware Rental Range

Truffle Tablescapes, a leading UK-based online tablescaping boutique, has launched its first range of rental tableware and accessories that is aimed at those wanting to decorate their lunch and supper parties, events or small weddings. Truffle has been helping at-home entertainers elevate their dinner party looks since it launched during the first lockdown in 2020. Founded by tablescaping expert and interiors lover Kate Fairlie, the brand has expanded again by launching an extensive, yet carefully curated, rental collection of luxury table linens and accessories.

Andy Boyle Photography discusses the challenges of capturing an al fresco big day

This issue we asked our experts for their top tips when it comes to tying the knot al fresco. Here, Karen Boyle from Andy Boyle Photography discusses the challenges of capturing an open-air wedding. Summer is here bringing with it the chance to have your wedding ceremony outdoors. Beautiful gardens or natural woodland, fresh air, sunshine and the birds serenading you as you take your vows. Perfect! From springtime until autumn, many venues offer the option of celebrating outdoors. But, this is Britain, so always have a plan B, as no one wants a wet wedding dress and soggy guests. Most venues keep a keen eye on the skies right up until the last moment in case you have to opt for indoors.

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'.

Happy birthday to Churchtown Wedding Cars!

Churchtown Wedding Cars is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. The company was established in 1993, and in 2015 current owners Steven and Laura bought the business from founders Roy and Pat. The pair initially took on their beautiful silver Beaufort Tourer, but having expanded the fleet since then, they can now also offer two Imperial Landaulettes and a 1975 VW Camper. Laura says, "We're a small family-run business and we're so proud to reach this milestone. We'd like to thank all of our brides and grooms, past and present, for letting CWC be part of their wedding days, and we hope to continue delivering our fantastic service for many more years to come. It's an honour to work alongside so many other like-minded wedding industry professionals and like them, we thrive on our reputation and word-of-mouth recommendations."

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.

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.

Check out Talhenbont Hall's three-day wedding package

If you're not looking to wait the standard 18 months to two years to tie the knot, help is on hand at the gorgeous Talhenbont Hall in North Wales. The venue's three-day wedding celebration package is currently available exclusively for all remaining dates in 2023, February 2024 and March 2024, and is priced at £14,999.The package includes all the essentials across your three-day hire of the venue including a bar night before the wedding in the beautiful Coach House. Everyone will be well fed and watered as the price includes a food and drinks package for 70 guests with a glass of prosecco for the drinks reception, a glass of house white for the wedding breakfast, and a further glass of prosecco for the toasts; a three-course wedding breakfast (from menu one); and evening food from the hot batch menu.

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!

The National Beauty Show is due to hit Liverpool this November

One of the newest and most exciting beauty shows is due to hit the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 4th and 5th November, 2023. The National Beauty Show will play host to salon owners, beauticians, nail technicians and beauty fans from across the UK, who'll be able to see more than 200 of the biggest names in beauty, wellness, cosmetics and aesthetics. You can can also expect to enjoy live demonstrations on beauty trends, new techniques, and product launches as well as masterclasses, celebrity guests and podcast recordings from the best in the business. So, if your mind is on bridal beauty right now, you won't want to miss this!

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

Beavertown Brewery launches ‘Oil Your Neck’ sunscreen for beer drinkers in Liverpool this summer

There's no getting around it. Liverpudlians love the giant ball of blazing gas in the sky. Facts. The second we see it, our brain tells our body to run to the nearest beer garden, stand with a cold beer in our hand, and say sentences like: "Well, this is the life" or "It's like being in Spain" or "the Sun's hot today." However, when it comes to protecting ourselves from that same cosmic heat source, we're not good at it. So, to help people in Liverpool avoid getting sunburnt this summer, Beavertown Brewery is launching its very own sunscreen 'Oil Your Neck', targeted at beer drinkers who simply can't resist an al fresco pint. Free sachets of the sunscreen will be available with pints of their flagship beer, Neck Oil IPA, at Liverpool's Tank Room with the aim of reminding beer drinkers to use skin protection while they enjoy their summer pints.

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.

Chester Zoo shares first images of its new wedding venue, The Square

The very first images of Chester Zoo's new wedding and events venue, The Square, have been released, much to our excitement! The luxury 200-capacity venue is now open, following a three-year project to restore the Grade II listed stable block at the heart of the Zoo. Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo says, "There's nothing else quite like this stunning new venue anywhere in the UK. It's an incredible building that's stood at the heart of the zoo for approaching a century and, through careful restoration, it's now been brought to life. It's a one-of-a-kind space which not only embodies the Zoo's rich history and character, but offers modern luxuries and comforts. What's more, who wouldn't want to get married surrounded by 27,000 animals?