Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

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.

Discover The Hidden Hive in the Derbyshire National Forest

Surrounded by enchanting woodland and idyllic lakes, The Hidden Hive is a laid-back venue located in the Derbyshire National Forest. With three giant tipis and a chill-out area all linked together to create the ultimate space, it's no wonder why the venue is so popular. Solid wooden flooring and twinkly lights throughout the tipis give the whole place that cosy and intimate feel. The chill-out area consists of Chesterfield sofas, armchairs and a fire pit to create a serious ambience. There's also outdoor seating for those warm summer nights as well as an indoor/outdoor bar. The venue is incredibly spacious yet has the rare ability to feel intimate. It's the perfect place for couples to let their imagination run wild – whether they want to host festive-style celebrations or elegant and understated soirées. No matter what, lovebirds will have vast space and open fields perfect for lawn games.

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.

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.

Mallory Court Hotel and Spa is surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped gardens

Mallory Court Hotel and Spa is a magnificent country house hotel surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped gardens and set amidst picturesque countryside, with 42 blissful bedrooms and a three-star Rosette restaurant. The house creates a beautiful backdrop for your celebration, be it basking in the summer sunshine or relaxing by a roaring fire.

The events team will guide you through the best possible options to suit the theme of your special day. From the moment you arrive, to the meal, to your first dance, Mallory Court can make your wedding dreams a reality.

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.

Poppy Elder Fine Jewellery has announced its debut collection

Poppy Elder Fine Jewellery has announced its debut collection. This marks Poppy's first foray into her own line, reflecting over 15 years of her expertise in the UK jewellery industry. This collection comprises of pieces, each thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted in England, featuring unusually cut natural diamonds and distinctive parti-sapphires, set in pieces crafted from platinum and 18ct gold.

Standout pieces in the collection include the oval step-cut diamond engagement ring, accompanied by its matching half-moon-shaped diamond wedding band. This set epitomises modern elegance, offering contemporary brides a distinctive yet timeless bridal ensemble. The collection redefines classic luxury, appealing to those who seek subtle, distinctive designs.

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

Hagley Hall is a grand wedding venue that dates back to the 18th century

Hagley Hall dates back to the 18th century and is one of the last great Palladian mansion houses. Often described as one of the area's best-kept secrets, steeped in history and architecture, the property has been home to the Lyttelton family for over 250 years and is available for private hire. The opulent stately home is nestled within 350 acres of landscaped parkland and offers impressive views of the estate.

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.

The new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection

Find an oasis this spring with the new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection, Under the Desert Sun. The new collection will brighten the home with fragrances that exude memories of warmer days, including four refreshingly light and bright fragrances including, Desert Blooms, Aloe & Agave, Sweet Vanilla & Horchata, and Stargazing. Inspired by the unique beauty of the desert, the new collection has been designed to help escape the ordinary and satisfy wanderlust, immersing the home in sun-drenched scents. The Under The Desert Sun collection features exotic fragrances such as aguaro cactus, aloe and blue lotus, as well as soothing lavender and eucalyptus.

Three spicy but sophisticated hen party ideas

Throwing a hen party that will please all attendees can be tricky. Striking a balance between risque and tame activities can be one of the most controversial challenges you'll face when planning. In fact, some of the more crude hen party gimmicks came out in the top 10 most hated parts of a hen party in this report. However, you can create a hen party that strikes the perfect balance between spice and sophistication, ensuring a night to remember for both the bride and her friends. Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared three amazing themes for the perfect spicy but sophisticated hen party:

Story Cabin Wedding Films is offering our readers an exclusive discount

Story Cabin Wedding Films is a video and photography team that captures weddings across the UK, France and Italy. Owner Jag tells us: "We pride ourselves on capturing raw moments with a discreet and unobtrusive approach. For us, it's about telling your story with passion, creativity and an understanding of you and your personalities. We aim to capture your moments in a raw, documentary style. We steer clear of staging any moments. We want each of our couples to have the highest quality coverage; therefore, we spend our time editing your special day. With us, you will have a one-to-one consultation free of charge. We believe in personal connections and this will help each of us understand each other better."

Experts share 5 tips on accommodating deaf guests at your wedding

Planning a wedding can be challenging, especially when there are so many decisions to be made and so many things to be considered. Whilst this is your big day, considering your guests can go a long way, especially for those who have disabilities or are hard of hearing. In the UK, one in five adults is deaf, has hearing loss or tinnitus, so the likelihood of having someone who may need additional help when it comes to hearing in attendance is quite likely. Ashish Shah, Audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership has offered his expert advice on how you can better accommodate your deaf and hard-of-hearing guests.