Editor loves and inspiration

These striking gowns are from the latest Christian Siriano for AZAZIE bridal collection. Styles include a silk Mikado ballgown featuring a basque waist and a tulle-tiered ballgown boasting a beaded bodice. There are also stunning dresses finished with delicate lace detail, www.azazie.com/gb/all/wedding-dresses/with/brand/christian-siriano-bridal-for-azazie

For more red-carpet ready gowns download the Jul/Aug issue free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

ChloBo, renowned for its timeless and meaningful jewellery, has unveiled six exquisite new pearl pieces made using the highest quality freshwater pearls, hand-selected for their unique charm. Wedding-worthy items include this ethereal multi-pearl drop necklace, £95, and purse-friendly prices start from just £52, https://chlobo.co.uk

For more fashion tips and best buys, download the Jul/Aug25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

To achieve a perfectly matched set of engagement and wedding rings, or if you fail to discover your vision in ready-made collections, you may decide to go down the bespoke route. Costs are often comparable, and you'll be able to ensure the same profile and perfect shape fitted around your engagement ring, allowing the two to sit together in perfect harmony. You'll need a skilled local goldsmith, so be on the lookout for privately-owned jewellers, particularly those who come highly recommended.

The price of gold right now is sky high, so you can save yourself a pretty penny by presenting your jeweller with gold family heirloom pieces that you're happy to have melted down and refashioned into your new wedding rings. This also brings a world of sentimentality and meaning. What about combining gold from both sides of your family symbolising the joining of the two in marriage?

The bespoke process allows you to be involved every step of the way, working with your jeweller to design and bring to life exactly what's in your head. Remember, you're making a significant investment in these pieces, so they should be absolutely perfect for you – no compromises. You can even find some artisan makers who host wedding ring making workshops, allowing you to craft your very own bands. What could be more personal?

Find our wedding ring buyers guide in the Jul/Aug25 issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

When Henry proposed to Sarah four years on from their first date, the venue search for the big day began. "We knew we wanted to get married in Audlem, close to where we both grew up,” Sarah explains. “The challenge was to find a venue close enough to the church. The one we eventually chose gave us free rein to use the building in whichever way we wanted. We loved that the owners were happy for us to treat it like our home for the weekend. It had an intimate atmosphere and provided rooms for 20 of our friends to stay. It was the perfect setting for a fun weekend away with our loved ones.” So, the couple didn't hesitate and secured their date: 31st August 2024. 

Sarah tells us more in the Jul/Aug25 issue, download it free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Niamh and John met via a mutual friend and got on like a house on fire from the get-go. “We made each other laugh and it just felt really natural when we went on our first date,” Niamh shares.

Once he'd decided to propose, John booked a surprise weekend away in London. The couple enjoyed a trip to the theatre, followed by dinner and John popped the question when they got back to the hotel.

Niamh's parents got married at St Mary's Church in Lymm, so the couple decided to tie the knot here too, right by Lymm dam. “I always wanted wedding bells,” Niamh explains. When it came to the reception venue, the two looked at many Cheshire venues, but fell in love with Arley Hall and Gardens. “It's stunning, has gorgeous grounds and the staff are so lovely and helpful,” Niamh explains. “We really felt like they'd look after us!”

So, the date was set for 27th July 2024, join us over in the Jul/Aug issue where the bride tells us all about the big day. Download it free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

If you've opted for a city-centre location for your nuptials, perhaps a fashion forward short bridal dress will be your vibe. Check out our fashion feature in the May/Jun25 issue - these sassy short styles will take you from day to dancing. I love this oh-so cute little number from Quiz Clothing.

Download the latest issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

“Couples are now moving beyond traditional centrepieces, embracing fl oral tablespaces dropped in fabrics and enhanced by fruits and vegetables to capture the essence of 17th-century still-life masterpieces,” Jacqui Owen from Jacqui O (www.jacquio.co.uk) shares. “Deep-hued roses, velvety peonies, and trailing amaranthus are paired with fi gs, pomegranates, grapes, and artichokes to add depth and texture to the wedding table. We recently did a nod to this trend, pairing white tulips and ruffl ed ranunculus with deep black grapes and gold-leafed pears, which doubled as exquisite place names, adding a touch of sophistication. These living tablescapes transform receptions into immersive experiences, where every detail contributes to an atmosphere of luxury and abundance.”

Over in the May/Jun25 issue, we explore this year's wedding floral trends with the help of the region's experts. Download it free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

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