Your North West Wedding news and ideas from around the region

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Curling Club is celebrating its largest winter season with a new Manchester site

The Curling Club, one of the UK's favourite alpine-themed winter entertainment, is celebrating its largest winter season to date, with a new Manchester destination. The Curling Club debut in Manchester's New Jackson district is set among its world-class skyscraper skyline. With state-of-the-art curling lanes, après ski bars, DJs, dancers, and festive food, the venue is a standout addition to Manchester's winter social scene. Perfect for hen and stag dos, it's open until 28th February 2026.

Eve Muirhead, Olympic gold medallist and Team GB's Chef de Mission, also returns as Ambassador and is lending her experience and insider knowledge to the site, bringing her competitive spirit and passion for curling to this uniquely British winter experience.

Getting married soon? Sort finances before saying 'I do'

A wedding is a promise of a shared future, but concerningly, especially when it comes to retirement, many couples delay discussion of how they'll plan for their future finances. Mapping out your finances to track life's milestone moments long before the big day is important to ensure both partners feel confident and prepared - from the prospect of taking a possible career break, to job loss, potential illness and being comfortably affording retirement.

Looking for a local getaway? Kirkstone Cottage is in the Lake District National Park

Premier Cottages features around 850 luxury self-catering properties across the UK, ranging from small, romantic boltholes to large family-friendly country estates. The collection includes pet-friendly and glamping accommodation as well as the widest range of accessible properties in the UK. Properties often have onsite facilities like swimming pools, gyms, spas, indoor games rooms and children's play areas.

Kirkstone is tucked within two acres of serene gardens in the Lake District National Park, Mirefoot Cottages offer a luxurious winter escape where guests can unwind using the exclusive spa with a 16-metre pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi. After days spent exploring nearby Windermere or Kendal, retreat to your stylish, firelit cottage before enjoying a massage or treatment available to book. It sleeps four people and prices start at £1071 for a three-night stay in January.

The UK Hen & Stag Destinations Everyone’s Booking for 2026

Once dominated by big nights out and budget flights abroad, hen and stag parties in the UK are having a rethink, and things are now looking very different. Research suggests that pre-wedding celebrations could be completely sober as early as 2040, with groups instead embracing alcohol-free celebrations that they're more likely to remember. Also, rising travel costs, tighter schedules and a growing appetite for wellness experiences are pushing more groups to stay closer to home.

Local supplier spotlight: Town Head Estate

Town Head Estate is a romantic wedding haven on the shores of Windermere. Set within 130 acres of private grounds, it offers a serene walled garden, an original glasshouse and exclusivity for you and your guests. Here, you can wander along half a mile of private lake frontage, explore the boathouse, enjoy luxury accommodation, and set sail on the estate's motoryacht.

Thoughtfully modernised yet full of character, the venue blends natural beauty with contemporary comforts. The Wedding Barn perfectly marries rustic charm with elegant details – exposed stone walls, oak beams and underfloor heating create a warm, inviting atmosphere. A traditional stone bank barn, it offers entry from both the lower and upper levels. The lower level is home to a stylish bar and a relaxed lounge area, ideal for gathering with loved ones. Open stairs lead to the upper floor where an airy, light-flooded space awaits, ready to seat up to 120 guests for your ceremony and wedding breakfast.

The Dunes Hotel is nestled on the Cumbrian coast

Nestled on the Cumbrian coast, The Dunes Hotel has fast become one of the North West's most desirable wedding destinations. With breathtaking scenery, elegant interiors, and a dedicated team that goes above and beyond, it's no surprise that many couples have already secured their 2026 dates.

From intimate celebrations to grand gatherings, The Dunes offers versatile spaces designed to bring your vision to life. The Hawthwaite Suite, with its soft lighting and chic décor, creates the perfect backdrop for a dreamy ceremony, while The Terrace and outdoor grounds provide idyllic spots for stylish receptions and unforgettable photos. The hotel's 40 bedrooms ensure guests can celebrate into the night and wake up surrounded by luxury.

House of Books & Friends is inviting couples to say “I do” amongst its shelves

House of Books & Friends, an independent bookshop in Manchester, is inviting couples to say "I do" amongst its shelves. For the first time, couples can host intimate weddings in the bookshop, with space for up to 40 loved ones to share in the celebration.

Working with Ambience Venue Styling to bring gentle literary themes into the dressing of the space, the bookshop team have added some beautiful touches, enabling book fanatics to have the wedding that they have dreamed about.

The philosophy of white - Pantone's Colour of the Year

White has always been more than a colour; it is the quiet space between thought and form, the light-filled pause where the eye rests and the mind find clarity. Today, in a world buzzing with distraction, white takes on renewed significance. Pantone's selection of PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer as the Colour of the Year 2026 celebrates this very essence - a lofty, aerated white that whispers calm and serenity into a frenetic society. At James Cropper, the historic British papermaker, white is not just a conceptual ideal - it is a craft, a product, and a philosophy...

Wedding Flower Trends Set to Bloom in 2026

As couples begin planning their nuptials for the year ahead, 2026 wedding trends are already coming into bloom. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Bridgerton and regency-era romance, Lucy Hook, Floral Lead at Bloom & Wild, shares how brides and grooms can embrace these tones through their floral choices creating looks that feel understated yet refined, moving away from bold brights toward something more subtle, romantic and dreamlike.