Your North East Wedding news and ideas from around the region

New cake stands launched in Spring pastel shades

Innovative UK cake stand brand, Prop Options has launched a new, sophisticated range of interchangeable pastel-coloured cake stands, giving couples and cake designers bountiful colourful options when it comes to displaying their wedding cakes. Known as the Reeded Stand, these pastel-toned contemporary cake plinths have removable top plates, allowing designers and couples to mix and match colourways for a truly unique, fun, yet elegant, design. Prop Options is bringing out six colourways in its Pastel Reeded Stand collection, namely pink, lavender, green, yellow, blue and 2024 colour of the year, Pantone Peach Fuzz. The stands are also available in white, black, and gold.

New Smeg products ideal for wedding gifting this season

Whether you're compiling your big-day gift list and looking for inspiration, or you're a guest attending a wedding in the coming months, these new items from Smeg makes wedding gifting easy! Adding to its of portfolio cooking essentials, Smeg has introduced its first countertop scales. The KSC01 Kitchen Scales are a welcome addition for both budding bakers and professionals in the kitchen. Joining the likes of stand mixers and cookware in Smeg's portfolio, the brand's all-new digital scales are both outstanding in design and packed with its advanced technology.

Northumberland Candle Company has taken TikTok by storm

British handmade wax melt brand, The Northumberland Candle Company has taken TikTok by storm thanks to its innovative and whimsical products. Known for creating themed wax melts around viral trends, as well as tailoring boxes to influential people and key events, The Northumberland Candle Company is changing the way we fragrance our homes. Some of the brand's best-sellers include themed boxes, like the Cocktail Box including scents of Espresso Martini, Strawberry Daiquiri, Pink Champagne & Pomelo, Gin & Tonic and Pina Colada (£15) and their monthly wax melt subscription (£14.99) which gets you a wax melt selection box, wax melt sample, tea light and more!

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Seaham Hall has launched a new seasonal menu

Seaham Hall has launched a new seasonal menu. Situated on the stunning Durham Heritage Coast, Seaham Hall has long been renowned for its hospitality and with its latest culinary addition, it continues to elevate its status as a premier destination for guests.

Taking inspiration from the breathtaking coastal surroundings, chef Damian Broom showcases a variety of seasonal dishes, highlighting the use of local ingredients and fresh seafood.

Young Brits looking to get hitched face saving for 30 Months

Young couples are faced with saving for over 30 months to reach their wedding savings goals, according to new research from Nationwide that charts what Brits are saving for in 2024.One in six young people are currently putting money away for their dream wedding. On average, these love birds are aiming to save £17,000 in preparation for their wedding – although the costs will likely be higher as many will also benefit from contributions from family and friends. Based on average monthly individual savings of £282, it would take a typical couple saving a combined £564 around 31 months to reach their target.*

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

Brancepeth Castle is a Medieval castle constructed in the mid-12th century

Brancepeth Castle is a Medieval castle near Durham that was first constructed in the mid-12th century. Over time, the property has changed hands and uses until it became a family home open to visitors on certain days each year and for public events.

If you're looking for a picturesque setting with the opportunity to personalise your day, the castle is ideal. From the moment your guests arrive until the last dance is over, it's up to you to decide the look, the timetable, the menus, the entertainment and all the little details that make your wedding uniquely yours. On the ground floor, there are four principal reception rooms, each with a different character and style. Features include waxed oak floors, high vaulted ceilings and working fireplaces. Linking anterooms and numerous access points to the courtyard let you combine almost any of the spaces to suit the size of your event, whether it's an intimate wedding with 80 guests or a larger guest list of up to 170. For a truly historic atmosphere, there are also two intimate reception rooms in the original Medieval fortress.

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches'. My groom isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).

Indulge in Vera Wang x Chopin vodka this wedding season

With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one's celebration stylish and memorable. Vera Wang x Chopin vodka comes from a unique partnership blending the refined style of iconic fashion designer Vera Wang with the unparalleled craftsmanship of Chopin.

The UK’s top stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings

A recent study has revealed the UK's highest-rated stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings, with Pembroke Lodge, Surrey named the best. The research, conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards, analysed user-generated review data from a popular wedding planning site to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated stately homes by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Pembroke Lodge is the nation's most highly rated stately home. Located in Surrey, the grand wedding venue has over 1,100 five-star ratings and an overall perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Local jeweller, Berry’s Jewellers shares how much couples spend on their wedding jewellery

According to local jeweller Berry's Jewellers, a recent report shows that 20 per cent of Brits spend more than £3,000 on an engagement ring, and for the perfect proposal, millennials believe in spending £4,102, with 74 per cent saying they'd be put off if their partner proposed to them in public.

Proposals aren't the only thing couples are spending more on. Research shows that spending per couple on wedding bands is also on the rise, with the average cost now standing at £1,000.

New research reveals biggest wedding trends of 2024, and some will surprise you

The wedding themes of 2024? Expect them to be smaller and more intimate, more informal and just generally more fun! That's according to a new study which was commissioned by high street jewellers, F.Hinds. They asked 2,000 UK couples for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important (and which aren't), and what new trends will be incorporated into wedding day plans for 2024. They also spoke to a wedding expert for her views. Their research revealed that the 'big day' traditions that remain in favour include the bride walking walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by a family member (43%).

The Bosk is a charming burnt-larch-cladded building set in the grounds of Breamish Valley Cottages

The Bosk is a charming burnt-larch-cladded building set in the grounds of Breamish Valley Cottages. A modern take on country living with handmade tables, wooden sliding doors and gable glass ends to show off the surrounding Cheviot Hills, it includes a bar made from wine boxes, a full-height ceremony room, a private garden and a stone-built pizza oven.

Ceremonies of up to 60 loved ones can take place in any of the outdoor areas within Breamish Valley Cottages or inside the main area of The Bosk itself. Receptions are then held in The Bosk, seating 60 friends and family on long tables.

Having a multicultural wedding? Make sure everyone is include with these tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. My groom's family is Italian and some of them don't speak any English. How do we ensure they feel included during the speeches? This is becoming an issue for more and more couples as relationships become increasingly international. Bringing two cultures together at a wedding can be wonderful but it's not without its challenges, the prime example being the speeches.

Georgia and Alex had a glamorous wedding at Woodhill Hall

Georgia and Alex met at school. "I'd always known of him, the loud, confident lad two years above me," says Georgia. "I, on the other hand, was quiet and had a small group of friends, so I wasn't on his radar until September 2011 (or so I thought). We had a mutual friend who was celebrating their 18th birthday party and we were both invited. We started to speak for the first time that night and we shared a kiss! He made lots of effort after that to meet up and continue to see me, but I wasn't so keen to begin with. We started to speak properly again in February, and in March 2012, we became 'official' and have been together ever since. What I later found out was that Alex had noticed me a month or so before the party, and he'd been trying to look for me on Facebook or trying to describe me to his friends! So that night he saw me at the party; he was over the moon; he had finally 'found' me after having no luck. We have grown up together and are best friends."