All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in the North East, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Neil Dutta at Angelic Diamonds, a UK wedding jewellery specialist, explores why humanist weddings have seen an increase in popularity in recent years. With official guidance looking to change in the not too distant future, giving celebrants more legal power to actually marry couples - removing the need for a pre- or post-blessing registry office date - here at County Wedding Magazine HQ we think this is a trend that will continue to soar.
Posted: 5 November 2021
Five tips on how to ensure your caterer is acting sustainably
A typical British wedding produces one third of a metric tonne of solid waste and 14.5 tons of carbon dioxide in one day. To put that into perspective, annual carbon emissions per capita in the UK are around 9.1 tonnes. A large percentage of the waste comes from catering. In fact, an average of £488 worth of food is wasted at every wedding. There is a pressing need for change in how we approach weddings, keeping them fun, beautiful and memorable yet responsible.
Fortunately, more people today are turning to sustainable options, and this trend is here to stay. Aiming to have a sustainable wedding catering experience does not mean sacrificing luxury and quality – it means catering wisely and creatively. You do not need to forfeit your personal taste and unique preferences when envisioning an environmentally conscious wedding.
Tania Burton, the founder of a sustainable, family-run luxury wedding and event catering business Ginger Snap (https://www.ginger-snap.co.uk/), shares 5 ways to ensure your wedding catering is delicious and beautifully presented without harming the environment.
Posted: 2 November 2021
Discover why Newcastle Castle is the perfect wedding venue
Located in the heart of the city, Newcastle Castle is one of the UK'sfinest surviving examples of a Norman stone keep. Built in 1178, thesandstone building has been well maintained by staff over the centuries; its crenulations, turrets and Victorian additions provide evidence of the buildings original use. All rooms in Newcastle Castle are special in terms of their architectural features, atmosphere and historical connections. The venue offers exclusive hire packages and the hardworking team will be there every step of the way to help couples create their dream day. The Black Gate is home to both ceremony rooms at the venue; the Harbottle Suite has many 17th-century features and can accommodate 50 loved ones, while The Museum Room is perfect for intimate nuptials with 30 guests.
Posted: 26 October 2021
Everything you need to know about wedding traditions
Traditions have played a huge part in weddings for hundreds of years, with more recent, modern weddings incorporating a mix of both old and new. With the wedding season in full swing, here's some of the most popular wedding traditions, looking at their origins as well as modern alternatives. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we still love some of the classics, such as exchanging the rings and having a wedding cake, but would happily say cheerio to the father-daughter dance and throwing the bouquet! Have a read and see how many you want to keep!
Posted: 13 October 2021
The fab four in Wedding Planning Apps
Post-lockdowns, couples are still rejoicing in the fact that being restriction free means it's full steam ahead with wedding planning - without the impending doom of cancellations and postponements! Whether you're nearlyweds, or just engaged, planning a wedding can be a daunting task; however, there's a whole host of useful Apps that can help you get organised and actually easy the stress of it meaning you can enjoy the wedding planning as much as the day itself! Events specialists AYRE Event Solutions, reveal the fab-four of best apps to download for wedding planning.
Posted: 11 October 2021
The UK's most beautiful wedding castles
Wedding dreams of being kings and queens of the castle for the big day? Lucky for you, this fairytale ending can come true as the UK is blessed with a whole host of romantic castle wedding venues. Engagement ring specialists at Steven Stone analysed a comprehensive list of castles on wedding planning websites and using hashtag data from Instagram to reveal which venues has the highest number of posts to inspire your big-day wedding venue choice.
Posted: 7 October 2021
Spooky hen and stag do ideas this October from Fizzbox
As this year's Halloween draws closer, here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we thought it would be fun to share some spooky hen and stag do ideas from Fizzbox.com! Now that lockdowns are over, the hen and stag do parties are back from the dead just in time for the spooky goings on this Halloween. So get your thinking caps on - witches hats! - and get planning a night of a lifetime as there's 18months of no socialising to make up for!
Posted: 7 October 2021
How to choose the perfect gifts for your wedding party
Gifts for the wedding party can often be left to the last minute, however, they can show your guests just how much they mean to the two of you. But where do you start, especially when looking for something truly heartfelt? The gifting experts at www.hampers.com have rounded up some gift inspiration for the different members of your wedding party, which here at County Wedding Magazine HQ we think will go down an absolute treat with your loved ones...
Posted: 5 October 2021
The Countdown Begins: Your Wedding Planning Checklist
The process of planning out your dream wedding day is an exciting and exhilarating time that many eagerly look forward to doing their whole life. With this said, it can also be quite a stressful time too, with so many different attributes to your wedding needing to be organised and thought of. Before even contemplating how much your big day will cost and who you're going to invite, the questions of where and how to even start planning your wedding is something on everyone's mind at first. Thanks to technology impacting the majority of aspects in our day-to-day lives, there are an abundance of wedding planner apps you can use. Making your wedding planner checklist only a finger tap away at all times. With restrictions on wedding guest numbers recently lifted alongside an end to all social distancing rules, we're beginning to return to normal. Here, we present a step-by-step guide to your wedding planning checklist and outline when exactly the right time to plan for the next step is.
Posted: 1 October 2021
Top suit trends for the groom by tailoring specialists Pritchards
With more than 185 years of tailoring experience, Pritchards Menswear has worked through the decades supporting groomsmen in looking and feeling their best on their wedding day. With each passing year - and each passing wedding season - the team have had the pleasure and excitement of navigating both the nuanced and bold changes in fashion, as well as the shifts in wedding tradition that have made space for further expressionism and creativity in the age-old art of tailoring.Edward Pritchard, owner of Pritchards Menswear says, "While shifts in fashion and societal trends naturally occur over time, the last two years have dramatically challenged many of the traditional aspects of weddings, be it the size, the location, or the level of formality involved. With many cancelling, rescheduling, or downsizing their wedding celebrations, society has seemingly embraced the smaller, the hyper-personal, and the bespoke in a new and exciting way.
Posted: 30 September 2021
Gifting etiquette for wedding guests this season
Attending the wedding of a friend or family member is one of life's privileges, so choosing an appropriate gift to honour their big day is an important task. Of course, being a wedding guest comes with its own list of wed-min, from booking accommodation to selecting outfits and more - particularly if you find yourself in the 'inner circle' or bridal party! So, that all-important gift is often left until the last minute. This is why the gifting experts at hampers.com have put together their ultimate guide to finding the perfect wedding present for the happy couple. Spoiler alert: It's not essential to stick to the gift list!
Posted: 17 September 2021
Your chance to win a honeymoon of a lifetime to the Maldives
Courtesy of the luxury Maldivian resort brand, Coco Collection, is hosting a competition for all those couples that tied the knot in 2020 but were unable to celebrate with a honeymoon due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. The honeymoon competition, launching on 14th September at 12 noon Maldives Time, ending two weeks later on 27th September (also noon MVT) is open to anyone who married in 2020 (proof required) and missed out on a honeymoon; the prize includes: seven nights in a Coco Residence on Full Board including return airport transfers,a refreshing welcome cocktail on arrival, a bottle of Champagne & a tropical fruit platter on arrival, special bed decoration, choice of a complimentary, in-Villa Champagne breakfast or a romantic three-course candlelit dinner, 15% discount on all treatments at the Coco Spa and a special gift.
Posted: 15 September 2021
Boots Photo ultimate wedding day gifts
After the last 18 months, when the big day finally arrives you're going to want savour every moment and capture it on camera. After all the hardwork of wedding planning, and spending wisely on your wedding photographer, what more can be done with those memorable wedding pictures? Boots has a new wedding range of photo gifts perfect for newlyweds. From the hen do, to the pre-wedding photo shoot, to the big day and even the honeymoon there will be hundreds of pictures to utilise and make the most of these products...
Posted: 15 September 2021
Discover a tropical oasis in Sunderland
Break free from the city with The Palm, a palm tree-filled tropical hotspot that's perfect for weddings. The venue's beautiful mix 'n' match choice of ceremony and reception spaces encompasses: five ceremony areas, four funky wedding breakfast set-ups and three evening reception spaces – the opportunities are endless. The brightly lit premises will wow guests with its dramatic palm tree-lined paths, huge torch flames and large archways. Ceremonies take place in multiple spaces; The Pineapple Cove is a shipwrecked tropical beach for 60 loved ones, while The Tropicuba is full of carnival décor inspired by the coloured streets of Havana for 110 nearest and dearest.
Posted: 17 August 2021
Discover Rare Bridal Studio's new location
Rare Bridal Studio has recently relocated to a bigger premise in Low Fell, Gateshead and the team couldn't be more excited to share the exciting news! The new studio has been designed to create a laid-back, modern space for brides to explore the rails of alternative and modern bridal wear. The business is still operating with private appointments only to allow thebridal party to enjoy the whole experience with the shop to themselves. The gowns in store are exclusive to Rare Bridal Studio and won't be found anywhere else in the region.
Posted: 12 August 2021
Check this beautiful venue in the heart of the Northumbrian countryside
Nestled in Northumbria, Northside Farm offers exclusive use for up to three nights to give couples a relaxed experience and more time to spend with friends and family. Ceremonies can occur outside on the lawn, inside the barn or in the newly converted gin gang room, while receptions take place in the barn with a capacity for 150 seated guests. There's even room outside for marquees if desired and the venue has a 'no restriction' policy (as long as it is legal) for activities such as fireworks.
Posted: 10 August 2021
Much-loved TV personality Joe Swash shares what's new in his life, including his wedding plans!
Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon are a TV power couple and seem to be everywhere right now. Warm, friendly and always making the day brighter when they are on screen, they too have had their fair share of wedding heartache this year. Along with the rest of the country, their wedding too was affected after lockdowns one, two and three! Here, Joe talks about their big-day plans, his oh-so exciting news that he and Stacey are welcoming a baby girl to their brood of boys and his new snack campaign with Peperami
Posted: 10 August 2021
Discover fun wedding favours for your special day
Located in Northumberland, Oakwood Soaperie creates soap wedding favours using natural and plant-based ingredients. The service is proving more popular than ever before, which is why the company will be adding new options soon including luxurious and custom-wrapped half-size bars that can be tailored to match any colour scheme. There's also a rustic option that includes a choice of soap in a white cotton muslin bag, featuring the company's logo and the couple's name, wedding date or a special message. Oakwood Soaperie's owner Ceri Aitman started the businessback in 2010 and specialises in cold process soaps and deluxe bath products. She says, "I'm finding more couples are getting in touch regarding ethical and handmade choices for their weddings this year – something we're all about that here at Oakwood Soaperie."
Posted: 5 August 2021
Northside Farm is the perfect wedding venue in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Nestled in the heart of the Northumbrian countryside, Northside Farm offers exclusive use for up to three nights to give couples a relaxed experience and more time to spend with friends and family. Ceremonies can occur outside on the lawn, inside the barn or in the newly converted gin gang room, while receptions take place in the barn with a capacity for 150 seated guests. There's even room outside for marquees if desired and the venue has a 'no restriction' policy (as long as it is legal) for activities such as fireworks. Outside, guests can find manicured lawns where drink receptions or garden games take place in the summer and a part-covered comfortable courtyard at the rear with a firepit for toasting marshmallows or having a barbecue buffet. Keep little ones entertained in the children's park, which features a zip wire and fun activities.
Posted: 3 August 2021
Discover Semi’s Photography's new wedding offer
Sem's Photography is a small family-run business based in Durham, which covers the whole of the UK. For July and August, the company is offering a £100 per cent discount off weddings taking place this year or next. The offer includes the three standard wedding packages and a bespoke version can be created for specific requirements.
Posted: 29 July 2021
The Barn on The Bay is our wedding venue of the week
Located in Northumberland overlooking the beautiful Druridge Bay, The Barn on The Bay is a farm venue with stunning wedding spaces. Couples have the option of three ceremony areas including the beachside location situated in the dunes and overlooking the sea, the paddock or The Cowshed wedding barn that can also be used as a reception space. Guests are always surprised when they enter what looks like a farm building to find a wedding area enhanced by chandeliers, festoon lighting, rustic furniture and agricultural accents like the milk churns and tractor seat stools. The space carries on around to the newly reimagined bar area with leather seating and reclaimed furniture leading to a vintage horse box cocktail bar. The barn is ideal for large receptions with 200 people, and there's room for additional evening guests, while the smaller Stone Barn is perfect for intimate celebrations.
Posted: 26 July 2021
Discover wedding favours in the North East
When it comes to sourcing the perfect favours, it's so important to find a trustworthy company with a passion for what they do. We caught up with the owner of Oakwood Soaperie, Ceri Aitman, to discover what they offer couples on their special day. Read what Ceri has to say below. "Being creative has been a passion of mine for most of my life. I've made things from scratch for as long as I can remember, starting with simple balms using beeswax and rosewater.
Posted: 22 July 2021
Get those dancing shoes on - weddings are restriction free!
The day has finally come – wedding ceremonies and celebrations are restriction free! Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to sing at the top of your voice: "Celebrate good times... come on!"It's been a long road that many of us have tentatively navigated over the last 16 months; from us here at County Wedding Magzines HQ to suppliers and couples. There's been small highs and many lows, as each glimmer of hope was put out by another government announcement.Lockdown 1.0 turned into 2.0 and then 3.0, wedding guest numbers went from 0 to 12, 15 to 30 and now we can actually invite all of our loved ones, friends and family dear to our hearts to the big day.There's really been no better time to say 'I do', not only will it be mask free (personal choice), socially distance-free and rule-free; but it will be a true celebration of marriage, a union of friends and family, love and friendship.
Posted: 19 July 2021
Raise your glasses with Fizz On The Tyne
For the last five years, Fizz On The Tyne has provided drinks to weddings, corporate events and parties around the North East. Owner Graeme king started the company to highlight his love for Italy after visiting the beautiful country, hosting different events and entertaining guests. The company offers various packages; the fizz/lager package is extremely popular for wedding receptions and what better way for lovebirds to surprise their guests after the ceremony? The beautiful prosecco van is perfect for outdoor weddings and the friendly and hard-working staff will ensure the perfect service at every event.
Posted: 13 July 2021
Hexham House Register Office is now offering accommodation
Hexham House Register Office is an 18th-century wedding venue that's now offering five-star accommodation. The Grade II listed property has been lovingly restored and now includes seven luxury apartments. Couples can utilise the suites for pre-wedding preparations and the wedding night. Apartments can be booked through the venue's new partner Wooden Star Cottages and the team can answer any queries or deal with special requests. To celebrate this collaboration, Wooden Star Cottages is offering couples saying 'I do' in Hexham House a discounted stay for them and all guests.
Posted: 8 July 2021
