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

INNSiDE by Melia UK launch curated craft sets for family stays

Inspiring curious minds to get creative this October half term, INNSiDE by Meliá, part of Meliá Hotels International, has launched a range of crafty hampers for kids, to add on to all stays. Available at INNSiDE's UK North hotels, including INNSiDE Liverpool, the new craft hampers feature a selection of curious goodies designed to inspire the next generation of budding creatives. The craft hampers have been created by the best in the business, with experts from local craft and lifestyle stores in each city packaging each bespoke offering. Craft hampers are available during October half term and onwards for just £20.

County Wedding Magazines launch new websites!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ the office is abuzz with excitement at the launch of our new websites – I'm sure you can hear the *collective oohs and ahhs* from where you are! So yes, it's here, after months of hard work, sweat and tears (maybe less tears but more cheers!), our shiny, new, glorious websites are ready to be viewed by our much-loved readers – we really hope you like them as much as we do! Wedding planning at your fingertips - What's new, we hear you ask? Well, everything! The County names are as important as ever, it's our ethos after all, but we have a lush new font and modern colour scheme that really makes our County Wedding Magazine titles jump off the page.

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.

Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign

Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.

There's luxury for less at Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa in Chester

If you're planning an intimate winter wedding, let the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa play host to your dream day as you take advantage of its new Luxury For Less package for early 2024. Picture your big day at this Chester wedding venue and enjoy fantastic savings in January and February 2024. For just £4,500 based on 50 day and 80 evening guests this new package includes: full drinks package welcome drink, one drink with meal and toast drink per guest), three course wedding breakfast plus coffee for your day guests, buffet for evening guests, dedicated wedding coordinator, master of ceremonies, resident DJ, red carpet arrival, personalised table plans and menus, cake base and knife, chair covers and organza bows or Chivari chairs,

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.

Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!

Make a date to visit Doubletree by Hilton Chester

Doubletree by Hilton Chester is conveniently situated between the M53 and the city centre. It lies within a 40-minute drive of both Manchester and Liverpool international airports, and Chester mainline railway station is just a two-mile drive away. With a stunning and lovingly restored 18th-century manor house, Grade II English Heritage conservatory and a converted stable barn, you're ensured a magical and memorable special day here. You can check the venue out for yourselves at its wedding fair due to take place on Sunday 29th October, 11am-3pm. Head over and discover this stunning venue, meet with top local suppliers, and begin your planning journey. The dedicated wedding specialists here will be on hand to answer your questions and guide you through everything you need to know.

INNSiDE Liverpool to host an exclusive Charlotte Tilbury beauty event

Contemporary lifestyle hotel, INNSiDE Liverpool, has announced an exclusive beauty event in collaboration with Charlotte Tilbury, set to take place on Thursday 5th October at the Gino D'Acampo 360 Sky Bar. Located on the 18th floor of INNSiDE Liverpool, Gino D'Acampo 360 Sky Bar is one of the city's most coveted venues, with unrivaled panoramic views of Liverpool and beyond. Open to hotel guests and local residents, the Charlotte Tilbury masterclass, paired with delicious food and drink from Gino's, is the perfect treat ahead of the Christmas rush. As the big day is getting closer, it's time to start thinking about Christmas makeup ideas.

Manor House Alsager introduces limited edition autumnal glow spa day

As the vibrant hues of autumn paint the landscape, East Cheshire's family-owned, English country Manor House Hotel invites guests to embrace the golden season with its limited edition Autumnal Glow Spa Day. This newly launched Spa Day offers guests an holistic experience indoors and out that beats off the summer holiday blues and captures the beauty of the season.Guests arrive at the spa where they are given their fluffy robes and towels, as well as bespoke tote bag and flip flops which they can take home with them following their visit. Using the aesthetic and top-class changing rooms, guests can slip into their spa attire and head to the Pool House where they are greeted with a delicious seasonal mocktail.

The Swettenham Arms is a characterful venue nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside

The Swettenham Arms is a characterful venue nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. The stylish Lovell Suite is surrounded by beautiful gardens, idyllic woodlands and open landscape, and during the summer months the lavender is in full bloom. This beautifully refurbished inn in the heart of the Dane Valley, offers superb food, stunning settings, impeccable service and unrivalled attention to every detail. From the decorations to catering, the team will tailor its services to meet your needs and create wedding that's unforgettable just for you. Licensed for civil weddings and partnership ceremonies it's the ultimate venue if you want to celebrate among picturesque surroundings.

LYRA Swim and The Spa at Carden collaborate on an inclusive modest swimwear event

Leading modest swimwear fashion brand LYRA Swim recently held its first-ever corporate brand trip with a UK hotel, bringing together 15 esteemed female Muslim influencers and the LYRA team members for an unforgettable two-day event at Carden Park Estate, shattering the taboo that modest swimwear isn't accepted in the spa environment. Welcoming guests with rose and elderflower drinks, the event started with a Twilight session at The Spa at Carden, where guests had the extraordinary chance to bask in the award-winning spa facilities under the starlit sky, perfectly encapsulating the essence of LYRA Swimwear against the breathtaking backdrop.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Hand Picked Hotels launches special autumn package for the ultimate getaway

Luxury hotel brand Hand Picked Hotels is launching its Glorious Autumn Getaway package for the most colourful season of the year – the perfect antidote to Britain's grey summer. Choose a country or coastal getaway this autumn and enjoy laid-back luxury with endless outdoor adventures and cosy nights in to warm the soul this season. Make the most of spacious bedrooms for a great night's sleep, sparkling wine by a roaring fire, woodland walks or seaside strolls and stargazing beneath an uninterrupted sky. The longer you stay, the more you can enjoy! Guests staying one night will be treated to a complimentary bedroom upgrade for ultimate comfort and relaxation.

Event Cheshire tells us what's hot in the world of venue styling

The team at Event Cheshire, helmed by Emma Smith, love to keep couples up to date with what's on trend in the world of all things wedding, and have kindly put together their key trends for 2023 and 2024 that are making the headlines here in the UK. With the wedding season in full swing, Emma has already had the priviledge of using her floralscaping skills to explore, design and enhace some of the hottest styling trends in demand among her gorgeous clients. We hand over to Emma to tell us more... Our passion for florals has never been more apparent than it is now.