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With around 250,000 weddings taking place every year, a frightening total of 3,625,000 tonnes of CO2 are emmited as a result, according to the Sustainable Wedding Alliance (sustainableweddingalliance.com). Indeed, an average wedding day in the UK generates a whopping 14.5 tonnes of CO2, whereas the annual per capita carbon emission is only 9.1 tonnes. The website further explains that food wastage is a significant issue with £488 worth wasted at every celebration, 65 per cent of a home's annual total. What's more, we're told that 4,910 tonnes of un-recyclable plastic was used and left behind at weddings, an equivalent of 47 blue whales!

If these shocking statistics scare you as much as they do us, you'll no doubt want to do something about it when it comes to your own big day. The various solutions are actually quite simple, requiring just a little careful thought and planning. So, read on for our guide to organising a sustainable wedding from quick fixes to a wider strategy. Remember, every little helps.

Read the Sustainable Celebrations feature in full in the Sept/Oct25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

"I had an image in my mind of an outdoor wedding with a fun, relaxed vib and lots of flowers in soft, pastel shades," shoot coordinator Frances Browne from Meadow Lane Floral Design tells us. "I wanted to demonstrate how fresh flowers can transform a space, making it feel personal and unique to each couple.” So, she set about gathering a team to help her do just that.

“I'd been following Swanley Meadows on Instagram for some time and knew it would be the perfect location for the shoot,” Frances explains. So, she got in touch with venue owner Jenny, who was up for it, but there was a catch. The only date available was just nine days away! Not one to shy away from a challenge, Frances spent that night reaching out to her dream collaborators and by the following morning had assembled her team. Luckily, the day of the shoot was gorgeous. “As I arrived at the venue the scenery took my breath away,” Frances remembers. “It was lovely to spend time in the sunshine getting creative with lots of other talented, local, wedding suppliers.”

Check out the full shoot in the Sept/Oct25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download now at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

When Billy played rugby for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru and won man of the match, his prize was a BMW for the week from the club's sponsors Halliwell Jones BMW, where Ffion worked. When he went to collect the keys from the dealership, Ffion was there to hand them over and the rest is history.

Billy proposed to Ffion in Port Eynon South Wales on the beach where the couple have spent many a happy summer.

“I booked Talhenbont Hall without Billy knowing because I loved it so much!” Ffion tells us. She went along to a private viewing with her bridesmaids and simply fell in love. “I loved the modern Coach House along with the traditional feel of the Main Hall – it was the best of both worlds,” she continues. “We were greeted by the lovely Alicia who made me feel instantly at ease.”

Find out more about the big day in the Sept/Oct25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download now at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Although Bethany and Josh worked for the same company, they didn't speak properly until they bumped into each other at the pub one Christmas Eve. They went on their first date a few weeks later and quickly realised they love each other forever.

Christmas eve eight years later, to the day they met, Bethany returned home from a day out to find an aisle of petals and candles set up in their living room. “We had a very private, intimate proposal,” Bethany shares. “It was absolutely perfect in every way.”

The couple had their hearts set on a countryside venue and Colshaw Hall being in their home county of Cheshire made it the perfect spot. “From the moment we visited, we knew we were going to get married there,” Bethany says. The date was set for 12th July, 2024.

Find out more about Bethany and Josh's big day in the Sept/Oct25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download now at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download 

2025's couples have been getting creative with their colour palettes using fresh new ideas to bring the wow factor. Be inspired by what's going on in the world of interior design or fashion to get some ideas.

Clashing hues are in – it shouldn't work but it does! We love the juxtaposition of hot pink and vibrant orange for a bold approach that simply sings. Colour blocking is also a popular choice, choosing one colour and styling the space in varying hues of the same colour. Green has provided a mainstay for this trend, and given the myriad of gentle, fresh and bold tones it provides we can see why – it's incredibly versatile. This also works to perfection when styling your bridesmaids.

The Pantone Colour of the Year always inspires the wedding industry from 2023's Viva Magenta to our favourite, 2024's Peach Fuzz. This year Mocha Mousse was chosen. We won't deny, it's caused us to pause for thought, but with the passion for neutral tones when it comes to wedding styling, we think it fits in a treat!

For more venue styling inspiration, don't miss our trends round up in the Jul/Aug25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download 

Niamh & John's showstopping big-day bake by Boutique Bakery (www.boutiquebakery.co.uk) really caught my eye. It's a testament to how your sweet centrepiece can really bring a palette and/or theme together. 

Iced in a dark forest green and brushed with opulent gold it was also adorned in sugar flowers to mirror the floral arrangements of dahlias, roses, and delphiumns. What a stunner!

Find out more about the couple's big day in the Jul/Aug25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.youcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Pssst... Sept/Oct25 issue coming SOON!

Packing for your honeymoon? It's time to dial up the fun with these pink beaded flamingo earrings, £14 from next.co.uk For more honeymoon essentials, check out the Jul/Aug25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Hot off the runway! This new Claude ballgown is from Ines di Santo's (inesdisanto.com) latest spring 2026 collection, unveiled at Barcelona Bridal Week. It features a plunging V-neck and a tiered ombre blue skirt. For more red-carpet ready gowns, check out the July/Aug25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

With many of us gearing up for an autumn of ceremonies, receptions, and dress codes; Nicola Barker, head of buying at Suit Direct, has teamed up with etiquette expert Jo Hayes and dating coach Emily Thompson, to unveil the list of things that wedding guests should never do. The standard rules are pretty straightforward and only require you to be conscientious of the couple and their planning process. However, there are some of us out there, who fall victim to the same wedding guest mistakes...

Find out more in the Jul/Aug25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Italy has the perfect combination of bustling cities and scenic countryside, which is why it has become a very popular honeymoon destination. But how to get the most out of your trip? In this issue's honeymonn feature, travel editor Issy Chamberlain outlines some of the best accommodation and romantic attractions to make your trip as memorable as possible.

Find out more in the Jul/Aug25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download