Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Holland Hall has won an award

Holland Hall, a Grade II listed manor in Lancashire, has been named Hotel of the Year in the North West at The Wedding Industry Awards. Dating back to 1654, the venue offers a perfect blend of history and elegance, with many original features lovingly preserved to captivate couples and their guests. From beautifully appointed wedding suites to luxurious bedrooms, every detail has been carefully designed to make your special day unforgettable.

Following an extensive restoration, Holland Hall now combines heritage with modern luxury, retaining its original period charm while offering the contemporary amenities needed to create the perfect day.

The Instagram Effect on Wedding Venues: How Social Media Is Reshaping the Industry

In an era where a single photograph can reach millions of viewers within hours, wedding venues are experiencing a seismic shift in how they attract couples and showcase their spaces. Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app into the most powerful marketing tool the wedding industry has ever seen and it's fundamentally changing what couples look for in a venue. We spoke with Nick from Country House Weddings to explore how social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok is reshaping venue selection, design, and the entire wedding experience.

Local supplier spotlight: Wedinsure

Wedding insurance is one of those things couples often hear about, but don't always fully understand or think they need. It's also hardly the most exciting part of planning a wedding – but when you consider how much is being spent, it can be one of the most important items on the to-do list. We spoke to Mark Brown from Wedinsure to find out what wedding insurance actually covers, and what people often misunderstand.

Mark explains, "At its core, wedding insurance is designed to protect you financially if something unexpected happens that's outside your control. This might include a key supplier going out of business, a venue becoming unavailable, or serious illness or injury affecting the couple or close family, leading to the wedding being cancelled or rearranged. Policies can also extend to loss or damage to important items such as rings, outfits or gifts, as well as personal and public liability, which many venues now require.

Ocean Edge Holiday Park in Lancashire is introducing a new all-inclusive upgrade

Ocean Edge Holiday Park in Lancashire, owned by Parkdean Resorts, is introducing a new all-inclusive upgrade. Ideal for a family-moon, the offer is designed to deliver a hassle-free getaway, including three meals a day and unlimited soft drinks, including Costa Coffee, all within one cost.

Andy Edge, the chief marketing officer at Parkdean Resorts, said: "Following the huge success of our trial at 10 parks in 2025, we are rolling out our all-inclusive offer to a total of 42 holiday parks this year, including Ocean Edge Holiday Park. Families of four can save over £300 by going all-inclusive, making this an extremely cost-effective option for families seeking action-packed breaks in Lancashire."

The Wedding Music Trends Couples Are Choosing for 2026

For couples planning 2026 weddings, music has moved beyond background noise - it's now a defining, intentional part of the overall experience. Beyond the first dance or the late-night party set, couples are curating soundtracks that reflect who they are, where they come from, and how they want their guests to feel. The result? A new era of wedding music that's immersive, personal, culturally rich, and joy-led. Few people have seen this evolution up close quite like DJ China L'One, founder of We Run the World, the UK's leading Black-owned, all-female DJ agency. Having performed at hundreds of weddings and private celebrations, China has noticed a clear shift - especially for January weddings - towards upbeat, celebratory sounds, genre-blending playlists, and DJs who bring both polish and personality.

The ultimate commitment: What couples must know before buying a home

For decades, the "gold standard" of commitment was a ring. Nowadays, many are opting to get on the ladder first, before considering a bigger wedding celebration. What's important to remember however is that while a wedding is a promise to each other, a mortgage is a legal commitment with your lender or bank. You aren't just responsible for your half of the loan; you are both legally liable for every penny of it. So, if you're planning to make the ultimate commitment this Valentine's Day, Ryan Etchells, Chief Commercial Officer at Together shares his top four tips for navigating the path to co-ownership:

Local supplier spotlight: Lee Tombling Photography

Lee Tombling Photography is a wedding photographer based in Lancashire. He offers comprehensive wedding photography that captures both intimate and grand moments, transforming them into timeless treasures. In addition to weddings, Lee also provides event photography, portraits, charity work, motorsport photography and fashion shoots – offering a diverse range of services with something for everyone.

Lee offers a wedding package that includes full-day coverage, an online gallery, and a selection of high-resolution, beautifully edited images, along with a complimentary keepsake photo book and a specially presented memory card containing your wedding images, allowing you to look back on your special day with fond and lasting memories.

Trending Stag Do Destinations for 2026

2026 looks set to be the year of the European stag weekend, with more guys looking at heading abroad than staying in the UK. Yes, according to one of the UK's leading stag do providers, a whopping 59% of stags are jetting off to celebrate in Europe with Benidorm, Albufeira, Prague and Lisbon all top choices for the groom's big send-off. "With the rise of budget air travel and comparatively cheaper costs abroad for food and drinks, it's no huge surprise more stags are looking at a weekend away over staying in the UK," said Jon Stainer, Creative Director at StagWeb.co.uk.

Storrs Hall is offering a second night free

Those looking for February luxury without breaking the bank can enjoy an indulgent two-night stay at Storrs Hall.

From now until the end of February, Storrs Hall is offering the second night of a stay for free for all guests booking on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. This applies to all rooms, including the hotel's luxurious Lakeside Suites which stand close to the water and come complete with private terraces and hot tubs, and its Boathouse which stands in its own gated area right over the water.

With this offer a two-night stay in a Superior Double in the Main House on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis costs from £496 for two people, presenting a saving of £126. The same stay in a Lakeside Suite costs from £881 for two people, presenting a saving of £509, and in The Boathouse the cost would be from £1024 for two people, presenting a saving of £652.

I SA-y yes! How soon-to-be wedded couples and newlyweds can use their ISAs 

From venues and catering to the dress and rings, wedding expenses can quickly add up. With the average cost of a UK wedding now more than £20,000, and with so many other pressures on our finances, putting money aside for your special day can feel challenging. A Cash ISA can be an efficient way for couples to save for their big day. With the Personal Savings Allowance limited to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers, the tax-free allowance in an ISA has the potential to help you reach your goals sooner. Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, shares his top tips on how couples can save for a wedding and beyond.

Married to your surname? 26% of women are planning on keeping theirs

Lots of people are ditching traditions when it comes to modern weddings and marriage - one of which quickly losing favour is the tradition of taking your partner's surname. In a recent survey carried out by Pandora UK, almost nine in ten (88%) women said they think that attitudes to married names are changing in 2026 ¹. When asked, over a quarter (26%) of unmarried women said they'd keep their last name if they got married, whilst less than half (45%) said they'd take their partner's name. This is indicative of the shift in opinion in recent years, as when married women were asked, only a sixth (17%) of women said they kept their maiden names when they got married, whilst the majority (78%) took their partner's surname, with just 4% choosing to double-barrel their last name with their significant other.

Langdale Chase has just launched its own 1920s motor yacht

Perched on the shores of Windermere, Langdale Chase has just launched its own 1920s motor yacht, Albatros. The beautiful launch brings Lake Como elegance to the Lakes and is the hotel private hotel boat like it in the UK. Couples can enjoy Champagne sunset sailings, daily cruises across the lake, or book her for private celebration charters.

Perhaps the most romantic detail in the hotel, the 1896 boathouse has just been fully restored. It is still considered one of the finest boathouses on Windermere. Built of Brathay Blue stone, it houses a beautiful bedroom above the water, with a private jetty, freestanding copper tub, and an outdoor copper hot tub. Completely secluded, it is the dream setting for a minimoon.

Love is in the air: Eden Mill and COCO Chocolatier partner to create the perfect Valentine's bundle

Independent distiller, Eden Mill and Edinburgh-based artisan, COCO Chocolatier, have launched a limited-edition bundle just in time for Valentine's Day - featuring award-winning gin and a luxurious chocolate bar. The Love Gin & COCO Chocolatier Bundle pairs a bottle of Eden Mill's iconic Love Gin with a bespoke bar of Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate. Designed with gifting in mind, the chocolate is presented in stunning, custom packaging inspired by the Love Gin's romantic aesthetic, beautifully merging the two brands.

North West wedding suppliers shine at The Wedding Industry Awards 2026

Wedding professionals across the North West have been recognised in the prestigious Wedding Industry Awards 2026, one of the UK's leading client-voted and expert-judged awards programme celebrating excellence in the wedding sector. Regional winners and finalists have now been revealed, with several securing places at the national finals taking place in January 2026.

The Wedding Industry Awards combine client nominations with expert judging, ensuring winners represent both exceptional service and proven client satisfaction. Couples looking for trusted suppliers in the North West now have a clear guide to award-winning planners, photographers, and event professionals.

Monty Bojangles' new White Rose Kit-Tin makes for a quirky wedding favour idea

Looking for a wedding memento that really stands out from the crowd? As wedding season comes back around, Monty Bojangles, the multi-award-winning UK confectionery brand, has unveiled a new addition to its hugely popular Cat Tin collection. Say hello to White Rose, the enchanting wedding Kit-Tin. Marking the brand's first foray into the wedding space, the elegant keepsake has been beautifully designed as the perfect wedding favour, whilst also serving as the sweetest engagement, bridesmaid or wedding gift.

The North West Wedding Fair is taking place on 1st March 2026

The North West's largest free entry wedding fair is back, and it's set to be an unmissable day of inspiration, ideas, and fun.

Take place on Sunday 1st March 2026 between 11:00am – 3:30pm at CorpAcq Stadium (formerly AJ Bell Stadium, M30 7EY) – just two minutes from The Trafford Centre.

Step into a world of wedding magic with: Around 60 friendly regional wedding experts ready to share their tips and services. Four North West bridal wear boutiques showcasing stunning dresses.

2026 Brides’ First Dance Forecast: The Songs Brides Can't Resist

For many couples, choosing the perfect first-dance track is a heartfelt decision, the song that will forever anchor the memory of their wedding day. Grace Loves Lace, the bridal company renowned for its effortless, romantic designs, has released a first-of-its-kind "Spotify Wrapped" for first dance songs. The new exclusive study analysed more than 70 of the most popular first dance playlists, listing over 3,800 unique songs, to uncover the best first dance tracks of all time. "Music is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding day, and the first dance sets the emotional tone for the entire celebration," comments Rosie Keating Leary, Head Designer at Grace Loves Lace. "It's fascinating to see the patterns emerge across genres, it mirrors how our brides approach dress selection. There's no one-size-fits-all; the perfect choice is simply the one that feels like you."

Brimstone Hotel is offering an active Valentine break for guests

Brimstone Hotel in the Lake District is offering an active Valentine break for guests, with complimentary outdoor kit hire, detailed walking routes, Brimstone Spa access and 24/7 snacks and drinks included.

The luxurious hotel, nestled on the Langdale Estate in the Langdale Valley provides an indulgent romantic retreat with 16 vast suites boasting wood burning stoves, private terraces, 'surprise' bathing experience and 'sexy' lighting settings.

Lee Tombling Photography has won an award

Lee Tombling Photography, a wedding photographer based in Lancashire, has won an award. The photo called A2Z Of Trucking was awarded third place at November's Competition at Burnley Camera Club – congratulations!

Lee offers comprehensive photography that captures both intimate and grand moments, transforming them into timeless treasures. In addition to weddings, Lee also provides event photography, portraits, charity work, motorsport photography and fashion shoots – offering a diverse range of services with something for everyone.

What’s next for weddings? The Wedding Shop reveals all

Multi-award-winning gift list service, The Wedding Shop has revealed new data, showing the trends that are shaping weddings and couples' gift lists for 2026. Based on information from over 80,000 couples gathered since 2019, the leading personal gift service has looked at changes in how couples are choosing to celebrate, and how their dearest and nearest are gifting them to mark their special day with some surprising results.