All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Cheshire or Merseyside, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Everything you need to know about wedding traditions
Traditions have played a huge part in weddings for hundreds of years, with more recent, modern weddings incorporating a mix of both old and new. With the wedding season in full swing, here's some of the most popular wedding traditions, looking at their origins as well as modern alternatives. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we still love some of the classics, such as exchanging the rings and having a wedding cake, but would happily say cheerio to the father-daughter dance and throwing the bouquet! Have a read and see how many you want to keep!... read more
Posted: 13 October 2021
The fab four in Wedding Planning Apps
Post-lockdowns, couples are still rejoicing in the fact that being restriction free means it's full steam ahead with wedding planning - without the impending doom of cancellations and postponements! Whether you're nearlyweds, or just engaged, planning a wedding can be a daunting task; however, there's a whole host of useful Apps that can help you get organised and actually easy the stress of it meaning you can enjoy the wedding planning as much as the day itself! Events specialists AYRE Event Solutions, reveal the fab-four of best apps to download for wedding planning.... read more
Posted: 11 October 2021
Spooky hen and stag do ideas this October from Fizzbox
As this year's Halloween draws closer, here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we thought it would be fun to share some spooky hen and stag do ideas from Fizzbox.com! Now that lockdowns are over, the hen and stag do parties are back from the dead just in time for the spooky goings on this Halloween. So get your thinking caps on - witches hats! - and get planning a night of a lifetime as there's 18months of no socialising to make up for!... read more
Posted: 7 October 2021
The UK's most beautiful wedding castles
Wedding dreams of being kings and queens of the castle for the big day? Lucky for you, this fairytale ending can come true as the UK is blessed with a whole host of romantic castle wedding venues. Engagement ring specialists at Steven Stone analysed a comprehensive list of castles on wedding planning websites and using hashtag data from Instagram to reveal which venues has the highest number of posts to inspire your big-day wedding venue choice.... read more
Posted: 7 October 2021
How to choose the perfect gifts for your wedding party
Gifts for the wedding party can often be left to the last minute, however, they can show your guests just how much they mean to the two of you. But where do you start, especially when looking for something truly heartfelt? The gifting experts at www.hampers.com have rounded up some gift inspiration for the different members of your wedding party, which here at County Wedding Magazine HQ we think will go down an absolute treat with your loved ones...... read more
Posted: 5 October 2021
The Countdown Begins: Your Wedding Planning Checklist
The process of planning out your dream wedding day is an exciting and exhilarating time that many eagerly look forward to doing their whole life. With this said, it can also be quite a stressful time too, with so many different attributes to your wedding needing to be organised and thought of. Before even contemplating how much your big day will cost and who you're going to invite, the questions of where and how to even start planning your wedding is something on everyone's mind at first. Thanks to technology impacting the majority of aspects in our day-to-day lives, there are an abundance of wedding planner apps you can use. Making your wedding planner checklist only a finger tap away at all times. With restrictions on wedding guest numbers recently lifted alongside an end to all social distancing rules, we're beginning to return to normal. Here, we present a step-by-step guide to your wedding planning checklist and outline when exactly the right time to plan for the next step is.... read more
Posted: 1 October 2021
Christmas at Thornton Hall Hotel, Wirral
Although it's a few months off yet, we're all giddy about the prospect of Christmas here at CWM HQ! And like us many a venue across the land is excited to welcome you back to what will hopefully be a close to normal as possible festive season. One such hotspot it the lovely Thornton Hall Hotel in Thornton Hough, Wirral. So, read on to find out about all the events the team have planned starting from the end of November all the way to New Years Eve. So, diary at the ready...... read more
Posted: 30 September 2021
Top suit trends for the groom by tailoring specialists Pritchards
With more than 185 years of tailoring experience, Pritchards Menswear has worked through the decades supporting groomsmen in looking and feeling their best on their wedding day. With each passing year - and each passing wedding season - the team have had the pleasure and excitement of navigating both the nuanced and bold changes in fashion, as well as the shifts in wedding tradition that have made space for further expressionism and creativity in the age-old art of tailoring.Edward Pritchard, owner of Pritchards Menswear says, "While shifts in fashion and societal trends naturally occur over time, the last two years have dramatically challenged many of the traditional aspects of weddings, be it the size, the location, or the level of formality involved. With many cancelling, rescheduling, or downsizing their wedding celebrations, society has seemingly embraced the smaller, the hyper-personal, and the bespoke in a new and exciting way.... read more
Posted: 30 September 2021
Gifting etiquette for wedding guests this season
Attending the wedding of a friend or family member is one of life's privileges, so choosing an appropriate gift to honour their big day is an important task. Of course, being a wedding guest comes with its own list of wed-min, from booking accommodation to selecting outfits and more - particularly if you find yourself in the 'inner circle' or bridal party! So, that all-important gift is often left until the last minute. This is why the gifting experts at hampers.com have put together their ultimate guide to finding the perfect wedding present for the happy couple. Spoiler alert: It's not essential to stick to the gift list!... read more
Posted: 17 September 2021
Boots Photo ultimate wedding day gifts
After the last 18 months, when the big day finally arrives you're going to want savour every moment and capture it on camera. After all the hardwork of wedding planning, and spending wisely on your wedding photographer, what more can be done with those memorable wedding pictures? Boots has a new wedding range of photo gifts perfect for newlyweds. From the hen do, to the pre-wedding photo shoot, to the big day and even the honeymoon there will be hundreds of pictures to utilise and make the most of these products...... read more
Posted: 15 September 2021
Your chance to win a honeymoon of a lifetime to the Maldives
Courtesy of the luxury Maldivian resort brand, Coco Collection, is hosting a competition for all those couples that tied the knot in 2020 but were unable to celebrate with a honeymoon due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. The honeymoon competition, launching on 14th September at 12 noon Maldives Time, ending two weeks later on 27th September (also noon MVT) is open to anyone who married in 2020 (proof required) and missed out on a honeymoon; the prize includes: seven nights in a Coco Residence on Full Board including return airport transfers,a refreshing welcome cocktail on arrival, a bottle of Champagne & a tropical fruit platter on arrival, special bed decoration, choice of a complimentary, in-Villa Champagne breakfast or a romantic three-course candlelit dinner,15% discount on all treatments at the Coco Spa and a special gift.... read more
Posted: 15 September 2021
Cheshire-based Smooth Edge returned it July with its most triumphant performances ever. We caught up with one of the partners Pete to find out what it was like to be back. Pete says, "In both our trio and quartet (with saxophone) formations, we've played a number of weddings, birthday parties and corporate events this summer in Cheshire, Manchester, Leeds, Ambleside, Staffordshire and Monmouthshire. "More than ever, we've experienced becoming adopted as part of the family in every gig, surpassing our clients' expectations. Our first dances and special requests have all been well received. We've been awarded a prestigious five-star badge by an agency for our 2021 performances."... read more
Posted: 14 September 2021
Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!
As our wonderful world of weddings adapts to the new normal, eagerly looking to the roadmap ahead, County Wedding Magazines is here to share our readers' beautiful wedding days whatever the size of their guest list. From pre-Covid nuptials to post-lockdown micro-weddings, we want to feature them all, and we need your help! If you would like to see your wedding day featured across four entire pages of one of our magazines then please do get in touch following the link below.... read more
Posted: 3 September 2021
What's that? Even MORE wedspiration from CWM!
Here at CMW HQ we're literally never satisfied when it comes to providing our readers with enough wedspiration. Because, really, what is enough? We'd go on forever if we could. So, with that in mind, we've created our very own County Wedding Magazines YouTube channel, just for you. Find tons of big-day ideas from venue tours to dream dresses. Catch up on beauty reviews and how tos from our beauty editor and peek behind the scenes of styled shoots featured in our titles past and present. You can even be a fly on the wall at some real weddings - after all, if we're honest, who doesn't love being a bit nosey! And we haven't stopped there, as you'll also find local supplier interviews packed with tips and tricks.... read more
Posted: 27 August 2021
Liverpool Lighthouse is now once again to open as a community cinema after meeting the target of more than £25,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment that is set to transform the auditorium into an authentic cinema experience. The money was raised through Spacehive, a crowdfunding platform for ideas that bring local spaces to life - the world's first civic crowdfunding platform. The building was previously a Gaumont cinema, dating from 1931. Andy Brown's grandfather, Charlie Brown, opened and managed the original, Art Deco cinema, a modern icon of its time and Andy exclaims the joy his grandfather would have had, to know it is still alive as a cinema and serving its community.... read more
Posted: 26 August 2021
We asked Rebecca Forshaw (www.rebeccaforshaw.co.uk) about hairstyles to complement a lace-embellished dress with a high neckline. Here's what she told us..."I'd recommend something smooth and chic such as a low or high bun – depending on what suits you best. Make the most of the high neck by showing it off. Keep textured hair to a minimum as the lace will bring that element for you, so your hair would look perfect with a silky and shiny finish."... read more
Posted: 24 August 2021
We asked Cassie McClymont of Cassie M Bridal about for her free-spirited hair style suggestions to suit a boho bride. Here's what she told us..."There's certainly a real interest in romantically styled boho bridal hair this summer. And if you don't want to wear your hair completely down, a half up/half down hairstyle is the ideal fit for this wedding theme. Pair this look with a beautifully bohemian hair vine, which are becoming a favourite with 2021 brides. These fit in perfectly with the relaxed, romantic feel while rocking the boho look."... read more
Posted: 19 August 2021
Nightflix Gin Cinema comes to Wirral
Strap on your singing boots and warm up those vocal chords, because Nightflix gin cinema is bringing song-tastic films to the New Brighton Football Club (R.U.) in Wirral, on the weekend of 20th – 22nd August. At this immersive outdoor gin festival and cinema experience guests will be able to belt out the lyrics to some of the most popular musicals of recent years, such as Mamma Mia, A Star is Born, and The Greatest Showman, along with classics such as Grease and Dirty Dancing.... read more
Posted: 17 August 2021
Pets Country Manor is a luxury, five-star hotel for cats based in Tarbock Green, Merseyside. The venture is owned by Victoria and Craig who discovered the gap in the market for the care of small animals after failing to find anywhere to look after their guinea pigs while they were away on holiday. The pair look after around 100 cats on a daily basis and have been awarded the number one boarding establishment for cats in the UK at the Pet Industry Federation Awards.... read more
Posted: 12 August 2021
Much-loved TV personality Joe Swash shares what's new in his life, including his wedding plans!
Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon are a TV power couple and seem to be everywhere right now. Warm, friendly and always making the day brighter when they are on screen, they too have had their fair share of wedding heartache this year. Along with the rest of the country, their wedding too was affected after lockdowns one, two and three! Here, Joe talks about their big-day plans, his oh-so exciting news that he and Stacey are welcoming a baby girl to their brood of boys and his new snack campaign with Peperami... read more
Posted: 10 August 2021
The North West Wedding Show, incorporating The Liverpool Wedding Show, is taking place on 25th and 26th September 2021, at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool – next to the M&S Bank Arena.The North West Wedding Show is a full weekend of shopping where you can try, buy and save everything for your wedding with more than 150 of the finest local, national and international professional wedding companies, all in one place and under one roof!There will be four catwalk shows per day and a live lounge with entertainment from leading wedding bands and singers performing, so you can enjoy a drink and relax while you find the perfect act to entertain your guests.... read more
Posted: 10 August 2021
Carden Park's newest leisure activity, Vertigo, is now open. Perfect for families and friends who want to experience something thrilling now that lockdown measures are relaxing, the new aerial trek course is also ideal for an adventurous hen or stag do. Vertigo at Carden offers two terrifying levels of white-knuckle adventure for all abilities. Both courses take guests on a two-hour experience, with the promise of 18 mid-air obstacles to conquer. The longer and more difficult course high up on level two ends at the top of a ten-metre tower where true bravery is tested as adventurers launch themselves onto a giant stunt pillow.... read more
Posted: 5 August 2021
We asked Claire Thackery of CelloUna (www.cellouna.com) for her tips on how to incorporate live music into a ceremony for added meaning. Read on to find out what she had to say...One wonderful way is to walk down the aisle towards your beloved to the sound of a cello playing your special song. It's an instrument with an incredibly beautiful and emotive sound, perfect for this moment. There won't be a dry eye in the house!... read more
Posted: 22 July 2021
Hiring a marquee may seem like a great idea, but what do when if you start to feel overwhelmed by the vast blank space to fill. We asked Amanda Nelson of Wachadoin Events (www.wachadoin.events) for her advice on where to begin...Don't worry – part of the reason you booked the marquee was because you loved the space. You don't need to fill every part of it. Think about the different elements of your wedding: where are the key areas and how do you want to use them? Making a feature of your top table or sweetheart table by adding a backdrop or arch can give a focal point to the room. Adding dressings such as flowers and lights to some of the marquee's features such as poles or wires can also help to create the look you want, while breaking down the space and softening the structure.... read more
Posted: 20 July 2021
Get those dancing shoes on - weddings are restriction free!
The day has finally come – wedding ceremonies and celebrations are restriction free! Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to sing at the top of your voice: "Celebrate good times... come on!"It's been a long road that many of us have tentatively navigated over the last 16 months; from us here at County Wedding Magzines HQ to suppliers and couples. There's been small highs and many lows, as each glimmer of hope was put out by another government announcement.Lockdown 1.0 turned into 2.0 and then 3.0, wedding guest numbers went from 0 to 12, 15 to 30 and now we can actually invite all of our loved ones, friends and family dear to our hearts to the big day.There's really been no better time to say 'I do', not only will it be mask free (personal choice), socially distance-free and rule-free; but it will be a true celebration of marriage, a union of friends and family, love and friendship.... read more
Posted: 19 July 2021