Editor loves and inspiration

Fallbarrow Hall, one of the largest exclusive hire mansions in the Lake District, is now fully licensed for civil ceremonies. Situated within Fallbarrow Holiday Park in Bowness-on-Windermere, the luxurious venue has also just celebrated its first anniversary since being managed solely by Parkdean Resorts.

Suitable for intimate weddings of up to 50 guests, with accommodation for 36, the Grade II-listed Victorian mansion boasts stunning views overlooking Lake Windermere. Couples are offered exclusive use of the hall, the period Dining Room or the spacious lawn. With full jetty access, there's also the option to hold an unforgettable drinks reception on a boat out on the lake.

Shauna Foy, the general manager at Fallbarrow Hall, said: “Offering couples the chance to get married in this stunning location is really exciting for us at Fallbarrow Hall, and it's a privilege to help create so many special memories. We have fantastic facilities and offer real flexibility in terms of how much help and guidance couples want, so each wedding is tailored to their exact needs. We're extremely excited to now be fully licensed for civil ceremonies and can't wait to welcome more guests to our extraordinary venue.”

Read more local news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

The inspiration behind this boho-themed photo shoot was to showcase the raw beauty of The Wellbeing Farm Ltd. “By embracing the rustic ambience and harmonious blend of nature's elements, we were inspired to capture the essence of bohemian romance,” says the team at BRIDHA who coordinated the shoot. “The Wellbeing Farm Ltd's stunning fields and rustic barn became our muse, and our stunning Maggie Sottero gowns with ethereal lace and carefree elegance were perfect for the day. The dedicated team here at BRIDHA worked hard to ensure the shoot came together seamlessly. Our gorgeous bridal stylist, Amy, was our model for the day. Amy not only has a good eye for fashion but is also a natural in front of the camera. The team carefully selected three stunning gowns that would complement the rustic setting. We teamed up with local hair and make-up artists Beth and Dolly to create a dreamy look for our model. The stunning photos were captured by our go-to photographers, Prestige Memories, who we have worked with previously.”

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

Katie and Mark met in 2014 on Grand National Day. “I was working at Claire's Accessories, and Mark worked at the William Hill across the street,” says Katie. “I went across to the bookies to put a horse bet on, and Mark started making small talk with me. A few minutes after I'd left and gone back to work, Mark came in looking for a gift for his mum's birthday. We were chatting for a while, and he eventually asked me out on a date. Mark said he thought I was beautiful the moment he saw me, and I thought he was really funny and cute.”

Mark popped the question during a picnic at a small nature reserve. “He had ordered a custom engagement ring from a jeweller in Australia,” shares the bride. “It was a stunning rose gold design with a large pear- shaped morganite stone at the centre and two smaller triangular-shaped diamonds on either side. He pulled out the ring from its brown velvet box and asked me to marry him. It was a surprise, but we were both overwhelmed and incredibly happy.”

See more from their wedding 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 several ways to incorporate flowers into your day, such as bouquets, buttonholes, centrepieces, and pew ends, to name but a few. To give you some ideas and help give you some inspiration, we've asked Laura Macpherson from Laurel Silk Florist more about her company.

"Laurel Silk Florist specialises in faux flower bouquets and arrangements for weddings and special occasions. All my designs are made with high-quality materials, and I love to create products that look as realistic as possible. One of the great benefits of silk arrangements is that they last for many years, making them a special keepsake. As a trained florist with more than 12 years of experience, I have worked with many couples to create the perfect design for their special day.

"I can provide silk flower designs for the bridal party, including bouquets, buttonholes, corsages, hair flowers or crowns, flowergirl wands, and much more. I also create custom centrepieces, garlands, ceremony flowers, and top table arrangements styled to suit any theme or colour scheme. I have a range of designs available on my website, but I also love to work with couples to create custom packages. All of my products can be posted across the UK, which is ideal for couples who want to put their decorations together themselves or are travelling abroad for a destination wedding."

Meet more local florists in our flowers feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download

Alterations specialist Rebecca Ferguson tells us what questions you should ask an alterations company before booking.

"When enquiring about your dress alterations, it is always advisable to go with recommendations. A lot of bridal boutiques will have their own recommended seamstresses, or you can get suggestions from previous brides.

"Make sure your seamstress has experience working in bridal. Wedding dresses can be a lot more complex than standard clothing alterations, especially with how many dress styles are available.

"If you require custom pieces, make sure you mention this at the time of booking, not only to ensure the seamstress books you far enough in advance to complete the work but also to make sure that what you are envisioning is achievable. Discuss ideas and send photos to help support your vision.

"Check how far in advance you will need to book your fittings and how many you will need. You can also ask for a rough quote at this stage and when the payment will be due to help you work out your wedding budget and avoid any surprises at your fitting."

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

Emma and Mark first met on a dating website. “We were attracted to each other's smiles and had a mutual love for food, travelling, and running,” says Emma. “Mark proposed on Lytham St. Anne Beach in the middle of a rainstorm. It was a complete surprise. I was chasing around the dog we were looking after at the time, hopping over puddles on the beach in the downpour! To celebrate, we got a chippy tea.”

"We were attracted to The Wellbeing Farm Ltd because of the beautiful views, relaxed atmosphere, and amazing staff," adds Emma. "I had always dreamed of getting married in a barn, and the land surrounding the farm and all the animals there were perfect."

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

This styled shoot at Sparth House was inspired by the supplier's romantic yet modern vision. The team at Creative Venue Stylist tells us: “During the photo shoot, we created two ceremony looks using our Merlot Floral Range, incorporating bright pink orchids, bold red roses, floating candles, candelabras, neon signs, Chivari chairs and sashes. Our sister brand Creative Floral Artistry created a coordinating bridal bouquet and buttonhole which looked beautiful and complemented the theme perfectly.”

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

Jodie and Matt met during their first year of university. They were both members of a drama society and involved in the yearly student pantomime. “I was creating a pole out of cardboard tubes, and Matt came over to tell me that it had started to sag,” says Jodie. “In my frustration, I swore violently at him and from that day on, Matt says he fell head over heels for my Northern charm. Matt was (and is) like sunshine. He makes everything brighter, more fun, and we have so much in common.”

Matt proposed in their flat on their 10 year anniversary by tying the ring to the collar of their friend's dog, Billie. “We had been together a long time and talked about getting married,” shares the bride. “After several personal losses, it just felt right to celebrate what we had and do something for joy's sake. On the day of our anniversary, we had planned a trip to Chester for the weekend to visit the zoo. We exchanged anniversary presents before we left, but Matt held us up saying he was waiting on a delivery. Suddenly Matt disappeared to get the door, and I heard a dog running up the stairs. I was understandably confused until Billie appeared, and Matt told me to check her collar. There was the ring! Billie joined in all the excitement when I said yes, running up and down the fl at and bouncing on the sofa! We knew we didn't want anything lavish, so we decided early on that we wanted to get married on our 11th anniversary. We also knew we wanted to have a small intimate ceremony, with a big party later in the year, as it seemed like less pressure and meant we could enjoy each part of the day.”

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

This beautiful shoot at Lakeside Hotel & Spa was part of a wedding open day. “We wanted to showcase the venue with the help of a few local suppliers who we highly recommend,” says Ashleigh Campbell, the sales manager at Lakeside Hotel & Spa. “Clare, the photographer who was coming to showcase her work and take a few shots, came up with the great idea of creating a staged photo shoot. She quickly got to work with Andrea from The Flower House, who helped make the day really special; she even acted as a photographer's assistant, which was a great help. As the Lake District presented a chilly display of winter weather, it gifted an opportunity for the suppliers to pull together, work with the elements and add a sprinkling of warmth. Beginning with soft glowing natural make-up and warming lips, teamed with subtly styled free curls, all set to last the conditions of the day. With a typical autumnal palette, The Flower House styled a cascading, vintage bridal bouquet, which tied in perfectly with Belle Lueur Bridal's Cameron dress by Made With Love. To further enhance the warmth of a loving ceremony, the suit was a Marc Darcy burgundy design from A Family Affair Bridal & Menswear, rich in colour, texture and certainly a cosy layer for the bride as the snowfall began. Moving through to the Windermere Suite, dressed welcoming, warm and homely with a variety of blossom trees that please the eye and only amplify the spacious and exclusive space. With a private patio area, we embraced the heat of the outdoor firepit, ideal for keeping warm as the snow falls or even toasting marshmallows. As always with Clare Gelderd Photography, the shoot was captured naturally and then processed with warmth, colour and depth – magnifying the idyllic Lake Windermere landscape, venue and efforts by all involved.”

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

Wedding cakes are quickly becoming something more than just a sweet treat. They are works of art that can incorporate your personalities and the time of year. With so many options to choose from it can feel overwhelming, but don't panic, there is something out there to suit everyone. Start by thinking about how many guests are attending your big day; if you have 30 guests, then a three-tiered cake will be too much or too little if you have 200 friends and family coming. Once you have a rough number, your cake maker will be able to advise on how many tiers you need. Don't worry about there being any leftovers, as you can always provide cake boxes for your guests to take home or you can freeze them. Check with your supplier that it wasn't frozen previously and enjoy it for months to come; you could even save some for your first anniversary.

The time of year is a great way to narrow down flavours, colours and designs for your big-day cake. With this in mind, we've asked Pink Cocoa to send in one of its favourite winter creations.

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