Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Celebrate the festive season at Farlam Hall

Celebrate the most magical time of the year amidst the timeless elegance of Farlam Hall, a charming PoB and Relais & Châteaux hotel located in the heart of Cumbria. With 12 guest rooms and six Stable Suites, this luxurious country retreat is the perfect escape for those seeking comfort, indulgence and festive spirit.

Guests can savour the season with a delectable Festive Lunch, served every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 26th November to 20th December in the Michelin-starred Cedar Tree Restaurant. Chef Patron Hrishikesh Desai showcases a refined three-course menu for £65 per person, complemented by mulled wine on arrival, homemade bread, and tea, coffee and mince pies to close.

Expert Reveals: The Biggest Wedding Trends for 2026

You've found the love of your life, and you're happily engaged. It's finally time for your main-character moment, your wedding, and we're here for it. Whether you're just getting started on planning or you've been swimming in tulle for months, one thing's clear: 2026 is the year of "I do, my way." According to Nick Bramer, Co-owner & Marketing Director at Country House Weddings, "2026 is shaping up to be the year of personality-driven weddings. Couples are blending tradition with innovation to create days that feel unapologetically 'them'." Below, Nick shares the biggest wedding trends set to define 2026.

Local supplier spotlight: Weddings by Rowena

Rowena, of Weddings by Rowena, is a fun, relaxed documentary-style wedding photographer based in the North West and beyond.

"I've had the honour of capturing more than 250 love stories and still get butterflies every time I step behind the lens," shares Rowena. "My approach is all about letting your day unfold naturally while I blend into the background, catching those real, joy- filled, and spontaneous moments that you'll treasure forever."

Two new Rituals stores are coming to Manchester

Both stores offer an immersive experience into Rituals' signature range of luxurious bath, body, and home products, designed to inspire moments of mindfulness and self-care in everyday life. These openings mark a significant step in the brand's continued investment and growth in Manchester, bringing Rituals' unique philosophy to an even wider audience in the region. Find out more about the new stores here

Legal experts warn couples not to change wedding plans amid wedding law reforms

Proposed changes to 19th Century weddings laws could be about to change everything for couples, but one legal expert has urged wedding planners to hang fire before making any changes to their big day. Legal experts from The University of Law say: "While there have been various updates to wedding laws in recent years, such as legalising same-sex marriage and changing the legal age requirement for marriage, nothing has changed the laws that govern marriage to this extent since the 1800s. "The main thing couples need to know now, is that nothing is going to change in the immediate future. The reforms still need public consultation, then the usual Parliamentary processes before implementation, all of which could take many years.

Local supplier spotlight: Barton Manor Hotel & Spa

Barton Manor Hotel & Spa in Preston, Lancashire, beautifully marries historic architecture with modern design, offering guests a unique and picturesque setting. The hotel's grounds include beautifully landscaped gardens which provide a blend of formal landscaping and natural beauty, offering serene spaces for relaxation and events. The Pavilion Garden, with its expansive lawn and mature trees, provides a peaceful setting for outdoor gatherings and leisurely strolls. Additionally, the hotel's secret garden offers a more intimate and secluded atmosphere, ideal for quiet reflection or private ceremonies.

Offering a harmonious blend of historic elegance and modern luxury, the décor throughout the hotel is of the highest quality, featuring premium materials and refined finishes. Each space is thoughtfully designed to combine classic architectural details with contemporary style, creating an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere.

Cumbria-based Jennings Brewery has reopened its doors

Cumbria-based Jennings Brewery has reopened its doors, bringing back historic, award-winning beers, two new beers, and a new on-site taproom. The brewery has pledged to return to its roots, reviving old favourites like Sneck Lifter and Cocker Hoop, alongside new additions such as Derwent Mild and Back Yam – a nod to the Cumbrian dialect phrase meaning 'back home'. Find out more here

7 Ways Marriage Celebrations Will Change By 2035

Planning a wedding used to follow a predictable script – white dress, church ceremony, big reception with 150+ guests. But it seems those days are numbered. According to this expert, the next decade promises to completely reshape how couples say "I do," driven by technology advances, environmental concerns, and evolving social attitudes. Wedding expert Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use venues across the UK, has witnessed these changes first-hand at their castle and country estate locations. "We're seeing couples make bold choices that would have seemed impossible just five years ago," says Bramer. "The traditional wedding playbook is being rewritten entirely."

Local supplier spotlight: The Dunes Hotel

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.

Take a break from the wedmin at Storrs Hall

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. Find out more here.

No ring? No proposal! New study reveals the top reasons for a proposal turn down

A new survey of 2000 UK adults has revealed timing is everything when it comes to a proposal, but so is taste. In an era where perfect proposals are deemed as Instagram-worthy backdrops and a professional photographer, this study reveals that the fundamentals are what couples are really wanting. A new study, commissioned by professional jewellers, F. Hinds, shows nearly 3 in 10 (29%) would be turned off by a public proposal, whilst another 29% would say no if it happens on someone else's special day, such as a birthday or even another person's wedding day. The engagement ring itself still plays a pivotal role. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 (20%) say the ring, or lack of one, can make or break the moment, proving that in an era of bigger is better, the perfect ring is still the ultimate "yes" factor.

Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre has re-opened

Following the refurbishment of the Park Inn by Radisson property, Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, a verified net zero hotel, brings a rebranded/upgraded hospitality offering. The clean and modern Scandinavian-inspired design of Radisson is ready to be experienced in all 252 guest rooms and suites, providing balance, wellbeing and a calming environment, featuring neutral tones and natural design elements. A welcoming bar and restaurant offers guests a variety of dishes and an outdoor terrace, ensuring a memorable stay.

Legal officiants vs legal venues

The wedding industry in the UK is worth £14.7billion, and the average cost of a wedding is over £20,000. With not only the cost, but the time and effort put into your wedding and making it one of the most special days of your life, you want to make sure that the event does actually legally marry you and your partner! Joanna Newton, a partner at Stowe Family Law, advises on the changes, and what couples need to consider.... In England and Wales, for your marriage to be legally binding, your ceremony venue needs to be a registered location. For more and more people, this is their local registry office, as they are choosing to have their wedding in venues that, whilst special to the couple, are unlicensed. In many cases, this means couples are having two weddings – one for the legal bit and one for the fun!

Whistlefish- Affordable, eco-conscious wedding stationery & gifts

When it comes to planning a wedding, organising a hen party or finding thoughtful gifts, Whistlefish makes it simple with its beautifully designed wedding collection. Whistlefish offers affordable, design-led products that make every moment of the celebration feel special. Crafted by their in-house artists in Cornwall, the range blends timeless style with eco-conscious values, proving you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve a polished, personal wedding look. Whistlefish offers a range of chic, budget-friendly pieces to help bring a couple's vision to life.

Holland Hall has a special offer for couples looking to tie the knot

Skelmersdale-based Holland Hall has a special offer for couples looking to tie the knot in the area! For all new bookings on remaining dates from now until May 2026, celebrate your wedding and reception at Holland Hall at a specially reduced cost starting from £2,995*. The price includes everything you need for fifty guests attending the entire wedding day, available from 2pm any day

‘Til death us do part: making plans for beyond your future.

On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

Hyatt Manchester is offering a new Twilight Package

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. Find out more here.

Bridebox - the bridal subscription box for DIY brides

Each beautifully presented box contains everything needed to create stunning wedding crafts and personalised keepsakes, alongside thoughtful self-care treats designed to help you pause and truly enjoy your engagement journey. With clear, friendly instructions and all materials included, Bridebox takes the guesswork out of adding personal touches to your big day, allowing you to experience the satisfaction of creating something meaningful while taking precious moments for yourself amidst the planning whirlwind. More than just crafts, each Bridebox offers an opportunity to learn new skills, experiment with different ideas before committing to larger wedding projects, and perhaps most importantly, provides that perfect excuse to set aside the to-do list, brew a cuppa, and reconnect with the joy that should always be at the heart of your wedding planning adventure.

Cake International returns for 2025

The world's premier cake decorating and baking show, Cake International, is back for 2025 and it's bringing even more flavour with it. Co-located with the ever-popular Bake International, this year's show promises to be the most spectacular yet, with new features, industry-leading exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and a landmark celebration to launch the Cake & Bake International Awards. Find out more here.

Wedding reforms: Freedom, flexibility… or fancy-dress farce?

Following a recent announcement of major reforms to the wedding laws in England and Wales, Kate Van Rol, barrister at 4PB advises what these changes could mean... The government's latest plan to reform weddings has been met with excitement, curiosity, and the occasional raised eyebrow from the vicarage. Ministers promise to liberate love from the clutches of red tape – simplifying the marriage process and allowing couples to wed in a manner that truly reflects their beliefs, personalities, and (let's be honest) Instagram aesthetic. Under these proposals, couples will no longer be bound by the old rulebook of marrying only in a church or registry office. Instead, weddings could take place almost anywhere – in gardens, on beaches, aboard boats, or even in a back garden with a barbecue and a borrowed gazebo. Religious and non-religious groups alike would be able to conduct legally binding ceremonies. It's marriage law for the modern age — simple, flexible, and tailor-made for a society that's allergic to formality. But as with all government reforms that sound too good to be true, there's a catch or two lurking beneath the confetti.