Your East Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Brinsop Manor House and Barn has been voted as the UK's favourite wedding venue

Voted as the UK's number one venue by Hitched, Brinsop Manor House and Barn is a historic wedding venue nestled in the heart of Herefordshire in the West Midlands.

This stunning property has 86 five-star reviews from happy couples and encompasses over 800 acres of ancient woodland, a newly built event barn and a 12th-century moated manor house. Here, couples and their guests can enjoy beautiful event spaces, attentive services and delightful accommodation to complete any special day.

Wedding menu guide from Papier

A wedding day is an unparalleled occasion, filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories. Best-selling British stationery brand Papier understand the importance of every detail on this special day, especially when it comes to creating a memorable dining experience for the happy couple and their guests. Food is a huge part of your wedding day. Whether it's a meal guests have chosen or a set menu, informing your loved ones about what's ahead gets them excited to sit down and tuck in

Bourton Hall is a family-owned and run wedding venue

Bourton Hall is part of Country House Weddings Ltd and has more than 30 years of experience creating dream weddings. This family-owned and run wedding venue group has collectively held over 10,000 weddings across its six manors.

A beautiful Italian Renaissance-style mansion, Bourton Hall offers exclusive use of its house and grounds to couples on the day of their wedding, with the picturesque gardens and idyllic Warwickshire countryside providing an unrivalled backdrop for your special day. This 18th-century country mansion exudes style and charm, with gorgeous period features such as a grand staircase and ornate ceilings throughout.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.

The Business Awards UK has announced the winners and finalists of the 2023 Wedding Services Awards

The Business Awards UK has announced the winners and finalists of the 2023 Wedding Services Awards. These awards recognise the exceptional talent and dedication of professionals in the wedding industry, celebrating those who have demonstrated excellence in their services and contributed significantly to making wedding experiences memorable.

The 2023 Wedding Services Awards honour these distinguished companies and individuals who have set high standards in the wedding industry, showcasing exceptional creativity, professionalism and passion. These awards not only recognise their outstanding achievements but also celebrate their role in creating dream weddings and unforgettable moments for couples.

The best place in the UK for a springtime wedding

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for spring wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data from a popular wedding planning site, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationery brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

Alveston Manor is a 16th century manor house situated within five acres of beautiful gardens

Alveston Manor is a 16th century manor house situated within five acres of beautiful gardens. The grounds are well maintained, with a splash of colour from the flowers and the famous Cedar Tree, where Shakespeare did his first performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Boasting original features throughout, the house has plenty of character and looks charming in photographs. The Manor Bar and Blue Lounge are ideal for guests to relax pre-wedding, along with the Manor Restaurant, which serves delicious meals and breakfasts.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.

Bredenbury Court Barns has been named as one of the 10 most popular wedding venues in the UK

Nestled near Hereford, Bredenbury Court Barns is a rural wedding venue ideal for couples who wish to marry in the heart of the English countryside. The property has been named as one of the 10 most popular wedding venues in the UK by Hitched. This West Midlands gem is surrounded by endless acres of scenic beauty and features on-site accommodation and picturesque lawns, while the rustic barn resides within the grounds of a historic manor house. This venue has earned 47 five-star reviews from real couples who tied the knot at this impressive property.

Exchange vows at Crown Hall Farm in Lincolnshire

Located on the outskirts of Spalding in Lincolnshire, the Crown Hall Farm is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. The property was originally a working farm but now hosts stunning nuptials in a tranquil setting. The team has more than 20 years of experience in the wedding and events industries. With exceptional and friendly service, they'll work with nearlyweds to create dream events. As pairs enter Crown Hall Farm through the large gates, they're embraced with lush greenery and a tree-lined driveway that creates a calming environment. The Sandringham Suite is the perfect place to prepare for weddings, with additional space designed with hair and make-up in mind.

Moonpig reveals weddings cards are the hardest to write

Greeting cards have been a popular way to express celebrations and affection for our loved ones. We're used to purchasing cards for milestones from birthdays, weddings, new jobs and more, but how often do we struggle with what to write in a card? With the recent growth in popularity of AI models like ChatGPT, Moonpig has launched its "Smart Text" tool, a feature which uses generative AI as a writing assistant for customers who need help in those moments where they don't know what to put in a card to their loved ones.

Exchange vows at Rutland Hall Hotel

Nestled in the tranquil countryside, Rutland Hall Hotel is a truly unforgettable place to say "I do". The romantic scene is set as couples travel up the sweeping gravel driveway to the historic 18th-century Main Hall. Start a new life together, celebrating with loved ones in this elegant venue with indoor and outdoor spaces that will take everyone's breath away. With 65 acres of peaceful parkland on the shores of Rutland Water, the stunning backdrop offers endless photo opportunities. The range of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces can bring dream weddings to life, from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. The Lakeview Terrace offers a breathtaking backdrop for ceremonies. It's an idyllic location with sweeping views across the grounds and Rutland Water.

Thinking of doing a joint wedding speech? Read Speechy's top tips

The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. A joint speech follows the same etiquette principles as your standard bride and groom speech but allows you to present it as a team and play up to your relationship dynamic. But, despite the two voices, be careful not to make the speech double the length! No more than 1,500 words maximum. When it comes to writing a joint speech, it all comes down to your ability to collaborate, discuss and bounce ideas off each other.

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.

Exchange vows at the romantic Barnsdale Gardens

Tucked away in the heart of Rutland, Barnsdale Gardens is a blank canvas waiting for couples to add personal touches. With 38 different individual gardens, the versatile spaces can be used in many ways – the only limitation is couples' imaginations. The stunning gardens make for the perfect romantic setting, with ceremonies held in the purpose-built oak arbour surrounded by spectacular planting and lots of room for guests on the manicured lawn. The remainder of the gardens are also available to capture memories for as long as needed. The photographic opportunities are endless, with traditional family and group shots on the manicured lawns, romantic pictures in the Woodland Walk and Japanese Garden or some quirky wheelbarrow shots on the Allotment.

Planning a hen (or sten) party? These activity-based bars need to be on your list

Tasty food, gorgeous cocktails and a bit of healthy competition equals a winning recipe for an amazing time for your pre-wedding get together! How does a side of shuffleboard or darts with your cocktails sound? Whether you're looking for a daytime plan or something to keep you partying into the early hours, Electric Shuffle and Flight Club are great options. Both have resident DJs banging out the tunes, and both offer fab bottomless brunch packages if an afternoon booze session is more what you're after. They're also perfectly designed for the most amazing insta-worthy pics

Rutland Hall Hotel offers a new menu at its recently refurbished restaurant, Blossoms

The award-winning Rutland Hall Hotel offers a new menu at its recently refurbished restaurant, Blossoms, carefully curated by the venue's passionate executive head chef, Sumit Chakrabarty, and his team of nine sous chefs. The new lunch menu, set at just £26 for two courses and £28 for three, offers a selection of starters, mains and desserts, including a chef's special that will regularly be updated. As well as delicious local meats, all menus have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Sumi says, "This new menu is close to my heart. I call it refined dining, where I champion fresh local produce. Blossoms' latest menus are all about celebrating flavours; we're proud to serve dishes that are not too fussy in style and use seasonal produce that makes the dishes very tasty."

Revealed the UK’s best venues with woodlands to achieve dreamy cottage-core weddings

A recent study revealed the UK's highest-rated venues for woodland-themed weddings, with Creeksea Place being named the best. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analysed user-generated review data to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated woodlands venues by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Creeksea Place is the most highly rated woodland in the nation. Located in Essex, the manor house, which includes picturesque woodland, has been rated five stars over 220 times giving it a perfect score of ten out of ten.