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

Art from the heart with Cheshire born artist Jo Gough

Cheshire born artist Jo Gough has always had a passion for painting. Growing up, there was rarely a time when she wasn't drawing or painting, but she followed her head instead of her heart when choosing a career and worked in IT for her local council for 30 years. But in 2016, Jo finally decided to follow her dreams and devote herself to full time painting, developing her own style with no formal instruction or training. Now, she's happiest in her studio at home near Chester accompanied by her beloved dog Ted. Nature, flowers and hearts are wonderful sources of inspiration for Jo's artistic expression.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

Cottons Hotel and Spa provides the backdrop for a memorable wedding day

With a variety of wedding spaces, Cottons Hotel and Spa provides the backdrop for a memorable wedding day. From large, contemporary suites, to cosy fires and hidden nooks, there's an abundance of character wherever you choose to host your nuptials. Boasting 21st-century luxury, you can opt to spend your first night as newlyweds in the Bridal Suite. A mere stone's throw from the vibrant village of Knutsford, sits the contemporary Cottons Hotel & Spa. Born out of a 1950s jazz roadhouse and inspired by New Orleans, this location offers a rich history, combined with luxurious accommodation and spa facilities. A quiet haven away from the hustle and bustle of the village it's perfectly placed for enjoying romantic walks around Tatton Park.

Photographer Jaine Bricoe-Price adds a new string to her bow as professional celebrant

Jaine Briscoe-Price has been a highly respected name in professional wedding photography for more than 25 years. Having attended 700-plus ceremonies from grand cathedrals to woodland vibes, she has now become an independent wedding celebrant. Her vast experience and outgoing personality mean she's perfectly placed to offer you a skillfully tailored ceremony that sets the tone and heartbeat of your big day. "Your wedding day should be as extraordinary as the love you share, not a one-size-fits-all affair led by a stranger you've never met!" Jaine says. "A celebrant you know, like, and trust turns your ceremony into a wonderful, engaging celebration that feels alive with your story, your vibe, your magic.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Enjoy a dream day in the heart of the Cheshire countryside at Swanley Meadows

Swanley Meadows offers its couples the opportunity to enjoy a dream wedding in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. Nestled at the foot of Bosley Cloud, beside the tranquil River Dane, surrounded by rural charm, the venue offers elegant luxury for your special day. Available exclusively from May to September, Swanley Meadows provides a stunning setting whether you're planning a grand celebration or intimate gathering. Imagine a romantic ceremony set up beneath the majestic canopy of a 200-year-old beech tree, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. This grand tree offers a natural, awe-inspiring backdrop, whether enhanced with additional décor or left in its unadorned splendour. This setting combines natural beauty with a sense of tranquillity.

Thornton Hall awarded Gold for Hotel of the Year

The team at Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa are delighted to share that they've been awarded Gold for Hotel of the Year at the Wirral Life Awards 2024. The Wirral Life Awards are a celebration of the inspirational people and businesses in the local area, who make the Wirral such a vibrant place to live, work and visit. The awards ceremony is attended by hundreds of influential people that shape the lifestyle of Wirral, Liverpool and Chester regions. "We're honoured to be in attendance to accept our award and support our restaurant, The Lawns Grill, who won Silver for Restaurant of the Year!" Ella Harper from the Hotel's team tells us.

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne styles for every wedding

The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to share some tips for couples who are planning to celebrate their big day with a sparkling touch; pairing the perfect Champagne styles with different wedding themes. Champagne has long been synonymous with celebration, and the versatility of its styles means there is a perfect style for every couple, no matter the wedding theme. If your wedding theme is classic and traditional Brut Champagne offers versatility, it is an excellent choice for celebrations where guests will feel part of the couple's love story. Brut Champagne makes up around 80% of Champagne shipments to the UK, beloved for its balanced structure and refreshing finish.

Total Fitness announces huge investment in state-of-the-art fitness equipment

Leading North of England and Wales health club brand, Total Fitness, has announced an exciting new partnership with DRax, a world-class fitness equipment supplier already popular with gym users in Australia and Asia. The six-figure partnership sees Total Fitness become the first UK health club to provide its members with access to DRax's premium fitness equipment, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible workout experience. As part of the investment of over £500,000, cardio equipment will be replaced across all 15 Total Fitness clubs, offering members brand-new cross trainers, upright bikes, and recumbent bikes designed for reliability and high performance.

Cheshire's first ever floating sound bath experience

The award-winning Manor House Hotel and Spa based in Alsager is thrilled to announce the launch of its second wellness retreat, Stillness and Sound: The Floating Escape, following the overwhelming success of its inaugural Pilates retreat in January. This unique spa day, taking place on Saturday, 1st March 2025, offers guests a tranquil immersion into the art of sound bathing, featuring an exclusive hour-long sound bath experience in the hotel's serene indoor pool. Collaborating with renowned local sound bathing practitioner Carlie, from Soul Connections, the retreat invites guests to embrace a profound sense of calm. Participants will be guided into the spa's peaceful indoor pool, where they will be provided with floating beds, pillows, and eye masks.

Couples are making sustainable wedding choices from the beginning - engagement ring trend

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, many couples are looking to take inspiration from the likes of royalty and celebrities who decided to remodel or repurpose their symbol of enduring love from a vintage or pre-loved item or family heirloom. Not only does it give your engagement ring a deeper meaning or story, it's also a more sustainable way to shop, for one of the most important pieces of jewellery you'll ever own – you'll end up saving potentially thousands of pounds, plus you could end up with something completely unique to you. One such jeweller who is helping couples with this big decision is Rachel Fox, Jewellery expert TV presenter from Channel 4's Millionaire Hoarders, and Store Manager from pre-owned luxury jewellery seller, S&R Jewellers. As one of London's top specialists in this area, S&R Jewellers reports a huge uptick in the number of couples choosing the pre-loved route for their engagement ring.

Minimalist or maximalist? The décor styles couples are choosing in 2025

As we step into 2025, it's crunch time for soon-to-be-weds to lock in those wedding details. Whether you've just popped the question or are counting down to the big day, knowing the latest wedding décor trends can spark some serious inspiration for your celebration. The décor at your wedding isn't just about aesthetics; it's the mood setter, the vibe creator, the silent DJ of your day. From colour schemes to special touches, the décor styles set the tone and the atmosphere. So, let's dive into the styles that will be painting the town (and your wedding) this year.

Couples share the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, greeting card marketplace, thortful, has spoken to five couples who are still going strong after many years about the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship – and one is quite taboo. Speaking to the five couples, who have all been together longer than 10 years, communication, small gestures, and alone time were among the most common ingredients for a long-lasting relationship. All couples even unanimously agreed that farting in front of each other strengthens their relationships. Lack of communication is among the top reasons for break ups, according to experts, which is why Tom Lanaway, who has been with his partner for 11 years, claims strong communication to be the key to his strong connection.

Money and Matrimony: Mastering finances together

Managing money as a married couple can greatly differ from managing your own money as a single person. Where you previously only had to budget and save for one, and think about your own needs and wants, there is another person to think about, including their life goals and financial habits. For National Marriage Week, Olly Cheng, Financial Planning Director at Rathbones, shared his top tips on how to manage finances as a married couple.

Moonpig reveal the most trending hen party and wedding themes of 2024

New data from Moonpig has revealed the top wedding and hen party trends over the last 12 months based on Google search volumes and social media data. Last Rodeo-themed hen parties were the most popular with a 69% increase in Google search volume. The way we celebrate is constantly evolving. A recent Pinterest report found a shift in consumer behaviour with more people opting for intimate gatherings and celebrating old traditions with a modern twist. .

Known for helping people celebrate the moments that matter, leading online greeting card and gift experts, Moonpig, has revealed the top hen party and wedding trends of 2024. By analysing Google searches and data from TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube, Moonpig shares expert commentary on why these trends are so popular...

National Marriage Week 2025

Wedding celebrations take place year-round. And with all the costs associated, it's little surprise that so many couples prioritise all the required bills and outgoings for their big day, rather than their combined financial future. With National Marriage Week upon us (7th to 14th February), it's a good reminder to add a fundamental money conversation to your to-do list before getting married. Whether it's buying your marital home, getting ready for your newlywed trip of a lifetime, or starting to combine your finances and savings goals - there are some important steps to take before your nuptials to ensure money doesn't become a source of stress for you both.

Mamta Shanbhag, Borrow Director at Tesco Bank, offers five money tips for anyone set to marry this year:

New vases from BHS to elevate big-day styling

BHS is delighted to present its newest offering, a collection of glass vases in an array of beautiful styles, shades and sizes. The extensive and diverse range caters to all interior schemes, revitalising the home with a fusion of modern sophistication and timeless charm that redefines home decor - making them perfect for big-day gift lists or thank you gifts. Alternatively, the range would also make gorgeous vessels for table centrepieces for your wedding blooms, which you can the recycle after the day and use for years to come.

WoodWick® new Vapour Trails collection for the big day and beyond

Introducing the Vapour Trails Collection from Woodwick which celebrates the subtle beauty in everyday movement. There are fewer greater life moments than your wedding day, and whether it's to scent the big day itself or to give a gorgeous gift to loved ones, the new Woodwick Vapour Trails Collection would be ideal. Terra Haze: Petrichor, the refreshingly vivid scent of rain on soil, evokes the sense of nature being stripped down to its molecules. Notes of aldehydes, cedarwood, and mossy earth climb toward the sky, dancing back into the atmosphere like mist.

Newlyweds' home inspiration 2025 trends

With modern day wedding gift lists evolving, the time of asking for a toaster is gone, Jon Flannigan, Head of Product at Crucial Trading shares his insight into the flooring trends set to define 2025 which people tying the knot this year can be inspired by for the guests' contributions. "In 2025, we expect to see a shift towards greater personalisation in home design Naturally, homeowners want their spaces to reflect their individuality and tastes, which can involve moving beyond pre-manufactured products in favour of bespoke options