All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in the North East, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Hexham Winter Gardens is our wedding venue of the week
Rated as one of the best hydropathic establishments in the north of England, The Winter Gardens was constructed in 1907 to extend the summer season for the Tynedale Hydropathic Hotel in Hexham. The venue is a light and airy space with a high-solid roof and natural-sprung wooden floor that's ideal in any weather conditions. It has a lovely atmosphere and creates a wonderful ambience for any style of wedding. The former Edwardian glasshouse is an imposing Grade II listed building set in mature grounds with grassed areas and outside spaces for guests to mingle, enjoy reception drinks, play games and enjoy street food vans.
Posted: 18 May 2021
The next steps for weddings after new lifting of restrictions
We're here, we've finally reached Step Three on the government's roadmap out of lockdown - whoops and cheers! Here at County Wedding Magazines we take a look at what this means for weddings in the coming weeks before we reach the long-awaited Step Four.Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events have been increased to 30 people. Other significant life events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs and christenings, will also be able to take place with 30 people. Up to 30 people can be at a wedding, civil partnership ceremony or reception. Anyone working is not counted in these limits. There is further guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships....
Posted: 17 May 2021
Plan your hen do following the rules of the zodiac!
The pandemic has altered the wedding industry for the foreseeable future, and with many hen dos taking place abroad and bans on travel here to stay it's certainly a time to get creative. Gone are the days of drinks, a club, and a bag of ships at the end of the night; hens are looking for experiences to share with their loved ones. The team at Exploresweb has teamed up with their in-house spiritual guide to present the perfect hen do, according to your star sign.
Posted: 17 May 2021
Only 19% of Brits now ask brides father for permission
As engagement ring sales have increased by 50% in the last 12 months, engagement ring specialists at Steven Stone, explored which proposal traditions are being trashed by Brits planning to tie the knot. From a survey of 2,000 Brits, our research shows that getting down on one knee, surprise gestures, and asking the father for permission are not important to a lot of couples.
Posted: 14 May 2021
It's World Cocktail Day - bottoms up!
World Cocktail Day is today, Thursday 13th May, and the expert mixologists at The Lakeside, a hospitality, wedding and events venue, have pulled together a selection of their favourite cocktails, coupled with a few interesting facts about each one.For any cocktail lover, World Cocktail Day is one of the best days in the social calendar, especially now bars and restaurants are reopening, it is the perfect time to read up on a new cocktail you are eager to try! The mixologists at the Lakeside have done all the hard work for you, so simply sit back, relax and fall in love with a new cocktail from the list below...
Posted: 13 May 2021
Discover faux bouquets for your wedding day
Bels flowers is a wedding and event florist based in Newcastle upon Tyne that provide stunning, fresh flowers with a touch of glamour and sophistication.The business has launched its new range of faux cottage garden bouquets that are all handmade and available in three sizes. Inspired by the outdoors, with English country gardens and the natural form of nature in mind, only the finest stems are selected to ensure ultimate styling that will last forever while giving a luxurious touch to homes after the special day.
Posted: 13 May 2021
Best foodie wedding photos revealed
From getting ready shots, to the first dance, there are hundreds of special moment to capture over a whole day when it comes to wedding photography. A favourite shot might be the bride/groom walking down the aisle, or the couple are always special post-vows; but it doesn't always go to plan, especially when involving pets, children and in this case... food! Take a peek at these food-inspired snaps that were all finalists in Wedding Food Photographer of the Year.... was the winner your favourite too?
Posted: 12 May 2021
Couple gifted rare diamond ring on BBC's All That Glitters
The highly anticipated diamond episode of BBC's All That Glitters: Britain's Next Jewellery Star, hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan, aired last night with a feel-good story that couldn't fail to melt the heart. During the episode a lucky couple received a very special bespoke 1ct diamond engagement ring. James and Clare, both London-based teachers who met at university, got married soon after. However, unfortunately last year their home was burgled and among other household items, Clare's treasured engagement ring was stolen - she was devastated.
Posted: 12 May 2021
Discover why we love Lough House Farm in Northumberland
Situated on a fully working farm, Lough House Farm Weddings offers couples a stunning blank canvas for barn nuptials while showcasing the very best of the Northumbrian countryside. When couples enter the premises they'll travel through acres of farmland past sheep, trees and horses until they arrive at the red-brick exterior venue. With a large hard-core area just outside, the space is perfect for outdoor games, pizza trucks, gin bars, fairground rides, tipis or a silent disco under the stars. The venue has passed inspection for its civil marriage licence and the team are working with registrars to put this in place as soon as possible. Exchange vows in the side room with 50 guests for inmate weddings or The Barn for 100 people.
Posted: 11 May 2021
Take the perfect engagement ring selfie
Unbelievably, #EngagementRingSelfie has 17,952 posts on Instagram! This means you need to take a picture like a pro when posting online, and making it bang on trend. Printing experts Parrot Print have created a list of tips of how to take the perfect engagement ring selfie as the wedding season resumes; from the location, to the lighting everything needs to be considered for picture-perfect shots of pre-wedded bliss. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we say 'ready, get set, pose!'...
Posted: 10 May 2021
Memorable hen dos with new company
Flock founder Kathryn Dinsmore launched the company in April 2021 after finding her self facing redundancy due to the last year seriously effecting the events industry. Whilst researching hen parties for her sister's wedding, she also also discovered a gap in the market, "Most of the big companies were offering the same repetitive packages at expensive prices," shares Kathryn. "I felt there was a huge gap for a personalised planner that offers the very best experiences at a reasonable price."
Posted: 7 May 2021
Changes to wedding marriage certificate requirements
In England and Wales, the law requires all marriages to be registered once they have taken place. The system for registering marriages is currently paper-based. The prescribed particulars to be registered for a marriage include details of the father but not the mother of each of the parties to the marriage.Calls have been made, both inside and outside of Parliament, for the law to be changed to enable the details of both parents of the parties to the marriage to be included on marriage certificates.Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think it's a great step forward in looking at changing some of the more outdated traditions of weddings and marriages and making them more relevant and reflective of the 21st century.Subject to the approval of draft regulations which have been laid before Parliament, the Government intends that a new system of marriage registration will be implemented on 4 May 2021 and that the particulars to be registered for a marriage will be updated.Until now, the document only included the names of the fathers of the couple, but a change to the Marriage Act means both parents will be included.
Posted: 6 May 2021
Win a minimoon in London worth £2,000
Located in the heart of Kensington, The Milestone Hotel is a luxury residence which marries mid 20th-century design with 18th-century architecture. With 43 deluxe guest rooms and 13 luxury suites to choose from, there's also The Milestone Residences that allow the authentic experience of renting a private home with the service, facilities and security of a five-star hotel.Licensed for civil ceremonies, The Milestone provides the perfect venue for an intimate celebration with traditional British style and unrivalled service.
The property's expert team of chefs, sommeliers, waiting staff and event organisers will put couples' minds at ease and ensure an ideal setting for the most important day of their life. The hotel itself is elegant and romantic lending itself perfectly to the occasion. Fine ornaments, antiques and unique artwork adorn the walls, and professional floral displays to complement the colours of the wedding party can be arranged. Intimate ceremonies can be coordinated in The Oratory – one of the oldest and historic wedding venues in the country.
Additionally, there are six luxury two or three bedroom residences, which are perfect for pre- and post-wedding days; couples can relax and rejuvenate after their special day soaking up views from their private terrace – the hotel is ideally located opposite Kensington Palace with views over Kensington Gardens!
Posted: 4 May 2021
Macarons and wedding days - a match made in heaven!
As we excitedly continue our journey on the roadmap out of lockdown and back to normality; here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're thrilled about every step towards weddings resuming to their brilliant best. What's more, wedding planning is in full swing now for those tying the knot from the summer and beyond, and what better place to start then choosing delectable sweet treats for your wedding day? A definite must-have! Petite, chic, colourful and oh-so divine macarons really are the perfect accompaniment to nuptials. Whether you have a showstopping tower to represent your wedding cake, or individual treats for favours the choice are endless – they can even be personalised. London's Oh La La! Macarons create picture-perfect bespoke macarons, designed to bring fun and joy to your special day.Handmade in Bloomsbury and naturally gluten-free, its irresistible bites of goodness are whipped up with a higher content of almond than most and filled with deliciously light buttercream frosting.
Posted: 3 May 2021
Sustainable, zero-waste weddings guide
Do you know how much of an impact your big day could have on the world around you? Here are some startling statistics which might make you reconsider how you want your wedding to be.Everything we throw away which can't be recycled has a negative impact on the environment. If something isn't biodegradable, it could take thousands of years to break down naturally. Plastic is unsurprisingly at the heart of the issue. Individually, one wedding can produce as much as 20kg of plastic waste. What's more, the black bags used to collect the rubbish are themselves potentially harmful. They can take as many as 90 years to break down under the ground.
Posted: 30 April 2021
Florist to the stars, Ronny Colbie shares his advice for wedding season
Renowned florist Ronny Colbie launches into the wedding season with some of the most exclusive, bespoke weddings for 2021. As the wedding industry looks ahead - following the planned roadmap back to full wedding numbers in June – this summer certainly looks set to be the summer of love with more pre-booked and rescheduled weddings than ever.Flowers have long been an integral part of any wedding, they deliver emotional messages, are romantic and passionate and a way for couples to express themselves. For big-day blooms, the ever-growing wedding flower trend is: go large and deluxe! Basically, the smaller the guestlist, the more decadent and grander the flowers.
Posted: 28 April 2021
Win a wedding suit and accessories worth up to £500
Whether groom, best man, father-of-the-bride, or a guest, dressing for a wedding can be a sartorial minefield. Get expert insight into precisely what to wear, no matter your role on the day with Charles Tyrwhitt.As well as being one of the happiest days of your life, it's worth remembering that your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life too. There's no sense in skimping on style, and your partner won't thank you for it come the big day. The first decision to make is whether to wear morning dress or a suit. Of course, there's no right or wrong here; really it comes down to how formal you'd like to be. Morning dress brings with it a sense of occasion, and can't help but impress. A black lightweight wool tailcoat, buff or sky blue double-breasted linen waistcoat, and striped morning suit trouser are truly timeless, and will match with a shirt and tie in all manner of different colours and patterns.
Posted: 28 April 2021
Tie the knot at Kielder Waterside Tipi Weddings
Situated in the heart of Northumberland in Kielder Forest, KielderWaterside is a calm oasis away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life. It overlooks unspoilt wildlife and stunning water views. The venue enables couples to let their imaginations run wild with the possibilities of what a wedding day could be like and the experienced and dedicated team will help create the perfect day! The wooden-framed canvas tipis sit sympathetically into the landscape and are fully licensed to host a civil ceremony with 90 loved ones and are great for a reception with 120 people. Or couples can choose to have an outdoor ceremony with panoramic views overlooking Kielder Water.
Posted: 26 April 2021
England's most popular themed wedding
After last year's wedding wipeout, it looks set to a bumper year for nuptials - so how do you set your wedding apart from the rest? Whether you've always dreamt of a traditional white wedding or you're excited to put your own twist on the romantic day, the planning is all part of the fun! With so many options out there, however, it can be difficult to settle on a theme. By analysing Google search data, Angelic Diamonds discovered England's top wedding themes...
Posted: 26 April 2021
Tips on how to create showstopping floral displays
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're certainly excited about the hundreds and thousands of weddings that look set to take place this spring and summer - oh how we've missed you! One of our favourite things to swoon over when we see wedding photos is the.... flowers! Events florist Hazel Gardiner shares her top tips for creating showstopping wedding floral displays for all those nearlyweds out there looking for some blooming marvellous inspiration. Read on to find out how to create the ultimate garden celebration-inspired big day, a huge wedding trend this year...
Posted: 23 April 2021
Florist Charlene Sales at Wisteria Avenue understands how much impact COVID-19 has had and continues to have on NHS workers and wanted to give back to NHS couples planning their weddings. That's why the business offered brides working for the NHS a free bouquet when they booked the company's services for their special day. After fantastic feedback, Wisteria Avenue has now extended this offer for 2022 weddings. Charlene says, "After being contacted by a bride last year, she informed me that she was postponing her wedding and during the conversation she mentioned she was a nurse who hasn't been home in weeks.
Posted: 22 April 2021
Picture-perfect hotels and destinations from Countrywide Hotels
From the North East and Yorkshire to London and Oxfordshire, Countrywide Hotels' properties are located across the UK in fantastic locations near top local attractions, stunning beaches and beautiful countryside.Whether you're after a romantic getaway in an historic stately home, a leisure break at a top golf and spa resort, of a family friendly location with the little ones there's truly something for everyone. Read on to find out all the latest news at Countrywide Hotels...
Posted: 21 April 2021
#trending: patterned wedding bands! Check out this new jewellery range
Fine jewellery e-tailer brand, Jessica Flinn, has launched a range of patterned gold and platinum wedding bands. Taking inspiration from traditional carved wedding rings, each intricate pattern has been created to add interest and elegance to engagement rings, without detracting from their sparkle. Each pattern flows around the whole of the ring, the unbroken pattern perfectly symbolising the unbroken love within a marriage. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, it's hard choosing our favourite... I do I do I do!
Posted: 21 April 2021
Located in eight acres of beautiful grounds, Paxton House is the perfect backdrop to a wedding day with gardens, woodland and riverside setting. The stunning 17th-century Georgian mansion is on the banks of the River Tweed straddling the Scottish/English border. The venue has a choice of eight different venue spaces to choose from: The Front Hall (20 guests) offers a lovely bright space for intimate gatherings complete with original features and fireplace. At the same time, the Dining Room (40) delivers the beautiful elegance and historical touch of a stately home with stunning views over the vista across the river. Or why not opt for the Hayloft Gallery (60), a wonderfully light, modern and self-contained space or the cosy and sumptuous Library with a distinctive setting for 30 guests?
Posted: 20 April 2021
Searches for dog ring bearer increases
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we've certainly seen many a trend come and go; but one we're thrilled looks set to stick around is.... pets at weddings! With over 7,854 posts on Instagram, the hashtag #dogringbearer is becoming increasingly popular, whilst Google data shows a 71% search increase for the term 'dog ring bearer' since lockdown began. Celebrities including Carrie Underwood, Ellen DeGeneres, and Joe Jonas have previously involved their pets on the big day, whilst UK bride-to-be, Stacey Solomon, also announced her dogs will wear suits at her upcoming wedding. But how do you train your dog to be a wedding ring bearer? Engagement ring specialists at Steven Stone teamed with Certified Animal Behaviourist, Caroline Wilkinson, from digital pet coaching service, Barketplace, to reveal everything you need to know.We covered the most popular questions including:
Posted: 19 April 2021
