Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local wedding businesses, shops and suppliers in Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear.
Halloween making you consider a venue with a real past? Choose Tees Valley's Acklam Hall, originally built in 1683 by Sir William Hustler and the only Grade I listed historic building in the area!
Head over to www.acklamhall.co.uk to find out more. Happy Halloween!
Dani met Mitch in the world of online dating after she spotted his profile on Tinder. “I'd recently deleted the app as I never found anyone to suit, but one day I redownloaded it just for a look – and it was the best decision I've ever made! Mitch was living in Australia at the time, so I was pretty confused when I saw how many miles away he was when we matched. We started talking on Instagram, which led to us FaceTiming every day. I actually rang my mam after we spoke for the first time, saying I'd met the man of my dreams. I even joked that we might get married! It's safe to say I'm now a firm believer in the 'when you know, you know' theory!”
See their fabulous day here: https://www.yournortheast.wedding/free-download
Caroline met Danny in the last place she ever expected to meet anyone – at work! “We worked on different floors and never crossed paths, until one day I was asked to take notes for a senior manager in a disciplinary meeting,” she says. “When I walked onto their floor, I saw a gorgeous man walking towards me – then he opened his mouth and his Yorkshire accent finished me off! After the meeting Danny asked what my plans were for the weekend, and I got so flustered I waffled a lot of drivel. It couldn't have been that bad, though, as he asked me out the following week.”
See their full wedding day exclusively here: https://www.yournortheast.wedding/free-download
I'm loving PartyStarters Northeast, an event planning company based in Sunderland. Launching as a balloon decoration business, they've recently added a mini VIP wedding corner set up to their service. “This has been designed with all of our mini guests in mind,” explain co-owners Beth Harding and Marie Pullan. “This includes a double lace teepee, fluffy rugs, throws and cushions, plus an activity table with wedding packs and colouring sheets to make a card for the happy couple. There's also giant Jenga and wooden Connect 4, wooden cars and trains, mini air hockey, mini chalkboard, a tub of teddies – and even sweets for the kids to enjoy!”
Visit www.facebook.com/PartyStartersNortheast for more info and to find out how to book.
While it's lovely having little ones at your big day, it often means parents struggle to catch up with friends and family, instead spending their time running around after those impulsive tearaways. With this in mind why not consider hiring a company to lend a helping hand?
Middlesbrough-based UNA Wedding and Events Childcare provides safe and reliable childcare so couples and their guests can enjoy any event stress-free.
Visit http://unanannies.co.uk for more info and to find out how to book.
Love this look? Meet the make-up arist!
“I’ve always had a passion for make-up and gained my qualifications over 15 years ago,” says Sarah Buttery. “After having children, I decided it was time for a change, and to follow my love of make-up professionally. I studied bridal make-up and immediately knew this was an area I wanted to focus on. I pride myself on being able to chat with you in depth beforehand to get a really clear idea about the look you’re after. The outcome is my favourite bridal make-up style: a polished, ‘enhanced version’ of yourself where you still feel like you, but better!"
Contact www.flawless-makeup-co.com for info
Spring wedding? "This season is the most wonderful time for natural, meadow flowers,” says Helen Mawson from Newcastle's Bels Flowers. “Delicate flowers such as muscari, sweet peas and miniature tet- a-tet are available, which are heavenly scented to give a gorgeous atmosphere to your day."
https://www.belsflowers.co.uk
I am in love with this black wedding creation from Simon Spencer-Harvey of Candy & Grim cakes. "When it comes to flavours, we have a wide range of flavour combinations on our website, but equally, we can accommodate more unusual requests. Why not try a 'black' cocoa chocolate cake or a delicious deep red velvet cake?" he suggests.
https://www.candyandgrimcakes.com
I caught up with Morpeth-based Emma Bunting for some venue styling dos and don'ts...
Want a truly unique and alternative wedding? North Shire is very much the venue for you. This stunning wedding space, set amongst six acres of rolling North Yorkshire countryside, is a fully-licenced venue which prides itself on catering for any type of wedding you could wish for. From Viking or Hobbit celebrations, to wizard and witch-style affairs; they'll cater to every style of wedding or blessing you can imagine. Choose a ceremony on the lawn looking out over uninterrupted views of the sea; say your vows on The 11 Knights Stone Circle; marry in Hagrid's Hut; or wed in The Orangery or The Enchanted Barn. Whatever you decide on, North Shire will cater for up to 450 wedding guests, with enough room to fit up to 75 overnight guests in their on-site fixed accommodation spaces and shepherd's huts. You can even bring tents and tourers along, while the venue can organise vintage caravans and large furnished bell tents, too!
Wedding packages start at £7,995 for mid-week – visit North Shire's website here for more information.
