Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local wedding businesses, shops and suppliers in Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Weddings are back in full swing (finally!) and we couldn't be happier to see so many of you getting ready to tie the knot in our wonderful region. For years we've seen couples opting for grand celebrations with all of their friends and family, but since the pandemic, we've seen a rise in the number of couples choosing to have a smaller celebration. We love the idea of creating your dream day whether you have 1,000 guests or 10, so we thought why not create a feature that shows you how you can create your dream day with a smaller guest list?
Zayna from ZAZevents tells us: "Your nuptials should be all about you, and that should be reflected in every aspect of your design, no matter the size of your wedding. Every choice should encompass your personality and style, and it's even easier to achieve this with an intimate wedding. Read my top tips for creating a space where your guests will feel comfortable and want to take photos with you in your beautifully decorated venue:
"Start with deciding on your décor budget. This will help you and your stylist choose pieces and designs that fit within your budget, no matter if it's big or small, you just need to have a number in mind when you start planning your wedding.
"To create an impression on your guests you'll need clever use of décor pieces, arrangements, styling and lighting. You want your venue to be an immersive and visually appealing space that transports your guests into your wedding world."
See more from our Intimate Wedding Inspiration feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Big Bear's BBQ, a mobile catering company, has recently invested in a second custom-built trailer allowing the team to offer a mixture of British and American barbecue foods.
“We've been building our business for the past three years,” says owners Jill and Hugh. “We started in our custom-built wood-fired pizza trailer and soon found ourselves being asked to provide catering for private events and weddings. This soon became an area we enjoyed exploring, and have since made many long-lasting customers, friends and contacts. We have built our business by trying to provide high-quality food at an affordable level by making each event we cater for bespoke and as personalised as we can. We have recently found our enquiries have come from much further afield, and as we are mobile, we have enjoyed visiting many locations all over the North West. The second trailer has always been part of our expansion plan from the very start, and after a few small test events, our feedback has only encouraged us to believe we made the right decision! We have several packages available to those who might be looking to find the right caterer for their special day, and we look forward to receiving any enquiries and working alongside those who are planning ahead; we still have dates available for this year and welcome any more for the future.”
Read more local news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Kate and Stuart met through a mutual friend who organised charity gigs. “We had both recently become single, so our friend suggested that we meet for a coffee,” says Kate. “Our first date was in August 2015 in Manchester. We had similar interests and hit it off right away. Stuart lived in Nottingham at the time and moved to Manchester six months into our relationship to live with me.”
Stuart proposed during lockdown. “We had talked about getting married at some point, but the proposal came as a total surprise,” shares the bride. “He proposed with a Haribo ring, as no jewellery shops were open because of the pandemic.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Now that weddings are back in full swing, we wanted to celebrate with a feature full of wonderful images from some of the area's best photographers.
“This is one of my favourite because the smile between them is so genuine due to the fun we were having whilst trying to get creative with the veil – capturing a wonderfully aesthetic image which is also genuine.” – Tom from Tom Benson Photography.
See more from our Photography feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
The team at Te Amo Bridal tell us their tips for finding a wedding dress that you can dance the night away in.
"A lightweight A-line or fit-and-flare dress would be the perfect way to achieve an elegant look whilst allowing you to feel unrestricted during the evening.
"Minimalist trains are also key, and avoid long, restrictive sleeves unless they are detachable.
"A slit is a timeless classic and will make your dress more breathable. Remember, being elegant doesn't mean you can't also be a fun bride. Whatever you choose, you will look beautiful."
See more from top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Jenna and Rob met 20 years ago when they were just 14. “We were at a social club and got chatting about a bracelet he had on that I really liked,” says Jenna. “He said I could borrow it, and I had it for two years until we met again at his cousin's 18 birthday party. As soon as I saw him, I knew straight away I wanted to be with him. I rung him several times that night asking to meet up again. Rob took me out on our first date, and almost 18 years and two children later, we're still together.”
Rob popped the question on Christmas Day. “He hung my engagement ring on the Christmas tree at home,” shares the bride. “I took it off the tree, and our daughters asked: 'will you marry dad?', to which I, of course, said yes!”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
A sprinkle of sage mixed with crisp white roses created the dreamiest setting for this styled shoot in the Lake District. The elegant theme was created by a supportive group of suppliers with a passion for weddings. Amy from Knott Estate brought the group together to show how elegance meets country. “Emma Jane Events and Flower B Florist helped to bring the ideas to life by creating whimsical décor and florals which tied in perfectly with the matching crockery and linens from Lune Valley Crockery Hire,” says Amy. “The changeable wedding dress sleeves and beautiful bridal jewellery were mixed in with country accessories to embrace the venue's setting. Sitting between fells and fields Knott Estate is perfect for outdoor photos and romantic walks. Abi's photography style fit perfectly, and her puppy did a great job of modelling in some of the images. The cottage, ceremony barn and gardens are all pet friendly which is another perk for any pet parents looking to get hitched.”
See more from the styled shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Bianca and Adam met at university in 2009. “We lived next door to each other and were studying the same course,” says Bianca. “Adam was interested in me straight away, but I kept him waiting, so we didn't actually start dating until 2011. We have the same personality and values, and because we were friends first, we already knew loads about each other.”
The proposal was a complete surprise for Bianca. “We had just got back from the Gran Canaria, where we had been to my mum and stepdad's wedding,” shares the bride. “We were in my mum's living room when Adam got down on one knee after making me wait eight years for the ring!”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Deanna Melia from Your Forever After tells us more about this styled shoot: “I decided on an autumn, rustic theme with lots of browns, oranges, reds and golds. Sonje Jones put everything together, and it looked amazing!”
See more from the styled shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
The team at Jukebox Band tell us their top tips for booking your wedding entertainment:
"Live musicians have a special way of exciting a crowd, and if you can find it in your budget to squeeze a band in, you shouldn't think twice. An awesome live band will make your day, and a bad one can have quite the opposite effect. Our main advice would be to not leave booking your entertainment until the last minute. Live music will create an atmosphere that your guests will remember more than anything and it will lift your wedding to the next level.
"Professional bands are busy and can get booked up a few years in advance, especially on summer weekends, so if you find a band you love, snap them up early.
"Whatever band you go with, make sure you do your research. Look at previous couples' reviews, check out their social media pages and look through their website and promotional materials. You'll instantly see if the band are the correct calibre for your big day."
See more from our Planning SOS feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
