Your East Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Discover an ABBA Tribute Night at Whittlebury Park

For couples looking for the perfect hen or stag do, Whittlebury Park is hosting an ABBA Tribute Night on March 17th 2023! Nearlyweds can grab their loved ones and dance the night away to popular hits, including Mamma Mia, Waterloo and Voulez-Vous performed by the popular tribute band Arrival. Bursting full of energy, the band is one of the UK's finest musicians who have performed for millions of fans in more than 20 different countries. Expect stunning vocals, beautiful harmonies, excellent dance routines and fantastic costume changes for the ultimate experience. Starting at 7.30 pm, attendees can enjoy a three-course set dinner, entertainment and disco that finishes at 12.30 am.

5 songs to avoid on your big day

On top of organising flowers, dresses, venues and speeches, choosing the music for your wedding is yet another decision to make. But where do you even begin? The options are seemingly endless and the song you do pick will be the one that you define as 'yours' for the rest of your lives together. Wedding decor specialists Ginger Ray have crunched the numbers to reveal which songs and artists have made it onto the most Spotify wedding playlists and could be, dare we say it... overdone. So, whether you want to embrace the most popular choices (they are favourites for good reason after all) or whether you want to know which songs to avoid if you are looking to create a more unique soundtrack for your big day, here is Wedding Spotify, Wrapped.

The Dower House Hotel offers the perfect backdrop to winter weddings

Situated in Lincolnshire, The Dower House Hotel is an elegant Edwardian hotel that provides the ideal setting for weddings. The property creates many photographic backdrops thanks to its beautiful features, including red-brick walls, stunning windows and mock Tudor timbers. Exchange vows outside under the majestic weeping willow at the romantic Folly with 120 people, or in the Oak Room with 80 guests under the starlit ceiling. If couples are saying "I do" in the winter months, the Garden Room can host 30 loved one who will stay warm thanks to the large open fi re. For more intimate weddings, the Private Dining Room can accommodate12 people and is full of Edwardian charm. The staff can transform The Oak Room and The Garden Room to continue the celebrations in the evening

Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s disco tour coming to a local venue near you!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Christmas Kitchen Disco UK Tour begins in November and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think it will make a great night out for your hen/stag or sten do! Tickets for shows are on-sale now The shows will feature hits from throughout Sophie's career, as well as some very festive classics, all in Sophie's own seasonal disco style. The tour follows on from the huge success of her 2022 Kitchen Disco Tour in which she brought her lockdown online sensation from her kitchen to sold-out stages across the country, including a sold-out finale at the London Palladium.

Crown Hall Farm is a Lincolnshire-based wedding venue waiting to be discovered

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 weddings 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 grounds were designed by Chelsea Flower Show award winner Adam Frost and have many beautiful photo opportunities to discover. The large lake creates a perfect backdrop to ceremonies in the characterful boat house. The space is full of character, with rustic furniture and a PA system for music. Couples can enjoy drinks receptions at the bar boat, which is central to the grounds and provides a fun feature.

Discover the new packages at Whittlebury Spa in Northamptonshire

Located in the picturesque Northamptonshire countryside, the team at Whittlebury Spa has created a range of spa packages after starting a new partnership with the wellbeing band ESPA. The luxurious spa will now be offering three different spa days and three spa breaks that incorporate natural products and individual treatments. With options for a half-day spa to overnight trips for the ultimate getaway, each one includes Heat and Ice experiences that helps eliminate any worries or stress as well as an ESPA treatment. The spa manager Sophie Clear says, "Our new range of packages will enhance our spa offering with the latest in cutting-edge treatments, natural wellbeing and sustainable products. ESPA is the gold standard for luxurious, naturally effective skincare, and our new tailored packages offer the ultimate pampering experiences with treatments to suit everyone."

Top tips for having a low waste wedding

Getting married is one of the most exciting days of your life, and you'll want it to be as special as possible. But you might also want your wedding to be kinder to the planet than the usual nuptials — indeed, a study found that British weddings create 18kg of plastic waste per event, adding up to 4,910 tonnes of plastic waste every year. Even for the biggest event of your life, this is a lot of waste to produce during a single day, and many people are increasingly looking to find ways of reducing it and have more sustainable nuptials. If you want to enjoy the big day but also make it more of an eco-friendly event, suppliers of catering equipment Alliance Online have put together some tips for you to take forward in your wedding planning. Even though getting married is a big event, you can still keep the carbon footprint small.

Proposing a prenup? A guide to practical romance this February

Some consider February to be one of the most romantic months of the year. With January finally over, we can start to look forward to Spring, and the warmer months ahead. Each leap year, the 29th of February is traditionally held as a day when the tables can turn and women are supposed to propose marriage to men, instead of the other way around. However, most obviously, February contains Valentine's Day and the celebrations of lovers up and down the country who look to St Valentine for inspiration for their friendships and romantic relationships.

Say ‘I Do’ to a Dry Wedding with Mavrik Alcohol-free Cocktails

With a growing number of people going sober or choosing to moderate their drinking, the traditional wedding 'knees up' may be a thing of the past as today's couples opt for a more sober affair - which everyone can remember! In the past, non-drinkers or designated drivers would be somewhat left out of the celebrations with access to only a sad selection of soft drinks or juices. However, now nearlyweds-to-be are putting as much effort into deciding what alcohol-free drinks to offer as they would apply to sourcing the Champagne for the toasts! Plus, not only are dry weddings a huge money saver, but they also allow guests to enjoy the day with a clear head and leave the event with all those special memories firmly in tact.

Stretton Manor Barn offers a secluded setting for weddings in Derbyshire

Located in 22 acres of stunning countryside, Stretton Manor Barn offers the perfect setting for showstopping weddings.The venue, which was lovingly built in 2020 exclusively for weddings, provides a secluded and easily assessable location for all to enjoy. The team are on hand to help make the planning process more manageable while ensuring everything goes to plan at all events – meaning couples can relax knowing their day is in safe hands. The barn features natural and rustic materials, including reclaimed stonework, traditional-timber cladding and handcrafted oak furniture. Guests love the fairylights, chandeliers, freestanding fi re pits and outdoor heaters that all help to give the barn a beautiful and natural glow – perfect for capturing spectacular photo opportunities.

Five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free)

Dr Rachel Taylor is a neuropsychologist, podcast host and founder of UNBroken. She has this advice on the five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free). "The brain has many different circuitry mechanisms associated with feelings of love. Below are some suggestions that mean more to love than commercial gifts."To appreciate is to raise in value, so the appreciation of another is truly better than a gift. Appreciation of another triggers a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which is directly involved in controlling our circadian rhythm. We also get a dopamine hit which supports us to be more motivated to perform the same behaviour. The more we appreciate a person, the more motivated they are to carry on being the amazing person that we think they are.

5 ways to get your pooch involved in your wedding

Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of nerves and excitement, and if you have a dog, you might want to get them involved in the event too. But how? Here, Lisa Melvin from Webbox offer some ideas. Organising a wedding can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. If you have a dog, you might be wondering if you can involve them in the event too — your pooch is most definitely part of your family, and it's natural to want them to be a part of your special day. Read on to find out some ideas for how you can bring your pooch to the wedding.

How to create a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding

Your wedding should be as personalised, luxurious and enjoyable as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception! Here, Steve King, managing director at the drinks retailer Bottled & Boxed, shows you how to bring together a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding. Organising a wedding is as exciting as it is overwhelming: you'll want your day to be as special as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception to this. It's becoming more and more popular to create your own personalised drinks, with Google searches for 'bespoke drinks menu' increasing 10% since the beginning of 2022.

F.Hinds advises on your wedding selection

Jewellers F.Hinds, boasting more than 115 stores across England, advise on what precious metals your wedding rings could be made from... Your wedding day will be one of the biggest days of your life, and we're so happy that you're about to embark on this new chapter, no doubt you are too! With an exciting engagement comes a whole load of happiness and emotion, but with that what also comes is a never-ending list of things you need to do before the big day, and we can bet that one of them is going to be to "find the perfect wedding rings".

Discover Woodhall Spa Manor in Lincolnshire

Woodhall Spa Manor is a multi-award-winning and luxury self-catering venue set in the heart of a beautiful village in Lincolnshire. The manor sits amidst several acres of grounds with well-manicured lawns and an ancient woodland adjoining the Bracken Golf Course. With four lovely reception rooms, eight individually-styled bedrooms and suites as well as two fully fitted kitchens, what location could be better to celebrate in style? Exchange vows in the Queens Room with 100 people, which features a grand inglenook fire place, crystal chandeliers and a varnished original hardwood floor. Or why not opt for the Britannia Room, surrounded by 60 loved ones? Both spaces feature large-sash windows overlooking the lawns as well as a red, gold and cream colour scheme with gold Chiavari chairs.

Valentine’s Day: 9 tips to help you spoil someone special without breaking the bank

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect excuse to show someone special how much they mean to you. However, the cost of living crisis means that people are more concerned than ever about money. To help, jewellery specialists, Queensmith have pulled together 9 ways to spoil your partner on a budget...1.Set a budget ahead of Valentine's Day. This is an important first step. The last thing you want is for one of you to spend double the amount of money compared to the other, and fall out over gifts on Valentine's Day.

How to choose your wedding date

You would have thought choosing the date for your wedding would be the easiest part? Simple pick a date that suits you as couple and your venue. Well, yes, that is often the case. But there will always be other factors you should consider before making the final choice. If you're hosting a marquee wedding at private residence, then you're fortunate enough to have a little more flexibility with a date than those opting for a wedding venue. However, whether a marquee or venue it's wise to take into account some of the following factors that may make deciding on the best date for your special day a little easier....

Engagement ring trends for 2023

Whether you're future-gazing about your dream proposal or just like keeping up to date with the latest styles, Lorna Haddon, head of diamonds and jewellery at Beaverbrooks, predicts the new wave of engagement ring trends that will be taking over our Instagram feeds in 2023. Here at County Wedding Magazines it's hard to pick our fav? Really, can we only choose one?

Abroad stag and hen dos not an option due to cost of living crisis

Couples planning stag and hen festivities this year may need to think again as Brits admit they would not attend an abroad celebration. Luxury fashion retailer Fenwick, has surveyed the nation to find out opinions on stag and hen dos, including the amount they'd be willing to spend and whether they'd travel abroad. Many people now take their bridal parties or groomsmen on holiday to celebrate their big day. These trips can often end up costing a lot of money especially if heading to popular destinations such as Marbella, Budapest or even Vegas which when the majority of the UK is being squeezed by the ongoing cost of living crisis, isn't something many can afford. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 50.70% would refuse to attend a stag do abroad, preferring to celebrate closer to home in the UK.

The most eye-catching wedding decor revealed

A new study, conducted by the wedding financial experts at money.co.uk, involved surveying 1,000 future newlyweds and asking them to estimate how much they will spend on 70 wedding items. Images of these 70 items were then used in an eye-tracking study to reveal the specific elements that people spend the most time gazing at. Fairylights came out on top, with guests staring at them for 5.53 seconds which is impressive considering they are the decorations that those planning a wedding expect to pay the least for (£106.25). So, if you're looking to impress your guests without splurging then try draping your venue in tiny, twinkling fairylights.