Editor loves and inspiration

Amie and Tom’s paths crossed when Tom’s brother started dating (and eventually married) Amie’s best friend – talk about the ideal double date! Their relationship blossomed, and Tom got down on one knee and proposed to her at Keldas, with the beautiful views of Ullswater as their backdrop. Tom, with the help of their one-year-old, Louie, asked Amie to spend the rest of her life with him. Amie was caught completely off-guard; luckily, her stepdad wasn’t and was hiding out of sight to take pictures of the proposal.

When it came to choosing their venue, they wanted something that was “beautiful, relaxed, and with outdoor options,” commented Amie. Ghyll Barn was perfect and would set the scene for their special day. To bring the venue to life, they chose a theme of wildflowers – wanting to harness a boho vibe that was relaxed and not overly formal. Tom and Amie enlisted the help of their mothers and family members to style the venue. Tom built the arch that they would later stand under, and they had the help of Amie’s cousin for the flowers on the special day.

See more from their big day in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

At The River Barn the creators of this stunning styled shoot brought a slice of Tuscany to the North. Sonje from Sonje Jones Design Team shares her inspiration behind the concept, “We transformed the aisle with The River Barn's amazing crossback chairs, organza bows, olive branches and a good helping of lemons (because nothing says 'I do' like a bit of citrus fruit). Foliage, roses, candles, and that little pop of yellow, made everything feel like a warm Italian breeze. “The ceremony space was framed with floaty organza, pampas grass and sunflowers, bold, breezy, and a little bit fabulous; while the wedding breakfast was banquet-style with long tables, foliage runners, candles, and ends styled with crates and Tuscan vases full of lemons. “The dessert table? A vintage cart piled high with an array of lemon cakes by Mel's Cakes – dangerously good if we do say so! – and even pancakes courtesy of The Pancake Box for the sweet-toothed romantics. “Our bride Reah, dressed by Amelia's Bridal, was a vision in two beautiful gowns, with flawless hair and makeup from OAH Hair & Makeup captured beautifully by George Foy Films around the barn and gardens. “Even the stationery (from Signed by Jen) brought it's A-game, chic, elegant, and not a Comic Sans in sight!” Enjoy!

See more from the styled shoot in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Set in the heart of the Cumbrian coastline, The Dunes Hotel is surrounded by picturesque countryside and rolling greenery. The landscaped grounds provide a serene backdrop for photographs, with open spaces perfect for drinks receptions or quiet moments. Nearby, scenic coastlines at Roanhead Beach add to the romantic atmosphere, ensuring couples and their guests enjoy a tranquil yet memorable setting.

The hotel boasts a sleek, modern exterior with a timeless appeal, framed by the natural beauty of its Cumbrian setting. Large windows flood the building with light and offer striking views of the surrounding landscape.

The outside area is both impressive and inviting, creating the perfect first impression for guests arriving to celebrate. Its stylish façade blends seamlessly with its countryside charm.

Inside, you’ll find stylishly decorated areas with soft, neutral tones complemented by chic lighting and modern furnishings. Spacious function rooms create the perfect setting for weddings, while the Coast Bar & Restaurant offers a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere. Every detail inside the hotel feels fresh, refined, and designed for unforgettable celebrations.

See more local venues in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

It would be very easy to sit here and say, 'a picture is a picture, why do I need to care about the different styles', but in this approach, we lose the magic of photography. If you and I took a picture of the same thing – yes, the subject would remain the same, but the style would differ completely! Mine might be more slap-dash and yours may be artistic. The same applies to wedding photography – what one artist views as improper, the other will see opportunity and vice versa. There are countless different types of photography, so in this issue we have broken them down into the current most popular types: traditional, dark and moody/ flash photography, documentary/photojournalistic, light and airy, and fine art.

Find out more about the different types of photography in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Take a break from the wedmin and enjoy a luxurious break at Storrs Hall, Cumbria. Surrounded by woodland, the Lakeside Suites are vast in size, just metres from the waters of Windermere, and come complete with private terrace and Japanese-style cedar wood hot tub, plus loungers and blankets – perfect for enjoying the breathtaking lake views in comfort and privacy.

Designed with relaxation in mind, the suites are a contemporary contrast to the Georgian charm of the main house, providing seclusion while maintaining access to the hotel’s renowned services and dining. Guests can order everything from hot chocolates and cocktails for al-fresco evening drinks, to hamper breakfasts and decadent dinners – all to the accommodation!

A host of activities on and around the lake can be arranged to, from guided paddle-boarding to clay pigeon shooting – and some of the Lake District’s best walking and cycling routes are nearby!

An Autumn stay in a Lakeside Suite costs from £469 per night including breakfast and arrival treats.

See more local news in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Flowers are the unsung heroes of weddings and contribute a lot to the overall theme. Their delicate beauty speaks more than just breathtaking colours and shapes; they are rich in history and can send a very romantic message. Understanding your chosen blooms helps with the overall decision-making process. It all depends on whether you want to send a message with your fl orals or if you're more focused on the colour story. We'll unpack everything you need to know about big-day blooms and also help you pick the right florist.

See more flowers in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

New data reveals hotels have emerged as the most popular venue for weddings in the UK. Responding to a surge in demand Hyatt Hotels, including Manchester, Stratford and Heathrow, has reported a significant uptake in wedding bookings, and has launched a new range of wedding packages designed to break with tradition and appeal to the modern, cosmopolitan couple. Hyatt Manchester now offers the new Twilight Package, removing the wedding breakfast and cutting out the speeches, it goes from an evening ceremony straight to the party. The package includes an evening ceremony on the hotel’s 18th-floor with skyline views across Manchester, followed by a grazing- style feast and late-night reception.

See more local news in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Hayley and John met at the Chorley Cycling Club in November 2016 – starting what would be a glorious love story on wheels. Hayley recalls, “We bonded over our mutual love of bikes in the sunshine before our relationship started – something that we still have in common today!” When it came to popping the question, John had it all figured out. He asked Hayley to marry him during a weekend break to London, where he also added a surprise trip to a jewellery maker to seal the deal. Town Head Estate in the Lake District is where Hayley and John would pedal into forever and the venue was full of romantic features. Hayley adds, “The feel of the place, the team members we met on our first visit, the blank canvas possibilities, and their drive to deliver the dream – oh and the beauty room! – it was all just perfect.”

See more from their big day in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Like many, Amy and Tony met online and started their romance with the exchange of messages. They spent a short amount of time getting to know each other and jumped straight into the in-person dates. This blossomed into a lovely relationship, and it wasn't long before Tony was ready to pop the question, but how did he do it? Tony's grand plans to propose one weekend were scuppered a couple of times thanks to unexpectedly crowded areas – meaning the Williamson Park and Beacon Fell proposals went out the window. Here Amy tells us how Tony did end up popping the question, “I went into our bedroom, which had its door closed, and Tony was down on one knee! We had always spoken of marriage and so I thought I'd see it coming, but I was completely surprised... it was perfect!”

See more from their big day in the latest issue of Your North West Wedding. Download your free copy here.

The final step to make your wedding feel like one big party is the entertainment. Booking the right act could make or break the vibe you've been building. So, let's go through the different types of entertainment you can get, our tips for making it blend with your day, and not forgetting the all-important fi rst dance recommendations.

Find out more in the 93rd issue of Your North West Wedding magazine