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

Platinum Spas interviews Love Island star Amy Hart

Platinum Spas caught up with Series 5 Love Islander Amy Hart to discuss her well-being routines; from fitness and wedding goals to diet plans, as well as her average screen time, and how she switches off with just a month to go until she gets married. Starting with well-being and fitness, what are your current go-to fitness routines? "So, I'm obviously getting married in September, I'm currently shredding for the wedding, but I just had that awful viral cough that was going around, so I haven't been able to go to the gym for 6 weeks, but I actually went back today for my first PT session back. I did a bit of legs, and I'm working with a PT, I'm also trying to get out walking every day with my little boy in the pram, and then I've got this app called Sweat with Kayla – I've had it for years.

Labour's plan to legalise humanist weddings

We are deep in the midst of wedding season. Whether you're attending as a guest, or planning your own, you will probably be taking note of the special moments, and how each couple make their wedding truly their own, and reflective of their relationship. Joanna Newton is a Partner at Stowe Family Law and explains what the proposal in law changes could mean... Over the past two decades, humanist wedding ceremonies (which is a wedding that is non-religious ceremony) have soared in popularity. The most recent statistics from 2020 are from Humanists UK and reveal that humanist weddings have increased by a huge 266% since 2004.

Find the magical Christmas break for you at Rookery Hall Hotel

Rookery Hall is a luxurious place to stay for those wanting to experience a beautiful country house in Cheshire during the festive season. The hotel is encouraging locals to use the holidays to escape the everyday and immerse themselves in its Hand Picked Hospitality. Every moment at Rookery Hall is carefully crafted to delight you and your loved ones, so you can guarantee an unforgettable experience filled with traditions, delectable dining, and the chance to truly relax and indulge. Please see below for an overview of what's in store during your stay. Christmas Eve: Arrive early to enjoy some pre-booked pampering in the spa before an afternoon tea.

From big celebrations to budget savvy: the changing face of UK weddings

At a time of rising costs and changing perspectives, is the sound of wedding bells as tempting as it once was? To find out, Legal & General polled more than 2,000 married and engaged couples to see if they opted for a big wedding – or a big rethink. A 2024 survey revealed the average cost of a UK wedding has risen to £20,700, marking a 12.5% increase from £18,400 in 2022. Despite this, our survey found that couples typically budget much less, with the average amount set aside being just under £9,000 (£8,997.32). There was also a stark difference in wedding budgets across generations. Younger couples, particularly those aged 16-24, budget an average of £14,937 for their special day, while those over 55 set aside £4,614.

Top tips to get to sleep before your wedding

Pre-wedding jitters cause a large number of brides and grooms to struggle to get to sleep. Upcoming nuptials, even if a positive stress, can be a leading cause of sleepless nights. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee gives advice to those Brides- to- be who are struggling in the lead- up to their big day, and gives top tips on how to improve their sleep. As a bride, you face an immense amount of stress, especially in the final days that countdown to your wedding. With plenty of last minute preparations that are trying to please everyone, it's easy to let yourself get swept up and forget to prioritise your sleep. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee from Doctor Fox, has partnered with Get Laid Beds to share FIVE expert tips to ensure you wake up on your wedding day like a princess, feeling refreshed and radiant, and not like a bridezilla.

Short story: The Transformation by Jonathan Roberts

We hope you enjoy this magical story, The Transformation by Jonathan Roberts. Once upon a time there was a quite ordinary little girl, just like you or me. She lived in the usual sort of house on an average kind of street where, nothing much happened. However one particular night, this little girl had a quite extraordinary dream that she hadn't expected at all! In this dream she watched herself walk into a building and up some stairs. She wasn't exactly sure why or where she was going, only that she knew for certain that if she did then she should discover some mysterious secret.

Alcohol-free options for weddings with Mocktails

For those looking for booze-free options this wedding season, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, is the non-alcoholic premium cocktail brand perfect for big-day guests! The alcohol-free, ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to offer a range of beverages at their wedding. Mocktails showcase a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mockarita - A zesty twist on the classic Margarita. Notes of lime, quinine and acacia flower with a refreshingly tart finish. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're finding it hard to choose our favourite... Mocksow Mule anyone?

Jacqui O achieves sustainable wedding alliance accreditation - the first in Cheshire!

Jacqui Owen, a leading wedding and event florist based in Nantwich, is thrilled to announce that they have been awarded the first accreditation by the Sustainable Wedding Alliance (SWA) the first wedding expert in Cheshire. This prestigious recognition signifies the company's commitment to environmentally responsible practices throughout their floral design and production processes. The Sustainable Wedding Alliance is a respected organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability within the wedding industry. Their accreditation programme recognises businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical sourcing, minimising waste, and reducing their environmental impact. "We are incredibly proud that Jacqui O has achieved the Sustainable Wedding Alliance Accreditation," says Michelle Miles, Founder of the SWA. "Their dedication to sustainable practices throughout their entire operation is truly inspiring.

Autumnal fragrances from Woodwick and Yankee Candle

Connect to nature with scents and colours drawn from the breathtaking outdoors with the cosy new Autumn collection from Yankee Candle®, Cottage Getaway. Inspired by the nostalgic roots of outdoor adventures, and the natural beauty of our world, the collection seeks to spark creativity and inspiration, whilst bringing family and friends together. Launching in August 2024, the collection includes three warming fragrances, Woodland Weekend Memories, Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl, and Afternoon Scrapbooking. This comforting selection of candles is perfect for reliving cherished moments at home as the late summer falls away and the new season settles n. Relax into Autumn with fragrances that ignite the senses, whilst the bright greens fade from the leaves and dusk draws in earlier by the day.

CWM partnership with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway!

County Wedding Magazines has teamed up with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway for our reader and social media followers! If you like or follow all three brands on either Facebook or Instagram, you'll be in with a chance of winning a £350 Dower & Hall gift voucher which can be redeemed online, as well as a £250 gift voucher for Maya Deluxe – that's jewellery and bridesmaids sorted for your wedding day leaving you more time and more budget to crack on with the rest of the wedding planning. Read on to find out more details about the brands and how to enter!

Liverpool's Somerset Blooms on how to repurpose your wedding flowers

Here, Nathalie Somerset from Somerset Blooms, based in Liverpool shares her ideas for repurposing your wedding flowers... "Those who know me know I love getting as much for my investment as I can. I guess this stems from the days when I didn't have much so I made the most of everything I had. This hasn't left me... and even now, as I am writing this, I am wearing a top I've had for years and it's one of my faves! I'll never part with it! Clothing, everyday items... it's all the same, so why stop there? Why not make the most of your wedding flowers and make them work from the start to the end of your special day.

Enjoy some relaxing bubbles at Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford

Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford has kickstarted the summer season with a new decadent overnight spa experience in collaboration with renowned English sparkling wine producer, Nyetimber. On arrival, you'll find a 375ml half bottle of Nyetimber's Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, crowned one of the best English sparkling wines, chilled to perfection in the mini-fridge. What's more you'll receive a beautifully presented Nyetimber gift set to take home, which features a 750ml bottle of Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, and two elegant Nyetimber glasses.

Instant photos make for lasting memories!

poignant keepsake for guests or a photo album. Instant photos make for lasting memories! The INSTAX mini 12 (£79.99) is the perfect product for guest use. Place on tables or dot them around the venue to allow for guests to personalise their memories, and most importantly, take them home. The INSTAX mini Evo (£174.99) is another great option for capturing what's important. The retro-themed exterior is fitting for those vintage-themed weddings – place next to the guest book so photos can be added straight in. The INSTAX SQUARE (£129.99) is a modern option for those photographic keepsakes. Connect the devise to phones and print polaroid straight from the camera roll. Instant photos are irreplaceable.

Nunsmere Hall is a stunning Edwardian building in the heart of the Delamere Forest

Located in the heart of the Delamere Forest in Cheshire, Nunsmere Hall Hotel is a stunning Edwardian building. Built in 1900, it exudes a sense of timeless elegance. Equally as beautiful outside as it is in, wisteria-clad walkways, lakeside views and neatly manicured gardens envelop this charming country house. The Crystal Suite is the venue's most popular room for ceremonies with its beautiful carved ceiling and impressive windows overlooking the manicured grounds. It can play host to 120 of your loved ones. You can also tie the knot al fresco amongst the beautiful Italian gardens. Walking down the aisle to your awaiting guests and soon-to-be spouse in these romantic surroundings is an experience you'll never forget.

Elope in style - expert advice

Couples are rewriting the script on what it means to say "I do". Over the past 12 months, searches for 'elopement weddings UK' are up +83%, 'elopement wedding packages UK' increased by +85%, and 'intimate weddings UK' have grown by +89%¹. This has highlighted a clear demand amongst couples for intimate weddings. To find out what has motivated this trend, wedding decoration experts at Ginger Ray have conducted a survey of those engaged and in the midst of planning an elopement to see what their special day will look like. Why are elopements becoming more popular? Topping the list of factors driving couples towards intimate weddings is the quest to manage expenses. More than a third (32%) of respondents highlighted financial constraints as the primary factor influencing their decision to opt for a smaller celebration.

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

New wedding venue alert! The Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool

The Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool – McGallery, a five-star luxury hotel in Liverpool has recently announced its new status as a wedding venue. The Hotel has carefully curated a range of wedding packages, all of which utilise the breathtaking spaces the venue has to offer. Now, you can celebrate your special day in the Grade II listed heritage building, immersed in the opulent and luxurious French and Italian influenced interior, all in a convenient city centre location on Dale Street. With the exquisite Palm Court Bar, Seaforth Restaurant, and spa, including a 16-metre indoor and sauna, you're guaranteed to have all your needs met. Find out more at www.municipalhotelliverpool.com

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

Do the planet a favour with Liverpool's Somerset Blooms

Sustainability is woven into everything Somerset Blooms does, from the suppliers owner Nathalie Somerset works with, the materials she crafts with, down to how the business is run. That's why Nathalie has been hard at work in her studio over the past 12 months creating a range of sustainable wedding favours. "I see the same favours at weddings such as scratch cards, lottery tickets, macarons, miniature bottles of limoncello and so on," Nathalie explains. "They're lovely, but I want to see something different. This is where the idea for creating something sustainable came from."

Celebrate at The Hayloft, located between Warrington and Widnes

A beautifully characterful and rustic barn conversion, The Hayloft is a family-run venue located between Warrington and Widnes. With exclusive use of the buildings and grounds, and glorious rural surroundings it provides a stunning backdrop for the perfect wedding day. Having been sensitively restored and converted in 2017, The Hayloft retains many of its original rustic features. Beautiful beams create a gorgeous entrance and the courtyard offers the ideal al fresco space for guests to mingle and enjoy a drink or two. There's also a paddock and open barns at the entrance to the venue with a number of animals for guests to visit. Set down a country lane, The Hayloft, is surrounded by open fields providing a tranquil and picturesque setting.