Editor loves and inspiration

The dark circles under my eyes always bother me and I never have managed to hide them to my satisfaction. My wedding day is the time to solve this! What can you recommend?

Make-up artist Hannah Carson (www.hannahcarsonmua.com) says: I have a really quick and easy fix for you! The first step is ensuring you're prepping by hydrating your under eyes. Hydration is so important. This helps your products to melt into the skin flawlessly. If you have drier skin under-eye products won't blend or smooth out as easily, so remember: hydration is key.

Once prepped, all you need is a dash of warm colour correction. It might sound complicated, but in three easy steps you can achieve it. If you apply concealer directly to dark circles it looks cloudy and grey. But adding a little of a peach or orange cream corrector, targeting the darker areas, counteracts the blue tones helping to conceal.

Step 1: Simply using your finger will warm up the product helping it to blend. Use light patting motions until all the dark areas are covered and leave for 30 to 40 seconds.

Step 2: Apply your regular concealer on top using a sponge or brush to get a good coverage using patting motions again to achieve a good coverage.

Step 3: Set. A translucent setting powder will help to lock the other products in.

So, only three products are needed and you won't need to break the bank. Try Makeup Revolution Eye Bright Under Eye Corrector, which comes in two shades: light-medium and medium-deep. I also recommend Superdrug Vitamin E Eye Cream and Collection Hydrating Full Coverage Concealer.

For more beauty tips, download the latest issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Diane Barker from Butterfly Road Floral Design (www.butterflyroad.co.uk) says: Autumn is the most glorious season: it's the sunset of the year and a beautiful time to get married. Timing your wedding with the turning of the leaves means you'll be reminded of the best day of your life with a spectacular month of colour every year of your happily ever after.

Autumn florals are abundant, colourful, warm and joyful. They can also be exquisitely soft, subtle and complex. Autumn colours can be reds and oranges, but can also be dusky pinks with berry shades – think blackberries and chocolate cosmos next to the softest petals of a perfect Menta rose. I find the best way to explore a colour palette is to pick a favourite leaf or flower and look carefully at all the tones and shades that are already there using nature as the artist. The soft, warm sunlight of autumn makes for the most stunning photography and the potential for a beautiful outdoor ceremony is strong.

The abundance of autumn lends itself to vibrant arrangements that are just a little wild and free. Imagine walking down an aisle of gorgeous meadow-style flowers to a seasonal floral installation as the beautiful backdrop to your ceremony. That floral backdrop will frame you and your love as you exchange your vows and your ever so exciting first kiss as a married couple.

September's hero flowers are dahlias; I adore their incredible shape, stunning colours and romantic scent. I also love lightly dancing cosmos, frothy hydrangeas in every colour and the prettiest foliage to bring it all together. Grasses in installations and meadow designs reflect the season and, if used outside, will filter the sunlight for the prettiest effect. Tiny pumpkins in soft white can highlight your autumn theme beautifully too.

For a dreamy autumn reception, bud vases of the prettiest blooms are always on my favourites list and pin frog designs of dainty flowers such as cosmos and nerines look amazing. Consider adding some candlelight for a gorgeous glow as your day turns into the most romantic evening. Reflecting your autumn theme in your wedding flowers sounds glorious; it's my favourite floral season with an abundance of wonderful flowers to suit every taste. Happy planning!

For more stellar advice on planning an autumn wedding, download the latest issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Having graced our screens since 1960, during the 60-plus years Coronation Street has been running the soap has seen no fewer than 110 weddings, even though some of them barely made it past the “I dos!” Set in the fictional Salford suburb of Weatherfield, in our neighbouring historic county of Lancashire, even if you're not a fan, you could use it as your inspiration for celebrating the best of the North West.

Look for an iconic venue such as the Royal Liver Building to truly reflect your roots, and serve a wedding breakfast packed with fresh locally sourced produce. You could also source wine from a Cheshire-based vineyard such as Carden park. Offer guests a locally-themed favour from a nearby gin distillery or apiary, and be sure to head out into the city or countryside to capture the best of the region's backdrops with your photographer.

Classic Wedding Cars Cheshire’s (https://classicweddingcarscheshire.com) Triumph Vitesse appeared on Corrie as Daniel and Shinead’s wedding car.

For more silver and small screen transport ideas, download the latest issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Rachel Peers, founder and principal floral stylist at La Beau Fleurs, Warrington (www.labeaufleurs.co.uk) has plenty of valuable advice to offer when it comes to styling your al fresco space with flowers. “Planning floral arrangements for an outdoor wedding is a delightful experience. I love to get super-creative with ceremony styling and create a truly special space to remember. It's important to work closely with your florist who'll suggest the types of flowers that work best with the season's weather.

“I recently worked with a beautiful couple who chose to have their wedding in their garden at home. We incorporated exquisite white florals against a backdrop of fresh foliage to design statement pieces, including two show-stopping arches and a magnificent meadow runner.

"The weather for this two-day event was eclectic to say the least! We had sunshine, rain, wind and clouds, and back to beautiful sunshine just at the right time. The carefully chosen florals we picked for this event loved the varying conditions and we had very happy flowers! That's why it's important to choose correctly with the help of your floral stylist.”

For more tips on tying the knot al fresco download the latest issue at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Chris proposed to Alexandra at Charingworth Manor in the Cotswolds just before sunset in the September of 2020. “We'd gone away to celebrate Chris' birthday and he surprised me by proposing with a speech about our time together on a hillside with a glorious view of the countryside,” Alexandra remembers. The couple had met as students while studying at the University of Manchester.

The pair chose to tie the knot at Arley Hall and Gardens. “It's a beautiful venue with amazing grounds,” Alexandra explains. “When we visited, Ashley and the team were very friendly and helpful in explaining everything to us.” So, the date was set for 3rd June 2023.

Download the latest issue at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download to find out more.

Corrine and Matt met at university when they moved into the same flatshare. They'd make excuses to hang out with each other and their flatmates would often find them in the kitchen making numerous cups of tea! “I was attracted to Matt's blue eyes and his sense of humour,” Corinne shares.

Matt meanwhile had an instant crush on Corinne but was too shy to ask her out, so Corinne eventually stepped up and did the asking. Matt proposed to his love in Edinburgh at the top of Calton Hill on 5th November. Corrine says, “He jokes that he chose this date as it was easy for him to remember, remember the 5th November!”

Stunning stately home Knowsley Hall boasts a rich history and beautiful grounds, and fitted well with the couple's dream Downton Abbey/1920s theme. “The staff were very friendly and professional,” Corrine explains. “An added bonus was being conveniently located for the majority of our friends and family.” So, that decided, the couple didn't hesitate in booking their date, 6th April 2024.

Download the latest issue at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download to find out more.

Palé Hall is a luxury five-star country retreat set in the heart of North Wales in the tranquil Dee Valley, with the spectacular Snowdonia National Park on its doorstep. This grand historical, Victorian mansion was to be our editor's home from home for two nights, where she was able to experience the ultimate in hospitality and the acclaimed AA three-rosette and Michelin Green Star fi ne dining restaurant. North Wales' finest can also be yours for your big day, and here Kelly explains why it's well worth considering.

Read my full review in the current issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Sefton Park Palm House is owned by Liverpool City council and managed by Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust, a registered charity that benefi ts the venue for the benefi t of the local community. Once derelict, the structure was lovingly restored to its former glory by the people of Liverpool and is now a breathtaking venue offering a memorable setting to celebrate an authentic botanical-style wedding. Stunning photographs are a guarantee!

Find out more about Sefton Park Palm House and discover more city-based venues in the current issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding. Download it for free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

At Delamere Manor enchantment and elegance blend seamlessly to create an idyllic backdrop for any wedding. Nestled amid picturesque landscapes in the heart of Cheshire, this venue offers a captivating experience. In addition to its incredible ceremony and reception spaces, Delamere Manor offers an array of amenities from beautifully appointed bedrooms, a beauty parlour, to top-notch catering services with customisable menu options.

Ceremonies take place in any one of a number of locations across the venue. The Courtyard is an enchanting inside/outside space that can host up to 140 seated guests. On sunny days, the roof is fully retractable for
a fl exible dining experience and when day turns to dusk, thousands of twinkling lights give the space a magical feel.

The Drawing Room offers a more intimate space for gathering 50 nearest and dearest. With sweeping views of the estate, this sunny room looks sublime set up for a ceremony or a romantic wedding breakfast.

What’s more, there are a wealth of opportunities for al fresco ceremonies here with a choice of the Garden Folly, the picture-perfect Jetty for lakeside vows and the Summer House. Meanwhile, the southfacing Terrace offers 100 acres of countryside, a serene lake and ancient woodlands as your backdrop.

The Lounge Bar in the heart of the Manor offers a delightful haven for various points throughout your day. Whether it’s pre-drinks for the groomsmen, a night-before gathering or a post-ceremony treat when the weather’s not cooperating. It’s the epitome of style and relaxation.

With its elegant décor, sophisticated lighting and spacious layout, the evening reception area here sets the stage for a night fi lled with unforgettable moments. Whether you dream of a glamorous affair or a contemporary chic setting, this versatile space can be transformed to refl ect your style and vision.

The cherry on the cake though is one of the most distinctive features at Delamere Manor: an exclusive nightclub experience. Formerly known as a renowned recording studio, this exceptional space has undergone a magnificent transformation into a state-of-the-art entertainment space, complete with mesmerising lighting, a cutting-edge sound system and a bar area.

For more West Cheshire venues, download the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

The enchanting Ruthin Castle Hotel offers a truly memorable setting in one of the most secluded and romantic areas of North Wales. Whether your dreams are of an extravagant day, an intimate occasion or a wonderful
gathering of family and friends, your Ruthin Castle wedding will be tailormade especially for you. What’s more, with a romantic, indulgent history located within acres of picturesque scenery, your photographer will be living their best life capturing those all-important photos!

You’ll discover spaces here that cater for the small to the grand. The Cornwallis Suite is an intimate room with high ceilings and beautiful views of the Castle grounds and offers opportunities to have an outdoor ceremony. It can host 60 for for the “I dos” and 30 for the wedding breakfast. There’s also the Library Bar, a private area open to you and your guests offering views over the Library terrace.

Meanwhile, the Grand Salon, the premier wedding suite can play host to 100 for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and 120 for the evening. Located in the heart of the Castle, it’s classically themed featuring high
ceilings, huge windows and boasts its own private terrace and gardens.

Berties Ballroom is the Castle’s banqueting hall steeped in history and atmosphere. It can accommodate 60 for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and 80 for the evening do.

Boasting its own terrace with views across the historical battlements, the Peacock Suite is another spot ideal for intimate “I dos.” Huge windows create a light and airy space with its own terrace and gardens to enjoy. It too can play host to 60 nearest and dearest for the ceremony, and 40 for the wedding breakfast.

For more local venues sporting glorious gardens download the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download