Your North East Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The secrets to a happy relationship

Researchers surveyed 2,000 British couples who have been together for ten years or longer, and it revealed a host of secrets to a happy, long-term relationship, according to those who have achieved it - including having no secrets (43 percent), a similar sense of humour (41 percent), never going to sleep on an argument (31 percent) and regular sex (32 percent.) Over a quarter (26 percent) of the long-term couples polled, said a 50/50 division of household labour was essential to keeping things amicable. Being able to laugh at each other (42 percent), not trying to change each other (36 percent) and having an open phone policy (10 percent) all featured in the list. Almost half (44 percent) of the British couples surveyed, claim they are very happy in their relationship, while a further 29 percent said they were generally happy.

The top autumn and winter wedding trends for 2023

An expert has forecast the wedding trends we can expect to see in the remainder of 2023. Wedding-goers in autumn and winter can expect to see a large emphasis on sustainability, DIY and an ode to all things vintage, according to Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online. She commented: "Wedding trends change seasonally, so it's crucial wedding hosts stay ahead of the curve. Efficient spending, sustainability and a vintage feel are key focuses this season, and rightly so. Wedding hosts no longer have to feel obliged to over-indulge in their big day and can instead, save money."

Newly-launched Newcastle wedding business

After wedding transport with the wow factor? Check out newly-launched Newcastle wedding business, Daimler Wedding Car Company. Covering the whole of the North East, arrive at your wedding in this elegant six-door Daimler limousine. A handsome seven-seater limousine, it's smart inside and out, with Lotus cream leather upholstery and a rich walnut finish. A glass partition screen separates passengers from driver for privacy, plus there's air-conditioning for when your pre-wedding nerves cause you to break out into a sweat. What's more, you can even 'try before you buy', seeing the Daimler limousine first-hand with a no-obligation appointment at your home! Simply choose a time that suits you, with the limousine arriving to your chosen location for you to check it out for yourself.

Sentimental wedding bands with Atelier VM

Fine Italian jewellery maker Atelier VM has just launched its beautiful new Impronta wedding bands, whereby brides and grooms can customise their special ring with their loved one's fingerprint. Each 18K ring is a unique piece made using the lost wax casting technique, of multiple finger prints layered, to create a beautifully personalised ring that makes a marriage of everlasting love extra special.

Howard Court has a choice of beautiful wedding spaces

Howard Court is situated in North Yorkshire with stunning views of the Cleveland Hills and Roseberry Topping. Set in 12 acres of pasture and woodland, its amazing lawns and Roseberry Topping's peak form a beautiful backdrop for photos. Howard Court's fairy lights, festoons and firepit add light and warmth regardless of the time of year, greeting guests when they arrive or wander out for a breath of fresh air. Once inside the barns, it's always a great temperature, with their ground-source heating keeping loved ones toasty if marrying in the colder months.

The therapeutic power of music on Mental Health Awareness Day

The issue of mental health has never been more important, three in five people in the UK suffer from some form of anxiety, but almost half of those people keep it a secret as they worry about being judged by others. And around one in six of the British population also suffers from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Those shocking statistics show that the issue is still not spoken about enough, which means that sufferers feel excluded. But music can make a big difference! Making or playing music has been proven to deliver many mental health benefits.

UK's 15 most Instagrammed venues to get hitched

As UK searches for "wedding venues" skyrocketed by 110%* over the past months, the wedding experts at Aura Print scoured social media for the most popular autumn/winter wedding venues nationwide, and tallied Instagram hashtag numbers to reveal which venue stands out as the most memorable for weddings this season. Top 15 most Instagrammed wedding venues for autumn/winter 2023 to be inspired by...

Save money on wedding party gifts

With more and more couples choosing to thank their bridesmaids and groomsman with presents, Anita Naik, savings expert at the UK's most trusted savings site VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to save money on your wedding party gifts, without sparing the sentiment: Spend within your budget: Set a budget and stick to it. Often people can go down a rabbit hole when browsing for gifts, looking at items that are way over budget. It's important to set yourself a strict budget and spend an amount that you're comfortable with.

The Blue Bow Bridal Company's new Luxe Lounge

Want your own personal space to try on dresses with your #bridaltribe? Check out Durham's The Blue Bow Bridal Company, who've just added a Luxe Lounge room to their boutique. This gorgeous new addition is a dedicated area for you to relax while finding your perfect gown. Complete with sofa for chilling, tons of natural light and, of course, your very own mini catwalk with fulllength mirror, it's time to come over all supermodel when searching for the wedding dress of your dreams. Visit www.bluebowbridal.co.uk for info, being sure to request the Luxe Lounge at the time of booking to secure your slot.

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.

Thief Hall is a rustic barn wedding venue

Thief Hall is a rustic barn wedding venue, surrounded by 100 acres of land, with amazing views of the North Yorkshire countryside. Sleeping up to 60 in its private grounds and holiday cottages, if marrying here you get exclusive use for three days, giving you the opportunity to create a wedding weekend you'll never forget. With beautiful glass chivari chairs available, plus options of different tables (and all linen provided), there are no hidden costs – and everything on offer is included in the price.

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.

Barbour's new fragrance inspired by the Northumberland coastline!

After a wedding fragrance to tie in with your roots? New for 2023 are these scents from Barbour, perfect for the transition into the late summer/ early autumn months – and inspired by the Northumberland coastline! First up comes Barbour Coastal For Her, a refreshing citrus scent topped with clean notes of elmi, bitter orange, lemon and mandarin. Delicately blended with solar florals and a woody base of cedarwood, moss and balsamic notes, it's been designed to celebrate a slower pace of life. Then there's Barbour Coastal For Him; again with a nod to the clifftops of Northumberland. An aromatic scent with citrus notes, it's contrasted by undercurrents of ginger and cinnamon, all blended with balsamic, sandalwood and amber.

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.

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!

New venue - Blackton Grange Estate

Say hello to Blackton Grange Estate, Durham's newest wedding venue and celebration estate. Entirely yours for two nights or more, you can make your celebrations as unique as you are with no packages, no corkage and 100% flexibility! Set within 11 acres of designated dark skies wilderness, the dry hire approach allows you to put your own stamp on every element of your big day, allowing you to choose whichever food and drink suppliers you wish. If that sounds a little overwhelming, the venue also has an amazing list of recommended businesses to choose from. Your wedding comes with a dedicated coordinator to make your day stress-free – plus there's accommodation for up to 18 friends and family in the newly-renovated farmhouse!