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

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long?

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this. My groom says he's finished his speech and he's really happy with it but it's almost 2,000 words long. Is that too much? Yes. All speeches should be under ten minutes long. It seems obvious but I've seen several speeches (generally the best men) go well over half an hour, oblivious to the yawns or heckling. That's no more than 1,300 words maximum, allowing for pauses or laughter on the day. Remind your fiancé that his first draft is just the start of the writing process.

Wedding favours for Kids: ToyChoc Box

PLAYin CHOC's ToyChoc boxes are a fantastic choice for entertaining kids at weddings. These eco-friendly, vegan, and allergen-free treats come in 100% recyclable packaging. Each box contains two creamy chocolate bars wrapped in compostable packaging, along with a 3D card puzzle toy featuring animals like endangered species, sea creatures, or dinosaurs - there's also a fun animal fact inside. At just £2.25 each on Amazon, these boxes are a budget-friendly addition to your wedding plans.

Tucked away down a winding drive lies one of Cheshire's hidden treasures, Inglewood Manor

Tucked away down a winding drive meandering between manicured lawns, ponds and pavilions lies one of Cheshire's hidden treasures, Inglewood Manor. Nestled at the heart of 38 acres of grounds and gardens, this Edwardian country house retains all the charm and warmth of a luxurious period home. As a Grade II listed building it boasts generous spaces, exquisite interiors and many classical features from its historical heyday. Outside, wisteria-clad walkways, neatly planted gardens, manicured lawns, pretty ponds and shimmering lakes all contribute to an unforgettable setting. Inglewood Manor offers a selection of licensed rooms. The Ledsham Suite (80 ceremony, 40 reception guests) offers an intimate and relaxed environment with high ceilings and an ornamental fireplace. It conveniently connects to both the reception and lounge.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

Titanic Hotel Liverpool is a wedding venue steeped in illustrious history and heritage

Titanic Hotel Liverpool is steeped in illustrious history and heritage. Set on Stanley Dock, the Hotel provides a wonderful backdrop for you to celebrate your special day with the grounds here harking back to a previous era combining seamlessly with the venue's contemporary luxury. This four-star hotel boasts views over the Mersey estuary and Tobacco Warehouse, complete with original exposed brick arches reflecting the Hotel's rich heritage and history. Titanic Hotel and the adjoining Rum Warehouse are fully licensed by the civil registrar to offer civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. Here, you have the choice of the Rum Warehouse (500 guests), Titanic Staircase (100 guests) or West Bay (180 guests) for exchanging your vows.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Tie the knot at Merseyside wedding venue Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa

Nestled in 200 acres of lush green parkland the hotel here offers the perfect setting for creating an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Luxurious throughout with modern decor, high ceilings and large windows the venue really does bring the outside in. The Flower Petal Garden and Rockery are the particular highlights of the outside spaces, and you can head there for some stunning couple shots. The Ambassador Suite (250 ceremony and reception guests) is privately situated on the first floor of the hotel and boasts high ceilings with beautiful crystal chandeliers and coloured lighting in the evening. Overlooking the 18-hole championship golf course, the room is flooded with natural daylight thanks to its patio doors and wrap around balcony. This suite can be tailored in size to suit your needs.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

Decadent dining at Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford

Located in the heart of Cheshire, the four-star Cottons Hotel and Spa – part of Daniel Thwaites - is ideally positioned to enjoy easy access to Tatton Park and the quaint village of Knutsford. Boasting contemporary bedrooms, indulgent spa facilities and a variety of dining possibilities, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Featuring a British-brasserie inspired menu, the restaurant at Cottons Hotel and Spa offers tables as well as booth dining, and for those brighter days, guests can indulge in al fresco dining out on the terrace. Hero dishes include day boat caught fish of the day, Highbury of Shropshire chicken supreme and seasonal vegetable risotto. If you're in search of a sweet treat, why not try the old school Knickerbocker glory?

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

The QHotels Collection turns Sunday Scaries into Super Sundays with £99 getaway packages

The dreaded anxiety experienced the day before returning to work is a phenomenon known as 'Sunday Scaries.' But the stunning Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, set on eight acres of stunning grounds in the peaceful Cheshire countryside, is offering the perfect antidote – Sunday night escapes from £99. A recent study exploring typical work-related stressors, found over half of the 1,500 Brits surveyed (54%) suffer from 'Sunday Scaries'. Top triggers include concerns like 'boss wants to talk', 'overdue deadlines' and 'going into the office'. The QHotels Collection's £99 Sundays, an incredible offer, means guests can bid farewell to pre-work anxiety and indulge in a rejuvenating Sunday night escape instead. All our four-star venues offer something different, from secluded rural hideaways to sophisticated city hotspots and everything in between. Each property within the collection offers a sanctuary of comfort andrelaxation, ensuring every guest experiences a memorable stay.

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Why wait? Check out the NYE wedding package at Thornton Hall

What a way to bring in the new year! Thornton Hall Hotel has exclusive availability for a New Year's Eve 2024 wedding in its beautiful Cristal Suite for £8,000 based on 80 guests. The package includes: 5pm civil ceremony, Prosecco drinks reception, Selection of canapes, Evening buffet including: chicken curry and rice, beef hot pot and red cabbage, mini beef sliders, battered cod goujons, chips, crusty bread, rice, selection of saladas, chef's selection of desserts, Late night bites: bacon or sausage batches, Disco and DJ, Haggis, neaps and tatties to bring in the new year, Late night bar until 3am, Dedicated wedding coordinator, Cream chairs or chair cover with bow, Table centrepieces, cream carpet for your centre aisle,

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.