Your East Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Your wedding, your way

With the Pandemic derailing wedding plans since 2020, the next few years look set to be a busy time for couples celebrating their union. But couples themselves are evolving – from individuals who feel shoehorned into traditions or cultural expectations they don't feel comfortable with, to those who feel more confident creating their own idea of how a wedding should be, encompassing a far wider range of preferences, traditions, and cultures. When NameSwitch was invited to speak on diversity at a recent industry event, Bridelux Symposium, the overwhelming consensus of wedding professionals was that they, too, are seeing a change in how weddings are becoming more individually unique; created to celebrate the heritage (often blended) and preferences of each couple.

GREAT! romance to Launch on Thursday 5th January 2023

Dreaming of cosying up with some love-ly film entertainment in the New Year? GREAT! romance, a new, free-to-air, TV channel dedicated to bringing feel-good, romance films to TV screens, all day, every day, is launching on Thursday 5th January 2023. If you have a soft spot for romantic movies and are looking to indulge in escapist entertainment this winter, then look no further! Romantics across the UK can fall head-over-heels with the only TV channel that promises back-to-back love stories all day every day - for free! - and the curated selection of movies is guaranteed to melt anyone's heart at the start of 2023.

Christmas winter wedding music

Getting married at Christmas doesn't mean that you have to plan a Christmas-themed wedding. Here, roaming band The Travelling Hands, suggest songs that would work well for a Christmas winter wedding and the songs to avoid! When it comes to music, the same rule applies. Just because you want to get married at Christmas it doesn't mean that your musical playlist has to be full of Wizzard & Cliff Richard if you don't want it to be there. When our acoustic roaming band The Travelling Hands perform at winter weddings we see a wide variety of decisions when it comes to Christmas songs. Some want to embrace the Christmas classics - adding these into their day. Others like a few placed in here and there, whilst some want to just stick to their favourite songs without any Christmas numbers added in at all.

Outdated wedding laws need to change

In an article earlier this year there was discussion and praise aimed towards the Government's plans to allow outdoor weddings to be made permanent. The article also highlighted the eagerly awaited Law Commission report into marriage laws, which was due to be published in July. Now it has been published and we have had some time for the dust to settle, Kate Van Rol, Barrister at 4PB has looked into these recommendations, "Are wedding laws at present 'confusing, outdated and restrictive' as the Commission suggest, or would the implementation of their suggestions trivialise weddings and commercialise the ceremony?". Kate continues...

Discover Kilworth House in Leicestershire

Set in 38 acres of rolling parkland, Kilworth House is an elegant venue located in the heart of rural Leicestershire. With breathtaking views, expansive grounds, fi ne dining, luxurious accommodation and an outdoor theatre, what's not to love about this property? The hotel lies at the end of an inviting tree-lined approach that leads guests through the tranquil grounds to the well-maintained lawns and south-facing façade. Guests will love exploring the parklands and woodland areas, which create gorgeous backdrops to images. Exchange vows with 130 guests in the fully-restored Victorian Orangery, which features glorious rural views and vibrant natural lighting. After the vows, couples can enjoy drinks receptions on the terrace before returning to the Orangery for wedding breakfasts.

Christmas activities from The QHotels Collection

The festive season is almost upon us, bringing with it all that sparkles, from decorative baubles to candles, crackers, and colourful lights. But as December approaches, it's easy to let the time run away. So, The QHotels Collection list their top five ways to keep the sparkle alive, bring a little twinkle to your eye and warmth to your heart in the run-up to the holidays. 1.Start a countdown to Christmas - who says advent calendars are just for the kids? Extend the Christmas fun over the whole of December by finding a special way to countdown to the big day. Why not play a different Christmas song each day on your commute? To really get in the festive spirit why not book a festive activity for every weekend in December? It could be anything from making homemade wrapping paper to heading out to see the panto or enjoying a festive-themed afternoon tea with your mates.

Discover Birds Bakery's new wedding favours

Located across the East Midlands, Birds Bakery is taking the region by storm and has just launched a new range of wedding favours. The company has been providing goodies for more than a century and has been working hard to come up with the perfect range for nearlyweds. Couples will be able to personalise the favours from the type of chocolate used, the shape, flavours and packaging to match any colour scheme. Why not opt for the classic chocolate mice and unicorn cupcake, the chocolate hearts on a shortbread base, macarons in a selection of colours or building block pairs? The team's Belgian chocolate is available in flavours including milk, dark, white, ruby, gold caramel and strawberry – there's something for everyone!

New hen party ideas at Bird & Blend Tea Co. venues

On various dates throughout December and January '23, and into 2023, Bird & Blend Tea Co. will host its two brand new workshops. A magic potions brewing & tea mixology workshop at Bird & Blend Tea Co - is for those keen on discovering and learning the mastery of potion making whilst mixing tea, and the science behind the magic. The special two-and-a-half hour workshop invites its guests to take an immersive step in to conjuring up shimmering, colour changing and whimsical potions...all whilst the smoke swirls, the smells take over and the senses awaken. As a VIP guest, wannabe magic and mixology makers will be treated to unlimited amounts of tea from an exciting selection of blends or tea cocktails.

Discover what makes Hellidon Lakes Hotel the perfect wedding venue

Set idyllic countryside, Shearsby Bath is a stone's throw away from the historical and well-loved village of Shearsby. With more than five acres of landscaped gardens, the dazzling grounds create the perfect backdrop to wedding photography with plenty of picture-perfect areas to discover. The family-run venue provides a beautiful wedding setting with exceptional cuisine, elegant décor, the finest hospitality and attention to detail. The Old Spa Room creates a stunning location for ceremonies with 141 people and features an elegant atmosphere, original oak beams and panelling.

Pantone’s Colour of The Year - we love it!

Pantone's Colour of The Year, Viva Magenta, is oh-so gorgeous and perfect for wedding colour palettes whatever time of year. Claiming, 'It's a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative,' how very appropriate for weddings!

New Wedding Planner Journal & Keepsake collection

Just in time after the influx of festive proposals, Paper Crane Unique has announced the release of its Wedding Planner Journal & Keepsake collection launching January 2023. A bride- or groom-to-be's perfect planning companion; organise your wedding plans, write about your personal story and keep your photo memories safe altogether in one place that you can keep forever. The planners are 200 pages of wedding planning tools, inspiration boards, notes and journal sheets featuring a beautiful eucalyptus design inside, cloth cover and gold gilded edges. Priced at £32.95, the collection has a choice of four colours: classic ivory, blush pink, luxe gold and dusty blue.

Discover The Lincoln Hotel's stunning wedding spaces

In the historic part of Lincoln Bailgate, The Lincoln Hotel boasts perfect views of Lincoln Cathedral – the only venue to have such a sight in the area! The hotel has a large outside area perfect for the arrival drinks and canapés post-ceremony. Whether couples are looking for a big white wedding or an intimate affair, inside the hotel offers elegant reception rooms. The Tennyson suite, the perfect room for large or intimate ceremonies, is decorated to suit any colour scheme and can hold up to 100 loved ones. Post-vows, the Cathedral Suite – for up to 150 – is a beautiful, bright reception room with stunning views. When choosing this big-day venue, couples will have an on-hand wedding planner, free tasting session, and all packages include accommodation on their special day.

Luxe gifting brand launches

Brand new to the wedding scene, April & Bloom have a vision to redefine wedding gifting, by providing a range of elegant gifts for engagements, the bride-to-be, bridal party proposals and for 'the morning of'. The luxe gifting brand promises on-trend products and 'insta-worthy' moments, through its carefully curated range of signature floral gift boxes, wedding planners & notebooks, bespoke gift box service and wedding favours. Filled with stylish products from a range of desirable brands – including Whispering Angel, Pale Fox, Charbonnel et Walker, Chalke Valley and more – April & Bloom's signature keepsake gift boxes are unlike anything on the market, and come adorned with preserved posies, all wrapped up with luxurious ribbons and bows for those precious "wow" wedding moments. There are 13 signature keepsake gift boxes available from the April & Bloom website (aprilandbloom.uk), in blush, cream and neutral colour schemes.

Don't miss out on Go For Macrame Wall's current wedding offer

Go For Macrame Wall is offering 20 per cent off final order prices when couples purchase bespoke creations in December. The company offers high-quality handmade decorations and macrame wedding accessories, including little napkin wraps, tablerunners, chair covers, bouquet wraps, badminton nets that are great for wedding games and large centrepieces.Owner Monika Strzelec has spent years gaining experience and skills to achieve her showstopping work – she's received great reviews from couples. Monika says, "In the last couple of years, I've joined many teams of local suppliers for styled shoots to learn about the wedding industry and get plenty of ideas for future creations."

Winter weddings: how to create the perfect tablescape

Creating the perfect tablescape to bring that wow factor is an important part of your wedding. But how does winter change things? Here, Suzanne Pearce from the interior experts Casa Bella offers some tips. Planning the aesthetic and decoration for your wedding is an exciting task, but it can be tricky to know how to adapt to the seasons when you are having a winter wedding, as so many classic wedding tablescapes are inspired by floral summer designs. But there's still plenty that you can do to incorporate the seasons and make your wedding table look as beautiful and atmospheric as you like. The added drama of seasonal foliage and scenery can add a whole new level to your winter wedding, and can make for some truly memorable photos. Here, we'll show you how you can create a beautiful winter wedding tablescape that's personal to you and your partner.

Fall in love with Sawcliffe Manor in Lincolnshire

Sawcliffe Manor is a historic country house and farm located on the site of a Medieval village and a gateway to a 400 acre nature reserve in North Lincolnshire. Jam-packed full of history and quirkiness, Sawcliffe Manor and its three charming cottages sleeps up to 50 guests. One of its most distinctive features is a giant yurt, one of the biggest in the UK, that houses unforgettable special occasions, from intimate weddings and hen parties to bohemian dinners and disco nights. Blessings can take place in a 17th-century dovecot chapel for a candlelit atmospheric setting or the giant yurt for more of a playful and rustic vibe. The wedding can be celebrated in the yurt or The Old Dairy, the latter is an authentic banqueting space that can seat up to 100 people in a magnificent Medieval setting with oak beams overhead and an open wall to connect to the nature outside.

Stylish advice for grooms, fathers-of-the-bride and ushers

Choosing your wedding dress is only part of the story when it comes to styling your big day. In order to achieve a coordinated look, it's important to think about what the men who make up the wedding party will be wearing. What you choose will ultimately come down to the style of wedding you're planning, the location and of course the time of year. Here Cliff Bashforth, MD of Colour Me Beautiful shares with us his advice on how to ensure that they not only look the part but feel comfortable too. Do not overlook the men who will be at your wedding. What they choose, or you tell them, to wear must complement what you are wearing and be consistent with the rest of the bridal party. A little guidance on colour and fit will ensure that they, too, look the part and feel comfortable.

Sanders Menswear is under new ownership

Following the retirement of Robert Sanders in March 2022, Helen Kirk is very excited to be the first non-family member to carry the Sanders family business into new premises and ownership. After working with Sanders Menswear 90-yearold family business since 2002, she's pleased to confirm that they're continuing as agents of Peter Posh and are now bringing in an even wider selection into the store to view and try on. The team will continue offering Cameron Ross for their highland wear as well as making their formal hire range available to clients for the first time.

The Petwood Hotel offers a charming wedding location

Set in 30 acres of grounds and award-winning landscaped gardens, The Petwood Hotel is set in the charming village of Woodhall Spa on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The hotel is only half an hour away from the historic city of Lincoln, deep in the heart of Bomber County, and boasts AA rosette dining.From the home of an Edwardian Baroness to the former Oficers' Mess of 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, the hotel has been a home from home for everyone who has walked through its doors. The private-use Woodland Suite is ideal for larger ceremonies and receptions of up to 150 guests, while couples can have smaller gatherings in the historic Squadron Bar (16), Petwood Suite (60 for receptions) or Garden Room overlooking the gardens (for up to 30).

Check out Sawcliffe Manor's new milk bath treatment

Guests at Sawcliffe Manor can now take some much-needed pampering time and feel like royalty, thanks to the addition of a Milk Bath Treatment in the Natural Spa. A giant copper tub filled with cow's milk and calendula offers a wonderful experience that will soothe and moisturise skin. The proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals and lactic acid in the milk soaks into the skin while exfoliating dead skin cells. For those with skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, this treatment is known for relieving any irritation. The addition of the flowers isn't just to look pretty but to provide anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial properties to calm redness and ease skin discomfort.