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

Why more couples are letting the coast shape their wedding day

For couples planning a wedding, the setting is increasingly becoming more than a backdrop. Research from WeddingDates found that 78% of UK couples consider location an important factor when choosing a venue, with more than a third specifically influenced by the view. Rockwater, the UK coastal hospitality brand with beachfront venues in Hove and Branksome, says this is helping reshape how couples approach weddings by the water. Rather than simply choosing a coastal venue and then planning the celebration independently of it, couples are increasingly allowing the landscape, changing light and relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces to influence the day itself. Rockwater has identified four of the key considerations shaping modern coastal weddings.

Something old, something gone: The British wedding traditions on borrowed time

New Aspall research reveals the wedding traditions that are being dropped - from the bouquet toss and choreographed first dances, to the father-of-the-bride speech - and the modern alternatives taking their place. Speeches given only by men (36%), a choreographed first dance (34%) and the formal receiving line (30%) are among the wedding traditions that couples are keenest to ditch, a new study reveals. Wearing a veil, the 15-minute father-of-the-bride speech with no speech from the bride, and the traditional tiered fruit cake are also increasingly falling out of favour as Brits tie the knot, researchers found.

New app launches to simplify one of marriage’s biggest admin headaches

Changing your name after marriage can mean updating details with countless organisations, from banks and subscriptions to official documents and employers. New app Name Change Navigator aims to make the process easier, guiding newlyweds through each step from one platform. Founded by Rebecca Dainton, Head of Product at Flutter UK & Ireland, the app was created to reduce the stress and mental load associated with name changes. It supports a range of naming journeys, including traditional surname changes, double-barrelling, blended surnames and other choices following marriage, civil partnership, divorce or personal identity changes. The launch comes as younger generations increasingly rethink traditional naming conventions, with technology offering a more streamlined approach to this often-overlooked part of newlywed life.

Flawsome! reveals 81% of Brits say weddings don't need to be perfect to be memorable 

Growing frustration with wedding perfection culture is reshaping how couples plan their big day, with sustainability, guest experience and authenticity becoming increasingly important, according to new research from Flawsome!. A national study of 2,000 UK adults found that 81% believe a wedding does not need to be perfect to be memorable, while 71% say social media has increased pressure on couples to create a "perfect" day. Sustainability is also becoming a key consideration, with 52% saying it is important when planning a wedding. Yet wedding waste remains widespread, with 41% of respondents having seen food and drink thrown away at weddings, while 32% recalled single-use decorations being discarded and more than a quarter had seen flowers go to waste.

Something borrowed, something blue’ is out – but 1 in 4 Brits still value wedding cards

New research from Moonpig reveals the top wedding card writing confessions. A whopping 30% of Brits admit to defaulting to a safe "congratulations!" because they simply can't think of anything else to say. This is followed by recycling the same message for different couples (11%) and signing a card without knowing what your partner has written (8%). What's more, when stuck for words, one in 10 (8%) admit to turning to AI for inspiration - this rises to one in seven (14%) among 25–34-year-olds. Brits are not alone in facing this wedding card conundrum. More than half of Brits (55%) admit they have struggled with at least one aspect of wedding message writing. Nearly one in four find wedding cards (23%) or guest-book messages (24%) difficult, while one in five (20%) hit writer's block when preparing the all-important wedding speech.

The YouGov Big Survey on Weddings

The journey that begins with "will you marry me" and ends with "I do" transforms a couple's lives in multiple ways, but it also involves a huge number of decisions, as planning a wedding is no mean feat. Every guest will have an opinion on what a wedding should be like: from what's classy and tacky, to which traditions should be followed and which can be discarded. To help prospective couples get a grip on what these potential guests hope to see in a wedding, YouGov's new Big Survey on Weddings examines all these key debates about what should and shouldn't feature on the big day, including looking at the decisions that brides and grooms would make themselves. The study is part a Big Surveys project: a series of in-depth surveys on British society. It was conducted between 7-9 August 2026, with a sample of 1,784 adults in the UK aged 18 and above.

Brits are swapping the 'big day' for the 'right day' as searches for intimate wedding venues soar

Couples are increasingly choosing quality time over large guest lists, with new search data revealing a growing demand for intimate weddings and stylish registry office ceremonies. According to Google search data analysed by Suit Direct, searches for "small intimate wedding venues near me" have increased by 86% year-on-year, while interest in "micro wedding packages" has risen 23% over the past three months, suggesting more couples are opting for meaningful celebrations that prioritise the experience over extravagance. For many, the legal ceremony is no longer just the paperwork before the "real" wedding. Instead, couples are dressing for the occasion, hiring photographers and celebrating afterwards with an intimate meal or party, proving you don't need a 200-person guest list to make the day feel special.

Expert at Cake Box, shares 2026 wedding trends

Weddings may be rooted in tradition, but 2026 is seeing couples put their own spin on the big day. From reimagined wedding cakes to more personal, less conventional celebrations, today's couples are increasingly choosing what feels meaningful to them rather than simply following the rules. To explore how wedding traditions are evolving, Okay Rahman, Head of Product and in-house cake expert at Cake Box, shares their insight into the biggest wedding trends of 2026 — and how couples are putting a fresh, modern twist on some of the most-loved elements of the day. He said... "We're seeing that wedding cakes are becoming much more personal in 2026. The traditional tiered cake certainly hasn't disappeared, but couples are feeling less tied to the idea that a wedding cake has to look or taste a certain way. These days, it's being treated as another part of the styling of the day, so the design reflects the couple, the venue and the overall feel of the wedding.

Are Brits risking their finances by avoiding the pre-wedding money talk?

For many couples, talking about money can feel far less romantic than talking about the wedding itself. But as more Brits prepare to tie the knot — and with stronger legal rights on the horizon for unmarried couples — new research suggests we may be leaving some important financial conversations until it's too late. From avoiding money talk on first dates to steering clear of prenups, the findings reveal a nation surprisingly reluctant to discuss how to protect their finances, even when differences over money are already putting relationships under strain. Two thirds of Brits (66%) say they would not get a prenuptial agreement before marriage (48%) or have already opted against one (17%) - compared to 42% in both France and Spain. New findings from Europe's second largest neobank, bunq, reveal that Brits are markedly more resistant to prenuptial agreements than their continental neighbours – despite Britain's reputation as the less romantic nation.

Couples could legally get married anywhere - legal comment

The UK Government has unveiled a new consultation to reform the wedding laws in England and Wales which is exploring how wedding ceremonies are conducted, particularly looking at wedding venues. The proposals are seeking to modernise the outdated legislation in this area which will eventually provide couples with greater freedom to decide where and how they will get married. At present, when a couple gets married, they need to have their legal ceremony in a licensed building or a registered place of worship. The existing laws have a further requirement that couples must ensure the individual officiating their wedding ceremony is either an authorised religious minister or a civil registrar.

7 Ways to Make Your Wedding Memories Part of Your Home

As weddings become increasingly personal, couples are moving away from cookie-cutter celebrations and towards details that tell their own story. British Vogue has identified intentionality, personalisation and nostalgia as defining themes for 2026 weddings, while The Knot is highlighting the rise of keepsakes and deeply personal touches. But there is an interesting part of the wedding story that receives far less attention: what happens to those meaningful details afterwards. Here, founder Kate Legodi of Coeur et Maman, specialists in conservation-quality printed photo mounts, shares her advice...

From best mates to distant relatives: Brits reveal the wedding gift hierarchy

How much should you spend on a wedding gift? It seems the answer depends on just how well you know the happy couple. New research from One4all Gift Cards has revealed that almost half of Brits (49%) would spend less on a wedding gift if they were not particularly close to the couple. The relationship came out ahead of travel and accommodation costs (38%) and paying for a hen or stag do (28%) when it comes to factors influencing how much guests are prepared to spend. For those closest to them, Brits consider an average of £77 per person to be an acceptable wedding gift. The most popular amount was between £50 and £100, selected by 43% of respondents, while 36% believe spending up to £50 is perfectly acceptable. Just 5% would spend more than £200.

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

1 September is the most common wedding anniversary date, with an average of 1,557 marriages taking place on the date, new analysis has revealed. The research, from drinks and gifting retailer Bottled and Boxed, analysed 22 years of marriage registration data from the Office for National Statistics to identify the dates when couples across England and Wales are most likely to be celebrating their wedding anniversaries each year. Every date in the top 10 falls between late July and early September, showing how heavily the most common anniversaries are concentrated in late summer. August is the most common month for wedding anniversaries, accounting for 15.7% of all marriages analysed, with an average of 1,254 couples married per day.

Marriage law reform: what the Government’s proposals could mean for couples

Planning a wedding is fun, stressful, time consuming. Couples want a ceremony that reflects their taste, is reflective of their love for each other and feels unique. The current restrictions in place can sometimes fetter that. Long-awaited plans to modernise weddings law in England and Wales could give couples far greater freedom over where and how they marry. It is hoped that they may be part of a much wider transformation of family law which is going through the biggest shakeup in decades.

Entering your marriage era? Forget wedding favours; McDonald’s launches Limited Edition ‘Wedding Flavours’

The nation's brides and grooms can live happily ever after, as prayers are answered with personalised McDonald's sauces for their Big Day. With some of the biggest celebrities making their way down the aisle this summer, it's safe to say 2026 has been the year of saying "I do" – and now McDonald's is bringing the flavour to the wedding season. How many epic weddings end with guests making a grand finale pit stop at a Maccies en route home? Well now you won't have to detour, McDonald's is going to literally bring the ceremonial rite of passage to the actual wedding party.

Bye Bye Sweet Caroline: The Classic Anthems BANNED From UK Weddings

The era of the predictable wedding singalong is officially dead, according to new data from entertainment agency Jonny Ross Music. New figures have revealed that Britain's couples are ruthlessly blacklisting the nation's favourite party anthems from their big days. A shocking analysis of playlist requests shows that legendary floor-fillers are being banished to the 'Do Not Play' list. Modern couples are ordering DJs to completely snub overplayed staples like 'Uptown Funk' and 'Mr Brightside'. But Brits are not turning their backs on the dancefloor. Instead of relying on default reception cheese, millennial newlyweds are demanding authentic club vibes that replicate a proper night out.

The British Wedding Tradition Most Guests Never Question

Most wedding guests have heard the phrase "wedding breakfast", but very few stop to question it. After all, the meal is rarely served in the morning. It usually comes after the ceremony, often in the afternoon, and can involve anything from a formal three-course dinner to sharing boards, canapes, grazing tables and dessert stations. So why do we still call it a breakfast? According to Nick from Country House Weddings, the answer goes back centuries and is tied to religion, fasting and the way weddings were once celebrated in Britain. Breaking A Very Specific Fast The word "breakfast" does not originally mean a morning meal. It simply means breaking a fast.

Yankee Candle - quick on sale now!

If you're looking for thoughtful gifts for your bridal party or stylish wedding favours, now is the perfect time to shop. A selection of Yankee Candle fragrances is currently available at 30% off on Amazon until 10 July. The discounted range includes romantic favourites such as Wedding Day, alongside fresh summer scents including Cherry Blossom, Sage & Citrus, Tangerine & Vanilla, Red Raspberry, Fluffy Towels and Lavender Vanilla. Those planning autumn or winter weddings can also stock up on seasonal fragrances including Warm Cashmere, Autumn Wreath, Christmas Cookie, Snow in Love and Mistletoe.

ALDI reveals scent-sational summer home fragrances

Looking to add a touch of luxury to your home (or wedding this summer) without the designer price tag? Aldi has unveiled its latest Hotel Collection home fragrance range, with prices starting from just £3.99. Available in stores from June, the collection sees the return of customer favourites including the Premium Hotel Collection candles in Bergamot & Vanilla, alongside new summer-inspired scents such as Waffle Cone Sundae, Tropical Hibiscus, Lemon and Neroli and Sea Salt & White Sails. The range also includes reed diffusers and classic fragrances such as Cardinal Red, Liquid Luxe and Intense Passion, allowing shoppers to layer scent throughout the home.

RSVPing 'YES' to multiple weddings? Here's how to budget!

Attending weddings can be a joyous occasion, but it can also be expensive, particularly if you're invited to more than one over the course of the year. Costs such as new outfits, travel and accommodation, and gifts mean the overall expense of attending can quickly add up. Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, says: "Wedding season can be a significant expense for households. Planning ahead and setting a dedicated budget for celebrations can help spread the cost over several months, allowing people to make the most of the celebrations while keeping their finances on track."