Your North East Wedding news and ideas from around the region

How to style your bridesmaids…

When it comes to planning your wedding the team at Colour Me Beautiful knows only too well that dressing your bridesmaids for your big day can be beset with difficulties. Here Cliff Bashforth sets out his advice on how to avoid the pit falls. It is an honour to be a bridesmaid, and often those you have asked will be as excited as you are. Shopping for bridesmaids' outfits can be a fun experience for you all, although you will need a clear idea of what you want them to look like because they will frame you in your wedding photographs. Happy bridesmaids make good photographs, so ensuring they are comfortable in what they are wearing will guarantee everyone is radiant on the day.

Venue spotlight: Reivers Northumberland

The North East is jam-packed with an impressive line-up of places to start your happily ever after, with Reivers Northumberland one to consider. An estate at the top of the Tarset Valley, in the heart of the largest dark sky park in Europe, it's surrounded by the Northumberland National Park and Kielder Forest. Accommodation for up to 30 is available on the estate, and comes as part of the package, with its rustic wedding barn including a fully licensed bar and dancefloor. Weddings involve exclusive hire for a weekend – or two days midweek – with the emphasis on a relaxed event that's tailored and unique to each couple.

This is your dream wedding according to your star sign

It's not always easy to decide on your wedding theme, and searches for 'wedding ideas' have seen a +23% increase in the past twelve months. To offer some inspiration, thortful.com have collated the best dream wedding ideas for each star sign! Perhaps you're a Taurus, and would love to be married in a mansion, or a Leo dreaming of a castle wedding? astrologer, Inbaal Hongiman, to reveal the dream wedding for each star sign in order to provide some inspiration for those planning their big day.

From Leos' wanting to get married in an opulent castle to Sagittarius' eloping on a beach, here are the weddings each star sign dreams of having

And the award goes to.... Seaham Hall

Your North East Wedding is pleased to reveal that five-star boutique hotel Seaham Hall has scooped Small Hotel of the Year 2022 in the recent Visit England Awards for Excellence. "We're thrilled to have been recognised for this prestigious accolade," says Seaham's Managing Director Ross Grieve. "Seaham Hall is very much a destination it its own right, and we proudly champion the region, promoting the beautiful heritage coastline, the city of Durham and the many reasons to visit and spend time in the North East of England." Seaham Hall is a luxury hotel situated on Durham's heritage coast, with 21-suites, plus two additional luxury lodges with hot tubs – the Bungalow Suites, which launched in spring 2022; together with two restaurants and an award-winning spa.

Wearside Executive must see offer

Transport to and from your wedding venue can be pricey, so it's good to see a Washington company offering a package that starts from £200. Wearside Executive, who cover the majority of the North East, have a range of high-class Mercedes available, with pricing based on the use of a vehicle, your driver in a suit and tie, your choice of music, bows and ribbons to match your colour scheme, and the option to travel to a separate location for photographs, if required. There's no minimum or maximum time limits on their services, and they also offer additional journeys for any of your bridal party, such as ceremony to reception travel, or reception venue to the airport.

How to ensure a good night's sleep before your big day

Anxious brides and grooms-to-be have been offered top tips on beating their wedding nerves and getting a good night's sleep ahead of their all important day. The fitted furniture experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have provided their tips to those who are likely to be overcome by nerves, affecting their sleep. Among the nerve-busting tips are incorporating sleep inducing scents into your room, planning a pre-bed workout and avoiding spicy foods. Nic Shacklock, from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: "Pre-wedding nerves often lead to a lack of sleep ahead of what is regarded as the most important day of many people's lives.

Child's play with Middlesbrough business

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. "Our experienced and Ofsted registered nannies will keep kids entertained with fun activities and games, giving everyone peace of mind they're in good hands," says owner Kirsty Duce. "We cover all areas of the North East, with our service ensuring family members don't miss out on important parts of their day. With us you can fully relax, safe in the knowledge that someone else is there to look after the younger members of your party!"

2022 table trends from Viners

As the trend for table scaping grows - a trend we love here at CWM HQ - your wedding day is the perfect time to create stunning table displays for dining in style! Whichever trend your wedding table décor follows, iconic British cutlery brand, Viners®, has cutlery in an array of styles, shapes and finishes to complete your look. Steeped in British heritage, the much-loved brand's elegant and durable cutlery is made from the finest materials, with a guarantee of excellence across all products.

County Durham’s Beamish Hall's new packages

Searching for a wedding venue with a great package for under £5K? Consider County Durham's Beamish Hall, with their Love Story offering ticking plenty of boxes and more. Starting at just £4,795, it includes full day hire of their function suite, use of the beautiful grounds for photographs, a reception drink, cake stand and knife, Chiavari chairs with coloured sash, white table linen and napkins, and top table decoration and table centrepieces. But that's not all – you'll also enjoy a three course wedding breakfast, hot evening buffet, DJ and disco, bridal suite with breakfast, plus five classic bedrooms for guests to take advantage of. Available seven days a week from November 2022 to February 2023, it's based on 40 daytime and 60 evening guests – however, additional guests can be added for an extra charge.

Host a green wedding with Social Impact Caterers - Social Pantry

The positive impact wedding has emerged as a significant matrimonial trend of 2022 and Social Pantry, the female-led, London-based sustainable catering firm (a business working to become the first zero-waste catering company) is quietly revolutionising how weddings are planned and celebrated by putting sustainability at the heart of how wedding food is selected and prepared. Alex Head, CEO & Founder, Social Pantry – who herself is getting married in October – and Sarah Turner, Head Chef, Social Pantry have all the tips on how to plan a sustainable wedding menu regardless of budget. Please see below for top tips and if you're interested, we'd love to give you the opportunity to cover Alex's wedding as a case study.

At a time when climate change and monetary inflation are impacting weddings, sustainability has never been more relevant for couples wanting to be environmentally and socially responsible.

Top UK wedding photographer discusses the beauty of intimate weddings

Since falling in love with wedding photography six years ago after photographing a friend's wedding, Rebecca Searle, has gone on to photograph around 30 weddings every year. She has accumulated over 12,200 followers on her Instagram, and her talent has also been recognised by Professional Photo Magazine, naming her as one of the Top 50 British Wedding Photographers of 2022. Every wedding is beautiful, no matter big or small, but having planned her own wedding on the Amalfi Coast 8 years ago, intimate weddings hold a particularly special place in Rebecca's heart. Whether it's a huge wedding with 200 family and friends, or a super cool intimate ceremony with a handful of people, both have their own beauty and benefits".

Awards finalist Lyndsey Morgan Make Up

Want to look your very best for the big day? Be sure to book up for Durham make-up artist Lyndsey Morgan's new pre wedding pamper packages, with LVL, dermaplaning and brow shapes and tints now available alongside her regular make-up services. "LVL is a treatment that gives the natural lashes length, volume, lift and colour," explains Lyndsey, Make up Artist of the Year finalist in the 2022 English Hair & Beauty Awards. "It's perfect for opening up the eye area and a fab alternative to false lashes, lasting between six to eight weeks. Dermaplaning, meanwhile, is a manual exfoliation technique using a medical-grade scalpel to gently remove dead skin and peach fuzz. It's a quick procedure that gives immediate results, diminishing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and superficial pigmentation. Alternatively, why not book me for a brow shape and tint, tidying and refining your eyebrows while keeping a soft and enhanced look ready for your bridal make-up?"

These are the UK areas with the happiest couples

There are always misconceptions about a north vs south divide, but apparently when it comes to love there is! A study by confused.com analysed government data to reveal the UK areas with the most marriages. When looking at where in the UK has the most weddings per person, one place stands out, which is Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, with 2,770 weddings per 100,000 people. Dumfries and Galloway are close to Gretna Green, which is traditionally identified with couples eloping from England, which is likely to be why many couples choose to tie the knot here. Another Scottish area comes in second, with Argyll and Bute hosting 1,165 weddings per 100,000 people each year. Located on the west coast of Scotland, Argyll and Bute is a unique area to get married. Here you can be wed on the beach, in a historic church or castle, or on the famous Mull of Kintyre. The most common wedding destination outside of Scotland is Kensington and Chelsea, in London with a marriage rate of 1077 per 100,000.

Wedding Album of the Year winner

Professional photographer Rebecca Carpenter won the inaugural Wedding Album of the Year competition with a stunning set of images in a book printed and produced by Henley Albums. The new award was set up by The Photography Show to celebrate the talent and craft of professional wedding photographers and album makers, and championing the power of print, with the finalists being displayed at this year's show at the NEC. Rachel Carpenter, who describes herself as a destination wedding and elopement photographer, shot her winning album for her clients Helena & Mark, who got married in Las Vegas.

Supergroup Claire Richards & Duncan James surprise couple on their wedding day

Pop royalty, Claire Richards and Duncan James, joined forces on Saturday 17th September, as the ultimate wedding band - Simply Wed - to surprise one lucky couple with a performance of poptastic floor-filling songs on their wedding day. Anna Novelli and Samuel Hold from Bournemouth were delighted when the power duo 'crashed the wedding' at the Larmer Street in Wiltshire, to surprise guests and the lucky couple with the performance of a lifetime. The couple - both Steps and Blue superfans - were overwhelmed with joy to have the newly minted wedding supergroup perform, having known all the routines to Claire and Duncan's biggest hits since childhood!

Top tips on how to save money on a hen-do

Hen-dos provide a great opportunity to bring together your nearest and dearest for pre-wedding celebration and excitement. However, with many brides now opting for more exotic or expensive locations for their celebrations, the cost of a hen-do can quickly add up. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to make savings on your upcoming hen-party: Take advantage of drinks packages – Nightclubs are synonymous with hen-dos, however entry and drinks can get pretty pricey. Venues will often offer discounts on pre-purchased drinks packages so it's worth checking what deals you can strike before getting there.

How to wear pink when attending weddings

With Breast Cancer Awareness month approaching, Cliff Bashforth, managing director of Colour Me Beautiful, shares his top tips on how to wear pink!

"The key to wearing pink is to ensure that it doesn't wear you, says Cliff, "Cooler skin tones look amazing in cerise or hot pinks, indeed most shades from dusty rose to bright fuchsia, whilst warmer skin tones will always look their best in coral or salmon pinks. Dark hair and bright eyes - opt for the boldest, brightest hues you can find. Hot pink (cool), mango (warm). If your eyes are dark choose a deeper shade such as fuchsia (cool) or salmon pink (warm).

The Photography Show & The Video Show is open today!

Multi award-winning wedding and portrait photographer Roberto Valenzuela, marine biologist and explorer Cristina Mittermeier and renowned landscape photographer Colin Prior are among the compelling line-up of global speakers at The Photography Show & The Video Show. They will be joined by Jack Harries, Christina Ebenezer, Kaylee Greer and Chase Jarvis among others, who all will share their expertise during this unmissable four-day event showcasing photography, taking place 17th to 20th September 2022 at Birmingham's NEC venue.

Roberto Valenzuela - Super Stage speaker at The Photography Show this weekend!

At The Photography Show this weekend, Roberto Valenzuela - a photographer, author, and educator based in Beverly Hills, CA - will discuss and demonstrate what to do to transform your photography, and photography business, from average to remarkable. Roberto will share some powerful personal stories that propelled his business into the spotlight in the US and around the world and how to turn your business into a career you can rely on. As a member of the prestigious Canon Explorers of Light group, Roberto is one of the most influential photographers in the world. He's developed his unique teaching style by following the same rigorous regimen he developed as a professional concert classical guitarist and educator before becoming a photographer - he believes that it's not talent but deliberate practice that is at the core of skill and achievement!

The Photography Show & The Video Show launches its First Ever Wedding Album of The Year competition

The Photography Show & The Video Show is launching its first ever Wedding Album of the Year competition to celebrate the best of the best from all around the country; showcasing the talent and craft of professional photographers and album makers in the UK and championing the power of print. There's nothing like a beautifully designed and presented wedding album to immortalise a couple's special day - a permanent and tangible reminder of those happy memories and moments, to be enjoyed for years to come. Wedding Album of the Year will celebrate these memories and the photographers that captured them.