Editor loves and inspiration

In the May/Jun25 issue's photography feature, local photographer Emma Hillier (https://emmahillierphotography.com) tells us what to expect from an engagement shoot and whether it's really worth having...

“A pre-wedding shoot or engagement shoot is a great way for you to get to know your photographer before the wedding day and to reduce some of the nerves you might have about getting in front of the camera. It's just an hour or so of your time (unless we go for a beer or some lunch afterwards) and not as cringey as it might sound, I promise! Think of it more as meeting up with a friend to go for a walk and chat about your wedding plans. The friend just happens to have a camera and is taking some relaxed shots of you both at the same time.”

For more words of wisdom from local wedding photographers, download the May/Jun25 issue now. It's free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Emily and Adam were in the same friendship group at school but drifted apart when they went to university. However, when the pandemic hit, they reconnected and formed their own social bubble during lockdown, taking long walks together and having fun being kids again. “We're both determined and driven people.” Emily explains. “Helping each other achieve those dreams is the glue of us being a couple.”

Adam's proposal was like a fairytale to Emily, having chosen a dreamy spot on a cliff edge in the Algarve, Portugal, at sunset. “I had no idea, and Adam was so nervous he'd been talking about spies for 40 minutes beforehand!” Emily remembers.

The couple fell in love with Combermere Abbey as soon as they set foot inside. The venue's converted greenhouse ceremony room, designed to absorb the surrounding natural landscape with its rolling hills and peaceful lake, felt like the perfect spot for the two to say “I do.” What's more, “The staff felt like instant best friends as soon as we met them, making our day that extra bit special,” Emily shares.

Find out more about the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Emma and James met in a service station watching Everton play West Ham away back in 2010. A few weeks later, they met up again when their team were playing at home, and the rest is history. James had the engagement ring for 14 months intending to propose, but Covid got in the way. Finally, when free, the couple took a trip to London, staying in the Shangri-La at the Shard, and James seized his moment to pop the question. “There were rose petals all over the room with 'will you marry me' spelled out in balloons above the bed,” Emma remembers. “It was perfect.”

So, the venue search began and top of the couple's wish list was somewhere close to home allowing them to pop in anytime following the big day and reminisce. “The Titanic Hotel was just perfect for us, as it's the right balance between modern and rustic,” Emma explains. “Meeting through Everton and their new stadium being built just over the road cemented it as the perfect location, as the team is such a huge part of our lives.”

Find out more about the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue. It's free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Emma and Daniel met at Imperial College London, where they'd both signed up to do a charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. They got to know each other during the climb and subsequent safari and on return kept bumping into each other. It was almost as if the universe was trying to bring them together! They hit it off from there, having fallen for each other's sense of humour and light-hearted outlook on life.

Dan proposed while the couple were on holiday in California. During a hike in Sequoia National Park, they stopped for some lunch by a waterfall. Dan was using his drone to take some photos, while Emma ate her sandwiches on a rock. She didn't have any reason to suspect anything out of the ordinary, until he tapped her on the shoulder and she turned to find him on one knee. He'd been setting up the drone to capture the whole thing on video.

The main attraction for the couple when it came to Swanley Meadows was that it was all outdoors and local to Emma's family farm. “We'd been looking at marquee weddings, but as soon as we found the tipis, we knew they were much more us,” the bride explains. “They're really impressive structures and look beautiful, set in a big green fi eld with lots of tress and lush vibrant countryside surroundings.” So, the date was set for 22nd June 2024.

Find out more about the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Katy and Oliver met as students working in the local social club bar. They soon became friends and two years later their relationship blossomed into a beautiful romance!

While on holiday in Placa De Catalunya, Barcelona, on one knee pretending to snap a photo of Katy, Oliver pulled the engagement ring out of his bag. “Hold on I just need to ask you something,” he said to a completely taken aback Katy. He asked her to marry him, and she was so shocked she didn't answer at first! It took a repeat of the question for her to accept. “Our 10 year anniversary was later in the year, so Katy was expecting me to propose then,” Oliver explains.

As a child, Oliver was a chorister at Liverpool Cathedral and believed it would be the perfect place to marry. “We both wanted a religious ceremony and an iconic Liverpool landmark, so the Cathedral really was our dream venue,” Oliver shares. For their ensuing celebrations, the couple chose The Racquet Club since they were looking for a central location. “We loved the size of the venue, and the fact it was also a hotel, so our bridal party could stay the night of the wedding,” Oliver explains. “It was lovely to wake up the next day and all have a breakfast together and reflect on our wedding the day before.”

Find out more about the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue. Download it for free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Our cover couple Megan and Tom met at work and immediately felt comfortable around each other. They soon became fast friends having discovered plenty of mutual interests. “Mostly, we made each other laugh and really happy,” Megan says.

Tom proposed to Megan in August 2022, while on a family holiday in Spain. “We were all out together enjoying a meal and Tom suddenly dropped to one knee. I'm not sure it was the most romantic of settings, but it was a surprise and felt very special having our family with us to celebrate,” Megan shares.

The couple viewed a number of venues before they decided on Cranage Estate. “I felt it ticked all the boxes for us,” Megan explains. “It's a beautiful building outside and in, the grounds are lovely, the function room was the right size for us, and most importantly, there were plenty of guest rooms meaning our family and friends could stay overnight.”

Find out more about Megan and Tom's big day in the current issue from page 22. Download the issue free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

David M Robinson's (https://davidmrobinson.co.uk) Altrincham showroom manager, Jackie Salmon also shares some of her top styles to look out for: “Trends for gents are 4 or 5mm classic court-shaped wedding rings in precious metals such as platinum or 18ct yellow gold. For ladies, it's diamond set slim wedding bands to complement the engagement ring, and our new range of multi-cut diamond ring designs are worth a look if you wish to choose something more modern.”

For more, turn to PAGE 45 of the current issue. Download it free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

David M Robinson also has showrooms in Liverpool.

The bountiful beauty of nature throughout the seasons has inspired many a wedding theme and palette. So, with the big-day bake being more than a just sweet treat but also a showstopping centrepiece for your reception space, we decided to ask the region’s wedding cake designers to show us their favourite seasonally inspired creations.

I love this stunning Wedgewood blue bake from Boutique Bakery (www.boutiquebakery.co.uk). It's giving me Bridgerton vibes! Beautiful for the spring.

Find you more from page 35 of the current issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Danielle and Aaron met online in 2021 and spent their first date in Liverpool where they visited Roxy Ballroom and played beer pong. “I think we were attracted to each other because of our common interests. We're both Harry Potter geeks, and like Disney, quizzes and travel. We're also close to our families and share similar values,” Danielle says.

Aaron proposed in Iceland with the Northern Lights as his backdrop. He'd hidden the engagement ring inside a golden snitch and Danielle thought he was handing her a new Christmas tree ornament to look at! “It was such a surprise,” Danielle remembers. “He'd organised a birthday trip to the Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter the previous month and I'd thought he'd maybe propose then. So, when he didn't, I just thought he wasn't considering it anytime soon.”

When the couple set out on their venue search, they came across Heaton House Farm, and as it happened, visited it two years to the day that they would ultimately tie the knot there. “It was all set up for Christmas with a 20ft tree and twinkly lights,” Danielle remembers. “This made us fall in love with it and decide to have our wedding there at Christmastime.” The two were also attracted by the various spaces that could be hidden and revealed as their day unfolded.

To find out more about Danielleand Aaron's big day from page 30 of the current issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

I don't mind telling you I've fallen head over heels in love with real wedding woofer Barclay. His fur dad, Dan, wasn't too happy though when he had to wash him on the morning of his wedding after the naughty chap decided to jump into the venue's pond.

Find out more about Stacey and Dan's (and Barclay's) big day from page 26 of the current issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download