Editor loves and inspiration

Caitlin and Will were childhood sweethearts. “We’ve been together since we were 16,” says Caitlin. “It’s hard to remember what attracted us to each other at that age; maybe it was the fact that he was persistent in asking me out for a full year before I said yes. I was a bit of a geek and too focused on my exams to be bothered with a boyfriend at the time.”

Will popped the question at Wast Water in the Lake District in 2021. “The proposal for Will didn’t go to plan, as he’d always planned to propose in Edinburgh; however, the engagement ring for which he ordered special delivery to arrive the day before the trip turned up at his mam and dad’s house just as our train was arriving into Waverley Station,” shares the bride. “This meant that he resorted to Plan B. The day of the proposal, we were due to travel down to my sister’s to go to a Harry Potter Lights Experience. So on the day he had a future sister-in-law wanting to know if she could get the champagne ready and a future wife who didn’t want to get out of bed. We didn’t make it to the actual spot he wanted to propose, but he chose a beautiful spot nonetheless, overlooking the water and surrounding fells. Will got down on one knee, pulled out a ring and made a lovely little speech. As you can imagine, it was a big surprise, but the best one I’ve ever had.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Sarah Nowak, the senior wedding and events coordinator at Shireburn Arms, put together this styled shoot for the venue’s spring wedding showcase. “I wanted to incorporate a lot of florals to complement our countryside setting,” says Sarah. “We have done a lot of rustic styles before, so I decided to go in a different direction. Taking inspiration from Bridgerton, I decided upon a Regency in spring time theme combining pastel tones of blue, green, pink, peach and yellow with gold accent metal. After finalising the styling, I knew that this was going to be beautiful, so we turned it into a styled shoot.

“All of the suppliers took the moodboard and brought it to life, from the floral wedding dress that showed off the concept with a modern twist to the delicate name cards and stationery,” continues Sarah. “To really create the Regency feel, we used lots of florals with meadows down the aisle and a beautiful garden arch, bringing that fresh spring feeling indoors. The flowers were used as a motif throughout the shoot to connect the images and create a full story. Sam from Popsicle Photography saw the inspiration and elevated it by picking out the perfect spots at the Shireburn Arms, which captured the theme perfectly.”

See more from this styled shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Samara and Tom met at work. “Tom was hired to join the same team as me,” says Samara. “We just instantly clicked and became friends, but it quickly developed into something more than friendship!”

Tom proposed during a surprise trip to Paris for Samara’s 30th birthday. “One evening we walked down to the Eiffel Tower and he got down on one knee,” shares the bride. “He asked me to marry him and we were over the moon.”

"For the wedding, we wanted a venue that we could use exclusively for the whole day, as well as somewhere we could stay over," adds Samara. "It also had to be close for our family and friends to travel to, particularly for certain family members that we wanted to be there. Ashfield House is quite unique in the area; the food was amazing, and it had a lovely relaxed vibe, which was exactly what we wanted!"

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Make-up artist Kacey Walker tells us how to cover fine lines and wrinkles without looking overdone.

"Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! To conceal fine lines and wrinkles without looking overdone, I recommend starting by identifying your skin type to help you choose the right make-up products. Keep your skin well-hydrated with a moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid, and ensure you use skincare and make-up products that are compatible together. Use a lightweight, hydrating foundation with a natural finish, applied with a damp make-up sponge, and a creamy concealer for extra coverage. A finely milled, translucent setting powder can be lightly dusted on the T-zone to control shine. Cream blush and highlighter will give you a natural, dewy glow without emphasising texture. Finish with a hydrating setting spray to ensure your make-up lasts.

"Test your make-up in natural light to achieve a seamless look. For extra confidence, consider a trial with a professional bridal make-up artist. By focusing on hydration, lightweight products, and a gentle application, you can achieve a flawless, natural look for your special day."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

We love flowers here at Your North West Wedding, but with so many gorgeous blooms to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. There are lots of ways to incorporate flowers into your décor, such as bouquets, buttonholes, flower walls, table runners and pew ends, to name but a few. To help inspire you, we’ve asked Sarah Lawton from Wild Thistle Blooms Flower Design to share her trend predictions for 2025.

“If I were to sum up the latest wedding flower trends in two words, I’d say colourful sustainability," says Sarah. "Recently, couples have been focused on creating a memorable and visually stunning experience for their special day whilst encompassing their personalities and relying on sustainable choices within their floral vision.”

See more of the latest trends in our Flowers feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download