Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Imagine the next chapter of your life unfold at The Barn at The Manor

A one-of-a-kind love story deserves an equally unique backdrop: watch the next chapter of your life unfold in a uniquely romantic setting at The Barn at The Manor, set within the grounds of a lovingly-restored 17th-century manor farmhouse in Greasby, Wirral. Blending historical character with contemporary elegance, The Barn is a sophisticated space in which to celebrate your love. Boasting a separate entrance, a private bar area and its own picturesque courtyard, the venue offers an intimate setting ideal for celebrating life's finest occasions with up to 80 seated guests. This Wirral venue hosts a monthly open evening, free to attend it's the ideal opportunity to see the space and meet the team. The next date is Thursday 20th June, 6pm-8pm.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

Never miss a moment with Sorella Social

What is a wedding content creator, and do I need one? Well you may ask! Unlike traditional photographers, wedding content creators specialise in capturing those candid, behind-the-scenes moments that truly reflect the magic of your special day. They allow your guests to put their phones down and be 100 per cent present without compromising on footage from their individual point of view. Another benefit? You don't have to choose between chasing down your bridal party to sift through the blurry pics on their camera roll or waiting four to six weeks for the edited photos to land in your inbox. You'll simply wake up the next day to a beautiful selection of memories in a highlight reel format, read to relive and share with the world.

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

New bridal boutique, Fairytale Endings, hits the Metquarter

Fairytale Endings, the bridal and destination occasion wear store at Metquarter, has embarked on the next chapter of its business adventure as it opens a second standalone store in the centre. The new bridal boutique caters to every need of both the bride and bridal party, with a luxurious selection of wedding dresses from numerous high-end designers, as well as bridesmaid dresses, flowergirl dresses, shoes, veils and accessories. The store stocks dresses to cater for all sizes, ranging from 4 to 28, by designers such as Love by Ricca Sposa, Anny Lin, Emma Bridals, Josephine Scott and Fairytale Ending' own brand.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Fabric Studios has now opened its doors

From the creators of the well-known film and photography studio and wedding venue Scale Liverpool, Fabric Studios has now opened its doors. A 4,000sqft versatile, multifunctional event venue, it boasts make-up and styling rooms, a commercial kitchen and mobile bar. Founder Sonny McCartney says, "Fabric Studios was born out of a love for bringing more creativity to Liverpool. We are located in the up-and-coming Fabric District, being in such a progressive part of the city means that we can bring a new light to an already growing part of the city centre." The original studio venue, Scale Liverpool, is known for its spectacular industrial weddings. Alongside Scale, Fabric Studios is now available for couples to use as a modern ceremony and wedding space.

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

Your fur baby is in safe hands with Cheshire Dog Lady

Cheshire Dog Lady started life as a doggy daycare and home boarding business around three-and-a-half years ago, and has since grown into two houses licensed for daycare and boarding, including the fabulous Cheshire Dog Lady Hotel. All-in-all the team now consists of 16 dog walkers, and a further six members of staff, taking the total to 22. Owner, the Cheshire Dog Lady herself Emma Adams, offers boarding from the comfort of her own house, so your furry best friends will feel truly welcome in this their home-away-from home.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa triumphs in meetings and events excellence

The QHotels Collection is a collection of unique hotels and resorts located across the UK, including the striking Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, set on eight acres of gorgeous grounds in the peaceful Cheshire countryside. The QHotels Collection has reached new heights in meetings and events success, showcasing its excellence with a string of notable achievements. Joining the ranks of prestigious accolades, the Collection now proudly boasts MIA accreditation, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to excellence within the meetings and events realm. Securing AIM Accreditation underscores the exceptional offerings of The QHotels Collection, with six flagship meetings and events venues leading the charge.

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

Peckforton Castle is the only intact medieval-style castle in the country

Originally the home of Lord Tollemache and built in the early 19th century, the hotel is the only intact medieval-style castle in the country. Over the years it has been the location for numerous movies including Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Dr Who and most recently Coronation Street. The stunning exterior has now been complemented by a lovinglyrefurbished interior which houses 48 bedrooms and truly magnificent entertaining rooms.An enchanting setting with captivating architecture, steeped in history, Peckforton Castle will delight you and your guests. You'll be the only wedding at the Castle making your day a true fairy tale. The venue will never disappoint.