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

Weddings don't need to cost the earth

With nearlyweds looking to opt for more sustainable choices when planning their nuptials, Talking Tables' new wedding rental scheme ensures this special occasion will look beautiful, without costing the earth. Would be spouses can choose from its best-selling tall glass candle holders in a variety of colours to suit every theme, both clear and brightly coloured bud vases, and handmade silver stainless steel plates and bowls. Tables can be exquisitely dressed for a fraction of the cost to buy and be happy knowing the items will bring more joy to others rather than sitting in the back of your cupboard - a sustainable solution!

A must see wedding show at Halliwell Jones Stadium

By Fairydust Events & Easy Tiger Events NW are hosting a must-see wedding fair on Sunday 12th March, 2023, at Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Come and see over 50 exhibitors at this stunning venue. Entry is free and includes a bridal catwalk, canapés, a free bridal magazine, complimentary fizz on arrival, a goody bag, exclusive competitions, amazing live entertainment and a surprise guest!

No matter what stage of wedding planning you're at, there will be something to suit with a host of venue dressers, photographers, videographers, jewelers, photo booths, wedding cars, stationery and much more.

5 songs to avoid on your big day

On top of organising flowers, dresses, venues and speeches, choosing the music for your wedding is yet another decision to make. But where do you even begin? The options are seemingly endless and the song you do pick will be the one that you define as 'yours' for the rest of your lives together. Wedding decor specialists Ginger Ray have crunched the numbers to reveal which songs and artists have made it onto the most Spotify wedding playlists and could be, dare we say it... overdone. So, whether you want to embrace the most popular choices (they are favourites for good reason after all) or whether you want to know which songs to avoid if you are looking to create a more unique soundtrack for your big day, here is Wedding Spotify, Wrapped.

The Spa at Carden has launched its new Private Spa Package

The award-winning Spa at Carden has launched its new Private Spa Package, allowing you to feel like the ultimate VIP with complete private use of the 4,500 square metre spa and world-class facilities. From elaborate proposals to pamper parties, this package offers exclusive-use of the spa for a twilight session starting at 5.30pm until 9pm. Upon arrival you and your guests will receive a glass of Carden Reserve Sparkling Wine, grown on the estate's very own on-site three- acre vineyard, as well as a delicious hot and cold buffet served in Elements Restaurant overlooking the spa garden.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s disco tour coming to a local venue near you!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Christmas Kitchen Disco UK Tour begins in November and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think it will make a great night out for your hen/stag or sten do! Tickets for shows are on-sale now The shows will feature hits from throughout Sophie's career, as well as some very festive classics, all in Sophie's own seasonal disco style. The tour follows on from the huge success of her 2022 Kitchen Disco Tour in which she brought her lockdown online sensation from her kitchen to sold-out stages across the country, including a sold-out finale at the London Palladium.

Styal Lodge can be found in the National Trust village of Styal

Styal Lodge can be found in the National Trust village of Styal in Cheshire. The Lodge was purpose built from sustainable Finnish timber featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, which fill the venue with natural daylight. The venue is ideal for those looking for somewhere that offers a bespoke, blank canvas, with a neutral and timeless feel where you can create and design your dream wedding from start to finish.

The beautifully landscaped garden offers the perfect place for a drinks reception and group shots while the lake not only provides newlyweds with a breathtaking backdrop for portrait photos, but also a moment of tranquillity.

Top tips for having a low waste wedding

Getting married is one of the most exciting days of your life, and you'll want it to be as special as possible. But you might also want your wedding to be kinder to the planet than the usual nuptials — indeed, a study found that British weddings create 18kg of plastic waste per event, adding up to 4,910 tonnes of plastic waste every year. Even for the biggest event of your life, this is a lot of waste to produce during a single day, and many people are increasingly looking to find ways of reducing it and have more sustainable nuptials. If you want to enjoy the big day but also make it more of an eco-friendly event, suppliers of catering equipment Alliance Online have put together some tips for you to take forward in your wedding planning. Even though getting married is a big event, you can still keep the carbon footprint small.

Proposing a prenup? A guide to practical romance this February

Some consider February to be one of the most romantic months of the year. With January finally over, we can start to look forward to Spring, and the warmer months ahead. Each leap year, the 29th of February is traditionally held as a day when the tables can turn and women are supposed to propose marriage to men, instead of the other way around. However, most obviously, February contains Valentine's Day and the celebrations of lovers up and down the country who look to St Valentine for inspiration for their friendships and romantic relationships.

Jacqui O has been accepted as a member of the exclusive Good Florist Guide

Everything is coming up roses for Nantwich-based floral designer Jacqui O who has been accepted as a full member of the exclusive Good Florist Guide, the gold standard in floristry and the only merit-based guide in the world. The Guide was founded by Caroline Marshall-Foster, editor of The Florist Magazine, as a way to ensure customers always receive top-quality floristry from businesses that value excellent customer service.

Jacqueline Owen, owner of Jacqui O was acknowledged with this accolade by the Guide's advisory panel and is absolutely delighted.

Say ‘I Do’ to a Dry Wedding with Mavrik Alcohol-free Cocktails

With a growing number of people going sober or choosing to moderate their drinking, the traditional wedding 'knees up' may be a thing of the past as today's couples opt for a more sober affair - which everyone can remember! In the past, non-drinkers or designated drivers would be somewhat left out of the celebrations with access to only a sad selection of soft drinks or juices. However, now nearlyweds-to-be are putting as much effort into deciding what alcohol-free drinks to offer as they would apply to sourcing the Champagne for the toasts! Plus, not only are dry weddings a huge money saver, but they also allow guests to enjoy the day with a clear head and leave the event with all those special memories firmly in tact.

Check out these two romantic wedding venues

The Mere Golf Resort & Spa is nestled in the heart of undulating Cheshire countryside and 150 acres of parkland, this venue offers a tranquil and picturesque setting catering for intimate weddings of 60 nearest and dearest up to more opulent affairs including 550 guests.

Arley Hall and Gardens is an oh-so romantic wedding venue, situated at the centre of a 2,000-acre country estate. It's a venue that can be intimate and peaceful or full of grandeur and the gardens are simply outstanding. Here you can host up to 100 nearest and dearest.

Portal Golf & Spa Resort opens its doors to love-struck couples

Wedding experts believe there is no better way to fall in love with a wedding venue than to visit first hand, that's why Cheshire's Portal Golf & Spa Resort is inviting newly engaged couples to experience the magic for themselves at its Valentine's wedding showcase. Taking place from 11am-2pm on 18th February and 5-9pm on 28th February, couples can tour the wedding venue, view multiple room setups and meet with the venue's expert wedding team to discuss possibilities for their big day. Selected open days also include local recommended suppliers to spark inspiration as wedding planning begins, from florists and wedding cake makers to entertainment providers and more.

Five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free)

Dr Rachel Taylor is a neuropsychologist, podcast host and founder of UNBroken. She has this advice on the five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free). "The brain has many different circuitry mechanisms associated with feelings of love. Below are some suggestions that mean more to love than commercial gifts."To appreciate is to raise in value, so the appreciation of another is truly better than a gift. Appreciation of another triggers a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which is directly involved in controlling our circadian rhythm. We also get a dopamine hit which supports us to be more motivated to perform the same behaviour. The more we appreciate a person, the more motivated they are to carry on being the amazing person that we think they are.

5 ways to get your pooch involved in your wedding

Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of nerves and excitement, and if you have a dog, you might want to get them involved in the event too. But how? Here, Lisa Melvin from Webbox offer some ideas. Organising a wedding can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. If you have a dog, you might be wondering if you can involve them in the event too — your pooch is most definitely part of your family, and it's natural to want them to be a part of your special day. Read on to find out some ideas for how you can bring your pooch to the wedding.

Pure Silk Ceremonies are offering readers a 10% discount

"I absolutely love the start of a new year," says Sheila Duncan at Pure Silk Ceremonies. "Christmas and the New Year is a fabulous time for proposals. Congratulations to all of you celebrating your engagement." As 2023 began, Sheila celebrated not only with a wedding on 1st January, but also the official second birthday of Pure Silk Ceremonies! "I really cannot believe it's been two years since I started my celebrant business. They do say time flies when you're having fun and I can honestly say, I'm having so much fun working with the most amazing couples to create their dream wedding ceremonies," she tells us.

How to create a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding

Your wedding should be as personalised, luxurious and enjoyable as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception! Here, Steve King, managing director at the drinks retailer Bottled & Boxed, shows you how to bring together a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding. Organising a wedding is as exciting as it is overwhelming: you'll want your day to be as special as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception to this. It's becoming more and more popular to create your own personalised drinks, with Google searches for 'bespoke drinks menu' increasing 10% since the beginning of 2022.

F.Hinds advises on your wedding selection

Jewellers F.Hinds, boasting more than 115 stores across England, advise on what precious metals your wedding rings could be made from... Your wedding day will be one of the biggest days of your life, and we're so happy that you're about to embark on this new chapter, no doubt you are too! With an exciting engagement comes a whole load of happiness and emotion, but with that what also comes is a never-ending list of things you need to do before the big day, and we can bet that one of them is going to be to "find the perfect wedding rings".

The Loft at High Legh is in the middle of the Cheshire Countryside

Right in the middle of the Cheshire Countryside you'll find The Loft @ High Legh. Situated in the High Legh Golf Club's beautiful grounds, it offers an idyllic location for your big day. Also conveniently located near to major motorway networks, it's super-easy for guests to reach you.

With its stunning scenery and private roof terrace overlooking the woodland and greenery, this venue is a photographic dream and you'll have exclusive use for the whole day. All packages are tailor made, designed entirely around you and how you'd like your day to unfold.

The venue's catering partners are selected from some of the area's finest, ensuring you only get the best in quality and service on your big day. Choose the style of food you like and leave the experts to do the rest. Alternatively, the team can create a package to include your catering – just ask!

How to choose your wedding date

You would have thought choosing the date for your wedding would be the easiest part? Simple pick a date that suits you as couple and your venue. Well, yes, that is often the case. But there will always be other factors you should consider before making the final choice. If you're hosting a marquee wedding at private residence, then you're fortunate enough to have a little more flexibility with a date than those opting for a wedding venue. However, whether a marquee or venue it's wise to take into account some of the following factors that may make deciding on the best date for your special day a little easier....

Valentine’s Day: 9 tips to help you spoil someone special without breaking the bank

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect excuse to show someone special how much they mean to you. However, the cost of living crisis means that people are more concerned than ever about money. To help, jewellery specialists, Queensmith have pulled together 9 ways to spoil your partner on a budget...1.Set a budget ahead of Valentine's Day. This is an important first step. The last thing you want is for one of you to spend double the amount of money compared to the other, and fall out over gifts on Valentine's Day.