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

With this ring: Our ultimate wedding ring buyer's guide

The custom of exchanging wedding rings dates back 5,000 years to ancient Egypt, and is still a custom today's couples rarely, if ever, compromise on. The circular shape of the band, representing eternity, is thought to symbolise everlasting love. As we do now, the ancient Egyptians wore their wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand, the one believed to hold the vena amoris, or vein of love, connecting directly to the heart. With yet another important buying decision ahead of you, we've put togetther our ultimate guide to shopping for your wedding rings ensuring your own symbol of eternal love the two of you share will be something that brings joy to your hearts.

Warning to Hen and Stag Parties: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, that's why The Wedding Travel Company has partnered with a former BA flight attendant to give their top tips on travelling for your destination wedding this summer. "Destination weddings are continuing to grow in popularity, with more and more people looking to escape the UK for weddings abroad in areas such as Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus. Though planning your wedding can sometimes be demanding, you should be able to enjoy the lead up, feeling as stress-free as possible", explains Kim Deller, Concierge Executive at The Wedding Travel Company.

King & Allen Opens Inclusive Bespoke Tailoring Flagship Store in Knutsford, Offering Custom Suits and Wedding Consultations

Inclusive tailor King & Allen is celebrating the grand opening of its new flagship store on Knutsford's King Street, marking a significant expansion to meet growing demand for bespoke tailoring. Known for championing individuality, style, and comfort, King & Allen offers personalised suits that authentically reflect each client's unique identity. The new Knutsford location features a spacious showroom with an expanded selection of fabrics and styles, dedicated wedding party consultation suites, and enhanced accessibility. Founded by Jake Allen, the brand has dressed notable clients, including X Factor's Lucy Spraggan, who wore a King & Allen suit at her wedding. The flagship store promises a luxurious, tailored experience with expert fittings and consultations. Book appointments online at kingandallen.co.uk or call 01565 744 151 to create your perfect bespoke suit.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU REALLY GIFT AT WEDDINGS IN 2025?

Wedding season is fast approaching – and while many Brits are busy outfit-hunting or booking hotels, there's one part of the big day that continues to cause confusion - how much money should you actually spend on the happy couple? It's a question thousands of guests are turning to the internet for. In fact, Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' have soared by a whopping 5,000% over the past month*, proving just how panicked Brits are about getting it right.

Sephora Opens at Liverpool ONE with Exclusive Beauty Brands, Viral Products & In-Store Treatments for local Shoppers

Beauty lovers, rejoice! Sephora UK has officially opened its doors at Liverpool ONE, marking another exciting step in the brand's northern expansion. The iconic beauty retailer brings its world-famous selection of exclusive beauty brands to the heart of Liverpool, including cult favourites like Makeup by Mario, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, Topicals, and the UK retail debut of Merit. You'll also find viral products from Glossier, Rare Beauty, Tatcha, Kayali, and Glow Recipe—all under one stylish roof. Sephora's own Sephora Collection is also available, featuring best-sellers like Size Up Mascara and colourful face masks. Alongside shopping, enjoy in-store beauty services, from express touch-ups to full glam transformations by Sephora's expert beauty advisors. Discover the ultimate beauty shopping experience in Liverpool at Sephora Liverpool ONE.

Jewellery expert debunks the most common engagement myths

When it comes to engagements, traditions run deep – but not all of them hold up today. From outdated rules about who should propose to the history behind getting down on one knee, there are plenty of myths which may not reflect how couples approach engagements today. Lorna Haddon, Head of Diamonds and Jewellery at Beaverbrooks, said: "Getting engaged can be one of the most exciting life experiences for those in love – but it can sometimes be a nervous experience for those doing the proposing, with so many traditions to remember.

Sing Your Heart Out: Hotshots Liverpool Launches High-Tech Karaoke Rooms Perfect for Hen, Stag & Sten Parties

Planning a hen party in Liverpool? Hotshots Liverpool has just turned up the volume on pre-wedding fun with the launch of two brand-new, state-of-the-art karaoke rooms, making it the ultimate destination for hen, stag, and sten parties. Thanks to expert installation by TVC, these high-tech karaoke spaces offer a premium singing experience with 55" Mitchell & Brown 4K Ultra HD Smart TVs, Audac ARES5A stereo loudspeakers, and wireless W-Audio microphones for group performances without messy cables. Powered by Singa Karaoke software, you'll have access to a huge library of songs across genres, with real-time lyrics and personalised suggestions. Combined with Hotshots' offering of pool, darts, and live sports, your hen party in Liverpool just got seriously unforgettable. Learn more at hotshotsdarts.co.uk

The 2025 Hen Party Trends - According to TikTok

Whether you're jetting off to Mykonos, booking out a villa in Spain, or hosting a garden party at home, 2025's hen dos are all about creating unforgettable moments — and capturing them in style. With TikTok leading the charge in how Gen Z and Millennials plan pre-wedding celebration and searches for 'hen party' up +118%, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon scrolled through the feeds, trends and reels to bring you the ultimate hen party playbook. From must-have themes to viral activities, this is your go-to guide for planning a hen party that you'll never forget.

Manifest Liverpool: Baltic Triangle’s Casual Fine Dining Gem Serving Local Flavours in a Stylish Industrial Setting

Located in Liverpool's vibrant Baltic Triangle, Manifest is a standout casual fine dining restaurant opened in 2022 by chef patron Paul Durand and business partner Charlotte Jones. Housed in a characterful historic warehouse, Manifest blends the city's creative energy with a relaxed, European-inspired dining experience. Influenced by Paul's culinary travels in cities like Bordeaux and Bologna, the restaurant brings a contemporary twist to fine dining, championing local produce from Merseyside and the North of England. With an open kitchen at its heart, guests enjoy an intimate, interactive experience where food and wine are given equal focus. Manifest has quickly become a favourite on the Liverpool food scene, offering sincerity, style, and exceptional hospitality in one of the UK's most dynamic nightlife destinations. Discover more or book at manifestrestaurant.com

Palé Hall Hotel Appoints Edward Marsh as Head Chef, Launches Seasonal Tasting Menus and Reimagined Hearth Dining Room

Palé Hall Hotel, a five-star luxury retreat on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, has appointed Edward Marsh as Head Chef, marking an exciting new era for fine dining in North Wales. Marsh introduces refined four- and six-course seasonal tasting menus, each crafted to highlight local ingredients with precision, balance, and creativity. In tandem with the culinary upgrade, Palé Hall unveils Hearth, its newly reimagined private dining room. Once the estate's original kitchen, the space has been beautifully restored, featuring the original cast iron hearth and a new live cooking station for interactive chef's table experiences. A bespoke dining table and curated wine display wall create an elegant setting for up to 16 guests. Discover more about this exclusive gastronomic experience at palehall.co.uk

Nearly half of newlyweds will experience post-wedding blues this year

As we quickly approach the start of wedding season, many brides and grooms will be amping up for the best day of their lives. While the happiness of wedding days is well explored, the lull that comes afterwards is barely spoken about and not a feeling newlyweds are warned of, leading to potential feelings of isolation. Exclusive data from engagement and wedding ring experts at Queensmith has revealed that 40% of recently married couples experience some form of post-wedding blues. An experience of sadness, letdown, or emptiness that is often the first thing to hit couples after their honeymoon - a hangover from the heady highs of wedding planning.

Unique wedding trends 2025: Film photography surges 50%

Three in five couples plan to incorporate unique elements into their wedding, and with the world of choice at the end of our fingertips, inspiration is flying in from all angles. But which of the net's most loved delights have seen the most significant interest surges since last summer? To find out, the team at Aura Print scoured social media platforms to discover what's been hot, and gathered Pinterest and Google Trends data to reveal their most adored trends that have shot up since last summer.

Phenix Salon Suites Liverpool: Private, Flexible Salon Spaces Empowering Independent Hair & Beauty Professionals

Phenix Salon Suites is bringing a fresh wave of independence to Liverpool's beauty scene with its expansion inside the historic Corn Exchange on Fenwick Street. This innovative U.S. concept offers private, fully equipped salon suites designed for hairdressers, barbers, nail technicians, lash specialists, tattoo artists, and massage therapists. Unlike traditional salons, Phenix empowers professionals to work on their own terms—with no rigid schedules, no salon floor, and no overhead of full salon rentals. Jordan Heyes of Jordan Heyes Hair shares how Phenix's flexible model helped her launch her business affordably and build a loyal client base. Whether you're a beauty professional seeking freedom or a client searching for expert local talent, explore Liverpool's vibrant beauty community through the Phenix Salon Suites directory at phenixsalonsuitesuk.com.

Happily ever after - making plans for the future

As nearlyweds, you may not be thinking about what happens beyond the end of your natural lives together - that's not the exciting bit - Katharine Bundell, a barrister at 4PB shares advice in this article that could make your loved ones' lives a lot easier if anything happens to you. Death and taxes remain fairly inevitable. On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

Liverpool Hairdresser Andrew Joseph Manion Named UK Hair & Beauty Awards 2025 Finalist

Liverpool hairdresser Andrew Joseph Manion has secured a spot in the 2025 UK Hair and Beauty Awards national final, beating over 50,000 competitors. Known for expert colour, precision cutting, and a no-nonsense approach, Andrew closed his Cressington salon after Covid and moved to a rental chair on Smithdown Road to focus on his craft. This bold decision helped him rebuild a loyal client base and earn national recognition. Andrew's philosophy centers on quality and genuine care, not trends. The grand final is at The ICC in Birmingham on August 30th, where he aims to make the national Top 50. Follow him @AJMHAI for updates.

Why the bar at your wedding shouldn’t be an afterthought

In the grand orchestration of a wedding, couples often obsess over floral arrangements, lighting design and detailed seating charts. The dress, the photographer, the five-course dinner - each element is painstakingly curated. And yet, one of the most powerful forces behind a wedding's success is consistently left until the eleventh hour: the bar! Let's be honest, it's not often you hear a couple say: "First things first, let's lock in a great bar team." But maybe they should. "You can spend months working on the seating plan or deciding the perfect shade of napkin, but if the bar's giving bored function-room energy, it can all quickly lose its magic," says Luke Shelton-Sharp, co-founder of room two, the London-based cocktail studio and event planner.

The Number Wedding Etiquette Mistakes Guests Make, According To Expert

Picture this: you're scrolling through a friend's wedding photos and spot someone in flip-flops at a black-tie garden party, or worse, a guest in head-to-toe white stealing focus from the bride. Sound familiar? These fashion faux pas happen more often than you'd think at summer weddings. Thanks to outdoor ceremonies and relaxed vibes, many guests assume summer weddings mean anything goes. But according to wedding specialist Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use wedding venues across the UK, this casual approach often backfires spectacularly.

Cheshire Wedding Venue with Outdoor Ceremonies – Celebrate in Style at The Bridge in Prestbury

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Prestbury, The Bridge is a stunning Cheshire wedding venue offering riverside charm, luxury accommodation, and elegant event spaces. Set beside the tranquil River Bollin, this beautiful venue features landscaped gardens perfect for wedding photos and one of the few outdoor ceremony licences in the Cheshire Triangle. With versatile indoor and outdoor reception spaces, The Bridge can host everything from intimate gatherings in The Bollin to larger celebrations across The Riverside and stepped terraces for up to 140 guests. Whether you're planning a cosy winter wedding or an al fresco summer celebration with drinks at the outdoor bar, The Bridge offers a picture-perfect setting for your dream day.

Hen Party Treats- Big Day Cakes

To begin planning your hen party you need to set a budget first so you can make sure you'll still have enough money to spend on your actual wedding. Once that's decided you need to choose a theme and factor in the cost of the decorations and other things you may buy. You'll also have to create a guest list consisting of only your closest friends before moving onto picking the date, location and some activities to do. In need of some inspiration for what to do at your hen party? There is a variety of options to choose that will fit your fancy venturing from whether you want to do something adventurous like rock climbing or canyoning or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day calming down and doing something relaxing such as having a spa day or afternoon tea.

How Much Should You Really Gift At Weddings In 2025?

Many people are unsure of how much money to give when they attend a wedding, statistics showed Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' soared by a whopping 5,000% in April of 2025 alone and 11% of guests go into debt just to attend a wedding, with the average spend hitting £451. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes, has broken down exactly what you should spend based on your relationship to the couple, plus clever tricks to make your gift feel luxe on a budget.